ACCESS Spring 2013 e-zine

Transcription

Spring 2013
s e r v i n g t h e i n t e r n at i o n a l c o m m u n i t y
www
.access-nl.org
The Dutch
& their water
Special features | Gliding along Dutch waterways |
Spa your way to wellness | Fun with water | Emerald Isles exit |
Wise water ways | Seasonal pop-ups | Skrei fish dish |
|
ACCESS magazine e-zine
Spring 2013 Vol. 26 No. 1
Spring 2013
Cover story
Water & the Dutch
Contents
Copyright©ACCESS 2013
All rights reserved. No part of the ACCESS e-zine may
be used in any form without explicit permission in
writing from the Publisher. Every effort has been made
to ensure that the information in this publication was
correct at the time of going to press. However, ACCESS
and its writers cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy of the information included.
Spa your way to
wellness
photos: Freek Peters
Publisher Stichting ACCESS - Zeestraat 100,
2nd floor, 2518 AD The Hague, Editorial content
[email protected], Advertising 070 345 1700,
[email protected], Editor-in-chief Connie Moser,
Assistant Editors Mandie Rose Danielski,
Design & Layout Marek Moggré, Contributors
José C. de Boer, Danny Guinan, Carina Hyllested,
Ann Jennen, Anne van Oorschot, Kevin Rae, Karen T.
Slingenberg, Terri Salminen, Deborah Valentine,
Jacob Vossestein, Marjet van Yperen-Groenleer
Health & Wellbeing
Family
Fun with water
photo: Delta Park Neeltje Jans
• Letter from the Editor
• ACCESS News
• Community News
• What’s On
• Cover: Water & the Dutch
• Travel: Gliding along
Dutch waterways
• Emerald Isles exit
• Spa your way to wellness
• Wise water ways
• Food: Skrei fish dish
• Fun with water
• Seasonal pop-ups
• Meet the Trainers /
ACCESS Courses
Letter from the Editor
Dear
ACCESS
readers
Whether a trickle or a torrent, where would
we be without water? This issue takes a
look at the water all around us, and what
can be done with it. Every day water is
taken for granted, gushing from the tap,
we cook, clean, bathe, wash, and waste
this remarkable resource.
Water carries trade, supports human development, binds population centres and is
critical for life, as we know it. Water
washes away impurities and pollutants,
is considered a sacred purifier in most reli4 | access | spring
gions, and is a primary building block for
life. It carries nutrients to plants, is essential
to agriculture and mankind in general.
Ocean water makes up 97% of Planet Earth’s
water supply, 2 % is frozen, and we get our
water from the 1% that remains. Water has
the power to destroy as well as to create,
and dramatically impacts our history.
Without it, we would perish. Up to 60% of
the human body is water: the brain is 70%
water, and lungs are nearly 90% water. Each
day humans must replace 2.4 litres of water,
some through drinking and the rest taken
by the body from the foods eaten.
Water is the only substance that exists as a
gas, a liquid and a solid at normal Earth temperatures. H2O, chemically inert, tasteless,
odourless and colourless, is neither acid nor
alkali. Amazing!
Water is a wonderfully miraculous substance. So keep that in mind the next time
you run the tap, take a sip, or you curse
being caught in the rain. There is literally,
no substitute.
We hope you will enjoy reading this issue,
our ACCESS guides and the website!
Editor-in-chief Connie Moser
[email protected]
About
ACCESS is a volunteer
not-for-profit organisation that serves the needs
and interests of the
i nternational community
in the Netherlands.
It is supported by Dutch,
intern ational and
e xpatriate businesses
and organisations
through donations and
sponsorship.
Executive Board
•Chairman: Gary Hays,
TNK-BP
•Vice Chairman: Kiri Kikis,
Kikis Investments
•Treasurer: to be appointed
•Secret ary: Imanda
Wapenaar, WFIA
What we do
Established in 1986 ACCESS is a unique volunteer-based
organisation. Representing an impressive cultural and
linguistic variety, its dedicated volunteers work to:
• provide guidance, advice, information to help individuals
with settling, and/or living and working in the Netherlands
• promote friendship, understanding and well-being of the
members of the international community in the
Netherlands
• contribute to community development through skill training schemes and courses
• serve as a bridge between local and international
communities
How you can help
ACCESS can be supported in many ways:
• As a Volunteer: check the website for Information Morning
dates or contact [email protected]
• As a Trainer: consult ‘Become a Trainer’ on www.access-nl.org
• As an Associate or Partner: details of which can also be
found on our website
• As an Advertiser: on our website or in our e-zine.
Contact [email protected]
• As a Friend: Like our Facebook page or follow us on
Twitter to show your support. Click on links below.
Members
•Willemijn van Oppen-Stuyt,
Educaide
•Jessie Rodell
•Koosje Ploegmakers,
ABN AMRO
ACCESS
Zeestraat 100
2518 AD The Hague
The Hague International Centre
City Hall Atrium, Spui 70
0900 2 ACCESS (0900 2 222 377)
local rate 20c per minute
[email protected]
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Join ACCESS on
access | spring | 5
ACCESS Partners & Associates
Thank you for your support
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Investment Agency) ***
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6 | access | SPRING
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There are many ways in
which you can support
the work ACCESS does:
as a Partner, Associate
and Advertiser. Click here
to see our Helping
ACCESS 2013 Media Pack
for opportunities.”
ACCESS News
Never a dull moment
Want to know what is going on? Have an
event to post? Interested in getting a group
of people together?
ACCESS is joined in supporting the international community, by two new partners whose initiatives were born of
personal experience and a desire to help.
On Expat Events you can not only preview what is taking place
where and when, but ALSO upload your own events free of
charge! Joining is a unique initiative, to provide a platform
through which people can organise a gathering or activity
amongst themselves as well as post events being organised.
For more information on this fun-filled initiative see
“Joining in Netherlands style” here.«
ACCESS in The XPat Journal
During 2013 ACCESS will
be a proud contributor to
the premier expat publication in the Netherlands.
Contributing its own
thoughts and experiences
on the subjects featured in
each of the quarterly
issues of The XPat Journal,
ACCESS is proud to have
been asked to be a part of
this initiative. «
Social
media
record
numbers
Re-launched at the end of 2011,
and in the space of less than one
year, the ACCESS website has
gone from an average of 6,000
unique visitors to a record
11,700 (in January)!
We are immensely rewarded by
the fact that what we do and have
to share is so often consulted.
And it is not only the website:
our weekday alliterations on
Twitter draw increasing attention. Have you followed
our tweets?
#MotivateMonday;
#TulipTuesday;
#WednesdayWisdom;
#ThursdayTreasures or
#FollowFriday?
Be sure to follow @ACCESS_NL
so as not to miss these daily
features. «
access | spring | 7
Community News
Amsterdam 2013
– a full year of celebrations
photo: Myra May-Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum reopens
to the public on 13 April
After 10 years of rebuilding,
renovation and restoration,
the new Rijksmuseum will
open on 13 April 2013. The
19th-century building has
been turned into a museum
for the 21st century, bright
and spacious, with an
8 | access | spring
impressive new entrance,
state-of-the-art facilities,
restored galleries and a new
Asian Pavilion.
The Rijksmuseum has also
added a 14,500 square metre
historic garden which fea-
tures several of the original
formal garden styles, as well
as restored statues and fragments of ancient buildings.
A Henry Moore exhibition
will open in the garden on
21 June 2013; the first in an
annual series of international sculpture exhibitions
to be held each summer.
The presentation of the
Rijksmuseum’s world
famous collection is also
new. For the very first time,
visitors can follow a chronological sequence of 80 galleries featuring 8,000 works
of art and objects that tell
the story of 800 years of
Dutch history. Only
Rembrandt’s world famous
Night Watch will be returning
to its original position. «
www.rijksmuseum.nl/en
Community News
The Amsterdam
Canal Ring
celebrates its
400th birthday
More celebrations:
The Van Gogh Museum will reopen its doors on
1 May, celebrating its 40th anniversary and commemorating Van Gogh’s birth 160 years ago. The
museum has organised a very special exhibition in
honour of these anniversaries.
photo: Dennis Hissink-letsgodigital
The Amsterdam Canal
Ring is not only a historic
and beautiful water
network through the city,
but a stunning backdrop
for fantastic cultural and
sporting events
throughout the year.
From an international art exhibition
that will be on display in several
canal houses where residents have
opened up their homes, to the
famous Canal Parade during Gay
Pride, to the ‘Orange sea of boats’
on Queens Day the 30th April. We bet
you this year’s Queens’ Day will be
pretty special being the last of its
kind. Starting in 2014, Amsterdam
and the Netherlands will turn orange
on King’s Day on 27th April. «
Artis, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, celebrates
its 175th anniversary this year and you are cordially
invited to join the animals for a party. The zoo will
be organising several festivities and offering special packages throughout 2013. «
Celebrate Amsterdam in 2013:
www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/experience/
Amsterdam-2013
access | spring | 9
Community News
Noah’s ark
in Dordrecht
photos: Ark van Noach
Johan Huibers has finished his
20-year quest to build a full-scale,
functioning model of Noah’s Ark.
Huibers used the book of Genesis as his
inspiration, following the instructions God
gives Noah down to the last cubit. Translated
to modern measurements, Huibers came up
with a vessel that works out to 130 metres
long, 29 metres across and 23 metres high.
Perhaps not big enough to fit every species on
Earth, two by two, as described in the Bible,
but plenty of space for a pair of elephants to
dance a tango. The ark is open for visitors. «
www.arcofnoah.org
Holland or
movie: CGPGrey
the Netherlands
10 | access | spring
Do you know the difference between
Holland and the Netherlands? When to use
what? And why? Get all your questions
answered on the left.
Community News
Year of Water
The United Nations has
declared 2013 as International
Year of Water Cooperation.
The objective of this
International Year is to raise
awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation,
and on the challenges facing
water management, in light of
the increased demand globally
for water access, allocation and
services.
World Water Day is celebrated
worldwide every year on 22
March. The main UN international Year of Water event will
take place in The Hague on this
day - hosted by the Dutch
Government and coordinated
by UNESCO and UNECE
– so stay tuned
for nearby
activities. «
www.watercooperation2013.org
Join the first social community of tap
water drinkers with people from all
over the world sharing the same dream
of redistributing water in a fairer way.
