The think-tank united leading people from the university, administration, ventures, trade unions and the free professions.
The Coudenberg group presented itself as an independent think-tank which unites, on the basis of a linguistic and ideological pluralism, people who understand that Belgium is itself on a cross point and who want to contribute to the political renewal of this country.
The Coudenberg group thought about issues concerning the organization of federal Belgium and published several studies about this topic.
Among the approximately 70 members were people such as Antoine Bekaert, André Belmans, Philippe Bodson, Bart De Schutter, Jacques De Staercke, Hubert Detremmerie, Mark Dubrulle, Jan Huyghebaert, Koen Lenaerts, Jacques Moulaert, Sylvain Plasschaert, Carlos Van Rafelghem, Paul Van Remoortere, Els Witte, Kris Deschouwer, Mieke Offeciers-Vandewiele, Patrick van Ypersele de Strihou (family of Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou).
The most active members were Frans Vanistendael (former professor fiscal law at the Catholic University of Leuven),[1] Bavo Cool, Alain Deneef (later president of the NMBS), Roland Charlier (civil servant ), Charles van der Straeten Waillet, Jacques Groothaert, Michel van den Abeele, Guy Schrans, Felix Standaert and Jan Hinnekens.