Worldwide, the Jubilee 75 Years United Nations occasions all kinds of manifestations, which justly attract ample media coverage.

In the Netherlands, sites related to the UN and its Organs – such as the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the World Court – are during the night highlighted in blue floodlight, the Colour of Peace of the UN.

One such site is historical Loevestein Castle. A former state prison, it was the scene of the imprisonment and spectacular escape of Hugo Grotius (1583-1645), often considered the Father of International Law.

In his writings, many of which first came to him in jail, Grotius develops the concept of a universal law code, pleads the beneficial impact of multilateral conferences for international understanding, and suggests the launch of a World Tribunal to peacefully settle interstate dispute.

To that extent, Grotius’ thought encapsulates the goals of the United Nations. Indeed, it has been hailed as such from the moment a World Organisation – then called League of Nations – first took shape a full century ago, back in 1920.

The launch of the UN Jubilee in the Netherlands, on 17 October last, was fittingly situated in Loevestein Castle, and Dr. Arthur Eyffinger, director of Judicap, was invited to deliver a presentation on the occasion.

As current sanitary regulations in the Netherlands forbade his physical presence, Judicap, in co-operation with Freena Holdings, produced a film reel of some 15 minutes, which addresses the goals of the United Nations in light of Hugo Grotius’ intellectual legacy.

The film, produced in Dutch, will soon be made available with English subtitles.