The Hague Summer School
highly practice-oriented / tailor-made sessions / selective intake
highly practice-oriented / tailor-made sessions / selective intake
Be taught by persons of practice at one of the world's most selective summer schools
Be taught by persons of practice at one of the world's most selective summer schools
Step outside the classroom and immerse yourself in workshops, interdisciplinary sessions, and internship presentations. Be taught by serving ambassadors, meet conflict negotiators, brave women, leading professors, human rights activists, and even attend a hearing of an alleged war criminal at the International Criminal Court.
Step outside the classroom and immerse yourself in workshops, interdisciplinary sessions, and internship presentations. Be taught by serving ambassadors, meet conflict negotiators, brave women, leading professors, human rights activists, and even attend a hearing of an alleged war criminal at the International Criminal Court.
Whether Iran, Ukraine, societal ruptures in the US, or other events: The world is in turmoil. The city of The Hague is most famous for being the seat of the International Criminal Court; but likewise hundreds of human rights organisations, embassies, and a related ecosystem are based here. The Hague Summer School can offer 28 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world an educational and CV-enhancing experience of a lifetime: Be taught directly by those who work every day at the international institutions and NGOs. You can find a list of speakers and -further below- our nine learning sessions on this page. While admission is competitive, we believe in a holistic application process: Your motivation is what matters most to us! Selection will therefore not be based only on grades or institutional reputation.
Immigration & Refugees
Global Law & Justice
International Institutions
Conflict Mediation
On-the-ground NGO Operations
Gender-based Violence
Advocacy Strategies
War in Ukraine
Career Advice
Whether Iran, Ukraine, societal ruptures in the US, or other events: The world is in turmoil. The city of The Hague is most famous for being the seat of the International Criminal Court; but likewise hundreds of human rights organisations, embassies, and a related ecosystem are based here. The Hague Summer School can offer 28 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world an educational experience of a lifetime: Be taught directly by those who work every day at the international institutions and NGOs. You can find a list of speakers and -further below- our nine teaching sessions on this page. While admission is competitive, we believe in a holistic application process: Your motivation is what matters most to us! Selection will therefore not be based only on grades or institutional reputation.
Meet some of your distinguished and courageous teachers:
Meet some of your distinguished and courageous teachers:
His Excellency Ambassador Paul Teesalu
Current ambassador of Estonia to The Netherlands; former: ambassador to Egypt, Italy, the Holy See, the Arab League, the African Union, and Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs. His Excellency will receive you at the embassy to provide insights into the threats his country faces from Russia, details on how supporting Ukraine works in daily practice, and new ways to strengthen the international order.
His Excellency Ambassador Paul Teesalu
Current ambassador of Estonia to The Netherlands; former: ambassador to Egypt, Italy, the Holy See, the Arab League, the African Union, and Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs. His Excellency will receive you at the embassy to provide insights into the threats his country faces from Russia, details on how supporting Ukraine works in daily practice, and new ways to strengthen the international order.
Mekka Abdelgabar
Sudanese human rights leader, founder of the NGO VOND, conflict mediator in Sudan’s war. Mekka will conduct a workshop with you in person based on 3 mediations she performed on the ground in Darfur’s war zone (Sudan). You are expected to design conflict mediation strategies that will be reviewed by her.
Mekka Abdelgabar
Sudanese human rights leader, founder of the NGO VOND, conflict mediator in Sudan’s war. Mekka will conduct a workshop with you in person based on 3 mediations she performed on the ground in Darfur’s war zone (Sudan). You are expected to design conflict mediation strategies that will be reviewed by her.
Please note: Each session is carefully crafted to enhance your knowledge through case studies.
The countries and events we will discuss are selected in a way that lets you benefit from them even if your academic interest may lie with another world region. All sessions are interdisciplinary in nature.
Mursal Rasa
Afghan journalist journalist and women’s rights activist. Mursal escaped Afghanistan on a military evacuation flight when the Taliban stood at the gates of Kabul Airport in 2021. Now living in exile in Europe, Mursal will share her experiences as a women’s rights advocate in both Afghanistan and as a refugee in Europe with you. This will be a deeply personal and inspiring session, embedded into academic findings around the subjects of immigration (session 4) and global women’s rights (session 1).
