From the Past to the Future – Poland on 100 Anniversary of Regaining its Independence

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By H.E. Mr. Marcin Czepelak, Ambassador of Poland in The Netherlands.

There is a painting hanging on the wall in the reception lounge of the Polish Embassy in the Hague. The painting (author unknown) is dated at 1597 and shows the Binnenhof and Lange Viverberg from de Plaats in the Hague. Among others, we can see a figure of Paweł Działyński, most likely first Polish envoy to the Union of Utrecht, which will later turn into the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Poland and the Netherlands had a very good relation then. Initially, they were based on trade since Poland was a “garner of Europe”, later deepened with a similar attitude towards governance system, shared humanistic values and cultural and social development.

It is worth mentioning that at this time Polish kings were elected by the nobles and they had to follow laws and parliamentary statutes. It was also the age of peace between different religions. At the time when Europe was torn apart by religious wars, Poland was also regarded as a safe haven for all persecuted for religious grounds (in 1573 Sejm adopted a law that guaranteed freedom of confession). Moreover, the privilege neminem captivabimus nisi iure victum forbid to jail anyone without a court’s order.

All the above explains why Poland was known as a “Republic of Nobles” and was considered as an example state by the most brilliant minds of Europe like Erasmus of Rotterdam, who wrote that “In Polonia lex est rex”.
“Pools gezandschap op de Plaats in Den Haag” – fot. Historisch Museum Den Haag.

Sadly, the “golden age” (parallel to the famous Dutch one) did not last forever. XVII and XVIII century brought wars, chaos, economic and political collapse with the partitions carried out by our neighboring powers: Austria, Prussia, and Russia reigned by the absolutistic monarchs. Shortly before Polish Sejm adopted – as the last act of political independence – the Constitution of 3 May 1791 that was the second document of that kind in the world (after the USA) and first in Europe.

It took us 123 years, three uprisings (1830-1831, 1846, 1863) and the Great War (1914-1918) to regain our independence in 1918. Still, it was a great challenge to unite a country that had been divided into three different states. Although it is hard to imagine, in Poland three civil codes were in force: German and Austrian civil codes and – last but not least – also the code civile (called in Poland ‘the Code of Napoleon’). As a lawyer, I particularly admire the commitment to unify the Polish legal system. But there was much more to be done. Accordingly, there were three different political system institutions, three different monetary systems, and two different railway track sizes. Yet, the II Republic was reborn as a modern state, strong socially, economically and politically.

Unfortunately, history again turned against us with the imminent II World War. On 1 September 1939 Poland was invaded by the Nazi Germany and on 17 September 1939 by the Soviet Russia. Despite the initial defeat, Polish soldiers continued their fight against Hitler’s armies on all fronts. In this context, I would like to recall the struggle of Polish soldiers during the II World War who fought for “your and our freedom” in the Netherlands. It is important for us to remember that the city of Breda and large parts of The Netherlands were liberated by Polish troops under the command of General Maczek.

The defeat of Nazi Germany did not mean the return of freedom to Poland since after 1945 Poland fell under the rule of Stalin’s Russia. The red terror crushed the remaining resistance and established the communist regime in Poland. Despite all odds, new generations carried on the struggle of their fathers for freedom that lead to the creation of Solidarity movement and peaceful, democratic transformation in 1989. New governments commenced political and economic reforms which reintroduced market economy and democratic principles to Poland. The end of this process was joining of Poland to NATO in 1999 and EU in 2004. We, Polish, are very proud about that.

As it was 100 years ago, we are now looking with hope into future. As it was in 1918, also nowadays we are facing numerous challenges in Europe and around the globe, of political, economic and security nature. The historical comparisons are of course not always valid. The end of First World War in 1918 brought Poland independence, sovereignty and a perspective of hope and optimism so brutally crushed twenty years later by two totalitarian regimes: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

In the XXI Century, we are far from such a gloomy scenario. The world has changed and the situation is different. Nevertheless, the challenges of an uncertain future for our societies cannot be easily resolved. The overall aim of Europe, free and at peace is still to be achieved. . and remaining threats to international peace and security have to be addressed. Yet another “frozen conflict” is ongoing at Poland’s eastern neighbor. “Brexit” seems to have seriously shaken the foundations of the EU. And the discussion on how to preserve the transatlantic links between the US and Europe is getting the biggest attention since the end of the Cold War. In a nutshell, we see history in the making.

