Mabel's New Job: 'The Elders', An African Policy Institute

[marilyne]

News Summary Royalblog.nl: Princess Mabel takes job with 'The Elders'

Princess Mabel will serve as the first Chief Executive of The Elders,Desmond Tutu, Chair of the Elders, announced on Wednesday. She will oversee the day-to-day operations for the Elders, a group of eminent individuals convened by Nelson Mandela to use their wisdom, independent leadership and experience to tackle some of the world’s toughest problems.

[lucien]

Absolutely great news,a most impressive job,and group of people,indeed.

The Elders :: theElders.org

Congratulations HRH!

[Marengo]

Desmond Tutu, Chair of the Elders, today announced that Mrs. Mabel van Oranje will serve as the group’s first Chief Executive Officer. She will oversee the day-to-day operations for the Elders, a group of eminent individuals convened by Nelson Mandela to use their wisdom, independent leadership and experience to tackle some of the world’s toughest problems.

“My fellow Elders and I are delighted to have found such an accomplished and dynamic individual to steer the operations of our group,” said Tutu, “Mabel brings a strong background of work on some of the most challenging issues and a global perspective to this position, and I believe she will be instrumental in helping the Elders fulfill our mission.”

Van Oranje, who assumes the position on July 1 and will be based in London, currently serves as the international advocacy director of the Open Society Institute, which is part of the Soros Foundations Network. She is also a founder and co-chair, together with Martti Ahtisaari and Joschka Fischer, of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Previously, she was the executive director of the Open Society Institute-Brussels (1997-2003), the representative office of the Soros Foundations Network in Western Europe. She founded and was the executive director from 1993 through 1997 of the European Action Council for Peace in the Balkans, a West-European non-governmental organization dedicated to establishing peace, democracy and stability in the Balkans.

In 2005, the World Economic Forum elected Van Oranje a Young Global Leader. Jane Wales will continue to serve as acting CEO, until June 30th, 2008.

Congrats to Mabel! As Dawn French said about Princess Catherina Zeta Spartacus Douglas Jones, Queen of Wales... ' the things money and influence can buy' .

I find it a bit odd that they need a young white woman to be the chair(wo)man of such an distinguished group btw.

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Marengo

Congrats to Mabel! As Dawn French said about Princess Catherina Zeta Spartacus Douglas Jones, Queen of Wales... ' the things money and influence can buy' .

I find it a bit odd that they need a young white woman to be the chair(wo)man of such an distinguished group btw.

Odd?Why?Other members are a bit pale in the face compared to Desmond and dear wonderfull Nelson too.What about the former PM of Norway,and the former president of Ireland.

One of the reasons is simply that our dear Mabel,all on her own and before her wedding,already had a more impressive agenda then most kids her age with a literal who's who,from Downing Street 10 to a tiny and dirty gipsy village,never mind her Manolo Blashniks in the mud and never mind pomp and a lot of ado about nothing,you don't fool her and she lets you know,it's always and everywhere the same;"Hi,I'm Mabel",regardless whom she faces.
Dear Mabel is very much underestimated by most dutch,oh well,so be it,I can't cure shortsightedness right here and now.

This huge and important network can be used to the fullest to achieve what The Elders and their organisation stand for,so yes,I fully understand their choice.A great choice,absolutely.