Cathy Chen

Cathy Chen earned a BA in International Studies from Leiden University in the Netherlands. As a Socrates International Honor Scholar, she studied abroad at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where she deepened her knowledge of international development. Following graduation, Cathy assisted in the organization of the first state visit of the Dutch King to China and the largest trade mission at the Dutch Consulate in Shanghai. During this time, she developed her abilities in bilateral negotiations while engaging in projects that linked Dutch innovations to China’s environmental problems. Cathy then joined the European Parliament in Brussels where she managed a sustainability campaign that brought together 7,000 young Europeans to discuss contemporary issues with policymakers. Most recently, she has focused on public-private partnerships at the United Nations in New York, paying particular attention to green infrastructure development and capacity building in Africa. Being fluent in Dutch, Mandarin and English, and having studied German, French, Japanese and Korean, Cathy held different teaching positions to further nourish her passion for languages. Following graduation, Cathy seeks to join the Dutch Foreign Service and improve the cooperation between the public and private sector in smart city development.