Two Iranian young brothers selected as a World Peace Ambassadors form International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace (IFLAC)
By Jerry Giovanardi.
Shahin Gavanji and Jahangir Gavanji are two Iranian human rights activists, researchers and women rights defenders (1) who launched several campaigns to promote peace and gender equality in the world.
Because of their peaceful activities in the world, on March 6th, 2020, they were selected as a world peace ambassadors form The International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace. (IFLAC), and received official certificate from Prof. Ada Aharoni, president of IFLAC and Prof. Ernesto Kahan, vice president of IFLAC.
IFLAC, “The Friends of Literature Association”, was founded in 1985, and was registered as a Voluntary Association in 1987. Since its establishment in 1999, its goal is to build “bridges of understanding and peace through culture, literature and communication.” IFLAC Directors and Peace Ambassadors are appointed in some 20 countries.
Shahin and Jahangir Gavanji are two award-winning Iranian brothers, chosen as the best inventors of Iran in 2009 and received the best young inventor award from Iran president hands. They also won this prize in 2010 for the second time and several medals and awards in Germany, Warsaw and Croatia in world inventions festivals.
They are founders of The Global Campaign for the Prevention of Child Marriage (GCPCM) (2,3) which this campaign was done in many countries; the campaign received 1869 painting from 41 countries in the world. They are managers of a child abuse prevention program in Iran and launched the first national campaign to prevent child abuse in Iran and gather more than 3000 signature (4). In the other efforts to support women’s, children’s and to avoid child abuse, they launched a 5-minutes class-in-street campaign and educate more than 8000 child labour in all over the country with the essential points to prevent ways of child abuse (5).
Shahin is the Chairman of the WAMS Council of Asia in the World Academy of Medical Sciences (6), where both established a national campaign to prevent child abuse in all cities of Iran and educated more than 15000 parents with the ways to prevent child abuse and protect their children (7). Also, these brothers are the managers of “My Body is My Body” program in Iran and they have launched a campaign for that in Iran to prevent child abuse (8) and Translated the total program of ‘My Body is My Body’ in Persian (9).
By H.E. Baron Albrecht von Boeselager, Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta.
For over 900 years, the Sovereign Order of Malta has turned its gaze to those most in need and brought them help, following the Christian principles that constitute its main trait. Its mission has been expressed over the centuries during wars, famine, natural disasters, migrations, but also during periods of peace, with daily assistance to the weakest, in the developing world as well as in the wealthiest societies. Present in over 120 countries, the Order of Malta is a centuries-old oak tree. Thanks to its deep roots in the fertile humus of voluntary work, the Order is able to use the strength of its diplomacy trunk and cover with its rich foliage the most marginalized sections of society.
The importance of the diplomatic network that has been laboriously woven over the years with 110 countries is put into evidence by the dramatic situation brought about today by Covid-19. The Sovereign Order of Malta’s ambassadors – deployed in many countries around the world, and its representatives at the UN, the EU and other international organisations – are permanently engaged in what is known as “Humanitarian Diplomacy”. They are committed to raising awareness about problems, risks and threats in the humanitarian field among the public and decision-makers.
This pandemic, which suddenly reminded us of the power of nature, is forcing us to consider the challenges we will face in the near future, all of them inextricably linked: poverty, health challenges, diseases, migrations. We affirm, with ever greater conviction, that the only weapon in our hands is solidarity, on a social, political and economic level.
The government of the Sovereign Order of Malta, as well as our entities and embassies, have all mobilized to deal with the emergency, first of all by training medical and non medical staff to guarantee assistance in safe conditions. Our programs have been reinforced to respond to the enormous pressure on the national health systems; support has been provided to hospitals, health centres, ambulance services and, at the same time, assistance has been increased to the care system for the elderly and disabled, many of whom suffer isolation, and to other groups such as migrants and the homeless.
The Order’s scope of action in Europe was already fully operational throughout the continent. Now our greatest concern is mainly towards Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia and South America, fragile areas where the contagion of Covid-19 could have unimaginable consequences.
The Order of Malta is already present in many of these realities and now it is promoting a new strategy of prevention and risk reduction through the development of interactions on several levels, becoming an advocate of various projects: among them, the Doctors to Doctors program, which aims to share the best practices to stop the spread of Covid-19. The initiative creates an online platform for the exchange of knowledge between Order of Malta experts in Europe and those facing Covid-19 in Middle East countries.
I conclude by expressing a wish for a movement of global solidarity, the only road to overcoming this dramatic emergency.
