Rotterdam

As a modern and vibrant international city, Rotterdam is a wonderful place for human right defenders from around the world to recover their energy. Since 2019, Shelter City Rotterdam provides a dynamic programme for human rights defenders at risk with the coordination of Humanitas and support from the Municipality of Rotterdam.

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

Regina Klein
Regina Klein

Shelter City Rotterdam project coordinator & mentor

Nikki Buijse
Nikki Buijse

Shelter City project member & buddy

Esther van der Sluijs
Esther van der Sluijs

Buddy/volunteer

Lucia Philips
Lucia Philips

Buddy/volunteer

Maria Schiller
Maria Schiller

Buddy/volunteer

Xuan Ha Doan
Xuan Ha Doan

Buddy/volunteer

Lydia Veldhof
Lydia Veldhof

Buddy/volunteer

Hinke Oosterhoff
Hinke Oosterhoff

Buddy/volunteer

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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