On the 11^th of February 2008 UNPO attended the Mandela Lecture at the town hall of The Hague. This lecture will be a yearly returning event marking the day of Nelson Mandela's release from prison twenty-eight years ago.

This lecture was initiated by the Mandela Foundation that wants to erect a statue in The Hague and furthermore wants to diffuse Nelson Mandela’s ideas about a stable and harmonious society. Special emphasis should be put on youth education as they are the future of any nation. As they learn from a young age onwards to communicate and work together with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

The first speaker was deputy minister of Justice Mr. de Lange of South Africa. He praised the way in which Nelson Mandela led the regime change in South Africa. It was because of his personal guidance that the country developed into a peaceful and harmonious society, and he therefore deserves our utmost respect. He based his policy on three pillars: reconstruction, reconciliation, and development. Through these goals he achieved to build a single nation no longer divided. This real change would mean direct participation of the black majority in the political and economic processes of South Africa.

Political participation by all racial groups on the basis of equality was a prerequisite for racial harmony and peaceful development. Because of this vision Mandela is a symbol of mutual respect and cooperation. The former ANC leader, president of South Africa and Nobel Price winner should be viewed as one of the most important leaders in the international fight against injustice in South Africa and around the world.

Mr. de Lange went on to state that reconciliation is pivotal to achieve justice in South Africa in its broadest sense that tries to deliver to collective reconciliation.

The second speaker was the Dutch Minister of Justice E.H.M. Hirsch Ballin. He emphasized the importance of a rule by law, under which everybody can be different but is equal under law. People should respect what is important for others in society; this should be achieved through dialogue and not lead to exclusion from any part of society.

He therefore supports the ideal of the foundation as it enters youth from very different backgrounds and age groups in dialogue to learn from each other and thereby forging a new identity together that would be beneficial to all in Dutch society.

He finally held a plea for justice and the creation of a new national identity that does not exclude, but includes everybody in society. This should be achieved through inter-ethnic dialogue that would simultaneously increase mutual respect.

Lastly former Mayor of the City of The Hague, asked the question why the statue would be erected in this city. The answer was because The Hague is the International city of Peace, Justice, and Security. Nelson Mandela’s message of reconciliation between different groups within society is one that he supports and is very important to the future of the city.