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<\/p>\nAs many as 180 Leiden University alumni met in Brussels last week. A young, diverse and international group, they listened attentively to speeches by Luc Sels, President of the Executive Board, and Geoffrey van Leeuwen, NATO Chief of Staff and Leiden alumnus.<\/p>\n
The annual Alumni in Brussels event is organised by the Faculty of Humanities, Leiden Law School, the Faculty of Governance & Global Affairs and the institute of Political Science, supported by Leiden University\u2019s central Alumni Office. This year, the Brussels office of law \ufb01rm King & Spalding provided a splendid venue in the lobby of the new Louise Tower.<\/p>\n
The event emphasises the importance of meeting up with the international alumni community. \u2018I had such a great time at Leiden that I was delighted to be able to see some familiar faces again in the city where I now live and work,\u2019 said Marie-Louise, who graduated in International Law last year.<\/p>\n
Ambassadors of the university<\/p>\n
First to speak was Luc Sels, President of the Executive Board. This was the \ufb01rst time that many of the alumni had met this university administrator, who took office in November. For him, however, as a Leuven alumnus, it was a \u2018home game\u2019. In his speech, he highlighted Leiden University\u2019s excellent partnerships within the Netherlands and Europe and thanked the alumni present for acting as ambassadors. \u2018You are our university\u2019s strongest global representatives\u2019.<\/p>\n
Sels called on other alumni to also revisit their alma mater. \u2018You are always most welcome to come back. You can support the university \ufb01nancially, but attending events like this is another good way to show support and strong commitment. I see it as a kind of intangible donation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Geoffrey van Leeuwen, NATO Chief of Staff, giving his keynote speech<\/p>\n
Concerns about international law<\/p>\n
The keynote speaker of the evening was Geoffrey van Leeuwen, Chief of Staff at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). He argued that threats from China and Russia, among others, mean that investing in security and defence is more important than ever. According to Van Leeuwen, there are two options: \u2018Wait and see, clinging to the world as we know it, or embrace the new world order and transform it into a system that we ourselves want.\u2019<\/p>\n
In the Q&A that followed, the alumni\u2019s main concern was the role of international law; one questioner reported that this system had even been \u2018pronounced dead\u2019 by her students. The alumni also expressed their concerns about how the sharp increase in defence expenditure will be funded, although Van Leeuwen stressed that the countries themselves can decide how to cover the costs.<\/p>\n
\u2018It doesn\u2019t have to be at the expense of education and science; for example, the Dutch government has decided to raise the retirement age. Education is important, but in times of war you must also be able to defend it. Without good defence, education and social security have little worth.\u2019<\/p>\n
Although Van Leeuwen\u2019s preference is also a just global order, he believes that this is only feasible in reality if everyone participates. \u2018Do you think China is guided by international law? That law isn\u2019t dead, but it hasn\u2019t actually kept us secure. NATO, on the other hand, has ensured our security.\u2019<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Luc Sels, President of the Executive Board, in conversation during the Alumni in Brussels event<\/p>\n
A meeting of \u2018the future of Europe\u2019<\/p>\n
Another remarkable feature of the evening was the average age of the alumni: most of them were under 35. This gives Luc Sels cause for optimism: \u2018These young people are working within the circles of European politics and the European Union. By bringing them together, Leiden is making an indirect contribution to what Europe may become.\u2019<\/p>\n
Geoffrey van Leeuwen emphasised that, despite the state of the world, young alumni should remain positive. \u2018I see that young people today can soon feel downhearted about everything, but in principle things are better now than when I had just graduated.\u2019 [Van Leeuwen graduated in the mid-1990s – Ed.]<\/p>\n
Luc Sels also urged the alumni to make the world what they want it to be. \u2018It\u2019s encouraging to see alumni from so many different faculties here; most of you are also involved in policy circles. I therefore call on you to use the building blocks you brought from Leiden in constructing an excellent outcome in Brussels and the world; and to contribute to the institutions and values of the future.\u2019<\/p>\n
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