Looking back at Poland’s last 100 years I must say without a doubt that the last years have been its best. Polish “Round Table talks” and first free elections on 4 June 1989 elections triggered the domino effect of democratic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe and fall of the Berlin Wall, that ended the Cold War. Almost three decades of political and economic developments in Poland resulted in a well-functioning state of 2018 based upon principles of democracy, free market economy, human rights and rule of law. We play an active role in shaping the future of the European Union and NATO. We take seriously the security on a global scale in the United Nations Security Council context.

Poland has proven that it is not a security consumer any longer but a contributor to peace regionally and globally. Cumulated experiences of the past along with dynamism and the potential of the Polish national spirit have finally had a unique opportunity to flourish, providing creative solutions in politics, economy, science, technology, and sport.

I am honored to be a part of this process as the Polish Ambassador to the Netherlands, a post which I took up just a couple of months ago in September 2017. The Hague as such puts emphasis on elements that are very dear to the Polish hearts, be it dialogue, cooperation, free trade, international law and justice or last but not least security. These values are also my commitment for day to day work.

The Slovak Republic 25 years After

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By H.E. Roman Buzek, Ambassador of Slovakia in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On the 1st of January 2018, it has been already 25 years since the amicable, well-negotiated and smooth dissolution of the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic brought into existence two successor democratic states: the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Many doubted whether the separation of two countries was going to be successful. Many feared the separation would bring yet another bloody conflict in the heart of Europe. But these fears proved groundless as the split was truly peaceful and friendly.

Just like two siblings who grew up together under one roof and then decided to set up their own houses, two countries remain remarkably close in spite of their independent domiciles. Since 1993 Slovakia and the Czech Republic represent an unparalleled example of good neighborly relations and friendship based on the same values and principles.

Spis Castle, Slovakia.

The Slovak Republic at age of 25 is a stable and prosperous country. Still young, but ambitious, it is a reliable and trustworthy member of the international community who takes its share of responsibility for maintaining international peace and prosperity, be it as a growing donor of international assistance or as an active participant in various peacekeeping operations. Holding its first ever Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2016, Slovakia proved its established position in the international community. Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, is currently presiding over the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. From July 2018, once again Slovakia will chair the Visegrad 4 Group. Furthermore, Slovakia is now preparing for its presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2019.

National Theatre

Throughout the years the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been one of the partners that provided Slovakia with instrumental support and assistance in various fields of socio-economic development and in joining both the European Union and NATO 14 years ago. The current relationship between the two countries is based on the same European values and perspectives for the common future in the European Union.

The Netherlands has been and still is one of the most prominent foreign investors in Slovakia. The cooperation develops very well in all fields. The state visit of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix to Slovakia in 2007 reciprocated by the visit of President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič to the Netherlands in 2012 proved the excellent relations between the two countries as well as the potential for their further development. The two countries currently enjoy vibrant and growing cooperation in all fields: politics, trade and business; education and research; and culture.

During its 25 years of independence, Slovakia has undergone series of challenging economic reforms to become a successful and prosperous country joining the single European currency in 2009. The automotive industry is the backbone of the country´s economy with over 1 million cars produced last year. Land Rover / Jaguar is expected to start its production in Nitra later this year joining already existing production facilities of Volkswagen in Bratislava, Peugeot/Citroen in Trnava and Kia in Žilina.

Another perspective branch with huge development potential is mountain tourism which might be particularly interesting for foreign tourists – both in summer and winter time. Slovakia located in the very heart of Europe offers lots of other recreational possibilities, including welldeveloped spa network providing relief with various illnesses; many opportunities for relaxing, enjoying the nature or historical architecture and last but not least tasting traditional Slovak cuisine and various local wine and beer production.

