Pictured Ambassador Mir-Hamza Efenndiyev and spouse Mrs Sevil Amirova-Efendiyeva during Azerbaijan National Day 2016.H.E. Mr Mir-Hamza Efendiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Netherlands since September 2012, and Sevil Amirova- Efendiyeva hosted a major reception honouring the country’s National Day on May 28 at the magnificent venue of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in The Hague.Ambassadors from all continents attended. Among the guests present were Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations, Government officials, representatives of the business community, the arts and academia, and friends and members of the Azerbaijan community. Every room of the official residency including the garden was filled by an animated crowd. For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157671100844810Linda Divon, H.E. Héctor Horacio Salvador, Ambassador of Argentina and the Ambassador of Israel, H.E. Haim Divon,The Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have signed several bilateral agreements in fields ranging from mutual administrative assistance in customs legislation, air transportation, justice and economy to international road transportation, double taxation and water management, among others. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev, came to The Hague on an official visit to participate in the Third Nuclear Security Summit in March 2014. Several Ministers have been meeting their Dutch counterparts consistently since then, and last May the Minister of Economy of the Netherlands Henk Kamp visited Baku. H.E. Mr. Roman Kirn Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Ambassador Efendiyev, Sevil Amirova- Efendiyeva and Slovenia Ambassadors’ spouse.In recent years, bilateral economic missions, business forums and other activities organised with the support of the Embassy have commenced a new phase in practical cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands. Around 110 Dutch companies perform successfully in Azerbaijan in the fields of trade, services, banking, insurance, construction, transportation and communications.In the academic field, the embassy has supported several programmes including an MBA in energy management with Maastricht School of Management, an annual training on Eastern partnership with Clingendael and seminars in international law together with The Hague Academy of International Law.H.E. Mr. Carlos José Argüello Gómez, Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop HE Aldo Cavalli, H.E. José De Bouza Serrano, Ambassador of Portugal and the Ambassador of Brazil, H.E. Piragibe Dos Santos TarragôIn order to discuss the diaspora’s key issues and coordinate activities, the Embassy regularly organises meetings, debates, exchanges of views and round tables together with the heads of leading Azerbaijani organisations including the Benelux Azerbaijanis Congress, the Azerbaijani-Turkish Cultural Association, the “Motherland” Union of Azerbaijani Women of the Netherlands and others, as well as with representatives of the Dutch community and the Netherlands-Azerbaijani Communication Platform.Azerbaijan, a predominantly Shiite Muslim country, is also home to several other ethnic and religious groups, including ancient Zoroastrian, Christian and Jewish communities.The Embassy has also promoted the Azerbaijani language and literature since 2013, when it supported the opening of the school Nizami Ganjavi. The school continue its activities today with the coordination of the embassy and the “Motherland” Union of Azerbaijani Women of the Netherlands. H.E. Mr Mir-Hamza Efendiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Breik A.B. Swessi Ambassador of Libya, spouse of Azerbaijan Ambassador and Naima Shennib Swessi spouse of Libyan’s Ambassador.The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan opened in the Kingdom of the Netherlands in May 2007 after the two countries established diplomatic relations on April 1, 1992.At the National Day event, guests were offered an exquisitely prepared Azerbaijani dinner buffet during the reception.
Pictured H.E. Anniken Krutnes and Ms Michèle Coninsx, President of Eurojust.
Ambassador Anniken Krutnes of Norway said goodbye to more than a hundred friends at an informal beach party at Scheveningen Beach. Among those in attendance were heads of diplomatic missions, heads of international organisations, judges from international courts, and friends from the academic, business and arts communities.
Ambassador Krutnes spent five years in The Hague, during which time she conducted important work for her country on both a bilateral and multilateral basis. In addition to political relations, Ambassador Krutnes focused on cultural relations and business links between Norway and The Netherlands. She was also accredited to Luxembourg and was responsible for bilateral relations with the Grand Duchy.
For additional Marian van Noort’s pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157672184220185ICC First Vice-President Judge Joyce Aluoch.
