Max van der Stoel Essay Competition - Greece

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Athens is pleased to announce the Max van der Stoel Essay Competition, inviting university students in Greece to reflect on the question:

“How is Max van der Stoel’s legacy relevant for Greece today?”

About Max van der Stoel

Max van der Stoel (1924–2011) was one of the Netherlands’ most respected statesmen and a lifelong advocate for democracy, human rights and the rule of law. During the years of the Greek military dictatorship (1967–1974), he was among the very few European politicians who spoke out publicly against the regime’s human rights violations and expressed solidarity with those who resisted it.

In August 1974, shortly after the fall of the junta, Max van der Stoel became the first foreign minister to visit Greece, where he was received as a hero in Athens. His visit symbolised Europe’s moral and political support for Greece’s return to democracy and the rule of law — values that remain at the heart of the European project today.

By organising this essay competition, the Embassy wishes to honour Max van der Stoel’s example and encourage young people in Greece to reflect on how the principles he stood for — respect, dialogue, and justice — continue to shape Europe’s identity and its future.

Prize & Ceremony
The winning essay will be selected and publicly announced on 10 December (Human Rights Day) during a ceremony in Athens. The winner will receive a fully funded study trip to the Netherlands.

How to submit?

• Submission: By email to the Embassy of the Netherlands in Athens (ATH@minbuza.nl) with “Essay Competition – [Your Name]” in the subject line.
• Formatting & metadata: Submit as Word or PDF. On the first page, include your name, university, department or field of study, and contact details.
• Deadline & key dates:
  • Submission deadline: 24 November
  • Notification of winner: by early December
  • Ceremony & award: 10 December (Human Rights Day 2025)

Competition rules & guidelines

• Eligibility: Open to all students currently enrolled at a Greek university.
• Nationality: Open to applicants of any nationality, as long as they study in Greece.
• Language: Essays must be in English.
• Word count: Between 1,000 and 1,500 words (excluding references).
• Originality: Essays must be original, unpublished, and written by the entrant. Use of AI-generated text will lead to disqualification.
• Judging criteria: Essays will be evaluated by a balanced panel (consisting of academics and diplomats) based on:
  a) clarity, structure & coherence
  b) originality of insight
  c) relevance to the essay question
  d) depth of engagement with Van der Stoel’s legacy
• Publication & rights: The winner will present their essay at a public award ceremony. The Embassy reserves the right to publish the winning essay and excerpts on its website or social media. The winner also must be willing to provide the Embassy with pictures, blogs or videos of their study trip to the Netherlands for publication on the Embassy’s social media outlets.
• Final decision & correspondence: The decision of the jury is final. No individual feedback or appeal will be offered.