CONTRIBUTING TO
SUSTAINABLE, JUST, AND WELCOMING SOCIETIES
COLOPHON
This is a magazine by human rights organisation, Justice & Peace Netherlands. This magazine showcases the work and impact of Justice & Peace, and seeks to inspire more change makers for sustainable, just and welcoming societies.
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Justice and Peace Netherlands NL64ABNA0642089841
Published 2021
Contact information Justice & Peace Netherlands Riviervismarkt 4 2513 AM The Hague Tel. +31 (0)70 763 1499 E-mail info@justiceandpeace.nl Website www.justiceandpeace.nl
QUALITY LABEL
PHOTO COVER In 2020 Justice & Peace unveiled the graffiti Mural of Change on the building of The Hague University of Applied Sciences in tribute of human rights defenders and change makers worldwide. The large mural is featuring Greta Thunberg, late Berta Cáceres and late Vitali Safarov. Graffiti artists: Karski & Beyond.
Read the story behind the mural and the stories about the defenders and artists get inspired to join us in this movement of change and pass it on!
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FOLLOW THE BLUE THREAD
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14 PROGRAMME
PROGRAMME
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16 INITIATIVE
INITIATIVE
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18 CHANGE MAKER STORY
Human rights defenders & security
Shelter City
Migration & human rights
Samen Hier
Elleke Bal
CHANGE MAKER STORY
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20 HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
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22 ORGANISATION
Czarina Musni
Outreach & events
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Empowering change makers
Outreach & events
About Justice & Peace
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The story of Justice & Peace is supporting exceptional and brave people, people we work with and for, people who do speak out, who choose to question and challenge the status quo, who believe in human rights and inclusiveness and bring these ideas into practice. Our story is the story of Berta Cáceres, an indigenous rights defender who stood up against injustice and who protected local communities and their land in Honduras. Our story is the story of Elleke, who formed a group of five friends to welcome a refugee family into her network and support them building a new life here in the Netherlands. Our story is the story of Vitaly, our friend and partner who stood up for equality and against discrimination. It is with pride that today I can say that we are an organisation that is contributing to the work of a growing group of change makers all over the world. Their stories, our story, show that people can change the world.
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SEBASTIAAN VAN DER ZWAAN Director of Justice & Peace
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Justice & Peace was founded in 1968 in the city of Peace and Justice, The Hague, with the vision to promote the respect for human rights around the world. More than 50 years later, our organisation continues standing up for the rights of everyone, everywhere without distinction of their origin, religion, political opinion, race, gender or sexual orientation. By bringing together people and organisations from all levels of society, we claim space for everyone to make a difference for human rights. We focus on positive impact and good examples, and we believe that real change comes from the local level.
INTRODUCTION
Empowering change makers
Today, our team is working on two main issues: the protection and support of human rights defenders worldwide, and the safe and legal resettlement and welcoming of refugees in the Netherlands and Europe. We do this through our two initiatives: Shelter City and Samen Hier (Together Here), alongside awareness-raising events and campaigns, publications, and educational outreach. At the core of all our actions are change makers. Whether they are citizens and organisations who are sharing their networks, knowledge, and time with refugees and human rights defenders, or grassroots human rights defenders who are non-violently promoting and protecting human rights individually or with others: these people are creating positive change in their communities and worldwide. At Justice & Peace, we believe that anyone can be a change maker. This is why it is our mission to build and empower local communities of change makers who work together to create just, sustainable, and welcoming societies. Join the movement of change! Be a change maker!
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
MARGARET
MEAD
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American anthropologist and writer on social issues such as women’s rights, equality, and justice
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HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS & SECURITY
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Human rights defenders play a vital role in standing up for their own rights and the rights of others, in the Netherlands and worldwide. They can be journalists, environmental and indigenous rights defenders, women’s, civil and political, or LGBTI+ rights activists, artists, writers and bloggers, lawyers, or even health workers. Their work is important for creating a better world for everyone, everywhere, but unfortunately, human rights defenders are often considered a threat and face challenges in their own country.
PROGRAMME
Protection and support for change makers worldwide
Over the last 30 years, Justice & Peace has supported defenders from around the world through trainings and capacity building, lobbying and advocacy, and now through our initiative Shelter City. By building a network of solidarity and support around the world together with our partners, our mission is to support these change makers so that they can continue their work sustainably, safely, and effectively.
