Visitors pose questions to Court staff in Courtroom I’s Public Gallery at the ICC headquarters in The Hague (Netherlands), on The Hague International Day on Sunday, 24 September 2017 © ICC-CPI More than 1,000 people visited the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, 24 September 2017, when it opened its headquarters for The Hague International Day (Open Day). The ICC thanks each and every visitor for making this Open Day its busiest and best so far. Highlights this year included Visitor Centre audio tours in English, French and Dutch; a special one-day multimedia exhibit in Courtroom I; an area featuring jobs, internships and visiting professional positions; and activities for youth, including “Planet Justice” augmented reality games about the ICC. “The annual Open Day is a special occasion for the Court to connect with the people from its host city and beyond. I was heartened by the overwhelming turnout at this year’s event and the interest the visitors showed in the Court’s work. As a judicial institution, the ICC is independent in its functions, but the support of the public matters a great deal to us. And indeed the Court’s mandate – to fight impunity for the most serious international crimes and contribute to their prevention – is one that resonates with people everywhere”, stated ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi. Women, men and children of different ages and nationalities, including Dutch nationals and members of the international community based in The Hague, had the opportunity to explore the Visitor Centre, which features stories from victims who have participated in ICC proceedings, and how being part of the justice process impacts their lives. Visitors also learned about the ICC legal process and had a chance to “become” ICC staff members and make decisions about the justice process in interactive stories called “You Decide”. Visitors could also view a special one-day multimedia exhibit from Courtroom I’s Public Gallery, where large format videos were projected on the walls and floor. Visitors learned about the roles of ICC Judges, Prosecution, Defence, the Legal Representatives of Victims and witnesses testifying before the Court. At the centre of the Courtroom was footage of people from communities affected by crimes, placing victims and survivors at the heart of the Court’s operations. Questions from visitors focused on the various aspects of the Court’s work, including its mandate, the support it needs from the States and possibilities to attend the ongoing trials. Youth and families with children explore and learn about the ICC through augmented reality games on The Hague International Day, 24 September 2017 © ICC-CPI An area was also designated for youth and families with children, and featured several activities, including movies, puzzles, colouring challenges, and a new “Planet Justice” programme featuring augmented reality games through which youth can explore and learn about the ICC. The Hague International Day is organised on a yearly basis by the Municipality of The Hague – the Court’s host city – and gives the public the opportunity to learn more about the functioning and aims of the various international institutions and non-governmental organisations based in the city. The Hague has been hosting the ICC since 2002. The city and its surrounding area are now home to over 160 international organisations. The ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

        Professor Dr. Gabriel Inzaurralde, Edith Bergansius and H.E. Hector Horacio Salvador, Ambassador of Argentina. Recently the Embassy of Argentina and the Asociación Hispánica de La Haya organized a lecture on Ermesto Sábato, at Humanity House, The Hague.

Professor Dr. Gabriel Inzaurralde, specialised in Latin American Literature at the University of Leiden, gave a brilliant lecture on the author who lived to be nearly 100 years (1911-2011). After welcome words by Ramiro Hidalgo from the Argentinean Embassy, there was a short video on Sabato’s house after which H.E. Horacio Salvador, Ambassador  of Argentina had the opening words. After the lecture the Embassy offered a reception -with Argentinean wines of course- on the terrace of Humanity House. The Ambassador of Peru H.E. Carlos Herrera and his spouse Veronique Miclea, were among the attendants as well as other Grulac representatives. For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.facebook.com/ArgEnPaisesBajos/

BAP Unión is the largest sail vessel in Latin America, it is use as a training ship of the Peruvian Navy. It was built between 2012–2015 by Shipyard Marine Industrial Services of Peru, known as SIMA. Like other similar ships, Unión has been conceived not only for training purposes, but also to be a sailing ambassador for its home country. For additional great Kim Vernaat’s pictures on the Peruvian reception on board, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157687424302616    

On the picture H.E. Ngo Thi Hoa, Ambassador of Viet Nam.    By Roy Lie A Tjam. The Embassy of Vietnam in The Hague,  the Netherlands celebrated the 72nd anniversary of the National Day at the Chancellery on Javastraat, on 1 September 2017. For additional Roy Stril’s pictures, please open the following link:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157687033139544 After being introduced, H.E. Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa delivered her introductory and welcoming speech. Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa commenced her address by paying respect to Vietnam’s National hero and beloved President, Ho Chi Minh for declaring Vietnam’s independence, proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. A country once plagued by war, Vietnam is currently an open-end economy, and as a result, living standards are constantly improving. Vietnam completes many Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) before its goal-deadline, and its updated average GDP growth rate is at 6.5% per annum. In part, this is what H.E. Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa stated about the relationship between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the S.R. of Vietnam: “Our diplomacy is one of openness and active contribution to the common cause of the world for peace, cooperation and development. The Vietnamese people always wants to befriend and be a reliable partner to all countries in the world including the Netherlands.”

