The Secretariat
What function does the Secretariat fill?
Responsible for making sure everything keeps ticking along
Appointed by the Steering Group and the Secretary General, the secretariat of the European Network of National Civil Society Associations is responsible ensuring the day-to-day operations of the European Network by executing the decisions of the Steering Group and the General Assembly in accordance with the statutes and internal rules set by the governing structures of the Network.
Based in Brussels and composed of highly-skilled professionals, the ENNA secretariat is responsible for defending the positions of the members of the Network and providing high-quality bespoke services to the membership of the Network. Since 2011, the secretariat is managed by a Secretary General who acts as the Steering Group's executive officer in accordance with the statutes of the Network.
Based in Brussels and composed of highly-skilled professionals, the ENNA secretariat is responsible for defending the positions of the members of the Network and providing high-quality bespoke services to the membership of the Network. Since 2011, the secretariat is managed by a Secretary General who acts as the Steering Group's executive officer in accordance with the statutes of the Network.
Kim Leonard Smouter
Secretary General
Kim is born of mixed Dutch and Congolese descent, having lived a truly global experience being born in Germany, raised in France and the United States before settling in the Benelux.
Since October 2010, Kim Smouter is ENNA's Secretary General and is responsible for supporting the Steering Group in defining the strategic vision and objectives of the Network. Kim manages the execution of the Strategic Work Plan and ensures appropriate service delivery to the General Assembly and the Steering Group. He provides day-to-day management of the Network and the secretariat's human resources and is responsible for fundraising for the organisation.
Prior to working for the ENNA network, Kim Smouter served the North East England Office in Brussels as its EU Skills & Employability Policy Specialist Advisor where he was responsible for advising North East regional and local public authorities, the region's Learning and Skills Council, the Chamber of Commerce, universities, and the non-profit sector on EU developments in the field of Lifelong Learning, Employment, Social Affairs, Culture, and Youth. At the North East England Office, Kim succesfully led the 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group, a transnational coalition of local and regional actors spearheading grassroots responses to the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
Kim has also worked at the European Parliament as an assistant to Michael Cashman MEP and as the Coordinator of a European Parliament equalities Intergroup defending the equal opportunities of discriminated peoples.
Kim is the volunteer Executive Director of the creative writing not-for-profit New Worlds Project, which specialises in collaborative creative writing using web-based tools.
Kim graduated in 2006 from the University of Maastricht with an MA in European Public Affairs and a BA in European Studies.
Since October 2010, Kim Smouter is ENNA's Secretary General and is responsible for supporting the Steering Group in defining the strategic vision and objectives of the Network. Kim manages the execution of the Strategic Work Plan and ensures appropriate service delivery to the General Assembly and the Steering Group. He provides day-to-day management of the Network and the secretariat's human resources and is responsible for fundraising for the organisation.
Prior to working for the ENNA network, Kim Smouter served the North East England Office in Brussels as its EU Skills & Employability Policy Specialist Advisor where he was responsible for advising North East regional and local public authorities, the region's Learning and Skills Council, the Chamber of Commerce, universities, and the non-profit sector on EU developments in the field of Lifelong Learning, Employment, Social Affairs, Culture, and Youth. At the North East England Office, Kim succesfully led the 2010 Social Inclusion Regional Group, a transnational coalition of local and regional actors spearheading grassroots responses to the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
Kim has also worked at the European Parliament as an assistant to Michael Cashman MEP and as the Coordinator of a European Parliament equalities Intergroup defending the equal opportunities of discriminated peoples.
Kim is the volunteer Executive Director of the creative writing not-for-profit New Worlds Project, which specialises in collaborative creative writing using web-based tools.
Kim graduated in 2006 from the University of Maastricht with an MA in European Public Affairs and a BA in European Studies.
Lukas Eick
Network Assistant
Lukas Eick (from Munich, Germany) is working as Network Assistant at ENNA since January 2012. He is responsible for communication work to the ENNA Members, news updates as well as the administration and planning of events.
Before arriving at ENNA, Lukas studied at Maastricht University, where he got a Bachelor degree in Political Sciences and a Master degree in European Law. He also did an internship at the European Parliament in Brussels in 2011. Further, Lukas spent two years in Canada where he attended highschool.
Before arriving at ENNA, Lukas studied at Maastricht University, where he got a Bachelor degree in Political Sciences and a Master degree in European Law. He also did an internship at the European Parliament in Brussels in 2011. Further, Lukas spent two years in Canada where he attended highschool.
Jan Bleus
Network Intern
Jan Bleus (from Hasselt, Belgium) is our intern since February 2012 and will be assisting us until mid-April 2012. The internship is part of his Master program in EU-studies at the University of Ghent, which he will conclude in the summer of this year.
Before arriving at ENNA, Jan got his Bachelor degree in Political Science (Major International Politics) at the University of Ghent. He is currently writing his Masters dissertation on competition in the Belgian electricity market.
Before arriving at ENNA, Jan got his Bachelor degree in Political Science (Major International Politics) at the University of Ghent. He is currently writing his Masters dissertation on competition in the Belgian electricity market.
Gyda Hellgren
Network Assistant until Dec 2011
Gyda Hellgren is currently spending her third semester of her master degree as ENNA's Network Assistant. She is currently assigned responsibilities to deliver weekly communications to the ENNA members and is leading our Research By Civil Society, for Civil Society work-packages.
In the summer of 2012 she will conclude her degree in European studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Before arriving Brussels, Gyda has spent 3 semesters in Germany, studying Political Science and learning German. One year of her bachelor degree in European studies was spent in Freiburg and one semester of her master degree in Leipzig.
Whilst studying, Gyda has worked as amongst others a primary school teacher and as a receptionist at a contemporary art gallery.
In the summer of 2012 she will conclude her degree in European studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Before arriving Brussels, Gyda has spent 3 semesters in Germany, studying Political Science and learning German. One year of her bachelor degree in European studies was spent in Freiburg and one semester of her master degree in Leipzig.
Whilst studying, Gyda has worked as amongst others a primary school teacher and as a receptionist at a contemporary art gallery.
