On September 29th, students and staff at UNESCO-IHE in Delft celebrate Blue Day, to mark the adoption of the new Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.UNESCO-IHE and the Sustainable Development Goals
On 27 September 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by world leaders at the Sustainable Development Summit in New York. UNESCO-IHE has undertaken action to support the inclusion and achievement of water-related SDGs, in particular Goal 6 on ensuring access to water and sanitation for all.
Much of the Institute’s work contributes to Goal 6 or related environmental goals, notably by educating water professionals, undertaking research and developing innovative solutions to sanitation, environment and food security challenges.
For more information visit www.unesco-ihe.org
Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will make a speech on Wednesday 4 November at the 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters at the World Forum in The Hague.The conference is a platform for sharing experiences and ideas with the ultimate objective of achieving an international approach to the prevention of violence against women and children.After the plenary session, Queen Máxima will attend part of the ‘Effective social and economic reintegration of women survivors’ workshop. The main theme on the morning of 4 November is economic independence, the basis on which women faced with domestic violence can build a new and independent life. Other issues to be discussed at the conference include sustainable financing, cooperation in international organisations, such as the United Nations and the World Health Organisation (WHO), expanding and strengthening the international network, putting violence against women on the agenda worldwide and creating legislation.Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark will also attend the conference on Wednesday. Through The Mary Foundation, she works to help women and children who are victims of violence. The foundation is organising two conference workshops, and Crown Princess Mary will speak on Thursday 5 November.In total around a thousand people from over a hundred countries will take part in the conference in The Hague. Minister of Education, Culture and Science Jet Bussemaker will open the conference on Tuesday 3 November. Also State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport Martin van Rijn will attend part of the four-day conference, which is being held from 3 to 6 November.Previous editions of the conference were held in Alberta, Canada in 2008 and in Washington DC in 2012. The conference in The Hague is being organised by the Foundation of Women’s Shelters in the Netherlands and other partners at the request of the Global Network of Women’s Shelters (GNWS).
On the picture His Excellency Samuel Otsile Outlule, Ambassador of Botswana.By Antonia Barthel.
Traditionally, the monthly Diplomats Meet and Greet is a useful platform to enhance our knowledge of the host country.
This month’s event took place on Wednesday 7th of October at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel and was hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana based in Brussels, in collaboration with the Carlton Ambassador Hotel, Diplomatic Card, Jaguar and Diplomat Magazine.
For a photo album on Botswana Diplomats Meet & Greet, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157660139296125Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands with Ambassador Outlule.
The event was all about “promoting goodwill, friendship, international understanding and getting to know each other better, especially Botswana,” explained His Excellency Samuel Otsile Outlule, Ambassador of Botswana and Head of Delegation to the European Union.
Ambassador Outlule welcomed members of the Diplomatic Corps and distinguished guests to an evening of networking, promoting Botswana and extending the international circle of friendship.
Among the distinguished guests were a number of Judges of the ICC – including Judge Joyce Aluoch, First Vice-President, and Botswana’s own national, Judge Sanji Monageng, as well as Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands, and Drs. Marieke J. Sanders ten-Holte, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Botswana in Amsterdam.
Ambassador Outlule with Judge Joyce Aluoch and Judge Sanji Monageng.
The Carlton Ambassador’s salon was filled with heads of mission, diplomats, government officials as well as representatives from international organizations, industry and academia.
From the array of promotional materials presented elegantly in Botswana’s traditionally woven baskets, guests had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Botswana and its many facets which make it “a place to live, work, visit and do business”, as described by Ambassador Outlule.
Ambassador Outlule together with the SANEC representative, Mr. Adriaan Wiese.
The music of Botswana folk jazz artist, Sereetsi & The Natives, provided a soothing soundtrack to the evening as the fine cuisine of the Carlton Ambassador Hotel made its rounds across the room, and guests indulged in the sharing and enhancing of their knowledge and experiences of Botswana.
On the Picture Their Majesties King Philippus and Queen Mathilde together with Turkey’s presidential couple.By Baron Henri Estramant.
4-6 October 2015, Brussels: Turkey’s presidential couple paid a state visit to Belgium at the invitation of Their Majesties King Philippus and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians and simultaneously visited several European institutions.
