The John Adams Institute

Transcription

1 The John Adams Institute ANNUAL REPORT 2007 Michael Ruse - Daniel Mason - Ariel Levy - Antoine van Agtmael - Michelle Goldberg - Niall Ferguson - Miranda July John Adams & Peter Sellars - William Easterly - Daniel Mendelsohn - Stedman Graham - Dana Thomas - Nigella Lawson

2 Table of content 4 Our mission 5 Message from the director 6 Our events 20 Other programs 22 Support 23 Sponsors & Friends 24 Publicity 25 Staff 26 Board of directors 28 West-Indisch Huis 29 Overview of Events Attendance 31 In the Press 34 Sponsors & Friends Finances

3 Our Mission To be one of the premier speaker s podiums in Europe on American culture. To bring American culture to a Dutch and international audience by organizing public lectures, readings and discussions. To maintain our independent, nonprofit status, with freedom to choose speakers and topics. To provide our audience the opportunity to listen, learn and engage in discussions on the broad subject of the United States, its culture, and its impact on the world, without necessarily advocating particular viewpoints ourselves. 4

4 Message from the Director Coming into the directorship of an organization at the start of a year, one discovers that among the more curious initial duties is to write an overview of the previous year, preferably one brimming with enthusiasm, never mind that one had no role in those activities. This task did however give me a focused excuse to review everything that the John Adams Institute did in 2007, and in doing so I found a curious sense of satisfaction bordering on pride welling up inside me, as though I were somehow responsible for presenting this eclectic lineup of talent to audiences in Amsterdam and The Hague. Performance art, opera, economics, fashion, celebrity food writing and oh yes, literature: such was the array of material the John Adams Institute brought to the Netherlands. To say that the United States of America is a cultural stew is to state the obvious, or to understate it. American society is so big, so teeming and sloppy, so effusive and exuberant, obese and absurd, charming and malevolent, so deeply varied that the work of an institute such as ours is, really, an impossibility, but a very pleasant one. For we aim to present American culture and society to European audiences. How does one achieve such a goal? Much of the time we feel like kids in a meadow, grabbing what catches our eye, whether a rare flower or a pretty weed. Who are you, anyway? Pardon the non sequitur, but I am suddenly aware of the fact that I am rather ignorant of the intended audience of an Annual Report. Are you a member of the John Adams Institute one of the hundreds of residents of Amsterdam and other parts of the Netherlands with an interest in the U.S., who pay a modest 25 euros in exchange for discounted tickets to and advance notice of our events? Are you a supporter on a higher level: a Friend or Sponsor, someone who takes pleasure (and maybe pride) in helping what is after all a tiny, independent, nonprofit organization pull off some rather grand feats, which might involve a member of the Dutch royal family, a former U.S. vice president, the head of an international bank, a Nobel Prize winner or two? Are you someone who is considering joining the select ranks of our supporters, and wondering what you might get out of it? (If so, turn to page 23.) Are you affiliated with the Holland America Friendship Foundation, AEGON, the city of The Hague, Boekhandel Paagman, or the U.S. Embassy in The Hague? If so, let me thank you here, up front, for finding value in the work we do, for thinking that a small, independent institute devoted to bridging an oceanic divide and reminding Europeans that their former colony isn t so culturally removed after all (or maybe planting the opposite idea) is providing a genuine service. And I would like also to thank all the other categories of supporters: nonmembers (who pay much more per ticket than members, so thanks for that though wouldn t it be more cost effective to join up and save 7.10 a ticket?), volunteers, florists, coat checkers, chair stackers, mike testers, publicists, agents and journalists. Whoever you are, I hope you like the looks of this overview of I hope you find what s to come even more enticing. -Russell Shorto 5

5 Our events 29 March 2007 Michael Ruse The Evolution-Creation Struggle Moderated by Herman Philipse, Professor of Philosophy at Utrecht University Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324 Amsterdam 6 March 29 th had an evening with intriguing questions and a sharp intellectual debate. Ruse was called "one of the most stimulating writers on the neverending cultural debate over evolution" by New York Times Magazine. As one of the leading participants in the contemporary debate, Ruse gives a new perspective on the historical continuity of thinking about creation, evolution, and the relationship between religion and science. He uncovers surprising similarities between evolutionist and creationist thinking. He reveals that those most hostile to religion, like Richard Dawkins, are just as evangelical as their fundamentalist opponents.

