Mr. Jacques Wallage

Mr. Jacques Wallage has long been involved in local politics in the City of Groningen, and has served as Mayor since 1998. He was educated at the University of Groningen where he received his Master's degree in Sociology. He acted as Chairman of the PvdA (Dutch Labor Party) representatives in the Groningen City Council from 1970 to 1972 and served as a member of the academic staff of the Urban Planning Department at the University of Groningen between 1971 and 1972. He was Alderman of the city (responsible for Education & Culture and, later, Education, Traffic & Transport) from 1972 to 1981.

Jacques was Member of Parliament for the PvdA, spokesman for higher education, and chairman of the parliamentary Science Commission from 1981 to 1989. In 1989, he became Secretary of State for Education and Science, a position he held until 1993. Jacques served as Secretary of State for Social Security and Employment from 1993 to 1994 and was leader of the Labor Party in Parliament until 1998, when he was made Mayor of Groningen.

Jacques currently serves as the President of the governing board of the Nationale Reis Opera (National Traveling Opera) and as vice-president of the governing board of Oranjefonds (the leading social charity fund in the Netherlands). In addition, Jacques serves as president of the VNG advisory board International (Association of Netherlands Municipalities) and as a member of the supervisory board of the Royal Dutch Institute for Public Administration (ROI). Jacques is also a member of the governing board of Het Expertise Centrum (the Centre for Expertise) which provides consultancy services to the information and communication technology sector and the government.

Advisory Board