IMACO (International Mask Arts & Culture Organization) held the 7th IMACO International Conference in Bacolod, Philippines from 5th to 8th November 2019.
The City of Bacolod is where the MassKara Festival, the Philippines’ most representative and largest mask festival, takes place. The city is known as the “City of Smiles”, and it was selected as the next venue at the 6th IMACO International Conference in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Since its establishment in 2006, IMACO – the only UNESCO accredited NGO on mask culture – has held an international conference every two years. IMACO hosted the first international conferences in Andong City (Korea) in 2006, followed by others in Bangkok (Thailand) in 2009, in Singaraja (Indonesia) in 2011, in Thimphu (Bhutan) in 2013, in Shanghai (China) in 2015, and in Vientiane (Laos) in 2017. This November, IMACO held the 7th International Conference in Bacolod (Philippines).
After the 6th International Conference in Vientiane (Laos), the 7th international conference was allowed to use UNESCO’s patronage and ICH emblem. The usage of the UNESCO’s patronage and the ICH emblem provides an opportunity to promote the importance of mask cultures, a universal culture of mankind, as well as Andong City as “the Mecca of the world’s mask culture”.
Under the theme of “Inside and Outside of Mask Culture; Mask, Practice, and Culture”, the conference drew 120 participants including mask related scholars, officials, and mask performers from 17 countries.
In particular, a policy forum was held under the theme of “Sustainable Development of Mask Culture”. Furthermore, an academic symposium was conducted under the theme of “Inside and Outside of Mask Culture: Masks, Practice, and Culture”. The symposium’s aim was to deepen research in the field of mask culture from broader perspectives, including issues such as the origin, transmission, myths, rituals, communities, performers, craft, preservation of mask and its culture – thus going beyond the traditional focus of “practice” research.
Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines, special performances – including those of Hahoe Mask Dance Drama (Korea), Bukcheong Lion Dance (Korea), K-pop (Korea), Face-changing (China), and MassKara Dance (Philippines) – were shown to the public.
Starting from the first day of the international conference, the World Mask Exhibition, which displays about 400 masks from all over the world, will be held until the end of this year – at the special request of the City of Bacolod.
Young-sae Kweon, President of IMACO and Mayor of Andong City, said that IMACO will play its role as a UNESCO accredited NGO in informing international society of the importance of preservation and promotion of the disappearing mask culture, especially by inscribing Korean mask dances in UNESCO ICH lists.
Evelio Leonardia, Mayor of Bacolod City, said that “We in Bacolod are proud that our MassKara festival, although only forty years old, has been accepted as a member of IMACO, whose membership is composed of nations and communities whose mask culture dates back to centuries earlier. We believe that these diversified cultural expressions of our masks created our respective identities as a nation, as a community and as a group – making our world more colorful and beautiful.”
Although Turkey, India, Jordan, Peru, and many countries have expressed their desire to host the 8th IMACO International Conference in 2021, Andong City, the president’s city, was selected as the next venue, in which IMACO’s 15th anniversary will be celebrated.
Par S. Exc. M. Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade, Juge à la Cour internationale de Justice et Président de son Comité de la Bibliothèque.
La cérémonie du 10 octobre 2019 au Mémorial de la Shoah à Paris a marqué la réalisation du projet lancé à la Cour Internationale de Justice (CIJ) – à travers son Comité de la Bibliothèque – à La Haye en 2015, en vue de parachever la préservation des archives de Nuremberg dans les meilleures conditions. Le projet, approuvé par la CIJ au mois de juillet 2017, a bénéficié du soutien du Mémorial de la Shoah (France) et du Musée de l’Holocauste (États-Unis), qui en ont été vivement remerciés lors d’une rencontre organisée au siège de la CIJ, au Palais de la Paix, à La Haye, le 1er février 2018.
Le procès devant le Tribunal de Nuremberg s’est ouvert le 20 novembre 1945, quand l’Europe cherchait à se reconstruire en se fondant sur l’état de droit, consciente de la nécessité de perpétuer la mémoire de la tragédie et des horreurs de la deuxième guerre mondiale. À la fin du procès (qui comporta 403 séances, réparties sur 216 jours), le Tribunal a rendu son verdict condamnant les responsables le 1er octobre 1946, et a en outre conclu au caractère criminel du corps des chefs politiques du parti nazi, de la Gestapo, de la SS et du SD.
