Our team in Brussels
Olivia Caeymaex - Peace Programme Lead
Olivia joined QCEA in Ocotber 2016 after eight years experience of peacebuilding. Olivia previously worked as the Special Assistant to the United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, based in Dakar. Her prior work at the United Nations headquarters includes experience at the United Nations University looking at issues such as modern slavery and crimes against humanity, as well as at the Peacebuilding Support Office and the Policy Committee Secretariat at the Executive Office of the Secretary-General.
Her policy work in conflict prevention includes field experience working for the International Crisis Group and the Enough Project respectively in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Olivia is bilingual in English and French and is fluent in Spanish.
You can contact Olivia at Olivia.Caeymaex [at] QCEA.org
Laëtitia Sédou, EU Programme Officer ENAAT - European Network Against Arms Trade
Laëtitia Sédou works as the EU Programme Officer on behalf of the European Network Against the Arms Trade. Laëtitia is an experienced advocate in Brussels, including eight years at the Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT).
Please contact Laëtitia at laetitia [at] enaat.org
Andrew Lane - Director
Andrew Lane works as the Representative, leading the small QCEA team in Brussels and engaging with Quaker communities and agencies across Europe. Andrew's is currently developing a human rights programme to commence in 2017. He currently serves on the steering committees of Quakers in Criminal Justice, European Peacebuilding Liaison Office and the European Network Against the Arms Trade. Prior to working in Brussels, Andrew worked as the policy advisor to a regional police commissioner in the UK.
Please contact Andrew at andrew.lane [at] qcea.org.
Xavie
r Verhaeghe - Office Manager
Xavier Verhaeghe has worked at QCEA in different roles since 2002. He managed the renovation of our listed building and has provided expertise on property issues since then. Xavier works at the QCEA Office Manager, alongside managment responsibilities in the commercial sector in Brussels.
You can contact Xavier about supporting QCEA, room hirings, or other topics by writing to office [at] qcea.org.
Kate McNally - Forced Migration Project Coordinator
Kate McNally coordinates activity related to asylum, refugees and forced migration. A large part of Kate's role involves connecting people who are working in grassroots projects in different parts of Europe. A psychologist by training, Kate has worked as a University Professor and more recently for many years as a Human Resources Consultant in the US and Canada. Volunteer work includes a Rape Crisis Centre, an organisation offering support to troubled youth and as a mediator in the US court system.
Please contact Kate at kate.mcnally [at] qcea.org
Martin Leng - Communications Coordinator
Martin Leng joined QCEA in November 2016, alongside his other peacebuilding work in Brussels. With a background in European external policy, including an MA in EU International Relations and Diplomacy from the College of Europe, Martin previously worked for a minority rights NGO before making the switch to peacework. At QCEA, he has the opportunity to blend this political expertise with his creative side. Martin is engaged in a range of comms projects, including the development of a new communications strategy, improved branding and donor outreach. He speaks English, French and Swedish.
To contact Martin, please email: martin.leng [at] qcea.org
Dilia Zwart - Peace Programme Assistant
Dilia Zwart joined QCEA as the Peace Programme Assistant in March 2017. Prior to joining QCEA, Dilia worked at the European Parliament for a Romanian politician, and focused on foreign affairs and EU enlargement. She has experience in peace building through field work and education in the Western Balkans. Dilia first became interested in peace and human rights work while growing up near the Mexican-Arizona border and volunteering for refugee resettlement programs. Dilia conducted ethnographic research for her MA and BA dissertations on conflict transformation and political participation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. She has also worked as a research assistant at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. Dilia is bilingual in English and Dutch.
To contact Dilia, please email: dilia.zwart [at] qcea.org
Sylvain Mossou - Human Rights Research Assistant
Sylvain joined QCEA in March 2017. He previously worked with NGOs, the UN and the European Parliament in the fields of human rights, humanitarian aid, and international development at EU level. As a Human Rights Research Assistant, Sylvain will be working on the development of QCEA's human rights programme. He is bilingual in English and French.
To contact Sylvain, please email: sylvain.mossou [at] qcea.org
Governance
Governance functions are undertaken by our General Assembly, a body made up of representatives of Quaker communities in more than twenty European countries and other European Quaker organisations. The Council meets twice a year, and delegates some of its responsibilities to an Executive Committee to act on its behalf between meetings. Both the General Assembly and the Executive Committee are clerked (chaired) by Oliver Robertson.