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As of November 1st 2022, Kido Koenig is the new director of the Foundation Max van der Stoel.
Kido previously worked at Capgemini, where he was a consultant and manager for 10 years in the field of digital transformations, talent development and change management. Before making this move to the private sector, he spent years in public life, as vice president of the youth wing of the Dutch Labour party (Jonge Socialisten), chair of the National Youth Council (Nationale Jeugdraad) and founder of DEAL Leiden, a development cooperation foundation. Kido’s commitment to the public cause also manifested itself during his career, as a board member of PEKS – a foundation for development cooperation focused on children – and trainer for municipal and provincial councils, among others, on public speaking, debating, and meeting. Above all, Kido has always remained active for the PvdA and in particular for the FMS, as a trainer and regular debate leader at our events.
Kido Koenig: “It is with particular pride and enthusiasm that I take the step to join this wonderful foundation. I greatly look forward to getting to work with our partners and friends to make a difference for people fighting for democracy and a better life – at a time when this is incredibly needed.”
Chairman of the FMS, Bert Koenders, is pleased with the appointment: “We are tremendously pleased to have Kido Koenig join the FMS as Director. Kido was selected after a careful process. He knows the FMS and has gained extensive experience in business as a consultant. Kido has frequently selflessly contributed to the training courses we organise internationally and developed the FMS debate module for us. He was also active many times as moderator at FMS events, such as Afrikadag and Building Change. Furthermore, Kido is a true social-democrat, with his background at the Young Socialists and the Foreign Affairs Committee. With his drive and energy, we as the FMS board are confident that Kido will lead the FMS to a bright future.”
Kido Koenig takes over from Arjen Berkvens, who has been director of the FMS since its founding in 2013 and was director of its forerunners (Alfred Mozer Foundation and Evert Vermeer Foundation) before that. “I am very happy that Kido will succeed me as director,” says Arjen. “Kido has proven himself in business, is a dedicated social-democrat and has been selflessly committed to the FMS for many years. I do leave the FMS with pain in my heart. I will greatly miss the staff, the volunteers and the (international) network. I hope to continue my contribution to the FMS as a volunteer in the future. I will now start working fully as a coordinating confidential adviser at the University of Amsterdam. I am greatly looking forward to that.”
Want to learn more about Kido? Read the interview with our new director (in Dutch). Interview by Geerke Visser and Sofie Nollen.
