Strengthening collaboration in the Netherlands

Strengthening collaboration in the Netherlands

Looking back on the Shelter City Netherlands Partners’ meeting

On 26 September, 12 Shelter Cities from across the Netherlands gathered in The Hague to exchange insights and strengthen collective efforts in supporting human rights defenders at risk. It was a day filled with complex discussions, and the building of deeper trust within the community.

The meeting, which brought together Dutch non-profit organizations and local municipalities, facilitated conversations on the challenges faced by human rights defenders as well as organizations actively supporting them. Together, we addressed these topics, learning from one another’s experiences. The spirit of collaboration and mutual support was key throughout this meeting, reminding us that a strong network thrives on openness and a willingness to share challenges as well as best practices.

The meeting highlighted the increasing collaboration between partners through resource-sharing, improving communication for urgent issues, and building the network’s capacity. Additionally, there was a strong focus on the importance of wellbeing—both individual and collective—as a foundation for a healthy and sustainable network.

Conversations throughout the day also explored ways of connecting the work of Shelter City Netherlands locally and globally, and how hosting human rights defenders continually exposes us to the diverse realities of human rights contexts worldwide.

In closing the meeting, Eduard Nazarski left the partners with a strong reminder: “… let’s not allow governments to monopolize words like “guts,” “hope,” “pride,” and “freedom.” In the face of a changing political and human rights landscape in the Netherlands, the meeting reflected a network that is resilient, sustainable, and full of hope.

We look forward to the next opportunity for the network to gather, reconnect, and strengthen our shared mission of standing side by side with human rights defenders.

We thank all the partners in the network of Shelter City Netherlands for their valuable contributions during this meeting.