WHAT IS YOUR BACKGGROUND AND PATH TO THE CURRENT POSITION?

On Christmas Evening in 1973, I received my first book about the journalist Tintin: The Broken Ear. After the extreme environmental change when my mother gave birth to me, this Christmas gift is probably the most important thing that happened to me as a child. The meeting with Tintin and his adventures came to characterize my childhood, my teenage years and huge part of my professional working.

For many years I wanted to become a foreign correspondent. I wanted to work at some significant and critical review newspaper; traveling worldwide and write articles about people, events, religious or culture related places.

But the dream took a U-turn in early 1980s when I realised that Tintin wasn't really a journalist. Almost nowhere in his books you'll find him writing an article, attending a newspaper editorial meeting or reading his own articles.

Tintin is an adventurer; a man who constantly leaps into the void, trying to find and rescue people, a person who dives into innovative projects for the sake of being able to jump around on the moon, discover and stop the development of some evil-man-made-machine or freezing half to death at some high mountain in the Himalayas. And at the same time he discovers all corners of the world, always surrounded by a network of characteristic friends - and enemies.

The following years I tried to find a job reminiscent of Tintin's life. I worked as visual artist, stage hand, video and sound teacher, welder, publisher, web designer, and parallel as a co-driver in rally on a national level.

The co-driver's job is to navigate, reading off a set of pacenotes to the driver. Telling the driver what lies ahead, where to turn, the severity of the turn, and what obstacles to look out for, and any incidents or accidents that may have occurred further ahead on the stage. The co-driver is also called on to keep track on the accommodation and food supply for the team during the race weekends, as well as the timeplan during the competition, and perform maintenance on the car during road sections and the special stages - when "the paddle against the metal" - such as changing a wheel, refill petrol and oil etc.

The work as a co-driver gave me a lot of knowledge about myself and my skills in communicating and management. By telling the notes, the driver knows - hopefully - how the distance goes and can drive the route as quickly and safe as possible. Doing rally as a co-driver is filled with risks and challenges - like running a project - and has many similarities to the work I have today: organising, giving clear information, supporting, keeping yourself constantly updated on rules and regulations, and performing.

In rally the tragedies and triumphs are close neighbour. During my years as a co-driver I've learned to cope with successes - that was easy - and disappointments. When you're less then 1 kilometres away from winning a race and the speed is alright, but the corner is to tight... But the great feeling when you hit the finish line after a clear special stage or fall asleep in the evening after a perfect overall performance with a bright and shining cup on the bedside table is very similar to the feeling you get when you receive a mail and some application is approved.

The experiences and knowledge I gained by focusing, at a average speed of 115 km/h in some forest around Sweden are very similar to my daily work today.

International Relations Coordinator came to be the job most reminded of my childhood's great idol.

WHAT IS YOUR PASSION IN YOUR JOB?

I work for a less limited and more curious world. There is the potential for new knowledge to develop: through exchanges. Connecting people and different environments. Communicating and sharing. All those fundamental things that hopefully make people never stop exploring.

I am a racing person. Waiting for the results, after weeks of midnight oil with some NordPlus, Erasmus+ ICM, Strategic Partnership or Capacity Building application tickles me. Getting an application approved is an enjoyable experience as well as running projects, and developing results together in a team.

However, reporting is not my strong branch. I'm usually already involved in new projects when it's time to write the report, but an IRC has to do what has to be done!