Young and modern, Slovakia at its age of 25 is full of confidence and visions for the years to come.

Priorities and challenges of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council

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Main priorities and challenges of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

By H.E.  Rumen Alexandrov, Ambassador of Bulgaria in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 

Taking over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU is both a privilege challenge and responsibility for us. Bulgaria joined the EU 11 years ago and today it has the chance to shape the EU’s policies in key areas.

For us, the Presidency is also a chance to show our partners a different side of Bulgaria: 

  • A country in which the cohesion funds are bringing about visible change and contributing to the year-on-year economic growth of 4%.
  • A country which is protecting the EU’s external border as responsibly as any Schengen area member, without in fact being part of Schengen.
  • A country whose currency is governed under the same rules as the euro, whose macroeconomic indicators are impeccable even though it is not part of the Eurozone.
  • A country where different religions and ethnicities live together in peace. In the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, a church, a mosque and a synagogue lie less than 500 meters apart.

I hope that over the next six months many people across Europe will get to know more of these multiple faces of Bulgaria – the good student, the strong economic performer, the model for ethnic tolerance.

We approach the EU Presidency with full awareness that our citizens expect from us effective solutions to concrete problems. After the crises that Europe has faced in recent years it is time to be pragmatic and result-oriented in order to regain the confidence of our citizens. The time until the end of the current term of the European Parliament and the European Commission is running short and we need to move fast. That is why the program of our Presidency is ambitious while remaining realistic.

H.E.  Rumen Alexandrov, Ambassador of Bulgaria.

What are our strategic goals? We will work for a stable and secure Europe of solidarity.

  • Stable Europe because our citizens expect that the European Union takes care of their prosperity and well-being.
  • Secure Europe because the migration crisis and the terrorist attacks in the recent years showed how vulnerable we are.
  • Solidarity because the main challenges we face can only be resolved by common actions.

To achieve our goals, we work in four main strands:

1. Economic growth, social cohesion, and youth.

In order to boost economic growth, the Bulgarian Presidency will work towards strengthening the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). We will promote open and inclusive discussion on the EMU architecture. In the area of the Banking Union, we will focus our efforts on risk reduction measures.

We are putting great emphasis on stable EU finances and we will contribute to the discussions on the new Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU (MFF). Bulgaria will endeavor for an honest and open political debate on the future of the Cohesion Policy and maintain its important role in the budget of the European Union post-2020. The Cohesion policy has a clear added value as it fosters growth and jobs and has a direct benefit to the citizens.

Next, we believe that young people are key to the development of the European economy and society, therefore, the level of European investment in education and research is to be increased. We will put an emphasis on the mid-term review of the Erasmus + programme as well as on finalizing the legislative work on the European Solidarity Corps.

2. Security and stability for a stronger and United Europe

For the security of the Union as a whole, it is crucial to complete the reform of the Common European Asylum System, based on the principles of responsibility and genuine solidarity. The Bulgarian Presidency will work for more coordinated European measures in the field of Return policy.

Another important task for our presidency is to improve the interoperability of the EU information systems and databases.

In Justice area, we will focus our efforts on the institutionalization of the European Public Prosecutor‘s Office as well as on the Cross-border access to electronic evidence.

Within the priority for a stronger and more secure European Union, we will work towards regional cooperation, energy connectivity, protection of critical energy infrastructure and ensuring the security of gas supply through diversification of sources and routes within the framework of a stable Energy Union.

3. European perspective of the Western Balkans

There is a window of opportunity for concrete progress on the EU path of the Western Balkans’ countries in 2018 and we hope that the countries from the region will take advantage of it. As Presidency of the Council, we will fully respect the principles of individual and merit-based assessment, and the fulfillment of the established criteria.

We hope that during the Bulgarian Presidency new negotiation chapters with Serbia and Montenegro could be opened, progress could be made in view of opening negotiations with FYROM and Albania, and the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo could be further consolidated.

