The EU Commissioner Várhelyi opening the Vienna Process event on Int Women’s Day

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The EU Commissioner Várhelyi opening the Vienna Process event on Int Women’s Day

New constructivism needed towards Europe’s East

On the historic date of March 08th – International Women’s Day, a large number of international affairs specialists gathered for the second consecutive summit in Vienna, Austria. This leg of the Vienna Process event titled: “Europe – Future – Neighbourhood at 75: Disruptions Recalibration Continuity”. The conference, jointly organized by four different entities (the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies IFIMES, Media Platform Modern Diplomacy, Scientific Journal European Perspectives, and Action Platform Culture for Peace) with the support of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, was aimed at discussing the future of Europe and its neighbourhood in the wake of its old and new challenges.

This highly anticipated conference gathered over twenty high ranking speakers from three continents, and the viewers from Australia to Canada and from Chile to Far East. The day was filled by three panels focusing on the rethinking and revisiting Europe and its three equally important neighbourhoods: Euro-Med, Eastern and trans-Atlantic (or as the Romano Prodi’s EU Commission coined it back in 2000s – “from Morocco to Russia – everything but the institutions”); the socio-political and economic greening; as well as the legacy of WWII, Nuremberg Trials, the European Human Rights Charter and their relevance in the 21st century,

The event was probably the largest gathering since the beginning of 2021 for this part of Europe.

Along with the two acting State Presidents, the event was endorsed by the keynote of the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Excellency Olivér Vårhelyi. The following lines are short transcript of what he has said opening the Vienna Process event:

The COVID-19 (C-19) has brought numerous challenges to the table in terms of cooperation, adaptation but, mostly, resilience. As the crisis may be considered as a breaking point by some, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Excellency VĂĄrhelyi, insisted on the opportunity emerging from it for the European Union (EU) and Eastern Europe to reinforce their collaboration to build a more stable area of “shared democracy, prosperity, stability and peace”. 

Throughout the crisis, the European Union has been a key actor for Eastern Europe and its response to the virus, providing the region efficient economic and physical support, which have allowed thousands of lives to be saved. However, despite the necessity of this help, the European Union has more significant projects and ambitions regarding its relation with Eastern Europe states. 

In 2020, the EU issued a proposal on the Eastern partnership mostly focused on resilience which unfolds in five pillars. The first pillar is addressed to the reinforcement of investments in the economy and connectivity. It, notably, aims to “further enhance support to small and medium enterprises”. These are EU’s backbone, accounting for over 90% of the business activities; the EU hosts 24 million small businesses. This economic machine together generates more than half of the EU’s GDP. The EU has great interest to keep them afloat during the C-19 crisis. 

The EU parliament in December 2020 reported on the need for the Commission to reevaluate their support to these medium and small enterprises. They need more resources to overcome bureaucratic requirements that will exponentially burden their ability to thrive during and past C-19. Small businesses are recognized as indispensable to achieve innovative and sustainable goals. An example of this are initiatives to incentivize companies to take up e-commerce, yet only 17% of the small businesses in the EU have digitized commerce.  

The second pillar is related to investments in the green transition. While Western Europe has demonstrated a positive approach regarding Paris Agreement goals, Eastern Europe seemed more reluctant. This attitude could be explained by their staple-based economy and by more significant matters on their plate, such as corruption and the reinforcement of the rule of law. Thus, the second pillar bridges with the first pillar since environmental issues should influence the investments and the development of small and medium enterprises and the development of the economic sphere. 

The third pillar is about investing in digital transformation. The digital world is continually evolving, and states need to adapt to this reality, especially considering it could be a pivotal instrument to get the economy back on track. The pandemic has been a great opportunity for countries to develop their digital sector. Enterprises have had to be ingenious and proactive in adapting their activities to this new reality, which could be a game-changer for the future. Countries will have to grasp this opportunity and make the best out of it. Investing in technologies could also be profitable to other goals that have been set, such as investments that need to be done in the reinforcement of the rule of law, credible justice reforms and efficient public administration (fourth pillar). Indeed, digitization of information combined with robust cybersecurity platforms is the key to more opened and more transparent administrations. In parallel, other strategies will need to be elaborated in order to enhance respect of the rule of law and reach democratic standards, in fact, a key point to the enlargement of the EU.

