By H.E. Mr Mikalai Barysevich, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Throughout the centuries-old history the Belarusian nation has created rich and authentic heritage, both material and cultural. A lot of events have shaped the country’s history: the 9th century gives the first recorded accounts of the Polotsk Duchy that remained the dominating force in the region until the 13th century.
From 13th to 16th century Belarus was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, a powerful state that spanned the territory from the Baltics to the Black Sea. Many historians regard this period as the Golden Age of Belarusian culture. Activity of enlightener Francysk Skaryna, writer and translator who was the second in the Slavic world to print the Bible, dates back to this very time.
In 1569 the Grand Duchy and the Kingdom of Poland signed the Union which signified the start of a new chapter in Belarusian history and lasted for more than two hundred years.
As a result of the division of Poland-Lithuania in the late 18th century between the mighty neighbours Belarus became part of the Russian Empire and later one of the Republics of the Soviet Union.
During both World Wars the Belarusian territory was the scene of bloody battles and the nation suffered the great losses of human lives. In 1941-1944 Belarus became the stronghold of the fiercest resistance movement to the Nazi occupational regime in Europe. One in three Belarusians was either killed or wounded during the World War II.
It was one of the reasons why Belarus in 1945 became a founding member of the United Nations.
In December 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union Belarus became independent.
Since then the Republic of Belarus has steadily taken its place on the political world map being actively involved in the most important international events.
Having advantageous geographical location as well as developed transport infrastructure and open economy Belarus aims to be the bridge between the European Union and Eurasian Economic Union (or in other words between East and West).
With the favorable legislation and beneficial conditions the Government of Belarus promotes the foreign companies to reside in Belarus and start doing business as well as to set production facilities. Today almost all major Dutch companies are present in Belarus including Heineken, Philips, Uniliever, DAF and others.
Belarus’ economic development is proved by the different international rakings.
Belarus jumped to the 44th standing from No. 57 among 189 countries in the World Bank’s Doing Business-2016. The position of Belarus is one of the strongest among CIS countries. In the sub-ranking of the above report, Belarus took the 7th place by “Registering Property” index, the 12th place by “Starting a Business” index and the 25th place by “International Trade” index.
Belarus holds 53rd position in the ranking of countries according to the Global Innovation Index 2015.
In the rating of countries by Human development index (HDI) published by the UN in 2015 Belarus occupied the well-deserved 50th place (among 188) and became the renowned leader among all the CIS countries.
In the IT-sector Belarus has already become one of the recognized leaders. At present 144 companies are registered as its residents in the High-Tech Park which was established in 2006 in Minsk where they could work without paying any corporate taxes. Half of the Belarus High-Tech Park resident-companies are foreign companies and joint ventures. Among the residents of the Park are a dozen of Dutch IT-companies.
According to the WTO Rating Belarus is one of the world leaders in the export of computer and IT-services per capita. Three of our companies are in the Top-100 of IT-outsourcing sphere. The resident companies of the High-Tech Park are successful on European and North American IT-markets. Today they have customers in more than 55 countries around the globe. Nowadays world leading corporations, such as Peugeot, Mitsubishi, British Petroleum, Gazprom, Reuters, British Telecom, London Stock Exchange, World Bank, Coca-Cola, etc. are among major consumers of Belarusian software developed in the Belarus Hi-Tech Park.
It might be interesting to know that the Viber mobile messenger application and the World of Tanks computer game enjoyed nowadays by hundred of million users worldwide are developed in Belarus.
Belarus has the aim to be among Top-30 countries according to the World Bank’s Doing Business Report. No doubt that this happens in a short perspective.
Embassy of the Republic of Belarus http://www.netherlands.mfa.gov.by/Photography by the Embassy of Belarus in the Hague.
By H. E. Fawaz Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Last month, I was delighted and honoured to present to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander my credentials as the new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Netherlands, and to formally take up my role in developing the ties between our two countries. During my visit to The Hague, I was touched by the generosity of the welcome I received and by the enduring warmth and hospitality of the Dutch people.
During my friendly discussions with His Majesty and government officials, I was struck by just how much our two countries have in common, and how we can build on these shared values and circumstances to develop and expand our bilateral friendship.
To give just a few examples: both Bahrain and the Netherlands are steeped in history and culture and yet we share an outlook that is profoundly modern. We have dynamic, forward-looking economies that not only create skilled, high-technology jobs, but also serve as gateways to our regions and attractive destinations for foreign investment. Furthermore, both our countries play an active and constructive role on the world stage, strongly advocating the universal principles on which our security depends.
