The Holland Times October 2022

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strikes

after unions

provision under

cap or not to cap: Amsterdam will admit fewer international students

introduces action plan to add 60,000 extra student homes by

students with overdue loans cannot renew their passports

plans to reduce staff shortage

steady decline,

COLOPHON

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Beatriz Negreiros, Raphael Perachi Vieira, Femke van Iperen, Bárbara Luque Alanís, Priyanka Sharma, John Mahnen, Saskia Roselaar, Marla Thomson, Nanda Jagusiak, James Turrell, Molly Fitz, Parul Sachdeva, Zusanna Kuffel, Juan Álvarez Umbarila, Nicole Kerr, GoStudent, Expatnest & Dutch for Children

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Prinsjesdag 2022

The third Tuesday of September is called Prinsjesdag in the Netherlands. The head of state then delivers the troonrede: a speech to the United Assembly of the StatesGeneral, that is the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) and Senate (Eerste Kamer). In the speech, the government indicates in general terms what government policy will be for the coming year. At the same time, the national budget for the following year is presented.

A historical event

Traditionally, the King and the other working members of the Royal Family travel by carriage from Noordeinde Palace to the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights) in the Binnenhof in The Hague, the seat of the national government. However, due to ongoing renovations, the speech was delivered this year in the Royal Theatre. Arriving at the theatre, the King is greeted by the chair of the Tweede Kamer, after which he proceeds to the throne and reads the speech written by the government – the King has no say in the contents of the speech, nor, of course, any influence over the government’s plans.

The Royal Household have a large selection of carriages to choose from. For a long time, they travelled in the Golden Carriage, built in the late 19th century. This carriage has since come under scrutiny, since one of the panels shows the colonies doing homage to the Netherlands – message that’s no longer acceptable in the modern Netherlands. Since 2015, the Glass Carriage has therefore been used. Another first: Crown Princess Amalia was present for the first time during the speech, having turned 18 last December.

Plans for 2022: money is scarce

When the government started its job in January 2022, it had ambitious plans to tackle large problems, such as climate change, nitrogen emissions, housing shortage and better relations between government and its citizens. However, these ambitious plans have been put on the backburner due to the immediate challenges resulting from the cost of living crisis. The number of people who can barely make ends meet has risen from 35 percent last year to 43 percent now. The percentage of Dutch people who say they can easily make ends meet has decreased in one year from 57 to 44 percent. The dissatisfaction of many citizens was clearly visible and audible during the King’s tour through The Hague, with wolf-whistles heard all around, as well as upside-down flags shown in many places.

This year, the challenges facing the government this year are more serious than they have been for a long time. The invasion of Ukraine, rising prices for energy, and the accompanying inflation mean that an unprecedented number of Dutch people risk dropping below the poverty line, having to choose between eating and heating. Thus, most of the government’s new budget focuses on keeping up the citizens’ buying power, instead of investing in solving long-term problems.

The King’s speech this year emphasized the uncertainty that the country is facing, since our current lifestyle is simply not sustainable and calls for sacrifices. He called upon the people and government to show flexibility and strength in uncertain circumstances, working together with all friendly countries in the world. At the same time, he called for more understanding between people with different opinions and an end to polarisation. He asked for support for the government’s plans to work on a sustainable future for all the various groups in Dutch society.

The immediate aim of the new budget is to reduce the risk of poverty for as many people as possible – while the minister of Finance, Sigrid Kaag, warns that most people will still experience a drop in buying power of no less than 6,8%. The government invests no less than 17 billion euros to improve the citizens’ financial power – 5 billion in structural investment, 12 billion in one-time measures.

Structural investments to reduce the impact of the economic downturn include:

- The minimum wage will rise by 10%, as well as unemployment benefits and the national pension for the elderly.

-

People will pay less tax on the first € 70,000 they earn.

- Rent benefits will rise by € 16,94 per month.

- Student loans will rise by € 165 per month.

One-off investments to reduce the impact of the economic downturn include:

- Healthcare benefits will rise temporarily by about € 400 per year.

- The temporary reduction of VAT on energy prices and fuel will end, but taxes on energy will be reduced. Taxes for petrol and diesel will remain lower until 1 July 2023.

- The poorest households will receive a one-off € 1300 payment to help pay heating bills.

- Energy companies will have to pay more taxes.

- An emergency fund is created for people whose heating will be cut off if they can’t pay the bills

- A price cap will be set on gas and electricity.

How does the government pay for all this?

Paradoxically, also because of rising prices. The national gas reserves, owned by the state, of course yield higher prices. VAT income is also higher as a result of rising consumer prices. Therefore, the state does not have to borrow in order to pay for these emergency measures. Furthermore, the economy is still growing: by 4,6% in 2022 and by an estimated 1,5% next year.

The general vision behind the new budget is, to make labour cheaper for workers and employers, while imposing higher taxes on assets and profits. Assets (such as savings and ownership of second homes) will be taxed at a rate of 34%, up from 31%. However, ‘small savers’ will have to pay no tax on the first € 57,000 they own, up from € 50,000. Companies will have to pay 19% tax on profits, up from 14%; smaller and medium businesses will profit from this by cheaper disability insurance for employees.

Budget overview

In total, the government expects to have an income of € 366,4 billion, while spending € 395 billion. Of all government departments, the ministry of Healthcare, Wellbeing and Sport will receive the most money, but in the long term the government aims to reduce the cost of healthcare through the recently published national healthcare agreement, which is still being discussed by all parties, such as representations of doctors and nurses, health insurers and the government.

€ 1 billion is assigned to reducing inequality of opportunities, as well as €1 billion for improving the quality of education and another € 800 million for investments

in school teachers, managers and educational support staff. The government has earmarked € 100 million for measures to prevent vulnerable young people from getting involved in crime. The same amount is reserved for a more efficient fight against drug crime. Furthermore, spending on the military will make up 2 percent of GDP, amounting to approximately € 5 billion. The government continues to invest in the Climate Fund to stimulate the production of sustainable hydrogen (€ 145 million), offshore wind (€ 180 million) and heat networks (€ 200 million). Money will also be made available in 2023 for measures to curb Covid; a total of € 5.2 billion has been earmarked for this purpose. A noticeable point is € 3,9 billion support for Ukraine, most of which is spent on supporting refugees in the Netherlands, but € 70 million is assigned to humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Ukraine itself. In order to relieve the refugee crisis, the government has set aside € 1 billion for the next five years.

Even with these measures, it is estimated that 4,9% of all Dutch people – 6,7% of all children – will live below the poverty line in 2023. The outlook for 2023 is very uncertain: if energy prices remain high, more and more people will be at risk of poverty. The Central Planning Office (CPB), which calculates the various scenarios and forecasts the financial results of government policy, projects that energy prices will remain high, although they will stop rising at some point.

These measures, moreover, are mostly aimed at individuals. Businesses can expect less support, although there is talk of an emergency fund for small businesses, leaving many to struggle with the rising energy bills. For example, Van Roon bakery in Delft, in business for over 30 years, will close its doors on 15 October. A large motivation behind this are rising energy costs, which have gone up from € 1500 to almost € 10000 a month. The business had not even fully recovered from the Covid pandemic, and this new crisis is the last straw. Community services are similarly under threat: it is estimated that about one third of public swimming pools and ice rinks in the country may have to close due to rising energy costs. Private associations, such as sports clubs, experience the same problems: many have had to raise fees by 50% or more. For museums it’s the same: the number of visitors is still not back at the pre-pandemic level, and probably will not fully recover because people simply don’t have the money to spend on outings. At the same time, museums face rising costs to maintain their buildings. All this makes sports and leisure less accessible for a large group of Dutch citizens – leaving us all poorer in spirit, if not in cash.

Written by Saskia Roselaar

Rail strikes cancelled after unions reach agreement

Following intense and prolonged talks, the intended rail strike actions on 13 and 15 September were cancelled, after an agreement was reached between NS and the three trade unions FNV, CNV and VVMC. The agreement has the potential to conclude a summer of antagonism and industrial action that has caused chaos across the Dutch travel sector.

The unions organised strikes from 2631 August which effectively caused the Dutch railway system to close down. Utrecht Centraal, the nexus of the Dutch rail network, which usually bustles with the hyperactive frenzy only commuting can create, was left to resemble a postapocalyptic film.

Industrial action has been a permanent feature of European politics this summer, as rising inflation and the cost of living driven by staggering increases in energy costs have created social unrest across the continent. The UK for example is experiencing unrelenting strike actions across all areas of public life, from rail to healthcare to the judiciary. As Europe continues its re-entry into a post-Covid normality, it is clear that people have decided a reconfiguration of working realities is palpably needed.

Social disquiet has been slowly simmering throughout Dutch society for the last year. The violent eruption against Covid lockdown rules resulted in the worst rioting the Netherlands saw in 40 years,

described by Rotterdam’s mayor as an ‘orgy of violence’. However, more measured and rational protests have been happening across Dutch public life. The Netherlands, like many European countries, is facing a series of interlocking crises that is causing deep societal resentment. It can be seen in last winter’s protests against the continuing housing crisis that plagues Dutch cities, the discontent over inflation reaching a record 12% and most notably the farmer’s protests, which have exposed the fissures between rural conservatism and the urban greenism of cities like Amsterdam.

The rail strikes are part of this wider social dislocation, with workers, especially those considered essential during lockdowns, seeking significant improvements in

conditions. The agreement reached between NS and the union offers significant changes to the pay and conditions of NS staff. The settlement – yet to be approved by union members – is wide-ranging but centres on a substantial pay increase. There will be a 5% pay increase backdated to July, or a minimum of €184. This will then increase by another 3.45% in January, creating an effective 9.2% pay rise. The union also secured a €1,000 one-time bonus for 2022 and 2023 for every worker. Records show that as of 2020, NS had roughly 38,000 staff members, which means bonus payouts well in excess of 70 million euros. NS revenues have exceeded 6 billion euros in the last three years.

The proposed agreement also includes

higher pension contributions, as required for every worker by Dutch law, and increased guarantees surrounding temporary leave. These provisions represent a considerable improvement on current working standards for NS staff, especially when considering that other collective labour agreements have yielded an average 3.2% pay increase for approximately 2.5 million workers in various sectors.

Whether these proposals bring an end to the strikes is yet to be decided. The unions will present the proposals to their members within the next weeks, who will then vote on whether to accept it or reject and send their representatives back to the negotiating table to hash out a new settlement. Union leaders appear confident that their members will vote in favour of the proposals and bring an end to the strikes.

Jerry Piqué, representing CNV, praised the negotiation results: ‘We are very pleased with the results we have achieved. We have reached an agreement on good wage developments, but there is also enough attention for other important matters.’

Wim Eilert of VVMC was more cautious, stating that ‘we have achieved some great results, but it is up to the members whether they think this is enough. But if the members don’t agree, we’ll just keep going.’ So, it remains to be seen whether we can all travel in peace this autumn.

Written by James Turrell

Healthcare provision under pressurefrom staff shortages

In less than a decade there might be as many as 135,000 vacancies in the Dutch healthcare sector. The current staff shortages, especially among nurses, are endangering the quality and accessibility of care. The government is working with many parties to address this problem.

Dutch healthcare is currently facing major challenges. The demand for care is rising amongin the aging population. On top of that there is a severe shortage of staff. Hence, the tension between supply and demand in healthcare is growing, putting the accessibility and quality of care under pressure. Treatments are delayed and waiting times are getting longer. The government is working with many parties to address this problem.

Biggest shortage among nurses

At the beginning of September, the Barometer Nederlandse Gezondheidszorg -– a report about Dutch healthcare -– was published by EY. As was outlined in the report, approximately one in seven healthcare employees changed jobs in 2021. The number of vacancies increased from 3.2% to 3.9% over the last year. Moreover, according to ABF Research, in 2031 the Netherlands might face a shortage as big as 135,000 healthcare workers. Currently there are around 61,000 vacancies in the Dutch healthcare sector. The biggest shortage is among nurses, which is visible across the whole sector -– in hospitals, district nursinghome care, long-term care and mental health care. Th- isIt has consequences for the availability, accessibility and continuity of care, -– says Francis Bolle from the Dutch Nurses’ Association (V&VN).