Mursal
Rasa
Afghan journalist journalist and women’s rights activist. Mursal escaped Afghanistan on a military evacuation flight when the Taliban stood at the gates of Kabul Airport in 2021. Now living in exile in Europe, Mursal will share her experiences as a women’s rights advocate in both Afghanistan and as a refugee in Europe with you. This will be a deeply personal and inspiring session, embedded into academic findings around the subjects of immigration (session 4) and global women’s rights (session 1).
His Excellency Ambassador Andres Horacio Teran Parral
Current ambassador of Ecuador to The Netherlands, Permanent Representative to the International Court of Justice and to the OPCW; former: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, ambassador to Canada, Deputy Secretary-General of the central bank, Chief of Protocol of the President of Ecuador. His Excellency will receive you at the embassy. In an interactive, closed-door session, he will provide details on the inner workings of international organisations and on how negotiations between states are conducted.
His Excellency Ambassador Andres Horacio Teran Parral
Current ambassador of Ecuador to The Netherlands, Permanent Representative to the International Court of Justice and to the OPCW; former: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, ambassador to Canada, Deputy Secretary-General of the central bank, Chief of Protocol of the President of Ecuador. His Excellency will receive you at the embassy. In an interactive, closed-door session, he will provide details on the inner workings of international organisations and on how negotiations between states are conducted.
Daniel Peter
Founder and director of the NGO Release Peace; former: vice president at Goldman Sachs. In an engaging group setting, Daniel will teach you how an international NGO operates, how on-the-ground projects are conducted, and how to work with local human rights partners. Daniel is particularly passionate about sharing with you how ‘Western’ NGOs can avoid imposing their bias onto others,
Daniel
Peter
Founder and director of the NGO Release Peace; former: vice president at Goldman Sachs. In an engaging group setting, Daniel will teach you how an international NGO operates, how on-the-ground projects are conducted, and how to work with local human rights partners. Daniel is particularly passionate about sharing with you how ‘Western’ NGOs can avoid imposing their bias onto others,
Lisa Sokurenko
Head of International Crimes Documentation at the Ukrainian human rights organisation ZMINA. Lisa will join via video from Kyiv to share first-hand what it is like to conduct war crime investigations in an active war zone, the emotional toll they take, and pathways to justice through a new international prosecution authority currently being set up in The Hague (and which you will visit).
Lisa
Sokurenko
Head of International Crimes Documentation at the Ukrainian human rights organisation ZMINA. Lisa will join via video from Kyiv to share first-hand what it is like to conduct war crime investigations in an active war zone, the emotional toll they take, and pathways to justice through a new international prosecution authority currently being set up in The Hague (and which you will visit).
Ambassador Susan Page
Former U.S. ambassador to South Sudan and former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General. Susan Page helped organise an emergency evacuation of a U.S. embassy under gunfire. She will take you to those crucial moments when peace failed and the vast machinery of the State Department sprung into action.
Ambassador Susan Page
Former U.S. ambassador to South Sudan and former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General. Susan Page helped organise an emergency evacuation of a U.S. embassy under gunfire. She will take you to those crucial moments when peace failed and the vast machinery of the State Department sprung into action.
Dates: The Hague Summer School will take place from 13 - 24 July 2026.
Interdisciplinary Sessions and Teaching Philosophy
Experiential & Interdisiplinary Teaching Approach
All teaching sessions listed below are carefully designed around an interdisciplinary approach. The countries and events we will discuss serve as case studies and you are encouraged to sign up for the summer school even if your academic interest lies in other world region than the specific sessions cover. The ‘experiential teaching’ approach means that you will be taught directly by persons of practice. You will do sessions directly drawing from current global events and will be received at embassies that give you behind-the-scenes insights into international negotiations and issues of war, peace, diplomacy, and human rights. Those engagements have been exclusively selected for this The Hague Summer School.
Experience of a Lifetime
The Hague is the global city of peace & justice. You will not merely be a visitor at the international institutions based in The Hague, but be taught there. Beyond that, human rights activists, security analysts, and serving ambassadors will make time for you and have created engaging and demanding sessions. You will speak with refugees of war, look an alleged war criminal in the eyes at the International Criminal Court, and hear from brave activists. This summer school should not be regarded by you as ‘just another’ stepping stone of your academic and professional journey, but it will shape who you are as a citizen of the world. The Hague Summer School is highly selective and we are only able to admit a maximum of 28 students.
Please note: You do not need to register individually for the sessions below.
All The Hague Summer School students will partake in all sessions. The summer school is based on interdisciplinarity and sessions draw from each another.
