EuropaWorld 13/4/2001 Poul Nielson

Poul Nielson, the European Union's Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Assistance, was born in Copenhagen on 11 April 1943. Matriculating from Efterslægtskabets Upper Secondary School in 1963, he was a young man of strong political awareness and already a member of Denmark's Social Democratic Party. He was also blessed with equally strong organisational and leadership skills which took him to the Chairmanship of the party's national students organisation in 1966. Already twice a candidate for his party by the age of 26, he was finally elected as a Member of the Folketing (Danish Parliament) for the Vejle County constituency in 1971, at age 28 while still completing political studies at the University of Århus. It was the start of a varied political career; with a remit that would soon reach beyond national boundaries.

Notwithstanding the demands of his constituency, Poul Nielson attained a higher degree in political science the following year. Not long after - in 1974 - his ability was recognised by an appointment as head of section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an environment that was to become increasingly familiar over the course of his lifetime. During this time Neilson also chaired the Social Democratic Foreign Affairs Committee and for the two consecutive years was elected Chair of the International European Movement in Denmark.

A change of direction from foreign affairs came in 1979 when Nielson was promoted to Minister of Energy in the Danish Government. This was followed by a brief return to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1984 to 1985. After this a change of government meant that he would have to wait another nine years before his next ministerial appointment. However, there was much else to occupy the industrious Nielson in the meantime. Renewing his academic interests he served as assistant professor to the Danish School of Public Administration until 1986, from which time he became a consultant with the Employees' Capital Pension Fund. He also undertook a number of directorships and advisory positions with various Danish companies, most notably LD Energi A/S, where he became a Director for six years.

In 1994 however, Mr Nielson returned to a portfolio position within the Danish government when he was appointed as Minister for Development Co-operation. Demonstrating again the determination and leadership he had displayed since youth, it was predicted that he would soon take on a larger international role. Tipped as a possible contender to head the United Nations Development Programme he nonetheless lost the contest to current UNDP head Mark Malloch-Brown. In 1999 however, the Danish Member of the European Commissioner, Ritt Bjerregaard was not reinstated and Poul Nielson was instead appointed. In September 1999 he became the Member of the European Commission for Development and Humanitarian Aid

In his statement to the European Parliament, Mr Nielson stressed the importance of the EU's role in the momentous task of global development. He said that he had accepted the position of Commissioner with a mission to make humanitarian and development aid a more visible and permanent aspect of international society. He is certainly doing this. Under his mandate the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) has been reformed and redirected. Co-operation between the Commission and European Member States has been improved and Community aid is now more coherent and more effective. ECHO is currently active within 30 conflict zones and 85 countries.

Mr Nielson faces the demanding task over the next few years to maintain the pace of these reforms recognising the distinct contribution that the European Union has to make in the world. It is a challenge, however, that he is well placed to address.

Poul Nielson is married and has three children.

ECHO is the subject of this week's 'Did you know about…?' column.