23 August 2022 — The message of Hans Groen's sudden death brought us back with a blow to the creation of our study and consultation centre. Socires. It was quite early 2000. Socires The aim was to give new impetus to Christian social thinking in Dutch society. And then a certain Hans Groen appeared out of nowhere. Someone who could do anything. From the design of brochures and publications to the use of the Internet that blossoms and the design of websites. And someone who managed to combine a great scientific commitment with graphic design. And who was also an excellent photographer. But especially someone who from a sociological and theological background tried to understand and interpret the signs of time. One Hans thus became the great inspiration of the summer conference of the Christian-Social Congress of the Ghetto and squares. Even before Paul Scheffer put the multiculturality as a drama, Hans came up with the thesis that individualization, secularisation and multiculturality in their combination were the central challenge of Dutch society. He denounced the axiom that, thanks to secularisation, multiculturalism would evaporate itself in a general and universally shared religion-free Netherlands. The current theorem at an important part of the elite in the Netherlands was that a Muslim was only integrated "if he didn't do anything about it." Are

I got to know Hans well in our tour in preparation for that Congress at about 30 of those organizations. And he asked them to the core: What was their strength, their weakness, their perspective, their mission? What did they expect from the government, from related organisations and above all from their mutual cooperation and how could they jointly strengthen and radiate that mission? From 2000 onwards, in all kinds of keys, sometimes eloquently murmuring, those questions would be repeated with attempts at an answer. And Hans was almost always there. Technically, because he could take care of everything, the technique but also an important part of the content.

For Socires Was that all could be a godsend. With our very small staff and with our limited resources, it was decisive to have someone available who could and wanted to work in so many areas, often on a voluntary basis. Money and income were of secondary importance to him. Content and meaning all the more. From the wonderful first annual report to countless other publications, he took care of the design, production and not rarely the content. And all that can be done concerned not only the different functions that had to be fulfilled. Also the themes Hans was working on and in which he deepened knew a huge variety. The support of the Christian-Social Congress, but also the Latin American Conferences of Socires (ELE) and the European Social Week (ESW).

After living abroad for several years, during which period he remained in contact with Socires, he became a key figure in the organization and design of our cycle foodFIRST. At the Korte Vijverberg in The Hague, he organized monthly high-level discussions between experts and policy leaders, who systematically dealt with how, in particular, people in Africa could feed themselves and the world better and contribute to the protection and restoration of the natural ecosystem. And that also resulted in major international conferences this time. The presence of the highest policy makers in the relationship Africa Europe was partly due to the design and content of these meetings and Hans contributed decisively to this. As he also played an important role in the CSC's 2016 anniversary congress and the underlying report "The power of connectedness'. And also in the new programme of SociresHe was active in the creation and promotion of Laudato Si." Even when he had moved to Groningen with his husband Scott, he remained at the websites and the ICT events of Socires contributions.

His versatility and especially his creativity, his artistry also made life and profession not always easy for Hans. He had to include himself in the schedules and priorities of organizations and institutes, even though he did not always share the same views or preferences. But his commitment and idealism were decisive in his deep conviction that he had a mission to promote justice, humanity and connectedness. He sometimes ended up in his own ghetto, but he combined it with the meeting with relatives and companions at the square where he was involved in joint action and engagement.

Socires should Socires Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I should like to say that we have not been able to do so without the commitment of Hans Groen and we owe him a great deal. It was enriching and especially encouraging to have been allowed to work with him.

We hope that Scott, so suddenly attacked by Hans' death, may find the strength to bear this loss. And we pray that Hans may find the peace and happiness he has fought for in his life. And of him who sang to so many in his church choir in his life, we may now hope to be carried in eternal peace.

Jos van Gennip
Co-founder and consultant Socires