Michel Hansenne
Encyclopedia
Michel Hansenne was born on March 23, 1940 (age 71) in Belgium. He studied law and became a labour activist turned Belgium politician. In 1989 he was the first Director-General
of the International Labour Organization
since the end of the cold war. In 1999 he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament
from Belgium
a post he held till 2004.
, subsequently gaining a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Liège
. In 1962, Hansenne began working at the University of Liège as a researcher before beginning his career in politics in 1972.
Director-General of the International Labour Organization
. Four years later, in 1993, Hansenne was elected for a second term. In 1997, during his time as Director-General of the ILO, Hansenne called for the certification of countries which adhere to his organisation's labour standards. In 1999, he was elected a Member of the European Parliament
representing Belgium, the same year publishing a book, Un garde-fou pour la mondialisation. Le BIT dans l'après-guerre froide. Hansenne's European Parliamentary career was as a member of the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats).
Whilst a Member of the European Parliament, Hansenne served on the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy and the Delegation for relations with Japan, serving as a substitute on the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism.
Director-general
The term director-general is a title given the highest executive officer within a governmental, statutory, NGO, third sector or not-for-profit institution.-European Union:...
of the International Labour Organization
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues pertaining to international labour standards. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. Its secretariat — the people who are employed by it throughout the world — is known as the...
since the end of the cold war. In 1999 he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
from 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...
a post he held till 2004.
Early life
Michel Hansenne was born on March 23, 1940. At the age of 23, Hansenne obtained a Doctor of LawDoctor of law
Doctor of Law or Doctor of Laws is a doctoral degree in law. The application of the term varies from country to country, and includes degrees such as the LL.D., Ph.D., J.D., J.S.D., and Dr. iur.-Argentina:...
, subsequently gaining a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Liège
University of Liège
The University of Liège , in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major public university in the French Community of Belgium. Its official language is French.-History:...
. In 1962, Hansenne began working at the University of Liège as a researcher before beginning his career in politics in 1972.
Belgium politics
In 1974, he became a member of the Parliament of Belgium, becoming Minister for French Culture from 1979–1981, Minister for Employment and Labour from 1981–1988 and Minister for Civil Service from 1988–1989.ILO and MEP
In 1989, Hansenne was elected the first post-Cold WarCold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
Director-General of the International Labour Organization
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues pertaining to international labour standards. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. Its secretariat — the people who are employed by it throughout the world — is known as the...
. Four years later, in 1993, Hansenne was elected for a second term. In 1997, during his time as Director-General of the ILO, Hansenne called for the certification of countries which adhere to his organisation's labour standards. In 1999, he was elected a Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
representing Belgium, the same year publishing a book, Un garde-fou pour la mondialisation. Le BIT dans l'après-guerre froide. Hansenne's European Parliamentary career was as a member of the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats).
Whilst a Member of the European Parliament, Hansenne served on the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy and the Delegation for relations with Japan, serving as a substitute on the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism.