Leonardo’s faces – Julia Roelen

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Leonardo’s faces – Julia Roelen

The Leonardo Royal Hotel Den Haag Promenade is represented by both new and more experienced employees working together with passion as one team, to deliver great service and to depict the hotel’s values. In these monthly written pieces, there is a focus on their values and their approach to our international clients. Who are the employees as an individual? Allow us to introduce you to Julia Roelen

  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Function: Operations Management Trainee
  • Department: Admin & General

When did you start working at the Promenade Hotel?

I started my placement at the Leonardo Royal in Den Haag on May 18, 2022. Already 3 months ago. Time flies!

What was your first impression of the Promenade Hotel?

This hotel immediately struck me as being welcoming. Everyone gives you a warm greeting, and they welcome you with open arms. Upon entering, I also noticed how lovely and inviting the interior was. I had a conversation with the general manager, Patrick Aarsman, who made me feel very confident. He could tell me exactly what to expect over the next 10 months, so I was directly excited about my placement.

What makes the Promenade Hotel suitable for welcoming people from all around the world?

In this hotel, we first and foremost collaborate with international colleagues. There are no differences amongst employees, we are one team. Since we have colleagues from different countries, it can be very convenient for guests, because they may be able to communicate with one of our colleagues in their native language. LEO’S also has an international restaurant concept. We serve dishes from around the world, each with its own set of ingredients. This also applies to the wines and cocktails.

What do you value most in the organization of diplomatic events at the Promenade Hotel?

To be honest, I have only attended two diplomatic events. The first event was called Cigars & Boleros. I thought this was a wonderful experience because I had never experienced an event like it before. The Diplomats were extremely friendly and eager to chat. I also took part in Colombia’s National Day. At this event, everyone was friendly and ready to talk while we served our delicious snacks.

What did you learn so far by working with diplomats? Some tips, rules or values to share?

Actually, I treat every guest with respect. Every guest is treated equally, and diplomats are also ordinary people who work hard. Each time I had a short conversation, they were always approachable for and open to it, and I did not notice that I was talking to a diplomat.

Which Food Festival has been your favorite so far or would you like to experience?

Although I have not attended a Food Festival yet, I will go to Ecuador’s Food Festival in September. I am quite inquisitive and eager to experience it. There will be a lot more Food Festivals in the upcoming months, and I cannot wait.

What local food(s), from abroad, have you tried already?

I have enjoyed a wide variety of cuisines because I enjoy eating. Regarding cuisine, Italy is my preferred nation. I travel there twice a year for vacation, and I love the local Italian food. Additionally, I really like the Japanese cuisine. To experience the cuisine there, I would also like to travel to Tokyo one day. But for now, these are only dreams.

What is your favorite drink or dish at LEO’s International Flavors?

As mentioned above, I am a major admirer of Italian cuisine, and Burrata is one of my favorite dishes on the menu. However, a virgin cocktail is my preferred drink. A flavor that is cooling and perfect for the hot days.

What sustainable development goal do you value most? Why this one?

The sustainable development goal I value most is goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. This because every person receiving the care they require is something I genuinely believe to be incredibly vital for the planet. The same thought should apply to less developed nations. Since everyone is equal, everyone should receive the same assistance. If this were possible, I would adore it.

Instead of there always being a lack of room for older people, I personally believe it is crucial that older people may sit in the sun on their balcony of their own apartment, which has the correct materials that will allow them to stay where they are or move to the correct place. Instead of being in a place which is not the right one for them to live.

What piece of good advice did you receive, and from whom, that you would like to forward?

My parents have always taught me that with the right contacts, you can travel the globe rather far.

What I once discovered is that worrying about things you cannot control is pointless. Even though it can be very challenging at times, realizing this is crucial.

Too late to fix? or can capitalism be still fixed for the better?

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Too late to fix? or can capitalism be still fixed for the better?

By Mostafa Sayyadi & Michael J. Provitera

Capitalism has encompassed worldwide admiration and criticism. For example, a note from an activist, former member of the Young People’s Socialist League, and senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders posits that “capitalism does a number of things very well: it helps create an entrepreneurial spirit; it gets people motivated to come up with new ideas, and that’s a good thing“. And Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, a soldier, writer and former British statesman, says “the inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries“. However, capitalism, in its’ current form, requires avoiding fundamental errors that set it up to fail in the future.

Many economists, and political and business analysts look pessimistically at the steps taken to battle current global super challenges such as the climate change crisis. In contrast, this article takes a step forward and shows that the economic system of capitalism needs to become more systemic. In fact, capitalism by adopting a more systemic approach can play a crucial role in solving these global super challenges. Working harder coupled with thinking smarter to more effectively implement a systemic approach can create a better future for businesses and all the people across the globe. Now, the future of capitalism and also the future of our world are in the hands of both political and business leaders. Political leaders can particularly play a critical role in developing more effective policies for building a better future. And business leaders can improve business ethics and increase the social responsibility of their businesses to promote human survival. There is a set of responsibilities for these leaders.

Successful capitalism has solutions that are the key to its long-term survival. This article will look at these solutions for saving capitalism so that businesses can understand their responsibilities and thrive in their future business environment. Learning these solutions can also create success for businesses that are planning to better thrive in the future.

Reimagining Capitalism

Capitalism, the foundation of many nations, may need to use a more systemic approach to see if capitalism is the best way to provide welfare for humans. Countless articles and books have been published on the importance and role of capitalism in the economic development and material well-being of the entire society. Capitalism, as the driving engine of economic growth and the well-being of society, is not always admired by economists and sociologists. Although capitalism saved millions of people from poverty and increased their average lifespan, it is still a controversial subject. Today’s first global problem includes wide income inequality and the exclusion of minorities. Second, there is an ever-increasing growth of greenhouse gases that have upset the biological balance of our planet. Although the COVID-19 crisis has subsided, the climate change crisis is likely to become the world’s number one crisis due to ignoring the opinion of millions of environmental activists and experts. A crisis that is the result of prioritizing financial gain and ignoring collective interests such as the importance and necessity of survival for millions of people around the world!

The main goal of capitalism forgets to focus on both important indicators of social welfare and freedom equally. Capitalism is seen as a means of increasing social welfare. And the balance of freedom and prosperity has not been addressed with the same effort. This one-sided focus on welfare instead of a systemic approach to both aspects of freedom and welfare has led to ignoring the opinions and efforts of environmental activists. Thus, this may be the reason for the destruction of natural resources and suffocating our planet under what has been noted as the burden of climate change. This focus has changed the ethics and social responsibility of businesses. Many companies no longer think about the health of the market in which they do business. Some do not invest in healthcare and education as recommended as solid principles of business ethics.

Taking a systemic approach to capitalism and simultaneously paying attention to profit and freedom does not mean abandoning the importance of profit and shareholder value. On the contrary, this approach advises companies and businesses to pay attention to the system of preservation such as social and natural resources that they rely on along with profits.

The capitalist system focuses on a systemic approach when it employs all resources for all people from rich to poor and economies of scale and those that need development. A capitalistic system requires increasing public awareness and expanding a political and cultural movement that improves business ethics and increases the social responsibility of companies. There are many facets that need attention such as a more effective climate change approach and a welfare system. Social responsibility must be the core competency of both governments and organizations to promote human survival.

Organizations can guide innovations and government funding can help. Accepting social responsibility to combat existing super-crises certainly has a compelling reason even for profiteers. Countries such as Sweden and Denmark provide successful milestones in the important role of social equality on the effectiveness of the entire capitalist system. Extensive education and health care workers in Sweden and Denmark have influenced and accelerated this innovative social capital. These countries, such as Canada, historically have a higher Gross Domestic Product and a higher level of social welfare.

Private profit and public interest must be the new movement. Governments can encourage private sector companies to cooperate with other companies active in the same industry. This cooperation, along with keeping the profit motive, leads to the growth of social responsibility and common values among business sectors. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) requires the education and awareness of capitalists about the importance of corporate social responsibility.

In Closing

The secrets of successful capitalism are no longer secret. Governments, companies, environmentalists, and all members of society can now take their responsibilities to revive capitalism and move towards a more systemic approach.

