H.E. Ms. Sophia Horner Sam, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana in the Netherlands, H.E. Ms. Sophia Horner Sam, hosted a reception celebrating the country’s 63rd Independence anniversary in The Hague on 6 March 2020.
On 6th March, 1957, Ghana became the first Sub-Saharan nation to gain independence from British colonial rule. Many distinguished Guests, Ghanaians and friends of Ghana, gathered to celebrate this momentous day in The Hague.
It was a kaleidoscope of colours with an elegant ambience. The evening commenced with vocal rendition of the Ghana national anthem by Ms. Louisa Fofie, while the Netherlands national anthem was sung by Ms. Marissa Nyamekye.
Dr. Stanislav Vassilevsky, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Ambassador Lounès Magramane, Ambassador of Algeria, H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa, Ambassador of Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E. Mr. Vusimuzi Philemon Madonsela, Ambassador of South Africa and H.E. Mr. Oji Nyimenuate Ngofa, Ambassador of Nigeria.
The program included dancing and drumming demonstration by the GAM Cultural Group. Ms Augustina Austin was the moderator. Many heads of Mission were on hand to celebrate the occasion.
H.E. Ms. Sophia Horner Sam and Ghana Northern Chief, Yakubu Alhassan in a gorgeous traditional dress.
Back home in Ghana, the national celebration included a traditional parade, however this time it was held at Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital. This is the second time that the celebration is being held outside Accra the capital of Ghana. Among many of those in attendance was Dr. Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Diplomats celebrating Ghana National Day.
Ambassador Sophia Horner Sam addressed the gathering after cordially welcoming everyone. The Ambassador subsequently delivered a speech filled of historical details that will make all Ghanaians proud. Well, of course not only Ghanaians, but also people of African descent as well as those who advocate freedom.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana, the Ambassador of Sudan, H. E. Mr. Kamal Bashir Ahmed Mohamed Khair and Deputy Head of Mission pf Ghana, Mr Mohammed Habib Idris.
Ambassador Horner Sam continued: “It is my honour to welcome you all to the celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the independence of Ghana. Exactly 63 years today on 6th March, 1957, Ghana became the first Sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence from British colonial rule, and it opened up a new chapter of possibilities not only for Ghana, but for the African continent.
Ghana’s independence changed the world because it was a freedom that many throughout the world, especially people of African descent, celebrated and held as a symbol of hope. It influenced the independence movement throughout Africa, and in 1960 alone, 17 African countries gained their independence.
Ambassador Horner-Sam, Ms Tiphaine Jouffroy, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to OPCW, Mr. Habib Idris and Ms Nana Afia Twum Barima, First Secretary, Embassy of Ghana.
The freedom torch that was lit 63 years ago by our Founding Fathers led by our first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah continues to glow across the African Continent. Following the consolidation of the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) has been established with Accra, Ghana as its headquarters. Trading under the agreement begins in July 2020 and it will be the world’s largest free trade area by number of countries once it is fully up and running.
Today Ghana is a beacon of democracy, political stability in the African continent, and it is among the fastest growing economies in the world. The Government of Ghana, in pursuit of its Development Agenda is committed to transparent and accountable governance, a strong economy geared towards the creation of jobs, the rapid expansion of infrastructure for accelerated growth, and to invest in the people of Ghana for the creation of productive human resource base.
As the 63rd independence anniversary of Ghana is celebrated under the theme “consolidating our gains”, I wish to state that, the current Government under the leadership of H. E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has embarked on flagship programmes to speed up Ghana’s developmental process. Notable among these initiatives are the “Free Senior High School Education”, “One District, One Factory”, “One Village-one Dam”,and “Planting for Food and Jobs”.
These policies and programmes are beginning to yield positive results towards the growth of the Ghanaian economy and need to be built upon. It is against this background that Ghana continues to call for partnerships from the Dutch private sector to team up with Ghanaian companies and take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities in our country.
Ms Augustina Austin, moderator.
It has however not been all smooth sailing since our nation achieved its independence. Ghana has faced challenges in her efforts to achieve sustained socio-economic development. The resilience of the people of Ghana and the support of our development partners, including the Netherlands, have remained important in our quest for accelerated development.