Global tap water
Join the Pipe
movie: JoinThePipeNow
2013 - International
Over a billion people in the world do not have access
to clean drinking water, while in western countries
each of us wastes 70 litres of drinkable water every
day just to flush our toilets. You can join the Pipe by
buying specially designed bottles, carafes and tap
stations. For every tap water station bought here, a
water and sanitation project in a developing country
is financed. So far almost 300 taps and projects have
been installed. Join the Pipe and help to build the
longest water pipeline in the world. «
jointhepipe.org
access | spring | 11
ACCESS is a volunteer not-for-profit organisation that serves the needs and interests of the
international community in the Netherlands.
s e r v i n g t h e i n t e r n at i o n a l c o m m u n i t y
We help inviduals as well
as companies hiring
international employees.
For information about our Corporate Support possibilities, including an
in-house version of ACCESSing the Netherlands, email [email protected]
or call +31 70 345 1700.
www.access-nl.org
What’s on Spring 2013
Special events in March
WANT TO post a community event in this magazine? contact access MAGAZINE at [email protected], SUBJECT: ‘what’s on’.
6 – 10 March
photo: hiswa amsterdam boat show
HISWA Amsterdam
Boat Show
21 March – 20 May Keukenhof - Lisse
More than 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in bloom. Walk
through the park and discover the special beauty spots, visit the various
flower shows and marvel at the sheer beauty of nature. Or, let yourself
be surprised by the inspirational gardens. This year’s theme tips a hat to
English gardens. The “United Kingdom, Land of Great Gardens” theme
will include intricate flower mosaics of Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
www.keukenhof.nl
www.hiswarai.nl
15 – 24 March
Movies that matter
The Hague
The European Fine
Art Fair - Maastricht
This is not your usual film festival.
Amnesty International tries to
create awareness for poignant
situations on our planet. The
film festival is a platform where
human rights and human dignity
are at stake.
www.moviesthatmatter.nl
23 – 24 March Jazz Maastricht Masters:
jazz and alternative pop
The festival is known as refreshing and creative, and attracts an international audience of all ages to its five stages with some of the best musicians in the world.
www.jazzmaastricht.com
photo: Loraine Bodewes
Every year the sailing season is
officially opened on the first day
of the HISWA Amsterdam Boat
Show. People of all ages visit the
show for one and the same reason: a shared passion for water
sports.
21 - 27 March
The world’s leading art and
antique fair attracts the best
dealers, academics, art critics,
and collectors. Art lovers should
visit TEFAF.
www.tefaf.com
access | Spring | 13
Special events in April
6 - 7 April
April - June
National Museum
Weekend
Scheveningen Sand
Sculpture Festival
During this weekend, you can
visit over 500 museums free of
charge. The theme this year is
Do a museum: there is more to a
museum visit that one might
imagine to be discovered!
www.museumweekend.nl
The beach in Scheveningen is usually packed with sunbathers. During
the Sand Sculpture Festival, however, the beach and boulevard are
dominated by massive, impressive
creations made of sand.
www.sandsculptures.nl
19 - 20 April Flower Parade
Noordwijk to Haarlem
photo: nbtc holland mediabank
Millions of flowers and the work of hundreds of volunteers create the
most amazing floral floats. The annual Bloemencorso Flower Parade
starts at 9.30 and finishes in Haarlem at 21:00. Around 15:30 the parade
passes by the Keukenhof. Floats on display Sunday in Haarlem.
www.bloemencorso-bollenstreek.nl
photo: stichting scheveningen bad
30 April Queen’s Day
Don’t miss oranjegekte, or orange
madness! On this national holiday the whole of the Netherlands
colours orange celebrating
Queen’s Day. Events are held
throughout the country and
Amsterdam transforms into the
capital of festivals. You’ll find
unregulated street markets,
music and bars on every street
corner. (This will be the last
Queen’s Day before Prince
Willem-Alexander takes the
throne, making next year’s holiday King’s Day, the first ever in
Dutch history.)
www.koninginnedagamsterdam.nl
Special events in May
5 May
16 – 26 May
Liberation Day
SPRING Performing Arts Festival - Utrecht
movie: springutrecht
On Liberation Day, the Dutch
celebrate the capitulation of
Nazi Germany. Liberation Day
is celebrated on a grand scale
with festivals throughout the
Netherlands. As every year,
The Hague hosts a festival staging theatre, stand-up comedy,
debates, music and a wide range
of activities – there’s something
for everyone.
Former Utrecht festivals Springdance and Festival a/d Werf have merged
to form a single new Utrecht festival: SPRING. An international platform
for the latest developments in dance, theatre and cross overs.
www.thehaguefestivals.com
9 – 12 May
www.springutrecht.nl
Weekend of Rolling
Kitchens - Amsterdam
www.rollendekeukens.nl
22 May – 2 June
Tong Tong Fair
The Hague
photo: Den Haag Marketing
Don’t miss the Weekend van de
Rollende Keukens. A motley crew
of food trucks converge in
Amsterdam’s achingly hip
Westergasfabriek for an outdoor
foodie festival complete with
traditional, international and
experimental dishes. Entrance
is free, but come hungry!
The world’s biggest Eurasian festival. The event is a sensory stimulating blend of cultural festival,
exhibition and food fest rolled into
one, held in an archipelago of
tents and stands on the Malieveld.
www.tongtongfair.nl
access | Spring | 15
Water &
the Dutch
By Jacob Vossestein
The Low Countries, the Nether Lands are low indeed:
about two thirds is actually below or at best at sea level.
Moreover, this lowest part has the highest population
density, with virtually the whole Randstad metropolis in it.
16 | access | SPRING
photo: Karel Tomei
Cover story
This unlikely situation is the outcome
of centuries of toiling, pumping,
organising, and finding solutions to
ever-new challenges that the omnipresent water produces. Obviously
with climate change, concern rises:
Will Holland be able to withstand rising sea levels and increasing amounts
of river water? How, and for how long?
Now that need not be your personal
problem as a temporary resident to
this country. But if you live here for
some time, it is good to know at least
the basic facts of the situation, and
how it affects your daily life here.
Normal Amsterdam Level
When settlement in this country started
long ago, people stuck to higher spots
such as river levees, the slopes of the
dunes and an occasional elevation.
Between these was the wet wasteland,
full of growth and wood, or holt therefore “Holt-land,” or Holland.
By conquering this, i.e. pumping it dry,
digging away the peat and then using
it for agriculture, the land got lower
and lower by human intervention.
Today, while roughly one third of the
Dutch territory is actually below sea
level, another one third is very close to
the official zero-measuring (that’s the
NAP, or Normal Amsterdam Level).
This is the level between average high
tide and average low tide, and the standard to which all lows and highs in the
country are measured. NAP is even
referred to as the “European Ordnance
Level.” Along waterways
throughout the Netherlands
are some 50,000 indicators
Did
y
o
of NAP. Keep in mind
u kno
Some 7 w...
that only at +2 metres is
5
the Dut % of
ch
a place really out of the
earned GNP is
below s
danger zone.
ea
level!
So, do you know whether
you actually find yourself below
sea level while reading this article?
If your room is at street level, somewhere in the western half of the country,
there is a fair chance that indeed you are.
You can find the ‘lowness’ of your area at
www.ahn.nl, under ‘postcodetool’. Just
state your post code (without spaces)
and there it is, in meters above or below
sea level. »
Increase your H20 awareness!
Visit the Nederlands Watermuseum in Arnhem:
www.watermuseum.nl
Interested in water projects? www.roomfortheriver.nl
Discover Holland’s secret weapon! www.hollandsewaterlinie.nl
access | SPRING | 17
Cover story | Water & the Dutch
Let me now give you some more comforting information. Surrounding your
house and life here are several protective barriers, both material and organisational. Most concrete of all are of
course the physical walls between you
and the sea: the dikes and dunes. In
fact more than just one dike separates
your neighbourhood from the nearest
stretch of water, since Holland is a
patchwork of catchment areas surrounded by dikes. These are the polders,
land reclaimed from swamps or lakes.
Before the 17th century, with windmill
energy, they were pumped dry after
surrounding them by dikes to keep out
water from elsewhere. In a rather hierarchical order, several such small areas
make up a larger one with stronger
dikes around it, and some of these are
combined in a yet larger unit with the
strongest dikes of
all, a so-called
“dike ring”.
“T he difference
between
getting wet and
staying dry...”
photo: Karel Tomei
Polders, ditches, dikes and dunes
Minor inland dikes
are just one or two
meters high.
Separating land from
some small stream,
they are simply made
of earth, covered
with grass. Many
carry a road on top,
certainly in urban
areas. You don’t
even notice them
when driving a car,
but when riding a
bicycle, it is that nice
little stretch that
doesn’t take an effort
– one way. They seem
insignificant, but they do make the difference between wet legs and soaking
furniture versus comfortable dryness.
Dikes were made of soil and later from
rock (especially basalt). Today, even
though modern materials (concrete,
asphalt etc.) are used, part of the dikes
are still made with the original ones.
Too little water can also be a problem;
with many old dikes built of clay and
peat, drought can cause a dike to dry
out and start cracking. If a dike breaks,
only a limited area – the dike ring –
would be flooded. But if for some
reason all dikes would break simultaneously, roughly one half of the
Netherlands would be flooded. Ditches
are connected to a wider water mass
and eventually, the water will be discharged into a river or canal and hence
to the sea. At least half of the
Netherlands could not even exist without those ditches.
Water boards
Responsible for these inland dikes are
the waterschappen, local or regional
water management boards set up by
medieval farmers in the 13th century
for the initial reclaiming and maintenance. Although under very different
conditions, these waterschappen still
Water facts
• No matter the economic climate, cutting the budget for
maintenance of dikes in never ever debated.
• Living safely below sea level costs everyone residing in the
Netherlands some €330,– per year.
• Statistically there are 125 days per year without a drop of rain
anywhere in the country.
• Per person, the Dutch use 120 litres (26 gallons) of clean
water every day for various reasons.
• Dutch drinking water goes through some 20 steps of
purification before reaching your tap.
• Schiphol is the world’s lowest-lying airport. In fact, the
NS station next to Schiphol lies 10 metres (32 feet) below
sea level. Downtown Amsterdam lies some 2 metres (6.5 ft)
above sea level.
• Amsterdam’s drinking water system was the first of the
country, dating back to 1853.