Le procès de Nuremberg était destiné à engendrer une nouvelle ère, dans laquelle tant les gouvernements que leurs représentants seraient tenus pour responsables de leurs actes. Le procès de Nuremberg, suivi par celui de Tokyo, en est ainsi venu à représenter dans la mémoire collective les origines du droit pénal international (tel que connu aujourd’hui), contribuant du même coup à l’évolution du droit international contemporain lui-même.
Le temps s’est écoulé, et c’est quelque cinq décennies plus tard (pendant les années 1990) que devaient naître ses épigones: tribunaux pénaux internationaux ad hoc; tribunaux «internationalisés» «hybrides» ou «mixtes»; et enfin Cour pénale Internationale. L’un des aspects les plus importants de cette évolution réside dans l’affirmation et la reconnaissance de la personnalité et de la capacité juridiques internationales de l’être humain en tant que sujet de droit international, – une expansion s’accompagnant d’une juridiction et d’une responsabilité internationales élargies, dans toutes leurs dimensions.
La consolidation des principes de Nuremberg, et la préservation et numérisation des archives de Nuremberg (dont la garde avait été confiée en 1950 à la CIJ), garantissent la préservation de la mémoire elle-même, si nécessaire au processus historique en cours d’ humanisation du droit international. La commémoration de l’heureux aboutissement de notre projet constitue une contribution importante à la cause de la primauté de la mémoire sur la cruauté humaine. Les valeurs humaines fondamentales doivent prévaloir et il est impératif de continuer à cultiver la mémoire des millions de victimes d’atrocités et de la cruauté humaine.
Les victimes occupent à cet égard une place centrale; la reconnaissance de leur souffrance fait elle-même partie de l’accomplissement de ce noble objectif qu’est la réalisation de la justice. Le souvenir de leur souffrance montre que la tragique vulnérabilité de la condition humaine ne doit pas mener au désespoir, mais bien au contraire, nourrir l’espoir. En ce monde si dangereux dans lequel nous vivons – ou survivons – aujourd’hui, il est essentiel de continuer à cultiver la mémoire, la justice et l’espoir.
By H.E. Dr Hisham Al-Alawi, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to The Netherlands.
History of Diplomacy: Diplomacy is a profession like medicine or law; its goal is to advance the national interests of a country through dialogue, negotiation and cooperation with the governments of other countries. It was only in the 18th Century that the organization and administration of Diplomacy within a single entity i.e. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), run by a Minister, came into force (Berridge, 2005).
The Foreign Office in UK was created in 1782 and the US State Department in 1789. Between 1840 and 1880, the world witnessed the emergence of more such ministries in China, Japan and Turkey. The role of MFA has expanded greatly over the years as a result of the multiplicity of actors and factors affecting international politics, international relations and, therefore, the formulation and conduct of Foreign Policy.
Traditional diplomacy was highly formal, institutional, slow, interpersonal, and usually protected by secrecy. In his famous “Fourteen Points” speech of 1918, US President Woodrow Wilson advocated “open covenants of peace, openly arrived at, after which there shall be no private international understandings of any kind but diplomacy shall proceed always frankly and in the public view” (Wilson, 1918), thus heralding what came to be known as the “new diplomacy”. This was primarily associated with exposing diplomacy to the media and public opinion.
Interrelated changes in politics, international relations, and mass communication that occurred in the last few decades have greatly expanded the media’s role in world events. The revolution in communication and information technologies (IT), the capability to broadcast –often live e.g. CNN effect- almost every significant development in world events to almost every place on our globe, and the creation and expansion of the internet, have led to the globalization of electronic communication and journalism and to substantial growth in networks, stations and consumers worldwide.
The communication and IT revolution also made the politics of international relations more interactive and enhanced the role of non-state actors such as opinion leaders and NGOs (Marshall, 1999).
