King of Tonga in Europe

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King of Tonga in Europe
Picture credit PA Images

By Baron Henri Estramant. 

 

Their Majesties The King and Queen of Tonga are in Europe to heed businesses concerning their upcoming coronation due to take place in July 2015. 

The Royal Couple of the “Friendly Islands” were received in audience by the British monarch, and her husband at Windsor Castle on 27 February. The royals discussed bilateral relations as well as relations within the Commonwealth of Nations of which Tonga is a member. Queen Elizabeth II is the Commonwealth’s figurehead. 

Before their jaunt to London, King Tupou VI addressed delegates at the opening of the 38th Session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), on Monday 16 February, and later in the day had an audience with the Bishop of Rome, Franciscus in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican City-State.

The reason behind the courtesy visit was the election of the very first cardinal from the Pacific archipelago, hailing from Tonga, Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi. Thereby making him one of the élite cardinals entitle to vote for a successor of St. Petrus. 

 

Justice will ultimately be dispensed for LRA crimes

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Justice will ultimately be dispensed for LRA crimes
Statement of the ICC Prosecutor at a press conference in Uganda: justice will ultimately be dispensed for LRA crimes.   ‘Welcome and thank you for your presence here today.  As you may know, while I have had the privilege to visit Uganda in the past in my previous role as Deputy Prosecutor, this is my first official visit to the country as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”). I am honoured to be here. I attach great importance to personally visiting situation countries under the jurisdiction of the Court; first and foremost, to meet with affected communities as well as the authorities, civil society, and members of the media, among other stakeholders. I’m sure you have many questions.  I look forward to answering them following my remarks. Allow me at the outset to recall where we started, where we stand today and where we are headed in our long journey to bring justice to the victims of mass crimes committed by the Lord’s Resistance Army (“LRA”). Let me first reassure the people of Uganda and, in particular, the people of the North as well as Mr. Ongwen’s family, that Mr. Ongwen will be treated with dignity throughout the proceedings at the Court and subjected to a fair and impartial judicial process of the highest international standards that will fully respect all his rights as a defendant. A panel of three independent judges will listen to all sides and assess all evidence and submissions before taking any decision. At all times, it will be up to my Office to prove its case against Mr. Ongwen. The Republic of Uganda ratified the Rome Statute – the Court’s founding treaty – on the 14th of June 2002. On the 16th of December 2003 and in the exercise of its sovereign right under the Statute, the Government of Uganda referred the situation in Northern Uganda to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC. The referral letter cited LRA and called for its members who had committed crimes in Northern Uganda to be brought to justice. The Office of the Prosecutor made it clear to the Government that all sides involved in the conflict in the North would be investigated and the evidence alone would determine which individuals would ultimately be charged, irrespective of status or affiliation. I wish to underscore here that, without exception, we conduct our investigations in complete independence and impartiality.  We have always been, and continue to be, guided by these same principles with respect to our work in Uganda. On the 28th of July 2004, following a rigorous process of assessing whether legal requirements for opening an investigation had been met, the Office of the Prosecutor opened investigations into the alleged crimes committed in Northern Uganda. The evidence we collected demonstrated that crimes against humanity and war crimes – including the mass killing and mutilation of civilians, the abduction of tens of thousands of children and the sexual enslavement and rape of young girls – were committed by the LRA in all regions of Northern Uganda. The evidence also implicated senior commanders in the LRA, namely Joseph Kony; Dominic Ongwen; Okot Odhiambo; Vincent Otti and Raska Lukwiya as being the most responsible for mass crimes. We presented the evidence at our disposal to a panel of three independent international judges and requested the arrest of these five individuals. After careful consideration and assessment of the evidence, on the 8th of July 2005, the Court’s judges issued warrants of arrest against these top five