Listing the reasons of the nurses’ shortage, Bolle mentionsed an increasing demand for care due to the aging population, as well as high rates of staff leaving the profession due to and difficult working conditions. These include high work pressure, unnecessary administration and high absenteeism due to illness in combination with limited autonomy and control over one’s own profession. According to Bolle, there is sufficient interest in nursing courses, but some people resign already during training

or shortly after. She said that within two years after graduation, 40% of nurses leave their position and/or the healthcare sector. The job is physically demanding and comes with a big responsibility. Many nurses are also unsatisfied with their salaries: .A nurse’s average starting salary in the Netherlands is only € 2,500 rising to € 3,000 after five years. euro.

Nurses are on the frontline and are at risk of experiencing aggression from patients or their families. This was already a problem before the pandemic, as the society is “„individualizing” and many people want to “claim more rights”. However, Ccovid caused an increase in violent behaviours towards healthcare professionals.

Integrated Care Agreement

There are dark clouds above Dutch healthcare. The situation needs to be addressed on many levels, hence the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare, and Sports has is workinged with multiple parties to reach an Integrated Care Agreement. Many professional organizations have been involved, including the Dutch Federation of Medical

Specialists, National Association of General Practitioners (LHV) and the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centres. Hospitals, nursers, patients, health insurers and other parties also worked on the agreement. All parties except for the GPs eventually signed the agreement on 16 September. GP’s will not support the document unless their preconditions demands are met – mainly to reduce the enormous workload that GPs are labouring under. LHV has given the government until December to adjust the agreement. If this is done, the organization will sign it.

As the government outlines, in the Integrated Care Agreement it is stated, among other things, that all healthcare parties must cooperate more intensively with each other, primary care must be strengthened and more effort must be put into prevention of illnesses. Another challenge is to make the healthcare sector a more attractive workplace. This is supposed to include r reducing work pressure and limiting administrative tasks. There are also other goals such as making online, digital or remote care easier and improving evening, night and weekend care. The situation is also supposed to improve for patients with mental health complaints.

The Dutch Patients’ Federation outlines what will improve for the patients will notice upon implementation of the agreement. The good news is that GPs will have more time for each patient and that physical visits for every doctor appointment will not be necessary (digital contact will be an option). People are also supposed to get a better insight into their medical data.

So- called “highly complex care” will only be provided by doctors with extensive experience with certain forms of treatment. Hospitals lacking the experience will no longer be allowed to perform certain procedures in the future. This means a need for stronger regional cooperation in healthcare.

Written by Zuzanna Kuffel

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To cap or not to cap: Amsterdam will admit fewer international students

Following a summer heated by the housing crisis, in which international students were warned not to come to the Netherlands unless they had arranged a place to stay already, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is limiting the number of foreign students in popular studies. Despite being met with reservation by academic peers and the House of Representatives, UvA is moving ahead with the cap, starting in 2023.

Over the past fifteen years, the number of international students flocking to the Netherlands for higher education has grown faster than the number of domestic students. Last year, Dutch universities welcomed 115,000 foreign students –more than three times as many as in 2005, according to figures by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Now, more than a quarter of first-year students in Dutch universities come from abroad – mainly from Germany, other parts of Europe, and some countries in Asia such as India and China. At UvA, they currently represent a third of the student body.

‘We have reached the point that Dutch students from Hoorn, Emmen or Amsterdam-West cannot take up popular studies, because they are being outcompeted by students from abroad,’ said UvA board chairman Geert ten Dam to NRC. Particularly, when it comes to popular studies such as psychology and political sciences, highly popular with international applicants, Dutch students

are being ‘ousted’. As for the foreign students, finding a place to live has become near-impossible; according to a survey by the Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg (ISO) in collaboration with the National Student Union and the Erasmus Student Network, many international students are in a vulnerable position and reveal they feel as if they are treated as second-class citizens.

Pieter Duisenberg, chair of the Dutch universities’ association UvN, has revealed that institutions all over the country have been lobbying for years for caps in around twenty subjects, including media studies, future planet studies and communications, which are increasingly overwhelmed by international applicants. Just last year, Ten Dam advised the ministry to intervene, or else the university would need to take ‘unconventional measures’ to deal with the increasingly unsustainable situation, which has caused accommodation shortages and a heavy burden on the university staff. Additionally, when it comes to studies such as psychology, the number of international graduates has a direct effect on the Dutch healthcare system, says Ingmar Visser, director of the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences: ‘part of the professional field is linked to the Netherlands. You need people who can practice clinical psychology in Dutch,’ he stressed to newspaper Het Parool.

However, not all of Ten Dam’s peers are on board for the cap. Maastricht University President Rianne Letschert has been

one of UvA’s loudest critics, claiming the chairman’s call to limit the number of foreign students entering certain subjects in the university has left her with a ‘weird taste in the mouth’. Letschert is weary of the message the conversation is already sending out to freshly-arrived internationals: ‘more than half of our students and academic staff come from abroad’, she told NRC. ‘I hear from them they no longer feel welcome’. This highlights the diversity within Dutch universities: Maastricht, on the crossroads between the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, has a very different experience than UvA or other less internationally focused universities. Still, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science warned UvA that it is not permitted to set quota of

this kind, and, that, if UvA would do so, the Education Inspectorate would be forced to intervene.

Despite this, UvA has indeed moved ahead with an experimental cap for the popular psychology and political sciences studies. Although excluding students based on nationality or language is not allowed, a maximum number of applicants will be admitted into these studies, in an attempt to curb the issues that the growing influx of internationals has caused. The exact details of the policy are yet to be refined, but Ten Dam has stressed foreign students will still be welcome to attend his university.

Written by Beatriz Negreiros

Cabinet introduces action plan to add 60,000 extra student homes by 2030

In the battle against a massive shortage of student houses in the Netherlands, the cabinet has come up with a national action plan to build 60,000 additional homes over the next eight years. The project was developed together with municipalities, educational institutions, housing associations, private investors and students. The new accommodations will be created partly through new constructions and partly the conversion of existing buildings, reports FD newspaper.

Last year there was an estimated deficit of more than 26,000 student homes across the country. The Knowledge Center Student Housing foundation, Kences, says

this shortage could increase to 60,000 if no action is taken. The deficit is even higher in cities like Amsterdam, Leiden, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Den Bosch and Utrecht. This is due to the large number of international students coming to the Netherlands.

“Every student should be given the opportunity to live in their own room. It’s a special moment to leave your parents’ home and to take a step towards independence. To be able to make this choice, sufficient student housing is needed. That is why we are joining forces with various parties to offer 60,000 extra affordable student houses in the next 8

years,” says the Minister for Housing and Spatial Planning Hugo de Jonge.

Efforts are being made to accelerate the construction of 37,500 flexible housing units in the next two years. Furthermore, the cabinet agreed with municipalities to accommodate more students in municipalities near university towns and to provide temporary accommodation on campus.

When presenting the action plan, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science noted the situation of students from abroad. Because of their immediate housing needs, they are more likely to be victims of housing market discrimination. Short stay leases mean they have less legal protection. In order to improve their safety while renting, it’s necessary to develop a more suitable rental agreement for international students. For Jun Lee (20), from South Korea, it was not an option to not come to the Netherlands. He is looking forward to living in Amsterdam and his studies. Yet, his opening sentence when he meets Dutch people is: “Do you know anyone who rents out a room?”

The minister of Education, Culture and Science, Robert Dijkgraaf, says it’s clear that something has to be done towards the problem. “It takes students a lot of time, stress and energy to find a room. Your room is the place where you will find the peace and space to discover who you are

and what you want to do with your life. Every student deserves such a place. With this action plan we can work together to tackle the major challenges around this matter.” Many students are forced to continue living with their parents, depriving them of this crucial step in their journey towards adulthood. Of the 768,300 students in the Netherlands who still live at home, 69 percent indicate that they are forced to stay with their parents due to a shortage of (affordable) student rooms.

Desperate messages

The student union, Asva, calls the current situation appalling. “We get desperate messages every day from students who are stressed because they don’t know where they will sleep next week. Their continuous stress and feelings of despair come at the expense of their studies. You can’t study like that,” says board member Bor van Zeeland. In addition, scarcity drives up rental prices. One issue is the rising number of international students, discussed above. “We’d rather not propose it, but there’s no option: stop offering English-taught courses to limit the influx of international students. At least until this problem is solved,” says Van Zeeland. However, this is more difficult than it sounds. Until then, the government’s new plan at least offers a solution for the longer term.

Written by Raphael Perachi Vieira

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Former students with overdue loans cannot renew their passports

According to reports in newspaper Trouw, more than 2700 Dutch people who are now living overseas have recently been unable to renew their passports because they have not been paying off their student loans. They are being compelled to contact the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO), the government body in charge of student loans, about paying off their debts. After coming to an agreement, they can obtain a temporary passport for 12 or 24 months.

In the worst situation, anyone who has significant payment arrears, lives abroad, and has student debt, will no longer be able to renew their passport at all. A quarter of all 100,000 former Dutch students who now live abroad have gone ‘missing’ for DUO, with their current address unknown. Almost 80% of this ‘missing’ group is running behind in paying back their loans. DUO can enter their passport into a register if their debt exceeds 5000 euros.

However, blocking passports because of debts is excessive, according to experts. Esther Peeren, professor of cultural analysis at the University Amsterdam can’t help but laugh as she talks about passport extensions for former students living abroad who owe at least 5000 euros in student debt. “If a Dutch person goes to prison abroad, we all provide diplomatic assistance, but at the same time we make life almost impossible for other Dutch people abroad, and that for a relatively very small amount.” Peeren has already published a critique of the government’s actions. “It is too little money to use such a heavy investigative tool. A valid passport is part of your citizenship. If you block that, you limit people’s freedom.” The National Ombudsman also criticizes the service’s actions.

Passport renewal is only feasible once a debtor contacts DUO to set up a plan. This frequently results in problems for the former students involved, as many simply cannot pay back their debts. Some people have lost their jobs or had to leave the country in which they lived, or had to remain there illegally, because they did not have a valid passport.

Although the student union LSVB acknowledges that DUO’s wish to prevent non-payment is understandable, it asserts that actual usage demonstrates that this policy has “really trapped” some ex-students. “At the same time, this shows how detrimental it is that students have had to work themselves into enormous debt during their studies,” says chairman Joram van Velzen. “Individual circumstances should be taken into account much more when paying off a student debt.”

According to Trouw, it’s normal for students to have student loan debts, as the government has professed the message that taking on long-term debt for education was acceptable. The thought was ‘no worries’. Now that former students’ passports are blocked, professor Peeren is furious about this. “That loan was always treated with a lot of light-heartedness; it was even referred to as an advance. It now appears that this loan has much greater consequences than people could foresee at the age of 17 or 18.” She also points to the danger of unequal treatment: “For people with multiple passports, for example, this measure will be less likely to have an effect, just like for people who live within the EU and have an identity card.” Ewald Engelen, a professor of financial geography at the University of Amsterdam, observes two phenomena while reading the accounts of former students. “The Dutch

state is extremely strict when it comes to small debts and extremely generous when it comes to large debtors such as banks and multinationals.” He also considers that former students are often not dependable debtors, as their financial situation may be unstable. Engelen explains that one could argue that the government is an unreliable creditor in and of itself. Consider the complicated implementation of the loan system, followed by the halfhearted reimbursement policy. “Then you get this kind of problem. I agree with defaulters. I’m sure that if they bring this up with the Commissioner for Human Rights, the students will be vindicated.”

Written by Nicole Kerr

New plans to reduce staffshortage in childcare

Since 2015, the number of childcare workers has grown by 45 percent, a sharp increase that amounts to around 115.000 employees in the country. Yet despite this surge, the demand for childcare has grown even further than the offer, and there is a current deficit of 5.000 employees to provide sufficient service for the families who need it.

According to research by ABN AMRO, four in ten vacancies in childcare work were not filled in 2021; that is 37 percent, compared to 24 percent in 2020. In 2022, according to data from a quarterly survey done by Kinderopvang werkt!, the number of childcare organizations dealing with staff shortages has increased further compared to earlier years; it now stands at 72 percent in daycare, 75 percent in afterschool care, and 55 percent in toddler care.

The number of childcare employees entering the workforce is still growing, but it is expected to level off soon. In the meantime, parents are increasingly facing longer waiting lists and even closure of childcare centers, forcing them in many cases to look for informal daycare options elsewhere.

who can work in reception centers with children speaking other languages. This would reduce the workload of pedagogical staff on one hand, and help newcomers gain work experience and learn Dutch on the other.

