On the picture The Ball Committee. By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg. Diplomat Magazine is happy to support the initiation of the Tulips Ball. The Ball Committee welcomes the Diplomatic Corps, all International Organisations and friends to participate with their spouses and children at the Tulips Ball. The committee would like to enable the Diplomatic Community further to interact with one another. Bring together the international community once more, the Ball Committee hopes to make The Hague and its surroundings an even more appealing region for expats from all over the world. The Tulips Ball Weekend will take place on the 18th to the 20th March 2016. Whereas the Grand Ball will be on Saturday 19th March, the programme will already facilitate its participants to meet one another on Friday evening while enjoying an informal dinner and what is untranslatable in the German language called “Eintanzen”, meaning dancing to warm up and prepare for the ball at Hotel van Oranje. On Saturday, the participants are offered to enjoy the beautiful city of Leiden by boat. In the evening the Grand Tulips Ball takes place in the Winter Garden Hall at Hotel van Oranje.

Opened traditionally by Clemens van Steijn, who initiated the Tulips Ball last year for the first time. The ball was considered a great success with 170 guests attending from more than 15 nations last year. Thus, he was very happy to see that there was such a good response. Furthermore, he said that the committee is already expecting large delegations from the Russian Federation and the United States of America, which were not present in such large numbers last year. Emiel Blomme stated that “last year was of course great and provided a good basis to continue with, so this year the Ball Committee can focus on other organisational matter as well as we could further evolve that basis. Thus, Clemens and I could find this years’ amazing location, Hotel van Oranje. This is a whole new level.” Clemens van Steijn continued to say that “we travelled through South Holland and after much research and visits to hotels, we found Hotel van Oranje, which met the demands for such a ball, which also is suitable for the International Community.” The author, who is also part of the Ball Committee is also very satisfied with the developments and is looking forward to welcoming friends from all over the world, old families, including nobility from the Netherlands and Europe as well as from further abroad. The Ball Committee is very happy to work with Hotel van Oranje as it is known for its great hospitality and knowing that their guests will be in good hands as the President of the Peoples’ Republic of China, Xi Jinping was staying there during the Nuclear Security Summit in 2014.

Jonkheer Thomas Stoop states: “I want the Tulips Ball to be the event, where all who can make a difference in Europe and the world beyond can gather. We are the people who are motivated, enthusiastic and willing to have an open mind and share with each other. Furthermore, open minds breed opportunities and opportunities breed prosperity. If that is connected to values such as respect, trust and ambition, one can see possibilities together with others. Let me put forward the modest goal of trying to connect moral values to good ambitions. Therefore, if this were to be reached, my goal would be achieved and I am hopeful we will.” Zwentibald van Blokland, the latest committee member said: “I am also grateful to be part of the Tulips Ball Committee that is preparing a unique weekend. A setting, where there is place for simple enjoyment by sharing time together dining, talking and dancing.” For a final remark, the author would like to add that all of the Committee Members are looking forward to seeing Diplomats, internationals and expats from around the world at the Tulips Ball.   For more information, please visit the webpage http://www.tulipsball.com.