She worked as Facilitator for Cooperation in The Hague Working Group from 2012-2015 which primarily involved leading negotiations on strengthening the cooperation between member states and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
As Facilitator, Ambassador Krutnes also initiated seminars in Dakar, Arusha, Accra, Buenos Aires and Cotonou with representatives from over 40 countries. Her proactive work was praised by the ICC, member states and other actors involved and has led to significant results in areas like witness protection, cooperation and improving capacity.
Just weeks before leaving The Hague on July 7th, she signed an agreement on the enforcement of sentences between the Kingdom of Norway and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Under the agreement, persons convicted by the ICC may serve their sentences of imprisonment in Norway if so decided by the Court and accepted by Norway.
H.E. Ms Anniken Ramberg Krutnes presented her credentials to the Director-General of the OPCW on 10 October, 2011. There she played an important role in the UN/OPCW-led maritime operation to transport chemical weapons out of Syria.
H.E. Brett Mason, Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Karim Ben Becher, Ambassador of Tunisia, Thomas John, Principal Legal Officer at The Hague Conference on Private International Law, H.E. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo and H. E. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi, Ambassador of Chile.
Five wonderful and productive years flew by quickly for the Ambassador. Her farewell party took place at the beach pavilion were she used to stop after running over 10 km with her dog. The party was a delight, with wine, sangria and beers, diplomats in shorts and sandals, a great variety of Spanish tapas and many joyous anecdotes from the Ambassador’s tenure in The Hague.
A leading ambassador in many areas, a mother and consume sportswoman, Ambassador Krutnes has been appointed Norwegian Polar Ambassador with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo and Norway’s Permanent Observer to the Arctic Council. Diplomat Magazine wishes her and her family all the best.
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Ambassador Anniken Krutnes wrote an article for Diplomat Magazine. Please open the following link to see the publication: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2014/11/02/norway-arctic/
On the picture H.E. Mr J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands.
The Embassy of India and the Gandhi Centre, Cultural Wing of the Embassy, organised a massive event commemorating the International Day of Yoga 2016 (IDY 2016).
H.E. Mr J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, and his spouse Mita Mukul led more than six hundred people on a Saturday morning to practice a healthy yoga session at The Hague City Hall Atrium.
Yoga has become immensely popular and is now practised by more 200 million people worldwide, including more than 100 million in India and 37.7 million in the U.S.
On arrival, guests were greeted with the almost futuristic sight of hundreds of yoga mats, all in the same colors and symmetrically positioned, filling up the huge atrium of the City Hall.
Each guest was given a healthy goody bag from the counter by the Embassy staff with two fruits, a bottle of water, a brochure on the Gandhi Centre and a t-shirt promoting International Yoga Day 2016.
For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157669023268663
Dutch civil servants, business people, representatives from the Indian diaspora, yoga lovers and novices alike all got at the same rhythm into the yoga mat to breath, and stretch under the direction of Mr. Amit Khanna, the Yoga Teacher at the Gandhi Centre.
Yoga, a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin in India, aims to transform body and mind. The word ‘yoga’ which derives from Sanskrit means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
H.E. Ambassador Mukul and Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh.
The United Nations recognized the universal appeal of yoga through the Adoption of its Resolution 69/131 on the International Day of Yoga.
The declaration came after the call for the adoption of the same by Indian Prime Minister during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014 in which he stated: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature.”
Ambassador Mukul addressed the gathering on the significance of Yoga Day for India and the value of practising yoga for health and wellbeing.
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, spoke by video conference to every nation in the world celebrating Yoga Day on 18 June. Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh was also present and gave encouraging words to the hundreds of attendees before the session began.
Professor Amit Khanna, Yoga Teacher at the Gandhi Centre.
The Secretary General to the United Nations stated that through the Adoption of the UN Resolution on the International Day of Yoga, “the General Assembly has recognized the holistic benefits of this timeless practice and its inherent compatibility with the principles and values of the United Nations”.Miss India Holland distributing healthy goody bags.
He further stated: “Yoga offers a simple, accessible and inclusive means to promote physical and spiritual health and well-being. It promotes respect for one’s fellow human beings and for the planet we share. And yoga does not discriminate; to varying degrees, all people can practice, regardless of their relative strength, age or ability.”
After two hours of training, professor Khanna thanked the audience and invited all to practise Yoga regularly.
Yoga Day 2016 in The Hague.
