Damien du Preez

Profession: As a young professional, I'm passionate about leveraging my growing skillset to contribute to projects and organisations creating positive change in the world. In my role as the head of marketing and communications for the Centre for Research on Democracy, I've been instrumental in growing the centre's reputation and impact as an international research institution. More recently, I've begun consulting for Woolly Bugger Farm, a South African eco-tourism venture.

Vocation: Uniting much of what I do is a desire to understand and engage with the world, as well as a fascination with how we might create a better one for ourselves and future generations. A natural offshoot of this is Bright Skies, a solutions-focused creative project exploring ideas for a radically better world. I regularly write about these ideas - citizens assemblies, climate justice, pedestrian cities, etc. - as well as other themes.

Education: I recently completed a Bachelor's degree in political science, philosophy, and economics at Stellenbosch University, including six months at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. In late 2024, I hope to begin Master's studies in Germany.