Cultural and Art Diplomacy – The Example of Portugal’s Consulate-General in Newark

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Cultural and Art Diplomacy – The Example of Portugal’s Consulate-General in Newark

By Jorge Marinho, Júlio Ventura, Guilherme Guimarães


Cultural Diplomacy

Cultural diplomacy is currently a dynamic sphere of academic research (What is Cultural Diplomacy? What is Soft Power?). Even though the term cultural diplomacy is relatively recent, this reality has been in place for several centuries (What is Cultural Diplomacy? What is Soft Power?). Throughout history, interaction among peoples has amounted to an exchange of languages, religions and arts, for instance, thus enabling improved relations among differing groups (What is Cultural Diplomacy? What is Soft Power?). 

Maria Regina de Mongiardim (February 2021, pp. 39-40) states that cultural diplomacy currently comprises a priority strategic importance, with political, economic and even security  implications. This author points out the relevance of cultural diplomacy, as concerns countries’ international prestige and projection (Mongiardim February 2021, p. 38). Using a multiplicity of means, said diplomacy includes formal and informal aspects related to initiatives undertaken by national governments and by several parties involved (Moita, et alii May 2019, p. 58 / Mongiardim February 2021, pp. 38-39).  

The European Union, which includes Portugal as a member-state, has created a Cultural Diplomacy Platform (Relações Culturais Internacionais). In 2020, after four years, this served as the basis for creating a global cultural relations platform, comprising participants such as the Goethe Institute, the University of Siena, the European Foundation for Culture and the international contemporary performing arts network (Relações Culturais Internacionais). 

For Portugal, language diplomacy (that is, lusophony) is a complement to cultural diplomacy, within a context that goes beyond the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries and the Portuguese Diaspora worldwide (Mongiardim February 2021, p.41). Under this diplomatic domain, Portugal relies on the Camões Institute, which is linked to the Foreign and Culture Ministries (Mongiardim February 2021, p. 41). This institute also engages in artistic activities (Mongiardim February 2021, p. 41). The Portuguese Budget for 2021 contains various sections pertaining to streamlining cultural diplomacy and internationalizing Portuguese Culture (OE 2021, pp. 13 / 24). This document highlights visual and performing arts in order to ensure Portugal’s international projection (OE 2021, p. 14). In 2022, then-Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva stressed Portugal’s ability to disseminate its heritage, arts and artists in 70 to 80 countries on every continent, while then-Culture Minister Graça Fonseca felt that Cultural Diplomacy is of strategic importance projecting the nation (Portugal Projecta a Sua Cultura em Mais de 70 Países February 8, 2022) . 


Art Diplomacy

While Art Diplomacy is certainly one of the oldest forms of diplomacy and international relations, only recently has it been studied at academic level (Cohen July 12, 2019). Experts acknowledge that Art makes cultural diplomacy easier and more effective, creating empathy and overcoming obstacles such as language (Nazarian September 5, 2019). We should point out Art’s ability to humanize (McCulloch-Lovell September 4, 2005). The Academy for Cultural Diplomacy considers that Art can serve as an instrument for influencing the atmosphere of intercultural relations (Art as Cultural Diplomacy. About the Program). Art diplomacy contributes to mutual understanding and toward respect for foreign beliefs and cultural values (Grincheva 2010). On the international stage, Art can be linked to soft power, while being used for determining attitudes toward other countries (Nazarian September 5, 2019). Shoqiran (September 14, 2016) states that Art can lie at the basis for joint political projects. This author considers that Diplomacy, together with culture and Art, permeates society (Shoqiran September 14, 2016).

Art can serve to both disseminate cultural heritage and identity while constituting a neutral meeting point for artists, audiences and people involved in cultural management (Art as Cultural Diplomacy. About the Program). Natalia Grincheva (2010) feels that Art, to the extent it has always represented national culture and tradition, is notably featured in cultural diplomacy practices. According to Marta Ryniejska-Kiełdanowicz (2009), Art and culture correspond to the forefront of many countries’ promotional initiatives. This way, such countries construct a positive image aimed at achieving political goals (Ryniejska-Kiełdanowicz 2009). 

