Jan Grauls
Encyclopedia
Baron Jan Grauls, born 12 February 1948, is the Permanent Representative
to the United Nations
for Belgium
. He is married and has three daughters and one son. He began his appointment June 2008.
. He studied Law at the University of Antwerp
and at the Catholic University of Leuven
.
, Tunis
, the European Union
, permanent representation in Brussels, London and Washington, D.C. From 2002 to 2007, he served as the Secretary-General of the Belgium Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and in 2001, the Foreign Minister’s Chef de Cabinet
. From 1997 to 2001, he held the Ministry’s post of Director General for Bilateral and Economic Relations. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Grauls was diplomatic adviser to the Prime Minister (1988–1991) and, on secondment to the Royal Palace from 1994–1997, as Deputy Chef de Cabinet and diplomatic adviser to the King of Belgium
.
In 2005 Grauls was ennobled by the King of Belgium and raised to the rank of Baron. Unlike most Belgian noble titles granted in recent decades, this one is hereditary.
Permanent Representative
A Permanent Representative is the head of a diplomatic mission to one of various international organisations. The best known of the organisations to which states send Permanent Representatives is the United Nations; of these, the most high-profile ones are those assigned to headquarters in New...
to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
for Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. He is married and has three daughters and one son. He began his appointment June 2008.
Education
Grauls was educated at the Saint Berchmans Jesuit College in BrusselsBrussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. He studied Law at the University of Antwerp
University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is one of the major Belgian universities located in the city of Antwerp. The name is sometimes abbreviated as UA.-History:...
and at the Catholic University of Leuven
Catholic University of Leuven
The Catholic University of Leuven, or of Louvain, was the largest, oldest and most prominent university in Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 as the University of Leuven by John IV, Duke of Brabant and approved by a Papal bull by Pope Martin V.During France's occupation of Belgium in the...
.
Career
Grauls' diplomatic career started in 1973. He held successive diplomatic assignments in BonnBonn
Bonn is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located in the Cologne/Bonn Region, about 25 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of united Germany from 1990 to 1999....
, Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, permanent representation in Brussels, London and Washington, D.C. From 2002 to 2007, he served as the Secretary-General of the Belgium Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and in 2001, the Foreign Minister’s Chef de Cabinet
Chef de Cabinet
Chef de Cabinet is the head of an office in the United Nations Secretariat, appointed by the Secretary-General, or in the European Commission, appointed by an individual European Commissioner for his personal cabinet. The position's rank and responsibilities are equivalent to a chief of staff....
. From 1997 to 2001, he held the Ministry’s post of Director General for Bilateral and Economic Relations. In the late 1980s and 1990s, Grauls was diplomatic adviser to the Prime Minister (1988–1991) and, on secondment to the Royal Palace from 1994–1997, as Deputy Chef de Cabinet and diplomatic adviser to the King of Belgium
Monarchy of Belgium
Monarchy in Belgium is constitutional and popular in nature. The hereditary monarch, at present Albert II, is the head of state and is officially called King of the Belgians .-Origins:...
.
In 2005 Grauls was ennobled by the King of Belgium and raised to the rank of Baron. Unlike most Belgian noble titles granted in recent decades, this one is hereditary.