commanders. All LRA commanders who are the subject of ICC warrants of arrest, including Mr Ongwen, were charged for crimes they are alleged to have committed as adults. We do not prosecute child soldiers for crimes committed under the age of 18. This is a strict requirement of the Rome Statute. We remain confident that one day, Joseph Kony will face justice for the enlistment and recruitment of children – including Mr. Ongwen – to participate in his campaign of violence. Over the course of many years, the LRA, under the leadership of the five commanders, has continued to commit heinous crimes not only in Northern Uganda but in the Central African Republic (“CAR”) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”). On the 16th of January 2015, the numerous coordinated efforts over the years by civil society, the governments of Uganda, DRC, CAR, and the United States of America, as well as the African Union and the ICC, finally paid off when Mr. Ongwen was transferred to the custody of the Court after nearly a decade of evading justice. His transfer sends a firm and clear message that no matter how long it takes, the Office of the Prosecutor and the international community at large will spare no effort to ensure that victims of mass crimes ultimately receive justice. This is a promising development, but it is only the beginning. Let me emphasize this message to Joseph Kony: Leave the bush and encourage other members of the LRA to do the same. Stop committing crimes against your own people and others, do the right thing and surrender. At the ICC, you will be treated fairly and impartially, in accordance with highest standards of justice, and with full respect for your due process rights as a defendant.  You have the opportunity to plead your case in Court and let the judicial process establish the truth.  There is no future in violence and brutality. Let me be equally clear to all other LRA fighters and followers: You have nothing to fear from the ICC. We are only concerned with those five top commanders against whom the Court has issued warrants of arrest.  Abandon violence and choose a new, more promising path; a path which has a future.  Return to your families, communities and country, and start the process of rebuilding your life.  It is not too late. So, what comes next in the Ongwen case, you may ask? As a first step, on the 26th of January 2015, Mr. Ongwen appeared before the Court’s judges who explained to him his rights, including the right to freely choose his own lawyer. The next step will be the confirmation of charges hearing.  Although the judges have provisionally scheduled these proceedings for August of this year, my Office has asked for an extension in light of the many years that have passed since arrest warrants were issued in this case. The additional time requested can also be of assistance to Mr. Ongwen in preparing his defence. The process of facilitating preparations for Mr. Ongwen’s defence has started. This entails, amongst other things, providing Mr. Ongwen’s lawyer and legal team with all the information he needs to prepare his defence, such as the evidence my Office has gathered against him. My Office has always benefited from the strong cooperation of Ugandan authorities, for which we are thankful.  Throughout this process, the continued cooperation of the Government of Uganda with both my Office and the defence will be crucial. Following my meetings with Uganda government officials today, I am confident of the Government’s cooperation and support to my Office, to the defence and the Legal Representatives of Victims, as we continue on the path of fair and impartial justice for the people of Uganda. I am also pleased to announce that tomorrow, I will be travelling to the North of the country where I will meet with community and religious leaders as well as affected communities in Gulu, Lira and Soroti, as part of my efforts to explain our work and to listen and address concerns.  I very much look forward to this opportunity. I have ensured that my team will regularly visit Uganda, and in particular the North, to continue engaging with affected communities and to keep them all informed of the latest developments in the case as proceedings progress. My appeal to you and to all Ugandans, and in particular affected communities, is this: The wheels of justice may turn slowly but turn, they surely will; let us leave justice to take its course. Let us embrace the independent and impartial judicial process offered by the Court as a means of bringing healing and closure for victims of mass crimes and to ensure the atrocities that devastated communities in Northern Uganda will never happen again. We are committed to these goals. We are committed to seeing peace and stability thrive in Uganda on the strength of justice and the recognition of the importance of the plight of victims and affected communities.’

