The Hague Institute for Global Justice

History

The Hague Institute was founded in 2011 by a consortium of partners including the Municipality of The Hague and an academic coalition of Hague-based organizations, with support from the Dutch government. Its stated aim, to "contribute to, and further strengthen, the global framework for preventing and resolving conflict and promoting international peace."

Nico Schrijver, academic director of the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at Leiden University, served as the Institute's first dean between January and August 2011. Willem van Genugten served as interim dean of the Institute from September 2011 to December 2012. He was succeeded by the Institute's first president, Abiodun Williams, the former senior vice president of the Center for Conflict Management at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on January 1, 2013.

Williams tenure

In articles by the Dutch magazine De Groene Amsterdammer and the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, as well as in a report published by Price Waterhouse Coopers, Williams was accused of a failure to "acquire external resources" to allow the Institute to function beyond the €20 million in subsidies granted to the Institute by the Dutch government. Williams was also accused of maintaining "exorbitant expense reports" while fostering a hostile work environment.

Bankruptcy and revival

By 2018 the Institute was insolvent, closing its doors in April of that year. The Institute was declared bankrupt in May 2018.

In July 2018, following talks between the Institute and Sohair Salam Saber, a Jordanian businesswoman, a declaration of intent to continue the Institute was announced. In September 2018, Saber purchased the Institute.

On 29 January 2019, at Nieuwspoort at the Dutch parliamentary building, Saber was announced as the Institute's second president. During the event, Mahmoud Abuwasel was announced as vice president of the Institute.

In June 2022, the Institute requested observer status with the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Advisory board

The Institute's leadership is supported by a panel of advisors consisting of individuals who have previously held political, diplomatic and legal positions in various countries. As of 2023, its members are:

• Toine Beukering
• Tim Broas
• Nikolaos van Dam
• Élisabeth Guigou
• Devorah Lieberman
• Salaheddine Mezouar
• Hani Mulki
• Vesna Pusić
• Cynthia P. Schneider
• Robert Serry
• Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen
• Ben Swagerman
• Cevat Yerli

References

References

1. (10 June 2011). "Albright crowns city with new peace institute".
2. "About us". The Hague Institute for Global Justice.
3. (4 April 2018). "De ondergang van The Hague Institute for Global Justice: hoe miljoenen overheidsgeld verdampten in een denktank". [[De Volkskrant]].
4. (4 April 2018). "Hoe het Haagse Institute for Global Justice 20 miljoen subsidie verspeelde". [[De Groene Amsterdammer]].
5. (4 April 2018). "The Hague global justice institute closes due to lack of funding". Dutchnews.nl.
6. Hanssen, Henk. (30 January 2019). "Arabische zakenvrouw koopt failliete Haagse denktank".
7. Koelé, Theo. (29 January 2019). "Arabische zakenvrouw probeert failliet Haags instituut nieuw leven in te blazen". [[De Volkskrant]].
8. (2 February 2019). "Jordanian businesswoman chosen as first Arab president of justice organisation in The Hague". [[The Jordan Times]].
9. (4 February 2019). "Vice-President of The Hague Institute for Global Justice Announced". The Hague Institute of Global Justice.
10. (1 June 2022). "Request for observer status with the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: application of The Hague Institute for Global Justice". [[United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs]].
11. (21 October 2020). "Mulki appointed to Hague Institute's honorary panel of senior advisors". [[Jordan News Agency]].
12. "Honorary Advisory Board". The Hague Institute for Global Justice.