Artists engage their audiences emotionally (Canales), which is of interest to foreign governments seeking to influence hearts and minds through music, cinema and the media in general (Doeser, Nisbett 2017, p. 9). It should be stressed that the success of cultural diplomacy initiatives somehow involves artists who are familiar with certain aspects that go beyond their customary performances (Renewing Canada’s Cultural Diplomacy). For example, on an institutional site of Brazil’s Federal Government, Cultural Diplomacy is linked to Visual Arts, Music and Literature (Cultural Diplomacy Themes). 

The U.S. Administration’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs seeks to create lasting relations between that nation and other countries: this allows Americans to gain access to international artists, while sharing the culture of U.S. visual and performing arts with international audiences (Cultural Diplomacy).

Consulate-General of Portugal in Newark, U.S.

Throughout its history since its founding in 1143, Portugal has forged relations with peoples on every continent (História). According to Portuguese Ambassador Júlio Vilela (February 2021, p. 85), in the case of Portugal, we cannot separate consular activity from immigrants, given that, historically, this is a country of outward migration. According to data provided by local authorities and, in the absence of such data, based on consular registrations, on December 31st, 2018, the Portuguese community living abroad was estimated at around 5.4 million Portuguese nationals and descendents, distributed as follows:

  • 56.7% in the Americas
  • 30.1% in Europe
  • 7.5% in Africa
  • 4.9% in Asia
  • under 1% in Oceania (Vilela February 2021, p. 93).

Over time, consular activity has evolved to support integrating Portuguese nationals living in host countries; as such, this fosters their civic and political prominence (Vilela February 2021, p. 82).

It is wise to envision the long-term goals of Foreign Policy (Lopes 2017, p. 33). An analysis of the programs of Portugal’s 16 governments, from 1974 to 2019, reveals a few topics that have constituted foreign policy priorities, such as the following:

– fostering Portuguese language and culture

– transatlantic relations

– Portuguese communities scattered all over the world and modernizing consular services (Vilela February 2021, p. 89).

Consular activity is a gateway to presenting Portugal as a modern, innovative country, attracting tourists and enhancing ties linking Portuguese immigrants and their descendents to the nation (Vilela February 2021, p. 96). Technological development should benefit services provided by consulates, in an automated and simplified manner, without compromising the country’s security (Vilela February 2021, p. 99).

Given the considerable size of the Portuguese community in the Americas, there is an extensive consular network (Americas). At the Portuguese Government’s Diplomatic Portal, the American community of Portuguese descent (some 1.3 million people) is presented as being well integrated in the U.S. (Americas). The New York Times has published several pieces where Newark is characterized by a notable Portuguese presence, in demographic and cultural terms (Levy October 6, 1995 / Shepard October 18, 1979). This is indicative of Newark’s importance, as part of the History of Portuguese immigration to the U.S., mainly in the 20th century, which is still being felt in the 21st century. In September 2021, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was in Newark, having symbolically visited the Sport Club Português (Mano September 21, 2021).
 

The importance of Cultural Diplomacy in relations between Portugal and the U.S. is certainly recognized by diplomats of both countries. For instance, the U.S. Ambassador to Lisbon is depicted as a cultural diplomat (Levine, Randi Charno – Portuguese Republic – November 2021), while Portugal’s Consulate-General in Newark shows interest in organizing cultural events (Monteiro). This consular post wants to be more than a document-generating instrument. For such purpose, it needs to be close to the Portuguese community and its recreational clubs, while joining in artistic events, for example, as revealed by Consul-General Pedro Monteiro in an exclusive interview. This diplomat feels that the opening, at Newark’s Consulate-General, of José Rodrigues Miguéis Hall, named after a writer from the Portuguese Diaspora who lived in the New York area, serves to create an official, neutral venue for hosting a variety of events within the Portuguese community.