Appeals Chamber decision

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Appeals Chamber decision
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, following the Appeals Chamber decision upholding the acquittal in the Ngudjolo Chui case.   The Appeals Chamber today dismissed, by a majority 3-2 decision, my Office’s appeal against the acquittal of Mr. Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui in December 2012 on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in relation to the attack on the village of Bogoro on 24 February 2003.  This decision brings the case to a close. The decision does not negate the fact that crimes were committed in Bogoro or the suffering of the victims. My Office spared no effort in the prosecution of the case and exhausted all judicial remedies available to it. Today’s final outcome is one that has been reached through an independent and impartial judicial process that fully respected the rights of all parties and participants to the proceedings. My Office remains most committed to bringing an end to impunity for mass crimes perpetrated in the situation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This crucial work will continue unabated.

Reopening of “Canada House”

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Reopening of “Canada House”
  Her Majesty The Queen of Canada reopened on 19 February 2015 “Canada House” in London. Accompanied by her husband, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.  As Queen of Canada she was greeted by two mounties, in their famous wide brimmed hats and red tunics, sat on horses (named George and Elizabeth respectively) that were gifts to the monarch from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Her Majesty’s Personal Canadian Flag, a symbol of sovereignty, was raised over Canada House upon The Royal Couple’s arrival. Queen Elizabeth II toured the High Commission, and was presented with a set of keys to the newly revamped building by the recently decommissioned John Baird, former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs (2011-2015). When King George V first opened the building in 1925, he was presented with a similar set of keys. To mark the occasion, the building’s atrium – clad in Canadian hemlock and featuring red oak flooring – has been named the Queen Elizabeth Atrium. The High Commission was previously also housed in Macdonald House in Mayfair, but has now been consolidated into Canada House. Macdonald House itself was sold in 2013. The oldest part of Canada House’s building is the combined former Union Club and the former home of the Royal College of Physicians both built in the 1820s. Sir Robert Smirke who designed the British Museum and Royal Opera House in Covent Garden also built the Union Club. It is located in London’s Trafalgar Square, High Commissioner Gordon Campbell, a former premier of British Columbia, said in a statement: “We are honoured that Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were able to join us to celebrate the opening of a High Commission that is very dear to Canadians, and that reflects the depth of our friendship with the United Kingdom”. The High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom is one of Canada’s largest overseas missions, offering a range of services, including consular support, trade promotion, foreign policy and diplomatic services, the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff, and immigration and visa processing. Back in the Dominion of Canada the country’s Supreme Court refused to hear a case of two legal residents with anti-monarchist opinions who refuse to swear the required oath of allegiance to The Queen and her heirs in order to gain Canadian citizenship.  Government lawyer Kristina Dragaitis argued that the monarchy symbolises the Constitution, the rule of law and the right to dissent. She said, the appellants are taking a “literal approach” to the oath. Two days before reopening Canada House Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II met for 20 minutes with her personal representative for the Canadian Province of Ontario, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell on Tuesday, 17 February 2015. Her Honour the 29th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, stayed for lunch at Buckingham Palace, and was introduced to the private secretaries of senior members of the Royal Family. The day after, Her Honour was welcomed in an audience by HRH The Prince of Wales.  In May 2015, Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands are due to pay a State Visit to Canada at the invitation of the Dominion’s Governor General, David Johnston and his spouse Sharon, who visited The Netherlands in October 2014. The State Visit shall take place from 27 to 29 May in the company of of the Batavian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bert Koenders. The Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aid, Lilianne Ploumen shall lead an economic mission, and Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Jet Bussemaker, an academic mission.  The State Visit and Dutch missions are being arranged in close collaboration with the ambassador to The Netherlands, HE Mr. James Lambert.  Personal Standard of The Queen of Canada   For more information:  Canada’s High Commission in London: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/index.aspx?lang=eng Opening of “Canada House”, 1925: https://twitter.com/BritishMonarchy/status/568351674483527680 Lieutenant Governor of Ontario: http://www.lgontario.ca/en/pages/default.aspx    

