National Museum of Estonia – Picture by National Museum of Estonia.Thursday, 29 September 2016, Tartu, Republic of Estonia: President Toomas Hendrik Ilves opened Estonia’s first national museum dedicated to the history, statehood, life and traditions of Estonians and other Finno-Ugric peoples. It was built on the edge of Tartu, neighbourhood of Raadi, upon an abandoned Soviet airfield. The Estonian National Museum (Eesti Rahva Muuseum) was open to the public on 1 October 2016.Estonia’s first flag – Picture by Helen-WrightThe project is the largest independent Estonia has ever undertaken; both financially as well as in spatial terms . The museum was designed by the Paris-based architecture firm, DGT.A plethora of items making up the permanent exhibitions have been donated by private Estonians, foreign institutions and archives. Amongst of rarest items are the book in which the Estonian language was first written down, the robe of the first Estonian Orthodox Bishop and the first Estonian national flag.For further information:National Museum of Estonia: http://www.erm.eeÂ
On the picture Ambassador Yang Yanyi.By Baron Henri Estramant.Monday, 26 September 2016, Mission of the PRC to the EU, Brussels: HE Ambassador Yang Yanyi, Head of Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union hosted a reception at the large chancery premises in Brussels to celebrate the  PRC’s 67th foundation day back on 1 October 1949. European Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva and Ambassador Yang Yanyi.Guest of honour at the well-attended reception by ambassadorial colleagues and EU representatives was European Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources. US Head of Mission to the EU, Ambassador Anthony Gardner was also present highlighting the importance of Sino-US relations. Vice-President and Commissioner Georgieva called the PRC’s hosting of the G20 a “huge success”, whist stating that the country’s steady commitment in tackling climate change has been reflected the the republic’s determination to deal with severe global challenges.On her side, Ambassador Yang Yanyi, emphasised that the successful hosting of the G20 Hangzhou Summit offered new solutions to improving global economic and financial governance as well as unlocking a new driving force for growing the global economy.Diplomatic relations between the PRC and the then European Communities were established in 1975.  For further information:Album by the PRC Mission to the EU: https://www.flickr.com/photos/129701717@N05/sets/72157674398200896——Picture by PRC Mission to the EU
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, ahead of the Office’s visit to Israel and Palestine from 5 to 10 October 2016As part of its commitment to promote a better understanding of the work of the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”), a delegation from the Office will visit Israel and Palestine from 5 to 10 October 2016.The purpose of this visit will be to undertake outreach and education activities with a view to raising awareness about the ICC and in particular, about the work of the Office; to address any misperceptions about the ICC and to explain the preliminary examination process. Such visits are standard practice, even in countries that are not State Parties to the Rome Statute.In accordance with its usual practice at this stage of its work, the delegation will not engage in evidence collection in relation to any alleged crimes; neither will the delegation undertake site visits, or assess the adequacy of the respective legal systems to deal with crimes that fall within ICC jurisdiction.The delegation is scheduled to travel to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah and will hold meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials at the working levels. The delegation will also participate in two events at academic institutions and engage in television and newspaper interviews in both Israel and Palestine. In addition, the delegation will hold a courtesy meeting with United Nations agencies under the auspices of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (“UNSCO”). Given the limited duration of the visit, the delegation will not engage in unscheduled events or meetings.The Office is grateful to both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities for facilitating the visit and to UNSCO for providing logistical support. The preliminary examination of the situation in Palestine is on-going and is following its normal course as with any other preliminary examination. The visit is not linked to any findings regarding any issue, nor will any announcement be made in that regard. This process involves an analysis of a number of complex legal issues and a review of large volumes of documents. It is a thorough process during which the Office must be given the necessary space and time to conduct its activities, which it does in all instances independently and impartially. In this context, the Office has engaged with both Israel and Palestine and is examining all information on crimes alleged to have been committed by all parties. In the course of the visit, the Office will continue to uphold its independence and to protect the integrity of the visit and of the preliminary examination process against any attempt at politicization.
From 13 October 2016 to 26 March 2017 Panorama Mesdag will be displaying impressive cityscapes by the British-American artist Jeremy Kidd (b.UK,1965).
Jeremy Kidd is a grandson of the famous sculptor Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) and the painter Ben Nicholson (1894-1982), and started out as a sculptor and painter. With the rise of digital photography around 1990, Kidd was among the first to experiment with the medium.
