N e t h e r l a n d s A t l a n t i c A s s o c i a t i o n

Transcription

1 A n n u a l r e p o r t N e t h e r l a n d s A t l a n t i c A s s o c i a t i o n

2 A n n u A l a p n R n o tr u e a l R e p o r t

3 1 FOREWORD 3 2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 4 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5 4 ORGANISATION EXECUT I VE C OMM I TTEE AND BOARD MANAGEMENT SECRETAR I AT ATLANT I C EDUC AT I ON C OMM I TTEE ED I TOR I AL BOARD OF ATLANTISCH PERSPECTIEF CHA I R I N MODERN TRANS ATLANT I C RELAT I ONS RES I DENT I AL FELLOW STUD I UMGENERALE NETHERLANDS ATLANT I C YOUTH STRATEG I C STUD I ES FOUNDAT I ON 10 5 ACTIVITIES IN MEET I NGS AND C ONFERENC ES PUBL I C AT I ONS PUBL I C OP I N I ON POLL C O N T E N T S 5-3 LE C TURES, I NTERV I EWS AND PUBL I C AT I ONS OF THE D I RE C TOR 25 6 FINANCIAL REPORT 26 7 MISCELLANEOUS WEBS I TE THE NETHERLANDS ATLANT I C ASS O C I AT I ON I N THE MED I A DO CUMENTAT I ON MEMBERSHI P ENGL I SH-LANGUAGE PUBL I C AT I ONS ENGL I SH-LANGUAGE ART I C LES I N ATLANTISCH PERSPECTIEF I N

4 Netherlands Atlantic Association Bezuidenhoutseweg 237a-239a 2594 AM The Hague The Netherlands Telephone: Fax: Internet: Editor: Niklaas Hoekstra Design: Meyer/Van Gerwen, The Hague/Breda Printing: Ervee design & drukwerk B.V., Zoetermeer Copyright 2012 Netherlands Atlantic Association

5 Looking back at 2011, we are first and foremost struck by the sheer number of programmes that the Netherlands Atlantic Association has organised. Not only is the number of activities remarkable, but also the variety. In part this is because of the Association s target group policy: each of the four original target groups (education, journalism, politics and academics) is waited on hand and foot. Teachers are pampered with programmes that focus on the United States (education conferences and study trips to New York), while patrons of the Association are treated to varied, but always topical, selected topics from transatlantic relations. The subjects this year ranged from the Arab Spring and a book presentation on Russia to NATO s Strategic Concept. Special mention should be made of the meetings with the Dutch Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence. In September 2011 Minister Rosenthal gave an introduction at the wellattended international conference on Empowering Women in Afghanistan ; and on 11 May 2011 Minister Hillen talked at length about The Armed Forces in a Changing World. Both meetings drew full houses; something that can be said of In April 2011, Piet Bukman stepped down as Chairman of the Board. For almost nine years he has led the Netherlands Atlantic Association with verve, dedication and expertise. The Board is indebted to him for all of his efforts during those years. I, the undersigned President of Delft University of Technology in my everyday life have succeeded him. I hope that with my experience at, among other places, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I can make a useful contribution to the work of the Netherlands Atlantic Association. Finally, the formation of an annual programme requires the combined forces of the Board, Management and Secretariat. Once again it is a pleasure to look back at the smooth cooperation among all three. Dirk Jan van den Berg Chairman, Netherlands Atlantic Association February F O R E W O R D almost all of the Association s programmes. Education programmes are even sold out as a rule. Two types of programmes deserve special mention in this annual report. First, the number of programmes that were organised for young people increased substantially. Under the auspices of Netherlands Atlantic Youth, ten programmes were organised dealing with different subjects in the field of international security issues. By using a mix of traditional communication (2.0) and social media (3.0), an important new network is taking shape also saw the birth of a new programme: Studium- Generale of the Netherlands Atlantic Association recruits a network of young professionals, thus serving two goals. First, a new target group is actively involved with the Netherlands Atlantic Association; and second, a useful connection is made between relevant government institutions and the business community. Certificates for the first class of participants have already been presented, and preparations for the second year of StudiumGenerale are in full swing. 3

6 Since its institution in 1952, the Netherlands Atlantic Association has been providing information on transatlantic security issues and promoting the study of issues such as relations between Europe and the United States, NATO and European security. In this way, the Association hopes to further public discussion on all such issues. The Netherlands Atlantic Association works together with government institutions, non-governmental organisations, scientific and political institutions in the Netherlands and abroad, and on an ad hoc basis with the business community. This (international) cooperation enables the Association to organise a variety of national and international conferences. The Netherlands Atlantic Association organises national and international conferences, seminars, panel discussions and lectures for specific groups. Among the target groups are patrons of the Netherlands Atlantic Association, politicians, civil servants, journalists, diplomats, university lecturers and students. Other important target groups are teachers and secondary school pupils. Finally, the Netherlands Atlantic Association initiates and supports the development of others activities (for example, students) in the fields of national and international security, and advises on the organisation and implementation of projects. The Association is also active in the field of publishing. Its publications include Atlantisch Perspectief [Atlantic Perspective], the Association s magazine, conference and study reports and educational brochures. The Association has library and documentation facilities at its disposal that can be consulted freely. 2 A I M S A N D O B J E C T I V E S The activities of the Netherlands Atlantic Association are supported by both ad hoc and permanent committees. The Atlantic Education Committee, for instance, develops projects for secondary education. A second permanent committee is Netherlands Atlantic Youth, which organises activities that are focused on students and young professionals. The independence of the Netherlands Atlantic Association is safeguarded by the organisation s Board, which includes representatives of major political parties and experts on transatlantic relations and security policy as its members. The Netherlands Atlantic Association is a member of the Atlantic Treaty Association the umbrella organisation for the more than 40 Atlantic councils, which work in each of NATO s member states and most of the Partnership for Peace countries. 4