Session 1: Conflict Mediation in War Zones - Taught by Practitioners
Content: This session will take you to four current/recent conflict zones: The Middle East, Sudan, Kosovo, and West Africa. In interactive format, you will hear from the brave mediators who have negotiated resolutions to conflicts on the ground during times of war. You will get step-by-step guidance on how conflict negotiations work from the community level up to national governments. You will also hear from a former US ambassador what happens if all efforts fail and emergency evacuations need to take place amidst gunfire.
Why is this summer school session unique? All lecturers/speakers have real-world experience. Crucially for us, this includes such that are from the affected countries themselves. You will cover 3 world regions, 5 countries, and meet 4 seasoned professionals.
Form of assessment: Towards the end if this session, the class will be split into 3 groups. Each group will design a conflict mediation strategy for a real-world conflict that one of the lecturers has discussed with you.
Session 1: Conflict Mediation in War Zones - Taught by Practitioners
Content: This session will take you to four current/recent conflict zones: The Middle East, Sudan, Kosovo, and West Africa. In interactive format, you will hear from the brave mediators who have negotiated resolutions to conflicts on the ground during times of war. You will get step-by-step guidance on how conflict negotiations work from the community level up to national governments. You will also hear from a former US ambassador what happens if all efforts fail and emergency evacuations need to take place amidst gunfire.
Why is this summer school session unique? All lecturers/speakers have real-world experience. Crucially for us, this includes such that are from the affected countries themselves. You will cover 3 world regions, 5 countries, and meet 4 seasoned professionals.
Form of assessment: Towards the end if this session, the class will be split into 3 groups. Each group will design a conflict mediation strategy for a real-world conflict that one of the lecturers has discussed with you.
Session 2: Strategies for Combatting Global Violence Against Women
Content: The Hague is home to over 100 NGOs working globally on women’s rights matters. In collaboration with several of them, we have crafted a session to compare & contrast successful strategies on combatting violations of women’s rights. We will cover conflict-related sexual violence, FGM, and women’s health. Next to engaging with the tragic reality of this subject, the session will also offer hope and inspiration from courageous women who have achieved real change.
Why is this summer school session unique? Your teachers for this session will be first-line defenders of women’s rights from different world regions. This session will include the study of testimonials of women affected by sexual violence. We feel that -not only for female students- engaging with these documents is vital for understanding this subject. Caution is advised.
Form of assessment: You will write an 800 words paper on strategies for improvement on gender equality within your own personal/academic/local environment. With your permission, selected papers will be discussed and compared in class.
Session 2: Strategies for Combatting Global Violence Against Women
Content: The Hague is home to over 100 NGOs working globally on women’s rights matters. In collaboration with several of them, we have crafted a session to compare & contrast successful strategies on combatting violations of women’s rights. We will cover conflict-related sexual violence, FGM, and women’s health. Next to engaging with the tragic reality of this subject, the session will also offer hope and inspiration from courageous women who have achieved real change.
Why is this summer school session unique? Your teachers for this session will be first-line defenders of women’s rights from different world regions. This session will include the study of testimonials of women affected by sexual violence. We feel that -not only for female students- engaging with these documents is vital for understanding this subject. Caution is advised.
Form of assessment: You will write an 800 words paper on strategies for improvement on gender equality within your own personal/academic/local environment. With your permission, selected papers will be discussed and compared in class.
Session 3: Behind the Scenes of International Organisations
Content: Ambassador Andres Horacio Teran Parral, the director of Release Peace, Daniel Peter, staff from Eurojust and staff from the OPCW will all make time to teach you about the inner workings of international institutions. This session will cover strategies for advocacy used by NGOs, high-level diplomatic negotiations, the application of IR theory in practice, and the institutional design of international organisations.
Why is this summer school session unique? You will be taken to the ‘negotiation table’ by the very people who conducted international negotiations. In one case, those negotiations are ongoing and you will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Form of assessment: In an individually assessed, written assignment you will compare and contrast international organisations that have failed and such that have succeeded in their mandates. As part of this, you will analyse the causes for those divergent developments.
Session 3: Behind the Scenes of International Organisations
Content: Ambassador Andres Horacio Teran Parral, the director of Release Peace, Daniel Peter, staff from Eurojust and staff from the OPCW will all make time to teach you about the inner workings of international institutions. This session will cover strategies for advocacy used by NGOs, high-level diplomatic negotiations, the application of IR theory in practice, and the institutional design of international organisations.
