In these particular days of pandemic, from variousnational and internationalsources, the quote “We are at War” has been frequently heard and read on average, this phenomenon, in this first phase of the Covid-19, “seemed” a media distortion, at least for those who deal with humanitarian law. In fact, although it has also been carried out by authoritative sources, it should be clarified that the state of war indicates the extent that the order, both internal and international, assumes as a result of the manifestation of a will for war and determined by the suspension of certain rules and the application of others.
it is necessary to specify that during the āstate of warā, when this is expressly declared or implicitly constituted, the law of war -Jus in bello- applies. It, as the legal literature explains, indicates the regulation of the conduct of hostilities, in coexistence and complementarity with international human rights law, (IRHL), and international humanitarian law. It specifically refers to: –The Hague Convention (1907, 1954) and Geneva Convention (1949, Additional Protocols 1977). This use, de facto indicates, is also the suspension of international peace law.
When does the Law of Armed Conflict apply?
The official doctrine on the subject quotes textually and in detail that International Humanitarian Law applies only in situations of armed conflict. It offers two systems of protection: one for international armed conflict and another for non-international armed conflict. The rules applicable in a specific situation will therefore depend on the classification of the armed conflict.
International armed conflict
IAC occur when one or more States resort to the use of armed force against another State. An armed conflict between a State and an international organization is also classified as an IAC. Wars of national liberation, in which peoples are fighting against colonial domination and alien occupation and against racist regimes in the exercise of their right of self-determination, are classified as IACs under certain conditions
Non-international armed conflic
Many armed conflicts today are non-international in nature. An NIAC is an armed conflict in which hostilities are taking place between the armed forces of a State and organized non-State armed groups, or between such groups. For hostilities to be considered an NIAC, they must reach a certain level of intensity and the groups involved must be sufficiently organized. IHL treaty law establishes a distinction between NIACs within the meaning of common Article 3 and NIACs falling within the definition provided in Article 1 of Additional Protocol II.
Common Article 3 applies to āarmed conflicts not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties.ā These include armed conflicts in which one or more organized non-State armed groups are involved. NIACs may occur between State armed forces and organized non-State armed groups or only between such groups.
The Purposes of the United Nations are to maintain international peace in conformity with international law,for this reason, would it be preferable to have a different media expression, up to evident proof of guilt?
Indeed, people donāt have the right image of diplomats, and even more so, of their partners. People see us as boring followers with a life made of champagne nights.
To kill some myths but also tell our adventures (because letās face it, itās a crazy life), I started a blog: www.desperatediplowife.com and created this Desperate Diplo Wife character on Instagram.
In a short time, I started building a community of diplomatic spouses and trailing spouses in general (although I wouldnāt say I like this term, it pictures us like caravans tied up to the strong moving vehicle that is our partner). As it grew bigger, I felt understood and supported in ways that I never was with my friends and family for whom itās difficult to understand our lifestyle and challenges. I started getting messages from Diplomatic spouses around the world, seeking advice or looking for a friendly ear. Came to me this little idea that maybe, just maybe, some other diplomatic spouses were looking to connect too. They would benefit from shared info, or only from an openminded spouse who lived the same challenges in the past.
So, on May 13th, I launched a Facebook group of Diplomatic spouses. Can it be so simple? We all have Facebook; we know how it works. I didnāt want something complicated or expensive; I just wanted people to be able to connect on a private platform.
As I was launching the Diplomatic Spouses Association: Worldwide (DSAW) I was sure it was going to be a failure with only six members. Several days later, we are 1300 members, and others are waiting to join.
We post from 100 countries in the world. Diplomatic partners exchange views about this lifestyle, concerns about the current situation and advice for new postings.
You can find Diplomatic spousesā groups in different cities, though often for Head of Mission spouses only. This group allows a mix between all levels of experience in our lifestyle, which turns out to be very useful for everyone. Although itās much more demanding for me than I thought it was going to be, Iām delighted to see all of them exchanging.
I quickly realised that in this Covis-19 crisis, the need to build virtual connections between people was enormous. Imagine you are moving this summer to a new posting, I donāt think you will get the usual warm welcome of the diplomatic community! You are filled with stress, and coffees with strangers arenāt going to happen soon! Now, we can still communicate and feel less lonely thanks to this platform.
So Desperate Diplo Wife isnāt so desperate anymore!
The influence of the Portuguese language today, does not limit itself to the distribution of PadrƵes around the newly discovered shores and corners of the seven seas. Nowadays, the Portuguese language sings throughout the globe as a manifestation of the spirit that it has become.
A romantic language that captivates the imagination of the foreigner who, at first encounters it through the sound of a poetic melody.
Examples of this can be found in an ordinary sentence said in a sublime and simplistic beauty by a fisherman in the island of Santo AntĆ£o in Cabo Verde or through a catholic mass murmur in Goa, India or even a scream for independence out of the hills of Dili in East Timor.
