One hundred years. A century. This is surely a milestone to be celebrated. And RIVM intends to do just that, under the motto 'Senses in society'. Various special events have been planned, including a centenary symposium and a grand reception for staff.

Symposium
The centenary symposium was at the Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam, on 18 June 2009. Some 750 delegates attended, representing our clients (ministries, the European Commission and parliamentarians), research partners (universities and other institutes), international sister organizations (including WHO and OECD) and senior members of the Dutch government. Two pre-eminent scientists were invited to speak. Prof. Tony McMichael discussed the link between environment and health, while Prof. Louise Fresco considered how nutrition affects health.

History
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has been working on behalf of people and the environment for one hundred years. It began in 1909 as a small testing laboratory serving public health inspectors. At the time, it had a staff of twelve men and one woman. Today, RIVM is a respected international centre of expertise in public health and the environment, with some 1,500 employees.

historical overview