Founder of ARQ royally awarded
Jan-Wilke Reerds appointed Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau
On March 6 2024, Jan-Wilke Reerds - founder of ARQ - was appointed Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau. The mayor of Hilversum, Gerhard van den Top, surprised him with this award during the festive gathering marking his retirement as former chair of the board of directors of ARQ Nationaal Psychotrauma Centrum, in Amsterdam.
Melina Kappeyne van de Coppello-Rakic, chair of ARQ's board of directors, says: "Jan-Wilke has played a visionary and crucial role in the development of care for patients with psychotrauma symptoms and development and sharing of knowledge on psychotrauma in the Netherlands and far beyond. We will miss his enthusiasm! ARQ is very grateful for his dedication over the past 38 years. We will continue his vision that every human being, anywhere in the world, has the right to a dignified existence in a stable environment."
For the sake of affected people
Jan-Wilke Reerds started in 1986 as a psychologist/psychotherapist at the then Centrum'45 Foundation in Oegstgeest, Nethelands, which focused on assisting traumatised war victims. In 2000, after various managerial positions, he became chair of the board.
In 2007 he founded ARQ with the aim of strengthening cooperation and knowledge around psychotrauma (care) throughout the Netherlands. ARQ has since grown into a leading global institute in the field of psychotrauma.
ARQ's patients and others affected by war, persecution, violence and other profound events have always been first priority for Jan-Wilke Reerds. His enormous commitment to those affected by disturbing events, combined with his great moral compass and heart for the psychotrauma domain, made that he has dedicated his entire working life to connectedness; from practitioner to patient to groups in society who, affected by war or disasters, need psychosocial care and each other.
New board of directors
Since the departure of Jan-Wilke Reerds, ARQ's board of directors consists of Melina Kappeyne van de Coppello-Rakic (chair) and Ate Osinga.