In the picture, Dr Ekaterina Trendafilova, President of the Specialist Chambers.
On 29 and 30 April 2020, the Judges of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) held their fifth Plenary. The Plenary, which is generally held in-person in The Hague, was conducted via video-conference this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding the challenges posed, the Judges of the KSC successfully completed their annual Plenary in this manner and demonstrated that the President and the Judges continue to fulfil their mandates without delay.
During the Plenary, the Judges unanimously elected Judge Charles Smith III as the new Vice-President in accordance with Article 32(4) of the Law on Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (Law). In accordance with Article 32(4) of the Law, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the latter’s absence or inability to act.
President Ekaterina Trendafilova congratulated Judge Smith, stating that his election as Vice President is a testament to the confidence the Judges of the KSC have in him.
The Judges were further provided with updates from the President, the Specialist Prosecutor and the Registrar. Following the departure of the Judges of the Specialist Chamber of the Constitutional Court (SCCC) from the Plenary, the Judges proceeded to deliberate on and adopt amendments to 30 Rules of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence (Rules).
The amendments clarify several provisions and are aimed at ensuring more efficient and effective proceedings. The adopted Rule amendments will be referred to the SCCC in accordance with Article 19(5) of the Law, to ensure their compliance with Chapter II of the Constitution.
Premier Daniel Günther and Minister Claus Christian Claussen – Picture by Staatskanzlei Schleswig-Holstein.
Thursday, 30 April 2020, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein: Jurist Claus Christian Claussen (59) has been appointed novel Minister of Justice, European Affairs and Consumer Protection in the Cabinet of Daniel Günther, Premier of Schleswig-Holstein.
Hitherto Claus Christian Claussen has been a solicitor and notarius publicus in Flensburg as well as as a deputy in the State Assembly (Landtag) since 2017.
As a parliamentarian he sat in the committees for home and legal affairs; serving in fact as spokesperson for these topics for the Christian Democrat block.
Monday, 27 April 2020, King’s Day, Kingdom of the Netherlands: Henk Pröpper, former Chair of the Board of the Prince Claus Fund (2013-18) was appointed ‘Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau’ for his contributions to literature, art and culture. This state honour is awarded for meritorious service to society.
Pröpper is well-known in the cultural field of the Netherlands after serving as director of the Institut Néerlandais in Paris, of the Dutch Literary Fund (Nederlands Letterenfonds) as well as director of the publishing house De Bezige Bij (the Busy Bee) in Amsterdam and Antwerp.
Wednesday, 29 April 2020, Luxembourg City, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: The chief of the European Commission Representation to the world’s only Grand Duchy, Ms. Yuriko Backes (49), is set to become the first female to hold the office of ‘Marshall of the Grand Ducal Court’ from 1 June 2020 succeeding Lucien Weiler who is retiring.
Backes is a trained diplomat with previous experience in the capacity as diplomatic adviser for Jean-Claude Juncker, and for incumbent Prime Minister Xavier Bettel until 2016 when she became the head of the delegation of the European Commission in Luxembourg.
Yuriko Backes has moreover served as Deputy Director at the Directorate for International Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, as Deputy Head of Mission at the Luxembourgian Embassy in Japan, and as a diplomat at Luxembourg’s permanent representations to the EU (Brussels) and the UN (New York).
He perished following an incurable disease diagnosed back in January 2020. According to article 17 of the Constitution of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Grand Commander Fra’ Ruy Gonçalo do Valle Peixoto de Villas Boas has assumed the functions of ‘Lieutenant ad interim’, and shall remain head of the Sovereign Order until the election of the new Grand Master.
Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was born in Rome on 9 December 1944. He graduated in Literature and Philosophy from the Sapienza University of Rome, specialising in Christian archaeology and art history. He held academic positions in the Pontifical Urbaniana University, teaching classical Greek, and also served as chief librarian and archivist for the university’s important collections. He has published a range of academic articles and essays on aspects of mediaeval art history.
Armin Laschet received the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto. Photography Land NRW, Günther Ortmann’
Iconic reporter at Ad Haagche Courant and Chronicler of The Hague Life, Leo van de Velde, received a Royal Decoration and was inducted into the Order of Orange Nassau for his longstanding commitment to journalism in The Hague, the international city of Peace and Justice.
Mayor Michel Bezuijen of Rijswijk, acting on behalf of His Majesty King Willem Alexander, via a video link, presented van der Velde with the auspicious honors, heralding his lifelong dedication to his profession. The Order of Orange Nassau is a civil and military order of chivalry founded in 1892 in the Netherlands.