According to Pedro Monteiro, while cultural events organized by Portugal’s Consulate-General  in Newark are chiefly geared to the Portuguese community, they can also reach out to Americans. To Pedro Monteiro, artistic initiatives undertaken by the Consulate-General contribute toward maintaining emotional ties between its audiences and Portugal. This diplomat acknowledges that, in the U.S., people of Portuguese descent feel a very strong sentimental affinity to Portugal, despite the geographic distance and generational aspects (second and third generation). These highly positive sentiments regarding Portugal surprise Pedro Monteiro, when thinking of immigrants who left their country of origin due to lack of conditions that would have otherwise enabled them to stay. According to Pedro Monteiro, this is why the emphasis given by Portuguese nationals living in the U.S. to positive things describing Portugal (while putting negative aspects on the back burner) is a more emotional attitude than a rational one. This Consul-General’s work experience leads him to conclude that esthetics and emotions are important in the diplomatic context, particularly notable when involving Art.
 

Pedro Monteiro appreciates the works that endure over time, which leave their mark, as can be seen on a Newark street, with an azulejo glazed tile panel depicting Amália, a renowned singer of fado (typically Portuguese music). This diplomat highlights a fado festival that took place in the last few years, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, in collaboration with Portugal’s Consulate-General in Newark. As Pedro Monteiro states, this consulate has also collaborated with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in promoting events that include fado, making Mariza known to the American public. 

In assessing his work as Consul-General in Newark from September 2018 to March 2022, with regard to organizing artistic activities, Pedro Monteiro underscores the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the extent that, for instance, events could not be attended in person. This diplomat feels that the Portuguese community, chiefly older folks, hardly buy into virtual initiatives, that is, online. Pedro Monteiro acknowledges that there needs to be improvement in linking the Consulate-General in Newark to a certain audience comprising young people of Portuguese descent, by disseminating messages via communication channels which are actually used more often by the target audience. This diplomat already has cultural / artistic programming ideas to be put in place by the Consulate-General, in the latter half of 2022, including, for instance, documentaries made by Portuguese nationals.

The Camões Institute, in the Newark area, as stated by its local representative in an exclusive interview, aims to make cultural resources and activities available to Portuguese and American communities. This representative, José Carlos Adão, makes particular reference to cooperation protocols between the Camões Institute and Rutgers University (Newark), which look to conduct research into Portuguese Literature. In the view of José Carlos Adão, events related to said literature seek not only to strengthen the ties that join the community of Portuguese people and those of Portuguese descent to its culture, but also to disseminate Portuguese authors to Americans. Within this context, according to José Carlos Adão, events are organized in partnership with local basic, secondary schools and universities enabling direct contact with authors and their works. 


Conclusion

Throughout History, Art has been significantly present in relations among peoples, even contributing toward overcoming differences, through activities organized by public or private organizations. Art can serve to manifest a certain identity of countries and to project these on the international stage. In order to bring all this about, artists are vital, of course.

Art Diplomacy, within the broadest sphere of Cultural Diplomacy, is characterized, among other aspects, by being able to emotionally engage its audiences. This type of engaging can prove to be particularly effective in pursuing certain objectives, in the short and, mainly, in the medium to long term, by way of influencing people’s hearts and minds. Art runs deep and, at times, in a subtle manner, in various spheres of society. 

Portugal’s Foreign Ministry currently stresses the strategic importance of the nation’s artistic heritage. For example, Pedro Monteiro, Portugal’s Consul-General in Newark, and José Carlos Adão, representative of the Camões Institute in that same U.S. city, aim to organize artistic initiatives, including Literature, reaching not only Portuguese immigrants and people of Portuguese descent, but also to Americans. Pedro Monteiro acknowledges that the highly positive view that Newark’s Portuguese community has of Portugal, a country which they left for lack of conditions enabling them to stay, is due to emotional factors more than to rational ones.

According to Pedro Monteiro, the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult and, in some cases, impossible to organize live events. This diplomat concedes that, on the one hand, Newark’s Portuguese community, chiefly among older folks, does not easily buy into online events, and that, on the other hand, the Consulate-General has to improve communication with young people of Portuguese descent; to this end, the most appropriate communication channels need to be used. Pedro Monteiro would like for the consular post not to be viewed merely as a document-generating instrument.

