Celebrating Connections

In the 11th and final episode of our Remembering Together podcast, Deputy Ambassador Keith Allan speaks with Gerben van den Berg, Director of the National Committee for 4 and 5 May.They discuss the tradition of annual commemorations and celebrations in The Netherlands and the key role the Committee plays in them. While coordinating these events is a key function, the Committee's work goes beyond that. Gerben describes their mission to preserve the memory of the Second World War, particularly among younger generations, and how they realise meaningful and diverse ways of remembrance.

In this episode, Deputy Ambassador Keith Allan visits the Freedom Museum in Groesbeek and speaks with museum Director Esther Horsten who grew up in the region.The Freedom Museum is located in the area of two of the most important operations on the Western Front during World War 2: Operation Market Garden and Operation Veritable.The museum not only remembers the liberation of Groesbeek and the Netherlands, but highlights a broader theme of war and freedom. By offering interactive exhibits and telling personal stories, they aim to bring history alive for their visitors, encouraging reflection on the Second World War but also making connections with today's world and more recent struggles for freedom.

In the 9th episode of our Remembering Together podcast, Deputy Ambassador Keith Allan was in Oosterbeek to speak with Sophie ter Horst, whose mother became known as the ‘Angel of Arnhem'. Sophie and her family took in over 300 wounded soldiers during the Battle of Arnhem. They discuss the history of the Battle of Arnhem through touching personal stories of the soldiers that were taken care of by Sophie's family.

In the 8th episode of our Remembering Together podcast, Deputy Ambassador Keith Allan speaks with Simon Bendry, Head of Education and Volunteering at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).Keith and Simon discuss the important work of the CWGC and their care for 23,000 war memorials and war cemeteries around the world. They also discuss the public engagement work of the CWGC in telling the stories of those that sacrificed their lives for our freedom and their other efforts to ensure they are not forgotten.Through personal stories, Keith and Simon reflect on why it is important to keep the memory of this period alive today.

In this episode, Ambassador Joanna Roper speaks with UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues and current Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Lord Pickles and General Director of the Jewish National Quarter Emile Schrijver and visits the National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam. They delve into the work of the National Holocaust Museum, the role of the UK in remembrance and tackling antisemitism through their Presidency of the IHRA, the importance of commemorating and of educating and involving the younger generation.

In this episode, Deputy British Ambassador Keith Allan interviews Hiltje van Eck, also known as ‘mother of the veterans'.For over 40 years, Hiltje has received and helped veterans as they return to Arnhem for the yearly commemorations of Operation Market Garden and has built close friendships with British war veterans. Hiltje also works closely with the Airborne Commemoration Foundation.In this episode, Keith and Hiltje discuss her personal stories of working with the veterans and the importance of remembering and commemorating the Second World War.

In this episode, Deputy British Ambassador Keith Allen commemorates the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. He interviews Arno Baltussen, chair of the Driel-Poland Foundation.The Driel-Poland Foundation honours the Polish parachutists that participated in the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. Keith Allen and Arno Baltussen talk about Arno's personal connection to the war and the commemoration plans for Market Garden in Driel.

September 2024 marks 80 years since Operation Market Garden, an airborne operation involving 10,000 soldiers. Whilst the operation was unsuccessful, it became legendary for the bravery shown in an attempt to liberate the Netherlands. Today commemorations of the operation are some of the largest in the Netherlands.In this episode, Deputy British Ambassador Keith Allan interviews Ronnie Weijers, the Director of the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek. The Airborne Museum is located in the former headquarters of the British troops during the Battle of Arnhem, as part of the Allied Operation Market Garden. Keith Allan and Ronnie Weijers discuss how the museum has changed over the years and the importance of appealing to audiences to tell the stories behind the collection. 

In this episode, British Ambassador to the Netherlands Joanna Roper delves into the impact of the occupation and the Holocaust on the Netherlands. She focuses on the Dutch resistance during Nazi occupation, whilst highlighting the significant and lesser-known role women played in this movement. She speaks with the Director of Museum Engelandvaarders Jaap Rosen Jacobson, and the Director of the Resistance Museum in Amsterdam Liesbeth van der Horst, to uncover the stories and experiences of those who fought back against oppression. 