For more water facts click here
exist today. There are 27 of them, and
you even contribute to them by paying
waterschapsbelasting. That’s a tax for
everyone residing here, be they local,
expat or immigrant, whether owning
or renting a house, and irrespective of
the height or lowness of their area.
This tax money also pays for maintaining the right groundwater level and
with it, the solidity of your home’s
foundation, a dry basement and good
drinking water. So you’d better pay up!
Obviously the sea dikes are even more
crucial and need to be a lot stronger
and therefore taller and wider than »
movie: ScriptumBoeken
Cover story | Water & the Dutch
Rijkswaterstaat’s work certainly involves
computers and GPS surveillance, but
when working on the dikes, low-tech
bulldozers and dredging machines are
still necessary. Nothing will ever substitute spades and raincoats, but traditional wooden shoes – waterproof ! –
have of course been replaced by rubber
boots and hip boots (waders).
Protection, day and night
dikes inland. They also differ in the
materials used: immovable granite
boulders with an asphalt cover. South
of Rotterdam you can observe various
real sea dikes. They are sturdy structures and very impressive especially
when a storm batters them with high
waves.
Clearly the technical quality and maintenance of the dikes along the sea and
major rivers is a key issue. The very
existence of this country depends on
their condition: without dikes there
is no Holland. One organisation in
particular has been dedicated for
centuries to the maintenance of dikes.
Called Rijkswaterstaat, this large
sub-ministry employs specialised
hydro-engineers from leading technical universities like Delft and Twente.
In a never-ending effort, the
Rijkswaterstaat employees survey and
test the water barriers year round.
Dikes too suffer from wear-and-tear,
being exposed to all kinds of weather
and the strong and eternally changing
forces of water. Therefore, any illegitimate building or uprooting vegetation
is removed. Meanwhile, a more complicated threat are rodents undermining the dikes. The control of especially
muskrats – an animal originating in
North-America – is a perhaps cruel but
essential aspect too.
If a certain stretch of dike is expected
to come under attack from a gale force
pushing up sea or river water from a
dangerous direction, dike inspectors
and technicians will go there,
equipped with materials of all kinds.
Imagine such people’s work during
“W ithout dikes there is
no Holland”
foul weather and high winds, at night
perhaps, along choppy water and
angry waves. While the nation sleeps,
these unknown heroes do what is
needed to protect it from unwelcome
situations. And they do it well; the
last major flood in this country was
over 60 years ago, in 1953.
To city people, all this water work may
seem abstract, taking place as it is in
the countryside. But the engineers are
not only involved in keeping the
Netherlands – including your house
and feet – dry and comfortable, but also
in the construction and maintenance
of the national road and railroad system,
given the necessity to overcome the barriers created by dikes, rivers and canals.
The common interest of keeping the
sea out has shaped this country, and
the Dutch are quite trustful that their
government institutions are not only
reliable and transparent but also
highly professional in managing these
low lands even with climate change.
Provided we all just keeping paying
those taxes… «
About the author
Jacob Vossestein, a Dutchman (1949),
studied geography and anthropology
and became a cross-cultural trainer,
working with expats for over 30 years.
He has written several books on cross-
cultural issues, among them the English
language bestseller Dealing with the Dutch, on Dutch behaviour
and mentality in the business world.In a recent and highlyillustrated book called The Dutch and their Delta, he answers
many questions expats and other visitors to the Netherlands
may have on living in a country largely below sea level.
For more info: www.jacobvossestein.nl
Law | Partner feature
As society becomes increasingly
international, more and more people are
forming international relationships and
families – with the added risk that, following
a divorce, one of the parents will want to
return to his or her home country.
Moving away
after a divorce
- with or without
your children?
By Marjet van
Yperen - Groenleer
Even in the Netherlands we are dealing with a growing number of relocation cases, due more often than
not to people finding a new love in
another part of the country. There’s
no shortage of court rulings on this
issue nowadays.
The ties that bind
Parents are well aware that they will
always have ties with each other
because of their son or daughter,
but they don’t always realise the
impact this has on their own lives.
A parent may not relocate with the
children without the consent of the
other parent with parental authority.
If a parent flouts this requirement,
and moves away from the
Netherlands, this is considered child
abduction – a criminal offence. A
parent may not relocate even within
the Netherlands without consent.
Weighing up the interests
If the other parent doesn’t give
his/her consent, the court can give
substitute consent to relocate.
If presented with an application
for this “consent in lieu”, the court
must weigh up the respective interests. Here is a list of the criteria
that will be considered:
• the main carer’s right to and
interest in relocating, and his or
her freedom to start a new life;
• the necessity for the relocation;
• how well thought-out and wellprepared the relocation is;
• the alternatives offered by the
main child-carer and measures to
mitigate and/or compensate for
the consequences of the relocation for the children and the other
parent;
• the sharing of the care duties and
the continuity of care;
Marjet van Yperen
- Groenleer
• the rights of the parent who is left
•
•
•
behind, and the children, to undiminished contact with each other
in their familiar environment;
the frequency of contact between
the children and the parent left
behind, prior to, and following
the relocation;
the age of the children, their
opinion, and how settled they
are in their environment or
whether they are accustomed to
relocating;
the (additional) costs of contact
as a result of the relocation, and
how able the parties are to communicate with and consult each
other.
Whilst the child’s interests are
paramount, there are other relevant
interests to consider. The parents
must carefully weigh all their decisions regarding the futures of everyone in the family.
If you are dealing with relocation
issues, or you know someone who
is, don’t hesitate to get in touch
with the author Marjet van Yperen
- Groenleer, [email protected]
or one of the other family lawyers
from the Legal Expat Desk/GMW
Advocaten.
Contact:
GMW Advocaten
[email protected]
070 361 5048
www.legalexpatdesk.nl
www.gmw.nl/en
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Together, we can work out an
acceptable solution. «
Travel
Cruising along
Dutch waterways
River cruises transport the traveller along inland waterway routes that
offer wonderfully rich and varied views. Observing the ever-changing
landscapes slide by, while leisurely gliding through centuries of
history, leaves one feeling calm, content and quite curious.
by: Connie Moser.
Photos: Jim Moser, Russ Moser, Mike Yanchuk, and author
Following the course of the river, there
is always something new coming into
view, and passing by into the distance.
Relaxing on the deck, a breeze embraces
you while the warmth of the sun softens your stress as you succumb to the
cadence of the river’s rhythm. Other
vessels and fisherman wave in greeting,
birds and waterfowl accent the sky and
all is well as we sail from port to port.
On board ambience
In April 2012, my father, a seasoned
veteran of all things Dutch (after
20-plus visits to the Netherlands),
decided to do something different,
and treated our family to a memorable
10-day cruise with Viking River Cruises
aboard their new ship, the Viking Idun.
A very relaxed way to travel, just get
on board and set off, accompanied
by your accommodations.
The ship is a floating hotel with every
amenity: stylish staterooms with balconies so you need not miss the view,
sumptuous dining with delicious
meals prepared by top chefs, from
t antalizing luncheon buffets to lingering over 4 or 5 course meals with specially selected wines – and of course –
a friendly, dedicated staff willing to
meet your every need. The on-board
tour director is a wealth of information
and your central point of contact.
Relax in the lounge with complimentary snacks, fruit, and coffee; stations
can be found throughout the ship.
There’s entertainment, informative
lectures, and all of the on-shore excursions are conducted in English by
professional local guides, everyone
receives special monitors with earpieces so you won’t miss a word;
there’s even a choice of optional tours.
It’s a wonderful way to travel… anticipating adventures as we disembark at
each new quayside.
Gliding through history
After a city tour of Amsterdam we
boarded our ship; settled in, unpacked
and attended a welcome reception.
An amiable camaraderie with 140 fellow passengers is evident, and it’s fun
meeting new people and trading tales!
When river cruising, your experiences
on board are as much a part of the total
adventure as the destinations and
sightseeing. »
“In the Netherlands water is
a way of life, for recreation,
transportation and control”
We set sail across the Ijsselmeer, the
largest lake in Western Europe. This
massive body of water was created in
1932 when the inland Zuiderzee was
closed as part of the Zuiderzee Works,
allowing land to be reclaimed.
Our destination is
the ancient shipping
village of Hoorn. As
we dock in the picturesque harbour,
dotted with fishing
boats, seagulls and
Hoorn’s landmark
watch tower, one
imagines what it
must have been like
in Holland’s Golden
Age, when the town
was a major player
in international
maritime commerce
and the port was bustling with activity
as heavy-laden VOC ships were relieved
of their exotic cargo. Quaint houses
line the cobbled streets as we make our
way to the town’s main square to visit
the Westfries Museum, housed in a
baroque council building from 1632.
Late in the day we are back on board
for some rest and relaxation, while our
ship cruises through the night to our
next port of call.
Our early morning arrival in Arnhem
begins with a hearty breakfast after
which we set off by coach for a tour
of Paleis Het Loo, a sumptuously
furnished 17th century palace that has
Travel | Cruising along Dutch waterways
been the Dutch royal family’s summer
residence for over 300 years. After
admiring the grandeur within, the
beautifully landscaped gardens provide
an opportunity to enjoy the day while
delighting in nature’s manicured
display. For the WWII buffs, there’s a
battlefield tour and visit to Arnhem’s
Airborne Museum. The city was
immortalised in the epic film A Bridge
Too Far. Others enjoy the KröllerMüller museum, admiring their outstanding collection of impressionist
and expressionist painters. Then it’s
off to Nijmegen, considered to be the
oldest city in the country; 2005 marked
its 2,000th birthday! Overlooking the
Waal and Rhine rivers made it a desirable territory, and Charlemagne’s castle-ruins grace the city landscape.
Locks and bridges
It’s quite the experience to awaken,
pull back the curtains to see nothing
but a massive black wall… as we pass
through a lock. In order to traverse
the varied river depths upstream and
downstream, an extensive series of
locks were constructed throughout
Europe’s waterways. The ship pulls
into the lock, and after the huge gate »
Find a cruise to enjoy!
The scenic Dutch Waterways trace a complex
network of canals and rivers across the gentle
landscapes of Holland and Belgium, and are
the most compact network of inland waterways in Europe.
www.vikingrivercruises.com
www.gorivercruise.com or www.rivercruise.com
is closed, water is either pumped in,
to raise the ship up to the next water
level, or water is pumped out, to lower
the ship down to the appropriate water
level. During the day it’s interesting to
observe this process on deck, and to
observe that the clearance on either
side is mere centimetres. Talk about a
tight fit!