7 The Netherlands Atlantic Association wishes to express its gratitude to all individuals and institutions that have assisted the Association in its activities during A vote of thanks is owed to the institutions, businesses and individuals that supported the Association financially in Without the contributions of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, the Association would not have been able to carry out its activities. NATO s Public Diplomacy Division, the US Embassy in The Hague, Avans University, Fontys University, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, NHL University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands Defence Academy and, of course, the private patrons of the Netherlands Atlantic Association also contributed greatly to our conferences, public meetings, seminars, publications and other activities. Sciences, JASON Foundation, the Royal Netherlands Society for Military Art and Science (KVBK), Leiden University Centre for the Study of Islam and Society (LUCSIS), the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, NATO s Public Diplomacy Division, De Nederlandsche Bank, the Netherlands Defence Academy (NLDA), NHL University of Applied Sciences, Pax-it, the Permanent Representation of the United States to the European Union, Politiek Café Den Haag, the Roosevelt Study Center, Shell International, the Dutch United Nations Student Association in Amsterdam, the University of Amsterdam, Leiden University and the Wiardi Beckman Foundation. The Netherlands Atlantic Association hopes to continue its fruitful cooperation with these organisations in the future. The Netherlands Atlantic Association is very grateful to the Dutch Permanent Representation to the North Atlantic Council in Brussels, the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the Royal Netherlands Navy, as well as the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Utrecht for providing material contributions in 3 A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S connection with the Association s programmes in The Netherlands Atlantic Association is also indebted to the many speakers at its conferences and other meetings, and to the authors who contributed to Atlantisch Perspectief and to other publications. The activities of the Netherlands Atlantic Association are carried out in cooperation with many organisations, both at home and abroad. Regular contact is maintained with the Dutch Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministries, with Dutch diplomatic missions abroad, and with the embassies of OSCE countries in The Hague. In 2011, the Netherlands Atlantic Association cooperated with the following organisations: the US Embassy in The Hague, the Atlantic Treaty Association, Avans University, the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, the Germany Institute Amsterdam (DIA), the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, the European Movement in the Netherlands (EBN), Fontys University, the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Windesheim University of Applied 5

8 4-1 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD Representatives of major political parties, as well as experts in the fields of transatlantic relations and security policy, are represented on the Board and the Executive Committee (which is part of the Board) of the Netherlands Atlantic Association. The Executive Committee and the Board meet at least twice and three times a year respectively. Affairs Spokesman for the Liberal Party (VVD) in the Second Chamber of Parliament), who in turn was succeeded by André Bosman (Defence Spokesman for the Liberal Party (VVD) in the Second Chamber of Parliament). On 1 October the new Director of Security Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joep Wijnands, took over the Foreign Affairs observer position in the Executive Committee from his predecessor Henk Swarttouw. CHANGES On 31 December 2011 the Executive Committee was composed as follows: In 2011 there were several changes in the composition of the Board of the Netherlands Atlantic Association. In January Maarten Haverkamp (Foreign Affairs Spokesman for the Christian Democratic Party (CDA) in the Second Chamber of Parliament) stepped down from the Executive Committee. He was succeeded by Henk Jan Ormel, who holds the same position in Parliament. Dirk Jan van den Berg, Chairman President, Executive Board, Delft University of Technology Monika Sie Dhian Ho, Deputy Chairman Director, Wiardi Beckman Foundation Frank van den Heuvel, Secretary Director Public Affairs, TNO Harry Groen, Treasurer Former Mayor of Noordwijk 4 O R G A N I S A T I O N On 1 April 2011 Piet Bukman stepped down as Chairman of the Board. He had held this position since September He was succeeded by Dirk Jan van den Berg, President of the Executive Board of Delft University of Technology. Before that he was, among other things, Secretary-General at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations in New York, and Ambassador to China. In spring 2011 Djörn Eversteijn resigned as Chairman of Netherlands Atlantic Youth and consequently stepped down from the Board. In June 2011 Atzo Nicolaï (Foreign Affairs Spokesman for the Liberal Party (VVD) in the Second Chamber of Parliament) left Parliament and consequently stepped down from the Executive Committee. He became Director of DSM Netherlands. He was succeeded by member of the Board Han ten Broeke (Foreign Norbert Both Vice President Corporate Communications, Shell International B.V. Han ten Broeke Foreign Affairs spokesman for the Liberal Party (VVD), Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Angelien Eijsink Defence spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party (PvdA), Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Henk Jan Ormel Foreign Affairs spokesman for the Christian Democratic Party (CDA), Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Otte Beeksma, Observer for the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Director of Information and Communication, Ministry of Defence Joep Wijnands, Observer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 6

9 On 31 December 2011 the members of the Board included: Riëtte Blacquière-Schalen Executive Officer, American Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands André Bosman Defence spokesman for the Liberal Party (VVD), Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Mostafa Hilali Royal Netherlands Army Raymond Knops Defence spokesman for the Christian Democratic Party (CDA), Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Koen Koch Lecturer, Political Science Department, Leiden University Hans Luyendijk, Chairman of the Atlantic Education Committee Headmaster, Dalton School, The Hague Mariko Peters Foreign Affairs and Defence spokesperson for the Green Left Party ( GroenLinks ), Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Paul Scheffer Writer; Professor of European Studies, Tilburg School of Humanities André Szász Former Director of De Nederlandsche Bank Marcel Urlings Former Commander-in-Chief, Royal Netherlands Army Rein Willems Member, First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament for the Christian Democratic Party (CDA); Former President, Shell Nederland BV 4-2 MANAGEMENT On 31 December 2011 the management of the Netherlands Atlantic Association was composed as follows: Bram Boxhoorn Director, Netherlands Atlantic Association; Director, Strategic Studies Foundation 4-3 SECRETARIAT The work of the Secretariat of the Netherlands Atlantic Association involves both the preparation and implementation of policy. The staff of the Secretariat organise public meetings, seminars, conferences, and other activities. They also maintain the website, edit the Association s publications, and manage their production and distribution. Furthermore, the Secretariat assists the study and work groups. There were two changes in the Secretariat s composition in On 1 October Margreet Smit-Geerling stepped down as Management Assistant. Kees Kouwenhoven joined the Secretariat on 1 October as Project Assistant. On 31 December 2011 the Secretariat was composed as follows: Niklaas Hoekstra Head of Secretariat, Web Content Manager Maarten Katsman Editor of Atlantisch Perspectief Janneke Suiskind Project Manager for Education and Youth Kees Kouwenhoven Project Assistant Students from various Dutch universities provide valuable assistance with the Secretariat s work. In 2011 the following interns worked with the Netherlands Atlantic Association: Geert Asselbergs (Utrecht University), Marianne Copier (Utrecht University), Rianne Mastop (Utrecht University), Bart Mol (Utrecht University), Kari van der Ploeg (Erasmus University Rotterdam) and Joppe Schaaper (University of Amsterdam). 4-4 ATLANTIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE The Atlantic Education Committee (AOC) develops activities for secondary education within the framework of the aims of the Netherlands Atlantic Association. The AOC tries to promote interest in security-related issues by organising meetings and publishing educational material. Its members include representatives of three teachers organisations, namely the Netherlands Association for Teachers of History (VGN), the Netherlands Association for Teachers of Social Studies (NVLM) and the Royal Netherlands Geographical Association (KNAG). The Atlantic Education Committee organises conferences, (regional) seminars and study trips for teachers from secondary 7

