Middelburg

Nestled in the Zeeland region of the Netherlands, the beautiful and quaint city of Middelburg is the second city in the world to join Shelter City. Since 2014, Middelburg has offered a safe and warm space to human rights defenders at risk from around the world. It is coordinated by the municipality of Middelburg together with Roosevelt College.

Our support

Rest and re-energize

The quiet and relaxing city of Middelburg provides human rights defenders at risk with a safe and welcoming environment where they can take time for themselves, rest and re-energize. Here, they can take their mind off of their work, while focusing on themselves.

Tailormade support

During their stay, defenders can access tailored support such as language courses, medical care, and recreational activities. They can also attend courses at the local Roosevelt College.

Engage with local allies

The welcoming community of people and students in Middelburg provides defenders with many opportunities to build and strengthen their solidarity networks. Shelter City Middelburg also organizes events and lectures with defenders, together with local organizations, the municipality, and educational institutions.

Our stories

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
Sheyla: “Freedom is my favourite word”
"I am Sheyla Urdaneta, I am a journalist, and a woman: a double risk in Venezuela, where liberty of expression and press are constricted."
Shelter City Haarlem
Sheyla: “Libertad es mi palabra favorita”
"Soy Sheyla Urdaneta, soy periodista y mujer: un doble riesgo en Venezuela, donde se viola la libertad de expresión y de prensa."
Shelter City Haarlem
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

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