Veteran Hubert-Jan Vleeshouwers once chose to trade his electrical engineering education for a career in the army, dedicating himself to preserving peace and freedom around the world. Now, he challenges you to reflect and ask yourself: “What are you doing for freedom?”
This program is organized in collaboration with the Liberation 040 Foundation, the Eindhoven student organization behind the Liberation Festival Eindhoven.
With rising geopolitical tensions and growing global instability, the freedom we’ve enjoyed in the Netherlands since its liberation from the German Nazi regime 80 years ago is less self-evident than we might think. The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with foreign influence from Russia, directly impact Dutch security. As NATO braces for potential confrontation with Russian aggression, the debate around conscription has become relevant again. While that moment hasn’t arrived yet, it does raise an important question: how can each of us help sustain a free society and keep the flame of freedom alive?
About the speaker
Born in 1957, Hubert-Jan Vleeshouwers is a Dutch defense veteran, former lieutenant colonel, logistics officer, and chairman of Stichting Veteranen Brabant Zuid Oost. His military career began in 1978 and included contributions to UN missions in former Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Kosovo) between 1994 and 2000, and the Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Team in 2007. Since retiring from active service in 2014, he has remained actively engaged with the veteran community.
Liberation 040 Festival
This program is organized in collaboration with the Liberation 040 Foundation, a student organization that has been organizing the Eindhoven Liberation Festival, Liberation 040, in honor of Eindhoven’s liberation on September 18 1944, since 2018. In the lead-up to the festival on Saturday 13 September, various activities are organized to promote knowledge and awareness among young people and students about the Second World War, the liberation of Eindhoven, and living in freedom today.
On Saturday, September 13, everyone is welcome to join the celebration in downtown Eindhoven.
Ticket reservation recommended
To be assured of a seat, we recommend reserving a ticket (black "order" button).
SG & USE/ITEC registration
Please register for SG & USE/ITEC by scanning your student ID at the venue prior to the start of the program.
More information about SG & USE/ITEC can be found here.