Low bridges are another aspect of life
on board, and you will be warned to
duck down if you are up on deck. No
point in losing your head! The captain’s
wheel house is collapsible, and can be
lowered by a hydraulic system to the
deck level, with only enough eye view
for the captain to successfully navigate
to squeeze our vessel under the
bridges, which you can actually touch
as we pass under them.
In some ports, “parking” is a challenge.
When two or three ships are docking
along side of each other, passengers
on the most outlying vessel need to
walk over, down, up and through the
other ships in order to get onshore!
Our ship, the Idun (2012) was built in
the Netherlands, with obvious Dutch
ingenuity. Highlights include tours of
the wheelhouse with an accent on technology and a chat with the captain,
plus a visit to the efficient kitchen galley with humorous tips from the chef.
Water everywhere
Day by day we continue to explore as
our travels bring us to new destinations. A daily publication provides
Did ...
explanations of the sights along
now
you k Network of
the riversides. We visit
ch
:
The Dut nal Waterways
e
io
Kinderdijk (UNESCO World
Recreat km to navigat
4
s
1
e
7
g
,
d
i
•4
Heritage site), an ingenious
fixed br
• 1,005 pen bridges
o
18th-century community with its
• 1,107 ship locks
• 258
rows of 19 windmills. Inside a
working mill, we chat with the
friendly miller, then navigate further
across the windy waterside paths.
“Zeeland’s protective
Delta Works Storm
Surge Barrier took
30 years to complete”
In Middelburg, we admire the 15thcentury town hall, considered to be
one of the most beautiful in the
Netherlands. The Abdij, or Abbey,
founded in 1120, was severely bombed
in WWII. Now restored, the complex
with its three churches is one of the
city’s treasures. An appreciation for
Dutch water management reaches new
levels when we visit the Neeltje Jans
Expo, to learn how the massive engi-
neering feat of the Delta Works protects Holland from the sea. Built on
an artificial island, it took 30 years to
construct this ambitious hydroelectric
project. Walking along the massive
Storm Surge Barrier. The system is
impressive. The raging power of the
water is a reminder that in the big
flood of 1953 some 1,855 people
drowned and thousands more lost
their homes and possessions. »
Did you know that more parents
choose the BSN than any other
international school in Holland?
Their
With four campuses in The Hague area, The British
School offers a caring and stimulating learning
environment, with an individual approach that
ensures every child can achieve their full potential.
future is
For
s
student 18
to
from 3 rs
yea
The BSN is a thriving and supportive expatriate
community made up from over 80 nationalities.
Contact us today to arrange a visit and see
for yourself why the BSN is the
international school of choice.
our focus
Admissions: 070 315 4077 www.britishschool.nl
A bit of Belgium brings us to
Antwerp, to the Cathedral of Our Lady
with its three monumental altarpieces
painted by Peter Paul Rubens, and the
Grote Markt, surrounded by its
Golden Age town hall, guild halls and
Het Steen castle, Antwerp’s oldest
building. Exploring the Sunday
antique flea m
arket, with its mishmash of treasures on offer along with
the haphazardly stacked cages of the
colourful bird market were memorable moments.
In Ghent we see some remarkable
architecture: the Belfort, St. Nicholas
and St. Bavo cathedrals. For more
than five centuries Ghent was one of
the largest cities in Europe, famed for
its textile trade. Next stop is Brugge,
one of the most beautiful and impeccably preserved medieval towns in
Flanders, an incomparable UNESCO
World Heritage Site. A visit to the
Church of our Lady and the Beguinage
provides some time for reflection,
before traversing Brugges’ delightfully picturesque streets. Then it’s
back to Holland, as no springtime
visit would be complete without a visit
to the famed Keukenhof gardens featuring millions of spectacular
flowers.
The beauty of river travel is no hassle,
no cooking, no hours of driving your
car, navigating, tour guiding, just
relaxed enjoyment for everyone.
Everything is taken care of on this sailing excursion… you only need to show
up and enjoy it! «
About the author
Connie Moser is the author/co-author of
six books and numerous articles about life
in the Netherlands and Dutch culture,
based on her 30 years experience and
enjoyment of life in the Netherlands.
Education | Partner feature
Notes of Success:
Making Music at American
School of The Hague
The approach to learning at American
School of The Hague is one that
focuses on educating the whole child
– providing a balanced education in
academics, the arts and athletics.
photo: Dr Richard Spradling, Director & Grade 7 cello classmate.
Students are encouraged to develop
not only academic goals but also
skills that will help them throughout their lives – establishing personal goals, decision-making skills,
encouraging creative thought processes and effective presentation
skills. A broad extra-curricular
program also supports the strong
academic program at the School.
The Vocal and Instrumental Music
Program at American School of
The Hague is a fine example of this.
Interest in music is strongly encouraged and young students from
Transition Kindergarten, upwards,
have the opportunity to explore and
develop their skills in vocal music,
wind or string instruments, music
technology, world music, and ultimately, students can join in group
ensembles such as the renown ASH
Jazz Band, the JAKK vocal ensemble
or the full Concert Band.
Making music
Elementary students start off by
learning the basics, understanding
musical notes, mastering chords
and playing new instruments.
Middle School students have the
chance to study vocal or instrumental music; taking classes such as
World Music expands their perception of “traditional” music as they
develop their appreciation for music
and cultures around the world. The
string and wind ensembles in
Grades 5 through 8 tackle the art of
playing a stringed instrument, anything from a viola to a trumpet or a
cello, culminating in performances
for their peers, parents and teachers
that are held throughout the year.
This year, the Grade 5/6 Winter concert featured School Director, Dr.
Richard Spradling, who took up
playing cello as part of his passion
to experience first hand the lives of
the students at American School of
The Hague.
High School students also have the
opportunity to follow their music
class of choice, and work with other
international students and professional groups along with guest conductors. Students have hit high
“Stimulating a love of learning
and a love of music that will
last a lifetime”
notes overseas participating at
international festivals and locally,
with joint community performances. Those familiar with the
Wassenaar Excelsior Music Society
may know that the ASH Jazz Band is
lucky enough to perform with these
musical professionals each year for
a special combined jazz concert.
Students participate in music
festivals
Students also participate in worldrenowned international festivals
such as the AMIS the AMIS Solo and
Ensemble Festival which provides
the opportunity for students from
all musical disciplines to come
together to work and grow in a collaborative setting. The School has
also hosted musical greats such as
Marvin Hamlisch who visited and
worked with students shortly before
his sad passing, and Robert W.
Smith, the world-renowned band
composer and clinician, who will
conduct workshops with students
and teachers in the spring. «
Contact:
American School
of The Hague
Rijksstraatweg 200
2241 BX Wassenaar
The Netherlands
+31 (0)70 512 10 60
www.ash.nl
[email protected]
Community
Emerald Isles exit
An Irish home
away from home
When the late author Pete McCarthy was writing his
hilarious travel book The Road to McCarthy, his
search for a little piece of Ireland in every corner of
the globe took him to Irish pubs in such far-flung
locations as Alaska and Morocco.
By Danny Guinan
Fortunately, we Irish here in the
Netherlands do not have to
venture quite that far when in
need of a taste of home, as
there are more than 70 Irish
bars – of varying degrees of
authenticity – dotted around
the country, mostly in the
larger urban centres.
And it is the quintessential Irish
pub that
seems to be
the most
iconic of
all the
images associated with Ireland wherever you go in the world, the case being
no different here in the Lowlands.
Anno 2013, however, there is more to
the popular perception of Ireland than
smoke-filled bars with their counters
propped up by hardy ancient farmers
and bedraggled unknown musicians.
The years of the Celtic Tiger firmly put
paid to what had become a jaded image
and replaced it with one of a vibrant,
prosperous and youthful country eager
to claim its place at the table of the
super-rich. In the heady years between
1995 and 2010, Ireland became a country of boom not bust, immigration not
emigration.
3 million Irish abroad
The winds of change were quick to
turn, however, and the recent demise
of the ‘green machine’ has once again
left Irish citizens looking beyond its
borders in search of a better future.
It is estimated that there are over 3 million Irish passport holders living outside of Ireland, an incredible number
for a modern, industrialised nation,
and especially so when you think that
the country itself has a population of
only 4.5 million. And while the US,
UK and Australia remain by far the
most popular destinations of the Irish
Diaspora, increasing numbers of
young Irish people are now finding
“T he Netherlands is home to more
than 4,000 Irish, many of who are
long-term residents who have
found their niche…”
their home away from home among
the disparate nations of Europe, which
they curiously but affectionately refer
to as ‘the Continent’.
A major barrier to this development in
the past has been the notorious reluctance of Irish people to learn a foreign
language (or appreciate ‘foreign’ food,
music and customs for that matter) »
preferring instead to seek their fortune
almost exclusively in English-speaking
countries. A new generation of emi-
For the love of all things Irish
Fancy some Gaelic Sports, Irish Step, Set and Céilí Dancing,
traditional Irish music and Irish culture as well as Irish language activities and lessons? Check out the sites listed below
for what’s happening in Little Ireland. There’s life in the old
tiger yet!
• Irish Club Netherlands www.irishclub.nl
• European Irish www.europeanirish.com
• Ireland Netherlands Business Association (INBA) www.inba.nl
• A Taste of Home Shop www.atasteofhome.nl
Click here for a guide to Irish Pubs in NL
grants, however, now seems to be ridding itself of such xenophobic shackles and is becoming accustomed to the
challenge of tackling the vagaries of
German, Spanish and Dutch, among
other languages.
The Netherlands is home to more than
4,000 Irish, many of whom are longterm residents who have found their
niche in the melting pot of diversity
that so characterises this country.
With up to 200 people emigrating
every day now from Ireland, we can
expect a steady trickle of new arrivals
from the Emerald Isle to these shores
Community | Emerald Isles exit
in the coming years. Though the estimates pale in comparison with the
figures for the US or the UK, there
are currently around 30,000 Irish living in Germany, 15,000 in both Spain
and France, and up to 30,000 in the
Benelux. Not insignificant numbers.