These revolutionary changes have altered the meaning of power in contemporary world politics. It is a nation or leader’s image, control of information flow, ability to build good bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other states, and not just their military and economic power, that help determine their status in the international community. “Soft power”, defined as the ability to achieve desired outcomes in international affairs through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion, is gradually replacing the more traditional forms of power (Bennis, 2006).
Governments have had to focus on multilateral cooperation and adopt new tools to deal with the new challenges of international terrorism, drugs trafficking, money laundering, global organised crime, illegal immigration, enforced migration, environmental degradation and cyber terrorism.
H.E. Dr Hisham Al-Alawi, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to The Netherlands.
Qualities of a Good Diplomat:
The following are the qualities a Good Diplomat should possess, according to Sir Harold Nicolson (Nicolson, 1998): “Health, rapidity of understanding, patience, comparative sanity, great physical endurance, charm, no class prejudice up or down, immense curiosity, a neat manner with maps and papers, industry, accuracy, the power to ask inconvenient questions at the wrong moment, intimacy with the private secretaries of one’s own plenipotentiaries, the good taste to disguise that intimacy, the habit of looking upward and not downward when one does not know the answer to a question, courtesy, ability to type and fix carbon papers, acquaintance with economics, cleanliness, sobriety, cheerfulness, statistics from sources never mentioned, some proficiency in architecture and literature, capacity of enduring long dinner parties, honesty, faculty of speaking well some foreign languages, no consummate belief in the immediate wisdom of the people or the press, a good memory, truthfulness and a complete sterilization of all human vanity”.
The main functions of diplomats are representation, negotiation, promotion of friendly relations, protection of the interests of citizens living abroad, and information gathering, analysis and distribution.
In my view, the most important and relevant topics that diplomatic training courses should cover are the qualities and functions of a good diplomat, how diplomats perform their duties, the risks they are exposed to and the means/tools they can use to protect themselves, negotiation and communication skills, the relation and interaction between diplomats and the media as well as the impact of IT on diplomacy.
Diplomats are now required to be expert in at least two regions and fluent in two languages in order to be promoted to senior ranks. Currently, record numbers of diplomats are being trained in critical languages like Chinese, Urdu, Arabic and Farsi. Public diplomacy is now an important part of every diplomat’s job description. It is crucial to provide a common vision of hope and prosperity while engaging foreign publics and media.In the absence of clearly defined structures and predictable operational context, Diplomats rely on their Knowledge in all its variety, as their ultimate resource.
Information is increasingly available. The main question is how to process all the information that has become available in the era of information explosion and even saturation, in order to obtain value-added elements. This is the process known as Data-Mining. It entails combining Data, corroborating information related to them, drawing the analytical conclusions and thus, creating useful knowledge. Knowledge is the combination of information, training, experience and intuition. In Diplomacy, Knowledge takes different forms: the general knowledge gathered in education and upbringing, knowledge of Special Subjects gathered through specific Diplomatic training, knowledge gained through experience (knowledge of religions, cultures, procedures…etc.).
It is this knowledge that enables Diplomats to act appropriately in unpredictable situations Diplomacy these days has many new partners, but no single substitute. Political leaders and policy makers may get news of a crisis first from CNN rather than the relevant embassy cables, but diplomats are still necessary to provide the detailed political reporting from foreign lands. Adequate training of diplomats is very important: To meet the challenges of “new” diplomacy, diplomats must be diverse, well-rounded, active, and able to carry out multiple tasks. Diplomacy in the 21st Century requires that the right people have the right skills in the right place at the right time. Continued training and career development programs will better prepare diplomats and advance their expertise.
Conclusions: Diplomats are definitely still needed, but what we need are good diplomats. Diplomats are necessary to preserve world peace, and maintain and promote friendly relations between states. Apart from what is required of diplomats in the past, diplomats of the 21st century must follow the latest developments of IT technology and make full use of them. They will not only be analyzing policy and shaping outcomes, but also running programmes.
They might be also asked to help foreign citizens to promote democracy and nation building, fight corruption, start businesses, improve healthcare, and reform education. To reach beyond the borders of the traditional diplomatic structures and beyond foreign capitals, diplomats will have to move out from behind their desks into the field, from reporting on outcomes to shaping them. In addition, 21st century technology will be used more widely to engage foreign publics more directly via the media and Internet, and to better connect diplomats in real time.
