On 16 October 2025, Professor Dirk-Jan Koch gave his Inaugural Lecture as professor International Development Practices at the International Institute of Social Studies.
Delivering his lecture during ISS' 73rd Dies Natalis celebration, Koch looked at the history of Dutch development cooperation, noting that between 2003 and 2023, the country dropped from 1st to 13th place on the Commitment to Development Index.
Why is that? And can it be reversed? He argued that a relaunch of Dutch international engagement is not only a moral necessity, but also in the country's own interest. In an increasingly interconnected world, a small, prosperous country like the Netherlands cannot afford to remain aloof.
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