Steering group

The steering committee runs the day-to-day activity of the platform. It also discusses proposals for external communication and views on policy. When necessary, the steering committee will consult the members.

The steering committee exists of 8 to 12 people which are elected and will exercise their mandate personally. They will contribute the expertise gained through their own organisations.

At the election of members, certain balances will be kept in mind:

Between academic institutes, NGOs, representatives of government services, other organisations (e.g. study bureaus) and individual members.
Between both Belgian national languages, with a minimum of 2 members of each language.
Between the sexes, with a minimum of 2 members of each gender.

The duration of the mandate has been fixed on 4 years and is renewable. The renewal takes place every two years by one third to half of the members of the steering group who can give up their mandate for election.

The functions of chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, treasurer and members are divided by the members of the steering group themselves.

Recent composition of the steering group:

Chairperson: Karel Gyselinck, Belgian Development Agency
Vice-chairperson: Gaëlle Fonteyne, Cemubac
Secretary: Dirk Van der Roost, Institute of Tropical Medicine
Treasurer: Ndudi Phasi, Benelux Afrocenter

Other Members:

Ignace Ronse, Direction General for Development Cooperation
Yves Coppieters, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles
Marc Twagirumukiza, Ghent University
Meinie Nicolaï, Doctors without Borders Belgium
Valérie Van Belle, CM Landsbond - Alliance Nationale des Mutualités Chrétiennes
Birgit Kerstens, Hera-Belgium