“It is impressive to see the fast growing relationship between our two countries: Viet Nam and the Netherlands. Our two countries are on the way to commemorate the 45th anniversary of that partnership in 2018. Our strategic partnerships are effective in significant areas such as climate change adaptation, water management; sustainable agriculture and food security.”

“The Netherlands is the second biggest European trading partner and top European investor of Viet Nam. During his visit to the Tulip Kingdom last July, our Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Dutch counterpart Prime Minister Mark Rutte agreed to consider a promotion of the current partnerships into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Given our similarities and complimentary advantages, Viet Nam and the Netherlands have tremendous potentials for cooperation, and I’m confident that our bilateral relationship will have a bright future, benefitting the peoples of both countries.” The celebrations went on in the garden of the Chancellery with a fabulous performance by “QUAN HO LEN DONG” folklore displaying Quan Ho folk singing and practices related to the Viet beliefs in the Mother Goddess of three Realms. There were booths with authentic Vietnamese specialties. It was indeed a delightful Vietnamese afternoon in The Hague.

Henry Arvidsson, Mayelinne De Lara,  Marian van Noort, Hester Dijkstra and Kim Vermaat, Diplomat Magazine’s team. Photography by Dick de  Jager. For the third year in a row, it is time for PhotoOp “a democratic photo exhibition”. This years edition  featured 15 national and international photographers, among them Henry Arvidsson, Kim Vermaat, Marian van Noort and Hester Dijkstra from Diplomat Magazine’s team. More than 300 attended the opening to see incredible pictures from almost every subject and technique. As a pop-up the location was grander than ever before at Korte Vijverberg 2, a short stone throw from Mauritshuis. This was made possible by ANNA Vastgoed & Cultuur (www.annavastgoedencultuur.nl) who manages the location. The exhibition theme “The World I See” is left open for interpretation to allow for the broadest possible participation. This is the corner stone of PhotoOp to allow any photographer with a desire to exhibit to show their work to the public. Exhibitors are only limited by the wall space of the available location. Seeing a picture on Instagram or Facebook is far from actually getting close to view the richness of a physical quality print. Size matters, a 50×70 cm print have a significantly greater impact than seeing it on a 5”smartphone screen. Another important aspect of PhotoOp is to bring the doers and the viewers together under one roof, to view, talk photography and network. PhotoOp is the brain child of Swedish photographer Henry Arvidsson (www.henryarvidsson.com) who has been Hague based since 1997. He adopted a concept he first encountered in Stockholm, Sweden many years ago to fit local circumstances. PhotoOp is a non-profit volunteer undertaking. That said each exhibitor may offer his/her work for sale on an individual basis keeping any and all profit. The exhibition opened on Thursday 21 September 2017 at 1700 and close on Sunday 24 September 1700. Hope to see you there For further information please visit www.photoop.eu Or https://www.facebook.com/photoopeu or https://www.instagram.com/photoopeu Inquiries contact: Henry Arvidsson info@photoop.eu or 0610577487  

Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller, and the Commissioner for Science, Research and Innovation, Carlos Moedas.  By Jan Eustachi . Brussels, Tuesday, 5 September 2017, the Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller,  and the members of the Senate of Berlin assembled in the partner city of Brussels, to talk to high ranking European officials. Among them were the EU Commissioner for Finance, Günther Oettinger and the Commissioner for Science, Research and Innovation, Carlos Moedas. Mayor Michael Müller and the members of the Senate were mostly interested in the implementation of the Urban Agenda and the impact of the Brexit on the EU budget as well as on the next funding period after 2020. The funding received from the EU is an essential part of the city-state’s budget. In the current funding period from 2014-2020, Berlin receives 635 million Euros from the European Regional Development Fund as well as 215 million Euros from the European Social Fund. The Brexit will likely reduce the EU’s budget. This could also lead to a reduction in the budget available for structural support in the regions. Commissioner Moedas emphasised, that Berlin should maintain its innovative advantage through the variety and openness of the city. For further information: Governing Mayor of Berlin: https://www.berlin.de/rbmskzl/en/     ——– Picture by European Commission/EU

