Talk:The Hague Institute for Global Justice/Archive 3

Article update
The following proposed edits encompass a proposed article rewrite attempting to address the WP:ROUTINE issues as displayed in the notice at the top of the article, as well as provide up-to-date and more comprehensive information on the Institute's operations, at the request of Abdulla Wasel, current secretary to the board and chief of staff at The Hague Institute.
 * Summary

All mentions of the "current version" refer to the current revision of the article as of 30 May 2023, while all supporting references for proposed edits can be found in the collapsed "Proposed version" or "Proposed content" sub-sections within each of the collapsed sections below.

Also pinging and, who have processed previous requests and may be interested in going over this one as well.


 * Proposed edits


 * Remove the Cleanup-PR notice at the top of the page, if the rest of the proposed edits sufficiently address the WP:ROUTINE issues with the article.
 * Add "THIGJ" to the  parameter of the infobox with an hlist . This is a commonly used abbreviation of the Institute's name; examples of its use are here, here and here.
 * Display the Institute's start date and age in the  parameter of the infobox, in line with convention as specified at the Infobox organization documentation.
 * Remove Sophialaan 10 from the  in the infobox, as this is the address of the Institute's old office.
 * Condense the lead section to one paragraph, giving a brief summary of the Institute's work and mentioning its current president, with no references to primary any sources as per guidelines provided at MOS:CITELEAD . Information on its formation and stated aims is to be moved to the "History" section (reasons are provided in that section of this edit request).

The Hague Institute for Global Justice, or simply The Hague Institute, is an international think tank based in The Hague, Netherlands. It was established in 2011 by a consortium of partners including the Municipality of The Hague, an academic coalition of Hague-based organizations and with support from the Dutch government. Its current president is Jordanian businesswoman Sohair Salam Saber.

According to the institute, it "aims to contribute to, and further strengthen, the global framework for preventing and resolving conflict and promoting international peace."

The Hague Institute for Global Justice, often referred to as simply The Hague Institute or THIGJ, is an international think tank located in The Hague, Netherlands. Founded in 2011, its work consists of research, policy and legal practice on global issues related to peace, security and justice, with a focus on the rule of law, conflict prevention and global governance. Its current president is Sohair Salam Saber, a Jordanian businesswoman and philanthropist who took up the role in 2019.


 * Move the flag image to the top of the section, as this will avoid it spilling over to subsequent sections following the proposed updates.
 * Replace first paragraph mentioning the advisory council with a brief overview of the Institute's formation and stated aims, which is currently in the lead section; this is to serve as a more informative introduction to the Insitute's history by outlining the reasons for why it was established . Information on the former advisory council has been is to be moved to the proposed "Honorary advisory board" section (reasons are provided in that section of this edit request).
 * Remove current second paragraph on Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law ;, as there is no mention of THIGJ in the supplied reference.
 * Remove current third, fourth and fifth paragraphs providing routine coverage of the Institute's financial mismanagement under Abiodun Williams, as well as the "Bankruptcy and revival" sub-heading and the current first paragraph of that sub-section . Replace, and replace with single paragraph outlining the Institute's previous leaders and their professions (rather than previously held positions) and 2018 bankruptcy , in adherence to WP:NOTADVOCACY and WP:NPOV. Much of this information is presented in a sensationalist manner with a bias against Mr. Williams, and details on his tenure as president would probably be better suited for inclusion in his article instead.
 * Combine current second, third and fourth paragraphs of the "Bankruptcy and revival" sub-sections into single paragraph outlining Lady Sohair Salam Saber's acquisition of the Institute, her announcement as its second president and Mahmoud Abuwasel's announcement as vice president, with Lady Saber's picture at the top of the paragraph . This is to provide a more concise account of these events as per WP:TLDR.
 * Add new paragraph covering the Institute's successful application as a permanent observer of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space . This is a milestone achievement for the Institute that warrants inclusion in this section, given its research into and advocacy for space security as outlined in the proposed "Research and advocacy" section.

The Hague Institute was supported by an Advisory Council who served as a "strategic sounding board" for the president of the institute. Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright served as chair of the Advisory Council.

