President Agius concludes official visit to the Republic of Croatia

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President Agius concludes official visit to the Republic of Croatia

The Hague, 25 November 2021 – Judge Carmel Agius, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), yesterday concluded a three-day official visit to Zagreb, Croatia.

During the visit, President Agius met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Minister of Justice and Public Administration Ivan Malenica, and State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Andreja Metelko-Zgombić. The Croatian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dubravka Plejić Marković, was also in attendance.

President Agius provided the officials with an update on the Mechanism’s current activities and discussed a number of other topics, including the importance of regional cooperation for domestic war crimes prosecutions, as well as cooperation of the countries of the former Yugoslavia with the Mechanism. The discussions also advanced progress on the establishment of an Information Centre on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in Zagreb, including in relation to its location.

In addition, President Agius met with representatives of the highest courts in Croatia, namely the President of the Supreme Court, Judge Radovan Dobronić and President of the Criminal Department of the Supreme Court, Judge Damir Kos, as well as the President of the recently-established High Criminal Court, Judge Željko Horvatović. During these meetings, the Judges discussed technical matters including the jurisdiction and current judicial activity of their respective courts.

As part of the official visit, President Agius also presented a lecture to students of the Faculty of Law at the University of Zagreb regarding the establishment and mandate of the Mechanism and the legacy of its predecessor Tribunals, the ICTY and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Finally, the President attended an exhibition entitled “Sloboda se njegovim imenom zove” (“Freedom is called by its name”) at the National and University Library in Zagreb, which commemorates 30 years since the fall of Vukovar, and was shown part of the Library’s rare book collection.

This visit, originally scheduled to take place in April 2020, was the President’s first visit to the region of the former Yugoslavia since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the prospects of creating the Trans-Afghan transport corridor

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On the prospects of creating the Trans-Afghan transport corridor

The development of interaction with Afghanistan has been defined as one of the priority directions in the framework of Uzbekistan’s new regional policy aimed at building constructive and mutually beneficial relations with neighboring countries. Uzbekistan has always advocated for the soonest stabilization of situation in that country as an important condition of ensuring regional security, and a more favorable environment for developing the Uzbek economy, attracting investments and reinvigoration of foreign economic activity.

At the same time, profound shifts have occurred with regard to Afghanistan, which is increasingly seen as an integral part of Central Asia. The final document of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States in Tashkent in 2019 enshrined a regional consensus on supporting the peace process and involving Afghanistan in regional connectivity and infrastructure projects.

In March 2018, Tashkent hosted a high-level international conference on Afghanistan: “The Peace Process, Security Cooperation and Regional Cooperation.” In his speech at the conference, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of implementing the trans-afghan transport and communication projects in Afghanistan to develop intercontinental transport corridors from East to West and from North to South by the shortest routes.

The Head of our State set a goal to intensify cooperation with South Asian countries and work on creating the Trans-Afghan transport corridor in 2020.  The trilateral working group meeting was held in Tashkent with the participation of government delegations of Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan to implement the Mazar-e-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar railroad project in February 2021.

The International Conference «Central and South Asia: regional interconnectedness. Challenges and opportunities» was initiated and conducted in order to address these challenges. In his speech at the conference, the President of Uzbekistan paid particular attention to the construction of transport and logistics infrastructure that would effectively connect Central and South Asia. It was stressed that the construction of Termez-Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railroad would allow to fully realize the transit potential of the two regions, generate the shortest route and significantly reduce the time and cost of transporting goods.

It is important to note that the meeting was also attended by representatives of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, International Financial Development Corporation (USA), who confirmed their interest in the joint implementation of this project. The meeting resulted in the adoption of a joint action plan on the Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railroad project, and it was noted the importance of implementing the project on the principle of public-private partnership.

Meanwhile, the Taliban coming to power in Afghanistan has not weakened Uzbekistan’s aspiration to develop cooperation with Afghanistan. The President of Uzbekistan has paid again a particular attention to the Afghan problem and urged to prevent isolation of Afghanistan in his statements at the anniversary of SCO summit, SCO-CSTO meeting, 76th session of UN General Assembly in September this year. Uzbekistan, notwithstanding the complicated situation, has not ceased the work of the Uzbek-Afghan transport hub, the most important artery of food and oil products supply to that country, as well as the uninterrupted supply of the electricity to the neighboring country.

At the same time, the contacts between Uzbekistan and the new authorities of Afghanistan were intensified with a view to establishing bilateral economic cooperation. The Uzbek delegation headed by Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and members of the interim government of Afghanistan held talks in Kabul on October 7.

A delegation from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan held talks at the level of deputy prime ministers with participation of the representatives of various ministries and agencies in Termez on 16 October. These meetings were focused on border security, cooperation in the areas of investment, mutual trade, energy, international freight and transit.

The sides paid a special attention to the implementation of infrastructure projects, in particular the trans-afghan railroad «Termez – Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar». The Afghan side expressed its willingness to ensure the safety of Uzbek specialists involved in this project.

