Beste Christian,
Hartelijk dank voor al die jaren van inspiratie, kennis en netwerk kansen bij de ESN congressen. En bedankt voor je warme, aimabele leiderschap 🙏

Thank you very much Christian for all your Good Job and dedicación to ESN!! Best wishes, Ana

Dear Christian, Congratulations on this significant milestone. I wish you all the best as you continue to lead with the same vision and dedication that has defined your outstanding tenure.

Christian,
Thank you for your tremendous commitment to social services. Congratulations on 10 years of leadership as ESN Chair.

"The best leaders have a have a high consideration factor. They really care about their people." ~ Brian Tracy

"If your actions inspire others to dream more. learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." ~John Quincy Adam's

May your leadership continue to be an inspiration to others.

Enjoy your celebration. Wishing you the absolute best!
Donna Jarvis Miller, CMP, CEM

“You shall more command with years than with your weapons “ , dixit Othello ( Shakespeare ) Wisdom and experience are more effective than force.

Dear Christian, I’d like to take a moment to say a big thank you, as you are celebrating 10 years as Chair of the European Social Network. We don’t know each other very well personally – I mainly see you once a year at the European Social Services Conference – but even from those brief encounters, it’s clear what kind of person you are: well-spoken, calm, thoughtful, and above all, deeply committed. What stands out to me is how much you genuinely care about this network. Over the past decade, you've poured your energy, vision, and diplomacy into helping shape ESN into what it is today – a strong, respected, and forward-looking community for everyone working in social services across Europe. Thanks to your leadership, we’ve seen the network grow, connect more people, and have a real impact. So congratulations Christian, and thank you – for your dedication, your steady hand, and everything you’ve done for all of us over the past 10 years.

Dear Christian, a special message posted on your birthday. First of all I wish you a happy birthday of course! And also Congrats for your 10th anniversary as Chair of ESN. We first met in Barcelona in 2002, at the ESSC. Since then we participated together at 20 ESN-conferences. And far more Board-meetings, workshops, etc. True friendship, born and developed in a European context. Partners in the ESN-journey, a beautiful and growing organization. Under the leadership of a wise and nice man. It ‘s a privilege to be able to travel together with you in so many journeys of life. With love and respect, Luc Kupers

Today, on June 1st, 2025, we celebrate not only the 63rd birthday of Christian Fillet, but also a remarkable milestone: 10 years of chairmanship of the European Social Network (ESN) and over 20 years of dedicated service as a board member of this leading European organisation for public social services.

Christian’s journey began in Brussels, where he was born in 1962. After graduating with a law degree from the VUB in 1986, he started his career at the Public Centre for Social Welfare (OCMW) of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek. His passion for social justice and his expertise in non-profit management and social law led him to Willebroek, where he became financial administrator in 1990 and later secretary of the OCMW. In 2014, he was sworn in as the new secretary of the OCMW in Bruges, with the ambition of making it a model of excellence in Flanders.

In 2015, Christian was elected Chair of the ESN, having previously served six years as Treasurer and four years as Vice-Chair. Under his leadership, ESN has grown into a network of 163 members from 35 countries, all committed to improving social services across Europe. His vision of collaboration and innovation has greatly contributed to the development of person-centred and inclusive social services.

Christian is not only a leader in the social sector, but also a man of discipline and dedication. Every Tuesday, he runs 10 kilometres, usually finishing by 8:30 a.m., reflecting his commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Beyond his professional achievements, Christian is well known for his personal qualities: his humour, his ability to bring people together, and his attention to detail.

On this special day, I would like to thank Christian for his tireless dedication, his leadership, and his lasting contribution to improving social services in Europe. His work has had a profound and enduring impact on countless lives and communities.

Thank you, Christian, for everything you have done and continue to do. Congratulations on your birthday and on this impressive milestone within ESN! 🎂🎈

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Vandaag, op 1 juni 2025, vieren we niet alleen de 63e verjaardag van Christian Fillet, maar ook een indrukwekkende mijlpaal: 10 jaar voorzitterschap van het European Social Network (ESN) en meer dan 20 jaar toewijding als bestuurder binnen deze toonaangevende Europese organisatie voor publieke sociale diensten.

