[City of Peace and Justice] Hague project seeks to bridge peace and justice gap with youth
Published 30 April 2025
Image by Haagse Hogeschool
The Hague, globally known as the International City of Peace and Justice, is grappling with a disconnect between its prestigious international institutions and its younger residents. A new project, "Youth in the City of Peace and Justice," aims to bridge this gap, fostering engagement with peace, justice, and human rights among the city’s youth.
Despite hosting the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and numerous other international courts and organisations, many young people in The Hague feel alienated from these entities. A collaboration between the Asser Institute and The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) seeks to rectify this through research and interactive events.
The project “Youth in the City of Peace and Justice”, actively builds on the findings of the previous research project 'The Hague youth as global citizens', which demonstrated a disconnect between the world of The Hague’s international institutions and the world experienced by youth on a daily basis. The project is carried out in collaboration with various external partners, including Justice & Peace, the Municipality of The Hague, Digital Child Rights, The Hague Humanity Hub and the The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS).
Peacebuilders
In the project, THUAS students will work with local organisations like Justice & Peace, the Asser Institute and the Municipality of The Hague, conducting surveys and facilitating discussions with youth from community centers and schools, to explore their perceptions of peace and justice. “By actively linking our youth with The Hague's international institutions, we're not just informing them, we're inspiring the next generation of peacebuilders and advocates for justice.”, says Asser Institute project leader Tarik Gherbaoui.
The initiative will culminate in May 2025 with events designed to connect young people with the city's international character. Activities range from tribunal visits to discussions on human rights, all aimed at raising awareness and fostering engagement. A prize will be awarded for the most impactful project, celebrating the students’ efforts.
Complementing these events, the Asser Institute is developing a visually engaging card deck on human rights, intended to spark dialogue and enhance understanding among young people. The project aims to make The Hague’s youth more aware of, and involved in, the very principles that define their city.
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About Tarik Gherbaoui
Tarik Gherbaoui is a researcher in international law at the Asser Institute where he contributes to several projects in the context of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). Tarik holds a PhD in Law from the European University Institute in Florence, a Master of Laws degree from the University of Cambridge (Sidney Sussex College), and a Bachelor of Laws degree (cum laude) from the University of Amsterdam, including an exchange to the University of Copenhagen. Read more.
