Interview with H.E. Dr. Hendrik Jan (Henk) VOSKAMP
Your Excellency, what was your inspiration for joining the MFA?
Typical for a Dutchman, my orientation has always been international. After gymnasium, I took a year off before going to university. I traveled over North America and in the Middle East. I studied in the Netherlands, in Amsterdam, but wrote my PhD thesis in Florence (Italy) at the European University Institute. The thesis (in English) was on a subject regarding French and German history, for which I did archival research in those countries. Then I did a traineeship at the European Commission in Brussels and from there the decision to apply for the Dutch diplomatic service was a natural one.
Thus, a modern ambassador is not just a “messenger”, she or he is also an “explainer”.
How has diplomacy evolved since you first joined the MFA?
I would say that in my experience the speed and intensity of communication represent the biggest changes. Our political leaders, in particular in the European Union, see and speak to each other far more often than 30 or even 15 years ago. They communicate with each other through modern technologies, as do we as embassies, with each other and with our headquarters, the Foreign Ministry in The Hague. From the perspective of technical capacities, we were well prepared for the current situation (corona), where we all work at home and communicate through video conference calls.
This increased intensity in contacts, of course, reflects that relations between countries, in particular but not exclusively in the European Union, have intensified as well. From trade and investment to tourism, from economic globalization to joint projects in international peacekeeping missions. Our agenda of topics to be discussed in international exchanges has grown hugely.
Can you look behind and highlight key achievements during your imposing diplomatic career?
Interestingly, I predict that my personal view on this and the view of my employer, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will not be necessarily identical. The employer will primarily look at the general quality of your work (representing your country and focusing on your contribution to the quality of bilateral relations, supporting Dutch citizens, businesses and NGO’s, managing your staff, etcetera). In addition to that, you yourself might accord more value to specific achievements. These are not necessarily events that go into the annals of diplomatic history. For instance, I have for many years now been giving guest lectures at universities (as I am doing here in Croatia as well). Sharing your experiences and views with younger people is something that I have always found very rewarding, in particular when they challenge your government on its views and positions. Another aspect of my work that I find very rewarding is reporting “the story behind the story”. As I said, contacts between politicians have intensified tremendously, and combined with the huge media access, people in capitals may be tempted to know the motives and objectives of their colleagues in other capitals. This is not necessarily the case. Thus, a modern ambassador is not just a “messenger”, she or he is also an “explainer”. That was and will remain a core task for any diplomat. And in doing so I believe I often benefit from my training as a historian.
Sharing your experiences and views with younger people is something that I have always found very rewarding, in particular when they challenge your government on its views and positions.
Excellency Voskamp, what do you do if you do not entirely agree with the instructions or advice you receive from MFA?
That depends on the matter on which the instruction is issued. Recently we were instructed worldwide to repatriate our interns to the Netherlands in view of the corona crisis. That is an instruction that clearly has to be followed. Then there is the category where you check with headquarters if they are sure in view of the local circumstances. And finally, it has occurred that I have informed the ministry that I would not follow a certain instruction unless explicitly (again) ordered to do so. But this very rarely happens. Besides, all Dutch diplomats, like most other colleagues, have also worked at headquarters, so we are able to judge the political context in which certain instructions are given. Obviously, this is expected of us. We have to stay in close touch with social and political developments in our home countries. For this, the modern means of communication are very helpful.
What was the biggest challenge of being an ambassador of the Netherlands?
That really depends on where, in what country, you are representing the Netherlands. In general, one could say that we Dutch are quite direct in our communication. In many countries in the world, this is perceived as not very polite. I have often tried to benefit from this reputation of the Dutch. Then I would say, “Look, I am a Dutch diplomat, so I will be direct and to the point.”. Mostly, that is accepted. For instance, in the process of negotiations for Croatia to join the EU, we had the reputation of being “strict and fair”. Yes, strict, but in the end also fair, as my Croatian friends tell me. Often the challenge lies in the question of how to be as effective as possible under the given circumstances. I have had to address military leaders in a country with a military dictatorship. How does one do that in order to be as effective as possible? Being versatile is an essential requirement for any diplomat.
Is there one experience, person, or event that has influenced the way you practice diplomacy?
As in other professions, diplomats constantly learn from their colleagues and from the politicians they serve. In my case, there are many examples, but the one person that comes to mind immediately is Mr. Max van der Stoel, our former Foreign Minister, best known for his efforts to promote freedom, democracy and the rule of law, back when the Iron Curtain was still standing. I was too young to have served under him when he was minister, but I got to know him afterward and I still have the greatest respect for him. One time, in the late 1970s, I was hitch-hiking in Northern Greece and I got stuck in a small village. When I told I was Dutch, people responded by saying “Ah, the country of Johan Cruyff and Max van der Stoel”.
What digital platforms do you use for official purposes and how do you connect with the audience?
The Embassy uses Facebook and Twitter. We are currently reviewing our communication strategy with the objective of reaching the largest relevant audience in Croatia. I have to admit that personally, I am not a social media tiger at all. I prefer the immediate interaction with an audience, be it children in secondary school, students at university, or the Diplomatic Academy of Croatia. I had the honor to speak there last November on the topic of Croatia’s upcoming EU Presidency. I remember concluding with the sentence “And, expect the unexpected.”
One time, in the late 1970s, I was hitch-hiking in Northern Greece and I got stuck in a small village. When I told I was Dutch, people responded by saying “Ah, the country of Johan Cruyff and Max van der Stoel”.
I noticed that you speak Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. Could you please emphasize more talents or skills that the audience should know?
Language is important because a language conveys so much of a culture and society. But it is indeed also about talents and skills. Over the years I have learned that the ability to be flexible and agile is very important, as is the ability to deal with stress and the unexpected. And you have to be able to adapt your behavior to sometimes quite rapidly varying circumstances. And finally, during the recent earthquake, I discovered that I had retained the reflexes that I developed when I was posted in earthquake-prone Costa Rica, 30 years ago.
How do you see diplomacy evolving in the next five years or so?
The intensity of contacts and exchanges will continue, “traditional” diplomacy will move further to the background and “public diplomacy” will continue to be more important. Furthermore, we will have to invest even more in combating cyber threats and disinformation and fake news. Quite some challenges ahead.
Your Excellency Mr Voskamp, what is the first thing that comes to mind about the Netherlands for you?
When I return from abroad, I am always struck by the directness of the Dutch, which certainly does not mean that they are not polite. Soon after I realize that I have come back to a tolerant country, where “live and let live” is an important motto. Over the centuries we have been outgoing, trading with people from different cultures all over the world. But we also harboured Jewish refugees from the Spanish Netherlands and Protestant Huguenots from France. These newcomers were welcomed, they contributed to our economy and to our social and intellectual life. They were given the opportunity to move upwards socially in our society. Spinoza and Galilei could publish their books in the Netherlands at a time when it was next to impossible to do so elsewhere in Europe. This long tradition of tolerance for other-minded people is one of the great strengths of our society and I am proud of that.
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