Rashid Al Khalifa, his realm of art from Bahrain to the world

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Rashid Al Khalifa, his realm of art from Bahrain to the world
By Richard Noyce and Baron Henri Estramant.   Perhaps one of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s most well-known and prolific artists is Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa, a man behind realist, impressionist, individualist, and abstract pieces of art that have served to put his homeland in the map of artistic hubs worldwide. Particularly enhancing intercultural exchanges through his exhibitions, and often fostering cultural diplomacy in an indirect manner. The timeline presented on his website, illustrated by key works in his œuvre, gives a concise account of his development as an artist, as well as his other roles and activities, and delineates the phases through which his devotion to painting has gone. While this account is illuminating and of contextual interest, it has to be considered not only in terms of the rapid development of Bahrain during his lifetime, but also against the wider context of evolution in the international art world. It is important to note that this artist has concentrated on painting as the medium through which to express his inspiration from the natural world and the world of perception. He has so far not allowed himself to be diverted into the currently fashionable mediums of installation or time-based media such as video that too often grab the headlines in the press and broadcast media. Instead he has been steadfast in his use of paint on a surface, and the exploration of this medium as a way of modulating colour and light to convey emotional and observational reflections of the world as he sees it, and, importantly, to communicate this to others through his works. This is not to say that Rashid Al Khalifa has become stuck in a rut, as some of his international contemporaries have done and who, having found a style that works and is commercially successful, continue to use it with very little development. Instead, he has gone on exploring the possibilities of paint, and the manner in which an essentially limited range of materials – paint to paint with and a surface to paint on – can be used to create works of art. The decisions that he has made have been considered, each one developing logically from the preceding ones, and have led to a dynamic evolution in his approach to the making of art. It is significant that his commitment to the making of his own paintings has been accompanied by a parallel commitment to the advancement of the cultural life of his country through his founding role in the “Bahrain Art Society”, and more recently in the development of the online monthly art journal, artbahrain.org; which, together with its biannual print editions, highlights the work of artists and events in Bahrain, in the Gulf area, and internationally. Thus helping to promote cross-border cultural understanding as well as the personal contacts amongst the artists from a variety of nationalities and backgrounds based in the Gulf region.   For Rashid Al Khalifa Works: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157650635683857/   The new paintings At the beginning of 2014 the artist made a series of paintings on a unified theme, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his marriage. Each painting, 60cm square, intended for display as a grid of 5 x 6 elements, was made on a convex chrome surface and comprised a heart shape in a range of pastel colours with an interlaced set of dripped lines in enamel that are of necessity made swiftly, and which can be seen to refer to the fabric of society and relationships: as the artist says, ‘Lines are endless, they can go into infinity and create an endless story.’ This work, that has deep personal connotations for the artist, played an interesting interim part in his work of that year, and led on to a further set of paintings on convex chrome, lacquered in a range of greys, once again featuring the motif of the circle in the square. Devoid of colour, and perhaps more sharply because of this, these paintings offer a quietly meditative proposition to the viewer. The strength of Rashid Al Khalifa’s work lies in its simple and yet complex initial appearance that on deeper consideration reveals a powerful evocation of abstract form and colour, which reaches out from the walls of the places in which it is seen and into the experience of those who encounter it. Such directness of expression and communication, with such a diversity of potential personal interpretation, is to be welcomed. This is work with a truly international relevance that offers much to consider, slowly and with open eyes, in an art world that, like so much else, is sometimes prone to rapid changes of taste and fashion. By contrast, the work of this artist has a strong quality that has the power to withstand the passage of time, remaining thought-provoking and relevant, offering stillness and strength that transcends all boundaries. About the artist: His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa bin Hamad bin Isa AL KHALIFA (b. 1952) is currently Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs at the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He is married to Her Excellency Sheikha Lulwa bint Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, only daughter of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman, Prime Minister of Bahrain. Together they are parents to six children, Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikha Noor, Sheikha Hessa and Sheikha Aisha. As a government official he served also at the former Ministry of Culture as Undersecretary for Tourism and Antiquities. He is a grandson of Bahrain’s Hakim (Ruler), Sheikh Sir Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (reigned 1932-1942). Sheikh Rashid serves as Honorary President for Bahrain Arts Society. He lives in Rifa’a just outside of Manama, Bahrain’s capital city. He began experimenting with art at an early age in Bahrain, and moved to professional instruction in the south of England (University of Hastings).   A book entitled Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, 40 years of painting, from himself, by himself, for himself (ISBN 978-99901-03-52-6) showcases his life’s œuvre.   For more information: Homepage of Rashid Al Khalifa: www.rashidalkhalifa.com Bahrain Arts Society: www.bahartsociety.org.bh Art Bahrain: http://artbahrain.org/home/ Wikipedia profile: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashid_bin_Khalifa_Al_Khalifa Well-known persons: http://www.wellknownpersons.com/person/lsp.Rashid_bin_Khalifa_Al_Khalifa.sq75954.htm   Richard Noyce is a writer and artist, who has for the past thirty years written about the international visual arts. His reviews, interviews and features have appeared in press and online journals in a number of countries. In recent years he has specialised in writing about Polish Art, including two major books on painting and graphic art in that country, and international contemporary printmaking, on which he has written three well-received books. He is also an experienced international competition juror, curator, conference speaker and lecturer.)  

