Book presentation -Opheffers

On 16 April, the NICC organised a public event centred around Opheffers, a recent book by the historian Wim van den Doel. The event brought together an audience interested in Dutch colonial history and development policy, and consisted of a book presentation followed by a panel discussion featuring Anne-Lot Hoek, Daphina Misiedjan, and Bart Monnens.

Van den Doel opened the proceedings by outlining the central argument of his work, which he describes as an exploration of “colonial entanglements.” A key theme in his talk was the continuity between the colonial period and the development era that emerged in the 1950s. Contrary to the common assumption of a clear break after decolonisation, Van den Doel argued that, in the Dutch case, development policy functioned largely as a continuation of earlier colonial practices, particularly those associated with the Ethical Policy.

According to Van den Doel, Dutch administrators working in places such as New Guinea genuinely believed in their mission to “uplift” local populations, whom they regarded as “primitive.” This belief was rooted in a sense of moral responsibility inherited from the colonial “civilising mission.” He described this approach as a form of “paternalistic guidance,” carried out by a range of actors including civil servants, engineers, agricultural specialists, and missionaries. Importantly, Van den Doel emphasised that this idealism "should be taken seriously," even as it operated within clear power imbalances.

At the same time, he highlighted the role of local agency. Indigenous communities did not simply receive or accept Dutch development efforts; rather, they often pursued their own goals within existing power structures. In some cases, local actors were able to use the Dutch presence and resources to advance their own interests. This led to a situation in which Dutch idealism and self-interest - alongside indigenous strategies - interacted and reinforced one another, rather than being mutually exclusive.

Following the reading, the panel discussion expanded on these themes. Anne-Lot Hoek emphasised that historical development policies often failed to connect meaningfully with local communities, pointing to a persistent disconnect between external intentions and local realities. She raised the broader question of whether contemporary development practices have truly learned from the shortcomings outlined in Van den Doel's book, suggesting that similar patterns may still be present.

Several structural challenges were identified during the session. Participants noted a persistent gap between what is needed and what is actually provided by development initiatives, suggesting that addressing this gap requires both infrastructural investment and changes in underlying power dynamics.

Finally, the discussion turned to the future of development cooperation. Concerns were raised about funding constraints across the sector, even as interest and engagement appear to be increasing. The importance of academic exchange was acknowledged, alongside the need for greater recognition of local knowledge and perspectives. Overall, the event combined historical analysis with contemporary reflection. While Van den Doel’s presentation provided a framework for understanding the continuities between colonialism and development, the panel discussion deepened this perspective by critically examining its implications for present-day policy and practice.