The Hague presents a new vision that further strengthens its role as the international city of peace and justice. In it, the municipality demonstrates how international challenges—such as human rights, climate justice, and security—are increasingly directly linked to what’s happening in The Hague. It also demonstrates how the city leverages its position on the global stage for both residents and international partners.
Alderwoman Mariëlle Vavier (International Affairs): “The Hague is a city that has demonstrated for 125 years that collaboration works. We have grown into a place where hundreds of organizations work together to build peace and justice, and we can be proud of that. This unique network in our city is seen and recognized worldwide. In the coming years, we want to further strengthen our position as the international city of Peace and Justice. Not only beyond our borders, but especially within our own city. By involving residents and exchanging knowledge with other cities worldwide, we strengthen each other. In this way, we ensure that The Hague and the world around us become a better, more just place.”
More than 500 international organisations make The Hague unique
The Hague is the third-largest UN city in the world and is home to some 500 international institutions and organizations, including the International Court of Justice at the Peace Palace and the International Criminal Court. These courts, knowledge institutes, and other organizations work on peace and justice worldwide and together provide over 20,000 jobs. Their activities contribute more than €2.7 billion annually to The Hague’s economy. The Hague’s attraction to these organizations is not a given: the city has worked hard in recent years to strengthen its role as host city and its position as the international city of peace and justice. The growing number of international institutions demonstrates that The Hague is an attractive location worldwide.
Responsible growth
Because The Hague is so popular, choices must be made. Space in the city is limited, so The Hague is carefully determining which organizations can establish themselves here in the future. In the coming years, the goal isn’t to attract as many new institutions as possible, but to attract the right ones. It’s about organizations and conferences that truly contribute to The Hague’s status as a city of peace and justice, for example, in the areas of human rights and security.
From The Hague neighborhood to world stage
In a world where major challenges are increasingly felt close to home, cities are playing an increasingly important role. The Hague is leveraging its international network to better address local problems and learn from other cities. Whether it’s climate adaptation, protection against digital threats, or making justice accessible to all: by sharing experiences and finding solutions together, The Hague becomes stronger and better prepared for the future. The Hague actively collaborates with other cities and participates in European and global city networks. This allows local and international issues to be connected.
Bringing peace and justice closer to residents
The Hague’s international character should also be more tangible for its residents. This could be achieved through educational projects on peace and justice, exchanges between schools in The Hague and international organizations, and events or exhibitions that demonstrate how global issues impact daily life in the city. This way, The Hague’s international identity becomes something everyone can see, experience, and promote.
With this vision, The Hague connects the global stage with the local: from collaboration with international networks to projects that make The Hague’s international character tangible for its residents. In this way, the city not only remains a host city for those working for peace and justice, but also becomes a guiding city where these values are lived daily.
Text & Image: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English: The Hague Online