Why is this summer school session unique? You will be taken to the ‘negotiation table’ by the very people who conducted international negotiations. In one case, those negotiations are ongoing and you will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Form of assessment: In an individually assessed, written assignment you will compare and contrast international organisations that have failed and such that have succeeded in their mandates. As part of this, you will analyse the causes for those divergent developments.
Session 4: Migration & Displacement (incl. Testimonials)
Content: You will hear from three leading professors and go through two additional case studies covering how migrants adapt to their new homes, what research reveals about host societies, pathways refugees take, and more. The cases we examine are carefully selected to give you a global overview and will cover the U.S., Latin American, East Africa, and Europe. Crucially, you will speak with refugees from Uganda, Afghanistan, and Sudan. We will also have lunch with a physician who worked in Greece’s largest refugee camp. This session will tie high-quality academic research and first-person accounts together as you have never experienced.
Why is this summer school session unique? This will not be an abstract exercise. You will speak with people who have crossed continents to flee from violence but who likewise will be some of the most inspiring people you might ever meet.
Form of assessment: As a class, you will create a mind map threading together geographies, causes of displacement, individual stories, causes of friction with host communities, and areas of systemic improvement. This will be a comprehensive exercise.
Session 4: Migration & Displacement (incl. Testimonials)
Content: You will hear from three leading professors and go through two additional case studies covering how migrants adapt to their new homes, what research reveals about host societies, pathways refugees take, and more. The cases we examine are carefully selected to give you a global overview and will cover the U.S., Latin American, East Africa, and Europe. Crucially, you will speak with refugees from Uganda, Afghanistan, and Sudan. We will also have lunch with a physician who worked in Greece’s largest refugee camp. This session will tie high-quality academic research and first-person accounts together as you have never experienced.
Why is this summer school session unique? This will not be an abstract exercise. You will speak with people who have crossed continents to flee from violence but who likewise will be some of the most inspiring people you might ever meet.
Form of assessment: As a class, you will create a mind map threading together geographies, causes of displacement, individual stories, causes of friction with host communities, and areas of systemic improvement. This will be a comprehensive exercise.
Session 5: Delivery of On-the-Ground NGO Operations
Content: Many of you will want to pursue a career with NGO or humanitarian organisations. This session will add enormous value to your CV: The director of Release Peace, Daniel Peter, will take you step-by-step through how NGO projects work on the ground: Building trust with local communities, maintaining independence from government influence, working with local partners, project design, and more. As Release Peace is based in Europe, Daniel is especially passionate about how to avoid the ‘white saviour’ syndrome when engaging in the Global South and putting local partners in the driver’s seat instead of enshrining dependencies.
Why is this summer school session unique? This workshop format was previously applied at University College London (UCL) and is specifically designed to boost your CV credentials in the following way: Students frequently struggle to secure their first internship since many require previous work experience. Such previous experience is impossible to demonstrate when applying for your first internship. While a summer school session cannot replicate real-world experience, this interactive format will cover each step of an NGO’s groundwork and gives you something tangible to show for in any internship application.
Form of assessment: You will be graded for your in-class participation with a focus on the critical thinking you displayed.
Session 5: Delivery of On-the-Ground NGO Operations
Content: Many of you will want to pursue a career with NGO or humanitarian organisations. This session will add enormous value to your CV: The director of Release Peace, Daniel Peter, will take you step-by-step through how NGO projects work on the ground: Building trust with local communities, maintaining independence from government influence, working with local partners, project design, and more. As Release Peace is based in Europe, Daniel is especially passionate about how to avoid the ‘white saviour’ syndrome when engaging in the Global South and putting local partners in the driver’s seat instead of enshrining dependencies.
Why is this summer school session unique? This workshop format was previously applied at University College London (UCL) and is specifically designed to boost your CV credentials in the following way: Students frequently struggle to secure their first internship since many require previous work experience. Such previous experience is impossible to demonstrate when applying for your first internship. While a summer school session cannot replicate real-world experience, this interactive format will cover each step of an NGO’s groundwork and gives you something tangible to show for in any internship application.
Form of assessment: You will be graded for your in-class participation with a focus on the critical thinking you displayed.
