Internship Placement Report

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Internship Placement Report

Linda van Rooij University of Groningen

s4008316 Writing, Editing & Mediating

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Internship Placement Report

Organization: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Place: Consulate General San Francisco

Department: Public Diplomacy & Communications Supervisor: Sietze Vermeulen

Timeframe: 10-02-2020 – 26-06-2020

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Preface

My internships at the Consulate General in San Francisco was unexpectedly

influenced by the corona pandemic, as I was sent home after just a couple of weeks. Eventually, my internship was split up into three separate parts:

Time in the San Francisco office: 10-02-2020 – 13-03-2020 (4 weeks*)

Time working on an extra assignment to be able to finish my internship according to ECTS requirements: 22-04-2020 – 15-05-2020 (3.5 weeks)

Time unexpectedly rejoining the e-consulate team virtually to help set up the first virtual trade mission: 18-05-2020 – 26-06-2020 (6 weeks)

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Introduction

Driving under the looming figure of the Bay Bridge, following Interstate 80 into the heart of the city. It was the vastness of the urban landscape that amazed me at 13 years old, which was my first time visiting San Francisco. Finding out the city – next to hills, forests, and skyscrapers – also had a beach, I was confused as to why anyone would ever want to live anywhere else.

Of course, I had yet to discover the fog, the homelessness and most of all the

outrageous prices that come with living near the bay. It is safe to say however, that I have always had a fascination with the United States. While doing a BA in English and an MA in North American Studies, I cultivated my interests and became passionate and experienced in writing and speaking American English.

A second master’s in Writing and Editing was therefore a logical step for me, in which I had one clear goal: getting hand’s on experience. So far, my education had mostly been about theory, and I was eager to finally put all that theory into practice. By chance, I stumbled upon the Foreign Affairs vacancy in San Francisco. What stood out from the rest is that apart from the standard resume and cover letter, this vacancy asked for writing examples instead of recommendations. Not only did I have sufficient writing examples, but this also showcased that writing was the main

component of this internship, which was exactly what I wanted.

Having visited the Foreign Affairs department in The Hague, working at the government has always had my interest. Multiple friends have come back from internships at Foreign Affairs in for instance Atlanta, Chile and Ottawa, all with amazing stories and experiences. I therefore decided that fitting the profile so well, the internship was most definitely worth a shot.

As this report shows – and to my initial surprise – I got the internship. To my

surprise as well, the internship was much shorter than expected due to the COVID-19 crisis and continued sporadically in a virtual format. This report will showcase all that I learned and did in this one month on site and afterwards, but also all that I experienced, achieved, and still wanted to learn.

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Organization:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is one of the governmental departments of the Netherlands and is situated in The Hague. Foreign Affairs – also abbreviated with “BZ” for the Dutch “Buitenlandse Zaken” – is headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok, and is responsible for all that the Dutch do in an international setting (RO “Min. van BZ”).

When thinking of Foreign Affairs, trade and diplomacy but also the UN and NATO easily come to mind. The work that BZ does, however, extends far beyond this. In an increasingly connected world, the Netherlands works to solve issues of a

globalized nature, such as terrorist threats, refugee displacement and climate change, focusing on international cooperation over a broad spectrum (RO “Organisatie Min. van BZ”). This is in line with BZ’s aim, which is to build a fair and sustainable world, while putting the Netherlands on the international map (RO “Het verhaal van BZ”). Diplomatic Mission Network

BZ supports and represents all Dutch citizens abroad in both corporate and personal sense (RO “Organisatie Min. van BZ”). This is where embassies and consulates play a crucial role. The Kingdom of the Netherlands has a network of 140 different diplomatic posts spread across the globe, used to maintain international relations and represent the country abroad (RO “Ambassades, Consulaten”).

Diplomatic Network in the US

As one of the Netherlands’ oldest allies and our single largest investor, maintaining strong relations with the US is crucial for the Dutch (NLintheUSA). Building on a historical friendship, a diplomatic network of Foreign Affairs posts is spread across the US. This network is split up into different institutes, that oversee the US in different areas and on different levels. Its home base is the Dutch Embassy in

Washington DC, which is where the Dutch ambassador in the US – André Haspels – can be found. It is used as the primary point of contact for the Netherlands, as well as the main institute coordinating the other posts. These other posts in the US are called consulates and can be found in Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York City and

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7 Dutch Ministery of Foreign Affairs US Embassy Washington DC Consulate General Atlanta Consulate General Chicago Consulate General Miami Consulate General New York City

Consulate General San Francisco Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washingon, Wyoming

San Francisco (NWW “Over ons” ). Each of these posts has its own jurisdiction over an appointed group of states (Fig. 1), and are each led by a Consul General. These consulates have a variety of responsibilities which – simplified – can be divided over two main objectives. The first one is helping and supporting Dutch citizens in the US with documents and problems in the consular department, such as issuing new passports, assisting in the legalization of documents and helping in case of

emergency. The second one is representing and supporting the Dutch in the US with policies and diplomacy in different areas such as business, culture, and politics (NWW “Wat doet de ambassade”), which is where my internship came into play. Consulate General in San Francisco

The consulate in San Francisco – led by Consul Gerbert Kunst and Vice Consul Vincent Storimans – has jurisdiction along the US West Coast, and specifically focuses on Silicon Valley and the many economic opportunities it presents to the Dutch economic and political sectors (NWW “SF”). The consulate is made up of different departments (Fig. 1), such as the Holland Innovation Network (HIN), Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), Ministry for Infrastructure & Water Management (MIWM) and Consular Services (CS). I worked in the Public Diplomacy and Communications department (PDC), and supported Economic Affairs (EA). As one of the busiest US posts, the consulate in San Francisco is one of the few to have a distinct PDC department.

