International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
First announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages (30C/62). On 16 May 2007 the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/61/266 called upon Member States “to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world”.
By the same resolution, the General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism.
The date represents the day in 1952 when students demonstrating for recognition of their language, Bangla, as one of the two national languages of the then Pakistan, were shot and killed by police in Dhaka, the capital of what is now Bangladesh.
Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
In the words of Nelson Mandela, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
We must do, all we can, to save our mother tongue, culture and our unity in diversity.
Let’s celebrate humanity.
Pictured from left to right: Mr. Istiaque Ahmed, Embassy of Bangladesh, Mr. Kazi Russel Pervez Embassy of Bangladesh, Mr. Mohammed Nasir – vice president, BGMEA , Dr. Dilruba Nasrin,Ambassador Belal, Mr. Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul – Chief Executive & Editor in Chief, Ekushey TV (mentor), Mr. Shyamal Dutta – Editor, The Daily Bhorerkagoj (mentor) and Mr. Syad Ishtiaque Reza – Director News, Ekattor TV (mentor).By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The tradition continues, once again H.E. Sheikh Muhammed Belal Ambassador of Bangladesh threw open the doors of Bangladesh House, this time around to host a dinner in honor of a Bangladeshi delegation for a program of Garment Industry and Journalism.
Journalist mingle with guests.
All took place on Monday 6 February 2017. In his welcome remarks Ambassador Belal, flanked by his spouse Dr. Dilruba Nasrin cordially welcomed the journalists to Bangladesh House and the Netherlands.
‘You are close to my heart’ stated Ambassador Belal, ‘ because you are the eyes and ears of my people. Reporting on what you have seen and experienced during the course of your trip will certainly enrich our people.’
Ambassador Belal hence urged the delegates to glean as much as possible from what the Netherlands has to offer. The Netherlands and Bangladesh he continued have in common that they are both small and so-called delta countries. The atmosphere at the dinner has by all means been an excellent one.
Pictured Ms Pauline Krikke, new Mayor of The Hague.By Branko van Loon.
There’s a lot going on The Hague politics, on both the local and national level. A new mayor has been nominated by the city council. For the first time the City of The Hague will have a female mayor: Ms Pauline Krikke. In The Netherlands, the Mayor is not democratically elected, but appointed by the Crown, after a nomination by the city council and approval of the national government. If the national government approves the nomination, as is always the case, Ms Krikke will be installed as Mayor on the 17th of March.
Ms Krikker is an experienced politician and administrator. Currently she is a member of the Senate. Previously she was mayor of Arnhem (2001-2013) and before that she was vice-mayor in Amsterdam. Ms Krikke is member of the Dutch liberal party VVD.
Anticipating
Last year mayor Jozias Van Aartsen announced his retirement, 9 months before the end of his second term. On March 1st 2017, after nine years, he will no longer be the Mayor but a citizen of The Hague. The reason for his early retirement is that next year, in March 2018, local elections will take place (expats can cast their vote too in these elections!). This will give his successor a year to get used to the new job. Enough time before elections, and the installation of a new council and city executive.
More changes
Another political change will take place in the City of The Hague. The current vice-mayor in Leidschendam-Voorburg, Ms Saskia Bruines (D66), will replace Ms Van Engelshoven. Previously Bruines has been member of the city council and vice-mayor in Amsterdam.
After seven years, Vice-Mayor Ms Ingrid van Engelshoven, responsible for International Affairs, will leave local politics to run for a seat in the national Parliament. Ms Van Engelshoven has a high placement on her party’s list D66 and is very likely to be elected. Ms. Van Engelshoven has made no secret of her ambition to become minister. Whether she stands a chance all depends on the outcome of the national elections on this 15th of March.
Who will govern The Netherlands?
In a few weeks, a record number of 28 political parties will participate in the Dutch national elections. Seven new parties have entered the political arena. In the polls the anti-Islam far-right Party for Freedom still is on course to win the most seats in Parliament. Prime-minister Mark Rutte however recently declared that his party the VVD, like other political parties did before him, will not cooperate with the PVV. Most parties fundamentally disagree with PVV-leader Mr Wilders’ political views.
Mr Geert Wilders has pledged, when in government, to close Dutch borders, close mosques and leave the EU. Some of the new political parties however are open to cooperation with the PVV. This most likely will result in very interesting and difficult coalition negotiations. The Dutch will need all their ‘polder’ skills to form a new government.