Session 6: The War in Ukraine and its Human Rights Implications
Content: You will hear first-hand from resolute Ukrainian war crimes investigator Lisa Sokurenko what it entails to be confronted every day with the worst that humankind has to offer. The focus of this session will be on the human rather than legal side of war crimes investigations. Furthermore, a new tribunal is being set up in The Hague to prosecute the “Crime of Aggression” conducted by Russia against Ukraine. The Hague Summer School arranged for an exclusive visit of the embassy of Estonia and a session with the ambassador to teach you about the birth of a new international institution. As a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, Estonia was instrumental in setting up the tribunal as a formal entity.
Why is this summer school session unique? It is an extremely rare occurrence for a new international organisation to be set up. Here in The Hague, you will experience this “live” and be taught by the diplomats who are making it happen. While universities sometimes pull in former diplomats as lecturers, this The Hague Summer School offers insights from those currently serving.
Form of assessment: No separately graded assessment. However, this session will provide input for the assessment of session 3.
Session 6: The War in Ukraine and its Human Rights Implications
Content: You will hear first-hand from resolute Ukrainian war crimes investigator Lisa Sokurenko what it entails to be confronted every day with the worst that humankind has to offer. The focus of this session will be on the human rather than legal side of war crimes investigations. Furthermore, a new tribunal is being set up in The Hague to prosecute the “Crime of Aggression” conducted by Russia against Ukraine. The Hague Summer School arranged for an exclusive visit of the embassy of Estonia and a session with the ambassador to teach you about the birth of a new international institution. As a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, Estonia was instrumental in setting up the tribunal as a formal entity.
Why is this summer school session unique? It is an extremely rare occurrence for a new international organisation to be set up. Here in The Hague, you will experience this “live” and be taught by the diplomats who are making it happen. While universities sometimes pull in former diplomats as lecturers, this The Hague Summer School offers insights from those currently serving.
Form of assessment: No separately graded assessment. However, this session will provide input for the assessment of session 3.
Session 7: Criminal Justice at the International Criminal Court
Content: Professor Mathias Holvoet from the University of Amsterdam will undertake an in-depth session about the workings of international justice, the history of why international courts exist, and the challenges and criticisms they face. The following day, you will experience these theories in action: We will go to a hearing at the ICC. This will likely be of the former president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte, or Libya’s Mr. El Hishri. Both individuals are on trial for crimes against humanity. This includes the facilitation of mass murder, torture, and in Mr. El Hishri’s case, mass rape.
Why is this summer school session unique? You will get access to the actual case files and witness testimonies. You will receive presentations on ICC premises and you will be taught by a professor with a personal connection to a country where international courts have prosecuted crimes against humanity.
Form of assessment: You will write a 800 words critical reflection paper.
Session 7: Criminal Justice at the International Criminal Court
Content: Professor Mathias Holvoet from the University of Amsterdam will undertake an in-depth session about the workings of international justice, the history of why international courts exist, and the challenges and criticisms they face. The following day, you will experience these theories in action: We will go to a hearing at the ICC. This will likely be of the former president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte, or Libya’s Mr. El Hishri. Both individuals are on trial for crimes against humanity. This includes the facilitation of mass murder, torture, and in Mr. El Hishri’s case, mass rape.
Why is this summer school session unique? You will get access to the actual case files and witness testimonies. You will receive presentations on ICC premises and you will be taught by a professor with a personal connection to a country where international courts have prosecuted crimes against humanity.
Form of assessment: You will write a 800 words critical reflection paper.
Session 8: Career Support, CV Review, Networking
Content: In addition to the subject-focused sessions above, we arranged for you to receive internship presentations and get advice on graduate careers from The Hague-based think tank HCSS (Hague Centre for Security Studies) and from the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons). The OPCW is an international organisation with 197 member states (more than the UN). As a successful The Hague Summer School graduate, you can also join the Release Peace network of students without charge that allows you lifetime access to networking with your fellow classmates and others.
Why is this summer school session unique? We selected a think tank and a public international body for these presentations so that you can get a broad understanding of what recruiters in international affairs jobs look for. Next to these internship/career sessions, your head lecturer will also take the time to review each of your CVs individually and give you personalised advice on points of improvement. Your lecturer is not only teaching sessions at this summer school, but is also the director of an NGO that receives hundreds of CVs every year.
Form of assessment: No assessment is planned for this session.