Furthermore, actions applied in the past include the extension of the measure that allowed for half of all childcare workers to be student workers, which was set to conclude in July of 2022, but is now extended until July 2024. Before this, only one third of employees were allowed to be students. Other actions include giving more hours to part-time employees willing to take them; trying to stimulate a combination of jobs between education and childcare services; and attracting new workers into the childcare sector as a career, through government funded communication campaigns. Additionally, it has been proposed to relax certain regulations to decrease staff workload, one of them being to reduce the rules for the number of workers that have to be present per number of children, known as the professional-child ratio.

In early September, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Karien van Gennip sent a letter to Parliament with a set of measures to address the increasing staff shortage in childcare in the Netherlands. The plan aims to reduce stress, from multiple fronts, on a sector that has recently experienced a spike in demand and not enough increase in available personnel. Childcare organizations face a challenge in the short and medium term to secure sufficient quality service to young families while providing adequate working conditions to employees, and attracting more workers to the sector.

It is in response to these issues that minister Van Gennip has proposed the measures, which include a mixture of novel actions and the reuse or extension of others that had been put into practice in the past. Firstly, discounts have been proposed for days of the week with less occupancy rates, namely Wednesdays and Fridays, when parents usually work part-time. Since 90 percent of registrations take place for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, encouraging parents to make use of childcare services on quiet days can better distribute occupancy and availability throughout the week.

Secondly, the minister has proposed the incorporation of qualified newcomers to the Netherlands into the childcare services, including recently arrived status holders and Ukrainian refugees,

Some associations of childcare organizations have reacted optimistically, and yet with caution, to the proposed measures. Branch association BK is concerned with the cabinet’s intention to make childcare almost free within the next few years. According to the organization, this would dramatically increase the demand, and in consequence the shortage of workers, from 5.000 to 50.000 people. BMK welcomes the measures, and hopes for an agreement resulting in salary increases for childcare employees. These agreements, and others to come, between childcare organizations and the government will need to strike a balance between increasing the number of places while maintaining quality of service, and providing workers with proper and attractive conditions to do their jobs, as well as entice new workers to enter the sector.

Written by Juan Álvarez Umbarila

A steady decline, but more Dutch people in higher education than ever: A ‘new norm’?

The Netherlands has more people in higher education than ever before, whilst numbers in lower education have declined. These are the recent findings of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, based on the recent labour force survey (EBB), which looked at levels of education completed by the Dutch population aged 15 to 75 in 2021. The trend of an increasingly highly educated country has been going on for a while, as has debate about whether this is a good or a bad thing.

In 2006, when the number of highly educated people was much lower, a government target was set for half of the Dutch working population to have a university diploma by 2020, and the report shows how things have changed since. The share of the pie of those that had completed the highest level of master’s degree (HBO or WO) or a doctorate has according to the OCW grown surely and steadily over the past ten years to 13%. The group of those that had completed a bachelor’s degree, which is slightly lower in the scale but still falls under higher education, also increased during this period to 22%.

In contrast, the group of people who had only completed primary education programme has shrunk since 2012, with only 8% in 2021, while those who have only completed vmbo or the lower grades of havo and vwo stood at 18%. Meanwhile the middle category, consisting of the remaining education degrees (those who

have completed havo, vwo or mbo levels 2, 3 or 4) continued to form the largest group at 38%.

As a reason for the drive towards higher education it is stated that jobs are getting more complicated and thus need a highereducated workforce. Therefore, experts called the new situation the norm. It is also assumed this trend will continue in the future, and that the younger generation will also be choosing a path of higher education in anticipation.

The art of self-branding

What the future holds for higher-educated individuals entering the labour market remains to be seen. Some experts are suggesting it should not be a given that higher-educated people will automatically end up with good job prospects and higher salaries. Indeed, highly educated people are increasingly finding themselves in a precarious situation and having to look for ways to stand out. As Dutch company AFAS – in 2016 named ‘Best employer in the Netherlands and Europe’ in a survey by Great Place To Work pointed out, it notices that more and more of highly educated people in the Netherlands have to learn the art of self-branding.

On the other hand, it is also thought that despite their growing number, people who are highly educated are still more in demand, and that their skills and knowledge remain highly sought after.

The question remains, of course, as Leiden University newspaper Mare asked, whether people have become smarter, or whether standards of education have decreased.

The article pointed to the International Student Assessment (PISA) studies, which has revealed a declining trend for education standards in the Netherlands for years.

The bigger picture

Looking at the bigger picture, some say a high number of highly educated people is a good thing for a country’s levels of innovation and knowledge economy. In 2020, American business magazine Forbes called the Netherlands a ‘higher education powerhouse’. In 2016, the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report (GCR), which values education as one of the pillars for long term prosperity of a country, praised the Netherlands as ‘third most educated nation in the world’.

However, others say a country needs more practically-trained people such as bus drivers, builders and carers to keep the country functioning, especially as many such ‘practical’ jobs now experience staff shortages. There has been talk about more options for learning on the job, such as more flexible training options for vocationally-guided learning paths, which consists of four days’ work and one day study.

Meanwhile, the terms ‘lower’ and ‘higher’ have also sparked great controversy, especially since Dutch columnist Marianne Zwagerman in 2018 called it demeaning to speak of ‘lower’ education. In Dutch media as well as in the House of Representatives, there is a move towards designations such as ‘practical’, ‘theoretical’ or ‘university’ education.

Written by Femke van Iperen

How to develop interpersonal intelligence in your kids

“No man is an island” and everyone must learn how to interact effectively with people around them. We all must admit that academic knowledge is not enough to make a mark in this fast-changing world. Honing other critical skills such as thinking, confidence, communication and creativity are also essential for children to function well and enhance academic performances. In simple words: a child should not only understand how to put two and two together, but develop the skill to explain why, with flair. Hence, effective interpersonal skills play a significant role in the overall development of children. Here are some ways to improve interpersonal intelligence in kids.

1 Home is your child’s first school

Irrespective of age, everyone has their own opinions, choices, feelings and interests. Give your kids time and space to express themselves, because this way the child is unknowingly opting for the pragmatic approach to translate their thoughts into words. Active listening is also a vital life skill that has to be practiced at home too.

2.Motivate them to pursue their hobbies and interests Hobbies and interests not only develop kids’ creative and critical thinking, but also enable them to spark up conversations between peers. Joining clubs or signing up for programs can help them come in contact with kids with similar interests.

3 Friendliness matters

Teach them some basics of effective communication –greet people with a smile, make eye contact while talking, use the magic word ‘thanks’. Kindness is contagious, and most important of all: model friendly behavior.

4 Empathy is more powerful than sympathy

Help children learn to zoom in, listen, and be attentive to others, but also to zoom out, taking in multiple

perspectives and people. Demonstrate different acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. For example, helping someone tidy up the classroom or home.

5.You are an example

As it is said: “Children close their ears to advice but open their eyes to example”. Most children learn by watching and observing their parents. Teach them the basic ethics of communication. The effectiveness increases manyfold when you preach by example.

6. Open the world of books

Good reading habits mean great vocabulary, which in turn helps children to express themselves more effectively and clearly. Reading books to your child also enhances listening ability. There is no better way to develop your kid’s personality than to spend some time together enlightening each other.

7. Never kill curiosity

Tell your child that asking questions is healthy. As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can offer to our kids is to encourage their innate desire for curiosity, to quench their thirst to know more about the world they are living in, to feed their hunger to learn new things. See the world through their eyes!

8. Tell them about different parts of communication

Exemplary communication has three basic parts – start, middle and end. Teach them how to initiate a conversation, put forward their point of view and end the conversation. Playing communication games will also enhance their communication skills and the ability to follow instructions.

9. Mind the tone

Explain to your child how the meaning of words changes with emphasis, volume and speed of speech. For example,

a calm “What are you doing?” is a curious question. A loud, quick “What are you doing?” sounds angry and sarcastic.

10.Observation is key

Children generally learn from what they see around them. Slowly and gradually, they tend to observe things minutely. You can improve their observation skills by talking and discussing, including story books and playing games that need observation and concentration skills. Non-verbal communication is also an integral part of an effective conversation. The idea behind developing observation skills is to analyze situations on their own so that, in time, they will be able to make the best decision as to how to behave in a particular situation.

Written by Parul Sachdeva

Significant increase in marriages in 2022

Catching up after Covid

After two tough pandemic years, many more couples decided to celebrate love and get married. The number of marriages carried out up to and including July this year was more than 40,000. In the previous two years, when Covid-19 hit the world hardest, the number of people who said yes was significantly lower. Last year, under 30,000 marriages were carried out in the same period, while the same seven months in 2020 saw only about 25,000 marriages.

Not only has the number increased after Covid, but even 2019, the year before the pandemic, had fewer married couples than this year, with under 36,000 weddings performed from January to July.

Why is everyone getting married?

On this exact date, nearly 1,200 couples tied the knot, according to the statistics agency. Not only this date was especially popular, but the entire month of February saw many people getting married, with a total of 4,100 marriages signed, sealed and delivered. In previous years, February has usually seen an average of 2,800 couples getting married, so the number of marriages this year is a significant increase, even comparing to peak days in the popular wedding months of May, June and September.

Marriage vs registered partnerships

Registered partnerships were fewer this year compared to the previous years.

According to Traag, a partnership registration is often made from a more practical point of view, usually accompanied by another significant event. For example, 53 per cent of couples who entered a partnership in recent years recently had a child together or moved to a new house.

Similarities and differences

Getting married or registering a partnership is often done for practical reasons, for example when a child is involved. But what exactly happens when either decision is made?

There are some similarities: one person can take the last name of a partner, to be addressed by government authorities with that name. Thus, the couples need each other’s permission for particular decisions, such as selling their house. In case of a lawsuit, married and registered partners won’t have to testify against each other. Both persons are obliged to provide for each other’s livelihood. Finally, each individual is the legal heir of their partner.

Is marriage getting more and more attractive? What about registered partnerships? With the first seven months of 2022 showing an increase in marriages compared to the same period in the previous three years, one can only wonder about the reasons behind these trends.

Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the leading statistical office in the Netherlands, lifts the veil, so to speak, on these questions.

Tanja Traag, Chief Sociologist at Statistics Netherlands, explains there are probably two reasons behind this increase in the number of marriages. The first thought is that many weddings were cancelled due to Covid. It was not possible to get married for a long time in 2020 and 2021, or at least not to have a large party with friends and family. Therefore, many couples had to cancel plans or postpone their saying yes until it was possible again in 2022.

The second reason is that 2022 had a viral wedding date: 22 February 2022.

And although the popularity of the registered partnership has been on the rise since 2014, during the period from January to July 2022 there were fewer registered partnerships compared to the same period in 2021. This tendency is interesting, seeing that just as Covid hit in 2020 and marriages decreased, the trend of registered partnerships actually increased.

Registered partnerships saw a slight fall in numbers during the first lockdown in 2020, but not as significant as the fall in the number of marriages. In 2021, even more couples decided to have a registered partnership in the registry office.

Prepare for a long war

‘I might have to join the gym, just so I can enjoy hot showers,’ saysid Jose upon receiving his renewed energy contract with the increased tariffs – five times as much as he was paying before. Despite his considerable income, he and his partner have stopped taking long showers, they no longer use the clothes dryer and run the washing machine only after 11 at night, when energy tariffs are lower. He has even gone to the extent of unplugging all standby electrical appliances such as his coffee machine and his PlayStation.

Micha has stopped using his electric car and gone back to using his old petrol-fueled, carbon-emitting car. If weather permits, he rides his bike to work. Even though they are a six-figure income household, he and his partner no longer shop at Albert Heijn. Micha and Jose are not alone in their worries about inflation, making them cut costs wherever possible. The entire country Netherlands, as well as Europe, if not the

whole world, are feeling the effects of the Ukraine war on their wallets.

The month of August recorded the sharpest spike in inflation – 13.6%, meaning that the average consumer price level in August was 13.6 percent higher than in the same month a year ago.

Anyone who was expecting any sort of respite from the ever-increasing prices will be sorely disappointed, as Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra tried to prepare minds for a long war, in his speech delivered earlier this month at the opening of the academic year at Leiden University.

While minister Hoekstra tried to deliver the bad news in as positive a way as possible, what is of more concerns for Dutch citizens is that the inflation rate in the Netherlands is the highest of all EU countries. The European inflation is driven by the high energy prices. With Russia shutting off the

Nordstream gas supplies indefinitely, gas prices may rise sharply, to more than 300 euros per megawatt hour.

