By Roy Lie A Tjam. In a short space of time, the Thai Mission in the Netherlands has organized two road shows. The first leg was the Grand Thai Festival at the Plein in The Hague on 1 – 2 July 2017. Next was the Thai Night, Lost in Culture which took place in Amsterdam on 4 July 2017.

The performances at the Thai Grand Festival included. After the MC open reception of the 12th edition of the Thai Grand Festival the Thai Best Wishes Dance Group performed. They were followed by Thai Classical Music, Thai Customed Dance “Proud to Be Thai” Thai North-eastern Traditional Dance “Rum Serng” Art Performances in Remembrance of His Majesty King Rama IX, Thai Classical Music Performance. At about 14:00h H.E. Miss Pornprapai Ganjanarintr Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of the Netherlands delivered her welcome speech and officially declared the 12th edition of the Thailand Grand Festival 2017 open. Scores of Thai bands and groups performed. Style Band was the last to perform. On Sunday 2 July, several other groups participated. There were booths offering Thai food, fashion, jewelry and traditional Thai massage. Thai music, and music from the southern- and northeastern region of Thailand. Ms. Natsupang Poshyananda, First Secretary at the Thai Embassy, introduced H.E. Miss Pornprapai Ganjanarintr, who warmly bid the Ambassadors and other guest welcome.

Ms. Natsupang Poshyananda, further made sure each element of the show was well explained, like performances of pieces such as Ram Farang Koo, a graceful dance originally meant for performance at the Royal Court. The piece has been adapted and (re)designed by Thailand experts of performing arts. Another remarkable piece was Phrae wa kalasin, a silk dance. Inspired by the internationally renowned and locally produced silk of the northeastern, in  Kalasin province. Stick dance, you will find stick dances in almost every part of the world. However, each with its own particularity. It has been a brilliant performance of Thai martial art. Fon on son Isan, portraying the uniqueness of the dance of the Isan people. Fast lively and rhythmic movements, Alleged to be a characteristic of the Thai northeastern region. An evening full of authentic Thai entertainment indeed.

By Roy Lie A Tjam. It was at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan, onTuesday 5 July, 2017. When “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” was confirmed on Mr. Jan Hendrik Odinot. Mr. Hiroshi Nomura welcomed the guests and subsequently invited H.E. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands to deliver his address. Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata noted “I feel honored to host this conferment ceremony of the Japanese decoration “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” upon Mr. Odinot. This decoration is conferred in the name of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on Mr. Odinot’s contribution for introducing Japanese culture and promoting understanding of Japan in the Netherlands through budō, Japanese martial arts. I would like to share some of the many highlights in his career that have led to this celebratory moment.” “After studying English and French, and about ten years in the banking world, Mr. Odinot made a life-changing decision. He decided to leave his job and dedicate himself to practicing and teaching jūdō, which he deemed more socially rewarding. I guess you could say that at this point a hobby turned into a true calling. As Mr. Odinot has expressed it himself: “It is worth it to fully dedicate oneself to studying”. Mr. Odinot taught jūdō, kendō, and self-defence to a variety of students; from children to adults, from prison personnel to the police officers. Mr. Jan Hendrik Odinot, for more than fifty years you have made invaluable efforts to advance budō in the Netherlands. The Government of Japan recognizes and is deeply grateful for your tremendous contribution to promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the Netherlands by means of budō. Now the time has come to honor you, Mr. Odinot, in the Name of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, with “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold, and Silver.” Mr. Aad van de Wijngaart, vice-chairman of the Dutch Kendo Federation (NKR) also addressed Mr.Odinot, he praised Hein Odinot’s humanity. Mr. Hein Odinot commenced his acceptance speech by stating how nervous he was. He said, I have never had problems delivering a speech but today I do. Mr. Jan Hendrik Odinot expressed his heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and to all those who made it all happen. Mr. Hiroshi Nomura closed the ceremony.

