One hundred years ago – without the intervention of the First World War – The Third International Peace Conference would have taken place in The Hague. Now, a century later, The Hague University of Applied Sciences is organising The Third Hague Peace Conference. From 1 through 3 July, lectures and debates were held and students from all over the world met for discussion.
Subjects addressed during the three-day event included the humanitarian law of war and how the international community can devote its efforts to maintaining peace. Included in the programme was a lecture given by Nico Schrijver, Professor of Public International Law, about improving the decision-making process of the UN Security Council and a talk given by Joris Voorhoeve, head of the International Peace, Justice & Security research group, about the prevention of war and the building of peace after a war situation. But there was also a workshop on how to make peace go viral on social media.
Essays
The focus of this event was the new generation of students and their ideas about effective ways of peace-keeping and improving human rights. Students from all over the world were given the opportunity to write essays about these subjects, and the one hundred students who wrote the best essays were invited to attend the conference. The best essays are also being published in a book.
Georgia
One of the students coming to The Hague for this conference is Nino Makhauri from Georgia. She witnessed the Five-Day War in 2008 and wrote her essay about the situation in the Georgian region of Tskhinvali in the years that followed. Nino’s essay describes how Russia failed to comply with the six-point plan that Nicholas Sarkozy had drawn up under the supervision of the European Union and that had been endorsed by both Russia and Georgia. Nino explains that in 2011, on orders given by Russian soldiers, the ‘peacemakers’ behind the six-step plan set up barricades and barbed wire on Georgian territory thus sealing off 50 villages and forcing citizens to leave their homes. Although international organisations, including the European Commission, expressed their dismay, this has been of little concern to Russia and little has changed in the situation.
Nino’s essay shows that international conventions are difficult to enforce when one of the parties is uncooperative. His question: what can Georgia and international organisations working together achieve for this region?
Nino Makhauri’s essay: link.hhs.nl/xmsp/xms_itm_p.download_file?p_itm_id=98988
The Embassy of Pakistan’s Trade Office, is organising the 12th edition of Pakistani Mango Exhibition on 22nd July 2015 at 16:00 hours at Hilton Hotel, The Hague.
Importers, retailers and superstores will exhibit several varieties of Pakistani Mangoes like Sindhri, Chaunsa , Beghan Phali, Sunhera and Lasi during the event were also Mango tasting through Mango cubes, Mango shake, Mango Ice cream and more will be offer to the guests. This is a unique opportunity of tasting wide varieties of the wonderful Pakistani’s fruit.
Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of mangoes in the world and Pakistani mango is known for its appealing colour, enticing aroma and delicious taste. Its is important to mention that the Netherlands is the second largest importer and exporter of Mangoes been the Trade Gate way to Europe.
The exhibition is being organised in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Diplomat Magazine.
H.E. Mr. Moazzam Ahmad Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan will inaugurate the exhibition.
Myanmar deposited its instrument of ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention on 8 July. After 30 days, the Convention will enter into force for Myanmar, raising its membership to 191 States Parties.
Welcoming Myanmar’s Foreign Minister, Mr Wunna Maung Lwin, today at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague, OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, said, “Myanmar’s membership will significantly strengthen the global prohibition against chemical weapons, especially in Asia.”
In an address [PDF – 720 KB] to the Executive Council of the OPCW today, Minister Wunna Maung Lwin said, “Myanmar is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Convention and looks forward to cooperating with other States Parties to bring about a world completely free of chemical weapons.”
Executive Council members warmly welcomed Myanmar’s accession and reaffirmed their countries’ intention to redouble efforts to bring about universal adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Five States remain outside the Convention – Angola, Egypt, Israel, North Korea and South Sudan. Of these, Angola’s parliament recently opened the way to Angola joining upon deposit of an instrument of accession, and South Sudan has indicated its intention to succeed to the Convention.
Myanmar was among the first countries to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993. In January this year, Myanmar’s parliament, the Assembly of the Union, ratified the Convention – opening the way to Myanmar becoming a State Party.
The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits the production, development, possession, stockpiling, transfer and use of chemical weapons. States Parties must declare and destroy any stockpiles of chemical weapons and related production facilities, as well as any old or abandoned chemical weapons, and submit to an international monitoring and verification regime.
Minister Gerardine Mukeshimana of the Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources and Minister Sharon Dijksma of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed this morning a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation in plant variety protection and breeders’ rights at the No More Food To WasteConference in The Hague.
Memorandum of Understanding
The Rwanda government wants to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of further development and economic growth of the Rwanda agricultural sector, specifically the potato sector and the seed sector.
