United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Defence Visits OPCW
ICC commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute
Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the International Criminal Court, (left) and William R. Pace, Convenor of the Coalition for the ICC, (right) speaking at the Coalition for the ICC’s Open Forum held at the seat of the Court on 15 February 2018 in The Hague (Netherlands).
ICC hosts launch of civil society forum to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute
On 15 February 2018, the International Criminal Court (ICC) hosted the launch of the Coalition for the ICC’s commemorations of the20th anniversary of the Rome Statute – the Court’s founding treaty– with an Open Forum at the seat of the Court in The Hague, The Netherlands. More than 280 persons attended the event, including protagonists of the Rome Statute’s adoption, ICC officials, representatives of states, regional and international organizations, and civil society.
“It is a great pleasure for me to receive at the ICC so many of those very same people who worked so hard to make this Court possible”, said the President of the International Criminal Court, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, calling the adoption of the Rome Statute “one of the biggest achievements of recent decades to advance the rule of law, a ‘revolution’ according to some.”
“This event recognises the role of the variety of stakeholders involved in the adoption of the Rome Statute – states, regional and international organisations, and civil society, and aims to spur a global dialogue on advancing justice for atrocities,” said the Convenor of the Coalition for the ICC, William R. Pace. “We call on all actors in the international system, organizations and individuals to organize 20th anniversary events throughout 2018 to raise awareness of this historic treaty and organization and commit to taking strides towards universal ratification and cooperation with ICC decisions, such as arresting wanted persons. Let us eliminate war and impunity for mass violence and repression.”
The ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, thanked the Coalition for the ICC and its membership from across the globe for their invaluable contribution to the cause of international justice, the establishment of the Court and marking this milestone achievement. “The creation of the International Criminal Court must surely be one of humanity’s proudest moments,” said ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. “Cooperation efforts need to amplify in order to secure long-term gains for justice.”
Recalling that victims participation and reparations are unique and cornerstone features of the Rome Statute system, Registrar Herman von Hebel stated that the “success of the Court will depend not only on its judgements and sentences for individuals who have committed the gravest crimes of concern to the international community as whole. Rather, the success of the Court will also – if not even to a greater extent – depend on giving the victims voice and adequate reparation and assistance in re-building their lives.”
“Twenty years since the Rome Conference, the ICC is now an integral part of the international system. Its work contributes to the rule of law, the promotion of human rights and to a more peaceful and secure world,” said the President of the Assembly of States Parties O-Gon Kwon. “At this important juncture in its history, the Court needs our support more than ever […] In the end, the Rome Statute system can only be as effective and efficient as we, States Parties, together with the Court, and other stakeholders, make it through our actions and cooperation. ”
Interventions included the Coalition’s Convenor, the ICC President, Prosecutor and Registrar, the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims, the UN Secretary-General and UN Human Rights Chief, and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, among other high level officials and participants of the 1998 Rome Conference.
The Open Forum continued today, 16 February, at the Peace Palace in The Hague and commemorations will take place throughout the year worldwide, including around 17 July 2018, the Day of International Criminal Justice, and the Rome Statute’s official anniversary. It is hoped that the 20th anniversary will be a time for renewed commitment to the Rome Statute, the ICC, and the unprecedented system of international criminal justice created by the treaty.
HSV International Primary School new location from August 2018
In the photo you can see the HSV Management Team. From left: Helen Claus (Interim Director – Lighthouse Special Education and Three Little Ships), Lorraine Dean (Director – HSV International Primary School), Anita van Schie (Head of School – Het Open Venster) and Hans van der Vlugt (Executive Director – HSV).
The HSV International Primary School is an established international school, currently housing three locations in the heart of The Hague. It is with great enthusiasm that the Board of Haagsche Schoolvereeniging announces the opening of its 4th location on van Heutszstraat 12 in the Bezuidenhout neighbourhood from August 2018.The expansion was initiated by the City of The Hague as part of the Dutch Government’s expansion of (subsidised) International Education in The Netherlands. The new location will help reduce the significant waiting lists, especially for the younger year groups.
HSV is glad to announce the relocation of the Lighthouse Special Education into the same building as the fourth International Department location. This will provide a more inclusive environment for these children and provide additional learning support expertise to the International Department. Families who have children with both special educational needs and typically developing children will have the opportunity for their children to attend school in the same building.
In addition, the HSV is working on expanding its current Early Years Provision. The Three Little Ships Preschool will move into the new location, enabling children to transition easily into international education.
The new location will also house HSV’s board office, and the HSV’s Dutch School for children with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia, Het Open Venster.