In the second episode of Remembering Together, Deputy Ambassador to the Netherlands Keith Allan visits Amsterdam to learn more about the history and impact of the holocaust in the Dutch capital. As well as the ways people and the community remember this dark chapter in history. In this episode, Keith Allan speaks to Esther Shaya, author of two books documenting individual stories of resistance, one of which tells the story of Jewish educator Henriëtte Pimentel. She was a key figure that saved hundreds of children during the Nazi occupation. Keith also speaks to the Head of Coordination and Production of Stolpersteine Benelux, Alexander Stukenberg, about the history and importance of Stolpersteine as an act of remembrance.Find out more about Esther Shaya's book 'Wacht Maar' here (in Dutch) - https://amphorabooks.nl/product/wacht-maar/ For more information about Stolpersteine - https://stichting-stolpersteine.nl/the-stichting/?lang=enFind out more about the Holocaust here - https://www.hmd.org.uk/Find out more about the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance here - https://holocaustremembrance.com/Original music from Auri Forda

It has been almost 80 years since the Netherlands was liberated following 5 years ofGerman occupation. During this time, the population was brutally suppressed, jewsand other groups were deported and murdered as war raged across Europe. CampWesterbork was used as a deportation camp by Nazi Germany during this time.In this episode of Remembering Together, British Deputy Ambassador to theNetherlands, Keith Allan, visited camp Westerbork. He was joined by Bertien Minco,the Director of Camp Westerbork Memorial Centre, who shared impactful andharrowing stories of people and families who were placed in camp Westerbork.Find out more about the Holocaust here - https://www.hmd.org.uk/ Find out more about the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance here - https://holocaustremembrance.com/Original music from Auri Forda

In this week's episode of Disentangling Disinformation we're exploring the reasons why understanding disinformation matters, in particular the impact of disinformation on international relations.Disinformation is nothing new, it's had many names and guises, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has brought conflict into our media like never before. With that comes a barrage of disinformation. In this series Disentangling Disinformation we are asking, what is disinformation, how does it work, and why does it matter? This podcast is produced by Andy Clark of StudioLijn 14.

In this week's episode of Disentangling Disinformation we're delving a bit deeper into how disinformation works, the platforms used to disseminate it, and how does it impact the work of journalists, researchers, and investigators?Disinformation is nothing new, it's had many names and guises, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has brought conflict into our media like never before. With that comes a barrage of disinformation. In this series Disentangling Disinformation we are asking, what is disinformation, how does it work, and why does it matter? This podcast is produced by Andy Clark of StudioLijn 14.

In this series we are asking, what is disinformation, how does it work, and why does it matter? Disinformation is nothing new, it's had many names and guises, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has brought conflict into our media like never before. With that comes a barrage of disinformation. What exactly is disinformation? Or misinformation?  In this first episode we hope to pin down what disinformation is and what it is not. This podcast is produced by Andy Clark of StudioLijn 14.

After a two year delay, the Invictus Games finally made it to The Hague! From 16 – 22 April, over 500 competitors from 20 nations competed across 9 adaptive sports.The word ‘invictus' means ‘unconquered'. It embodies the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and personifies what these tenacious men and women can achieve post-injury.In this fourth and final episode Deputy Ambassador Lucy Ferguson speaks with Invictus Games Foundation CEO Dominic Reid & Invictus Games The Hague 2020 CEO Conny Wenting. They speak about their vision for the Games, the Legacy of The Hague, the symbolism of the Yellow Bench & much more!

After a two year delay, the Invictus Games have finally come to The Hague! From 16 – 22 April, over 500 competitors from 20 nations will be competing across 9 adaptive sports.The word ‘invictus' means ‘unconquered'. It embodies the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and personifies what these tenacious men and women can achieve post-injury.In this third episode  of Invictus Voices, Deputy Ambassador Lucy Ferguson speaks to Team UK's Nathan Huddy and Team NL's Krystal van Dinter. The two competitors share their personal journeys and give a unique insight into what it's like being a competitor at the 2022 Invictus Games in The Hague.

After a two year delay, the Invictus Games have finally come to The Hague! From 16 – 22 April, over 500 competitors from 20 nations will be competing across 9 adaptive sports.The word ‘invictus' means ‘unconquered'. It embodies the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and personifies what these tenacious men and women can achieve post-injury.In the second episode of Invictus Voices, Deputy Ambassador Lucy Ferguson, speaks to Boy Coolen, Dutch Ministry of Defence Psychologist, and Helen Helliwell, Director of Armed Forces People Policy at the UK Ministry of Defence Helen, about how the power of sport can help wounded servicemen and women in their recovery – physically, psychologically and socially.