Finally, the fifth pillar is about investing in fair and inclusive societies. Eastern Europe countries are real mosaics in terms of ethnicities, religions and languages. Inequalities and social cleavages between these groups are still omnipresent in most Eastern Europe societies, and they need to be addressed to build a more united Europe. Several Eastern European states have elevated policies that bridge social ethical and cultural differences in the first place both in their national and EU integration political agenda. Indeed, bridging social gaps is a fundamental action in managing differences and for the upbringing of a healthy democracy.

The next reunion regarding the partnership will take place next fall and focus on three critical matters: recovery, resilience and reform. Although the COVID-19 crisis cannot forever guide interstates initiatives, its consequences have forced the world to adapt to several new realities. Consequently, European countries will need strong measures to recover, and those should be translated by measures addressing the creation of employment and economic growth to stay competitive in international markets. As the EU Commissioner VĂĄrhelyi mentioned, “socio-economic recovery is the absolute priority”, so we should also be expecting opportunities to reform social and political norms to face not only new issues but also trends that were very present in the past that are now simply accelerating.

About Authors:

Audrey Beaulieu & Eugene Matos De Lara

Eugene Matos de Lara, publisher of the academic journal Border Crossing, he is anInternational Private Law specialist of the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Audrey Beaulieu of the University of Ottawa (Globalization and Intl Development Department), specialised in Public and Private International law, international development and global politics.

Bavarian buttresses up Tunisia’s democratic evolution

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Bavarian buttresses up Tunisia’s democratic evolution

Monday, 8 March 2021, Free State of Bavaria-Republic of Tunisia: Bavaria’s Minister of State for International Affairs, Melanie Huml, and Tunisia’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment, Ali Kooli, signed an action plan for cooperation between the two countries. Tunisian Consul Mohsen Sebai was present at the signing ceremony held at the Bavarian State Chancellery. Minister Kooli and the Tunisian Ambassador Hanene Tajouri Bessassi were virtually connected.

The action plan, which runs until 2022, includes extensive measures. Bavaria and Tunisia will cooperate more closely in the promotion of democratic institutions, decentralisation, vocational training, tourism and the economy, universities, research and science, but also in issues of environmental protection and agriculture, internal security and justice, as well as health, youth and sports. 

As per statement below, State Minister Huml said: “It is important to us to stabilise the young democracy in Tunisia and to sustainably support the further democratisation process. Good mutual relations are of great interest to us. Therefore, we want to fill our cooperation with life through joint actions on the ground and, in particular, develop professional perspectives for the local people.” She announced that 10,000 rapid tests will be delivered to Tunisia to support the Corona pandemic response. The delivery is expected to take place this week.

Minister Ali Kooli: “The cooperation with Bavaria can serve us as a model for cooperation with other countries. The new plan covers key issues important to us and shows that our relations are maturing year by year.”

The country partnership between Bavaria and Tunisia has existed since 2012. In order to further intensify cooperation, a work programme is drawn up every three years that defines the focal points of cooperation. The current action plan is already the third. The signing originally planned for autumn 2019 had to be postponed due to Tunisia’s parliamentary and presidential elections and finally the Corona pandemic. However, implementation of the agreed projects and measures has already begun.

For further information 
Bavarian Government  https://www.bayern.de/staatskanzlei/staatsministerin-melanie-huml/

https://www.bayern.de/aktionsplan-bayern-und-tunesien-wollen-kuenftig-noch-enger-zusammenarbeiten-ministerin-fuer-internationales-huml-tunesien-stabilisieren-und-bei-demokratisierung-unterstuetzen/

Embassy of Tunisia in Germany (HE Ambassador Hanene Tajouri Bessassi): http://tunesien.tn/uber-uns/

___________________

Picture by Bayerische Staatskanzlei – Bavarian State Chancellery

Mayor of The Hague Visits OPCW

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Mayor of The Hague Visits OPCW

The Mayor of the Municipality of The Hague, H.E. Mr Jan van Zanen, met recently with the Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague. 

