With Simon Rijsdijk stepping down as President of the European Association of Registrars (EVS) on 1 June 2026, an impressive chapter in the history of the association is coming to a close. At the same time, a new chapter begins, as he was appointed Honorary President of EVS by the EVS General Assembly on Wednesday 27 May 2026 in Ostend (Belgium). According to EVS Vice-President Steve Heylen in his tribute speech, this special recognition is a tribute to a long career in which vision, humanity and European solidarity have always been central.
For decades, Simon Rijsdijk has distinguished himself as a key figure in the field of civil registration, both in the Netherlands and at the European level. As early as 1994, he was involved in the founding of the NVVB (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Burgerzaken – Dutch Association for Civl Affairs), where, in various roles (president since 2014), he helped shape the further professionalization. High-quality services were a constant thread throughout his work, and he never shied away from change in order to achieve it. He also encouraged the development of what is now the Dutch “Basisregistratie Personen” (Personal Records Database), thereby helping to lay the foundations for a modern and future-oriented registration landscape.
Within EVS, Simon became a driving force behind both renewal and stability. In 2013, he was unanimously elected Vice-President. It immediately became clear how strategically he approached the association’s future: as early as 2014, he presented a clear and realistic vision for EVS. This not only brought greater focus and better cooperation, but also led to a more efficient way of working. Under his impetus, EVS was able to refocus more strongly on its core tasks: substantive exchange, comparative legal analysis, the sharing of expertise and the promotion of harmonization across Europe.
He also brought new and now indispensable themes firmly to the forefront, such as identity management, digital innovation, citizen-centered service delivery and the fight against fraud. At the same time, he consistently stressed that technological progress should never become an end in itself. For Simon, it was always clear that digitalization creates opportunities, but that human expertise remains indispensable, especially in complex cases involving international personal and family law. It is precisely there, he repeatedly argued, that the lasting added value of civil registration professionals lies: in their knowledge, their judgement and their human approach.
That combination of vision and reliability became even more evident in 2017, when EVS was unexpectedly struck by the passing of President Jürgen Rast. In a difficult period, Simon ensured continuity with calmness, a strong sense of responsibility and leadership. It was therefore only natural that in 2018 he was unanimously elected President of EVS. In that role, he continued to lead and further strengthen the association with great dedication.
What makes Simon Rijsdijk exceptional is not only his administrative and substantive contribution, but also his ability to connect people and perspectives. Colleagues praise him as a bridge-builder who knows how to overcome cultural differences and transform technical proposals into workable solutions supported by the various member associations. He strengthened ties with European institutions, helped EVS broaden its external relations and also restored contact with CIEC/ICCS. In doing so, he gave the association not only greater visibility, but also a stronger position within the wider European network.
In addition to his organizational talent and innovative outlook, Simon is also valued for his warm personality and his genuine respect for knowledge and craftsmanship. He consistently worked to strengthen expertise within the profession and to make policymakers aware of the true value of civil registration. For him, this was never merely about legal or technical knowledge—which can be found in law books—but about the ability to translate legislation into real solutions for real people. That approach made him a source of inspiration for colleagues in the Netherlands, in the Caribbean and throughout EVS.
Simon also left a lasting mark on socially sensitive issues. One example that continues to resonate deeply with many is his commitment to the registration of stillborn children. It illustrates how he always remained attentive to the human side of rules and administration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he once again demonstrated his resilience by guiding EVS swiftly towards digital forms of consultation and by keeping colleagues connected during an exceptional period.
With his departure as President, EVS bids farewell to a leader who made the association stronger, richer in substance and more future-oriented. With his appointment as Honorary President at the EVS Congress in Ostend, just before his retirement from professional life, EVS expresses its deep gratitude for everything Simon Rijsdijk has meant to the association and to the field of civil registration. It is a recognition that not only honors his impressive record of service, but also his warm personality as a human being and a unifier. (sh)