Azerbaijan, being faithful to the ideas of multiculturalism and seeing dialogue as a best tool for building peace and prosperity amid the crises and tensions in the world, has declared 2016 the Year of Multiculturalism. Azerbaijan established the first secular democracy in the Muslim world in 1918 and offered women the right to vote in 1919. Tolerance and multiculturalism in secular Azerbaijan is a style of life for over 9.6 million people living at the crossroad of the East and West, combining traditions and cultures. Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of the population (about 96 percent) of the country is Muslim, representatives of other religions enjoy freedom here, and one can often witness Jewish synagogues and Orthodox and Christian churches as well as other religious centres functioning freely. The country acts as a model for peaceful coexistence of members of different nations and religions for many other countries as well. Historical monuments of all religions are protected by the government of Azerbaijan which provides funds for the restoration of these monuments. Mosques, churches and synagogues are built and renovated in Azerbaijan. One of the oldest mosques in the world situated in Azerbaijan, in the city of Shamakhi, dating from 743, and also one of the oldest Christian churches, an Armenian church from the 12-13 century, is also located in the capital of the country – Baku. Orthodox and Catholic churches, synagogues, Zoroastrian temples, are bright examples of Azerbaijan’s multicultural heritage. Azerbaijan is one of a handful of countries that are members of both the Council of Europe and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In 2008, the Ministers of Culture of Islamic countries were invited to the Baku Forum of Ministers of Culture of Council of Europe member-states. For the first time in history, a link was established between these two institutions. In 2009, Azerbaijan invited ministers from the Council of Ministers to the meeting of Ministers of Culture of Muslim countries in Baku. Thus, this process was called the “Baku process”. Today, Azerbaijan hosts numerous international events within the framework of the “Baku process”. These include the summit of religious leaders of the world. The Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is held in Azerbaijan every year. Baku International Humanitarian Forum is an annual platform for famous representatives of political, scientific and cultural elite of the world community including famous statesmen, Nobel Prize winners in various fields of science and leaders of influential international organizations for holding dialogues, discussions and exchange of views on a wide range of global issues in the interest of all humanity. The fifth International Humanitarian Forum was held in Baku on September 29-30, 2016 and one of the main themes on its agenda was multiculturalism. Given Azerbaijani successful activities in this area, the UN decided to hold the Seventh Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in Baku in 2016. In addition, Azerbaijan has set up an international centre for multiculturalism in 2014, as a concrete effort to promote the values of multiculturalism. Thanks to domestic interfaith and multicultural harmony, Azerbaijan was able to protect itself from the triggers of extremism, one of the most dangerous threats of the modern world amid the clashing cultures and religions. Azerbaijan makes important contributions to the traditions of tolerance, intercultural and inter-civilization dialogue. The country’s success in multiculturalism relies on the full-scale embrace of this openness and tolerance by both government and the society at large which has remained primarily stable for many decades. On October 2, 2016 Pope Francis visited Azerbaijan. During the visit he celebrated mass on Sunday at the Salesian centre in Baku. Pope Francis visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country`s independence and territorial integrity. Pope Francis laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument. Furthermore, bilateral meeting between the president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Pope Francis was held. It was underlined that the relations between the Vatican and Azerbaijan have been developing successfully for 24 years. Reciprocal high-level visits were especially highlighted. In 2012, the Vatican museums hosted an Azerbaijani exhibition dedicated to the 20th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. The Azerbaijani exhibition was the first exhibition of Muslim countries. Our ties are also supported by civil society organizations. In February last year, with support from the largest non-governmental organization of the South Caucasus, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Saint Marcellino and Pietro’s catacombs of the Vatican were reopened after major overhaul and restoration. This great event showed again that our bilateral relations. At the same time, the strengthening of the interreligious and intercultural dialogue is a reality. The Pontiff met with Chairman of the Clerical Office of Caucasus Muslims Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade and representatives of religious communities in Azerbaijan. After the bilateral meeting, both religious leaders addressed representatives of religious communities in Azerbaijan. Pope Francis` visit to Azerbaijan where 96 percent of population is Muslims once again demonstrates importance that the Holy See attaches to the multicultural traditions in this country. This visit is important for all of the mankind, as it shows once again that the dialogue between civilizations lives on, continues to expand, and we are trying to give a new impetus to this dialogue. ——————– Photography by Azertac.  

