Ambassadors Unplugged Series | Ambassador André Haspels

Join us for an interactive conversation with Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States, André Haspels.  Haspels grew up in Uithoorn in the province of Noord-Holland. His father was a flower trader who imported flowers from all over the word, including ferns from Florida. Since he was a young boy, Haspels has always seen flowers, and that’s how he learned about agriculture and trade.

Haspels studied politics at the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam. In 1987, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served in many capacities. In 1997, he became head of the Political Department at the embassy in South Africa (Pretoria), where he was involved in the cooperation between the two nations, among others in the setup of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

He later served as ambassador in Vietnam and South Africa and most recently as director general of political affairs in the Hague.

This program is a part of the Evangeline Atwood Distinguished Speakers Series and Ambassadors Unplugged, a series of talks with Ambassadors on issues such as climate change, gender equality, technology, alternative energy, and the world post-Covid. Don’t forget to register for our next program in the series with Ambassadors Anniken Krutnes and Mikko Hautala.