The Ethical Framework: Virtue Ethics, Consequentialism, and Deontological Ethics in International Affairs

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The Ethical Framework: Virtue Ethics, Consequentialism, and Deontological Ethics in International Affairs

By Alan Cunningham

Ethical conundrums in foreign policy is a common occurrence, with the public often criticizing past foreign policy endeavors and examining current developments within foreign affairs from a personal point of view. The biggest issue with ethics in the field of international relations (IR) and foreign affairs is the discussion of whether institutions (individual state governments and international policymaking organizations) can be judged from personal, ethical morals. Some say these institutions cannot be subjected to these more individual and human morals as institutions dealing with IR must operate on a larger and more narrowly defined worldview on ethics. This all boils down to the question of, are ethical norms applicable to the area of foreign policy?

To answer this question, however, one must first examine the main areas of ethics.

The Three Ethical Frameworks

There are three main forms of ethics in the fields of psychology and communications, these being Virtue Ethics, Consequentialist Ethics, and Deontological Ethics.

To start, Virtue Ethics is defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy as emphasizing, “the virtues, or moral character, in contrast to the approach that emphasizes duties or rules or that emphasizes the consequences of actions”. This can further be quantified as aspiring to a set of virtues, avoiding a set of vices, integrity being a primary value, and finding the right balance within and between values.

Consequentialist Ethics is defined by the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin as, “judg[ing] whether or not something is right by what its consequences are”. The School further expands upon this with an example, stating, “Most people would agree lying is wrong. But if telling a lie would help save the person’s life, consequentialism says it’s the right thing to do”. The main goal for this type of ethical path is that the actions performed brings about the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

The final ethical theory is Deontological Ethics, which is defined by Encyclopædia Britannica as, “[an ethical theory] that places special emphasis on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions” this being further defined with, “an action is considered morally good because of some characteristic of the action itself, not because the product of the action is good”. With this ethical theory, it can be further quantified as arriving at ethical principles through reason, having a duty to others, reasons being coherent and constant, and respecting the autonomy (the act of self-government) of others.

Can Foreign Policy Be Subject to Ethics?

Some, like David A. Welch, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto, would argue that foreign policy cannot be subject or adhere to ethical norms, stating, “in order to encourage ethical foreign-policy practice, we ought to encourage conventionalism, and institution-building, and keeping the long view in mind … The direction of progress I have suggested is one that strengthens transnational civil society and weakens the state … A world in which ethical foreign-policy practice is truly possible, therefore, is a world in which foreign policy does not matter very much, because the state has lost much of the prerogative that makes an independent foreign policy both possible and consequential”. One of the most enigmatic and popular foreign policy theorists in world affairs, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, was quoted in a 1976 press conference as saying “we must distinguish morality from moralizing”; according to the Gilder Lehman Institute of American History, for Kissinger “moral value came in securing national interests, not abstract principles of justice and rights”.

John A. Vasquez, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, commented on this purveying thought that ethics has no place in foreign affairs or IR, writing, “Just about everyone thinks that morality should play some role in foreign policy, just about everyone that is expect for professional diplomats, and of course, political scientists …”. To many professional foreign policy, international relations, and political science practitioners and researchers, ethics and morality should not be considered in the development of a foreign policy or framework.

Personally, I disagree with the idea that ethical foreign policy is not attainable and that it would make states weaker. Having a set of ethical morals that are built upon human morals and innate human interests beyond selfishness, power, and security is proper in the world of diplomacy, military action, and other areas of foreign affairs. Looking at policy through the lens of so-called “abstract principles of justice and rights” is not a burden to a proposed plan or project, but rather an advantage; crafting in the acknowledgment or carrying out an initiative with human rights and social justice in mind when engaging in a military action or the development of a region in a foreign land could likely minimize the amount of civilian deaths, destruction of property, and help in revitalizing a region that is based upon those ideals.

From an American perspective, it should be the goal of every policymaker to take these matters into account and apply them to develop a foreign policy that is consistent with the ideals of the United States and also will work to benefit the majority of persons in which the U.S. is becoming involved in.