The EU will continue to encourage the implementation of ambitious reforms which are indispensable for the European integration of the countries in the region. We see huge potential in bringing the region closer to the Union by building missing energy, digital and transport infrastructure. A key initiative which we already started to promote is the gradual decrease in roaming prices.

On 17 May 2018, Bulgaria will host an EU-Western Balkans Summit, which is to send a positive message to all the 6 countries in the region on their European integration.

4. Digital Economy and skills of the future

The Digital Single Market is a source of growth and competitiveness and greater share of online service users and the rapid penetration of information and communication technologies across all sectors of the economy is needed.

Our efforts are aimed at providing clear, transparent and balanced transport legislation, that takes into account the national specificities of the EU Member States transport sector, with focus on advancing the legislative proposals from the so-calledRoad Package”.

We share the need for Fair and efficient taxation of corporate profits and preventing tax evasion.

As regards the social dimension of the European Union the focus of the Presidency will be on 4 major topics: The Future of Work” in the digital and shared economy; European Social Fund (ESF) support in the post 2020 programming period; the concept of early childhood development; and people with disabilities as members of society with equal rights.

By way of concluding just let me mention that the motto of the Bulgarian Presidency is “United we stand strong“.

The motto reflects our historical experience – the same words are inscribed at the entrance of our National Assembly and are at the core of our democracy. Our national history has taught us that the more united, the stronger we are.

We believe that this experience of ours is relevant for the EU in this particular moment of time. “Unity” and “integrity” are essential to respond to the common challenges and deliver for our citizens.

Etapas del desarrollo, crisis vitales y familias migrantes 3/4

With the release of the bestseller Traslados, Silvia Korenblum, psychologist and diplomatic spouse, describe and explore the transitory migration of diplomatic life and its impact on the family. Diplomat Magazine decided to publish this powerful companion book designed for diplomats and their families, in its original language. Por Silvia Korenblum. Las etapas del desarrollo con sus crisis vitales son esperables para todos los individuos. Surgen desde la naturaleza misma de la biología y de la sociedad y atraviesan la estructura familiar. Adultez. Emancipación de los hijos. Nido vacío La adolescencia de los hijos coincide con la edad madura o adultez de los padres (abuelos). Crisis por los dos lados. Para dar curso a los cambios durante las transiciones en el ciclo vital de la familia, los adultos tienen que confrontar las antiguas experiencias que tuvieron, como hijos, con sus padres, y las que tienen actualmente con sus hijos en su calidad de padres. En el desarrollo normal de una familia, el crecimiento incluye la pérdida de viejas pautas de relación y la adquisición de nuevos aprendizajes. La etapa de la adultez es un momento de transición, de replanteo de la vida y de duelo por varias pérdidas. Los hijos ya son más independientes. Comienza la etapa universitaria, y con ella las separaciones, que se dan, por lo general, por causas prácticas (la universidad se empieza y termina en un país y puede ser que no coincida con la nueva residencia de los padres). En este caso la separación no es producto de una consecuencia gradual madurativa. Los hijos se quedan solos, a veces, demasiado pronto y los padres experimentan un síndrome de nido vacío precoz, antes de que estén listos, ellos y sus hijos, a que los pichones salgan a volar.

Este “nido vacío” se ve forzado por la situación, ya que si los hijos tienen que quedarse estudiando en otro país se separan de los padres antes de que unos u otros, o ambos, estén listos. Aquí se da una situación complicada ya que en general, cuando se trata de un funcionario hombre, la mujer se siente tironeada entre el hijo o los hijos que quedan solos y su pareja y su carrera. Hasta no entender para qué se sigue acompañando a su pareja, si los hijos están tan lejos y la necesitan.

