2010 Reunion   

   Looking back at the Eleventh Reunion

The Hague, 9 – 11 September 2010

In the morning of Thursday September 9, we assembled at the Hotel Mercure in downtown The Hague.  During registration and the welcome coffee we learned of the passing just days before of Trudy Althuis who with her family had been one of the regular participants in our reunions.  This year there were 42 of us including two guests from the British chapter.

The afternoon program offered as one choice a visit to the private Caldic Collection of modern sculpture in the magnificent setting of the garden of the Clingenbosch estate in Wassenaar.  Others explored various cultural attractions in downtown The Hague.  In the evening we gathered for a traditional “rijsttafel” in the best known Indonesian restaurant in town.

Friday September 10 started with a guided visit of the “Binnenhof”, the court buildings of the former Counts of Holland which now serves as the center of the legislative and executive branches of the Dutch government.  In the afternoon we were received at the Ministry of Finance where we were briefed on the current relationship between that ministry and the World Bank.  Additionally there was a presentation on the unique integrated arrangement for design, construction and operation of this rehabilitated building followed by a guided tour.  In the evening, our traditional festive dinner was served in the hotel.  During dinner we were enlightened about the typical early 20^th century architectural style that The Hague is known for.

Saturday September 20 was devoted to our annual chapter meeting.  We briefly commemorated the Dutch staff members and their family who passed away during the past year.  Main business conducted related to a decision on the location and principal organizer for the next reunion and a mandate to the chair to expand the chapter’s board with a view to achieve an orderly transfer of responsibilities from the sitting to the new board.  Following the meeting the reunion was concluded with a farewell luncheon.

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