The Union is delighted to have secured this historic venue for its prestigious annual fundraising event on 23 October, thanks to the patronage of the Honourable Minister Bruno Bruins, Minister for Medical Care and Sport, The Netherlands.
Union members and benefactors will join distinguished and high-level guests to attend the 7th President’s Centennial Dinner at the Ridderzaal, or Hall of Knights – a beautiful thirteenth century banqueting hall at the heart of The Hague’s parliamentary complex, on the eve of the 49th Union World Conference on Lung Health.
The Union is delighted to have secured this historic venue for its prestigious annual fundraising event on 23 October, thanks to the patronage of the Honourable Minister Bruno Bruins, Minister for Medical Care and Sport, The Netherlands.
The Ridderzaal is a grand wooden-beamed hall, decorated with intricate tapestries, carvings and stained glass, that traces its long and varied history as a place of celebration for knights of the 1200s, a court of law, and even an exercise room during the Napoleonic era. Since restoration in the 1900s, the Ridderzaal has been used for ceremonial occasions of national and international importance – the most significant annual event being the ‘Prinsjesdag’ when the monarch presents their speech to the nation, announcing the government’s policies for the coming year.
It is a rare honour to have access to this venue – and one that The Union has enjoyed before. In 1932, the Ridderzaal hosted the opening ceremony of the 8th Union World Conference on Tuberculosis and was attended by Her Majesty Emma, the mother of Queen Wilhelmina, and His Royal Highness Prince Hendrik. Her Majesty Emma was patroness of KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, and fully committed to the fight against disease, having lost her sister Sophie to tuberculosis (TB).
It is significant that almost 90 years on, the hall will now host an event to commemorate The Union’s progress against TB and other diseases, and to raise funds to support the organisation’s next century of global impact.
The annual dinner is part of The Union’s broader fundraising campaign in the build up to the organisation’s centennial year in 2020. The Centennial Campaign will support The Union’s next century of work -- to combat some of the world’s biggest killers including TB, HIV and tobacco use. All campaign contributions will help The Union continue this fight to improve people's lives around the world.
This year’s dinner will be hosted by Union President Dr Jeremiah Chakaya Muhwa and promises to be one of the most significant events to date. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception and dinner in this exclusive venue.
Early booking is advised. Reserve your place at the dinner.
For more information please contact centennial@theunion.org.
With special thanks to KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation for their support and collaboration in organising this year's Centennial Dinner.