Although the Netherlands has been able to offset lower Russian gas supplies by additional imports from Norway, the UK and the US, but consumption will have to fall in case of a harsh winter. Many schools have already lowered the thermostat by more than 2 degrees and ask parents to dress their children in warmer clothes.

The high inflation is not limited to energy, but also other items, including food, consumer goods and of course transportation costs. The number of products that have seen a price increase of more than 2 percent has increased rapidly in 2022. Core inflation, inflation excluding food and energy, has also risen sharply and stood at 5.2 percent in August, well above the inflation target of 2 percent set by the European Central Bank (ECB). The inflation forecast for 2022 has

But there are, of course, some differences between a registered partnership and marriage. First, the romantic ‘yes’ given to each other at a wedding is not mandatory for a registered partnership. Second, a marriage is recognized worldwide, whilst a registered partnership is not necessarily. If no children are involved, a couple can terminate the registered partnership out of court, which can’t happen with a marriage.

Thus, couples who needed to set their affairs in order in 2020 and 2021 are likely to have chosen a registered partnership. Those who wanted to marry for romantic reasons postponed their marriages until 2022, so they could celebrate their love in front of a large gathering of family and friends.

Written by Bárbara Luque Alanís

been revised yet again and is now estimated at 11.4%.

On one thing we can all agree with minister Hoekstra: war in Ukraine requires patience, determination and sacrifice. There is no alternative to perseverance; we cannot give in to Putin’s extortion tactics.

Written by Priyanka Sharma

International School Utrecht celebrates its 10-year anniversary!

On Wednesday 7 September the International School Utrecht celebrated its 10-year anniversary not only with all students, staff, and parents, but also with our alumni, former colleagues, staff, and guests. This special event took place in Zaal 13 (Kinepolis Jaarbeurs), followed by a ‘borrel’ at restaurant Speijs.

It was very special to welcome our former heads of school Rynette de Villiers and Jaap Mos, as they both represent an important part of the school’s history. We further welcomed alderman Eelco Eerenberg, members of the board and supervisory board from NUOVO Scholen, heads of various NUOVO and Dutch International Schools and stakeholders from the municipality, Utrecht Science Park, ROM, and the International Welcome Centre Utrecht Region.

New Logo

Whilst former heads of school Jaap Mos and Rynette de Villiers looked back on the important part they played in the school’s history, current head of school Marieke Folkers looked towards the future of the International School Utrecht while she revealed the new school logo.

Happy Birthday

Alderman Eeco Eerenberg (Education) suggested we all sung ‘happy birthday’ together for our school, which of course, we did! He spoke about the importance of the International School Utrecht for the attractiveness of the Utrecht Region for both international businesses and international talent. Eelco also had some great news: International School Utrecht will move to a semipermanent school building at Utrecht Papendorp, ensuring the school can keep on growing until the move to our permanent location at Utrecht Science Park.

In 2012 International School Utrecht opened its doors to 63 students. Now ten years later we are a CIS accredited IB World School delivering the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programme to 1000 students. Over the past 4 years, 175 students graduated from ISUtrecht.

Welcome the world

We were very pleased that theatre maker, actor and spoken word artist Khouloud Zaher accepted our invitation to be our guest speaker for this event. Khouloud, a member of the selection committee for the various Utrecht 900 events, played with the juxtaposition between Utrecht 900 years and International School Utrecht 10 years.

Khouloud encouraged us to go out into the local community and wider world to tell others how we educate children from all backgrounds, cultures, nationalities under one roof. “What you do is so special, go on and welcome the world into your school to let them see for themselves how you work and learn in such a diverse community”.

After the event in Zaal 13 we finished the celebrations in restaurant Speijs where we raised our glasses to the to the future of the International School Utrecht. It was lovely to be able to celebrate the 10-year anniversary with all the people who have been or still are important to the school.

Written by Ingrid Schmoutziguer, communications advisor

Ten ways to improve communication with your child (teens too!)

We may talk using words, but our body language, facial expressions, gestures and actions – and even our silences – also convey a message to our children. The following are some of the best ways to open up communication with your child, whether a tiny tot or a tremendous teen.

When we’re frustrated with our kids, it’s tempting to say things like, “I feel like I’m talking to a brick wall!” or “Why don’t you talk to me anymore?” But it’s far more effective – though challenging at times! – to come from a place of love and acceptance. This can be expressed in many ways, but the essence of a great conversation is: You are my child… I love you and want to help you in any way I can. I’m struggling to understand you. What do you need from me?

Having strong communication with your child is especially useful if you lead a mobile lifestyle. Having meaningful chats with your child during times of transition can help to ease the challenges as well as deepen your relationship… and you’ll both feel stronger.

At the end of the day, you know your child better than anyone. and you are best placed to help them. Below are some pointers to guide you on your way.

1. Listen more than you talk. As philosopher Epictetus once said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”

2. Empathize with the child and their message. Avoid giving instant solutions –advice can come later, when/if they ask for it.

3. Clearly communicate acceptance of the child and what they are trying to say.

4. Talk with children, rather than at them. Facilitate a two-way conversation, instead of giving a lecture. Children of all ages want to be understood, not preached to. They are also far more likely to take your advice on board if they have felt included in the conversation.

5. Requests are best made in a simple, positive, one- or two-step process. Do not demand. Ask kindly and with respect.

6. Communicate with your children at eye level, rather than from above. Take a seat together, or crouch down with young ones. This way the communication is both less threatening and more supportive.

7. If you are raising Third Culture Kids – children who are growing up outside of their parents’ home culture(s) – make sure you discuss each move with your child and prepare them for it. It’s also crucial to remind your child that friendship and love are never gone. Their loved ones from a previous country/school are not gone, and online technology allows us to stay connected more easily.

8. Reflect daily on the following:

- In my interactions with my child today, did I give them a feeling of being accepted and valued?

- How did I connect with my child today? Did I open doors of communication or lose

opportunities to do so?

- What will I do tomorrow to keep our communication open and strong?

9. Gather knowledge and increase your awareness of great parenting techniques. Here are some excellent books to start with:

- How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk , by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

- How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teens Will Talk , also by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

- Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds , by Ruth E. Van Reken and David C. Pollock

10. Remind yourself regularly of all the above steps, giving yourself time to fully grasp and implement them.

Remember there is no perfect parent, child, or family. We all do our best with what we know. Opening up communication with your child is a practical way to better understand their emotions and behaviours, and to strengthen your bond.

By Vivian Chiona, Psychologist, Founder and CEO of Expat Nest www.expatnest.com

Back to school: Tips for parents and children to start the new school year prepared and stress-free

The new school year has started - a fun time for both parents and children, but it can also be a bit daunting. A new phase is dawning, including the associated changes. To ensure that children go back to school well prepared, private online tutoring company GoStudent has compiled a list of the best tips and tricks to make the start of the new school year as smoothly as possible.

Tip 1: Get to know the school and the way to school

Anything new and unfamiliar can feel a little daunting or intimidating at first. One solution is to familiarize yourself and your child with the new environment beforehand. Visit an open day at the school of your choice. Talk to teachers, students and new classmates and try out a lesson. You can also attend public events in the school, such as concerts or theater performances. This way your child gets to know the school and it won’t feel so strange on the first day of school. Many schools now also offer digital tours. This way you can easily explore the school from your own home. The same goes for the way to school. It pays to explore the best route beforehand, so that you don’t have to rush on the first day of school. If your child does not go to school on foot or by bike, but takes public transport, practice the journey. At first, the way to school can feel like a trip around the world. But the more you practice, the more familiar and shorter it feels. Practicing the journey also helps determine at what time your child needs to leave home to get to school on time.

Tip 2: Make contact with new classmates

If your child sees a familiar face in their new environment on the first day, it will make them feel less stressed and more confident. Therefore, find out in advance who else is going to this new school or class. Perhaps you can already get in touch during the summer holidays – maybe there is a class Whatsapp group. That way your child will see familiar faces on this first, exciting day of school and it will be easier to get used to it.

Tip 3: Make sure you have the right school supplies

There is a lot to organize and buy before the new school year starts! Pencils, erasers, notebooks, a backpack, sportswear, a pencil tray, a lunch box... When you get books from the school, you will have to supply protective covers. Make sure your child starts the new school year well equipped with the right stuff. Make a list of supplies together and find out where you can buy or possibly rent them. And when you go out together to buy everything, make it a day out. Invite friends to help with covering the books. This makes preparing for that first day of school even more fun!

Tip 4: Set up a study corner or room

If your child does not yet have their own study space at home, this might be the time to set it up. Children need a quiet place where they can concentrate on their studies and homework. If you have the space at home, install a desk and an office chair, or set up a study corner in your child’s bedroom, or perhaps part of the dining table. Make sure there will be as few distractions as possible in the room when your child will study. This also means that the space or corner is neat and tidy and that all study supplies are within reach.

Tip 5: Enjoy the anticipation!

You can’t start early enough to enjoy the experience! For example, try to enthuse your child with your school stories from the past. How did you experience that first day in a new school or class? Do you remember your teacher? What did you do? Did you ever get detention? Did you perhaps fall in love? Funny anecdotes from your own school days will help your child relax and gain confidence. We all experienced that first day and guess what? We were all nervous, but we all survived!

Tip 6: Keep calm!

Excitement and nervousness are part of the start of the

new school year. However, try to stay as calm as possible and don’t show your own nerves and insecurities to your child. The more relaxed you are about the new situation, the more relaxed your child will be. Also, don’t worry about your child’s knowledge and skills. Reading, writing, math - your child will learn all this and more at school. That’s what schools are for! As a parent, you don’t have to teach your child their ABCs before they go to school. It is enough to read a story to your child in the evening and thus arouse an interest in reading and books. Everything else they will learn sooner or later in school!

More info: www.gostudent.org

Dutch for children: tailor-made Dutch lessons for expat children

Our story of Dutch for Children: “My company came naturally. A matter of being in the right place, with the right idea and at the right time. There was a demand for high-quality Dutch lessons in an expat environment in The Hague. I combined this with my strong vision and the necessary entrepreneurial blood and skills. ” – Wendy van Dalen, founder Dutch for Children

Dutch for Children, that’s how our story started. I had the passion for teaching since I was a child. This was evident from my background; my grandmother was a great kindergarten teacher and so was another grandmother.

I’m still happy about the path I chose. At that time I was very young. After my first two years at PABO, I opted for a university study. During this period, I was very motivated. I was uncertain tough. I wondered if teaching was my (final) goal and had a strong interest in psychology and pedagogy. So I went to study psychology at the university of Leiden in the Netherlands.

Big part of our story: Traveling Traveling offered me a broader view of the world. As I was a little older and believed that I would finish my educations, I interrupted my psychology study to travel. I travelled to most parts of Africa and Asia. It made who I am today: a woman with a broad perspective, culturally sensitive and always interested in the rest of the world.

Back in the Netherlands I finished my studies and at the first opportunity presented by my partner, we moved to Aruba. We became expats. After Aruba we came back to the Netherlands. We stayed about a year and then moved on to Madrid for four wonderful years.

Move back to the Netherlands

After the period in Spain, we lived in the Netherlands for almost ten years. My husband travelled a lot during this

period. Our children grew up here in the Netherlands, but there was always doubt about placement abroad. Traveling and the world outside the Netherlands were always the topic of conversation in our family.

Dutch online lessons for expat children all over the world

In Spain my love for education was rekindled, because I started a playgroup group for Dutch toddlers and preschoolers. In the Netherlands, when our youngest went to school, I decided to complete the PABO course with a diploma (accelerated and digital).

I started working at different schools; giving extra lessons to expat children. When the demand for these lessons increased, I founded Dutch for Children. But there also appeared to be a need for Dutch lessons elsewhere in the country. That is why I extended my practice to online lessons via Skype.

In the meantime, we all looked forward to a place where we could live as a family, with relatively few journeys from my husband’s side. It became Curaçao! I just took my business with me and since then the online part has grown explosively.

Teaching in person was simply no longer there. This opened the opportunity for online classes. It opened a new market. Dutch for Children online was a fact.

We moved again to the Dominican Republic and Dutch for Children grew even more with an expansion of more teachers all around the world.

