By KEITH DINNIE, Founder, Brand Horizons
As 2013 draws to a close, it is interesting to look back on some of the public diplomacy initiatives implemented in The Hague during the course of the year and reported on at the time by Diplomat Magazine.
In the land of bicycles, it is fitting that one of the most memorable public diplomacy initiatives undertaken has been described as ‘cycling diplomacy’. This initiative, coordinated by the Ambassador of Israel to the Netherlands, H.E. Haim Divon, took place on Tuesday 20 August and featured Ambassadors such as H.E. Dr Alvaro Marcelo Moerzinger Pagani, Ambassador for the Oriental Republic of Uruguay to the Netherlands, and H.E. Eduardo Ibarrola -Nicolin, Ambassador for the Federal Republic of Mexico to the Netherlands, amongst a small group of Ambassadors who cycled together in the vicinity of the Binnenhof in the centre of The Hague.
The cultural dimension of public diplomacy is clearly demonstrated through the vigorous programme of cultural events organised by the Dominican Embassy, comprising six top art exhibitions, four concerts, and four publications. Dr Eugenio G. Matos, Minister Counselor at the Dominican Embassy in The Hague, has embodied this cultural aspect of public diplomacy not only here in the Netherlands but also abroad through his violin performance at a gala concert organized by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Panama, February, 2010, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, the corps diplomatique and special guests.
An inspiring vision for future public diplomacy activities is articulated by José Luis Jácome, Counsellor (Consular Affairs), Embassy of Ecuador in The Hague, who advocates the joint organization of cultural events through which different societies can share their values and artistic heritage, a worthy objective that could be attained through the joint participation of all regional groups, civil society and local authorities.