These common foundations have given rise to a long history of friendly cooperation between all levels of our societies. Today, we are proud to have some 350 Dutch expatriates in Bahrain, with Dutch companies playing leading roles in fields as diverse as logistics, engineering, and professional services.
As for the future, I am in no doubt that the Kingdoms of Bahrain and the Netherlands will develop an ever-stronger partnership, one which harnesses our unique strengths and resources to bring genuine benefits to both sides. For example, I am convinced that there is enormous potential to expand our trade and investment cooperation in areas such as petrochemicals, banking and finance – with a particular focus on Bahrain’s expertise as a hub for Islamic finance.
But I want our relationship to go way beyond just commercial transactions. I believe there is so much we can do to deepen the understanding between our peoples, and to strengthen a genuine sense of friendship and mutual respect. Through cultural, artistic, sporting and social contacts and exchanges, we can learn more of each other’s rich and unique history, and forge the close and enduring personal ties that are the bedrock of effective and durable relationships.
During my time as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain, I will work tirelessly to bring about this vision, in the confidence that strengthening our deep-rooted friendship with the Netherlands can be beneficial to both countries and their peoples. As a first step, I would hope that many of Diplomat magazine’s readers will have the opportunity to visit Bahrain, and to witness first-hand the tremendous potential that undoubtedly exists. We would be delighted to welcome you.
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain: http://www.bahrainembassy.co.uk/Photography by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
By H.E. Ms. Ilze Rūse, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
“When I think of the Latvian presidency in the EU Council concluded on 1 July 2015, it was characterized as ‘vibrant’. This is an adjective that I would like to use, when presenting my country as a newly arrived ambassador in the Netherlands.”
Located in the north of Europe, Latvia with its two million inhabitants represents one of the fastest growing economies in the EU and a frontrunner of the internet speed in the world. It has a fascinating history of coexisting with Germanic, Scandinavian, Slavic influences and offers a rich cultural heritage. Just to mention that the conductors Mariss Jansons and Andris Nelsons, the soprano Elina Garanca, the violinist Gidon Kremerand the painter Mark Rotko are all born in Latvia.
Situated in the crossroads of trade routes, Latvia with its Indo-European origin has always had a unique geostrategic position. Dating back approximately 800 years, the relations between Latvia and the Netherlands are like “a stately oak tree.” Their historical ties have enjoyed prosperous periods of growth during the collaboration under the Hanseatic League and cities. For instance, trade in grain and timber with the Baltic sea region during late 16th century substantially facilitated the rise of Amsterdam as the “leading seaport”. During the 17th century more than 123 ships were built in the shipyards by Dutch craftsmen who settled in Ventspils, a coastal-town at the Western part of Latvia. Yet, official diplomatic ties between the countries sum up in just 96 years, as a result de facto independence interruption of the statehood from 1940 until 1991.
Despite its arduous past, today Latvia presents itself as a resilient country with prudent governance and a resolute European and Transatlantic commitment since its membership in the EU and NATO in 2004. During its EU presidency Latvia raised awareness in the EU on new security challenges, including hybrid threats, and possible EU responses, including through use of strategic communication. One of the largest presidency events – the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga on May 22, 2015, strengthened EU’s cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries.
In 2016, only 25 years after regaining its independence, Latvia has plausible prospects to obtain a full membership status in the OECD of the 34 most developed countries in the world. As an outcome of farsighted structural reforms and strict post-recession austerity measures that were caused by the severe financial crisis in 2008-2010, currently, Latvia has managed to reanimate its economic growth to 2.7% in 2015 expecting an increase to 3.1% during 2016. Furthermore, its budget deficit for 2015 was estimated at 1.3% of GDP, whereas, 2016 projections expect a decline to 1.0%.
The export-oriented strategy has been gradually stabilizing the external balance of trade with a current-account deficit expected to remain at 2% of GDP in 2016. For the first time since the recent economic slump, the unemployment rate dropped below 10% in 2015 continuing to slowly decline. Currently, the lowering of interest rates in Latvia supports a revival of consumer demand meanwhile increasing retail loans. Hence, Latvia managed to pay off its 2008 IMF bailout loan, joined the Eurozone in 2014, and has successfully repaid “75%” of the EU financial loan to date.