Catalina G. atraviesa una depresión enorme al tener que dejar a una hija que estaba en la universidad en su país de origen y partir junto a su marido y a su hija menor a otro país. Si bien sabía que su hija había quedado bien cuidada en casa de una hermana suya, no podía dejar de sentir la fractura de su familia, cayendo en una grave depresión y viajando todo el tiempo de un país al otro sin estar en ningún lado, viviendo literalmente en tránsito. Aquí, comienza un tiempo complicado para el matrimonio que se encuentra solo por segunda vez. Se puede observar un dilema en la pareja: en este momento el funcionario , ha progresado en estatus y posición y se vuelve más atractivo para las mujeres jóvenes, mientras que las mujeres de la misma edad, cuya autoestima depende más de la apariencia física, se pueden encontrar menos atractivas que los hombres, aquellos a los que sienten que han seguido por el mundo, les han criado los hijos, y que se han olvidado de ellas. Empieza una etapa de balance y replanteo, sobre todo para las mujeres, que sienten que han dejado su vida en manos de otro. La mujer se encuentra con el marido, solos. Han pasado años, muchas experiencias. Se hace una revisión del pasado. Se analiza cómo ha transcurrido la propia vida y cómo se quiere continuar. Si bien la ausencia de los hijos afecta al padre y a la madre, es en la mujer en quien repercutirá de manera estrepitosa. En el caso en el que es la mujer la que acompaña al marido funcionario, ésta madre en tránsito, por lo general, no ha podido desarrollar su profesión y sólo se ha dedicado a los hijos y al marido. El trabajo de las adaptaciones familiares ha caído casi completamente en sus manos, y eso la ha mantenido ocupada, casi olvidada de sí misma. Las mudanzas no le han permitido continuar con su profesión. Toda una vida se ha ido construyendo en torno a sus hijos, atenta a sus etapas evolutivas, a sus horarios, estados emocionales, a sus éxitos y fracasos. La salida dependerá de la pareja y de cómo estructure esta nueva realidad. El éxito o el fracaso de esta fase se verá muy influido por lo que haya ocurrido en las precedentes, de cómo sea el nivel de diferenciación en esa familia, y de cómo se hayan atravesado los distintos estadios evolutivos, que en las familias migrantes son muy recortables. Cuando uno se despide de un lugar se despide de una etapa de la vida. Para la familia en tránsito, las fases de crecimiento están muy marcadas, ya que se llega a un país con determinadas características en lo evolutivo, y se parte a otro en otra etapa de la evolución. Entonces, cada etapa de la vida se encuentra claramente asociada a un lugar diferente, a una geografía, hasta a un olor diferente. Las despedidas y los duelos evolutivos se encuentran muy mezclados. Dejar un país implica dejar a unos hijos que llegaron siendo bebés y se van siendo niños, o llegaron niños y se van adolescentes. Las transiciones, entonces, se ven forzosamente marcadas por las geografías. Las familias que nacen y se desarrollan siempre en el mismo lugar no perciben con tanta claridad el paso del tiempo, de una etapa a la otra en el ciclo vital. En las familias en tránsito esto se evidencia en una cantidad de “detalles” que se ponen de relieve y demanifiesto al hacer la mudanza. Todos sabemos que, cuando se hace una mudanza, se hace una limpieza profunda, que implica una revisión de nuestras cosas, de lo que sirve o no, de lo que irá a la nueva casa. De alguna manera uno siente que empieza una limpieza de su propia vida, dejando cosas, que cree que ya no va a necesitar, con la ilusión de “empezar de nuevo”. Los objetos guardan gran parte de nuestra historia. Cuando uno se deshace de una cuna es evidente que ya no habrá más bebés en una casa. Lo mismo sucede con los libritos, o el triciclo. Estos objetos nos recuerdan lugares, personas, momentos, íntimamente ligados a los ciclos vitales, a sus crisis y variaciones. Marcelo , de 40 años, entre su tercer y cuarto destino se deshizo de un montón de cartas que guardaba celosamente desde su adolescencia; en ese momento sintió que ya nunca más las necesitaría. Luego, en el nuevo destino, se dio cuenta con tristeza que se había desprendido de un testimonio muy querido de su pasado. Al realizar una mudanza cada 2, 3 ó 4 años, estas etapas se delimitan con mucha claridad. Cada pocos años se realiza una “limpieza profunda” se revisan hasta el último de los cajones y con ello hasta el último recuerdo, con la certeza absoluta de que hay algo que ya no se repetirá mas. Ya no se estará allí, ya no estará el vecino e inevitablemente, esta marca del paso del tiempo se manifiesta con tal concretud, como si se pudiera tocar el pasar de los años en cada centímetro crecido. Crisis vitales intergeneracionales Otra variable a tener en cuenta dentro del ciclo vital, es la interge- neracional, la relación en que se encuentren los progenitores con sus familias de origen. La familia en tránsito está lejos, y llega un momento en el que un padre de uno u otro cónyuge, enferma y/o muere. Sabemos que dentro de la adultez esto sucede. Nuestros padres se ponen viejos. Y ello no se ve gradualmente: se va viendo como de a golpes. Forma parte de nuestro ser adulto. Aunque visitaba a sus padres una vez al año, a Adriana C. siempre la perseguía la incertidumbre de cómo los iba a encontrar. Si bien hablaba por teléfono con ellos semanalmente, tuvo una impresión muy fuerte: “Un día nos bajamos del avión y eran unos viejitos”.

