Aart Jan de Geus
Encyclopedia
Aart Jan de Geus is deputy secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) in Paris
. He is a CDA
Dutch
politician and was the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment of the Netherlands in the first, second and third cabinet Balkenende.
in accounting in 1975. He then studied Dutch law at the Erasmus University
, followed by postdoctoral studies at the Catholic University of Nijmegen
.
From 1980, de Geus worked for the Federation of Christian Trade Unions
(CNV). In 1993 he became a vice-chairman, with a portfolio including social security
, pensions, public health
and public works
. In this capacity he also became a member of the Dutch Social-Economic Council
. In 1998, he was made a partner in the consulting firm Boer & Croon.
On February 6, 2007, it became known that de Geus did not plan on returning in the new cabinet and would likely become a Deputy Secretary General of the OECD. He left his ministerial position February 20 of that year and assumed his OECD duties on March 5.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international economic organisation of 34 countries founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade...
(OECD) in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He is a CDA
Christian Democratic Appeal
The Christian Democratic Appeal is a centre-right Dutch Christian democratic political party. It suffered severe losses in the 2010 elections and fell from the first to the fourth place...
Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
politician and was the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment of the Netherlands in the first, second and third cabinet Balkenende.
Personal Life and Career
De Geus received his propaedeusePropaedeutics
Propaedeutics or propedeutics is a historical term for an introductory course into a discipline: art, science, etc. Etymology: pro- + Greek: paideutikós, "pertaining to teaching"....
in accounting in 1975. He then studied Dutch law at the Erasmus University
Erasmus University
Erasmus University Rotterdam is a university in the Netherlands, located in Rotterdam. The university is named after Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, a 15th century humanist and theologian...
, followed by postdoctoral studies at the Catholic University of Nijmegen
Radboud University Nijmegen
Radboud University Nijmegen is a public university with a strong focus on research in Nijmegen, the Netherlands...
.
From 1980, de Geus worked for the Federation of Christian Trade Unions
Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond
The Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond is a federation of trade unions of the Netherlands.-History:...
(CNV). In 1993 he became a vice-chairman, with a portfolio including social security
Social security
Social security is primarily a social insurance program providing social protection or protection against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and others. Social security may refer to:...
, pensions, public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
and public works
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
. In this capacity he also became a member of the Dutch Social-Economic Council
Social-Economic Council
The Sociaal-Economische Raad is a major economic advisory council of the Dutch government. Formally it heads a system of sector-based regulatory organizations. It represents the social partners trade unions and employers' organizations...
. In 1998, he was made a partner in the consulting firm Boer & Croon.
Political career
On July 22, 2002, de Geus became Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Balkenende I cabinet. On October 16, he took over the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. He was renamed Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Balkenende II Cabinet.On February 6, 2007, it became known that de Geus did not plan on returning in the new cabinet and would likely become a Deputy Secretary General of the OECD. He left his ministerial position February 20 of that year and assumed his OECD duties on March 5.