Meet Nora, the treasurer of Club Alpbach Netherlands
Q. How many times have you been to the European Forum Alpbach?
A. I was a first-time scholarship holder in 2024.
Q. Why did you decide to go to EFA?
A. The unique structure—starting with a week of in-depth seminars focused on two topics, followed by a more traditional conference format—felt like an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. It seemed like the perfect way to break out of my professional bubble and push myself beyond my comfort zone.
Q. Why did you decide to join the board of Club Alpbach Netherlands?
A. EFA is truly one-of-a-kind. I met inspiring people from all walks of life, learned from their innovative ideas, and gained insights from perspectives completely different from my own. This diversity was incredibly humbling, and I want as many young people as possible to experience it. Working with Janneke on fundraising to send more scholarship holders to EFA 2025 gives me a chance to help make that happen.
Q. What do you do outside of the EFA bubble?
A. From 9 to 5 I work as a cybersecurity consultant helping complex, global organizations uplift their cyber operations. From 5 to 9 I’m best described as a hyperactive couch potato; you can find me canvasing the city’s book stores for the newest thriller or pretending to know how to catch waves in Scheveningen.
Q. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
If I could change one thing in the world, I’d make “conversation skills” a mandatory subject in all schools. Imagine a world where everyone knew how to engage meaningfully with people who hold drastically different views—not to persuade them but to understand where their perspectives come from. We’d learn to appreciate the diversity of life experiences that shape each person’s outlook, fostering empathy and a deeper sense of connection across divides. Teaching these skills from a young age could transform how we communicate, resolve conflicts, and build a more understanding, inclusive society.
