Ken Francisco Bucheli Nakagawa: A Tale of Multiculturalism and Identity

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Ken Francisco Bucheli Nakagawa: A Tale of Multiculturalism and Identity

Ken Francisco Bucheli Nakagawa. His name alone, a curious hint of his multicultural roots and internationalism. At 22 years old, Ken has lived in at least six countries and is a polyglot: speaking English, Spanish, French, and German fluently. He also understands Japanese and happens to be the eldest son of Ecuadorian diplomat, Ambassador Fernando Xavier Bucheli Vargas, ChargĂ© d’Affaires and Consul of Ecuador in the Netherlands.  

Ken was born in Japan, his father hails from Ecuador whereas his mother is native to Japan, two cultures separated by the breath of the Pacific Ocean and seemingly at complete opposites of each other on the cultural spectrum. To Ken, however, they complement each other harmoniously. 

 â€œMy parents come from completely different cultures, and I fall somewhere in the middle. On my mother’s side, Japanese people are known for being hardworking, serious, punctual, and polite. Hence, I’m a very dedicated person and I’m always giving 100%. On the other side, Ecuadorians are known as friendly, open and hospitable people, to whom family is tremendously important. It turns out, I inherited a mix of both cultures.”

While being multicultural may have brought some benefits to Ken, as learning several languages, it certainly has presented challenges for him, particularly in developing an identity which reflects his experiences and the places he has grown up in. 

“I’ve lived most of my life in Europe, so at times I don’t really feel fully Ecuadorian or Japanese. I did not have the opportunity to fully immerse myself or even grown in these cultures like my parents did. In a way, my exposure to them has be vicarious, that is, through my parents and family. I feel more European at times due to the fact that I have had chance to immerse myself in the cultures of the places where I have spent my most formative years. In that sense, experiences such as studying in Brussels or living in Berlin and The Hague have molded me to feel more “European” and identify with a global culture than a single culture. It is easy to overlook that, despite feeling attached to the European culture and having lived in Europe for the past 9 years, I do not have an EU passport or a permanent residency in the strictest sense. I constantly have to deal with visas and residence permits, unless I become a citizen of a European country. Admittedly, this does put a weight on me to decide how and where I should call home, and sometimes it does make me feel like I don’t belong anywhere.”

Nevertheless, this young man sees this pursuit of identity as a richness within him. According to Ken, being the son of a diplomat, and having lived in Japan, Ecuador, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, has offered him the ability to feel integrated anywhere and in any culture. 

“I don’t get culture shock when I move to different countries. I’m not scared, I’m rather happy to see something new and experience a different culture which might enrich my perspective of this world. At University, I have seen that different ethnicities or nationalities tend to stay within each other, but that was never really the case for me. I have always kept an open mindset towards different cultures, so in turn, I made friends from all over the world.”

As for his future, Ken has said that he has been influenced by his father’s profession for the better, showing him that it is possible to see the world and experience different cultures through professional endeavors. 

“Because I barely ever lived in either of my home countries and have started to build a career and a life in Europe, I feel that I am able to break free from the feeling that I must stay in one particular place. My father’s career has greatly contributed to this ability”.

After pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Brussels, Ken is taking a gap year to gain work experience before starting his master’s in Berlin at Grenoble École de Management. During this year, he has already undertaken an audit internship at Mazars in Berlin, before joining a new finance focused internship at the oil and gas company Total in The Netherlands. He has said that he aspires to continue to seek new opportunities to further enrich his global perspective. 

“Jewels! Glittering at the Russian Court”

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“Jewels! Glittering at the Russian Court”

Russian Embassy receives with glam new exhibition at the Hermitage

On October 4 the Embassy of Russia in the Netherlands held a reception dedicated to the opening of a new exhibition “Jewels! Glittering at the Russian Court” at the Hermitage Amsterdam. 

On October 4, 2019 the Russian Embassy in the Kingdom of the Netherlands  held a reception dedicated to the opening of a new exclusive exhibition “Jewels! Glittering at the Russian Court” at the Hermitage Amsterdam. 

It introduces unique artworks from the collection of the State Hermitage in Saint Petersburg and was organized to mark the 255th anniversary of the museum, the 15th anniversary of collaboration between the Russian and the Dutch museums and the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Hermitage on the Amstel. 

More than 300 exceptional works were chosen for the present exhibit. It features masterpieces by the Russian court jeweler FabergĂ© and many other fine craftspeople – Cartier, Lalique and Tiffany. Visitors will have glimpse at the way of living of the Russian emperors and empresses, such as Elizabeth, Catherine the Great and Anna Pavlovna Romanova, the daughter of czar Paul I, who became the Queen of the Netherlands having married The Prince consort Willem.

