Lecture
European Border Policing Amidst (Geo-)Political Turmoil
- Hans Leijtens
- Date
- Monday 14 April 2025
- Time
- Explanation
- Walk-in from 11.45hrs.
- Address
- Wijnhaven
Turfmarkt 99
2511 DP The Hague - Room
- 2.02
As the European Union further expands the free movement of services goods, services, capital and persons, European border policing continues to increase in importance. In January 2025, Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen Area, considered by many as one of the greatest features of the European Union. Evolving migration patterns, changing security concerns and technological advancements further complicate the essential task that is border security. Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, supports EU Member States and Schengen-associated countries in the management of the EU’s external borders and the fight against cross-border crime. It shares intelligence and expertise with all Member States and with neighbouring non-EU countries affected by migratory trends and cross-border crime. With the creation of the Standing Corps, it can be seen as the European Union’s first uniformed law enforcement service.
In this lunch lecture, we welcome Lieutenant General Dr. Hans Leijtens, since March 1st 2023 the Executive Director of FRONTEX. Before this, he was the Commander of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. He also has a Leiden connection, since he obtained both his master in Public Administration and his doctoral degree at this University. The topic of his lecture is 'European Border Policing Amidst (Geo-)Political Turmoil'.
Hans Leijtens serves as Frontex’s Executive Director since 1 March 2023. Before becoming Executive Director of Frontex, Dr Leijtens held positions as Commander of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and Governor of The Hague. At the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, he has worked in several leading positions at the highest management level. Among others, he was a Director General in the Netherlands Tax and Customs Administration, a Quartermaster of the Integrity Chamber in Sint Maarten, a Programme Director General of the reconstruction of the Windward Islands, and a member of the International Board of Auditors (NATO). Mr Leijtens studied sociology and psychology at the Royal Military Academy in Breda from 1981 to 1985, and earned his doctorate in public administration from Leiden University in 2008. Mr Leijtens was a member of the Frontex Management Board from 2011 to 2015 and 2019 to 2022.
The lunch lecture is open to all students and staff of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs. It is of particular value to everyone interested in policing studies, criminology, political sciences and security studies. Registration is mandatory and can be done via the link below.
The lunch lecture is organized is by the team Policing Studies team at Leiden University, Institute of Security and Global Affairs.
Registration
Registration is free, but you do need to sign up to attend. Make sure to register in advance!
Register here