Linda van Rooij @Linda_vanRooij . Now

Fig. 1: The diplomatic mission network of the Netherlands in the US and the different consulate departments in San Francisco:

NFIA HIN MIWM CS PDC EA

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Tasks at the Consulate:

Public Diplomacy & Communication

As a PDC intern at the consulate, I was responsible for a broad array of different tasks, focused on supporting the senior officer of public diplomacy and

communications – and my supervisor – Sietze Vermeulen. Below, I have described the different tasks I was responsible for as an intern (Fig. 2), all of them aimed at connecting the Netherlands and the US and bringing people together, strengthening bilateral relations, and putting the Netherlands on the American map.

1. Content Calendar

One recurring task as an intern was creating a Twitter content calendar. Social media is a direct way for the Ministry to garner attention for Dutch policies, presence, and culture, which is why CG Gerbert Kunst has a verified Twitter account with

approximately 7500 followers: @NLinSF. I had to write and pre-program tweets for this account in a weekly content calendar, at least one a day. I had a “standard tweet list” at my disposal from which I could copy tweets, but special occasions – such as recent events or holidays – required original tweets (Sup. 1). Once approved by Sietze, I programmed the tweets into the Twitter Studio, which sent them out.

2. Speeches & Interviews:

Another important PDC responsibility was the writing of speeches and sometimes other forms of colloquial texts – such as answers to television or radio interviews – for CG Gerbert Kunst but also deputy CG Vincent Storimans. These texts had to be written according to a certain format and were always focused on the cooperation and friendship between the Netherlands and the US. With some input from Sietze and using previous examples, I usually wrote a first draft. This draft was checked and edited by Sietze and then sent back to me. I would print and bring the text to the speaker for memorization and personal touches.

3. Blogs & Press Releases

In order to shine a light on all that the Dutch government does in the US, the website NLintheUSA – managed by the Dutch Embassy – keeps track of all events, visits and special occasions at the Dutch posts through blogs and press releases. Whenever one of these important delegations or events made its way to the San Francisco consulate,

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it was my job to write these for the website. Blogs were meant for large events, such as the international RSA 2020 Conference which was organized in February and had a Dutch delegation coming over. I furthermore wrote three other blogs for the first ever Dutch digital trade mission, and one for the sports mission. These blogs required me to do research into Dutch perspectives and interests, gather details as well as relevant photos, and write an informal and informative text for a broad audience. The goal was to transform difficult policies into an inviting format, while keeping the political climate in mind (Sup. 2). The blogs also required me to contact relevant people for quotes, such as CEO’s, delegation members and write those of the CG. I usually wrote the first draft and then sent it to Sietze for a content check and edit, to CG Kunst and then to a native editor at the Embassy for a final English check.

Press releases were shorter, more factual and more formal than blogs,

announcing instead of explaining a certain occasion (Sup. 3). For press releases I too wrote the first draft and sent it to Sietze for an edit, before sending it off to the editor in Washington DC for the final check.

4. Webpages

For the digital trade mission I also wrote different webpages, which were meant to give an external audience a broader understanding of the topic and mission at hand, from a Dutch governmental perspective. They required similar research to the blogs, but were more extensive in explanations and format. I wrote four webpages for the mission: a main page, a page on participants and partners, one on the program and one on Dutch solutions (Sup. 4). With some edits from Sietze, I coordinated the editing and launching of these pages directly and independently with the DC editor.

5. The Newsletter

At the end of every month, the consulate sends out a newsletter to all its subscribers about all events, visits and happenings in the name of CG Kunst. For this letter, I compiled all occasions that I had already written tweets, speeches, blogs and releases for, and wrote short, informal but informative texts to give an impression as to what had been going on the last month, and what was to come (Sup. 5). I selected photos, and wrote all text, but also form and lay-out were my responsibility. When the first draft was finished, I would send it to the CG and the editor, who provided me with feedback. Once edited, compiled and programmed into Mailchimp, Sietze did a final

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check and edit. I wrote one newsletter while in the office, and two more while back home.

6. Coordinating Events: the Anne Frank Exhibition

Next to writing-oriented tasks, I was also responsible for the coordination of events that fell under PDC jurisdiction. The main project I was involved with was the Anne Frank Exhibition. In cooperation with the Anne Frank Huis, this exhibition has been traveling the West Coast high school system. My job was to ensure that the exhibition traveled from one state to the other in a safe and complete fashion. This required me to coordinate with the involved professionals, but also to contact the locals at the schools, ensuring they had the right information and were motivated. I arranged the FedEx pickups and drop offs at the schools with the help of the consular department.

