The Hague Humanity Hub supports and strengthens the ecosystem for a more peaceful and just world. We facilitate connections and innovation by organising vibrant programming. Our events and spaces offer the necessary ingredients for chance encounters, new alliances, inspirational collaborations, and the exchange of knowledge.
Our growing community of diverse and innovative professionals works with us to shape activities and events based on their needs and interests. Together we explore themes of relevance, identify opportunities for collaboration and kickstart new initiatives that unleash the value of of community.
We call this community-led programming. Do you want to contribute and benefit from these opportunities? Join us!
Programming Advisory Board
The PAB supports the successful development of the Humanity Hub towards its mission and ensure that Humanity Hub programming is of value to both the community and wider ecosystem by identifying and creating opportunities to connect and collaborate.
Alexander Gunkel
Founder/Managing Director
Space 4 Good
Alexander Gunkel is a serial entrepreneur using space technology for social and environmental good. Since 2013 he co-founded several spacetech ventures of which he is the managing director of Space4Good. Before starting his entrepreneurial career Alexander studied mechanical engineering and business administration and worked as a project manager at the European Space Agency.
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His favourite part of the Humanity Hub is arriving on the 3rd floor and being immediately energised by the diversity of people and organisations buzzing around.
Hans van den Berg
Project Manager – Centre for International Legal Cooperation
Founder/President – The Young Diplomat
Hans is currently working at the Center for International Legal Cooperation (CILC) where he works on projects on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Justice and Security as well as the EU, to strengthen the rule of law and train diplomats in Ukraine, North Macedonia, North Africa and the Middle East. Furthermore, he is the founder of the Young Diplomat and teaches at Oxford University, Leiden University, the Armenian Diplomatic Academy, the College of Europe and other international institutions and academies. Previously, Hans was chairman of the University Council and lecturer at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
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The Hub is a place where ideas and people can flourish and reach their best potential while at the same time meeting unique and interesting people.
Professor Jan-Aart Scholte
Coordinator, Global Transformations and Governance Challenges (GTGC)
Leiden University
Professor Jan Aart Scholte coordinates the Global Transformations and Governance Challenges (GTGC) programme at Leiden University. Previously he has held positions at University of Sussex, Institute of Social Studies, University of Warwick, London School of Economics, University of Gothenburg, and University of Duisburg-Essen, as well as visiting positions in Britain, India, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Uganda, and USA. Jan’s research and policy work focuses on governing a global world, including in particular how citizens can connect with and influence global governance. Practically Jan has engaged especially with global economic governance and global internet governance. He was born in The Hague and moved back to the city in 2020 after half a century of wandering across the globe.
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My favourite thing about the Humanity Hub: positive energies to make a better world.
Kirsten Meerschaert
Executive Director
International Alert Europe
Kirsten Meersschaert is a strategic advocate with more than fifteen years’ experience in conflict prevention & resolution, international justice, and human rights. Kirsten has served as the first Executive Director of Stichting International Alert/ Alert Europe, The Hague-based European headquarters of the 30+ year old peacebuilding organisation, International Alert, since 2021. In this role, Kirsten works with European states and institutions and other stakeholders to ensure robust and holistic approaches to addressing conflict, including the need for intersectional conflict sensitivity in development, humanitarian, justice, investment, and climate mitigation initiatives. Prior to joining International Alert, Kirsten worked to promote and uphold human rights across the OSCE region, supporting individual human rights defenders in increasingly shrinking civic spaces. Kirsten also worked for more than a decade on the issue of international accountability for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
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Every time I’m at the Hub, I have the pleasure of seeing familiar and new faces, of sharing experiences and lessons learned, of exploring new connections and opportunities for collaboration.
Maaike de Loor
Strategic Advisor, Centre of Expertise on Global and Inclusive Learning
The Hague University of Applied Sciences
The African proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” has been my compass for life. Inspired by a rich circle of international friends from a young age onwards, I followed my passion for social justice, sustainable development and good governance starting my career as advisor to one of Cambodia’s leading human rights organisations, followed by various programme management jobs at international non-profits (Oxfam Novib, CARE, Save the Children) as well as for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ethiopia.
After enriching work experiences on most SDG themes abroad and in the Netherlands, I came to appreciate the power of education. Embracing the value of applied science I chose to join THUAS’ Centre of Expertise on Global Inclusive Learning: a fitting host for her drive for bringing great minds together to work in partnership on global challenges.
Maaike obtained a MA in political science / international relations, University of Amsterdam and holds a post-graduate certificate International Sustainable Development, University of Applied Science Leiden.
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My favourite thing about the Humanity Hub is its yummy brownies to be shared with inspiring people sharing a passion for a peaceful and just world.
Nadja Houben
Co-founder/Director
Human Rights in the Picture
Nadja Houben is the co-founder and director of Human Rights in the Picture, a non-profit organisation advocating for human rights through visual storytelling. She is a human rights advocate who combines knowledge of international human rights law with a passion for art.
Serge Santoo
Director/Senior Advisor
Polycentric
My name is Serge Santoo. The past 15 years I have been working on change processes, innovation and sustainability. Since 3 years from our own company, Polycentric. What fascinates me is how – despite all the technology, processes and systems – we as humans continue to make a difference. To achieve a fair, inclusive, sustainable world, in which we all have a part to play. And that’s what I’m committed to.
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The Hague Humanity Hub community’s collective energy and ambition to change the world for the better is for sure our main reason for wanting to be part of its ecosystem.
Simon Tiller
Director
The HALO Trust Europe
Simon Tiller is a conflict specialist with over 15 years of experience working in the Eurasia region as a diplomat, a programme manager, and as part of interstate peace processes with the OSCE. He is a skilled linguist and negotiator, highly effective working in sensitive political and military environments.
Tilly Stroo
Founder/Managing Director
Wavemakers United
Tilly Stroo is the founder and managing director of Wavemakers United. A youth movement for water which she started in 2016 with the support of the special envoy for international water affairs, Henk Ovink, and the ministries of infrastructure and water management and foreign affairs. Tilly is experienced in project management related to water management, renewable energy & sustainability with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry and international sport at top-level.
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My favorite thing about the Humanity Hub: The ecosystem that unites people and brings talent together for a more peaceful and just world
Themed Programming
The Humanity Hub community creates value for each other and collectively by exploring relevant themes together. A jointly developed theme agenda steers the programming of a good portion of our events and activities.
The aim of the themed programming is to provide a platform for the community to connect, share knowledge, insights and inspiration, and explore new approaches and potential collaborations, all around a specific theme. Some of the events are members only and some will be open to the wider professional public.
Peer to Peer Groups
To support knowledge sharing and collaboration, the Humanity Hub facilitates peer to peer groups on specific themes or activities. Peer to peer groups are initiated and led by Humanity Hub members and each group develops and follows its own agenda. Currently active P2P groups include: Communications, Facilitation, and Fundraising.
Peer to peer groups are safe informal opportunities for exchange and learning. As such, they are exclusive to members of the Humanity Hub. To participate, join our community. For more information on joining or starting a peer to peer group, please reach out to our programming team.