It has been years in the making, but one of the trickiest pieces of space technology ever developed is finally ready to join its satellite for launch by the end of next year. With this milestone, we are another step closer to a better understanding of Earth’s winds. Carrying pioneering lasers, Aeolus will be the first satellite to probe the wind globally. These vertical slices through the atmosphere, along with information on aerosols and clouds, will advance our knowledge of atmospheric dynamics and contribute to climate research. Since Aeolus will deliver measurements almost in real time, it is also set to provide much-needed information to improve weather forecasts. Its state-of-the-art Aladin instrument, which was designed by Airbus Defence and Space in France, incorporates two powerful lasers, a large telescope and very sensitive receivers. The laser generates ultraviolet light that is beamed towards Earth. This light bounces off air molecules and small particles such as dust, ice and droplets of water in the atmosphere. The fraction of light that is scattered back towards the satellite is collected by Aladin’s telescope and measured. Aladin ready for Aeolus. Photography by Airbus Defence and Space.Prof. Erland Källén, Director of Research at the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts, said, “The Aeolus mission will provide wind observations that are unique with respect to the current global observing system capabilities.”Aladin ready for Aeolus“The observations fill a gap in the global observing system and despite the many years of delay there is still a need for the mission and we expect it to have a big impact on weather forecasting. In the Tropics, wind information dominates atmospheric analyses and this influences the quality of weather forecasts for Europe for the week ahead. ““Wind information from Aeolus is also expected to be important over oceans in both hemispheres for determining the position and evolution of jet streams and atmospheric fronts.”Developing advanced new space technologies is never easy and the Aeolus mission has certainly faced its share of challenges. For instance, the optics have to survive exposure to high-intensity laser pulses for at least three years in the unforgiving environment of space. Developing optics that could withstand these extremes took much longer than anticipated. Aladin revealed.Aladin revealedNevertheless, recent tests have shown that such technical problems have been resolved. Frederic Fabre, Project Manager for Aladin at Airbus Defence and Space, said, “This is very good news for the meteorologists and scientists who have been waiting some time for Aladin data to improve weather forecasting.” “The completion of the instrument is a result of the day-to day-involvement of the whole Aladin team including ESA, Airbus Defence & Space and several subcontractors throughout Europe.”Denny Wernham, ESA’s Aladin Instrument Manager, remarked, “The very successful results on Aladin are testimony to the dedication, determination and expertise of the team in Toulouse, who have overcome many technical hurdles to deliver the instrument to their UK colleagues. It is a really tremendous achievement and we would like to congratulate them for all their efforts.”
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Pictures by ESA/ATG medialab.
Today, at a session of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) in Geneva, the Netherlands and several like-minded partners pressed for a breakthrough in the political process and the efforts to deliver direct aid to civilians in the city of Aleppo.
More specifically, the Netherlands argued in favour of – at the very least – a temporary ceasefire, direct humanitarian aid and for the conditions to be met that will allow food drops over the besieged city. The Netherlands also took the position that as a neutral party, the UN should be given a leading role in providing humanitarian aid.
Negotiations seem to be deadlocked, and much of Syria remains in the grip of violence. There is great frustration in the international community due to the parties’ failure to agree on a ceasefire in the country by 1 August. Thus far, the ISSG has not been able to force a breakthrough in the talks between the belligerents, foreign minister Bert Koenders observed. ‘This is irresponsible,’ said the minister. ‘It’s time for the ISSG and its co-chairs, the US and Russia, to shoulder their responsibility in preventing a humanitarian disaster in Aleppo.’
The Netherlands also urged the EU, which issued a statement yesterday at the initiative of the Netherlands, to adopt a more critical stance. The UN itself is in talks with representatives of the Assad regime. This task falls to Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura, who has been engaged on this front for some time. Up to this point, however, there has been insufficient progress.
Food drops
The Netherlands is also working with the ISSG and humanitarian partners to reach Syrians in besieged areas. The Netherlands supports the UN World Food Programme (WFP) with a contribution of €3.3 million for food drops. Thanks in part to this support, the organisation has already been able to carry out 82 such drops in Deir ez-Zor, which is under siege by ISIS.