10 schools (see Activities in 2011). Cooperation with the teachers organisations often makes it possible to issue post-graduate certificates following these educational activities. The Netherlands Atlantic Association has a database of some 2,600 teachers and school departments that are kept informed of the various activities of the Atlantic Education Committee. Under the auspices of the Atlantic Education Committee, the Netherlands Atlantic Association regularly issues educational publications. In so-called web sheets, background information about topical international developments is given. Questions and assignments are also part of the web sheets. In 2011 the study book Venster op Amerika [Window on America] was published. The book is intended for pupils of the higher classes of high schools and consists of three lessons on the political, economic and cultural relations between the Netherlands and the United States from the Second World War until the early twenty-first century (see also paragraph 5-2 on Publications). A teacher s guide was published together with the study book. There were three changes in the composition of the Atlantic Education Committee in Jacques Kriens Representing the Netherlands Association for Teachers of Social Studies (NVLM); former teacher of Social Studies, De Nassau Scholengemeenschap, Breda Paul Lemmens Representing the Netherlands Association for Teachers of History (VGN); teacher of History, De Nassau Scholen - gemeenschap, Breda Frederik Oorschot Representing the Royal Netherlands Geographical Association (KNAG); staff member of the Netherlands Institute for Curriculum Development (SLO), Enschede Robert de Oude Teacher of History and Social Studies, Walburgcollege, Zwijndrecht Jos Roozenbeek Sietze van der Vinne Lecturer in Geography, Institute for Teacher Education, Windesheim University for Applied Sciences 4-5 EDITORIAL BOARD OF ATLANTISCH PERSPECTIEF In January, Harry van den Berg stepped down as a member of the Education Committee. He had been a member since Sietze van der Vinne (Lecturer in Geography at the Institute for Teacher Education at Windesheim University for Applied Sciences) joined the Committee in June. Finally, as of June 2011, Louis Vloedbeld is no longer a member of the Committee. On 31 December 2011 the Atlantic Education Committee was composed of the following members: Atlantisch Perspectief [Atlantic Perspective] is the magazine of the Netherlands Atlantic Association. It appears eight times a year and devotes attention to (current) developments in international politics and the field of security (an overview of articles published in English in 2011 can be found in section 7-6 of this Annual Report). The Editorial Board of Atlantisch Perspectief consists of an Editor, an Editorial Advisory Board and an International Advisory Board. Hans Luyendijk, Chairman Headmaster, Dalton School, The Hague Bram Boxhoorn, Secretary Director, Netherlands Atlantic Association Anne-Marit Dannijs Senior Lecturer of Social Studies, Institute for Teacher Education, Rotterdam University Trudy Elsenaar-Tijsze Former Chairperson, Central Directorate of Public Education, Zaanstad; former Chairperson, Royal Netherlands Geographical Association (KNAG) Tanja Groenendijk-de Vos Theo Hoebink Teacher of Geography, Katholieke Scholengemeenschap Etten-Leur (KSE) There were no changes to the Editorial Board in On 31 December 2011 the Editorial Board of Atlantisch Perspectief was composed as follows: Editor Maarten Katsman Advisory Board Bram Boxhoorn, Chairman Director, Netherlands Atlantic Association Niklaas Hoekstra, Senior Editor Head of Secretariat, Netherlands Atlantic Association 8

11 Kees Homan Adviser, Clingendael Security and Conflict Programme, Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, The Hague Joris Janssen Lok Thales Nederland BV Ruud Janssens Professor of American Studies, University of Amsterdam Wim Klinkert Lecturer in Military History, Netherlands Defence Academy; Professor of Military History, University of Amsterdam Hans van Leeuwe Ministry of Defence Marianne van Leeuwen Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations; Professor, by special appointment, of Modern Transatlantic Relations, University of Amsterdam Rik van der Linden Policy Adviser, Rotterdam Chamber of Commerce Anselm van der Peet Researcher, Netherlands Institute for Military History, The Hague Sebastian Reyn Deputy Director of General Policy Affairs, Ministry of Defence Auke Venema Ministry of Defence International Advisory Board Hans Binnendijk Director, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington DC Ann-Sofie Dahl Former President, Swedish Atlantic Council, Stockholm Marten van Heuven Senior Consultant, RAND Corporation, Washington DC Jan Willem Honig Professor of Military Strategy, Swedish National Defence College, Stockholm Margarita Mathiopoulos Chief Executive Officer, EAG European Advisory Group, Berlin Alexander Moens Professor of International Relations, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby (BC), Canada Henning Riecke Head, European Foreign and Security Policy Programme, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), Berlin Stanley Sloan Visiting Scholar, Rohatyn Center for International Affairs, Middlebury College (VT), United States 4-6 CHAIR IN MODERN TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS Since 2005 the Netherlands Atlantic Association has endowed a chair in Modern Transatlantic Relations at the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Amsterdam. This chair was held by Ronald Havenaar from 1 May 2005 until 1 September In October 2009 Marianne van Leeuwen was appointed as his successor. Since 2003 she has worked for the General Intelligence and Security Service of the Netherlands (AIVD) as Senior Policy Adviser. On 17 September 2010 she gave her Inaugural Lecture Peace as a Side Goal: America, Europe and the Middle East Peace Process in the Main Hall of the University of Amsterdam. 4-7 RESIDENTIAL FELLOW At the request of the Netherlands Atlantic Association, Hugo Klijn (working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and between September 2009 and September 2011 a Senior Research Fellow at the Clingendael Security and Conflict Programme) wrote a study on Russian perceptions towards the West (Russia: Our Distant Neighbour) and posed the question of how these perceptions block future cooperation. This study was published on 28 November 2011 (see also Activities 2011 and Publications). 4-8 STUDIUMGENERALE In 2011 the Netherlands Atlantic Association started a new programme for talented young professionals with a government or business background: StudiumGenerale. The programme consisted of nine meetings between March 2011 and January The subjects that were covered varied, but mainly dealt with the (new) world order from a Dutch and transatlantic perspective. There were meetings on the Dutch political landscape, the importance of Germany for the Netherlands and the euro, US President Obama s political agenda, and the role of multinationals in the world. The course started off with a team-building weekend in Zeeland (see also Activities 2011). 9