Leo van der Velde is well known and fondly regarded by many in The Hague. For several years he published the section ‘Bij Ons in Den Haag’, an overview of all social and Diplomatic gatherings in the city. He was always there, but was never part of the Hague society in an official capacity.
Van der Velde knows Den Haag very well as he was born in the heart of the city and always has his pulse on the streets. He has an undeniable ease dealing with everything and everyone, roaming between all the social layers that are so characteristic of The Hague, that he comfortably interacts with all sections of society.
Leo sees and knows everything and is an old-fashioned journalist in the classic and beautiful sense of the word. This skill in perception is not something that can be learned in a school, but is gained through life experience, by looking and by listening. Even now in his seventies, Leo seems to be in the prime of his writing life.
The past two years he started a new column at AD Haagsche Courant Lieve Rachel.In a letter to his granddaughter, he combines the old with the new times, the traditional with the contemporary. Readers are able to truly have an organic experience, to feel and smell The Hague through his words and see the current city through the eyes of Rachel.
The columns were bundled last year and it immediately became The Hague book of the year according to the editor-in-chief in AD Haagsche Courant.
Leo van der velde krijgt een lintje. (Den Haag 23-04-20) Foto: Frank Jansen.
Editor-in-chief, Paul van de Bosch and colleague Maaike Kraaijeveld were elated and applauded the fact that Leo has received a Royal Decoration for the excellent job he has done over the decades.
Diplomat magazine congratulates Leo van der Velde with the honor that has been bestowed on him.
As the fight against this pandemic continues, both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping begin to deploy one of the least known diplomatic tools, the public diplomacy (PD) strategy. This new science has transformed Washington’s foreign policy since 1999, Shanghai since 2003, and a handful of other states in recent years. For the People’s Republic of China and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gonggong waijiao (public diplomacy in Mandarin) is a matter of survival and national security.
The PD of both governments fulfills the objective of caring for the country’s image overseas. This can take the form of the issuance of favourable press releases worldwide or sending medical aid to nations in need.
For some developing countries, the short-term Covid-19 outcome will be critical. Only those states having incorporated public diplomacy into their external action will be able to recover more quickly from the peripheral effects of today´s crisis. The ministries of foreign affairs of Israel, South Korea, Vietnam and Spain (just to mention a few), are including public diplomacy as a compulsory subject in contemporary diplomatic training.
Implementing a successful PD can be an affordable option under scarce resources (Arias L. 2018). The terminology of public diplomacy, as we understand it today, was first coined in 1965 at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Massachusetts (Guillon E.). However, its practical implementation started to flourish after the closure of the United States Information Agency (USIA or USIS) and the inauguration of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in 1999 at the United States Department of State.
Public diplomacy is the science responsible for establishing strategies to listen, empathize, influence and engage foreign audiences (Matos E., 2007).
It is a discipline partially opposed to the praxis of traditional diplomacy as defined by Sir Harold Nicholson. The PD is per se innovative, democratic and transparent. PD is not limited to diplomatic agents but extends to lobbyists, NGOs, members of civil society and the diaspora.
According to studies from the University of South Carolina, the Clingendael Institute and the International Public Diplomacy Council in The Hague, its effectiveness might be an antidote to face crises or as an alternative solution when diplomatic relations may be deteriorated or even broken (Noya J. 2006). Some scholars and politicians refer to PD as “People´s Diplomacy”, (Albright M., 2000).
In the practice field, public diplomacy uses soft power as a formula to attract minds and hearts in a subtle way (Nye J. 2009). PD is equally nourished by other tools such as digital diplomacy due to the immediacy of communications, as well as cultural diplomacy for its proven merits (Milton C. C., 2003). Unlike traditional diplomatic duties, public diplomacy remains a very recent discipline, sparse in literature and falling short of cutting-edge professionals. Surprisingly, too many career diplomats still ignore the advantages of this key foreign policy tool (JK Stewart 2017).
After spending weeks in quarantine during this pandemic, which triggered the biggest plunge in global stock markets since 1933, several superpowers are starting to display their public diplomacy muscles well before igniting a recovery strategy. In sum, China and the United States of America are excellent models in implementing public diplomacy as an important soft power tool for effective communication and crisis management.
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About the author: Dr. Eugenio Matos G. is Minister-Counsellor at the Dominican Republic Embassy in Ottawa. He is one of the first Latin American experts in public diplomacy and recipient of several Canada´s Ambassadors of the Year & Public diplomacy recognitions.
