Leadership of the DG of Democracy and Human Dignity
Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity is composed of two Directorates, one for Democracy and the other of Equal Rights and Dignity.
Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity Marja Ruotanen, Director General
Marja Ruotanen was appointed Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity (DGII) by the Secretary General on 1 September 2022.
She has a deep knowledge of the Organisation and a very extensive leadership and managerial experience, including as Director of Equality and Human Dignity, Director of Justice and Human Dignity, Director of Cooperation, Director of the Committees in the Parliamentary Assembly as well as Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General.
As Director General, she assists and advises the Secretary General, on issues related to democracy, participation and governance, equality, diversity inclusion and human dignity by fighting discrimination, trafficking in human beings, violence against women, domestic violence, and sexual violence against children. Marja is particularly committed to supporting the process towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe, to advancing gender equality and to integrating youth perspectives in the Council of Europe’s work. Determined to increase the efficiency and impact of her teams’ work, she initiates and supports reflections to reform structures and working methods to serve the needs and priorities identified.
Marja joined the Council of Europe in 1990. She has contributed to the drafting and promotion of key human rights treaties, the setting up of monitoring mechanisms, the development of critical partnerships with other international organisations and donors and to the design of transversal programmes mobilising the whole organisation. She also has contributed to major reforms increasing the Council of Europe’s efficiency, impact and accountability.
She focuses on promoting democracy and human dignity through collaborative approaches and is committed to advancing gender equality within the organisation as well as integrating youth perspective in its work.
Matjaž Gruden previously served as Director of Policy Planning, Deputy Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General, political adviser and speechwriter for the Secretary General and President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Prior to his career at the Council of Europe, he was a diplomat at the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, posted in Brussels. He holds a law degree from the Law Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, as well as a post-graduate degree in EU law from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.
Directorate of Equal Rights and Dignity Hallvard Gorseth, Director
Hallvard Gorseth previously served as Head of Anti-discrimination Department and Adviser to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. His professional expertise - developed through roles at the Council of Europe, the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA), and Norwegian government ministries - includes gender equality, combating human trafficking, social rights, and the free movement of persons. He is a Master of Laws from the University of Oslo and holds a postgraduate degree in EU law from King’s College London.
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