Veerstichting
The foundation
The Veerstichting is a Dutch nonprofit foundation that was established in 1978 by a group of students who longed for a different kind of interaction with people whom they saw as modellers of society. They felt the need for an inspirational venue to act as catalyst for the exchange of IDeaS and experiences. The response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic and as a result their movement gained momentum and materialised into a yearly symposium organised by a board of five students, guided by two different advisory boards.
The symposium
Nowadays the philosophy of the foundation is embodied in a two-day seminar in the Saint Peters Church in Leiden that facilitates the dialogue between 250 students and 250 representatives from the world of business, politics, science, media, academics, sports and the arts; a unique mixture of today's leaders and those of the future, capable of building bridges between different generations.
Speakers
Each symposium traditionally features a mixture of international and Dutch speakers related to an annual theme. These have included such leading figures as Baron Rees of Ludlow, Professor of Cosmology & Astrophysics and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge University; Dr. Frederik Willem de Klerk, former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize laureate; His Royal Highness Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, President of the Club of Rome; Mr Jan Peter Balkenende and Mr Ruud Lubbers, Dutch prime ministers; The Rt Hon. David Trimble MLA, former President of Northern Ireland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Dr. Javier SolanaSecretary-General of the Council of the EU.
The speakers are alternated by interludes, masterclasses and surprises such as salsa lessons, meditation and laughing therapy.
The next symposium will take place on 7 and 8 October 2010.