6 2 April 2007 Daniel Mason A Far Country Author of the bestseller The Piano Tuner, joined us on April 2 nd for a lecture of his highly anticipated novel, A Far Country. Relating the story of a teenage girl's search for her beloved older brother in a Third World country, A Far Country is a vivid, uncompromising portrayal of poverty and desperation and a universal tale about the bonds of family. Moderated by Hans Steketee NRC Handelsblad Pulchri Studio Lange Voorhout 15 The Hague Mason's reviewers mention that his work evokes such classics as E. M. Forster's A Passage to India, Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, or George Orwell's Shooting an Elephant. The Piano Tuner received raving reviews from critics like The New York Times' Michiko Kakutani, who wrote that 'He has written a seductive and lyrical novel that probes the brutalities and compromises of colonization, even as it celebrates the elusive powers of music and the imagination.' Mason's new book A Far Country has been sold to publishers across the world and promises to be as good as his first. 7

7 12 April 2007 Ariel Levy Female Chauvinist Pigs Author Ariel Levy and regular contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post and Vogue, joined us on April 12 th for a lecture on her latest book, Female Chauvinist Pigs. A bold, piercing examination of how twenty-first century American society perceives sex and women. The book cleverly leads us to explore the role models women aspire to emulate. Levy argues that rather than pursuing the confident, self-determined, powerful, free ideal the women's liberation movement would have dreamed for its daughters, we have turned porn stars and strippers and prostitutes into icons. Asking "what does sexy mean today? Levy argues that the term is defined by a pervasive raunchy culture wherein women make sex objects of other women and of ourselves. Levy was called "feminism's newest and most provocative voice, brilliantly laying bare the contradictions and evasions and self-deceptions that pass for empowerment" by Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author of The Tipping Point. Moderated by Heleen Mees Author and columnist Odeon Singel 460 Amsterdam 8

8 The John Adams Institute invited Antoine van Agtmael to speak on the Dutch-American Friendship Day on April 17th. The topic was: Emerging Markets - The Challenge for Western Companies and the Strategies They Should Be Aware Of! In his keynote speech Van Agtmael demonstrated how a new breed of world-class companies is taking over the world. Van Agtmael picked up where Thomas Friedman in his book The World is Flat left off and showed us that the world's center of gravity is already tipping in favor of the emerging economies. The discussion that followed focused on the question of what Western companies can learn from the strategies of emerging companies: how they can adapt and whether they should be afraid of takeovers. 9

9 14 May 2007 Michelle Goldberg Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism Moderated by James Kennedy, Professor of Contemporary History, Universiteit van Amsterdam Panelists: J.J. van Dijk Member Dutch Parliament for CDA H. Hagoort Director EO H. Noten Member Dutch Senate for PvdA Investigative journalist Michelle Goldberg joined us on May 14 th to discuss her ideas on the influence of Christian Evangelical organizations on politics, the educational system and the legal system. In her book Kingdom Coming, Goldberg traces the financial and ideological ties of these groups with the Republican Party and how educational programs in many states in the US have been adapted to the creationist vision of the world. Goldberg's introductory talk was followed by a debate on the influence of religion on Dutch politics and education. Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324 Amsterdam 10

10 22 May 2007 Niall Ferguson The War Of The World British historian Niall Ferguson joined us on May 22 nd to discuss the question why the 20th century was the bloodiest in modern history. Another theme he discussed was why he thinks the American Century will be remembered for the exhaustion of the West and the rise of China. He challenged Americans to rethink their place in the world especially now in the light of the War in Iraq. Niall Ferguson is considered to be one of the finest historians of his generation. He is a bestselling author, teaching at Stern Business School, Harvard and Oxford. Times Magazine named Ferguson one of the 100 most influential people of the World. Ferguson's book The War of the World: Twentieth-Century Conflict and the Descent of the West won raving reviews. Moderated by Hans Steketee NRC Handelsblad Kloosterkerk Lange Voorhout 4 The Hague 11