The Netherlands has a strong interest in sharing knowledge through private companies and science institutes for the benefit of the agricultural sector. Both governments acknowledge the importance of an effective system in order to improve the agricultural sector of Rwanda as well as to further develop the investment opportunities for foreign companies.
For a photo-album on Rwandese Minister visit to The Netherlands, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157655631413962Agriculture Mission
Minister Mukeshimana was in the Netherlands from 16 to 19 June to intensify the economic relations between Rwanda and the Netherlands on developing the agriculture sector through extending business to business contacts and to discuss the Dutch institutional framework on agricultural policies, research and good agricultural practices.
The Minister started with No More Food To Waste Conference and participated in a panel discussion deliberation on food loss, waste and opportunities for action. Furthermore, she attended a Horticulture Platform meeting with the Rwanda trade delegation where an update was given on the SMART Project in Rwanda. This is a smart greenhouse technology specially developed for Rwanda by a consortium of Dutch and Rwandan private sector companies and research institutes, which will result in increased quality and production of vegetables and a stronger market position.
The Minister continued her mission together with Ambassador George William Kayonga (CEO of the National Agricultural Export Development Board), Mr Robert Kayinamura (First Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Netherlands) and Mrs Teddie Muffels (Agricultural Counsellor at the Dutch Embassy in Rwanda).
The delegation visited Bosman Van Zaal that is one of the private companies in the SMART Project and specialized in the production of conditioned facilities for vegetable and floriculture production worldwide. Furthermore, the delegation visited Olij Roses (a specialist in growing and propagation of roses) and a dairy farm of the Vollering Brothers, which is a good example of modern farming with four strategy points; animal welfare, cows in the pasture, labour efficiency and energy neutral.
For more information:
Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources www.minagri.gov.rw
NAEB www.naeb.gov.rw
No More Food To Waste Conference www.nomorefoodtowaste.nl
Bosman Van Zaal www.bosmanvanzaal.com
Olij Roses www.olijrozen.nl
Farm Vollering Brothers www.boerderijlandleven.nl
The yoga virus grabbed The Hague on Sunday 21 June. The first celebration of International Yoga Day at MOOOF was a big success. Hundreds of enthusiastic participants tried out fun yoga lessons, listened intently to lectures or roared with laughter constantly laughter meditation.The aim of the event was to introduce a large audience to yoga. Initiator Mansi Jasuja, or Planet Green Foundation, succeeded very well in That goal. Kids, elderly people, macho men and the most hesitant sceptics all spent a large part of the day on a yoga mat. The daring ones had a go at acrobatic aerial yoga in a hammock and an 87-year-old walker tried yoga for the first time.
The program ook catered for the experienced yogis. The renowned Indian Yogi Sri Vijay Gopala (founder of Yoga Gita) drew a large audience with a lecture followed by mediation.
Alderman in tracksuit
Alderman Rabin Baldewsingh (Social Affairs and Sports) Officially opened the event sportively dressed in a white tracksuit. The alderman spoke about The Importance of connecting body and soul and the benefits of yoga. “Something as international as yoga simply belongs here in our International city of peace and justice. ” Annual event
The organization is very happy with the success of this first edition. Jasuja: “The ambience was terrific, many people experienced yoga for the first time and everyone had a great day. We’ll do this every year and The Hague give an even more prominent position as yoga city of The Netherlands. “The Hague has The countries highest number of yoga studios per inhabitant. Twenty-five local yoga studios gift thirty-five lessons and demonstrations on the day on a voluntary basis falling on the event at MOOOF.
International Yoga Daywww.internationalyogaday.nlwww.facebook.com/IYD.nl
The Royal Thai Embassy in The Hague and the Thai community of the Netherlands have the pleasure to extend an open invitation for all to attend the “Thailand Grand Festival 2015 or TGF 2015”, an annual celebration that will take place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July 2015 from 12.00 to 20.00 hours at Spuiplein, The Hague.
After the success of the last year edition organised for the first time in The Hague, the Embassy renews the experience and wishes to invite the Hagenaren, the Dutch Public, as well as interested visitors to celebrate the arrival of summer in style! This is the best opportunity to get to know Thai community in the Netherlands through its get-together activities and experience the famous Thai hospitality and cheerfulness.
The weekend event will feature Thai culture and traditions under various forms; The World famous Thai “street food*” fair presenting freshly prepared Thai savoury dishes and sweets; Thai drinks and beers; Performances of Thai traditional and contemporary music and dances; Demonstration of self-defense art “Muay Thai”; Thai spa through traditional style massage for therapeutic and relaxing purposes; Presentation of Thai products and handicrafts and many more activities!
For this 10th edition, the “Thailand Grand Festival” holds out hopes of being a success among the Dutch public and interested visitors again.
ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda issues draft OTP Strategic Plan 2016-2018, for comment.Today, 8 July 2015, the Prosecutor of the ICC, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, issued a draft Strategic Plan that will guide the work of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor (“OTP” or “Office”) for the period of 2016 to 2018.Prosecutor Bensouda stated: “Even as we see the positive impact of our 2012-2015 Strategic Plan, we continue our efforts to consolidate the high performance of the Office and to address challenges”. As per the policy of the OTP, a draft of the Strategic Plan (2016-2018) is being shared with interested external partners, including States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academia and affected communities, for their inputs and comments.All comments and questions can be addressed to: otp_spi@icc-cpi.int by 28 August 2015. Following this consultation period, the final version of the Strategic Plan will be circulated during the first half of September 2015.
Newly elected ICC Judge Raul Pangalangan to be sworn in on 13 July 2015.
A swearing-in ceremony for the new Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mr Raul Cano Pangalangan, will be held on Monday, 13 July 2015 at 4:30 P.M. (The Hague local time) in Courtroom I at the seat of the Court in The Hague (Netherlands).
ICC Judge Raul Cano Pangalangan (Philippines) was elected on 24 June 2015 to fill a judicial vacancy during the resumed thirteenth session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute in The Hague (Netherlands). His term of office will end on 10 March 2021.
Judge Raul Cano Pangalangan will take the public oath declaring: “I solemnly undertake that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as a Judge of the International Criminal Court honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously and that I will respect the confidentiality of investigations and prosecutions and the secrecy of deliberations”.
CV and application letter (maximum two pages each), including contact details, at least two academic references and confirmation of availability for the full duration of the proposal development.
A preliminary research proposal of no more than 3 pages (1500 words, excluding notes and bibliography), detailing the proposed topic, scientific and societal relevance and connection to the work of Foundation for Peace Sciences and ISS.
A jury chaired by Professor Mansoob Murshed and including a representative of the Foundation for Peace Sciences will assess the proposal. Shortlisted candidates will be informed mid-September and interviews will take place end of September.
For more information on the background of the organisations involved:
Stichting Vredeswetenschappen: www.stichtingvredeswetenschappen.nl and www.facebook.com/stichtingvredeswetenschappen
International Institute for Social Studies: www.iss.nl and www.facebook.com/iss.nl
ASN Foundation: http://www.asnbank.nl/particulier/wat-doen-wij/hoe-vullen-we-duurzaamheid-in/asn-foundation.html
The European Commission has decided to appoint Alexander Italianer as new Secretary-General following Catherine Day‘s decision to retire from active service as of 1 September 2015.
The Commission has also decided to reshuffle its senior management team and a significant number of current senior managers will be taking on new responsibilities. Following the re-organisation of the Commission in November 2014, this pronouncement is a further step in gearing the Commission towards effective delivery. It concludes an inclusive process set in motion by the President in March 2015.
Presenting its decision, President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “I want to wholeheartedly thank Catherine Day for her commitment and skilful steer of our administration for so many years. She played a crucial role in helping this new Commission to start at full speed. I am sure our new Secretary-General, Alexander Italianer, will build on her tremendous success. We have a strong team in place to deliver on Europe’s big priorities. At the same time, there are still too few women among our senior managers. It remains my firm intention to change that during my mandate”.
Kristalina Georgieva, Vice-President in charge of Human Resources and Budget, said: “This is a team of talented and experienced professionals, who will work closely with the political leaders to deliver on the priorities of the Juncker Commission – the right people in the right place, at the right time. And I am strongly committed to bring the share of female managers to 40% by the end of this mandate.”
This decision involves two types of moves among the current senior management team of 33
Directors-General, 36 Deputy Directors-General and 4 Hors Classe Advisers.
Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of mangoes in the world and Pakistani mango is known for its appealing colour, enticing aroma and delicious taste. Its is important to mention that the Netherlands is the second largest importer and exporter of Mangoes been the Trade Gate way to Europe.
The exhibition is being organised in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Diplomat Magazine.
H.E. Mr. Moazzam Ahmad Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan will inaugurate the exhibition.
Agriculture Mission
Minister Mukeshimana was in the Netherlands from 16 to 19 June to intensify the economic relations between Rwanda and the Netherlands on developing the agriculture sector through extending business to business contacts and to discuss the Dutch institutional framework on agricultural policies, research and good agricultural practices.
The Minister started with No More Food To Waste Conference and participated in a panel discussion deliberation on food loss, waste and opportunities for action. Furthermore, she attended a Horticulture Platform meeting with the Rwanda trade delegation where an update was given on the SMART Project in Rwanda. This is a smart greenhouse technology specially developed for Rwanda by a consortium of Dutch and Rwandan private sector companies and research institutes, which will result in increased quality and production of vegetables and a stronger market position.