Session 8: Career Support, CV Review, Networking
Content: In addition to the subject-focused sessions above, we arranged for you to receive internship presentations and get advice on graduate careers from The Hague-based think tank HCSS (Hague Centre for Security Studies) and from the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons). The OPCW is an international organisation with 197 member states (more than the UN). As a successful The Hague Summer School graduate, you can also join the Release Peace network of students without charge that allows you lifetime access to networking with your fellow classmates and others.
Why is this summer school session unique? We selected a think tank and a public international body for these presentations so that you can get a broad understanding of what recruiters in international affairs jobs look for. Next to these internship/career sessions, your head lecturer will also take the time to review each of your CVs individually and give you personalised advice on points of improvement. Your lecturer is not only teaching sessions at this summer school, but is also the director of an NGO that receives hundreds of CVs every year.
Form of assessment: No assessment is planned for this session.
Dates: The Hague Summer School will take place from 13 - 24 July 2026.
Please note: You do not need to register individually for the sessions above.
All The Hague Summer School students will partake in all sessions. The summer school is based on interdisciplinarity and sessions draw from each another.
About Us
The Hague Summer School is hosted by the NGO Release Peace. Based in The Hague since 2019, Release Peace works globally in the areas peace, security, and human rights. Next to outstanding educational activities such as the summer school, the NGO runs projects in war-affected world regions. Those projects are executed together with local partners to prevent armed violence, gender-based violence, and reduce illicit arms proliferation. Moreover, we hold dialogues at some of the most senior diplomatic levels. This includes ambassadors, directors of UN agencies, and even the Council of the EU. Release Peace is strictly independent and not affiliated with any political party, corporate interests, faith, ideology, etc. This is reflected in Release Peace’s funding, which primarily comes through small donations. The NGO does not take any government funding. The director of Release Peace, Daniel Peter, will be one of your lecturers. Daniel has previously given presentations and interactive workshops on the very topics you will cover at this summer school at universities including Johns Hopkins, Columbia, the University of Manchester, SciencesPo, University College London (UCL), and others.
The Hague Summer School is hosted by the NGO Release Peace. Based in The Hague since 2019, Release Peace works globally in the areas peace, security, and human rights. Next to outstanding educational activities such as the summer school, the NGO runs projects in war-affected world regions. Those projects are executed together with local partners to prevent armed violence, gender-based violence, and reduce illicit arms proliferation. Moreover, we hold dialogues at some of the most senior diplomatic levels. This includes ambassadors, directors of UN agencies, and even the Council of the EU. Release Peace is strictly independent and not affiliated with any political party, corporate interests, faith, ideology, etc. This is reflected in Release Peace’s funding, which primarily comes through small donations. The NGO does not take any government funding. The director of Release Peace, Daniel Peter, will be one of your lecturers. Daniel has previously given presentations and interactive workshops on the very topics you will cover at this summer school at universities including Johns Hopkins, Columbia, the University of Manchester, SciencesPo, University College London (UCL), and others.
Methods of Assessment
Please consult the descriptions related to each session above to find how you will be assessed. We apply a mix of written assignments, presentations, group projects, and mind-mapping exercises. You will receive a transcript displaying grading scales for 3 different systems: Netherlands, UK, US. You will also receive a separate and signed certificate of participation. Both documents will be provided in English only as it is the official language of instruction of The Hague Summer School. Grades will be based on your individual performance. This means you will not be graded on a scale against the other summer school students. This approach is to ensure that we have a collaborative and amiable experience during the summer school and is in line with the predominant grading culture in Europe.
Please consult the descriptions related to each session above to find how you will be assessed. We apply a mix of written assignments, presentations, group projects, and mind-mapping exercises. You will receive a transcript displaying grading scales for 3 different systems: Netherlands, UK, US. You will also receive a separate and signed certificate of participation. Both documents will be provided in English only as it is the official language of instruction of The Hague Summer School. Grades will be based on your individual performance. This means you will not be graded on a scale against the other summer school students. This approach is to ensure that we have a collaborative and amiable experience during the summer school and is in line with the predominant grading culture in Europe.
