ICEERS
International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research & Service
As director of the documentary ‘Ibogaine-Rite of Passage’ (LunArt Productions, 2004), Ben became intrigued by the tremendous transformations he had witnessed in the participants of the film. After completion of the film he started to give presentations and lectures and started dedicating most of his time to the subject of applied ethnobotanical practice. He received training from experts in fields such as family therapy and observed many people going through personal growth processes through the use of ethnobotanicals. Meanwhile, his work as documentary and television editor and training in the field of grassroots distribution set the technical and conceptual basis for this organization. In 2009 Ben founded ICEERS in the Netherlands.
Every organization operating through an international network needs an engine that keeps alive the agenda and ambitions, continues motivating the employees and volunteers, that has the energy to keep believing in the organization, and takes the practical aspects of the cooperation to his account. Ben de Loenen, also founder of ICEERS fulfills that function in the organization as executive director; he works out the strategies and converts them into concrete actions and programs, he manages the team and collaborations with partners. With his education and extensive experience in the audiovisual field, he is also responsible for the multimedia productions of the organization.
Started her studies in nursing, after which she worked in the ambulance in Bilbao. In 2001 she started studies in Biology at the Universidad Autónoma of Barcelona, Spain, which she finished in 2007, during which she has been involved in scientific botanical research. Her interest in social work led her to working with babies and young children with physical and mental handicaps in custody of the Government, and in families with older handicapped children. She has been involved in projects of risk and harm reduction and at present she is studying social work at the National University of Studies at Distance. At ICEERS her interest in social work and biology melts together.
Living in Barcelona, Spain, Veronica studied Pharmacy degree at the University of Barcelona. She got her Master on Pharmaceutical Marketing Management at the Pompeu Fabra University in 2008, and the Executive MBA of the Esade Business School at the Ramon Llull University in 2010.
She has been working for over 12 years in several areas of the pharmaceutical sector. At present she is part-time academy collaborator of the Esade Entrepreneurship Institute and the Department of Business Policy of Esade. She is focused on Business Models Architecture, Design Thinking and Innovation. She dedicates time in helping and challenging entrepreneurs to achieve their goals.
studied Medical Anthropology at Universitat Rovira i Virgili. He has extensive experience in adolescent drug education and is presently involved in a number of social research projects related to heroin consumption and its social impacts. Pep is also collaborating in the development and implementation of drug policies in Catalonia at the Catalan Goverment Office.