Marylene Smeets

About Marylene Smeets

I\'m reimagining my Dutch-language memoir on innovative holistic healing for an international audience. As further components of my Health of People and Planet Project I give presentations on holistic healing. I also give tips on being (more) sustainable in a fun, delicious, and often thrifty way during call-in programs on the radio, in articles, and on my website. Fluent in Dutch, English, French, and Spanish, I’m available as an experienced speaker and writer. Dutch publisher Paris Books released my memoir, which I wrote in my personal capacity while on unpaid leave from my job at UN Headquarters, in 2019. On bol.com, the Netherlands’ biggest online bookseller, 23 reviews give my memoir an average of 4.9 stars. I’ve published articles on matters on the Holistik, Women’s Wellness Exchange, and Medium websites. I’ve been interviewed on holistic health by the Dutch-language Brandpunt+, JAN, Yoga Magazine, and the new book, Unlimited Success–Living with a Disability, as well as the English-language Living Zoku. I’ve given presentations on holistic health at The School of Life in Amsterdam, De groene afslag in Laren, during an online retreat organized by the Women\'s Wellness Exchange, and for The Moth in Brooklyn. At the invitation of a reader of my book who hosts the To the Max podcast, she and I recorded a series of conversations. I\'d already gained ample speaking experience working for the Committee to Protect Journalists in New York and for the UN mission in Guatemala, giving presentations to a wide variety of audiences. I\'d be delighted to provide you with further information.

Experience

1. Political Affairs Officer at Department of Political Affairs

   United Nations

   Sep 2002 — Present

   Monitor political developments in various Latin American and Caribbean countries; write analytical notes for the Secretary-General and other senior UN officials; draft Secretary-General letters and communiqués, as well as talking points for high-level meetings; travel throughout region to conduct fact-finding, attend seminars and accompany senior UN officials on missions- Provide political advice to UN departments, agencies and programs, both at Headquarters and in the region. Cooperate with different parts of the UN system in setting up conflict-prevention strategies- Maintain contact with the Permanent Missions of portfolio countries, as well as with regional organizations, civil society organizations, analysts, experts and academic institutions in the region- Assigned to the UN Office of the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide from September 2007 until April 2008- Leader of the South America Team from October 2012 until the September 2013 start of my unpaid leave.

Education

• Universiteit van Amsterdam

  LLM

  1987 — 1992

• Université Paul Valéry (Montpellier III)

  French

  1987 — 1987

• University of Idaho

  Credits for Master of Laws (LLM)

  1992 — 1992

• The Johns Hopkins University - Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

  Diploma International Relations from the Bologna Center, Italy

  1992 — 1993

Skills

• Political Science
• International Relations
• Strategic Communications
• Writing
• Capacity Building
• Public Policy
• Human Rights
• Advocacy
• Policy Analysis
• Publications
• Research
• Journalism
• Policy
• Ngos
• Politics
• Government