Go green
On March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day – look
out for the newcomers. The ones audibly struggling with the guttural Dutch
‘g’ or trying to understand the directions to Scheveningen being offered by
a helpful local eager to practise their
Dunglish. Lend these new arrivals a
helping hand, whether you are Irish
or English or Dutch or whatever. Think
of St. Patrick’s Day as their own green
version of Queen’s Day, with all the
conviviality and, of course, madness
that the day entails.
Whatever day of the week this Irish
national holiday happens to fall on,
it’s certainly worth your while taking the
time to explore that little piece of Ireland
in your own backyard. The pubs have
music from dusk ‘til dawn, there are
sports and community events galore,
and the Irish about town will be only too
glad to turn the tables on you and claim
you as one of their own for the day.
Irish kitchen
Finally, on a more personal note, one
of the things I missed most when I first
moved to the Netherlands was the Irish
produce that I was reared on as a child.
While Ireland may not be renowned for
its culinary delicacies, I for one was
delighted when the Irish/British shop
A Taste of Home recently opened its
doors to the public in my hometown
of Haarlem. Sometimes you just can’t
beat Clonakilty black pudding and
sausages and Chivers lemon curd and
Kerrygold butter and soda bread and
Bovril and Tayto crisps and Cadburys
chocolate and... «
About the author
Danny Guinan is a freelance translator, copy editor and writer.
From Ireland, he has been living in the Netherlands since 1996.
Health & Wellbeing
The natural healing powers of water have been recognised for
centuries by various cultures across the globe. The operations of spas
from ancient times – steam rooms, saunas, plunge baths, whirlpools –
still induce physical benefits to invigorate, soothe, hydrate and restore.
Renew yourself this spring by indulging in one of the many spas in the
Netherlands. Relax, and let the water do the work.
Spa your way
to wellness
By Mandie Rose Danielski
photos: Karen Steenwinkel
Spa Zuiver
Quite possibly the most lush and modern spa in
the country, it has ‘purity’ right in its name. There
are six types of saunas including Finnish, colour
therapy and infrared, and six types of baths.
Beauty treatments include a chocolate cocoon
wrap and detox mud treatments. Later enjoy a
healthy buffet lunch or three-course dinner.
Hmm, Hamam: The Turkish tradition of Hamam
baths is a key feature on Spa Zuiver’s massage
menu. While you lay on a warm stone a masseur
lathers you in olive soap. After a warm water
rinse, a lemon face massage reinvigorates you.
Koenenkade 8, 1081 KH Amsterdam (Amsterdamse Bos)
Tel 020 301 0700, www.spazuiver.nl
At this spa you can enjoy 47-degree saunas, Turkish
steam baths enhanced with eucalyptus, hydro massages and a plunge bath. Though a small space, it’s
the most relaxing, lavish 600 square metres you’ll
find in the heart of the capital.
Putting the ‘deco’ in décor: The interior of Sauna Deco
originates directly from the 1920s, from the Parisian
department store Au bon Marché. From the stainedglass windows to the grand chandelier, this vintage
French charm makes for a true getaway experience.
Herengracht 115, 1015 BE Amsterdam
Tel 020 623 8215, www.saunadeco.nl
photos: Sauna Deco
Sauna Deco
photos: ASPA
ASPA
When you think of ASPA, think tailor-made beauty
and wellness. Massage and beauty therapists customize your treatments for body or foot massages, acupuncture, facials to fit your skin type, manicures and
pedicures as fancy as you want ‘em – using all-natural
products to boot. An intimate facility with true attention to detail, right in The Hague city centre.
In good company: Whether it’s a baby shower, bachelorette party or just a fun outing with your gal pals,
take advantage of ASPA’s Pampering Parties. Package
includes two half-hour spa treatments, champagne
and organic cupcakes from local baker Perfect Pastry.
Take away a goodie bag, and a feeling of euphoria!
(Min. 3 people, max 6)
Alexanderplein 2, 2585 AZ The Hague
Tel 070 345 0215, www.aspadirect.com
Health & Wellbeing | Spa your way to wellness
photos: Elysium
Elysium
This beautiful and extensive spa has everything
you could need and then some, and on gorgeous manicured grounds. There’s even a
lagoon with spectacular waterfall. The careful
attention to water and its energy is evident
among all the bubble baths, steam baths, pools
and 14 types of saunas. It’s ladies-only days
(damesdagen) on the second and fourth Mondays
of the month.
Outdoor bliss: While the indoor midnight-blue
ceiling is studded with thousands of stars,
you’ll want to enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired
outdoors to relax in the open-air hot tubs or
float in the special saltwater bath.
Kooilaan 1, 2665 KR Bleiswijk
(13 km from Rotterdam, 25 km from The Hague)
Tel 010 524 1166, www.elysium.nl
A gem in Limburg, this award-winning resort is
at the top of the Cauberg hill, overlooking the
Valkenburg castle ruins. It’s romance, history, nature
and wellness in one gorgeous, pyramid structure.
Some examples of the unbeatable amenities: outdoor
pool, Pyora rosemary sauna, Rasul clay treatments
and Russian honey massages.
Unique bath massage: Watsu, or Water Shiatsu, is
a deep relaxation method in a bath the same
temperature as the human body. A certified Watsu
therapist stretches and massages you while you float.
Cauberg 25 – 27, 6301 BT Valkenburg aan de Geul
(13 km from Maastricht)
www.thermae.nl
photos: Thermae 2OOO
Thermae 2000
photos: Fontana
Fontana Bad Nieuweschans
For nearly 30 years Fontana has boasted its natural spring waters from 600 metres below ground.
The water, rich in minerals, aids in lowering
blood pressure and accelerating oxygen absorption, metabolism and detoxification.
Special sea nourishment: Thalasso, or “from the
sea,” is a unique beauty treatment using green
sea algae to purify, nourish and soften the face
and body. In combination with the spring waters,
the algae will make you feel like a pampered mermaid (or merman).
Weg naar de Bron 3-9, 9693 GA Bad Nieuweschans (at the German border in Groningen)
Tel 059 752 7777, www.fontanabadnieuweschans.nl
Along the peaceful waters of the
Maarsseveense Plassen is where
you’ll find a truly ontspannend
haven. This spa exudes ‘serene’
with its Himalayan crystal salt
stone cabin, an open-hearth
sauna, a Rosarium steam room
where you can really stop and
smell the roses, and an herbal
room overlooking the water.
Retreat via massage: SpaSereen
offers numerous massages from
hot stone to a traditional Thai
herbal massage with steamy cotton poultices.
Westbroekse Binnenweg 2a, 3612 AH
Maarssen (10 km from Utrecht)
Tel 0346 217 220, www.spasereen.nl
photos: Freek Peters
SpaSereen
More ways to feel pampered
ACCESS readers may enjoy a discount from ASPA in The Hague of a
10% discount in April and May 2013. Visit www.aspadirect.com/en/ for
more details on their holistic treatments and organic beauty
products.
See also Ewelina Szczepaniak’s article in Winter 2010 ACCESS Magazine
reviewing two more spas in the Amsterdam and Utrecht areas.
Walk4Water
ISH students go
with the flow
As a part of our International Primary
Curriculum (IPC), students in Year 6 carry
out an extensive river study in the cross
curricular unit titled “Go with the flow”.
By Kevin Rae
Kevin Rae
Principal
The ‘Big Idea’ of the unit is that the
world’s rivers are our most precious
resource, and during the course of
their studies the students investigate
the impact of the world’s rivers on
people and landscapes in the past,
present and future.
As with all our IPC units once the
students have been stimulated by
the ‘Entry Point’ the teachers carry
out a ‘Knowledge Harvest’ in the
form of a mind map. The students
are encouraged to note all that they
know about rivers, including
famous rivers, physical characteristics, wildlife, environmental issues,
reasons for people in the past want-
ing to live near rivers, etc. Their
prior knowledge, skills and understanding are then developed
throughout the unit. The teachers
facilitate the students’ learning in
a number of specific curriculum
areas, which are clearly articulated,
e.g., “We are learning about rivers,
through our geography lens.”
Curriculum areas that are covered
in the unit include:
• Geography – physical and human
• Science – physical and
•
•
•
environmental
Technology – bridge building
History – the importance of rivers on all aspects of life with a
focus on the River Nile and
Ancient Egypt
Society and International – the
importance of rivers as a source
of drinking water, river management and its impact on communities around the world
Experiential learning drives the
whole unit and one of the highlights
is taking part in the worldwide
Walking for Water campaign.
Walk4Water is an annual awareness
and fundraising initiative that takes
place around World Water Day
(22 March). The initiative culminates with the students participating in an organised walk, once they
are sponsored by families and
friends, to carry up to 6 litres of
water in rucksacks, around a predetermined route. There are two major
outcomes of the initiative; firstly
photos: Christel van Meeuwen
“World Water Day on
March 22nd will help
raise awareness
about water issues
worldwide”
that students learn about global
water issues and secondly they raise
funds to help solve them. Experts
visit the school and the students
learn about the importance of clean
drinking water and proper sanitation. They also develop an understanding of what children their age
and younger in developing countries
have to do to get clean water on a
daily basis, often at the expense of
going to school. The initiative raises
more than €1,200,000 each year and
we are very proud of our students’
contribution to this effort. «
Contact:
The International
School of The Hague
Wijndaelerduin 1
2554 BX Den Haag
Secondary School
+31 (0)70 328 14 50
Primary School
+31 (0)70 338 45 67
ish.admissions@
ishthehague.nl
www.ishthehague.nl
Education
Wise
water
ways
4 4 | access | SPRING
When calculating an
estimate of how much
water you use, you
probably think about what
you use directly from the
faucets around the house
and garden, and perhaps
even the amount you use
at work.
statistics showing how much water is
used to produce some familiar food
items:
• 140L of fresh water to produce 1 cup
•
•
•
by Anne van Oorschot
•
But have you ever thought about the
amount of water used to produce
some of those items you take for
granted in your life, like food, clothing, furniture, building materials,
etc.?
Embodied water
Everything has an amount of what’s
called “embodied water” associated
with it. This is the amount of water,
used directly or indirectly, during the
growing, processing and transportation of the goods we use or consume,
or the services we enjoy. The amount
of embodied water associated with
many of the things we use or consume
on a daily basis can come as a real
shock! For example, here are some
of coffee
1,000L of fresh water to produce
1L of milk
1kg of wheat
1kg of rice
16,000L of fresh water to produce 1kg of beef
To bring things even further into focus, consider
the following embodied
water requirements:
• 1 bottled drink = 5.7 litres
•
•
Did
you k
Chocola now...
te has a
n
higher
water fo even
otp
than be
ef 24,00 rint
0 L
(compa
red to b /kg
eef ’s
15,500 L/kg).