By Sunday Oyinloye, West Africa Editor. Their list is long and they have many things in common, brutal with low level of human rights records. They dot many countries in Africa where they practically play the role of ‘’slave masters”. They are feared by their people who often pretend that they love them. Can you blame the people for their pretence? After all, they want to live .These Emperors would do anything to retain their seats even if it means using the blood of their people to hang on to power. Of course, some of them have penchant for spilling blood to retain power, little wonder those who want to live have to fake loyalty to these tin gods in order to remain alive. Some of these leaders make the world to believe that they are committed to eradicating poverty in their countries when in fact; they are plundering the common wealth of the people, treating them as sub- human beings. Welcome to the world of African sit- tight leaders who never learnt from history and have become maximum rulers in their countries. Men who have practically muscled out opposition and ready to silence whoever questions their authority. No doubt, these so-called leaders have mastered their local politics, so they get away with anything they do. Robert Mugabe who founded ZANU a resistance movement against the British colonial rule in 1963 and was elected President in 1987 remains a bone in the throat of Zimbabweans. He cannot be swallowed and he cannot be vomited. Ironically, the man who led resistance against colonial rule has continued to rule his people with iron fist. His countrymen practically worship him and his wife, Grace. Mugabe who was born in February, 21, 1924 has not seen any reason why he should allow a younger person to lead his country out of the woods. The expected change desired by his people has become a mirage, yet Mugabe treats his subjects as if he was not elected by them. Reputed to be the oldest head of state in the World, Mugabe does not see himself stepping down neither does his wife; Grace sees any reason for the people to try another leader. For the President and the First lady, talking about succession is a taboo as long as the maximum ruler is still breathing. The madness of what can the people do is not limited to Mugabe, Congo-Brazzaville President, Denis Sassou Nguesso is still hanging unto power after 31 years. No thanks to his controversial referendum in October last year which allowed him to extend his rule. The 72 year- old President in 2015 fired two of his ministers who were publicly opposed to his third-term bid. He is however not alone in the third-term greed now common to African leaders. President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi who appears not to have learnt from history has thrown his poor country into turmoil due to his third-term ambition. Over 200 people are believed to have lost their lives since April 2015 when protests began against the third-term ambition of Nkurunziza. The armed conflict in his country between 1993 and 2005 when he became the President claimed an estimated 300,000 lives. This should have been enough reason for him to consider the future of his people but like many African leaders, personal ambition overrides national interest. This is probably the reason why some political analysts believe that Nkurunziza has learnt nothing from history. There are many leaders in Africa who do undemocratic things to retain power. A major trait of all of them is suppression of the people and blocking the ways of opposition. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kabila who succeeded his father Laurent Kabila ten days after his assassination is also toying with the destiny of his country. Kabila has been ruling DR Congo since 2001. He made history as the world’s first head of government born in the 70s. But this record seems not to be enough for him as he has headed for what some described as political suicide with his third-term ambition. But in Africa, anything can happen; it is usually the masses that pay for the greed and blind ambition of their so-called leaders. If Kabila succeeds, it will not be a surprise because Africans are used to paying with their blood for their leaders to cling to power. Even the much respected former President of Nigeria ,Olusegun Obasanjo also toyed with third-term idea which would have thrown Nigeria into serious crisis. Interestingly, Obasanjo was one the front line of government troops that fought against the Biafran separatists in a civil war that lasted about three years in the late 60s and claimed millions of lives. Cross sections of Nigerians have berated him for the failed idea even with his denial of the ungodly move. Sudanese President, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir is another President in Africa who has been hanging on power for long and who continues to rule his people with iron fist. Omar who is wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for his alleged role in Darfur crisis has continued to be defiant. Even with the international arrest warrant issued by ICC, he has been traveling out of his country. Another leader with poor human rights record in Africa is a President with the highest number of titles in the world, Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, a dictator who has held his country by the jugular for 21 years. The controversial “witch doctor” who claims to have cure for Aids recently declared his country an Islamic Republic. Just like his co-traveler, Mugabe, the Gambian President likes to make uncomplimentary remarks against the west to paint a picture of someone fighting to liberate his people from neo-colonialism when in fact he is suppressing them. The story is the same in other countries of Africa being ruled by dictators. They pretend to be champions of the people while they indirectly kill them with policies and programmes that further impoverish the people. As another year begins, the eye of the world is on Africa and its leaders with good democratic credentials. No doubt, the world is also watching African dictators. Will they have a change of heart in the new year? Time and only time will tell.

