BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//The Hague Humanity Hub - ECPv6.18.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:The Hague Humanity Hub
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.humanityhub.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Hague Humanity Hub
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/Amsterdam
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20240331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20241027T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20250330T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20251026T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:CEST
DTSTART:20260329T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:CET
DTSTART:20261025T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20250101T080000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20251231T170000
DTSTAMP:20250701T113353Z
CREATED:20250204T101710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250701T113353Z
UID:10001226-1735718400-1767200400@www.humanityhub.org
SUMMARY:Rule of Law Training
DESCRIPTION:The Matra Rule of Law Training Programme is designed to strengthen institutional capacity in the field of rule of law within government organisations in Albania\, Armenia\, Bosnia and Herzegovina\, Georgia\, Kosovo\, Moldova\, Montenegro\, North Macedonia\, Serbia\, Türkiye\, and Ukraine. Each year we offer (hybrid) training courses\, providing participants with insights into best practices across a wide range of rule of law topics. \n\n\n\nThrough interactive sessions that blend theory with practical skills\, as well as study visits\, our programme equips policy advisors\, members of the judiciary and other civil servants working in the government and justice sectors with the knowledge and skills needed to drive reforms within their respective countries. \n\n\n\nIn addition\, by taking part in the training programme\, participants become part of a large international network of alumni\, lecturers and public institutions in the Netherlands and in the target countries. This network serves as a platform for learning\, exchange and collaboration. \n\n\n\nThe Matra Rule of Law Training Programme is designed and delivered by the Netherlands Helsinki Committee\, Leiden Law School and The Hague Academy for Local Governance. It is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands\, and administered by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on behalf of the Ministry. For questions relating to the Matra Rule of Law Training Programme please contact us via matrarolt@nhc.nl \n\n\n\nThe following hybrid training courses are on offer in 2024-2025: \n\n\n\nIn 2024-2025 the following hybrid training courses are offered: \n\n\n\n1. Administration of Justice (full brochure) \n\n\n\nThis training will focus on the “judicial” dimension of Chapter 23. The training will focus on the fundamental principles of judicial organisation under the EU acquis – with a special focus on the case law of the EU Court of Justice – and groundbreaking case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Participants will also learn about best practices in the administration of justice in the Netherlands\, and the organisation and functioning of the judiciary. Participants will be introduced to the concept of independence and impartiality as developed in the robust case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Participants will discuss the legal framework regarding the principles of accountability and independence and the application of these principles; judicial culture as a backdrop against which courts function; the role of judicial councils and the role of precedent in legal practice. \n\n\n\nThis training will be held online from 02 to 13 December 2024 and will be held in-person from 20-31 January 2025. Applications are now closed. \n\n\n\n2. Integrity of Civil Servants (full brochure) \n\n\n\nPublic integrity is a core value of the European vision on good governance. It is essential for a well-functioning and transparent government\, and an important precondition for economic growth. This training will help participants developing integrity policies\, in order to ensure transparency\, accountability\, efficiency and ethical behaviour within government institutions. \n\n\n\nThis training will focus on three pillars of public integrity as defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): system\, culture and accountability. Participants will discuss international and European standards\, while also learning about examples and practices from the Netherlands. How are integrity policies designed\, implemented and enforced? \n\n\n\nThis training will be held online from 27 January – 07 February 2025 and will be held in-person from 10 – 21 March 2025. \n\n\n\n3. Public Procurement (full brochure) \n\n\n\nThe acquis on public procurement includes general principles of transparency\, free movement of goods\, and non-discrimination. In addition\, specific EU rules apply for the coordination of awarding public works contracts\, services and supplies. Government contracts are of great economic and strategic importance and it is therefore necessary that systems are designed in such a way that conflicts of interest and corruption are prevented as much as possible. \n\n\n\nWith this training\, we want to increase knowledge of European regulations in the field of public procurement by looking at Dutch and international experience with regard to legitimacy and integrity of the purchasing process. Strong\, independent institutions protect the integrity of the system. This prevents inappropriate political or economic influence. This training also pays attention to gender responsive and transformative public procurement\, showing casing how public procurement can contribute to increasing gender equality. \n\n\n\nThis training will be held online from 27 January – 07 February 2025 and will be held in-person from 10 – 21 March 2025. \n\n\n\n4. Management of Public Services (full brochure) \n\n\n\nThis training addresses the question of how