About New to the Netherlands

The team at New to the Netherlands is comprised of people with various backgrounds. Some have lived their entire lives in the Netherlands, but most were not born or raised here. Together they decide which Dutch programs and subjects deserve to receive attention to help newcomers find their way here.

Bernadette Slotboom (57) is the Chief Editor of NPO's New to the Netherlands. She has worked for nearly 40 years in journalism and communications. After having worked at newspapers, and in the Information Department and for the NOS News, she has now been working for the public broadcasting company for a number of years.

Pamela Williams (55) is the Chief English Editor at New to the Netherlands. She is from the United States. She has lived in Amsterdam since 1984 and has worked as a correspondent for various media organizations. She has also translated and edited  several books and film projects about the Middle-East.

Mohammed Abdulrahman is the Chief Arabic Editor at New to the Netherlands. He studied journalism in Baghdad, Iraq and Political Science in Khartoum, Sudan. He also worked as Chief Editor for the Arabic Department of Radio Nederland Worldwide (RNW) for 12 years. Along with his work for New to the Netherlands, Mohammed also works as a freelancer for various Dutch and European media organizations.

Marlijn Klerk (34) is an editor at New to the Netherlands.  She has lived in the Netherlands her entire life. After having worked for various cultural organizations and broadcasters, she now coordinates the website and social media of New to the Netherlands.

Jasmijn Alkemade (30) is an editor at New to the Netherlands. She has worked as a freelancer for various television programs. Because she really wants to help newcomers to feel at home in the Netherlands, she is passionately committed to her work for New to the Netherlands.

Stijn Wijngaard (26) is a web editor at New to the Netherlands. He prefers working for cultural and social projects or programs. With his work for New to the Netherlands, he hopes to be able to help newcomers to integrate into Dutch society.

Arash Sameti Pour Pour comes from Iran and is a web editor at New to the Netherlands. In Iran he worked as a fixer, amongst other things. Along with his busy job for New to the Netherlands, he is also studying New Media at the University of Utrecht.

Besan Zarzar (27) comes from Syria and works as a web editor at New to the Netherlands. She has been educated as a journalist. She has now lived in the Netherlands for two-and-a-half years. Along with Arabic and Dutch, she also speaks a fair amount of Dutch.

Kowfurow Ali (31) comes from Somalia and is a web editor at New to the Netherlands. In Somalia he worked as a journalist. He has lived in the Netherlands since 2009. He speaks 3 languages: Somali, English and Dutch.

Basel Aal Bennoud comes from Syria and is a web editor at New to the Netherlands. He has experience with various editorial staffs abroad and worked mainly for organizations where English was the main language. He now speaks Arabic, English and Dutch.