By Catherine Dailey.

Last Saturday, June 22, Diplomat Magazine’s third annual 5k Fun Run and 3k Diplomat Walk took place in the Haagse Bos—one of the two oldest forests in the Netherlands.  

The 5k run commenced in front of the Chalet Ten Bosch, a local landmark located next to the Louwman Auto Museum on the Leidsestraatweg.  Diplomats, and their families, easily traversed the well-marked shaded route through the city’s unique urban greenspace and around the large pond in the center of the forest.  

Walkers, some with small children, also turned out in large numbers for the 3k wooded walking event.

In keeping with the friendly spirit of the day’s diplomatic program, everyone was awarded an official “Diplomat Magazine” medal and went home as a winner!

Sumira Dixit, Canada; Matanja Perugini, Italy and Anne Coulon, France, were the top three runners in the women’s category.  From the first to the fifth, the top runners in the men’s category were Marcin Hubert Kawalowski, Poland; Bartomiei Swiderski, Poland; Mpendulo Ndlour, South Africa, Martin Pizinger, Czech Republic and Davide Colombo, Italy.

In addition to the medal, the top seven winners also received special gifts provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.

The Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Hong Xu, joined the race, together with a select “team” of sporting diplomats from his embassy. 

The Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Netherlands, H.E. Ngo Thi Hoa, was also joined by other Vietnamese diplomats, together with their families.
The ambassador of Italy, H.E. Andrea Perugini, ran the 5 k with his wife, his daughter, second place in the women’s category and one of the diplomats of the Italian embassy that resulted in fifth place in the race.

The occasion to meet, in an informal setting, with other members of the diplomatic community, was enjoyed by all.

The Armenian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Tigran Balayan; the Irish Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Kevin Kelly; the Israeli Ambassador , H.E. Mr. Aviv Shir-On; and the Moldovan Ambassador, H.E.  Tatiana Parvu also participated in the program and were joined by diplomats from Croatia, Canada, Kosovo, Hungary, South Africa, Colombia, Russia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and many others.

The program concluded with a casual outdoor luncheon on the shaded terrace of Chalet Ten Bosch, beneath the tall trees of the “Haagse Bos.”

Chalet Ten Bosch http://www.chalettenbosch.nl

Photography by Kim Vermaat and Catherine Dailey.

By Sheila Turabaz.

On the 11^thof April, The Hague’s excellencies and Mr Bot’s distinguished guests gathered in the magisterial Great Hall of Justice at the Peace Palace to bid farewell to H.E. Dr Bernard Bot, who retired from his position as Chairman of the Carnegie Foundation and The Hague Academy of International Law after twelve years of outstanding service and tireless dedication.

A seminar was organized in honour of Mr Bot which held the theme “The Peace Palace, politics and implications related to the peaceful settlement of disputes through international law”. 

The seminar consisted of contributions from his esteemed colleagues – who have worked closely with Mr Bot for many years – about the invaluable work done by the institutions residing in the Palace as well as Mr Bot’s  personal commitment to the Peace Palace and its mission to achieve peace through law. 

The master of ceremonies, Ms Nora Stehouwer – Van Iersel, Former Ambassador for International Organisations to the Netherlands (who has worked with Mr Bot for many years when he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as during his chairmanship) welcomed the guests and subsequently invited Mr Erik de Baedts, General Director of the Carnegie Foundation to deliver his remarks on “Peace through law in practice: the work of people.”

Mr De Baedts touched upon this subject elaborately and reflected upon Mr Bot’s affiliation with the Peace Palace, dating back sixty years ago, when he served as desk officer at the Peace Palace Library during the courses of The Hague Academy of International Law.  

Furthermore,  Mr De Baedts mentioned the important efforts exerted to create public awareness of the important mission of the Peace Palace. Mr Bot has “always felt education was of vital importance to promote peace” and “played an important role in establishing the Peace Palace Visitors Centre as he was convinced that the mission of the Carnegie Foundation was to include public education and awareness of the work of the institutions housed in the Peace Palace, not just for the tourists, but for a wider audience as well”,(…)

Mr Bot “realized that in essence here (at the Peace Palace) we serve. All of us in this Palace serve world peace. The Judges serve the States that bring their disputes before them to find a peaceful settlement, as warfare would harm so many innocent civilians. And so do the Arbitrators serve the parties that aspire to settle their conflicts and interests. We take pride in serving both these Courts, as well as The Hague Academy, we serve them with our books, with our services, with outreach activities that make them shine. All together we do deliver peace in action. Serving leadership is the management motto nowadays. (…) Mr Bot“practiced that even before it was invented.”

Moreover, Ms Saskia Bruines, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of The Hague and the alderman of Education, Knowledge Economy and International Affairs also took the stage to share a few remarks on Mr Bot’s contributions to peace which also benefitted The Hague’s position as International City of Peace and Justice. 

Between musical interludes magnificently performed by classical harpists, H.E. Mr. Hugo Siblesz, the Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration eloquently demonstrated his profound knowledge of arbitration through a broader policy perspective and explained the role it plays in international relations. 

