United Europe and the Duits-Nederlandse Handelskamer (DNHK) are jointly organizing a dinner debate on September 23rd, 2025, in Wassenaar near The Hague.
We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. Jan Balkenende (former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) will deliver a keynote speech addressing the pressing challenges Europe faces today – including geopolitical tensions, economic competitiveness, and evolving security dynamics. To remain a relevant global actor, Europe must safeguard its unity, strengthen its strategic autonomy, and uphold its democratic values.
Bio: Prof. Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, has served as Minister of State since 2022. From 2011 to 2016, he was a partner at Ernst & Young (EY), specializing in corporate responsibility, international affairs, and the intersection of the public and private sectors. Currently, he holds several prominent positions: External Senior Advisor to EY, Associate Partner at Hague Corporate Affairs (soon to be FGS Global from 2025), Chairman of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition, Chairman of the Noaber Foundation, Professor Emeritus of Governance, Institutions, and Internationalisation at Erasmus University Rotterdam, and a member of the World Leadership Alliance – Club de Madrid, an organization of former heads of government from democratic countries.
Invitations to the Dinner Debate are extended personally to members of United Europe.