Embassy of Japan in The Hague, conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun

By Roy Lie A Tjam. Embassy of Japan, The Hague11 July 2017, a solemn ceremony in connection with the conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon upon Mr. Jacob van der Goot. For additional Roy Strik’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157683945793781  

Mr. Jacob van der Goot, a former Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Rotterdam had the Japanese Imperial Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon and Rosette, bestowed upon him. To this end, an official solemn ceremony was held at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Hiroshi Inomata on Tuesday 11 July 2017. Mr. Jacob van der Goot received the distinction as a token for his significant contributions in promoting friendly relations and economic exchanges between Japan and the Netherlands. Mr. Van der Goot is a co-chairman and board member of the prestigious Rotterdam Japan Club(RJC). The objective of the club is the cultivation of friendly relations between senior Japanese and Dutch businessmen mainly in the Rotterdam area by being open to the mutual cultures, and for the exchange of information.   RJC board member Mr. Jeroen Kamphuis lauded Jacob van der Goot for service rendered to the club over the years.   Also present, Mr. Willem Sodderland, founder of the Rotterdam Japan Club. He recounted the interesting history of the RJC and subsequently thanked Mr. Jacob van der Goot.

 

The Residentie Orkest directed by Nicholas Collon. By Roy Lie A Tjam. Festival Classique presents classical music in The Hague’s Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus. It is a 10-day classical music festival. The performances are combinations of dance, theater, and classical music. The Business Circle of the Residentie Orkest gathered prior to the Festival Classique Movement concert. Commercial Director Maartje Broekhans warmly welcomed the Business Circle members.

For additional Roy Strik’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157683681869864

The Residentie Orkest directed by Nicholas Collon played works by Beethoven, Grieg, Tsjaikovski, and Stravinsky. The concert included a dazzling performance by soprano Kari Postma, saxophonist Ralf Hekkema, the Michael Barnaart van Bergen’s Mondrian Dress. The choreography was by Thom Stuart.

After the concert in the Kurzaal, members of the Business Circle gathered to take leave of Residentie orkest chairman Mr. Gert Jan Kramer who has demitted office. The launching of the 2017 edition of Festival Classique, could be described as fabulous.

H.E Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission for Venezuela to the OPCW-ICC, during her speech.   H.E Ms. Haifa Aissami Madah, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission for Venezuela to the OPCW-ICC along with Mr. Alvaro Sanchez, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in The Hague,  celebrated their country’s 206 years of its Independence on 5 July 2017 at Kasteel De Wittenburg in Wassenaar, along with a great number of ambassadors and chief of missions, representatives from international organizations and hundreds of guests from the Venezuela diaspora to artists, Dutch business and official sector, NGOs and more.

For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157686291540946   Both, Ambassador Aissami Madah and Mr Sanchez addressed the audience by highlighting Venezuela’s history and recent achievements. Find bellow their respective speeches. “It is a great honor for me to welcome you today as we commemorate the 206th anniversary of our independence as a Nation.” Said H.E.  Haifa Aissami Madah.

“As many of you know, I have the privilege of having arrived in this country in 2011 as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the kingdom of the Netherlands, and from that perspective to serve my country and contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations between our countries, I have also had the privilege to meet many of you and work in the field of multilateral organizations that host this city as well. After 5 years of an intense bilateral and multilateral agenda in that role, I had to continue this wonderful work, but now with special emphasis on the multilateral sphere. In 2015 our government decided to establish a diplomatic delegation to attend to multilateral affairs, it is again my honor to lead the new Mission; this initiative of Venezuela is a clear sign of the importance that my country gives to the bilateral relations with this neighboring country and all the international organizations established in this city as well.

Many of you have heard about the “crisis” in Venezuela, in fact we are currently facing some problems as any other countries in our region. The Venezuelan crisis is created artificially by the blocking of production and distribution channels. Evidence for the existence of a so called “Economic Warfare” has been collected by numerous academics, and it has only one goal, to put its hands in our oil resources. The strategy to artificially create a situation where basic foodstuffs and medicines are in short supply is not new. The same happened around Latin America in the early seventies, where economic warfare was one of the many dirty methods used to oust the democratically elected governments. There is an international strategy. Their plan is to create the impression that chaos reigns in the country and then justify and bring an external intervention. With the overwhelming majority of the media in opposition hands, and with the enthusiastic support of the world corporate media, a huge campaign of intoxicating consequences with this aim has been waged daily.

