Youri is a MSc Forest & Nature Conservation student with a background in ecology, now shifting his focus toward policy, especially polar policymaking, where he hopes to build his future. His polar interests started all the way back in 2008 when he first visited Kirkenes, Norway. This interest deepened through later travels to Svalbard in 2012 and 2019. He has been involved with APECS Netherlands since the beginning of 2023 and he was chosen as President of APECS Netherlands at the end of 2023.