According to experts, this railway is a strategically important project and will connect the regions of Central and South Asia, as well as the Middle East. It will open for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries the possibility of access to Pakistani ports in the Indian Ocean and will significantly increase the transit potential of Central Asia.

According to preliminary estimates, the length of the railroad will be about 600 km. The project implementation time may take up to 5 years and the amount of credit resources – $4.8 billion. The route will significantly reduce the time and cost of transporting goods between South Asian and European countries through Central Asia, as well as increase the volume of transit traffic through Uzbekistan. If the project is fully implemented, the transportation of goods from Pakistan to Uzbekistan could take 3-5 days instead of 35 days, and the cost of a 20-pound container could be cut by almost three times. According to forecasts, the volume of freight traffic could be up to 10 million tons.

The project will also help to develop the Afghanistan’s transportation network, which remains in poor condition. The length of Afghanistan’s railroads is about 100 km and runs in the border areas with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran. The road network also requires further expansion and substantial investment.

In this regard, Uzbekistan’s proposals aimed at developing Afghanistan’s transport infrastructure, including the construction of the trans-afghan railway route “Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar” has been supported by the new authorities of the country and could be implemented.

In addition, this project is also beneficial for other countries of the region and the entire Eurasian continent, since the developed transport transportation along the vector “East-West” can be complemented by the formation of a connected transport and logistics network in the direction of “North-South” with the shortest access to the markets of South, South-East and West Asia. The development of trans-afghan transit can contribute to the implementation on a mutually beneficial basis of a number of major interconnection initiatives, including Russia’s «Great Eurasian Partnership», the Chinese “One Belt, One Road” projects and the EU strategy to connect Europe with Asia.

It is important to note that the creation of the Trans-Afghan transport corridor is an integral infrastructural part of the comprehensive program for the development of connectivity and cooperation between Central and South Asian countries presented in the speech of the President of Uzbekistan at the Tashkent conference.

Tashkent’s initiatives envisage the development of interaction between the two regions on a wide range of issues, including the formation of favorable conditions for the development of trade and economic relations and the growth of mutual investment, the introduction of digital platforms, the joint search for ways to ensure food security, the promotion of «green» development, enhancing of tourist potential of the two regions and cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

The overall intensification of trade and economic cooperation and the development of sustainable commercial ties between the two regions, including a progressive increase in trade and transit traffic through Afghanistan using the existing transport and logistics infrastructure, will be important for the implementation of the railroad project. In this regard, it is necessary to continue work on the formation of a contractual and legal framework for bilateral and multilateral trade relations between Central and South Asian countries, as well as the adoption of comprehensive trade facilitation measures to ensure faster movement of goods and border crossing.

All this would stimulate the growth of freight traffic between the two regions and the demand for transit of goods through Afghanistan, which is necessary to attract the interest of investors to participate in the implementation of this major infrastructure project.

In the context of the developing situation in Afghanistan, the resumption of work on the design of the Trans-Afghan transport corridor is politically important. In fact, by continuing to work on the design and construction of the new railroad, Uzbekistan and other project participants, including the new Afghan authorities, demonstrate their desire for positive interaction aimed at achieving long-term goals and objectives of improving the socio-economic situation, stabilizing and developing of the Afghanistan, its involvement in sustainable regional trade, economic and political-diplomatic relations.

The contacts with representatives of Afghanistan’s interim government related to the railroad project are allow to strengthen mutual understanding, creating conditions for broader interaction of Uzbekistan and other countries with the new regime in Kabul, assisting in national reconciliation in Afghanistan, stabilizing the situation in the country and the region. Solution of these tasks, in turn, is necessary to form a favorable environment for the financing and implementation of this mega-project. 

In general, the construction of the trans-afghan railroad is the most important infrastructure project, which meets the interests of all states of the Eurasian continent and can have a tremendous positive impact on the development of Central Asian countries, trade and economic relations of Asian countries and their interregional interconnectedness, will contribute to building mechanisms for long-term cooperation between states. At the same time, Afghanistan will not be an obstacle, but a bridge for strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between Central and South Asia as well as other countries and regions.

Diplomat Magazine Hosts Friendly Chess Tournament for Diplomats

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Diplomat Magazine Hosts Friendly Chess Tournament for Diplomats

By Roy Lie Atjam

The Hague, 20 November 2021 – To promote camaraderie and sports among the diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations in the Netherlands, Diplomat Magazine hosted a chess tournament at Leonardo Royal Hotel The Hague. The event listed players from, Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Italy, Russia, Spain, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Part of the participants with the unbeaten winner winner Tom Vandecasteele.

Chess is a unique game, scientific study and research have proven the academic and social benefits of chess on humans.

Before the games started, Dr Mayelinne De Lara of Diplomat magazine, welcomed all players. Stressing the importance of sports, De Lara encouraged everyone to support and join the chess tournament. The tournament was the idea of Dr Stanislav Vassilevsky, Deputy Head of Mission of Belarus who is a talented amateur player.