Online lesson is a great solution for expat children Dutch for Children is a great solution for Dutch children all over the world. They can take Dutch lessons from the comfort of their own room and home. Matching their

school and life schedule, their host country and their level and interests. We only have satisfied customers. According to parents our core values about our lessons and services include: Reliable, committed, flexible, knowledgeable, passionate.

If you want your kids to learn Dutch NT2 online or want your toddler to playful learn Dutch, it is all possible at Dutch for Children.

Our team consists of enthusiastic professional Dutch teachers who live all over the world. They can empathize with the children abroad through their own experiences abroad. They are Expats-experts. You can meet them here on our website in the menu under our team: www.dutchforchildren.nl/dutch-tutor-online-ourteachers/

If you would like to know more or discuss the possibilities for your children, feel free to contact me anytime at dutchforchildren@gmail.com and we can meet online free of charge or obligation.

Wendy van Dalen, director of Dutch for Children.

Feel at Home Fair: Connecting Internationals to The Hague

The Feel at Home Fair returns on Sunday 6 November 2022 at the British School in the Netherlands, Junior School Vlaskamp! Back for a physical edition, the fair welcomes you to connect with sports, community, and cultural clubs of all kinds open to the international community.

“Connecting internationals with culture, leisure and community”

You will enjoy opportunities to network and connect with the international community. The perfect place to begin and grow your social network in the region.

With an engaging and energising programme, the fair will include dedicated areas for sports, language, cultural and community activities in The Hague region. There will also be an area for performances and presentations, a dedicated kid’s corner so that everyone can have fun during the event, meet friends old and new, network, and relax. And if you have recently relocated to The Hague, our standholders will ensure you explore all leisure (and culture) aspects of settling in The Hague region.

Why visit the Feel at Home Fair?

- Explore the wide variety of cultural society in The Hague

Connect with the international community and meet the experts to help you settle in The Hague region.

- Meet and mingle with fellow internationals in The Hague region

- Learn more about Dutch culture & language in interactive ways

- Join our interactive workshops

- Experience the Performance Stage and Kid’s Corner

Reserve your spot and register now!

The only community fair for internationals in the Netherlands

The Feel at Home Fair, organized by The Hague International Centre is a staple of the calendar in The Hague region for internationals and their families. It provides a way for both newcomers, and those looking to settle in The Hague to connect with the international community and organisations.

The Hague International Centre is the point of contact for international newcomers, companies, and organisations in The Hague

region. Through taking care of formalities, information, and guidance we aim to help you settle in and feel at home in The Hague region. The Hague International Centre will directly run the fair with its in-house team. Over the coming years, The Hague International Centre intends to hold the fair at various community-driven locations.

General information for the Feel at Home Fair

British School in The Netherlands

Junior School Vlaskamp

Hague

LET’S GO

ART THE HAGUE 2022

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

Opening Evening on the 6th of October

On the evening of Thursday, October 6, we are organising a special opening in collaboration with our partners and sponsors. The night’s program will include art, music and catering, as well as several tours and lectures. In our Art Cafe you can listen to our DJ, whilst you eat, drink and walk along the route of our galleries and exhibitors. Here, in this exclusive moment, our attention lies in the enjoyment of all art.

As well as an abundance of art, this evening is an opportunity to network and make new connections. We all come together with one thing in common - a shared appreciation of art and art-making. The evening begins at 6 pm and lasts until 9 pm.

Tickets (access to the space) are € 60.00 per person. If you are interested in inviting your business relations (and colleagues) to this meeting, please let me know! Send a mail to info@artthehague.nl

Lecture from Hans van Bentem on the 7th of October

Hans van Bentem is ‘the icon of Art The Hague 2022’, and an image of his sculpture the ictator can be seen in the fair s official campaign. an Bentem is represented by NL=US Art, who will bring a selection of their work to the fair. Hans van Bentem also has a solo exhibition at Art The Hague, entitled ‘Keep on Dreaming!’. Here Hans van Bentem shows that dreams are not deception. With his ceramic and glass sculptures, he has been able to stimulate our imaginations for almost twenty five years.

During the week of Art The Hague, the self-portraits of Hans van Bentem can be seen at various locations in the city. The sculptures can also be found in the Kunstmuseum, Museum Beelden aan Zee, The Royal Academy of Art and Escher in Het Paleis. Naturally, the self-portrait De Dictator will be on display at the fair.

At 4pm on this day (7th of October) Hans van Bentem will give a lecture for an hour. If you would like to attend, please send a mail to info@artthehague.nl.

Courageous Collectors Meeting on the 8th of October

Finally, we would like to invite you to visit the fair on Saturday October 8. During which you will be hopefully surprised by the strong and spacious selection of both Dutch and Belgian galleries, all with a clear international ‘character’. Any new developments within the art world are made obvious, while traditional forms and techniques of presentation are seen to continue. In response to this, and in order to bring artists and enthusiasts closer together, a private meeting has been organised for Saturday 8th, from pm. A number of artists from five different galleries alkman Art allery, room and arossieau, artine hmer alerie, l allery and Root Gallery, will be highlighted here. The selection emphasises the refreshing artistic approaches of each gallery, and the artists will be present during the event to talk and explain their work. We hope to welcome you on Saturday October 8th. You are welcome to bring any guests with you.

Program

00A lecture from Peter eorge d Angelino Tap on the intersection between contemporary art and fashion.

00 Sunny Sjoerd in the Art af .

0A tour starts along the five selected galleries and the artists present their work.

20 00 Start of useum ight www.museumnachtdenhaag.nl

If you would like to attend, please send a mail to info@artthehague.nl.

ore information www.artthehague.nl

Artwork

Varossieau

Nederlands Fotomuseum presents large retrospective exhibition on Johan van der Keuken

The Nederlands Fotomuseum in Rotterdam is the leading national museum of photography in the Netherlands. It has an impressive collection of almost 6 million images and exhibits every facet of photography. In the permanent Gallery of Honour of Dutch photography, 99 iconic photographs tell the story of the development of photography in the Netherlands from 1842 to the present day. One of these images is ‘Wij zijn 17’ (We are 17) by Johan van der Keuken, made in 1955.

Wij zijn 17

utch photographer, filmmaker and writer ohan van der euken200 made, in the 0s and 0s, three high-profile books that rank as milestones in the development of Dutch photography books. Johan van der euken was seventeen when he published his first book Wij ijn We are , featuring portraits of his fellow students. ot everyone in the etherlands was charmed by pictures of dreamy young people clearly not doing any work to help rebuild the country after the Second World War. However, e perienced photographer d van der lsken saw talent in an der Keuken and encouraged him to pursue a photographic career.

ohan van der euken unceasingly photographed and filmed the world around him. Through his images, he searched for his own position as an artist and as a human being within the all-encompassing reality , with all of its social, societal and political aspects. His warm human ga e and poetic visual style would continue to characterise his work as a documentary filmmaker and photographer.

Johan van der Keuken: The Art I Love Most From ctober 2022 till February 202 , the ederlands Fotomuseum presents a large retrospective of Johan van der Keuken’s photography. This also includes a look at his films and the artists who inspired him. The title of the exhibition, The Art I Love Most, is the title of a school essay that Johan van der euken wrote in , when he was .

www.nederlandsfotomuseum.nl

Wij zijn 17 © Johan van der Keuken/Nederlands Fotomuseum

© Kummer & Herrman

The chemical imbalance era of depression is over, but which framework will take its place?

Disclaimer: In this article, I outline why the chemical imbalance theory was proven false. However, I do not believe that antidepressants are ineffective or that people should stop taking them. To me, that would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

forget about the chemical imbalance theory, right?

some but not all, and the list goes on. We even now know that in some instances, depression can be linked to in ammation in the body, such that anti-in ammatory medication works to ease symptoms.

n

uly, a significant umbrella study was published in the Molecular Psychiatry Journal, reviewing all existing meta-analyses and systematic evaluations of the chemical imbalance theory as it pertains to depression. The researchers claimed that there is a lack of evidence to support the decades-long, widely held idea that the source of depression lies in chemical imbalances in the brain. Inevitably, their work called into question the effectiveness of antidepressants, as most are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which supposedly function to correct abnormally low serotonin levels.

Although other studies have criticized the chemical imbalance theory, the new study, published by Moncrieff and her colleagues, was the first paper on the topic to garner e tensive media attention. One reason for this attention is perhaps that many of us – much more so than the researchers in these studies – are now eager to call the effectiveness of SSRIs into question.

Will generations after us look at the chemical imbalance theory like we look at the Freudian repression theory?

I would venture to speculate that the media’s response to these findings is an e ample of history repeating itself. For example, psychedelics are set to revolutionise the treatment industry in the coming years, especially when it comes to depression. In fact, studies have heralded psychedelics as being capable of treating ‘treatment-resistant depression’. In other words, the new model has fewer limitations than the previous one, so it must be better, and we can

By casting doubt on the use of antidepressants, a new space has opened up in our collective understanding of mental health treatment, a space which the psychedelic framework could potentially fill. However, an almost identical process occurred in the late 50s and early 60s, with the chemical imbalance theory seemingly invalidating its predecessors, such as psychoanalytic psychotherapy and behavioural therapy.

But let’s be clear: I do not think this development is a bad thing. I am excited for a revolution to occur in psychiatric treatment. The chemical imbalance theory had numerous adverse side effects for those of us subjected to it. For example, it was once thought that we could finally end the mental health stigma by interpreting mental illness as a chemical imbalance. A person with depression does not choose to be like this; it is just a chemical imbalance beyond their control. However, studies show that, in reality, this often led people to think that they were ‘biologically broken’ and thus could never actually recover. Thus, it was simply stigmatisation in sheep’s clothing.

The effectiveness of any treatment method is subjective So, in this sense, I welcome the new era with open arms. However, where I get stuck is the fact that antidepressants are still effective. We may no longer have a clear answer as to why, but the studies are clear: they work for some of us, and these recent findings should not be a reason to invalidate them entirely as a treatment method. I am also reminded of the many studies that show psychoanalytic psychotherapy to be an effective treatment method for some of us. Cognitive behavioural therapy also works for

Poignantly, there are drug trials that show antidepressants to be barely distinguishable from placebos when it comes to treating depression. This leads many of us to think that any mental health treatment can be reduced simply to whether or not you believe in the treatment.

There is something to be said for the fact you are a subject existing in the world, full of meaning derived from your unique experiences. Whatever treatment method works for you – whether that’s psychotherapy, medication, psychedelics or nutrition – depends not only on your mental and physical makeup but also on your own unique beliefs and ideas about health and wellbeing. However, we should be careful when thinking in these terms. For any study that disproves the effectiveness of one treatment, you will find as many proving its validity. Such is the nature and complexity of studying the mind.

Hence, it is important to re ect on how uick we are to create an overarching one-si e-fits-all narrative regarding mental health treatment, especially when we use that narrative to invalidate theories that no longer fit into a specific schema. I believe that we can make room for a new framework without turning our backs on all we achieved with the previous one. Because, if nothing else, when we fi ate on finding the absolute truth of the matter, we risk losing sight of the fundamental aim of treatment: to ease suffering.

Written by Molly Fitz

Dutch heroes: Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema

This year we have featured modern Dutch heroes, from Queen Maxima and Boyan Slat to Dutch athletes like Johan Cruyff and Xander Bogaerts who took Dutch athleticism to a whole new level on the international stage. But when it comes to Dutch heroes in recent history, it would be difficult to leave out the heroes from the Second World War, in particular Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, Soldaat van Oranje (Soldier of Orange).

Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema was born in 1917 in the Dutch Indies and grew up in Wassenaar, dreamed of being a writer and studied law at the niversity of eiden. He was in the final years of his studies when the Nazi rolled their tanks through the Netherlands and began their five-year occupation of the country. Along with other students, Roelfzema joined the Dutch underground resistance and participated in various activities to protest the occupation and specifically the dismissal of ewish university staff. He even served a short jail sentence.

The Nazis eventually closed the university, but not before Roelfzema took his exams and received his doctorate in law, although law would not be the field he eventually worked in after university. Shortly after graduation, Erik and several of his classmates became ‘Engelandvaarders’ - members of the utch resistance who ed the country via the English Channel to England to freedom. The term ‘Engelandvaarders’ literally means ‘England sailors , since most of the resistance fighters used small boats and dinghies to make the 100+ mile journey across the turbulent waters of the North Sea. Many of them didn’t make it, but Erik and his classmates did.