However, for individual policymakers in using ethics to build or flesh out their own foreign policy, it is my own belief that Consequentialism provides the best option for such an endeavor.

Consequentialism in International Relations

Consequentialism allows for ethical considerations to be made within foreign policy while also having a proper worldview, one that every country expounds when preparing for an invasion, providing aid to a fellow country in a crisis, or making a significant change in foreign policy conduct with a nation. Not only would this ethical theory help in creating a framework for how nations must operate, but it would avoid some of the pitfalls of groupthink, disregards for intelligence assessments, and allow for more solid and concrete planning methods.

Take, for example, the 2003 invasion of Iraq; had planners within the Department of Defense, State Department, and the White House utilized a consequentialist line of thinking, then examinations of the aftermath and what would or could happen in Iraq would have been made clear. It would have been known that a concrete reconstruction plan was not created or theorized and could have become solidified before the invasion took place. In fact, by using this line of thought, an argument could be made that war would have been avoided as it would have reflected the idea that this operation would not have the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people and would impact the U.S. poorly.

Having an ethical foreign policy that allows for the examination of a reconstructive plan, assess if the action will truly help both the invading country’s standing and the invaded country’s populace, and assist in better planning endeavors for foreign affairs is a fantastic thing. Considering these events and actions through a moral lens instead of disregarding them or criticize trying to hold an international or institutional body to personal notions of morality is a far greater and more inclusive endeavor.

How Can We Apply Ethics to International Relations and Foreign Affairs?

Naturally, the answer to this question is more easily said than done. However, some theorists have found and suggested interesting solutions in making ethics applicable to foreign policy.

Joseph S. Nye, Jr., the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs from 1994 to 1995 and the Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, suggested a multidimensional approach in applying an ethical foreign policy.

He writes in the Texas National Security Review, “that good moral reasoning should be three dimensional: weighing and balancing the intentions, the means, and the consequences of a president’s decisions. Determining a moral foreign policy is not a matter of intentions versus consequences but must include both as well as the means that were used … How, then, can Americans decide whether their presidents did indeed make “the best moral choices” under the circumstances? They can start by making sure to judge them in terms of three-dimensional ethics, deriving criteria for each dimension from the wisdom of all three mental maps of realism, liberalism, and cosmopolitanism (in that order). When looking at the foreign policy goals that presidents have sought, one should not expect them to have pursued justice at the international level similar to what they aspired to in their domestic policies”.

Nye proposes a scorecard of sorts, available below in a screenshot:

Nye advocates that civilians and researchers alike utilize this scorecard as a way of assessing a presidential administration’s activities in determining if one’s foreign policy action is sound, right, just, and finally moral. Nye himself admits this scorecard is not complete and does not solve every problem bound to arise within the field, but this nonetheless does provide a fantastic starting point for creating a foreign policy build upon ethics.

While Nye’s intent with this device is surely for civilians and researchers, not policymakers, I believe this system would serve well in helping policymakers within the Departments of State, Defense, the White House, and Congress be able to effectively determine the best course of action for an action plan and in developing a policy.

Meet Brigid and her diplomatic baggage

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Meet Brigid and her diplomatic baggage

By Alexandra Paucescu

I never met Brigid personally but I navigated along with her on the sometimes turbulent seas of her diplomatic life while I eagerly read her books (which unfortunately I only discovered two years ago). Sometimes I laughed at her funny stories or cried and thought about my own diplomatic existence and whether it was all worth it.

I imagined she was a woman full of life but also full of the wisdom that life offers you when you get to live in so many places and with such diverse experiences. It all proved right when I finally got to interview her. She is indeed a marvelous woman; with a great sense of humor and an innate talent for storytelling… it’s no wonder that her books have become best-sellers (Diplomatic baggage is even going to be republished this month, 17 years after its initial release).

Brigid Keenan was born in India from Irish parents. Her father was an officer in the British Army, so she spent her first 9 years of life among the spices and strong colors of India. ‘We left India in 1948, the year after Indian Independence and went back to England where I went to a convent. At 16 I spent 6 months at a Finishing School in Paris trying to learn French. I loved it because there was such an international group of girls…In my days… the 50s, girls didn’t often go to university’.

