During the Week of the Rule of Law, various institutions and organizations work together to ensure that a wide audience feels welcome at agencies that are often distant. To share knowledge about our rule of law as broadly as possible, the participating organizations open their doors wide for visitors from September 9 to 16. With a variety of workshops, lectures, and other activities for young and old, they showcase who they are and what role they play within the constitutional order. Previous editions in 2023 and 2024 were held in June. This year, it was decided to move the week to September, as a prelude to Prinsjesdag.
During the Week of the Rule of Law, lectures, workshops, tours, and debates are organized. The kick-off of the Week of the Rule of Law is on Tuesday, September 9 at the Council of State. On the same day, the Third Chamber briefcases will be distributed in parliament with teaching materials for primary schools. On Saturday, September 13, people can participate in the Round of the Rule of Law, where they can take a look at various key players of the rule of law. This round coincides with Open Monument Day and takes place both in and outside The Hague. The program is diverse, free, and suitable for all ages. The week will conclude on Tuesday, September 16 with Prinsjesdag. During Prinsjesdag, special activities are organized in collaboration with ProDemos and the Prinsjesfestival to engage young people in this important democratic tradition.
The Week of the Rule of Law was established to give all Dutch citizens more insight into how the democratic rule of law works. The Week of the Rule of Law Foundation aims to spread knowledge about the rule of law by organizing and promoting open days and lectures.
The following institutions participate in the Week of the Rule of Law: Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, Judiciary, Data Protection Authority, Council of State, National Ombudsman, Court of Audit, Cabinet of the King, Pels Rijcken (State Attorney), Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, WODC, ProDemos, Academies for Legislation and Government Lawyers, Utrecht University, and the University of Groningen, the library of The Hague, and the municipality of The Hague. The complete program can be found at Week of the Rule of Law.