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© DANIELLA VAN BERGEN
More and more human rights defenders are being intimidated (online and offline), threatened or even murdered. That is extremely alarming. For many people, human rights defenders are a source of hope and inspiration. They fight bravely and tirelessly for our human rights. And their work is sorely needed, because human rights are under serious pressure all over the world. That’s why my colleagues and I are working with like-minded countries and partner organisations such as Justice & Peace to support human rights defenders.
BAHIA TAHZIB-LIE
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The Netherlands’ Human Rights Ambassador
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Milestones
WWW.SHELTERCITY.ORG
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100+ 400+ 350+
Shelter Cities worldwide
Partner organisations
Coordinators, team members, volunteers, and trainers involved
Human rights defenders supported
United Kingdom
1 The Netherlands 12 Georgia 3
Nepal 1
Costa Rica
Benin
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1
Tanzania 1
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Start or join a Shelter City stand side by side with human rights defenders
Growing movement Shelter City is a growing movement of cities, organisations, and local citizens, who stand side by side with human rights defenders at risk.
Tailormade support
Local allies
We tailor our support In Shelter City, human to the specific needs rights defenders of each human rights can rely on the defender, and enable companionship them to develop their of local allies skills, knowledge and and can expand resilience. their professional networks.
INITIATIVE
Shelter City is a global movement of safe and inspiring spaces where human rights defenders can re-energise, receive tailormade support and engage with allies in order to reinforce their local actions for change. The initiative was founded in 2012 by Justice & Peace as a concrete and accessible way to support human rights defenders at risk. Their three-month stay in one of the Shelter Cities enables defenders to renew their energy and continue their work better equipped upon return.
Trainings We provide holistic security trainings on topics as advocacy, digital security and wellbeing, aimed at building the capacities of human rights defenders.
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” CHRISTIAN
© DANA VERSTAK
The protection of human rights defenders is of paramount importance to Shelter City in Georgia. I see it as a way to not just protect an individual, but in turn their whole community. Shelter City is and should always be a safe space for human rights defenders to access support and to find professional and personal growth alike. GRZYWATZ
Director of Tbilisi Shelter City NGO and senior case manager of Shelter City in Georgia
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CZARINA, FINDING A SAFE AND INSPIRING SPACE Written by: Diane Lemieux Edited by: Olivia Ayes
Czarina Musni, a human rights lawyer in the Philippines, reflects on her three months with Shelter City in Rotterdam. At home in the Philippines, Czarina Musni’s life is at risk because of her work defending the rights of indigenous people and rural farmers in the province of Mindanao. Under President Duterte’s administration, vigilante killings and arbitrary detentions of human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists have increased dramatically. ‘WHEN YOU CALL FOR AN END TO ARMED CONFLICT, WHEN YOU CALL FOR PEACE TALKS, WHEN YOU CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, WHEN YOU DEMAND BASIC RIGHTS, YOU’RE LABELLED A TERRORIST.’
Restoring inner balance The daily strain of her work is intense. So, during her first month with Shelter City in Rotterdam, therapy sessions helped Czarina manage her anxieties. ‘This feeling that I have, this guilt that I’m here, relatively
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comfortable compared to my colleagues back home, is like survivor’s guilt. I was helped in recognising that it’s ok to rest, it’s ok to stop and breathe, and maybe just let it go for a while. The world will not end if you don’t work today.’ It was vital, she says, during her first weeks in the Netherlands to let the dust settle and re-learn to relax. Only then could she begin to take in the many opportunities for networking and learning offered through the programme.
Expanding an international network ‘Justice and Peace introduced me directly to international organisations, and that opened doors much more efficiently than if I’d just written [to them] myself.’ The network she created not only enabled her to share the conditions and difficulties she and her colleagues face, but also opened new avenues for support. Simply having the opportunity to meet other human rights defenders from around the world gave her inspiration to continue her work. ‘It’s been a pleasure for me to know all these people from Burundi, from Colombia, from the Congo, Egypt, Uganda, Venezuela, and Russia... It just goes to show that human
The Shelter City advantage
Applying lessons learned
In the time that Czarina has been abroad, a colleague of hers was shot dead, and six trade unionists and a journalist were arrested in Manilla.