The wide spread of the Portuguese language in a recent study done by the Instituto CamƵes in Lisbon mentioned that around the globe, 300 million people have Portuguese as a their first language, and in countries such as Malaysia, India, China, Japan, Equatorial Guinea or Uruguay adding it as their second language which is also a legacy from the former Portuguese Empire. The philological influence of Portuguese today is also felt in other languages such as Swahili, Saramaccan, Papiamento, FĆ” D’ambĆ“ or Malay. In fact, the language owes a great part of its geographical distribution around the globe to the Portuguese Empire.
In the 21st century, migration is also contributing to the enlargement of Portuguese. In Europe, Paris has become the second largest city with more Portuguese speakers after Lisbon.
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, now considered to be the second country after Portugal with Portuguese speakers in Europe.
Some sociologists has even dared to postulate that Portuguese is a De facto language in Luxemburg, spoken by more than 150 thousand Cabo Verde and Portuguese migrants and their descendants. However, nowadays it is rather the appeal of the Portuguese speaking countries and above all, its people that attracts more and more enthusiasts to the language of CesƔria Evora, Elis Regina, Mia Couto and Pepetela.
In modern times, Brazil has definitely led to the contribution of the expansion of Portuguese in the world in a somewhat unconscious way, in a manner of speaking. This country counts for 210 million of Portuguese speakers. At the same time, its soap-operas, literature, dance, music and football has enchanted the hearts of millions across the globe. Who can say that they have never felt the drama of a couple of lovers trying the overcome social barriers in order be close to each other during the 08:00 pm soap-opera, or has not become lost in the culture in the streets of Salvador da Bahia in Jorge Amadoās adventures or even dancing and crying while listening the sambas of Bezera da Silva and Carlota.
Portugal on the other hand, promotes the Portuguese language in a much more active and focused manner.
The Iberian country is keenly aware of its linguistic legacy and has established a network of language centres through its diplomatic missions, where the Portuguese is taught to students all over the world. The institute entrusted with the responsibility in spearheading the export the Portuguese language today, bears the name of the great Portuguese writer LuĆs Vaz de CamƵes, the author of Os LusĆadas, and the epic journey of Vasco da Gama to India.
Politically speaking, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP ā in its Portuguese acronym) headquartered in Lisbon, is an international governmental organization that has grown in its mandate and purpose since its creation in 1996. The CPLP today coordinates a diverse range of issues among the Member States from security and defence, investments, education, health and mobility. The CPLP is made up of 9 Member States and 19 Associated Observers.
The coordinated action of the CPLP member States, representing 300 million citizens is also help the Portuguese language in becoming recognized as a United Nations official language, not only due to the number of speakers but also the importance of the function it serves in a key region for the UN, such as Africa.
As a result of forecasting the potential of the language, many countries, universities and business schools around the world today are offering Portuguese in their language curricula. Some of these analysts have realised the great potential and niche markets that cities such as Luanda, Maputo, Praia, SĆ£o Paulo, Pemba or Fortaleza can bring to financial exchanges and entrepreneurship. Not much yet has been explored by the foreign investors. The number of students reported to be studying Portuguese as a second language in 2019 were around 200 thousand worldwide, with indications showing the potential to grow every year.
The heterogeneity of the Portuguese language is as a result of transcending miles and miles of oceans, to bind together in a breeze of understanding of different cultures, different accents, different people, five continents and one language. The contradiction in of all of this is that I write to you in English instead of using o belo portuguĆŖs. I am certain that in the next edition you will ask me to read about the Portuguese world in Portuguese.
Nevertheless, I leave you with a magnificent quartet from the poem PadrĆ£o, in Mensagem, by Fernando Pessoa:
The first thing you notice at Paloma is her warm smile. She is kind and full of life, with a graceful attitude and colourful clothes. She has that air of a fulfilled woman, confident in herself and who knows well who she is and how much she is worth.
Iāve met her first at a farewell party for a fellow diplomatic spouse, as we are all called, placed into a category that tends to uniform us under a generic name, often lacking any deep personal identity enquiry.
Born in beautiful Spanish town of Salamanca, Paloma MuƱoz de la Fuente is so much more than just a diplomatic spouse.
She studied Economics in Zaragoza, taught at the University of Toledo, she then perfected herself in the art of protocol, which was useful later in her career and also accompanying her husband in diplomatic missions in United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy and Germany.
Paloma MuƱoz de la Fuente / Paloma Ferrari.
Later in life (year 2000) she discovered her talent and love for painting, changed her public name to Paloma Ferrari (a tribute to her late Italian grandfather), fulfilled her artistic dreams and achieved high performance and recognition (many exhibitions four art awards), all these while travelling around the world with her husband.
Alexandra: I know you are from Spain, but what is HOME to you, Paloma?