I was also a main contact point for the consulate’s involvement in the celebration of Golden Gate Park’s 150th_{birthday, and the International AIDS 2020} Conference, but these got canceled.

7. Taking Photos

As one of the busiest Dutch consulates in the US, every week saw at least one small event or meeting held at the office. Frequently, it was my responsibility to take photos and to arrange an appropriate group photo. Later, I uploaded these photos and edited them, sending them out to the appropriate contacts. Many of my writing furthermore needed appealing visuals, which is where the photos also came into play.

8. Practical Matters

As an intern at the consulate you are expected to be a team player. This means that whenever a colleague needed assistance, they would ask you to help out. Some jobs were more practical such as setting up and preparing boardrooms for events or meetings, but also included arranging audio and helping with errands. It also included other tasks to support the e-consulate and its webinars, such as creating PowerPoints, making zoom backgrounds, doing research or calling delegation members.

9. Staying Up to Date

It was important to stay up to date on all the different things going on at the consulate in case I needed to write about them or help out in any other way. Sietze

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and I therefore had a standard schedule of meetings that kept us informed on other posts and departments. These meetings consisted of the weekly general staff meeting and the economic department meeting, as well as a weekly PDC conference call with the Embassy, UN and the other Dutch posts spread across the US. My main job during these meetings was to take notes of relevant topics, and sometimes to give an update on our work or represent PDC in case Sietze could not be there. Sietze

furthermore involved me in other calls and meetings when he thought they might be of interest to me. When I went home, I still attended the economic department meetings virtually, which took place at 20:00 at night due to the time difference. *Extra Assignment: Internships in the Valley Magazine*

When the internship had been cut short, Sietze enabled me to do an extra assignment in April writing and designing a magazine for a consulate program, in order to make enough hours to finish the internship*. For this assignment I worked closely with Sr. Economic Officer Deborah van den Brande and Eva Janssen of VU Amsterdam. They manage the ‘Internships in the Valley’ project, which helps the best Dutch students get internships in Silicon Valley. My assignment was to design and write a 44-page magazine for incoming students, telling them all they needed to know about visa procedures, American culture and life at the bay. I was both head writer and

designer, but got help with the final design. See the attachment for the full magazine. *It was later when I was asked to rejoin the consulate team virtually, when it became clear a virtual mission was being set up, and Sietze could again use my support. Linda van Rooij @Linda_vanRooij . Now

Fig. 2: An overview of my different PDC tasks:

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•Content Calendar •Speeches & Interviews •Blogs & Press

Releases •Webpages •The Newsletter •*IitV Magazine*

P

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•Coordinating Events •Taking Photos •Practical Matters

Ge

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•Staff Meetings •EA Meetings •Conference Calls

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Personal Evaluation

First Impression

My first week at the office was very impressive, exciting but overwhelming. I immediately started writing blogs, tweets and speeches under Sietze’s supervision. With Sietze going on vacation after the first few days, I had to figure many things out on my own, which sometimes was hard but gave me the opportunity to learn how everything worked in a trial and error way.

The one thing that I immensely appreciated was that from day one, the team trusted me to work independently and I was taken up as a team member

immediately. Much of my writing was a direct representation and voice of the Dutch government, and had the power to both enhance but also disrupt important bilateral relations. Therefore the content as well as the wording of items needed to be carefully thought out and was my responsibility. Whenever there was an opportunity for me to help or if someone thought a meeting might be interesting to me, I was allowed to jump in or audit, which really shows how invested the consulate team is in its interns, and really gave me a broad insight into the world of the Dutch consulate. At the Office: Personal Challenges & Development

The first few weeks were also difficult. Having a first internship experience while also having to adapt to a new country was harder than I initially expected. I noticed that in still trying to find my place both on and off the work floor resulted in some

increased personal insecurity, which affected how I carried myself in the office. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do everything right the first time, as I especially

struggled to find the right tone of voice for the different writing assignments.

From the start, my writing was noticeably stronger in items meant for reading such as blogs and newsletters, than it was for speeches and interviews. My lack of training in colloquial writing combined with me not really knowing Consul Kunst that well yet, resulted in drafts that often needed extensive editing by Sietze. In other writing, I was able to rely on the skills that my ‘Modern English Language’ course and my ‘The Digital Text’ course taught me about both writing and editing the English language, as well as target audience and goals. My past in North American Studies also very much aided me in my writing, as my thorough understanding of the political climate and relationship between the Netherlands and the US helped me navigate sensitivities and the framing of certain issues.

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These problems of personal insecurity, my writing voice and my ways of coping did improve over time the first weeks, and specifically the tweets and blogs improved rather quickly, as well as my ability to organize my days in a clear and structured fashion once I got a feel for how things worked. I was able to deal with stressful situations such as a FedEx shipment of the traveling Anne Frank Exhibition which seemingly lost one of the panels and did not arrive according to schedule. I was also able to take some initiative in joining a meeting, which eventually led me to become a part of the organizational body behind the Dutch involvement in the 2020 Aids Convention and the city’s pride parade, which unfortunately all got canceled. Going home:

March marked a strange time. At the end of February, my grandfather unexpectedly passed away. After the initial shock and consulting with Sietze and Consul Kunst, I decided to fly home for the funeral. This felt like a necessary decision for me and one that got the full support of the consulate, which I still very much appreciate. Back in the US, I only had a few days before I went home definitively. We discussed the return home at length, brought on by President Trump’s travel ban. The ban

combined with the threatening escalation of the pandemic made a convincing case to return to the Netherlands. This return was hard. Due to my recent travels, I did not get the chance to personally say goodbye to colleagues or the office, and had to rush goodbyes to new friends and roommates. Sadness, some reversed culture shock, and new quarantine rules were awaiting me once I arrived home.

