4:1 – 4 artists, 1 location

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4:1 – 4 artists, 1 location

Miriam at the Factory, 2018, Pencil and Graphite on paper, 42.5 x 59 cm. Image by Yasmin Sharabi

Thursday, 6 August 2020, Berlin: the group exhibition “4:1 – 4 artists, 1 location“ opened its doors at the renowned aquabitArt gallery located in Berlin Mitte. 

Four extraordinary artists with varying backgrounds are connected by one commonality: they either currently live and practice their art in Bahrain, or have worked on projects on the island and created art during that time.

Curator Frances Stafford, who also built her career in the country, shows introspective drawings, visionary paintings, collaged photographs as well as paper collages and studies – within the intimate gallery setting in Auguststraße 35, 10119 Berlin. The small but beautiful gallery space in the heart of Berlin will be separated into two main rooms, where the artworks will be presented to the audience until the end of the month“ opens its doors at the renowned aquabitArt gallery in Berlin Mitte.

The artists

Ali Dowlatshahi was born in Tehran, Iran in 1976, and moved to Heidelberg, Germany in 1986 following the Iranian revolution. He studied Industrial Design at the University of the Arts (UdK), Berlin until 2005. Since 2003, Dowlatshahi has been working as a freelance designer in Berlin. He specializes in graphics, interiors and furniture and has been designing for numerous international brands, most notably in Bahrain and New York. In 2014 he began working on a series of projects for the Cultural Authority, Bahrain and other private clients in the wider gulf region. Ali Dowlatshahi presents digital colourfields inspired by his travels to Bahrain. Each work comprises of a photograph of Bahrain, overlaid with tinted rectilinear shapes and colours, that partially obscure selected details of each image. The fusion of such elements-structure, transience, tradition and modernity- is often perceived as a statement on the synthesis between Dowlatshahi’s Middle Eastern heritage and the austerity of his western upbringing. 

Mohamed Alaabar alias Leon D. is a multidisciplinary visual artist from Bahrain who engages not only with urban and street interventions but also has a studio practice. His work is driven by his interest in understanding both the physical and metaphysical nature of possible/probable realities. He is eager to travel and learn from people, cultures, nature and the beyond to assist in his continuous research and curiosity in a progressive evolving manner. He currently associates himself with the path and knowledge of psychonautics in order to express abundance, bliss and love throughout his work. 

Utakula Kwa Macho, 2016, Pencil on paper, 59 x 42.5 cm. Copyright to Yasmin Sharabi

Artist and Curator Yasmin Sharabi (Bahrain/USA/Palestine) was born in Greece in 1981. She holds an MA in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute, London (2006) and a BA in Studio Art/Art History, Minor in Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal (2004) where she studied under Canadian painters Marion Wagschal and the late Yves Gaucher. In 2014 and 2016 she was invited to contribute as an artist at the Lamu Art Project, an art residence of Nicholas Logsdail (Lisson Gallery). In 2014, she curated an exhibition with 40 artists from the Gaza Strip, Palestine, a collaborative venture between PADICO (Palestine), the APT (Artist Pension Trust), the UNDP and the Institute français(Jerusalem). Sharabi currently lives and works in Bahrain, as a curator and consultant to artist and collector Rashid Al Khalifa (i.e. H.E. Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa). Sharabi’s work typically explores her heritage through her memories of a specific moment in time. Each image is a replica of a real scene and drawn from photographs that Sharabi has taken. Nothing is fictionalized. As she draws, she attempts to magnify the features of the snap¬shot, to measure and analyze each detail and expand them to scale. It is through this process, by way of the gestures, marks and subtle synchronicities, that she is reminded of that particular moment and of the signs, symbols or ironies that existed within it. 

Patrick Molony Harris was born in South Devon England in 1971. He was an art scholar at Marlborough College from 1985-89 and studied Architecture at the Oxford School of Architecture, before finishing a Fine Arts BA Hons degree at Winchester. In 1991 he moved to Spain and then Palma de Mallorca where he now shares an art studio, Harris Atelier, with his brother. They made a double handed transatlantic crossing in 1997 and are also known for producing the world largest Sail Painting in 2011. Harris has also managed two sail painting projects in Bahrain for the Ministry of Culture (now the Bahrain Authority for Art and Culture) where he trained artists to paint on sails that were then sailed and displayed at the Annual Fine Art Exhibition. The Prime Minister of Bahrain, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, attended both events.

