Maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen

The Maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen (Nut for short; Society for Public Welfare) is a non-profit organization in the Netherlands founded in 1784 with the purpose of developing individuals and society, primarily through education. It had great influence in improving public education through better textbooks, model schools and teacher's training. The society continues to be involved in extracurricular education. Origins At the end of the 18th century there were many freethinkers and believers in democracy in the Netherlands, who felt that better education would bring greater prosperity for all. A group of friends of the Baptist minister Jan Nieuwenhuijzen from Monnickendam and Edam in North Holland decided to found a society that would help underprivileged people gain education by providing them with books written in simple language. The minister's son, doctor Martinus Nieuwenhuijzen, took the lead in founding a society with the goal of "improving the school system and the education of youth as the main basis for the formation, improvement and civilization of the citizen." Foundation