New Director-General for Culture and Media appointed to tackle digital and societal challenges
Youssef Louakili takes the helm at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to steer culture and media policy through digitalisation, AI, and public broadcasting reforms. His leadership aims to ensure diverse and accessible cultural offerings for all citizens.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Youssef Louakili |
| Position | Director-General for Culture and Media |
| Ministry | Education, Culture and Science (OCW) |
| Start Date | 23 February 2026 |
| Predecessor (Acting) | Christianne Mattijssen |
| Key Responsibilities | Policy on culture (heritage, arts) and media (archives, creative industries) |
| Challenges | Digitalisation, AI, public broadcasting reform, societal transitions |
| Previous Role | Director of Media and the Creative Industry at OCW |
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) oversees policies that shape the cultural and media landscape in the Netherlands, ensuring accessibility and diversity. The Director-General for Culture and Media plays a pivotal role in aligning these policies with societal needs and technological advancements.
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Read the full translated article below
Appointment of Director-General for Culture and Media at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
News item | 30-01-2026 | 15:00
Youssef Louakili will be the Director-General for Culture and Media at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW). The Council of Ministers has approved this appointment on the proposal of Minister Rijkaart of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The appointment will take effect on 23 February 2026.
The Directorate-General (DG) for Culture and Media is responsible for policy concerning culture (heritage, arts) and media (archives, creative industries), with the aim of ensuring an independent, diverse and accessible cultural and media offering for society. This involves major challenges, such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, pressure and criticism of the rule of law institutions, (hybrid) threats and significant societal developments. The cultural and media sectors are also facing major transitions, such as the reform of the public broadcasting system.
The Director-General for Culture and Media, together with the management team, will set a forward-looking course for the multifaceted organisation responsible for policy, knowledge and implementation. In doing so, he will act both strategically and as a connector, working for and with the sector: creators, governments, institutions, funds, museums and heritage organisations, media parties and all those who make culture and media possible.
Christianne Mattijssen, Director of the Heritage & Arts Directorate at the Ministry of OCW, will act as Director-General until 23 February 2026.
Mr Y. (Youssef) Louakili has been Director of Media and the Creative Industry at OCW since July 2021. Prior to this, he held various positions, including Head of Governance, System and Legal Affairs at the Primary Education Directorate and Deputy Head of Education Content and Quality in Secondary Education at the same ministry. Youssef is currently participating in the TMG TOP leadership programme of the Directorate-General for the Government Service and took part in the Government Service Candidate Programme in 2021 and 2022. He began his career as a secondary school teacher.
This appointment was made through the procedure for the top management group of the Government Service.