هولندا

PAX works in countries such as Bosnia Herzegovina, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine. Our core strength is in linking our work in these countries to our thematic work at local, national and international levels. Our extensive knowledge of local needs and the results of our in-depth research combine as input for our lobby activities. In the Netherlands, and at European and international level, PAX mobilises moral, political and financial support for peace efforts in conflict areas. Our presence in The Hague, Brussels and New York facilitates our lobby activities. At the same time we reach out to an increasing number of Dutch people. A growing number of local support groups (more than 70) successfully organise various events to encourage all ages to  become more engaged in peace activities in the Netherlands. In this way, PAX triggers the public to discuss the use of drones in conflict areas, sign a petition for nuclear disarmament or visit a peace concert for example.

Platform Spartak is active in several fields:
1. International youth exchanges
Diverse topics are covered in the exchanges organized by Spartak. In recent years we worked on topics like European awareness, music and arts, history, comic drawing and environmental awareness. Locations have included Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Poland and Finland, but also in the Netherlands.
2. European Voluntary Service (EVS)
Platform Spartak is a sending organization within the European Voluntary Service (EVS) of the Youth in Action programme, which allows young Dutch citizens (18-30) to pursue a unique working and learning experience abroad, working as a volunteer anywhere in Europe. Projects range from three months to a year.
3. Lectures, conferences and seminars on European topics
The scientific debate on European topics is important to Platform Spartak. That’s why we organize local, national and international conferences and seminars on European themes.
4. Festivals
In 2008 two Spartak EVS-volunteers were co-initiators and co-organizers of the 3-day youth festival Streets Kumanovo, which promoted interethnic dialogue in Macedonia. In 2009 Spartak helped organize similar festivals in Serbia, Kosovo and continued to support Streets Kumanovo. In the summer of 2010 the concept of ‘Streets’ was also implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Eastern-Croatia. Three promotional events were organized in The Netherlands. The festivals are organized in cooperation with local partner NGO’s and youth organisations, who are involved in all stages of the organisational process. Streets festivals aim to bring multi-ethnic young people in peripheral regions and cities together through cultural participation and the shared experience of a music concert.

Book talks, podcasts, articles, special projects
Online literary short story service

PROMENA Foundation works to encourage an informed, critical and respectful dialogue about the cultural diversity and richness of the MENA region by creating events such as: conferences, workshops, seminars and cultural programs. Currently, PROMENA Foundation is organizing two cultural programs for the first half of the next year.
The first event, ‘Memories from home: What we hold on to’, aims to explore the state of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, in the context the current migration crisis. Taking oral tradition and performing arts as our focus, this event brings together experts/artists to highlight examples of heritage, aiming to create awareness about the importance of preserving them among refugee communities in The Netherlands and by showing the Dutch public the richness of their culture.

The second event is an ‘Arabic Fashion Show’. The objective is to bring together Dutch and Arab Designers, to create design pieces that represent a fusion of the two cultures. The goal of this fashion show is to create an intercultural dialogue through fashion design.

Projects on attraction and repulsion between (people of) different cultures.

We produce eco-documentaries for television broadcast and in the process try to create media platform and outlets for local filmmakers.