We are deeply saddened by the passing of Miruna Bouros, a beloved and dedicated member of the WIIS Brussels community, at the young age of 35.

Miruna was a treasured member of the Steering Committee for several years before stepping down last year due to ill health. She led our mentoring programme to new heights and contributed to countless other projects with boundless energy and dedication.

Miruna was a proud European. Born in Romania, she moved to Belgium as a teenager where she quickly excelled academically in the Flemish school system, in a language she had only recently learnt. She cherished living in the heart of the EU, spoke several EU languages and loved travelling whenever she had the chance, be it a day trip to the beach or another country.

Miruna lent her many talents to the Irish Embassy in Brussels where she worked as a Consular Officer. She was a specialist in EU-Northeast Asia relations, with focus on security and defence cooperation, and held an MA in International Studies from Seoul National University in South Korea.

Miruna led her life with passion and courage, both personally, professionally and politically, always seeking justice. She wrote a beautiful goodbye just days before leaving this world, sharing experience of cancer with honesty, humour and talent. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

We carry you in our hearts, Miruna. May you rest in peace.