Karen Duys

President, European Union - India Business Council

Karen Duys is a highly experienced senior advisor to governments and social organizations who has worked for governments at local, regional, and international levels for over 30 years. 

Karen is the Founder and President of Eur India Connection, a Dutch-Indo organization that works to build an international network of organizations committed to sustainable projects. She has been committed to concrete cooperation between governments (municipalities, ministries), institutions, and small and medium-sized companies between the Netherlands, Europe, and the rest of the world. She has greatly contributed to building Netherlands-India exchange.

During her work with the municipality of The Hague for more than 15 years, Karen put cooperation with India on the Dutch agenda, resulting in many delegations led by the Mayor of The Hague to Bangalore and resulting in many MOUs with the State government of Karnataka in the areas of care economy, water, and infrastructure. 

With a degree in Public Administration from Rotterdam and Leiden universities, Karen believes that the Netherlands and Europe can learn a lot from the innovation and strength that manifests itself in India. Conversely, the Netherlands and other European countries have a lot to offer India as well.

Karen was elected as a member of the city council of the municipality of Rotterdam for more than 10 years. She was the leader of a political party and a member of special committees on Labour & Education, Economics & Urban Development, and Care & Welfare. She was also a member of the confidential committee for the selection of the Mayor of the municipality of Rotterdam.

Karen has served as a senior advisor to the Mayor of Rotterdam and aldermen of various municipalities. She led the implementation of the noted Healthcare and Participation Act at the Department of Health and Welfare of the City of The Hague, Netherlands, as well as at the Care, Welfare, and Culture department of the province of North-Holland, and the Strategic Economic Projects Unit of the province of South Holland. 

Karen described her experiences of being a politician in the Dutch administrative and political system in a book entitled “Dual of Duel.” This book has been distributed among all Dutch representatives in the Netherlands and is used at the university for students of Public Administration.

Karen serves on several advisory boards of civil society organizations in the Netherlands, including the Arosa Foundation, the largest women’s shelter organization in Rotterdam; the Resto van Harte Foundation, which is dedicated to combating social isolation and stimulating contact between local residents by setting up social restaurants; the Mano Foundation, which stimulates youngsters to participate in society and creates the conditions for people to discover and use their talents and unique qualities; and Laurens Fund, which supports projects and social initiatives aimed at receiving, strengthening social connections, and empowering marginalised and vulnerable people, especially young people and the elderly. 

Karen has initiated educational and empowerment programs and provides vocational education, training, support, and scholarship programs in different countries enabling many young women to dream, learn, travel, and explore, building their self-confidence and exposure in priceless ways. Thousands of youngsters and families have been supported and guided to develop and use their talents to get jobs and start their own enterprises.