Nathalie Ummels
Shelter City Maastricht Coordinator, Mondiaal Maastricht
Our support
Rest and re-energize
Maastricht is a welcoming safe space for human rights defenders to unwind for a few months. In Shelter City Maastricht, it is our mission to make the defenders feel at home and to support them in improving their personal wellbeing, while they are away from the risks of their work.
Tailored support and capacity-building
At Shelter City Maastricht, human rights defenders receive support tailored to their individual needs, for example medical care, psychological support, security trainings and development of expertise. Shelter City Maastricht also offers guests the opportunity to take courses at Maastricht University in order to expand their knowledge and strengthen their skills set.
Engage with local allies
In Shelter City Maastricht, defenders can connect with local citizens, students, and organizations to exchange knowledge and together promote human rights. Because of its location, Maastricht also offers easy access to EU institutions and international organizations in neighbouring countries, where defenders can meet even more allies.
Our team
Ann Damoiseaux-McBride
Shelter City Maastricht Team Leader, Mondiaal Maastricht
Dave Sheehan
Chairman, Amnesty International Maastricht
Fons Coomans
UNESCO Chair in Human Rights and Peace at the Faculty of Law, Maastricht University
Petro Hermans
Senior adviser on Administrative Affairs and External Relations, Municipality of Maastricht
Peter Hendriks
Volunteer and former board member, Mondiaal Maastricht
Anton Ulaska
Intern
Coordinating organization
Maastricht
Coordinates the stay of the guests, provides tailored support, and connects human rights defenders to local allies
Partner organization
Maastricht
Organizes visits to high schools in Maastricht and connects guests with local youth
Partner organization
Maastricht
Financially supports Shelter City Maastricht, and provides university courses
Partner organization
Maastricht
Financially supports Shelter City Maastricht, and connects guests to local allies and organizations
Zabib, balancing motherhood and activism in South Sudan
"Being an activist shouldn’t stop women from having children, and having children shouldn’t stop women from their activist work. Let’s not give up."
Shelter City Rotterdam
Félix, shedding light on the harsh reality in Mexico, despite the dangers
Learn more about Félix, a Mexican photojournalist and a human rights defender.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Jhon León: defensores de los derechos humanos unidos por Shelter City para cambiar el mundo
Jhon es un defensor de derechos humanos colombiano. Aquí reflexiona sobre cómo Shelter City ha impactado, de manera positiva, su vida y trabajo.
Shelter City The Hague
Jhon León: Shelter City unites human rights defenders to change the world
John is a Colombian human rights defender. Here he reflects on how Shelter City has positively impacted his life and his work.
Shelter City The Hague
Raúl, creating safe spaces for the LGBTIQ+ community
Read about Mexican LGBTIQ+ defender Raul and his work to provide shelter to LGBTIQ+ persons.
Shelter City Utrecht
Wiecza, fighting for a better future for Venezuela
Learn more about Wiecza, a Venezuelan lawyer and human rights defender.
Shelter City Eindhoven
Numan, fighting for LGBTIQ+ rights in Malaysia
Learn more about Numan and his work to support the LGBTIQ+ community in Malaysia.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Manjula Pradeep, the inspiring activist behind Shelter City
Manjula Pradeep is an Indian human rights defenders and the inspiration behind Shelter City.
Shelter City Europe
News
May 17, 2023
Internship position at Shelter City The Hague
Shelter City The Hague is offering an internship position. Find out more on the position, when and how to apply here.
Events
May 22, 2023 - May 26, 2023
Shelter City Maastricht: Maastricht Human Rights Week
Visit Maastricht for a week of inspiring activities and a celebration of human rights achievements.
News
April 25, 2023
Global Citizen explores Shelter City
Shelter City was recently featured in a Global Citizen article that explored the concept of safe havens for human rights defenders.