A Conversation with Dr. Marcos Espinal of the Pan-American Health Organization
By Geovanny Vicente Romero.
The Information Age began in the late 20th Century, replacing the role the Industrial Revolution played in global economic and human development. This period marks a shift to inserting humans into an economic context that is largely based on the power of information and technology, what we identify today as information and communication technologies, such as the Internet, telecommunications, digital services and social media.
The world today faces its largest threat in more than 100 years, one that has arrived without the smell of gunpowder left by bullets, nor the massive destruction left by the nuclear bombs of the 20th Century. Rather, this threat takes the form of a silent, stealthy and rapidly spreading Coronavirus (COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) loaded with misinformation. Years ago, American science fiction author Marc Stiegler shared tips for the Information Age we live when he wrote in his book David’s Sling that, “in the Information Age, the first step to sanity is FILTERING. Filter the information: extract for knowledge.”
Stiegler gives us some steps to follow in this regard:
Filter first for substance.
Filter second for significance. These filters protect against advertising. (Here, I will add against fake news and propaganda as well)
Filter third for reliability. This filter protects against politicians (and, politics).
Filter fourth for completeness. This filter protects against the media.
To continue in the correct age of information and avoid ending up misinformed, we must continue listening to the experts and elevate their voices. Apart from all the information that we consume through tv, news outlets, internet, and social media, it is time to engage our active listening skills. Effective communication that encourages active listening, not only will help listeners understand and internalize the message expressed, but also to identify and decode the emotions, sincerity and empathy of the person who gives the message. This technique will also help prevent disinformation and fake news.
We must go back to basics, follow the recommendations of the scientific and health authorities, while giving credit to health workers because they are risking their lives to help others, and have a unique first-hand perspective on the front lines of fighting this virus.
Those experts familiar with the subject matter, communicate the problem more clearly and more credibly to the target audience. Take for example Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the U.S National Institutes of Health. With all the mixed messaging from politicians, Dr. Fauci’s expertise and direct, unapologetic communication style have elevated him to celebrity status. The New Yorker explains how Fauci became America’s Doctor, a status only comparable to what journalist Walter Cronkite enjoyed as, “the most trusted man in America”.
Besides from being an expert infectious disease scientist with a long history of facing the most virulent and viral threats against humanity (and likely a leading candidate for TIME’s Person of the Year), Fauci has the ability to explain the most complex concepts in a simple and effective way. Joe McLeod analyzes Fauci’s gift in his piece, “Five Communication Lessons from Dr. Anthony Fauci” identifying five key elements: credibility, simplicity, connection with young people, calming presence and staying on-message.
I emphasized this fundamental need for more credible sources such as Dr. Fauci, especially during COVID-19, in an April 5 article on, “Political Communication in the Times of Crisis:COVID-19 as an Urgent Case Study,” where I note, “we are facing a problem that this time requires us to be joined by technical experts at the press conferences,” a thesis seconded in mid-April by U.S. doctor Celine Gounder, when she writes, “doctors, nurses and scientists, not politicians, should run the coronavirus briefings.”
We continue drawing upon infectious disease experts, such as Dr. Marcos Espinal, Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health at the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) to clarify the public’s COVID-19 concerns. Dr. Espinal is a Dominican medical laureate, PhD and Masters graduate in public health of the University of Berkeley, California. Dr. Espinal has worked at the international level, both in the World Health Organization (WHO) and in PAHO which is also the regional office of WHO for the Americas, having influenced the global response to well known diseases like tuberculosis and Zika.
Among Dr. Espinal’ successes, includes his time serving as executive secretary of the Stop TB Partnership, forming alliances with global figures such as Bill Gates, heads of states and other influential health and public personalities. Today, we have the privilege of having Dr. Marcos Espinal, who is also a PAHO spokesperson for COVID-19, answer four urgent questions in the time of COVID19.
Geovanny Vicente-Romero and Dr. Espinal.
1. COVID-19 has changed the way we interact daily. Lockdowns, isolation, social distance are the new normal thanks to this deadly virus. What is the magnitude of this pandemic and when can we expect a new normal?
As of today, 3 million cases and more than 200 thousand deaths have been reported and we can expect more in the next few weeks. These numbers do not reflect the real magnitude of the problem. The data suggest that 80% of the cases develops mild disease and many of these people isolate themselves without testing. A great deal of countries is not testing sufficiently because of shortages, different strategies, and other challenges. Thus, the current numbers are an underestimation of a greater problem.
