Max van der Stoel: Life and legacy
Symposium on 25 April 2012
Background
On April 23, 2011, Max van der Stoel, a human rights professor, politician and diplomat, passed away. Immediately after his passing, individuals began to express words of praise and admiration for his life and his deeds. The Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, noted ‘modest and compassionate, he made the difference in many places in the world’. Queen Beatrix learned of his death ‘with great sadness’. These sentiments are befitting for the man who made his life's work the protection of freedoms and human rights for all people.
Serving the Dutch state, Max van der Stoel had an impressive career as a member of parliament, Minister of Foreign Affairs, ambassador and member of the Council of State. In all these positions, his policy-making was marked by an emphasis on human rights. Stepping down from the Dutch Council of State in 1993, he was appointed as High Commissioner on National Minorities at the OSCE. ‘His successes in that role are largely unrecognized, as they lie in what did not happen rather than in what did’, said United States senator Benjamin Cardin in a speech to the U.S. Senate.
The symposium
Max van der Stoel’s achievements did not elude the School of Human Rights Research and University of Tilburg though. In his honor, they invite you to exchange views on his work and how his legacy should be handled in years to come. Why was Van der Stoel so successful in combating human rights violations ? Which issues are (Dutch) politicians and diplomats and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities facing today? And what lessons can be learned from Max van der Stoel?
Three experts will elaborate on these topics in short lectures. After each lecture there will be ample opportunity to exchange opinions with the speakers and the audience.
The symposium will be held at the 25th of April 2012, the official language is English.
Home page for the symposium with further detail here.
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