About the authors:

Jorge Marinho, Research supervisor. PhD in Communication Sciences, BA in International Journalism.

Júlio Ventura, BA in Law, MA student in Political Science and International Relations at the Portuguese Catholic University (Lisbon, Portugal), intern at the Consulate-General of Portugal in Newark, New Jersey (United States of America).

Guilherme Guimarães, BA in Law, MA student in International Law at the Portuguese Catholic University (Porto, Portugal), intern at the Consulate-General of Portugal in Newark, New Jersey (United States of America).

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This article has been originally published in the online magazine Marinho Media Analysis on April 7, 2022: http://www.marinho-mediaanalysis.org/articles/cultural-and-art-diplomacy-the-example-of-portugals-consulate-general-in-newark-new-jersey-united-states

Gender Equality for a Better Tomorrow: Lessons from Rwanda

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Gender Equality for a Better Tomorrow: Lessons from Rwanda

By Prof. Jeannette Bayisenge, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion of the Republic of Rwanda

Through lobbying and the passage of legislation, the Netherlands is ahead of many countries around the world in terms of women’s rights.

As the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion in Rwanda, I applaud this. Rwanda has also strived to promote opportunities for all women and girls. Our experience as a nation proves that the link between gender equality and sustainable development can never be over-emphasized.

Following the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, the entire nation was left to reflect on how to rebuild our country. Very early in this process, our government recognised that emphasising equality throughout the country, particularly with respect to gender equality, would be a key pillar on which progress could be built.

This was underscored by two realities. Firstly, that pre-genocide Rwanda had been a primarily paternalistic society – with little opportunity for women to take part in leadership in government or in wider society. Secondly, due to the genocide and outflows of refugees during and after it –women were the majority and the recovery would only be possible if both women and men play a central role. In addition, realising that equality was a fundamental human right – not a favour – and that women’s leadership would be vital in times where forgiveness, reconciliation, and peacebuilding would be priorities – the government took a strong stance on women’s representation.

This cannot simply be achieved by lip service, however. Undoing historic patriarchal tendencies takes action. Therefore, Rwanda devised several innovative mechanisms to promote women’s representation and inclusion. Lawmakers introduced some of the most women-friendly policies in the world and women were heavily involved in the drafting of a new constitution, between 1994 and its publication in 2003 and other gender sensitive laws as well as policies and strategies. For instance, girls and boys are allowed to inherit equally ; women and men can assume the leadership within the family and have the same rights on family property and this has enabled women to use their land as collateral to obtain loans, encouraging financial independence; girls’ education is priority and incentives are created for girls to study traditionally male-dominated subjects – for example, almost 44.7% of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students are women. In the same context, a girl’s room is a requirement for primary and secondary schools to increase’ girls’ privacy during their periods. To fight against gender-based violence, women in parliament lobbied for laws against gender-based violence that criminalized marital rape and provide punishment for Gender-Based Violence in all its forms.

The results speak for themselves.

Currently, Rwanda is leading globally in terms of women representation in Parliament (61.3%); 2nd African Country to close gender gaps and 7th globally (World Economic forum, 2021). Women are also represented in other leadership positions along with their counterparts’ men with 55% of female in Cabinet, 51% female judges, 46.1% of women in District councils (NEC report,2021). Women, throughout the country and at all levels, are at the forefront of leadership and decision-making. The progress we see in Rwanda today is not only the result of this commitment to inclusivity, but also the fruits of women’s efforts. As President Kagame once said: “We did not give dignity to women. It was always theirs. All we did was bring it to light”

Economically, Rwanda has the world’s highest rate of female labor force participation at 86 –as highlighted by the World Economic Forum in 2018. Women contribute 30% of the GDP, while female entrepreneurship accounts for 42% of enterprises countrywide and 58% of informal businesses, according to International Finance Corporation. In addition, women are given special access to finance from both public and private financing institutions. For example, with respect to financial inclusion, the 2020 FinScope survey revealed that 92% of women are financially included compared to 93% men. Business Development Fund (BDF) also facilitates women to access capital for their business ventures by providing a 75% coverage on due collateral.