The training on advocacy and policy ‘Especially now that fascist influencing reminded ‘WE SHOULD DO regimes are sprouting up Czarina of the means to, WELL BECAUSE WE around the world and lawyers and value of, maintaining ONLY HAVE ONE are under attack for precisely one’s credibility. As a LIFE TO LIVE.’ doing the roles that we have result of the session, in society, to administer Czarina helped her justice, to help the oppressed, the organisation, the National Union of underprivileged, all the more that Peoples Lawyers, strengthen their lawyers around the world should rally submission to the Philippines Supreme behind lawyers [at risk].’ Court on the attacks against lawyers. ‘The security training was also very timely. In fact, in May we’re planning to do a workshop on digital security because it is very important to secure our data, to protect it from phishing and hacking and everything else.’
Where Czarina used to have the impression of being isolated in her dreams of a just and peaceful world, as a result of participating in Shelter City she now feels strengthened by her connection to an international movement and re-energised to continue her important work.
CHANGE MAKER STORY
rights defence is a universal thing. And the attacks against human rights defenders is also a universal thing.’
Read other inspiring change maker stories including Czarina’s learn how you can contribute to supporting human rights defenders
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The oath that we took as lawyers is to defend justice, to defend equality. We were taught in law school that this is not a money-making scheme, this is not business, this is not for profit. We are called upon by the law to serve for equality, for justice and all these ideals in a peaceful society.
CZARINA MUSNI
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Filipino human rights lawyer and former Shelter City guest
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OUTREACH & EVENTS We are building a movement of solidarity and action of people, organisations, and cities across the Netherlands and around the world dedicated to human rights and the support of human rights defenders. Through exhibitions, events and fundraisers, documentaries, lectures, and interactive workshops, we hope to inspire more people to join us in standing side by side with human rights defenders. Here are some of our key highlights.
BUILDING A MOVEMENT OF SAFE SPACES AND SHARING EXPERIENCES AND EXPERTISE WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL AND DUTCH SHELTER CITY PARTNERS.
WITH OUR PARTNERS, WE ORGANISE FUNDRAISERS, EVENTS, AND EXHIBITIONS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEFENDERS.
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HIGHLIGHTS
CONNECTING HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WITH STUDENTS AND YOUTH IN THE NETHERLANDS TO CREATE INNOVATIVE PROJECTS.
MLK
© DANIELLA VAN BERGEN
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The Martin Luther King Lecture is an annual event aimed at promoting Martin Luther King’s legacy in the Netherlands. As an implementing partner of Stichting MLK Lezing (MLK Lecture Foundation), we contribute towards an inclusive and diverse society in the Netherlands. Since 2019, the lecture is accompanied with a spoken word competition. We hope to continue inspiring a new generation of conscious and active citizens in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.
We hope that all people who look up at our painting realise that they too can do something for the world.
” KARSKI
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BEYOND
Graffiti artist duo and creators of the Mural of Change
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MIGRATION & HUMAN RIGHTS
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Justice & Peace wants to see a world in which all refugees have safe access to protection and a community in which their human rights are respected and where they can build a new life. According to recent UNHCR estimates, worldwide over 79.5 million people have been forced to flee due to the threats of war, persecution or climate change. In recent years, we have seen a diminishing willingness of European governments to receive refugees in their countries. Yet, on the local level in the Netherlands, we have seen many expressions of solidarity with refugees: Dutch people have been signing up to be a volunteer and many new initiatives emerged to welcome refugees. From 2016 to 2019, we organised local Welkom Hier (Welcome Here) festivals across the Netherlands to bring all these people and initiatives together to support each other and to create a platform to amplify their welcoming messages.
PROGRAMME
Empowering local solidarity
We realise that local solidarity and active citizenship are key to foster welcoming communities, advocate for refugees’ rights and create durable solutions for global refugee protection. That’s why today, Justice & Peace is introducing Samen Hier, the first community sponsorship model in the Netherlands. The diverse variants in countries like Canada, Germany, Italy or the United Kingdom, showcase how this model can bring together citizens, civil society and (local) state authorities, and mobilise the widespread support base for complementary refugee reception and empower citizens to contribute to a more humane migration and refugee policy.
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When I heard about Samen Hier I saw it as the perfect continuation of Welkom Hier. I believe in the concept, because that’s also what I hear from the people I work with. Everybody longs for that network, that social group around you that you can rely on. © IVO DE BRUIJN
MYRNA
BOCKHOUDT
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Implementing partner of Samen Hier Haarlem
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WWW.SAMENHIER.NL
Every city can be a Samen Hier city!