12 Participants in StudiumGenerale in 2011 were: Nico Brinkerink Fokker Technologies Josanne Derks Royal Haskoning Gerrit-Jan van den Dungen Randstad Maeson Ethard WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency Anne de Graaf Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marten Hillen Royal Haskoning Susanne Huiberts Netherlands Defence Academy /National Police Marjolein Kampschreur BKB Bureau Bram Nijboer Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Suzan Tack Royal Haskoning Joris Tjaden BKB Bureau Joost Veldman Ministry of Defence Sanne Westmaas Netherlands Defence Academy / Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations 4-9 NETHERLANDS ATLANTIC YOUTH Since 2006, Netherlands Atlantic Youth has been a subcommittee of the Netherlands Atlantic Association. It aims to increase awareness among students and young professionals and to increase their involvement in common transatlantic security issues. Netherlands Atlantic Youth is a platform for dialogue on the future of NATO, not only for young people in the Netherlands, but also for those in other NATO and Partnership for Peace countries. In order to meet these goals, Netherlands Atlantic Youth organises various national and international events that are aimed at a young audience (from years), and it does so in cooperation with various partner organisations. and then by Rowinda Appelman. Sabrina Brandt and Femke van Paasschen stepped down during the course of the year. In the autumn, Marianne Copier, Rosalie van Gelder, Willem van Poll, Sander t Sas, Yalda Walinezjad Asl and Eva van der Zee joined the Board. On 31 December 2011 the Board of Netherlands Atlantic Youth consisted of: Rowinda Appelman (Chairperson) Matthieu Bouwense Marianne Copier Rosalie van Gelder Willem van Poll Sander t Sas Lieke Sniekers Yalda Walinezjad Asl Eva van der Zee 4-10 STRATEGIC STUDIES FOUNDATION The Strategic Studies Foundation is an independent organisation that was established to take care of the Netherlands Atlantic Association s scholarly activities. The Foundation s goals are to initiate and support scholarly research on security-related issues. From May 1999 until February 2008, Rob de Wijk was Professor, by special appointment, of Strategic Studies at Leiden University, a chair established and endowed by the Foundation. From April 2009 until July 2011 Julian Lindley-French occupied the chair. Mr Lindley-French is, among other things, the Eisenhower Professor of Defence Strategy at the Netherlands Defence Academy in Breda. On 31 December 2011 the Board of the Strategic Studies Foundation was composed as follows: Dirk Jan van den Berg, Chairman Monika Sie Dhian Ho, Deputy Chairperson Frank van den Heuvel, Secretary Harry Groen, Treasurer Bram Boxhoorn, Director The Board of Netherlands Atlantic Youth underwent several changes in In early 2011 Djörn Eversteijn stepped down as Chairman. He was temporarily succeeded by Christa Verhoek 10

13 5-1 MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES ATLANTIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE Date: 1 February 2011 Subject: Window on America: Education Perspectives on the Dutch-American Relationship Speakers: Marianne van Leeuwen (University of Amsterdam); Eduard van de Bilt (Leiden University, University of Amsterdam); Ruud Janssens (University of Amsterdam); Paul Brill (De Volkskrant); Greg Shapiro (Boom Chicago); Willem Post (Clingendael Institute); Frans Verhagen (author); Paul Knevel (University of Amsterdam); and Dorus Hoebink (Erasmus University Rotterdam) Moderator: Hans Luyendijk (Chairman, Atlantic Education Committee) Location: University Hall, Utrecht presidents paint an illusory world in their inaugural addresses, in which empty rhetoric plays an important role. Ruud Janssens started his introduction by emphasising the differences between stability and conflict as the most important factors when researching (American) foreign policy. He described a tendency towards a more contextual approach, which often suggests more stability than research on purely political structures. Paul Brill compared right-wing populism in the Nether - lands and the United States, embodied by the Dutch PVV and the American Tea Party movement. He emphasised, however, that populism does not necessarily have to have a right-wing background. He used The People s Party (an American left-wing populist movement from 1891) as an example. The morning session ended with Dutch-American Greg Shapiro. In his spoken column How to be Orange, he made fun of American and Dutch political cultures. The afternoon session consisted of four workshops that participating teachers could attend. They covered subjects such as Obama s presidency in historical perspective; a comparison between the integration debate in the Netherlands and the United States; the historic legacy of the American Civil War 5 A C T I V I T I E S I N Participants: 120 (secondary school teachers of history, geography and social studies, students and others) (in particular the battle at Gettysburg); and young people and American war games. This well-attended conference was organized around Window on America, a study book on Dutch-American relations by the Atlantic Education Committee. The conference consisted of a plenary morning session with lectures and an afternoon programme with workshops. In her speech, Marianne van Leeuwen tried to capture the current state of affairs of the transatlantic relationship in a matrix model. She wanted to eliminate contradictions and subjective assumptions when considering these relations, so that a measure for sober answers would emerge. Eduard van de Bilt elaborated on the inaugural address of John F. Kennedy and the discrepancies between Kennedy s speech and his actual policies. He argued that all American PUBLIC MEETING Date: 9 February 2011 Subject: Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power Speaker: Robert Kaplan (journalist and writer) Moderator: Sebastian Reyn (Ministry of Defence) Location: Press Centre Nieuwspoort, The Hague Participants: 170 (patrons, university lecturers, journalists, members of the diplomatic corps, politicians, representatives of the Netherlands Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, students, and others) 11

