Marie Levens

Maria Elizabeth (Marie) Levens (born 13 July 1950) is a politician who held the post of Foreign Minister of Suriname for five years (2000–2005). On 16 July 2020, Levens became the Minister of Education, Science & Culture.

Maria Elizabeth Levens
Minister of Education, Science & Culture
Assumed office
16 July 2020
Preceded byLilain Ferrier
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
2000–2005
Preceded byErrol Snijders
Succeeded byLygia Kraag-Keteldijk
Personal details
Born (1950-07-13) 13 July 1950
Political partyNPS
Occupationteacher, diplomat, politician

Biography

Levens first studied at the Pedagogical Institute in Suriname, continued to study at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and received her doctorate from the University of Amsterdam. In 1977, she returned to Suriname to teach at the Pedagogical Institute.[1]

After having worked in education she joined the board of the Anton de Kom University of Suriname[1] and contributed to the establishment of the school of Educational Sciences. The Institute of Quality Assurance at the University was her initiative; she became the first director of that institute and contributed to the national and regional Caribbean movement on the establishment of legislation and mechanisms on accreditation. She was the director of the Scholarship Program in Suriname negotiating with universities in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. She became Exec. Director of the Department of Human Development of the Organization of American States (OAS).[2] She had worked at the OAS for 10 years, and started three educational programs.[3]

In 1993 she founded the Progressieve Vrouwen Unie (Progressive Women Union).[4]

In 2000 she became the first woman to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname. She served until 2005.[5] Between 2005 and 2015, Levens was the programme manager for the Inter American Development Bank,[5] and negotiator for the border issue with Guyana over the Tigri Area.[6] In 2015, Levens became International Program Manager for the World and Regional Development Banks.[5] In 2018, President Desi Bouterse nominated her for Minister of Education which she refused.[7]

On 16 July 2020, Levens became the Minister of Education, Science & Culture in the cabinet of Santokhi.[8]

Honours

Levens hold an honorary doctorate from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.[5]

References
  1. "Staande ovatie Marie Levens voor excellente prestaties". Rotary of Paramaribo (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  2. "OAS, Coimbra Group, and PAHO Award 450 Scholarships for Master's and Graduate Programs in Brazil". PAHO/WHO OAS. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  3. "Projectmanager BEIP, Marie Levens, krijgt Rotary Excellence Award". GFC Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  4. Astrid Runs & Hebe Verrest (2000). "Relaties tussen Surinaamse en Nederlandse NGO's : een perspectief op de samenwerking". Research Gate (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 July 2020.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  5. "Marie Levens". www.vub.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-07-15.
  6. "Suriname en Guyana spreken over grensconflict". Reformatorisch Dagblad via Delpher (in Dutch). 10 January 2002. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  7. "Assen en Levens weigeren ministerspost". Dagblad De West (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  8. "Het nieuwe regeerteam dat donderdag aantreedt". Star Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 July 2020.
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