– The water footprint of a
pound of plastic is 91 litres, so the
average bottled water, juice, or soda
uses three to five times as much
water as it contains.
1 day of electricity at home =
15-19 litres
1 tank (68 litres) of gasoline =
68-170 litres – Because between
1 and 2.5 gallons of water are needed
to refine a single gallon of gasoline,
the 384 million gallons of gasoline
Education | Wise water ways
Water embedded in diffetent products
“D utch households consume
72% of tap water; two-thirds
is used for showering and
toilet flushing”
•
•
•
used each day in the US translate to
more than 1 billion total gallons of
water per day!
1 beer = 114 litres
1 cheese sandwich = 129 litres
– Growing wheat requires 590.5
litres per pound; thus 2,271 litres of
water are required to make one
pound of cheese.
1 egg = 454 litres
• 1 pair of jeans = 1,514 litres
– Growing cotton for a pair of jeans
takes about 1514 litres.
Hidden water footprints
Related to this concept of embodied
water is the idea of a water footprint.
The water footprint of a person, company or nation is defined as the total
volume of freshwater that is used to
produce the commodities, goods and
services they consume. This concept is
similar to the ecological footprint, but
focuses on the use of water. Nearly 95%
of your water footprint is hidden in the
food you eat, energy you use, products
you buy, and services you rely on.
The water footprint of individuals
varies, as does the water footprint
of countries. Check out the list below
to see how six different countries
compare. The first number indicates
the cubic meters of water used, per
person, per year; the second number
refers to the annual domestic water
withdrawal per person:
• US: 2483 m³ water/capita/yr.
•
•
•
•
•
– 60.8 m³
Canada: 2049 m³ water/capita/yr.
– 8.55 m³
France: 1875 m³ water/capita/yr.
– 6.16 m³
Sweden: 1621 m³ water/capita/yr.
– 1.07 m³
UK: 1245 m³ water/capita/yr.
– 2.21 m³
Netherlands: 1223 m³ water/capita/
yr. – 0.44 m³
Good water stewardship, starting
with you
So you can see that turning the faucet
off while you brush your teeth – while
good – will not reduce your water
footprint drastically. See the list with
10 simple suggestions for how you can
save water in your daily life and be an
example for others of good water
stewardship. Some ideas may surprise
Drop by drop…
1Introduce one meatless day a week: Per gram of protein,
meatless alternatives often show much lower water use
than their animal based counterparts.
2 Reduce your chocolate intake: One kilogram of the
blessed comfort food requires a whopping 17,100 litres
of water.
3 Decrease your coffee consumption and have a cup of tea
instead: Making a cup of coffee takes about 140 litres of
water, including growing and processing the coffee
beans, while tea requires 30 litres.
4 Buy produce in season: Globalization has made a number of fruits and vegetables available to us regardless of
their origin or growing season. Reduce your water footprint by buying local seasonal produce that does not
have to be transported halfway around the world to get
to you.
5 Replace your regular shower and faucet fixtures with
low-flow versions.
6 Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead
of running water from the tap, and reuse it to water
houseplants.
7 Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while
you scrape them clean.
8 Buy a water filter for your home to reduce bottled water
consumption.
9 Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they
are full and you can save up to 3,800 litres a month.
10 Conserve water because it is the right thing to do. Don’t
waste water just because someone else is footing the
bill, like when staying at a hotel.
www.waterfootprint.org
you, while others are just common
sense. How about challenging yourself to adopt a few items on the list
and start saving water? «
BSN iPads 1-to-1 Programme
The perfect
classroom
companion
The British School in the Netherlands
(BSN) fully understands the
importance of keeping up with
technology, and works hard to stay
abreast of new methods and ideas
which incorporate Information
Communication Technology (ICT)
into the core curriculum.
Staff are encouraged to explore new
ways of further integrating technology into the school day as a means
for inspiring creativity, stimulating
ideas and motivating learners.
The intellectual ‘freedom’ this can
provide results in an increase in
confidence as students learn to
express themselves in a different
environment.
A recent study carried out by the UK
Department for Education into the
benefits and use of ICT in schools,
produced some fascinating evidence
relating to the impact on student
attainment and motivation. Some of
the key findings included:
•Some 86% of teachers in 25 EU
member states felt that students
are motivated and attentive when
using ICT in class.
•Evidence also suggests that ICT
helps to draw students into positive modes of motivation.
This evidence, coupled with the outcomes of the BSN’s own research,
has led to the development of the
school’s strategy for the wider use
of mobile technology at the school,
resulting in the introduction of a
‘1-to-1 iPad Programme’ at the start
of this 2012-2013 school year. The
school provides a 65% subsidy for
the iPads including the cost for any
apps the students are required to
use in support of their learning.
The driving purpose behind the
introduction of the 1-to-1 iPad
Programme was first and foremost
to enrich the learning experience
of students, whilst enhancing their
motivation and enjoyment of learning. Six months into the programme
the early signs have been extremely
positive. Maths is one of the subjects in which iPads have been
extensively utilised by teaching
staff. Senior School Maths Teacher
Hilary Porritt recognises the benefits of incorporating the use of
iPads into the curriculum and has
already noticed a positive impact on
the way in which her students have
been learning since the introduction
of the programme. Mrs Porritt
explains, “I love the fact that students can instantly look something
up – it allows them to work with real
facts and figures rather than examples from text books”.
“T he i-to-1 iPad programme
has an enormous impact”
The journey has so far has been
extremely exciting and in many ways
has started to redefine teaching and
learning at the BSN. On the whole,
the impact of the 1-to-1 iPad programme has been enormous and
hugely positive for both teachers
and students. This is certainly a
very interesting time to be studying
or teaching at the school. «
For further information on the 1-to-1
iPad programme, or the BSN in general, please contact the Admissions
department on 070 315 4077 or via
[email protected]
Contact:
The British School in
The Netherlands
070 315 4077 or visit
www.britishschool.nl
Food
Though a resident of the Netherlands
for more than 20 years, when I cook
fish I rely upon the Italian culinary
tradition. Enjoy the simplest of
methods inspired by the Venetian
kitchen in the following recipe using
cod fish caught in the North Sea of
Norway, called “skrei” (pronounced
“sk-rey”). Readily available in the
Netherlands between January and
April, skrei is a responsible alternative
to the overly fished Dutch cod.
Skrei
fish dish
By Terri Salminen
In the Netherlands fresh fish is for sale
at local markets and shops. Street corner stalls selling salted herring and
fried fish are a noteworthy Dutch
tradition.
Skrei with lemon and rosemary
The serving size is for two persons as a
main course, and four as an appetizer.
Layer an oven dish with baking paper.
Wash the fish in cold water and dab
it dry. Place the two rosemary horizontally in the dish followed by the skrei.
Slice the lemon in rounds and layer
them on top of the fish. Refrigerate for
one to four hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to baking.
Preheat the oven to 190 degrees. Brush
ingredients with olive oil and season
with salt and pepper. Cover the skrei
with baking paper. Bake 12-15 minutes. Check the fish for doneness in
the middle. If needed, bake a few more
minutes until “al dente”. Pour the
lemon sauce on the fish before serving.
Serve with boiled, smashed potatoes
drizzled with garlic-lemon olive oil.
Lemon-olive oil sauce
Wash lemon, then zest lemon peel
with a zester. Set aside in a small bowl.
Squeeze lemon juice into a measuring
cup. Peel and finely dice the garlic
clove. Pick off the rosemary leaves and
chop very fine. Rinse the flat leaf parsley and shake it dry. Chop the leaves
and stems finely without bruising them.
Mix the garlic, sea salt and chopped
rosemary in a large bowl. Add lemon
peel and mix well, or grind the ingredi-
Ingredients
skrei with lemon
and rosemar y
•400 grams fresh skrei
fillet
•2 sprigs of rosemary
•1 organic lemon
•20 grams extra virgin
olive oil
•sea salt and white
pepper
Ingredients
lemon-olive oil
sauce
•1 organic lemon
•1 garlic clove
•2 sprigs of rosemary
•sea salt, to taste
•60 - 90 grams extra
v irgin olive oil
•20 grams flat leaf
parsley
ents with the pestle and mortar into a
coarse paste. Pour in the olive oil, adding lemon juice to taste. Finish the
dressing with the parsley. The sauce is
meant to go on the fish right before
serving. It can be made up to two hours
in advance of serving. «
Research the seasonal availability of
fish on: www.goedevis.nl
“T he North Sea provides
many delicious types of
fish, so think local!”
About the chef
Terri Salminen is an American food
journalist, stylist and consultant who
spent her formative years in Italy. She
gained her professional experience in
the kitchen cooking Italian specialties
and selling them on Haarlem’s local
market. Read her blog, Recipe Writings and food memories
at: http://terrisalminen.com
German bank sets
foot on Dutch soil
In January 2013 Holland’s third big bank,
SNS, was nationalised overnight. This
secured the savings of approximately
1 million account holders at SNS.
By José C. de Boer
MFP RLP
After the nationalisation of the
bank, three out of four large banks
in the Netherlands are on governmental “financial life support.”
This has great impact on the competition (or rather lack of competition)
between the banks, and a great
impact on your options when looking to buy a home.
The EU’s competition law explicitly
forbids cartels and related practices
in its article 81 of the Treaty of
Rome. This article specifically
forbids price fixing. So why is it
that the mortgage interest rates are
higher in the Netherlands than in
our neighbouring countries?
Why are our rates 1% or perhaps
Finance | Partner feature
“G erman bank is first
to challenge legalised
banking cartel”
2% above those in France, UK or
Germany? Well, this is due to the
fact that there are only a few banks
left in the Netherlands. One of them
had to be rescued and two others are
still paying back the government
support they received during the
credit crunch of 2008. And until
they have paid their debt, the
European Commission dictates that
they may not compete against the
one and only major bank that did
not receive financial life support
four years ago. A legalised cartel,
so to speak.
