Peace events in the Districts: A Retrospective in Schilderswijk and Transvaal
During the NATO summit, The Hague will be the international focal point for two days, where world leaders, ministers, and security advisors come together at the World Forum. While the city is on the world stage, Schilderswijk and Transvaal certainly also play a prominent role.
"We are putting The Hague on the map in a positive way and letting Schilderswijk and Transvaal shine," says Atalay Celenk.
We reflect on 3 great events:
Saturday, June 14 - Peace walk from Schilderswijk to Transvaal
The Peace Walk from Schilderswijk to Transvaal began with coffee, tea, and local delicacies. The participants enjoyed a visit to the community garden, where Ahmed Belaarbi shared his inspiring story.
Mohamed Arraq provided valuable insights on safety and community spirit. The vibrant Hague Market offered encounters with local entrepreneurs, and the walk through the neighborhood revealed remarkable cultural and historical sites.
Monday June 16 - Peace Close to Home
The peace conference 'Peace Close to Home' included a dialogue evening at the Juliana Plaza, with as many as 100 attendees. Under the energetic leadership of moderator Fatima Bouddokar and host Atalay Celenk, the participants engaged in discussions about peace in their own environment.
Inspirational contributions from speakers such as Gert-Jan Aleman, Jozias van Aartsen, and Jeannet provided new insights and perspectives. The evening concluded with a delightful meal and a drink, which led to valuable exchanges of ideas during the roundtable discussions.
Wednesday evening June 18 – Dialogue evening PEP
PEP The Hague organized a dialogue evening together with its project partners to emphasize how local volunteers and organizations in The Hague, particularly in Transvaal and the Schilderswijk, contribute daily to peace and justice. This evening highlighted the power of local initiatives and the impact they have on the community.
There were beautiful dialogues, new insights, there was a dance performance by the Hague dance group 'Nogice', which consists of choreographies from, among others, Serbia, Turkey, Romania, and Macedonia. The costumes come from the countries of the dances they showcase.
People could have conversations and connect with each other while enjoying a snack and a drink.
Schilderswijk and Transvaal shine
With the peace events in the neighborhoods, The Hague is positively highlighted, and Schilderswijk and Transvaal shine with the involvement and warm contributions of the participants in these valuable conversations; a sense of community has been celebrated again and new connections have been made.
Also, check out the interview with, among others, The Hague entrepreneurs Atalay Celenk and Mustapha Barbouch and the other peace events in the neighborhoods.