Dr Stanislav Vassilevsky, Deputy Head of Mission of Belarus.

After a series of matches during which the players made their best tactical moves, Mr Tom Vandecasteele spouse of the Ambassador of Albania emerged as the unbeaten winner.

The players enjoyed the networking opportunity. Diplomat magazine and Leonardo Royal Hotel offered beverages and sandwiches as a token of courtesy.

Diplomat Magazine envisages organizing the next chess tournament on Saturday 19 November 2022.

Slava Kriger, Second Secretary, Embassy of Russia and H.E. Mr. Andrea Perugini Former Ambassador of Italy / Chairman of Art Society The Hague
I Chess Tournament for Diplomats in The Hague.

Sinfonía en la Mesa, 200 years of Panamanian independence

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Sinfonía en la Mesa, 200 years of Panamanian independence

With a wonderful musical and gastronomical Panamanian experience program, named ‘Sinfonía en la Mesa’, H.E. Ms.  Elizabeth Ward Neiman Ambassador of  Panama to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, welcomed a group of selected guests to commemorate the 200th year anniversary of Panama independence.  Despite a few anxious days waiting to hear details of the new COVID restrictions, the event came to life in an spectacular way.

Mr. Renato Famiglietti, Panama’s Deputy Head of Mission, Ambassador Ward, H.E. Mr. Arnoldo Brenes Castro, Ambassador of Costa Rica and his spouse Breatiz Piza.
The Ambassador of Uruguay to Turkey, H.E. Mr. Ricardo Nario and the Ambassador Uruguay to the Netherlands, H.E. Ms. Laura Dupuy Lasserre.

‘November is known to Panamanians as “the month of our homeland.”  Among the numerous holidays, we honor our separation from Colombia and independence from Spain.’ Ambassador Ward declared.

Panama is known as a global transportation hub due to its famous Panama Canal, but few are aware that Panama is one of three carbon negative countries in the world.

Archbishop H.E. Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands.
Mr. Renan Villacis, Director Secretariat of the Assembly, International Criminal Court and Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher, Dr. Mayelinne De Lara.

‘In June, our President signed a decree that protects the Coiba Ridge which tripled the Cordillera de Coiba marine protected area.  With this, we are 9 years ahead of the internationally targeted 2030 goal having achieved the protection of over 30% of both land and marine areas, setting us as a world leader in Blue Economy as well as Green Economy,’ Ambassador Ward explained.  ‘Recently, as part of the COP26 in Glasgow, agreements were reached between the United Nations World Tourism Organization and NOAH to establish Panama as the first pilot country to support the implementation of the United Nations fund for climate neutral tourism.’

Producers of the Panamanian Geisha, a unique coffee with a distinct genetic fingerprint with floral and sweet notes, Panama made gala of its musical traditions by paying tribute to a well-known Panamanian composer, Eduardo Charpentier Herrera. Two of his compositions were interpreted by students from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in a transcendent performance. Charpentier’s compositions brought Panamanian warmth and joy to The Hague.

Erik de Baedts, Director General of the Carnegie Foundation and the Pece Palaca.

Following the concert, it was time to enjoy the culinary creativity of Chef Roberto Torres, a well-known Panamanian chef who, through an inspired take on traditional cuisine, created a succulent and unique dinner for the many guests attending the event.

A mouth-watering three courses menu dinner was served; as starter a crispy empanada with beef, a ceviche with passion fruits and a carimanola, which is a croquette made with yucca and chorizo; all accompanied to Timbales de Platano, an intriguing mix of plantains, cheese and caramel.

Roberto Torres, then came back to explain his main course consisting of a creamed risotto of pigeon peas crowned by prawns with coconut milk and coriander. Now, arriving to the dessert, those who had thought to stop there forgot all intentions immediately after looking to a Panamanian sweets plate. A coffee mousse, a cocada & golleria, plus tea or café. 

Panama, 2021 Sinfonia en la Mesa

Bravo Ambassador Ward, from now on, Panama is not only the Canal it is also the convergence of exotic mix of inspiring music and delicious flavours.

Ambassador Ward thanks her efficient team composed by  Edna, Paulina, Milciades, Renato and Ruth for all their endless effort to bring this together.

ICC judges agree on reforms in response to Independent Expert Review at annual retreat

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ICC judges agree on reforms in response to Independent Expert Review at annual retreat

On 19 and 20 November 2021, the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) held their judicial retreat at the Court’s headquarters in The Hague. Due to the ongoing situation caused by COVID-19, the retreat was held using an online platform. At the retreat, the judges agreed to amend the Chambers Practice Manual and to propose amendment to the Regulations of the Court, in order to enhance the efficiency and consistency of proceedings before the Court. 

The retreat focused on a series of proposals developed by the judges in response to the Report of the Independent Expert Review conducted in 2020 (“IER Report”), and on related proposals. The proposals addressed a broad range of procedural matters and important institutional issues, including gender equality and judicial collegiality.