In late spring 2012, former Dutch State Secretary for European Affairs and International Cooperation Ben Knapen launched Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law, which consisted of a network of experts and practitioners, and focused on building "security and rule of law" in developing countries. The Hague Institute served as the primary facilitator for the platform's partners, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

In June 2014, the institute, in cooperation with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and the National Security Archive at George Washington University, convened 35 officials and eyewitnesses for a multi-day conference on the Rwanda Genocide. The event was based on the "critical oral history" approach. Participants included Ibrahim Gambari, Henry Kwami Anyidoho, Lord David Hannay, Prudence Bushnell, Michael N. Barnett and Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire.

Professor Nico Schrijver, academic director of the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at Leiden University, served as the institute's first dean between January and August 2011. Professor Willem van Genugten,  served as interim dean of the institute from September 2011 to December 2012. He was succeeded as the Institutes's first president,  Abiodun Williams, the former senior vice president of the Center for Conflict Management at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, D.C. on January 1, 2013. In an article by Dutch magazine De Groene Amsterdammer published on 4 April 2018, sources told the magazine that Williams insisted that the position of "international dean" had to be restyled as "president", in addition to a very high financial compensation package in order to lend him greater authority and benefits. The Dutch government granted up to €20 million in subsidies for the institute.

According to a reconstruction by Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, Williams spent thousands of euros on expensive lunches at the nearby Carlton Ambassador hotel and first-class flights since "cattle class" was not good enough for him. A senior researcher quoted in the article indicates that there were many clashes between employees and Williams, who distanced himself from staff whenever he felt challenged: "[It was] as if it was beneath his dignity to talk to me directly. There was a culture clash. We academics are egalitarian, but he was very focused on hierarchy and quickly felt criticized."

The topic was raised in the Dutch parliament, where several political parties posed questions to the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate, Eric Wiebes. Willem Moorlag from the Dutch socialist party PvdA asked the minister whether there was any judicial ground to recover the lost funds from Williams and the supervisory board. The right-wing Forum voor Democratie (FvD) asked the minister why no action was undertaken against Williams when it was already clear after several months that he didn't fulfill his role as fundraiser. Jan Paternotte from the social liberal D66 asked the minister how it was possible that the Institute still received subsidies after a critical report by Price Waterhouse Coopers exposed the financial mismanagement.

In April 2018, The Hague Institute for Global Justice closed down after becoming insolvent. The institute was declared bankrupt in May 2018.

In July 2018, following talks between the Institute and Sohair Salam Saber, a Jordanian businesswoman and philanthropist, a declaration of intent to continue the legacy of The institute was announced. In September 2018, Saber purchased the institute.

On 29 January 2019, at Nieuwspoort at the Dutch parliamentary building, Saber was announced as the institute's second president, with previous experience working with various governments worldwide on issues such as public policy, innovation and development. During the event, lawyer Mahmoud Abuwasel was also announced as vice president of the institute. In January 2019, Sohair Salam Saber was announced as the second president of the institute, with Mahmoud Abuwasel named as vice president.

The Hague Institute was founded in 2011 by a consortium of partners including the Municipality of The Hague and an academic coalition of Hague-based organizations, with support from the Dutch government. Its stated aim was to "contribute to, and further strengthen, the global framework for preventing and resolving conflict and promoting international peace."

In June 2014, the Institute, in cooperation with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and the National Security Archive at George Washington University, convened 35 officials and eyewitnesses for a multi-day conference on the Rwanda Genocide. The event was based on the "critical oral history" approach. Participants included Ibrahim Gambari, Henry Kwami Anyidoho, Lord David Hannay, Prudence Bushnell, Michael N. Barnett and Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire.

Dutch professor Nico Schrijver served as the Institute's first dean from January to August 2011, after whom fellow Dutch professor Willem van Genugten took over as interim dean from September 2011 to December 2012. He was succeeded by Sierra Leonean diplomat Abiodun Williams, who would later become the Institute's first president, from 2013 to 2016. In April 2018, the Institute closed down after becoming insolvent, and was later declared bankrupt in May 2018.

