The Scheldt is a transboundary river which originates in France and runs through Belgium and The Netherlands. The Scheldt Estuary is shared between Belgium and the Netherlands. The Dutch section of the estuary is called the Western Scheldt, and is of vital importance as navigation channel to the port of Antwerp. Since the separation of Belgium from the Netherlands in 1839, the free navigation of the Scheldt and the maintenance and improvement of the navigation channel have been a bone of contention and legal controversy.

Bertha von Suttner was a 19th century author, peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate from Austria. Her most famous work, the anti-war novel titled ‘Die Waffen Nieder’, became an international bestseller. Upon the success of her novel, Von Suttner quickly rose to prominence within the international peace movement that was gaining ground in Europe and in the United States of America. She also played a significant role in helping the Peace Palace come in to existence.