Inez de Boer
Shelter City Utrecht Coordinator, Peace Brigades International
Our support
Rest and re-energize
In Shelter City Utrecht, human rights defenders can catch their breath while taking a break from the threats and hardships that come with their work. During their stay, they can recharge and rejuvenate while being surrounded by the openness and comfort that makes Utrecht a human rights city.
Tailored support
During their stay in Shelter City Utrecht, human rights defenders are offered physical and physiological support from trained professionals to strengthen their work and continue more effectively and sustainably. Together with our partners, we ensure that defenders receive support tailored to their needs.
Engage with local allies
We support human rights defenders who wish to raise awareness for their cause by organising, for example, a lecture, a film screening or a human rights café. This allows defenders to share their experiences with a wider international audience and increase awareness of the human rights situation in their country.
Our team
Lizzy van Dijk
Shelter City Utrecht programme officer, Peace Brigades International
Kelly Bezema
Shelter City Utrecht programme officer, Municipality of Utrecht
Coordinating organization
Utrecht
Implements and coordinates Shelter City Utrecht
Partner organization
Utrecht
Offers human rights courses to human rights defenders and connect them with researchers
Partner organization
Utrecht
Connects human rights defenders with local buddies and a workplace
Partner organization
Utrecht
Spreads awareness about Shelter City Utrecht and human rights defenders
Partner organization
Utrecht
Supports relocation, connects guests with allies, spreads awareness, and financially supports Shelter City Utrecht
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
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.
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.