11 31 May 2007 Nathan Englander The Ministry of Special Cases Author Nathan Englander joined us on the 31 st of May 2007 to discuss his long awaited first novel. The novel is set in 1976 in Buenos Aires during Argentina's "dirty war." It s a timeless story of fathers and sons and the search for the 'desaparecidos'. In a world turned upside down, where the past and the future, the nature of truth itself, all take shape according to a corrupt government's whims. Here again are all the marvelous qualities for which Englander's first book was immediately beloved: his exuberant wit and invention, his cosmic sense of the absurd, and his genius for balancing joyfulness and despair. Nathan Englander is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and won several prizes like the Pushcart Prize and the 2000 Pen/Malamud Award and appeared on a dozen best-seller lists and garnered comparisons to Chekhov and Roth. Moderated by Pieter Steinz NRC Handelsblad Odeon Singel 460 Amsterdam 12

12 7 June 2007 Miranda July No One Belongs Here More Than You Filmmaker, performing artist and writer Miranda July joined us on June 7 th to discuss her work and her new collection of short stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You. After writing, directing and starring in the feature film Me and You and Everyone We Know, which won the Camera d'or at the Cannes Film Festival, she now turned her prodigious talents to fiction. Author Dave Eggers said: "The book that I keep pushing on people is Miranda July's No One Belongs Here More Than You. July has one of the strangest and most hilariously alienated brains of anyone I've read" Moderated by Wilfred Takken NRC Handelsblad Hotel Arena s-gravesandestraat 51 Amsterdam 13

13 11 June 2007 John Adams & Peter Sellars Dr. Atomic Revisited Part of the Holland Festival Composer John Adams and theater director Peter Sellars joined us on June 11 th for a joint interview to mark the Dutch premiere of their opera Dr. Atomic. Following the success of the opera Nixon in China, Dr Atomic once again explores a politically current theme with great artistic flair, which Sellars, who wrote the libretto, skilfully links to the psychological and philosophical issues of our time. The winner of numerous awards, California-based John Adams is one of the most frequently performed living American composers. Sellars is one of the leading theatre, opera, and television directors in the world today, whose previous productions include the John Adams-composed opera A Flowering Tree, Olivier Messiaen's St. François d'assise, and Paul Hindemith's Mathis der Maler. Moderated by Elmer Schönberger musicologist, writer and composer Muziekgebouw aan t IJ Piet Hein Kade 1 Amsterdam 14

14 12 September 2007 William Easterly The White Man's Burden New York University Professor and former World Bank economist William Easterly joined us the 12 th of September for a discussion on why the 100 billion USD the rich world yearly dedicates to end poverty in the developing world is for a big part wasted. The Millennium Development Goals, an initiative of the UN directed by Jeffrey Sachs, are the principal targets of Easterly. Ending a country's poverty with foreign aid is not possible, though individual living conditions can be improved according to Easterly. Mr. Easterly is the author of The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good. In this book, he contends that the West has failed, and continues to fail, to enact its utopian aid plans and acts very paternalistic. Existing aid strategies, Easterly argues, provide neither accountability nor feedback. He believes in local solutions, initiatives from the developing world and is opposed to grand schemes and planners. Moderated by Chris Kijne, journalist, VPRO Panelists: Jan Pronk Professor ISS, former Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Sudan Peter Konijn Deputy Director Cordaid Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324 Amsterdam 15

15 18 September 2007 Daniel Mendelsohn The Lost Award-winning author and critic Daniel Mendelsohn joined us on September 18 th to discuss his latest book The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million, which has won the National Book Critics Circle Award and received extraordinary critical acclaim e.g. in The New York Review of Books ("the most gripping, the most amazing true story I have read in years") and O, the Oprah Magazine ('stunning... beautiful and powerfully moving'). The story is about Mendelsohn's search of the fates of family members who perished in the Holocaust. The book's most striking element is the author's recounting of the book of Genesis in parallel with his own story, highlighting eternal themes of origins and family, temptation and exile, brotherly betrayal, creation and annihilation. Mr. Mendelsohn is a frequent contributor to the New York Review on literature and film and currently the Charles Ranlett Flint Professor of Humanities at Bard College. Moderated by Michaël Zeeman author and critic Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324 Amsterdam 16