In his speech at the reception Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin noted that yet another important anniversary is being celebrated in Russia –  the 350th anniversary of the birth of the grand-grandfather of Anna Pavlovna, the founder of Saint Petersburg – Peter The Great.

Mrs. Natalia Shulgina and H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin.

The Decree of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin of 25 October 2018 established a Committee for conducting the festivities. It is governed by the Prime-Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and comprises heads of federal and regional bodies of executive power, the parliament of the Russian Federation, leading research and educational organizations, museums and other cultural institutions. 

Ambassador told the audience that the Russian Ministry of Culture prepared a detailed program to mark the anniversary. It includes around 100 events, including conferences, exhibitions, publication of archives, history and literary competitions and many others. 

A number of festive activities have already taken place in Russia, others will be held until 2022. The central event of the jubilee year of 2022 in Saint Petersburg will be the “Birthday of Peter I” – a newly established public occasion to be celebrated on 9 June.

In conclusion, the Russian ambassador presented to Ms Cathelijne Broers, director of the Hermitage Amsterdam a memorial plaque by Alexander Taratynov, a Russian sculptor, residing in the Netherlands, to mark this anniversary, as well as the visit of Peter the Great to the beautiful city of Amsterdam.

Bugatti fashion expands Europe-wide

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Bugatti fashion expands Europe-wide

bugatti fashion, headquarted in Herford, North Rhine-Westphalia, continues to expand in Germany and abroad with stores. This year there were five stores in Germany. In addition to Sankt Peter-Ording, Binz, LĂŒneburg and TravemĂŒnde, a new store was recently opened in Stralsund in mid-September. The label, which belongs to bugatti Holding, presents itself there in a prime location in bugatti store design. In addition to the full range of men’s fashion, women’s jackets and coats as well as knitwear, accessories and shoes are offered. A further five stores were opened in Russia, the Ukraine and Bulgaria in the course of the year. Locations are St. Petersburg, Samara and Kaliningrad (Russia), Kiev (Ukraine) and Varna (Bulgaria). Shortly before the opening there will be two more stores in Ukraine, there in the cities of Kharkiv and Kiev.

The label has a total of 43 stores -15 thereof in Germany, and 340 shop areas worldwide. 

For further information:
https://www.bugatti-fashion.com/en/

bugatti Store Stralsund – Picture by bugatti

Cyprus Foreign Affairs Minister and ICC Vice-Presidents unveil artwork donation to International Criminal Court

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Cyprus Foreign Affairs Minister and ICC Vice-Presidents unveil artwork donation to International Criminal Court

Director of the Division of Judicial Services in the ICC Registry Marc Dubuisson, Ambassador of Cyprus to the Netherlands HE Elpidoforos Economou, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus HE Nikos Christodoulides, First ICC Vice-President Judge Robert Fremr, Second ICC Vice-President Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, and ICC Deputy Prosecutor James Kirkpatrick Stewart. ©ICC-CPI

On 11 October 2019, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus HE Nikos Christodoulides, the First Vice-President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Robert Fremr and the Second Vice-President Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut unveiled an artwork donation from the Government of Cyprus to the ICC during a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The artworks by artist Lefteris Olympios are three paintings of the series “Violated Beauty”, pigments and glue on plywood, representing the artist’s hope for more religious tolerance and reconciliation.

“This gesture aims to highlight Cyprus’s sincere appreciation for the work of the Court and its confidence in justice. Cyprus is a long-standing supporter of the ICC and an active member of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute,” said Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Nikos Christodoulides during the ceremony.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus and the Vice-Presidents of the ICC unveiling an artwork donated by the Government of Cyprus ©ICC-CPI

Thanking the Government of Cyprus for this artwork donation and its strong commitment to the Court, First Vice-President Robert Fremr stated: “The paintings highlight some of the key themes in the Court’s work: the plight of the victims, equality under the law, and the imperative to protect children from the horrors of armed conflict, as we aim for stability and lasting peace.”

Since the move to its new permanent premises in December 2015, the ICC received artwork donations from the Governments of Belgium, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Portugal, Senegal, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Tunisia, representing their cultural heritage as well as reflecting the mandate of the Court.

Mayor of The Hague Pauline Krikke resigns, acting Mayor Johan Remkes

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Mayor of The Hague Pauline Krikke resigns, acting Mayor Johan Remkes

By Anton Lutter.