Ghana and the Netherlands have maintained a long-standing relations dating back to the 16th Century. Since Ghana’s independence in 1957, the Netherlands has been a reliable and dependable development partner and today, the Ghana-Netherlands relations cover almost all sectors of Ghanaian national life including Cultural, Economic, Environment, Trade, Health, Education and matters relating to Governance.
Let me seize this opportunity to express the gratitude of the Government and people of Ghana for the Kingdom of Netherlands’ invaluable contributions to the development of Ghana over the years. It is our hope that the relationship that exists between our two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength.
Ms. Josephine Frantzen, head of the division for West Africa, the Sahel and the Great Lakes at the Sub-Saharan department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate all Ghanaians as we celebrate this important day. By all means, let us modestly enjoy the day as much as we can, but let us also resolve even more to“hold in high esteem our heritage won for us through the blood and toil of our Fathers, and pledge ourselves in all things to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana”.
Drummers GAM Cultural group – National Day of Ghana
The second speaker at the reception was Ms. Josephine Frantzen, head of the division for West Africa, the Sahel and the Great Lakes at the Sub-Saharan department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands,
An exquisite Ghanaian buffet concluded the festive evening.
He admitted that a common coordinating agency to manage the situation with the spread of the novel coronavirus would be set up in Brussels
ROME, March 18./TASS/. A pandemic of the novel coronavirus has demonstrated European Union’s inability to pursue common policy and its incompetence, that will cost the EU the loss of influence, President of Vision & Global Trends, Tiberio Graziani told TASS on Wednesday.
“These past weeks have demonstrated to the globe total inadequacy of the EU. This pandemic will be ruinous for the EU as a merely bureaucratic apparatus, but this situation is pushing the member countries towards solidarity and overcoming the differences,” the political analyst said.
He drew a parallel between the current situation and other problems of the European Union. “Behind the screen of words and statements, the EU in fact has no common strategy in any sector whatever. Let us take the energy sector, it sees no common policy either, and this is absurd in itself for the group of countries that have no own energy resources, that have to import energy resources,” he went on to say.
“The EU is a rather chaotic structure controlled by bureaucrats with limited responsibility,” he said.
“The same applies to the sanitary crisis, during which each country takes its own decisions. But all these decisions are subordinated to the dictates of the European Central Bank. However, for all the widespread shortage of liquidity, it is the European Central Bank that can play an essential role,” Graziani said.
He admitted that a common coordinating agency to manage the situation with the spread of the novel coronavirus would be set up in Brussels. “But certain states are already going their own way in solving the problems, and it will be difficult for the European Commission to establish centralized coordination,” the expert believes.
“The loss of influence and authorities of the EU as the deciding entity is more realistic than exodus from the EU,” he said. According to Tiberio Graziani, real reforms in the EU will eventually become possible after the pandemic ends.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On March 11, 2020, the WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic. The disease has spread to over 130 countries. The number of coronavirus infection cases in the world has exceeded 200,000, while 8,000 people have died, the World Health Organization (WHO) Secretary General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced Wednesday.
In the picture Her excellency Ms. Brândusa Ioana Predescu, Ambassador of Romania, and Her Excellency Ms. Tatiana Pârvu, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova with singer Danna.
By Virginie Peccoud.
Her excellency Ms. Brândusa Ioana Predescu, Ambassador of Romania, and Her Excellency Ms. Tatiana Pârvu, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova, have hosted a very special event on Friday 6 March. A concert was organised to celebrate an eight thousand years old tradition that both countries share.
Mărțișor representing the arrival of Spring is a token believed to bring luck, health and joy. It comes from word March and was originally red and white, colours that protect against the evil. Furthermore, this tradition at the beginning of Spring honours the comeback of nature and new starts. The emphasis during the ambassador’ speeches was put on what Romania and Moldova have in common: history and culture.
Celebrating Mărțișor by the embassies of Romania and Moldavia.
The emotional value of the Mărțișor is crucial for the ambassadors as it was also a symbol of resistance during deportation of thousands of Moldovan people to Siberia by the dictator Joseph Stalin, between 1943 and 1956. In this time, people were forcibly relocated in Siberian’s settlement for forced labour. About one hundred thousand Moldavians were deported and sixteen thousand died. The Mărțișor was forbidden as it represented national traditions and identity.
