Welcome to The Hague – also known as ImpactCity.
We are delighted to welcome you to The Hague, a city where ideas turn into action, and where international dialogue meets local innovation. Over the coming days, you will experience how The Hague shapes solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges — from climate justice to the blue economy, sustainable entrepreneurship, and social impact.
Wednesday, 29 October
Your day begins with a warm welcome and coffee, before heading to the Asser Institute, where legal scholar Stephanie Triefus will provide insights into one of the most significant climate cases in history before the International Court of Justice. This session sets the tone for our exploration of how international law and climate action intersect in The Hague.
From there, we travel to DMEC – the Dutch Marine Energy Centre, where innovation meets the ocean. During the Blue Economy session, you’ll discover how Dutch pioneers are harnessing the power of water to build a more sustainable future. The session includes a meeting with WECO and their solution for wave energy.
A short walk brings us to Villani, where a seaweed-inspired lunch celebrates the future of food and the link between marine resources and circular innovation.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to water sustainability. You’ll have the choice between a visit to the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) to discuss international water cooperation, or a meeting with PackBack, a start-up rethinking the lifecycle of reusable cups and consumer packaging.
Later, we visit Secrid, the award-winning sustainable design company based on the elegant Noordeinde. Discover how Secrid combines craftsmanship, innovation, and responsibility in its iconic products.
Thursday 30 October – Impact in Action
After breakfast, we start the morning with a refreshing walk to the Fokker Terminal, the dynamic venue of ImpactFest — Europe’s leading event for impact makers. Here, changemakers, entrepreneurs, and investors connect to accelerate sustainable innovation.
You’ll meet key figures such as Wijnand Tholen, CEO of Sensiblue, who is transforming access to clean water; Didi4Peace.ai, exploring the role of artificial intelligence in peacebuilding; Dealroom.com, mapping Europe’s start-up ecosystem; and Jaap Feil of Water Footprint Implementation, who bridges science and policy for water resilience (to be confirmed)
The afternoon is yours to explore the many ImpactFest sessions, tailored to your interests. The day concludes with informal drinks — the perfect opportunity to exchange impressions before travelling back home.
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