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About the author:Branko van Loon is Associate Partner and Senior Consultant at Hague Corporate Affairs. He is specialised in public administration, political affairs, and strategic communication.
Hague Corporate Affairs: visit our website at www.en.hague.company.
Afbeelding 1 Branko van Loon
President Agius to pay official visit to Croatia next week.ICTY President Judge Carmel Agius will conduct an official three-day visit to Zagreb, Croatia, from 13 – 15 February 2017. This will be the first in a series of visits that the President will pay to the countries of the former Yugoslavia before the ICTY closes down at the end of this year.
During his visit, President Agius will meet with several high-level officials, including Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the President of the Supreme Court, and both the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and the Minister of Justice.
The topics to be discussed during the President’s visit include the facilitation of regional cooperation pertaining to war crimes issues, the legacy of the Tribunal, and the possible establishment of an ICTY Information Centre in Croatia.
Release of final evaluation on Eurojust’s Action Plan against human trafficking
The Implementation of the Eurojust Action Plan against THB 2012-2016 Final evaluation report marks the completion of a five-year-long process that started with the Strategic Project on Eurojust‘s Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which identified and proposed solutions to the main challenges stemming from the investigation and prosecution of THB cases from a judicial cooperation perspective. The Final evaluation follows a mid-term Report released in November 2014.
The Final evaluation confirms that the complexity of THB cases, due to their multinational nature, the involvement of sophisticated criminal groups and the targeting of vulnerable victims, is the main obstacle to the successful repression of THB in Europe. The Final evaluation highlights Eurojust’s crucial role in facilitating essential cross-border judicial cooperation to dismantle THB networks.
Eurojust and Europol have expanded their cooperation on THB by improving the flow of information between the two bodies and increasing their shared casework.
The Final evaluation revealed the willingness of national authorities to cooperate at a higher level in combatting THB. An increase in the number of coordination meetings held at Eurojust and the formation of joint investigation teams (JITS) supported by Eurojust with the competent national authorities highlight this high-level support. THB-focused JITs were confirmed as an invaluable tool in the prosecution of cases that cross borders. The success of JIT Hvepsebo, set up between Denmark and Romania to tackle a case of human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, highlights the valuable role of JITs in combatting THB (see page 20 of the Final evaluation).
Lukáš Starý, Chair of Eurojust’s Trafficking Team, THB Contact Point and National Member for the Czech Republic, said:
‘Improved judicial cooperation is essential for tackling this egregious crime, which targets the most vulnerable members of society. Combatting the trafficking of the vulnerable for labour and other forms of exploitation requires the seamless judicial coordination that is offered by Eurojust. Eurojust remains committed to facilitating the fight against THB. Lessons learned from the Final evaluation and the Action Plan will be used to enhance Eurojust’s operational work.’
Eurojust also took the opportunity of the Final evaluation to focus on the issue of THB for labour exploitation, publishing a report in December 2015 entitled Prosecuting THB for the purpose of labour exploitation. Among other findings, this report identified common indicators of labour exploitation in THB cases in judgements from 11 Member
Pictured Dr Ekaterina Trendafilova.
On 7 February 2017, nineteen Judges were appointed to the Roster of International Judges of the Specialist Chambers by the Appointing Authority, Ms. Alexandra Papadopoulou, Head of EULEX Mission in Kosovo, upon the recommendation of the independent Selection Panel.
These appointments include the positions of the Vice-President and of four Judges of the Specialist Chamber of the Constitutional Court. The appointed Judges will only be present at the seat of the Specialist Chambers at the request of the President in order to exercise functions requiring their presence.
On this occasion, the President of the Specialist Chambers, Dr Ekaterina Trendafilova, stated: “I welcome the appointment of such highly qualified lawyers, each of whom – without any doubt – will greatly contribute to our mandate of ensuring fair and efficient justice. As a next step, I will convene the first Plenary of Judges in the near future, during which the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the Specialist Chambers, regulating the conduct of the judicial proceedings before them, will be adopted.”
The Judges appointed to the Roster of International Judges are:
Keith Raynor (Vice-President), United Kingdom
Roland Dekkers (Specialist Chamber of the Constitutional Court), Netherlands
Anne Power-Forde (Specialist Chamber of the Constitutional Court)Ireland
Vidar Stensland (Specialist Chamber of the Constitutional Court), Norway
Antonio Balsamo (Specialist Chamber of the Constitutional Court, Reserve Judge), Italy
By Steven van Hoogstraten, Hague Institute for Global Justice, CEO ad interim.The Hague Institute for Global Justice has turned a corner by 1 January 2017. Not only was this the end of a first period of 5 years, it also marked the return of its first President Dr AbiWilliams to the USA after he completed his term of 4 years at the Institute.