Paloma: Every place we have lived in so far was home to me, because I made it. Home is a place where I feel peaceful together with my family and surrounded by my favourite books and some other few things that I carry with me everywhere. But I have to admit Tuscany in Italy is a place very dear to my heart.
Alexandra: What triggered your professional reconversion, tell me how did it actually happen?
Paloma: It all came quite naturally, I admit. Art lives inside me, in my head and heart, it always has been.
Alexandra: Was it hard? I know from my own experience that pursuing a career while being constantly on the move can be difficult, if not almost impossibleā¦
Paloma: To me it just happened. In 2000 we moved to Florence, Italy and by a happy coincidence I had the privilege to study Arts with two of the best art teachers. I learned new techniques: Antique (Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo style) and Japanese drawing art. Both of them became complementary for my future art work, for the next 20 years. I had my first collection in Florence in 2002 at Palazzo di Parte Guelfa, and from there a whole world of opportunities opened. My art work took me to Venice, Madrid, Toledo, Mexico and Berlin, just to name a few places where I exhibited over the years. In 2004 I also started studying contemporary art and collaborated with interior designers and architects for various projects. Later I had the idea to hand paint scarves in unique styles, and this project is still going on, my scarves are āflyingā all over the world now.
Alexandra: Tell me of your proudest moments in your professional careerā¦
Paloma: All my exhibitions were pieces of my heart and very dear to me. Each had a special theme and title and reflected different interests (āThe silk wayā, āItacaā). They were expressions of my constant evolution as an artist. But my most important exhibition was in Toledo (Spain), in the old monastery of San Clemente. Imagine, that beautiful, huge historical buildingā¦just for me and my art works. The theme was āOpera Mundiā and it was a triumphant success also in media.
Alexandra: Which do you think are some of the most common misconceptions that people usually have about us, the diplomatic spouses?
Paloma: People always expect to see us elegant, cultivated, open and easy to adapt to new postings and situations, which is not always trueā¦
Alexandra: Could you name what are, in your opinion, some āMUST Dosā and āDonātsā for a diplomatic spouse?
Paloma: As a diplomatic spouse I think it is important to speak as many languages as you can, to have empathy and a little sense of serendipity. ļ On the other hand, I would say that impatience, indiscretion and clumsiness could be your greatest enemies in the diplomatic circles.
Alexandra: Do you have a life motto to live by?
Paloma: Always live life with optimism, see the best in everything! ***
Indeed, optimism is a great attitude! World of diplomacy is full of highly trained, intellectual, talented women, diplomatic spouses that not only follow their husbands around the world, but they also represent with great honour their countries, often using their natural cultural diplomatic skills, from which the Foreign Service can only benefit.
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About the author:
Alexandra Paucescu.
Alexandra Paucescu- Romanian, Management graduate with a Master in Business, studied Cultural Diplomacy and International Relations.
She speaks Romanian, English, French, German and Italian. Turned diplomatic spouse by the age of 30, she published a book about diplomatic life, writes articles and also gives lectures on intercultural communication.
By Ambassador Ali Goutali and Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic.
All throughout its history, our world witnessed either abrupt, radical changes or gradual shifts and adjustments of the World Oder. Such recalibrations usually followed major crises, be it devastating wars or geopolitical transformations such as the end of Cold War.
Past the agricultural and industrial revolutions, numerous advances in knowledge, science and technology, as well as groundbreaking inventions opened up new avenues for progress and prosperity of mankind. Subsequent scientific and technological revolution of our age, coupled with the relaxation of ideological confrontation and longing for cooperation and integration, led to the emergence of a politically and economically globalized World.
However, our current World Order of fully interconnected planet has revealed some weaknesses and vulnerabilities, particularly in time of crises.
In the Era of Globalization, the worldwide interconnected financial and economic system can cause a financial crisis spill-over effect very rapidly ā as we witnessed it decade ago. Similarly, a health crisis in one country can, owing to the same business interconnection and swift human mobility, spread at light speed to other countries and continents, engulfing the whole World.
Currently, COVID-19 (C-19) pandemic is wreaking havoc across the Globe, causing most countries to be primarily focused on solving the crisis and limiting its damage.
Lāavenir est comme le reste: Global opportunity ā global exposure
Though some breakthroughs have been achieved such as finding the genetic sequence of the virus and developing diagnostic tests, no confirmed vaccines or efficient treatments have been found yet. Moreover, much more clues remain to be gathered and understood, including the virus transmission and mutation dynamics, its potential re-emergence in waves, where did it come from and whether environmental or seasonal factors impact its spread and severity.
In search for rapid and efficient solutions, countries (particularly developed ones) have been working restlessly but individually almost to no avail. This could be explained by an impulse of an āold spiritā; of geopolitical competition in the past ā times when the narrow national interest was the main and only driver of any international conduct.
The same lack of coordination among individual countries in dealing with this unprecedented crisis that encompasses almost every dimension including health, economic and financial aspects of life, has also been noticed at the level of political international organizations.