This event was to remember this dark part of history and to proudly transmit traditions to other people and to younger generations. Women were also honoured as it was two days before International women’s day and Mother’s Day in Romania and Moldova.
Danna, a Romanian singer performed six songs for the audience, including the legendary “Isn’t she lovely” by Stevie Wonder. She changed the lyrics that were initially written to celebrated the birth of Wonder’s daughter to address the song to mothers.
In the end, the event was well attended with an excellent buffet accompanied with Romanian wines mainly the notorious Nonius Fetească Neagră Shiraz.
Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Christine Weil and H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, OPCW Director General.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 13 March 2020 – The Government of Germany has contributed €1,000,000 to a special Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund to support the project to upgrade the current OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store. This project will result in the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (“ChemTech Centre”).
The contribution was formalised during a ceremony at the OPCW Headquarters between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Christine Weil.
Ambassador Weil remarked: “We are proud to contribute €1M to the new ChemTech Centre, a major future-oriented project of the OPCW. With the new Centre, the OPCW will gain important capabilities, including in the field of training and capacity-building for young scientists from all regions.”
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Germany for this major contribution to the new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology that will further build the capabilities of our Member States to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.”
Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW States Parties in a position to make voluntary contributions to do so. He further emphasised the important role the new ChemTech Centre will play in strengthening the OPCW’s ability to address chemical weapon threats and enhance capacity building activities. He highlighted that “all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated”.
So far, thirty-seven States Parties and the European Union have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the ChemTech Centre project, and a considerable amount has been raised to date.
Vision & Global Trends proudly announces its partnership with the International University for Peace of Rome (UNIPACE), office of the United Nations University for Peace.
The partnership aims to the promotion and the intermediation regarding the recently launched UNIPACE international postgraduate education programmes, both focused on studies on the China-led “Belt and Road Initiative”.
Presentation of the University
The University for Peace (UPEACE) is an intergovernmental organization with University status, established by treaty at the United Nations General Assembly in 1980 and having its main campus in Costa Rica. Its stated mission is “to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help lessen obstacles and threats to world peace and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations”.
The current Rector of UPEACE is Dr. Francisco Rojas Aravena. The creation of the University for Peace was set in motion by a treaty and endorsed by resolution 34/111 of 14 December 1979 of the United Nations General Assembly. By this Resolution, the UN General Assembly established an international commission which, in collaboration with the Government of Costa Rica, was requested to prepare the organization, structure and setting in motion of the University for Peace.
Thereafter, by Resolution 35/55 of 5 December 1980, the UN General Assembly endorsed the treaty establishing the University for Peace by adopting the International Agreement for the Establishment of the University for Peace (UPEACE) along with the Charter of the University for Peace. The University has the unique status of not only being a dedicated institution for higher education in Peace and Conflict studies, but also an international treaty body organization mandated by the United Nations General Assembly.
It offers master’s degree and doctoral programmes (now starting our blended program focused on the Belt Road Initiative in Rome) at its main headquarters in San José, Costa Rica, and carries out various activities related to the international peace and security objectives of the United Nations (UN) through centres and offices located in Rome, Addis Abeba, New York, Honduras, Geneva, Bonn, The Hague, Manila and Beijing, and through partnership arrangements with numerous other institutions worldwide.
The University for Peace is part of the academic wing of the UN system, and has observer status at the UN General Assembly, while maintaining its independence in academic, financial and management matters. The UN Secretary-General is the Honorary President of UPEACE.
The UN General Assembly maintains a constant interest in the activities of UPEACE, and in periodic resolutions calls on the UN Secretary-General to report to it on its activities.
Accordingly, the UN Secretary-General reports to the General Assembly of the UN periodically on the progress of UPEACE. The Council of the University for Peace is the supreme authority of the University.
It is composed of five ex-officio members viz. the Rector, two representatives designated by the UN Secretary-General and by the Director-General of the UNESCO, the Rector of the United Nations University, two representatives designated by the Government of the host country and the Chancellor of UPEACE. In addition, the Council comprises ten representatives of the academic community or other persons eminent in the field of peace and security appointed by the Secretary-General of the UN in consultation with the Director-General of the UNESCO.