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Bibliography:
1. Bennis, A.I. (2006) The Powerful Tools of Foreign Policy, Diplomacy: Practice, Procedure and Dynamics, Module Workbook: Lectures Volume II, Diplomatic Academy of London, University of Westminster.
2. Berridge G.R. (2005) Diplomacy: Theory and Practice 3rd ed. Palgrave MacMillan, New York.
3. Marshall P. (1999) Positive Diplomacy. Palgrave MacMillan, New York.
4. Nicolson, H. (1998) Diplomacy. Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Washington DC.5. Wilson, Woodrow. Fourteen Points Speech of 1918. Accessed on: http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=62. Retrieved on 02/11/2012.
Have you ever thought of selecting a few people belonging to different factions of a violent conflict and encouraging them to live in the same house, thousands of kilometers away from home, for a couple of years? For how far-fetched and revolutionary such idea may seems, someone had it – and not now, but even back in the 1990s. This someone is Franco Vaccari, Italian psychologist and founder of “Rondine – Citadel for Peace”.
Rondine is an Italian-based international organization that works to reduce armed conflicts in the world through methods of creative transformation of conflict.
The organization’s basic approach is to provide a forum for youth from countries afflicted by conflict to study and live together in Rondine, a medieval hamlet near Arezzo, Tuscany.
By leaving in the so-called “World House”, these young students get not only a chance to pursue their studies and develop individual projects for their country, but also – and most importantly – to live with those who would supposedly be “their enemies”.
By doing so – the Rondine method goes – they can learn “to face their own conflict, and turn it into a creative opportunity”, with the final aim of returning to their home countries – hopefully contributing to conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence.
Rondine’s roots trace back to the late 1980s, when Mr. Vaccari – drawing inspirations from pacifist figures such as Giorgio La Pira and Don Lorenzo Milani – attempted to open a communication channel across the Cold War’s Iron Curtain. Over the years, the contacts with Moscow developed in something more serious, leading to a delegation by Rondine in 1995 to find a truce in the Chechen War. The mission was only partly successful, as the negotiated cease-fire did not hold. Yet, the contacts with actors on the ground continued, and in the wake of the war, Rondine hosted a mixed group of Russian and Chechnyan students. In 1998, the World House was born.
Rondine’s first attempt was not particularly successful. After some time, the Russian and Chechnyan students had an intense argument (ironically – I was told – over the laundry…), and subsequently decided quit the project. Yet, the founders persisted – and their perseverance eventually bore fruits. Currently, about twenty years after the first experiment, Rondine hosts 30 students from 25 different countries across Europe, Africa, America, and the Near East.
During the Paris Peace Forum, I had the pleasure to talk to two of these young students, Madeleine (26) and Arvedo (24) from Mali. They told me about the challenges faced by their country – once an example of peaceful coexistence among peoples, and currently a theater of harsh violence among Malians. They explained that at the root of their choices to join Rondine’s initiative there is a shared desire to make Mali a better place – something that they are pursuing not only through their focus on peaceful conflict resolution, but also through individual projects concerning agriculture and gender issues. The students also recounted the several challenges they face, not only during the cohabitation in Rondine, but also at the time of returning to their own country to explain their experience. Yet, nothing seems to be unsolvable for them. As Arvedo put it, “the key is not to eliminate problems, but to learn how to manage them”.
Building on the achievements of its first twenty years of experience, in October 2018 Rondine decided to take a step further. It did so by launching a global campaign – “Leaders for Peace” – in which the organization asks states all over the world to remove a symbolic figure from their defense budgets, in order to invest it in scholarships for future peace leaders, as well as in the introduction of human rights education in the national education systems.
The campaign – which was launched on the 70thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – soon received endorsements from no less than Italy’s President of the Republic and Pope Francis, and in early 2019 it gained its first signature from a state – Italy. After last year’s presentation at the United Nations headquarters, in December 2019 Rondine will be again in New York. In an event organized by Italy’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Rondine students and alumni will share their experiences, also joined by representatives of their supporter countries.