Volksbank lends to the
mortgage market
So it is excellent news that just over
a year ago a regional German bank
carefully set foot on Dutch soil to
lend out money for the Dutch mortgage market. But a careful step it is
for this Volksbank of Emmerich,
situated on the Dutch/German border. The Volksbank lends up to 70%
of the market value of the property,
so at least one third of the purchase
price will need to be available as a
down payment when buying property. Consequently, either you need
to empty your piggy bank, or maybe
you are fortunate enough to have
positive equity in your current
home. If this is the case, you could
also refinance your current mortgage and enjoy an interest rate
between 0.5% and 1% lower than
the big three Dutch banks have on
offer.
José C. de Boer
MFP RLP
Contact:
Minimum mortgage loan is €50,000
and maximum €800,000. Interestonly mortgages are not offered by
this German option, but for new
homebuyers, this is no longer
allowed with the Dutch banks
either. And quite frankly, having
your mortgage paid off by the time
you retire may be a new notion for
the Dutch, but highly recommendable for everybody, expat or Dutch
alike.
Financieel
Voorlichtingsbureau
de Boer / De Boer
Financial Consultants
tel office:
+31 (0)70 511 87 88
mobile:
+31 (0)6 557 603 99
www.fvbdeboer.nl
Wassenaar/
The Hague office:
Gang 3
2242 KD Wassenaar
The Dutch Minister of Housing, Stef
Blok, has recently invited other foreign banks to start operating in the
Dutch market. They will not arrive
overnight due to legislation and permits, but they will certainly receive
a warm welcome once they do. «
Amsterdam office
De Lairessestraat 108
1071 PK Amsterdam
Family
Fun with water
photo: Zandvoort Center Parcs
The Netherlands is famed for its abundance of water.
Its history, economy and landscape have always been
linked with it. The Dutch are not only adept at watermanagement, they also know how to enjoy themselves
on the water in their spare time.
By Karen T. Slingenberg
But where the Dutch landscape fails to
provide a lot of variation, there are
plenty of man-made water features to
be found that introduce an element of
speed and fun. Tropical swimming
pools, water-slides, aqua parks and
wild-water courses will tempt goldfish
as well as the sharks amongst you.
Slides, tubes, funnels and more
The fearless water adventurer can
plummet down the largest covered
water slides in the Benelux at the
Tikkibad in Duinrell, Wassenaar.
At first glance the exterior tubes
resemble a giant octopus sporting
eleven tentacle-slides to test your nerve.
If you like being propelled down crazy
rivers and do not fear tropical fish nibbling at your toes then ‘Aqua Mundo’
Centre Parcs in Zandvoort is for you.
The swimming pool is an oasis of
water pleasure. For serious swimmers
there is the option of swimming laps
in the 25m long pool and for some real
fun there is the artificial wave machine
that transforms calm waters into turbulent tides. There is a crazy river ride,
which involves speeding along on
giant tires and tiny tots can indulge
in the safe ‘Kinder-Doe-Bad’. There
are even slides built to accommodate
the launch of a whole family at once.
Another worthwhile feature is the
Aqua Cinema; the chance to watch a
favourite flick, comfortably floating
on rubber tires. Grab your snorkel
and have a leisurely swim amongst
the coral and tropical fish in the
‘Sea Life pool’.
photo: Duinrell
Tropical oasis
For die-hard daredevils and reckless
rogues ‘The Cyclone’ ride will be alluring. After hurtling down at break-neck
speed, your fall is not broken by water
but a giant funnel that spins its victim
around to dizzying levels and then
plunges through the opening into the
water below. Have your cardiologist’s
number at the ready! »
photos: Dutch water dreams
Family | Fun with water
“T here are plenty of man-made
water features to be found for
your enjoyment”
For the surfer or racer in you
Racing a raft along a giant wild water
course at Formula-1 speed is what you
can expect if you visit Dutch Water
Dreams in Zoetermeer. Rafting is just
one of the many water sports that are
offered here. There is also tubing,
an accelerated ride on a floating tire,
and hydro-speeding, otherwise known
as body-rafting, where you race on a
bulkier version of a surf plank
designed for adrenaline addicts. For
children there is the chance to practice
your balancing skills body-boarding,
while at the same time learning
impressive tricks during all the wobbling. Indoor surfing is offered and
for 8-year olds and up, a California
designed board sport called flow-rid-
Up close with sea creatures
If swimming with sea-lions is on your
bucket list then the Delta Park Neeltje
Jans will make your dreams come true.
It is situated in Zeeland at the
Oosterschelde (the North Sea estuary)
and is part of the largest National Park
in the Netherlands. There is no shortage of animal life to be discovered as
this is the home to the largest saltwater
aquarium in Zeeland. Shrimps, lobsters, colourful sea anemones and even
sharks are residents here. Opt to take a
boat trip and spot lazy seals lounging
on local sand banks – be sure to bring
your binoculars. Fun and water seems
to have been invented here as children
can escape to the water playground
where you can build your own waterfall, operate sluices and walk over
shifting musical step stones. Try your
hand at pumping water using the
treadmill or modeling a riverbed.
Passing the time in, at, on and under
the water in the Netherlands is more
than possible with its wide-ranging
Plunge in with scuba-diving
Areas to dive in the Netherlands are the North Sea, the brackish
waters of Zeeland and any clear, still water lake that is deep
enough.
There are diving centres in most cities where you can rent
equipment, take a course and join in planned activities.
Note that an Open Water Diver certificate is needed before you
can dive without supervision.
For more information: www.padi.nl
mix of locations and activities on offer to
relax, educate, entertain and thrill
the pleasure seeker, no matter
what age. There is someDid
y
o
thing for everyone to get
uk
Swimm now...
in
those flippers into. «
diploma g lessons &
s ar
www.zw e essential!
emonder
nederlan wijs
d.nl
photo: Delta Park Neeltje Jans
ing; a cross between surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding. Wetsuits
and helmets are provided for all deathdefying acts, as well as expert instructors to assist you in staying alive!
Are you looking to
expand your horizons and
meet new people?
Then connecting women is for you!
Dutch & English
courses
at The BSN Language Centre
Open Registration Day
Come join us to meet an international community
of diverse women and to listen to
an inspiring speaker at one of our gatherings.
We meet on the first Monday of every month
(except August and January) in The Hague.
On Saturday 23 March.
Courses then run from Monday
22 April until July 2013.
For more information visit our website...
www.connectingwomen.nl
Adult Courses
You don’t need to be a member to join our events.
New for Young learners
Exam preparation for teenagers.
Summer School for kids start on
July 22.
Adults intensives start on July 8.
For more information,
please contact us at
[email protected]
or call 070 315 4080
www.britishschool.nl/languagecentre
quality courses
small groups (max. 8)
all levels (0 - C1 CEF)
Laan van Nieuw Oost Indië 275
2593 BS Den Haag
Tel: 070 3654677
www.directdutch.com
E S T.
19 8 5
Alexanderplein 2
2585 AZ The Hague
www.aspadirect.com
Telephone: 0651137656 / 0703450215
English Builder / Timmerman
Peter French & Sons
For 1st class jobs
• 30 years of experience in the local region
• All round Carpenter/joiner
• Specialised in building bathrooms and
kitchens, plastering and roofwork
• Woodwork and metal workshop for one
off furniture items and welding jobs
Tel: +31(0) 6 53 32 83 63
+31(0) 70 364 73 72
Email: [email protected]
Workshop: Westeinde 58,
2512 HE, Den Haag
NeW
The Dutch
and their
Delta
Living below
sea level
Have you ever wondered what the current climate
change and rising sea levels mean for the low-lying
and densely populated Netherlands? How can a land
below sea level exist right along that very sea anyway?
What happens when the rivers reach the ocean, and
what are the consequences of this sub-sea-level
position for the harbors?
The answers to these and many other questions are in
this book. Author Jacob Vossestein, a geographer and
anthropologist, provides great insight into the watery
issues of the Netherlands, many fascinating and fun
details and tips on where to go and see these.
Available at the book store and www.hollandbooks.nl
ISBN 978 90 5594 788 1 | 296 pAgeS | 220 STuNNINg phoToS
hArD Cover | eNglISh | prICe € 24.95
Lifestyle
photo: Den Haag Marketing
Traditional goes trendy
Seasonal
pop-ups
By Ann Jennen
1st of March, Scheveningen beach:
Heavy lorries going back and forth,
massive piles of wood all and about,
cranes balancing huge concrete plates
through the air… Those who have
recently moved to The Hague frown
and wonder what on earth is going on?
But expats who have been living here
for a while smile… They know that
spring is about to march in!
Throughout March and early April,
seasonal pavilions arise on the beaches
of Holland, only to disappear again in
October. Traditionally, these wooden
constructions provided beach visitors
with basic services: drinks, snacks and
sanitary facilities. Nowadays modern,
pop-up, restaurants profile themselves
as real clubs and offer an all-day beach
experience: relaxing in the morning,
meeting with friends in the afternoon
and enjoying the entertainment at
night. Gastronomy takes up more
and more importance. Pop-up ‘Buiten’
at Zwarte Pad in Scheveningen offers a
biological menu. Beach house ‘Zwoel’
in Hoek van Holland should receive its
first Michelin star any day now. The
focus seems to be shifting from the
location to the venue itself; whereas
people used to go to the coast, youngsters now visit a certain beach house.
Popping up... all year long?
Beach clubs expand their infrastructure and tend to stay open longer
throughout the year. Some of them,
such as Timboektoe in Velsen Noord,
remain open all year long. All-year
round exploitation avoids set-up and
dismantling costs that can go up to
€20,000. However, with only a few vis-
itors in wintertime, personnel costs are
high. Seasonal versus all-year round
remains a controversial subject because
commercial activities and nature preservation do not easily go hand in hand.
The Society for Dune Conservation proposes a zoning plan for the beaches of
North-Holland. The beach has several
functions like relaxing and entertaining, but also enjoying nature and
silence. All-year round commercial
activities need to be limited to the socalled sparkling areas, whereas the
quiet beaches should preserve their
more laid-back, serene atmosphere.
Don’t wait for summer!
Discover the Dutch coastline this spring.
