Meet our keynote speakers

opening Speakers:

state secretary for the budget and consumer protectioN: Minister Alexia Bertrand

Minister Alexia Bertrand is the state secretary for the budget and consumer protection. She has a law degree from University of Louvain-la-Neuve LLM from Harvard Law. She also worked at a law office before working for the Belgium government. In 2012, she worked on Didier Reynders cabinet. She advised on matters of justice, immigration, and asylum. As of 2019, she has served as a member of the parliament of Brussels-Capital region. 

Former Ambassador of Belgium to U.S.: Johan Verbeke

Johan Verbeke is a distinguished diplomat whose illustrious career spans over four decades of service to Belgium and the international community. He received an L.L.M from Yale and has a wealth of experience in various roles within the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including serving as Chairman of the Security Council Sanctions Committees and leading crucial diplomatic missions, Ambassador Verbeke has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication. As Belgium's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and later as Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the United States, he has consistently upheld the highest standards of diplomacy. Johan Verbeke is also the author of Diplomacy in Practice. A Critical Approach (Routledge, 2023). Please join me in welcoming Johan Verbeke, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on global diplomacy.

meet our panelists

panelists

head of the unit for asylum in DG Home Affairs: Esther Pozo Vera

Esther Pozo Vera holds an LLM in EU law from the College of Europe and bachelor degrees in law and political sciences from the University of Murcia. Ms. Pozo Vera is the head of the unit for asylum in DG Home Affairs. She was recently involved with the adoption of the EU’s migration pact. She has been working for the European Commision since 2008 and she previously led the unit for Schengen governance. 

Deputy Managing Director for Values and Multilateral Relations at the EU External Action Service: Stella Ronner-Grubačić

Stella Ronner-Grubačić is the Deputy Managing Director for Values and Multilateral Relations at the EU External Action Service. She received a bachelor's degree in European studies from the Universiteit van Amsterdam. She later went on to complete graduate courses at the Clingendael Institute for International Relations and Ecole Nationale d'administration. Before working for the EEAS, Ms. Ronner-Grubačić worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands and served as an ambassador to Croatia, Romania, the republic of Moldova, and Greece. She is currently working on advancing gender equality and non-discrimination and how it relates to the EU’s foreign and security policy.

Defence Counsellor to the Belgian PSC AmbassadoR: Kurt Engelen

Captain Kurt Engelen, a Belgian navy officer, boasts a multifaceted background in military, industry, and academia. Holding master's degrees in applied linguistics and international politics, along with certificates from Cambridge University and M.I.T., he has completed prestigious courses at the European Security and Defence College. With notable roles including staff officer at NATO and head of the EU section at the Belgian Defence Staff Strategy Department, he currently serves as Defence Counsellor to the Belgian PSC Ambassador. Engelen also teaches at the Riga Graduate School of Law and the Royal Military Academy, focusing on international politics and security. Recognized for his achievements, he holds esteemed titles such as Commander in the Order of the Crown and Officer in the Order of Leopold.