Word of welcome at the reception for students attending the Private International Law Summer School, 2 August 2024

Good evening everyone,

A very warm welcome here in the atrium of our City Hall.

The Hague’s ‘living room’.

The city where over the next few days you will be learning more about Private International Law.

This being one of the well-known Summer Courses offered by The Hague Academy for International Law.

Thanks to Professor Jean-Marc Thouvenin, Secretary-General of The Academy and his staff.

Their steadfast dedication has made The Hague the place to be for students of international law.

This year our city will be marking 125 years of peace and justice.

In 1899 the 26 leading countries of the day met in The Hague.

Their aim was to make agreements on how future conflicts could be resolved peacefully.

And to set ground rules, should it come to a conflict.

This conference was unique: firstly, because it took place in peacetime, something which was uncommon at that time.

And secondly, the votes of all of those taking part – small or large – carried equal weight.

The most significant result of that First Peace Conference in The Hague was the founding of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

A court where countries could henceforth resolve their conflicts peacefully through arbitration.

The symbol of The Hague as city of peace and justice, The Peace Palace, was specially built for this court.

Later other organisations would join it in the Peace Palace, such as the world-famous library and the International Court of Justice.

Since then, The Hague has evolved into an academic centre of expertise in the fields of peace and justice.

But that is not the only reason why increasing numbers of people are coming to The Hague to study.

The Hague is also a great place to live, a city that offers everything that a student could want.

With the beach and the sea right on your doorstep…

So, should you decide to come and study here for a longer period, you would be more than welcome.

We would receive you with open arms, just as we do today.

For now, I wish you a successful and enjoyable course, and a pleasant stay in The Hague.

Until we meet again.