16 16 October 2007 Stedman Graham Diversity: Leaders Not Labels Stedman Graham demonstrates in his latest book Diversity: Leaders not Labels - a New Plan for the 21st Century, that cultural diversity is changing the face of nations across the world. Either embrace diversity or get left behind. In an inspiring talk on October 16 th he showed the great variety of opportunities cultural diversity has to offer by focusing on leadership, talent and excellence. Following his talk there was a debate on Diversity in the US and the Netherlands. Moderated by Yoeri Albrecht journalist West Indisch Huis, Herenmarkt 99 Amsterdam Graham has a consultancy organization in Chicago and is a New York Times-bestselling author selling millions of copies of his books. Graham is also known as the partner of the celebrated talk show host Oprah Winfrey. 17

17 20 November 2007 Dana Thomas Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Lustre The topic of luxury today is all about globalization, capitalization, class and culture. Dana Thomas explores with a blend of history, culture and investigative journalism the whole of today's high-end shopping experience. Thomas answers some pressing questions in her book Deluxe: What happened to brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent? What is the new definition of luxury when advertising for this lifestyle is targeted mainly toward the mass market? What are we paying for when quality has given way to quantity? Is luxury still the best that money can buy? How do the rich and chic distinguish themselves today? We got some answers on November 20 th. Dana Thomas is the cultural and fashion writer for Newsweek in Paris, contributes to various publications, including the New York Times Magazine The New Yorker, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, the Washington Post, and the Financial Times in London. Moderated by Milou van Rossum De Volkskrant Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324 Amsterdam 18

18 6 December 2007 Nigella Lawson Nigella Express The John Adams Institute proudly presented on December 6 th an evening around the multi talented author, journalist and TV personality Nigella Lawson. According to Salman Rushdie she is one of the most original and funny literary food writers. Nigella is an interesting personality in her own right. She has written extensively about the loss to cancer of two loved ones. She is married to advertising mogul and art dealer Charles Saatchi. Nigella's latest success is her book Nigella Express, featuring meals for busy lives. At the John Adams Institute, Nigella was equally at ease discussing recipes, the arts or politics with our moderator. Moderated by Hanneke Groenteman journalist The Grand Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197 Amsterdam 19

19 Other Programs The Quincy Club The Quincy Club is the educational branch of the John Adams Institute. It is a traveling program for high-school students in the Netherlands, which every year presents a different aspect of American culture and society. It strives to present American themes in a non-partisan and informative fashion. It gives Dutch high school students a deeper understanding of democracy in the U.S. and a better idea of the diversity of American society. Over the last four years, more than 70 schools applied, half of which have been accommodated. The lectures have reached more than 2000 students. The target groups at the schools are the two highest levels of VWO and Gymnasium. In 2007, 17 schools participated in the program. In 2007, the lectures focused on immigration issues. The lectures were delivered by Frans Verhagen, a journalist with an impressive record of publications on U.S. matters and many years of reporting experience in Washington D.C. His most recent publication is The American Way. At each lecture he was joined by either an American Fulbright exchange student or an American diplomat. The discussions focused on the respective ideas on both sides of the ocean about immigration and integration. Part of the services of the Quincy Club is a website that provides background information and reading material for the classes. Teachers can provide their teaching materials online. For 2007 the Quincy Club was sponsored by the Holland America Friendship Foundation and the American Embassy. To Hiram Powers. Sculptor, thy hand has moulded into form The haggard features of a toil-worn face; And whosoever views thy work shall trace An age of Sorrow, and a Life of Storm. And, canst thou mould the Heart? for that... is warm; Glowing with tenderness for all its race: Instinct with all the Sympathies that grace The pure and artless bosoms where they swarm. Artist! may Fortune smile upon thy hand! Go forth, and rival Greece's art sublime: Return...and bid the statesmen of thy Land Live in thy marble through all after-time. Oh! snatch the fire from Heaven Prometheus stole; And give the lifeless block, a breathing Soul. 20 John Quincy Adams. Washington 25: March 1837.

