Jetten at security conference: ‘The new generation should take the lead’
From Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten to American ambassador Joseph Poplo, and from former defence minister Kajsa Ollongren to General Onno Eichelsheim, prominent figures attended the first Next Gen Security Conference in The Hague. ‘The Netherlands and Europe must take more responsibility for their own security’, said Jetten.
The two-day Next Gen Security Conference was organised by Leiden University, the Atlantic Committee and Clingendael Institute. Prime Minister Rob Jetten opened the conference at the Peace Palace with a speech delivered to a packed room, with cameras trained on him. This was his first major international speech about his government’s foreign policy. He focused on the need for Europe to become stronger in a time of war and geopolitical tension, and also addressed changing relations with America.
‘I’m counting on you to roll up your sleeves. Because, as we’ve learned the hard way, history did not end. And now it is asking a new generation to take the lead.’
‘Alliance with America should be more equal’
‘The Netherlands and Europe must take more responsibility for their own security. We need to boost European defence cooperation to ensure we can defend our own continent. We must do so not to distance ourselves from the US, but to make the alliance more equal’, said Jetten. ‘And, as a result, stronger. It’s not a one-way street. We depend on each other.’
Jetten believes that this can be achieved by building new coalitions and forming new partnerships. In his view, the Netherlands is already playing a leading role in this regard. He concluded by addressing the ‘Nextgenners’, the younger generation, in the room, the future makers of tomorrow.
‘I’m counting on you to roll up your sleeves. Because, as we’ve learned the hard way, history did not end. And now it is asking a new generation to take the lead.’
Responsibility as the young generation
Minke Osinga takes this message to heart. She has just completed her Master’s in Social and Economic Psychology in Leiden and will begin her PhD at the Netherlands Defence Academy (NLDA) on Monday. ‘I’m here to gain inspiration and learn from the experts on the various panels. As the Prime Minister just said, “history isn’t over”, and that is something I’m increasingly aware of. I want to develop the knowledge and tools to help make my peers aware of that too.’
Minke attended the conference with her father, Frans Osinga, Professor of War Studies in Leiden. ‘This conference covers much more than just my own field of military security. The topics will be explored in depth during the panel discussions. It’s also about economic security and international law, issues that are important at the moment, so important that I wanted to bring two more of my children, who work at the Ministry of Defence and TNO Defence, Safety & Security, but they weren’t able to make it.’
European tightrope walk
For Victor Niekrake, it cuts both ways. He is on the board of the Young Atlantics, the young wing of the Atlantic Committee and is also studying International Politics, part of the Master’s in Political Science. The conference is interesting both for his studies and for networking.
‘It is important that policymakers recognise these issues and the importance of involving young people.’ And for us as the young generation, it’s equally important to realise that we need to prepare for the future. My main takeaway from Jetten’s speech is that he also thinks the transatlantic relationship should change. Europe is effectively walking a tightrope in navigating how to go about this. But there’s no doubt that something has to change.’