Lend Your Voice to This Focus Group on Expat Life in The Hague!

Excited about attending an upcoming volunteer job fair? Preparing for this event can make the difference between a casual visit and a truly meaningful experience. With a bit of planning and the right mindset, you can turn a few hours into valuable connections, insights, and opportunities. Start by researching the organisations that will be attending. Volunteer The Hague always publishes a banner with the logos of all organisations which are going to attend, giving you the chance to identify causes that align with your interests and values. Whether you are into about environmental conservation, education, healthcare, or community outreach, knowing which organisations to prioritise helps you use your time efficiently. Take a few notes on the groups that stand out so you can ask informed questions when you meet their representatives. Be sure to ask them whether they will contact you or you should contact them and within what time window. That said, don’t limit yourself only to your pre-selected list. One of the biggest advantages of a volunteer fair is discovery. Make an effort to introduce yourself at a variety of stands, even those that did not initially catch your attention. You might come across a cause you had never considered before but feel genuinely excited about after a short conversation. Keep your introduction simple: who you are, what interests you, and why you are attending. They will be speaking to hundreds of visitors that day and need to be efficient. Don't forget to engage with other attendees. Volunteer fairs are not just about organisations, they are also about meeting other people who share a desire to contribute. Strike up conversations while waiting in line or sitting in common areas. These interactions can lead to new perspectives, shared experiences, or even friendships. Remember to enjoy the atmosphere as well. Many volunteer job fairs are designed to be welcoming and lively, offering food and refreshments, music performances, and sometimes even interactive workshops. Take breaks, recharge, and participate in these activities as they are part of what makes the experience enjoyable and memorable. Finally, take advantage of the structured elements of the event. Welcome speeches, guest speakers, and curated programming are there to guide you and highlight key themes. With a wide variety of causes represented, the fair is carefully designed to be both efficient and inspiring. By preparing in advance and staying open-minded, you can make the most of every moment. Remember, if you do not find a vacancy on the day of the fair, keep visiting Volunteer The Hague's online volunteer platform. Every week brings different opportunities as not all organisations in their network can attend the fair

Are you new to The Hague and curious to meet other newcomers? Join us for our Welcome to the Hague event on Tuesday, 10 June 2025! This is the perfect opportunity to discover your new city, and connect with other newcomers while receiving practical information about life in The Hague. During the event, we will delve into the rich history of The Hague, and highlight the Dutch culture and habits. This event will start in the central library, then we will take you on a guided tour through The Hague historical centre. The evening ends with drinks and snacks at the Dutch Language Cafe (Herengracht). Learn more about: Settling in and making The Hague your home with valuable insights and tips for a smooth transition Discover The Hague's culture, events, and museums How to build your network The vibrant history of The Hague And much more! Date: Monday, 8 June 2026 Time: 18:00 to 20:00 (CET). Doors open from 17:30 Location: Centrale Bibliotheek Den Haag (Central Library The Hague), podium B on the 5th floor, Spui 68, 2511BT The Hague

Were you there too? Over 200 internationals joined Volunteer The Hague, ACCESS, The Hague International Center and Holland Park Media at the Hague Tech to find out all about who within the international community may vote for Dutch city council elections, for which parties and candidates and how. Twenty political parties are on the ballot on on March 18, 2026, eleven of which were present to answer questions from internationals who were still researching which council member they wanted to vote for. This English-language event is unique in The Hague for its scope and scale. Expertly moderated by journalist Tom Lash, the evening highlighted the strong interest of the international community in The Hague in shaping the future of our city. It was great to witness how courteous candidates were with one another and could clearly articulate their differences and common views on a wide variety of topics that affects The Hague residents. Sarah Feid from The Hague International Center gave a very informative overview of the requirements and processes for internationals to vote. Each party pitched their program and answered many questions from the international audience. By the end of the evening all the guests stated that they would vote and had a much clearer idea about which candidate they would choose. After the Q&A session, everyone went to the stands and could speak to party representatives at their stands. The evening concluded with some drinks and networking between visitors and between candidates and visitors. Event organisers Ali Parpaei from Holland Park Media and Deborah Valentine from ACCESS were pleased about the high attendance and visibly enthusiastic interactions between visitors and candidates. Feedback about the event from a political party 'It’s great to hear that many people appreciated the event. Connecting the international community with local politics is really valuable, so thank you for the work you are doing to make that happen. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and especially appreciated the chance to speak with people both before and after the debate. It seemed like a very useful and engaging format from our perspective as well.' Partij voor de Dieren Den Haag Feedback about the event from an international who may vote during The Hague city council elections 'It really helped me narrow down who I wanted to vote for after listening to parties' views on women safety at night, about building enough housing for students and people on a low income and better understand the core values of their campaign programs. I spoke directly to several candidates and chatted with a couple internationals at the end. I went home better informed!' Sasha from the UK.