New EIOCO President

As of 16 October 2026, Patrick van Schie succeeds Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska as President of EIOCO. Beata, who has held the position since the Institute was founded in 2019, will take over as Vice-President.

Beata is pleased that Patrick has agreed to take over the presidency as part of a rotation of board positions. Patrick has served as EIOCO’s Vice-President since the Institute was founded in 2019.

Since its foundation, EIOCO has established itself as a unique platform in the Netherlands dedicated to the study and documentation of communism. The Institute regularly publishes in-depth articles on the subject, visits other organisations, including museums dedicated to communism, and raises awareness of the oppression and human suffering caused by communist regimes around the world. Over the years, EIOCO has built an international readership and will continue to develop its activities.

The EIOCO Board thanks Beata for her dedication and contribution to the Institute since its foundation and looks forward to continuing its work under Patrick’s presidency.

About Patrick van Schie

Patrick van Schie (1964) is a historian who studied the history of international relations and political systems at Utrecht University. In 2005, he obtained his PhD from Leiden University with a dissertation on liberal party politics in the Netherlands during the first four decades of the twentieth century. His doctoral supervisor was Professor J.Th.J. van den Berg.

He regularly gives courses and guest lectures and has written or co-authored numerous books and articles.

Read more about Patrick van Schie. https://eioco.nl/en/patrick-van-schie/