The Director-General and the Mayor discussed ways to further develop collaboration between the OPCW and the Municipality, particularly in raising awareness among The Hague citizens about the Chemical Weapons Convention and OPCW’s work. 

Director-General Arias briefed the Mayor on the progress of the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology. 

Mayor van Zanen stated: “We are proud of the fact that the OPCW is based here, in our city. In The Hague, tens of thousands of people – in more than 200 international organisations and research institutes – are hard at work to create a better world. The OPCW greatly contributes to The Hague’s reputation as the international city of peace and justice.” 

Director-General Arias expressed: “The OPCW is pleased to be located in The Hague, a city steeped in the tradition of international peace and justice. The Hague Municipality is not only our host but also a vital partner in a range of projects including the prestigious OPCW-The Hague Award. We also enjoy a very special relationship with our neighbours, particularly through the Municipality’s annual International Open Day, where we invite citizens to visit our Headquarters and learn more about our work.” 
Jan van Zanen, The Hague and OPCW Fernando Arias
Mayor van Zanen and Direcgtor General Arias.
Jan van Zanen, The Hague Municipality.

International Women’s Day: ICC appoints Focal Point for Gender Equality

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International Women’s Day: ICC appoints Focal Point for Gender Equality

Today, 8 March 2021, the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) joins the international community in marking International Women’s Day and seizes the occasion to announce the appointment of a Focal Point for Gender Equality at the Court.

“I am pleased to announce that the ICC has finalised the recruitment of the Court’s Focal Point for Gender Equality who will start her work today. This is a crucial milestone towards effectively improving gender-related issues in our institution,” said ICC President, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji.

The Focal Point will assist the Court’s Leadership in their efforts to strengthen gender related policies across the Court and to address issues related to employment conditions of women in the institution, including gender balance at all levels of employment. The Focal Point’s key functions will include monitoring the Court’s progress in strengthening gender equality; advocating on issues impacting women and gender; providing individual counselling; raising greater awareness through training programmes, workshops and events; and advising on gender parity targets.

“In 2021, together with the new Focal Point for Gender Equality, we intend to issue stronger policies on harassment and bullying and the disciplinary process to reinforce the Court’s zero tolerance policy for harassment in the workplace,” ICC Registrar Peter Lewis stated. “We have an obligation to continue to strive to ensure an atmosphere in which everyone feels safe to work at the Court, even more so because as a court of law, we have to ensure the highest standards apply,” he added.  

More broadly, with new leadership joining the ICC in 2021, including six new judges, a new President, and a new Prosecutor who will assume office in June, the Court will continue to work to integrate women’s perspectives in all of their diversity in the Court’s work and to give women equal opportunities. In this regard, the Court is also fully engaged in assessing the relevant recommendations of the Independent Expert Review, related to gender equality and experiences of women in the workplace.

The theme of International Women’s Day for 2021, â€œWomen in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world” honours efforts by women worldwide towards a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Crisis, whether caused by COVID-19 or the many conflict situations where my Office conducts its activities, is never gender neutral. Women often bear the disproportionate brunt. The law can serve as powerful tool to empower and to protect women, and to ensure their voices are heard”, ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda stated. “My belief in the protective embrace of the law has been an intrinsic part of my work and personal commitment as a woman, as a lawyer and as ICC Prosecutor. We must guard against the eroding effects of the health crisis and policies that undermine the progress made, whether it is about women empowerment, the rule of law, or multilateralism. Equality for women and women empowerment translate into progress for all”, she added.

On this International Women’s Day, the Court’s principals also express their profound appreciation for the critical contributions of women across the ICC – at headquarters in The Hague as well as in country offices –  to the Court’s mandate under the Rome Statute.   