Kidd enriches photography to enable viewers to truly experience what he has depicted. To achieve this, he makes numerous photographs and blends them into a single overpowering image. Through this fusion of time and movement he reveals the unique dynamics of the city and the natural world through the medium of art.
New Work for Panorama Mesdag
Especially for this exhibition, Kidd emulated Mesdag by studying the Seinpost Dune area and created a spectacular impression of Scheveningen, 14 metres wide and 3 metres high. Although the spaces between the freestanding buildings in Panorama Mesdag have long been filled in, Kidd uses colour and light contrasts to subtly accentuate these monumental buildings.
With this exhibition, Panorama Mesdag brings Mesdag’s familiar images to life in a surprising way from the contemporary perspective of Jeremy Kidd.
On the picture Rendering of Christie van der Haak’s installation More Is More, 2016, The Wolfsonian–FIU, Miami Beach FL.
From November 18 – June 11 2017, the Wolfsonian Museum in Miami Beach is presenting the exhibition Modern Dutch Design 1890-1940, an examination of innovative design from the Netherlands between 1890 and 1940.
On view November 18, 2016 through June 11, 2017, the exhibition traces how Dutch designers, architects, and artists evolved in the modern age—cementing their country’s reputation as a center for cutting-edge design—and follows the development of unique styles and movements including Nieuwe Kunst, the Amsterdam School, and De Stijl.
Over 200 works ranging from furniture and metalwork to posters and drawings will reveal how these pioneers responded to radical shifts in social and political life, promoted international travel and trade, and found inspiration from the cultures of the Dutch colonies overseas.
In tandem with Modern Dutch Design 1890-1940 the Hague-based contemporary artist Christie van der Haak will present “More is More”. Christie van der Haak  will wrap in the facade and lobby of the Wolfsonian’s iconic Mediterranean Revival-style building with her signature tapestry and batik-inspired patterns.
Rendering of Christie van der Haak’s installation More Is More, 2016, The Wolfsonian–FIU, Miami Beach FL.
Her extraordinary, intricate art bridges the historic focus of the exhibition Modern Dutch Design with the present day, and mirrors the coexistence of different styles and movements by changing patterns throughout the installation. Paired with nightly projections, van der Haak’s project brings the legacy of Dutch design pioneers into full public view for Miami Art/Basel Week 2016 and beyond. www.christievanderhaak.nl
Christie van der Haak’s project is made possible by The Mondriaan Fund and Creative Industries Fund.
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Photography by Persfoto ontwerp Wolfsonian / lobby
On the picture the hall of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).By Antonia Barthel, Lyudmila Palamar, Carlotta Duken.
The Hague has earned its reputation as the City of Peace and Justice through the multitude of international organizations located in the city. Yet, few people have had the chance to take a look behind the scenes and talk to people involved in the every day life of these institutions.
Within the context of the Just Peace Festival, celebrating the UN-declared International Day of Peace, this year’s The Hague International Open took place on Sunday, September 25th.
After prior registration, many international organizations invited people to learn more about their role in defending justice, peace and human rights. Guided tours, access to exhibitions and facilities of the organizations allowed people to get an insight into the working of these institutions.
This year again a plethora of organizations participated in the International Open Day:
•Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
•The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
•The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT)
•The International Criminal Court (ICC)
•Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
•The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
•The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
•Peace Palace Library
•Europe House – European Commission (EC) and European Parliament
•OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (OSCE-HCNM)
•Eurojust
•UNICEF
•The International Development Law Organization
The International Criminal Court (ICC).
The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened its doors to approximately 700 visitors. Since it was established in 2002, the ICC has been taking part in the open day, allowing visitors a once in a lifetime peek into the workings of the ICC.
The ICC, governed by the Rome Statute, is the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes to the international community. In 2015, the ICC moved into the building designed by the Danish firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen who won the international competition in 2010.
The Building reflects the transparent work of the ICC and is designed to fit perfectly within the landscape. Security measures are incorporated in the structure of the building. Dunes were created to hide the outside walls protecting the building on the one hand and creating a structure that includes the building in the nature and its surrounding.
In addition to a tour of the ICC, visitors could enjoy an exhibition about the establishment of the ICC as well as the art donated to the ICC by member countries such as a beautiful mosaic from Tunisia or a Korean drum.