As mankind experiences an intolerably high number of conflicts all across the world, it is more important than ever to provide support to those actors who relentlessly work for peace. As John Lennon used to sing a few decades ago, let’s “give peace a chance”.
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.
By Martin Sørby, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
International cooperation is crucial to Norway’s security, economy and prosperity. Human rights and gender equality lie at the core of Norwegian society – and the Norwegian Government’s foreign policy.
Our values require us ensure that all people are able to live in freedom and security, regardless of where they are and to stand up against hateful and discriminatory behaviour. Putting human rights and gender equality at the forefront of our efforts is key to reaching these goals.
The world is facing a number of challenges that are too great and complex for any one country to tackle alone. These must be addressed through joint efforts. Effective international cooperation is needed to address challenges such as climate change, marine litter and new security threats.
Until recently, it has been easier to take international cooperation for granted, but now we see that states are less inclined to turn to multilateral organisations to solve common challenges through compromise and cooperation. The world has become less predictable, and there is a need to work in a slightly different way in order to safeguard Norwegian, as well as global, interests.
Multilateral organisations are our first line of defence. We must prioritise strengthening the institutions that matter the most to our security, economy and welfare – such as the UN, the WTO and NATO. We must defend what we have. This involves strengthening the institutions that are already established, rather than developing new, competing organisations.
As a long-standing partner of the United Nations with a record of consistency in supporting human rights and peaceful negotiations, we are ready to again take our turn in the United Nations Security Council in 2021-2022.
The fundamental principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – to leave no one behind – strikes at the very core of the fundamental principles of human rights; namely, non-discrimination, equal rights and dignity. By respecting human rights, states will also take a major step towards implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Countries that deny women their rights, deny their societies prosperity. We know that investment in girls and women has a positive effect on productivity, sustainable economic growth and efforts to eradicate poverty. Females make up half of society. If a girl is illiterate, it means a society is incomplete and missing out on opportunities.
The participation of women helps to ensure that the results of decision-making processes are more legitimate and that the needs and priorities of a greater share of the population are being taken into account. Increasing the participation of women is thus not only important in itself; it also increases the chances of securing lasting prosperity and development.
The SheDecides movement believes in the fundamental right of every girl and every woman – everywhere – to make decisions about her body, her life and her future. The Norwegian Government is committed to a world where SheDecides. SheDecides conveys a positive message of empowerment, agency and a comprehensive,integrated approach to health and sexuality. Violence and discrimination against girls and women is not cultural; it is criminal.
This year, 2020, marks 20 years since the establishment of the United Nations Women, Peace and Security mandate. Notwithstanding two decades of concerted efforts by UN organisations and partners to address sexual violence in conflicts, this mandate continues to be deployed as part of a broader strategy towards conflicts that severely affect women, men, girls and boys – and society as a whole.
I have promoted the agenda for Women, Peace and Security consistently with partners here in The Hague, including the Head Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and the organisation Gender for Justice. The latter presented in December last year The Hague Principles on Sexual Violence – Translating the lived experience of sexual violence survivors into law and policy. This month, we will also organise an event addressing this topic, focusing on the UN’s peacekeeping operations and work to prevent and combat sexual violence in conflicts.
As the Norwegian Ambassador to the Netherlands and as a Gender Champion, I am strongly devoted and committed to my Government’s efforts to promote multilateral institutions by putting human rights and gender equality at the forefrontof our efforts.
Mr. Viktor Kholstov, Director of the Centre for Analytical Research on Chemical and Biological Weapon Conventions under the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and Mayor General I.A. Kirillov, Chief of the Radiological, Chemical and Biological defense (RCBD) Troops at the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
After the end of the 24thConference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, hosted a press conference at the Russian embassy in order to draw some conclusions. Speaking to the press, he noted thatthis conference will be remembered for the adoption of two draft decisions by consensus. The draft decisions, presented by the Western troika – United States, Canada, and the Netherlands – and Russia, concern the update of the appendix to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
“For the first time in the entire period of the existence of the Chemical Weapons Convention (open for signing in 1993), the register of poisonous substances controlled by the Convention has been updated with new two groups of chemicals, including one group of several hundreds of substances developed and patented in the United States as chemical weapons in 70’s and 80’s, as well as one group that was developed and studied in NATO laboratories” – Ambassador Shulgin explained. The Russian Ambassador was accompanied by two experts: Mayor General I.A. Kirillov, Chief of the Radiological, Chemical and Biological defense (RCBD) Troops from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, and Mr. Viktor Kholstov, Director of the Centre for Analytical Research on Chemical and Biological Weapon Conventions under the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.
