Human Rights: Amsterdam, The Hague, Geneva
Who: Upper School students interested in International Human Rights | When: March 14, 2020 - March 23, 2020
Human Rights: Amsterdam, The Hague, Geneva
Hero Treatment
Human Rights: Amsterdam, The Hague, Geneva
Who: Upper School students interested in International Human Rights | When: March 14, 2020 - March 23, 2020
Overview
Who: Upper School students interested in International Human Rights
When: March 14, 2020 - March 23, 2020
Trip Leaders: Ms. Jameson-Shea, Ms. Deventer, Mr. Hannigan
Students will focus on human rights and the challenges that we face in the 21 st century by visiting three cities in two countries — Amsterdam, The Hague, and Geneva. If you are
interested in learning about international justice and human rights, global unity, peace
and conflict resolution, the story of the Red Cross, and the frontiers of science, then this
trip is for you! Steeped in history, the Netherlands and Switzerland also exude old world
charm while offering picturesque views and beauty.
Full Itinerary
- Day 1 - Departure From Newark
- Day 2 - Arrive Amsterdam (1 Night)
- Day 3 - Amsterdam - Amersfoort - The Hague (3 Nights)
- Day 4 - The Hague (International Justice & Human Rights)
- Day 5 - The Hague (United Nations and Global Unity)
- Day 6 - The Hague - Geneva (4 Nights)
- Day 7 - Geneva (Peace & Conflict Resolution)
- Day 9 - Geneva (The Frontiers of Science)
- Day 8 - Geneva (International Organization for Migration)
- Day 10 - Departure From Geneva
Day 1 - Departure From Newark
Day 2 - Arrive Amsterdam (1 Night)
- Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at the airport and remain with us until our final airport departure.
- Our private coach will be waiting to transfer us to our hotel in Amsterdam.
- Our centrally-located Amsterdam hotel will be our home tonight. We will have breakfast at the hotel.
- Amsterdam, the largest city and the capital of The Netherlands. A major European center of commerce and culture, Amsterdam is a lively combination of old and new, with picturesque canals, beautiful 17th century architecture, world-renowned museums, and an international harbor and airport.
- In Amsterdam, the cost of public transport is included for all group sightseeing. Escorted by our Tour Director, we will be able to experience the city in the same manner as the local people.
- Enjoy a Canal Walk, where we will view Amsterdam’s canals, boats, and spectacular architecture.
- Explore the wonders of the Rijksmuseum, featuring the largest collection of Dutch master artworks in the world. In addition to works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Jan Steen, to name a few, the museum exhibits Delftware, silverpieces and 17th century dollhouses.
- We will dine this evening in a local restaurant.
- Daily Reflection and Group Discussion
- "We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey
- On every evening of the program, we will set time aside to update our Reflection Journal and share thoughts and impressions that have come to the fore in the course of the day.
Day 3 - Amsterdam - Amersfoort - The Hague (3 Nights)
- We will have use of a private coach and driver, while touring for the day.
- During the course of our tour we will gain from the knowledge and insight of four half-day local guides while we are here in Netherlands.
- See the place where the young Jewish girl Anne Frank had to hide during the Nazi occupation of Holland during World War II. During the two years she was in hiding, she kept a diary, published after the war and her death by her father. This diary has made Anne a symbol of the children who were murdered in the Holocaust.
- Today we will travel from Amsterdam to The Hague.
- Visit the Amersfoort Concentration Camp which was one of the three Nazi camps in Holland during the German occupation. Thousands of Dutch and Belgian civilians received harsh and cruel treatments and were executed at the camp. Most of Amersfoort's Jewish population was only temporarily held here before being deported to Poland for extermination.
- We will continue to the The Hague (area), which will be our base for the next three nights. While here, we will enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
- The Hague or Den Haag is often known as the "judicial capital of the world" due to the many international courts that are located in the city such as the International Court of Justice. Beside these institutions, The Hague is also home to more than 150 international organizations, as well as many European Union institutions, multinational companies and embassies which give the city a distinct international character.
- In The Hague, the cost of public transport is included for all group sightseeing. Escorted by our Tour Director, we will be able to experience the city in the same manner as the local people.
- This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.
Day 4 - The Hague (International Justice & Human Rights)
- Enjoy an introductory walking tour of The Hague. We will explore the heart of the city which contains historic architecture from the medieval, renaissance, and Baroque periods. On our walk we will cross the Plein, stroll along the Lange Poten to the Hofweg, before viewing the Hofvijer reflecting pool in front of the stately Binnenhof.