Rwanda at 2018 Vakantiebeurs tourism exhibition
All visitors enjoyed live presentations by the co exhibitors and inspirational video presentations in the RwandaFul Lounge. Included in the program were the brand new TV episodes of the most famous biologist in the Netherlands, Freek Vonk. In the Summer 2017 his dream came true while discovering Rwanda. In total, 4 TV episodes about Freek
Vonk in Rwanda have been broadcasted in November. With his enthusiasm, Freek gave a wonderful impression about nature and wildlife in Rwanda and it’s expected that this will attract crowds to the Rwanda stand.
RwandAir, Rwanda’s national carrier, operates three weekly direct flights
from/to Brussels on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
On behalf of the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda’s Ambassador to
the Netherlands, H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, invited the Dutch tourism
professionals and travel media to the RwandaFul Coffee Break.
The trade&media day on 9 January at Vakantiebeurs was an opportunity to
meet with new Dutch tour operators that have great interest to include
Rwanda (both leisure and MICE) in their brochures and on their websites.
Furthermore, it was an opportunity to promote the news that, effective 1
January 2018, Rwanda grants visitors a 30-day visa upon arrival without
prior application. During the trade day Ambassador Karabaranga invited Mayor Van Zanen
of Utrecht to the Rwanda stand to discover the tourism opportunities in
the land of a thousand hills.
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Co-exhibitors at the Rwanda stand
RwandAir – Mrs Pulchérie Nyinawase, Sales executive RwandAir –
Brussels
Amahoro Tours – Mr Gregory Bakunzi, Owner
Wildlife Tours Rwanda – Mr Davidson Mugisha, Owner
Mercator Assistance – Mr Vedaste Kayiranga, Owner
Events & activities at the Rwanda stand
Networking: RwandaFul Coffee Break for trade & media on Tuesday 9
January – 12pm at the Rwanda stand
Culture promotion: Rwanda dance performances right in front of the
Rwanda stand.
Coffee/Tea promotion: Barista (Mr Paul van Weert / Brewanda) with
daily free Rwanda specialty coffee & tea tasting
Story telling promotion: a varied program of presentations in the
RwandaFul lounge at the stand. Live presentations by the coexhibitors,
African Parks, Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague and Bird
specialist Mr Karel Werdler from the Inholland Tourism University in
Amsterdam. I Benelux-Slovenia summit
UNESCO Director General Azoulay on maiden visit to Brussels
24-25 January 2018, Brussels, Berlaymont: UNESCO Director General Ms. Audrey Azoulay met in Brussels with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission H.E. Ms. Federica Mogherini.
On the occasion of her first visit in Brussels, UNESCO Director General held a fruitful first encounter with the High Representative, aimed at discussing priority areas for further EU-UNESCO cooperation.
Director General Azoulay received strong support for UNESCO’s mandate from the High Representative, stressing that the Organisation will continue to be a significant partner for the EU. In their discussion, in addition to relevant achievements in the cultural sector as the European Union’s strategy for international cultural relations, the protection of cultural heritage in danger and the recently launched European Year of Cultural Heritage, it was reiterated the support of the European Union to UNESCO’s work in preventing radicalisation and in the fields of education and science.
High Representative and Director General explored future opportunities to cooperate having regard to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including further joint action on women and youth empowerment.
Director General Azoulay also took the opportunity to encounter Mr. Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis as well as Ms. Neven Mimica, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development.
For further information
https://en.unesco.org/news/
ICC President receives the Global Jurist of the Year 2017 Award
Mummies in Bruges, Secrets of Ancient Egypt
The temporary exhibition “Mummies in Bruges – Secrets of Ancient Egypt” will be inaugurated on 31 March at the Oud Sint-Jan Exhibition Center in Bruges (Belgium, Europe). This fascinating exhibition comprises 9 human and animal mummies from Ancient Egypt that are more than 2000 years old, plus more than 200 objects (likewise from Ancient Egypt), including some that have never been shown before. These objects and mummies belong to the collection of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden [National Museum of Antiquities] in Leiden (Netherlands), which boasts one of the 10 most important Egyptology collections in the world. Large information panels and videos throughout the exhibition provide explanations on the remarkable rituals of the Ancient Egyptians concerning death and their unshakable belief in the afterlife.
This exhibition at the Xpo Center Bruges is intended for a broad public. For children (8 to 12) in particular, there is a quest with Dummie the Mummy, known from the eponymous children’s book series. Dummie the Mummy guides the young public through this exhibition with the help of a coloring and activity book.
President Trendafilova declarations on the Departure of Specialist Prosecutor Schwendiman
Foreign Affairs Minister Halbe Zijlstra resigns after four months