Introducing our new podcast series: Invictus Voices!After a two year delay, the Invictus Games have finally come to The Hague! From 16 – 22 April, over 500 competitors from 20 nations will be competing across 9 adaptive sports.The word ‘invictus' means ‘unconquered'. It embodies the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and personifies what these tenacious men and women can achieve post-injury.In first episode UK Ambassador to the Netherlands Joanna Roper speaks with Team UK's Gill Charlton and Team NL's Ton de Haan. Listen to their incredible stories in the first episode of Invictus Voices.

Introducing our new podcast series: Invictus Voices!After a two year delay, the Invictus Games have finally come to The Hague! From 16 – 22 April, over 500 competitors from 20 nations will be competing across 9 adaptive sports.The word ‘invictus' means ‘unconquered'. It embodies the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and personifies what these tenacious men and women can achieve post-injury.Listen to episode 1 now!This podcast is produced by Andy Clark.

Pandemic Unmasked is a short series of podcasts by the British Embassy The Hague reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic that started more than one year ago. This episode, host Andy Clark talks to Jet Bussemaker, chair of the Council for Public Health and Society in the Netherlands and Professor at Leiden University, and Richard Bentall, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Sheffield. They discuss the impact of the pandemic on young people.   From the research that is available now, we know that young people are amongst the groups who’s mental health is most affected as a consequence of the pandemic. What lessons have we learned so far and what can governments do to support them better during this difficult time? Both guests also reflect on the role of fake news during this crisis.  Since the focus in this episode is on youth, we also hear from students from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. They share how the pandemic and the measures have affected them.  Jet Bussemaker is chair of the Council for Public Health & Society, an independent advisory body to the Dutch government. She is also a Professor of Science, Policy, Social Impact and Healthcare at Leiden University since 1 July 2018. She has served as Minister of Education, Culture and Science from 5 November 2012 to 26 October 2017. Publications of the Council for Public Health and Society on the Covid-19 pandemic can be found here (in Dutch).      Richard Bentall is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Sheffield and has previously held chairs at Liverpool University, Manchester University and Bangor University. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of the British Academy. His research interests have mainly focused on psychosis. Most recently, he has been leading a project measuring the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UK population. This study can be found here.  

Pandemic Unmasked is a short series of podcasts by the British Embassy The Hague reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic that started almost a year ago. This episode host Andy Clark speaks with Rachel Kyte CMG, Dean of The Fletcher School at Tufts University in Massachusetts. She is also an advisor to the UK government in its preparations of the climate talks in 2021 as a Friend of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. Our Dutch guest is Sander de Bruyn, Environmental Economics Coordinator at CE Delft, an independent research and consultancy organisation specialised in developing innovative solutions to environmental problems. They discuss the need for a green recovery of the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. What needs to be done to make the recovery from this pandemic as sustainable, efficient and inclusive as possible? A great example of a green business model comes from the Dutch company Packaly, a delivery company specialised in CO2 neutral shipping. Their CEO Axel Dekker explains their vision. It is an example of adaptation during the lockdown that can prove beneficial for the post-pandemic world.  Rachel Kyte CMG  served as special representative of the UN Secretary-General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), prior to joining The Fletcher School at Tufts University.  She previously was the World Bank Group Vice President and Special Envoy for climate change in the run-up to The Paris Agreement. She was also Vice President at the International Finance Corporation and served as co-chair of UN Energy. Kyte is a member of the UN Secretary-General’s high level advisory group on climate action and an advisor to the UK government in its preparations of the climate talks in 2021 as a Friend of COP26. Sander de Bruyn is Environmental Economics Coordinator at CE Delft, specialising in resource and materials policy, cost-effectiveness computation and economic growth and scenario analysis. He graduated as an economist with a major in welfare theory, and gained a PhD in applied environmental economics. By making proper calculations of the costs and expenditures associated with environmental policy, for government as well as industry, means can be sought to reduce those costs and increase the environmental pay-off. In his work De Bruyn often found that by adopting a slightly different policy perspective major savings can be achieved, to the benefit of both government and industry. Axel Dekker is CEO of Packaly, a Dutch delivery company specialised in CO2 neutral shipping. They ship parcels from stores directly to customer by bike couriers.  

