Netherlands

The Ministry of Security and Justice is responsible for maintaining the rule of law in the Netherlands, so that people can live together in freedom, regardless of their life-style or views. The Ministry is working towards a safer, more just society by giving people legal protection and, where necessary, intervening in their lives. We sometimes have to take radical measures: divesting parents of parental responsibility, for example, or putting convicted criminals in prison. We also give people new prospects: for example, we help prisoners return to society and provide support for victims of crime. These are all measures that only the Ministry of Security and Justice is entitled to take. The law is about people.

The Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law is an initiative of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It convenes an international network of the most qualified practitioners, policy-makers, academics and business representatives, and is run jointly by The Hague Institute for Global Justice and The Clingendael Conflict Research Unit, also located in The Hague. It aims to promote knowledge exchange and to identify, refine and answer pressing research questions underpinning Dutch development policy in fragile and conflict affected settings. In so doing, the Knowledge Platform seeks to enhance the effectiveness of the policy’s implementation. The keywords of this endeavor are demand-driven, problem-oriented, multidisciplinary and high-quality content, grounded in practice and designed for impact.

CILC (founded in 1985) is a Dutch-based non-profit organization that designs and implements rule of law programmes and projects. CILC operates in Europe, Asia and Africa and is supported by a network of mainly Dutch legal experts, partner organizations in the beneficiary countries and (inter)national donors. CILC is being supported by representatives of the professional organizations of judges, lawyers, bailiffs and notaries, and the Dutch academic community. CILC focuses on legal cooperation aimed at a maximum impact for a just society in which human rights are respected. CILC works in a demand-driven manner; the local cultural and socio-political context is paramount. CILC seeks participation in multi-disciplinary and public private partnerships for innovation.

Mission Statement

The Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael is a knowledge institute for international relations. In a constantly changing global environment, Clingendael acts as a think-tank as well as a diplomatic academy in order to identify and analyze emerging political and social developments for the benefit of government and the general public.

Activities

Clingendael seeks to achieve this objective through research, by publishing studies, organising courses and training programmes, and by providing information. The Institute acts in an advisory capacity to the government, parliament and social organisations, holds conferences and seminars, maintains a library and documentation centre, and publishes a Dutch language monthly on international politics as well as a newsletter. Clingendael currently employs some 75 staff, the majority of whom are researchers and training staff.