A new normal will not be in place for some time possibly until a vaccine is fully available and accessible to everyone. Nevertheless, countries will need to get out of lockdowns and isolation at some point to put their economies and societies back on track. The best way to do that is to phase their way back to normalcy slowly and some countries are already doing that. This is essential to monitor and prevent a potential second epidemic wave of the virus.
It is also particularly important not to underestimate this virus and exercise patience. Provided containment and mitigation actions are implemented, we can start thinking of reopening when the curve is flattened and new cases are in decline for some time. Other key reopening factors include readily available testing so we can isolate people testing positive and trace their contacts, as well as a robust health system able to manage cases that will continue surfacing but in less frequency than in current times. People will also have to be ready to exercise some sort of social distance for a while. For countries with limited resources in which poverty and inequities are widespread, and a great deal of the economy rely on the informal business, some of these measures maybe challenging. Therefore, creativity will have to prevail.
2. In a globalized world where information flies quickly, there is no doubt that social media has contributed enormously to enrich our knowledge. However, with COVID-19 we have also seen a major influx of ‘fake news’. Where do people go for accurate information? Who can we trust?
This is a very important question. For a new virus that is frequently giving us surprises, accurate and trusted information are essential. Lots of myths have been spread which are creating fear and panic. This is a problem because panic usually prone people to make more mistakes.
It is always important to check the source of the information and verify other trusted sources to confirm what we just saw or read. For an outbreak like COVID-19 it is essential people follow the national authority recommendations, visit the websites of the ministries of health, trusted scientific bodies, and international public health institutions such as PAHO and WHO. There are also excellent media outlets that always verify the information before disseminating it.
Let us keep in mind that if we disseminate something that we don’t know is true or factual, we might be exercising poor citizen responsibility and, more importantly, contributing to create more chaos.
At the same time, we cannot undervalue the power of responsible social media in helping with the response to this epidemic. Social media has a role to play. There are good examples out there.
3. We know scientists, pharma companies, and prestigious academic institutions are racing to develop therapies and vaccines for COVID-19. Are we expecting a cure or a vaccine soon?
Let me start by saying there is no therapy or vaccine officially approved for COVID-19. Some medicines are being used under humanitarian circumstances but that does not mean they are efficacious against COVID-19. Some studies including small samples have suggested potential benefits for some medicines. However, for a medicine to be fully approved against any disease by the regulatory authorities or international organizations, it needs to undergo proper testing (clinical trials).
In simple terms, a group of sick people is given the medicine in question and another group of sick people is given a dummy medicine or placebo or the standard of care. There are several variants of clinical trial but the most accurate one relies on approaches that randomly assign participants to each group in a blind manner to prevent biases from the investigators and the participants. It is always important to take care of the ethical issues related and other operational aspects. At present, there are plenty of clinical trials underway for a significant number of potential therapies, some of them very promising. Hopefully good news will emerge soon.
The vaccine which is likely to be the game changer is not expected at least until 12-18 months. There are also several initiatives worldwide working on the field of vaccines for COVID-19. Let us also not forget that after the vaccine is available, we need to make sure it is also accessible and, to be frank, that is not a magic bullet so it will take its time. There is no doubt we will have a vaccine.
Very simple! The World Health Organization is the leading global public health agency in which 194 Member States discuss and agree on the way forward on health matters. The secretariat implements what the governing bodies (governments of Member States) decide. The WHO also coordinates responses to major health emergencies like COVID-19, under the aegis of a global binding treaty named International Health Regulations. Difficult for me to envision any other body trying to coordinate a massive response. Let us also not forget that WHO has accrued a great wealth of experience in dealing with this type of crisis.
In a moment of emergency, it is imperative we keep focus and complete dedication to serve the people of all our countries to help them fight this pandemic of unprecedented proportions. People are dying because of this disease. Thus, implementation and strengthening of our actions to overcome this pandemic is a commanding must. This virus does not respect borders, race or colors, so it requires all our efforts to be focused in the response. A strong response at country level will mean less cases and less deaths. An all society approach is needed if we want to protect our people. Everyone has a role to play.
There will be time for evaluations but now is time to keep strong emphasis on the response.
About the author:
Geovanny Vicente Romero is a columnist for CNN and Infobaebased in Washington, DC. He is a political strategist, international consultant and lecturer. He’s published many articles on development, human rights, governance, democracy, elections, the environment, as well as the role of women in a society. He is the founder of the Dominican Republic Center of Public Policy, Leadership and Development (CPDL-RD). Geovanny has a masters degree from The George Washington University in political communications and strategic governance. Reach him on Twitter @GeovannyVicentR.