The University has “unique world-wide authorization to award academic degrees, recognized by all countries which are members of the General Assembly”.
Dr. Tiberio Graziani.
The Italian Office – The Entrusted Entity
In November 2015 University for Peace (UPEACE, Costa Rica) governing bodies signed a cooperation agreement with President prof.eng. Gianni Cara, already responsible for Europe of the ‘World Organization for Peace’. The agreement established a delegated office in Italy, which works alongside other existing offices in Holland, in Japan, in Philippines, in Chile, and Ethiopia.
The International University for Peace – Rome – was identified by UPEACE as the legal entity with the task to establish the Roman office, whose aim is to provide innovative and qualified courses. Furthermore, there were established a headquarters in Rome and a Device Operations Section based in Naples (Complesso Altamira), located in a very innovative business accelerator area.
It is committed to creating and sustaining the conditions to become a model for cross-university collaboration, and to expand and to reach East and Southern Europe, the Mediterranean area, the Middle East, the Equatorial Africa, the Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Belt Road Initiative Program
The BRI can be considered as the largest international cooperation plan of the century, paving the way to many opportunities as well as challenges in need for a response. So we designed a program, including an MBA and two PhDs focused on this complex topic as it needs a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to be explored and studied and understood completely, in order to fully unlock its potential. Meanwhile, UNIPACE will generate its own BRI knowledge database, of critical relevance for all BRI Partners: in this way, contributing the objective of grasping the ‘triangle’ connecting education, research and innovation.
Uniting key fields, our research projects interact on an unprecedented level. The core objective of this program will focus on the ‘sharing’ element, where knowledge and research outputs, as well as their related benefits, will be shared among participants and their Home Institutions in the name of global cooperation and peaceful coexistence, the only real warranty for the future. This way, so
‘BRIdge the gap’ could be our motto and the best wish for all students, who would like to follow this international path with the potential to make a global impact.
The BRI could be the most important contemporary geopolitical tool of our century. We must appreciate the Chinese determination to promote dialogue of minds and cultural exchanges and UNIPACE President, Prof. Eng. Gianni Cara, hopes that his students become modern-day Marco Polos, as cultural ambassadors among China and all its Partners, as he has the awareness that innovation can make the difference in training, and can become the most powerful personal growth driver.
Postgraduate Programmes
Master in Business Administration (MBA)
Academic Supervisor: Prof. Valerio MALVEZZI
The UNIPACE MBA is an intensive blended programme tailored for high-performing professionals who want to further improve their careers and their work profiles.
Following a competitive selection process, this MBA delivers a one-year long condensed learning experience through teamwork, personalized feedback, coaching, and curated readings, to take fast-tracked leaders to a higher level.
Key programme benefits: master management skills in highly diversified business, social and political environments; develop the mindset of an entrepreneur (creativity, capability of taking risks and managing the unknown with confidence); become a more reflective, self-aware and strategic member of a general managment team; develop yourself, your organization and your career path.
With one coach every ten students, we are able to closely follow our students in their activities and their work.
UNIPACE delivers the programme via in-person classes, integrated with its highly innovative platform, which enables access to a wide variety of online contents as video lessons, curated resources, video, streamings, articles, and books. Students can also opt for a fully online/distance learning experience.
The MBA is configured as a “workshop” programme”, designed to empower the creative and analytical skills of the participatns and is designed and built to form “responsive professional figures” that will acquire an organic and up-to-date view of the activities of managers operating today; the disciplined contributions have been selected and revised in high usability perspective, as well as the awesome case history, in which the protagonists are going to tell successful professional stories that are rooting a period of severe economic crisis.
The MBA is composed of the following core modules, for a grand total of 60 ECTS that are attached to the workload of a full-time year of formal learning (from 1 500 to 1800 for an academic year).
Operations Management;
Leadership and Team-Building Skills;
Financial Management;
Strategic Management;
Financial Reporting;
Risk Management;
Advanced Marketing;
Innovation Management;
Applied Statistics;
Human Resource Management and Development;
CSR;
e-Commerce;
Digital and Internet Economy;
Multimedia Design for Business and Economics;
Social Network Business;
Web Content Economics;
IT Skills;
English Language.