“Samen Hier has had a lasting impact on my life”
86% 65% Refugee participants
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Dutch participants
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Social network Housing & decoration
Matched Samen Hier Group
Leisure & sports
Education & jobs
Language support Healthcare & social services
Supported by trainings, community builders, community platform, check-in calls, newsletters, social city maps, resources & community events.
Start or join a Samen Hier community in your city contribute to a diverse and inclusive society
Community Samen Hier sponsorship Groups Samen Hier develops public-private partnerships between (local) governments, civil society and residents, empowering citizens to take a leading role in the reception of refugees in their city.
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Citizens form groups of five and are matched with a refugee (family). They commit to supporting the refugee (family) for a period of 12 months, unlocking established social networks and accelerating a process of mutual integration.
INITIATIVE
In 2019, Justice & Peace started the Samen Hier pilot in Haarlem, Almere, Rotterdam and The Hague. Samen Hier is the very first Dutch implementation of community sponsorship, and offers an alternative model for the reception of refugees. Samen Hier empowers and mobilises Dutch citizens to invest their time, networks and resources to receive and welcome refugees in their communities. In the coming years, we’re scaling up this movement together with local implementing partners to create a national network of safe havens for refugees.
Safe pathways Samen Hier communities offer safe havens in their communities and work towards the development and promotion of safe and legal pathways. For instance through receiving resettled refugees.
What makes the Amsterdam coalition so special and powerful is that it consists of a diverse group of people who are committed to welcoming refugees into their communities.
” MPANZU
BAMENGA
Member of the Samen Hier coalition Amsterdam
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ELLEKE, WORKING TOGETHER ON A NEW FUTURE FOR REFUGEES IN THE HAGUE Written by: Patrick van Wersch Translation by: Lot Brouwer
Elleke started a Samen Hier group together with friends and they were matched with Wael and Rana and their family. Their group consists of Elleke, Anne-Ruthi, Lisette, Jeltsje, Wael, Rana, George, and Charbel.
Chasing their dreams, together The doorbell rings. Elleke greets Wael as if they have known each other for years. In reality, it has only been six months since the two met. This was together with the rest of the Samen Hier group, as well as Wael’s wife Rana and their two boys. The start of their Samen Hier adventure only felt uncomfortable for a split second, now there is friendship and involvement in each other’s lives. A life in The Hague that is so different from that in Syria, where Wael worked as a constructional engineer and Rana as a teacher. “How I would describe Wael?” Elleke Bal (34) doesn’t need a long time to think:
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“Very ambitious and welcoming, and he has a great sense of humour”. Wael Yazji (39) chuckles in agreement: “I make a lot of jokes. I even do this right before bedtime, so that we can go to sleep cheerfully.” Wael has only just found out that he will not be able to start his degree in Integral Construction Management at the Hogeschool Rotterdam this year. A missing language certificate – which was not listed as mandatory – stood in the way.
Navigating the world of jobs and studies “We want to build a good future for our family”, Wael says. “And a degree will help us do just that.” He will have to try again next year. But to sit around and wait doesn’t fit Wael’s character. He is working hard to find an internship as a BIM modeller. Together with Samen Hier group members Anne-Ruthi and Swana he has updated his CV and made a LinkedIn profile. Elleke: “It was very frustrating for our group
Art and language
Optimistic and realistic
CHANGE MAKER STORY
Elleke describes the family as optimistic that we weren’t able to do more to help and realistic. “It is very admirable to see Wael start with his degree. Thankfully, how they deal with challenges. First he is a go-getter. Now that Rana is their escape to Lebanon, then to the doing a Master’s Degree in French at Netherlands, trying to find work, and Leiden University and is teaching at the now Corona.” Gymnasium Haganum, he has taken on the household chores and “IT IS VERY is taking care of their two ADMIRABLE TO sons.” Samen Hier group SEE HOW THEY member Jeltsje, who is also DEAL WITH a teacher, is helping Rana CHALLENGES. navigate the world of online FIRST THEIR ESCAPE Due to Corona, the group is seeing each other less, teaching. It might be a small TO LEBANON, and mostly one-on-one, gesture, but it means a lot THEN TO THE but the contact is warm to the ambitious couple and NETHERLANDS, and good. In July, they all their family. TRYING TO FIND WORK, AND NOW went to the Dutch miniature parc Madurodam together. CORONA.” Wael and Elleke have fond memories of that day. Wael’s eldest, George, spotted a painting by Johannes Vermeer and said: “This is a painting by “Always try your hardest”, is what Johannes Vermeer. His most famous Wael and Rana tell their two boys painting is ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’.” day in day out. Both come from an Wael: “The kids help us to better entrepreneurial family, and they have understand the Netherlands and the learned to work hard from an early age. Dutch language. We help each other.” They try to maintain this attitude in the Netherlands.