La autora Silvia Korenblum, nació en Buenos Aires y es Licenciada en Psicología, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Tiene un Post grado en terapias de familias y parejas, además de un Magister en psiconeuroendocrinologia. 

Es Especialista en problemas de desarraigo y adaptación, ha ejercido su práctica clínica en diversas instituciones clínicas y hospitalarias. Ha trabajado dictando seminarios y coordinando talleres de orientación a padres de niños y adolescentes atravesados por la problemática de la migración, en diferentes países. Es Autora de numerosas ponencias y artículos sobre su especialidad y del libro Familias en Transito, Lumen humanitas 2003. Casada desde hace 25 años con un diplomático. Actualmente vive en Bruselas, ejerciendo su practica clinica, terapia y coaching on line. ——- Fotografia por Pablo Grinspun.

Our Culture…our Brand?

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By Mara Lemanis.  It happens automatically. As soon as we start interacting with the world, we’re inducted into the Hall of Names and branded. We become Brands. Some will make a heated response: “Excuse me! I am not a Brand—I have a Brand. Maybe you don’t know the difference!” Do those rejoinders point out a subtle difference? What is the difference? Because if we have a Brand that we pitch and associate with our Self, aren’t we pitching Ourselves? As we hype our Self on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., in order to get attention for what we have and do–for what we ARE–suddenly that Brand has US. But this is the point where it becomes necessary to consider how specious, how phony that claim really is. Because whatever brand we put out about ourselves, it can never encompass us, never describe what we really are. Besides showing off the products we’re selling, or the talents we’re highlighting, does the brand signal our reactions? Can it provide a clue, for instance, about the kind of personal visions we prize, how kind and selfless we are; or if we lust after strange, exotic fruit, crave kinky moments, delirious activities; and whether we hoard money or spend wantonly? Even if we identify with our product, is the product our identity—our culture?…Does my brand turn me into a commodity? Is the culture that surrounds me a reflection of what I commodify? Each time we sell something of ourselves, maybe we skim a little something off our psyche, letting it evaporate like water as we boil it down, reducing the prime part of our vitality. If this be our life’s goal, our manifest destiny, it means we are selling ourselves both on the outside but also from inside ourselves as a particular, singular Brand. At the same time those clients who “like” us are also marketing themselves to us. And however great a range of “likes” and clients we muster for our product, we narrow the focus of who we are. This is inevitable because we tether ourselves to the acceptability, the like-ability of our brand. It becomes addictive.—And just as an addict has many more layers of Life and Being that he can’t use because he’s tied to his addiction, so we too start to atrophy away from the many turns and tacks that animate our Being. Then we no longer live at the center of our being; we stop being whole and integrated. We become the by-product of our brand and our surrounding culture is flattened by our self-diminishment.

Yet we’re not one-dimensional!