Core topics are integrated by the following courses, delivered by staff from the Univerity for Peace Headquarters:
Decision-making;
Operating under Ambiguity:
Understanding Worldviews;
Risk-taking;
Critical Thinking;
Storytelling;
Marketing;
Strategy;
Driving Innovation;
Securing Buy-in;
Management;
Making change happen.
Upon completing the MBA, students will be granted the “alumni” status, gaining access to our global alumni network, and alumni groups on social networks.
Participants will be asked to sit an intermediate and a final test, in order to check on their progress.
Applications and enrolments are open throughout the year. The course is 1-year long.
In order to apply, students are requested to fill in the MBA application form.
Application forms can be requested to the reference persons listed at the end of this document.
Only applications sent via email will be considered.
Tuition fee is set at 19 000 USD.
Students can choose if attending the programme in blended format (in-presence + online/distance learning) of in a fully online experience (100% distance learning).
Excellent candidates will be considered for an internship period at the United Nations premises in Rome.
Students who successfully completed the MBA Programme will have to possibility to be enrolled directly at the second year of the PhD Programme, after passing an integration examination.
PhD Programmes
PhD in Economics Academic Supervisor: Prof. Valerio MALVEZZI
PhD in Political Science Academic Supervisor: Prof. Enea FRANZA
UNIPACE launches the first edition of its research-based PhD Programmes: PhD in Economics, and PhD in Political Science.
PhDs are three years long; the title will be awarded after the completion and defense of a doctoral final dissertation (thesis) presenting original research on a topic of interest, contibuting to the extension of knowledge in the chosen field.
The workload corresponds to 180 ECTS, ranging from 1 500 to 1 800 working hours per academic year.
Applicants are required to write their thesis in English.
The research-based setting helps students in giving them the possibility to study and pursue research independently, under the supervision of a thesis advisor assigned by the University. Students will be invited to join seasonal conferences and activities in Rome, and they will receive from the start of the Programme the necessary oonline resources to conduct their research from their location of preference. The final PhD disseration shows the significant contribution of the candidate to his research filed: thus, research topics will be developed and finley tuned on the basis of the PhD candidates’ professional and academic profile, as well as on their research project proposals.
Both PhD Programmes will have a focus on multi-disciplinary studies and research related to the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), with the goal of establishing a proper “knowledge hub” related to this international initiative. This research track seeks to attract students who are interested in those institutional changes, considered crucial in understanting this transformation, specifically in regard with the global impetus and multiple scales of politics and the economy.
Core modules will provided by the Departments of the University, in the macro areas of:
Law;
Economics;
Environment and Land;
Media and Social Sciences;
Criminology;
Health Sciences;
Artificial Intelligence;
Pedagogy and Educational Research;
OBOR.
Applications and enrolments are open throughout the year. The course is 3-years long.
In order to apply, students are requested to fill in the PhD application form.
Application forms can be requested to the reference persons listed at the end of this document.
Only applications sent via email will be considered.
Tuition fee is set at 12 000 USD per academic year.
Students can choose if attending the programme in blended format (in-presence + online/distance learning) of in a fully online experience (100% distance learning).
Excellent candidates will be considered for an internship period at the United Nations premises in Rome.
Students who successfully completed the MBA Programme will have to possibility to be enrolled directly at the second year of the PhD Programme, after passing an integration examination.
Secretary Martin M. Andanar with Ambassador Jaime V. Ledda. Photography by Anton Lutter.
By Anton Lutter.
February saw a much appreciated tour of Mr. Martin M. Andanar, the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) visiting cities like Paris, Brussels, The Hague, London and Geneva informing Filipino community leaders, journalists, politicians and officials about – amongst others – the accomplishments of the President Rodrigo Duterte’s War on Drugs.
One part of the mission of the PCCO is to inform and raise awareness of the public about the policies, programs, and projects of the Presidency. It is during President Duterte’s midterm that Secretary Andanar has taken it upon himself to inform us what’s at stake and what the results are considering the War on Drugs. In 2016, Duterte was elected on a platform of combating the illegal drugs trade and corruption, which up until now is overwhelming backed by the Philippines people resulting in continuous high popularity, now being at an all-time high.