Riga, the capital city of Latvia, attracted international media attention by hosting the NATO Summit in 2006, whereas, its title of European Capital of Culture in 2014 brought a myriad of international guests. Many tourists visit Riga because of its picturesque Art Nouveau architecture and pristine sandy beaches stretching alongside the 498km long Baltic Sea coast. For many guests water temperatures are too low and they prefer to take the offer of nature tourism, as 52% of the country is covered with forests.
Come and visit the 2015 World Economic Forum’s 3rd greenest country in the world by choosing one of the two daily flights leaving from Amsterdam!
Embassy of Latvia in The Hague: http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/netherlandsPhotography by the Embassy of Latvia.
By H.E. Ms. Andrea Gustović-Ercegovac, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
Croatia is a Central European and Mediterranean country, member of the EU and just a 2 hour flight from Netherlands. It’s thousand islands form one of the richest archipelagos in the Mediterranean. Croatia is an ideal relaxation spot, whether you enjoy sailing off on the crystal blue water or trying out the excellent oenological and gastronomic offer with your family and friends.
Netherlands and Croatia have more than a few things in common: they are both coastal countries, opened to the world, with a long maritime tradition, passion for cheese, talent for football, good fish and brave and dedicated people.
Last year 14 million tourists visited Croatia and 78.5 mil. overnight stays were created. Excellent road infrastructure is great advantage, creating Croatia one of the closest Mediterranean destinations for European tourists.
What many modern tourists appreciate the most is the preserved nature, the sound of silence pierced only with the murmuring sound of summertime crickets. Due to its location but also care for natural heritage Croatia has a crystal-clean sea. Over 90 percent of Croatian beaches have been rated as excellent in high quality. On a relatively small space it has 8 national parks and 11 nature parks. Four national parks are situated in the costal and four in the mountainous region: Brijuni, Kornati, Mljet, River Krka, Plitvice Lakes, Risnjak, Paklenica and Northern Velebit.
Plitvice Lakes are the most popular continental locations, the national park is situated between mountains and its untouched beauty creates a mythical atmosphere. The beauty of the Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. The value of natural and cultural beauty of Croatia is also recognized by UNESCO in 1979 when the Old Town of Dubrovnik and Plitvice Lakes were included on the list of world heritage sites.
However the sunny coast is not the only thing worth seeing. Just to mention that the capital Zagreb won Best European Christmas Market title in 2015 and travelers from all over the world voted city of Zadar as the best European destination for 2016.
Curious Dutch tourist can find many historical sites, very well preserved, because for centuries Croatia was on the crossroads of many important historical events. With nine of its cultural phenomena, Croatia is the country with the most protected non-material heritage in Europe listed on the UNESCO list. UNESCO protected sites attract many tourists: Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian, Old City of Dubrovnik, Plitvice Lakes, Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, Historic City of Trogir, the Cathedral of St James in Šibenik and the Stari Grad Plain on the island of Hvar. It is also a country of many interesting castles. Many of them are built after the Ottoman wars and most of them are situated in the area of Croatian Zagorje and date from the Baroque period.
At the end I will conclude with the Croatian cuisine, which is diverse and well known as a cuisine of different regions, continental and costal. Meat products, freshwater fish and vegetables dominate in continental regions. Coastal regions feature seafood specialties, olive oil, prosciutto and cheese. Dalmatian vines, such as Babić, Malvasia, Prošek and Vrbnik Žlahtina are well known and can be bought in the Netherlands.
I strongly recommend the readers to visit Croatia. Above spending holidays in a pleasurable and warm atmosphere it also might help us to appreciate that the similarities bring us closer while diversity is what makes the world beautiful.
Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in The Hague http://nl.mvep.hr/nl/Photography by Embassy of the Republic of Croatia The Hague.
By H.E. Ittiporn Boonpracong, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
This year marks the 412nd year of Dutch-Thai relations. I am delighted to share with you some aspects of what we have achieved over the past four centuries:
The relations between the Netherlands and Thailand could be traced back to the beginning of the 17th Century when the first Dutchman made his appearance in Siam. During that time, Siamese capital, the City of Ayutthaya, was one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and centre of global diplomacy and commerce.[1] It attracted many trading partners from China, Persia and Europe. Our civilisation was depicted in an oil painting called the View of Judea (Ayutthaya), the Capital of Siam, on displayed at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.[2]
A Dutch company called VOC (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) came to Thailand to trade around 1603. One year later, diplomatic relations were officially established after Frederick Henry of Orange sent an ambassador to negotiate trading partnership with Siam in 1604. As a consequence, the VOC was granted a royal permission to have its first shipyard in Ayutthaya and later became an influential entity in commercial and socio-political aspects of Siam.