In September 2018, the Institute was acquired by Jordanian businesswoman and philanthropist Sohair Salam Saber, who was later announced as the Institute's second president on 29 January 2019. Australian lawyer Mahmoud Abuwasel was announced as vice president.

In June 2022, the Institute was granted permanent observer status with the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Add a new "Research and advocacy" section with particular mention of The Hague Approach and The Off-World Approach (flagship projects), as well as The Washington Compact on Norms of Behavior for Commercial Space Operations, a set of principles signed by various countries, companies and organisations. This is to provide a general overview of the Institute's work, which is not currently covered on in the article.

As part of its mission, The Hague Institute publishes original research and embarks on projects aimed at tackling global issues including water diplomacy, climate change, human security, education and transboundary frameworks. In 2013, the Institute published The Hague Approach, a handbook outlining a set of principles for achieving sustainable peace in post-conflict situations.

In 2021, the Institute launched The Off-World Approach, a program that advocates for collaborative action amongst civil society and between the public and private sectors in response to the growing needs for space security. It is guided by a council of civil society, public and private sector delegates from across the world.

On 4 July 2022, The Hague Institute published The Washington Compact on Norms of Behavior for Commercial Space Operations, a set of non-binding principles for responsible and sustainable commercial space operations. Its signatories include countries such as the United States, China, Russia and India, as well as numerous companies and organisations in the commercial space sector.

Add a new "Honorary advisory board" section mentioning the current members of the Institute's honorary advisory board, which is an integral part of its organisational structure and is not currently covered on the article. Information on the previous advisory council is also proposed to be moved here from the current "History" section as it is more relevant here in outlining the Institute's previous and current organisational structure.

The Hague Institute was previously supported by an advisory council which served as a "strategic sounding board", with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright serving as chair.

The work of the Institute is currently guided by an honorary advisory board of select individuals from various industries and regions around the world. As of 2023, its current members are:


 * Élisabeth Guigou
 * Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen
 * Hani Mulki
 * Robert Serry
 * Nikolaos van Dam
 * Cynthia P. Schneider
 * Devorah Lieberman
 * Tim Broas
 * Antoine Beukering
 * Vesna Pusić
 * Salaheddine Mezouar
 * Cevat Yerli
 * Ben Swagerman
 * Marc Udink
 * Olga Revina
 * Kenneth Hodgkins
 * Rita Zhao

Add a new "Recognition" section to include information on the Institute's 2020 inclusion on the University of Pennsylvania's Global Go To Think Tank Report (an annual report held in high regard amongst think tanks across the world) by late American academic James McGann, which is not currently mentioned on in the article.

On 27 January 2021, the University of Pennsylvania's Global Go To Think Tank Index Report named The Hague Institute in its lists for "Top Think Tanks in Western Europe", "Best Advocacy Campaigns", "Best Institutional Collaboration Think Tanks", "Best Transdisciplinary Research Think Tanks" and "Think Tanks with the Best External Relations/Public Engagement Programs" for 2020.

WP:PAID disclosure has been provided at the top of this talk page and my own talk page. Davykamanzi → talk • contribs • alter ego 11:13, 31 May 2023 (UTC)
 * End request
 * Just made a slight edit to the proposed content for the "Recognition" section with corrected dates. Davykamanzi → talk • contribs • alter ego 11:17, 31 May 2023 (UTC)

Reply 2-JUL-2023
Regards, Spintendo  23:33, 2 July 2023 (UTC)
 * 1) Please indicate the reasons for making these changes. The only reason provided thus far was that the changes are "attempting to address the WP:ROUTINE issues as displayed in the notice at the top of the article". Please provide reasons specifically for the proposed deletion of content in your request.
 * 2) When ready to proceed with the requested information, kindly change the  template's answer parameter to read from y to n.


 * Clarification provided as requested. Davykamanzi → talk • contribs • <b style="color:#264;">alter ego</b> 23:18, 3 July 2023 (UTC)

Reply 5-JUL-2023
Below you will see where proposals from your request have been quoted with reviewer decisions and feedback inserted underneath, either accepting, declining or otherwise commenting upon your proposal(s). Please read the enclosed notes within the proposal review section below for information on each request. Spintendo 23:55, 5 July 2023 (UTC)