To illustrate the effects narcotics has on family life the documentary “Gramo” was shown to fully packed venues. Particular gruesome is the murder, by a man high on drugs, of his own wife and even more shocking is the reaction of their young child who cannot encompass what occurred. Sadly enough this is not the exception. As the President iterates if the breadwinner is on drugs the whole family is destroyed. There’s no food on the table, the wife is abused, children cannot attend school, poverty continued. This is the real human rights offense.
President Duterte has vowed to the Filipino’s to fight this evil, with all his might. His straight-talking message underlines the importance of his mission. There’s no sugarcoating here. Of course, this is not to the liking of the do-nothings, who’s legacy to the current government and the Philippines people is what it says: nothing. The 2016 presidential election changed all that, the Clean-Up Guy got voted in! And clean up he can. As Mayor of Davao City he got rid of crime making it the safest city in The Philippines becoming a hugely popular destination for tourists.
These challenges are obviously not easy. You just don’t solve a problem that for decades has been neglected. As President Duterte explains himself: With the sheer magnitude of the illegal drug problem, I am cognizant that we still have a long way to go in addressing this deeply rooted societal.
The Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy states clear a vision for the future: by 2022, the Philippines will be able to achieve drug-free communities, provided by an extensive framework for law enforcement and penalties for violations. At the same time adopting a compassionate approach to the victims of drug use by encouraging treatment and rehabilitation. Sofar a broad array of projects have been implemented, bringing together families, schools, communities, faith-based groups and many more.
To name just a few examples of the many activities which make up the War on Drugs campaign: Kids Against Drugs Program, which educates children to say no against drugs; Barkada Kontra Droga, organizing youth who advocate a healthy, drug-free lifestyle within their peer groups; Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils, established to help eradicate illegal drugs within communities at the village and ward level; Yakap Bayan Program, which provides former illegal drugs users and their families financial assistance (educational, medical and burial), cash and food for work, livelihood assistance, family counseling, and enrollment to the Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program and Special Drug Education Center.
It’s obvious these huge tasks take leadership and perseverance. So, what has been achieved under the guidance of President Duterte? Facts speak louder than words: since July 2016 150.000+ anti-drugs operations conducted, 223.000+ persons arrested, Euro 715.000.000+ worth of drugs seized, 500+ narcotics dens and clandestine laboratories have been dismantled, 485.000+ surrendered to reformation programs, 34.000+ wards or villages have been declared drug-free and more than 2.800 children have been rescued form illegal drugs activities. Next to that almost 1000 government workers have been arrested in anti-drugs operations. Duterte’s message to the servants of the state leaves no room for interpretation: if you’re involved in narcotics, you’re going down.
Many have died because of illegal drugs and its trade, at the same time many more have been saved and that’s what really counts. So, what’s at stake is obvious, the future of The Philippines and its children. The Filipino’s are very aware of this, 82% support the War on Drugs of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
On March 5th, 2020, the leaders of Turkey and Russia – involved on different sides in the conflict in Syria’s Idlib province – agreed once more to halt the fight in the region. Ten days later, the ceasefire seems to hold, and the two country’s militaries are moving on with the implementation of the agreement.
March 15th, 2020. The first joint Turkish-Russian patrol along the strategic M4 highway is underway today – as announced two days ago by Turkish Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar. The coordinated operation is taking place as part of the agreement reached on March 5th by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who decided to halt combat operations in the war-torn Idlib province of north-western Syria.
The Idlib province is of major strategical importance in Syria, as it lies at the intersection between two of the country’s major communication arteries, the M4 and the M5 highways. The M5 cuts the most populated areas of Syria from south to north, connecting the capital Damascus with major cities such as Homs and Aleppo. The M4 cuts instead the country from west to east, connecting the Mediterranean port of Latakia with Syria’s north-east. The two highways intersect in the town of Saraqib, in Idlib province, which over the past weeks has been the focus of major clashes.
The fighting in Idlib has pitted the Syrian Arab Army, backed by Russia, against Turkish forces and their allied rebel groups in the region.
