H.E. Ms. Sabine Nölke, Ambassador of Canada. By Roy Lie Atjam. The Ambassador of Canada in the Netherlands H.E. Ms. Sabine Nölke and Mr. Chris Ram hosted a garden party on the occasion of Canada’s 151st Anniversary of Confederation on June 28. Celebrations took place at Canada House – Villa Groot Haesebroek, Wassenaar in the Netherlands. Contrary to last year’s inclement weather, it has been a bright and sunny afternoon. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/109407424@N02/albums/72157697351456301 Ambassador Nölke warmly welcomed her many guests, a very diverse gathering and delivered a captivating welcome address. In part, this is what Ambassador Nölke went on to say: “Welcome! Bienvenue! Welkom! First and foremost, a heartfelt thank-you to all of our sponsors who made today possible. A special shout-out to Northland Power, TD Bank, Volker Wessels, and Shell for your generosity. Today we mark Canada’s 151st birthday. There is much to celebrate for Canadians: our economy is growing; we ranked 7th on this year’s World Happiness Report; and we won our FIFA 2026 bid alongside our American and Mexican friends. Canada making the World Cup is definitely something to celebrate! But we are also a work in progress. The dividends of greater prosperity are uneven. Gender equality remains a goal. Reconciliation with our Indigenous people is incomplete. Climate action is taking time.

This is not the end of history for Canada. We recognise that there’s work to be done if we are to promote the liberal democratic values that have come to define our country and many of yours. Because today, make no mistake, liberal democracy and the international rules based order are under siege. It’s under siege from without, but also from within. Authoritarian regimes are seeking to undermine many of us through espionage, disinformation and propaganda. While at home, we are less than perfect in many respects. Wealth that goes unshared hollows out the middle class. Stagnating median wages breed anxiety as parents cannot provide their children with the same opportunities once afforded to them. Precarious work, uncertain pensions, the rising cost of housing all feed angry populism and its promise – albeit fallacious – that somewhere, somehow there exists a panacea. Scapegoating the “other” becomes a coping mechanism, be it refugees or migrants among us, members of minorities or foreign powers, even neighbours. This is the other edge of the sword that is globalization and the technology revolution. So what can be done? On our home fronts, we have to work harder to address legitimate grievances of people. Our children need to be educated for the jobs of the future. National potential must be tapped. Everyone needs a slice of the pie. Internationally, we have to strike back and make our voices heard. We have to persist in our efforts to promote effective multi-lateralism, striving to improve our imperfect institutions rather than abandon them. We don’t stop free trading – we trade better. That means labour and environmental standards built into progressive agreements, like CETA, that benefit everyone. We have to up our game to guard against cyber-meddling, disinformation and propaganda. And we have to own integrity. As our Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland has argued: facts matter. Truth matters. Competence and honesty, among elected leaders and in our public services, matter.

We have to acknowledge that our democracies, Canada’s included, aren’t perfect. And we have to admit our mistakes, learn from them and do better. I was proud as a Canadian, a public servant and a mother when last November Prime Minister Trudeau issued a historic apology to Canada’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Community for decades of discrimination and suffering. Criminal records were expunged and an agreement in a class action lawsuit was reached. Internationally, Canada, like the Netherlands, is taking a leadership role in advancing LGBTI rights. With Chile, we chair the Equal Rights Coalition of over 30 countries around the globe. The Coalition is working towards decriminalization and respect – not tolerance, respect – for the LGBTI community and the contributions it makes to our societies. Next month, Canada will host the Global Conference on LGBTI Human Rights and Inclusive Development in Vancouver, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind.” We were one of the first countries to recognize sexual orientation as a ground for discrimination in refugee claims, and identified members of the LGBTI community as particularly vulnerable when bringing in some 43,000 Syrian refugees in 2016, including many through private sponsorships by ordinary citizens. And in this context, I want to say a special word of welcome to some of the Netherlands’ LGBTI rights activists with us today from  Cultuuren Ontspannings centrum (COC), HIVOS, and the International Queer and Migrant Film Festival. Thank you for the work you do, and thank you for being here. It is my hope, and my Government’s hope, that one day we’ll be able to proclaim the end of discrimination, repression and inequality. That we will no longer need to fight for equal rights and freedoms, rule of law, government by and for the people. But until then, we must stand on guard for these values that we hold not only to be Canadian but to be universal. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to wish you a happy Canada Day! Bonne fête du Canada! Fijne Canada-dag!    

Family picture at NATO Summit July 2018 – Picture by NATO Statement by NATO 

The twenty nine Allied leaders took a series of measures to continue NATO’s adaptation to a more demanding security environment, including a new readiness initiative which will see thirty mechanised battalions, thirty air squadrons and thirty combat vessels ready for use within thirty days.

Allies also enhanced NATO’s command structure with new commands for the Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia, and for support and logistics in Ulm, Germany. A new Cyber Operations Centre will also be created at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.