Before we burn our souls with branding irons that show who owns us; before our minds stamp in a catchphrase like one that’s gleamed at us for nearly 70 years–“A Diamond is Forever”; before we think ourselves pink as Owens-Corning’s fiberglass and swell with the epic assurance of Reebok affirming “I Am What I Am,” we can still pull away from the names, logos, slogans that zap our brains and egos. We can tune to the frequencies in the variety of thought, sense, action we have stored up in our gut and mind. We can free our cells and neurons to boost our native vigor. Then like the people in Plato’s Cave–who suddenly see the light, or those whose souls have withered into a single dogma and suddenly see a wealth of views, a wide spectrum of possibilities–we break away from the bonds that brand. –And are reborn into prisms that burnish our potential and our culture, giving zest and wonder to our world.  

The Empathic Impulse that Girds all Nations

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Gustav Klimt, The Tree of Life. Stoclet Frieze-c-1909

By Mara Lemanis.

The golden rule for ethical conduct that prescribes we should “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is a mandate in many religions. One of the oldest edicts inherited by Judaism and Christianity comes from the Hitopadesha section in Sanskrit, c. 1373 BCE—“One should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated.” Such gold would seem to pave the way for a moral universe.

And such a universe is the happy perspective religious traditions uphold and promote. But if we consider the endless tyranny, savagery, greed, chicanery, and extortion among nations and peoples on this particular planet, we are at wit’s end to believe that perspective could logically be right or wise.  

A historical review does suggest humanity has enlarged its moral compass.

Instead of St. Paul admonishing runaway slaves to return to their masters, we decry enslavement; instead of religious persecutions, the torture and slaying of heretics, witches, atheists, etc., we praise religious tolerance. We reprove allegiances that protect only our family and our community and shortchange groups to which we don’t belong. We try to provide some economic subsidies for disenfranchised peoples and extend civil liberties and justice toward ethnic groups different from our own.

Yet the arc of that moral compass has crept forward at the pace of geologic time, still crumbling, time after time, backward into barbarity.

 The great 19th-century poet and cultural critic, Matthew Arnold, despaired over “ignorant armies that clash by night,” leaving us with the feeble consolation: “Ah, love, let us be true to one another! For the world…Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light…”

His misery swelled at the prospect of civilization doomed without the buttress of religion.

However, it is instructive to realize that violent crime rates in the least religious countries in the world, such as Sweden and Denmark, also exhibit generically lower crime rates along with a much lower corruption index than do highly religious countries, such as the U.S.

In “Terror and Just Response,” linguist/philosopher Noam Chomsky claims “… if we adopt the principle of universality: if an action is right (or wrong) for others, it is right (or wrong) for us… If something’s right for me, it’s right for you; if it’s wrong for you, it’s wrong for me. Any moral code that is even worth looking at has that at its core somehow.”

But if we construe morality as behavior that arouses empathy and compassion for the condition of other beings and creatures, we would come to some unusual, if tentative, conclusions. Sobering and wondrous studies have been conducted on the response to suffering among various species in the animal kingdom, including dolphins rescuing humans from shark attacks and dogs responding to the depression and distress of strangers who are not even their owners, nuzzling and licking in sympathy to salve human suffering.  

These findings and those contrasting religious vs. non-religious groups strongly suggest that religious beliefs and devotions are not the prime factors nurturing compassion and emotional empathy.

Over the past 20 years, through a process that uses fMRI (the function of Magnetic Resonance Imaging), neuroscientists have found that areas of the brain are activated when watching someone else’s reactions, especially if s/he seems to be in pain. When we see other people undergoing stress or grief, we tend to feel their plight as if it were our own.

According to neural fMRI results, a particular part of the brain, the anterior cingulate, imagines how that agony feels and experiences it personally. We are endowed with neurons that mirror pain in others as pain in oneself.  

It’s fascinating to consider the golden rule as the gift of an empathic imagination instead of a religious duty. Because if animal species react with solicitude, though they have no religion, then we can presume that an incipient version of the golden rule has been built into their brain cells.

