Mr. B.J.M. (Berend-Jan) baron van Voorst tot Voorst - Main contents

Christian democrat that served as junior minister of European Affairs in 1988 to 1989 and as junior minister for Defence between 1989 and 1993. Prior to his appointment he was a civil servant, working both at the highest echelons at the Dutch ministry for economic affairs as well as serving in the cabinet of two Dutch Commissioners of the European Community. Even as politician, many regarded him to having adopted a managerial style even in the political arena. After leaving office as junior minister he become Governor to the province of Limburg.

Van Voorst tot Voorst is member of the nobility, and many of his ancestors served in public office or became high ranking civil servants. Van Voorst to Voorst is active in various organisations that commerate veterans and World War II as well as cultural organisations.

Name and surname

Berend Jan Marie (Berend-Jan) van Voorst tot Voorst

Date of birth

February 7th 1944

Place of birth

Beek (The Netherlands)

Family

Baron E.H.J. Van Voorst tot Voorst, father (mayor and member of the provincial senate)

R.L.J.M. de Quay, mother

Noblewoman J.M. Bloys van Treslong, spouse

Three daughters

Secondary education

Gymnasium, R.K. "Sint Odulphus Lyceum" in Tilburg

Academic

Dutch Law, Nijmegen University, 1962 to 1968

political sciences, University of Fribourg (Switzerland), 1963 to 1965

Catholic People's Party (KVP), 1966 to October 11th 1980

Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), since October 11th 1980

Party-political functions

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  member of the working group on Europe in 1988
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  chair nomination committee for the European elections 1999

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  director Integration at the Directorate-General of foreign economic relations, Ministry of Economic Affairs, 1968 to 1969
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  member of the cabinet of European Commissioner mr. E.M.J.A. Sassen, 1969 to 1970
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  director Integration at the Directorate-General of foreign economic relations, Ministry of Economic Affairs, 1970 to 1971
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  second secretary at the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands at the European Community, 1971 to 1977
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  vice-director of the cabinet bilateral relations at the Directorate-General of foreign economic relations, Ministry of Economic Affairs, 1977 to 1981
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  senior member of the cabinet of European Commissioner mr. J.H.J.J. Andriessen, 1981 to 1985
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  vice-director-general foreign economic relations, Ministry of Economic Affairs, 1985 to september 26th 1988
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  junior minister of Foreign Affairs (charged with European cooperation), September 27th 1988 to November 7h 1989
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  member of the Dutch House of Representatives, September 14h 1989 to November 7th 1989
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  junior minister of Defence, November 7th 1989 to June 1st 1993
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  Governor of the province Limburg, July 1st 1993 to July 1st 2005

Current

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  secretary-general of the board of governors at EIPA (European Institute of Public Administration
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  member of the supervisory board of the Vfonds (veterans' fund)
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  board member at various cultural organisations

Past

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  member of the board at the European Center for Development Policy Management
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  board member at various cultural organisations
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  board member at various organisation for remembrance and memorial for World War II

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  responsible for the national law approving the Own Recources Decision of the European Communities, which introduced a fourth source of finance based on national GDP for the European Community
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  with his minister set out guidelines for the largest restructuring and reduction of the Dutch military in modern times
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  in cooperation with the minister for Justice Van Voorst tot Voorst reviewed military disciplinary law