Working title dissertation: 'Lobbying in a public-private interest continuum', the role of lobbying coalitions in multilateral negotiations. My research aims to explain the power dynamics in multilateral negotiations through analyzing the role of coalitions. Inspiration for this research stems from participation in global forums on climate change and biodiversity, as well as issues related to peace and justice. The power dynamics between public and private interests, between conservation of nature and sustainable use of nature, is increasingly palpable in these negotiations. For example, my research focuses on the role of lobbying coalitions in negotiating digital sequence information (DSI) of genetic resources under the auspices of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD).

More information about Arthur van Buitenen

Arthur is policy advisor at the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), an intergouvernmental organization devoted to strengthening rule of law. Climate Justice – the nexus between climate change and biodiversity and rights-based rule of law approaches is one of his focus areas. 
Before IDLO, he was employed at Rabobank in reputation and stakeholder engagement programmes in sustainable agriculture, among other places in Indonesia, Ghana, Chile and the Netherlands. Earlier, Arthur was partner at Ketchum consultancy and responsible for the Dutch public affairs business. He combined this responsibility with his role as European practice group leader for Corporate Social Responsibility. Prior to this, Arthur initiated and directed the Dutch Telemedicine Institute, worked for the Dutch political social-liberal party D66 at the Dutch Second Chamber of Paliament and the European Parliament.
In the early 1990s Arthur lobbied on behalf of Netherlands Committee for the IUCN at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). In 1994 the Leiden Journal of International Law published his article based on his experiences. Arthur served as a member of the The Hague city council for the social – liberal party D66. He studied political science and European and International law at Leiden University.