Read the full story and other inspiring change maker stories learn what Samen Hier could mean for you
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Now that I have gotten to know Wael and Rana, I realise that, in reality, we are the same. We all try to build up a good life. Our cultures are different, but our dreams are the same.
” ELLEKE BAL
Member of a Samen Hier group in The Hague
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OUTREACH & EVENTS We’re building and empowering local communities of change makers and together advocating for solidarity with refugees and a more inclusive and welcoming society. To involve as many change makers as possible, we’re engaging with local people and civil society in the Netherlands through events and festivals, exhibitions, publications, videos, storytelling, campaigns, social media and in the media.
#SOSMORIA
Zij verrijken elkaars leven Mientje van der Lee (73, links) uit Voorburg zorgt dat Julie Tela (87), kledingontwerpster uit Irak, niet vereenzaamt en soms buiten komt. Eens per week doen ze samen boodschappen, drinken thee met wat lekkers. Mientje: ,,Zij verbreedt mijn leven.” Julie: ,,Zij is zo belangrijk voor me. Ik hou van haar. Vroeger was ik rijk, reisde ik veel en was ik geliefd. Nu ben ik veel alleen.”
BINNEN! HUISKAMER FESTIVAL NL
magazine | 29
SAMEN HIER PROMOTION EVENTS
#HOEDJE VOOR MORIA
OVER 1,000 PEOPLE VISITED WELKOM HIER ROTTERDAM IN ZUIDPLEIN THEATRE
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HIGHLIGHTS
HAAGSE HUISKAMER NETWORK EVENTS
ECI A WELCOMING EUROPE WE ORGANISED OVER 15 WELKOM HIER FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT THE NETHERLANDS
Find us on social media @justiceandpeacenl never miss our events and campaigns
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As a Samen Hier intern at Justice & Peace, I was given the space to further develop my talents and interests. Samen Hier is a perfect example for me when it comes to reciprocal integration and co-creation. The beautiful encounters that take place between groups of people and refugees are inspiring and heart-warming. This internship helped me as a Public Administration student to approach integration issues in a different innovative way.
MARTHA
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VAN TONGEREN
Student of Public Administration
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WE ARE JUSTICE & PEACE A team dedicated to human rights for all Let’s make change together
We work with many TO BUILD AND EMPOWER COMMUNITIES OF CHANGE MAKERS. LOCALLY, NATIONALLY AND GLOBALLY.
We make change happen thanks to our supporters We’re very grateful for the large and growing support we have been receiving the last years from individual donors, private foundations as well as local, national and regional donors. These widespread constituencies affirm the urgency of our vision and the direction of our mission and stand by our side on making change happen.
Go to our website to see our current supporters: https://justiceandpeace.nl/en/partners-networks/
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2015
0,5 million
2021
2
million
Support us and become part of our change maker community! You can contribute to our mission in many ways
You can join our initiatives as a partner or participant and work with us and many other change makers. You can volunteer, intern or work with us, we would love to have you join us! Or you can donate:
ORGANISATION
Ways to support us
Yes! I want to donate to Justice & Peace contribute to improving human rights at the local level!
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Did you know that you can fully deduct a periodic donation from your income tax if you donate a fixed amount for five years?
www.justiceandpeace.nl/taxdiscount
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I’ve supported Justice & Peace in different ways over the years – with my time, as well as with a financial commitment. This is because all their work is built from an understanding that global justice is really locally owned. Whether it is here in the Netherlands, through the Samen Hier programme, or elsewhere through the empowerment of human rights defenders in other countries through the Shelter City programme, they work to educate, build resilience, and build communities. I think what they bring is unique in this country.
” CAROLYN
EDGERTON
Prosecutions Expert Consultant at Justice Rapid Response
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Follow us! WWW.JUSTICEANDPEACE.NL @JUSTICEANDPEACENL This magazine is made possible by the Dutch National Postcode Lottery.