‘Dutch support for the WFP food drop programme is vital,’ Mr Koenders remarked. ‘Syrians need access to food – that’s obviously essential. The way the aid is delivered must be effective and safe. With that in mind the Netherlands and its partners have urged Russia to push for complete and unconditional humanitarian access to Aleppo and other parts of Syria.’
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen added, ‘As difficult as it has been for them, the people of Deir ez-Zor have been able to survive thanks to these food drops. But this isn’t the only place where this type of emergency aid is needed.’
As Mr Koenders stressed, all parties concerned need to make humanitarian aid possible. ‘We have to focus on getting aid to Aleppo,’ he said. ‘Not on the forced relocation of people, which seems to be Russia’s aim. That’s a totally backwards approach.’ The minister’s remarks refer to the present ‘humanitarian corridors’, which are supposed to allow civilians to leave the city. The UN is not involved in these corridors. Considerable doubt exists about the safety of the corridors, and few people are using them.
The Netherlands would also like to see an investigation of the suspected poison gas attack in the neighbouring Syrian city of Al-Saraqeb earlier this week. ‘A poison gas attack would be a serious violation of international humanitarian law,’ said Mr Koenders.
In 2015 the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that created a Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) to look into the possible use of chemical weapons, including chlorine gas, in Syria. The Netherlands has proposed assigning investigation of this most recent attack to the JIM as well, in the hope that the perpetrators can be identified. The Netherlands has contributed €250,000 to the body’s valuable work.
Picture by Henry Arvidsson.
Pictured the Dutch Royal couple.At the invitation of the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Personal Representative of HM The Queen of Australia, HE The Hon General Sir Peter Cosgrove, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands shall pay a state visit to Australia. The visit will take place from 31 October to 4 November 2016.Subsequently at the invitation of the Governor-General of the Realm of New Zealand, Personal Representative of HM The Queen of New Zealand, HE The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, they will then pay a state visit to New Zealand from 7 to 9 November 2016. The visits will focus on the Netherlands’ historical and wide-ranging bilateral ties with Australia and New Zealand.Dutch Foreign Minister HE Bert Kunders. Pictured by Henry Arvidsson.The King and Queen will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Bert Koenders. A broad economic mission will take place at the same time, headed in Australia by Minister for Foreign Trade Lilianne Ploumen and in New Zealand by Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp.For further information:Embassy of Australia to the Netherlands: http://netherlands.embassy.gov.auEmbassy of New Zealand to the Netherlands: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/netherlands/new-zealand-embassy/Picture by hortialliance.com
This year, for the 9th time, the Dutch MA Thesis Prize “Visions on Peace” will be awarded to a Master student who wrote a thesis of exceptional quality in the field of peace and security issues.
The thesis prize is an initiative of the Dutch Foundation for Peace Studies (Stichting Vredeswetenschappen, SVW), a foundation that wants to stimulate scientific knowledge and expertise in the field of peace and conflict. As of 2013 SVW cooperates with UPEACE Centre The Hague, the European centre of the UN mandated University for Peace, based in Costa Rica.
Deadline for application is 30 September 2016, 5 PM Dutch time. The application procedure can be found at www.visionsonpeace.nl.
Eligible for the prize are Master students who:
Wrote a thesis related to peace and security issues.
Attended a Master’s study at a Dutch university or at another institution of higher education in The Netherlands.
Completed their thesis between 1 July 2015 and 1 September 2016. The thesis must be graded with a minimum of 8 and should be written in correct English or Dutch.
Send the application form and the other required documents to info@visionsonpeace.nl before 30 September 2016, 5 PM Dutch time.
Did not participate before in the “Visions on Peace” thesis competition.
