Bangladesh is soaring ahead

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Bangladesh is soaring ahead
By Roy Lie A Tjam.   A Ministerial delegation led by H.E. Minister Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade & Development Cooperation, and H.E. Minister Melanie Schultz, Minister for Infrastructure and Environment, along with representatives of textile, apparel, and water stakeholders, is due to visit Bangladesh from 14-18 June 2015. The overall objective of the visit is to enhance the water and garment business relationship between the two countries.   For a photo-album on this event, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157654246009648   BW BE 02c web H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador for the Republic of Bangladesh in the Netherlands, held a reception at Bangladesh House, Wassenaar on June 3, 2015 for an interactive pre-departure briefing. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal presented numerous opportunities in Bangladesh, particularly the textile and apparel industries, confirming that they have much to offer the Netherlands and the world. Belal encouraged Dutch businesses to partner with his country based on the evidence suggesting that the Bangladesh “economy is soaring ahead.”   BW BE 011 c web   Apart from H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, there were two other speakers: Mr. Han Bekke, president of MODINT, and Mr. Jeroen van Dijken LLM MSc MA, secretary to VGT, Association of Textile Wholesalers. Mr. Bekke introduced MODINT, an association of manufacturers, importers, agents and wholesalers of clothing, fashion accessories, carpet and (interior) textiles. Furthermore Mr. Bekke expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the invitation pertaining to the upcoming visit to Bangladesh. Mr. Jeroen van Dyke, in a revealing way, exposed the VGT ‘policy in dealing with textile & apparel exporting countries’ such as Bangladesh. Also, Van Dyke touched on the VGT ‘Plan of Action’ The primary objective of the Plan of Action is to achieve structural improvements in the broadest sense in the textile and clothing industry. The plan is widely supported, with about 100 companies having ratified it. There is a growing interest from neighboring countries as well as from the European Commission, declared Van Dyke. The Action Plan has several issues on the agenda: child labour, freedom of association, and purchasing practice to name a few. About ten working groups have been put in place to ensure achievement of the goals. The sector faces some challenges, due to the paucity (1%) of the Dutch share in the global textile and clothing market. The Plan of Action has since drawn political attention, and Parliament has adopted several motions on transparency, child labor, and living wages. The Netherlands government has put forward her view on CSR and trade in a policy memorandum called ‘MVO Loont’ and has conducted a ‘risk analysis’ of the entire Dutch industry. Additionally, an ILO video depicting the post Rana Plaza situation was featured. Over the past two years, the ILO has been working with its local and international partners and other workers organizations on several fronts to improve the situation of workers in the Bangladeshi garment industry. To date, there are more labor inspectors than before, in addition to much more government legislation. A victims’ compensation scheme is in place and there are over 300 workers unions. The motto of this collective Government-ILO project is “Building a brighter future.”    

Dutch Minister of Defense Speaks at the Hague Institute for Global Justice

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Dutch Minister of Defense Speaks at the Hague Institute for Global Justice
By Joseph Dailey.   On Wednesday, the 3rd of June, the Dutch Minister of Defense Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert delivered an engaging and revealing lecture at the Hague Institute for Global Justice. Welcomed and introduced by Dr. Abiodun Williams, President of the Hague Institute for Global Justice, Mrs. Hennis-Plasschaert provided the audience with a glimpse into the thoughts and future plans of her administration. Speaking at length about contemporary issues facing both Europe and the world, Mrs. Hennis-Plasschaert informed the audience about her take on numerous topics, including terrorism, global conflict, non-nation-state players, the digital world, and cooperation within the European Union. Following the presentation, Mrs. Hennis-Plasschaert fielded questions from the audience. Questions fell upon a broad spectrum, including questions regarding the funding of NATO, peacekeeping in Mali, trust between the EU and Russia, and the smuggling of immigrants into the EU. The lecture was a part of the Hague Institute for Global Justice’s series for Distinguished Speakers. Seeking to provide a forum for discussion between prominent experts and the community, the series has been very successful, consistently drawing attendees from numerous organizations, embassies, and private interests. For more information regarding the Hague Institute for Global Justice and registration for future lectures, please visit http://thehagueinstituteforglobaljustice.org  