Extra Assignment ‘Internships in the Valley’

Luckily, I was able to make the required internship hours by working on the ‘Internships in the Valley’ brochure. Before my departure, I had discussed the

possibility of an extra virtual assignment so my internship could be properly rounded off. Again, the consulate was incredibly helpful in not only giving me an extra

assignment which was right up my alley, but instilled the confidence that I would be able to successfully finish the internship one way or another. The making of the magazine was fun, educational and in my opinion went really well. Textual feedback was minimal, and I was able to smoothly and independently construct a strong story.

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Supporting the First Dutch Virtual Trade Mission

In May, I was unexpectedly asked by Sietze to virtually rejoin the team to support the e-consulate and work on the very first Dutch virtual trade mission. This was a great opportunity, as it allowed me to get more experience in the writing of blogs and webpages, and to work with the team. It was also a privilege to see how

communication can be used, innovatively adapting to the situation in a successful and unprecedented way.

This opportunity of course also had its challenges. Even though I was excited to rejoin the team, I found it hard to jump back in after being out of the loop for two months. It took a while to find my rhythm again, but the biggest challenge was the information deficit. To be able to write about events you need details, and not being at the consulate remained a hurdle throughout the mission, hindering the writing process sometimes. The busy and still emotionally charged atmosphere at home – which got worse when my grandmother got infected with COVID-19, but luckily pulled through – was difficult, as my room was sublet and I lived with my family. This influenced the first newsletter that I wrote after rejoining, which was lacking in information but also in thoroughness, which Sietze rightfully pointed out.

I regrouped after that, and feel like I improved by adapting to the new

situation. Due to the 9 hour time difference, I learned to anticipate the information I would need the following day, and contacted the right person the night before. This helped and I learned to work in a new rhythm and environment. This did remain challenging, as different meetings but also tasks could only be completed on San Francisco hours, which meant sometimes working late into the evenings. My relationship to the consulate and Sietze changed as well, as the time difference, distance and busyness of the mission prohibited close guidance, and mostly consisted of requested assignments, drafts and virtual feedback rounds. Lessons Learned & Skills Gained

Clearly, this internship was not normal. My time at the office, however, was short but insightful, and I was able to reach all my initial learning outcomes. I got an extended glimpse into the world of the Dutch post network, and gained a real understanding of the inner workings of international diplomacy and politics through my work.

I also learned the ins and outs of professional communication, and developed my writing over a short period of time, both on location and from a distance. Sietze’s

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guidance in this was key; in the beginning he would extensively go through my drafts with me, and later this developed into online edits. I was able to work with

professional Embassy editors, who gave me clear feedback and were always available to answer questions about my writing. This process resembled what I learned in my ‘Modern English Language’ class, elevating that to a professional level. One skill I gained was translating intricate policies and interests into easy-to-read stories, keeping in mind how to frame a story that would benefit the consulate and country.

Although my development was halted due to COVID-19, I certainly grew as a writer and communicator, which was my main goal. Due to the variety in writing items, I have written for many audiences, which has taught me much and matched perfectly with my study. Tone of voice will remain a point of improvement, but the internship was a great way to practice this professional skill. I also gained confidence in reaching out, whether calling CEO’s or e-mailing external parties for quotes. Circumstances: Goals & Feedback

Improving networking, event management, colloquial writing and really finding a place within the team were all goals not reached due to circumstances. I was able to help organize the RSA event, network, and write speeches for that event, but that was my only opportunity. Virtually, I also struggled to connect with colleagues on a

deeper level. In my final evaluation with Sietze, he brought up my reserved personal presentation, which I recognize. In online meetings, I often felt unsure of what to add and silently observed when I had all I needed. I do feel like this issue was worsened significantly by the fact that I did not have longer to connect to the team on site, and to really let my personality shine through. I am glad it was brought up, because it made a personal problem more tangible and a point of focus for my future career.

I do, however, find it hard that unlike a normal internship, I didn’t have a chance to work on the evaluation points brought up by Sietze to improve due to the circumstances. I also feel like I would have scored higher on some areas of the evaluation, had I had the chance to stay in San Francisco. Obviously, it was hard for Sietze to rate certain skills, such as my interest in other areas of Foreign Affairs, from a distance. I would have loved to see my development would I have been able to stay at the consulate and how my writing, personal presentation but also confidence within the organization would have been able to grow.

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Conclusion

In the end, the internship was an incredibly valuable experience. It was not the internship I expected, but I still feel very lucky and fortunate to have been able to experience it. In a time of hardship and adaption, the whole consulate team made the best out of a difficult situation, and gave me the opportunity to help make the

country’s very first e-consulate virtual trade mission into a success.