Allied leaders decided to launch a new NATO training mission in Iraq, with several hundred trainers, and to increase support for Jordan and Tunisia. These initiatives will help them counter terrorism and maintain stability. The Secretary General announced that NATO’s Hub for the South is now fully operational. The facility in Naples, Italy, will help the Alliance monitor and respond more effectively to challenges in the Southern region.

The Secretary General reiterated the importance of fairer burden-sharing in the Alliance and he confirmed that all Allies are increasing defence spending. This year, eight nations have committed to devote at least 2% of GDP on defence and a majority of Allies have plans to do so by 2024.

Mr. Jens Stoltenberg also said that, based on the national plans of European Allies and Canada, it is expected $266 billion extra will be spent on defence between now and 2024. “So we have turned the tide but we need to do more. This is about fairness, this is about our credibility and, above all, this is about our security in a more unpredictable world,” said the Secretary General.

Allied leaders also agreed to invite the government in Skopje, Macedonia,  to start accession talks. Once all national procedures have been completed to finalise the agreement on the name issue, the country will join NATO as its thirtieth member.

NATO Heads of State and Government will meet with Finland, Sweden, and the European Union on Wednesday evening to discuss shared security challenges. On Thursday, Allied leaders will meet with the Presidents of Georgia and Ukraine, and the Summit will conclude with a meeting of all nations contributing to the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

For further information:

• https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_156840.htm
• https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_156841.htm
• https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_156836.htm?selectedLocale=en
• US Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell on NATO spending commitments: http://video.foxnews.com/v/5806708523001/?playlist_id=3386055101001#sp=show-clips

H.E. Jaime Victor Ledda, Ambassador of the Philippines in the Netherlands and Mr. Cengiz Inceosman, General Manager of Turkish Airlines. By Roy Lie Atjam. The Hague, 19 June 2018. The Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands in cooperation with Turkish Airlines Inc. Amsterdam and the Philippine Department of Tourism-Frankfurt, hosted a Travel and Tourism Workshop at Hotel Des Indes. The workshop was a prelude to the 120^thAnniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence reception which took place later that day at the same venue. For more Hester Dijkstra’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/109407424@N02/albums/72157669017836967

H.E. Jaime Victor B. Ledda welcome one and all, this included Turkish Airlines, Travel agents,Tour operators the blogger Elke Salvedra and the Philippine Department of Tourism-Frankfurt. H.E. Jaime Victor B. Ledda subsequently cordially introduced the Philippines as a primary tourist destination to for Dutch holidaymakers. He stressed the unspoiled beauty of the islands. He further lauded the cooperation with Turkish Airlines, a major airline carrier.

Mr. Cengiz Inceosman, General Manager of Turkish Airlines in the Netherlands addressed the audience. After welcoming the travel agencies, he also thanked all attendees and emphasized the importance of such workshops. “Afterwards we gave a presentation were we informed the travel agencies with the latest updates about Turkish Airlines in general and more specific the capacity increase out of Amsterdam. Also we gave a short presentation about Istanbul New Airport.”

He argued, Turkish Airlines has the highest number of destinations in the world. In 2017 Istanbul Airport, home base of the airline handled approx. 68 million passengers. Inceosman continued, “a new airport is to be inaugurated later in 2018. Turkish Airlines takes a passenger from Amsterdam to Manilla with a layover time of only two hours in Istanbul. Turkish Airlines envisage holding a similar workshop in the Black Sea region.” A raffle of two Business class tickets to Manila the capital of the Philippines was part of the presentation. All attendees were very excited. Mr. Yunus Ulas, Marketing representative gave some further details. Other speakers at the workshop were Elke Salvedra and Anabelle Gaye Apostol. Ms Apostol described the Philippines as:

• Having a western spirit
• A Latin heart and
• An Asian Soul

The Philippines she said is a must-see for every holiday lover.

As for, she delivered a capturing expose. She visited the islands several times and could be considered an expert. Elke gave practical information such as having cash money with you, safety is not an issue and people are extremely and genuinely hospitable.

Elke recounted an experience she has had with a simple family in a remote village. It was sheer hospitality. Ambassador Jaime Ledda invited the participants of the workshop to join him at the Anniversary reception. The workshop was, by all means, successful, the Q&A session is proof thereof. A pleasurable Filipino style afternoon!.

H.E. Mr. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia at SCENECS International Debut Film Festival.  By Carl van Denzen. SCENECS International Debut Film Festival, which has been a recurring event since 2006, has been established and organized over the years thanks to the efforts of a number of volunteers, professionals, and sponsors. For additional images by Hester Dijkstra, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/109407424@N02/albums/72157698463939094

  The Festival “offers new directors and producers from all over the world the opportunity to show their first or second film in the cinemas,” and it has become over the years an important venue for debuting directors to make their work known. On Friday June 22nd, 2018, the 12th edition of SCENECS started, with an opening ceremony at the VUE Cinema Hilversum. The hundreds of guests who attended the event were welcomed with a drink, and the opening ceremony started with four Indonesian dancers in colourful costumes.