A remaining trace of Dutch community in Ayutthaya is a large shipyard and cargo establishment on the mouth of Chao Phraya River, known amongst Dutch people as the ‘New Amsterdam’. Siamese people called it ‘Baan Vilanda’ or ‘Baan Holanda’, which means Dutch village in Thai language. Baan Vilanda was recently renovated into the Information Centre on the History of Dutch-Thai Relations, following a donation by Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix during Her State visit to Thailand, as the Queen of the Netherlands, for the celebration of 400th anniversary of Dutch-Thai relations in 2004. The Centre has good collections of Dutch-Thai historical items, e.g. the VOC meticulous archives, and is a hidden gem that has yet been known amongst many tourists. You may plan your visit there by visiting http://www.baanhollanda.org/en/.
Solid is a word I would use to describe the Dutch-Thai relations. Even during the most sensitive time when colonialism was perceived as the biggest threat in the region, our Royal Courts still maintained trust and provided helps for each other. During that difficult time for Siam, King Rama V decided to steer the country towards knowledge enlightenment in order to maintain Siam’s partnerships with foreign countries and to avoid being colonised. The attempt was successful and it resulted in a leap of the country’s infrastructure development especially in setting up the very first water management system in Bangkok with the help of water experts from the Dutch side.
In present days, close ties between the Netherlands and Thailand at every level are ever growing. The Thai Royal Archives provide records of communications which show that the two Royal Courts have been exchanging gifts and visits since the 19th Century. And even though Thailand went through a change from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in 1931, which keeps the Thai Royal Family away from politics, the current Royal Families maintain close ties between each other. The exchanges of royal visits have strengthen the bond between the two countries.
On Government to Government relations, the Netherlands and Thailand have entered into more and more meaningful and tangible cooperation. This year, in particular, as the Netherlands being the President of the European Union and Thailand being the ASEAN-EU coordinator, we are working together even closer for the mutual benefits of not only our countries but also our regions.
In terms of people to people connection, Thailand has been the destination of about 200,000 Dutch tourists on an annual basis and definitely we would be more than happy to welcome more of them. We have just launched multiple-entry tourist visa this year. Furthermore, tourists who are 50 year-old and over may enjoy the benefit of extended stays in Thailand. You may visit http://www.thaiembassy.org/hague/th/services or contact visumthai@gmail.com for more information about eligibilities and required documents.
To sum up, I must say that throughout this time, the Netherlands and Thailand have been walking together on a long and steady road. I am very content to see our relations flourish. It is a proof that we are on the right track. Importantly, I am confident that together we will be able to identify better and innovative ways to develop even more meaningful relations between our countries and peoples in the future.
[1] UNESCO: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/576 accessed 25/2/2016
[2] Rijksmuseum: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-A-4477 accessed 25/2/2016
Royal Thai Embassy http://www.baanhollanda.org/en/Photography by IISD RS coverage of the Twenty-seventh Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC27/GMEF), 18-22 February 2013, UNEP headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya.
Key to Stop Refugee Flows: Unique higher education programme for Conflict zone.By Prof. Djawed Sangdel.
The EU Refugee crisis can not be effectively tackled without addressing the root problems. Why the unique higher education program for development in conflict zones with or without internet connectivity is the key to stop refugee flow? Is this the cheapest, most effective and most durable way to eventually reverse the trend by stabilizing the sending countries for a longer run?
Key benefits:
Accessible in all geographic areas – including conflict zones
Accessible to all communities and groups (regardless of gender or economic status)
No cost to students
High quality, needs-based content
Flexible learning access – TV, online platform and offline CD package
Quality controlled assessment
Designed and led by international experts in higher education
Programme delivered in 3 languages: English, Dari and Pashto
A model for accessible, needs-based higher education globally
Dunya University of Afghanistan (DUA), in association with Swiss UMEF University of Geneva, has developed a new, critically-needed education programme for delivery to the population of Afghanistan. Drawing on the expertise and extensive experience of leaders from Afghanistan’s higher education sector and faculty from around the world, this initiative provides access to high quality higher education specifically designed to respond to the needs of the Afghan population, whose country continues to suffer the impact of decades of war.