About the curator

Frances Stafford is a Canadian curator and producer who specializes in cultural production and Contemporary Arabic Art. She started her career in Bahrain at Al Riwaq Art Space before moving to the Bahrain Ministry of Culture. There, she mainly produced and directed large-scale public projects and worked in the National Museum as a senior exhibition specialist. She has conceptualized, managed and directed various private and public events, exhibitions and brand launches. From 2018 – 2020 she represented and managed the career of contemporary Saudi artist and children’s literature author and illustrator, Halla bint Khalid. In 2019, Stafford curated Halla bint Khalid’s work for “Tasleemah” which was presented in the Zurab Tsereteli MoMA in Tbilisi, Georgia. Currently she continues to advise and manage various international artists. She curates and mounts international exhibitions and manages participations regularly.

For further information: 
https://art.aquabit.com/project/11-years-aquabitart-online-exhibition/

Ambassador Hoekstra biking Spree

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Ambassador Hoekstra biking Spree

On Saturday morning, H.E. Pete Hoekstra, Ambassador of the USA to The Netherlands, departed The Hague as part of a six man team from the Embassy. Their mission: complete a 7 day, 700-kilometer tour of the Netherlands that touches every province. Along the way, they hope to catch up with friends, partners, and social media audience that helped them build this trip.

The Province of Limburg welcomes Ambassadors Hoekstra’s team.

Ambassador Hoekstra leads the Embassy team through De Veluwe National Park this morning. This is part of the Embassy’s Ronde van Nederland, a 7-day, 12 province 700km trip around the Netherlands.

He said: “A day in the life of the Ronde van Nederland. Another 3 provinces and 80km. Hard to imagine a more beautiful country to ride through.”

« Je tiens la route! »

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« Je tiens la route! »

Projet pour la santé mentale positive des jeunes en milieu scolaire. La prévention et la promotion en santé mentale chez les jeunes.

Par Guy Beauchamp.

En réponse à l’augmentation importante des problèmes de santé mentale chez les étudiants, mon collègue Marc Martineau  et moi avons mis sur pied le projet « Je tiens la route! » au Cégep de l’Outaouais.  L’appellation « Je tiens la route! » réfère à une métaphore qui met en action un-e étudiant-e en voiture devant affronter les tempêtes de neige et les blizzards (phénomènes météorologiques bien présents au Québec). Dans ce contexte, il est absolument nécessaire de se munir de quatre bons pneus pour surmonter les dangers, éviter les catastrophes et « tenir la route! ». 

Chacun de ces pneus s’avère essentiel pour l’étudiant dans sa préparation vis-à-vis des épreuves de différentes natures qui surviendront lors de son parcours. Le premier pneu représente la santé et l’activité physique, le deuxième pneu, la santé psychologique et les stratégies personnelles de gestion de stress, le troisième, l’établissement et le maintien des liens sociaux, et le quatrième pneu, la quête de sens et/ou le développement de sa spiritualité.  

Les exercices reliés à chacun de ces quatre “pneus” amenuisent l’impact des situations d’adversité et favorisent la résilience. Le projet s’articule notamment autour d’activités de sensibilisation auxquelles participent activement les étudiants, et milite pour l’engagement citoyen en santé mentale chez tout le monde dans l’établissement. Les exemples d’activités sont nombreux: un concours vidéo étudiant portant sur la résilience; une pièce de théâtre surprise à la cafétéria simulant différentes situations de détresse psychologique vécues par les étudiants; la journée annuelle printanière «orange» » qui souligne l’importance de maintenir une bonne santé globale pour favoriser sa persévérances aux études; etc.

