My work

Most of us spend a large part of our life at work. So did I.

I would like to share some of the things I did (and still do) as it gives a nice view on how (office) work changed from 1983 onwards. From copying hard prints during my study time, to the very first Olivetti computers in the office, to the rise and fall of the fax machine and - now - working with social media to share government policy.

I am proud that my work was so diverse and related to interesting global events (rise of developing countries, fall of Berlin wall, expansion of European Union, start of renewable energy, the shifting balance between markets and state intervention, introduction of the Euro, commemoration of the Marshall plan and increasing global life expectancy). Most of these things would not have happened if it wasn’t for my work. Maybe.

It was anyhow a very interesting period and my work certainly contributed to who I am now. Of course, I did not do this alone. I had the pleasure to work together with many interesting colleagues in many different settings. Every day, I still learn from their views and other ways of working.

Click on the pictures below to go to one of my working episodes.

Music: Give and  take ©

Triton: student association
(1984-1988)

Study economics:
(1983-1988):
- developing countries

- market organisation
- health care economics

Erasmus university
(1988-1993):
- research on economics of transition in eastern Europe

- course coordinator
- health care economics

Economics ministry
(1993-1996):
- start of renewable energy

- end of state intervention in industrial policy

Foreign affairs
(1996-2000)
- transatlantic relations

- USA, Canada and Mexico
- country infosystem Alive

Finance
(2000-2002)
- Introduction of the Euro

Ministry of Health
(2002-2006)
- health aspects of enlargement of the European Union
- Council of Europe

Ministry of Health
(2007-2012)
- Global health

World Health
Organisation
(2013)
- Global long-term care for older people

Ministry of Health
(2013-2015)
- Waste in health care

Ministry of Health
(2014-2019)
- Palliative care

Ministry of Health
(2013-2018)
- Comparing costs of LTC
- Social protection

Ministry of Health
(2013-2019)
- United Nations Open ended working group on rights of older people

Ministry of Health
(2018-2019)
- Financing and organisation of spiritual care at home

Ministry of Health
(2020-now)
- Innovation and health

Ministry of Health
(2020 - 2021)
- Covid-19