The Social-Economic Council (SER) is celebrating its 75th anniversary at a special place in Brabant: Beekvliet in Sint-Michielsgestel. This place was not chosen by chance. It is here where important ideas for the construction of the Netherlands were born after the Second World War. How about that?
During the Second World War, more than a thousand prominent Dutch people were imprisoned by the Germans in Camp Beekvliet. Among the hostages were famous names such as Willem Drees, Niko Tinbergen and Frits Philips.
Despite the difficult circumstances, they put a positive spin on the time they spent in the camp. They organized lectures, discussions and consultations about how the Netherlands should be organized after the war.
Royal visit
The realization grew that a better way of cooperation was needed after the war. These conversations formed the basis for the consultation model that we now know as the polder model. It led to the establishment of the Labor Foundation (1945) and the SER (1950), bodies that bring together employers, employees and independent experts to provide advice to the government.
The fact that the celebration of 75 years of SER is important is evident from the visitors that come to the party. King Willem-Alexander, Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Minister Karien van Gennip of Social Affairs and Employment are all present.
Acting ‘in the spirit of Gestel’
Kim Putters, the chairman of the SER, explains Fidelity the choice for Beekvliet. “In Beekvliet, people from different parts of society came together, despite their differences. They helped each other to rise above those differences, for the greater good of the Netherlands.”
According to Putters, this collaboration is just as important now, in 2025, as it was then. “We must, he says, act again ‘in the spirit of Gestel’ and together look for solutions to the major problems of our time, such as the housing crisis, the labor market and climate change. It is important not to stay in our own bubbles, but to look at the greater good together.”