Akim van der Voort is an expert on market economy, free trade, and globalization at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Berlin. He actively strives to integrate diversity and intersectionality into global political and economic debates. Prior to joining the foundation, he worked as an advisor for the German Development Agency GIZ in Nigeria and Botswana as well as at the Trade and Customs Department at the private consultancy firm Deloitte.
Akim has a master’s degree in international law from the University of Amsterdam and a bachelor’s degree in business law and economics from the Vienna University of Economics and Business. Before studying, he played a crucial part in founding a new liberal movement in Austria, campaigning for government reform and human rights. Subsequently, he served as an elected councilor in one of Vienna’s districts, where he fought for more representation and awareness for LGBTIQ+ communities at the local and city levels.
