NATO Tour Comes to Groningen — Events, Education, and Local Concerns
From 11 April, the NATO tour “NATO and the Netherlands: A Journey” will be in Groningen. The tour includes debates, exhibitions, and school visits to get people talking about peace and security.
The tour is organised by the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, together with partners like the Netherlands Atlantic Association and the Clingendael Institute. The goal is to start conversations across the country about national and international security. Groningen is one of several cities being visited.
In Groningen, the programme includes:
A photo exhibition called NATO in Ten Images.
A gaming tournament using the video game Valorant, focused on teamwork and strategy.
A theatre evening at SPOT on 28 April, which looks at NATO’s role in today’s world.
Guest lessons and school visits for students aged 10 to 18 and those in vocational and higher education.
Criticism from Local Political Parties
Local political parties SP and the Party for the Animals have raised concerns. They believe the NATO tour presents a one-sided view—mainly from a military and Western perspective. They worry that students will only hear NATO’s side of the story and not learn about peaceful or alternative approaches to dealing with world tensions.
The parties are especially critical of the tour’s school visits and the gaming tournament. “Re-enacting war through games doesn’t send the right message to young people,” they said. They also want to know if peace organisations will be given equal time in schools to share their views.
NATO Summit and Travel Disruptions
The tour is part of the lead-up to the NATO Summit taking place on 24 and 25 June in The Hague. The Dutch government has warned of major traffic problems across the country during this time, not just around The Hague.
People travelling from Groningen to the Randstad (especially The Hague, Rotterdam, or Schiphol) are being advised to:
Avoid travelling during rush hour.
Work from home if possible.
Use public transport—though no extra trains will run.
Several roads around The Hague and between major cities will be closed or have fewer lanes. The government has asked drivers to take different routes, like going through Arnhem and Nijmegen, to reduce delays.
What’s Next?
While Groningen is just one stop on the NATO tour, the events here show how differently people view security and peace. Some see it as a chance to talk and learn, while others worry that only one side of the story is being told.
More information about the tour’s events and dates can be found on navodoornederland.nl.