Dans le cadre de rencontres dans des congrès de recherche, Madame Katty Firquet, Députée et Vice-présidente de la province de Liège, en Belgique, a pris fait et cause du projet « Je tiens la route! » pour l’adapter dans le milieu scolaire et social. Ces échanges internationaux ont porté fruit avec de belles répercussions des deux côtés de l’Atlantique. Entre autres, l’ambassadeur du Canada en Belgique, Son Excellence Monsieur Olivier Nicoloff, lors d’une visite aux instances Liégeoises, a tenu à souligner le lien important entre l’initiative du Cégep de l’Outaouais au Canada et celles de la Province de Liège, se mesurant aux défis qui se posent dans les deux sociétés. 

D’autre part Monsieur Philippe Snoeck, des Affaires Sociales de la Province, a aussi présenté à l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS) un mémoire portant sur les aspects préventifs en santé mentale, en soulignant l’origine québécoise et canadienne du projet « Je tiens la route! ». Le site web canadien du projet (jetienslaroute.com) fait état des initiatives qui ont uni ces deux pays au cours des dernières années, dans l’optique de mieux outiller les jeunes pour favoriser leur croissance, développer leur résilience et ultimement prévenir des problèmes de santé mentale.

L’auteur:

Guy Beauchamp est un ex- professeur-chercheur des milieux collégiaux et universitaires. Il a fait de nombreuses recherches et a publié dans des domaines aussi variés que la pharmacologie, la psychiatrie, la chimie, l’éducation et la santé mentale. Détenteur d’un doctorat en pharmacologie de l’Université de Montréal, son expertise s’étend également dans les analyses statistiques complexes.

Immediate Action Needed to Prevent the Looming Disaster of the Safer Oil Tanker Moored off the Coast of Yemen

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Immediate Action Needed to Prevent the Looming Disaster of the Safer Oil Tanker Moored off the Coast of Yemen

By H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to the Kingdom of The Netherlands.

Amidst the raging conflict in Yemen, the challenge of the Safer Oil Tanker emerges as one of the most hazardous risks to the environment safety in the Red Sea as a result of the potential oil spillage in the Red Sea at any moment.

Following expressing deep alarm, the United Nations Security Council called on 29 June, 2020, to immediately grant unconditional access for the United Nations technical experts to assess the tanker’s condition without overdue to prevent growing risk of possible rupture, explosion or even spillage. 

The threat of the floating Oil Tanker, moored off the coast of Yemen, does not only impose challenges to the geopolitical and strategic importance of the Red Sea,  but it rather represents a huge challenge that threatens the environment safety, leading to one of the largest environmental hazards in the world, after the unforgettable 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster in Siberia – Russia.

On 18 July 2019, the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator Mr. Mark Lowcock informed the UN Security Council of the growing threats of the deserted Safer Oil Tanker, warning of possible explosion or leakage of its loads [1.14 M barrels of crude oil]. In his briefing on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, he pointed out that such an incident would result to a disastrous crisis to the marine life in the Red Sea and maritime in the straits of Bab-AlMadeb and Suez Canal which are two significant water corridors to the world.

It is known that the Red Sea is home for some scarce invertebrates such as corals and 600 species of fish. Unless preventative measures are taken now and immediately to prevent oil spill or possible tanker explosion, we will concretely witness a disastrous incident leading to severe effect on the Red Sea marine environment, and on both biodiversity and livelihoods starting from Yemen and extending north to Suez Canal through Jobal strait and the Gulf of Suez and south through Bab-AlMadeb strait reaching even Hormoz strait through the Arabian sea.

Environment experts’ projections expect that 115 islands are vulnerable to the risk of oil pollution; 126,000 fishermen will lose their source of income, among them 76,000 fishmen are in Al Hodeidah governorate; 850 tons of fish stocks will be exposed to the danger of contamination and death in Yemen, in the Red Sea and in Bab Al-Mandam; more than 500 fish species are at high risk of disappearing; and 300 corals will certainly disappear as a result.

The problem emerged following the takeover of the Capital Sanaa on 21 September 2014, when Houthi militias implemented unilateral actions inter alia dissolving parliament and taking over Yemen’s government institutions, which have seriously escalated the situation, leading to illegitimate seizure of power “coup d’etat”, and eventually leading to current conflict in Yemen.