In fact, while the international economic and financial institutions seem to be well globalized and functioning efficiently, the political structure of the World looks like the one still based on the Nation-States competition and rivalry. The existing political international FORAs, made up of these States, seem to be too bureaucratic to react swiftly and efficiently in times of imminent crises.
Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic
The post-C-19 World Order will most likely remain the same, Westphalian and globalized Order. However, in light of the aforementioned shortfalls and given the future daunting challenges, this World Order needs to be updated and enriched.
International violence has overtime dropped significantly. Full-scale conventional wars do not exist anymore whereas small-scale ones have come to an all-time low.
It is true that there are still nuclear weapons in the World enough to wipe out the entire Humankind multiple times over. However, the Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) doctrine coupled with Wisdom, have been and will most likely remain as a powerful deterrent to any nuclear war attempts.
Not so long ago, our World was on a brink of nuclear self-annihilation, but found enough wisdom to avoid it.
The same wisdom can be used in the face of the current and future threats of annihilation by terrifying viruses similar to or more dangerous than C-19, which is heralding a new age of threats to Humankind’s existence, disruptions and partial or total lockdowns never seen or tested before.
To meet such challenges, the World should be more united and cooperative, set aside geostrategic competition, give way to humane-oriented and servant leadership, avoid narrow national interest-oriented approach, put more focus on science and new technologies ā of course all under democratic control. This includes decisive investments in innovative technologies, particularly frontier technologies.
To meet those, specific global and regional instruments, and mechanisms to endorse and facilitate exchange for better joint political action and all-out scientific cooperation in time of crises, should be also created.
OIC and the need for its RRC mechanism
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) ā the second largest intergovernmental multilateral mechanism to the one of OUN, places high value on Science and Technology in its daily works, and keenly promotes cooperation among its member States in this area. It was almost 40 years ago that the OIC set up its Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH of 1981).
This functional entity of the OIC has been headquartered in Islamabad, with the President of Pakistan as its Chair. It has as objective to strengthen cooperation among OIC member states and enhance their capabilities in emerging technologies.
COMSTECH collaborates with numerous Specialised international bodies (of technical mandates), including World Health Organization (WHO), International Foundation for Science in Stockholm and the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), to name but few.
In 2006, a new Institution was created within COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad, namely the Science, Technology and Innovation Centre (STI). This Center serves as a Think-tank to provide all-advisory services to OIC member states on science-technology-innovation, to conduct its own indigenous researches and ensure capacity building in this area for OIC members.
In 2017, a further step was taken towards fostering cooperation in Science and Technology among OIC States and making headway in this area, as the first Summit on Science and Technology was held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
In view of looming C-19 crisis and its devastating aftermath, OIC – currently pursuing a comprehensive reform Agenda ā would benefit from considering even bolder new steps, such as setting up an Instrument for policy coordination in times of crisis. Certainly, every crisis is a hardship, but it also brings opportunity and novel openings. Hence, it might be a Rapid Reaction Capacitation (RRC) in the event of new type/s of asymmetric challenges.
Such RRC will be embodied in a platform for the exchange of expertise among leading scientists in Islamic countries ā notably, a Center for Epidemics Prevention and Management (EPM). Part of that RRC-capacitated EPM Center would be also a division for vaccines research and production, supported by one for the applied AI (Artificial Intelligence). Since the capacity of early warning and rapid reaction would be essential, this Center and its divisions ought to be preferably situated physically closer to the OIC HQ.
By doing so, OIC would strengthen ties of cooperation in various fields, including scientific research within and among its Member States, but also with the variety of international and regional organizations and the Specialized Agencies. Thus, the EPM Center would serve as a liaison between the OIC world and similar regional or national Epidemic Prevention and Vaccination centres. As the grand wiz of early European integrations, Jean Monnet, used to say: āCrises are the great unifier!ā
Geographic, demographic and geo-economic centrality of the OIC world makes it focally important for any planetary issue. OIC also represents an important voting block within the United Nations system (Bretton Woods institutions and the G-20, too). Therefore, the faster and better crisis responsive OIC clearly translates into the safer and brighter, sustainable world for our common future.
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Jeddah/Vienna, 08 MAY 2020
Authors:
Ambassador Ali Goutali, Tunisian top diplomat, serving numerous key posts on four continents, former Head of the national diplomatic institute. Author of several publications including a book on decision making in foreign policy. Current Director at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah, KSA.
Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, professor and chair for international law and global pol. studies, Vienna, Austria. Author of 7 books on geopolitics, energy and technology.
The Triage and the false prophet of choice on life expectancy?
By Marco Pizzorno.
In order to analyse a certain type of concern, it is necessary to reflect on what are the manoeuvres to deal with the Covid-19. As well highlighted by many international newspapers, the problem of discretion, cited by some guidelines, by virtue of life expectancy, comorbity and factors due to the caress of goods useful to care for all, has created not a few international reactions.