Clashes between these forces in Idlib are nothing new. Fierce fighting had already erupted in late 2018 between the Russian-backed Syrian Army and Turkish-backed groups in the area. An agreement between the Turkish and Russian leaders in September had temporarily stopped the clashes, providing for a halt to the Syrian offensive in return for the withdrawal of radical, al-Qaeda-linked groups from the region. The deal’s terms, however, were never fully implemented, and fighting erupted again in the spring of 2019.
Despite attempts to revive the Turkish-Russian agreement during the summer, clashes continued – eventually intensifying in late 2019, when Syrian forces, with the help of Russian airpower, launched an offensive to recapture territories in Idlib. This offensive prompted direct clashes between the Syrian army and Turkish forces, who had been deployed to several observation posts inside Idlib province under the September 2018 agreement. This last wave of clashes – which was particularly fierce – had devastating effects on Idlib province’s population. Over three months, nearly a million people were reportedly displaced – their conditions being all the more difficult owing to the combination of heavy clashes and harsh climate conditions.
As the fighting escalated in late February, the international community turned its attention to Idlib, and pressure on all sides mounted to put a halt to the clashes. On March 5th, Mr. Erdogan and Mr. Putin – after a six hours meeting – declared that another agreement had been reached. The new Idlib deal provided for an immediate ceasefire, as well as the establishment of a secure corridor around the M4 highway, to be managed jointly by Turkish and Russian forces. Under the deal, the Syrian government maintained its control over the areas recaptured during the latest offensive, thus finally securing control over the M5 highway.
In the wake of the March 5th agreement, the international community’s attention has been rapidly shifting away from Idlib, with all eyes turning to the propagation of the COVID-19 across the globe. Yet, the situation in Idlib continues to evolve. In the days after the March 5th agreement, the two sides did not report major violations of the ceasefire. At the time of writing this article, on March 15th, the first joint Turkish-Russian patrol is currently ongoing. The operation is set to take place with a reduced route – due to the risk of provocation by armed groups, the Russian Ministry of Defense declared. Yet, increased coordination seems to be again underway – hopefully to the benefit of the civilian population in Idlib, who remains the real victim of this conflict.
About the author:
Guido Lanfranchi is a student and young professional in the field of international affairs. He has pursued his studies both at Leiden University and Sciences Po Paris, where he is currently enrolled. In parallel, he has been gaining professional experience through internships (first at the Council of the European Union, and currently at Clingendael Institute), as well as by working as reporter and associate editor for Diplomat Magazine The Netherlands. His research and work focus on the Middle East and Africa, and especially on conflict situations in these regions.
H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia.
By Tereza Neuwirthova.
On the evening of March 5th, the embassies of the countries of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) to The Netherlands, together with the French Institute, organised a celebration of the richness and diversity of the francophone cultures. The theme of this event that is annually held in the week of the French language, as well as during the month of La Francophonie, was Bandes Dessinées (BD); a culture of cartoons that represents an artistic form connecting and honoured in all francophone countries.
The event was held in the interiors of Pathé Buitenhof in The Hague, and saw the attendance of many diplomatic representatives, but also cartoonists, journalists or experts from the French-speaking world, together with a large number of members of the francophone community in The Netherlands.
La Francophonie, festival des Bandes Dessinées.
To begin the programme, the chairman of the Group of French-speaking Ambassadors in The Hague and the ambassador of Armenia, H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan, welcomed the guests:
“It is my pleasure to be hosting this special event on the occasion of 50 years’ celebration of the International Organization of La Francophonie. The basis of this organisation is the French language, which also serves as the universal value that strengthens international solidarity and cooperation among the members of La Francophonie, but of course with other countries as well. This unique cause is recognised by all ambassadors of francophone countries to The Netherlands, my colleagues who are present here today.”
Ambassadors, artists and participants to the 50 years’ celebration of the International Organization of La Francophonie.
“Moreover, the exceptional creativity and variety that the art of Bandes Dessinées offers, provides a unique means of communication that supports and ameliorates the relations through this cultural expression. Therefore, I hope that this evening will be an opportunity not only to honour the culture of comics, but also the commitment to building solidarity with the help of this artistic expression.”