Session
Session 1:
Session 2:
Session 3:
Session 4:
Session 5:
Form of Assessment
In-class groupwork
800 words assignment
Written exam
Mind-mapping exercise
In-class participation
Session
Session 6:
Session 7:
Session 8:
Session 9:
Form of Assessment
Serves only as input for assignment of session 3
No assessment
800 words reflection
paper
No assessment
Session & Assessment:
Session 1:
In-class groupwork
Session 2:
800 words assignment
Session 3:
Written exam
Session 4:
Mind-mapping exercise
Session 5:
In-class participation
Session 6:
Serves only as input for assignment of session 3
Session 7:
No assessment
Session 8:
800 words reflection
Session 9:
No assessment
You will receive two documents at the end of the summer school: (1) A certificate of participation and (2) a transcript with a list of all sessions and grades. You can use these documents separately or combined as a future reference.
You will receive two documents at the end of the summer school: (1) A certificate of participation and (2) a transcript with a list of all sessions and grades. You can use these documents separately or combined as a future reference.
Important: Further Information about the Summer School
We collected further information about how to get to The Hague, visa requirements, accommodation, and administrative points. Before applying, please read them here:
We collected further information about how to get to The Hague, visa requirements, accommodation, and administrative points. Before applying, please read them here:
Your Day of Arrival
A Warm Welcome
On 13th July, you will be greeted by our the summer school’s director in front of The Hague Central Station at 09.30am. The Hague Central Station is the main train station in the city. The morning of the first day will be dedicated to getting to know each other, administrative points, and ensuring that your get a tailor-made experience catering to your individual academic interests in each session. We strongly encourage you to arrive in The Hague the day before the opening day so that you join on time. However, if you have a night flight and arrive early on 13th July, we will be able to accommodate for that and let you join in the afternoon. This should be clearly communicated beforehand.
On 13th July, you will be greeted by our the summer school’s director in front of The Hague Central Station at 09.30am. The Hague Central Station is the main train station in the city. The morning of the first day will be dedicated to getting to know each other, administrative points, and ensuring that your get a tailor-made experience catering to your individual academic interests in each session. We strongly encourage you to arrive in The Hague the day before the opening day so that you join on time. However, if you have a night flight and arrive early on 13th July, we will be able to accommodate for that and let you join in the afternoon. This should be clearly communicated beforehand.
A Special First Day
To make the summer school an experience of a lifetime for you from day 1, we will visit the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the afternoon of your opening day. This is the Court that has been in the news over the past 2 years due to South Africa’s case against Israel for alleged genocide, and the case brought forward against Myanmar for alleging the same crime. We will combine the visit of the ICJ with a short walking tour of the city centre so that you can find your way easily over the next two weeks.
To make the summer school an experience of a lifetime for you from day 1, we will visit the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the afternoon of your opening day. This is the Court that has been in the news over the past 2 years due to South Africa’s case against Israel for alleged genocide, and the case brought forward against Myanmar for alleging the same crime. We will combine the visit of the ICJ with a short walking tour of the city centre so that you can find your way easily over the next two weeks.
Social Life
Your Summer, Your Experience
Next to the diplomatic and international organisations, The Hague also offers something that might come in handy for you during the summer: a vast, sandy beach. The Hague borders the North Sea and its beach promenade is lined with bars and restaurants. If you like, you can play volleyball, take a speed boat ride with your classmates, or jump on a jet ski. The Hague’s central location also lends itself to day trips (or a night out) in Amsterdam, Utrecht, or other Dutch cities. The Netherlands, of course, is a paradise for cyclists and you can explore the city and even country by bike if you like. There is also an international cinema in The Hague, museums, Chinatown, and more. We also recommend that you take advantage of this summer of your lifetime: Get to know your classmates and start building your network of future diplomacy and human rights professionals.
Next to the diplomatic and international organisations, The Hague also offers something that might come in handy for you during the summer: a vast, sandy beach. The Hague borders the North Sea and its beach promenade is lined with bars and restaurants. If you like, you can play volleyball, take a speed boat ride with your classmates, or jump on a jet ski. The Hague’s central location also lends itself to day trips (or a night out) in Amsterdam, Utrecht, or other Dutch cities. The Netherlands, of course, is a paradise for cyclists and you can explore the city and even country by bike if you like. There is also an international cinema in The Hague, museums, Chinatown, and more. We also recommend that you take advantage of this summer of your lifetime: Get to know your classmates and start building your network of future diplomacy and human rights professionals.
We are Happy to Help with any Questions
Please contact us:
Do not hesitate to send us a message. There are no stupid question ;) Just email: secretariat@releasepeace.org
Do not hesitate to send us a message. There are no stupid question ;) Just email: secretariat@releasepeace.org