An all-of-government and indeed all-of-society approach to ensuring gender equality has been at the heart of these achievements, and at the heart of Rwanda’s rebirth as a prosperous and peaceful nation.

 I also recognise, as so many do, that further action needs to be taken, not just here but around our continent, and indeed around the world. By elaborating on our experience as a nation, I hope to spread this message more widely.

As His Excellency President Paul Kagame remarked earlier this year: “Equality is a right not a favour. We must do even more and better to ensure that the next generations of our daughters and granddaughters inherit a nation where their aspirations have no limits.” This is a spirit that every country, and every society, can take on board – we can always do more.  

La Vita Diplomatica

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La Vita Diplomatica

By Alexandra Paucescu

An old saying goes :’you have the life that you make for yourself’.

Milena Padula, a beautiful Italian born in Naples, certainly knows that. Despite the many changes she went through so far in life, she always knew how to make the best of every situation. She tells me that she was only eighteen when she first left home and went to study Economics and Banking in Tuscany, then, as one of the first Erasmus students, won a scholarship and spent one year at the University of Reading, in the UK. It was on the flight back to Italy where she met her future husband and from there, a life of diplomatic postings began.  Moscow, London, Bahrain, Montreal and Ho Chi Min City, where she recently moved, they all left strong and dear memories to her.

Milena Padula at McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

‘I always had the feeling that every posting was my country for the 4 years I spent there. I usually fall in love with the food, the people, the language, the culture and I even start to get goose bumps when the National Anthem of that country is played. If I had to choose nice memories from each of the cities I lived in, I would remember my wedding day in Moscow at the gorgeous Italian Embassy, the typical British lifestyle in London, with the Queen’s Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, the races in Ascot, the tennis matches at Wimbledon and the Chelsea Flower Shows, the very welcoming people of Bahrain, with its interesting culture and strong traditions.’

Milena is a very active woman. This is how I met her and, besides her beauty and elegance, it is her actions which caught my attention. She tells me that she realized, from the very beginning of her diplomatic life, that she needed to be more than just a diplomatic spouse, she wanted to have something of her own, and I couldn’t resonate with this more!

She says; ‘I strongly believe that, as a diplomatic spouse, if you are not able to work, it is very important to keep up to date and to make the most of any training opportunity.  I always recommend it to other spouses that if, for any reason, they have to pause their career they should take the chance to go back to study. And it is what I did in Montreal, where, the only way to escape the harsh winters was to go back to my studies. I achieved a master’s degree in Public Relations and Fundraising at McGill University. Back in Rome after Canada, I took another course at the Sapienza University, on the role of women in the peace processes (UN Security Council Resolution 1325)’.

Milena Padula Spouse of the Italian Consul General in HCMC

Her experience abroad as the wife of a diplomat allows her to put this knowledge to good use. When in Rome, she usually collaborates with ACDMAE, the Italian Foreign Affairs Spouses Association, which carries out voluntary activities for the employees of the Ministry and their families.

Milena says: ‘within the association, I founded the Education & Career Group, which supports spouses to follow their professional path, despite their constant moving from one country to another. I helped to promote the “portable career” concept, teaching spouses to shift from one posting to another while keeping their career. I have been elected ACDMAE President in 2021 and was honored to give my contribution in organizing events for the members of our association and supporting the spouses during their relocation.

I have also been for many years, the Italian delegate to EUFASA (European Foreign Affairs Spouse and Families Association) with members from twenty European countries, meeting at annual conferences. The purpose of EUFASA is the exchange of ideas and information among its members, in order to improve the provisions related to spouses, partners and families of diplomats. It aims to identify best practices, to gain support for family-friendly policies within the EU MFAs. I will participate as the Italian delegate to the next conference, in Paris on May 2 & 3 2022 (www.eufasa.org)’.

During the pandemic, she yet started to be involved with another project. ‘Here We Are Italy’ (www.hereweareglobal.com/italy) is a network which aims to connect international professionals on the move, as accompanying partners. During lockdown she organized, together with partners in Modena and Milan, many workshops to help expats moving to Italy and around the world. I attended some of them and I remember the pleasure to be part of that community and to learn new things.