Pictured TRH Prince Emmanuel, The Duchess of Brabant, Prince Gabriel of Belgium and TM The Queen and King of the Belgians.Thursday, 21 July 2016, Brussels: His Majesty The King of the Belgians accompanied by HM Queen Mathilde of the Belgians and her children, reviewed as annually carried out by the monarch, a joint parade of the Armed Forces, police and emergency services. The parade took place according to tradition facing the Royal Palace of Brussels, including a flypast by the Air Force. HRH Prince Laurent of Belgium was the only other member of the Royal House present this year at the parade.For additional pictures, please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157671040083230 Belgian FM Didier Reynders, Senate Chair Christine Defraigne and Speaker at the Chamber of Deputies, Siegfried Bracke.Belgium’s National Day is particularly linked to its Royal House as the latter fêtes the swearing-in of the constitution by King Leopold I (Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke in Saxony) on 21 July 1831 at the Place Royale, Brussels. Thereby beginning the line of Saxe-Coburg monarchs reigning in Belgium ever since. French Ambassador Claude-France Arnould.After the military parade, heads of missions accredited to Belgium, the EU and NATO as well as prominent Belgians hailing from different walks of society were invited to a reception at Egmont Palace co-hosted by the country’s Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs, Didier Reynders, the President of the Senate, Christine Defraigne and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Siegfried Bracke. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Cooperation, Digital Agenda, Telecom and Postal Services, Alexander De Croo, also attended the elegant reception. Israel’s Ambassador Simona Frankel (Belgium and Luxembourg).For further information:The Belgian Monarchy: https://www.monarchie.be/frDidier Reynders: http://www.didierreynders.be
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All pictures copywright to Jean-Pol Schrauwen, official photographer of Belgian Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs (https://www.flickr.com/photos/59502713@N02/)
By Martin Wyss.The number of migrants opting for voluntary departure from the Netherlands to their countries of origin with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is growing. Under the IOM Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme from the Netherlands, 538 migrants were assisted in the month of June, compared to 429 migrants assisted in May. In the first half of the year, over 2,500 migrants departed under the same programme, or a 100 percent increase compared to the first six months of 2015, when 1,288 departed voluntarily from the Netherlands with IOM assistance. The main countries of origin for the period January-June 2016 were Afghanistan, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Mongolia, Serbia and Ukraine. Voluntary return is a core activity of IOM in the Netherlands. Through the Assisted voluntary Return Programme (AVRR), IOM offers vital assistance to migrants who decide to leave voluntarily from the Netherlands to return to their country of origin. To be able to provide the needed assistance to migrants before, during and after their journey, IOM Netherlands works closely with partners in the Netherlands and with the worldwide network of IOM offices in over 100 countries. Globally, in 2015 IOM assisted close to 70,000 migrants worldwide under the IOM Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programmes. This was the largest number of voluntary returns registered in the past decades. The current migration trends seem to indicate that returns could increase in the years to come – not only in the number of migrants in need of assistance, but also in the complexity of the process. IOM emphasizes the importance of voluntary return policies that must guarantee the dignity and well-being of migrants, as well as offer practical reintegration support to returning migrants.About IOMThe International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the global lead agency on migration and works closely with governments, NGOs and intergovernmental partners. With 165 member states and more than 9,000 staff members IOM is dedicated to promoting human and orderly migration for the benefit of all.IOM NL AVRR statistics and information http://www.iom-nederland.nl/nl/vrijwillig-vertrek/cijfers-vrijwillige-terugkeer.IOM Global AVRR statistics and information http://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/our_work/DMM/AVRR/AVRR_2015_Key_Highlights.pdfAbout the author: Martin Wyss is IOM International Organization for Migration’s Chief of Mission in the Netherlands.For more information: contact Martin Wyss at mwyss@iom.int
Top British talent Nicholas Collon becomes principal conductor of The Hague Philharmonic (Residentie) OrchestraNicholas Collon will make his official debut as principal conductor of The Hague Philharmonic (Residentie) orchestra in October. At just 33, this British innovator will be the youngest principal conductor in The Netherlands.
Nicholas Collon has created an international frenzy with the Aurora Orchestra, which he founded in 2005 and of which he is the principal conductor. Creativity, the highest of quality, a wide-ranging artistic scope and an innovative approach to his audiences are among his key characteristics.
The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra is therefore proud to have been able to secure the services of this young and energetic innovator, winner of the Critics’ Circle Award for Exceptional Talent in 2012, as its principal conductor. Collon succeeds in meshing modern repertoire with masterpieces from the classical and romantic traditions in a way that few others can. As well as conducting standard concerts, he will also be getting involved in some special projects run by The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra, such as Symphonic Junction in Paard van Troje.
