Author: Tot nut van het Algemeen
“On November 16, 1794, it was decided to establish
“The Society of Arts and Sciences”, under the
motto: “Tot nut van ‘t algemeen” (For the
use of the common people). The aim was to have an organization
focused on the promotion of the common people by taking initiatives
for education. In order to substantially improve the living
conditions of the working population, the society strived
for accessibility of education for everyone by: setting up
elementary schools; publishing school books etc.; setting
up schools to educate teachers and other forms of professional
education. Moreover, a number of useful educational and sociological
initiatives were taken, such as establishing libraries, savings
banks and insurance companies, as well as initiatives in the
field of the social care and teaching courses in numerous
areas of popular education."*
