Olivier Vandecasteele

2025-2026 Obama Foundation Europe Leader

Headshot of Olivier Vandecasteele, 2025-2026 Obama Foundation Europe Leader

Founder and Director, Protect Humanitarians

Belgium

Olivier Vandecasteele is the founder and director of Protect Humanitarians, a nonprofit organization that supports frontline humanitarian workers by promoting best practices in staff care, mental health, and legal assistance. In 2022, Olivier was detained in Iran for over a year, where he was subjected to ill treatment and challenging conditions, a detention that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the Human Rights Council has deemed arbitrary. This inspired him to establish Protect Humanitarians, which was launched after his release in 2023, and work towards prioritizing the protection and psychological safety of humanitarian workers. Olivier has organized global events reaching over 8,000 people, established an emergency fund to assist local NGOs impacted by such incidents, and provided support to humanitarian workers in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, and the DRC.

Your support turns hope into action

Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation.

The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

Meet the 2025-2026 Europe Leaders

More about the Leaders Program

A headshot of a young woman smiling at the camera. The young woman has olive skin and brown eyes. She has dark curly hair that hits her shoulders and is wearing a blue denim shirt.

Leaders

For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.

Learn More
A person wearing a hoodie with the hood up is shown in profile, crouching down to light a candle. She is seen in profile in the glow of candlelight coming from dozens of votives surrounded by assorted flowers. A set of small votive candles are arranged in the shape of a heart near the person’s foot. Six heart-shaped red balloons float above the vigil.
  • The Center
  • Building the Center
Future water terrace to honor Ann Dunham will feature Maya Lin sculpture

Join other Obama alumni in coming together to support the naming of the Water Terrace at the Obama Presidential Center in honor of the life and legacy of President Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham—as a gift for the President’s 61st birthday.

Learn more
placeholder
  • Defending Democracy
  • Leaders
Copenhagen Democracy Summit
Learn more
President Obama speaks on a panel. In the background is a board that reads, "CHICAGO." It is a bright blue color with the Chicago map on the right side.
  • Watch
  • Barack Obama
Watch: President Obama shares the vision of the presidential center

Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi

Learn more