The judges adopted a model for the decision on  Directions for the Conduct of Proceedings related to the key procedures at trial. The model covers issues such as opening of the trial, order of evidence, matters relating to witness testimony and protective measures and includes an agreed single evidentiary system (submission system) for documentary, digital and physical evidence. The model will be annexed to the Chambers Practice Manual as an internal document of Chambers. This agreed practice will significantly advance the efficiency of trial preparation and trial proceedings. Moreover it will facilitate consistency and predictability amongst the various trial chambers in terms of the actual proceedings.

In addition, the judges agreed to facilitate prompter transmission of the record of the proceedings from the Pre-Trial Chamber to the Presidency, and onward to the Trial Chamber, as  composed. This will ensure a smoother and more rapid transition from the pre-trial to trial phase, implementing recommendation 199 of the IER Report. The judges will finalise the language of their proposals on this issue and then proceed to amend the Chambers Practice Manual and submit a proposed amendment to the Regulations of the Court to the Advisory Committee on Legal Texts.

The judges further agreed to update the Chambers Practice Manual to reflect updated practice on the approach to transmitting victims’ applications to participate in the proceedings. The judges agreed to follow the “A-B-C Approach” which has been adopted by a number of Chambers in recent cases and which the Appeals Chamber has determined to be consistent with the Court’s legal framework. This development will enhance consistency and efficiency, noting the vital and unique role of victims in proceedings at the ICC.

The judges also discussed in detail recommendation 213 of the IER Report concerning interlocutory appeals, in accordance with the Comprehensive Action Plan. 

Finally, the judges discussed several important issues of an institutional nature, in particular, judiciary-related aspects of addressing bullying and harassment in the workplace, as reflected in recommendation 87 of the IER Report, which included discussion of collegiality, reflecting recommendation 129. The judges discussed a number of measures including the desirability of ensuring that judges fall within the scope of forthcoming Court-wide administrative measures and the need for increased opportunities for awareness and sensitisation on these issues in the judiciary. The judges committed to continuing to explore how they could help to fill any gaps in the system for addressing these issues, particularly through informal and complementary means to provide support to staff members. The judges also discussed recommendation 88, concerning gender equality, in the context of the judiciary, and agreed to establish a working group of judges to consider how the judges could contribute to ongoing Court-wide processes.

The Arts Society The Hague

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The Arts Society The Hague

By Andrea Perugini

The Arts Society UK is a leading non-profit Arts and Culture Organization with over 380 affiliated societies and 90,000 members worldwide, bringing people together through a shared interest in the Arts.  The Arts Society The Hague, whose patron is H.E. the British Ambassador, is one of the most active affiliated societies in Europe and will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in January 2022.

Panels preparation – The Arts Society The Hague

Our Lectures provide welcoming events where expert lecturers, academicians, researchers, historians, museum curators and art experts share their specialist knowledge and passion on a wide range of subjects – from music to architecture, from fashion to craftsmanship, from archaeology to glassware, from visual arts to history, from ancient traditions to photography, from historical cities to lost civilisations.

We normally organize – Live and via Zoom – eight one-hour lectures during the course of a season (October to May) in our main venue, the Warenar Cultural Centre, Wassenaar, where we can host over 200 people at a time.  As you can see from our Website (https://theartssociety.org/the-hague) this year’s programme of lectures offers a wide range of fascinating topics on Postmodernism, Architecture, History of Fireworks, Modern Japanese Art, the Magic of Prague, Albrecht Dürer, the Renaissance, and two unusual stories of Ancient Rome.  In addition we also organize Special Events, Lectures with local and foreign speakers and visits to Museums sometimes with exclusive guided tours.

Marriage a la mode – The tete a tete

Our lectures are given by selected speakers who are particularly skilled in communicating and stimulating the viewer’s interest. An attractive subject can soon become very boring if you don’t have the right speaker.  It is a speaker’s ability to captivate the audience which, in addition to the subject itself, is one of the best features of our lectures.  How many times have I been immersed in a new and different dimension, losing all notion of time and space listening to a lecture!

Our strength is our members: there are about 100 of them in The Netherlands alone, mostly based in and around The Hague and composed of expats as well as internationally oriented Dutch residents.  We are connected by a common passion for the Arts, nourishing and empowering us all.  In these times of hardship imposed by the pandemic we need now more than ever to rediscover how beneficial to our well-being the cultural and social dimensions of curiosity and human interaction can be. 

We believe that Arts and Culture are at the heart of everything we do, as they have a universal ability to promote better mutual understanding and inclusiveness between peoples, and to act as a major instrument of peace and dialogue, thus enriching everyone’s lives.

Sophie Martin (centre) and company in rehearsals for Scottish Ballet’s Starstruck. Credit Andy Ross

As a retired diplomat and former Ambassador of Italy to The Netherlands, I am particularly persuaded that the Arts Society has real potential for enhancing connection between Embassies and Consulates in The Hague.