14 The American writer and scholar Robert Kaplan talked about his new book on the rise of the Indo-Pacific region. Among other things, he paid attention to the political future of the region. The two most important countries in the region China and India are not only dependent on one another but are also rivals. Dominance at sea plays an important role in this respect. Kaplan sees this process as a final step towards global political multipolarity. LUNCHMEETING OF NETHERLANDS ATLANTIC YOUTH Date: 3 March 2011 Subject: The Rise of China (first meeting in a series of four) Speakers: Jantinus Smallenbroek (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); and Ingrid d Hooghe (Clingendael Institute) Location: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague Participants: 50 students and young professionals NEW YEAR S DRINKS OF NETHERLANDS ATLANTIC YOUTH Date: 10 February 2011 Speaker: René Cuperus (Wiardi Beckman Foundation) Location: Brasserie Dudok, The Hague Participants: 20 students and young professionals At the annual New Year s Drinks of Netherlands Atlantic Youth, René Cuperus offered the attendees some transatlantic observations. According to Cuperus, the current trend of populism is the biggest transatlantic security threat at the moment. It undermines support for foreign policy and international cooperation. The causes that Cuperus mentioned for this rise in populism were, among other things, a general crisis of representation and confidence in politics, which mainly stems from a short circuit between elites and the population; rising tensions between globalisation s winners and losers; and the paradox that the world is becoming smaller, more homogenous and uniform, while at the same time national societies are becoming more diverse and less familiar. MEETING OF NETHERLANDS ATLANTIC YOUTH Date: 15 February 2011 Subject: The Godfather Doctrine (lecture followed by a screening of The Godfather I) Speaker: John Hulsman (John C. Hulsman Enterprises; The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, The Hague; author of The Godfather Doctrine) Location: Parool Theatre, Amsterdam Participants: 20 students and young professionals During this meeting, John Hulsman talked about his book The Godfather Doctrine, in which political schools in the United States are personified by the three sons of the famous character from the movie The Godfather, Don Vito Corleone. With the help of some scenes from the movie, Hulsman explained which strategies the different political schools use with regard to foreign policy. He compared Don Corleone s sons Sonny, Tom and Michael with, respectively, neoconservatism, institutionalism and realism in American politics. After the lecture and the Q&A session, the attendees watched the first part of The Godfather trilogy. Netherlands Atlantic Youth organised the first meeting in a series of four on the rise of China. Ingrid d Hooghe mentioned a number of domestic factors that could slow down the almost inevitable rise: ageing in combination with the one-child policy; the sustainability of economic growth; the skewed distribution of income; and regional inequalities. Jantinus Smallenbroek noted that the Netherlands would like to see China develop as a responsible stakeholder that plays, and claims, an international role that befits its economic size. ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION OF NETHERLANDS ATLANTIC YOUTH Date: 16 March 2011 Subject: Current International Issues Speaker: Leo Michel (Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington DC) SIB Amsterdam Location: US Embassy, The Hague Participants: 25 (members of Netherlands Atlantic Youth and SIB Amsterdam) During this meeting of Netherlands Atlantic Youth at the US Embassy, Leo Michel talked off-the-record about current international issues. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Date: March 2011 Subject: Issues regarding Foreign Policy and National Security and the Challenges for Europe Speakers: John Vinocur (International Herald Tribune); Ulrike Guérot (European Council on Foreign Relations); John Hulsman (John C. Hulsman Enterprises; The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, The Hague); Leo Michel (National Defense University, Washington DC); Nadia Arbatova (Institute for World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), Moscow); Joris van Bladel (Slavist and military 12

15 sociologist); Heinrich Vogel (former Director, BIOst); and Hüseyin Bagci (Department of International Relations, Middle East Technical University, Ankara) Moderators: Ton Nijhuis (Scientific Director, Germany Institute Amsterdam); and Bram Boxhoorn (Director, Netherlands Atlantic Association) Germany Institute Amsterdam Location: Singel 425, Amsterdam Participants: 25 (Dutch and foreign university lecturers, journalists, member of the diplomatic corps, politicians, representatives of the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence) At this conference, Dutch and foreign experts talked for two days about a number of European and transatlantic security issues. Topics that were discussed included Germany s role in Europe, the future of EU-NATO relations after the Cyprus issue is solved; Europe s Russian policy after the NATO Summit in Lisbon; and the importance of new Turkish self-confidence for Turkish-European relations. DEBATE Date: 17 March 2011 Subject: The United States and Europe in a Multipolar World Speakers: John Vinocur (International Herald Tribune, Paris); John C. Hulsman (John C. Hulsman Enterprises; The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies); Ulrike Guérot (European Council on Foreign Relations, Berlin); and Leo Michel (Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington DC) Moderator: Maarten Brands (Germany Institute Amsterdam) Germany Institute Amsterdam Location: Felix Meritis, Amsterdam Participants: 130 (patrons, university lecturers, journalists, members of the diplomatic corps, politicians, representatives of the Netherlands Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, students, and others) Four of the speakers in this international conference also spoke at a public debate on transatlantic challenges in a multipolar world. Topics that were covered included the role of the EU in this changing world; the probability of a US decline of power; explosive hotbeds in the world; and the future of transatlantic relations. Finally, the question of whether interventionism is becoming too complicated was raised. In this multipolar world, the number of countries that - for political or financial reasons - do not support interventions is increasing. STUDIUMGENERALE Date: March 2011 (unit 1) Subject: Battlefield Tour (team-building weekend) Locations: Vlissingen and Walcheren Participants: Participants in StudiumGenerale of the Netherlands Atlantic Association The first class of participants in StudiumGenerale of the Netherlands Atlantic Association got a chance to know each other better during a team-building weekend in Vlissingen and Walcheren. With military historian Marc van Alphen as their guide, they received information about, and visited locations that had played a role during, the battle for Walcheren in the Second World War. PUBLIC MEETING Date: 1 April 2011 Subject: The Arab Explosion and NATO: Questions and Options Speakers: Rolf Schwarz (NATO Defence College); and Marianne van Leeuwen (University of Amsterdam) Moderator: Dirk Jan van den Berg (Chairman, Netherlands Atlantic Association) Location: Press Centre Nieuwspoort, The Hague Participants: 80 (patrons, university lecturers, journalists, members of the diplomatic corps, politicians, representatives of the Netherlands Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, students, and others) Rolf Schwarz and Marianne van Leeuwen talked about the Arab Spring and about the responsibilities and challenges for the international community as a whole, and NATO in particular. According to Schwarz, NATO took the decision to intervene both on humanitarian as well as on political grounds. Van Leeuwen warned that opposition groups to autocratic regimes do not always have a democratic orientation themselves. According to van Leeuwen, interests are still more important than values in international politics. MEETING OF NETHERLANDS ATLANTIC YOUTH Date: 7 April 2011 Subject: Economic Aspects of the Rise of China (second meeting in a series of four) 13