In spite of all this, the Venezuelan Government is committed to overcome the present difficulties and to work hard to prevent the peace of its citizens. Dear colleagues; this morning his Excellency the Nuncio congratulated me for our National Day and asked me to speak to you today about hope, about the hope of the Venezuelan people. I promised him that he would do this and express our hope and confidence in the leadership of Pope Francisco to help us overcome these difficulties because we are convinced that through dialogue we can find a solution to our differences. And we firmly believe that we are the Venezuelans who have to preserve peace and we will do so.”

In his turn, Mr. Sanchez after welcoming his guests with cordial greetings went on to deliver his Independence Day remarks. He paused at Venezuela’s past, present and peek into the country’s future. Sanchez continued, “Today is a day of celebration for Venezuela. 206 years ago, in 1811, we formally gained our independence from Spain and drafted our first Constitution. Simon Bolivar was definitively the leader and the hero of the wars and political struggles that took place between 1811 and 1830. Throughout those years Bolivar resisted all sort of difficulties. Among them: attempts against his life, political plots, and betrayals, exile, lack of resources and many other conflicts. Nonetheless, Bolivar always kept his moral intact, fought bravely, maintained the unity of Venezuelans and secured our precious independence. Not only that, but Bolivar was also the Liberator of many other South American nations, as well as the architect of Latin American and Caribbean unity, a dream that still has to come true.

Today we proudly pay tribute to Simon Bolivar, for we are currently going through times in our history where values such as courage, independence, struggle against colonialism and Latin American unity are paramount. In addition to Bolivar, there is another brilliant Venezuelan hero that we would like to pay tribute to, and that is Francisco de Miranda, the mastermind, and genius behind our first Constitution of 1811 and our First Republic. Prior to 1811, Miranda took part in the wars for the independence of the United States and also in the French Revolution. In addition, Miranda traveled the world quite extensively. Of the many countries visited by Miranda, he came to the Netherlands in 1785. He visited Rotterdam, The Hague, Leyden, Haarlem, and Amsterdam. At the end of his Dutch tour, Miranda wrote that Holland impressed him as a “singular and most curious country”. Neither should we forget the important role played by the Dutch Caribbean islands, specially Bonaire, in offering assistance to Miranda and his soldiers prior to his landing on La Vela de Coro, in northern Venezuela, where he first hoisted our national flag and tried to liberate us from Spain in 1806. We therefore highly appreciate the historical and cultural links between Venezuela and the Netherlands. It is a bond built on years of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity. As a footnote, I would also like to mention that I recently learned that football was first introduced in Venezuela by Dutch oil workers from Shell in the early 20th Century. Venezuela and the Netherlands have been brotherly nations. It is no different now in the 21st Century than it was in the 19th and the 20th Century. Venezuela and the Netherlands share and extensive border coastline in the Caribbean Sea. However, more than that, we share values and visions. That’s why we cherish so much our relations with the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Tomorrow, our newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Moncada, will visit Curacao for bilateral meetings. This will be his first trip abroad, which is an indication of our appreciation to the Netherlands. Similar to that, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander also chose Venezuela to be his first Latin American destination when he visited us in 2013. In addition, but more recently, in April of this year, the Director of the Western Hemisphere Department, Mr. Marcel De Vink, also decided that his first ever trip to Latin America had to be Venezuela. Indeed, lately, both of our countries have been working very hard in order maintain high levels of cooperation, to facilitate trade, to enhance culture and education and also to guarantee a safe and peaceful environment free from drug and human trafficking, as well as free from some other forms of illegal activities. In fact, Venezuela and the Netherlands signed in 2013 a memorandum of understanding, which provides us with a framework to, among other things, engage in political dialogue and set up annual mixed commissions, the latest of which was successfully held in The Hague in May 2016.

Finally, in terms of our current situation in Venezuela, Ambassador Haifa El Aissami has already provided us with a very comprehensive and sufficiently explained overview. We are ultimately facing real threats against our democracy and our independence. However, just like Simon Bolivar and Francisco de Miranda, before us, we will keep our heads up and defend our sovereignty.”          

