Interview With Pietronella Van Den Oever, PRB Visiting Scholar
(November 2011) Pietronella Van Den Oever is a senior international development professional with extensive experience in managerial and leadership positions in international organizations and intercultural settings. She has focused on population and international (rural) development and the interactions between social, economic, and environmental development goals, and has extensive experience in sub-Saharan Africa. She is fluent in four languages and worked for PRB as a population scientist over 20 years ago. Van Den Oever brings a wealth of information, contacts, and a refreshing approach to demography to PRB staff.
PRB: Why did you decide to apply to PRB's Visiting Scholar program?
Van Den Oever: I wanted an intellectual home that would allow me to write a book about my work in Africa while having colleagues around as a sounding board. I wanted to write a book that would highlight the links between demographic change and evolving roles of men and women in African culture and brush up on my demography skills...what better place than PRB!
PRB: What was your previous position at the World Bank, and was that environment similar to PRB's?
Van Den Oever: Actually, my job at the World Bank over the past 10 years was largely managerial in scope and my demographic skills started to become rusty. Most of the people in my regular network did not have demographic backgrounds.
PRB: What contributions do you feel you have made to PRB?
Van Den Oever: I was able to bring in people from my previous networks to introduce new angles of approaching demography in tandem with other disciplines. I have been able to write blogs and web articles about my work in Burundi and Mali, and give PRB Policy Seminars. One of my most notable accomplishments was the establishment of a monthly demographic interest group.
PRB: Describe your "take aways" from being a PRB Visiting Scholar.
Van Den Oever: Participating in PRB's Visiting Scholar program not only allowed me to bring my demographic knowledge up-to-date, but to contribute my own experience in sub-Saharan Africa in outreach activities and develop wonderful networking opportunities with PRB staff.
The visiting scholar program has definitely been a win-win opportunity for both Pietronella Van Den Oever and for PRB staff. Read more on how to become a Visiting Scholar at PRB.