Ntaganda case: ICC Trial Chamber VI orders reparations for victims

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Ntaganda case: ICC Trial Chamber VI orders reparations for victims

Today, 8 March 2021, Trial Chamber VI of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) delivered in a public hearing its Order on Reparations to victims under article 75 of the Rome Statute in the case of The Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda.

Judge Chang-ho Chung, Presiding Judge in the reparations proceedings, read a summary of the Order for reparations against Mr Ntaganda, to be made through the Trust Fund for Victims.

The Chamber, composed of Judge Chang-ho Chung, Judge Robert Fremr, and Judge Olga Herrera Carbuccia, recalled the large scope of the case and the potential large number of victims eligible to receive reparations. In light of the circumstances of the case and bearing in mind the rights of the convicted person, the Chamber set the total reparations award for which Mr Ntaganda is liable at USD 30,000,000.

The Chamber also found Mr Ntaganda to be indigent for the purposes of reparations and encouraged the Trust Fund for Victims to complement the reparation awards to the extent possible within its available resources and to engage in additional fundraising efforts as necessary to complement the totality of the award.

The Chamber, established that, in light of the crimes for which Mr Ntaganda was convicted, eligible victims include: direct and indirect victims of the attacks, of crimes against child soldiers, of rape and sexual slavery, and children born out of rape and sexual slavery. It also defined the harms caused to victims, describing the great suffering and long-lasting consequences they suffered.

The Chamber noted that it decided to award collective reparations with individualised components, considering that they were the most appropriate type of reparations for this case, as they may provide a more holistic approach to address the multi-faceted harm suffered by the large number of victims eligible to receive reparations.

The modalities of reparations may include measures of restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, and satisfaction, which may incorporate, when appropriate, a symbolic, preventative, or transformative value. The Trust Fund for Victims was instructed to design a draft implementation plan on the basis of all the modalities of reparations identified in the Order, in consultation with the victims.

The Chamber noted that priority shall be given to individuals who require immediate medical and psychological care, victims with disabilities and the elderly, victims of sexual or gender-based violence, victims who are homeless or experiencing financial hardship, as well as children born out of rape and sexual slavery and former child soldiers.

The Chamber issued the Order particularly acknowledging the suffering of victims sexual and gender based violence and adopting additional Principles that should guide every step of the reparation process including, among others, a Gender-inclusive and sensitive approach to reparations, requiring the Court to give due consideration and address the specific needs of all individuals, without discrimination on the basis of sex or gender identity.

In its Order, the Chamber also set deadlines for the Trust Fund for victims to submit its general draft implementation plan by 8 September 2021, at the latest, and an urgent plan for the priority victims no later than 8 June 2021.

1821-2021: Celebrating 200 Years of the Greek Revolution

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1821-2021: Celebrating 200 Years of the Greek Revolution

By H.E. Mr. Nicolas P. Plexidas, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic.

March 25, 2021 is a fundamental historic milestone for my country, marking 200 years since the outbreak of the Greek Revolution in 1821, which led to the creation of the modern Greek state in 1830.

The Greek Revolution was born amidst the emergence of nationalism and liberalism in Europe, largely inspired by the French and American revolutions. Contrary to other radical national movements of the time, it did not seek to overturn the European order. Instead, it was the result of the uprising of a people that had preserved its national consciousness and religious identity through the centuries against the Ottoman oppressor. It was an armed struggle aiming at creating a “shell state” for the Christian Greek nation by breaking the chains of its multireligious, multiethnic Ottoman rule. In this sense, the Greek Revolution was ideologically related to German romantic nationalism, rather than French enlightenment. 

During the first two years of the Revolution the Great Powers, to avoid engaging in power struggles among themselves, were opposed to it, thus supporting the integrity of the Ottoman Empire. However, in 1823, a shift in British diplomacy occurred, when they started to perceive the new Greek state as a useful ally in the south-eastern Mediterranean and recognized the Greeks as “nation in war”. Soon after that, the rest of the Great Powers became more involved in Greek affairs, claiming also a share in the resolution of the “Greek Question”.

