Welkomstwoord 25-jarig jubileum Nederlands Instituut voor Meerpartijen Democratie (NIMD), 18 november 2025

Your Excellenties,

Tijmen Rooseboom,

Sander Heijne,

Distinguished guests,

Good afternoon,

It is a pleasure to be here today in honour of the 25th anniversary of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, the institute dedicated to promoting democracy around the world. Allow me to begin by extending my warmest congratulations for your tireless dedication and perseverance over the past 25 years.

There could hardly be a more fitting home for this institute than our city. The Hague is the international city of peace and justice, seat of parliament and government, capital of democracy. The NIMD works to foster democracies grounded in peace and justice in around 35 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. The Institute promotes dialogue and cooperation between parties in countries with different traditions from our own.

What holds true everywhere is this: strong democracies start locally. Where residents, elected officials, and community leaders truly connect and together determine the direction of the community. Local institutions often form a first and important bond of trust between government and society. When people see that their local government listens and acts in their best interest, confidence grows. That can provide a powerful boost to development.

Through my work as mayor, and also in my role as head of the international delegation of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, I see how worthwhile it is to strengthen dialogue, inclusion, and good governance. Those are the values that NIMD has promoted for 25 years. Not only for development elsewhere, but also for stability, security, and the vitality of democracy here at home.

There have been successes, but we must also acknowledge that democracy is under pressure in many parts of the world, or showing authoritarian tendencies. This trend does not pass by the Western world, nor Western Europe, nor indeed our own country. Here too, confidence in democratic institutions is wavering, the rule of law is being questioned, and sympathy for autocratic leadership appears to grow.

That is why I find it encouraging that the NIMD, in spite of these tendencies and even after significantly downsizing, has launched a new initiative together with partners: the Democracy and the Rule of Law Collective. A think-tank of professionals and organizations who work together to look for ways to resist the pressure, and to strengthen democracy.

It is a major challenge, yet in a sense, the current political climate makes NIMD’s mission more of an equal exchange. We no longer speak to the world from the assumption that our democracies are self-evident or complete. Just like everywhere else in the world, we must work to ensure that our democracy remains vital, effective, and true to our values. From this more humble perspective, we have something meaningful to offer and are open to learn from ideas and practices elsewhere.

I wish the NIMD every success as, after 25 years, it begins a meaningful new chapter. For it is always time to stand for democracy.

Thank you.