English summary
Citizenship & Activities
What makes us Haags? What is the force that binds us together? Why do we live in The Hague? These are the main themes of the Hagues's policy on citizenship.
Citizenship
With the arrival of the Municipal Executive in April 2006, The Hague has an alderman for Citizenship (formerly Integration). By placing Citizenship high on the municipality’s agenda, the Municipal Executive would like to encourage residents of The Hague to again gain a better handle on their social environment. A bond should bridge the gap between residents amongst themselves and residents and neighbourhood and government. Citizenship means that people feel involved and take responsibility for their social environment. A citizen feels like a co-owner of his street and neighbourhood. Citizenship offers great opportunities for tackling deprivation, social exclusion and cultural isolation. Involvement with the city will also be encouraged in this way.
Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh explained: “The Hague has 473,000 residents. All individuals with their own face but also with something in common. This is exactly what I’m looking for during the Day of the Haagse Ontmoeting. What makes us Hagenaar? What holds us together? Our city is not a chance collection of buildings and individuals. The city has a heart, to which all residents provide form and content. The stronger the bonds, the larger and more vital that heart.”
Activities
Residents of The Hague are called upon to actively take part. The program offers a variety of activities in which citizens, newcomers and old-time residents alike, are encouraged to participate. Photo exhibitions and contests, a citizenship quiz for residents, food banquets, meetings for entrepreneurs, key note speakers, plays, roundtable discussions, a neighbourhood quiz, meetings for women and youth, debates and athletic events.
