The Ambrela Development Forum (ADF), organized annually by Ambrela – the Slovak Platform for Development Organizations, provides a unique space to address global challenges and reimagine international partnerships through high-level discussions and interactive workshops. As the only event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, the ADF International Conference brings together more than 200 participants from around 20 countries each year. The next edition, ADF 2026, will take place on 1–2 October 2026 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

To ensure that ADF remains at the forefront of global development debates, the conference is guided by its International Advisory Board (IAB) – an honorary body of distinguished experts and thought leaders who contribute strategic insight, international perspectives, partnerships, and visibility. Through their expertise, IAB members help shape the conference agenda, speaker programme, and donor engagement, strengthening ADF’s position among leading international development forums. We are delighted to welcome Jeroen Uytterschaut as a member of the #ADF2026 International Advisory Board.

In past Jeroen served as EU Representative and Executive Director of World Vision’s Brussels Office, where he led engagement with EU institutions and helped align the global World Vision partnership with European policies on humanitarian action, development cooperation, external aid and advocacy. With more than three decades of experience in international affairs, he has built an exceptional career focused on crisis prevention and management. Throughout his career, Jeroen has held senior leadership and advisory positions with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Balkanactie Belgium, and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). He has also worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), and the Red Cross EU Office in Brussels. His extensive field experience includes long-term assignments in Rwanda, Sudan, the former Yugoslavia, the South Caucasus, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, and North Korea.

Jeroen Uytterschaut joined ADF 2025 in Bratislava as a distinguished speaker, where his contributions to the sessions Humanitarian Aid at a Crossroads and Central Europe’s Opportunity in Ukraine inspired participants and enriched discussions on some of the most pressing global challenges of our time. We are honoured that he will continue his engagement with ADF as a member of the International Advisory Board. His deep expertise, strategic perspective, and extensive international network will be invaluable in shaping ADF 2026 and advancing its mission to foster meaningful dialogue, innovative thinking, and impactful partnerships. We warmly welcome Jeroen Uytterschaut to the ADF community and look forward to working together towards an inspiring and successful ADF 2026.