Pandemic Unmasked is a short series of podcasts by the British Embassy The Hague reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic that started almost a year ago. This episode host Andy Clark talks to the Dutch virologist Professor Marion Koopmans, Head of the Department of Viroscience at the Rotterdam Erasmus MC and Professor Carole Mundell, International Science Envoy at the  Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They discuss lessons learned and what would be needed to avoid, or at least be better prepared for, another pandemic. Would it be possible to develop early warning systems? Why is genomic sequencing to track viruses essential? Professor Koopmans and Professor Mundell also reflect on the role of fake news during this crisis.  Professor Carole Mundell was appointed Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in October 2018 and took up the role of International Science Envoy in January 2021.  She is Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy, Head of Astrophysics at the University of Bath and a Fellow of the Institute of Physics. A world-leading scientist, she is a frequent guest speaker at international conferences. She sits on a number of strategic advisory panels for UK and international groups, is a committed communicator of science, and is an advocate for diversity in science. Professor Marion Koopmans, DVM PhD focuses on global population level impact of rapidly spreading zoonotic virus infections, with special emphasis on food-borne transmission. She is coordinator of the VEO project working towards prediction, detection and tracking of when and where risk of outbreaks is increasing (https://www.veo-europe.eu). She is the director of the WHO collaborating centre for emerging infectious diseases at the Erasmus Medical Centre, and Scientific Director “Emerging infectious diseases” of the Netherlands Centre for One Health (www.ncoh.nl).  

Pandemic Unmasked is a short series of podcasts by the British Embassy The Hague reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic that started almost a year ago. Leading scientists and experts from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands give their view on lessons learned and their experience of the exceptional time we are living through. What does the way out of this crisis look like? How can we use these experiences to be better prepared for the future? In addition, the experts reflect on the role of fake news.  Host Andy Clark is a journalist and co-founder of production company Studio Lijn 14. The guests on the first episode are the Head of the Department for Viroscience at Erasmus MC, professor Marion Koopmans, and the British Foreign & Development Office's International Science Envoy, professor Carole Mundell.

British hockey star, Kate Richardson-Walsh tells Nick about her experiences as a professional hockey player in the UK and in the Netherlands. Kate takes us back to one of her most intense matches of her career, during the London 2012 Olympics. One summer she moved to the Netherlands to play club hockey and train younger Dutch hockey teams. Kate shares what life in the Netherlands was like for her and what why she loved it so much.

Principal ballerina at the Dutch National Ballet, Sasha Mukhamedov, takes Nick and the listener with her into the world of ballet. Sasha was raised in the United Kingdom, by parents who both danced at the highest level. She moved to the Netherlands to join the Dutch National Ballet when she was 18 years old and has since had many incredible performances with this company. Nick learns about what it takes to be a ballerina, physically and mentally, and how Sasha's feels about life in the Netherlands.

Writer of the books 'Why The Dutch Are Different' and 'The Rhine: Following Europe’s Greatest River from Amsterdam to the Alps' Ben Coates, tells Nick about how he ended up in the Netherlands in the first place. Now with a wife and a young baby, he has settled fully into the Netherlands. Ben takes us back to the process writing a book that gives a honest look at what makes the Dutch so typical. Through historical and geographical descriptions, this Brit gives shape to the identity of the Dutch.

Sanne Vliegenthart has built her career online, through her YouTube channel 'B'booksandquills', her role as social media manager for publisher Penguin and now as a freelance digital content creator. Sanne started her channel while still studying in the Netherlands, but has since moved to London. Living among a community of 'digital influencers', as they are often called, she makes engaging content on books, lifestyle and travel. Sanne talks to Nick about her experiences in building this impressive career and what life online is really like.

In this first episode of the Celebrating Connections podcast, Nick interviews contrabass player and TV presenter Dominic Seldis. After joining the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Dominic became a judge on the Dutch version of TV programme Maestro. He has since grown to be a familiar face on Dutch television. In conversation with Nick, he tells stories of his colourful career and what the move from the UK to the Netherlands has meant for him personally and professionally.

The Celebrating Connections Podcast is a short series of podcasts celebrating the amazing things happening on either side of the North Sea. Podcast host Nick Heath is Britain’s Deputy Ambassador to the Netherlands. Whilst preparing a landmark State Visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to London he became inspired.In this series Nick speaks to a group of exceptional people who are writing a new chapter in Anglo-Dutch relations. Dutch people living and working in the UK and British people making a name for themselves in the Netherlands. The series explores what it takes to move from the countries they grew up in, and thrive in the countries they came to call home.