Human Rights Tulip

For the first time in history, Chile was represented during this year's award ceremony for the central Human Rights Tulip. After an open call through social media and an assessment of all entries by the Human Rights Center of the Universidad de Chile, the Chilean organization "Todo Mejora" was announced as the chosen candidature, during an event organized by our embassy on September 15th. While, Todo Mejora normally presents its own annual awards during a large-scale event to recognize Chileans who have made exceptional contributions to the emancipation of the LGBTIQ+ community, this time it was Todo Mejora's turn to be in the spotlight. They travelled to the Netherlands to be part of the 2025 Human Rights Tulip award ceremony at the Peace Palace in The Hague on December 10th.

Thanks to the visit of Movisie (the Dutch knowledge institute for a coherent approach to social issues) to Chile, and the ties forged during that visit, two additional representatives of Toda Mejora were able to travel to the Netherlands. In light of their trip to the Netherlands, the three Todo Mejora delegation members were received Thursday November 20th by the Dutch-born Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren (see article).

Intransigentes

On September 25th, our ambassador, Elke Merks, attended the presentation of the report "Lo que piensan las juventudes" (What young people think) by the NGO Intransigentes.  Our embassy was able to contribute funding for the printing and presentation of the report, which was presented to a wide audience. The report bundles the recommenadations in the area of gender violence prevention, that resulted from workshops and round tables where more than 120 youth representatives from around the country participated in. 

Responsible Business Conduct

On October 29th, the embassy, ​​together with the NGO Prohumana, organized a breakfast with the Chilean business community to discuss developments and challenges in the field of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). While many companies still view RBC as a "nice to have," some now recognize that taking social responsibility, where care for people and the environment is an integral part of their business strategy, can provide a significant competitive advantage, especially in the European market.

On November 18th, the embassy organized a site event and cocktail during the OECD-FAO Advisory Group meeting in Santiago. Together with members of the advisory group and other interested parties, a visit was made to an avocado grower in the Aconcagua Valley who is participating in a Dutch-initiated program to manage water more efficiently in avocado cultivation. In the evening, the embassy organized a networking cocktail and gave several substantive presentations on Responsible Business Conduct in the agricultural sector, where not only environmental aspects but also concepts like a living wage are very important and relevant.

Supporting the LGBTIQ+ community

On November 11, the embassy attended the ceremony where the coordination of the national diversity network of municipalities was transferred to the municipality of Maipu. Within this network, the exchange of knowledge and experience at the local government level is central. On November 20, a ceremony followed where the national government launched a communication campaign in the municipality of El Bosque for respect and against violence against the LGBTIQA+ community. The embassy was also present at this ceremony.

The embassy, ​​together with Fundación Mecenas, subsequently organized a "queer art" fundraising event for the Fundación. Fifty paintings and ceramics donated by the artists themselves were displayed under the expert guidance of Denise Ratinoff, regional director of Christie's Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. The proceeds exceeded expectations, with some works fetching three times the market value estimated by specialists. This was a boost for the Fundación, but also for the artists who created and donated the works. With the money raised, Fundación Mecenas can continue organizing activities next year that support the community and reach people outside its own community through art.

Cleveringa Lecture

To conclude the year in which the Netherlands and Chile celebrated 200 years of bilateral relations, Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto van Klaveren gave the Cleveringa Lecture.  The lecture focused on the current challenges facing the Netherlands, Europe, and Chile, all placed within the historical context of our bilateral relations. Challenges such as the strained multilateral system, the climate crisis and green transition, polarization, disinformation, and the protection of human rights and democracy were expertly addressed by the minister, born in Amsterdam and still speaking almost flawless Dutch. In 2026, we will have to say goodbye to our "Dutch" Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs when the new government led by President Antonio Kast takes office on March 11.