Word of welcome by Jan van Zanen at the meeting for those attending the UCLG World Council, 9 October 2024

 

Colleagues,

Good evening everyone,

 

A very warm welcome here in the atrium of The Hague city hall.

This afternoon we met at the World Forum for the UCLG World Council.

That building is located in The Hague’s international zone.

Now I have the pleasure of welcoming you in our ‘living room’, here in the old city centre.

This building was designed by the American architect Richard Meier.

It opened almost 30 years ago, in 1995.

A striking feature of the building is that it is white.

Which is why The Hague’s residents have long referred to it as the ‘IJspaleis’ (Ice Palace).

This city hall is not only where The Hague’s local government staff do their work and the municipal council meets.

It is also where a large part of the services available to The Hague’s residents are provided.

For example, here they can collect their passport and driving licence, or register the birth of a child.

The atrium is also often used for a variety of meetings, and exhibitions are held here almost all year round.

Currently, we have an exhibition showing the work of Street Art artists in The Hague.

Working closely with people with disabilities, they seek to draw attention to accessibility with four huge art works.

The exhibition forms part of The Hague Accessibility Week, from 7 to 11 October.

During the rest of the year too, we are hard at work in The Hague trying to ensure that our city has no barriers for people with disabilities.

Be they physical, social or digital.

Working to build an inclusive society is one of the main tasks of local government worldwide.

The UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities directs municipalities to create a local inclusion agenda for people with disabilities.

Accessibility for all should be the norm.

Taking part should be a matter of course.

And while we’re on the subject of taking part: I very much hope that you will join one of tomorrow’s ten City Tours to the various districts of The Hague.

Hopefully, the Dutch weather will accommodate us somewhat…

For now, I wish you a fine evening and, of course, a pleasant stay in our city by the sea.

The sea which gives us so much.

Herring, for example.

Herring, prepared for you here tonight.

It could not be fresher.

Three ladies from Scheveningen, our beautiful seaside town, will be serving you herring.

Enjoy.