The floating storage and its connected offloading terminals have not been inspected or maintained since 2015 after Houthis militias took control of the area including port of Ras Isa to which the floating tanker is connected by terminals extending 9km off the coast of Yemen. 

Yemen’s internationally-recognized government has warned in many letters of evident corrosion and lack of maintenance, creating the conditions for serious environmental disaster. The Yemeni government made an urgent call for the UN to send inspection team to scale the risks.

Unfortunately, the UN inspection team was denied access to the floating tanker by the Houthi militias many times. The UN inspection team is tasked with the mission to provide the necessary inspection and put recommendations for the needed maintenance and continuing to create obstacles will refrain the team from reaching the tanker and delivering the urgent inspection. 

Lately, the Government of the Republic of Yemen repeated asserting the urgent emergency of the imminent catastrophe of the floating “Safer Oil Tanker”.  The government confirmed that “given the critical nature of the aging floating tanker’s situation, on 27 May 2020 leaks have been reported in the tanker causing water leaked into the tanker’s operational machineries raising the possibilities of the tanker rupturing, sinking or even exploding. 

Despite urgent fixing of leaking occurred, the deteriorating situation of the tanker threatens continuing eroding. As a result, on 15 July 2020, the UNSC held a session to debate latest urgent developments and called for urgent response to be taken by the Houthi militias as required by the inspection team. It is worth mentioning that the Houthis always show willingness to accept the inspection team just like the assurances made by the Houthis in August 2019 only to be withdrawn right before the inspection team was due to board the tanker. 

The Yemeni government has always approved all relevant initiatives recommended by the UN to allow addressing the serious matter and proposing necessary urgent solutions to the Safer oil tanker, as part of the responsibility to the humanitarian and economic measures proposed by the office of the UN Special Envoy Mr. Martin Griffiths and as part of its responsibility to building and sustaining environment safety; however, the Houthi militias continue refusing to allow permissions to the UN inspection team to visit the oil tanker, noting that the situation of the Safer oil tanker is becoming extremely critical more than ever, causing increasing threats of possible oil spillage, tanker sinking and explosion at any moment.

In conclusion, the Safer Oil Tanker is a floating time-bomb and allowing inspection and maintains is the only possible means that will stop a serious catastrophe from happening. If incidents of explosion or even oil spill occur, that will lead to one of the worst man-made environmental disasters in the Red Sea. Action must be taken immediately while we have in hand an opportunity to protect the environments and spare the lives of millions of people in Yemen and the region from a looming tragedy. 

Also published:

https://www.vision-gt.eu/news/enviroment/immediate-action-needed-to-prevent-the-looming-disaster-of-the-safer-oil-tanker-moored-off-the-coast-of-yemen/

https://www.modernghana.com/news/1021526/immediate-action-needed-to-prevent-the-looming.html

https://www.21cir.com/2020/08/immediate-action-needed-to-prevent-the-looming-disaster-of-the-safer-oil-tanker-moored-off-the-coast-of-yemen/

The Looming Disaster of the Safer Oil Tanker Moored off the Coast of Yemen
Immediate Action Needed to Prevent the Looming Disaster of the Safer Oil Tanker Moored off the Coast of Yemen

Dr. Jesús Seade launches WTO campaign in Europe

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Dr. Jesús Seade launches WTO campaign in Europe

Dr. Jesús Seade Kuri and Ambassador Rogelio Granguillhome Morfin – Picture by SRE, Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores – Mexican Embassy to Germany.

9-30 July 2020: Mexican Undersecretary for North America at the Foreign Ministry, Dr. Jesús Seade Kuri was on a working visit to the World Trade Organisation headquartered in Geneva as well as to Berlin and Paris, for consultations and chiefly presentations towards his candidature to become the succeeding Director General of the WTO. 

In Berlin, Dr. Seade Kuri accompanied by Ambassador Rogelio Granguillhome Morfín held meetings with the Secretary of State of the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Miguel Berger; the head of the Economics and Development Unit of that ministry, Michael Klor-Berchtold; the Director General of International Economics of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy, Eckhard Franz, and the Director of the International Economics Unit of the German Federal Chancellery, Helen Winter. On these occasions, Dr. Seade explained that it is a decisive moment to reform the WTO, through a work agenda that includes the matters for the XXI century as well as different public policies to promote global trade despite the effects on global value chains caused by the ongoing pandemic.

