Definitely Different

Den Haag 2016 #2: The Hague Model United Nations Conference

"Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they will face. So it's very important to give children education and explain that they should play a role for their country."
- Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

Nelson Mandela and Robin walk together as we return from another delicious dinner in 'down-town' Den Haag this evening, at the end of the first day of the conference.  In keeping with my own challenge of yesterday, I guarantee that this is the first time Mandela has featured in my blip journal alongside colleague friend Robin when visiting the Hague.  

The extra photo, however, showing the opening ceremony this afternoon is hardly distinguishable from last year or the year before or the year before that, same place, same set up, different people.  The only annual change is the number (this year is the 48th Thimun conference) and the topic of the conference, which this year is "Sustainable Urbanisation". 

"A new ‘statue of Nelson Mandela’ now stands in The Hague’s international district on the Johan de Wittlaan, looking towards the Peace Palace. Standing more than twice life size and unusually at ground level, sculpture Arie Schippers has captured the personality as well as the gait of the man. Originally scheduled to be unveiled by the great man himself on Nelson Mandela Day July 18th, the unveiling had to be postponed due to Nelson Mandela’s frail health. The Nelson Mandela statue was finally unveiled by Desmond Tutu on the 25th September 2012." The Hague Photojournal.coM