The Hague stands as one of, if not the most important city of the Netherlands, because of its essential role in both Dutch politics and international justice. Moreover, the city has large historical and cultural significance. This makes the city a great host for a Model United Nations conference! For an overview of the various activities in the city, you can read our cultural booklet.
History
Count of Holland Floris IV, among others, founded The Hague and built a court, which was later turned into a palace called the Binnenhof. The Binnenhof also included the Ridderzaal, which is still used for political events. Around Binnenhof, a village was formed, including the residence and administrative centre of the Counts of Holland. After the Dutch Republic was founded, The Hague became the permanent host for the Dutch States General.
Political Role
For more than 700 years, there has been political activity in The Hague. The city has evolved from the mere administrative centre for the Counts of Holland to the centre of Dutch politics, as it hosts the Dutch government, parliament, Supreme Court and Council of State. Even the Dutch royal family finds their home in the city!
Besides its essential role in Dutch politics, The Hague is an important city for politics and justice around the world. Numerous foreign embassies and international organisations, including crucial institutions such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the UNICRI Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robots. Because of these important organisations, the Hague is one of the five major cities to host the United Nations. Many world leaders, such as Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, and Nelson Mandela have visited The Hague.
Culture
The combination of Dutch tradition and international influences makes The Hague rich in historical monuments, museums, theatres, music venues and more. The Mauritshuis, for example, hosts the iconic “Girl with the pearl earring”, whereas in Amare music, dance and theatre unite.
Recommendations
When visiting The Hague for HagaMUN, key landmarks to visit are:
- Het Vredespaleis (Peace Palace): This palace houses the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague Academy of International Law and the Peace Palace Library. It is only a short distance away from the venue of HagaMUN.
- Het Binnenhof: This complex of buildings located in the city centre forms the foundation of Dutch politics.
- Scheveningen: Scheveningen is a seaside district of the Hague, where you can visit not only the beach of The Hague but also the Pier and other attractions!
