Universiteit Leiden

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LUC The Hague at the first World Class The Hague event

25 selected LUC students were present at this year’s first World Class The Hague event with speeches from King Abdullah from Jordan, Pauline Krikke (Mayor of The Hague) and Mark Singleton (Director of the International Centre for Counter Terrorism and former diplomat). King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Queen Rania al Abdullah and 300 Dutch and international students were attending the kick-off of the World Class The Hague 2018 programme.

World Class The Hague offers students in The Hague access to special masterclasses and events in the field of international relations, peace and justice. World Class is an initiative of the Municipality of The Hague to strengthen the links between the city of "Peace and Justice” and its students. The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Inholland The Hague, Leiden University and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) select students to participate in this unique programme.

In his engaging speech, King Abdullah decided to focus on “the deeply urgent need to help the world’s people live together in mutual respect.” He stressed the importance of understanding that “humanity is one,” and he pointed out that our values should inform out thoughts, our actions, and our lives. He then praised the students for their efforts to understand our complex world, and urged them to continue to do so. He also encouraged the students to pursue the way of dialogue, of love, and of inclusion, in order to “help us all walk away from disrespect and ignorance. Take the world in a better direction, and help shape the better future you all truly deserve.”

King Abdullah praised the legacy of The Hague as a city of peace and justice, describing the World Class programme as part of the city’s inspiring commitment to the shared future of humanity. After his speech King Abdullah took questions from students.

Most of the LUC students remained then in the Diligentia reception room, to enjoy lively conversations, among the drinks and snacks kindly provided by the organizers. A special gratitude for this event should be reserved to the Municipality of The Hague, organizer of the masterclass series of World Class The Hague and of this beautiful event. It is also because of initiatives such as this that The Hague was, is, and will be the International City of Peace and Justice.

Find the full speech (video and text) here.

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