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#DemocracyDrinks: Reflections on the Dutch Human Rights Policy
4 March @ 17:00 - 19:00
Join us on 4 March 2025, from 17:00 to 19:00 at The Humanity Hub, The Hague, for an engaging discussion on the evaluation of Dutch human rights policy and its future direction.
Policy Evaluation & Discussion
On 11 February 2025, the Directorate for International Research and Policy Evaluation (IOB)—the independent evaluation service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—published its assessment of Dutch human rights policy (2017-2022) This link opens in a new tab.
At this month’s #DemocracyDrinks, we will reflect on the key findings of the IOB report, discuss their implications for future policies, and explore how civil society can play a role in ensuring effective implementation.
Key Discussion Topics:
✅ The Netherlands’ role in multilateral human rights efforts and the need for stronger implementation.
✅ Strengthening civil society participation in human rights policymaking and addressing the shrinking civic space worldwide.
✅ Policy coherence: the role of human rights/the rule of law in the wider foreign policy.
Following the moderated discussion, there will be an interactive Q&A session, followed by networking over drinks.
Meet the Speakers
Dr. Martin van Vliet – Coordinating Policy Researcher at IOB since 2022, responsible for leading the evaluation of Dutch human rights policy. He has previously worked with various policy directorates at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations, and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, as well as conducting independent evaluations.
Veronika Pišorn – Coordinator of the Netherlands Human Rights Network (BMO), who will provide reflections from Dutch civil society and discuss key takeaways from the report.
About the Netherlands Human Rights Network (BMO)
The BMO is a coalition of 20 Dutch human rights and development organizations working to ensure human rights remain a priority in Dutch foreign policy. The network also focuses on countering the global trend of shrinking civic space by acting as a bridge between civil society and decision-makers.
To stay updated on future #DemocracyDrinks events, subscribe to our newsletter by emailing democracydrinksthehague@gmail.com or follow our #DemocracyDrinks Eventbrite page.
What are the Democracy Drinks?
#DemocracyDrinks brings together democracy advocates, thinkers and enthusiasts at our monthly informal networking events. It is a great way of making new contacts and catching up with people you know; for testing ideas and planning actions; for moral support and inspiration. Feel free to invite friends and colleagues that work on or are interested in defending values like democracy, rule of law, human rights… Come along and you will be made welcome!
This event series is a collaboration between the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC) and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and The Hague Humanity Hub.
#DemocracyDrinks were launched in 2018 by Defend Democracy Executive Director Alice Stollmeyer. Over time, #DemocracyDrinks have expanded their reach and have been organized in Aarhus, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Copenhagen, Kathmandu, Montreal, The Hague and Washington DC, and soon also in other cities. The events attract a lively mixture of people from NGOs, international institutions, think tanks, national governments and representations, academia, public affairs consultancies, social businesses and other active citizens.
Photos – yes or no?
Please note that during Democracy Drinks a photographer and/or videographer will be present in order to take pictures, for use by the #DemocracyDrinks the Hague partners in future marketing efforts. These can include social media usage, blog posts, as general marketing material, and to market future events and initiatives.
By attending Democracy Drinks you give permission for your image to be used to promote The Hague Humanity Hub, Netherlands Helsinki Committee, and Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy in the future. You can withdraw your consent by emailing democracydrinksthehague@gmail.com and specifying the event in question (as well as by providing details to help us identify you). Once consent has been withdrawn, The Hague Humanity Hub, Netherlands Helsinki Committee, and Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy will delete any photo of you as soon as is possible. If you’d like to not be featured in any image and/or video capture in an upcoming event, please notify democracydrinksthehague@gmail.com and we will take step to ensure you are not included in any photos or videos. Thank you for your cooperation!