Getting to Know the ERF – Birgitta Van Itterbeek

Birgitta Van Itterbeek

Ariga, Brussels

birgitta.van.itterbeek@ariga.law

Birgitta Van Itterbeek, IBA European Regional Forum (ERF) Council Member for Belgium

1. What does being European mean to you?

Being European forms an integral part of my personality and who I am. It means that I feel, first of all, European, before Belgian. My roots are Dutch, French, Austrian and Flemish, I am married to an Italian, my children have dual nationality, as does my granddaughter. I speak four languages fluently.

As a European, our values of democracy, freedom, equality, brotherhood and the rule of law have been taught by the Greeks, the Romans and the French Revolution and are anchored in the European Convention of Human Rights, the EU Treaty and the constitution in Belgium. Being European means respect for other cultures, values, way of living, openness of mind.

2. What would you like to accomplish in the ERF in 2025?

I am behind two major projects. The ESG: The Brussels effect at a crossroads conference in Paris and the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) working group. Within the D&I working group, my hope is that – with the cooperation of the national bar associations in Belgium – we can promote the D&I Toolkit and further develop it. At the ESG conference, I hope that we can have interesting discussions on the challenges of ESG and how we can all help to diminish climate change and encourage the world to do so.

3. Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?

I am a hobby pianist. I have been playing all my life and am about to finish a new piano degree which requires me to perform on a regular basis as part of the exams. I am passionate about history and culture, especially the Italian culture and language. I love to play tennis, to ski and to hike in nature – and to take care of my little granddaughter when I can.