NATO and the Netherlands: A Journey
LOOK BACK IN TIME
NATO and the Netherlands: A Journey – Talking about peace and security together
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, The ‘NATO and the Netherlands’ journey was launched, in the run-up to the NATO Summit on 24 and 25 June 2025, at the World Forum in The Hague.
Peace and security concern us all. And they cannot be taken for granted.
The travelling exhibition is being organised by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, in partnership with the Netherlands Atlantic Association, the Clingendael Institute, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) and other organisations.
The goal of the exhibition is to engage people in conversation about national and international security.
Talking to young people about safety
NATO through the Netherlands in Nijmegen and Boxmeer
Why is the Netherlands hosting the NATO summit this year? And what does international security have to do with your daily life? This interactive teaching program allows MBO students to think about peace and security in an engaging way. Catchy statements, inspiring examples and sharp discussions make difficult issues understandable and concrete. The program informs and motivates, making you more aware of your role in a constantly changing world.
Defense Industry Symposium: 'Europe must strengthen defense and security from its own strengths'
The Hague
HCSS, in partnership with VNO-NCW and the Ministry of Defense, organized Defense Industry Day, a pre-event of the NATO summit to be held in The Hague on June 24-25. Leading experts, policymakers and industry came together to discuss scaling up defense efforts and working together to build a resilient industry.
Photo exhibition: the story of NATO, in pictures
Maastricht
An exhibition about NATO with photos from the past and present. See what NATO does for the Netherlands. This expo is on display from March 10 to 24 at Plein 1992.
Clingendael answers your question about NATO
Online
What questions do you have about the alliance, (collective) defense or NATO in relation to Russia, Ukraine, China or the US, for example? Submit your question, and maybe it will be answered by the Clingendael experts.
Photo exhibition: the story of NATO, in pictures
Rotterdam
An exhibition about NATO with photos from the past and present. See what NATO is doing for the Netherlands. This expo will be on display from March 10 to 25 at the Passage Hall of the Carpenter's House.
Symposium: 3 years of war in Ukraine
Leiden University
Three years ago, Russia began its large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, there have been several technological and strategic developments in this conflict, as well as the involvement of other countries.
Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans at Ukraine symposium: 'We as Europe have only one chance to get this right'
BNR The World | Defense Minister Brekelmans: 'NATO is more relevant to the US than ever'
Podcast
Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans is not worried about the possible failure of this summer's NATO summit in The Hague. He says that in BNR De Wereld. Several defense and security experts informed BNR that they have major doubts about the fate of the summit. Bernard Hammelburg and Geert Jan Hahn speak to Brekelmans in BNR De Wereld.
Photo exhibition: the story of NATO, in pictures
Soesterberg
An exhibition about NATO with photos from the past and present. See what NATO is doing for the Netherlands. This expo is on display from Feb. 24 to March 10 on the outdoor platform of the National Military Museum.
Europe speech Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans: 'How do we keep Europe free and secure?'
Maastricht
Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans delivered a Europe speech in Maastricht in which he addressed Dutch defense policy within NATO and the EU.
The Atlantic View: 75 years of alliance, NATO's 'interwar' and lessons from the past
Podcast
On Nov. 5, Donald Trump convincingly won the U.S. presidential election with his Make America Great Again message. His undisguised anti-democratic tendencies and authoritarian leadership style have for now won the battle for the soul of America....
Photo exhibition: the story of NATO, in pictures
Alkmaar
An exhibition about NATO with photos from the past and present. See what NATO does for the Netherlands. This expo was on display from Feb. 11 to 24 at the Canadaplein in Alkmaar.
Photo exhibition: the story of NATO, in pictures
The Hague
An exhibition about NATO with photos from the past and present. See what NATO does for the Netherlands. This expo was on display from Jan. 28 to Jan. 31 in a central government building.
The Strategist: Could attacking infrastructure at sea lead to war?
Podcast
The North Sea contains much crucial infrastructure, but it is increasingly under pressure. This is why cables on the seabed, among other things, must be better protected. But how far can you go? Could an attack on such a cable lead to war?
JA & VerYBZ meeting: 3 years of war in Ukraine
The Hague
Feb. 24 marks three years since the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, Young Atlanticists, in collaboration with VerYBZ, looked back on three years of war in Ukraine on Feb. 5. An engaging gathering for students & young professionals.
Photo exhibition: the story of NATO, in pictures
The Hague
An exhibition about NATO with photos from the past and present. See what NATO does for the Netherlands. This expo was on display from Jan. 28 to 31 in the hall of the World Forum.
Photo exhibition: the story of NATO, in pictures
The Hague
An exhibition about NATO with photos from the past and present. See what NATO does for the Netherlands. This expo was on display from Jan. 28 to Feb. 11 at the Anna van Buerenplein in The Hague.
Launch of NATO through the Netherlands tour
The Hague
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, NATO through the Netherlands, a tour on peace and security along a number of cities in the Netherlands, began. This touring program takes place in the run-up to the NATO Summit 2025, on June 24 and 25 at the World Forum in The Hague.
Experts discuss nuclear deterrence in Europe: more weapons, more security?
Leiden University
On Jan. 22, a panel of international experts on nuclear deterrence met at The Hague Campus to discuss the future of nuclear deterrence in Europe.
Dutch Resilience Summit
Mauritssymposium 2025 in Utrecht
How can governments and businesses, as well as citizens and civil services, prepare and cooperate in the event of a crisis? This question was central in case of cyber attacks, floods, prolonged power or water outages, a disruption of food supply or infrastructure, or a combination of these crises.
Read the speech "What can you do for the armed forces?" by Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
Discover Hope & Fear, Clingendael's annual population survey in which Dutch people express what international developments they are concerned about and from which they draw hope.
Stay informed
The travelling exhibition officially began its journey in The Hague on 28 January. ‘NATO and the Netherlands’ will stop at several cities around the country before completing its journey back in The Hague.
Updates about dates, events and locations will appear on this website.
The Netherlands Atlantic Association provides an overview of its various activities through this platform. Stay informed and check it out regularly. Or sign up for updates through the newsletter of the Atlantic Commission.