I read her lines and try to imagine the life back then, with the debutantes being presented to the Queen (a long time tradition), with women barely starting to gain their independence. Brigid was a strong minded and independent girl, so she already got her first secretarial job at 17. Only a year later, she got hired by Daily Express (a very successful paper at that time), as a fashion assistant. She recalls: ‘next, I went to the Sunday Times where I worked for the woman who did the young fashion section. She had to go home abruptly as she had a problem with her pregnancy and the editor asked me to fill in for her… After a few weeks I was given her job. It was WONDERFUL… IT WAS 1961, I WAS 21. All the new fashion was for my age group, I worked with photographers and models that later became famous: David Bailey, Terence Donovan, models like Jean Shrimpton and Celia Hammond…  I was at the heart of the Swinging Sixties in London’.

But, as it happens with most of us, diplomatic spouses, she had to make the hardest choice of her life: to follow her career or her heart.

She confesses to me: ‘it was VERY hard to leave my career behind.  I fell in love and failed to notice that my future husband was always working abroad. He was posted to Ethiopia only a month or so after we married. I found it very, very hard… I had ALWAYS worked and so I didn’t really know what to do with myself.  Of course, I had writing skills but it is one thing being in a busy office and another being alone in a foreign country.  Sometimes you could find a good story but not be allowed to write it….  I cried a lot’.

I saw myself into her words. So many times I felt lonely, sad and isolated. After reading ‘Diplomatic baggage’ a phrase stuck to my mind forever. Brigid wrote that every diplomatic spouse is afraid of ‘the first Monday’… So true… you move with hopes and fears, you drown yourself into unpacking and arranging the house and then, the first Monday comes…  when the husband is at work , the children at school, the home is ready and an oppressive silence falls over the house. And then you start asking yourself: what do I do now? Is it all worth it? …

In fact, Brigid tells me, this is the question that triggered the idea of writing the book in the first place. A young diplomatic spouse, Cecilia (what a coincidence, Romanian like myself!) asked her that question and then Brigid ‘sat down to try and answer her question and ended up two years later having written a whole book about it’.

The book became a best-seller and had also a sequel, Packing Up, which I also very much enjoyed.

Brigid wrote Full Marks for Trying, a memoir of her time as a fashion editor in the 60’s, held a column about what people wear (‘Getting Dressed’) in The Oldie, a British magazine and is currently working on a new book, about aging. I admire her attitude towards life and her active nature. She seems that, despite all the troubles, she has found peace of mind. Living between UK and her summer house in the south of France, she is now looking back to her diplomatic years.

‘Having a family helped a lot, with children you don’t have time to worry about yourself. I think my daughters benefited from travelling the world, knowing how people live in other countries.  It has made them open-minded and understanding, resourceful and unafraid. In those days, we didn’t have all the internet possibilities there are now. I missed my parents. My mother died while I was abroad. There were wonderful times as well….my happiness graph would be full of ups and downs. India was endlessly fascinating (and frustrating), Central Asia was beautiful and empty. I loved Syria best, it was so full of history and the people were so kind and nice. I ended up buying a little house in Damascus in order to restore it and show people what they could do, to help rescue the Old City which was crumbling. This was my own mission. I think the biggest plus of diplomatic life is the wonderful people you meet en route, local people as well as others of all nationalities, skills and interests.   And I also loved living in places NOT as a tourist’. Interesting, that’s what I like most about it, too!

I couldn’t help but ask Brigid how she sees the diplomatic world today, compared to what she experienced.

‘I think the diplomatic community now is a completely different thing to how it was 30 years ago, all because of the improvement in communications. We had to think hard about making phone calls at the beginning of our life abroad. Now there are no such problems. I think I would have been much happier if it had been as easy in my day. I was always scared of flying which made all the moving around a bit scary.   I am told that the British Foreign Office says these days that nothing is really expected of the spouses, but in my view supporting your partner as he does his job means you must take on entertaining and meeting people and getting out and about. I also think it is important to move outside the diplomatic bubble and meet the locals’.