News
March 21, 2023
Shelter City Países Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes para septiembre de 2023
Shelter City Países Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes para septiembre de 2023 Vea esta convocatoria en inglés o francés. Justicia y Paz Países Bajos (Justice & Peace Netherlands) abre…
News
March 21, 2023
Shelter City Netherlands: Appel à candidatures pour septembre 2023
Shelter City Netherlands: Appel à candidatures pour septembre 2023 Consultez cet appel en anglais ou en espagnol. Justice et Paix Pays-Bas (Justice & Peace Netherlands) lance un nouvel…
News
March 21, 2023
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for Applications for September 2023
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for Applications for September 2023 View this call in French or Spanish. Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call…
Events
Feb 3, 2023 - Jan 4, 2024
Shelter City Utrecht: “UtRecht van de Mens” Exhibition
Experience a unique insight into the work and life of human rights defenders at the “UtRecht van de Mens” Exhibition Shelter City Utrecht partners Peace…
Events
Dec 8, 2022 - Dec 8, 2022
Discussion panel on human rights in Southern Africa with Shelter City guest, Honneur-David
On the 8th of December, Honneur-David, human rights defender from DRC and a Shelter City Haarlem guest, will discuss the human rights in Southern Africa.
Events
Dec 8, 2022 - Jan 1, 2023
“With no Ithaca awaiting” exhibition by Shelter City Amsterdam guest, Félix
Join a photo exhibition "With no Ithaca awaiting" by current Shelter City Amsterdam guest and a photojournalist from Mexico, Félix.
Events
Nov 27, 2022 - Nov 27, 2022
Support human rights defender Ali’s half marathon for Shelter City
Donate and support Ali, a current Shelter City The Hague guest who is running a half marathon to fundraise for Shelter City!
Events
Nov 24, 2022 - Nov 24, 2022
Film screening: Punished for Protesting: how family members seek justice
Shelter City Utrecht & Peace Brigades International invite you to the film screening of not one, but two short films! The focus of the evening will be…
News
September 19, 2022
Convocatoria de solicitudes para iniciativas de Justice & Peace en 2023
Justice & Peace Netherlands está lanzando una nueva convocatoria de solicitudes para sus iniciativas: Shelter City y la iniciativa Artists’ Safe Haven.
News
September 19, 2022
Appel à candidatures pour les initiatives de Justice & Peace en 2023
Justice & Peace Netherlands lance un nouvel appel à candidatures pour ses initiatives : Shelter City et l’initiative Artists’ Safe Haven.
News
September 19, 2022
Call for applications for initiatives by Justice & Peace in 2023
Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for applications for its initiatives: Shelter City and Artists’ Safe Haven initiative.
News
July 20, 2022
Meet Shelter City Utrecht guest and women’s rights defender, Marta Lempart
Introducing Shelter City Utrecht guest, Marta Lempart, a women's rights and democracy defender from Poland.
Events
Jun 24, 2022 - Jul 24, 2022
The Shelter City outdoor exhibition returns to Zwolle
The Shelter City outdoor exhibition returns for one month in Zwolle to celebrate 5 years of Shelter City Zwolle.
News
April 21, 2022
Former Shelter City guest Özgür Gür receives the Freedom from Fear Award
ÜniKuir and its co-founder Özgür Gür are awarded the Freedom from Fear Award for their work on LGBTQI+ rights in Turkey.
News
April 20, 2022
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for Applications for September 2022
Justice & Peace Netherlands is launching a new call for applications for human rights defenders at risk to participate in Shelter City. The deadline for…
News
April 20, 2022
Shelter City Países Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes para septiembre de 2022
Justice & Peace Netherlands abre nuevamente las candidaturas al programa Shelter City. La fecha límite para los solicitudes es el 3 de mayo de 2022…
News
April 20, 2022
Shelter City Netherlands: Appel à candidatures pour septembre 2022
Justice & Peace Netherlands lance un nouvel appel aux défenseur(e)s des droits humains en danger pour participer à Shelter City. La date limite de dépôt…