Road to Summit, The Hague programme of Peace and Justice

Activities of Peace and Justice in the neighbourhoods of The Hague

Let our Transvaal and Schilderswijk shine

For 2 days, The Hague is the international centre, part of the world stage. During the NATO summit, The Hague receives dozens of world leaders, ministers and security advisors from all over the world. The international conference is held in the World Forum. That is all very good and important, of course, yet if it were up to these two committed residents of The Hague, Schilderswijk and Transvaal would also get a prominent role. “We are positively shaking up The Hague and letting Schilderswijk and Transvaal shine,” says Atalay Celenk.

Recognition and connection on a global level

In October last year, entrepreneurs Atalay Celenk and Mustapha Barbouch already dreamed of an alternative program around the summit. "We want to show the other beautiful sides of The Hague, the real The Hague, in Schilderswijk and Transvaal", say social entrepreneur Atalay Celenk and neighborhood ambassador Mustapha Barbouch.

It is possible

With more than 145 nationalities in the neighborhood in such a small area, the men want to show that it is really possible to live together peacefully.

Mustapha Barbouch: "If it is possible with so many nationalities in less than 2 square kilometers, then it is also possible to live together elsewhere without war and misery. We want to be an example to the world. Especially now with the world leaders who are coming, we want to show that things are going well here, it is possible."

Children's District Council

Kizzy Held, children's coordinator at community center De Mussen, is also closely involved in the activities.

A Children's District Council is active in the Schilderswijk district, in which children are involved in thinking about the district and what is needed to live together peacefully. Kizzy Held: “A peaceful world starts in the district. Our children really have something to say, they are our future. The Children's District Council was set up while the world was on fire. What can they tell our world leaders during the NATO summit?”

A dialogue evening in theater Vaillant, inspiration and the contribution of volunteers to peace and security

A dialogue evening is being held in Theater Vaillant in the context of the NATO summit in The Hague – an important moment when international attention is focused on peace and security. PEP The Hague is taking this opportunity – together with partners in this project – to show how local volunteers and organizations in The Hague, Transvaal and the Schilderswijk in particular, contribute to these themes in their own powerful way on a daily basis.

Dialogue session

The dialogue session will be led by volunteers and trainers from PEP with experience in facilitating discussions on social themes. The session will be introduced with fragments from documentaries that focus on the power and impact of volunteers.

Abderrahim Kajouane, senior advisor at PEP: “As an international city of peace and justice, The Hague attracts many international organisations that also work with volunteers. By making connections with local initiatives and stimulating knowledge sharing, new opportunities for collaboration arise. In this way, we contribute to promoting The Hague – including Transvaal and the Schilderswijk – as an example city in the field of peace, security and social cohesion.”

Alternative peace conference within walking distance of the summit in the Statenkwartier

Within walking distance, just on the other side of where the real summit takes place, there is room for an alternative summit, which will take place in the Couvéehuis Community and Service Centre in the Statenkwartier. Rebecca van Leeuwen and Jolanda Letterie of the Statenkwartier Community Council are organising, as part of the Just Peace Festival, together with the residents of the neighbourhood, all sorts of things for the neighbourhood, in particular cultural events under the collective name ‘Meet and Do’.

Artist Lilly Priester came up with the idea a few months ago to hold an alternative peace conference in the weekend before the NATO summit. For this, she invited various artists from the area to express their vision of peace and justice. The artists all designed a lecturer in their own style with their vision of peace and justice.

Together they developed the plan. Everyone, from 6 to 106 years old, is welcome in the Statenkwartier to take a seat behind one of the designed lecterns.

“The Hague is the city of Peace and Justice, they say, let's make that happen.” – Rebecca van Leeuwen

The artists take turns to guide the visitors who speak. The most beautiful statements are collected.

Vredesconferentie Kunstenaars Statenkwartier
Location: Community and Service Center Het Couvéehuis, Statenkwartier
Date: June 21 and 22
Time: from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Click here for more information about the Peace events in the neighborhoods and the other events during the Just Peace Festival