Europe Day

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Europe Day
  On the picture, Counsellor IngĆ«na VÄ«ksne from the Embassy of Latvia to Belgium and Luxembourg.   By Baron Henri Estramant.   A classical music concert and a reception to mark “Europe Day” were held at the prestigious business, arts and literary club Cercle Gaulois in Brussels on Monday, 11 May, in the vicinity of the Royal Palace. The function is annually arranged by the NGO “Give a Soul to Europe” led by M Patrick Huart.   Slovenien   9 May, or Europe Day was more prominent this year as Europe marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the 65th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. The Schuman Declaration was presented by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950. It proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The ECSC (founding members: France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) was the first of a series of supranational European institutions that would ultimately become today’s “European Union”.   Jacques & LĂ©a   An allocution to mark Europe Day at the Cercle Gaulois was held by Latvia’s Deputy Head of Mission (Embassy of Latvia to Belgium and Luxembourg) Counsellor IngĆ«na VÄ«ksne. The most prominent attendees included Ambassador Ong Eng Chuan (Singapore to the Benelux countries, EU & OPCW), Ambassador MatjaĆŸ Ć inkovec (Slovenia to Belgium, the African Union & the Political and Security Committee of the EU), Ambassador Vesselin Valkanov (Bulgaria to Belgium), Ambassador Jacques Revah (Israel to Belgium & Luxembourg),  Ambassador Vesna Arsić (Serbia to Belgium & Luxembourg), Counsellor Siro Beltrametti (Switzerland to Belgium) and Mr Alexander Homann, Head of the Representation of the German-Speaking Community of Belgium in Brussels.   Inguna The event was held under the patronage and in the presence of HRH Princess Alexandre of Belgium.    For more information: Give a Soul to Europe: www.gsteurope.eu The European Commission on Europe Day: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-4948_en.htm  

Waterloo 1815-2015

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Waterloo 1815-2015
On  the picture Ambassador Bernard Valero and Ambassador Alison Rose opened  together the Waterloo exhibition.   In the framework of the celebrations taking place in Belgium to commemorate the famous Battle of Waterloo, Their Excellencies the French Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, M Bernard Valero, Her Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador Alison Rose as well as the Belgian Defence Minister Steven Vandeput, ceremoniously inaugurated the exhibition “ « Waterloo 1815-2015 : le dĂ©fi Ă  l’Europe » which is being held at the Royal Museum of the Army and of Military History in Brussels.    10344221_720734688037876_2550299514521157195_o (2) The exhibition is organised in three sequels, namely: ten nations, ten sites, ten witnesses.    Source and pictures (French Embassy in Belgium): https://www.facebook.com/la.France.en.Belgique?fref=ts  For more information  Royal Museum of the Army and of Military History (MusĂ©e Royal de l’ArmĂ©e et d’Histoire Militaire): http://www.klm-mra.be/klm-new/frans/main01.php?id=..%2Fexpo-waterloo%2Findex-fr French Embassy in Belgium: http://www.ambafrance-be.org/    

