By Eleni Vasiliki Bampaliouta
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Greece recently organised an essay competition for Greek students focusing on democracy and human rights. The theme of the competition was “Encouraging Greek Youth to Reflect on Democracy and Human Rights.”
The winning essay was written by Konstantinos Tselios, a student at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In his text, he highlights the dangers of silence in the face of injustice and emphasises that defending human dignity is never someone else’s responsibility. The prize was presented by H.E. Ambassador Barbara van Hellemond and consists of a fully funded educational trip to the Netherlands.
The Dutch Embassy expressed its warm appreciation to all students who participated in the competition. According to the organisers, the jury faced a particularly difficult task, as the overall quality of the submissions was exceptionally high.
The event was also attended by Max van der Stoel’s grandson, Midas, whose presence added a deeply personal and meaningful dimension to the occasion.
Max van der Stoel (1924–2011) was one of the Netherlands’ most respected politicians and a lifelong advocate of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. During the Greek military dictatorship (1967–1974), he served as the Council of Europe’s Rapporteur on what became known as the “Greek Case”. In this role, he publicly denounced the regime’s human rights violations and expressed his solidarity with those resisting the dictatorship. The political pressure exerted through the Council of Europe became so significant that the military junta was ultimately forced to withdraw Greece from the organisation, a move with far-reaching consequences for the regime.
In August 1974, shortly after the fall of the junta, Max van der Stoel became the first foreign minister to visit Greece. He was welcomed as a hero in Athens, a testament to his steadfast support for Greek democracy during one of the country’s darkest periods.
The Max van der Stoel Essay Competition encourages students to draw lessons from Greece’s experience under dictatorship and to apply them to contemporary challenges. In a rapidly changing global environment, where democracy and human rights continue to be tested, the initiative invites young people to reflect on why Max van der Stoel’s legacy remains relevant today.