One of the major problems in Afghanistan for over 40 years now has been the lack of access to education across all sectors of society. We have therefore developed a new method of teaching open to all – at no cost to the student.
The key innovation of this integrated, progressive programme is its flexible access using three methods of delivery: teaching by television, an online learning platform and offline learning (with CD course and textbook package). This means that the programme is accessible to all communities, including those in conflict zones, as well as to different learner groups, economically, geographically and culturally.
The initiative’s rationale is anchored in the critical need to develop an educated and confident population in Afghanistan, and in doing so, nurture future leaders with an ethical focus on the interests of the country and region – and the world. By providing high quality education opportunities to diverse groups in all sections of the population, this programme promotes and supports future economic prosperity, stronger social cohesion and therefore greater security in Afghanistan.
Students are offered undergraduate and graduate modules in relevant subjects including management and business, finance and economics, innovation, leadership and diplomacy. All courses are designed and led by expert international faculty, with syllabi specifically adapted to the social and economic needs of Afghanistan, such as leadership courses for women and courses designed to foster and support entrepreneurial activity. The courses are available in English, Dari and Pashto.
Delivery of the learning programme via three channels gives students optimum flexibility and accessibility: DUA’s online platform serves those students in areas with connectivity, while the offline CD and textbook packs means students with no internet access can also follow the programmes. DUA’s own television channel is dedicated solely to educational broadcasting and allows communities in even remote or conflict-affected zones to access the education programmes.
Quality-controlled assessment will take place through interim exam centres set up in regional locations according to local enrolment numbers. This sets the programme apart from education delivered purely online, by maintaining rigorous, university assessment standards.
Due to the ongoing shortage of higher education provision, more than 150,000 people annually remain unable to obtain a university place in Afghanistan. Our programme offers this sector of the population the opportunity to gain an education to support both their future and the future development of their country. It also provides young people who would otherwise leave Afghanistan with an incentive to stay in their country, and achieve success as students, citizens and potential future leaders.
A quarter of refugees worldwide are from Afghanistan. Afghans make up the second largest refugee population in Europe, with at least 64,000 applications for asylum so far this year. The Afghan population needs the opportunity, incentive and motivation of accessible, quality education in order to build confidence within the country and region.
Our initiative is supported by DUA’s existing reputation in Afghanistan as leading education provider and trusted brand. We are very proud of this unique programme, which has been developed by academic experts of over 20 nationalities during a period of over five years. The faculty and researchers involved in development of the project have significant experience in education in conflict and/or post-conflict zones, and all bring their commitment to development of accessible education to support leadership for peace and security.
Following successful delivery of this programme in Afghanistan, our aim is to make this programme available as an effective model for other conflict and post-conflict countries in world.
Photography by UMEF University.Prof. Djawed Sangdel, professor of Entrepreneurship, is the Swiss UMEF University Rector, based in Geneva, Switzerland. He authors numerous publications, applied research findings, programs and projects on three continents.
Why are nine of the top ten polo players in the world (with a handicap of 10), and 19 of the top 20 (with a handicap of 9), all from Argentina?
“We start young, we play all year around, our horses are well-trained and… we are obsessed with the game,” explains Ruben Jabib, owner of Argentina Polo Day, one of the leading polo companies in Argentina.
The international handicap system is based on a scale that starts at -2 for novices, rising to 10 for the very best players. In Argentina the handicap system starts at 0, so a regular player there is a very good one outside their country.
Argentina Polo Day.
In any professional polo game in Europe, one can easily identify Argentinean polo players; they are sometimes called hired assassins as they score so often.
Argentinean polo teams come once a year to Wassenaar and Friesland in the Netherlands among many other cities in Europe to play a season against local teams. The near-untouchable Argentineans are widely regarded as the best in the world.
The professional polo season in Argentina runs from September to December, but the game is played at a lower level throughout the year.
Equestrian culture is deeply embedded in the country. Just few kilometers from downtown Buenos Aires one can find the vast fertile, lowland plains – Pampas – where countless world-class horses are bred. They are admired and purchased by enthusiasts from around the world, be it Mexico or the United Arab Emirates.
While polo is often considered an elitist sport in Europe, in Argentina it is popular game enjoyed by many. Farmers often have their own playing pitches where they organize family matches, and major league matches are televised, often attracting crowns of over 40,000.