20 Literature Course In 2007, The John Adams Institute organized a literature course taught in Dutch on the theme Family Matters. Ever since the publication of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter in 1850, American writers have used the subject of family to explore the wider cultural landscape. Most Americans still see family as the cornerstone of society. But much of American literature presents another image. In the 2007 program of 2007 the focus was on the conditions behind this phenomenon: the shifting power relations within family and the failure of marriages. This series of 16 lectures by Dr. Eleonore van Notten was held in The Hague and Amsterdam. It covered these novels: Russell Banks Affliction Annie Proulx The Shipping News Jane Smiley A Thousand Acres Barbara Kingsolver The Poisonwood Bible Louise Erdich The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse 21

21 Support As a nonprofit organization in the Netherlands, the John Adams Institute has always been ahead of its time, in the sense that, ever since its launch in 1987, the Institute has depended heavily on the private sector. We are also fortunate to benefit from a small number of public sector grants and funding. This year we received a very generous donation from the Holland America Friendship Foundation and we hope to continue this new friendship over the following years. In addition to annual support from our Friends, Sponsors and members, we also seek partners with a particular interest in individual events. In 2007, we received specific event-related support and assistance from the following: Publishers and book importers Uitgeverij De Arbeiderspers Other supporters 22

22 Sponsors & Friends Becoming a Sponsor or Friend of the John Adams Institute brings a company or individual with interests in the United States into an eclectic community, which includes politicians, entrepreneurs, writers, artists, journalists, professors and publishers. Indeed, our audiences and network of supporters include people of accomplishments that rival those of our speakers. Our Sponsors and Friends tell us they find value in their affiliation in various ways, whether by inviting clients to hear a Nobel Prize winner or former U.S. Secretary of State in an intimate setting or by mingling at our receptions. Many times a corporation will approach us asking to sponsor an individual event; this gives them a large bloc of seats and the chance to use a reception with the featured speaker as a special occasion for their members or customers. In 2007, we gained the following corporate sponsors: Greenberg Traurig, Kadaster Apeldoorn and Rabobank. A very warm welcome to all! For a complete list of Friends & Sponsors for 2007, see page 34 & 35. Sometimes supporters indicate from the beginning that their contribution will be limited to a certain time period. We wish to thank the following departing Friends for their generous support in past years: Bain & Co, Cisco Systems International, Staalbankiers, DuPont de Nemours and West-Holland Foreign Investment Agency. Individual support: Member ( 25), Patron ( 65) President s Club ( 500) Personal Friend ( 1500 and up). We currently have 1162 members. Of this total, 19 are members of the President s Club (see below) and 13 are donating at the Ambassador level. In 2007 the board of the John Adams Institute has decided to cancel the Ambassador level for new members. President s Club R.M. Amato, E. M. Van Basten-Batenburg, M. van der Borgh, K. van den Broek, R. Donehoo, R.W.H. Groen, W. Knibbeler, M. Meijer-Bergmans, M.S. Menéndez, C.S. de Meijere, E.M. van Notten, W. van Roijen-Van Nispen, H.O.C.R. Ruding, M.J. Sandersten Holte, F. Schaik, M. Schuit-Williams, W.F.C. Stevens-Mullens, L.S. Vetter, F. Warmelink. 23

23 Publicity We get the word out with news cards, e-cards, posters, press releases and advertisements. Apart from our own promotional materials, we occasionally advertise lectures in local newspapers. The International Herald Tribune once again provided a large advertisement to announce our program and to enable us to thank our Friends and Sponsors for their support. Posters Posters are provided to booksellers in Amsterdam, The Hague and selected stores outside the capital. In addition, they are sent to all Friends and Sponsors and are widely distributed to cultural venues in the Netherlands. News cards and E-cards E News cards and e-cards are sent to JAI members, patrons and relations, containing information on specific guests and topics plus venue and ticket information. Press releases Press releases are prepared for each lecture and sent out to a wide range of contacts throughout the Netherlands. Upcoming lectures are mentioned in many publications. Our Website: Our website is an important source of information for the public, providing the latest updates on our program as well as ticket reservations. Individuals can also become members through the website, and the public can purchase tickets to our events via the website. 24