Despite the circumstances and the limits it presented, I am happy with my professional development. I trained my skills in the areas of writing and

communication on a professional level, and gained a better understanding of public diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, which were my two main goals. With writing as the main component, the internship was a perfect match with my studies. That I wasn’t able to finish the internship on site will always be a little bittersweet, but I am proud of my accomplishments and will definitely go back for a visit once possible, to say my final goodbyes and to see the city once more.

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Works Cited

NederlandWereldWijd. “Consulaat-Generaal in San Francisco: wie zijn wij?” https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/verenigde-staten-van-amerika/over-ons/consulaat-generaal-in-san-francisco-wie-zijn-wij. April 12 2020.

NederlandWereldWijd. “Over Ons.”

https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/verenigde-staten-van-amerika/over-ons. April 12 2020.

NederlandWereldWijd. “Wat doet de ambassade voor Nederlanders in het

Buitenland.” https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/wonen-werken/wat-doet-de-ambassade-voor-nederlanders-in-het-buitenland. April 12 2020.

NLintheUS. “About Us.” http://nlintheusa.com/about-us/. 11 April 2020. Rijksoverheid. “Ambassades, Consulaten en overige vertegenwoordigingen.”

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/ambassades-consulaten-en-overige-vertegenwoordigingen. 11 April 2020.

---. “Het verhaal van BZ.”

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-buitenlandse-zaken/het-verhaal-van-bz. 11 April 2020.

---. “Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken.”

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-buitenlandse-zaken 11 April 2020.

---. “Organisatie Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken.”

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ministerie-van-buitenlandse-zaken/organisatie. 11 April 2020.

Relevant Links

https://internshipsinthevalley.org/ http://nlintheusa.com/ https://twitter.com/nlinsf https://us8.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=558d3dc56d209486b2bb7a3fa&id=ffb07f2092

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Supplements

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2. Blog Example - the First Dutch Virtual Mission on Smart and e-Mobility:

http://nlintheusa.com/first-virtual-mission-targets-smart-e-mobility/

First virtual mission targets smart,

e-mobility

Blog Jun 15, 2020

By Linda van Rooij

Consulate General of the Netherlands in San Francisco @NLinSF

International trade and collaboration are vital to thriving economies and solutions to global problems. The US welcomes dozens of trade delegations from the Netherlands each year. Entrepreneurs travel across the world to meet US West Coast partners, build connections, gain knowledge and share ideas, bringing together the best of two like-minded and business-oriented countries.

The emergence of COVID-19, however, has put an immediate halt to such missions, leaving behind an even stronger need for trade during difficult economic times. That’s why the Consulate General in San Francisco is hosting the first virtual trade mission this week, with about 100 companies in smart and e-mobility. Through online sessions and networking, they will make new connections and possible partnerships, all from the comfort of their own home.

The virtual mission will be opened by the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis.

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The virtual events will also feature State Secretary of Infrastructure and Water Management Stientje van Veldhoven, Commissioner Patty Monahan of the California Energy Commission, and Dutch Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Water

Management Roald Lapperre, among others.

“The coronavirus is stopping all of our usual missions in their tracks at a crucial

moment in time,” said Consul General Gerbert Kunst. “Many businesses are impacted by the pandemic and are looking for new ways to innovate and connect right now. This is especially true for the field of smart and e-mobility, as COVID-19 has completely changed the way we look at travel and commuting worldwide. You already see a

stronger need for bicycle infrastructure. What will public transportation look like while social distancing?”

A new approach

This is where the virtual mission comes in. The pandemic is stopping experts and companies from physically meeting, but through this mission the consulate is offering them a new way to tackle these mobility challenges together.

“Our interactive program connects the best Dutch and American companies in the field, and is uniquely tailored to their needs. Our close partnership with the state of California and Forth allows us to tap into a strong American network, helping to establish and maintain our strong transatlantic connections, but online this time,” said Consul General Kunst.

In the Netherlands, many mobility companies feel the impact of the coronavirus, especially in their international departments.

“Our local companies were, of course, impacted by COVID-19 as they are international players with integrated and international supply chains,” said Johann Beelen, business development manager at Brainport, an economic development agency that supports companies in the Southeast of the Netherlands. “It influenced and slowed down the growth activities of a lot of high-potential startups and SMEs. For our own organization, this called for immediate action in order to help the companies through these tough times.”

A virtual format

The inaugural Dutch virtual trade mission is aimed at fostering international

cooperation from afar, replacing the usual mission format with an interactive platform that allows companies to network and innovate from a distance. It is divided into sections, granting participants the power to pick and choose, compiling their own personally tailored program.

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Individual matchmaking, policy dialogues, thematic breakout sessions and networking moments, as well as pitch- and US business preparation assisted by the Holland in the Valley network, are all part of the mission.

The mission format, therefore, transcends the more basic webinar format, as its interactive nature allows participating delegation members to not just listen to renowned guest speakers, but to ask questions, network, and approach other

organizations in the online platform. This platform will remain operable until the end of 2020, allowing users to continue to connect and make optimal use of their mission participation.

“Elaad is looking forward to this mission,” said Baerte de Brey, chief international officer at ElaadNL, the collaboration of Dutch grid operators. “A digital mission shows that both California and the Netherlands are highly focused on the long-term goals of the mobility and energy transition. Adopting to the corona crisis by organizing the exchange of thoughts and plans in a digital way is an example of the innovative spirit we both have.”

