Regina Klein
Shelter City Rotterdam project coordinator & mentor
Our support
Rest and re-energize
In Rotterdam, every human rights defender can feel at home thanks to the multicultural character of the city. Its lively cultural life and diversity offer a lot of inspiration to defenders and opportunities to care for themselves. When in need of retreat, defenders can find a safe and comfortable space in our shelter house, and focus on their physical and mental health.
Tailored support and capacity-building
At Shelter City Rotterdam, human rights defenders receive support tailored to their individual needs, for example medical care, psychological support, security trainings and development of expertise. Our partners from Erasmus University also provide defenders access to university facilities and academic writing courses.
Engage with local allies
With a lot of cultural and intellectual events, Rotterdam provides diverse avenues for the human rights defenders to connect with local citizens, students and lecturers. Our team of buddies and volunteers are always there to accompany defenders, while together they explore activist spaces and take part in human rights discussions.
Our team
Nikki Buijse
Shelter City project member & buddy
Esther van der Sluijs
Buddy/volunteer
Lucia Philips
Buddy/volunteer
Maria Schiller
Buddy/volunteer
Xuan Ha Doan
Buddy/volunteer
Lydia Veldhof
Buddy/volunteer
Hinke Oosterhoff
Buddy/volunteer
Coordinating organization
Rotterdam
Coordinates the programme of each guest with the help of Shelter City buddies
Partner organization
Rotterdam
Financially supports Shelter City Rotterdam, and connects guests to local allies and organizations
Partner organization
Rotterdam
Organizes event and connects human rights defenders with students and youth
Partner organization
Rotterdam
Offers a stage for human rights defenders to share their stories and engage with local audiences
Partner organization
Rotterdam
Connects Shelter City guests with students and professors, provides courses, research and academic writing opportunities
Jhon León: defensores de los derechos humanos unidos por Shelter City para cambiar el mundo
Jhon es un defensor de derechos humanos colombiano. Aquà 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
Meet Caroline Rucah, Kenyan LGBTIQ+ rights defender
Watch a short documentary and learn more about Caroline Rucah, LGBTIQ+ rights defenders from Kenya.
Shelter City Utrecht
Asha’s photo hangs proudly on my wall
Nikki supports human rights defenders that stay in Shelter City Rotterdam. According to Nikki, being a part of Shelter City has changed her life.
Shelter City Rotterdam
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.
News
July 20, 2022
Four internship positions now open at Shelter City The Hague
Shelter City The Hague is offering four internship positions. Find out more on the position, when and how to apply here.
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 PaÃses Bajos: Convocatoria de solicitudes para septiembre de 2022
Justice & Peace Netherlands abre nuevamente las candidaturas al programa Shelter City. La fecha lÃmite 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…
News
April 20, 2022
Celebrating 10 years together
This year, we celebrate 10 years of Shelter City and Shelter City The Hague.
News
March 29, 2022
Eindhoven becomes the 13th Shelter City in the Netherlands
Eindhoven joins the Shelter City movement and becomes the 13th Shelter City in the Netherlands.
News
February 10, 2022
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs shares the story of former Shelter City guest Atoq
You can now read an article on Atoq, human rights defender and journalist from Peru, and former guest of Shelter City.
News
February 8, 2022
Two internship positions now open at Shelter City The Hague
Shelter City The Hague is looking for two interns. Find out more on the position, when and how to apply here.
News
February 3, 2022
Internship position at Shelter City Utrecht
Shelter City Utrecht is looking for an intern. Find out more on the position, when and how to apply here.
News
December 9, 2021
Launch of the new Shelter City branding & website
We are happy to present our new branding and website.
News
December 1, 2021
Shelter City tour with the Dutch Human Rights Ambassador, Bahia Tahzib-Lie
In 2021 and 2022, the Dutch Human Rights Ambassador is touring all Shelter Cities in the Netherlands.
News
November 8, 2021
Shelter City outdoor exhibition travels across the Netherlands
After Zwole,Tilburg and Utrecht, the travelling Shelter City outdoor exhibition is now in Maastricht and next year will be in The Hague.
News
May 12, 2021
A tribute to Ileana Lacayo, Nicaraguan journalist and human rights defender
We at Shelter City want to pay tribute to former guest Ileana Lacayo, a Nicaraguan journalist and human rights defender.
News
April 15, 2021
Launch of the Shelter City Alumni Community
The Shelter City Alumni Community is an online platform for former Shelter City guests to connect, exchange expertise and cooperate.