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
Clasien, part of a global movement of human rights defenders
Clasien shares with us her experience coordinating Shelter City Tilburg and what it means to her to work with human rights defenders.
Shelter City Tilburg
Olga, resilient in her journey for justice
During her three-month stay in The Hague, Olga penned a story to share her personal journey as a human rights defender in Venezuela.
Shelter City The Hague
Olga, preseverante en su búsqueda de justicia
Durante su estancia de tres meses en La Haya, Olga escribió un relato para compartir su trayectoria personal como defensora de los derechos humanos en Venezuela.
Shelter City The Hague
Nnedinma, regaining her mojo in Shelter City
Nnedinma tells us how her three-month stay in Tilburg with Shelter City enabled her to re-energize and regain her mojo to continue her work.
Shelter City Tilburg
Alice, on the frontlines of a high-risk profession
At the end of her three-month stay in the Netherlands, Alice wrote a story to share her experience as a journalist in the DRC.
Shelter City The Hague
Alice, en première ligne d’une profession à risque
A la fin de son séjour de trois mois aux Pays – Bas, Alice à écrit un article pour partager son expérience de journaliste en RDC.
Shelter City The Hague
Fabianna, reflecting on her connection with human rights defenders
Fabianna, a former intern at Justice & Peace Netherlands, reflects on her experience accompanying Shelter City guests participating in the initiative in the Netherlands.
Shelter City The Hague
Giving your all for the things you believe in
Wouter Ermens recounts his experience interning in the role of a programme coordinator of Shelter City Nijmegen and supporting a Shelter City guest.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Events
Nov 4, 2023 - Nov 30, 2023
Shelter City Nijmegen: “Máasewáal – a look at the contemporary Mayan world” exhibition
Shelter City Nijmegen partner, Bureau Wijland, invites you to visit Angel’s exhibition “Maasewaal, a look at the contemporary Mayan world” at Bibliotheek Mariënburg Nijmegen.
News
October 16, 2023
The beginning of a partnership between Ubuntu Hub Cities and Shelter City
10th October marked a milestone in enhancing the level of protection for human rights defenders at risk.
News
August 14, 2023
Shelter City Netherlands: Call for Applications for March 2024
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
August 14, 2023
Shelter City Pays-Bas: Appel à candidatures pour mars 2024
Justice et Paix Pays-Bas (Justice & Peace Netherlands) lance un nouvel appel aux défenseurs des droits humains en danger pour participer à Shelter City. La…
News
August 14, 2023
Shelter City Países Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes para marzo de 2024
Justicia y Paz Países Bajos (Justice & Peace Netherlands) abre nuevamente las candidaturas al programa Shelter City. La fecha límite para los solicitudes es el…
Events
24 Aug 2023
Shelter City Utrecht: Documentary screening and discussion
Gain firsthand insight into human rights in El Salvador through film and discussion in Utrecht.
Events
8 Jul 2023
Shelter City Nijmegen: Solidarity Walk at Land van Ooij
Walk in solidarity with human rights defenders at Land van Ooij in Nijmegen.
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
8 Dec 2022
Discussion panel on human rights in Southern Africa with Shelter City guest, Honneur-David
On 8 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.