Nicholas Collon, by Maarten Fleskens.Sven Arne Tepl, artistic director of The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra, says “Nicholas is one of the highest profile young conductors of the day. Of course, this has a lot to do with his enormous versatility and depth as far as repertoire and style are concerned, but it’s mostly also about his immediate way of making music. The intense connection he forges with the musicians at his concerts can be sensed in the farthest corners of the auditorium, so our audiences will also feel intimately involved.”
Collon makes his official debut as principal conductor in October – on Tuesday 25 October in the Concertgebouw and on Friday 28 October in the Zuiderstrandtheater. He has picked his own programmes for these concerts. In Amsterdam, he will conduct The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Overture Romeo and Juliet, Ravel’s G major Piano Concerto (with soloist Hannes Minnaar) and a selection from Prokofiev’s Suite Romeo and Juliet. In The Hague, he will conduct Walton’s Cello Concerto (with top cellist Alisa Weilerstein), Brahms’s Symphony no. 3 and Berlioz’s Scène d’amour from Roméo et Juliette.
For information:Residentie Orkest, Nicholas Collon
Just weeks before leaving The Hague on July 7th, she signed an agreement on the enforcement of sentences between the Kingdom of Norway and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Under the agreement, persons convicted by the ICC may serve their sentences of imprisonment in Norway if so decided by the Court and accepted by Norway.
H.E. Ms Anniken Ramberg Krutnes presented her credentials to the Director-General of the OPCW on 10 October, 2011. There she played an important role in the UN/OPCW-led maritime operation to transport chemical weapons out of Syria.
Dutch civil servants, business people, representatives from the Indian diaspora, yoga lovers and novices alike all got at the same rhythm into the yoga mat to breath, and stretch under the direction of Mr. Amit Khanna, the Yoga Teacher at the Gandhi Centre.
Yoga, a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin in India, aims to transform body and mind. The word ‘yoga’ which derives from Sanskrit means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
Ambassador Mukul addressed the gathering on the significance of Yoga Day for India and the value of practising yoga for health and wellbeing.
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, spoke by video conference to every nation in the world celebrating Yoga Day on 18 June. Deputy Mayor Rabin Baldewsingh was also present and gave encouraging words to the hundreds of attendees before the session began.
Food drops
The Netherlands is also working with the ISSG and humanitarian partners to reach Syrians in besieged areas. The Netherlands supports the UN World Food Programme (WFP) with a contribution of €3.3 million for food drops. Thanks in part to this support, the organisation has already been able to carry out 82 such drops in Deir ez-Zor, which is under siege by ISIS.
‘Dutch support for the WFP food drop programme is vital,’ Mr Koenders remarked. ‘Syrians need access to food – that’s obviously essential. The way the aid is delivered must be effective and safe. With that in mind the Netherlands and its partners have urged Russia to push for complete and unconditional humanitarian access to Aleppo and other parts of Syria.’
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen added, ‘As difficult as it has been for them, the people of Deir ez-Zor have been able to survive thanks to these food drops. But this isn’t the only place where this type of emergency aid is needed.’
As Mr Koenders stressed, all parties concerned need to make humanitarian aid possible. ‘We have to focus on getting aid to Aleppo,’ he said. ‘Not on the forced relocation of people, which seems to be Russia’s aim. That’s a totally backwards approach.’ The minister’s remarks refer to the present ‘humanitarian corridors’, which are supposed to allow civilians to leave the city. The UN is not involved in these corridors. Considerable doubt exists about the safety of the corridors, and few people are using them.
The Netherlands would also like to see an investigation of the suspected poison gas attack in the neighbouring Syrian city of Al-Saraqeb earlier this week. ‘A poison gas attack would be a serious violation of international humanitarian law,’ said Mr Koenders.
In 2015 the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that created a Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) to look into the possible use of chemical weapons, including chlorine gas, in Syria. The Netherlands has proposed assigning investigation of this most recent attack to the JIM as well, in the hope that the perpetrators can be identified. The Netherlands has contributed €250,000 to the body’s valuable work.
Picture by Henry Arvidsson. 
Deadline for application is 30 September 2016, 5 PM Dutch time. The application procedure can be found at www.visionsonpeace.nl.
Eligible for the prize are Master students who:
