On day one of the Study Days, participants visited the European Parliament to attend a roundtable discussion on the Freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB), together with MEPs from the Intergroup on FORB. ECPP MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen, Co-Chair of the Intergroup, explained the origin and function of the Intergroup as a platform to promote religious freedom and stand with persecuted Christians in the world. He explained that the Intergroup was an initiative of former MEP Peter van Dalen (ChristenUnie), who sought a coalition of MEPs to focus on religious freedom. After each European election, a majority needs to be found to re-establish the Intergroup. This is a struggle, MEP Ruissen said: “For many politicians, freedom of religion or belief is not an issue. It is difficult to get it on the agenda.” Until now, MEPs have succeeded in establishing the Intergroup after each election. 

“Christians are the most persecuted group globally. One in seven Christians is persecuted and discriminated against because of their faith. This is hardly known or spoken about. We need to elevate their voices because they cannot do it themselves,” said Don Ceder, Dutch Member of Parliament for ChristenUnie. He also pointed out the fact that many politicians and officials in the Western world, particularly in foreign affairs, suffer from ‘religious illiteracy’; they do not understand or recognize what consequences certain measures can have on believers. He urged an understanding of the role of religion in society and how people are motivated by faith. When national and European policymakers and officials know better the implications certain policies have on religious groups in faraway societies, they can make better decisions. Ceder called it a possible remedy against extremism. 

MEP Ruissen further spoke about how the Intergroup acts as a platform for raising awareness of FORB-related issues and events within the European Parliament. He also discussed their efforts to appoint an EU Special Envoy for FORB, as well as the various resolutions on FORB-related topics, such as forced conversions and marriages in Pakistan. He also addressed the question of what the EU can do in terms of trade policy when partner countries fail to respect human rights and freedom of religion. The roundtable also included contributions from MEP Tonin (Slovenia, EPP) and a Q&A session. 

At the workshop that followed, ECPP General Secretary Maarten van de Fliert introduced the audience to the ECPP, explaining its status as the only European political party that explicitly promotes Christian values. The workshop also featured a detailed explanation of the legislative process at the European level from the ECPP’s Director of Political Relations, Márton Gyöngyösi. The Migration and Asylum Pact, which came into force in July 2026, was used as a case study. Gyöngyösi demonstrated how developments at the European level affected the political situation in the Netherlands, and vice versa, at the different stages. “There is direct interaction between the EU legislative process and domestic discourse, debate, and conflicts. Institutions at the European and domestic levels are interlinked, and it is important to recognise this interconnectivity. The EU is not an isolated entity that populists can blame for problems,” he concluded. 

During the evening programme, ECPP MEP Niels Geuking gave a speech appreciating the cooperation between member parties within ECPP: “For me, ECPP is a European family. We come from different backgrounds, and we might have our differences, but we share fundamental values. The promotion of Christian values, like human dignity, is needed.” 

Johanna Koffeman-Kramer, CU Secretary for International Affairs, compared the cooperation within the European Union with the feast of Pentecost where people could understand each other and work together on our shared values: “The European Union is complex and frustrating at times. But it is also a place for connection, where solutions are found for problems that cross borders. It is an investment in our future.” Leon Meijer, ECPP Board Member, spoke about the need to conduct value-based politics, and not seek power above all. “In ECPP, we find each other because of our values, even though we are all different and have different approaches. ECPP is valuable network and source of information.” 

Director of ChristenUnie’s Scientific Institute, Trineke Palm, underlined the European Union as a community of values and, increasingly, considering the geopolitical developments, as a community of security. MP Don Ceder assessed that an EU member state, such as the Netherlands, can influence the EU’s policy: “If we come together, also in prayer, we can have an influence — we can be the salt of the earth — together with colleagues from other countries, and the EU can be a witness to and blessing for other partners and continents.” 

The second day included a visit to the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU, where we met Carola van Rijnsoever, Deputy Permanent Representative to the European Union. She spoke about her role and work lobbying EU institutions on behalf of the Dutch government, and about her cooperation with the European institutions.  

At the European Commission, participants got to speak with Marijn Verhees, who works for the cabinet of Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, and discussed how the European Commission prepares legislation. A conversation that touched upon legislation regarding nitrogen, environmental protection, EU enlargement, and more.

Rob Jonkman, former alderman of Opsterland (NL) and member of the Committee of the Regions, gave a presentation about the Committee, explaining its function and structure. He underlined that representation of local and regional governments at the European level is very important, since much legislation is executed at this level.  

ECPP Secretary General Maarten van de Fliert concluded the two-day conference: “On behalf of the ECPP, I thank you for participating in the Study Days. Hopefully, this piqued your interest in what happens in Brussels, at the institutions of the European Union, and you can see past the one-liners about the EU we often hear in the media, and that you glimpsed a little of the complexity and important work taking place here. Take this experience home with you and remember the influence we can have at the European level when we work together.”