With over 100 companies participating, the mission has a large and well-rounded delegation, which is great news considering the unexpected change of format, making this virtual event a Dutch first.

“I think this virtual mission really represents the Netherlands, showcasing the smart Dutch approach to problem solving,” said Consul General Kunst. “Although the

cancellations of our original missions is disappointing, our quick adaptation to a virtual format exemplifies Dutch innovation and flexibility at its best. I’m therefore very proud to support this first virtual mission, and am looking forward to meeting you all

virtually.”

Sessions will be live-streamed on the Twitter account of Consul General Gerbert Kunst, @NLinSF.

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3. Press Release Example - RSA 2020 Cybersecurity Convention:

http://nlintheusa.com/holland-pavilion-rsa-2020/

Holland Pavilion at RSA 2020 presents the

Dutch

News Feb 24, 2020

The Dutch delegation has arrived in San Francisco for the RSA Conference on cybersecurity.

For the first time the Netherlands will host a pavilion at the RSA Conference in San Francisco, the largest cybersecurity conference in the world.

Eight Dutch cybersecurity companies and organizations will present their latest

innovations, showcasing how they future proof cybersecurity for the challenges ahead. Twenty additional Dutch cybersecurity organizations will travel to RSA to share their expertise and connect to new innovations and developments.

The RSA conference takes place February 24-28 in San Francisco’s Moscone Center. In close cooperation between the Consulate General of the Netherlands in San

Francisco, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, InnovationQuarter and Hague Security Delta, the Holland IT Security House will open on Tuesday morning, officially kicking off the Dutch cyber mission at RSA 2020.

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The Netherlands works on a cybersecurity roadmap to future proof cybersecurity, looking into topics such as IoT, threat intelligence and data protection.

“Being a country that thrives on technological innovation and international

partnerships, the Netherlands perfectly fits into the cybersecurity dialogue held at the RSA Conference,” said Consul General Gerbert Kunst. “With this pavilion and delegation, we will showcase all that the Netherlands has to offer to the world of cybersecurity this week.”

Companies showcasing in the Holland Security House are: Cybersprint, EclecticIQ, Secura, ThreatFabric, Briddge, ICT 2.0, On2IT, and Invest in Holland.

The Dutch presence has a strong connection to this year’s RSA theme, “The Human Element,” which emphasizes the role of humans in a digital world. Finding smarter solutions for societal problems is something the Netherlands does best. The delegation hosts several side events at the Consulate General, focusing on this human element in cybersecurity:

• Monday February 24, 2 p.m.: At the first IoT Security Dialogue, TNO and CFLW will meet with US and EU IoT experts to discuss the most pressing challenges for the next 5 years, under the title “Building a Secure IoT Eco-System: Sector specific or agnostic?” Microsoft and RSA are among the speakers. Register with sietze.vermeulen@minbuza.nl.

• Tuesday February 25, 5:30 p.m.: “NL Talks: Cybersecurity – Impact on Geopolitics” focuses on a European perspective on responsibilities of government and industry. Keynote speaker is former member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaake, International Policy Director at the Stanford Cyber Policy Center and President of the CyberPeace Institute. Register

with sietze.vermeulen@minbuza.nl.

The Netherlands is a frontrunner in the fight for a safer digital environment, working closely together with the US government. The Dutch combine an innovative mindset with cutting-edge technology to take on the new challenges posed by an increasingly connected global world, said Consul General Kunst.

“The Netherlands believes that the internet and its underlying infrastructures should be secure, resilient, and available,” he said. “To create solutions for these security

challenges, government, businesses, and universities work together on an integrated approach and outcome. The Netherlands and the United States share a deep bond founded on history and shared values rooted in strong beliefs of security, freedom and justice. Cybersecurity is the next frontier.”

For more information, email Sietze Vermeulen, Senior Officer Communications and Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General, at sietze.vermeulen@minbuza.nl

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4. Webpage Example – Mission Smart and e-Mobility: Dutch Solutions:

http://nlintheusa.com/smart-e-mobility-dutch-solutions/

Smart and e-mobility: Dutch solutions

Photo: Ossip van Duivenbode / Rotterdam Image Bank.

As one of the most densely populated countries in the world, the Netherlands has to be smart with its infrastructure. The government is looking at new technologies to solve challenges in the area of transport, the environment, and safety in both public and private sectors.

Innovative and sustainable Dutch designs

A leading objective in the race for smart e-mobility is the reduction of greenhouse gasses. The Dutch government has vowed to reduce the country’s C02 emissions by 95 percent in the next 30 years. By focusing on mobility projects – such as improving traffic flow through technology and creating more environmentally-friendly engines –

e-mobility is applied on different levels of transport, prioritizing sustainable urban planning.

The Dutch government is also working with the private sector to develop self-driving vehicles and improve in-car traffic information for drivers. This year sees self-driving bus pilots in big cities such as Amsterdam being implemented, while plans for 5G

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technological applications – such as smart traffic lights that record and pass on the level of traffic – are on the table. The Netherlands is a unique testing ground for smart

mobility solutions.