Ntaganda case to be held at the ICC

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Ntaganda case to be held at the ICC
Ntaganda case: Trial opening statements will be held at the seat of the ICC, in the Netherlands.   Situation: Democratic Republic of the Congo Case: The Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda   On 15 June 2015, the Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided that the opening statements in the trial in the case of The Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda shall take place at the seat of the Court, in The Hague (the Netherlands). The ICC Presidency decision was made in consultation with Trial Chamber VI which had, on 19 March 2015, recommended to the ICC Presidency that the opening statements in this trial be held in Bunia, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Trial Chamber VI had indicated its intention of bringing the Court’s judicial work closer to the most affected communities, and had found that it was in the interests of justice for the opening statements to be held in Bunia. Subsequently, the ICC Presidency consulted with the DRC authorities and with the Trial Chamber. The Presidency also received observations from the Prosecutor, the Defence and the Legal Representatives of Victims, as well as reports from the ICC’s Registry. The ICC Presidency, composed for this decision of Judge Silvia FernĂĄndez de Gurmendi (President), Judge Joyce Aluoch (First Vice-President), and Judge Christine Van Den Wyngaert, noted that holding the proceedings in Bunia may, in principle, contribute to a better perception of the Court and bring the proceedings closer to the affected communities. The Presidency also noted the excellent co-operation and willingness of both the DRC and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to facilitate the holding of the proceedings in Bunia. In deciding whether it was desirable and in the interests of justice to sit in Bunia, the Presidency considered a number of factors. Most importantly, it considered concerns over the consequences of the in situ hearings on the witnesses and victims’ safety and well-being, as well as the security of the local communities involved. Furthermore, the Presidency considered the concerns expressed by the victims that the accused’s return would remind them of the suffering and trauma. The Presidency also considered the impact of the logistics required for the hearings, which may have resulted in the affected communities having limited access to them, given their length and nature. Finally, the Presidency noted the financial impact of the costs of hosting the opening statements in Bunia, which were estimated to be more than €600,000. The ICC Presidency concluded that the potential benefits of holding proceedings in Bunia are, in view of the Presidency, outweighed by these risks. Trial Chamber VI will issue, in due course, a decision setting the exact date for the opening of the trial concerning Mr Ntaganda, which has been planned for the 2nd or 3rd week of July.   Background: Bosco Ntaganda, former alleged Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Force Patriotiques pour la LibĂ©ration du Congo [Patriotic Force for the Liberation of Congo] (FPLC), is accused of 13 counts of war crimes (murder and attempted murder; attacking civilians; rape; sexual slavery of civilians; pillaging; displacement of civilians; attacking protected objects; destroying the enemy’s property; and rape, sexual slavery, enlistment and conscription of child soldiers under the age of fifteen years and using them to participate actively in hostilities) and five crimes against humanity (murder and attempted murder; rape; sexual slavery; persecution; forcible transfer of population) allegedly committed in Ituri, DRC, in 2002-2003. Mr Ntaganda is in the Court’s custody. For more information on this case, click here    

Focus on Francophone and Francophile Friendship with the l’AmitiĂ©-Club

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Focus on Francophone and Francophile Friendship with the l’AmitiĂ©-Club
By Ann Daly.   The Golden Jubilee (1965-2015) of the l’AmitiĂ©-Club of The Hague is being celebrated this year. For decades, internationally minded French speaking men and women informally met as the “Amitie-Club de la Haye.” In order to promote the French language and culture to a wider audience, the club was officially registered as a foundation in 2012. With the exception of December, the AmitiĂ©-Club currently meets monthly on Mondays, from September through June from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, at the Muzee Scheveningen. Coffee hour is available from 10:00-10:30 am and the lectures begin promptly at 10:30 am. Everyone is invited to attend monthly lectures, which are presented in French. Register, via the website, to receive monthly updates of the club’s activities or contact the club president, Dominique Peters, directly. A comprehensive listing of the cultural programs, such as the “Romanian Traditions Day” presented this past March and various museum tours, excursions and city trips which the club has organized in the past, are available for review on the “Archive” page of the club’s website. l’AmitiĂ©-Club is especially grateful for the support it receives from the cultural affairs office of the Embassy of France, as well as from other French speaking associations and societies in the community. For the spring cultural program, Mr. Maruis BorĂĄnescu, Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister-Counselor for the Embassy of Romania, invited the audience to “explore the Carpathian garden. ” He briefly introduced Romania’s nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites to the audience and emphasized the Danube Delta. The delta flows into the Black Sea and is recognized as Europe’s largest and “best preserved” delta and home to some 300 species of birds. BorĂĄnescu’s presentation delighted the group–inspiring many to visit Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, or Bucovina sometime soon! BorĂĄnescu also introduced the audience to Constanta, Europe’s fourth largest port and Romania’s longest continuously inhabited city, which was founded in 700 BC and first documented in 300 BC.   According to ancient myths, Jason and the Argonauts, after having found the “golden fleece”, landed in Tomis, the name of city in the ancient world. Centuries later, it was conquered by the Romans and renamed Constantiana by the Roman Emperor Constantine, in honor of his sister. Today, the bustling port city, on the Black Sea, serves as a gateway to the region’s many waterfront resort communities.   BW 007 web   The cultural program also featured a Romanian Easter Egg decoration demonstration by skilled craftswomen, Ms. Cristina Timu and Ms. Maria Zinici, who wore traditional dress from Romania’s Moldavia region, which is famous for eight fresco churches, built from the late 15th Century to the late 16th Century. The churches feature “murals of blue” and seven of the eight have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. “Churches of Moldavia,” include the uniquely decorated Sucevita Monastery and the Church of St. George at the former Voronet Monastery. The day’s cultural program concluded with a lively music performance by the internationally acclaimed pan flutist Nicolae PĂźrvu. Bucharest, the nation’s capital, is known as “little Paris” due to the city’s elegant architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere, is just a little more than a flight of two hours from Amsterdam and is the easiest gateway to the country for tourists flying from the Netherlands.   Visit the official website for Romania’s Tourism Offices for inspiration and begin making plans for a city break or extended summer holiday!      