16 Speakers: Piet Buitelaar ( De Nederlandsche Bank ); Jurriën van der Horst (Directorate of International Business, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation); and Jan van der Putten (former correspondent; founder of the consultancy Eyes on China) Location: Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation Participants: 30 (students and young professionals) On 7 April Netherlands Atlantic Youth organised the second meeting in a series of four on the rise of China. At the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, Jan van der Putten spoke about the historic background of China s economic rise since Jurriën van der Horst then gave some insight of Dutch economic interests with regard to China. Finally, Piet Buitelaar shed light on the monetary aspects of China s development. PUBLIC MEETING Date: 7 April 2011 Subject: Cyber Defence Speakers: Jamie P. MacIntosh (Institute for Security and Resilience Studies, University College London); and Koen Gijsbers (Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Defence) Moderator: Bram Boxhoorn (Director, Netherlands Atlantic Association) Location: Press Centre Nieuwspoort, The Hague Participants: 40 (patrons, university lecturers, journalists, members of the diplomatic corps, politicians, representatives of the Netherlands Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, students, and others) During this meeting on cyber defence, Jamie MacIntosh discussed, among other things, the history of the concept, the proper authorities in this field (not necessarily the state), the organisation of cyber defence ( Not all hackers are bad ), and the importance of innovation (the decisive factor both in war and peace). Koen Gijsbers focused on military aspects of the threat, and the roles of NATO and the Dutch government. EDUCATION SEMINAR Date: 14 April 2011 Subject: Globalisation and Africa: Geopolitical and Economic Aspects Speakers: Jan Kruse (Wavin N.V., Zwolle); Roel van der Veen (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, University of Amsterdam, Groningen University); Paolo de Mas (Morocco Institute Netherlands, The Hague); Marcel Rutten (Africa Study Centre, Leiden); and Pauline Overeem (Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, Amsterdam) NHL University, Leeuwarden, Windesheim University Location: Nieuwe Buitensociëteit, Zwolle Participants: 110 (teachers and students of history, geography, social studies, students and others) During the education seminar on Globalisation and Africa, Roel van der Veen dealt with the question of why many Asian countries have succeeded in their economic development, while many African countries still seriously lag behind. By using some practical examples, van der Veen explained that delays in development on the African continent mainly have to be seen in a historic context. Paolo de Mas stated, among other things, that when globalisation is studied in an African context, the emphasis is usually on the legal circuit, while a great deal of the (negative) effects are caused by the illegal circuit. This circuit is expanding in size and scope because of globalisation, while at the same time the borders between legal and illegal activities seem to fade. Marcel Rutten s presentation focused on the internationalisa - tion of agricultural production in East Africa. Potentially, Africa should profit most from integration in the world market by new technologies being introduced and the low level of wages. Production, however, is severely hampered by lagging foreign investments, high production costs, and crippled infrastructure and trade facilities. The final speaker, Pauline Overeem, discussed regional and global aspects of coltan mining in Congo. Coltan is an ore that is used, for instance, in mobile phones and laptops. The foundation that she represents focuses on the corporate social responsibility of multinational businesses, and critically follows the involvement of large companies with regard to local projects, poverty, working conditions and corruption. BOOK PRESENTATION AND PANEL DISCUSSION Date: 28 April 2011 Subject: The Other Muslims: Secular and Moderate Speakers: Zeyno Baran (editor, The Other Muslims); Mostafa Hilali (one of the authors, The Other Muslims); Maurits Berger (Professor of Islam in the Contemporary West, Leiden University); and Léon Buskens (Professor of Law and Culture in Muslim Societies, Director of LUCIS) 14

17 Moderator: Norbert Both (Shell International; Board Member, Netherlands Atlantic Association) Leiden University Centre for the Study of Islam and Society (LUCIS) Location: Kamerlingh Onnes Building, Leiden University Participants: Patrons, university lecturers, journalists, members of the diplomatic service, politicians, representatives of the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, students and others This meeting focused on the relationship of democracy, Islam and integration. The participants discussed these themes on the basis of the book by Zeyno Baran and co-author Mostafa Hilali. PUBLIC MEETING Date: 11 May 2011 Subject: The Armed Forces in a Changing World Speaker: Hans Hillen (Minister of Defence) Moderator: Theo Ent (Chairman, KVBK) Royal Netherlands Society for Military Art and Science (KVBK) Location: Sociëteit De Witte, The Hague Participants: 210 (patrons, university lecturers, journalists, members of the diplomatic service, politicians, representatives of the Dutch ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, students and others) Dutch Defence Minister Hans Hillen gave a very well-attended lecture for the Netherlands Atlantic Association and the Royal Netherlands Society for Military Art and Science on The Armed Forces in a Changing World. Because of the financial crisis, the Ministry of Defence has to cut one billion euros from its budget. This has grave consequences, not only for the number of jobs, but also for military strategy and international cooperation. According to the Hillen, the Netherlands should still strive for the versatile employability of its armed forces. International defence cooperation is very important in this respect, not because of the cost savings, but because of military effectiveness. Hillen also stressed the need for renewal within the Ministry of Defence, with more attention for cyber defence and, for instance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). STUDIUMGENERALE Date: 13 May 2011 (unit 2) Subject: The Importance of Germany for the Netherlands and the Euro Speakers: Job Swank (Division Director Economic Policy and Research, De Nederlandsche Bank ); André Szász (former Director, De Neder - landsche Bank ; Board Member, Netherlands Atlantic Association); and Ton Nijhuis (Scientific Director, Germany Institute Amsterdam) Location: De Nederlandsche Bank, Amsterdam Participants: Participants in StudiumGenerale of the Netherlands Atlantic Association ATA COUNCIL MEETING Date: May 2011 Location: Brussels Participants: On behalf of the Netherlands: Bram Boxhoorn (Director, Netherlands Atlantic Association) VISIT TO NATO HEADQUARTERS Date: 20 May 2011 Subject: Current Issues at NATO Speakers: Representatives of the International Staff and members of the various delegations of NATO member states and partner countries NATO s Public Diplomacy Division Location: Brussels Participants: 7 parliamentary staffers A couple of times a year the Netherlands Atlantic Association, in cooperation with NATO s Public Diplomacy Division, organises visits to NATO Headquarters in Brussels. Participants receive briefings from representatives of the International Staff and from members of various permanent representations. During this first visit of 2011, a group of seven parliamentary staffers received briefings on NATO s political agenda, the operations in Libya, the NATO-Russia relationship and the new Strategic Concept. They also had a meeting with the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Netherlands. STUDIUMGENERALE Date: 27 May 2011 (unit 3) Subject: The Dutch Political Landscape Speakers: Directors of scientific bureaus of political parties (Frank van Mil - D66; Dick Pels - GroenLinks; Patrick van Schie - VVD; 15