How does admission to treatments in the Covid-19 era work?
Admission is made through the Triage’s “war” health mechanism. Civil protection indicates that this term French meaning “choice”, and that the latter outlines the process of dividing patients into classes of severity, based on injuries reported and treatment and/or evacuation priorities.
The story of the triage refers to the military physician French Jean Dominique de Larrey (born 8 July 1766), who at the command of the rhine army’s surgical team, during the Franco-Austrian War, faced the problems of transporting the wounded with the care and means available on the battlefield. In order to prevent the war wounded from being the victims of the delays of the rescue vehicles due mainly to hostile conditions, he devised the first system of flying ambulances. In this way, military doctors were able to track the movements of the troops and rescue the wounded in real time, being able to organize the necessary health activities on the ground. It is precisely from this historical event that the first system of the so-called triage is attributed to the birth.
Triage Vs life expectancy
The Civil Protection in Italy is very clear on the dynamics of triage and quotes textually: “in situations of major emergency or major event, taking into account that such situations are characterized by an initial transient limited resources, it is defined as ‘triage’ the process of dividing patients into classes of severity according to injuries reported and priorities of treatment and/or evacuation. Criteria for the organization of disaster relief.
Triage is, therefore, a dynamic health procedure that allows to manage the limited resources available in order to minimize the mortality and morbidity of the people involved in the event, orienting, as mentioned above, the health treatment and transfer of patients according to the priority resulting from their health assessment.
The Declaration of Human Rights is clear, āevery individualā has the right to life, to the safety of his or her person even in the event of illness, old age or other loss of livelihoods for circumstances independent of his will. Human life is non-negotiable and it is precisely the recognition of dignity that forms the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world; Discretion about human life or its “probable” life expectancy is not acceptable, in fact there are many casesof people over the age of ninety who have recovered from Covid-19. Is the compulsion to choose on life expectancy is an induction to mortality ? Is there anything that should be changed?
By H.E. Ms. Marlene Bonnichi, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta.
Malta is well known in many countries as a prime tourist destination. The Netherlands is no exception. Tens of thousands of Dutch people continue to flock to our Islands to get a slice of the Mediterranean life, food and culture. I have yet to meet a Dutch person who has been on holiday to Malta and that has not enjoyed the stay. Right now is not an ideal time for tourism ā¦ā¦.but we can still dreamā¦ā¦ and travel soonā¦ā¦ā¦.. hopefullyā¦ā¦..
Tourism is one of the pillars of the Maltese economy and we are very proud of the Malta product which, despite the many Islands and tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, is actually quite distinctive. First of all Malta is an all year destination ā many Mediterranean Islands are not. Malta is a country where most people will be able to communicate in at least three languages (Maltese, English and Italian) from three totally different families of language, so tourists, whether from Europe, the wider Mediterranean region and the Gulf or further afar, feel comfortable visiting our Islands, and some even making the archipelago their home. Today, Maltaās population of almost half a million people has about 14% of expatriates, around half of which come from EU Member States.
The Republic of Malta sits right in the middle of the Mediterranean so our language, culture, food ā¦. are a real mix of our European and Christian heritage and our proximity to North Africa and Arab Neighbours.
Our geography makes us a very special and eclectic bunch of people, having been destined to be at the cross roads of European and Arab civilisations. In this sense the Malta experience is very unique to the visitor which belies its size.
The density of cultural heritage – three UNESCO world heritage sites (one of which consists of 7 individual sites) in 316 square kilometres, a monument at every corner and a church for every day of the year – as well as mild weather throughout the year with hardly a day without sunshine; topped with the surrounding azure Mediterranean sea, sets these Islands apart from any other.
Traditional Maltese hospitality for which we have been renowned for many centuries will continue to be the highlight of this experience.
Rabbit is our national dish but of course fish and citrus fruits are favourites too. Expect to be invited to peopleās homes where you will not be allowed to leave before you have sampled all the food set before you (and it is a lotš).
Over 2.6 million tourists visit Malta every year, largely as a result of the excellent work being done by the Malta Tourism Authority and their representatives around the world, including here in the Netherlands; as well as the good air and sea connections between Malta and its main tourist destinations, including from the Netherlands – from Schiphol but also from other parts of the country including Eindhoven and Maastricht.
Tourism is only but one of the industries that underpin this largely āsmallā service oriented economy of ours. In the last 25 years or so our country has been slowly putting together the building blocks for a sound and diversified economy. Traditional industries such as the hospitality sector, the maritime services sector, as well as a relatively sizeable manufacturing sector continue to grow alongside more innovative and modern industries such as financial services and fintech, i-Gaming, aviation maintenance and the creative sector. Several of these sectors also attract a steady flow of Dutch workers and young people seeking internships.