A critical report, concerning the firebrands in Scheveningen during the New Year’s Eve celebration of 2018-2019 published by the Dutch Safety Board, led to the resignation of Mrs. Pauline Krikke as mayor of The Hague.

She announced her stepping down “as of immediately” in a clip on her Instagram account Sunday the 6th.  Telling the public “With heart and soul, I have been mayor of The Hague” being a mayor since 2001. Previously Pauline Krikke was mayor of Arnhem (2001-2013) and managing-director of the Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.

Den Haag, 4 september 2018 Pauline Krikke, burgemeester. Foto Martijn Beekman & Valerie Kuypers

The Kings Commissioner Mr. Jaap Smit has appointed political heavyweight Johan Remkes as the acting mayor, he was sworn in this Friday the 11th.

Mr. Remkes, born in 1951, is a member – as Krikke is – of the VVD liberal party. Amongst his many political functions he was a member of the Tweede Kamer, from 2002 until 2007 he was Minister of Interior Affairs, which included as well Deputy-Prime-Minister 2002-2003.

After again reentering the Tweede Kamer he was appointed in 2010 the Queens Commissioner of Noord-Holland Province which position held until 2019. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Visits OPCW

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Visits OPCW

In the picture H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, Director General at the OPCW and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cypres, H.E. Mr. Nikos Christodoulides.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 11 October 2019 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, H.E. Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, met today at OPCW headquarters in The Hague.

The Director-General and the Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed progress in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and the Organisation’s activities to address current challenges in achieving the total and permanent elimination of chemical weapons, while promoting scientific advances for peaceful purposes.

H.E. Mr. Elpidoforos Economou, Ambassador of Cyprus, H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, H.E. Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias, and Ms. Odette Melono, Deputy Minister OPCW.

Minister Christodoulides expressed: ”We remain committed to the mission and values of the OPCW and actively engaged in the Organisations activities; and we share the vision of a world free of chemical weapons.”

The Director-General stated: “Cyprus has my sincere gratitude for its commitment to the goals of the Convention and for its support of the Organisation. We look forward to our continued cooperation to ensure chemical weapons are eliminated and that chemicals are used for exclusively peaceful purposes.”

ICC concludes confirmation of charges hearing in Yekatom and NgaĂŻssona case

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ICC concludes confirmation of charges hearing in Yekatom and NgaĂŻssona case

Today, 11 October 2019, the confirmation of charges hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona concluded before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC), composed of Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua (Presiding Judge), Judge Tomoko Akane and Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala.  

The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is for the judges to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the suspects committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, in full or in part, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.  

After hearing the oral submissions of the Prosecutor, the Legal Representatives of the Victims and the respective Defence teams for Mr NgaĂŻssona and Mr Yekatom from 19 to 25 September, the judges heard today their respective closing statements. The judges will now start their deliberations.

In accordance with Regulation 53 of the Regulations of the Court, the Pre-Trial Chamber shall deliver its written decision within 60 days of the date on which the confirmation hearing ends. The Pre-Trial Chamber may:

  • confirm those charges for which the Chamber has determined that there is sufficient evidence, and commit one or both of the suspects to a Trial Chamber for trial;
  • decline to confirm those charges for which it has determined that there is insufficient evidence and stop the proceedings against one or both of the suspects;
  • adjourn the hearing and request the Prosecutor to provide further evidence, to conduct further investigations or to amend any charge for which the evidence submitted appears to establish that a crime other than the one charged was committee, for one or two of the suspects.

The Defence and the Prosecutor cannot directly appeal this decision. However they can request authorisation from the Pre-Trial Chamber to appeal it.

The 2019 National Day of Chile

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The 2019 National Day of Chile

By Roy Lie Atjam.

The National Day of Chile or Fiestas Patrias is officially celebrated on September 18.

On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Chile, the Ambassador of Chile H.E. Ms. MarĂ­a Teresa de Jesus Infante organized a reception to celebrate her county’s 208th anniversary.

The celebrations took place on 20 September 2019.

Ambassador Infante Caffi and friends of Chile.

Many of ambassador MaríaTeresa Infante’ colleagues, members of the business community, the army, government persons, as well as friends of Chile, came to congratulate her.

Ambassador Infante during her speech.

The guests were cordially invited to part take of the drinks, food and the music performed by a Chilean band.

There was Chilean wine for wine lovers and also the mouth-watering Empanadas. Empanadas are very much associated with the Fiestas Patrias. Ambassador Infante took to the floor and gave a dance performance of the Cueca. Many followed her example.