the public sector can be better organised to enable good public services. We look at the public sector from the perspective of multi-level governance: cooperation and coordination between multiple layers of government\, non-government actors and citizens for effective and efficient public services. Challenges surrounding decentralisation and privatisation (including public-private partnerships) are discussed\, including the financing of services. We also discuss the potential of digitalisation to make services more efficient\, transparent and accessible\, as well as accompanying challenges – for example regarding privacy\, data security and the digital divide. We discuss the importance of good personnel policy for well-functioning public institutions and services. We look at issues such as merit-based selection and promotion\, transparent performance assessments and offering training and development opportunities to government officials. \n\n\n\nThis training will be held online from 12 to 23 May 2025\, and in-person from 09 to 20 June 2025. Click here to apply. \n\n\n\n5. Management of Borders (full brochure) \n\n\n\nAll Matra countries share common challenges when it comes to migration\, asylum\, border management and organised transnational crime. The Western Balkans and Turkey are located on the crossroads of migration routes from conflict areas to EU member states\, while Armenia\, Georgia\, Moldova and Ukraine share common challenges in the field of border management and adjusting national legislation in order to meet the EU acquis. \n\n\n\nIn this training\, participants will strengthen their knowledge of EU asylum law and its interpretation by European courts. Sessions will be dedicated to the EU acquis\, including the EU return and readmission policy. In the field of border management\, participants will learn about Schengen legislation and the mandate of Frontex\, whiles sessions will also be held on the fight against organised crime. \n\n\n\nThe training will be held online from 12 to 23 May 2025 and in-person from 09 to 20 June 2025. Click here to apply. \n\n\n\n6. Human Rights \n\n\n\nDepending on the selected participants\, this training can be used in a number of ways to address fundamental and human rights. All government policy initiatives must be monitored for their impact on (human) rights and there must be mechanisms for monitoring and correcting practices that conflict with these rights. This training looks at mechanisms and policies that can be used to (better) safeguard internationally agreed human rights standards. Together with Dutch institutions active in this area\, we will exchange practical experiences with the participants and encourage them to reflect on the situation in their own country. \n\n\n\nThis training will be held online from 15 to 26 September 2025\, and in-person from 6 to 17 October 2025. \n\n\n\n7. (Functioning of) Democratic Institutions \n\n\n\nWell-functioning institutions that guarantee democracy\, the rule of law and human rights are essential for preserving the EU’s identity and values. They must guarantee and safeguard fundamental rights and freedoms. In this training we not only look at international standards (the role of the Venice Commission and the Council of Europe)\, but also at practice: how can civil servants themselves contribute to democratic policy and decision-making and increasing confidence in the government? How can organisations work more transparently? And how can the distance between the government and the citizen be reduced? \n\n\n\nThis training will be held online from 10 to 21 November 2025\, and in-person from 01 to 12 December 2025. \n\n\n\nThese training was held in 2023-2024: \n\n\n\nJudicial Cooperation \n\n\n\nIn this training we look at the importance of collaboration within the justice sector\, both at a national and international level. We will tailor the programme specifically based on the sectors in which the selected participants work. For example\, we look at the ways in which international cooperation between judges works (recognition of foreign judgments\, transfer of suspects). Regarding the enforcement of sentences\, we look at chain cooperation\, in which the fundamental values and standards of the EU are central. For example\, within criminal law\, the right balance must be found between punishment\, reintegration and the protection of victims and society. When it comes to punishment\, we will highlight the value of alternative sanctions to prison sentences. Within this training we pay special attention to cooperation between civil servants and civil society\, because Dutch chain cooperation within criminal law between government parties and civil society is highly developed and is often a revelation for experts from other countries. \n\n\n\nThis training was held online from 11 to 22 November 2024\, and in-person from 1 to 14 December 2024. \n	Register Here This link opens in a new tab\n	\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://www.humanityhub.org/calendar/rule-of-law-training/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20250212T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20250212T180000
DTSTAMP:20250610T130506Z
CREATED:20250203T075416Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T130506Z
UID:10001222-1739376000-1739383200@www.humanityhub.org
SUMMARY:Ecocide Law Advisory Launch
