News item | 22-06-2025 | 19:08
On Sunday 22 June the festive closure of the ‘NATO through the Netherlands’ Tour took place in the World Forum in The Hague. During this final day, around 150 MBO students and students talked about peace, safety and the role of NATO under the supervision of the electors. Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp and Commander of the Armed Forces General Onno Eichelsheim were present. Some members of the Mayor and Aldermen of Madurodam – which consists entirely of young people – were also there.
Enlarge image
The ‘NATO through the Netherlands’ tour started in January 2025 in The Hague and traveled past nine cities throughout the country. At every location the conversation was entered into with residents about NATO and the importance of international cooperation for our safety. That happened through theater and teaching programs, a traveling photo exhibition, debates and Serious Gaming.
The aim was to let people think along in an accessible way about NATO and current safety themes. The Tour was organized by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, with the cooperation of the Atlantic Commission, Institute Clingendael and The Hague Center for Strategic Studies.
Enlarge image
Awareness about peace and safety
During the closing meeting in the World Forum, the electors took the young people in interviews and dilemmas about war and peace, fake news and cyber threat. The day was dominated by awareness: what does safety mean today? And what can young people mean in that? A student from the room: “It is to the fact that the world is now so unsafe. I would prefer we to be able to keep peace in the Netherlands for a long time.”
Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp emphasized the importance of vigilance and cooperation in his welcome speech:
“We have lived in freedom for a long time, but the reality is that peace and safety in Europe are no longer self -evident. And that it is therefore a challenge to keep our country and Europe safe.”
Enlarge image
Interview with General Eichelsheim
General Onno Eichelsheim entered into discussions with young people in the hall and answered questions about NATO and the current conflicts in the world. He emphasized why the alliance is so important for the Netherlands:
It is worrying that military action seems to be increasingly won. Limits are being sought and exceeded worldwide. That is why it is more important than ever to jointly strengthen us within NATO. In this way we not only protect the international legal order, but also our own safety.
Growing fame of NATO
Dylan Ahern from the electors noted an increase in the fame of NATO, since the start of their program in April. “What is striking is that there is quite a lot of support among young people to strengthen our armed forces. And that they follow the news critically and ask questions about it. The conversation about freedom and safety lives more than ever.”
With the closing program, a series of encounters throughout the country comes to an end. The NATO summit takes place on 24 and 25 June in The Hague.