There are more than 13,000 active polo players nationwide –more than any other country in the world. Unlike in many other nations, polo businesses often come in the form of small, family-run companies, making the sport a proud family heritage. These family companies are involved in every aspect of the game, from breeding the horses to manufacturing the polo sticks.
Many companies are increasingly using new technologies such as embryonic transplantation and cloning, but the time-tested tradition of breeding and training a polo horse is still deeply rooted in the Argentinean culture.
Professionals and amateurs from around the world travel to Argentina Polo Day for training, to take intensive classes, to play professional tournaments and to buy horses. Luxury accommodation and the best instructors can be combined with participation in Argentina’s top high handicap tournaments: The Triple Crown, Tortugas Country Club, Hurlingham Polo Club and Palermo Polo Open.
Even those unfamiliar with horse-riding can enjoy Argentina Polo Day, in Capilla del Señor (Chapel of the Lord), an historical city located 82 kilometres in the northern part of Buenos Aires Province, to spend some time learning about the game’s history; getting to grips with its rules and basic techniques; watching professional games; enjoying the finest empanadas, asados and wine; taking classes; participating in mini tournaments; and relaxing in the pool before heading back to downtown Buenos Aires at the end of the day.
Argentina Polo Day became a very attractive option for those seeking to discover the secrets of one of the most exclusive sports in the world.
For additional pictures, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157665097997715Photography by Ashley Neuhof. Cortesy of Argentina Polo Day- All rights reserved.
On the picture Mr. Joost Reintjes, Head of the Western Hemisphere Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.By Roy Lie A Tjam
The arrival of the Latin America table at the Litteraire Societeit De Witte has been a highly anticipated. On Friday 28th February, Mr. Joost Reintjes, Head of the Western Hemisphere Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered his inaugural speech. The musical Intermezzo played by pianist Joris van Goudoever, contributed to a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere at de Groenezaal of Soc De Witte.
Ms Sonia Meijer, Chair of the Latin American Table, warmly welcomed the guests and thanked them for coming to this very special occasion. Among the fifty attendees were Ambassadors from across Latin-America, spanning from Mexico to Brazil and Peru.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures on the event, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157663105842783Mr. Joost Reintjes and Ms Sonia Meijer.
In his address, Mr. Joost Reintjes, a former Dutch diplomat highlighted how he was asked to speak about the relationship between Latin-America and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. His response: “I will gladly do so, but on one condition, that I may approach the subject through the prism of a passion, the Dutch and the Latino’s share, football.”
Mr. Joost Reintjes noted how his first encounters with Latin-America were colored by football and football-players. In 1974, the Netherlands played Uruguay, an impressive team that included the fearless Pablo Forlán. “We then played Argentina with the young Mario Kempes and later Brazil with the emerging star Revelino”.
In 1998 Reintjes worked in Venezuela, the year Argentina played The Netherlands in the World Cup. The whole of Venezuela was cheering for the Netherlands; he was touched and surprised by the display of solidarity. However the tables turned when the Netherlands played against Brazil, all of a sudden everyone in Venezuela decided to support Brazil. Football: full of surprises.
H.E. Ms. Aida Luz Santos de Escobar, Ambassador of El Salvador and H. E. Fermín Gabriel Quiñones Sánchez, Ambassador of Cuba.
Reintjes used to think only the Dutch were crazy about football, but it turned out the Dutch are far from alone in that respect. This ‘locura’ about football was one of the first similarities he encountered between the two countries, reflecting their broader level of understanding and like-mindedness.
The relations between the two entities are excellent and always improving, highlighted through the support Latin America has shown the Netherlands in their search for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council. It must be noted how three of the four autonomous countries of the Kingdom are located in the Caribbean. Thanks to this Caribbean dimension, the Netherlands actually are not that bad at baseball either, but that is a topic for another day.
The Ambassador of Mexico, H. E. Eduardo Ibarrola, H. E. Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godinez, Ambassador of Costa Rica and the Ambassador of Chile, H. E. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi.
Reintje stated how the Netherlands and CELAC share a solid basis of political understanding with the democracy in both regions being firmly rooted. Both countries share a strong commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights. They both believe in effective, representative and transparent global governance, the ideal of an inclusive society with opportunity for all.
Latin America has its challenges, but the Dutch have plenty of reasons to envy you. Where the spectre of interstate conflict has reared its ugly head in the east of Europe, many disagreements between Latin American states are still resolved in courtrooms. Despite economic headwinds in the near future, the middle classes are expanding. Latin-America, in many way can be regarded as in many ways as a stable region.