We can offer, in cooperation with Diplomat Magazine, a perfect platform for Arts-based lectures and performances to which our members would be invited. This could be an interesting springboard in outreach promotion for many Embassies and Consulates.

Mr. Andrea Perugini

Host and event or become a member:

Is your Embassy or International Organization planning to host an event at which visitors to The Hague can hear an interesting lecture in English about culture and art in your country?   Please contact me at: andrea.perugini58@gmail.com

https://theartssociety.org/the-hague

The necessity of youth support in sustaining democracy

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The necessity of youth support in sustaining democracy

By Aiden Correia

On top of contemporary challenges such as the pressing climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and growing inequality, democracies have yet another trial to face. Around the world, youth are increasingly losing faith in democracy (Foa, et al. 2020). This trend among the global youth is a dangerous development, primarily because the youth backing is vital for democratic viability. Furthermore, it has provided a ‘power-vacuum’ for populists to enter and garnish support among the disenfranchised and frustrated adolescents. This further undermines the workings of democracy, causing a whole range of problems.

For democratic systems to remain strong and fully-functional systems, they need to acknowledge their flaws regarding the inclusion of youth engagement and work on tools to foster the hopes and faith of the young. This paper will first make a case for the importance of youth in sustaining democracy. It will then move on to provide an insight into the causes and effects of this particular political apathy. Consequently, it will conclude with a case favoring the active engagement of young people and youth organizations in government. All of this will ultimately partly answer the question democracies all over the world are struggling with: how can we maintain democracy in the face of adversity?

The necessity of youth support

According to Fukuyama, the fall of the Berlin wall signified the ‘end of history’. With the number of democratic regimes increasing and the system being generally supported among citizens, Fukuyama believed that the world has finally reached the “end-point of mankind’s ideological evolution and the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government” (Fukuyama 1992).

Although he was right on some accounts and democracy continues to be the most widespread and supported ideology up until today, the end stage is still far from being reached. Instead democracy is facing both internal as well as external challenges. External challenges include the threat of extremism to democracy, as showcased by the 9/11 attacks, the resurgence of communist ideologies through the rise of China and Russia, and economic instability such as the one caused by the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Adding on to this, there are internal threats such as growing political apathy in democratic systems, and the rise of populism and other extremist ideas.

This paper argues that one of democracy’s main challenges is that it has lost the faith amongst its citizens, and particularly the youth. Youth contribution is vital for democratic perseverance for multiple reasons. Firstly, youth empowerment is central for preventing violent extremism. Disenfranchised youth with little belief in liberal democracy, are more prone to become subject to extremism and violence. According to the Community’s Democratic and Security Dialogue report young people with little access to liberal democracy, may seek for alternative means to achieve their needs such as extremist groups like ISIS (2017, 10). Hence, by fostering youth support, liberal democracies face less internal threats to their livelihood.

Additionally, youth voices are vital in helping societies resolve international conflicts peacefully. Based on a year-long research project, the report also found that for liberal democracies to successfully achieve international stability and security, youth would have to be embraced as partners in security. This is predominantly due to the fact that “youth – and women -, are critical to effective strategies to deal with grievances before they mushroom into violent causes” (Albright, et al. 2017, 12).

According to the ACE Electoral Knowledge Network, the largest online community and repository of electoral knowledge, youth support and representation in democracy also enhances the domestic political processes. This because individuals will feel as though they actually have a voice and will funnel their frustrations into political action. The support of democracy among young people is especially important in transitional democracies, whose lasting livelihood depend on individuals bringing democratic values to life. When youth go underrepresented, they will in turn lose faith in democracy, undermining its values and sustenance.

Hence, there is a certain necessity of youth support and trust in sustaining democracy (Chevalier 2019, 418). If democratic regimes fail to either recapture or maintain this support, they will only continue to weaken in the face of global adversity. Before moving on to possible solutions on how to get youth (back) into politics, the next section will first underscore the causes and effects behind the increased political apathy amongst youth.

The loss of youth support of democracy: causes and effects

In 2020, the Centre of the Future of Democracy published a rather ambitious report, drawing upon the largest-ever global dataset on democratic legitimacy around the world. They stated that across the globe, “younger generations have become steadily more dissatisfied with democracy” (1). They also analyzed the surge of both left-wing and right-wing populism in liberal democracies and attempt to answer whether these leaders can have a positive effect on youth sentiment and support of democracy. Throughout their report, they explain the democratic disconnect by drawing upon multiple causes. For instance, the authors cite ‘rising inequality’ around the world as an explanation behind political apathy amongst youth. As a result of the prospect of an economically unstable future – high household debt, less access to the housing market, increased rental costs, and more dependance on relatives and family – individuals become less content with the results of democracy. This might ultimately result in the shift to populism, as these leaders often tap into the dissatisfaction of the young.