The Belgian Royal Couple hosted President Recep Erdoğan and his wife Emine to a banquet. The president also held meetings with Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel and Foreign Minister Didiers Reynders, albeit the focus of discussions were not bilateral but rather Europe’s migration crisis and the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria.
Highlight of the bilateral visit was the opening by the Turkish presidential couple and the Belgian royals of the international arts festival Europalia which this year honours Turkey.
Queen Mathilde, President’s wife Emine, King Philippus and President Recep Erdoğan.
Outside the EU it may be, but Turkey has a key role on its eastern borders. Europe’s worst migration crisis since the break-up of former Yugoslavia now has EU governments looking to Erdoğan to help stem the flows of refugees as record numbers of people flee Syria’s civil war and the rise of radical militants in Iraq.
As refugees continue to arrive, EU officials have suggested sending financial aid to Ankara to keep migrants in Turkey while they process their asylum requests. EU leaders pledged at least 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) for Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and other countries at an emergency summit in Brussels last month.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan & EC President Donald Tusk – Picture by European Union.
The bilateral state visit to the Kingdom of Belgium was arranged by the Turkish head of mission to the latter country, Ambassador Mehmet Olcay and her staff, whereas the EU meetings were arranged by the Permanent Delegate to the EU, Ambassador Selim Yenel and his staff.
Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership following the Helsinki European Council of December 1999. Accession negotiations started in October 2005.
For more information:
Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the EU: www.avbir.mfa.gov.tr
Embassy of Turkey to Belgium and Luxembourg: www.turkey.be
Embassy of Turkey to the Netherlands: www.lahey.be.mfa.gov.tr
Europalia Turkey: http://europalia.eu/en/home/home_82.html
Turkish State Visit to Belgium on Blauw Bloed: www.eo.nl/blauwbloed/aflevering-detail/blauw-bloed-20151010t194130/
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, requests judges for authorisation to open an investigation into the Situation in Georgia.
Today, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”), Fatou Bensouda, requested authorisation from the Court’s Judges to initiate an investigation into the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to the August 2008 armed conflict in Georgia. For this purpose, the Prosecutor requested to proceed with an investigation into the Situation in Georgia for the period from 1 July to 10 October 2008.
The Situation in Georgia has been under preliminary examination by the Office of the Prosecutor since August 2008, when armed clashes between the breakaway region of South Ossetia and Georgia degenerated into an armed conflict, which also involved the Russian Federation.
The Prosecutor finds a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed during in the context of the armed conflict. This includes alleged crimes committed in the context of a campaign to expel ethnic Georgians from South Ossetia as well as attacks on peacekeepers by Georgian forces, on the one hand, and South Ossetian forces, on the other.
The information available to the Office of the Prosecutor indicates that between 51 and 113 ethnic Georgian civilians were killed as part of a forcible displacement campaign conducted by South Ossetia’s de facto authorities, with the possible participation of members of the Russian armed forces. Between 13,400 and 18,500 ethnic Georgians were forcibly displaced and more than 5,000 dwellings belonging to ethnic Georgians were reportedly destroyed as part of this campaign. The Office of the Prosecutor alleges, based on the information in its possession, that these offences, together with attendant crimes of looting and destruction of civilian property, were committed on a large scale as part of a plan and in furtherance of a policy to expel ethnic Georgians from the territory in South Ossetia. As a result, the Prosecutor estimates that the ethnic Georgian population living in the conflict zone was reduced by at least 75 per cent.
The Prosecutor also finds a reasonable basis to believe that both South Ossetian and Georgian armed forces committed the war crime of attacking personnel or objects involved in a peacekeeping mission. Georgian peacekeepers were reportedly heavily shelled from South Ossetian positions, killing two Georgian peacekeepers and injuring five more. In a separate incident, ten Russian peacekeepers were reportedly killed and 30 wounded as a result of the attack against their facility by Georgian forces. The Russian peacekeeping force’s base was reportedly destroyed, including a medical facility.
Until recently, the competent national authorities of both Russia and Georgia were engaged in conducting investigations against those who appeared to be most responsible for crimes which are the subject of this application. More recently, however, national proceedings in Georgia have stalled. With no foreseeable resumption apparent, and no other investigations in relation to such conduct underway in other States, the Prosecutor has assessed that the potential case relating to the forcible transfer of ethnic Georgians would be admissible due to State inaction. The potential case relating to the intentional directing of attacks against peacekeepers and peacekeeping facilities would be partially admissible at this stage, in consideration of on-going proceedings in the Russian Federation.