The CELAC region is on the rise, with a consistent growth in GDP over the last 15 years – around 3.5% per year according to the World Bank – and a growing income for over 600 million inhabitants, Latin America and the Caribbean have become an important economic force in the world.
Furthermore, the economic cooperation will be beneficial to both our regions. It will bring growth, jobs and an improved standard of living. We saw, for example, a sharp rise in trade between Colombia, Peru and the EU after the adoption of the Free Trade Agreement. For some goods, the agreement led to a rise in trade that exceeded 100%. There are many factors that bind the CELAC region and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, such as politics, commerce and of course, football.
H. E. Eduardo Ibarrola, H. E. Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godinez, Ambassador of Costa Rica, the Ambassador of Chile, H. E. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi, H. E. Héctor Horacio Salvador, Ambassador of Argentina, Mr. Joost Reintjes and the Ambassador of El Salvador H. E. Aida Luz Santos.
Mr Joost Reintjes, before concluding returned back to football “unfortunately, we did not win the world cup in ’78, or to be more specifically, we have not ever won it. And during the last World Cup we were eliminated, once again, by, you’re absolutely right, Argentina. There is no need to mention Brazil regarding the last World Cup.”
So after this devastation, the Dutch squad decided not to attend the 2016 European Cup in order to prepare for the 2018 World Cup of 2018 in Russia with the view of trying to win this one. When the day of this final, hopefully against Argentina or another CELAC-country, arrives, sometime in June or July, I am hoping we can all watch it together at the table of Latin America in the Litteraire Societeit De Witte.
Wanted: Women in Water – UNESCO-IHE’s International Women’s Day Conference
The UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education is organizing its International Women’s Day Conference 2016 on 17 March under the theme ‘Wanted: Women in Water’. The conference, from 12.00 – 17.00 hrs, will include three keynote speakers and will allocate time for discussion. It will be a forum for debate and reflection on the relevance, opportunities and obstacles of women choosing a career in the water sector.
The keynote speakers are three exceptional women who have made their careers in water, from the business, government and academia arenas. They will inspire the audience to reflect on the role that women working in the water sector can play.
Esther Bosman, Director Business Unit Water NL, Royal HaskoningDHV
Ndey-Isatou Njie, Former Chief, Water Energy and Capacity Development Branch Secretary, UN-Water Division for Sustainable Development, UN-DESA
Prof. dr. Simone Buitendijk, Vice Rector, Leiden University
Group discussions will be held on provocative statements dealing with the conference theme of Women in Water. Conclusions from these discussion will be presented during the wrap-up of the conference. People can also join the discussion on Twitter, using the hashtag #IWDC.
While polo is often considered an elitist sport in Europe, in Argentina it is popular game enjoyed by many. Farmers often have their own playing pitches where they organize family matches, and major league matches are televised, often attracting crowns of over 40,000.
There are more than 13,000 active polo players nationwide –more than any other country in the world. Unlike in many other nations, polo businesses often come in the form of small, family-run companies, making the sport a proud family heritage. These family companies are involved in every aspect of the game, from breeding the horses to manufacturing the polo sticks.
Many companies are increasingly using new technologies such as embryonic transplantation and cloning, but the time-tested tradition of breeding and training a polo horse is still deeply rooted in the Argentinean culture.
Professionals and amateurs from around the world travel to Argentina Polo Day for training, to take intensive classes, to play professional tournaments and to buy horses. Luxury accommodation and the best instructors can be combined with participation in Argentina’s top high handicap tournaments: The Triple Crown, Tortugas Country Club, Hurlingham Polo Club and Palermo Polo Open.
Even those unfamiliar with horse-riding can enjoy Argentina Polo Day, in Capilla del Señor (Chapel of the Lord), an historical city located 82 kilometres in the northern part of Buenos Aires Province, to spend some time learning about the game’s history; getting to grips with its rules and basic techniques; watching professional games; enjoying the finest empanadas, asados and wine; taking classes; participating in mini tournaments; and relaxing in the pool before heading back to downtown Buenos Aires at the end of the day.
Argentina Polo Day became a very attractive option for those seeking to discover the secrets of one of the most exclusive sports in the world.
For additional pictures, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157665097997715
Photography by Ashley Neuhof. Cortesy of Argentina Polo Day- All rights reserved. 