She confesses to me that, after more than 25 years as a diplomatic spouse, 5 countries, 2 children and a huge number of boxes, her most valuable advice would be that it is important to realize that we are not defined by our spouse’s job, we need to have an independent life.

Milena Padula at EUFASA conference London 2019.

‘We have to develop our own interests and we need to have what I call a double life’, she says.

Another important goal would be ‘to contradict the stereotype that the life of diplomats is a glittering life full of parties and never ending holidays. Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult to move from one country to another, considering how many postings are gradually becoming very dangerous’.

She had the opportunity to write about her own experience during the civil war in Bahrain in a book. “Nella buona e nella cattiva sorte. L’altra faccia del servizio all’estero” describes the ‘not so glamorous’ side of life as wife of a diplomat in a conflict zone.

But, despite the ups and downs of this diplomatic life and the difficulties related to changing countries every four years, leaving family and friends behind, she admits that she still thinks that this is the best life she could have ever asked for.

She remains optimistic and open to new experiences and opportunities to make her ‘vita diplomatica’ as beautiful as possible, no matter where she is.

After all, as her favorite quote says: ‘always see your glass half full’!


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.

Career in Caribbean Science Workshop   

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Career in Caribbean Science Workshop   

By Roy Lie Atjam

The Hague, on 23 April 2022, Mr Carlson Manuel, Minister Plenipotentiary of Curacao in the Netherlands flungopen the doors of his Cabinet to host the first-ever Career In Caribbean Science Workshop. 

After welcoming his guests, the Minister focused on developing a career in science. Minister Manuel lauded the speakers for their willingness to share their experiences with their compatriots and interested ones. Manuel wished the gathering a successful afternoon.

The Career In Caribbean Science Workshop, organized in collaboration with Stichting We Connect and CARAF Science, attracted many students and professionals from Curacao, Aruba and the wider Caribbean. A growing number of these(PhD.) students and professionals are looking for mutual contact and sharing of experiences. MC for the event was the well-known Tanja Fraai manager of We Connect.

Featuring on the program were the following speakers.

 Cherelle Maduro, Universiteit Maastricht. PhD candidate in trauma surgery Cherelle Maduro recounts the many corners she had to take to arrive at her current PhD research. Cherelle holds a BA and two master’s degrees. She pointed out the passion, tenacity and patience one has to exercise. It’s heartening for Cherelle to see the results of her proper research implemented on patients.

Mandy Spaltman, Radboud University. Mandy talked about her career as a behavioural scientist at Philips, working in a commercial company as a researcher. Is interesting and multidisciplinary.

Mariëlle Osinga (researcher Universiteit Groningen) Marielle elaborated on her (comparative) research into father absence among Caribbean children in the Netherlands and Curaçao. About doing quantitative and qualitative research and finding the right interviewees. How do you go about that? Mariëlle has just become a mother so her contribution was by video conference. Congrats Mariëlle!

Durwin Lynch, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam/VU Amsterdam. Durwin gave a brief  overview of his many activities. He Lecturers, is a researcher and  coordinates  the master’s program. Durwin shuttles between his day-to-day activities and his  PhD research. An extremely busy lad I would say.

In conclusion Jan Bant, university  Groningen, Leiden. On behalf of NWO (Dutch Research Council), Jan Bant invited us to participate in the Dutch Caribbean Research Week that will take place in June. 2022. 

The workshop was, by all means beneficial it took place in a relaxed Caribbean ambience. Savoury snacks and beverages were served.

Thank you for your hospitality Minister Manuel.

Photography Weconnect

Israeli Iftar – a commitment to religious freedom

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Israeli Iftar – a commitment to religious freedom

On Tuesday evening, April 26, the ambassador of Israel in the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Modi Ephraim organized an Iftar. Several ambassadors, religious representatives and politicians were present at this breaking of the fast during Ramadan.

A musical interlude was provided by Mohamed Ahaddaf on the oud.

