Seppe Wiet H. Verheyen

Advisor, Abrahamic Family House

Seppe Wiet H. Verheyen serves as an advisor at the Abrahamic Family House (AFH) in Abu Dhabi, supporting the executive director with strategic decision-making and policy development in interfaith and diplomatic initiatives. Before his time at AFH, Dr. Verheyen held various roles at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, including innovation and special initiatives manager, senior research fellow, and chief of staff. He significantly contributed to the academy’s local and global influence. He also directed the master of arts in diplomacy program and the international office at the American University in the Emirates, enhancing students’ diplomatic skills and establishing key partnerships. A Fulbright scholar, Dr. Verheyen earned his PhD from Trinity College Dublin with a thesis on undecided voters’ decision-making processes. He has worked as an advisor at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Belgian Permanent Representation to the EU, where he drafted EU foreign policies and represented Belgium at the EU forum. He has also has consulted for political parties in Belgium and Ireland, and he frequently speaks at conferences on diplomacy, smart cities, leadership, and skills training.