Before German business groups, including the Confederation of German Industry (BDI), the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), and the Confederation of the German Automotive Industry (VDA), Dr. Seade stressed that one of his priorities as director-general of the WTO would be to reactivate the capacity to reach agreements based on effective negotiations in the WTO between the main actors in world trade, combining experience, pragmatism and the search for innovative solutions.

The post at the helm of the WTO becomes vacant on 31 August 2020 when incumbent Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, steps down a year earlier as per his own behest. The candidature of Dr. Seade from Mexico was the first one received by the international organisation for the high office. 
Dr. Seade Kuri was the chief negotiator for the USMCA  that replaced the NAFTA treaty amongst Mexico, the USA and Canada. 

For further information:
Statement by the Mexican Foreign Office: https://www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/el-dr-jesus-seade-kuri-presenta-su-candidatura-a-la-direccion-general-de-la-omc-en-ginebra-berlin-y-paris?state=published&fbclid=IwAR2OW3dhCypFxqAW_rqZjuFjr5n-b14gH-sdNto45g0Q4vKlW1lONZxjGIc

Profile of Dr. Jesús Seade Kuri: https://lideresmexicanos.com/300/jesus-seade-kuri/

Pakistan’s Dr. Faisal introduced to Bavaria

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Pakistan’s Dr. Faisal introduced to Bavaria

Dr. Florian Herrmann and Dr. Mohammad Faisal – Picture by bayern.de, bayerische Staatskanzlei.

Monday, 27 July 2020, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: State Minister Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery, Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs and Media, received the Pakistani head of diplomatic mission to Germany, Dr. Mohammad Faisal for a courtesy call in the framework of the ambassador’s first official visit to Bavaria since taking up the representation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Germany on 8 June 2020.

Focus of the conversation between the two dignitaries was the ongoing global pandemic, and ways to intensify economic ties between Pakistan and Bavaria, which is a state behind the strength of Germany’s economy. 
Dr. Faisal is a career diplomat who joined the foreign service in 1995. He has served as a top envoy for his country in Tanzania, Belgium and Saudi Arabia (Jeddah).

For further information:
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Germany: https://pakemb.de/dr-mohammad-faisal/, https://pakemb.de/ambassador-presents-credentials-to-the-president-of-germany/

Anders Ahnlid honoured with Order of the Lion

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Anders Ahnlid honoured with Order of the Lion

In the picture Ambassador Anders Ahnlid holding the Order of the Lion – Image by Swedish Embassy in Finland.

Tuesday, 4 August 2020, Helsinki, Republic of Finland: The Finnish Foreign Ministry’s Permanent State Secretary Matti Anttonen hosted a farewell luncheon for Ambassador Anders Ahnlid, Sweden’s top envoy in the neighbourly Nordic country for the last three and a half years. 

On behalf of President Sauli Niinistö, Grand Master of the State Orders, the orders’ Chancellor Dr. Jussi Nuorteva bestowed upon Ambassador Ahnlid the rank of  ‘Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of Finland’ (in Finnish: Suomen Leijonan ritarikunta; in Swedish: Finlands Lejons orden).The Order of the Lion of Finland was founded on 11 September 1942. The Lion of Finland is awarded for civilian and military merit. Ambassador Ahnlid received the order’s highest rank. 

Ahnlid returns to Sweden in August 2020, and becomes Director General of the National Trade Board (Kammerskollegium) after serving as Ambassador to Finland, and previously Permanent Representative to the EU. 

For information about the appointment of Ambassador Ahnlid to lead the Swedish National Trade Board: 
https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2020/06/06/anders-ahnlid-to-promote-swedish-trade/

Building a Stronger Partnership

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Building a Stronger Partnership

By H.E. Mr Andrés Terán Parral, Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to the Kingdom of The Netherlands.