“The interfaith Iftar underlines Israel’s commitment to religious freedom for all religions”, Ambassador Ephraim said.

Israeli Iftar at the residence.

ICC President meets with United Nations Secretary-General, concludes mission to New York

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ICC President meets with United Nations Secretary-General, concludes mission to New York

The President of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or  the “Court”), Judge Piotr Hofmański, concluded yesterday a three-day official mission to the seat of the United Nations (UN) in New York, during which he met with the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, as well as with other UN officials and representatives of States and civil society. In his meetings, President Hofmański highlighted the Court’s unprecedented level of judicial activity and called for the widest possible support of the international community for the Court’s independent mandate and its activities taking place on several different continents.

During his meeting with Secretary-General Guterres on Tuesday 5 April 2022, President Hofmański conveyed to the Secretary-General the Court’s deep appreciation of the continued support and cooperation of the United Nations, which remains as important as ever as the Court copes with an unprecedented workload, including a record number of five trials taking place this year. Secretary-General Guterres renewed assurances of his and the United Nations’ firm commitment to supporting the Court in its efforts aimed at addressing the gravest crimes under international law.

Discussions during the meeting further underlined the paramount importance of respecting the Court’s independence as a judicial institution as well as the importance of continued efforts to encourage all States that have not yet done so to join the Court’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, in order to strengthen the international criminal justice system, to enhance the deterrence of atrocities and to promote access to justice for victims everywhere. 

President Hofmański also met separately with Mr Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, and Ms Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, in the context of the collaborative relations between the ICC and the United Nations. 

While in New York, the ICC President also met with the Vice-President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, Ambassador Bob Rae, and briefed the Assembly’s New York Working Group on the Court’s current judicial workload and other activities, notably including efforts to enhance the Court’s operations in the context of the ongoing Review process being conducted jointly by the Assembly and the Court. President Hofmański also held a number of meetings aimed at promoting universal ratification of the Rome Statute and met with representatives of non-governmental organizations based in New York. 

Eurojust supports searches in Germany, Italy and Hungary against use of faulty emission devices in Japanese cars

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Eurojust supports searches in Germany, Italy and Hungary against use of faulty emission devices in Japanese cars

Eurojust is assisting authorities in Germany, Italy and Hungary with a series of searches to counter the use of faulty emission devices in engines, used in cars of a Japanese producer. The devices were allegedly fitted in the Italian-built diesel engines of large numbers of cars, giving the impression that the vehicles’ nitrogen oxide emissions were in line with EU regulations. The engines were later assembled into various models of the car manufacturer at a Hungarian production plant.

The aim of the searches, which are taking place at the request of the Economic Crime Unit of the General Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) of Frankfurt am Main, is to secure various documents, data and correspondence. This information will later be examined further and analysed by the judicial authorities concerned.

The car producer, with its European headquarters based in Germany, is supposed to be aware that as of 2018 diesel engines have been fitted with the devices. These showed that the emission rates of nitrogen oxide were in compliance with the legal EU emission norms, whereas according to investigations so far, they seem to be above the set limits. The devices were obtained by the Italian engine producer from another Italian supplier.

Eurojust has organised a coordination meeting to prepare for the searches of business locations in Bensheim and Heidelberg in Germany, Corbetta in Italy and Esztergom in Hungary. Furthermore, the Agency is providing support to enable a swift cross-border judicial coordination between the authorities involved.

The operation was carried out on the ground by:

  • Germany: General PPO Frankfurt am Main, Hesse State Police
  • Italy: PPO Turin, Guardia di Finanza Turin and Milan
  • Hungary: Police Headquarters of County Komárom-Esztergom

Kyrgyzstan, the uniqueness of the nature

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Kyrgyzstan, the uniqueness of the nature

Presentation of the tourism potential of Kyrgyzstan for travel agencies from the Benelux countries in Brussels

On April 14, 2022 the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium presented the tourism potential of Kyrgyzstan for the Benelux countries under the slogan: “Kyrgyzstan – place for your vacation“.

The event was held ahead of the opening of the summer tourist season – 2022 in Kyrgyzstan after a two-year global lockdown.