Netherland’s New Senate

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Netherland’s New Senate
Senate’s Election procedures in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. By Roy Lie A Tjam.   The Senate is a component legislative chamber of the Dutch parliament. The 75 members of the Senate of the Dutch Parliament are elected by the members of the twelve Provincial Councils. Voters elect the members of the Provincial Councils, who in turn elect the members of the Senate. Requirement for membership of the Senate are the same as those for the House of Representatives of the Dutch Parliament. Since the 1983 revision of the constitution, the Senate has been elected in its integrality every four years by the members of the Provincial Council. The election of Senators takes place within three months after the Provincial Council elections. The Senate’s main duties are in the legislative field, but it also plays a role in scrutinizing Government’s actions. Formally the Senate could only reject or accept legislation. However, it now has rather more possibilities and debates are of importance. For example, statements made by government Ministers in debates on bills (draft legislation) can play a role in future lawsuits. The debates in the Senate contribute to the interpretation of a law. Moreover, members of the Senate can elicit undertakings from ministers about the implementation of a law. Like their counterparts in the House of Representatives, members of the Senate are entitled to put written questions to the Government. The debate on the Government’s budget also gives them the opportunity to debate current and future policy with the government. Members of the House of Representatives are full-time politicians, whereas members of the Senate are part-timers who often hold other positions. Senators receive an allowance which is about a quarter of the salary of the members of the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is mainly engaged in day-to-day politics. As such, it calls ministers to account, holds debates on new policy and undertakes detailed examination of bills. The Senate is remote from day-to-day politics, if only because the parliamentary parties in the Senate are not formally bound by a government programmed. The Senate is concerned only with the broad outline of policy. It can operate rather more independently than the House of Representatives. The Senate has a revising role in relation to draft legislation. Its members do not have the right to amend bills They can only vote on them and either accept or reject them. Nor are questions answered orally in the Senate. Furthermore, the members of Senate make much less use of the right to ask written questions than the members of the House of Representatives. Finally, the House of Representatives has exercised its right to institute an inquiry on several occasions, particularly in recent years, whereas the Senate has to date never exercised this right. History The Senate has existed since 1815, the year in which it was instituted by King William I. When the Netherlands and Belgium were united in 1815 the Belgians in particular pressed for the introduction of a bicameral system. In its early years the Senate served as a bulwark of the Crown (i.e. the King and his ministers) since it was still able to block bills that displeased the King. Such bills were usually private member’s bills from the House of Representatives. At that time, the members of the House of Representatives too were elected indirectly. The members of the Senate were not elected, but were confidants of the King and were appointed for life. The Senate remained in existence after the separation from Belgium in 1830. Much changed in the political sphere as a result of the introduction of a new constitution in 1848. The position of the Senate and the criteria governing, eligibility to stand for election were among the changes. Monitoring the quality of legislation gradually came to be the main function of the Senate after 1848. It thus became a revising chamber or ‘Chamber de reflection’. Directly after a bill has been passed by the House of Representatives it is sent to the Senate. Here the bill is submitted to a parliamentary committee. The committee decides whether the bill can be immediately put on the agenda of the full chamber or whether there should first be preparatory study of the bill. If a bill is immediately put on the agenda of the full chamber, it will be passed as a formality without a debate. The preparatory study of a bill consists mainly in written correspondence and the exchange of documents. The members of the committee present the views of their parliamentary party in writing and put questions to the Government. The Government replies in a note or memorandum of reply. Sometimes, there may be several rounds of correspondence, but one is generally considered sufficient. After the written preparations have been completed, the Senate is notified that the bill is ready for debate by the full chamber. In due course the bill is then put on the plenary agenda. Operation of the Senate The main function of members of the Senate is to scrutinize and revise bills. To do this effectively, they read the official papers and reports as well as letters and articles from newspapers and periodicals. The members sometimes receive hundreds of letters before a bill is dealt with. Members of the Senate also confer internally and externally. Internal consultations are held for the most part within the parliamentary party or committee concerned. The procedure to be adopted is one of the matters discussed in the committee meetings. External consultations are held with organizations and citizens. Sometimes members receive visitors or delegations. And in special circumstances a committee may decide to hold a hearing. Members of the Senate also have the right to ask the Government written questions about issues unconnected with a bill. However, they make only limited use of this right. The general view is that scrutinizing the policy and actions of the Government is first and foremost the responsibility of the House of Representatives. The Senate carefully examines bills, which are proposed laws, to make certain that they are the best they can be. Sir John A. MacdonaldC’da) called the Senate a place of “sober second thought.”      

75th birthday for Count Ingolf af Rosenborg

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75th birthday for Count Ingolf af Rosenborg
By Baron Henri Estramant 
 
 
His Excellency Major Count Ingolf af Rosenborg fêted his landmark 75th birthday on 17 February 2015. Count Ingolf is a first cousin to Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark who also shall celebrate her 75th birthday on 16 April 2015; celebrations throughout the Kingdom of Denmark have been arranged by the Royal Court as well as the Royal Government to celebrate the ebullient occasion throughout the year. 
 