Germanos, Metropolitan of Patras, Blessing the flag of Revolution, Theodoros Vryzakis, 1865, 16,4×1,26m, oel on canvas..National Art Gallery and Alexandros Soutzos Museum, AthensΔο Î‘Î»Î”ÎŸÎŹÎœÎŽÏÎżÏ… ÎŁÎżÏÏ„Î¶ÎżÏ…

It was not only political agendas and timing that left their mark on the Greek Revolution, but also Philhellenism, an international movement of sympathy for the struggling Greeks, which became a crucial instrument for moral and financial support to them. With liberal ideas of the French Revolution spreading in Europe, admiration for ancient Greece and abhorrence for the Ottoman atrocities against the unarmed people, as well as the successes of the revolted Greeks in the battlefield during the first two years of the Revolution, contributed to Philhellenism steadily gaining ground.

Its enormous contribution to the Greek struggle for independence was intertwined with the increasing Greek Diaspora, as prosperous Greek communities of merchants and intellectuals scattered around the world formed “Struggle Committees” to secretly contribute to the independence cause. In fact, many Philhellenes participated in the struggle with some giving their lives fighting for the Greek cause, most prominent among them the English poet and philosopher Lord Byron, who died in the besieged city of Messolonghi in 1824.

During the Greek Revolution Dutch Philhellenes were also active throughout the Netherlands. ΀he “Amsterdam Philhellenic Commission” was founded to support the cause of Greek independence, with existing evidence proving transfer of funds and goods to the Provisional Government of Greece. Similar “support committees” were also founded in other Dutch cities, such as Rotterdam, with relevant documents relating to the period of 1825-1828 preserved in the City Archives.

An important role in the spread of Philhellenism in the Netherlands is attributed to the scholar Adamantios Korais, the father of the modern Greek enlightenment, who lived in Amsterdam for 6 years (1770-1776) as member of the Greek community of merchants settled in the city since 1750. Korais attended the Athenaeum Illustre in Amsterdam, as well as the University of Leiden, discipline of classical literature Professor Daniël Wyttenbach, whose widow, Danielle Jeanne, a philosopher and writer herself, became a renowned Philhellene. Her work is housed in the Collection of Manuscripts of the Department of Special Collections of the University of Amsterdam Central Library, headed by the Department of Greek Studies.

In our contemporary world the Greek Revolution of 1821 remains an eternal symbol of an ancient people’ s struggle for independence, freedom and statehood. The emerging new Greek state, the first ever nation-state in the eastern Mediterranean until the late 19th century, was founded from scratch on an ideological basis: to become an advanced outpost of the developed West in what was at the time perceived as underdeveloped East.

Two hundred years after the Revolution, Greece has found its place again in world history, along with its ecumenical cultural heritage of values and principles that gave birth to today’s western civilization and has since inspired people all over the world.

Ambassadors of the Year & Public Diplomacy Awards by Diplomat Magazine

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Ambassadors of the Year & Public Diplomacy Awards by Diplomat Magazine

The International Public Diplomacy Council (IPDC) Ambassadors of the Year & Public Diplomacy Awards by Diplomat Magazine.

The IPDC is a non-for-profit group inside Diplomat Magazine platform with the mandate to support and enhance the practice of public diplomacy at the national and international level focused on all the men and women who constitute the great diplomatic corps, coming from every corner of the world to restlessly serve their country.

Me Pierre Thibault, Assistant Dean from the Faculty of Civil Law, University of Ottawa, H.E. Mr. Maengho Shin, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and H.E. Mr. Solomon AnuÂŽa Gheyle, High Commissioner of Cameroon and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps of Canada.

IPDC’s first international awards were presented in 2014 in The Hague. Since January 2018 we were invited to organize the first Ambassador’s Awards with the Faculty of Civil Law of the University of Ottawa in collaboration with the Deanship of the Diplomatic Corps of Canada.