In 2018, the decision was made to reopen the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It marked the beginning of a significant effort to revitalize and expand the political, diplomatic, and economic relations that exist between Ecuador and the Netherlands, as well as deepen our country’s engagement with the various international organizations situated in The Hague. Shortly thereafter, another incredibly significant moment occurred: the first official visit to the Netherlands by a President of the Republic of Ecuador in over 25 years. 

In July 2019, H.E. Lenin Moreno, President of the Republic of Ecuador, met with H.M. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, as part of a mission to promote new investment in Ecuador and activate commercial opportunities to further open the European market to Ecuadorian products. H.E. José Valencia, then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador, and H.E. Stef Blok, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, likewise met at the margins of this presidential visit, holding discussion on, inter alia, the advancement of negotiations to conclude a bilateral investment treaty. 

Taken collectively, these moments represent an important tour de force for the revitalization and enhancement of relations between Ecuador and the Netherlands, building on over 150 years of friendship and cooperation between our nations. Yet, this only represent the beginning of our mission to further strengthen and connect our countries. Presently, our new agenda can be divided into four key areas of engagement: commerce, cooperation, tourism, and multilateralism.

As concerns commerce, it should come as no surprise that the Dutch market presents itself as a vast source of opportunity for Ecuadorian products. Importantly, the Netherlands is one of our main European destinations for shrimp, cacao and cacao beans, fresh cut flowers, bananas and other tropical fruits. It is worth mentioning that Ecuador´s world famous rose industry was developed with technology brought by the Dutch nearly 40 years ago, truly representing the unique and important bond shared by our countries. Fresh cut roses represent 880 million dollars in exports each year, primarily through Schiphol Amsterdam Airport. 

On the other hand, Ecuador presents itself as an exceptionally fruitful prospect for investment for the Netherlands, primarily due to the vast natural resources found in our country. The Netherlands is the second largest Foreign Direct Investor in Ecuador, having invested $ 857 million dollars between 2008 and 2017. In 2018 alone, a total of $162.3 million dollars was invested in the areas of mining (40%), agribusiness, food and beverages (33%), energy and gas (14%) and services (13%).  

Additionally, the role of the European Union is of equal importance to Ecuador, which is why a Trade Agreement was concluded in 2017 for the purpose of enabling Ecuadorian products to be traded more equally in the European market, and for European consumers to be able to access exceptionally high quality products produced in Ecuador. It is worth mentioning that Ecuador is the largest supplier of tuna and shrimp to the Union. 

With regards to cooperation, Ecuador is primarily focused on consolidating mutual assistance with the Authorities of the Netherlands in terms of customs, cybersecurity and police matters, particularly in the fight against transnational organized crime and drug trafficking. Ecuadorian authorities work closely and diligently with their counterparts in the Netherlands to safeguard our societies from these modern threats. In this sense, the port of Rotterdam, being the main port of entry for almost all Ecuadorian exports to the European market, represents a strategic zone for our Authorities. With its cutting-edge technology and facilities dedicated to the handling of international cargo, Rotterdam is key area of cooperation for Ecuador. Likewise, certain Ecuadorian exports reach the Netherlands through Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, a port of entry that has an infrastructure that enables rapid coordination with logistics services for the distribution of our products across the European market and the world. 

As concerns tourism, we strive to make Ecuador a main destination for Dutch tourists so that they may be able to visit the famed country of the “Four Worlds”.

A name earned because of the four different regions and climates which exist within our borders. This reality is accompanied by a unique culture and biodiversity. The “Four Worlds” are composed of: the Coastal region, home to endless kilometres of sun-drenched beaches and untouched natural wonders; the Andes Region, where ancient mountains and snow-covered volcanoes create an eternal spring during the day, while providing the perfect cold at night; the Amazon region, where pure and untouched jungle composed of exceptional and endemic flora and fauna exist; and finally the Insular region which is home to a cradle of endemic and unique species, the Galapagos Islands. 