Diplomats credited to the Netherlands ready to join the canal tour. By Catherine van der Loos. Some 62 diplomats and representatives from international organizations in The Hague, joined Diplomat Magazine on a two hour ontdekkings-reis, discovery tour, of The Hague’s grachten gordels or canal rings on Sunday, July 9. The splendid summer weather ensured that the program was a success—and a second boat was needed to accommodate the many passengers who responded to the invitations to come aboard “De Ooievaart!”.

For additional Robert Huiberts and Jan van der Loos’ pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157683610929034 The group, from more than 15 countries, departed from the Ooievaart’s home port on the Bierkade at 11:00 am for a two hour canal tour of the city’s extensive network of canals. Many of the passengers were surprised to learn that some of the canals were originally dug more than 400 hundred years ago and are an average of just 1.5 m in depth!.

The knowledgeable guides entertained the group with an informative presentation on the city’s lesser known, but often more colourful, history. While the boats floated through the canals, the passengers were treated to light “Picnic style” refreshments including wine, water, cheese, snacks and fruit catered by “Eten bij de Wereld” restaurant. While enjoying their picnic snacks, passengers networked with each other while expanding their knowledge of a centuries long tradition of internationalism, in the city of peace and justice. The boats floated along a canal near the Paviljoensgracht 72, where the group caught a glimpse of the home of the renowned Dutch philosopher, who is credited for having laid the groundwork for the 18th century Enlightenment. It was the last home of Baruch, Benedictus de Spinoza, the author of “Ethics” (published posthumously), who lived in the home from 1670 until his untimely death at the age of 44 in 1677.

The former atelier of Paulus Potter, a painter from Holland’s “Golden Age”, on the Dunne Bierkade 17 soon came into view. Today, Potter’s most famous work, De Stier (1647), can be seen in the Mauritshuis. As the boats floated through the Mauritskade, the guides explained the history of Willemspark, and the subtle influence that the Grand Duchess Anna Paulowna Romanov (1795-1865), the daughter of Russia’s Czar Paul I Petrovich Romanov, had on the city during her marriage to Willem Frederik George Lodewijk prins van Oranje-Nassau (1792-1849), later King Willem II.

  The Hermitage’s branch museum, which opened her doors to the public in 2009, is a recent example of the long standing relationship between Russia and the Netherlands which had, in part, origins in the 1816 marriage between a Russian grand duchess and a Dutch prince in St. Petersburg.

Towards the end of the journey, the boats floated past Nieuwe Uitleg 16, where Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (1876-1917), the exotic dancer and courtesan who was better known as “Mata Hari”, resided in 1915 and 1916. “Mata Hari’s” life, which took her from Leeuwarden to Java, then a part of the Dutch East Indies, ended in infamy when the French ordered her execution by firing squad on October 15, 1917. Some seven months earlier, she had been arrested by French authorities as a double agent and German spy, in her luxurious Parisian hotel room on the Champs Elysées. Mata Hari’s, continues to spark the interest of historians, and her story has been the subject of many books, plays and films. These four aforementioned homes are among many with a history to share with passengers.

 

From left to right: Canada’s candidate for the ICC, Ms. Kim Prost, Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and H.E. Ambassador Sabine Nölke. Picture taken by Jose Valencia.   By Roy Lie A Tjam.

Canada, a vast and diverse country, an Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Nation.

July 1, 2017, marks a special moment in the history of Canada. 150 years ago, Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, united to create the Canadian Confederation – the Dominion of Canada. Later on, the other provinces and territories joined the Dominion. Today, Canada is part of the British Commonwealth of Nations with H.M. Queen Elisabeth as its Head of State. The 150th anniversary of Canada was celebrated at the Official Residence of Canada – Villa Groot Haesebroek in the Netherlands. The rain could not stop the party. The guests remained with their host H.E.  Ambassador Sabine Nölke. Ambassador Nölke delivered a captivating welcome address, it was as if she took her audience on enlightening excursions through her beloved Canada and also showed details of the party’s program. In part, this is what Ambassador Nölke said. “Thank you very much for your presence here today, at Canada’s home in the Netherlands. Je vous remercie de votre présence aujourd’hui à la maison du Canada aux Pays-Bas. Ik dank u allen voor uw aanwezigheid vandaag, in het huis van Canada in Nederland. As you will have realized by now – I’m sure the banner gave it away – this is a very special year for Canada. It was 150 years ago – in 1867 – that our country was founded. In best Canadian fashion, with a legal document that looks bland and boring on its face, but served to bring some very diverse communities together by sorting out their rights and responsibilities. Of course, the history of the land upon which our country is built did not begin 150 years ago; nor did it start with the arrival of European explorers in the sixteenth century.