Furthermore, there are no substantial reasons to believe that the opening of an investigation would not serve the interests of justice, taking into account the gravity of the crimes and the interests of victims. Indeed, victims continue to call for justice in relation to these events.
The Prosecutor filed her request today. As required by Court’s Regulations, the Prosecutor has also, today provided notice to victims or their legal representatives of her intention to request authorisation and informed them that they have 30 days to make representations to the Court’s judges.
Should ICC Judges grant the Prosecutor authorisation to proceed, she will open an investigation into alleged crimes committed in the Situation in Georgia. As with all the activities of the Office of the Prosecutor, that investigation will be conducted with full independence and impartiality.
Based on the evidence collected by the Office during the course of the investigation, the Prosecutor may request ICC Judges to issue either summons to appear or arrest warrants for against those believed to be most responsible, no matter who the perpetrator, for alleged atrocity crimes committed in Georgia.
Local Archives Bring the Past of The Hague Alive / October 26 to November 14, 2015
The past of a diverse and international city like The Hague is bound to be rich with both historical events and interesting life stories. In a new exhibition entitled ‘Expat Impressions of The Hague’, visitors can explore the history of The Hague as kept alive in the journals, letters, stories, articles, and photographs of the many expatriates who have temporarily made it home over the years.
Among the components of the exhibition are materials from several different archives that have come together to celebrate the many ways that internationals have recorded their experiences in this unique city.
Different Archives, Common Purpose
The Hague Municipal Archives are a giant repository of documents, magazines, articles, photographs, maps, and audio-visual materials covering the history of The Hague. The collection is held in a climate-controlled area of The Hague City Hall on 14 kilometres of shelves. Access to the collection is available to the public, and nearly 12,000 people per year visit it to explore the city’s history, often in connection with their own family roots.
The Expatriate Archive Centre (EAC) is a private archive, also located in The Hague, with a tightly-focused collection extending back to the 19th century. The EAC holds personal and family records of expatriates from around the world. The collection contains materials in 12 different languages, covering over 80 countries. Academic researchers come to the EAC from around the world to study topics relating to all aspects of the expatriate experience.
The American Women’s Club of The Hague, which for eighty years has provided a home away from home for Americans and other expats, delved into their archives for text and photographs to donate to the exhibition.
The British School of the Netherlands has educated expatriate children in The Hague since before WWII, and also reached into its own archives to provide materials for the exhibition. The Expat Journal, Haagsche Courant, Shell Destinations magazine, Den Haagse Hogeschool, and the International Institute of Social Studies, a graduate school that is part of Erasmus University in Rotterdam, each donated from their own archives. Private individuals also responded to the call for materials with their personal stories.
The exhibit is curated by Natalie McIlroy. Assistance with the logistics of organizing the exhibition comes from ACCESS, a non-profit based in The Hague that provides practical information, advice, support, and services to expatriates in the Netherlands.
Sponsors include Shell, The Hague Bridge, CB&I, Rabobank, the American Women’s Club of The Hague, and Petroleum Women’s Club The Hague.
When and Where
The exhibition is free, and will run from 26 October to 14 November 2015 in the Atrium of the City Hall in The Hague. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:00 to 19:00, Thursday from 7:00 to 21:30, and Saturday from 9:30 to 17:00. The mayor will inaugurate the exhibition at an invitation-only reception to be held on 4 November.
For more information: contact The Expatriate Archive Centre at 070 427 2014 or pr@xpatarchive.com.
On the picture H. E. Ambassador Chen Xu. By Roy A. Lie Tjam.A lineup of Ambassadors, entrepreneurs, civil servants, prominent persons in society and friends of China attended the National Day reception. Ambassador Chen Xu delivered a very warm welcome address swelled with gems of ancient Chinese quotations. Ambassador Chen in his remarks first recalled great achievements that China has made since the P.R. China was founded 66 years ago and expressed his sincere gratitude to all those who paid attention and care to China. He was confident in China’s economy and its future development and he quoted Premier LI Keqiang’s speech in the recent session of World Economic Forum in China to support his argument.
