By Roy Lie Atjam. Iraq, the magnificent exhibition Nineveh, The Heart of an Ancient Empire is fresh in the memory of many. It ran from 20 October 2017 until 25 March this year. The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq sponsored the exhibition. H.E. Dr Hisham Al-Alawi is Iraq’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, he presented his Letters of Credence to HM King Willem Alexander on 11 April 2018. Ambassador Hisham Al-Alawi is married and has three children. Hisham Al-Alawi is fluent in Arabic his mother tongue and the English language. Al-Alawi appreciates the serenity of The Hague. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi is a medical doctor by profession holding a Doctorate in General (Internal) Medicine with special interest in Diabetes and Endocrinology. Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi is a member of Iraqi Commission for Medical Specialization, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research, 24th November 2010.

Dr. Hisham Al-Alawi is a person who likes to keep updated about the developments in his vocation. Some of his other qualifications are: Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in Endocrinology & Diabetes Mellitus, The Specialty Training Authority of Royal Medical Colleges in the UK, 18th May 2001. Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of UK (MRCP), November 1994.MB ChB, with honour, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, June 1988. April 2002- January 2010, Consultant Physician with interest in Diabetes & Endocrinology, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, West Bromwich, West Midlands, UK. Oct. 2001- Apr. 2002:Locum Consultant Physician in General/ Elderly & Stroke Medicine, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK. Sept.1991- Aug. 1994:Registrar in General Medicine / Neurology, Ali Omar Asker Hospital/ Centre of Neuroscience, Tripoli, Libya. Regarding his diplomatic assignments and training, Al-Alawi served as Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Republic of Turkey, May 2016 – Jan. 2018. Apr. 2011- Nov. 2015 Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Republic of South Africa. Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of London, University of Westminster, London, (2007-2009).

Furthermore, member of the Iraqi Diaspora Group in the UK who met regularly with officials from the Foreign and Home Office in the UK. An educational Trip to Brussels and The Hague, visited the European Commission, NATO, the International Court of Justice and the Clingendael Netherlands Institute of International Relations); a full week educational trip organized by the Diplomatic Academy of London, University of Westminster, 9-14^th March 2008. Ambassador Hisham Al-Alawi, a warm and cordial welcome to the Netherlands.  

Visiting the Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Archbishop Aldo Cavalli. By Guido Lanfranchi. Over the past few months, many Embassies in The Hague have welcomed delegations of Leiden University students and Diplomat Magazine Junior Team, and several others are planning to do so very soon. The Hague, city of Peace and Justice, offers a very broad array of opportunities for its students, and especially for those interested in topic related to international relations and diplomacy. The city hosts not only an incredibly high number of International Organizations, but also 115 Embassies, which represent an invaluable resource for students who are interested in the mechanisms of international diplomacy.

Over the past few years, groups of students from Leiden University have often visited several Embassies all across The Hague. In doing so, the students have been able to gain precious insights about diplomacy and international relations dynamics, and to meet personally Ambassadors and diplomats, thus enhancing the value of studying international relations in a city like The Hague.

During the current year, BASIS The Hague and Diplomat Magazine have developed a particularly strong collaboration, with the aim of providing the students with even more experiences of this kind. At the beginning of the year, the Academic Committee of BASIS, a student association of Leiden University, reached out to Diplomat Magazine Junior Team and soon established a profitable collaboration in organizing different events for students. Over the current academic year, eight Embassies have already opened their doors to the students. The first one has been the Apostolic Nunciature on November 6^th, 2017, when a big group of students enjoyed the hospitality of H.E. Archbishop Aldo Cavalli. Shortly afterwards, on November 16^th, H.E. Mr. Konstantine Surguladze, Ambassador of Georgia, met a group of students, followed by Mr. Pablo Romero, then First Secretary of the Embassy of Brazil, on December 14^th.

After a long break due to the Christmas holidays and the exam period, the series of Embassy Visits started again in March 6^th, when H.E. Mr. Ali Shujjat Rathore and his staff talked at length with a group of extremely curious students at the Embassy of Pakistan.

Then, in April alone, the students enjoyed the possibility to visit fours Embassies. On April 10^th, H.E. Mr. Edgar Elias Azar and his colleagues welcomed several students at the Embassy of Mexico. Then, on April 12^th, it was the turn of H.E. Mr. Andras Kocsis, Ambassador of Hungary to the Netherlands, followed after a few days by H.E. Mr. Abdel Sattar Issa, newly established Ambassador of Lebanon in The Hague. Finally, on April 23^rd, H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem, Ambassador of Yemen, received a group of students at the Embassy for almost three hours.

Although the academic year approaches its end, the series of Embassy Visits is still not over. On May 17^th, H.E. Ms. Rawan Sulaiman will open the doors of the Palestinian Mission in The Hague, followed by H.E. Mr. Amgad Abdel-Ghaffar, Ambassador of Egypt, on the next day. The following week, on May 22^nd, the students will have the possibility to visit the Russian Embassy and talk to H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin. Finally, contacts are already in place with the Embassies of Iran, Afghanistan, and Venezuela, thus paving the way for more events in this year or the next.