Particularly, the Galapagos Islands are known worldwide as “the Natural Laboratory of the Planet”, being the famed inspiration for the theory of evolution as described in ¨On the Origin of Species¨, one of the most important works of 19th century naturalist Charles Darwin. On these incredible islands you will be able to see nature undisturbed: giant tortoises, sea lions, penguins, and blue-footed boobies all coexisting in a special ecosystem unlike any other on Earth. A recent documentary titled “Galapagos: Hope for the Future”, directed by Evert Van den Bos, distinguished Dutch producer and director, was screened simultaneously in 2019 in Ecuador and the Netherlands, for the purpose of bringing more attention to the special nature of these islands. 

The final area of engagement is multilateralism. The Netherlands and Ecuador coincide on a common vision of the international order based on principles and values, the rule of law and a strong support for cooperation and diplomacy. As a result, our countries have a shared position on issues concerning human rights, gender equality, democracy and governance, as well as concerns the role of international institutions such as the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, and the Organization for the Prohibition for Chemical Weapons. We work closely to create a better world for all nations and peoples. 

This is all to say that Ecuador strives to work on strengthening and enhancing our dynamic relationship with the Netherlands, while focusing on working together for a better world, based on the rule of law and the values and principles of democracy, multilateralism, freedom and economic prosperity. It is my sincere view that in order to achieve these objectives, we must develop and enhance our engagement, facilitate understanding among our countries and building capacity in the aforementioned areas.  It is our great privilege at the Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador, to continue working on these objectives.


A Story of Uniqueness: Cacao and Roses from Ecuador

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A Story of Uniqueness: Cacao and Roses from Ecuador

By Fernando Echeverría Dávila, Second Secretary – Embassy of Ecuador in the Netherlands.

Ecuador’s unique situation at the centre of the world has gifted it with exceptional conditions as concerns its climate and biodiversity. Its diverse “Four Worlds” of Costa, Sierra, Amazonia and the Insular region all exist within the borders of one place: Ecuador. 

As a result of these rich conditions and unique geographical position, Ecuador has been fortunate in having a special and rich biodiversity which extends to a wide range of botanical species. In this context, I would like to share the story of two of the most important products which grow in our fertile land: cacao and roses.

The Spaniard conquistador Hernán Cortés, after having defeated and conquered the Aztec Empire, returned to Spain in 1528 with the recipe for xocoatl, a ceremonial beverage made from cacao beans. Upon arriving in Europe, nearly 500 years ago, it did not take long for Europeans to give the cacao plant an appropriate scientific name ¨Theobroma cacao¨, meaning ¨beverage of the gods¨. Today, among the various products of the cacao plant, chocolate remains the most popular.

Cacao farm in Ecuador. Photography by David Greenwood-Haigh.

Until recently, it was believed that chocolate originated in Mesoamerica, since it was there that Europeans came into contact with it first. Mayan artefacts and hieroglyphs describe their deities consuming chocolate. The study of Olmec and Aztec culture has also unearthed various uses for cacao in these societies, including rituals. Yet, the consumption of chocolate was not exclusive to these cultures. In South America, chocolate has been consumed by indigenous cultures since time immemorial.

Only a couple of years ago, an archaeological expedition to the Ecuadorian amazon rainforest discovered ceramic remains which contained the oldest traces of cacao identified to date, indicating that cacao and its by-products have been used for approximately 5,000 years in the area of land which we now call Ecuador. 

While the botanical origin of cacao may continue to be subject to long debates, it is undeniable that Ecuador produces one of its best varieties, denominated as ¨nacional¨ and known for its rapid fermentation. This variant is produced in special climate zones which allow for the beans produced by this cacao plant to produce a mild chocolate with great flavour and aroma, a fact which has resulted in its international recognition as a ¨cacao fino de aroma¨ or “arriba”. Only about 5% of the total world production of cacao is recognized as such, making it highly priced and sought after by the most exclusive chocolatiers. As concerns its effect on the environment, cacao is sustainable and important for the ecosystem that depends on its existence. 

Roses from Ecuador Photography by Albrecht Fietz.

In the same way that the New World gave cacao to the Old World, the latter brought the beautiful and splendid rose to our lands. Like our chocolate, Ecuadorian roses enjoy prestige around the world for their beauty, variety, colour intensity, stem length, and most importantly, their fine scent. Ecuadorian roses are planted at altitudes above 2,500 metres above sea level in the Ecuadorian Andes, where spring is essentially eternal, receiving just the right amount and intensity of sunlight, a fact which is only made permissible by Ecuador’s position at the centre of the world. 