And I think she met a lot of locals… as she lived in Ethiopia, Brussels, Trinidad, Barbados, India, Gambia, Syria, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan….

It is clear to me now that she was in fact the perfect woman ‘for the job’. Despite the bad days, she wrote at the end of her book: ‘When AW asked me to marry him he said “I can’t promise you will be rich, but I do promise you will never be bored”. Well, he certainly kept his promise. How can I possibly complain?’ (Diplomatic Baggage*)

*Diplomatic Baggage, Packing Up and Full Marks for Trying are all published by Bloomsbury and available on Amazon.

About the author:

Alexandra Paucescu


Alexandra Paucescu- Author of “Just a Diplomatic Spouse” Romanian, management graduate with a Master in business, cultural diplomacy and international relations studies.

She speaks Romanian, English, French, German and Italian,  gives lectures on intercultural communication and is an active NGO volunteer.

Thailand recognizes Catholic churches after 93-year wait

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Thailand recognizes Catholic churches after 93-year wait

The recognition of worship places seeks to promote religious harmony and moral education, says culture minister

UCA News (27.08.2022) – https://bit.ly/3pV3Rki – The government of Thailand has officially recognized three Catholic churches after a 93-year wait in a bid to foster religious harmony in the Buddhist-majority nation, says a report.

The Ministry of Culture officially approved nine religious places of worship on Aug. 23, which included 3 Catholic Churches and 6 Buddhist temples, the Thai Post reported.

Itthiphol Khunpluem, Minister of Culture highlighted the recognition of churches as a move to address the need for religious harmony.

“This certification of the Catholic Church is considered a way to promote and foster religions in Thailand, to appropriate them in line with the current situation,” Khunpluem said.

The minister also added that the move is to encourage people to have places for their religious activities and, “receive education and instill morals that are correct according to religious principles.”

The Cultural Ministry has approved Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Bangkok, Saint Monica Church in Nan Province, and Saint Joseph the Worker Church in Phrae Province.

The kingdom recognized only 57 Catholic churches until 1929. With the latest approvals, the count has now risen to sixty.

In 2021, the Thai Cabinet approved a formal law to enable the approval of religious places of worship.

The decree states that a new parish can be established only if it has a permanent resident priest and a minimum of 200 parishioners who can support the parish.

Under exceptional circumstances, a diocese can request that the criteria – resident priest and the minimum number of faithful – be waived.

The provisions of the law state that the list of parishes thus established shall be released annually by the Religions Department and have up to 2 years to seek approval.

The Social Communication Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand welcomed the new decree in 2021, stating that the recognition addresses the need of “the current situation and provides greater certainty and guarantees for the future” for the Catholic Church in the country.

As of 2019, Thailand has some 388,000 Catholics, forming roughly half a percent of some 69 million in the Buddhist-majority nation.

Catholic Church in Thailand has two archdioceses, nine dioceses, and 502 parishes.

Photo: The St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Tharae Nongsaeng of Thailand. The Buddhist-majority nation has officially recognized total of 60 Catholic churches so far. (File photo)

Eritrea seizes control of Catholic-owned college

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Eritrea seizes control of Catholic-owned college

The Eritrean government has seized control of a Catholic-owned technical school, sources have told the BBC

By Teklemariam Bekit, BBC News Tigrinya

Eritrea Hub (26.08.2022) – https://bit.ly/3RqOQ5l – The Eritrean government has seized control of a Catholic-owned technical school, sources have told the BBC.

The Hagaz Agro-Technical School (*) is run by the LaSalle Brothers organisation and has been providing training in farm machinery, rearing of crops and animals, as well as soil conservation for the last 23 years.

The school is also known for producing Shalku wines, the drink grappa and jam. From its dairy cattle it produces yoghurt and cheeses. Another Catholic-owned training college, the Don Bosco Technical School in Dekemhare, is set to be handed over to the government in September.

In 2019, the Eritrean government took control of secondary schools and health facilities run by religious bodies across the country.

The government cited a regulation passed in 1995 that limited the activities of religious institutions in the Horn of Africa nation. Eritrean bishops objected to the regulation, arguing that the church’s social services did not act in opposition to the government. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Eritrea wrote to the Eritrean government, saying “the Church’s life is connected with the service of the people”.

