The Amsterdam office of International Advocates for Children, a nonprofit based in Alpharetta, will have a full-time staff member beginning in February as the organization seeks to build stronger bonds with European governments and expand its operations throughout the continent, Lynda Lee Smith told GlobalAtlanta last week. Ms. Smith is the organization’s executive director.
The non-profit organization is a watchdog for orphaned and abandoned children worldwide. It opened its suburban Atlanta office in 2001 with a staff of four and a volunteer office in the Dutch city last year with the assistance of Maarten Brekelmans, a member of the parliament of North Holland and an advocate for orphaned children.
According to Ms. Smith, the organization provides a tracking system of orphaned children around the world through a proprietary software that it acquired in its partnership with Trans Parent Systems Inc., developers of the software program also located in Alpharetta.
“The Netherlands is an ideal location because the country is considered a neutral country in Europe, but yet it is a strong supporter of the U.S., she said. “Additionally, Amsterdam is near The Hague, which continues to host conferences on international adoption.”
The establishment of an overseas office was part of the non-profit organization’s strategy, which earmarked the opening of satellite offices on every continent, she said.
For more information, contact Ms. Smith by email at lynda@iachildren.org. or by phone at (678) 893-7470.