Ambassadors of the Year 2020, at the Faculty of Civil Law, University of Ottawa.


For further information on the International Public Diplomacy Council, please contact us at: publicdiplomat@gmail.com / https://www.facebook.com/International-Public-Diplomacy-Council

23 March 2021: Webinar “COVID-19: Reorganization, Job Loss & Stay”

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23 March 2021: Webinar “COVID-19: Reorganization, Job Loss & Stay”

Many companies have been hit hard by the coronavirus and are struggling with the consequences. Employers are looking for a solution by, for example, changing the employment conditions of employees. But sometimes such temporary solutions are not sufficient and employers might have to reorganize their company. Then, dismissals are inevitable to guarantee the continuity of the company.

In this situation, both employer and employees face challenges: Can employment contracts be unilaterally amended? What do you have to take into account in the event of a dismissal during COVID-19? What is the role of the works council in a reorganization? Are you still allowed to stay in the Netherlands after you have been dismissed?

Our employment lawyers Priscilla C.X. de Leede, LL.M. and Eileen Pluijm, LL.M. will discuss these questions during a practical webinar in cooperation with IN Amsterdam.

Webinar Details

Date:Tuesday, 23 March 2021
Time:4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Presenters:Priscilla C.X. de Leede, LL.M. and Eileen Pluijm, LL.M.
Contact:Russell Advocaten
Antonio Vivaldistraat 6
1083 HP Amsterdam
info@russell.nl
+31 20 301 55 55

The webinar will be broadcast via Microsoft Teams Live Meeting and can be joined on any device by clicking the link provided after registration.

Register today!

ArtCamp Andorra, vecteur de diplomatie culturelle

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ArtCamp Andorra, vecteur de diplomatie culturelle

Par Jean-Michel Armengol, SecrĂ©taire gĂ©nĂ©ral de la Commission nationale andorrane pour l’UNESCO et Jordi Canut, MinistĂšre des Affaires Ă©trangĂšres.

L’Acte constitutif de l’UNESCO proclamait que « les guerres prenant naissance dans l’esprit des hommes, c’est dans l’esprit des hommes que doivent ĂȘtre Ă©levĂ©es les dĂ©fenses de la paix ». Lorsque les fondateurs de l’UNESCO ont tracĂ© ces grands mots en novembre 1945, ils avaient certainement Ă  l’esprit les ravages provoquĂ©s par la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

Depuis, il est clairement apparu que le  hard power  ne pouvait, Ă  lui seul, ĂȘtre le garant de la paix et que les hauts dignitaires des diffĂ©rentes puissances mondiales devaient penser Ă  diversifier leurs stratĂ©gies pour amĂ©liorer les relations entre pays et pouvoirs souvent antagonistes. De maniĂšre progressive, le soft power ou « force douce » de la culture, la diplomatie culturelle, s’est avĂ©rĂ© un outil prĂ©cieux. En effet, dĂšs 2007, par exemple, la Commission europĂ©enne a proposĂ© d’étudier le rĂŽle de la culture dans les relations internationales de l’Union europĂ©enne, mettant ainsi en exergue sa capacitĂ© Ă   tisser des liens Ă  long terme, fondĂ©s sur la confiance et comprĂ©hension mutuelles.

Taller artistes ArtCamp 2018.

GuidĂ©e par cette conviction, la Commission nationale andorrane pour l’UNESCO (CNAU), en Ă©troite collaboration avec le MinistĂšre des Affaires Ă©trangĂšres de la PrincipautĂ© d’Andorre, a crĂ©Ă© en 2008 le premier ArtCamp Andorre. L’objet de cette rĂ©sidence d’artistes peintres du monde entier est de participer Ă  la construction d’un monde plus pacifique en s’attachant Ă  promouvoir le dialogue interculturel, les Ă©changes de vues et d’idĂ©es, Ă  encourager une meilleure connaissance des autres cultures et crĂ©er des liens respectueux entre communautĂ©s traditionnellement en situation de conflit.