Dr Williams has been of enormous importance for the launching phase of the institute, and deserves all credit for his great efforts and competence to give the Hague Institute a positive name in the world.
As the government funding for the Institute was always meant to be limited to the first 5 years, THIGJ will now have to stand on its own feet and turn to different partners for the main funding. These partners are of course the organizations, institutions, media and industries which have a stake in the issues under the banner of Global Justice, and who would like to make use of the research capacity of THIGJ , to engage in capacity building / training or to organize seminars and conferences at this ideally located institute.
Steven van Hoogstraten, Hague Institute for Global Justice, CEO ad interim.
The important themes for the Hague Institute are the Prevention and Resolution of Conflict, the world wide fight for societies based on the Rule of Law, and the improvement of Governance and Accountability. These main streams easily break down in more precise chapters, like water diplomacy, judicial heritage, prevention of mass atrocities, the role of cities, international criminal accountability, migration, education for peace, etc. I think it is fair to say that the agenda of the Hague Institute contributes as a whole to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and in particular to goal nr 16 about strengthening the framework for Peace and Justice.
The City of The Hague has brought an innovative angle to the work of the institute by making funds available for Delft University, in order to contribute to the concept of Global Justice from the perspective of Technology and Innovation. The use of modern technology (think about Drones, big data, spatial observation or the ever faster internet) brings opportunities and even solutions which did not exist before for the work of the international institutions in The Hague. But Technology if not a neutral term, ethical dilemmas may easily be connected to the interface of technology and justice. Who is controlling the internet?, to mention just one. That is why it is important to be inclusive to this new and important paradigm, which has also been given prominence by the United Nations.
For the time being, The Supervisory Board of THIGJ has decided on an interim phase and will consider the appointment of a new Dean or President only a bit further in time. The focus is now on becoming a viable, stable and externally funded institute, which can adapt to the wishes of the market and at the same time be a credible force in the public debate about global justice. No doubt that contact will be made with the world of Philanthropy, which is known for its interest in the efforts to bring more peace, justice and accountability to our times.
On the picture, Russian Ambassador to the Netherlands Mr Alexander Shulgin.13 January 2017 Celebrating Old Russian New Year at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the NetherlandsBy Shirley Cottaar.
The tradition of celebrating the Old New Year was born in Russia after the Julian Calendar was replaced by the Gregorian Calendar in 1918, which resulted in 13 day-difference between the two calendars. It brings the possibility to celebrate the New Year twice.
Ambassador Mr. Alexander Shulgin and Ms. Natalia Shulgina delightfully open the reception with music: Maksim Paster, a great voice of Russia from the famous Bolshoi Theater, and a brilliant piano player Dmitri Sibirtsev.Mr. Maxim Paster, opera singer, a tenor of the Bolshoi Theatre.Nostalgic holiday
Maksim Paster, singing typical Russian folk songs at this reception like ‘Golden-Domed Moscow’, ‘Dark Eyes’ and ‘Polyshko-Pole’, makes it easy to imagine this warm family gathering in Russia where traditional food is served and carols are sung.
Since the Old New Year falls in the winter, many families celebrate it outdoors with various games. The ambassador explains that altough the Old New Year has a special place in the modern Russian Culture it is not the only country where it is recognised.
Many of the countries where the Orthodox Church is the prevailing faith also observe the holiday. “And”, tells the ambassador, “surprisingly this day is also celebrated in Wales. The New Year’s Eve celebration on 13 January is known in Wales as ‘Hen Galan’ (the old New Year’s day).”(from left to right) H.E. Mr. Kirill Gevorgian (Judge at the International Court of Justice), H.E. Mrs. Marina Neelova (Spouse of H.E. Mr. Kirill Gevorgian), H.E. Mrs. Natalia Shulgina (Spouse of H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin), H.E. Mr. Alexander Shulgin, H.E. Mr. Ahmet Üzümcü (OPCW Director-General).Counting the last minutes
Tasting typical Russian dishes when suddenly a live connection to the Kremlin Spasskaya Clock Tower in Moscow appears on a screen in the embassy. The excited countdown has begun until the clock strikes the New Year.