24 Staff and Volunteers for 2007 Staff Corine Krijgsman, Marike Paauw Cobie Ivens Project volunteers Christine Boreel Kiekie Pabbruwe Office volunteers Karen Drake Heather Gould Director Assistant to the Director Project Coordinator Quincy Club coordinator Ambassador The Hague Copywriting Office assistance Event volunteers Amsterdam Heather Gould Liesbeth van den Heijden Naomi Kamphuijs Veronika Kovacsova Richard Nyuka Rebecca Sekoun Sam Simons Tycho Verheul Den Haag Wendela van Beuningen Hanneke Enthoven Ellen Kroese-Kane Madeleine Ovethoff Aadje van Ree 25

25 Board of Directors Arie Westerlaken, Chairman Arie Westerlaken was Philips' Chief Legal Officer and a member of the Group Management Committee. He joined the company s legal department in the Netherlands in 1973 and was appointed General Counsel to Philips Japan in After six years in Japan and five years with the Corporate Legal Department in Eindhoven, he left the company in 1990 to become Director of Legal Affairs for DAF Trucks. Returning to Philips in 1994, he was appointed Director of Legal Affairs. He became Chief Legal Officer of Philips on April 1, 1996, Secretary of the Board of Management in July 1997 and a member of the Group Management Committee on May 1, Mr. Westerlaken was born in 1946 and graduated with a degree in Law from the University of Utrecht. He is married with two children. Evert van de Bergh, Treasurer Until 2002 he served on the board of management at ExxonMobil Benelux, with contact responsibility in the area of financial affairs. After his retirement in 2003, he was appointed in 2004 to the Supervisory Board of Esso Nederland. Among his many other activities, Mr van den Bergh currently holds the post of Director for Strategy and Policy at Delft University of Technology. He is treasurer of the Dutch String Quartet Academy, and sits on the Gasunie pension fund investment advisory board. Since 2003 he has served as a mediator for ACB, an intermediary organization dedicated to dispute resolution. In 2003 Mr van den Bergh was appointed a member of the Committee set up to adjudicate and allocate non-personal claims to 'Jewish' funds relating to damages sustained in World War II and released by the Dutch government, banks and the stock exchange. Marry de Gaay Fortman, Secretary Marry de Gaay Fortman graduated in 1988 from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Since then she has worked as a lawyer with Houthoff Buruma. In 1997 she was named partner and from 2001 until 2007 she was Managing Partner at this firm. Alongside her daily tasks, she also works as a mediator (affiliated with the Dutch Mediation Institute, NMI) and contributes regularly to roundtable discussions on leadership, management and diversity. Marry de Gaay Fortman occupies various additional functions, she is member of the supervisory board of AMREF Flying Doctors, the Nederlands Dans Theater and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, sits on the Commission to promote sound management and integrity in Public Broadcasting, and is a member of the Advice Council of the Dutch Care Authority. 26