After a long period of fierce confrontation at the OPCW, the registration of these new substances showed that Russia and the United States still have the ability to come to the negotiating table and reach an agreement. The denouement of the issues associated with the lists can certainly be seen as a positive development.
While the registration of the new substances took place by consensus, the adoption of the OPCW program and budget for 2020 created problems during the 24th Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Russia, who fully paid its contribution to the budget for 2019, confirmed its disagreement with the so-called “Omnibus Draft Budget” program prepared by the OPCW Technical Secretariat. As Ambassador Shulgin explained, Russia considers this program illegitimate due to the fact that “it uses cash to balance previous years’ operations without the consent of all participants, which is a gross violation of the financial rules of our organization.Needless to say – the Ambassador continued – it is regrettable when a decision is imposed on the participating countries to the CWC, especially if such decision involves drawing money from them to finance other initiatives undertaken in the narrowly selfish interests of certain groups of states.”
“Our aspiration is simple and clear” – Ambassador Shulgin highlighted: “we wish the funds to be allocated to activities permitted under the convention.” Russia, supported by China, asked to hold additional consultations on the 2020 budget. However, the United States’ delegation declared the need to vote without delay, breaking down a possible consensus. The outcome of the vote was the following: 106 votes in favor, 19 against, 17 abstentions, while many delegates left the room.
Mr. Viktor Kholstov and Ambassador Shulgin.
The Russian delegation commented its position with these words: “We invariably emphasized our willingness to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization, provided that the money goes to activities permitted by the convention, and that our organization’s financial right is not violated.”
The debate on the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian city of Douma on April 4, 2018 has become an unsolved recurrent issue opposing the parts in the OPCW agora. “We, Russian Federation, fulfill our commitment and obligations to the OPCW regarding the destruction of chemical weapons” Mr. Shulgin said.
More than a year after the incident, the shadow of an alleged fraud committed in the preparation of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Douma is still present both in the medias and in the Conference, where Russia raised the issue. The leadership of the OPCW is set to attempt to find a solution to this issue – which continue to divide Russia and the US. Russia supports the initiation of an international briefing on the Douma report, with the participation of all members of the IUFS, both former and current. “However, our American colleagues” – Ambassador Shulgin noted – “pointed at financial and technical reasons to oppose the initiative”.
“We will uphold this reasonable requirement,” Mr. Shulgin continued. “It would be extremely short-sighted to pretend that nothing has happened, and that the IUFS report on Duma was impeccable. In doing so, we will only perpetuate the issue.
The origin of this crucial issue traces back to the assessment of the use of chemical weapons in Douma. The assessment was conducted by three external independent experts – mandated by France, United State and UK – and not by the OPCW technical secretariat. At the same time, Russia’s request of publishing and verifying the results of the report in an international briefing was refused. Russia is still asking to allow experts to review the report. “We are asking for ballistics studies, and they respond that they cannot disclose the identity of the three experts because they need to protect them. It is becoming a vicious cycle. The technical secretariat systematically refuses our requests” – Ambassador Shulgin complained.
The issues brought up by Russia concern: the mismatch between the sizes of the dropped cylinder and that of the hole in the roof; the lack of damage to the bed where the cylinder was found; the non -identification of the bodies; etc. These issues came back with force into Ambassador Shulgin’s speech.
“In fact, what kind of confidence can there be in future investigative processes if the case of Douma’s report is not set?” – he asked. “We believe that the OPCW, as we are told, is our common home, where we solve common issues or problems together. So, of course, you need to do this now. The price of the mistakes of the IUFS experts in conducting the relevant investigations is too high, since they directly affect international security. I would hope that the leadership of the OPCW will heed the concerns of a number of delegations and will draw the right conclusions.”
By HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Ajman Tourism Development Department.
The Emirate of Ajman lies on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the northern UAE between Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Renowned for its warm hospitality, Ajman is competitively priced with world-class infrastructure, unique landscapes, attractive destinations and events that offer something for everyone. The Emirate appeals to tourists of all ages and nationalities, including visitors who are interested in luxury beach holidays, adventure breaks and cultural heritage.
Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) was established in 2012 to highlight the Emirate of Ajman’s tourist attractions and to formulate strategies to promote tourism locally, regionally and internationally. Tourism contributes significantly to Ajman’s economy, and ATDD works with its partners in the tourism sector to develop, enhance and promote attractions, events and destinationsin order to boost this contribution and support Ajman’s growth and prosperity.
ATDD also showcases Ajman as a destination for tourism and investment by participating in international campaigns, roadshows and regional and global conferences and exhibitions, including ITB Berlin and the WTM London. In addition to networking extensively with travel trade professionals and tour operators, ATDD partners with leading international tourism agencies and tour companies.
An increasing number of tourists are visiting the Emirate, and Ajman’s pristine beaches are popular with both domestic and international visitors who can choose from luxurious 5-star resorts and a variety of hotel facilities.
The Emirate’s diverse landscapes include a stunning coastline, mountain villages and Al Zorah Nature Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance. With one million square metres of mangrove forests, creeks and lagoons, the Reserveis ideal for water-based activities including kayak and canoe tours. Nature-lovers will marvel at the incredible variety of marine and plant life and approximately 58 species of birds, including the pink flamingo.
Outdoor enthusiasts can also opt to enjoy the 18-hole championship golf course at Al Zorah Golf Club and hiking in Masfout, a small enclave in the Hajar Mountains less than two hours from the city centre.
The Emirate showcases its wealth of heritage and culture in attractions such as Ajman Museum, which is housed in a beautifully restored 18th century fort. The soon to be opened Ajman Heritage District, a multipurpose project adjacent to Ajman Museum, will feature entertainment, retail and F&B outlets.
The most recent of ATDD’s many achievements include launching the Ajman Sea Festival, the Ajman Philatelic and Numismatic Exhibition and the Modama Award. By rewarding the tourism sector for practices that help to preserve Ajman’s environment and natural resources, ATDD aims to establish Ajman as a leading international destination for sustainable tourism. ATDD became the first government organisation in Ajman to be awarded international certification for its Digital Platform for People of Determination and, last year, ATDD opened its first overseas office in the United Kingdom, an important tourist market for Ajman.
On 14 November, Hungarian Minister of Justice Judit Varga paid a one-day working visit to the Netherlands. The program included bilateral discussions with Ferdinand Grapperhaus (Minister of Justice and Security), Stef Blok (Minister of Foreign Affairs), Jan Anthonie Bruijn (President of the Senate), Ladislav Hamran (President of Eurojust) and Christophe Bernasconi (Secretary General of The Hague Conference on Private International Law).
At the end of the day Minister Varga participated in a panel discussion at De Balie in Amsterdam with Member of the European Parliament Sophie in ‘t Veld and assistant professor Ferenc Laczó about the rule of law in Hungary and its position in the EU.
On December 14, the Hungarian Choir The Hague will give a Christmas concert in The Hague. The choir, led by Kata Kovács, a singer and music teacher, has about 30 members, both children and adults.
The choir will be joined by musicians on the guitar, flute and piano.
The Embassy of Brazil in the Netherlands, Imagine Film, Rialto Film Theater Amsterdam and Oficine are proud to announce the official avant-première of the Brazilian film The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão (A vida invisível) by Director Karim Aïnouz winner of “Un Certain Regard” Prize at the Cannes Festival 2019.
The avant-première will take place at Rialto Film Theater Amsterdam (Ceintuurbaan, 338), on the 4th of December, starting at 19h, followed by a live music presentation by the duo Lilian Vieira & Daniel de Moraes and drinks and bites offered by the Brazilian Embassy.
The entrance is reserved to ticket holders. Tickets can be acquired in advance through
