For law and justice organizations, The Hague is a 'place of hope'
Known internationally, this city in the Netherlands is a 'magical place,' says its former Deputy Mayor
The Hague, home to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, is known to the world as the "City of Peace and Justice" — in fact, that's the city motto.
Along with the two great courts, a whole series of satellite agencies, non-government agencies and non-profits in the area of law and justice have sprung up in this city in the Netherlands.
A 'city of peace and justice'
IDEAS visited The Hague and spoke to some of the people who work there.
Rabin Baldewsingh was only in his teens when he first saw the Peace Palace: the administrative building that houses the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague Academy of International Law and the Peace Palace Library.
He describes it now as a "magical" place, but back then, he had no idea what it stood for.
"I actually did not understand what the meaning of the Peace Palace really was — (it is) of course, a beautiful building built in 1913 by the Carnegie Foundation — but it is more than the stones. Actually, this is the place where the world meets when there is a dispute, when justice has to take its place… this is the place which makes The Hague actually the international city of peace and justice."
He continues, "I've been here now many times, when I used to be Deputy Mayor in this city, but also now as National Coordinator Against Discrimination and Racism. I'm very glad that this building is here in this place, because it not only characterizes The Hague as the international city of peace and justice, but it gives us hope. It's a place of hope. It's a place of justice."
A city of 'encouragement and support'
For others, the city is a place of opportunity, where they can be recognized on a global scale. Khaled Shabaan, a refugee from Syria, says that coming to The Hague meant that he could run his IT training project enterprise, Pathways, and feel like he is seen by the entire world.
"Pathways' mission is to provide access to employment for refugees and vulnerable people in Syria and the Middle East by providing them jobs in the tech industry, from Europe and North America…Whenever there is a social aspect, you feel that you are getting more encouragement and more support. You find support from so many organizations here. You find support from people to continue your work. All that started when I moved to The Hague."
This IDEAS episode, The Fire Within Us, explores what some of the organizations do that make The Hague their home, and why it's such an important place to work in.
To listen to the full episode download the IDEAS podcast from your favourite app.
*This episode was produced by Philip Coulter.