Karen Duys

President

European Union - India Business Council

European Union

Karen Duys is a seasoned senior advisor with over 30 years of experience working with governments and social organizations at local, regional, and international levels. She is the Founder and President of Eur India Connection, a Dutch-Indo organization dedicated to building networks for sustainable projects and fostering cooperation between governments, institutions, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Her leadership has been instrumental in strengthening Netherlands–India exchanges, particularly in areas such as care economy, water, and infrastructure.

Her career includes more than 15 years with the municipality of The Hague, where she placed cooperation with India firmly on the Dutch agenda, leading to multiple delegations and MOUs with the State of Karnataka. With a degree in Public Administration from Rotterdam and Leiden universities, Karen has also served as a member of the Rotterdam city council for over a decade, leading a political party and contributing to committees on labour, education, economics, urban development, and welfare. She has advised mayors and aldermen across municipalities and played a key role in implementing healthcare and welfare reforms in the Netherlands.

Beyond governance, Karen is deeply committed to social empowerment. She serves on advisory boards of organizations such as the Arosa Foundation, Resto van Harte Foundation, Mano Foundation, and Laurens Fund, supporting initiatives for women, youth, and marginalized communities. She has initiated educational and vocational programs across countries, enabling thousands of young women and families to gain confidence, skills, and opportunities to pursue careers or entrepreneurship. Her book Dual of Duel, reflecting on her political experiences, is widely used in Dutch universities, underscoring her influence as both a practitioner and thought leader in public administration.