Mr. Adam Sterling, Deputy Chief of Mission of the USA Embassy.   By John Dunkelgrün. Monday January 18th was the day the United States celebrates as Martin Luther King Day. Overseas Americans Remember organised its 26th! Martin Luther King dinner on January 31st. Almost one hundred people came to commemorate the tremendous courage of this special man, who set into motion the wave that swept away the Ku Klux Klan and all official discrimination of people of color in the U.S. As many of the speakers emphasised though, much still needs to be done. Most of the speakers were young, middle school boys and girls from all over the country. They were American, or mixed American/Dutch but all had the same message: tell people about equality, teach people that there are things you just don’t do or say, and keep faith that progress will continue. But as the Reverend Hartcourt Klinefelte said this progress will not roll in on the wheels of inevitability. Much work remains to be done. The keynote speaker was Mr. Adam Sterling, Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States, he emphasised that the U.S. is far from static, it is in a real sense a “work in progress”. There has been much improvement and there is hope for further progress and proof that the U.S. can achieve it. He also emphasised that discrimination is not just an American problem and that racism is not a monopoly of white people. We all need leaders who are able to stand down the demagogues without blinking.  

The evening, which was organised and scripted by the remarkable Roberta Enschede and MC’d by Jessie Rodell featured moving music, sung and played by Gilad Nezer, Katya HyunJung Ji, the “3 Bones” brass trio and many others. Sergeant Derrick Turner of the U.S. Marines rendered the famous “I have a dream” speech and Lois Mothershed read a deeply touching letter by her sister, who was one of the Little Rock Nine, the first African American children that went to a white school under army protection. At this time, when many people in Europe and the United States are worried by the tsunami of fugitives and asylum seekers, the message of Dr. Martin Luther King is particularly relevant.