26 Chris Kijne Chris Kijne is a VPRO broadcaster and journalist. He started as a print journalist but later switched to radio, both as a domestic- and foreigndesk reporter. The last decade he was one of the anchors for the VPRO broadcasts on Radio 1, the national news-channel. He also works for television, making documentaries and most recently with a series of extensive interviews for both the digital channel HollandDoc and the in depth-program 'Tegenlicht'. Among his recent guests were Salman Rushdie, Madeleine Albright, Elie Wiesel, Amos Oz and Amartya Sen. He also moderates events of the Institute. Tracy Metz Tracy Metz, a native of California, is a journalist with the NRC Handelsblad. She writes regularly about architecture, urbanism and landscape and has written a number of books, such as Snelweg: Highways in the Netherlands, Nieuwe natuur: Reportages over veranderend landschap Atlas of Changes. Rearranging the Netherlands. Her most recent book is FUN! Leisure and Landscape. She is also a correspondent for the American magazine Architectural Record. For the John Adams Institute, where she has been a member of the board since 2004, she also regularly moderates evenings with authors. Jeannette Sanders A fervent reader and art collector, Jeanette is responsible for co-hosting receptions at lectures and organizing the Women's Leadership Circle fundraising dinners together with Swe Thant. Jeannette is a member of the Board of the Groninger Museum. Honorary Board The Hon. Roland E. Arnall, U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, Chairman Mr John H Bryan, former Director, Sara Lee Corporation The Hon. K Terry Dornbush, former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands The Hon. Cynthia P Schneider, former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands The Hon. Clifford M Sobel, former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Advisory Board Mr B Alexander, Director, McKinsey & Co Mr A Rinnooy Kan, Board of Directors, ING Group Dr H Ruding, former Minister of Finance Mr C van Lede, former Chairman, Akzo Nobel Mr J Hessels, former Chairman, Vendex KBB Ms A Wertheim, former Director, John Adams Institute Honorary Membership Dini Bolck 27

27 West-Indisch Huis Where Amsterdam meets New York For almost 400 years, Amsterdam s West India House has been a symbol of Dutch-American relations. It was here that two historic decisions were made: to establish a Dutch trading base in the New World on the island of Manhattan and, three centuries later, to create our institute, dedicated to transatlantic cultural exchange. Following stints as an orphanage, retirement home and warehouse, the West India House was fully restored in the 1980s. In 1987 it became the home of the John Adams Institute. 28

28 Overview of Events 2007 Guest / Moderator Topic / Location 29-Mar Michael Ruse The Evolution-Creation Struggl Moderator Herman Philipse Felix Meritis Amsterdam 2-Apr Daniel Mason A Far Country Moderator Hans Steketee Pulchri Studio The Hague 12-Apr Ariel Levy Female Chauvinist Pigs Moderator Heleen Mees Odeon Amsterdam 17-Apr Antoine van Agtmael Emerging Markets - Amcham Barbizon Palace Amsterdam 14-May Michelle Goldberg Kingdom Coming Moderator James Kennedy Felix Meritis Amsterdam 22-May Niall Ferguson The War of the World Moderator Hans Steketee Kloosterkerk The Hague 31-May Nathan Englander The Ministry of Special Cases Moderator Pieter Steinz Odeon Amsterdam 7-Jun Miranda July No One Belongs Here More Than You Moderator Wilfred Takken Hotel Arena Amsterdam 11-Jun John Adams & Peter Sellars Dr. Atomic Revisited Moderator Elmer Schönberger Muziekgebouw Aan 't IJ Amsterdam 12-Sep William Easterly The White Man's Burden Moderator Chris Kijne Felix Meritis Amsterdam 18-Sep Daniel Mendelsohn The Lost Moderator Michaël Zeeman Felix Meritis Amsterdam 16-Oct Stedman Graham Diversity: Leaders not Labels Moderator Yoeri Albrecht West-Indisch Huis Amsterdam 20-Nov Dana Thomas Deluxe: How Luxery Lost Its Lustre Moderator Milou van Rossum Felix Meritis Amsterdam 6-Dec Nigella Lawson Nigella Express Moderator Hanneke Groenteman Hotel The Grand Amsterdam Photography Copyright of the photos of our lectures and readings by: Chris van Houts, Piet Gispen & Gerrit Serné 29

29 2007 Attendance date 29-Mrch 2-Apr 12-Apr 17-Apr 14-May 22-May 31-May 7-Jun 11-Jun 12-Sep 18-Sep 16-Oct 20-Nov 6-Dec writer Michael Ruse Daniel Mason Ariel Levy Antoine van Agtmael Michelle Goldberg Niall Ferguson Nathan Englander Miranda July J.Adams & P.Sellars William Easterly Daniel Mendelsohn Stedman Graham Dana Thomas Nigella Lawson number TOTAAL

