Exploring poverty and citizenship: First Charity Lecture in Drenthe marks UNESCO milestone
Drenthe hosts the first of three Charity Lectures on April 16, delving into how citizenship can bridge poverty and wealth. This event celebrates five years of UNESCO recognition for the Colonies of Benevolence, offering insights into historical and modern approaches to social challenges.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | First Charity Lecture: 'Citizenship and the Colonies of Benevolence' |
| Date | April 16, 2026 |
| Time | Doors open at 7:00 PM, lecture starts at 7:30 PM |
| Location | Colony Church Wilhelminaoord, Drenthe |
| Speaker | Sander Schimmelpenninck (columnist and media maker) |
| Panelists | Angelie Sens (historian), Paul Meurs (architect-researcher) |
| Registration | Free, required via website |
| UNESCO Milestone | 5 years since recognition as World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence |
| Future Lectures | June 30 (healthcare and poverty), November 8 (Ancestry Day collaboration) |
| Parking | Limited; use public parking area in Wilhelminaoord |
The province of Drenthe serves as the custodian of the UNESCO World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence, preserving and promoting these historic sites. The government body plays a key role in organizing cultural and educational events to highlight the significance of these colonies in addressing historical and contemporary social issues.
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First Charity Lecture: Citizenship and the Colonies of Benevolence
On Thursday, April 16, the province of Drenthe, as siteholder of the UNESCO World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence in the Netherlands, will host the first in a series of three ‘Charity Lectures’. During this inaugural lecture titled ‘Citizenship and the Colonies of Benevolence’, columnist and media maker Sander Schimmelpenninck will explore how citizenship can help bridge the gap between poverty and wealth.
This year marks five years since the cultural landscapes of Frederiksoord-Wilhelminaoord, Veenhuizen, and the Belgian Wortel were recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Colonies of Benevolence. This milestone will be celebrated with various cultural activities and festivals, of which the first Charity Lectures are a part.
‘The lectures are a way to generate more attention for the unique story of this World Heritage site,’ says deputy Yvonne Turenhout. ‘We are proud that this recognition was granted to these areas five years ago. It underscores the importance of preserving these areas for the future and offers us a unique opportunity to see how poverty alleviation was approached in the past and, with fresh eyes, to reflect on the present.’
Charity Lecture ‘Citizenship and the Colonies of Benevolence’
In recent years, Sander Schimmelpenninck has explored in various ways how the gap between poverty and wealth can be narrowed. Awareness of citizenship and the conscious engagement with it is a key element in this effort. Following Schimmelpenninck’s lecture, there will be a panel discussion with him, historian and author Angelie Sens (biographer of Johannes van den Bosch), and architect-researcher Paul Meurs.
The five-year anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage recognition provides a fitting occasion for the first Charity Lectures. However, this is not where it ends: the intention is for the Charity Lectures to become a recurring event.
Pillars of the Colonies of Benevolence
The Colonies of Benevolence were established in the 19th century by the Society for Benevolence. By integrating families and later other target groups such as orphans, vagrants, and beggars into the Colonies of Benevolence and guiding them toward a life as farmers, the Society aimed to improve their livelihoods while simultaneously addressing the severe poverty of the early 19th century. This plan was only partially realized.
The pillars of the Society for Benevolence—such as work, education, and healthcare—can still be seen in many aspects of today’s society.
Upcoming Charity Lectures
The next lectures are scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, and Sunday, November 8. On June 30, street doctor Michelle van Tongerloo will discuss the link between healthcare and poverty. On November 8, the third lecture of the year will take place in collaboration with the organizers of Ancestry Day at the National Prison Museum in Veenhuizen.
Program and Practical Information
The lectures are free to attend, but registration is required via www.kolonienvanweldadigheid.eu/weldadigheidslezingen
- Date: April 16
- Time: 7:00 PM doors open with coffee and tea, start at 7:30 PM. Ends around 9:00 PM
- Location: Colony Church Wilhelminaoord
- Parking is limited at the Colony Church. Visitors can follow route P-long to the public parking area in the village (diagonally opposite the church, behind the community center).
More information about the Colonies of Benevolence can be found at
www.kolonienvanweldadigheid.nl
www.kolonienvanweldadigheid.eu
Colonies of Benevolence, Netherlands — Google Arts & Culture