Dr. Nikolaos van Dam - The Netherlands Helps Indonesian Education

Letter of Appreciation from Dr. Nikolaos van Dam

In January, Golden Year 6 (2009), Supreme Master Ching Hai presented the Shining World Leadership Award to the Netherlands in recognition of her outstanding humanitarian efforts and enlightened leadership to help foster free education for Indonesian children.

In December last year, the Netherlands provided €15 million (US$20 million equivalent) to Indonesia, distributed through the World Bank, to promote the country’s efforts to grant free education for students up to the 9th grade. This action will improve access to quality schooling and thus help in the protection and development of the children. In turn, these new generations will provide our society with greater advancements in the arts and sciences, and contribute abundantly to the uplifting of our beautiful planet, leading our civilization forward into a glorious future of peace and prosperity for all.

Upon receiving the Award letter and some gifts from Master, Dr. Nikolaos van Dam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, wrote to Master to convey his well-wishes to Her and to express his appreciation for the Award and the thoughtful gifts.

Our thankfulness, the Netherlands, for your generous support of education in God-loving Indonesia. May all young people be granted bright futures.