The students of Leiden University and Diplomat Magazine sincerely thank all the Embassies that have showed their availability to welcome students, thus enhancing the quality of their study experience and… who knows, maybe helping them to become better diplomats in the future!

Statement of Ambassador Rawan Sulaiman on Nakba Day, following the Gaza massacre. 15 May​ 2018- Yesterday’s massacre in Gaza is a new low in the dehumanisation of my people. Following this crisis situation, the Palestinian leadership has announced new steps will be taken. The ‘settlement’ file will be referred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Silence and passiveness in the face of such grave injustice, also from our partners, is unacceptable. Palestine can no longer wait on the mere good intentions and words of others. I thank those who choose to stand with my people, and call on you to renew your efforts for justice for the people of Palestine. ​ We are deeply grateful for the many messages of support we have received, yesterday at our official Nakba commemoration and following the Gaza massacre. In this regards I would like to share with you the video-message of former Dutch Prime-Minister Mr. Dries van Agt (in Dutch) on our Facebook page. Courageous and heartwarming. As Mr. Van Agt stated, we are not alone.  Join us in our urgent struggle for justice. Ambassador Rawan Sulaiman Head of the Palestinian Mission to the Netherlands  

On the picture, the Ambassador of Tanzania H.E.  Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju. By Roy Lie Atjam. Wassenaar, 25 April 2018 – H.E.  Ms. Irene Florence Mkwawa Kasyanju, Ambassador of Tanzania in the Netherlands hosted a reception on the occasion of her country’s 54th Union Day. Something phenomenal took place on 26 April 1964, the merging of two sovereign states, continental Tanganyika and the island state of Zanzibar in East Africa. The Presidency of the Union came under the acumen leadership of the late Dr. (Hon) Julius Kambarage Nyerere who was, by all means, an illustrious person. Julius Nyerere was a true son of Africa, a Pan-Africanist, nationalist, philosopher, charismatic orator, and an African statesman. Nyerere was a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity. Nyerere’s resolve has been that Tanzania should be taken to higher heights.

He once made the following statement : Tanzania is involved in a war against poverty and oppression in our country; this struggle is aimed at moving the people of Tanzania and the people of Africa as a whole from a state of poverty to a state of prosperity. In her welcome remarks Ambassador Mkwawa Kasyanju noted the following: “As we are celebrating the 54 years since the Union was established, Tanzania has been enjoying peace and tranquillity all the time and thus contributing tremendously in seeking stability within our Region. All this could not be achieved in isolation but by forging and strengthening unity and friendly ties between the people of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.”

“It is Tanzania’s pride to keep the Union flourishing and this is what the two Governments have been striving to achieve throughout our history. It is Tanzania’s belief that the generations to come will cherish this unique achievement, which has all along been cemented by the economic, social and cultural ties.” Ambassador Mkwawa continued, “I could not think of a better opportunity than this one to acknowledge the excellent bilateral relations that exists between Tanzania and the Netherlands. These relations are historical and can be traced back to early years of independent Tanganyika. They have continued to be nurtured and strengthened from which various forms of cooperation have been established covering different fields. “ End quote.  

“We are reminiscent of the fact that in the sixties and seventies of the previous century the President of Tanzania Dr Julius K. Nyerere was admired by progressive students and political parties in the Netherlands and elsewhere. Notably for his political leadership and vision, not only for Tanzania but also for the African continent and the so-called third-world countries.”  

Furthermore,the Ambassador continued: “Tanzania has continued to achieve a sustained high growth rate of the economy, with signs of economic transformation emerging. These positive developments are aimed at facilitating substantial poverty reduction, creation of quality jobs and increase of productivity. Current key objectives for Tanzania are geared towards achieving national development aspirations articulated in the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 of transforming the economy into a middle income and semi-industrialized country by 2025. Concerted efforts are being pursed to transform the economy, commensurate with the envisaged development aspirations; a task we have to fulfill in less than 10 years.”

Mr. Simon Molenaar, Manager Production & Supply of RijkZwaan Production B.V. addressed the gathering. Molenaar exclaimed in delight, “am proud to be an investor in Tanzania” “Years of unbroken friendship ” H.E. Irene Florence Mkwawa concluded by referring to the friendly cooperation between Tanzania and the Netherlands. She stated, “our mutual solidarity goes back a long way. I am convinced that years of unbroken friendship between Tanzania and The Netherlands will continue to nourish and strengthen our much-treasured partnership by bringing our two countries and peoples even closer. Our joint accomplishment over the years is a reflection of the mutual trust, understanding and shared values.”

A large number of Ambassadors, International judges, businessmen and friends of Tanzania came to felicitate Ambassador Mkwawa. The drummer’s group “Nakupenda Le BiKa” under the direction of Ms. Mwajuma Kitano animated the evening.