Canada’s First Nations have been living in the country that we now call Canada for thousands of years, but our past as a country has not acknowledged that fact very well, and our relationship with our indigenous peoples has been far from perfect. A key element of our celebrations this year therefore includes reflection – reflection on that past, and on the steps that are necessary to ensure that the next 150 years will bring greater success. In many places across our country, public ceremonies and celebrations now start with an acknowledgement of the aboriginal peoples on whose traditional territories they take place. I cannot honour that new and beautiful custom here, but it is in that spirit that I would like to acknowledge our host country, the Netherlands and the close relationship between our two nations, of which this house and these grounds are an enduring symbol. We could not wish for a deeper friendship, or a more reliable partner, than the Netherlands.

But back to Canada. This is our party, after all! We’re 150 years old – so what exactly are we celebrating today? In Dutch and European terms, of course, 150 years isn’t really a long time. But we think that there is much to celebrate on this Canada Day, and some of that we’d like to share with you. Today, we are a vast and diverse country, an Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic nation, with personal and business connections to all points on the globe. I myself am a first-generation immigrant, and almost everyone I have ever met in my career as a diplomat has a cousin in Toronto! Canadians enjoy an incredible diversity of cultural traditions that has enriched our art, our music, our literature and our very outlook on the world. For us, our very diversity is a source of strength, and enhances the human experience. Our current Prime Minister’s father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, memorably said that “There is no such thing as a model or ideal Canadian. What could be more absurd than the concept of an ‘all Canadian’ boy or girl? A society which emphasizes uniformity is one which creates intolerance and hate.” We are concerned with populist voices that claim that diversity is a threat. When everyone can participate fully and equally in society, they will contribute to their communities, each in their own unique way. Different perspectives spark creativity and energy, from which true social progress results. Like the Netherlands, we take pride in being a country that promotes openness in all aspects of life – openness to people, to trade and investment, to different cultures, to innovation and ideas – and it is in the pursuit of these values that Canadians engage. You can count on Canada to continue to play an influential and constructive role on the world stage. One way Canada is stepping up is by deepening our multilateral engagement, through partnerships with such countries as the Netherlands, to advance peace, security, development and human rights. We are pleased to have recently taken over from the Netherlands as co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition, which champions LGBTQI rights around the world.

As part of this engagement, Canada is seeking election to the UN Security Council in 2021-22, and we champion qualified Canadians to serve the institutions we value. I am pleased to welcome here today my friends Marcia Cran, recently elected to the UN Human Rights Committee, and Kimberly Prost, Canada’s candidate for the position of Judge on the International Criminal Court. Next year, we’ll be proud to host the 2018 G7 Summit. The Summit will be an important opportunity for Canada to engage our G7 partners on pressing global challenges and to pursue further collaboration on innovative and clean economic growth. Our openness translates into the way we approach trade. Like the Dutch, Canadians are unapologetic globalists. But we are pursuing a new and progressive approach to doing business across borders – one that ensures that the benefits and opportunities generated by global trade are sustainable and widely shared by people everywhere, including women, youth and Indigenous peoples. To this end, we are excited that provisional application of CETA will begin imminently, and look forward to its ratification by the Dutch parliament once a new government is formed.

The Mayor of The Hague, Ms Pauline Krikke. By Roy Lie A Tjam. Mayor Pauline Krikke of The Hague organized a reception for the Diplomatic Corps in the Netherlands. It has been the mayor’s first collective meeting with members of the corps since taking office in March 2017. The venue was the Leiden University Campus Wijnhaven – The Hague on 23 June 2017. One university, two cities. For additional Hester Dijkstra’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157686138663305

The Rector Magnificus of Leiden University Prof. Carel Stolker delivered a speech. He was followed by the mayor of The Hague Mrs. Pauline Krikke. In his address Prof.Carl Stolker indicated, ‘ I am very honored and proud to welcome you to this wonderful new Wijnhaven building of Leiden University, which was only opened in February this year.