20 September 2019 has been a fantastic Chilean day  celebration at Ambassador MarĂ­aTeresa Infante’ residence in Wassenaar.

OPCW Director-General Shares Vision for Addressing WMD Challenges at Asser Institute Training

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OPCW Director-General Shares Vision for Addressing WMD Challenges at Asser Institute Training

The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, October second, delivered the keynote address at the opening of the OPCW and T.M.C. Asser Institute’s Tenth Annual Training Programme on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in The Hague.

The training course, taking place from 30 September to 4 October, provides early to mid-career professionals with a comprehensive overview of the legal, scientific, diplomatic, and geo-political issues involved in WMD non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.

In his keynote speech, OPCW Director-General Arias encouraged participants to embrace new perspectives and emerging technologies when addressing the challenges faced by the international community:

“The challenges that confront policy-makers, professionals, experts, and academics related to weapons of mass destruction are not new, but certainly require novel thinking and agility in action.”

After describing the OPCW’s activities to promote peaceful chemistry and achieve the total and permanent elimination of all chemical weapons, the Director-General reminded participants of the importance of “diplomacy, globally shared values, cooperation above competition, and respect for the rule of law,” to achieve continuous progress.

The keynote speech was followed by an interactive and insightful question and answer session during which the Director-General shared further views with the participants on these themes.

The week-long training programme will be delivered by experienced internationally renowned experts in the fields of diplomacy, international law, security, and related disciplines. OPCW specialists will elaborate on challenges related to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW inspection and verification regime, the role of science in disarmament, and the growing threat of chemical terrorism.

Interactive exercises and field visits to the OPCW Laboratory in Rijswijk and to the nuclear research reactor at Delft University of Technology will offer participants insights into chemical, biological, and nuclear preparedness and demonstrate how WMD treaties are implemented.

ICC judges adopt guidelines on judgment drafting process and timeframe for issuance judicial decisions

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ICC judges adopt guidelines on judgment drafting process and timeframe for issuance judicial decisions

The retreat provided an opportunity for judges to have a private exchange on topics related to the efficiency and functioning of the judiciary. In particular, the retreat focussed on identifying concrete areas in which the judges may best contribute to strengthening the Court and the Rome Statute system.

The ICC President, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, said: “The Court’s judges are fully committed to positive and proactive engagement to ensure that the ICC stands an example of best judicial practice in the field of international criminal law”. He continued “at this retreat, guided by a strong spirit of collegiality, we take tangible and concrete steps to that end”.

The retreat achieved a number of concrete outcomes.

The judges agreed on the adoption of a consistent set of internal guidelines regulating the timing of key decisions at the pre-trial, trial and appeals stages, thereby enhancing the efficiency and predictability of proceedings. The judges agreed on 5 specific sets of time frames for rendering various types of decisions or judgments, including that a written decision on conviction or acquittal under article 74 of the Rome Statute should be delivered within 10 months from the date of the end of the closing statements. These guidelines for the timing of key judicial decisions now introduce a coherent, consistent and predictable system of timeframes regulating the work of all three judicial divisions. Combined with the guidelines relating to judgment drafting discussed below, they aim to achieve a significant step forward in respect of the efficiency and expeditiousness of Court proceedings. The details of the adopted guidelines will shortly be reflected in the Chambers Practice Manual. 

Recognising the importance of cohesive and consistent decision-making, the judges also adopted ‘Guidelines for ICC Judgement Drafting’ and ‘Guidelines for ICC Judgment Structure’. These guidelines aim at establishing a unified approach to the judgment drafting process and setting out a structure for judgments on conviction or acquittal rendered by the Court. Drawing upon best practices and lessons learned, the judges agreed on the adoption of a methodology to ensure that trial chambers commence the preparation of judgments at an early stage and follow a coherent and consistent structure, while still being appropriately adapted to the need of specific cases. The adopted guidelines will shortly be incorporated into the Chambers Practice Manual.

ICC judges during the retreat.

The judges further discussed the management of transitions in the judiciary, critically assessing the available options to address extensions of the mandate of judges of the Court beyond their regular term in office. The judges discussed a number of challenges and parameters in the context of this issue and will provide a detailed report on this topic to the Assembly of States Parties.

Apart from the judges’ private exchanges, the retreat also featured a segment involving the staff working in the ICC’s Judiciary. Tailored to address needs identified in the Court’s staff engagement survey in 2018, this part of the retreat allowed for fruitful discussions between the judges and staff on effective working methods and the work environment. 

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