30 In the Press Thursday 24 May 2007, De Telegraaf 31

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32 Artikel Smulweb.nl nl: : Een ontmoeting met Nigella Lawson Dit is een bijdrage van: webredactie Artikel geplaatst op: Dit artikel is al 3195 keer gelezen Hotel The Grand: het hotel waar beroemdheden als Michael Jackson verblijven als ze ons land aan doen. Tevens het decor voor een gesprek tussen Hanneke Groenteman en Nigella Lawson, presentatrice en publiciste en vooral bekend van haar kookboeken (o.a. How to be a domestic goddess) en kookprogramma`s (o.a. Nigella Bites). Ter promotie van haar nieuwste boek, Nigella Express, bezoekt ze Nederland. De organisatie van het als lezing bestempelde uurtje is in handen van Uitgeverij Contact en het John Adams Institute. Een zaal vol huisvrouwen die de nieuwe bijbel van Nigella, Nigella Express, tegen zich aangedrukt houden en op het puntje van hun stoel zitten om ademloos naar haar te luisteren, dat had ik verwacht. De realiteit is anders: het lijkt meer op een zakelijke (netwerk-)bijeenkomst. Een feest der herkenning voor veel genodigden en het valt me op dat er opvallend veel bossen bloemen zijn mee genomen. Ik kom er al snel achter dat naast een gesprek met Nigella de avond in het teken staat van het afscheid van de directrice van het John Adams Institute. Na wat informatie over de historie van De Grand wordt met een "koningin Beatrix trouwde hier en hier is de Queen of the kitchen" Nigella aangekondigd. Nigella Lawson is in het echt nog mooier dan op tv en in haar boeken! Tel daarbij op het prachtige `proper English` en de omschrijving `Goddelijke Huisvrouw` lijkt bevestigd. Lees verder op: 33

33 Sponsors & Friends 2007 The Friends of the John Adams Institute are directors of American companies based in the Netherlands and top executives of Dutch companies with significant interests in the United States Private Friends T. Dornbush, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands K.J. Storm Former CEO AEGON Sponsors HAFF Holland America Friendship Foundation Additional Supporters 34

34 Friends ABN AMRO Kuiper, J.Ch.L. Ahold Wakkie, P.N. Amsterdam Foreign Investment Office Beer, M. de Amsterdam Institute of Finance Childers, B. AON Groep Nederland Steen, J.W.Th. Bain & Co. Ms. Pherwani Baker & McKenzie Scheer, E.T.H. Bank Insinger de Beaufort Kantor, I.R. BearingPoint Roest, P. Boekhandel Van Rossum Johnson, Ms. B. Boer & Croon Groot, E.P. de Booz Allen Hamilton Mensing, P.B. Buhrmann Ventress, P. Citigroup Boom, P.F. Clifford Chance Eijsbouts, Ch.J.R. DuPont de Nemours Mendel, J. Esso Nederland Baeckelmans, N. Fugro Jonkman, A. Greenberg & Traurig Jong, W. de Greif Engelen, Ms. W.H. van Heineken Boxmeer, J.F. van. Houthoff Buruma Bosman, J. ING Groep Tilmant, M. Jefferson Wells Haverhals, H.J.K. Kadaster Apeldoorn Meiling, E McKinsey & Co. Alexander, B.C. Fortis / MeesPierson-PWM Mol, P.W. NIBC bank Bodes, P. PCM Uitgevers Groenewegen, H.L.L. Philips Electronics Sivignon, J.P. PricewaterhouseCoopers Nijhuis, J.A. Provincie Zuid-Holland Dijk, J.W.A. Rabobank Heggeler, R.H.L. Ten Sara Lee International Garvey, M. Siemens Pernis, M.C.J. van SNS Reaal Groep Verburg, J.H. Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers Dam, E. van Uitgeverij Boom Ingen, E.A. van Uitgeverij Nieuw Amsterdam Borg, H. ter Unilever Waaij, K. van der Weekblad Pers Groep Jong, P.F.M. de Wolters Kluwer McKinstry, Ms. N. 35

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37 The John Adams Institute West Indisch Huis Herenmarkt EC Amsterdam T. +31 (0) F. +31 (0) E. W. Photos: Chris van Houts & Piet Gispen