By Diplomat Magazine
Father Sjaak de Boer has spent his life bringing people together. Known to many as the Parish Priest of the Church of Our Saviour—the English-speaking international Roman Catholic parish of The Hague—he also serves as Commissioner Reciprocity at the distinguished Sociëteit De Witte. His mission is as clear as it is enduring: to connect individuals from different worlds encouraging genuine understanding among them.
Founded in 1782, Sociëteit De Witte has long been a pillar of The Hague’s social and cultural life. Since 1870, the society has been housed in its monumental building on the Plein, adjacent to the Mauritshuis and the Binnenhof. The essence of De Witte remains unchanged after more than two centuries—“sociable, socializing and permitted socializing.” Today, the society counts more than 3,100 members and hosts a wide array of roundtables, lectures, dinners, and trips abroad.
As Father Sjaak celebrates 40 years of priestly service, his work at De Witte has become an extension of his calling to connect people. “In my other work,” he explained to Diplomat Magazine, “it’s a completely different contrast. I worked in slums and with the poorest of the poor. Diplomats often don’t have the opportunity to connect with those worlds, and it’s beautiful to see how some of them engage quietly in community service. We have ambassadors who volunteer in homeless shelters, preparing food in silence, and judges from the International Courts who also give their time in service. That kind of leadership—by example—is inspiring.”
At Sociëteit De Witte, Father Sjaak’s role focuses on creating connections between ambassadors and Dutch society, an objective that is both delicate and essential. “I help them to submit their candidatures and become honorary members,” he said. “In fact, many ambassadors are already honorary members. But it is important that they encourage their colleagues to apply as well, because the request has to come from them. Membership is personal and non-transferable, so each new ambassador must apply again. We currently have around 90 ambassadors and international judges as honorary members, and about 90 sister clubs around the world.”
For Father Sjaak, De Witte provides diplomats a unique opportunity to feel at home. “Here, they don’t have to be ‘ambassadors.’ Many of our members have prominent roles in society, but inside the club it doesn’t matter. Everyone is equal. Friendships are built not because of a title, but because of who you are,” he explained.
Ambassadors benefit from the club’s wide range of activities and social circles. De Witte hosts over 300 “tables” or interest groups, covering everything from geopolitics and culture to wine, chess, cigars, and music. “It’s amazing to see how people connect through shared interests,” said Father Sjaak. “There are also themed events like James Bond or Copacabana parties, which are great occasions to socialize in a relaxed atmosphere.”
He believes that for ambassadors in particular, membership has a practical value. “It helps them connect with Dutch society in an informal setting, which is often not easy in their line of work. The Hague is a small city, and here it’s easy to meet people without needing an appointment. That informal contact can be very helpful in both professional and social circles. It works both ways—we need each other.”
Father Sjaak also emphasizes the broader network of De Witte through its sister clubs. “Our ambassadors can visit these clubs when posted elsewhere. It’s another benefit of membership and strengthens reciprocity,” he noted. “We even have a board downstairs showing all the sister clubs, so members know where they can go. The more united we are in this divided world, the better it is.”
Within the board of De Witte, Father Sjaak oversees the honorary members, a group that includes not only ambassadors but also international judges and leaders from major institutions like the OPCW, ICJ, and Europol. “I help introduce them into the club, especially to non-Dutch-speaking tables,” he said. “Language can be an obstacle, but we have many international tables—whether for regional discussions, whisky, cars, or jazz—where they can easily fit in and feel part of the community.”
Reflecting on the role of Sociëteit De Witte in today’s world, Father Sjaak added, “We’re not a service club like the Rotary or Lions, but we do give back to society in our own way. Offering honorary membership to ambassadors is our way of saying ‘Welcome to The Hague.’ It’s a gesture of openness and reciprocity—helping diplomats integrate, and helping our members better understand the world around them.”
After nearly 15 years as a member and five years on the board, Father Sjaak remains deeply committed to the society’s purpose. “De Witte is about connection—between Dutch society and the international community, between tradition and modernity, and above all, between people,” he concluded. “That is what reciprocity truly means.”
