Openingswoord door Jan van Zanen bij het 15-jarig bestaan van The Hague International Centre, 25 september 2025
Dear all,
It is good to see so many people together, here at Greens in the Park.
A little over five years ago, in the summer of 2020, it was my privilege to unveil a statue by Sandra Simonis, right here in this garden.
This event took place during my first weeks as mayor.
In the months and years that followed, I got to know The Hague as a truly international city – a city that offers a home to the world.
Something that was confirmed once again in June of this year, during the NATO Summit.
And the annual Embassy Festival also celebrates this fact through scent, colour, sound and flavour.
The Hague International Centre plays an important role in our international city.
A warm welcome is an essential component of The Hague’s hospitable profile.
The city is always happy to assist with the formalities and paperwork that internationals have to deal with.
This may sound a little tedious, but it is a necessary evil for those who want to make a start in the Netherlands.
In addition to these formalities, The Hague International Centre provides practical information about housing, health care, education, work, and local life.
Using help desks, guides for newcomers, online resources, events and webinars, the Centre helps internationals feel informed and welcome.
Whether you relocate to The Hague for work, your studies or to be with family: The Hague International Centre helps internationals to feel at home here.
To achieve all of this, the Hague International Centre works closely with the municipalities of Delft, Rijswijk, Leidschendam-Voorburg and Wassenaar.
And, of course, with the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service and the ACCESS organisation.
In addition, The Hague International Centre has joined forces with a network of more than one hundred partners.
It is very good to see all of you here.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your help in giving a red-carpet welcome to the international residents of The Hague and its surrounding towns.
It is essential to collaborate with our neighbouring municipalities.
About seventy-five per cent of internationals live in The Hague, and twenty per cent in Delft.
Vice-mayor Maaike Zwart of the city of Delft will address you shortly.
The remaining five per cent of internationals live in the smaller neighbouring towns, such as the green expat town of Wassenaar.
For one hundred and twenty-five years, we have been the international city of peace and justice.
This description reminds many people of the international organisations, knowledge institutes, tribunals, NGOs and embassies.
However, what truly makes us an international city is the presence of all the people working in these sectors, as well as their partners and children.
The Decisio study of the non-profit sector in our region shows that more than twelve thousand of the sector’s twenty thousand workers have an international background.
As a city, we have made ample investments in facilities for the international community, such as international schools, language schools, short stay housing and child care.
And, of course, we will continue to invest in everything that makes The Hague an appealing place of residence for international organisations and companies, their employees and their families.
Because our city’s international profile is of vital importance to The Hague.
Moreover: peace and justice are not abstract concepts – they are fundamental to our freedom, our democracy and our economy.
We support everything that makes those concepts a reality.
That is why I do not only congratulate the employees of The Hague International Centre on your jubilee.
Most of all, I thank you for the important work you do.
Your work does not only benefit the internationals, but the entire city of The Hague.
As well as what our city stands for, as phrased in our heraldic motto: peace and justice.
This is more important than ever – especially now.
Keep up the good work.