By Robert Kayinamura, Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda. Rwanda did not have to wait for favorable winds but rather generate her own winds to sail through the difficulty times, in order to change the course of her economic and social history. To reconstruct Rwanda and nurture a shared identity and responsibility, the Government of Rwanda drew on aspects of Rwandan culture and traditional practices and the result was a set of Home Grown Solutions based on culturally owned practices that could help shape sustainable development programs. In the regard, in the last 20 years Rwanda Government came up with more than 10 innovations that built on values and systems of Rwandan Culture, from Gacaca, our community courts, which has brought restorative justice and reconciliation to a once divided nation; to Ubudehe, which supports rural communities to collectively solve problems related to poverty; to Imihigo, which enables citizens to keep their leaders accountable, to One Cow per Poor Family program also known as Girinka, to Umuganda and many others, have ensured that no one was left behind. One of the Home Grown solutions that have helped transform people’s lives is Ubudehe. Ubudehe refers to the long-standing Rwandan practice and culture of collective action and mutual support to solve problems within a community. Ubudehe was reintroduced into Rwandan life in 2001 as way to better involve communities in their development by setting up participatory problem solving mechanisms. The program was seen as a way to strengthen democratic processes and good governance through greater community involvement in decision making. Ubudehe creates opportunities for people at all levels of society, especially the village level, to interact with one another, share ideas, create institutions and make decisions for their collective development. Today Ubudehe is one of Rwanda’s best known Home Grown Solution because of its participatory development approach to poverty reduction. In 2008, the program won the United Nations Public Service Award for excellence in service delivery. On the other hand, Girinka was initiated in response to the alarmingly high rate of childhood malnutrition and as a way to accelerate poverty reduction and integrate livestock and crop farming. The program is based on the premise that providing a dairy cow to poor households helps to improve their livelihood as a result of a more nutritious and balanced diet from milk, increased agricultural output through better soil fertility as well as greater incomes by commercializing dairy products. Another Home Grown aspect is Imihigo. Imihigo is the plural Kinyarwanda word of Umuhigo, which means to vow to deliver. In the modern day Rwanda, Imihigo practice was adopted as a means of planning to accelerate the progress towards economic development and poverty reduction. Imihigo has had a strong focus on results which has made it an invaluable tool in the planning, accountability and monitoring and evaluation processes. In 2006, Imihigo (known also as performance contracts) was introduced to address this need. Since its introduction, Imihigo has been credited with improving accountability and quickening the pace of citizen centred development activities and programs. The practice of Imihigo has now been extended to ministries, embassies and public service staff. Another home grown solution is a community service called Umuganda. The word Umuganda can be translated as ‘coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome. The day is called umunsi w’umuganda, meaning “contribution made by the community which is designed to be a day of contribution and building the country by citizens themselves. Modern day Umuganda can be described as community work. On the last Saturday of each month, communities come together to do a variety of public works. This often includes infrastructure development and environmental protection. Rwandans between 18 and 65 are obliged to participate in Umuganda. Expatriates living in Rwanda are encouraged to take part. In justice, Rwanda reconsidered both Gacaca and Abunzi seen as a hybrid form of justice combining traditional with modern methods of conflict resolution. In 2002, Gacaca courts were revived as a way to process the millions of criminal cases that arose following the genocide. Contemporary Gacaca draws inspiration from the traditional model by replicating a local community-based justice system with the aim of restoring the social fabric of society. In total, 1,958,634 genocide related cases were tried through Gacaca. The courts are credited with laying the foundation for peace, reconciliation and unity in Rwanda. The reintroduction of the Abunzi system in 2004 was motivated in part by the desire to reduce the backlog of court cases, as well as to decentralise justice and make it more affordable and accessible for citizens seeking to resolve conflict without the cost of going to court . This conflict resolution mechanism rooted in Rwandan culture was perceived as more accessible, less threatening and therefore more intimate and human. Consequently, the Abunzi started receiving trainings on mediating domestic conflicts, as well as logistical support from both governmental and non-governmental organisations, to improve the quality of their mediation services. On inclusiveness, in Umushyikirano the governed directly engage with their leaders, and in so doing, Rwandans feel part of the decision making that affects their lives. Umushyikirano also serves as a forum for Rwandans to hold their leaders and government to account. The main achievements of Umushyikirano are considered to be the participation of Rwandans in national decision making and the fast-tracking of government programs and citizen priorities based on the resolutions tabled each year. The event is attended by members of the Cabinet and Parliament, representatives of the Rwandan community abroad, local government, media, the diplomatic community and others invited by the President. Those unable to attend in person at Rwanda’s parliament building can participate via telephone, SMS, Twitter and Facebook as well as follow the debate live on television and radio Information: http://www.netherlands.embassy.gov.rw/   –  

On the picture His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam with the newly appointed encoys of Brunei Darussalam, Dato Paduka Haji Serbini bin Haji Ali (left) and Haji Na’aim bin Md Salleh (right).   By Baron Henri Estramant. State of Brunei Darussalam: HE Ambassador Dato’ Paduka Haji Serbini binti Haji Ali former ambassador to the Benelux countries and the EU left his Brussels base mid-January 2016. His Majesty The Sultan and Yang-di Pertuan Negare Brunei Darussalam appointed him on 24 January 2016 as head of mission to the USA. http://bruneiembassy.be  

United States of Mexico: HE Ambassador Juan José Gómez Camacho left his post on 5 February 2016 as head of mission to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg. He returns to head the mission to the UN. http://embamex.sre.gob.mx/belgica/  

Kingdom of Thailand: HE Ambassador Nopadol Gunavibool left his post in Brussels as head of mission to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg on 27 December 2015. He is now ambassador to Switzerland and non-resident to the Holy See. http://www2.thaiembassy.be        

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago: HE Ambassador Margaret King-Rousseau left her post in November 2015. Incumbent chargée d’affaires is Second Secretary Joanne Brooks for the mission based in Brussels but accredited to the EU, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, the OPCW, the French Republic, UNESCO, Spain and the Holy See. http://www.foreign.gov.tt/representatives/tt/diplomatic_missions/