Another cause in the expansion of youth unemployment and the rising uncertainty of stable contracts and pay. Especially after the financial crisis of 2008, the level of satisfaction with democracy among youth decreased dramatically. A final cause the scholars offer is something they refer to as ‘transition fatigue’ which essentially alludes to the idea that the new generation of voters is now more concerned with the functioning of democracy, as opposed to simply its ideals. Increasingly, “the legitimacy of democracy hinges on its performance – or failure – to face the mounting social challenges” (19). Exemplary of this trend of ‘transition fatigue’ is the decrease of satisfaction with democracy as soon as countries joined the European Union. Although youth initially believed that EU accession would have mainly positive effects such as the easing of trade restrictions and the harmonization with EU laws, reality quickly caught up and optimism faded as soon as accession was attained. In reality, citizens were faced with negative domestic political challenges such as endemic corruption and spatial inequality (Foa, et al. 2020, 21).

As a result of democracy failing to attain some of its promises, young people are increasingly fed up (Gray 2016). When asked what frustrated people the most about government leaders in their country, about one fourth of the respondents cited the ‘lack of action’. Current affairs such as the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuing racial and wealth inequality that continues on, demand immediate drastic and perhaps even radical responses, but governments have been slow to react. This has led to feelings of frustration and anger among young people, and has resulted in large protests all over the world. Take for instance the climate strikes that are happening globally and the large Black Lives Matter protests that spread over the world like wildfire. The lack of action has, quite understandably, made young people more unwilling to put their trust and hopes in the democratic processes.

As a result of youth disenchantment with democracy, we have seen the increase of populism and other political extremities in liberal democracies. Populist leaders, both left- and right-wing, have tapped into this feeling of political alienation among young people and given a voice to the unrepresented (Foa and Mounk 2019, 1017). In Greece, for instance, voters below the age of 25 are twice as likely to vote for an extremist party than voters over the age of 55 (Sakellariou 2015). Similarly, there is a rise of extremist movements, particularly under the label of ‘Alt-Right’ which refer to the spread of intolerant ideas, predominantly online. As a result, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic and queer-phobic hate crimes have increased (Foa and Mounk 2019, 1018). This, of course, comes as a shock to democracy, and it threatens some of its core values such as tolerance.

How to get the youth back into democracy?

Now that we have established that youth support is vital for democratic sustainability, and that the loss of faith has resulted in threats such as populism, this paper will make a case in favor of an increase in youth participation in liberal democracies.

In order to get the youth back into democracy, democratic systems first need to create the space and opportunities for young people to participate as youth must be motivated to get involved (Yohalem and Martin 2007). This can be done on a more individualistic base, with parents and peers playing a large role in motivation. Political structures, however, are then responsible for providing the youth with clear pathways for involvement. Increasing youth voices in civic society and consequently democracy has an incredibly positive individual impact. According to scholars Morsillo and Prilleltensky, participation “enhances sociopolitical awareness, self-expression, enhanced sense of control and social responsibility, hopefulness, and the development community participation skills such as planning and communication” (Morsillo and Prilleltensky 2007, 736). These are all tools that the youth need to shape the future. A future in which we can only hope they will continue to nurture the foundation of democracy.

Government structures should also make more of an effort to counter the shrinking of civil spaces. Here civil spaces refers to a “environments in which youth participation in civil action is fostered – the pathways, structures, and vehicles that provide opportunities for young people to engage in critical discussion, dialogue, and action” (Richards-Schuster and Dobbie 2011, 235). Over time, however, we have “witnessed a persistent silencing of civil society that narrowed down the civic space significantly” (Deželan and Yurttagüler 2018, 4). This can explain why youth have increasingly drawn upon more ‘radical’ actions to get democratic governments to listen (such as squatting actions) instead of using more conventional manners (like voting). As a result youth and organizations representing youth interest feel as though they lack the tools and ability to truly become agencies of social change, which can cause frustration and hopelessness. (Deželan and Yurttagüler 2018, 20). This trend is one that democracies should grow aware of, and then tackle. They need to collaborate more with youth people and include them in democratic activity. They should provide them with a voice, lest populist leader will do it for them.

Some ways to do this is by pushing for more transparency of governmental actions so young people can follow along. Preferably, democratic countries also secure long-term funding for watchdog and other organizations advocating youth issues. This could perhaps ensure that democracies will take action on the topics that are a priority to youth such as battling climate change and ensuring a securer housing market. Another vital action to take is for governments to design “incentives for public officials to interact in an open, sincere and prompt manner” (Deželan and Yurttagüler 2018, 21). This is something that diplomats can have a hand in too.

It is widely known that young people are the future. Although this is a given fact, it is not a natural transition. It is the responsibility of democracies to provide the youth with the tools to shape said-future. For democracy to remain viable, this means they need to not only restore the faith in democracy, but they also need to start including the young in the democratic process. Democracy is about providing everyone with a voice. The youth are willing to talk; governments just need to start to listen.

