Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

In the presence of many international partners, members of the Dutch political society, board members, friends, family and (former) colleagues, the president of the board Dr Ben Bot expressed his deepest appreciation to Roel. He emphasized the tangible and lasting contribution Roel has made to the advancement of democracy during his leadership from 2002 to January 2011.

Under Roel von Meijenfeldt’s leadership, NIMD has grown into an internationally acclaimed democracy assistance organization with programmes in 16 emerging democracies. In these countries NIMD has forged enduring partnerships with political parties, thereby investing in interparty dialogues, locally owned political reforms and democratic consolidation.

“My work for democracy has always been inspired not only by my own relatives who paid the highest price for a return to democracy in The Netherlands during WO II, but also by such great contemporary personalities such as Nelson Mandela for his anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and his leadership during and after the successful transition to multiparty democracy in that colorful rainbow nation, and as Aung San Suu Kyi, the courageous democracy leader in Burma … with her appeal to all of us: "please use your liberty to promote ours". This has been the banner under which I have implemented my mandate as Executive Director of NIMD throughout the past 9 years. I sincerely hope that this will remain the spirit for which NIMD is recognized.” says Roel von Meijenfeldt in his farewell speech.

Mr von Meijenfeldt remains active in the international network of democracy assistance practitioners as chairman of the Brussels-based European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), amongst other activities.