LETTER FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS IN POLAND, RON J.P.M. VAN DARTEL
Dear Mr. Director, ladies and gentlemen,
Never again Auschwitz!
Nie wieder Auschwitz!
Nooit meer Auschwitz!
This pronouncement is known in all languages and expresses the obvious desire of the post-war generations. However, in past decades, and even nowadays, horrors happened and are still happening. This keeps us worried and should provoke reflection. It is clear that this desire is not shared by everyone. Our current world still requires an everyday effort to prevent hate, discrimination and violence. It signals that we need to remain vigilant to keep up our obvious desire.
Education is one of the most important parts of the efforts made by people, organizations and governments. It is with conviction that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has financed through its Program for the Support of Foreign Policy the educational projects of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, of which this conference is its crowning.
Due to the simultaneous visits of two Dutch ministers in Poland and preparations for the commemoration in Sobibor on Sunday, I could not make it to Oświęcim, which I very much regret. Nevertheless, through this letter I would like to thank the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and the Anne Frank House for their successful co-operation and to wish you all a fruitful conference.
Yours faithfully,
Ron J.P.M. van Dartel
Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Poland