The bishops have repeatedly called on the Eritrean government to nurture an inclusive democracy and end authoritarian tactics. Many analysts believe the latest seizures are a retaliation for the Catholic Church’s call for reforms in the one-party state.

Roman Catholics make up about 4% of Eritrea’s population. The church is one of only four religious groups allowed to operate in the country, along with the Eritrean Orthodox, Evangelical Lutheran, and Sunni Islam groups.

Other religious groups are viewed by the government as foreign agents.

Photo: AFP Copyright: AFP

(*) The La Salle Agro-Technical school of Hagaz is situated in the Gash-Barka region of Eritrea. This real dream, an oasis in a barren land, was realized under the guide of Brother Amilcare Boccuccia, and since 1999 has been providing high quality education in Agronomy and Veterinary Science.

At present, the school accommodates about 300 young male and female students coming from almost all the nation’s ethnic groups.

Modern and well-equipped computer laboratory give the student the opportunity of taking advantage of the most recent way of teaching.

The Embassy Festival Presents the Best of 50 Countries

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The Embassy Festival Presents the Best of 50 Countries

An eclectic cultural melting pot

On Saturday the 3rd of September, The Hague – The city of peace and justice – shows its true spirit of bringing and working together over fifty nationalities, through sharing their finest foods, musicians and performers. With surprising and impressive artists like Lambert, The Breath, Wlodek Pawlik Trio and Sindicato Sonico. The participating countries present their best at the free to visit Embassy Festival on the Lange Voorhout in the city centre. The variety of undiscovered foods, music and experiences is dazzling. At our Embassy Tour on Friday the 2nd of September you’ll be guided to the Embassies itself and exclusively invited to experience their hospitalities in house.

Three theme stages with great international performances (more artist info online)

The River Stage presents a broad variety of classical, traditional and new music, lean back and enjoy Lambert and The Breath. As where The Mountain Stage program will make you dance with Sindicato Sonico and Zuco 103. Around the Creative Arena visitors will have a chance to devour dance, music and theatre from all over the world.

At the Indonesian stand, Embassy Festival 2021.

Learning by tasting

Taste the world as you walk past all the culinary delights that the embassies have prepared. Learn about the countries as you stroll through the international market. Enlighten your senses as you are dazzled by world music and dance performances on our stages. Even your children are welcome to join and play at the kids compound.

Back to reality

After 2 years of having to adapt the festival to comply with the pandemic restrictions, Embassy festival 2022 will be back in its original format. An open and free event for everybody to attend. We invite you all to join in sharing your culture with the world and open up to meeting and understanding other cultures.

Embassy Festival Participating Countries

In 2019 the festival welcomed 60.000 visitors from all ages. The cultural (music, dance, theatre etc.) and culinary richness of lots of different countries (more than 50) will transform the Lange Voorhout into a sea of culture, which will almost feel like a holiday itself. Expect to travel through countries such as Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Rep. Korea, Rwanda, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Yemen.

Embassy Festival

EMBASSY FESTIVAL

Saturday 3 September | 12.00 – 20.00 hrs | Lange Voorhout, The Hague | Free

More information on the festival: WWW.EMBASSYFESTIVAL.COM

First Diplomatic Reception at Haagse Veteranen Sociëteit

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First Diplomatic Reception at Haagse Veteranen Sociëteit

A new activity which fits the tradition of the Haagse Veteranen Societeit (Hague Veterans Club) was a reception for the military attaches during the Netherlands Veterans Day in The Hague. The Hague as the United Nations city of Peace and Justice annually honors the Dutch veterans during Veterans Day, which for the first since the Covid was held on Saturday the 25th of June.

Veterans Day is the national event where the whole of The Netherlands thanks more the than 100.000 veterans who have served in the service of peace, now and in the past. Since 2005 Veterans Day is being organized in The Hague on the last Saturday of June.