18 Jan Schippers - SGP; Monica Sie - PvdA; and Arjan Vliegenthart - SP) Location: Wiardi Beckman Foundation, The Hague Participants: Participants in StudiumGenerale of the Netherlands Atlantic Association MEETING OF NETHERLANDS ATLANTIC YOUTH Date: 7 June 2011 Subject: Geopolitical Aspects of the Rise of China (third meeting in a series of four) Speakers: Frans-Paul van der Putten (Clingendael Institute); and Kees Homan (Clingendael Institute) Location: Clingendael Institute, The Hague Participants: 25 students and young professionals The third meeting of this series of four on the rise of China dealt with geopolitical aspects. Kees Homan talked about the rapid growth of the Chinese armed forces, whose budget has increased by an average of 12 per cent per year over the last fifteen years. This rapid modernisation has led to grave concerns among China s neighbours, especially while some of them (Taiwan, for instance) also have territorial disputes with China. Frans-Paul van der Putten discussed the relationship between China and the United States. Their relatively poor relations are especially caused by insecurity about the future and uncertainty about power relations. It is clear that China is gaining on the United States, but the real power relations will only become visible if the two countries are engaged in a conflict. Fortunately, China and the United States also have shared interests that will have a stabilising effect on their relationship. PROGRAMME FOR AMERICAN FELLOWS Date: 8-13 June 2011 Speakers: Among others, Mostafa Hilali (Royal Netherlands Army); Marike Stellinga (Elsevier); Rob Vreeken (De Volkskrant); Anne- Marie Smit (Eurojust); Joost Taverne (Member of Parliament - VVD); and Harry Groen (Mayor of Noordwijk) German Marshall Fund (Washington DC) Locations: Amsterdam, The Hague, Noordwijk, Flevoland Participants: 6 fellows of the American Marshall Memorial Fund Six American participants in the American Marshall Memorial Fellowship Program visited the Netherlands as part of their tour through Europe. As in previous years, the Netherlands Atlantic Association organised the Dutch segment of their programme. The fellows had discussions about the integration debate in the Netherlands, socio-economic developments, the role of women in the Islamic world, and urban development. They also visited Eurojust, the Dutch Parliament, Noordwijk, and a farm in Flevoland. Three fellows participated in a meeting of BKB Academy on the American primaries. BOOK PRESENTATION AND SYMPOSIUM Date: 14 June 2011 Subject: Atlantic, Euratlantic, or Europe-America? The Atlantic Community and the European Idea from Kennedy to Nixon Speakers: Giles Scott-Smith (Roosevelt Study Centre, Middelburg; Leiden University); Valerie Aubourg (University of Cergy-Pontoise); Julian Lindley-French (Netherlands Defence Academy; Leiden University); Rob Meines (Meines and Partners); and Juurd Eijsvoogel (NRC Handelsblad) Special guest: Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (Leiden University; former Secretary-General, NATO) Leiden University Location: Student Society Augustinus, Leiden Participants: 60 (patrons, university lecturers, journalists, members of the diplomatic service, politicians, representatives of the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, students and others) Leiden University and the Netherlands Atlantic Association organised a symposium on the occasion of the publication of Atlantic, Euratlantic, or Europe-America? The Atlantic Community and the European Idea from Kennedy to Nixon, edited by Giles Scott-Smith and Valerie Aubourg. Four experts dealt with the question of how the crisis in North Africa influences NATO. Julian Lindley-French talked about Europe s great defence depression. Because of significant defence cuts, Europe increasingly depends on soft power. Lindley-French pointed out that soft power only works when it is backed up by credible hard power. Rob Meines most important message was that the transatlantic community has developed from a society based on kinship to a rational relationship of choice. Juurd Eijsvoogel feared that irritations within NATO will undermine the transatlantic community. NATO is becoming increasingly unpopular in American political and military circles. After Jaap de Hoop Scheffer had accepted the first copy of the book, he gave a speech in which he compared the current status of transatlantic relations with that of the 1960s and 1970s. That was also a transitional period in which a new 16