The Hague is rapidly developing into a knowledge city, and Leiden University is making an important contribution to this development.

The Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs is one of Leiden University’s seven faculties and is located entirely in The Hague. This faculty is an internationally acclaimed academic knowledge hub, which studies global issues from the varied perspectives of governance, politics, law, sociology, and economics, and contributes to far-reaching socio-cultural debates with this acquired knowledge. Leiden University in The Hague provides education and research in the field of international relations and diplomacy, safety and security, liberal arts and global challenges. Today’s meeting might be a start towards discovering the possibilities for a stronger strategic partnership between our students and the Embassies, which could naturally be advantageous to both sides.’ The next speaker was Mayor Pauline Krikke who delivered her welcome remarks.

”Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen, It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here today. And I would also like to extend a welcome on behalf of Saskia Bruines, Deputy Mayor for Youth, Education, the Knowledge Economy and International Affairs. The University of Leiden Campus will be familiar ground to her. Not least because Leiden University is also closely involved in The Hague Humanity Hub, an initiative aimed at developing innovative solutions to humanitarian issues.

I have been Mayor of The Hague for three months now. The city which for a number of years has been entitled to include the heraldic device of ‘Peace and Justice’ in its coat of arms. That attribute granted by Queen Beatrix recognizes this city’s more than 100 years of dedication to the international law. And the many international institutions based in this city. That recognition also brings responsibilities with it. The Hague wants not only to bring the world to our city. As a city, we must also make a contribution to the world. Not something grand or abstract. No, rather something concrete, something which is close to people. Banishing war, dismantling murderous weapons, bringing justice, standing up for freedom: in the end, all of these things affect every individual. Wherever they may be in the world. The same goes for protecting our planet. The consequences of climate change can be seen and felt by everyone.

I experienced that myself. As a member of the International Governing Board of the Red Cross, I visited Ethiopia. A farmer showed me around his field. It was filled with maize, growing to a remarkable height. Even taller than me. And as you can see, I am not short. It appeared to be a field of blooming maize. Until the farmer pointed out that none of the maize plants had a cob. He explained to me that for the second year in a row, his harvest was a complete failure. Why? Climate change. It made me think. I knew about the reports, of course. I have seen the figures. But it has far more of an impact when you see what huge world problems boil down to in practice. Such as a farmer with a field full of plants but no maize. But I have also seen with my own eyes that it is precisely these people who have the greatest resilience. I saw that not only in Ethiopia but in Malawi, Indonesia and South Africa as well. In places where you would expect that people would lose heart, I often saw exactly the opposite. With just a little bit of help people can manage to overcome setbacks. And build up a new life for themselves. And that is precisely what we should be encouraging.

Resilience and self-reliance. Cities can play an important part in that. Almost three-quarters of the world population already live in cities. Cities have plenty of knowledge and experience in the area of local government. The knowledge we share with other cities. In Lebanon, for example, where The Hague is helping the local authorities with the reception of refugees from Syria. In August I will be visiting Lebanon to see for myself how this project is progressing. In addition to this, The Hague seeks to join international networks for cooperation. And thus to strengthen the resilience and self-reliance of municipalities. An example being the 100 Resilient Cities of The Rockefeller Foundation. Or The Global Parliament of Mayors that met for the first time last year here in this city. At the end of September, I will be attending the second meeting in Stavanger in Norway. At the same time, we are working closely with research institutes and universities to further strengthen The Hague’s position as an international academic center of expertise. A rapidly growing number of young people from all over the world are studying here and then returning to their home country. With the knowledge that they acquired in The Hague. At this The Hague Campus of Leiden University, for example.

Excellencies, Ladies, and Gentlemen, The Hague has always been an open city. A city without walls. A city focused on the world. That is also why The Hague was able to become a center of international diplomacy. A city where countless people are working to create a better world. I feel privileged to be the Mayor of this city. With your support, I am looking forward to furthering The Hague’s international mission.” Both Mayor Krikke and Prof. Stolker took the Diplomats and other guests on a tour of the campus.