Christian's reis begon in Brussel, waar hij in 1962 werd geboren. Na zijn afstuderen als licentiaat in de rechten aan de VUB in 1986, startte hij zijn carrière bij het OCMW van Sint-Jans-Molenbeek. Zijn passie voor sociale rechtvaardigheid en zijn expertise in non-profitmanagement en sociaal recht leidden hem naar Willebroek, waar hij in 1990 financieel beheerder werd en later OCMW-secretaris. In 2014 legde hij de eed af als nieuwe secretaris van het OCMW Brugge, met de ambitie om van het OCMW Brugge een toonvoorbeeld te maken in Vlaanderen.

In 2015 werd Christian verkozen tot voorzitter van het ESN, na eerder zes jaar als penningmeester en vier jaar als ondervoorzitter te hebben gediend. Onder zijn leiding groeide het ESN uit tot een netwerk van 163 leden uit 35 landen, die zich inzetten voor het verbeteren van sociale diensten in Europa. Zijn visie op samenwerking en innovatie heeft bijgedragen aan de ontwikkeling van persoonsgerichte en inclusieve sociale diensten.

Christian is niet alleen een leider in de sociale sector, maar ook een man van discipline en toewijding. Elke dinsdag loopt hij 10 kilometer, meestal voltooid tegen 8.30 uur, wat zijn inzet voor een gezonde levensstijl weerspiegelt. Naast zijn professionele prestaties staat Christian bekend om zijn persoonlijke eigenschappen: zijn humor, zijn vermogen om mensen samen te brengen en zijn aandacht voor detail.

Op deze bijzondere dag wil ik Christian bedanken voor zijn onvermoeibare inzet, zijn leiderschap en zijn bijdrage aan het verbeteren van sociale diensten in Europa. Zijn werk heeft een blijvende impact gehad op talloze levens en gemeenschappen.

Bedankt, Christian, voor alles wat je hebt gedaan en nog steeds doet. Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag en met deze indrukwekkende mijlpaal binnen het ESN! 🎂🎈

Dear Christian,
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you this in person. I want to express my sincere appreciation for all the efforts you put into continuing to develop ESN as a source of inspiration for local social policy. It is a network that has always reaffirmed my belief that people are people, with their big and small challenges, no matter what kind of state system they live in.
What I take away from all our meetings at ESN is that a bit of humanity in our organizations is the most important ingredient for sound social policy.
Keep putting people first, because that is what defines you — and, by extension, that is what connects everyone who works to support the strong individuals we help along their way in local governments.

Christian,

In a time where the loudest voices too often drown out the most important ones, your work is a reminder of why listening — truly listening — matters.

You have chosen the path of service not out of ambition, but out of conviction: that every citizen deserves to be heard, and that dignity should never depend on privilege. You understand what many overlook: that true democracy isn’t just about casting ballots, but about raising voices — especially the ones that society too often silences.
You carry the stories of those whose voices rarely echo through the corridors of power — the single parent navigating impossible systems, the elderly forgotten by modern policy, the young person stuck in cycles they didn’t choose. And most of all, those living in poverty — not by choice, but by the failure of a system that should protect them.

Your unwavering commitment to improving social services for the most vulnerable isn’t just policy — it’s a principle. It’s a belief that a society is only as strong as its most fragile link, and that true leadership is not measured in headlines, but in hope.
You stand with those for whom life is a daily negotiation between dignity and survival. You don’t just advocate for better social services — you demand them. Not as charity, but as a right. Because no one should have to beg to be seen. No one should be invisible in a democracy.

As someone once said: “Democracy is more than voting — it’s a conversation. A chorus of voices, not a monologue of authority.”
You remind us of this every day.
You don’t speak over the people. You amplify them.

Thank you for reminding us that leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about listening. And acting.
Thank you for standing where others look away.
And thank you for being not just a voice for the people — but a microphone they can speak through.Especially for those who’ve been unheard for far too long.

With deep respect,
Pascale

Dear Christian,
You have been a loyal companion on my journey—always listening, understanding, and offering advice without ever imposing your views. Your vision is clear and thoughtful, your ideas are well-considered, never controversial but rather universal in nature. You are there for anyone who is open to sound and well-founded arguments.
I’m glad to know you, Christian, and grateful for the path you’ve helped shape for our association.
Jan Maessen

Christian's impact to the world of his expertise it makes our world a better place!
Thank you Christian! I wish you keep up this great leadership and be always be strong and healthy!