Johan Van Hecke is a Belgian liberal vetran  and Member of the Board of Trustees  of ADAFP, bringing decades of experience in European and international politics, as well as a strong engagement with Africa.
A former Member of the European Parliament, Van Hecke represented Flanders within the liberal political family and was actively involved in international trade policy and EU–Africa relations. He served on the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade and was a member of the ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, contributing to dialogue and cooperation between Europe and African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.
His political career in Belgium includes leadership roles at both national and local levels. He served as Chairman of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party (CVP), as well as Mayor of Oosterzele, and was a long-standing member of the Belgian House of Representatives. Throughout his career, he has combined political leadership with a strong focus on policy development and institutional governance.
Van Hecke has also been actively engaged in Africa for many years, including serving as Director of a European political training institute in South Africa. He currently resides in Uganda, reflecting his continued commitment to the continent and its development.
With an academic background in sociology, he began his career in research and higher education before transitioning into politics. His experience spans governance, international cooperation, and political capacity-building.
As a Member of the Board of Trustees of ADAFP, Johan Van Hecke contributes to the Alliance’s strategic direction, institutional continuity, and international partnerships, supporting its mission to advance democracy, freedom, and sustainable development across Africa.