On the picture Norbert Kartmann, Speaker of the Hessian State Assembly; Lucia Puttrich Hessian Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs; Federica Mogherini – High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; Karl Starzacher, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hessian Peace Prize, ret. Minister of State. By the Board of Trustees – Albert Osswald Fondation  Last 19 July 2017, The Hessian Peace Prize 2016 was awarded at the Representation of the State of Hesse in Brussels to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.  Speaker of the Hessian State Assembly Norbert Kartmann was pleased that the award ceremony was taking place in Brussels. “This is the right place to be awarding this prize to a European who is harnessing the positive influence of the EU in tackling the widest range of different problem areas at international level as the EU’s representative”. This place symbolised the importance of the laureate as a person, of her task and her radius of political action, he continued. “In the face of the many challenges in the world, as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, you give the European Union a voice that is heard. Thanks to your mediation, it was possible to secure the breakthrough in the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme that many had thought impossible. In Ukraine, Syria, Libya and other flash points, too, you champion democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These are values which epitomise Europe and make our community strong. So it is only right that you are being awarded the Hessian Peace Prize“, said Lucia Puttrich, Hessian Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs, in her laudatory speech to the laureate. The former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and now the EU’s top diplomat gave the EU a strong voice in world politics, Lucia Puttrich continued, and imparted fundamental European values with tact and assertiveness throughout the world, contributing decisively to harmonising relations with Europe’s neighbouring countries. In June last year, Federica Mogherini set five priorities defining the thrust of the new global strategy of the European Union – security, the resilience of states and societies in the East and South of the EU, an integrated approach to conflict resolution, cooperative regional structures and global governance for the 21st century. In doing so, she is focussing her foreign policy more on soft power, pragmatism and tailored solutions as well as regional governance. “I am very honoured to receive this prize, which above all pays tribute to the European Union as a force for peace, democracy and international cooperation. The nuclear agreement with Iran was the result of courage, political leadership and wisdom; it showed the role that diplomacy can assume in order to resolve long-term disputes in a peaceful, cooperative way. The European Union solves challenges and creates opportunities through dialogue, partnerships and the search for win-win solutions. We are investing in our own strengths and the strengths of our partners, in multilateralism, in cooperation, as a strong and reliable player who is increasingly needed in this fragile and unpredictable world. There is a great deal that the European Union can do alone, but we can do even more if we work together with our partners across the entire globe. This is the European path to peace and security“, the laureate appealed to the audience in her acceptance speech. ———– Federica Mogherini was born in 1973 in Rome and was Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs prior to her role at the European Union in 2014. She had already been a member of the Italian Parliament since 2008 and worked intensively on the issues of foreign affairs and security policy. In her role as High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy she is also simultaneously one of seven vice-presidents of the European Commission. Information: The Hessian Peace Prize and its Board of Trustees were founded in 1993 by the former Prime Minister of Hesse Albert Osswald. The award comes with prize money of EUR 25,000. The members of the Board of Trustees of the Hessian Peace Prize, awarded by the Albert Osswald Foundation, are: – Karl Starzacher, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hessian Peace Prize, ret. Minister of State – Norbert Kartmann, President of the Hessian Parliament – Prof. Dr. Nicole Deitelhoff, Executive Director of the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt – Prof. Dr. Michael Brzoska, Scientific Director at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg – Heike Habermann, Vice- President of the Hessian Parliament – Peter von Unruh, Director at the Hessian Parliament – Veronika Winterstein, ret. Vice-President of the Hessian Parliament – PL Dr. Ines-Jacqueline Werkner, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Heidelberg Previous Hessian Peach Prize laureates: 1994 Marianne Heiberg-Holst, Norway 1995 John Hume, Northern Ireland 1996 Gregorio Rosa Chávez, El Salvador 1997 Hans Koschnik, Germany 1998 Alexander Lebed, Russia 1999 George J. Mitchell, USA 2000 Martti Ahtisaari, Finland 2001 Max van der Stoel, Netherlands 2003 Lakhdar Brahimi, Algeria 2004 Hans Blix, Sweden 2005 His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama 2006 Daniel Barenboim, Israel 2007 Christian Schwarz-Schilling, Germany 2008 Sam Nunn, USA 2009 Dekha Ibrahim Abdi, Kenya 2010 Ismail Khatib, Palestine 2011 Sadako Ogata, Japan 2012 Elisabeth Decrey Warner, Switzerland 2013 Dr. Muhammad Ashafa and Dr. James Wuye, Nigeria 2014 Rubem César Fernandes, Brazil 2015 Ella Mikhaylovna Polyakova, Russia 2016 Federica Mogherini, EU – Italy For further information:  Hessian Peace Prize/Hessian State Assembly (Speaker Norbert Kartmann): https://hessischer-landtag.de/content/pressekonferenz-hessischer-friedenspreis https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hessischer_Friedenspreis Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs (Minister Lucia Puttrich): http://www.bundesrat.de/SharedDocs/personen/DE/laender/he/puttrich-lucia.html Representation of Hesse to the EU (Director Friedrich von Heusinger): https://staatskanzlei.hessen.de/berlin-europa/hessen-europa/landesvertretung-bruessel/die-vertretung-des-landes-hessen-bei-der ——————————————————- Pictures by Representation of Hesse to the EU: f.l.t.r. Norbert Kartmann, Speaker of the Hessian State Assembly; Lucia Puttrich Hessian Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs; Federica Mogherini – High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; Karl Starzacher, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hessian Peace Prize, ret. Minister of State.