Ces rencontres visent in fine Ă  encourager une vision positive de la diversitĂ© culturelle, conçue comme une source de richesse, de dialogue et de paix. Depuis sa crĂ©ation, 6 Ă©ditions ArtCamp ont dĂ©jĂ  eu lieu et la 7e, initialement prĂ©vue en juillet 2020, se tiendra en Andorre du 14 au 25 juillet 2021, si la situation de la crise sanitaire causĂ©e par la COVID-19 le permet. Plus de 150 artistes provenant de 80 pays diffĂ©rents se sont ainsi dĂ©jĂ  rencontrĂ©s en PrincipautĂ© en laissant derriĂšre eux plus de 600 Ɠuvres originales en tĂ©moignage de leur passage en Andorre et de leur engagement envers les valeurs universelles de l’UNESCO.

En cette pĂ©riode de crise du secteur culturel, la CNAU et le projet ArtCamp  ont tenu Ă  s’impliquer activement au sein du mouvement RĂ©siliArt lancĂ© par l’UNESCO. Par le biais de courtes vidĂ©os, des artistes du monde entier ont pu faire entendre leurs voix pour penser la relance et l’avenir de la culture, qui se rĂ©vĂšle aujourd’hui plus que jamais nĂ©cessaire pour aider la population Ă  mieux supporter les mesures restrictives de confinement imposĂ©es pour essayer d’enrayer la pandĂ©mie.

ArtCamp Andorre bĂ©nĂ©ficie du haut patronage de l’UNESCO dans le cadre de la Convention sur la diversitĂ© des expressions culturelles de 2005. D’autre part, et suivant le Plan stratĂ©gique national de la PrincipautĂ© d’Andorre pour la mise en Ɠuvre de l’Agenda 2030, les artistes sont aussi sĂ©lectionnĂ©s en tenant compte de leur attachement aux Objectifs de dĂ©veloppement durable.

À partir de cette Ă©dition 2021, et dans le cadre de la cĂ©lĂ©bration du 75e anniversaire de l’UNESCO, une nouvelle proposition sera faite pour les artistes sĂ©lectionnĂ©s en organisant un dĂ©bat sur « les arts plastiques et crĂ©ations artistiques en pĂ©riode de crise et en situation d’urgence culturelle Â». L’UniversitĂ© d’Andorre, et d’autres universitĂ©s sensibles Ă  la thĂ©matique de la diplomatie culturelle, se joindront donc Ă  cette nouvelle proposition en faisant intervenir des penseurs et intellectuels du monde entier. D’autre part, le DĂ©partement des Affaires multilatĂ©rales et de la CoopĂ©ration du MinistĂšre des Affaires Ă©trangĂšres andorran offre dorĂ©navant aux artistes la possibilitĂ© de postuler Ă  une subvention pour mettre en Ɠuvre un projet social mariant l’art, la culture de la paix et le dĂ©veloppement durable.

Au fil des annĂ©es, et grĂące Ă  l’enthousiasme et proactivitĂ© de la marraine du projet, Madame Hedva Ser, artiste et Ambassadrice de bonne volontĂ© pour la diplomatie culturelle, le projet a pris son essor au-delĂ  des PyrĂ©nĂ©es et jouit dĂ©jĂ  d’une Ă©dition mĂ©diterranĂ©enne Ă  Malte depuis 2015. D’autres pays et rĂ©gions ont manifestĂ© leur intĂ©rĂȘt d’organiser un ArtCamp, conscients du rĂŽle que ce beau projet peut jouer dans le rapprochement des cultures et en tant que levier de diplomatie culturelle.

OCEANUS PERUVIANUS

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OCEANUS PERUVIANUS

The amazing Peruvian Sea

By H.E. Ms. Marisol AgĂŒero Colunga, Ambassador of Peru.