The Minister continued her mission together with Ambassador George William Kayonga (CEO of the National Agricultural Export Development Board), Mr Robert Kayinamura (First Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Netherlands) and Mrs Teddie Muffels (Agricultural Counsellor at the Dutch Embassy in Rwanda).
The delegation visited Bosman Van Zaal that is one of the private companies in the SMART Project and specialized in the production of conditioned facilities for vegetable and floriculture production worldwide. Furthermore, the delegation visited Olij Roses (a specialist in growing and propagation of roses) and a dairy farm of the Vollering Brothers, which is a good example of modern farming with four strategy points; animal welfare, cows in the pasture, labour efficiency and energy neutral.
For more information:
Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources www.minagri.gov.rw
NAEB www.naeb.gov.rw
No More Food To Waste Conference www.nomorefoodtowaste.nl
Bosman Van Zaal www.bosmanvanzaal.com
Olij Roses www.olijrozen.nl
Farm Vollering Brothers www.boerderijlandleven.nl
Agriculture Mission
Minister Mukeshimana was in the Netherlands from 16 to 19 June to intensify the economic relations between Rwanda and the Netherlands on developing the agriculture sector through extending business to business contacts and to discuss the Dutch institutional framework on agricultural policies, research and good agricultural practices.
The Minister started with No More Food To Waste Conference and participated in a panel discussion deliberation on food loss, waste and opportunities for action. Furthermore, she attended a Horticulture Platform meeting with the Rwanda trade delegation where an update was given on the SMART Project in Rwanda. This is a smart greenhouse technology specially developed for Rwanda by a consortium of Dutch and Rwandan private sector companies and research institutes, which will result in increased quality and production of vegetables and a stronger market position.
The Minister continued her mission together with Ambassador George William Kayonga (CEO of the National Agricultural Export Development Board), Mr Robert Kayinamura (First Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Netherlands) and Mrs Teddie Muffels (Agricultural Counsellor at the Dutch Embassy in Rwanda).
The delegation visited Bosman Van Zaal that is one of the private companies in the SMART Project and specialized in the production of conditioned facilities for vegetable and floriculture production worldwide. Furthermore, the delegation visited Olij Roses (a specialist in growing and propagation of roses) and a dairy farm of the Vollering Brothers, which is a good example of modern farming with four strategy points; animal welfare, cows in the pasture, labour efficiency and energy neutral.
For more information:
Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources www.minagri.gov.rw
NAEB www.naeb.gov.rw
No More Food To Waste Conference www.nomorefoodtowaste.nl
Bosman Van Zaal www.bosmanvanzaal.com
Olij Roses www.olijrozen.nl
Farm Vollering Brothers www.boerderijlandleven.nl
The program ook catered for the experienced yogis. The renowned Indian Yogi Sri Vijay Gopala (founder of Yoga Gita) drew a large audience with a lecture followed by mediation.
Alderman in tracksuit
Alderman Rabin Baldewsingh (Social Affairs and Sports) Officially opened the event sportively dressed in a white tracksuit. The alderman spoke about The Importance of connecting body and soul and the benefits of yoga. “Something as international as yoga simply belongs here in our International city of peace and justice. ”
Annual event
The organization is very happy with the success of this first edition. Jasuja: “The ambience was terrific, many people experienced yoga for the first time and everyone had a great day. We’ll do this every year and The Hague give an even more prominent position as yoga city of The Netherlands. “The Hague has The countries highest number of yoga studios per inhabitant. Twenty-five local yoga studios gift thirty-five lessons and demonstrations on the day on a voluntary basis falling on the event at MOOOF.
International Yoga Day
www.internationalyogaday.nl
www.facebook.com/IYD.nl
The program ook catered for the experienced yogis. The renowned Indian Yogi Sri Vijay Gopala (founder of Yoga Gita) drew a large audience with a lecture followed by mediation.
Alderman in tracksuit
Alderman Rabin Baldewsingh (Social Affairs and Sports) Officially opened the event sportively dressed in a white tracksuit. The alderman spoke about The Importance of connecting body and soul and the benefits of yoga. “Something as international as yoga simply belongs here in our International city of peace and justice. ”
Annual event
The organization is very happy with the success of this first edition. Jasuja: “The ambience was terrific, many people experienced yoga for the first time and everyone had a great day. We’ll do this every year and The Hague give an even more prominent position as yoga city of The Netherlands. “The Hague has The countries highest number of yoga studios per inhabitant. Twenty-five local yoga studios gift thirty-five lessons and demonstrations on the day on a voluntary basis falling on the event at MOOOF.
International Yoga Day
www.internationalyogaday.nl
www.facebook.com/IYD.nl
