Karel Poma
Encyclopedia
Karel Emiel Hubert, Baron Poma (b. Antwerp, 14 March 1920) is a Belgian
liberal and politician for the PVV. He is a son of Carolus Poma, who was a lieutenant of the Antwerp fire brigade, and subsequently council member (1946–1958) and mayor (1953–1958) of the town Wilrijk
. He is married to Juliana Walgraeve, and together they have two children; a son Peter (b. 1950) and a daughter Kathleen (b. 1954).
, Belgium
). In 1946, he obtained a PhD
degree in science from the same university. He graduated as a bacteriologist at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles
(ULB) in 1946. During World War II
, he was active in the resistance against the Nazi occupation of Belgium
, for which he was honored after the war.
(AWW) and became head of the laboratory of the AWW. He left the AWW in 1971, to be able to dedicate himself entirely to his political mandate. He was part-time docent environmental hygiene, for engineers and graduates of health care (physicians and nursing staff) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
(1979–1990).
. From 1965-1971 and 1981-1985 he was a senator
. From 1971-1981 he was a member of parliament. From 1977-1981, he was floor leader for the PVV in the Culture Council and 1980-1981 of the Flemish Council
.
Poma was twice a member of the executive:
From 1976-1982, he was a member of the village council of Wilrijk; and 1982-1988 member of the city council of Antwerp (Wilrijk became a part of Antwerp in 1982). In 1968 and 1973-1974 he was president of the Liberaal Vlaams Verbond
(LVV).
Because of his large merit for his country he was knighted by king Albert II of Belgium
in 2005, and obtained the title of baron
.
On December 7, 2009 Poma was made a minister of state
.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
liberal and politician for the PVV. He is a son of Carolus Poma, who was a lieutenant of the Antwerp fire brigade, and subsequently council member (1946–1958) and mayor (1953–1958) of the town Wilrijk
Wilrijk
Wilrijk is a district of the municipality and city of Antwerp in the Flemish Region of Belgium. Wilrijk had been a separate municipality before January 1, 1983; the enlarged municipality of Antwerp was decentralized in 2000 and Wilrijk became one the city's nine districts.This suburb is also known...
. He is married to Juliana Walgraeve, and together they have two children; a son Peter (b. 1950) and a daughter Kathleen (b. 1954).
Education
Poma went to high school at the Royal Athenaeum of Antwerp, where he graduated in Latin-Sciences (1938). In 1943, he obtained a Licentiate in Sciences at the University of Ghent (GhentGhent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
). In 1946, he obtained a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in science from the same university. He graduated as a bacteriologist at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Université Libre de Bruxelles
The Université libre de Bruxelles is a French-speaking university in Brussels, Belgium. It has 21,000 students, 29% of whom come from abroad, and an equally cosmopolitan staff.-Name:...
(ULB) in 1946. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was active in the resistance against the Nazi occupation of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, for which he was honored after the war.
Professional career
Poma started his professional career in 1945 at the Antwerp Water WorksAntwerp Water Works
The Antwerp Water Works or AWW produces water for the city of Antwerp and its surroundings. The AWW has a yearly production of 150 million m3 and a revenue of 100 million euro.-History:...
(AWW) and became head of the laboratory of the AWW. He left the AWW in 1971, to be able to dedicate himself entirely to his political mandate. He was part-time docent environmental hygiene, for engineers and graduates of health care (physicians and nursing staff) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a Flemish university located in Brussels, Belgium. It has two campuses referred to as Etterbeek and Jette.The university's name is sometimes abbreviated by "VUB" or translated to "Free University of Brussels"...
(1979–1990).
Political career
From 1965-1985, Poma was a member of the Belgian parliament for the liberal party PVVParty for Freedom and Progress
The Party for Freedom and Progress was a liberal party in Belgium which existed from 1961 until 1992 and was the successor of the Liberal Party, which had roots dating back to 1846. It was succeeded in Flanders by the Flemish Liberals and Democrats and in Wallonia by the Parti Réformateur...
. From 1965-1971 and 1981-1985 he was a senator
Belgian Senate
The Belgian Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral Federal Parliament of Belgium, the other being the Chamber of Representatives. It is considered to be the "upper house" of the Federal Parliament.-History and future:...
. From 1971-1981 he was a member of parliament. From 1977-1981, he was floor leader for the PVV in the Culture Council and 1980-1981 of the Flemish Council
Flemish Parliament
The Flemish Parliament constitutes the legislative power in Flanders, for matters which fall within the competence of Flanders, both as a geographic region and a cultural community of Belgium The Flemish Parliament (Dutch: , and formerly called Flemish Council or Vlaamse Raad) constitutes the...
.
Poma was twice a member of the executive:
- From 1974 to 1977 he was a secretary of state for the environment in the first government lead by Leo Tindemans.
- From 1981 to 1985 Poma was a member of the Flemish ExecutiveFlemish governmentThe Flemish Government is the executive branch of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region. It consists of up to a maximum of eleven ministers, chosen by the Flemish Parliament...
as its vice-chairman and minister for culture, media, sport, youth and research and development.
From 1976-1982, he was a member of the village council of Wilrijk; and 1982-1988 member of the city council of Antwerp (Wilrijk became a part of Antwerp in 1982). In 1968 and 1973-1974 he was president of the Liberaal Vlaams Verbond
Liberaal Vlaams Verbond
The Liberaal Vlaams Verbond was founded in 1913. From its origin it wanted to promote the Flemish cause and drew attention to social matters, within the Belgian Liberal Party...
(LVV).
Because of his large merit for his country he was knighted by king Albert II of Belgium
Albert II of Belgium
Albert II is the current reigning King of the Belgians, a constitutional monarch. He is a member of the royal house "of Belgium"; formerly this house was named Saxe-Coburg-Gotha...
in 2005, and obtained the title of baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
.
On December 7, 2009 Poma was made a minister of state
Minister of State (Belgium)
The Minister of State is an honorary title in Belgium. It is formally granted by the Belgian monarch, but on the initiative of the Belgian federal government. It is given on a personal basis, for life rather than for a specified period. The title is granted for exceptional merits, generally to...
.