Posted on by ENIEC

At ENIEC, we believe that how you organise says just as much as what you stand for. That is why, as an association, we consciously choose a flat structure, moderate growth, and the strict avoidance of unnecessary bureaucracy. This allows us to focus as much as possible on our mission: achieving an equal chance of good health, well-being and quality of life for older people from ethnic minorities in Europe, and ensuring that the strengths and valuable contribution of older people with a migrant background and from ethnic minorities to society are visible and acknowledged. Everything runs on a voluntary basis. ENIEC has no paid staff. The board functions as our secretariat, overseeing the association’s responsibilities. Members actively step in to carry out secretariat tasks, and where needed, they form dedicated working groups. The annual meeting itself is organised by a separate organising committee. All roles, board, member responsibilities, and working groups, are established democratically during the General Assembly, held each year at the annual meeting.

The most recent General Assembly took place during the ENIEC annual meeting 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

ENIEC Board 2026–2030

5 board members, elected for 2 years:

  • Marja Saïkkä (Finland) – 2025–2027
  • Nikolett Arnold (Hungary) – 2024–2028
  • Frans Hoogeveen (The Netherlands) – 2024–2028
  • Carolien Smits (The Netherlands) – 2026–2030
  • Sven Claes (Finland & Germany) – 2026–2030

Accounting committee 2026–2027

2 members, elected for 1 year:

  • Aziza Aachiche (The Netherlands)
  • Brigitte van den Bos (The Netherlands)

Communication workgroup 2026–2027

  • Ferhan Palaz (Türkiye)
  • Miina Inkilä (Finland)
  • Thuzar Khin Myat (Germany)
  • Jan Booij (The Netherlands)

Organising committee 2026–2027

Elected to organise the 2027 annual meeting in Belgium:

  • Olivia Vanmechelen
  • Anneke Vanden Bulcke
  • Cynthia van Thiel
  • Saloua Berdai
  • Hakki Dermikapu
  • Katia Sette

Nomination committee 2026–2027

4 members, elected for 1 year:

  • Lola Sanchez-Casal (Spain)
  • Conny van der Aalsvoort (The Netherlands)
  • Olivia Vanmechelen (Belgium)
  • Ellen Pals (The Netherlands)

Working group online meetings 2026–2027

  • Chandra Verstappen (The Netherlands)
  • Frédéric Lauscher (Germany)
  • Conny van der Aalsvoort (The Netherlands)
  • Nikolett Arnold (Hungary)

Working group 20th anniversary of ENIEC in 2027

  • Jennifer van den Broeke (The Netherlands)
  • Sanne Hoogeveen (The Netherlands)
  • Lola Sanchez-Casal (Spain)
  • Marjukka Paukkunen (Finland)
  • Ellen Pals (The Netherlands)