My tour of duty in The Netherlands is soon coming to an end. I have felt very welcome here and made so many new friends, Dutch friends but also from within the diplomatic community and beyond. I will always treasure this time in my heart and I hope I have planted a seed of curiosity in your hearts too and who knows- maybe I shall meet some of you on one of the promenades along the Maltese coastā¦ā¦
In an exclusive interview with Diplomat Magazineās Publisher, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mrs. Ksenija MilenkoviÄ, talked about her countryās history, as well as its current foreign policy priorities.Ā
Ambassador, the National Day of Serbia falls on February 15th. What is the origin of this date?
On February 15th, 1835, Serbia promulgated its first modern European constitution, drawing inspiration from the French constitutional charter of 1814 and the Belgian constitution of 1831. In those times, unfortunately, Serbia was still under the rulership of the Ottoman Empire, and therefore the constitution, which is usually a symbol of an independent state, was not enforced for a very long time. It took us then until 1878 to regain our independence, in the context of the Berlin Congress.
While our first modern constitution was drafted in 1835, it is worth noting that our first codified act was drafted already in the Medieval Ages, before falling under Ottoman rule. This was the time of the Kingdom of Serbia, and the document is known as the āDuÅ”an’s Codeā, from the name of the then-ruler, Emperor DuÅ”an. This was back in the 14th century. After that, however, we fell under the Ottoman Empire, and remained under their rulership for a while.
Moreover, it should also be stressed that there is a degree of symbolism in the date of February 15th, which is a very famous religious holiday in Serbia. Back then, when the State was separated from the Church, the date of February 15th was deliberately chosen for the adoption of the constitution. This date represents the Serbian religious holiday of Sretenje, which could translate as āthe meetingā, and it is really a major holiday, and especially it was so back then. Thus, this is also a reason behind why we celebrate our National Day in that date.
What is the origin of the Serbian-Dutch diplomatic relations?
Serbia and the Netherlands have a long history of bilateral relations. After Serbia reestablished its independence in 1878, we established diplomatic relations with the Netherlands already in 1899 ā which made the Netherlands one of the first countries to establish relations with us. Last year it was indeed the 120th anniversary of our bilateral relations: a long tradition.
H.E. Mrs. Ksenija MilenkoviÄ, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia,
An important part of any bilateral relation is the political dialogue. How is the political dialogue between Belgrade and The Hague?
Actually, from a Serbian standpoint, we would like our political dialogue with the Netherlands to intensify. In the last 15 to 20 years, we did not have as many bilateral contacts as it would be needed. One of the reasons for this is that ā as for most of the countries in the Western Balkans ā the dialogue with member states of the European Union is often done through the European integration process. And of course, the discussion on integration is very much reflected in our bilateral political dialogue with the Netherlands. Given our status as a candidate country to the membership of the EU, when we talk to the Netherlands ā or to other European member states ā the topics related to EU membership and the integration process are always at the forefront.
It is worth recalling, however, that we had in important visit in November, when Minister Blok came to Belgrade.
For many years, we had not had a bilateral visit of the Foreign Minister. It was really good to have Minister Blok there ā at the time I was still back in Belgrade, and I can say it was really a good visit. My Minister also told him that the visit should be seen as an opportunity to reset our bilateral relations, as well as to improve our overall political dialogue.
Ambassador, could you tell us more about Serbiaās bid for membership in the European Union? How far are you from a settlement ā or better, how close?
Membership in the EU is one of the main priorities of the Serbian government. Currently, we are not as close as we would want to be, because of course we would want this process to be faster. However, we are realistic. We are aware that there is some skepticism in the EU, including in the Netherlands, about enlargement in general ā not on Serbia in particular. So, we are aware of this reality, and we know that the process cannot go as fast as we would like.
We are currently working on a number of different areas, on several different issues. The process is now stricter and more difficult than it used to be. There are different reasons for it, but this does not matter: this is a fact now, there are the rules of the game. So, what we want to do now is to intensify our dialogue with the European Union and with its members states ā including the Netherlands. This is my main task here: to intensify and to strengthen the bilateral relations between Serbia and the Netherlands.
Moving away from the political dimension: how strong is the cooperation between Serbia and the Netherlands in economic terms?
In the economic domain, our cooperation has been quite good. The Netherlands is present in Serbia with some quite significant investments.
For instance, there are two Dutch shipbuilding companies that build the shipās shells, which are then brought here to complete the building process. My understand is that these companies are really happy with the professional level of our workers in Serbia. Moreover, we also have important Dutch investments in the retail sector. The major Serbia supermarket chain, Maxi, had been bought by Belgian investors two years ago, and it has now passed under Dutch ownership. These are examples of large investments, but then there are also many other smaller ones.