Ambassador Shulgin and Ms Shulgina wish the New Year to bring peace, accomplishment, harmony, trust and prosperity to all. On this occasion the ambassador also announces the winners of the annual RusPrix as a new tradition for the Old New Year reception. The Organizing Committee has decided to distinguish companies and organizations for their outstanding contribution to the development of the Russian Dutch cooperation.
(from left to right) – H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov (Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands), H.E. Mrs. Akmaral Aydarbekova (Spouse of H.E. Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov), Father Nikon (Dean of the Russian Orthodox Church of St Mary Magdalene, the Court Chapel of Queen Anna Paulowna in the Hague), H.E. Mr. Hendrikus Hermanus Maria Ruijgrok (Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Thailand in Amsterdam), H.E. Mr. Constantijn van Vloten (Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant in the Kingdom of the Netherlands).
Ambassador Shulgin began by thanking the organisers as follows:
“I would like to thank all those who have made it possible for us once again to gather here and celebrate this traditional Russian holiday – our sponsors of today’s cultural program: ING Bank, AKZO Nobel Russia, GasTerra, Van Oord, Linx Telecommunications, Lukoil.Our special thanks to Konstantin Makarenko, an old good friend who promotes this event. He definitely deserves our applause. Konstantin is already busy organizing another annual event, which is supported by the Russian Embassy, – RusPrix Award, which will be held on 16 June. For the 14th time, prizes will be given to organizations and individuals that have made significant contributions to the development of Russian-Dutch business, cultural and economic relations.H.E. Mr. Hamid Ali Rao (OPCW Deputy Director-General).This year we would like to establish a new tradition – to announce the winners of our annual RusPrix Award at the Old New Year reception. The Organizing Committee has decided to distinguish the following companies and organizations for their outstanding contribution to the development of the Russian-Dutch cooperation:
ING Bank Eurasia – for its social projects in Russia.
De Lage Landen and the Rostselmash Group – for their fruitful cooperation for the development of the Russian agricultural sector.
Joep Athmer, Area Director Offsore, Van Oord – for his personal contribution to the development of the Russian-Dutch economic cooperation.
Alexander Taratynov, sculptor, Director of the cultural center «Artland» – for his cultural project.
Sjeng Scheijen of the cultural agency «Dutch Culture» – for his contribution to the development of Russian-Dutch cultural relations.
By Dr. Huub Ruël and Irene Felius.
These are interesting and challenging times for diplomacy in general and the diplomat in particular. It is an open door to state that the world of diplomacy, international relations and international business is experiencing major changes such as a global economic power shift to Asia, an emerging multi-polar international system with shifting power coalitions, collaboration efforts to face global challenges such as climate change and sustainability, emerging societal dynamics such as the rise of populism, violent conflicts around the world, international terrorism, technological progress, cyber security, cyber intelligence, social media driven information and news overload, and the increased role and power of international businesses and NGOs, just to mention a few.This dynamic context has consequences for today’s and tomorrow’s diplomat. The new diplomat needs to be able to operate in this context and add value to the governments, societies and citizens he or she is serving. The competences of the new diplomat are different from those of the ‘traditional’ diplomat and the career paths of the new diplomat will be different as well. Many countries around the world are preparing their diplomatic corps, those employed at foreign posts and the related policies and practices, for this dynamic context.In a series of articles, I will address the challenges that the new diplomat is facing, the competences that will be needed as well as the facilitation of tomorrow’s diplomat. This first article addresses the issue of the relatively new stakeholders in the international arena that the new diplomat needs to deal with. Key questions for diplomats are how to deal with these stakeholders and how to add value in the context of and with new stakeholders in the international diplomacy arena. For the new diplomat, it will mean that he or she will have to understand the competence of co-creation, adding value in collaboration rather than solely.Three of those relatively new stakeholders that diplomats will have to deal with are multinational corporations (MNCs), international NGOs and the public.The role and power of MNCs in today’s global economy cannot be easily underestimated. Especially due to globalization, a single nation state has limited powers in many cases to deal with MNCs. On top of that, governments around the world fully acknowledge that MNCs are the necessary partners in dealing with global challenges such as climate change. Diplomats will need to be able to understand the language of MNCs and their perspectives on the global economy. Finally, the fact that ties between business and government in many countries are close implies that diplomats need to be able to understand those ties and the impact of those ties.International NGOs are in many cases important agenda-setting actors. Supported by their sponsors, in many cases citizens around the world, they are able to investigate and to raise societal awareness. That some governments decide to