‘Ask me what I've achieved at the end of my mandate’

He is the commissioner of the queen in Flevoland. Leen Verbeek is a man who likes to be socially involved. Verbeek is since may 2009 a member of the board of PSO. He’s just had his first meeting and was impressed with his new colleagues. The commissioner is yet to earn his place on the board. ‘A newcomer cannot just start shaking things up straight away.’ 

Active

The 55-year old has been active in the development sector since 1988. It all begun when he got involved in higher education (HBO) in Utrecht. The institute was busy with internationalisation, so he jumped on the train.

During his time with the HBO, Verbeek participated in nmerous projects in South America. He built a large network and acquired knowledge of the development sector through these projects.

‘I knew PSO through my activities,’ Verbeek explains. ‘I can easily put myself in the shoes of those working in the field in development countries and what they sometimes have to go through. That is because I have a experienced some of it myself. PSO can benefit from my extensive network in Latin America.’

Network

Verbeek has more to offer than his network and his knowledge of the development sector. He wants to question PSO’s direction critically. ‘It is important to make a link between policy and the situation on the ground,’ says the ex-mayor of Purmerend; a small city near Amsterdam. ‘The members of PSO are different and vary very much in their activities. That is why it is important to develop policy frameworks in which all these organisations can function and do their work in the best possible way.’

Discussion

But that is not all. ‘There has to be room for discussion as well, so PSO’s idea on what good and bad is can be scrutinized by the members. That is how you develop policy frameworks that all member organisations are satisfied with.’

Verbeek is assertive and likes action. He also likes direct results. That is exactly what he finds attractive about the development sector. He is involved in a number of projects in Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Projects

‘In Guatemala we started a project to help workers on the coffee plantations. They were being exploited by the plantation owners. Our project put an end to this practice. We’ve built in the past couple of years six villages for these people. They’ve become more independent, thanks to our work.’

‘And in Costa Rica we set up not only reforestation, but also cultural projects for different Indian tribes (the Bribri and the Guayami), to help them to preserve their language and culture. We also have small-scale microcredit projects. All these activities have contributed to the improvement of the lives of these people. The results are measurable. That is where my affinity with capacity building and development work comes from.’

Duty

What has Verbeek to offer PSO? ‘I was asked to become a board member. In my view, that is taking responsibility and fulfilling your social duty,’ he says. ‘I’ll gain more insight in how other organisations operate by taking my seat on the PSO board. I will get a broader view on the development sector as a whole.’

What is he going to do on the board during his mandate? ‘I’m a newcomer, so I cannot really say what I going to do yet. I still have to earn my place on the board before I can start kicking around me. Ask me what I have achieved at the end of my mandate.’