In terms of foreign trade exchange, our relationship with the Netherlands is quite balanced. It is not a huge sum of money ā it is around 600 million a year ā but it is rather good, especially considering that since 2010 there has been a constant increase in bilateral trade and economic cooperation. An important domain for trade is agriculture ā in both ways, as both countries have very prominent agricultural sectors. So, our economic cooperation is definitely increasing, and we want to build up on that ā especially when it comes to technology, where the Dutch economy is very advanced.
There have recently been regional initiatives aimed at promoting further integration in the Western Balkans. Ambassador, could you tell us more about this?
The most recent and notable initiative has been the so-called āMini-Schengenā ā that is the unofficial name that has been attached to it. This is an initiative between Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia, and its aim is to connect people from these three countries, to enable them to move freely.
One of the first results will be to enable citizens to cross the border only with their ID. Moreover, we also want to enable an opening up of the labor markets ā so that for instance in Serbia there would be an open labor market for citizens of the two other countries. The model is actually that of the European Union, with its so-called āfour freedomsā.
The initiative has been launched and endorsed at the highest level, with the involvement of our President, and the two Prime Ministers of Albania and North Macedonia. Up to now, there have been three meetings of the leaders. Currently, we are in the process of drafting the agreement.
It is important to remind that this initiative is open to everybody else in the region. If they want, they are welcome to join ā even Kosovo. Sure, on the one hand there is a political issue with Pristina, in the sense that there is a political dialogue that should result in some solution on normalizing relations. But on the other hand, we want to work on the economic and people-to-people contact, two aspects that are beneficial for the people. So, the initiative is open to everyone ā not only Kosovo, but also all other countries in the region.
We are used to perceiving science and arts as two separate areas of our society that exist more or less independently. Science is exact. It necessitates rules and regulations, deals with laws, explains and interprets phenomena. Objectivity plays one of the most important roles in science. Arts, in turn, creates something abstract, something that is based on feelings and emotions. It reflects reality through the prism of images and symbols. Objectivity in arts is not so important. It seems that these two areas rarely, if ever, intersect and therefore should be considered separately.
However, if we take a look at the procedures for creating the final product rather than the end product itself, we will find out that science and arts have some processes in common: observation, visualisation, experimental testing, presentation etc. Science and arts can also become complementary elements that together represent a complete picture of the world. Therefore, we might consider these two areas in conjunction in the framework of culture as a whole.
Unifying Potentials for the Future – Culture for Peace (UPF – Culture for Peace/the Initiative) is an initiative, which was founded by scientist and artist Sofija Bajrektarevic. It brings together several areas, including science and the arts. Its goal is to create a platform where talented people as well as organisations and institutions from various fields of culture have the opportunity to express their ideas and contribute to the sustainable development of our society. The interaction between science and arts is the core and basis of the Initiative.
The main tools of the Initiative are the implementation of projects in the field of culture, support and presentation of cultural events, artists, scientists and powerful cultural figures. The Initiative detects, promotes and enlarges the network of creative ideas, talents and skills aimed at maintaining a sustainable future. Cultural maintenance of this network implies the continued establishment and development of a peaceful society and contribution to its organisation.
Projects: to Wire, Inspire and Admire
Currently, there are several projects under the Initiative. These are: āā Cultureā for Sustainable Future: Art/Artists in Fore- and Backgroundā, āNarratives of Hope: Applied Science in the Cultureā and āMusic as a Cultureā. The first two projects are being actively implemented, while the third is under development and its start is planned for fall 2020. As a long-term project āā Cultureā for Sustainable Future: Art/Artists in Fore- and Backgroundā presents a message of visual arts (sculpture, painting, photography, design). In the framework of this project, artists from around the world have the opportunity to express themselves and their attitude on the topic of āSustainable Future – quo vadis: Process, metamorphosis, directions of movement (motion) of matter and spirit as essential building elements of being (existence)ā.
First, the works of artists are shown on the start page of the site of the UPF – Culture for Peace initiative, and thus they become a visual representation of the site. Works change every two months during the year. Then the pieces of arts will be presented at annual exhibitions and presentation. This project format creates an interaction between a wide audience and artists from different parts of the world. At the same time, it provides a platform to maintain a balanced society and sustainable future developments. Several artists with their selected works have been already presented under this project.
āMy works deal with processes that change matter; I recreate and/or document those changesā, – says the Croatian sculptor Alem Korkut about his art. Prof. Korkutās work was presented in the framework of the project āā Cultureā for Sustainable Future: Art/Artists in Fore- and Backgroundā as the first visual message, and became an inspiration for the project theme. In the relief, which he featured for the Initiative, the viewer can observe the processes of merging, healing and separation, and can move to the point of confluence or separation depending on the viewing angle.
Korkutās philosophy is focused on the idea that nothing is fixed but is in flow, in the process of constant flux. The sculptor mainly creates aluminium reliefs that express his philosophy. Alem Korkut has exhibited at about two hundred exhibitions including solo and group exhibitions in Europe and beyond. He is the winner of many awards and the author of several public sculptures. In addition to his artisan works, Korkut is in the position of Associate Professor at ALU in Zagreb, where he has been teaching since 2007.