With the first conference being held in 1893, the The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) presents one of the oldest institutions in The Hague. Its mission is to work on the progressive unification of the rules of private international law and to resolve differences between countries’ distinct legal systems.
Today, the HCCH counts 81 members and 145 non-member states who form part of the Conference and have signed several Conventions. The countries meet every four years in a plenary session. Besides the permanent bureau in The Hague, there are regional offices in Hong Kong and Argentina.
This year the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) took the International Open Day beyond geographical borders and commenced the annual event with its first ever virtual tour.
OPCW Spokesperson Deepti Choubey, guided social media users around the organization’s headquarters, emphasized the relevance of the OPCW’s mission and invited people from all over the world to participate in the Open Day next year. The informative tour was streamed live, however it can be still viewed on the official Facebook page of the organization.
Throughout the day more than 700 people visited the Headquarters of the OPCW, in The Hague, to learn about the Nobel Prize winning organization and participate in a broad range of activities, including engaging presentations, demonstrations of real inspectors’ equipment and Mini Film Festival.
Some breath-taking documentaries from the FIRES series were screened during the film festival, which became one of the highlights of this year’s programme.
Visitors of the Open Day were also invited to contribute to the mission of the OPCW by raising global awareness about the relevance of the threat of chemical weapons. More than 100 people shared theirs statements on social media and became OPCW Chemical Heroes.
Kapitan Andreevo, 6 October 2016
Today the European Border and Coast Guard Agency is being officially launched, less than a year after it was first proposed by the Commission. The launch event takes place at the Kapitan Andreevo Border Checkpoint at the Bulgarian external border with Turkey and includes a presentation of the vehicles, equipment and teams of the new Agency, as well as a press conference attended by Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Bulgaria Rumiana Bachvarova, State Secretary of the Interior Ministry of the Slovak Republic Denisa Sakova, Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Fabrice Leggeri, EU interior ministers and other senior officials.
Building on the foundations of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency will closely monitor the EU’s external borders and work together with Member States to identify and address any potential security threats to the EU’s external borders.
Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said: “Today is a milestone in the history of European border management. From now onwards, the external EU border of one Member State is the external border of all Member States – both legally and operationally. In less than one year we have established a fully-fledged European Border and Coast Guard system, turning into reality the principles of shared responsibility and solidarity among the Member States and the Union. This is exactly the European response that we need for the security and migration challenges of the 21st century.”
Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, holder of the rotating Presidency of the Council, said: “By launching the European Border and Coast Guard, we are creating a new reality at our external borders. This is a tangible outcome of the joint commitment agreed in the Bratislava Roadmap, as well as a practical display of unity among Member States. It will help us to get back to Schengen. The Presidency is determined to help further strengthen the European Border and Coast Guard, as well as translate other commitments from the Roadmap into action.”
Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Fabrice Leggeri, said: “This is a historic moment and I am very proud to see Frontex become the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The new Agency is stronger and better equipped to tackle migration and security challenges at Europe’s external borders. Its mandate has wider scope and new powers that will allow it to act effectively. The Agency will conduct stress tests at the external borders to identify vulnerabilities before a crisis hits. It will now also be able to offer operational support to neighbouring non-EU countries who ask for assistance at their border and share intelligence on cross-border criminal activities with national authorities and European agencies in support of criminal investigations. It also has a key role at Europe’s maritime borders through its new coast guard functions.”
Under the new mandate, the Agency’s role and activities have been significantly expanded. The Agency’s permanent staff will be more than doubled and the Agency will be able to purchase its own equipment and deploy them in border operations at short notice. A rapid reserve pool of at least 1,500 border guards and a technical equipment pool will be put at the disposal of the Agency – meaning there will no longer be shortages of staff or equipment for Agency operations. The European Border and Coast Guard will now ensure the implementation of Union standards of border management through periodic risk analysis and mandatory vulnerability assessments.
The European Border and Coast Guard will provide a missing link in strengthening Europe’s external borders, so that people can continue to live and move freely within the European Union – helping to meet Europe’s commitment to get back to the normal functioning of the Schengen area and the lifting of temporary internal border controls by the end of the year, as set out in the Commission’s Back to Schengen Roadmap on 4 March.
