UNICEF’s Conscious Coffee Morning

Every year, on June 20th, the global community honours the resilience and bravery of individuals who have been forced to leave their homelands due to war or fear of persecution. The designated theme for World Refugee Day in 2023 is "hope away from home," emphasising the influential force of inclusion and the pursuit of viable solutions for refugees. By embracing an inclusive approach, we aspire to create a world where refugees are always welcomed and integrated. By incorporating refugees into the communities that have provided them safety following their escape from armed conflict and persecution, we facilitate their successful reestablishment and empower them to make valuable contributions to their host nations. This approach proves to be the most effective way to assist refugees in rebuilding their lives and allowing them to actively participate in their new societies. The challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands are an example of the real-life implications of World Refugee Day's theme of inclusion. Among Ukrainian refugees, there are many highly skilled individuals who are eager to actively integrate into Dutch society. However, due to their status under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, they are currently unable to access integration courses, hindering their ability to systematically learn the Dutch language and culture, unlike legally recognised refugees. This limitation not only poses difficulties for their integration but also creates obstacles in finding employment or volunteer opportunities. As non-profit organisations in The Hague, you have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact by actively engaging Ukrainian refugees as volunteers. By providing them with meaningful volunteer opportunities, you not only enable them to utilise their skills and expertise but also offer them a platform to connect with the local community, build relationships, and improve their language proficiency. Hiring Ukrainian refugees gets you proactive, dedicated, and enthusiastic members on board. They are highly skilled and have lots of experience, and can offer fresh perspectives, which can only enrich your organisation. “We have experience, time, and passion to be useful to Dutch society, and we would like to be more integrated into the community. If you have interesting tasks for us, we are here to help” Alena, Kyiv Furthermore, by incorporating Ukrainian refugees as volunteers, you provide them with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and references within the Dutch context. This experience can greatly enhance their future employment prospects, as it demonstrates their ability to adapt, collaborate, and contribute effectively within the local community. By actively embracing and involving Ukrainian refugees as volunteers, your non-profit organisation can make a significant difference in their lives, while simultaneously enriching your own work. Together, we can foster a stronger and more inclusive community in The Hague, where the talents and aspirations of Ukrainian refugees are recognised, valued, and utilised to their fullest potential. “Refugees want opportunities, not handouts. They wish to be self-reliant, and are eager to use their talents and passions to contribute to the communities hosting them” UNHCR

On Sunday, June 18, International Yoga Day will return to the Atrium of the City Hall of The Hague. This day is organized by the Embassy of India and is freely accessible to everyone, registration is not necessary. WHEN: June 18, 2023 @ 11:00 am Entrance between 10:00 and 10:45 hours Yoga session from 11:00 until 12:00 hours WHERE: Atrium, Stadhuis, The Hague WHAT: Free Yoga session. Yoga mats will be provided for everyone. Please wear comfortable clothing.

Our friends at The Hague International Centre are launching a European "Benchmark Study on International Talent" in order to become better at attracting, retaining and matching international talent with the skills needs of various companies. The Why: Global competition on high-skilled talent is leveling up every year, and many companies and organizations feel that they can’t fill vacant positions, which inhibits growth. Many high-skilled international Masters and Ph.D. students wish to stay in their host countries after graduation, but in the end only a minority do, which is a big lost opportunity for the host country. This European benchmark study seeks to improve services to local internationals in order to make our region more attractive and a better home for everyone! The study also seeks to learn about internationals in different markets in order to develop comparable insights on the satisfaction level of the target group, which is Bachelor and Masters students, PhDs, and high-skilled workers. The study will include a ranking of decision-making factors, main reasons for arriving to and staying in a country to pursue career opportunities, and will also explore challenges for employers when it comes to attracting, receiving, and retaining international talents. Are you an international Bachelors/Masters/PhD student or professional/self-employed/spouse working in tech, science, or as an engineer? Please share your experience as an international when it comes to settling in, living, and working here in The Netherlands by taking this 10-minute survey, which can be found at the link below. And thank you so much in advance! To the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XHD22JJ