- The Binnenhof ('Inner Court') is a complex of buildings in The Hague's city center where the House of Representatives meets, the Prime Minister works and the ministers hold their weekly consultations. The Binnenhof also has several open spaces, all open to the public. A gilt neogothic fountain adorns the main square and one of the few Dutch equestrian statues (of King William II) guards the main Stadtholder's Gate, which dates from around 1600.
- We will complete a portion of the Peace Walk. The Hague is famous as the International City of Peace and Justice, a designation that has been built over centuries. It was the site of the world's First Peace Conference in 1899 (and the second in 1907), out of which came The Hague Conventions, some of the earliest written declarations of the laws and customs of war. The Hague is currently home to 131 international courts, tribunals and organizations dedicated to world peace.
- Visit the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and its seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague. Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the only one not located in New York.
- Today, we will visit with the International Court of Justice. Themes for business visits will be developed in collaboration with your school. A typical visit includes a management discussion, leadership speaker, facility tour and/or presentation. (Sourced by WorldStrides and subject to final confirmation)
- This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.
Day 5 - The Hague (United Nations and Global Unity)
- Visit the Humanity House Museum in The Hague. This museum helps visitors understand what life can be like as a refugee. In addition to being a museum, Humanity House is also a platform where lectures, debates, and exhibitions take place.
- After our tour, we will have the privilege to attend a discussion with a refugee who will dicuss their personal journey from home to The Hague. This is divided into three periods: life in their native country, their journey, and life in the Netherlands. Pupils have ample opportunity to ask questions.
- We will complete a portion of the Peace Walk. The Hague is famous as the International City of Peace and Justice, a designation that has been built over centuries. It was the site of the world's First Peace Conference in 1899 (and the second in 1907), out of which came The Hague Conventions, some of the earliest written declarations of the laws and customs of war. The Hague is currently home to 131 international courts, tribunals and organizations dedicated to world peace.
- This evening, dinner will be provided in a local restaurant.
Day 6 - The Hague - Geneva (4 Nights)
- This morning, our Tour Director will accompany us to the airport for our flight to Geneva. Today we take an internal flight from Amsterdam to Geneva.
- Our private coach will be waiting to transfer us to our hotel in Geneva.
- For the next four evenings we will enjoy the convenience of our centrally-located Geneva hotel, where daily breakfast will be included.
- Geneva is situated in a prime Rhône Valley position at the southwestern corner of Lake Geneva, within view of the pinnacle of the Mont Blanc. The city's strong French influence shows itself everywhere, from its mansard roofs, iron balconies, sidewalk cafes, and French signs. Geneva is a cosmopolitan city and home to more than 200 international organizations, including the European headquarters of the United Nations.
- In Geneva, the cost of public transport is included for all group sightseeing. Escorted by our Tour Director, we will be able to experience the city in the same manner as the local people. We take a Walking Tour along the Left Bank of the old quarter.
- View the Jet d’ Eau, Geneva’s trademark. This beautiful fountain throws water 460 feet into the air and is visible for miles. Continue to the Jardin Anglais, where we will view the world famous Flower Clock, which is made of carefully landscaped beds of flowers, and its keeps perfect time.
- We will dine this evening in a local restaurant.
Day 7 - Geneva (Peace & Conflict Resolution)
- During the course of our tour, we will gain from the knowledge and insight of two half day local guides while we are here in Switzerland.
- Enjoy a tour of the Palais des Nations, the second largest complex in Europe after Versailles. The building originally was the headquarters for the League of Nations following WWI, and is now the European headquarters of the United Nations.
- Today, we will have a meeting at the United Nations. Themes for business visits will be developed in collaboration with your school. A typical visit includes a management discussion, leadership speaker, facility tour and/or presentation. (Sourced by WorldStrides and subject to final confirmation)
- Visit the World Health Organization.
- We will dine this evening in a local restaurant.
Day 9 - Geneva (The Frontiers of Science)
- Today, we will visit CERN. This visit must be arranged by the school. Visit the World Trade Organization.
- We will dine this evening in a local restaurant.
- Final Reflection and Discussion Session
- This evening we make the final entries in our Reflection Journal and share some of the most significant observations and perspectives that have taken shape in the course of our travel experience and how these may be most relevant for us all as we return home.
Day 8 - Geneva (International Organization for Migration)
Day 10 - Departure From Geneva
Gallery
Requirements
Students must see the trip leader in person by Friday, May 3rd to have their name placed on the initial list.
Participants will be selected for the trips from that list based on the following criteria:
- Juniors and Seniors will have priority
- Sophomores and Freshmen will be selected via a lottery
- Space is limited. No more than 20 students will be on each trip.
Have Questions?
Write Ms. Jameson-Shea at
zjameson@mbs.net