The Netherlands was invaded in 1940 by Nazi Germany in the Western European campaign of the Second World War. During the occupation over 100,000 Dutch Jews were murdered in the Holocaust along with significant numbers of Dutch Roma (gypsies). Dutch workers were conscripted for labour in German factories, civilians were killed in reprisal for attacks on German soldiers, and the countryside was plundered for food for German soldiers in the Netherlands and for shipment to Germany. (Source: Wikipedia.) The Netherlands was liberated in 1945 and continues to mark Remembrance Day (4 May), the annual day of remembrance for the victims of war, and Liberation Day (5 May), the liberation festivities to celebrate freedom.

Every year, at a national remembrance ceremony held in the centre of Amsterdam, Queen Beatrix places a wreath on the cenotaph - a national memorial. This ceremony is attended by thousands of people and is broadcast on national television. Throughout the country, a two minutes silence is observed at precisely 18h00 on 4 May. For many years, some 80 Scouts have had the task of handing the wreaths to the Queen and to the many authorities and representatives of the former resistance and relatives of the Dutch victims of war throughout the world. They commemorate those who fell in the Second World War and in UN-missions since. At exactly the same moment, hundreds of other Scouts, together with town and city mayors and representatives of local organisations, carry out the same duties at remembrance ceremonies.

This project aims to involve Scouts in the activities, not only in the ceremonial part, but more importantly in increasing the awareness of young people of the meaning of freedom and remembrance. As part of the preparations for their participation, Scouts spend time beforehand visiting museums and meeting with people who survived concentration camps, and also with people who have been involved in UN peace-keeping missions.

The Scouts have developed a games and software package to support groups organise their own projects around the themes of freedom, peace and tolerance.