Mr. Arya Tariverdi, Festival Director and founder of SCENECS, welcomed all the guests, thanking in particular H.E. Mr. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Ambassador of Indonesia, and H.E. Mrs. Ngo Thi Hoa, Ambassador of Viet Nam. Following this introduction, Ron Sterk, CEO of VUE Cinema and long time partner of SCENECS, explained the relevance of SCENECS for VUE. While his organization is usually more focused on big productions (such as that of, for example, Jurassic Park), Mr. Sterk noted that every film maker, even Spielberg himself, has to start from a debut film. “The debut movie makers of today can be the important movie makers of the future,” hence the importance of festivals such as SCENECS. Then, Mr. Wimar Jaeger, Alderman of Media and Culture at the Hilversum Municipality, praised Hilversum as the “city of the storymakers.” In this city, he said, it is vital that story makers train new people who can tell new stories. After this introduction, H.E. Mr. Wesaka Puja was invited on the stage. The Ambassador revealed his movie preferences, naming One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest as his favourite movie, and he stressed the educational nature of movies, from which everyone can learn a lot. A movie, the Ambassador said, “is a small mirror that can change your life.” H.E. Mr. Wesaka Puja praised SCENECS, because the Festival builds bridges between different cultures and different directors. As for Indonesia, given the increasing popularity of movies, the plan is to increase the number of screens, from the current 1500 to up to 5000 screens. This would be surely an improvement for the Indonesian people, because as Steven Spielberg once said: “Every time I go to a movie, it’s magic, no matter what the movie’s about.”

The Ambassador and Mr. Jaeger then officially opened the festival, pushing a red button in the midst of paper golden garlands flying in the air. This year’s edition of SCENECS started with the Indonesian film “Posesif,” from producer Muhammad Zaidy and directed by Dhani Awan. The movie revolves around the issue of love and its difficulties. These problems are experienced by everyone: not only teenagers, but also teachers and parents. The focus of the movie is on teenager experiences in Indonesia, and it is not much influenced by mainstream cinema. In the Top 100 ranking of Indonesian movies, Posesif ranks 35th, and it is a clear example of the growing Indonesian movie industry, which started its growth after the 1980s and 1990s. After the movie, Jacques Happe interviewed Muhammad Zaidy, producer of the film, who explained some of the film’s features.  The opening ceremony ended with drinks and Indonesian snacks. In the rest of the festival, which has lasted from June 22nd to June 29th, several movies have been screened. In the 2018 edition, SCENECS has received more than 800 applications from 71 different countries, and it has screened 130 (inter)national fiction films and documentaries. Also, the Festival has offered, to both film makers and the audience, a series of workshops and masterclasses on film and media, thus contributing to the spread of the “cinema culture” in the Netherlands.    

By Roy Lie Atjam. Only hours before his departure, I had the honour to meet with Mr. Alvaro Sanchez, Chargé d’ Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Venezuela in the Netherlands. After serving his country for one year and a half as Chargé d’ Affaires, Alvaro Sanchez has left the Netherlands for a new important assignment on the Caribbean island of Barbados, often referred to as the little Britain of the Caribbean.

During his stint in the Netherlands Sanchez contributed towards exposing Venezuela culturally through several concerts by El Sistema at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He also contributed to the screening of Venezuelan films at the Rotterdam Film Festival last year.

It didn’t take the Chargé d’ Affaires long to settle down in his new abode in the “Bajan” capital Bridgetown. He met with Heads of Mission and other representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, government ministers, among them, Minister of Youth and Community Empowerment Adrian Forde, Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Trevor Prescod, Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations, Colin Jordan. All had gathered on Thursday 5 July 2018 for his welcome reception and the Venezuelan National Day. Mr. Alvaro Sanchez is confident that a recent meeting between the newly elected Barbadian Prime Minister the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley and Venezuela’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Caribbean Affairs, Raul Licausi will mark a new beginning in the two countries’ relations.

Next year, Venezuela and Barbados will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and according to the new Chargé d’ Affaires, this will be a great opportunity to work comprehensively towards more cooperation and integration. We wish Alvaro the best of luck in his new assignment. ——————————– For additional information, please open the links below:

• http://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/pledge-of-continued-cooperation-with-venezuela/

• http://epaper.barbadostoday.bb/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=87ad6005-1972-4d63-92b0-8927eda53c7a

 

• https://barbadostoday.bb/2018/07/06/ties-that-bind/

• https://etypeservices.com/SWF/LocalUser/Barbados1//Magazine226735/Full/index.aspx?II=226735#32

 

• https://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/venezuela-committed
• https://etypeservices.com/SWF/LocalUser/Barbados1//Magazine226735/Full/index.aspx?II=226735#4
• https://etypeservices.com/SWF/LocalUser/Barbados1//Magazine226735/Full/index.aspx?II=226735#4
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLf0Sp7jJwZzstE5lDjRolktq_VmGZsAvK&v=jINzO2nx4m8
• https://etypeservices.com/SWF/LocalUser/Barbados1//Magazine225844/Full/files/assets/common/downloads/page0012.pdf
• https://barbadostoday.bb/2018/06/26/sanchez-decries-uns-vicious-hideous-campaign/