Sunny weather was the perfect backdrop for the large scale military parade in front of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander. Participating were both serving military as well as veterans. Representatives and their spouse of various embassies visited The Hague Veterans Club, including the ambassador of Argentine and former president of the Veterans Platform  Major-General (ret) Leen Noordzij. Military representatives from countries such as Indonesia, Belgium, France, Germany and the United States enjoyed the day.

The reception took place at Indonesian Restaurant Poentjak at Kneuterdijk owned by Mr. Tom Tompul, who is also the gracious host for almost 20 years of the monthly gathering of The Haagse Veteranen Societeit. The latter being part of Stichting Herdenking Veteranen (Foundation Commemoration Veterans).

Anne-Marie Descôtes takes over the reins of Quai d’Orsay’s general secretariat

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Anne-Marie Descôtes takes over the reins of Quai d’Orsay’s general secretariat

Tuesday, 30 August 2022, Paris, French Republic: Ambassador of France, Anne-Marie Descôtes, took office seconding French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna at the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs in the capacity of the ministry’s secretary-general. 

Descôtes thus becomes the first female to occupy the post since it was created back in 1915, and entrusted to then diplomat Jules Cambon. She succeeds her colleague François Delattre who had served in the position since 1 July 2019. The Secretary-General is the highest as a civil servant within Quai d’Orsay, and second in rank after the minister herself. 

This function is a specificity of the French administration, and reflects the need for coordination and unity of action specific to the European and Foreign Affairs department. The position generally ensures the smooth running of the ministry, and replaces the minister in all her duties. She likewise sways a moral role as head of the corps of all diplomats, and it is she who most often receives foreign ambassadors accredited to the French Republic. 

Before returning to Paris, Anne-Marie Descôtes (b. 5 December 1959 in Lyon) represented France in Germany since June 2017 and up to end of August 2022. Customarily her new capacity is accorded to an ‘Ambassadeur/Ambassadrice de France‘, a rank she attained on 25 November 2020 as per presidential decree. 

Before departing Germany, German Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented her with the Federal Order of Merit on Tuesday, 23 August. 

Image courtesy of the French Embassy in Germany – Ambassade de France en Allemagne 

Eurojust supports action against large-scale VAT fraud to the EU

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Eurojust supports action against large-scale VAT fraud to the EU

Authorities in Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland have dismantled a criminal network involved in a large-scale VAT fraud concerning tobacco smuggling. The estimated damage caused by the tax evasion to the European Union budget amounts to over EUR 8 750 000.

In an action supported by Eurojust and Europol, one suspect was arrested. Over EUR 750 000, 7 high-value cars and 49 very high-value wristwatches were seized.

According to the investigation, an organised crime group (OCG) regularly and illegally delivered large quantities of cigarettes produced in the United Arab Emirates to Hungary.

In March 2021, the Hungarian Tax and Customs Administration seized nearly 23 million cigarettes in unsealed boxes that had arrived by plane from Dubai to the airport of Debrecen in Hungary. The Hungarian authorities intercepted the cargo when it was leaving the airport in trucks with Polish license plates. It is believed that there were two similar deliveries on 29 January and 26 February 2021.

The economic disadvantage caused by the illegal importation of cigarettes has been estimated at around EUR 8 750 000.

The case was opened at Eurojust by the Hungarian authorities in May 2021. The Agency actively facilitated cross-border judicial cooperation between the national authorities involved, including the execution of European Investigation Orders (EIOs) and the organization of a joint action day on 16 August.

Europol provided additional analytical support to the investigation, facilitated the exchange of information and supported the law enforcement authorities.

As a result of the cooperation, one suspect has been arrested. Over EUR 750 000 in several currencies, 7 high-value cars and 49 very high-value wristwatches were seized in Hungary. International and European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) have been issued against three more suspects still at large.

The following authorities took part in the operations:

• Hungary: Chief PPO of County Hajdú-Bihar; Hungarian Tax and Customs Administration

• Austria: CPPOCECC; PPO Innsbruck; Federal Ministry of Finance – Customs Office Innsbruck and Financial Criminal Authority

• Czech Republic: Municipal PPO in Prague; Police of the Czech Republic, Regional Headquarter for Prague, Economic Crime Unit

• Poland: PPO Łódź and Sosnowiec. 

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