For a photo album on China National Day in The Hague, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157659675769786H. E. Fernando Arias Ambassador of Spain, Mrs. Wenci Li, The Director-General of the OPCW Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü and Ambassador Chen XuAmbassador Chen stressed that as the largest developing country in the world, China is so much closely connected to the rest of the world that its development can never do without peace and stability of the international community, and vice versa. He argued with many examples, including initiatives and commitments that China recently raised or made during President Xi’s visit to the US and the UN, that China will uphold the path of peaceful development as a constructor of peace, a contributor for development and a guardian of international order. A guest with Ambassador Chen Xu and his wife Mrs. Wenci Li.He spoke highly of Sino-Dutch relations, the two countries cooperate in a mutually-beneficial way. The Ambassador was looking forward to the upcoming state visit by Their Majesties King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima to China in mid October 2015.Furthermore, Ambassador Chen extended his heartfelt greetings to all Chinese, working and studying in the Netherlands and wishes them all the best.The reception was concluded with a buffet.
On the picture the President of the European Council Donal Tusk and HM The King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.European Council President Donald Tusk paid a short visit to Amman arranged by the kingdom’s Head of Mission to the EU, HE Ambassador Dr. Yousef Bataineh on September 20.President Tusk held talks with His Majesty King Abdullah II bin El Hussein of Jordan. Moreover with Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Judeh. Ambassador Dr. Bataineh used to be the latter’s chief of cabinet. 2nd from left to right, HE Ambassador Yousef Bataineh, Head of Mission of Jordan to the EU, Belgium, Luxembourg and Norway.The Association Agreement between Jordan and the EU entered into force in May 2002. Beyond this agreement, cooperation with Jordan has been regulated since 2005 by an action plan within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).For more information:Mission of Jordan to the EU, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Norway: www.jordanembassy.be
H.E. Ambassador, Ms. Jana Reinišová, of the Czech Republic in the Netherlands celebrated in style the Czech Wenceslas National day 2015.
Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech, was a Czech Prince, However, a power struggle eventually resulted in his murder. Wenceslas was born in 907 and was apparently murdered on September 28 in 935 by his younger brother Boleslav at the entrance to the church Stara Boleslav.
For a photo Album please click here https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157659735078335
A line up of Ambassadors, government officials and others came to celebrate this significant day with Ambassador Jana Reinišová.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The Korean National day 2015 celebration, which took place at the World Bel Air Hotel, attracted scores of fellow ambassadors, public servants and many friends who arrived to congratulate Ambassador Jong-hyun Choe. It was a bright sunny day. A summary of the Ambassador’s address now follows:
”I would like to begin by thanking you very much for taking the time to attend our National Day reception. We’re celebrating today the foundation of the Korean nation. According to our historiography the history of our people can be dated back some four thousand years.
And this year holds even greater meaning in that it is seventy years since my country was liberated from colonial rule in 1945 following the end of the Second World War. Since then my country has indeed travelled a remarkable path.
For a photo album on the National Day of Korea, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157657392066644H. E. Ambassador Chen Xu from China.
We owe a great deal to our friends in the international community for the support and help extended to us as we travelled that path. The United Nations helped us to form a new government in 1948 by establishing seven commissions. And when we were attacked by North Korea in 1950, many countries including the Netherlands sent soldiers to defend us. After the Korean War, many friends extended an invaluable hand to us in the form of significant development assistance. Since the mid- sixties when my country adopted an export – oriented growth strategy, you have bought Korean products. And since the mid -seventies many of you have placed orders with Korean construction companies.
Had it not been for all these, my country would not be where it is today. And I would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to you for all you have done for us. ”
H.E. Ambassador Taher Ahmed Farahat from Egypt and H. E. Bruce Koloane Ambassador of South Africa.
Ambassador Jong-hyun Choe’s address was followed by a performance of the Soprano: Yun Park who also sang the national anthems of the Netherlands and Korea. Furthermore, a quartet made up of students at the Prins Claus Conservatorium in Groningen put on a dazzling show
Ambassador Jong-hyun Choe also offered his many guests to an excellent Korean buffet. Korea National day 2015 has been celebrated in a marvelous atmosphere on October 2.
A line up of Ambassadors, government officials and others came to celebrate this significant day with Ambassador Jana Reinišová.
A line up of Ambassadors, government officials and others came to celebrate this significant day with Ambassador Jana Reinišová.
