Parallel Sessions 3, Track 3
Tackling Youth Displacement: Education, Employment, and Enterprise
14:00-15:00, Apr 4 2025, COL 041 Auditorium
Jaap Veerman
Jaap Veerman is the senior Dutch government representative in Atlanta, overseeing relations between the Netherlands and five U.S. states. He leads efforts in trade, investment, public diplomacy, and scientific collaboration. An experienced diplomat specializing in economic diplomacy and business development, he has expertise in water management, agriculture, life sciences, infrastructure, and logistics.
With a master’s in social economic history from Amsterdam University and a background in education, Jaap began his career as a geography teacher. Over 30 years, he has held key roles in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including positions in the Philippines, Suriname, Mexico, and the U.S. Born in Volendam, he is accompanied in Atlanta by his partner, Petra.
Obse Ababiya
Obse Ababiya is the Associate Director of Atlanta Global Partnerships at Emory Global Engagement, strengthening international collaborations within Emory and the Atlanta community.
Previously, she managed Emory’s Institute for Developing Nations, worked with UNICEF, and spent a decade at Alliance Française d’Atlanta. Her career began in Ethiopia supporting HIV/AIDS initiatives, later advocating for Africa’s health rights and peacebuilding efforts.
She holds a B.A. in International Studies and French Literature from Emory and an M.A. in Ethics and Peace from American University. Fluent in four languages and proficient in two more, she is passionate about global leadership and education.
Tony Lemieux, Founding Co-Director, Atlanta Global Studies Center
Anthony F. Lemieux is a Professor of Communication at Georgia State University and co-Director of the Atlanta Global Studies Center. He leads interdisciplinary research on transcultural conflict, violence, and strategic communication.
As Principal Investigator for the U.S. Department of Defense Minerva Initiative, he analyzes terrorist propaganda and media strategies. His past research, funded by Homeland Security and the NSF, explored radicalization, cyber security, and behavioral change interventions, including HIV prevention.
Lemieux has served as a subject matter expert on terrorism, been featured in global media, and holds a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Connecticut.