One region, three countries, countless stories – Welcome to BeneluxNet
08 Apr. 2025
On April 8, 2025, the Belgian Centre at the University of Paderborn (North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW) launched BeneluxNet: a digital platform presenting the Benelux region as a political, economic, and cultural core of Europe. The initiative offers in-depth insights into the close cooperation between the Benelux countries and their joint role in European integration. Mr. Frans Weekers, Secretary-General of the Benelux, attended the launch of the information platform at the Representation of the State of NRW in Berlin.
BeneluxNet targets a broad audience and features thematic contributions on history, culture, politics, and economics. The platform includes articles on the origins of the Benelux Union, the region’s role within the European Union, and cultural analyses.
A distinctive feature of BeneluxNet is its educational approach. The platform provides teaching materials for schools and universities, focusing on intercultural and transcultural learning. It also supports the master’s program in BeNeLux Studies at the University of Paderborn, which offers students the opportunity to specialize in the dynamics of the Benelux region.
The project is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the University of Paderborn, aiming to raise awareness of the Benelux as a model for cross-border cooperation. With contributions from experts and political decision-makers, BeneluxNet provides a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange about the unique position of the Benelux in Europe.
Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs and Media of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Head of the State Chancellery – who, along with the three ambassadors of the Benelux countries in Germany, has taken on the patronage of this new platform – praised the initiative and emphasized the close ties between his state and the Benelux countries:
“The Benelux region is both a laboratory and a driving force of European integration. The Benelux countries share more than just common borders with North Rhine-Westphalia. What unites us is a deep friendship and a multifaceted relationship between our societies, in economics and science. These relationships are nurtured through mutual understanding and interest. BeneluxNet contributes an important building block to this: it makes information about the Benelux countries, their culture, history, economy, and politics accessible to a wide audience. In my view, BeneluxNet can become a central instrument in North Rhine-Westphalia’s relations with the Benelux countries. I thank the Belgian Centre at the University of Paderborn for this initiative. As a state government, we were happy to provide financial support for the development of this unique platform. I wish all visitors an enjoyable journey of discovery through the Benelux region!”
foto (c) Michael Setzpfandt