19 generation of leaders came to power. NATO should adapt itself to this situation, according to de Hoop Scheffer. PUBLIC MEETING Date: 23 June 2011 Subject: Does Europe Like NATO Need a New Strategic Concept? Speakers: Wim van Eekelen (Chairman, European Movement in the Netherlands Committee on Security and Defence); Marjanne de Kwaasteniet (Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the Political and Security Committee of the EU); Max Valstar (Ministry of Foreign Affairs); Margriet Drent (Clingendael Institute); and Bram Boxhoorn (Director, Netherlands Atlantic Association) Moderator: Jan Rood (Chairman, NGIZ) Netherlands Society for International Affairs (NGIZ) and the European Movement in the Netherlands (EBN) Location: Press Centre Nieuwspoort, The Hague Participants: 100 (patrons, university lecturers, journalists, members of the diplomatic corps, politicians, representatives of the Netherlands Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, students, and others) Wim van Eekelen answered the meeting s title question positively. The leading questions when drafting a new strategic concept should be: what are the main threats for Europe, and what can Europe (still) do in the field of defence? According to Van Eekelen, a strategic concept gives an important positive message, both internally and externally. Marjanne de Kwaasteniet pointed out some disadvantages of a new strategic concept ( What is the added value of another concept from Brussels? ). However, she also felt that it could have a positive influence. The process of drafting can be seen as a good bonding exercise. It would enhance coherence within the EU. A new concept could also help to emphasise the need for strengthening civil and military capacities. At the moment, Europe s ambitions are unclear. Finally, a new concept could prevent large countries such as England and France from shying away from the institutional process. Max Valstar also agreed that a new strategic framework is necessary: first, because old threats have new interpretations; and second, because twelve new member states have joined the EU since Margriet Drent felt that a new security strategy for the EU was needed as well. She advocated integration when dealing with external and internal threats. The answers to these threats should be integrated civil-military responses. Bram Boxhoorn pointed out that so far the EU Strategic Concept has served as a legitimiser of operations. At the same time it has become clear that there is a big difference between theory and practice. It is not necessarily a clear Strategic Concept, but leadership that is lacking. MEETING TO NATO HEADQUARTERS Date: 1 July 2011 Subject: Current Issues at NATO Speakers: Representatives of the International Staff and members of the various delegations of NATO member states and partner countries NATO s Public Diplomacy Division Location: Brussels Participants: 30 (students and young professionals) The participants in this visit received briefings on the organisation, the political agenda, and the operation in Libya. They also had a meeting with the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Netherlands. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Date: 7 September 2011 Subject: Empowering Women in Afghanistan: Stability through Rural Development Speakers: Fay Hartog Levin (US Ambassador to The Hague); Uri Rosenthal (Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands); Melanne Verveer (US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women s Issues); Palwasha Kakar (Deputy Minister of Women s Affairs, Afghanistan); M.J. Abbitt Sushka (Private Sector and Gender Adviser, Bamyan PRT); Ahmad Zekria (Coordinator Dutch Consortium Uruzgan); Paula Sastrowijoto (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague); Palwasha Hasan (The Afghan Women s Network); Abdul Rahman Ayubi (National Solidarity Program, Afghanistan); Ella van den Heuvel (Ministry of Defence, The Hague); and Sarah Kathleen Rose (USAID/APAP, Afghan Parliamentary Assistance Project) Moderator: Eva Gross (Free University, Brussels) US Embassy, The Hague Location: Sociëteit De Witte, The Hague 17

20 Participants: 150 (patrons, university lecturers, journalists, members of the diplomatic corps, politicians, representatives of the Netherlands Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, students, and others) to finding a solution for the conflict. Volker also talked about the Arab Spring. He compared the unrest in the Middle East and North Africa with the developments after the 9/11 attacks. The populations of these countries turned against terrorist groups but also against their own authoritarian suppressors. The Netherlands Atlantic Association and the US Embassy in The Hague organised an international conference on the empowerment of women in Afghanistan. US Ambassador to the Netherlands Hartog Levin opened the conference with an overview of developments in Afghanistan since 9/11. According to Hartog Levin, progress has been made, but it is the violence that reaches the media. Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Rosenthal stressed that the position of women in Afghanistan has improved, but there is still a long way to go. He made clear that women s rights and opportunities are not just desirable, but essential. Ambassador Verveer addressed the role of women and agriculture in Afghanistan s economic development. Verveer stated that investing in women is crucial to combat corruption and to improve the political decision-making process. Palwasha Kakar stressed the importance of the international community s involvement. She emphasized that there can be no equality without security. The introductions were followed by two panels: one on women and agriculture; and another on Experiences from the Field. In a final remark, moderator Eva Gross stated that Afghan women should not be seen as victims, but rather as drivers of change and a source of productivity and development. MEETING OF NETHERLANDS ATLANTIC YOUTH Date: 13 September 2011 Subject: Ten Years after 9/11 Speaker: Kurt Volker (Senior Fellow and Managing Director, Center on Transatlantic Relations, Johns Hopkins University s School of Advanced International Studies; former US Permanent Representative to NATO) Moderator: Marianne van Leeuwen (Professor, by special appointment, of Modern Transatlantic Relations, University of Amsterdam) Location: Oost-Indisch Huis, Amsterdam Participants: 40 (students and young professionals) During this meeting Kurt Volker looked back at the decade since 9/11, the changes in global politics, and developments in the transatlantic relationship. With regard to the latter, the focus has shifted from Europe to Asia and the Middle East. Europe could, however, claim an important role for itself in the Palestine-Israeli conflict, according to Volker. Where the United States is clearly on Israel s side, Europe could take a more pragmatic and constructive stance that can actually contribute PREPARATORY MEETING FOR TEACHERS STUDY TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY Date: 14 September 2011 Subject: New York City Speakers: Tove McGrew (Regional Security Office, US Embassy, The Hague); and Irina van Aalst (researcher and lecturer of Urban Geography, Utrecht University) Location: Conference Centre Vredenburg 19, Utrecht Participants: 18 (participants in the study trip to New York City and their chaperones) Participants in the forthcoming teachers study trip to New York City met in Utrecht, where they received information about the trip, Dutch-American relations, and the geography of the city. STUDIUMGENERALE Date: 16 September 2011 (unit 4) Subject: Questions of Homeland Security in a Transatlantic Perspective Speakers: Employees of the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) Netherlands Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Location: Zoetermeer Participants: Participants in StudiumGenerale of the Netherlands Atlantic Association STUDIUMGENERALE Date: 30 September 2011 (unit 5) Subject: The (Foreign) Political Agenda of President Obama Speakers: Tom White (Deputy Chief of Mission, US Mission to the EU); Michael Dodman (Deputy Counselor for Economic Affairs, US Mission to the EU); and Andrew Pelkey (Political-Military Officer, US Mission to the EU) Moderator: Bram Boxhoorn (Director, Netherlands Atlantic Association) Permanent Representation of the United States to the EU 18