Representatives of travel agencies and operators, as well as media specializing in tourism and travel from the Benelux countries, were presented with video and photo materials, information and statistics kindly provided to the Embassy by the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Yurts, Kyrgyzstan.

During the presentation representatives of the International Production Company “Eccholine” from Belgium, who visited Kyrgyzstan in 2021 to film the adventure reality show “Pekin Express”, also presented their story of filming, travel and the nature of Kyrgyzstan, answered the tour operators’ questions in a trusted format.

H.E. Mr. Muktar Djumaliev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

For the reference: From February 10, 2022 the Belgian TV channel Club RTL every Friday broadcasts the TV show “Pekin Express – In the countries of the golden eagle“. The show is also broadcasted on the French TV channel M6. According to TV show ratings, each episode was watched by over 2.3 million viewers in France and about 120 000 viewers in Belgium. At the moment, the Production Company is working on the possibility of broadcasting this TV show on a commercial basis on TV channels in other EU countries.

Photo exhibition about the uniqueness of the nature of Kyrgyzstan, accompanied by Kyrgyz folk melodies and treats with traditional dishes, immersed the presentation participants in the atmosphere of national character, culture and life of Kyrgyz nomads.

Cooperation between the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan to Belgium and foreign and national travel agencies, tour operators, as well as the media representatives, contributes to the practical popularization of the Kyrgyz destination among the European travelers and tourists.

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina visits International Criminal Court

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Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina visits International Criminal Court

On 26 April 2022, H.E. Mr. Šefik Džaferović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, visited the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”), where he was received by the President of the Court, Judge Piotr Hofmański, and ICC Deputy Prosecutors Mame Mandiaye Niang and Nazhat Shameem Khan.

On behalf of the ICC, President Piotr Hofmański thanked Mr Džaferović for honouring the Court with his visit and stated: “As the ICC faces a higher workload than ever before, the support and full cooperation of States is of crucial importance for the Court to be able to discharge its impartial and independent mandate effectively, and we are grateful to be able to count on Bosnia and Herzegovina in this respect.”

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina visits International Criminal Court.

Chairman of the Presidency H.E. Šefik Džaferović said: “Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly supports the International Criminal Court. The full respect of International law is the only way to guarantee the lasting peace and security. All war criminals have to know that at the end of the day they will have to face the international justice.”

The visit of Chairman of the Presidency H.E. Šefik Džaferović to the ICC highlights Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to the Court and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against the impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole.

Bosnia and Herzegovina signed the Rome Statute on 17 July 2000 and deposited its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute on 11 April 2002.

A Croatian Concert

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A Croatian Concert

By August Zeidman

For those who found themselves in the Koorenhuis Cultural Center on the evening of March 23, 2022, they were immersed in an environment of beautiful music and sublime culture. The Embassy of Croatia in the Netherlands and H.E. Ambassador Ms Dubravka Plejic Markovic, in collaboration with the Varazdin School of Music and the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, treated attendees to a concert that was truly magical.

The Ambassador of Croatia, H.E. Ms. Dubravka Plejic Markovic.

The Varazdin School of Music is one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in Croatia, having been founded in 1828 in the beautiful environs of the mountains and forests near Croatia’s modern border with Slovenia.

This concert was an excellent opportunity for students of such an important and historic institution to travel and share their talents with a wider audience and to collaborate with students of the Netherlands’ own prestigious conservatory; a true gift for artistic experience.

Sven Tomašek, Croatian Concert.

The event itself was a joy shared by all in attendance as they saw and heard a number of different musical styles and instruments in use. Pieces utilizing flute, piano, violin, and more offered guests a true musical buffet on which to satiate their cultural appetite. Performances ranged from solos to quartets, giving all the artists an opportunity to give their best to the present appreciators of fine music and to be recognized for their skills and the importance of the represented musical institutions.

The fact that March 23 was a beautiful spring day, spent in the grand company of the historic Koorenhuis and in rapture of performers’ best work; it can only be a recipe for a perfect day.

Marija M. Kočila (mezzo) and Izidora Mustak, Croatian Concert.
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