And if agnostic, atheistic, and religious people routinely show generosity and loving care toward all of life at least as much as do their religious brethren, a striking premise rises: Religious doctrines may give us laws and primers, spark ideologies of worship and salvation, but the inspiration to feel into the soul of other living beings may be a seed uncoiling from the universal Ground of Being, religious verdicts notwithstanding.

Empathic, compassionate morality might well be the offspring of an evolving spiritual imagination—cross-cultural and independent of religion.      

Rolls-Royce Studios in Berlin

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From October 2017 a Rolls-Royce Studio was opened in the heart of Berlin’s luxury quarter of Kurfürstendamm 31, in the capital of Europe’s largest economy. The noble and richly adorned studio, allows customers and visitors alike to discover the opulence and history of this luxury automobile producer. This “Bespoke Atelier” shows how every single production leaving manufacturing in Goodwood in West Sussex, England, is unique, and personalised to fit every customer desires. Rolls-Royce Studio is itself a piece of art; exclusively decorated by the Belgian artist and designer Charles Kaisin, hired by the BMW Haus, features exquisite silver shining sculptures. Amongst the historical models on display, a Phantom IV, which erstwhile belonged to the Aga Khan IIISir Sultan Mohammed Shah, 48th Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims, and grandfather to the philanthropist and incumbent Aga Khan IV, Prince Karim Al Husseini. The latter model hails from the 1950s and is characterised by a plethora of customised elements such as seats cover in red Connolly-leather, a hidden silver brush, and comb as well as a built-in voice recorder and a complete picnic set. For further information: https://rolls-roycemotorcars.de https://www.presseportal.de/pm/116117/3745647

AmCham New Year’s event in Frankfurt

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On the picture Bernhard Mattes, President AmCham, Germany and MEP Elmar Brok. Friday, 26 January 2018, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany: Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, MEP Elmark Brok from the European People’s Party fraction, was the keynote speaker at the annual New Year’s reception held in Frankfurt and hosted by the US American Chamber of Commerce to Germany.
Dr. Jung – CMS, Count Marsilius von Ingelheim, Michael Fabich – Capitalmind. Pictures by Stefan Krutsch/AmCham.
For further information: AmCham: https://www.amcham.de https://www.amcham.de/medialibrary/event-galleries/?tx_yag_pi1%5Bc1787%5D%5BalbumUid%5D=108&tx_yag_pi1%5Bc1787%5D%5BgalleryUid%5D=2&tx_yag_pi1%5BitemListc1787%5D%5BpagerCollection%5D%5Bpage%5D=1&tx_yag_pi1%5Baction%5D=list&tx_yag_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=ItemList&cHash=3b0327c8aac6d597eaf05336a9d303c6 ————————- Neujahrsempfang AmCham Frankfurt/M, 26.01.2018 Copyright by Stefan Krutsch Photographie 60389 Frankfurt am Main

Gandhi Center – Free classes

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The Gandhi Center conducts Yoga, Hindi and Tabla classes. These classes are open to everyone and are FREE of charge. The classes are designed to cater to all age groups and levels, from beginners to advanced. Mr. Amit Khanna is a Yoga therapist and expert who has more than 8 years of experience in Yoga therapy. He holds degrees in Physiotherapy and Yoga and is an expert in imparting and designing yoga therapy protocol based on various medical conditions and lifestyle disorders. Yoga is a science and art of healthy living with origins in ancient India. It is a potent stress management tool and its practice increases immunity and contributes to overall personality development. ———-

The Gandhi Center, Embassy of India, The Hague.

Parkstraat 99 (1st floor), 2514 JH DEN HAAG

Speech of HM King Felipe VI of Spain at WEF 2018

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Wednesday, 24 January 2018, Davos, Swiss Confederation: Merely a few days before his festive 50th birthday being marked discreetly in his native Spain, the head of state delivered a highly lauded allocution before the statesmen and women, business people and dignitaries attending the 2018 48th World Economic Forum. For further information: http://www.casareal.es/ES/Actividades/Paginas/actividades_actividades_detalle.aspx?data=13431