Region: Belgium
Verena Knaus
Verena Knaus is the Global Lead on Migration and Displacement at UNICEF in Switzerland. She previously held a position of senior policy advisor at UNICEF in Brussels. Before this, Verena co-founded the European Stability Initiative (ESI), a policy-oriented think tank active in the Balkans, Turkey, and the Caucasus. There, she spearheaded empirical research and policy campaigns on issues ranging from women’s rights to visa liberalization, political Islam and post-war recovery. She helped develop ESI's unique methodology, combining labor-intensive data collection with real-time, policy-oriented advocacy. From 2008-2009 Verena advised the former prime minister and mayor of the divided city of Mitrovica, and in summer 2010 she joined Kosovo's Ministry for European…
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Nicola Harrington-Buhay
Nicola Harrington-Buhay works as an advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, notably to increase their possibilities for decent jobs in the workplace. She also represents the International Paralympic Committee at UNESCO. Prior to this, Nicola was Deputy Executive Coordinator for the United Nations Volunteers, promoting volunteerism in peace and development. She was instrumental in introducing the United Nations’ first volunteer program for people with disabilities. She was previously Deputy Director of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development which fosters peer exchange between emerging and developing economies on effective approaches to development. Earlier, Nicola spent several years working for the United Nations. She was the United Nations Resident…
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Stefaan De Rynck
Stefaan De Rynck works as Senior Adviser to Michel Barnier, who is the European Union's Chief Negotiator for Brexit. Previously, he was a Head of Unit in various departments of the European Commission, where he has worked on financial service regulation, economic integration in the single market, regulatory standard-setting, and regional and urban development. He has served as spokesperson for various Members of the European Commission and been responsible for media relations on issues such as EU transport policies, treaty negotiations, and institutional reform. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Turin (Italy) and at the College of Bruges (Belgium) where he teaches on EU governance.
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Annemie Turtelboom
Annemie Turtelboom is currently a Member of the European Court of Auditors, the external auditor of the EU, based in Luxembourg. Her portfolio includes audit work related to EU budget, EU public finance, policies related to EU governance, financial instruments and technical assistance in the EU. She is enthusiastic about digital agenda and innovation in auditing. After having served as Deputy First Minister, Minister of Budget, Finance and Energy in the Flemish Regional Government (2014-2016), she returned to the Belgian Federal Parliament, where she was an active member of the Committee for Foreign Affairs until April 2018. Prior to these positions, Annemie served as Minister of Justice (2012-14) in the…
More InformationEpisode 13: 2017 World Fellow Annemie Turtelboom
Annemie Turtelboom was a teacher before she was elected a Member of the Belgian Parliament. She also served as minister of Justice, Minister of Migration and Minister of the Interior. Breaking many glass ceilings, she provides advice for young women contemplating careers in politics and public service.
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