1 October 2016, Washington, D.C.:  the Yuan, the PRC’s currency, joined the dollar, euro, yen and British pound in the “special drawing rights” (SDR) basket that forms the IMF’s unit of account. These basket is known as “renminbi”.Â
Being part of the SDR basket at the IMF is quite a ways away from being a global reserve currency yet according to the IMF’s Managing Director, Christine Lagarde the “expansion reflects the ongoing evolution of the global economy and is a significant change for the IMF”.Â
This is the first time since the adoption of the Euro that a currency is added to the basket.  Moreover reality is being reflected as the PRC’s accounts now for 17,3 % of the global economy against the 15,8 of the USA.
Ms Largarde added in the IMF’s press release that “The Renminbi’s inclusion reflects the progress made in reforming China’s monetary, foreign exchange, and financial systems, and acknowledges the advances made in liberalizing and improving the infrastructure of its financial markets. The continuation and deepening of these efforts, with appropriate safeguards, will bring about a more robust international monetary and financial system, which in turn will support the growth and stability of China and the global economy”. For further information:
On the relevance of the Yuan’s inclusion as renminbi: http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000556016
IMF:Â https://www.imf.org/external/np/fin/data/rms_sdrv.aspx
On the picture Israel’s Ambassador to The Netherlands and the OPCW, Aviv Shir-On. Picture by Rotapool, Remko de Waal.State of Israel to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the OPCW: HE Ambassador Aviv Aharon Shir-On was accredited on Wednesday, 5 October 2016, after presenting his letters of credence to HM King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands at Noordeinde Palace. His previous ambassadorship was to Austria between 2009 and 2013.  http://embassies.gov.il/hague-en/Pages/default.aspxPermanent Representative, Ambassador Aharon Leshno-Yaar and NATO’s SG Jens Stoltenberg – Picture by Israel in Europe.State of Israel to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):  HE Ambassador Aharon Leshno-Yaar became Israel’s very first accredited head of mission to NATO after presenting his credentials on Friday, 16 September 2016 to Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Israel is not a member of the 28 nations encompassing NATO yet it has enjoyed military cooperation with the military alliance in a number of fields, and is currently a partner of the Mediterranean Dialogue; a NATO outreach programme with seven friendly nations bordering on the waterway.NATO currently has about 40 partner states, including Australia, India, Japan, Pakistan and Russia. Its partnerships include ones with European non-NATO countries, the Mediterranean basin and Persian Gulf states, which are due to be accredited for the first time as well (https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2016/05/07/israel-gets-office-at-nato/).Ambassador Leshno-Yaar will likewise be accredited to the EU. Prior to arriving to Brussels, Ambassador Leshno-Yaar served as the Deputy Director General, Head of UN and International Organisations Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His previous ambassadorship was as Permanent of Israel to the United Nations in Geneva from 2008 until 2012. For additional information:http://embassies.gov.il/eu/Pages/default.aspxhttp://embassies.gov.il/eu/Relations/Pages/Israel-NATO.aspxhttps://www.ft.com/content/f5d017f8-84b2-11e6-8897-2359a58ac7a5 http://embassies.gov.il/eu/NewsAndEvents/Newsletter/Pages/Israel’s-new-Ambassador-to-the-EU—NATO—Meet-Aharon-Leshno-Yaar.aspxÂ
This year the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) took the International Open Day beyond geographical borders and commenced the annual event with its first ever virtual tour.
OPCW Spokesperson Deepti Choubey, guided social media users around the organization’s headquarters, emphasized the relevance of the OPCW’s mission and invited people from all over the world to participate in the Open Day next year. The informative tour was streamed live, however it can be still viewed on the official Facebook page of the organization.
One of the exhibition most prominent visitors was Her Imperial Majesty The Dowager Empress of Iran, Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi, who whilst in office was an avid customer of Van Cleef & Arpels. In fact, the latter jewellery house designed and produced her imperial crown back in 1967.
Van Cleef & Arpels tapped celebrated American set designer Robert Wilson to create a scenographic backdrop where visitors were able to explore the high jewellery amid a re-imagined vision of the vessel. Upon entering the venue, guests were plunged into a multi-sensory experience, and images of the animal kingdom in pairs.
For further information:
Van Cleef & Arpels:Â http://www.vancleefarpels.com/ww/en/la-maison/icons/legends-of-van-cleef—Arpels/l_arche-de-noe-racontee-par-van-cleef—arpels-exhibition–paris.html?55click=Highlight
