Children and mayors bury time capsule at Peace Palace
23 September 2024
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the International Day of Peace, a special event took place in the front yard of the Peace Palace. Mayor Van Zanen and the 17-year-old mayor of Madurodam, Rand, buried a time capsule together. This capsule contains letters and drawings from some 150 children, in which they recorded their wishes and ideas for a safer and more peaceful world.
A historical day
The day began in the main hall of The Hague Academy of International Law, where the children placed their wishes in the time capsule. Mayor Van Zanen explained how The Hague became the International City of Peace and Law and why this is so important. Iljan van Hardevelt, general director of the Carnegie Foundation told about the Peace Palace. University lecturer Joris van de Riet spoke to three young people about the meaning of peace and law in everyday life and about international law. Afterwards, many children and their parents enjoyed a walk and scavenger hunt through the garden of the Peace Palace.
“Today we want to do something special to call attention to peace. We want to pass on the message of peace to the future.” - Mayor Jan van Zanen
125 letters for peace
125 children from different parts of the city participated in the activity. This number was chosen symbolically because for 125 years The Hague has been the city where people contribute together to SDG 16: peace, justice and strong public services.
This tradition was born 125 years ago during the first Hague Peace Conference. Back then (in 1899), 26 countries met to discuss disarmament and rules of war. Several treaties were adopted and it was also decided to establish a special court: the Permanent Court of Arbitration. A suitable building was needed for the court and so it was decided to build the Peace Palace. In 1907, the Second Hague Peace Conference was held with 44 countries. During this conference, the first stone of the Peace Palace was laid. The building was to house the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the largest library for international law and peace. On Aug. 28, 1913, the Peace Palace was officially opened.
Today, in addition to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Peace Palace houses the United Nations International Court of Justice, the Hague Academy of International Law and the Peace Palace Library. The Carnegie Foundation manages the building.
348 likes, 4 comments - burgemeesterjanvanzanen on September 21, 2024: "Vandaag vereeuwigden ruim 125 scholieren hun vredeswens in een tijdscapsule voor de toekomst. Deze kist blijft bewaard in de tuin van het Vredespaleis. Het Vredespaleis is gebouwd na de eerste Vredesconferentie die 125 jaar geleden in Den Haag plaatsvond. Het Permanent Hof van Arbitrage werd hier gevestigd en andere internationale organisaties volgden, waaronder het Internationaal Gerechtshof van de Verenigde Naties.".
Peace Palace
