Jan Bonjer, chair of the Hollandse Delta water authority among other roles, has been reappointed as a member of the Advisory Board of the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS). He has been reappointed in view of his expertise in communications and external relations, for a five-year term effective from 16 November 2025.
Jan Bonjer: retrospective and outlook
Jan Bonjer himself says: ‘I assumed the role at a decisive point: with the deepening awareness that the Netherlands must reduce its dependence on foreign energy sources (such as Russian gas) and gas production in Groningen was coming to an end, the country had shifted its strategic direction. We had moved from phasing out the nuclear energy sector to a phase of expansion and conversion (including extending the life cycle of the Borssele nuclear power plant). This means a lot for the ANVS. The Advisory Board is pleased to contribute to the development of this young authority, in terms of both capacity and capability.’
‘Resilience is about crises and conflicts,’ Jan Bonjer adds. ‘After the fall of the Wall in 1989 and the end of the Cold War, we now find ourselves in a totally different geopolitical environment, partly because of the invasion of Ukraine. In a rapidly changing world, the ANVS wants and needs to relate to society in a different way. I am pleased to continue offering my input on that. What I experience on both the board and in the organisation is a very open, inviting and stimulating attitude. In the end, everything is done by people and I find this work with the people here both valuable and enjoyable.’
Not enough just to do our jobs
‘His input from the perspective of journalism and public governance keeps us alert to the fact that it is not enough just to do our jobs. Telling a wider audience about our work and engaging with other government bodies about our plans and achievements are often just as important. That is even more the case in this rapidly changing world. I am therefore particularly happy that we are retaining Jan as a member of our Advisory Board for another term of office,’ says Annemiek van Bolhuis, chair of the board of the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS).
Members of the Advisory Board
The Advisory Board consists of the following members:
- Dr Femke de Vries (chair): appointed for her expertise in monitoring.
- Jan Bonjer: appointed for his expertise in communications and external relations.
- Dr Jeff Lafortune: appointed for his expertise in nuclear safety.
- Prof. Bibi van den Berg: appointed for her expertise in cybersecurity governance.
- Prof. Genserik Reniers: appointed for his expertise in safety and dangerous goods.
- Prof. Filip Vanhavere: appointed for his expertise in radiation protection.