The West Coast and the Netherlands: A mobility match

The Dutch are investing heavily in electric vehicles to move away from fossil fuels. The S4C Smart e-Mobility Program between the Netherlands and California brings together experts and businesses. With pro-business climates, an abundance of tech talent and an eye for sustainability,

California and the Netherlands are a mobility match.

Where California leads the way in zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) – with Governor Brown leading the way – the Dutch are experts at biking infrastructure, implementing e-bikes, timeshare-bikes, and bike lanes into daily routines.

That’s why the government is

supporting smart e-mobility solutions in many ways, from providing testing facilities to adjusting rules and

regulations. The aim is to make smart mobility possible on a larger scale. In the Netherlands, businesses,

knowledge institutions, and government are working on this together.

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5. Newsletter Example – My last and third newsletter of June:

https://us8.campaign-archive.com/?u=558d3dc56d209486b2bb7a3fa&id=33958c9929

Dear reader,

After weeks of online preparation, June 15 finally marked the start of our inaugural Dutch virtual trade mission on smart and e-mobility. As a consulate, one of our primary goals is to connect Dutch companies with US counterparts, ensuring they have a soft landing spot on the West Coast, even during these difficult times. Our virtual trade mission was therefore designed to encourage trade relations, facilitating the creation of lasting international partnerships through online connection.

Never before did the Netherlands or California set up such a virtual event, making the mission an exciting international first. Such a pilot generates opportunities but also questions, many probably familiar to those of you who are currently working from home as well. Will the internet connection be strong enough for international online sessions? And how do you re-create that personal human connection through a screen?

Fortunately, the mission was a great success. Over 100 American and Dutch businesses participated, and used the five-day mobility event to share, connect, and discuss on our online platform. We also had many renowned guest speakers - including Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Cooperation Development Sigrid Kaag and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis - and an audience of over 1500 viewers a day.

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32 I would like to thank our enthusiastic delegation, our guests and

our partners, as well as all of our colleagues at the Embassy and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Infrastructure & Water Management, and of course the consulate team who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, literally this time.

Together, we have successfully overcome the physical COVID-19 barriers, which is a wonderful achievement.

Now that the first virtual mission is over, our online e-Consulate services continue. Check our upcoming webinars on for

instance pride month, or reach out for consular or economic assistance. It is great to see that after four years of being a consul, I can still have new experiences in the field, seeing Dutch virtual innovation at its best.

Stay safe and stay healthy,

Gerbert Kunst Consul General

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33 From June 15-19, Dutch and American businesses on smart and e-mobility made the

virtual journey to Silicon Valley for the first Dutch virtual trade mission. It was organized by the e-Consulate in San Francisco, in close collaboration with our colleagues at

the Embassy, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Infrastructure & Water Management, as well as many corporate partners. The mission would also not have been possible without the great help of our friends at the California Governor’s office, for who the virtual setting was also a first. As important partners in innovative urban planning and sustainable infrastructures, the mission virtually connected experts from both the US and the Netherlands, now that COVID-19 has made travel impossible.

“The coronavirus is stopping all of our usual missions in their tracks at a crucial moment in time,” said Consul General Gerbert Kunst. “Many businesses are impacted by the

pandemic and are looking for new ways to innovate and connect right now. This is

especially true for the field of smart and e-mobility, as COVID-19 has completely changed the way we look at travel and commuting worldwide. You already see a stronger need for bicycle infrastructure. What will public transportation look like while social distancing?” A program comprised of a preparation package, thematic webinars, interactive meetings, and networking sessions with renowned experts encouraged the sharing of knowledge and the forging of partnerships through a new online platform, which will stay available for the delegation until the end of the year.

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34 Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakisopened the mission and welcomed the mobility delegation into the new virtual setting. The Policy Dialogue on Zero Emission Vehicle Transport that followed furthermore featured Commissioner Patty Monahan of the California Energy Commission and Deputy Minister Roald Lapperre of the

Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Stientje van Veldhoven, Dutch State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management, also made an appearance. To watch the sessions, click here.

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Thematic webinars: From Forth’s Roadmap, to LA on the Move

E-mobility is a fast-moving and innovative sector, particularly in the Netherlands and California.

“A digital mission shows that both California and the Netherlands are highly focused on the long-term goals of the mobility and energy transition,” said Baerte de Brey, chief

international officer at ElaadNL and delegation member. “Adapting to the corona crisis by organizing the exchange of thoughts and plans in a digital way is an example of the innovative spirit we both have.”

During the mission, themes were tackled by Dutch and American experts alike in daily parallel webinars, allowing participants to pick and choose the topics most relevant to their niche. From transportation in the Netherlands and California to hydrogen use or heavy-duty batteries, a broad spectrum of topics was available, all of them discussed with an eye toward a post-pandemic and increasingly sustainable future.

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36 “Public transport is very developed, but that is the here and now. Environment and

sustainability are very important in the Netherlands, and this is creating the pressure to change the mobility mix,” said Constantine Demetriou, mission participant and head of international development at the Dutch company Hardt Hyperloop. “As a result, the Netherlands is a breeding ground for new and innovative methods and the Netherlands government is focused on encouraging new methods of transport like hyperloop or other methods of smart mobility.”