In England, many of the Engelandvaarders joined operations to fight the erman occupation of Europe. Between 1941 and 1942 Erik and his friends made fifteen journeys back to the etherlands to assist the resistance there, smuggle information and radio equipment in and out, and even smuggle high-profile people back to join the Dutch government in exile in England. On one such mission, Roelfzema and his friend Peter Tazelaar rowed a small boat to the Scheveningen shore in the dark of the night. After making their way to the beach, Peter removed his wetsuit to reveal a tuxedo underneath. Having spent time in Scheveningen, Roelfzema knew that the Nazis threw parties every Friday night and that with some dousing of liquor over his friend, Peter would be able to blend in with the partying crowd. The scheme worked and Peter went on with the mission while Erik returned to the boat.

The Engelandvaarder missions became increasingly more dangerous, with rumours of the ngland-based resistance fighters having been infiltrated by a i sympathi ers. n Roelfzema joined the Royal Air Force and, after training in Canada - passing his eye exam by hiding the lens from his glasses in the hand with which he covered his eyes - began ight sorties over ermany, including do ens of missions to bomb Berlin towards the end of the war. It was during his time as an RAF pilot that he met his future wife and was later assigned as special assistant to Queen Wilhelmina along with his friend Peter Tazelaar. They both accompanied the Queen and her family back to the Netherlands after the liberation. Erik also accompanied the Queen’s daughter, Juliana, and her daughter Beatrix -

mother of Willem-Alexander, the current King of the Netherlands - back to the Netherlands. He remained very close to the Royal Family after the war.

Having always dreamed of being a writer, Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema wrote the book Soldaat van Oranje about his experiences during the war. The book became an international bestseller and was made into a movie in 1977, with Rutger Hauer and Jeroen Krabbé in the lead roles. The film became an instant hit in the etherlands and was nominated for a olden lobe for best foreign film. And although the film never uite gained the international notoriety of other wartime films, it is still regarded by many as one of the best films about World War and particularly about underground resistance. In 2010 the book was adapted into a musical, which is still running (longer than the actual war itself) and has become the most successful theater production in the Netherlands.

The Soldier of Orange - the man, the book, the movie, the musical and the entire idea - has become a symbol of Dutch resistance during the war. Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema and his fellow Engelandvaarders are true Dutch and international heroes for resisting oppression and war around the world. Their stories are memorialized at the Engelandvaarders Museum in Noordwijk aan Zee; the musical can experienced at the Hangar Theater in Katwijk.

Written by Marla Thomson

Spotlight on a contributor

recent study, Dutch are the tallest people in the world. Also, the Dutch say no, whenever, wherever. Some people don’t like this straightforwardness. But in reality, sometimes you need to be direct. People have a tendency to skirt around the issue at hand. For example – if someone asks you if you like the food they made for you. t s scrumptious ,you say, when you really think it s horrible. ut a utch person would say Thanks, but it s not to my taste . t s not about being rude it s all about being true to what you feel.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in your city?

Tulsi, an ndian restaurant, serves the most authentic mouth-watering dishes and offers a great fine-dining e perience.

What’s your favourite Dutch store?

Hema is the name, just save it

You name it they have it.

Hollandsche enheidsprij en aatschappij Amsterdam, uickly known as H A, opened its first store back in 2 . ow, H A owns over 0 stores. This Dutch department store sells everything from clothing to homeware, from food to office supplies.

What do you like to do on the weekends?

Your weekend agenda would be crammed as there are countless things to see and do. The Netherlands is blessed with lush green parks and forests; I love to go to Vondelpark, Amsterdamse Bos, Oosterpark and Westerpark with my family.

Who is your favourite Dutch person?

Turn up the sincerity, turn down the lethargy

Where do you come from and where do you live in the Netherlands?

I am Parul Sachdeva from New Delhi, India Destiny would bring me to Amsterdam, I had no idea.

As an exciting work opportunity knocked on my door, I packed my whole life in three suitcases and moved to the Netherlands with my family. The country welcomed us with open arms and is still treating us very well.

What’s your job/business?

Writing is what I have pursued professionally, Because it allows me to be anywhere, anyone, magically.

Writing has always been my first love and will always be. have been a freelance writer for the last 8 years. I write about every topic under the sun. I am currently associated with The Holland Times as a contributor and also provide my writing services to various international companies. Recently, have stepped into the field of hospitality at iti en . The best is yet to come!

What as o r first time in the etherlands?

Reminiscing about the four seasons I experienced in a day, You have to be always armed with an umbrella, warm clothes, a windcheater, let’s say

Pouring rain, strong winds, grey, cloudy, dark days - this is how I was greeted when landed here for the first time in the autumn of 20 . innenblijven is a single Dutch word that suits the autumn season. But slowly and gradually, the beauty of this picturesque country started unfolding.

What is the nicest thing about the Netherlands?

Amazed by the country’s scenic beauty... so bold and bright Tulips, cheese, canals, windmills, cyclists... What a beautiful sight!

The Netherlands is undeniably one of the most vibrant and gorgeous countries in the world. Its spider web of canals, the stepped-gable houses, dedicated bike lanes, vibrant cities, colourful ower fields, idyllic villages and rich history are something that makes it to the bucket list of many.

What’s the worst thing about the Netherlands?

Good, warm days are not as common as gloomy, rainy days. If I ever have to write a book on utch weather, the appropriate title would be 0 shades of grey. Haha

Do you have Dutch friends?

ndeed, have some utch friends. ost of them are my colleagues. They are super welcoming and greet everyone with gleaming eyes. Unfortunately, we could not make many or lost touch with some of them as the pandemic shackled all of us. Now, life is getting back on track. Hope springs eternal... Time to make more friends; bring new energy to the soul.

What do you like about Dutch people? What don’t you like?

I was amazed looking at Dutch people’s height I should have also cycled, my mum was right.

There are many personality traits that deserve appreciation. According to a

Presenting you someone who is full of energy A tall young lady (Ms. Elly, my manager) with panache on her face, One day I wish to match up to her pace

She is a wonderful soul with a heart of gold. Oops!! I did not want it to be rhymed but it turned out to be. Her meticulous planning, caring nature and management skills are truly praiseworthy.

What would you recommend a visitor to do and see in your city in the Netherlands?

plore museums and majestic buildings at useumplein, cruise past canal houses and bridges in a boat cruise, try a local beer at a historic brewery, live like Dutch royalty by visiting castles, palaces and fortresses, see how Anne Frank lived, eat pancakes and feed goats in the Vondelpark of Amsterdam, e perience culture, film and architecture across the , discover Amsterdam’s independent shopping streets, wake up and smell the tulips

What is your favourite Dutch food? And what Dutch food do you dislike? Being a vegetarian, I do not have many choices when it comes to Dutch food. ut if have to select some, it would be fries with oppiesaus or round crunchy stroopwaf es with oo ing caramel filling.

Do you celebrate Dutch holidays? What is your favourite?

Coming from the land of festivals, I strongly believe festivals are the true manifestation of the country’s rich culture and traditions. I became aware of the Dutch festivals from my son’s school (Amity International). They celebrate almost all festivals majestically, especially ing s ay, Halloween, Sinterklaas and many more that celebrate unity in diversity. The most fascinating one is ing s ay when kids are encouraged to clean out their houses and sell their books, toys and other small objects that they are not using anymore. Prices for all the items are just symbolic. What a wonderful way to spend a public holiday. This is the time when schools, streets, in fact the whole country can be seen at its vibrant best – painting the whole town orange.

What famous Dutch place should you really go and see? eukenhof - t s the best utch place to visit, hands down

Best kept secret in your city?

Eat unlimited pancakes onboard the Pancake Boat or cuddle a cat onboard de Poe enboot.

Looking back, what do you wish you knew before you moved to the NL? The weather will play with your feelings.

What are a few things you recommend to new expat here in the Netherlands?

would like to mention here a famous uote When in Rome, do as Romans do. The same perfectly applies when you move to the etherlands. The first thing to do is get a bike for you, as the etherlands is the ultimate destination for this. All thanks to its at surface, dedicated cycle lanes and wonderful infrastructure. The next thing is: You are in the middle of Europe, travel!! Wishing all the new expats a wonderful life ahead!!

Parul, thank you for the interview!

Written by Marla Thomson

Preview the new you at Nxt Museum

Yes, Nxt Museum’s new exhibition beams you up to new worlds, but its name UFO does not refer to a spaceship, but rather our relationship to technology as it shapes us into ‘Unidenti ed Fluid Others’. For what is the future, if not a leap into the unknown where de ned labels do not apply?

For 2 years now, Nxt Museum has been presenting ‘The art of the future, today’. As the only museum in the Netherlands entirely dedicated to presenting new media art (art created with technology), it’s Nxt Museum’s mission to facilitate the new and next in creative expression. With ‘The Future’ driving its curation, pioneering artists exploring what’s next in the museum’s latest exhibition UFO - Unidenti ed Fluid Other have created works using augmented reality, 3D printing, gaming software, and motion tracking. Free NFT digital artworks in the form of POAPs (Proof of Attendance Protocols) are interwoven into the museum journey for you to hunt for, scan and collect - as your very own digital art memento.

Having entered the museum from the concrete reality of Amsterdam Noord, where Nxt Museum is one of a teeming hub of cultural gems, stepping into the tech temple of digital art truly is like crossing over into another dimension. The new exhibition inhabits the space between physical and virtual worlds.

Post 2020, and pre metaverse we’ve all been through a major transition together - from meeting in the physical world to an exponential rise in conversations, meetings and events online. Leading increasingly digital lives, with broad and rich online pro les, keyboard activism, TikTok lip syncing and face lters, our identities are becoming increasingly digital too. And now, with the rst manifestations of fully virtual worlds, like metaverses, UFO - Unidenti ed Fluid Other, curated by Bogomir Doringer, highlights this new digital layer.

Accompanying the visitor throughout the museum route, Viatrix - the gender uid, silver-pink avatar, an artwork created by 3D artist Harriet Davey and especially commissioned by Nxt Museum for this exhibition, unpacks each installation’s theme through poetic storytelling. “I am the portal crashing your server, taking you from what was, to what will be” predicts Viatrix, as written and voiced by Julia-Beth Harris, to the ethereal soundscape tailor made by Imogen Davey. Being greeted by Viatrix’s

alien gaze projects you to what a gender non-binary future could look like. Whilst gender uid people pave the way in real life, this exhibition imagines what shape(s) our digital avatars could take in emerging virtual worlds, where ‘Fluid Others’ come out to play - he/she and they.

Comprising large scale digital artworks, the curation of UFO - Unidenti ed Fluid Other is based on the idea of new mythology. New technologies address the age-old questions posed by humanity, but in new forms. Questions like, Who are we - here? And why? Created by a generation of video game players, and sel e takers, in a time of wider access to open source software and YouTube tutorials – the age of the hyper real individual comes to the fore by a self coded spell in this exhibition. Programming the boundaries of ‘the self’ to dissolve into pixels, these artists reassemble identity in the form of new hero characters, the size of human imagination - allowing them to process the ‘real world’ through the therapeutic crafting of their own worlds.

‘THE WATERS IN BETWEEN’ BY AUDREY LARGE AND ‘WHOLE-LAND’ BY THE FABRICANT AT NXT MUSEUM. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GERT JAN VAN ROOIJ.

Deutsche Bank’s Artist of the year 2022 –Lu Yang – invites us to follow his avatar in the multi level video game hyper-realm ‘Great Adventure of Material World’ , exploring philosophical questions like, ‘does the self exist?’. From the comfort of bean bag cushions in this 25m long space, you can lie back and marvel at this complex thought process rendered in animated technicolour. The room is divided into two sections, partitioned by the draping hair of a massive blow up version of the artist’s head - a Medusa-like entity that rst appeared in Yang’s childhood nightmares. On the other side of the video game that you watch, is a gaming zone with consoles where you get to control the main player, actively demonstrating the underlying subtext - Is ‘The Self’ a player, or in fact being played.

Emphasising this duality is a physical sculpture based on digital aesthetics. ‘The Waters In Between’ by artist Audrey Large

can be found in The Gathering Place, a large space unique in that several creatives joined together to build something altogether di erent. Is this a site of worship - an echoing hallowed temple? A luxury mall - to adorn oneself with signals of tribe, culture and community? Or, the control room of an ancient spacecraft - destination unknown?