DESCRIPTION:A worker dressed in protective clothing stands amid a large pile of waste\, scanning the area under a blue sky filled with scattered clouds\, emphasizing the issues of waste disposal.\n\n\n\nJoin us for the launch of Ecocide Law Advisory\, as well as the presentation of the Manual on the National Criminalisation of Ecocide.  \n\n\n\n\nEcocide Law Advisory is a partnership between The UCLA Law Promise Institute Europe This link opens in a new tab and Climate Counsel This link opens in a new tab to provide expert legal advice and training on the drafting and implementation of ecocide laws \n\n\n\nThe Manual on the National Criminalisation of Ecocide offers solutions to issues raised by the 2024 EU Environmental Crimes Directive to support effective criminalisation of serious environmental harm within the EU  Initiated by former Dutch MP Lammert van Raan\, the Manual is the product of an international working group which met during the autumn of 2024. The Manual on the National Criminalisation of Ecocide is a project of Ecocide Law Advisory and De Roos Advocaten. \n\n\n\n\nThe programme runs from 16.00-18.00 CET\, followed by a reception\, and is jointly hosted and organised with The UCLA Law Promise Institute Europe This link opens in a new tab. \n\n\n\nCapacity is limited\, so please make sure to register. \n\n\n\nAgenda \n\n\n\n15.45: Tea\, Coffee & Welcome16.00: Keynote \n\n\n\nMarie Toussaint\, vice-president of the Greens/European Free Alliance Group\, member of the European Parliament (MEP) \n\n\n\n\nSpeakers | Ecocide Law Advisory\n\nKate Mackintosh\, executive director of the UCLA Law Promise Institute Europe\, former deputy chair of the Independent Expert Panel for the legal definition of ecocide.\n\n\n\nRichard J Rogers\, executive director of Climate Counsel and former deputy chair of the Independent Expert Panel for the legal definition of ecocide.\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers | Manual on the National Criminalisation of Ecocide\n\nFausto Pocar\, professor at the University of Milan\, former president of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and former member of the UNCHR and Institut de Droit International. \n\n\n\nLammert van Raan\, former member of the Dutch House of Representatives for the Party for the Animals (Partij voor de Dieren).\n\n\n\nIngeborg Koopmans\, public prosecutor of environmental crime at the Functional Department of the Dutch Prosecutor’s Office. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nQ&A18.00: Reception
URL:https://www.humanityhub.org/calendar/ecocide-law-advisory-launch/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.humanityhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4389.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20250213T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20250213T183000
DTSTAMP:20250610T130508Z
CREATED:20250203T075929Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T130508Z
UID:10001223-1739466000-1739471400@www.humanityhub.org
SUMMARY:Panel discussion - Climate on trial: lessons from the Milieudefensie versus Shell case
DESCRIPTION:On 12 November 2024\, the The Hague Court of Appeal delivered a complex judgment in the Milieudefensie v. Shell This link opens in a new tab climate litigation case\, setting aside the groundbreaking 2021 District Court ruling.  \n\n\n\nAt issue in the appeal was whether Shell must have reduced its CO2 emissions by 45% in 2030 compared to 2019. The court of appeal ruled that Shell is obliged to reduce its CO₂ emissions\, but that it was unable to determine which percentage should apply. The court of appeal therefore rejected the claims of Milieudefensie. \n\n\n\nWhile the appeal judgment may not have delivered the decisive victory climate activists sought\, it offers significant insights into developing judicial attitudes towards corporate responsibility for climate change.  \n\n\n\nJoin the Asser Institute and SEVEN – the Climate Institute (University of Amsterdam) This link opens in a new tab – for a critical examination of this pivotal legal moment in climate litigation. This panel discussion will dissect the implications of the Court of Appeal’s judgment from different angles and explore its significance for future climate accountability strategies.  \n\n\n\nThe Court of Appeal’s judgment\, while not a straightforward victory\, provides critical lessons for how corporations might be held responsible for their climate impact. The case highlighted that while Shell was not legally compelled to meet a specific 45% emissions reduction target\, states and private actors have a shared responsibility under international human rights law to combat climate change that can influence private law obligations. \n\n\n\nNotably\, the judgment coincides with the European Union’s newly adopted Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive\, which will significantly reshape how companies like Shell must approach their climate transition strategies. This directive represents a crucial legal framework that will guide corporate climate responsibilities in the coming years.  \n\n\n\nThe event will explore key themes emerging from the judgment\, including:  \n\n\n\n\nThe shared responsibilities of states and private actors in addressing climate change \n\n\n\nThe horizontal effect of human rights obligations on corporate conduct \n\n\n\nThe evolving legal landscape of corporate climate accountability and the use of strategic litigation \n\n\n\nThe role of international guidelines and emerging EU directives in shaping corporate climate strategies \n\n\n\n\nThere will be a short presentation of the case\, followed by a round of questions facilitated by the moderator\, and an exchange with the room. For those attending in person\, there will be a drinks reception after the event.  \n\n\n\nIn-person and online participation is available. \n\n\n\nModerator:Stephanie Triefus (Asser Institute) This link opens in a new tab  This link opens in a new tab \n\n\n\nSpeakers:  \n\n\n\n\nAndre Nollkaemper – founder of SEVEN (University of Amsterdam) This link opens in a new tab\n\n\n\nSjoukje van Oosterhout – Senior team lead of the climate case against Shell (Milieudefensie) This link opens in a new tab \n\n\n\n\n\nAnneloes Kuiper (Utrecht University) This link opens in a new tab\n\n\n\nChiara Macchi (Wageningen University & Research) This link opens in a new tab (online) \n\n\n\n\nThis event is supported by the Netherlands Network for Human Rights Research This link opens in a new tab
URL:https://www.humanityhub.org/calendar/panel-discussion-climate-on-trial-lessons-from-the-milieudefensie-versus-shell-case/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.humanityhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4386.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR