Talent

EMPOWER SDGs

26 May, 2025

Not everyone has the same opportunities to build a career in the international city of Peace and Justice, The Hague. A growing number of students graduate in The Hague yet struggle to find a job due to a mismatch between their academic credentials and the needs of the labour market. Recognising this challenge, the THUAS Centre of Expertise and Global and Inclusive Learning and The Hague Humanity Hub teamed up to research and train the key skills required to start and thrive in a career in sustainable development, peace, and justice.

Resulting from the research findings, the EmpowerSDGs programme participants explored important soft skills that traditionally receive low levels of attention during formal education at universities.

The EmpowerSDGs training programme was piloted in 2024 and ran between May and June. 20 students and young professionals participated in the programme.

Highlights of the programme

Research based training programme with insights from key stakeholders in The Hague peace and justice community

Training about valuable SDGs skills and attitudes

Learning directly from peace and justice professionals

Contributing to participatory research on how to better prepare recent graduates for the job market in The Hague

Programme details

The training programme is based on the key skills and competences outlined by peace and justice professionals in stakeholder interviews. Over the course of five workshops, the participants were trained in key competencies such as:

systems thinking
personal leadership and development
cultural intelligence and intercultural communication
problem solving in complex systems
communicating your impact

Meet the trainers

The trainings were hosted by Ashley Richard Longman, Dr. Sylvia Bergh and Renske Verhulst with contributions from Chizu Matsushita and Jill Wilkinson.

Exclusive Learning and networking with professionals

The participants also have access to exclusive “Handshakes” with peace and justice professionals. These sessions are informal conversations highlighting the diverse career stories of professionals in the field and allow the participants to ask questions and engage with the speakers.

Oscar Alvarado – interdisciplinary scientist at LG Sonic on pursuing sustainability, peace and justice
Marta op den Akker – Policy officer at the Directorate of International Affairs at the Municipality of The Hague on the stages of early professional development and remaining open to change to career advancement.
Sever Dzigurski – Head of Secretariat at The Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law on transferable skills and the art of lifelong learning.
Paulien Boone – Climate consultant and founder of KlimaatPositief, on paving your career path, navigating major career transitions and the value of chasing after opportunities.

About the partners

The Hague University of Applied Sciences

The Hague University of Applied Sciences Centre of Expertise for Global and Inclusive Learning works to create and ensure equal opportunities for students and professionals. The centre researches what processes would help to achieve this. It also investigated the best ways to actively promote inclusive education and an inclusive society.

The Hague Humanity Hub

The Hague Humanity Hub is a not for profit foundation that supports and strengthens the ecosystem for a peaceful and just world in The Hague and beyond. We facilitate connections and innovation by offering the necessary ingredients for chance encounters, new alliances, inspirational collaborations, and the exchange of knowledge. 