Count Ingolf is the eldest son of the late Hereditary Prince Knud (1900-1976) and Hereditary Princess Caroline-Mathilde (1912-1995) of Denmark. He was born as “His Highness Prince Ingolf to Denmark” in Sorgenfri Castle nevertheless lost his royal status after he wed a commoner in 1968. Upon his morganatic marriage he became was granted the noble title in the first rank “Count af Rosenborg” with the style of “Excellency” by King Frederik IX. By virtue of being the eldest son of the then Hereditary Prince Knud to Denmark, the then Prince Ingolf was for a long time deemed as an heir presumptive because females were barred from the throne until a constitutional reform in 1953. The new Act of Succession brought about a male-preference, cognatic primogeniture; meaning females from senior lines were given preferences if there was no brother, hence paving the way for the then Princess Margrethe to become “tronfølger”, however, not “Crown Princess” as she was heiress “presumptive”, not “apparent”. Had the law not been changed, then Count Ingolf could likely had become Denmark’s sovereign. 
TE Countess Sussie and Count Ingolf af Rosenborg
 
The title “Count af Rosenborg” has been customary for “deposed” princes of the Royal House Glücksborg in Denmark, that is, for those who entered unequal marriages. 
 
Albeit Count Ingolf af Rosenborg forfeited his membership into the Danish Royal House upon his morganatic marriage he still receives an annual allowance of 1,3 million kr (174,228.84 EUR) from the Danish state. The monies are viewed as a sort of compensation for his displacement in the line of succession in favour of the now Queen Margrethe II. Since 1998 he is married to HE Countess Sussie af Rosenborg (née Hjorhøy Pedersen). Count Ingolf has no children. He is still the protector of several military and social organisations as well as a reserved major for Den Kongelige Livgarde (Royal Life Guards). 
 
Count Ingolf’s older sister, Her Highness Princess Elisabeth to Denmark (b. 8 May 1935), is the only of the three children of Hereditary Prince Knud and Princess Caroline-Mathilde to remain “royal”. She occupies the twelve and last place in the line of succession to the Danish throne, yet she is single, and has no issue. Remarkably she is also the only Danish royal to have entered her country’s Foreign Service professionally. Princess Elisabeth was employed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1956 to 2001. The princess was posted in Washington D.C. (1973-76 and 1981-85) as well as at the Danish UN Mission in Genève (1989-1993). She will celebrate her 80th birthday this year. 
NYTAARSKUR
 
From 17 to 19 May 2015, the Dutch royal couple shall pay a State Visit to the Kingdom of Denmark. 
 
For more information: 
Interview with HM The Queen and HRH The Prince Consort of Denmark about the upcoming Dutch State Visit:

Doha Jewellery and Watch Exhibition 2015

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Doha Jewellery and Watch Exhibition 2015
  Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2015 opens a stunningly beautiful theatre of spectacular pieces from across the world   After a year-long wait, the XII edition of the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition was declared open on 23 February 2015. Hosted by Qatar Tourism Authority, qmedia Events and Fira Barcelona at the Qatar National Convention Centre, the exhibition was an impressive collection of jewellery and timepieces from the most famous and reputed international brands. Visitors were in for an impressive visual journey, admiring the master craftsmanship and creativity of the collections on display. The beautifully themed venue will be glittering with exquisite pieces that celebrate the love and passion behind centuries of jewellery and watch making. The five day exhibition is also the event of choice for many regional and international brands to unveil their new collections in the Middle East. Mr Hamad Al Abdan, Director of Exhibitions, Qatar Tourism Authority, said “It is an immense sense of achievement for us that His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the State of Qatar, graced the exhibition. His presence reinforces the importance of Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition on the annual calendar of Qatar.” He added that, “Our new facility of assigning personal assistants to VVIPs whilst touring the facility will be very well received by dignitaries who will join us at the opening ceremony.”   For full photo album of this event, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157650682939120/ IMG_5225 With online registration offsite and onsite, VIP visitors on the opening day were surprised at the express check in and appreciated the shuttle bus service provided between the parking area and the main entrance. Visitors were seen using the golf carts to visit different areas, thereby speeding up their time between pavilions. According to Mr.  Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al Malki, Chief Enterprise Officer, q.media, “Our special services for VIPs delighted visitors and the media as we have not only valet parking, but also a VIP lounge dedicated for VIPs to rest and relax in, whilst the media have a well-appointed media room at their disposal.” With over 500 participating brands representing the best of the global industry, the media were given bespoke tours earlier in the day and were given time with exhibitors to discuss and photograph the latest collections. Qatar leading retail and corporate bank, QNB is the official bank partner and the contemporary luxury hotel W Doha is the official hospitality partner at the “Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2015”. Talking about QNB’s role in Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2015, the General Manager for QNB’s Group Communications, Mr. Yousef Darwish said, “QNB is pleased to sponsor this prestigious event which attracts numerous visitors from worldwide. The Group’s sponsorship of this exhibition comes as testament to its importance in the world of jewelry. It will mark Qatar as a global hub for professionals and those interested in this field and truly shed light on our beloved country as a truly global destination for great events.”   IMG_5497 Mr.  Safak Guvenc, Area Manager for Qatar and the General Manager of “W Doha Hotel” & residences said on the occasion of the launch, “We are honored to be the official hotel partner of the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2015. This distinguished exhibition showcases the best international brands from the world of jewelry and watch designs and manufactures and is one of the greatest events taking place in this country. The W Doha team is delighted to be part of this leading event and looks forward to welcoming its guests to Qatar’s first luxury lifestyle hotel.” The Doha Jewellery & Watches 2015 commences its 12th edition with great fanfare and is ready to surprise and amaze visitors with its gorgeous displays.     IMG_5524 About Qatar Tourism Authority As the Qatari government’s tourism planning and promotion arm; Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) works in partnership with stakeholders to plan, regulate and promote the development of a sustainable and mature tourism sector that contributes to Qatar’s future and positions the country as a leading tourism destination. Chaired by H.E. Mr Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, QTA works on showcasing all that Qatar has to offer, reinforcing the country’s position on the world tourism map as a premium destination for authentic experiences, business facilitation, and family-focused recreation.   About q.media Events q.media Events, a part of Qatar Media Services, is a team of seasoned professionals who provide full MICE event planning, logistics and professional support to clients, creating breakthrough productions that inspire thousands. The team has implemented major live events and exhibitions that produce impact and drama, amaze audiences and exceed client expectations such as the internationally acclaimed Qatar Motor Show, Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition and World Chamber Congress. q.media Group, owned by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), was established in 2004 with the vision, set by the Qatari Government, to work in outdoor, audio and visual advertising, events and conferences and the film industry. Whilst q.media has a healthy business portfolio within Qatar it owns a number of operations globally. These global companies cover numerous business sectors including the largest film distribution and screening company in the Middle East and the largest media printing house in Australia which operates outdoor advertising in Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.   About Fira de Barcelona Fira de Barcelona is the Spanish leading trade and industrial show organizer and boasts a preeminent position in the European trade fair market. With a portfolio of over 70 shows of different frequencies that bring together 30,000 exhibitors, both direct and represented and receive 2.5 million visitors from over 200 countries. 15 of its trade show feature among the European and international benchmark events. The institution has 400,000 m² of exhibition floor space, one of the largest areas in Europe, spread over 2 venues: Montjuïc and Gran Via. It is one of the finest platforms to do business, share knowledge and hold major international events, twinned with the unmatchable Barcelona brand, one of the most dynamic and creative cities in Europe with over a century of tradition in the organisation of big events. As an economic driver it contributes to the promotion and international outreach of companies and provides support for the productive sector, trade professionals and entrepreneurs, as well as spreading knowledge and entrepreneurial culture. For more information:   Qatar Tourism Authority: www.qatartourism.gov.qa/ q.media: www.qmediame.com/english/Pages/default.aspx Fira de Barcelona: www.firabarcelona.com/en/