By Minister Ying-Yuan Lee, Environmental Protection Administration, R.O.C. (Taiwan). Global warming and the El Niño phenomenon have contributed to record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather events around the world. In July this year, the global average temperatures taken over land and ocean surfaces were the highest for any month in 137 years of record-keeping. In June, the temperature in Taipei reached 38.7 degrees Celsius, the highest in a century. Another recent anomaly is a marked decline in the frequency of steady rainfall. Instead, we were hit with a series of torrential downpours that caused many flash floods, significantly damaging our infrastructure, ecosystem, as well as crops. More and more evidence is showing that climate change is already happening. If we don’t take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now, we will end up paying much more later on. Unbounded economic growth and excessive exhaust have led to climate change which threatens human survival. Governments around the world realize this, and that’s why the landmark Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015, bringing all nations together under a common cause that drives global mitigation actions with long-term goals. Climate change is arguably the single most important issue that put the future of humanity at stake. As a member of the international community, Taiwan cannot be a mere spectator to this problem and must come up with feasible solutions to live up to the name of Formosa, “beautiful island.” We enacted the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act in July of last year, setting our long-term target to reduce our emissions by at least 50% below 2005 levels by the year 2050. Taiwan is among only a few countries in the world that have written into law a target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, we’ve come to realize the need to further increase our energy efficiency and promote energy conservation, transform our industrial structure, as well as diversify our energy supply by tapping into renewable energies, such as solar, wind, biogas production using pig farm waste based on the concept of circular economy. We anticipate that by 2025, 20% of our energy will come from renewable energy. In her inaugural address earlier this May, President Tsai Ing-Wen made it clear that Taiwan will not be absent from the global efforts to mitigate climate change and that her government will regularly review goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement. With this ambition, we enacted the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act, with periodic five-year regulatory goals that help enhance climate-change-response capacity building and promote efficient management in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across government agencies. This approach is in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement which encourages all countries to strengthen their determination to reduce emissions with the aim to achieve the long-term goal by the year 2050. Climate change is a global issue that transcends national boundaries. The actions we take today could have profound impacts on the lives of future generations. Climate change requires not only national but global solutions. I sincerely urge the international community to recognize and support Taiwan’s determination to gain meaningful participation in the UNFCCC and become part of the global climate network. We are willing to share our environmental protection experiences and contribute to international efforts. Together with friendly nations, we will join hands to safeguard a sustainable earth.

All lovers of unusual jewellery, fashionistas, design aficionados and connoisseurs of art should keep the dates of 10 through 13 November open in their organizers, for on those days SIERAAD Art Fair will be held in the Gasholder on the Wester Gasterrein in Amsterdam. We would strongly urge everybody to start saving now, since the selection this fall will be simply spectacular. The fair is getting more international every year and as a result, according to insiders, more interesting and important. In the course of 4 days SIERAAD Art Fair offers a prominent cross section of worldwide contemporary jewellery design. Once again, SIERAAD Art Fair will be a launching platform for young up-and-coming talent. Ever since 2001 SIERAAD Art Fair has been a must for aficionados, collectors, curators, stylists, retailers and journalists. Visitors and buyers come from all over the world to do business during this not-to-be-missed four-day event. They buy directly from the makers, which is the distinguishing asset of SIERAAD: it enables artists to present and sell their work themselves to a large public. The dialogue between artist and interested party is a usp hardly to be overrated Unprecedented splendour at SIERAAD We are proud to announce that SIERAAD Art Fair will celebrate its 15th anniversary in November with an exceptional exhibition. The fair will feature a special selection from the largest ethnological jewellery collection in Holland. It is the outcome of an inspiring collaboration with the Amsterdam Tropenmuseum, the Ethnological Rijksmuseum in Leiden and the Africa Museum in Berg en Dal. At a fair where the visitor is surrounded by prominent international contemporary design, occasionally featuring very futuristic touches, we felt this anniversary was an occasion to go back to the roots: to the ethnology of jewellery. Ethnological jewellery originates from and is connected with all possible milestones in life, with traditions, ancestor worship and the use as amulet, talisman and medicine. Jewellery is the bearer of symbols and wearable stories with a fascinating symbolic language. Phenomenal The merger of the Tropenmuseum, Ethnological Rijksmuseum and Africa Museum in 2014 resulted in a phenomenal collection of some 6000 pieces of jewellery from antiquity to the present day. The SIERAAD exhibition is an opportunity for the new museum organisation to spotlight these cultural treasures in all their glory for the first time. The exhibition is the ‘appetizer’ on an extensive menu of jewellery exhibitions that are planned for the coming years. Location: Gashouder, Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam admission; is € 15 – per person per day for 2 days € 20.00 pp, 65 + and CJP/students pay € 12.50 , children under the age of 12 ( accompanied) free • tickets can be purchased at the box office or ordered www.sieraadartfair.nl  • at the show can be bought and paid for through various payment systems. • You can park in the nearby parking Westergasfabriek or in the immediate surroundings. Thursday November 10 14.00 hour: SIERAAD Art Fair open for the public. 16.00 hour: opening 15th edition by HRH Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme, Maya Meijer (owner Westergasfabriek ) Director Stijn Schoonderwoerd TropenMuseum, Africa Museum and Ethnological National Museum. Opening SIERAAD Art Fair:

• Thursday, November 10 : 14:00 to 21:00 hrs.• Friday 11 Saturday 12 and Sunday November 13, from 11:00 to 18:00 hrs.

info@sieraadartfair.com  | www.sieraadartfair.com  ———- Photography by John Moore.