Toespraak minister Koenders bij het afscheid van secretaris-generaal Jones-Bos

Toespraak | 06-07-2016

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and colleagues,

Thank you for being here with me to say farewell to a very special person, the most senior diplomat of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Renée Jones-Bos. Over the past 4 years – as Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – she’s been the right-and-left-hand woman of 3 Ministers of Foreign Affairs, one Minister for Development Cooperation and one State Secretary.

I’d like to say a few words to mark this special occasion. And I’ll do so in English, as many of you represent the international community in the Netherlands.  I must admit, it’s hard to know where to begin…

In the US there is an academic custom called the 'commencement speech': an address given to graduating students. It’s an important occasion which marks the beginning of a new life phase. There are many famous examples of these speeches, like the one Steve Jobs gave at Stanford University in 2005, with the motto 'Stay hungry, stay foolish'. Now, that’s not a piece of advice that a foreign minister – or any government minister – can get away with dishing out. After all, some people can be a bit literal-minded…

There was also the funny and inspiring commencement speech that the actor Matt Damon gave this year at MIT. I can highly recommend watching it. It contains a number of valuable insights, but the message is summed up by something Mr Damon was once told by President Bill Clinton: 'Turn towards the problems you see.'

I think every government minister should take those words to heart. And I can’t think of a better way to sum up the manner in which Renée has worked over the past 4 years as Secretary-General: ‘Turn towards the problems you see’.

Back in 2012, when she took up the challenge, it wasn’t the best of times for this ministry - or for any Dutch ministry for that matter. We were only at the start of a series of severe budget cuts. We were forced to close diplomatic missions and let staff go. We had just introduced a staff satisfaction survey. And, looking back, it’s not surprising that the initial outcomes weren’t pretty: many staff complained about work stress, integrity issues, poor communication and an overall lack of a clear mission and vision at the ministry. These were problems that Renée saw too. And she didn’t hesitate to turn towards them.

Fast forward 4 years: the most recent survey, held this year, shows an impressive improvement in job satisfaction and staff morale. There’s still a lot to be done, but we’ve definitely turned a corner. And I believe it’s safe to say that Renée’s tireless efforts made a huge contribution.

Improved staff morale and job satisfaction are closely linked with her drive to implement a clear vision and mission. Under her stewardship, our diplomacy has become much more dynamic and flexible – in line with the growing awareness that in modern diplomacy distinctions between the internal and external, the national and international, have become passé. They’re interchangeable and require clear choices and innovative use of resources, as well as collaboration in old and new coalitions.

It may have put a lot of strain on the ministry, but at the same time the willingness to work hard also grew. And because our parliament believed that this ministry could and should deliver, we were also able to break with the trend towards more austerity. We’ve become leaner and meaner, and we’re growing again. Not a moment too soon, as it will put the Netherlands in a better position to play its role and live up to its responsibilities.

The Dutch approach to football is well known: total football, a concept whose key elements are coordination, spacing, and player movement. This is Renée’s legacy to Dutch diplomacy: just as there is total football, so there is total diplomacy. Where we all play our part, well-coordinated, clearly spaced, moving swiftly. The 4 constituent countries of this Kingdom, this ministry and other ministries, with short and clear lines of communication, with close interaction between government, business and civil society. And I see your presence here today as a testimony to this vision, and to the mission of this ministry, as charted by Renée.

I could list a whole range of projects that she oversaw, but I’ll restrain myself: the nitty-gritty of management is rarely interesting to outsiders. But I will say that these projects weren’t simply 'one-woman shows': they were truly collaborative efforts, involving a wide range of people. And that in itself is a hallmark of Renée’s approach: she’s very good at getting everybody on board.

I’d like to highlight 3 of Renée’s personal qualities that – as far as I’m concerned – have informed her style of management, and have contributed to the turn-around at this ministry: integrity, trust, and respect.

- Integrity – the word implies not just a sense of honesty, but also of completeness and comprehensiveness. Renée covered all the bases, supported by her character, her training and her experience. She is fair and honest. Wise, funny, charming and supportive.

- Trust – another word with shades of meaning:  Renée always radiates a sense of optimism and faith. She displays a mindset that can brighten your view, when sometimes it’s so easy to be disheartened by the state of the world. But trust also implies confidence and belief in others: Lenin said: 'Trust is good, but control is better.' Renée has tried to put the opposite in practice, and I think the results speak for themselves.

- Finally: respect – which also has two dimensions. First there is her keen sense of loyalty, of true regard without flattery or groveling. It’s a quality that’s perhaps best symbolised by her role as Royal Herald at the investiture of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander. Seeing her in that role made many of her colleagues very proud. And then there is her awareness that you should always create space for other opinions. Always invite counterarguments without judging or condemning.

President Obama gave this year’s commencement address at Howard University. He elaborated on that last point by saying: 'Democracy requires compromise, even when you are 100 per cent right.' Matt Damon mentioned that remark in his own speech, and said that when he heard it he thought: 'Here is a man who has been happily married for a long time'. Perhaps this - the need for compromise - is also the secret to Renée’s success as a diplomat, a manager and, not least, a friend. 

Integrity, trust and respect: these are the three main features of Renée’s tenure as Secretary-General. As you all know, Renée is now taking up the position of His Majesty’s Ambassador in Moscow – at a difficult time, and under challenging circumstances. Her appointment reaffirms the desire of this government to reach a closer understanding with Russia, based on the same principles she has championed throughout her career: integrity, trust and respect.

A final remark: please allow me to end this farewell speech with a word of welcome to Renée’s successor as Secretary-General, Yoka Brandt. Yoka, for you it’s a commencement of a new life as well. I’m delighted that the Ministry will be in your capable hands.

Renée: thank you for all you’ve done for us in The Hague. I wish you and Richard all the very best at your new post.

Thank you for your attention.