These addresses are definitely worth a
visit:
• Breakers Beach House –
Noordwijk: very elegant, stylish
venue with excellent food and
wine. www.breakersbeachhouse.nl
• Buiten – Het Zwarte Pad,
Scheveningen: easy relaxing with a good
biological menu. Very pet-friendly: water bowls for dogs
available. www.ganaarbuiten.nl
• Culpepper – Het Zwarte Pad, Scheveningen: family-friendly
hang-out that serves really good pizza. Try one of the family
beach chairs to cuddle up with the kids. www.culpepper.nl
• Zwoel – Hoek van Holland: get ready for some excellent
cooking! www.strandclubzwoel.nl
High level cooking and meeting
facilities
The biggest challenge Dutch pop-ups
face is their weather-related turnover.
An average beach house needs about 30
good days to break even. About 50% of
its turnover is realized in July and
August. Given the fact that no one is
able to place a permanent order on
those precious sunrays, beach houses
strive to be an outstanding venue
regardless of the weather conditions.
Some owners choose for high quality
cooking to entice their clientele.
Others invest in meeting facilities to
attract corporate events in the non-
summer months.
An all-weather concept seems to be the
future for Holland’s beach houses. Most
of our Dutch friends don’t care about a
bit of rain anyway. “Als het maar gezellig is,
toch?” (As long as it’s cosy, right?) «
Reactions: [email protected]
About the author
Ann Jennen is an international marketing
& communications professional, a creative copywriter, fluent in NL-EN-FR-GE,
and enjoying the Netherlands for almost
four years now!
ACCESS Trainers
Meet our
Trainers
ACCESS Trainers are an integral part of
the ACCESS Community. They provide
training opportunities on topics of
relevance to the international community
ACCESS serves, in English or other
languages. Trainers who work with
ACCESS are vetted for their relevancy
to the international community.
of our courses are those related to preparing for a family, in which you meet
others in the same situation (having a
family far from family) and gain
insight to how things may be a little
different to where you are from.
We offer courses in the following
categories:
• Childbirth and parenting
• Personal development
• Job seeking
• Health and wellbeing
• Creative
• Languages and culture
Are you interested in being part
of the ACCESS trainer network?
The courses offered through ACCESS
are aimed at providing opportunities
for personal growth; supporting the
development of ‘community’; learning
something new; preparing for a new
direction; cultural adaptation; as well
as pregnancy and childbirth.
ACCESS courses cover a variety of topics and they provide you with the
opportunity to meet new people, while
learning new skills. The most popular
Do you have a course, which provides
value to the international community?
Contact [email protected] or click here for
more information.
Have a look at all the courses
and register online:
http://access-nl.org/about-access/what-wedo/courses-workshops.aspx
Meet our Trainers online:
http://access-nl.org/about-access/how-wedo-it/trainers/meet-our-trainers.aspx
r egiste r fo r co u r ses online at www . access - nl . o r g , o r contact t r aine r di r ectly .
Digital photography
Megan Alter
Professional photographer
& photography teacher
Amsterdam
Learn to take better photos. Megan believes in learning by
doing; her classes not only teach theory, but how to put that
theory into practice. Sign up for a class now and take control
of your camera so you can express yourself more fully and
preserve beautiful memories with your images.
www.meganalter.com/classes
Career coaching
Caroline
van den Bogaard
International career coach
Amsterdam & via Skype
www.cctransitions.com
Caroline inspires and motivates international professionals
to look for ways to continue their career in a new country, and
to make the transition easier through career coaching. She
knows the challenges and opportunities that professionals
face when transitioning to another country, having lived and
worked abroad herself. She is a certified career coach and has
a Master’s degree in occupational psychology.
POWERtalk
Marlene Burns
Coaching in effective
communication skills
The Hague
www.powertalkeurope.com
Marlene is an accredited trainer for Powertalk International’s
Short Course, which she presents with fellow trainer Angela
Tait. Both are experienced speakers at both local and international levels. Are you a nervous beginner or just feel the need
to improve? This course offers in-depth training at all levels
for effective speaking.
Career and life coaching
Marie Dewulf
International career
and life coach
The Hague
www.en.coach2moveon.com
Marie is a coach who specialises in cross- cultural adaptation,
communication skills and careers in transition. Her focus lies
in helping people to be in control of their lives, rather than
being at its mercy by using effective tools. Being an expat
working mum for 17 years, she knows how relocating often
is challenging and also very rewarding.
ACCESS Trainers | Meet our Trainers
Diversity discussions
Christine Fischer
Multicultural coach
The Hague
www.fischersfiresidechats.com
Christine holds an M.A. & a M.Ed. in multicultural counselling
psychology from TC, Columbia University, NYC. She created
FischersFiresidechat discussions, workshops, and seminars to
foster warm, informal, yet informed environments for learning
cultural competence. Her programmes cultivate awareness
of one’s own cultural worldview, attitudes towards cultural
differences, and offer a variety of cross-cultural skills.
Childbirth preparation
Truus Gale
Experienced midwife
and prenatal coach
Amsterdam
www.childbirthclassgale.com
Truus has over 20 years experience in Dutch midwifery and
related areas. She holds a Dutch equivalent of a BA in Educational Sciences from Amsterdam University and graduated
from Amsterdam Midwifery College in 1988. Truus has
been an ACCESS trainer since 2005, specialised in prenatal
individual or group information sessions for expat couples
expecting a baby in the Netherlands.
Workshops in coaching and counselling
Jacqueline van Gent
Psychologist and trainer in
Transactional Analysis
The Hague
www.ta-denhaag.nl
Jacqueline provides internationally accredited workshops for
people wanting to enrich their coaching or counselling skills
with very effective, ready-to-use tools. Workshops consist of
a little bit of theory and lots of practice, and in a learning climate that helps people of all ages, feeling at ease and willing
to engage in developing both personally and professionally.
IT and Self defence
William
Rumley-van Gurp
Professional personal
development trainer
The Hague & Rotterdam
www.cftrainingtoday.com
William is a qualified and experienced trainer, able to offer
tailor-made courses in a range of IT and Self defense areas.
He has 26 years experience in Self defence and Karate. He has
also been teaching people to use Microsoft applications since
1997 when working as an IT Trainer for an international
organisation based in The Hague.
Medical advice
Dr. Houser provides guidance on issues of great concern to
expats - health & healthcare. She is a Johns Hopkins trained
Physician advisor, expatriate (US) physician with experience in training Dutch physicians. medical concerns
Her focus is assisting expats with the Dutch healthcare
the Netherlands
system, including both cultural and medical differences. Dr. Houser lives in the Netherlands with her four children
www.expatmedicaladvisor.com
and her husband, who is Dutch.
Christine Houser
Breastfeeding
Myrte
van Lonkhuijsen
Experienced lactation
consultant, IaBCLC
The Breastfeeding centre in Amsterdam offers specialised
individual help with breastfeeding, courses and a breastfeeding shop. Myrte and the centre can assist you in solving problems, and in fitting breastfeeding into your everyday life.
Amsterdam
www.borstvoedingscentrum.nl
Career coaching and Job hunting support
Teresa Moynihan
HR and career consulting
The greater Hague area
www.moynihan-hr-consulting.com
As well as being a Career Coach, Teresa also offers interim
HR and Recruitment support to international organisations. She is a member of NVP (Dutch Association of HR professionals), and Member of the WBII (Women’s Business Initiative
International). Teresa offers career coaching and job-hunting
support, company workshops or one-to-one coaching.
Nester Moyo
Senior midwifery advisor
The Hague
www.access-nl.org
Nester is a Zimbabwean Midwife Educator who has lived in
the Netherlands since 2001, and has worked with ACCESS
conducting child birth preparation classes since 2002. Nester
is well versed in the education and practice of midwifery in
the Netherlands, as she has been a visiting lecturer to some
of the midwifery universities in the Netherlands.
ACCESS Trainers | Meet our Trainers
Pre- and postnatal courses
Joke van
Roosendaal-Kuyper
Breathing and relaxaation
therapist/Yoga instructor
The Hague
www.access-nl.org
Joke has been working in the yoga field for 25 years (Pregnancy
yoga for 18 years). Through different kinds of schooling
(Breathing and Relaxation) she has developed a practical
preparation for labour and offers tools to cope with fear and
pain. Being fully informed and prepared makes for a less
stressful delivery.
Mind your stress
Mary Jane Roy
Stress and emotional
resilience facilitator
Amsterdam, The Hague
& Rotterdam
www.creatingwaves.nu
Mary Jane will facilitate your learning of simple, effective
techniques to reduce, relieve, and release stress anywhere,
anytime. She is available for presentations, trainings, workshops and one-on-one sessions, for individuals as well as
companies. Her educational background is as a certified
stress counsellor, NLP master practitioner, registered HeartMath provider, and she is a registered nurse.
Lee Tolman
Fysiotherapeutacupuncturist
The Hague
www.partnersinwellness.nl
Lee has undertaken extensive post-grad courses specialising
in childbirth preparation, prenatal and postpartum complaints, menopause and infertility. Lee is currently practicing
physiotherapy and acupuncture in a private practice in
Voorburg and shares facilitation of the ACCESS childbirth
preparation courses. She has been a Dutch resident for the past
20 years and a childbirth educator for ACCESS for 15 years.
Ria Wiertz
Antenatal teacher
Rotterdam
www.borstvoedingspijkenisse.nl
Ria is a qualified antenatal teacher with over 15 years experience. Ria trained with the Stichting ter Verbreiding van de
Psycho Prophylaxes Method, a Dutch Lamaze variant. She is a
lactation consultant, personal coach and is qualified to teach
Baby Massage. Ria is in the process of obtaining the official
Lamaze Trainer Certificate so she can train others to give this
wonderful course.
WELCOME TO
THE NETHERLANDS
ABN AMRO: Expert in financial services for expats
ABN AMRO is literally and figuratively the bank for international customers. ABN AMRO is
the financial specialist for expatriates residing in the Netherlands. And just like our expat
customers, we aim to offer pioneering services complete with tailor-made products and skilled
consultants who speak their language.
You have a busy job, so we would like to make banking in the Netherlands as easy as possible.
We will gladly assist you with your financial needs, not just after you arrive, but from the
moment you know you are coming to the Netherlands. ABN AMRO is a trusted partner for
expats, diplomats, civil servants and international organisations.
For more information, please visit www.abnamro.nl/expats
Contact
Amsterdam: 020 - 34 34 002
The Hague: 070 - 37 52 050
Rotterdam: 010 - 40 25 888
e-mail: [email protected]

ACCESS Spring 2013 e-zine

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