Ralph van der Zijden - How a book.... (14. Beogradski Ignite - 8.12.2011)

Ralph van der Zijden - How a book, a pissing helicopter-pilot, a monkey, a black prostitute and a communist sports-car made be become an entrepreneur

Born in The Netherlands in 1977. Studied Sociology and International Relations at the University of Amsterdam. Worked in Kosovo and Macedonia from 2004 - 2007 organizing Summer Universities and guiding young people in starting up a business. Became International Policy Advisor for the City of The Hague with an emphasize on South East Europe and was contact-person for the embassies, International Organizations and NGO's in The Hague from 2007 - 2011.
Moved to Belgrade in March 2011 to become a social entrepreneur and started iBikeBelgrade (www.ibikebelgrade.com). His second company, the ' Belgrade Nightlife Academy' (www.nightlifeacademy.com) started in November 2011.

Is still trying to find out why he feels more at home in the Balkans than in Holland. Has a hard time to stop working and go to bed and therefore also has a hard time to get out of bed and start working sometimes. Believes that everything he does should contribute to the well-being of those in a worse position than his own. Gets tired of people who think he's a spy, people who expect him to know about football because he's from Holland and people who think there's a reason not to drive a bicycle instead of a car in the city.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

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