The sculpture – central in the space –towers over us, dripping warped elegance. It crystalises a moment of transition between two worlds, making a digital dream material, as though an unzipped folder poured out its contents into the physical world, and the data stream solidi ed as a 3D printed freeze frame. When early Surrealist Artists painted melting clocks in dreamy landscapes, with elastic architecture and stretched out silhouettes, it was a similar exercise in using art to express changing times. A post-war moment of collective questioning of given norms set society into a uid state, much like

we are dealing with now. Audrey’s liquidlooking digitally crafted sculpture twists and turns like the changing times itself, with a surface texture that appears as saturated and holographic as the immaterial, while it stands rmly in front of you.

As we speculate on who we will be in nonphysical worlds of un-reality, examining the original meaning of the word ‘avatar’ in the ancient sense of the myths in the Hindu culture reads as follows: a manifestation of a deity in bodily form on earth, or an incarnation of a divine teacher. As we now self iterate in virtual forms and become the larger than life versions of ourselves, perhaps an immersion at the tech temple of digital culture sets us on a conscious path to future-self discovery.

Book your visit to Nxt Museum, open daily Sun-Wed: 10:00-20:30 Thurs-Sat: 10:00-22:00

‘VIATRIX’S ODYSSEY’ BY HARRIET DAAVEY AT NXT MUSEUM.

Leading transformation, means for In2motivation a focus in leadership. "only leaders can change the world, and we need them more than ever", says Ligia Koijen Ramos in2motivation CEO.

With more than 23 years of experience in leadership in international teams and also preparing other leaders in different industries and companies, Ligia shares some of the fundamentals of leadership for the future.

What differences can be expected in the future with regard to leadership?

This means that it will be much more an action than a position. The leader will be asked to show how rather than just explain how. The leader will also be required to have much more congruence and much more attitude than just monopolizing tasks or evaluations.

Will the leader be the engine of progress?

That's right. The leader will be that engine, not necessarily the executor, but will have to have the ability to create the ideal context for that progress. space, time and momentum so that each collaborator can contribute without losing time or opportunities.

That’s why we see much more demand for coaching as a competence to facilitate this continuous progress.

What are the foundations for this activation of the leader in each one of us?

Knowing why we do what we do. Having a clear i ntention in every decision, as there are more questions and more curiosity to know how decisions are made.

Having the agility to make connections with everyone. To relate honestly and with real connection. Very few people tolerate masks and dishonesty. The capacity to see and hear more and act on that. more and act on what is happening. The e is much less waiting or willingness to let things go.

Neuroplasticy, the ability to see new realities, to always learn. The willingness to create and lead others to a new perspective.

And can everyone be a leader?

Yes, but not everyone wants to be a leader, that's fine. But we have to make sure that those who do want to have the time and space to be. They will take companies much further.

The beauty of having anorganisational culture that creates leaders in every employee, is that these are the people who take the company as their own. They accept the challenges and their performance serves the company and not the other way around.

THE WORLD IN YOUR CLASS ROOM!

Ligia Koijen Ramos, CEO and Master Coach

Know more about In2motivation Courses in www.in2motivation.com

Education for a peaceful and sustainable future

UWC Maastricht is the leading international boarding school (for students 16-19 years old) in the Netherlands and is one of the 18 United World Colleges around the world. Our graduates receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma (diploma programme / career-related programme), which is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities.

Neo Rauch | Drents Museum

From 9 October 2022 to 26 March 2023, the Drents Museum in Assen will be putting the spotlight on the work of the world-famous German artist Neo Rauch. In the retrospective exhibition Neo Rauch - Wegzehr, the focus is entirely on Rauch’s work on paper. In total, the exhibition comprises around one hundred works on paper, most of which have never been shown in the Netherlands before.

Large formats and intimate work

Neo Rauch (1960) is one of the leading contemporary artists. His colourful paintings and drawings feel like a dream world that gradually causes concern. In his work, Rauch uniquely combines an eventful personal and political history. Impressive are the typically large, colourful scenes in oil on paper by Rauch, that can be seen in Assen. In Assen, attention is also paid to the special smaller works on paper. These are lithographs, pencil, pen and felt-tip drawings that offer a more intimate look at the working process of the Meistermaler. The work on paper has not often been exhibited. It is precisely this part of Rauch’s oeuvre that is central to this exhibition.

Hochsch le r rafi nd ch nst

When eo Rauch was only five weeks old, his parents died in a train accident. At the time, his father Hanno Rauch and his mother Helga Rauch were studying at the eip ig School of Arts, the Hochschule f r rafik und Buchkunst. Rauch grew up with his grandparents in the provincial town of Aschersleben, which like Leipzig at the time was part of the GDR. He studied at the same art academy as his parents. There he became a master student under the famous painter Arno Rink and later started teaching himself. n Rauch s painting you find traces of his surroundings. n uences of magic, recurring motifs weg hier state atsuch as factory chimneys and church towers, and comic figures come together in the artist s personal world.

In collections worldwide Neo Rauch’s work has been acquired by museums worldwide. His work can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Goetz Collection in Munich. In 2009 Neo Rauch was previously shown in the Drents Museum. The Realism from Leipzig exhibition showed three generations of the Leipzig School and was the first museum e hibition of eip ig art in the etherlands.

New Leipzig School Exhibition Series

The e hibition eo Rauch Weg ehr fits into the series of solo e hibitions

that the Drents Museum has organised with art from the New Leipzig School. Previously, this series has featured solo exhibitions by David Schnell, Matthias Weischer, Rosa Loy and Kristina Schuldt. Neo Rauch can be called the figurehead of this art movement and his e hibition is thus the crowning glory of the series.

The exhibition, Neo Rauch - Wegzehr. Werken op papier can be seen from 9 October 2022 to 26 March 2023 in the Abbey Church of the Drents Museum.

The exhibition is accompanied by a book of the same name, Neo RauchWegzehr. Werkenop papier. The book is published by Waanders Uitgevers in Zwolle, costs € 28,50 and is available in the Museum Shop or via www.dutchmuseumgiftshop.nl

Vermeer | Rijksmuseum

In the run-up to Rijksmuseum’s major Vermeer exhibition in 2023, research on the 350-year-old painting was conducted, using the most recent technology. Hosting at least 27 out of the very small oeuvre of about 35 paintings by Vermeer, loaned from the most prestigious museums around the world, Rijksmuseum’s Vermeer exhibition will be the largest exhibition ever. In an extraordinary gesture, the Frick Collection in New York will lend all three of its Vermeer paintings, shown together outside of New York for the first time since they were ac uired more than a century ago. Additional highlights include The Girl with a Pearl Earring (Mauritshuis, The Hague), The Geographer (Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main), Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid (The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin) and Woman Holding a Balance (The National Gallery of Art, Washington DC).

New research into The Milkmaid

In the run-up to the Vermeer exhibition, a team of conservators, restorers and scientists from the Rijksmuseum have been collaborating closely with colleagues from the Mauritshuis in The Hague to conduct research into Vermeer’s paintings, including The Milkmaid. The techniques used for this investigation include the advanced Macro-XRF and RIS scanning technologies that were recently part of Operation Night Watch, the major project devoted to the research and restoration of The Night Watch by Rembrandt.

New underpainting discovered These state-of-the-art technologies have revealed what is clearly an underpainting on The Milkmaid. This discovery sheds an entirely new light on Vermeer’s methods. The general assumption was that the artist produced his small oeuvre very slowly, and always worked with extreme precision. However, a hastily applied thick line of black paint can be seen beneath the milkmaid’s left arm. This sketch shows clearly that ermeer first uickly painted the scene in light and dark tones before developing the detail. A similar preliminary sketch in black paint can be seen on the wall behind the young woman’s head. Furthermore, it has now become clear that Vermeer used black paint to sketch a jug holder and several jugs, but didn’t develop them any further.

The artist s fire as et

The study has yielded images in significantly higher detail than before. This has enabled scientists to identify the previously discovered basket, at the lower right of the painting, as a socalled fire basket . Woven from willow stems, this type of basket was a standard household item. A fire bowl containing glowing coals was placed in the basket to keep babies warm and to dry nappies. Seventeenth-century archival material including Vermeer’s own estate inventory reveals that he - father of eleven children - owned one himself. In the painting, Vermeer later covered over the fire basket with the foot stove, elftware tiles and the oor.

Der Stammbaum ©Neo Rauch

The Milkmaid ©Johannes Vermeer

Look at yourself and the world with different eyes | Groote Museum

The Groote Museum (‘Big Museum’) is a museum in Amsterdam Zoo Artis. Its main theme: you. Discover how you are connected with all other life on earth and see the connection between man, animal, plant and microbe. By using your own body as mirror, visitors will discover that you have many similarities with other life. What do a human baby and a crocodile share? Maybe more than you think.

The main building of Artis opened in 1855 to members of the Society Natura Artis agistra ature is the teacher of art . ocated on the top oor was Amsterdam s first museum, which later became the roote useum. t was full of cases and cabinets filled with objects from shells to skulls, from micro-organisms to skeletons. Knowledge about nature was shared here. The ground oor was a meeting place, an important place in the cultural life of Amsterdam. In that time, people wondered what the relationship was between Man and other forms of life. Nature was behind glass, and was categorized. Western man was above nature, and the separation between the two was complete. The museum closed its doors in 1947. Now, 75 years later, the Groote Museum has reopened, with a completely new museum concept that allows the visitor to see themselves and the world with different eyes, and where the separation between man and nature is taken away.

Everything is connected You enter the Groote Museum via the monumental staircase, which opens into the central hall that connects the West and the Oostzaal. The visitor is taken on a personal and emotional journey, starting from your own body. The museum shows a combination of art and science in an unusual way, allowing visitors associations to make and see the connections by themselves. sing installations, art, animations, films, photos, sound, collection items and stories, the visitor gains new insights – which ones, that’s up to the visitor. The museum has twelve zones in which a body part, such as the heart, eyes or brain, is the starting point. The visitor will move, observe, smell, listen, feel, taste and stand still, and will sometimes be confused for a while. Similarities with animals, but also with plants, are made known – even though plants are often – literally – ignored. There is still much unknown about plants and the museum reveals a piece of these still unknown world.

Exhibitions and meetings

The Oostzaal is a dynamic place, a space for participation and interaction. Breaking with traditional museum concepts, the east wing combines two functions of the museum in a unique and innovative way. In this space, the exhibition and spaces for meetings are integrated. The visitor can, together with employees, investigate ‘big questions’ in different ways, from lecture to games and experiments.

Artists, scientists and experts

In addition to a small team of makers, artists, scientists and experts also played an important role in the design of the museum. For example, climate artist Thijs iersteker made a large installation directly connected to a plane tree on the Artisplein. The art installation literally connects the museum with the outside world and shows the sap ows in the 200-yearold tree, comparing it with the circulatory system of the visitor. Filmmaker and sound designer Pablo Lamar from Paraguay created a soundscape that disrupts visitors unexpectedly. Every now and then, suddenly a hammering woodpecker, a thundering train or a laughing woman can be heard through the museum halls. In the ‘smells tunnel’, conceived by Ton van Harreveld, the visitor is put in touch with their long-term scent memory. The goal is not to recognize the smell, but to experience the memory or emotion it evokes.

Changing world

roote useum fits in seamlessly with vision that Artis holds for the future, based on an all-encompassing view of nature. Haig Balian, artistic director of the Groote Museum: “The realization that these rapidly changing times call for new insights is the motive to create this innovative museum. We must first reali e what and who we are, in order to reshape life and its relationship with other life on Earth.” Rembrandt Sutorius, Artis director: ‘At Artis we embrace all life. From the invisible life in Micropia, to the animals and plants in the park and the infinite worlds of the Planetarium. The reopening of the Groote Museum is an important step in our future plan. After a visit, you will look at everything that lives in Artis from a different perspective: with greater insight and a greater sense of belonging. With this we inspire visitors to make a difference in the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

Welcome to Badhotel Domburg

Badhotel Domburg was founded in 1866 and thus has a long tradition of hospitality and quality service. The hotel is located at the foot of the dunes and right next to the forest, on the edge of the village of Domburg in Zeeland. Craftsmanship is key: the staff will do everything they can to make guests - private or business - as comfortable as possible. Fall asleep to the sound of the waves in the background. Otherwise, there’s silence and space all around you, waking you up in a sea of tranquility. All 116 rooms and suites have been renovated last winter, with interiors designed by Belinda Ubbink of Studio Bink in a light, classic minimalist style. The different atmospheres of the rooms make subtle references to sports, bathing in the sea and Domburg in the early days of the hotel. The design is supported by an exclusive wallpaper designed by Hanneke van der Pol of Artwall Collection.