H.E. Mr Philippe Couvreur, Registrar of the International Court of Justice – who has decided to step down from his functions starting from July 2019 –  paid tribute to Mr Bot whom he considers a “loyal friend and dedicated partner of the International Court of Justice”  and expressed his gratitude Mr Bot for his endeavors to maintain and reinforce the warm relations between the International Court of Justice and the Host Country as well as with the city The Hague and for various projects of a complex nature that were carried out under this authority, in particular the renovation of the Great Hall of Justice and the Judges’ Building of the Court. 

Professor Yves Daudet, The President of the Curatorium of The Hague Academy of International Law thanked Mr Bot for his important contribution to the development of the Academy as well as praising his excellent  diplomatic skills. 

Mr Piet Hein Donner, Dutch honorary Minister of State and former Vice-President of the Council of State, has been appointed as Mr Bot’s successor per Royal Decree and gave his inaugural speech  during which he stressed the importance of building on the good relations maintained by his predecessor with the international institutions hosted by the Peace Palace, the Host Country the Netherlands, the United Nations and the municipality of The Hague. 

At the conclusion of the seminar the diplomat par excellence held his valedictory address, thanking his colleagues, confrères and friends for their warm tributes as well as expressed his wish for the Peace Palace to continue to develop as beacon of peace and international law.  

Photography by C. Van Tol, Carnegie Foundation.

In the picture H.E. Dato’ Ahmad Nazri Yusof, Ambassador of Malaysia to The Netherlands.

Text and pictures By Catherine Dailey.

Under sunny skies and a light breeze, H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Ahmad Nazri Yusof and his wife, Datin Linda Zin, welcomed both international and local “foodies” to the fourth annual Malaysian Food Fair on Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23.  

Malaysia’s annual “foodie” weekend has quickly become a highly anticipated prelude to summer, as the fair provides an inpromptu “open house” opportunity for well-wishers from the diplomatic community to pass by and exchange informal greetings with one another before departing to the four corners of the world for their summer holidays.

Last weekend, high ranking diplomats, special guests, embassy personnel, the international community and members of the local community turned out, once again, in large numbers to the event where they enjoyed the company of one another while sampling authentic Malaysian cuisine. 

The Malaysian kitchen features a culinary kaleidescope blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Arabic and Portuguese influences—making it “fusion” before “fusion” became fashionable and of interest to everyone who enjoys an international kitchen!

The success of the Ambassador’s gastronomic program was readily apparent by the standing room only crowds—many of whom arrived with personal containers. In “take away” fashion, the containers were carefully filled with culinary treasures to be transported to gourmets at home.

Pad Thai, Malaysian Beef Rendang and Malaysian Prawn or Chicken Laksa were among the many dishes available for sampling. Guests eagerly formed ques to purchase colorful sweets such as Pandan Cake, Klepon, Bingka Ubi, Seri Muka and countless other jewel like “Nyonya Kuih.”  

It was a delightfully informal affair offering casual outdoor dining on the embassy’s well cared for grounds in a festive “street festival” atmosphere and even featured a Malaysian line dance lead by the Ambassador’s wife.

This year, Celebrity Chef Norman bin Musa gave cooking demonstrations on both Saturday and Sunday and also signed copies of his newly released “Magisch Maleisisch” Dutch cookbook. An English version of the cookbook titled, “Amazing Malaysia – Recipes for Vibrant Home Cooking,” was published previously and is available in both print and digital versions.

Foodies, who were unable to attend the Food Fair or who are interested in further exploring the Malaysian kitchen, are invited to visit Chef Norman’s concept restaurant and demonstration kitchen at the newly opened Wah Nam Hong Supermarket at the Leidensenhage Food Market. The Malaysian born chef is a restaurateur, entrepreneur, and television personality, whose mission is to introduce Malayasian cuisine, and with it, the country, to the European market.

Malaysia is a beautiful, safe and culturally diverse country with highly developed tourism products.  The regions of Terengganu, known for the Terengganu Marine Park; Sarawak, where the oldest rainforest and largest cave chamber in the world are to be found and the glittering white sand beaches of the Desaru Coast are especially popular with foreign tourists.

International tourism continues to expand at an astonishing rate and next year, the country’s “Visit Malaysia 2020” campaign is expected to draw some 30 million international tourists to the country!.

If “gastronomic diplomacy” can be gauged as a medium for generating interest in a country, then the Malaysian Ambassador’s Food Fair was a resounding success and people are already looking forward to attending during the “VM 2020” year.

For additional information please visit:

Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague www.kln.gov.my/web/nld_the-hague/home

Tourism Malaysia https://www.tourism.gov.my

Chef  Norman Musa https://normanmusamfr.com

Twitter: @ChefNormanMusa. Instagram: @chefnormanmusa

Musa’s “Amazing Malaysian – Recipes for Virbrant Home Cooking” Cookbook. Available via your local bookseller or view sample recipes via Amazon:

Chef Norman’s Wah Nam Hong Asian Fusion Concept Restaurant http://www.wahnamhong.nl