Sustainable future – Quo vadis Alem Korkut
A significant figure within the project is also Juan Trinidad, a conceptual sculptor of the 1980s generation from a central part of the American continent ā Caribbean (Dominican Republic). A special feature of the sculpture, which he presented, is the reflection of the Dominican tradition and Afro-Antillean identity that is characterised by totem carvings of oak and centenary mahogany. Since the early 1990s, Juan Trinidad has participated in numerous exhibitions in Central, Southern and Northern America, in Europe and beyond. It also includes UNESCO Paris. Trinidadās works adorn spaces on four continents and are part of private collections as well as many prestigious cultural institutions.
Henry Loyrette, the Former President – Director of the Louvre in Paris, commented on his work as follows: āJuanās works wonderfully contribute in re-approaching our cultures, seemingly distant, but so closeā. At the same time, Juan Trinidad himself says: āWithout forgetting the past, I make sculptures today, thinking about the future.ā
Without forgetting the past, I make sculptures today, thinking about the future. Juan Trinidad
The painting of the young artist, designer and social activist Anastasia Lemberg-Lvova has also become part of the āā Cultureā for Sustainable Future: Art/Artists in Fore- and Backgroundā project. In addition to her bachelorās degree in Fine Arts, Anastasia has received training in Belgium, the Netherlands. Her works are in private collections in Belgium, Estonia, France and Russia.
Lember-Lvovaās artistic searches and studies focus on personal introspection and through aesthetics reveal the possibilities of social interaction. With the help of her works, Anastasia questions the constructed perception of the value and potential of individuals. Inspired by the project and created for it, the painting of Lemberg-Lvova expresses the idea that natural human qualities such as anger, fear, and doubt can be fenced with socially approved characteristics. Anastasia believes that āto explore our potentials as individuals and to unite in the wish for a prosperous future, we need to dispense with the need to hide behind false displays and make sure that we feel valued, worthy and capable from within oneselfā. Besides fine arts, Lemberg-Lvova is engaged in social activities. She participated in several sessions of the European Youth Parliament, where she also created projects aimed at the sustainable development of society.
To explore our potentials as individuals and to unite in the wish for a prosperous future, we need to dispense with the need to hide behind false displays and make sure that we feel valued, worthy and capable from within oneself. Anastasia Lemberg-Lvova
Among the artists who presented their work under the āā Cultureā for Sustainable Future: Art/Artists in Fore- and Backgroundā project is Naj Phonghanyudh. She studied art and art history in Bangkok, Kent and Paris. Her professional activity involves art and design. Naj Phonghanyudh is a professor, a full-time lecturer at the prestigious University of the Arts in Bangkok. Besides numerous solo and group exhibitions, she also takes part in presentations, social projects and initiatives. Being engaged in art and design, she is also working as a curator for the non-profit organisation, United Thailand that creates and supports art activities for young people from various areas in Thailand.
The selected work the artist endorsed by the following words: āā¦like the techniques which made the protruding object stands out against the flat surface of the print I am different because of who I am, and I accept me more as I am. Some who appreciates traditional beauty may feel intruded by this imperfection, whereas some may find that it encourages them to speak out against the flatness and normsā.
Some who appreciates traditional beauty may feel intruded by this āimperfectionā, whereas some may find that it encourages them to speak out against the flatness and norms.
Naj Phonghanyudh
Since the project āā Cultureā for Sustainable Future: Art/Artists in Fore- and Backgroundā is a long-term undertaking, it is planned to engage more artists of different sorts and types.
Another project āNarratives of Hope: Applied Science in the cultureā complements art in the UPF – Culture for Peace Initiative and presents an opportunity for experts from various fields of science and culture to discuss topics that are united under the general keynote: Sustainable Future. The energetically engaged young generation is an essential element of the project. This creates new, active synergies that are capable of raising questions, finding answers and discussing the challenges of modern society. The first thematic evening of the project took place in Vienna last fall. The topic was āNarratives of Hope: The urban phenomenon – future of a perennial storyā. āNarratives of Hope: Applied Science in the cultureā is also a long-term project that deserves special attention and a separate article in the future.
Near and Further
The world has recently witnessed an unprecedented calamity. Disturbing news about the virus and its spread shocked the planet and brought it to a halt for months. Disruption and deprivation, along with the imposed social distancing, are of yet unanticipated severity and duration of secondary effects.
Narratives of hope, re-humanisation of humans through arts and applied science (science with a human face) are the key.
The UPF – Culture for Peace Initiative is here to bring us all back to the future.
About the author:
Anastasiia Pachina, Sociologist ā Charles University, Prague. She is a Program manager – Unifying Potentials for the Future – Culture for Peace (UPF – Culture for Peace) and a marketing researcher in IPSOS CZ.
