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.

Leiden University talks on Belarus

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Leiden University talks on Belarus

By August Zeidman

Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in The Hague, met and held a discussion with students of Leiden University at the Wijnhaven Campus in Den Haag. The event, which was organized by students, aimed to explore some of the more difficult aspects of practical diplomacy, especially in understanding its role between politically counter-aligned nations.

Dr. Vassilevsky was grateful to have the opportunity to meet with students and students were generally appreciative of the opportunity to direct questions they may have had directly to a representative of a country that has attracted significant controversy amongst the European community.

Economic matters were discussed, with Dr. Vassilevsky giving a brief presentation on the various export products of Belarus and showing their connection to European markets at the time in a variety of industries which, in 2021, had much recovered from a dip in engagement from 2020, though now things have greatly reduced once again. Belarus is a significant exporter of, besides petroleum products, potassium products, wooden materials, and dairy.

Additionally, the prescient political matters in Belarus of Autumn 2021 were also discussed. These included the nature and extent of the 2020 anti-government protests, the associated diverting of a flight over Belarusian airspace, and the, at the time, refugee crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border.

Leiden University, The Hague Campus during Belarusian conference.

Dr. Vassilevsky offered and explained his own insights as well as the perspective of the government that he represents on each of these matters, while engaging with the many questions posed by the diverse audience of students who drew from a wide geographical and cultural background of perspectives.

He offered points and research for consideration and encouraged students to be mindful of and examine the political motivations and biases of media in their own environments and countries, even those that are ostensibly ‘objective’. For example, he asked students to think about similar anti-government protests, which, in some Western nations had been faced with a similar level of government hostility, and questioned the difference in presentation and tone taken when considering movements in one state versus another. Just as Dr. Vassilevsky did with students, some members of the audience reciprocated and attempted to ask questions and bring up points which may help attain a better understanding between opposing perspectives.

Belarus potential exports to Europe.

Points of practicality were discussed as well, such as the diplomatic situation of Belarus with Europe and the Netherlands in particular; the current and future status of the Union State with Russia; and also just about life as a diplomat in The Hague.

It was a friendly and interesting event where almost everyone in attendance walked away with things to think about and discuss. Perhaps we should all take a bit of Dr. Vassilevsky’s advice and remain skeptical, curious, and questioning.

Costa Rica Stop Animal-Selfies

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Costa Rica Stop Animal-Selfies

The Republic of Costa Rica holds an important place in the world as one of the most significant national supporters of ecological and animal protections. The protection and preservation of their natural environment and around the world has long been a core tenet within their national politics and diplomacy. This emphasis continues even in the Netherlands as Ambassador of Costa Rica, H.E. Mr. Arnoldo Brenes Castro hosts events on this topic, including one on September 16, 2021, highlighting the harmful practice of “animal selfies” and the importance of reducing direct human (read: tourist) contact with wildlife.

Because of the COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time and the limited space at the Embassy of Costa Rica, only a small group was able to physically attend the presentation, but far more had the good fortune to join digitally. Participating was a representative from Costa Rica’s National Commission on Biodiversity, specifically the head of the “Stop Animal Selfies” campaign; the Embassy staff; a representative from the World Animal Protection organization; and a representative of the Dutch animal rights political party, PvdD.

Objectives

  • Informe and educate tourists about appropriate wildlife tourism practices through observation and species conservation.
  • Protect tourists from possible risks associated with direct contact with wildlife.
  • Protect wildlife from practices that put it at risk, through capturing from the natural environment and mishandling in captivity.
  • Effectively implement national wildlife regulations.

This event aimed to express the importance of the issue of human contact with wildlife and to share the objectives of Costa Rica’s national campaign on the subject. The project aims to educate tourists about responsible ecological tourism practices which emphasize conservation; to protect wildlife from harmful practices and mistreatment; and to remove Costa Rica as one of the top ten nations in which tourists take photos directly with wildlife. These are important issues for their government and should be for anyone interested in ecological protection.

The campaign also necessarily relies on a social media element, encouraging people to take a selfie with a toy animal and share with the hashtag #stopanimalselfies and with the caption, “I don’t harm wild animals for a selfie” for raising awareness of the issue and their website provides many resources for education on responsible wildlife tourism practices.

The project has been recognized by ecological groups around the globe for its importance, with Roberto Vieto, wildlife manager for World Animal Protection saying, “We congratulate the Costa Rica government for leading this ambitious initiative and pioneering responsible tourism in the region and around the world.”

The event held in the Netherlands was an important opportunity to share and educate a wider community on this subject and, importantly, Ambassador Castro acts not just as an advocate for Costa Rica, but for ecological protection across the globe.

Information at stopanimalselfies.org

ICC participates in joint investigation team supported by Eurojust on alleged core international crimes in Ukraine

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ICC participates in joint investigation team supported by Eurojust on alleged core international crimes in Ukraine

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague will become a participant in the joint investigation team (JIT) on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine. The JIT, which was set up with Eurojust support on 25 March by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, aims to facilitate investigations and prosecutions in the concerned states as well as those that could be taken forward before the ICC. 

ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC

ICC Prosecutor Mr Karim A.A. Khan QC and the Prosecutors General of the three countries involved signed an agreement on the first-ever participation of the Office of the Prosecutor in a JIT, today. With this agreement, the JIT parties and the Office of the Prosecutor are sending a clear message that all efforts will be undertaken to effectively gather evidence on core international crimes committed in Ukraine and bring those responsible to justice.

The main purpose of the JIT is to facilitate investigations and international judicial cooperation. The agreement with the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the ICC will enable rapid and real-time coordination and cooperation with the JIT partner countries, in connection with investigations conducted by the OTP and competent national authorities.

The OTP is an independent prosecutorial and investigative office established by the Rome Statute of the ICC. On 2 March 2022, following the referral of the situation in Ukraine to the Prosecutor of the ICC by an unprecedented 39 States Parties, Prosecutor Khan announced the opening of an active investigation.

Prosecutor Khan and the Prosecutors-General of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine at the signing ceremony today.

The need for closer cooperation on investigations into alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine was underlined last week during a coordination meeting at Eurojust between the JIT partners, the ICC, National Members of EU countries at the Agency and third states with Liaison Prosecutors at the Agency. Since 2018, Ukraine has been one of the 10 non-EU Member States that has a Liaison Prosecutor at Eurojust.

The Agency will support the JIT partners in the entire process with operational, analytical, legal and financial assistance. Eurojust also accommodates the coordination and cooperation between all national investigating and prosecuting authorities that have initiated investigations into core international crimes.

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