Bibliography

Albright, M., M. Jomaa, T. Piccone, and C. Frank. Liberal Democracy and the Path to Peace and Security. Report of the Community of Democracies, Massachusetts Ave., NW: BROOKINGS, 2017.

Chevalier, T. “Political Trust, Young People and Institutions in Europe. A Multilevel Analysis.” International Journal of Social Welfare 28, 2019: 418-430.

Deželan, Tomaž, and Laden Yurttagüler. Shrinking Democratic Civic Space for Youth. Strasbourg: European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of Youth, 2018.

Foa, R.S., D. Wenger, A. Rand, and M. Slade. Youth and Satisfaction with Democracy: Reversing the Democratic Disconnect? Cambridge, United Kingdom: Centre for the Future of Democracy, 2020.

Foa, Roberto S., and Y. Mounk. “Youth and the Populist Wave.” Philosophy and Social Criticism 45, no. 9-10, 2019: 1013-1024.

Gray, A. The Troubling Charts that Show Young People Losing Faith in Democracy. December 1, 2016. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/12/charts-that-show-young-people-losing-faith-in-democracy/.

Morsillo, J., and I. Prilleltensky. “Social Action with Youth: Interventions, Evaluation, and Psychopolitical Validity.” Journal of Community Psychology 35, no. 6, 2007: 725-740.

Richards-Schuster, Katie, and David Dobbie. “Tagging Walls and Planting Seeds: Creating Spaces for Youth Civil Action.” Journal of Community Practice 19, no. 3, 2011: 234-251.

Sakellariou, Alexandros. “Golden Dawn and Its Appeal to Greek Youth.” Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Discussion Papers, 2015.

Yohalem, Nicole, and Shanetta Martin. “Building the Evidence Base for Youth Engagement: Reflections on Youth and Democracy.” Journal of Community Psychology 35, no. 6, 2007: 807-810.

Oman Celebrates 51st National Day of the Renaissance

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Oman Celebrates 51st National Day of the Renaissance

The 18th of November marks the National Day  Anniversary in Oman. The event comes around at a time when Omanis ponder about the achievements made so far and brace for further accomplishments, with firm resolve, under the astute leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik who pledged to hold high the banner of Renewed Renaissance, since he assumed power in the country on 11 January 2020.

The Basic Law: Oman Democracy  

The Sultanate of Oman stands out for its exclusive practice of Shura-based democracy with its bicameral chambers: State Council and  Shura Council. The Basic Law safeguards the country’s territorial unity and social texture. Protects its cultural foundations and consolidates  public rights, liberties and duties. It lays down a stable mechanism of transfer of rule, and  affirms independence of the judiciary.

 Women empowerment and Education

Omani women’s affairs take centre stage in the Renewed Renaissance. On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, last March, Her Highness The Honourable Lady Assayida Ahd Abdullah Hamed Al Busaidi, Spouse of the Sultan of Oman, commended the great efforts exerted by women in Oman and the rest of the world.

Nations attain their prime only through education, and this has been a principle espoused by Omanis since the outset of their blessed renaissance 50 years ago. A motivating environment has been furnished for supporting the march of research and innovation.

Environment and Economy

Under its Renewed Renaissance, Oman continued to accord attention to environment protection, both at the local and global levels.  The decline and fluctuation in oil prices and precautionary measures to address the impacts of Covid-19 affected the economies of many countries of the world. Oman  took  measures to address the situation,  including  the initiation of a medium-term Fiscal Balance Plan (2020-2023).

The 10th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the first leg in the executive plan of Oman Vision 2040 seeks to achieve a number of goals, among them “activating the economy, upgrading the efficiency of management of public finance, realizing balance among measures for rationalization of public spending, disciplined financial expansion policies. The plan targets average annual growth of 3.2% in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through emphasis on promising economic sectors like converting industries of high technological content, agriculture, fisheries, fish farming, food and agriculture industrialization, transport, warehousing and logistics.

Investment

The government created an investment-encouraging environment through legislations, ports, free zones and logistics, coupled with a unique strategic location in the meeting point of global commercial markets, political stability and security. Investment incentives like tax exemptions extending to more than 30 years and foreigners’ 100% ownership of properties, among other incentives, add another fillip to the Oman’s position.

Foreign Policy

The Sultanate’s foreign policy stands on firm grounds. Oman advocates principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, positive contribution to safeguarding international security, promoting common public interest through dialogue and understanding among countries and nations. Oman’s persistent strive to serve global peace stem from its support for many initiatives and issues, like its supported the settlement of the Yemeni issue through comprehensive political settlement and  peaceful handling of the Iranian nuclear file.

Corona Pandemic

To fight the coronavirus (Covid-19), the Sultanate formed a Supreme Committee which has been taking precautionary measures that ensure the safety of citizens and residents. Indicators registered great decline in mortality, infection and hospitalization rates, while recovery from the disease reached 98.5%.