Responsible journalism

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Responsible journalism
By Peter Knoope, Associate Fellow ICCT – The Hague.   It so happened that I addressed a meeting on violent extremism in Cape Town, South Africa. One of the other speakers, a journalist, discussed the role of media in terrorism and counter terrorism. It is not my favourite topic. In fact it is a pretty rough and always a tough topic. Simply because counter terrorism is not a duty or the role of the media. The media have a very clear, yet different, assignment and should never be instrumentalised by law enforcement or government, let alone by counter terrorism professionals. The media are there to discover and uncover. It is their role to do research and report on their findings. Following their own agenda. Nobody else’s. Still some interesting points were made. Interesting enough to make me think twice. One of them is the speed of media these days. `Breaking news´ is the thing of today. You´ll see it floating at the bottom of your TV screen. It is in headlines only. Bumper-sticker-like text messages. The more concise, the better. The faster the better. There seems ever less time or space to analyse, let alone to give profound background to the one liners of the day. The news is brought to us in sound bites. This stems from the competition between media outlets to be the first. It is a competitive environment, the media, where speed has become as important as thorough knowledge. This new and growing trend seems contradictory, or at least at odds, with the assignment of media to discover, analyse, educate, unveil and inform. There is a real risk that fast news and sensational events take the upper hand and that depth of analytical coverage of the news loses out. So during the discussion the term `responsible journalism` was introduced as a concept. Because when you think about it, Journalists do have responsibilities. They are our eyes and ears. When they uncover and expose and place events into context we expect them to be informed and balanced and open minded. So far so good. Then some-one in the audience raised his hand and claimed that western journalists and media are biased and are all anti-Muslim. They, the media in the West, connect a religion to violence and killing. They go along in the frame offered to journalists on a platter by the ISIS, AQ, Boko Haram and other violent organisations. There is no responsible journalism in the West and the blame for Charlie Hebdo, and similar incidents, is put on Muslims and their religion. Whenever other (read non-Muslim) perpetrators are responsible for killings or incidents, the religious background is never mentioned. It only happens when the suspect is a Muslim. All this according to the person that asked the question. In my answer I came to the defence of the press. Because I know from my own experience that most European journalists are trying to be balanced and well informed. I know that many journalists prefer and are trying hard to stay away from the competition, the race to be first, and try to be as balanced as humanly possible. Even now, a couple of days later, I still think that such is generally the case. But the inverse does happen. Media can sometimes be forced to work at a very high speed when judging or quoting without allowing enough time for proper analyses. Let us face it. Judgements are sometimes made in split seconds, quotes are published without a proper check on their relevance or their impact, language is used that may incite or create the wrong picture. And the risk of that happening is increasing when time is limited. When speed is more important than analytical depth and when the race is about `who is first´ and not ´who is most precise, informative and analytical´. And if the effect of the media race and the need for speed, the competition and modern journalism, if the effect thereof is that people on the other side of the planet get the impression that Western media are anti-Muslim than we have a real challenge. In that case something needs to be fixed. For the very reason that we must prevent to fall into the trap of going along in the frame of ISIS, AQ and Boko Haram, that this is about `us` against `them`. Too much damage has been done to social relationships in many countries by identity politics and `us` versus `them` thinking and talking. Language matters. We all must be precise and responsible when we choose our words. And especially journalists. They are our eyes and ears. We depend on them to be properly informed. By the end of the day we all agreed on this one thing. Which seems to be that the media should want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. I guess that is what responsible journalism is all about. Peter Knoope, Associate fellow ICCT – The Hague.        

An International Classroom

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An International Classroom
By Richard T. Griffiths, Leiden University.   As you read this column, about eight thousand people from almost every country in the World will have watched at least one of my lectures in a course entitled “Configuring the World: A Political Economy Approach”. It runs until the end of March, so there is still time to take a look, but it will run again in its entirety next September. The course is hosted on a platform called Coursera to which 120 universities are affiliated, including Leiden. Over twelve million students have already followed one of the courses. There is no charge. Welcome to the World of MOOCs – Massive Open Online Courses. There is a great on-going debate about MOOCs. One end of the spectrum predicts the end of traditional universities. Why pay for a second rate education when you can get one free from some of the top universities in the World? At the other extreme there are those who dismiss MOOCs as all hype and no substance. How can one boast about replacing universities, when only about ten per cent of those registered ever complete a course? My own position is that traditional universities are safe. They are no more likely to disappear now than they were when the printing press was invented. Why go to classes, when you can read the book? The answer is also the same now as it was then – good teachers can help, explain, explore and inspire. Even so, MOOC lectures can enhance the learning experience. Some advantages are built into the MOOC itself. The MOOC videos are usually short, bite-sized expositions of a topic, which can be watched where, when, and as often as they desired. They are accompanied by English language subtitles and, in my own case, by subtitles in another eight languages. This bonus is entirely the result of those who followed the first run of the course and who volunteered to translate the transcripts, which speaks volumes for their identification with and commitment to this particular MOOC and to MOOCs in general. Within each MOOC there is a built-in forum where participants from many different backgrounds and with different experiences can explore issues. We have also used visualizations to breakdown and reconstruct maps of World data, something that is difficult to convey in a lecture and impossible to do in a book. MOOCs can also enhance classroom teaching. Videos can be used to frame class discussions. They can also link classes in different parts of the World together. For example, last year we had a Skype session with university students in Kenya. Finally, they can give students thinking of following a course at university a taste of what they can expect, to help them make the correct choices for themselves and prepare for an exciting future where university class-rooms coexist in cyberspace .
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