forbid international NGOs to have a representation in their countries is telling in terms of the power international NGOs are perceived to have. Diplomats need to be able to build relationships with NGOs, understand their perspectives and agendas and again the impact NGOs can have on the society diplomats represent.The public has become a more prominent stakeholder than ever. Although diplomats are representatives of states, governments and their citizens and therefore by nature have to deal with the public’s opinion, it seems that in developed nations more than before, the public does not easily accept the authority of their governments and elected leaders. The distrust between politicians and citizens has become an important issue for diplomats since it results in hard to predict consequences. The recent outcomes of referenda and elections in developed nations have shocked governments and societies. For today’s and tomorrow’s diplomats, it means that he or she has to deeply sense the public opinion, to understand what is beneath rather than what is on the surface and to understand the complexity of societies of their home countries as well as of their host countries.In order to be effective in such a dynamic and more intensified international arena, co-creation is a core competence for diplomats. As explained above, the nation state and its representatives have seen new stakeholders entering the stage. They all have their interests and agendas. To be able to align stakeholders, to contribute to coalitions of stakeholders and to serve national interests in collaboration with other stakeholders is a highly-qualified competence that the new diplomat needs to have. In co-creation lies the power for diplomats to create value. ———————————-About the authors:
Dr. Huub Ruël, Phd, is a Professor of International Hospitality Business at Hotelschool The Hague/The Hague Hospitality Business School.
Irene Felius BSc. is a research assistant / project team member at the University of Twente
By José Mármol.
The Singaporeans tied their economic and social development strategy to the achievement of a public and private education of excellent quality.
In an article written by the awarded Nobel Prize Mario Vargas Llosa (El País, November 12, 2016), published before announcing the results of the 2015 edition of PISA which took place on December 6, the writer comments on the achievements of this small island of Asia, warned on his second visit.
He sustains that the Singaporean “miracle” was due, rather than to its privileged geographic location, which facilitated trade with India and China in the nineteenth century, to efficient government policies which eliminated poverty, unemployment, housing deficit and corruption, as well as a fair public education of the highest technical and professional level, which still absorbs one third of the nation’s budget, its most expensive social objectives.
During the six days he spent there, “I asked all the people I was with to take me to see the poorest neighborhood in this city-state. And that miracle, which I have seen with my own eyes, is true: here there is no misery, no crowding, no shacks, and yes, instead, a health system, education and work opportunities available to the whole world; also a controlled immigration that benefits the country and the foreigners who come to work in it “.
This achievement was due, to a great extent, to his Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, between 1959 and 1990, the leader of a socialist vision, although of authoritarian practice with democratic ideas.
In a great book titled “Identity and Violence. The Illusion of Destiny” (2007), The Nobel Prize-winning economist, born in India, Amartya Sen, among other innovative truths that overturn the assumption of intellectual, technological and cultural superiority of the West over the Orient, as well as the deceptive nature of the Cultural destiny and the apocalyptic “clash of civilizations” by Samuel Huntington, states that the attention that Buddhism gives to enlightenment or knowledge (in fact, Buddha means enlightened) “and the priority given to reading texts, instead of leaving it in the hands of the priests, can encourage the expansion of education, “as has happened in Korea, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Burma (Myanmar).
When the book “Diamond Sutra” is translated from Sanskrit into Chinese in 402 AD and printed in 868, it advocated universal free distribution. Although it is a moot idea, because Islam also literates its children with the verses of the Koran, not always reaching high levels of education due to sectarianism, the fact is that, for example, in Japan, inspiring country of the so-called East Asian miracle, the Fundamental Code of Education of 1872 declared war on illiteracy, and by 1868 that nation had a higher literacy rate than Europe.
The leader Kido Takayoshi argued that the central issue in development was education or the lack of it. In the first decade of the twentieth century, Japan allocated 43 percent of its budget to education, and by 1910, primary education had become universal.
Staying away from the English and Japanese dominions and being expelled from the Federation of Malaya, Singapore became independent in 1965. Today it draws the attention of the world for its common socioeconomic progress and because its children reach the highest places of excellence in mathematics, science and language in PISA. It’s the education, silly..
About the author:
Branko van Loon is Associate Partner and Senior Consultant at Hague Corporate Affairs. He is specialised in public administration, political affairs, and strategic communication.
Hague Corporate Affairs: visit our website at www.en.hague.company.
Afbeelding 1 Branko van Loon
