Curriculum Vitae
Professional
1957-1964 Study Economics, Erasmus University, Rotterdam
1964-1971 Lecturer and Research Fellow (with Prof. Jan Tinbergen), Erasmus University and Netherlands Economic Institute, Division of Balanced International Growth, Rotterdam.
1971-1974 Member of Parliament, The Netherlands (Labour Party, PvdA)
1973-1977 Minister for Development Co-operation, The Netherlands (Cabinet den Uyl)
1978-1980 Member of Parliament, The Netherlands (Labour Party, PvdA)
1978-1980 Professor Theory and Practice of International Development, Institute of Social Studies (ISS), The Hague
1980-1986 Deputy Secretary-General United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD, Assistant Secretary General UN), Geneva
1986-1989 Member of Parliament, The Netherlands (Labour Party, PvdA)
1988-1989 Professor Theory and Practice of Policy Making, University of Amsterdam
1989-1994 Minister for Development Co-operation, The Netherlands (Cabinet Lubbers III)
1992 Acting Minister of Defence (idem)
1994-1998 Minister for Development Co-operation (Cabinet Kok I)
1998-2002 Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Housing (Cabinet Kok II)
2002-2004 Professor Theory and Practice of International Development, Institute of Social Studies (ISS), The Hague
2004-2006 Special Representative Secretary General of the United Nations in Sudan. Head United Nations Peace Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), Khartoum
2007-2011 Professor Theory and Practice of International Development, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS, The Hague) of Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Presently Professor Emeritus ISS.
2009-present: Visiting Professor United Nations University for Peace (UPeace), Costa Rica
Positions
- Member Evaluation Committee Netherlands Development Assistance, 1966-1969
- Member World Council of Churches Commission on the Participation of Churches in Development (WCC/CCPD), 1969-1973
- Member Board of Editors ‘Wending’, 1970-1973
- Deputy Governor World Bank, 1973-1977 and 1989-1998
- Member Development Committee of the World Bank, 1974-1977 and 1989-1998
- Chairman Intergovernmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI), 1973-1977 and 1989-1992
- Chairman Committee of the Whole, 7th Special Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, 1975
- Chairman World Council of Churches Advisory Group on Economic Matters, 1978-1987
- Member Independent Commission on International Development Issues (Brandt Commission), 1979-1983
- Member International Commission for the Study of Communication Problems (MacBride Commission), 1978-1980
- Chairman Commission of Economic Affairs, Second Chamber Parliament of the Netherlands.
- Deputy Chairman Labour Party (PvdA), The Netherlands, 1987-1989
- Member Commission on Global Governance (Carlsson/Ramphal Commission), 1991-1995
- Co-Chairman Global Coalition for Africa, 1991-1998
- Member Independent Commission on Population and the Quality of Life (Commission de Lourdes Pintasilgo), 1994-1996
- Chairman 6th Conference of Parties UN Convention on Climate Change, 2000-2001
- Special Envoy Secretary General United Nations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, 2001-2003
- Chairman of the Board of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), London, 2002-2004
- Chairman of Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), Geneva, 2003-2004
- Chairman Federation of Refugee Organisations in the Netherlands (Vluchtelingen Organisaties Nederland, VON), 2003-2004
- Member Council Interpeace, Geneva, 2007-2012
- Chairman Interchurch Peace Council (Interkerkelijk Vredesberaad, IKV), The Netherlands, 2008-2011
- President Society for International Development (SID, Rome), 2008-2011
Honours
- Dr. Honoris Causa, San Marcos University, Lima, Peru (1974)
- Dr. Honoris Causa Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands (2002)
- Grootlint Ere Orde van de Palm, Surinam (1977)
- Ridder Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw, The Netherlands (1978)
- Gran Cruz Orden Bernardo O'Higgins, Chile (1993)
- 26th September Medal, Yemen (1996)
- Defender of Democracy Award, Parliamentarians for Global Action (1997)
- Officier Legion d'Honneur, France (2001)
- Officier Orde van Oranje Nassau, The Netherlands (2002)
- Global Environment Award, International Association for Impact Assessment (2002)
- Honorary President Evert Vermeer Foundation (2007)