It is important to mention that without the dedication and tireless work of our farmers and producers, the production of cocoa and roses would not be possible.

In particular, as concerns Roses is specifically linked to the empowerment of women, as they play a fundamental role in their production, handling and control. 

An ideal gift to accompany Ecuadorian chocolate is a bouquet of roses from Ecuador. I wish to encourage you to taste, smell and experience our products, all the while remembering the special conditions which allow for Ecuador to produce these goods. Each bite tells a story which starts in Ecuador.

Main picture: Mitad del mundo, Pichincha, Quito. Photography by Ecuador Ministry of Tourism.

About the author:

Fernando Echeverría Dávila is an Ecuadorian career diplomat (Second Secretary). He began working in the Netherlands at the Consulate of Ecuador in The Hague in 2015, in the capacity of Vice-Consul. From August 2018, upon the reopening of the Embassy of Ecuador, Fernando was designated as the Deputy of the Mission, dealing with a wide range of bilateral, multilateral and legal affairs. 

Fernando holds some university degrees; he is Agronomist, Agribusiness Engineer, and Lawyer. Furthermore holds postgraduates degrees in Clean Development Mechanisms and Climate Change and a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. 

Prior to joining the Ecuadorian Foreign Service, Fernando worked in NGOs concerned with environmental protection and rural development. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador, where he has held positions in the following Departments:  Bilateral Relations with Asia and Africa, Bilateral Relations with Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and Environment and Climate Change. 

When the economy inducts to suicide, who is the killer?

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When the economy inducts to suicide, who is the killer?

By Marco Pizzorno.

National companies are now committed to fighting against a common evil that brings to memory the plagues of Egypt. A change in the habits and lives of millions of people, who see their dignity limited and count thousands of dead. Still looking for a culprit, the world unfortunately also comes to terms with the economic consequences and their social impact caused by Covid-19. Now the change rewrites the rules, but the loss of social norms and the continuous economic fluctuations, what impact could it have on the Human Family? Very interesting studies on sociological problems of this kind were made by the French sociologist Durkheim.

Who is Durkheim?

Émile Durkheim was born in Epinal, April 15, 1858– Paris, and died on November 15, 1917. He was a French sociologist, philosopher and historian of religions. His work has been fundamental for sociology and anthropology, sensing the importance between religion and the structure of the social group.

His most important studies are aimed at topics such as the crime, religion, the construction of social types, the study of suicide. Durkheim divides the latter into three important phases such as: selfish, altruistic, fatalistic and anomic suicide. Precisely in relation to the first wave of Covid and the economic destabilization that it has achieved, it could be interesting to pay attention to the study of the “anomie”.

Could another economic crisis be fatal for humanity?

The text of the french sociologist within his work, (Le Suicide. Étude de sociologie -1897), literally quotes:

“Mais la société n’est pas seulement un objet qui attire à soi, avec une intensité inégale, les sentiments et l’activité des individus. Elle est aussi un pouvoir qui les règle. Entre la manière dont s’exerce cette action régulatrice et le taux social des suicides il existe un rapport”.

“Society is not only something that attracts to itself, with unequal intensity, feelings and activities of individuals, it is also the power that regulates them” Between the way this regulatory action is carried out and the social rate of suicides there is a connection.”

Paragraph I: C’est un fait connu que les crises économiques ont sur le penchant au suicide une influence aggravante.

-It is a known fact that economic crises have an aggravating influence on the inclination to suicide.

Paragraph II: Un vivant quelconque ne peut être heureux et même ne peut vivre que si ses besoins sont suffisamment en rapport avec ses moyens.

Any living person cannot be happy, and even cannot live, unless his needs are sufficiently related to his means.

Who is the culprit of an economic suicide?

The sociologist seems to warn society and its economy of the danger of economic changes and how they have a self-injurious impact on the population.

Finally, although the international statistics are not all completely clear on the deaths  caused by the economy, would it be a fair preventive policy to help the human family not to be induced to a crime?

If not, who pays for it?

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