Bahrain sets up ‘National Council for Arts’

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Bahrain sets up ‘National Council for Arts’

The council will also be tasked to provide an incubating environment for artists by creating platforms, opportunities and facilitating access to technical tools and information, encouraging investment in the art sector, supporting the professionalisation of talents, supporting participation in local and international art fairs, as well as hosting international art events and exhibitions.

It will further cooperate with international bodies and institutions specialised in arts or art research to ensure the development of local arts.

His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (b. 1952) is currently Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs at the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He is married to Her Highness Sheikha Lulwa bint Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, only daughter of the late Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, first prime minister of Bahrain. Together they are parents to six children, Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikha Noor (a fashion designer), Sheikha Hessa and Sheikha Aisha. As a government official he served likewise at the former Ministry of Culture in the capacity as Undersecretary for Tourism and Antiquities.

He is a grandson of Bahrain’s Hakim (Ruler), Sheikh Sir Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (reigned 1932-1942).

Rashid Al Khalifa and Austro-German artist Bertram Castell-Rüdenhausen in front of a ‘Spherical Compression in Grey’.

Sheikh Rashid serves as Honorary President for Bahrain Arts Society. He lives in Rifa’a just outside of Manama, Bahrain’s capital city. He began experimenting with art at an early age in Bahrain, and moved to professional instruction in the south of England (University of Hastings).

For further information 
Rashid Al Khalifa artworks: https://www.rashidalkhalifa.com/artworks/

Rashid Al Khalifa on Google Arts and Culture: https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/penumbra-textured-shadow-coloured-light/twLiVL6nqk6WJQ

Danish Queen follows State Visit in Munich 

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Danish Queen follows State Visit in Munich 

Friday, 12 November 2021, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: In the framework of the Danish State Visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II travelled from Berlin to Bavaria, wherein she was received upon her aerial arrival to ‘Franz Josef Strauß Munich International Airport’ by Bavaria’s Minister for European Affairs, Melanie Huml. Thereafter Queen Margrethe II was whisked aways by automobile to Munich’s Residenz Palace, wherein she was officially welcomed by Premier of Bavaria, Dr. Markus Söder and the latter’s spouse, Karin Baumüller-Soder. 

Queen Margrethe II was treated to a traditional red carpet welcome, supported by the Honorary Company of the Bavarian Mountain Rifles (Gebirgsschützen), the Tölz Boys’ Choir as well as a delegation of the Bavarian Traditional Costume Associations especially selected for the regal guest.

The Danish monarch signed the Golden Book of the Bavarian state government, and granted upon Premier Söder the Dannebrog Order (Dannebrogordenen), an order of chivalry instituted in 1671 by King Christian V, however, whose roots go back to an honorary ensign set up by King Valdemar II in 1219. In Danemark the order members are known as ‘white knights’. The order is named after the Danish flag, and is bestowed upon Danish citizens and foreign dignitaries for ‘meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences or business life, or for working for Danish interests’. 

Reception at the Residenz Palace by Bavarian Premier Dr. Markus Söder; the latter’s spouse Karin Baumüller-Söder and Dr. Florian Herrmann, Minister for Federal and Media Affairs – Picture by Picture by Bavarian State Chancellery – Government of Bavaria

At the bilateral meeting which took place at the Porcelain Cabinet Room of the Residenz Palace, State Minister Dr. Florian Herrmann, Minister of Federal and Media Affairs, also partook. 

The visit’s focus was the ‘Dano-German Year of Friendship 2020‘, which means to enhance cultural ties between the two countries. Hence Queen Margrethe II was taken to the Glyptothek, Munich’s oldest public museum, after her official welcome.

The Glyptothek was built by the Bavarian King Ludwig I to house his collection of Greek and Roman sculptures, and the museum includes works by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen commissioned by King Ludwig I.

During the visit, the museum’s director, Dr. Florian Knauß, showed The Queen around the exhibition. The visit to the Glyptothek follows the celebrations of Thorvaldsen’s 250th anniversary in 2020 and the recently concluded exhibition in Munich “Bertel Thorvaldsen und Ludwig 1”.

On Saturday, 13 November 2021, The Queen concluded her state visit with a visit to the Akademie der Bildenden Künste (Academy of Fine Arts) one of the world’s most renowned training centres for crafts and design. Upon her arrival, she was welcomed by Professor Karen Pontoppidan, among others.

In the Academy’s Gobelin Hall, Her Majesty attended a series of speeches as well as the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Academy and the Danish Arts Foundation on residencies at the Academy for Danish jewellery artists.  Subsequently, The Queen visited the Academy’s jewellery workshops, where fellow Marie-Louise Kristensen presented her projects to the Danish head of state.

For further information: 
Reception for Queen Margrethe II by the Bavarian Government at the Residenz Palace: https://www.bayern.de/buergerservice/mediathek/?fotoreihe=78434

Danish Royal House: https://www.kongehuset.dk/foto-video/statsbesoeg-i-tyskland-dag-3

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