THE HAGUE - Seeking Justice: From Nuremberg to the Hague

Course Description

How to best serve justice when crimes are committed by those in power and national justice systems do not deliver? For four days, young people from across the world come together in The Netherlands, to find out during the workshop “Seeking Justice: From Nuremberg to the Hague”. 

The programme includes active methods such as research, discussion, group work, presentations, debates, simulations, onsite learning, and interactions with experts and eyewitnesses or victims. It culminates with a visit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and attendance at a current international criminal trial. 

The participants are challenged to identify examples of past injustices and critically assess how these were dealt or not dealt with. They will learn about various aspects of international justice, especially related to genocide and crimes against humanity, and the formal institutes that were established directly after the Second World War as well as into the 21st century.

During a Model United Nations (MUN) style simulation of the UN Security Council, the participants will debate if the actions of an actual accused individual merit referral to the ICC. In this activity, participants use all the theory they have learned from the preceding days in an authentic and vital setting. Through their research on this current case, they are also preparing for the next day’s visit to the court. Therefore before witnessing a real trial, the participants will have maximised their understanding of what will take place in the courtroom through activities and research on the case and an ICC-led session on how the court functions. The debriefing session which follows is designed to encourage students to revisit the assumptions and understandings with which they had started the workshop. 

Our hope is that the entire workshop experience will provide the students with a better grasp on these complex issues and a more nuanced understanding of what justice and injustice are. 

Seeking justice from Nuremberg to the Hague: VIDEO ABOUT THE TRIP HERE

Learning Goals

1. Participants will gain a better understanding of past injustices and how they were addressed or ignored.

2. Participants will learn about the international justice system, especially related to genocide and crimes against humanity.

3. Participants will develop critical thinking skills and engage in simulations and debates to assess whether an individual's actions merit referral to the International Criminal Court.

4. Participants will observe a real trial at the International Criminal Court, which will enhance their understanding of the court's functions.

5. Participants will reflect on their assumptions and gain a more nuanced understanding of justice and injustice.

ISP Mission Links

The trip "Seeking Justice: From Nuremberg to the Hague" and its learning goals are aligned with the ISP mission. Through the program's active methods, participants will be inspired to be curious about past injustices and the formal institutes established to address them. They will learn about various aspects of international justice, become competent in understanding how the ICC functions, and develop critical thinking skills by analyzing a current case. By engaging with experts and eyewitnesses, participants will also be empowered to become compassionate changemakers who can identify and act on injustices. Ultimately, the trip encourages participants to become global citizens who are committed to seeking justice and creating a better world.