Oceanus Peruvianus was the name given by the Dutch-Flemish astronomer, cartographer and theologian Petrus Plancius to the Pacific Ocean in 1594. This was an extension of the America Peruana, expression he used to designate virtually the whole South American continent in times where the news about the Inca Empire and its gold and silver wealth made the Viceroyalty of Peru the centre of interest in Europe.

The work of Plancius was of utmost influence among European cartographers and the expression Oceanus Peruvianus was widely used until the first decades of the 18th century[1]. Nevertheless, the riches of that sea were yet to be discovered.

Peruvian iconic native fishing boats, the caballitos de totora (little reed horses).

In modern times, the so-called Peruvian Sea[2] runs along the 3,080 km of Peru’s coastline and extends to the West up to 200 nautical miles (M). Although nowadays the maritime rights of every coastal State over 200 M is not contested, Peru was, in 1947, the first country in the world in setting forth by a piece of legislation its rights over the adjacent sea and its resources to that extension, opposing to the maritime powers that used to send fleets to the coasts of South America for purposes of intensive fishing and whale hunting.

The aim of the Peruvian legislative act was to avoid depletion and to preserve the marine resources particularly for the benefit of Peru’s coastal population.

Together with Chile, that through a presidential declaration had claimed such rights one month before, and since 1952 also with Ecuador, Peru deployed efforts to defend and promote around the world the principles supporting their maritime claims. Colombia adhered in 1979. After several years of tireless negotiations, in 1982 the rights of the coastal States over 200 M of the adjacent sea and the resources therein were universally recognized and enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Peruvian coast line.

But, why the extension of 200 M? The number is related to the maximum width of the Peru’s Current, also known as the Humboldt Current in honour of the Prussian polymath Alexander von Humboldt, who was the first in scientifically studying it in 1802 by measuring its temperature and speed. This current runs along the western coast of South America but mainly along Peru’s coast bringing cold waters together with plankton to the surface and to latitudes that otherwise would register temperatures between 5 and 10 Celsius degrees higher. This explains the riches of the Peruvian Sea, the world’s most productive fishing area.

In the waters washing Peru’s coasts there are more than 1,000 fish species, more than 1,000 types of molluscs and crustaceans, more than 200 of echinoderms, 32 different marine cetaceans and 5 of the 7 species of the sea turtles that exist in the world.

Not surprisingly, the fishing activity in the Peruvian Sea started as early as 5,000 years ago when the people of Caral, the oldest city in the Americas, located north of Lima, practiced fish and molluscs catching using an advanced technology that included fishing nets made of cotton, hooks and boats. Other pre-Incas civilizations in Peru and the Incas also benefited from the wealth of the sea, which inspired many pieces of pottery, gold and silver, as well as patterns on textiles.

At present, Peru is the first world producer of fishmeal made of Engraulis ringens, also known as Peruvian Anchovy, a fish rich in vitamins A and D, Iron and Omega 3 and 6 and which is exported to different markets around the world. It is estimated that around 250,000 Peruvians are related to fish activities and PeruÂŽs fleet counts almost 850 vessels.

The wide variety of marine species has contributed to the enrichment of the Peruvian gastronomy. In fact, Peru has been awarded eight consecutive times as the WorldÂŽs Leading Culinary  Destination by the prestigious “World Travel Awards”.

There is also much to say about the submarine areas of the Peruvian Sea but we leave it for another opportunity.

Finally, I would like to mention that Peru completed its maritime boundary delimitation with a Judgement of the International Court of Justice in 2014. That way, the last boundary of the truly Oceanus Peruvianus was established in Dutch land 420 years after a Dutch cartographer deemed it appropriate to extend Peru’s demonym to the whole Pacific Ocean.    

[1] Doré, Andréa. America Peruana and Oceanus Peruvianus: a different cartography of the New World, Revista Tempo, Vol 20, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 2014.

[2] Peruvian Sea is not a geographical denomination but an expression of common use. According to Peru’s domestic law its name is Mar de Grau, in honour to a distinguished national naval hero.

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