Of course, no Dutch mobility mission is complete without the topic of cycling, which was the theme of day three.

Due to the cancelation of the annual Electric Vehicle Summit (EVS) by Forth, the virtual mission also incorporated the company’s EVS33 roadmap to Portland webinars.

Online networking

International cooperation is a vital part of doing business, especially in economically

difficult times. Matchmaking sessions gave Dutch and American companies the opportunity to find potential business partners now that the coronavirus is preventing face-to-face contact. Using the online platform, participants could view, like, and message interesting parties, and were grouped together in personalized swipe-right, swipe-left sessions.

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37 Together with the social moment, which randomly mixed delegation members in break-out sessions and a matchmaking that allowed participants to visit each other in designated rooms, a strong resemblance to the usual business meetings, virtual office hours with the consulate team, networking receptions, and mixers were found.

Meet the mobility delegation

The participants of the digital trade mission joined the mission from the comfort of their own home or office in the Netherlands. Here you see TU Delft, Urban Mobility

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The making of a virtual trade mission

Shaping a trade mission into a virtual format requires lots of work behind the scenes. “I think this virtual mission really represents the Netherlands, showcasing the smart Dutch approach to problem solving,” said Consul General Kunst. “Although the cancellations of our scheduled trade missions is disappointing, our quick adaptation to a virtual format exemplifies Dutch innovation and flexibility at its best.”

An interactive platform, a tech-savvy team, and an enthusiastic delegation were musts for this virtual mission, as well as a live studio set up at the Netherlands Consulate General in San Francisco.

Kicking off each mission day with talk show “Good Morning, San Francisco” were Dutch hosts Consul General Gerbert Kunst and his communication advisor Sietze Vermeulen. More than 1500 viewers watched the first day, as Gerbert and Sietze interviewed distinguished guests and shared the latest mission schedule. Missed the show? Click here to watch “Good Morning, San Francisco” and many other mission sessions.

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Lillies for Healthcare Heroes Laguna Honda Hospital

As corona swept across the world and the US, healthcare workers suddenly became the first line of defense in a global health crisis. That’s why Consul Gerbert Kunst and

colleagues of the consular team handed out 1500 bouquets of lilies to the brave healthcare heroes of Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco, in

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40 collaboration with Sun Valley Floral, Mercury Global Partners and photographer Heidi

Alletzhauser. During this pandemic, no group deserves this Dutch token of appreciation more than the nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers fighting for our lives every day. We thank you, and as we say in Dutch “dankjewel.

Anne Frank: A History for Today

Anne Frank would have turned 91 years old on June 12. Her legacy has lived on in both the Netherlands and the US, particularly through the pop-up Anne Frank Exhibition, which traveled the US West Coast school systems for the last few years. On June 10, this exhibition – and all its involved schools – were celebrated in the concluding webinar “Anne Frank: A History for Today: Students Become Teachers from Alaska to New Mexico.” Rewatch the webinar on YouTube.

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41 The exhibition – which was initiated by the Dutch Consulate General in San Francisco in a partnership with the Anne Frank House in November 2017 – taught ideals such as

tolerance, freedom, and inclusivity to American high schoolers, who became peer guides and students of Anne’s inspiring story, which is still relevant today. Many people gathered online to celebrate Anne’s exhibition and story, including Aaron Peterer and Ronald

Leopold (Anne Frank House), Maya Soetoro (University of Hawaii), Consul Gerbert Kunst, and many of the teachers and students who worked so hard to make it all happen. The exhibition is currently halted in Portland and will eventually find a permanent home at the Holocaust Center in Seattle. The schools in Portland and Seattle will get the opportunity to host the exhibition once circumstances allow.

Upcoming webinars

The e-Consulate in San Francisco is resuming its interactive webinar series. Sign up for one of the upcoming virtual events below, or watch a previous webinar of your choice on the e-Consulate website.

• June 26, 9.30am PT: Building the Transatlantic Rainbow: LGBTQ+ Advocacy

in the EU and the US. With speakers: Maria Walsh, Member of the European Parliament; Boris Dittrich, Dutch Senator and former Human Rights Watch; Scott Wiener, California State Senator; Dustin Gardiner of the San Francisco Chronicle is moderator. Please register through Zoom.

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42 • July 2, 8.00 am PT: Launch Seattle Playbook: How to do Business in Seattle

and Washington State. Hear from successful Dutch entrepreneurs Arean van Veelen and Martijn van Tilburg how to do business in this booming city. You can register by sending us an email.

Did you know...

• Consul General Gerbert Kunst sat down with travel journalist Liesbeth Rasker to discuss diplomacy in corona times. Listen to the Dutch podcast ‘Diplomatie Raakt’ here (in Dutch).

• You can watch the after movie of the first Dutch virtual trade mission on smart & e-mobility right here, to get a lasting impression of Dutch virtual innovation.

• The new Internships in the Valley video is online. Check out the first matched students, our talent partners, and learn more about hosting Dutch interns.

• BNR Nieuwsradio did a segment on the first Dutch virtual trade mission. Listen to delegation member Huib Stad of Rolling in the City talk all things virtual mobility mission here (in Dutch).

Internship Placement Report