Zeeland gastronomy

Zeeland is a paradise for everyone who loves good food and drink. The sea, the fields, the polders and the orchards everywhere the chefs find fresh, tasty ingredients. Restaurant Zee & Land and Grand Café 1866 are located in the hotel. With Zeeland’s wealth of products, there is always something for everyone. Restaurant Zee & Land is open for breakfast and dinner. With its creative, attractive design, it can easily accommodate an intimate dinner for two, a cozy family meal or a festive group dinner. The casual and homely atmosphere makes Grand Café 1866 suitable for every hour of the day. From a cup of coffee with a gentle buzz to lively conversations over a good glass of wine. The terrace under the trees is a wonderful place to stay.

SPA Domburg

Discover the healing powers of Zeeland in SPA Domburg Thousands of mussel shells, sand patterns at your feet, oysters in the bath and a ‘real’ orth Sea storm you will recogni e the eeland elements in a uni ue way. SPA Domburg uses only pure, natural products by French spa brand Thalgo, based on the medicinal and relaxing effects of seawater and algae. The spa offers a wide range of treatments for body, face and nails, as well as body massages. The Ebb and Tide massage was developed especially for the spa: let yourself be carried away by the swell of the sea and experience total relaxation.

Let’s go outside Domburg has much to offer outside the hotel doors. Walk into beach restaurant Strand90 on your walk. Enjoy the most beautiful view while enjoying a snack and a drink. Or discover the bustling main street of Domburg and take a seat at restaurant By Juuls, offering tempting and uirky dishes with avours from all over the world. ombined with the best wines, you will experience unforgettable moments here.

More information: www.badhotel.com

Heerlyck in the Achterhoek

The medieval feel of the picturesque town of Bredevoort - the birthplace of Rembrandt’s wife Hendrikje Stoffels - is extended in the atmosphere, interior and exterior of Boutique Hotel & Brasserie De Heerlyckheid.

This national monument is located on the market square in the heart of Bredevoort. The hotel’s large terraced garden borders the beautiful Vestingpark. In the midst of all this tranquility you can eat, drink and, if you wish, sleep in one of the 21 luxurious rooms of the former sanatorium Huize Sint Bernardus, where the nuns once lovingly cared for their guests.

The restaurant exudes taste in both dishes and interior. Take your breakfast, lunch and dinner inside or on the lovely terrace. Every dish has been conceived with classic French cuisine in mind, and every now and then there’s an Asian twist to discover. From bitterbal to lobster, from oyster to carpaccio or just a great sandwich here everything all possible, in style. e Heerlyckheid produces its own chips and, from April to September, hosts an ice cream parlour with real gelato from an artisan Italian ice cream master.

From 15 October to 23 December you can also book the special Game Package, with local meat served at your table (with or without overnight stay).

Wellbeing Coaching

Life on the streets | Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier (1926 – 2009) was an American street photographer whose impressive body of work was discovered only towards the end of her life and immediately caused a worldwide sensation. Born in New York, she spent much of her childhood in France. After her return to the United States, aier first worked in ew York, but from she spent forty years in Chicago, working as a nanny. In her spare time, she documented life in major American cities such as New York and Chicago, without anyone close to her ever seeing the result. When Vivian Maier’s archive was discovered in Chicago in 2007 – an impressive body of work consisting of 0,000 photonegatives the photography community discovered an immense and unique talent, equal to famous contemporaries such as Joel Sternfeld, Joel Meyerowitz, Elliot Erwitt and Garry Winogrand. Maier lived in relative obscurity until her death in 200 , but is now the subject of films and books, and is recognized as one of the great American photographers of the 20th century. n addition to photos, she made countless film and sound recordings on the street. Vivian Maier Retrospective is a onevolume compendium of her most enduring images.

Amalia - Not just another pretty face | Prinsenhof

In general, princes like marring pretty girls. In 1621, when the 19-yearold German princess Amalia von Solms (1602-1673) arrived in the Dutch Republic, she came as ladyin-waiting at the court of the ‘Winter King’, Frederick of Palts, and his wife, Elizabeth Stuart. Amalia was a ‘looker’. A year later, her beauty caught the eye of prince Frederick Henry of range - , the younger half-brother of stadholder prince Maurits - 2 . n April 2 the couple were married; two weeks later, Maurits died and Frederick Henry became the new stadholder, and Amalia one of the most famous women in the country. Later in the seventeenth century, after having four children, she became the matriarch of the Orange-Nassau dynasty.

Amalia, however, was not just another pretty face. While her husband opposed peace with the Spanish, Amalia operated informally behind the diplomatic scenes with the Portuguese and Spanish monarchs, which eventually helped end the ighty-Years War in . When it came to her children, she strategically arranged marriages aligning them with prominent royal families of Europe. While Amalia insisted her daughter Louise Henriette marry the elector of Brandenburg, her daughter, who was in love with the son of a French duke, bemoaned: “if only I was dead, or a farmer’s daughter. Then I could marry somebody I loved”. Louise Henriette married the elector. Amalia was an intelligent woman, but also tough as nails.

The exhibition “Amalia: Ambition with Allure” opened in September in useum Prinsenhof in elft and runs until anuary 202 . The curator, Julia van Marissing, has carefully reconstructed the life of this strong-willed princess in an era when women took backstage to men. The exhibition features many paintings on loan from various major Dutch museums, but also from the private collection of the Royal Family, including ten portraits of Amalia and Frederick, some commissioned from painters such as Michiel van Mierevelt and Gerard van Honthorst. The museum also exhibits home furnishings such as a lacquered cabinet designed for Amalia, with marquetry on the doors alluding to the glorious future of Amalia’s grandson, the later William III. There is also porcelain (a common collector’s item in the seventeenth century), Amalia’s personal bible, and secret correspondence that she smuggled out of the palace. Amalia remains an intriguing woman. No doubt the reason the current Dutch crown princess was named after her.

Noya

Rotterdam

Written by Benjamin B. Roberts

Restaurant NOYA in Rotterdam will open in October. Britta and Yuri Wattimena, both of whom have gained extensive experience at top Rotterdam businesses, including FG Restaurant, Food abs by Fran ois eurds and Amarone, will now start their first own business. YA, an accessible fine-dining restaurant, named after their children, will be located at Straatweg in Hillegersberg, on the site of the former restaurant otte. t can accommodate guests, has a terrace and overlooks the water of the Bergsche Plassen at the front. Yuri’s cooking has a classic French basis with his own twist, using international products and his own avor combinations. am inspired by everything I like, whether it comes from the Netherlands, France or Asia,” he says. Jeroen Smeele of SMEELE Design is responsible for the interior design. It will be an elegant, understated interior in the apandi style, a mi of apanese and Scandinavian in uences. A lot of wood is used in the interior and part of the walls has wooden panels on an acoustic background of recycled materials.

Amalia: Ambition with Allure www.prinsenhof-delft.nl

At Caesar Fitness

Spa Resort we have 5000m2 of fitness, wellness, and health facilities. Caesar is located in the city centre of The

the

Our motto at Caesar is: “Your body is your temple.” We offer a variety of activities for a healthy balance between sports and relaxation. Our members can train and relax in a safe and healthy environment. Thanks to our state-of-the-art ventilation system, our visitors always breathe in fresh and clean air. This system supplies us constantly with fresh outdoor air filtered through glass filters. Good air keeps us all in a good mood.

Our Body & Mind studio is a place to bring balance to your body, mind and spirit. We give different types of yoga classes. For example: Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Yin Yang yoga and many more. We can help you find the yoga class that suits you best. As a member you are free to explore all of them.

Next to yoga classes we also give different group classes in our aerobic studio, spinning studio and our swimming pool. They are fun, energetic and they keep you fit. We also have various Fitness & Sports activities. There’s a range of fitness equipment for beginner and advanced athletes, so there is always something to do for everyone.

At the Spa & Wellness area you can ease yourself in a soothing atmosphere. We have a hot whirlpool, a lovely swimming pool and different types of saunas to calm down. Our Beauty & Health offers a variety of massages that add to your well-being.

Did you know that we also have a Kidsclub? Our Kidsclub is for young children from three months old till four years old. If you have kids as a member, they are taken care of during your visit at Caesar Fitness + Spa Resort.

Caesar offers the perfect environment to encourage a healthy lifestyle. A place where you can take a moment to yourself or to have quality time with friends. We are open every day of the year. Being a member at Caesar Fitness + Spa resort adds to your well-being and health. Come and experience it for yourself. For more information, visit our website www.caesar-denhaag.nl.

international bookshop established

The Hague offering English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese and Russian

young

a selection of International Law

Spanish

Fitness & Sport Beauty & Health Spa & WellnessBody & Mind

An early football Christmas?

As the tropical heat of summer departs the Netherlands another heat wave is just arriving. The stadiums and pitches of this country are starting to heat up as another season of the beautiful game gets underway. For now, the empty stadiums and selftesting have become bad memories and the time to create new, lasting memories had arrives in their stead. Looming large on the football calendar this year is the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. High time for us to look at the pinnacle of the football world and offer a few tips and suggestions on how to enjoy it yourself.

Here in the low countries, the Dutch top division, de Eredivise kicked off its 66th season of professional football in August. The season will run until Sunday, 28 May but will be paused following the 14th Round in November for the World Cup in the Gulf. With summer temperatures well in the 40’s, the only viable option was to play the tournament in a more moderate month of the year. The football gnomes in Switzerland put pen to paper and here we are with a big gaping hole in the football calendar just before the traditional holiday breaks. The break will interrupt all top division soccer throughout the world and all eyes will be fixed on the television as we cheer our home or adopted countries to victory.

For the Dutch supporters, this tournament promises to be thrilling. The Orange Army have their sights set high as trainer Louis van Gaal will put a very talented Oranje squad on the pitch in a pool that should provide only a modicum of resistance: Ecuador, Senegal and hosts Qatar. The Cup kicks off on Monday, 21 November with Qatar vs. Ecuador, culminating in the final to be played on Sunday, 18 December in the Lusail Iconic Stadium. During our normal summertime World Cups, the food and beverage of choice has been leaning towards barbecue and cold beer with more than one TV pushed into outdoor service in the garden. This year, the fare will be decidedly different as we huddle inside and try to conserve gas during our wartime winter. Luckily for us, the buyers at our nation’s supermarkets are busily preparing their offerings and will undoubtably be treating us to a tantalizing array of eats and drinks splashed out across the pages of their weekly folders. The makers of orange food coloring will have put in overtime hours to make sure that our salon tables and bar tops are thoroughly decked out in apropos snack and décor. Orange Pepernoten and footy?

Why not?

For the vast majority of us, watching the World Cup will be done right here glued to the screen. The good news is, this country is one of the very best when it comes to events like the World Cup because for any of us with cable television, we have at least four national broadcasters at our disposal that will be airing the matches – that includes the BBC for those of us needing our footy in English. The kickoff times are very Europefriendly with most matches starting at either 4, 8 or 10:00 pm. A few 11:00 am matches including Netherlands vs. Senegal on the opening day of the pool competition will serve as lunchtime fixtures and perhaps the best reason since the end of the pandemic to be back in the office. Of course, there’s nothing like an office pool to keep everyone excited about the World Cup. In short, the tournament can be a great way to keep morale high when the nights grow long…just remember to go easy on your colleagues from countries like Italy, Ireland or Sweden as their teams failed to qualify.

The World Cup in Qatar has been under the looking glass since the day FIFA president Sepp Blatter used his cocktail sausage fingers to open the envelope and announce the winner of the farce that was the 2022 host nation competition. However, the odds are longer than Qatar’s own football team winning the Cup than anyone or anything stopping it from happening so get those country-appropriate duds out of the closet and get ready to party. Rather than bah humbug our pre-holiday Mondiale, let us embrace this once-off oddity and prop ourselves into pubs or shoehorn into a cozy Dutch living

room and let our nights be lit by the glow of LED screens form action unfolding in the Gulf. Perhaps Christmas will come early this year to the Netherlands and Santa will grant the wishes of Louis and his 11 helpers on the field. Whatever the outcome, the World Cup is back and from 21 November until 18 December you’re likely to hear about it!

Written by John Mahnen