The moderator of the event, Sonia Deschamps, held two round-table discussions with famous cartoonists that presented their works, as well as intellectual and artistic approach. During the first part of the programme, a debate on the topic “Comics: glances on history and the duty of memory”, was held with the authors Zeina Abirached (Lebanon), Emile Bravo (France), and Emilie Plateau (France).
Thereafter, an intervention performance by the pupils of the Lycée Français Vincent van Gogh from The Hague followed, during which their works-comics on the topic of climate change, were presented.
50 years’ celebration of the International Organization of La Francophonie, Festival des Bandes Dessinées.
After the performance, a second round-table debate followed, during which the illustrators Jean Auquier (Belgium), Guy Delisle (Québec), and Judith Vanistendael (Belgium) presented their works related to the topic “Comics: witness to reality and highlights of the issues of our time”. In addition, a short film about the “Velvet Revolution” was shown, where a group of Armenian cartoonists called Mayro Comics presented their work conveying the message of tolerance and mutual respect to the Armenian public.
The evening ended with a reception at which the embassies of francophone countries presented plenty of their national delicacies, in the form of a variety of drinks and dishes. The reception was highly enjoyed by all guests, who chatted about the topics of the evening programme, as well as the exceptional artistic value that the Bandes Dessinées present for the culture of La Francophonie. This celebration marked another enjoyable event organised by the diplomatic community of The Hague.
The trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Dominic Ongwen has entered its final stages following closing statements that took place before Trial Chamber IX of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) from 10 to 12 March 2020. During the closing statement hearings, the Prosecution, the Legal Representatives of Victims and the Defence presented their final arguments.
The ICC’s Trial Chamber IX, composed of Judge Bertram Schmitt, Presiding Judge, Judge Péter Kovács and Judge Raul Cano Pangalangan, will deliberate on the proceedings and, within a reasonable period, pronounce its decision on conviction or acquittal pursuant to article 74 of the Rome Statute. The Chamber bases its decision only on the applicable law and on evidence submitted and discussed before it at the trial.
The trial in this case opened on 6 December 2016. Dominic Ongwen is accused of 70 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in northern Uganda. The Prosecution and the Defence have completed the presentation of their evidence. The Legal Representatives of Victims also called witnesses to appear before the Chamber. On 12 December 2019, the Presiding Judge declared the closure of the submission of evidence in the case. The closing briefs were filed on 24 February 2020.
In the picture H.E. Mr. Yeondoo Jeong, Ambassador of Korea with Kim Cha Kyung Opera Gala Concert’s artists.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
On 27th February 2020, a superb spectacle took place at the Diligentia Theatre in The Hague featuring the Kim Cha Kyung Opera Gala Concert. On the program, classy young singers and a world-class repertoire, consisting of classical song and dance, pieces as La donna e mobile, Nessun Dorma ( Luciano Pavarotti) Ave Maria, Lippen schweigen and so much more.
The audience could not resist getting on their feet to applaud the performers. Kim Cha Kyung Opera, is the first private Korean opera company.
Kim Cha Kyung Opera Gala Concert.
Established in 1968 and named after the soprano Kim Cha Kyung, who dedicated her life to promulgate opera. The concert was under the auspices of the Embassy of Korea in the Netherlands.
It is interesting to note that the relationship between Korea and the Netherlands dates back to the 17th century. It started with the Dutch sailors Jan Janszn Weltevree ( Pak Yon) and Hendrik Hamel who landed on the island Jeju . Korea and the Netherlands established Diplomatic relations in 1961.
Guests at the Korean Gala Concert – Diligentia Theatre.
In his address, H.E. Mr. Yeondoo Jeong, Ambassador of Korea, made mention of the fact that the two countries envisage celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2021
Hence, the Kim Cha Kyung Opera Gala Concert is to be consideredas a prelude to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2021.
Dr Ekaterina Trendafilova, President of the Specialist Chambers and the Ambassador of Yemen, H.E. Ms. Sarah Ghanem at the Korean Opera Gala Concert.
Ambassador Yeondoo Jeong concluded by stating: “I look forward to your continuous love and affection towards Korea, as well as your active participation and support to various events to be hosted by the embassy. I appreciate your attendance today, and wish you good luck, continued health and happiness.”
What a wonderful evening it has been, all left the Diligentia Theatre in high spirits.
