23 April 2006
Liesbeth - Campaign Support
From: the Netherlands (Liesbeth is the Executive Director of Greenpeace Netherlands)
How come you're working on Defending our Oceans?
Oceans is a very important campaign for Greenpeace, so much of our oceans are under threat and there are solutions. When I was offered a chance to help this campaign from aboard a ship I didn’t have to think twice.
What are you looking forward to most in this campaign?
Getting a sense of how our work on land, the research there, the lobbying, the working with volunteers and campaigners hangs together with the actions people, the campaigners on board and the people that actually make the ship run.
How/why did you get involved with Greenpeace?
I saw an advertisement in the paper for a Director with the Dutch Greenpeace Office. I had no work experience in an environmental organisation but really wanted to join Greenpeace. And luckily they wanted me.
What personal connection do you have to the ocean (if any?)
Whenever I am on any boat or ship I already feel happy. The sounds and smells of the oceans are so good. I have always lived near water whenever I could and spend time on or in it. I boardsurfed in Australia, I did ocean racing and I love just generally hanging out by the sea. It is only natural to want to protect the thing you love.
What made you follow your chosen profession?
I am an international lawyer by training so I guess that I am not following any particular profession. I have been an air hostess, I cleaned houses, I had an antiquarian bookshop, I was involved in the anti nuclear protests in the eighties, I worked for local government and now have ended up working with Greenpeace.
Anything else you'd like to say?
When we were given our safety tour of the ship the first mate said "when you spot a problem it is yours,” meaning that when for instance you see spilled coffee you don’t go and find the ‘guilty’ party but you clean it up. Much quicker that way. I think that that is what Greenpeace is about - doing instead of having opinions and solving problems when and where you find them.
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