Verhelst, Caroline

Caroline Verhelst holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Economic Sciences and International Relations and Diplomacy, both diplomas obtained at the University of Antwerp. Within her Master of International Relations and Diplomacy, her thesis covered China’s involvement in the Congolese mining sector. Over time, she developed a profound interest in global governance and sustainability issues.

Aside from her studies, she acquired experience in programme management and research. Upon completion of an internship as project coordinator at the King Baudouin Foundation, she carried out an internship at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva. She conducted research and provided analysis on sustainable development issues related to disaster risk reduction and was exposed to all angles of the international development sector. 

During her four month internship at UNU-CRIS, she assisted in a literature review, data collection and drafting of a paper on the UN-regional organisations’ nexus under the supervision of Philippe De Lombaerde.