Denmark Constitution Day 2015 celebrated in The Hague

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Denmark Constitution Day 2015 celebrated in The Hague
  By Roy Lie A Tjam.   Constitution Day is the anniversary of the signing of the Danish constitution of 1849, which established Denmark as a constitutional monarchy. The day of celebration also includes the Constitution of 1953, which was adopted on the same date. For a photo-album on the Danish Constitution Day, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157654182744199   BW DK 001 web   The 2015 edition of this momentous day was held on the lawns of the residence of H.E. Mr. Ole E. Moesby, the Ambassador and his spouse. It is surprising to find oases that exude tranquility in the heart of the city of The Hague, but the residential lawns managed to do just that. It was a very warm sunny day, and the chilled Danish beverages and ice cream quenched the thirst of the numerous attendees.   BW DK 007 c web This year, in 2015, Denmark celebrates the 100th anniversary of the amendment of the Danish Constitution that gave women the right to vote and stand for election. Denmark was one of the first nations in the world to do so. Ambassador Moesby can look back on yet another successful Constitution Day, and we all look forward to next year’s as well!   BW DK 004 web

Opening terrace season at cocktail SPARK Mauritskade

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Opening terrace season at cocktail SPARK Mauritskade
  Introduction Quick & Sunny lunch – The Hague, June 9, 2015 Last season, the terrace of the trendy cocktail SPARK Hilton The Hague opened by the festive launch of the new Life Magazine. The terrace is located directly on the water of the Mauritskade, where (round trip) boats can moor for a snack and a drink. Due to its location right in the center with underground parking, the terrace of SPARK is a popular place to be. This summer SPARK introduces the Quick & Sunny lunch, especially for anyone in the sun to enjoy a quick lunch. SPARK has become known for the special signature cocktails, Gin & Tonics and fine wines. Every Friday and Saturday there is live entertainment in SPARK bar with DJs and jazzy sounds. For more information www.facebook.com/sparkthehague    

Les Oiseaux Bleus Fundraising

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Les Oiseaux Bleus Fundraising
By Roy Lie A Tjam.   Under the auspices of H.E. Mr. Karim Ben Becher, Ambassador for Tunisia in The Hague, a fundraising event was held on Thursday 14 June 2015 in The Hague. The Foundation “Les Oiseaux bleus” was established to materially and morally help children with disabilities, physical and other, living in developing countries (notably El Kef in Tunisia). The foundation name Les Oiseaux Bleus was taken from a book by the Belgian writer Maurice Maeterlinck. In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Ben Becher expressed his gratitude vice­-a­vice Les Oiseaux Bleus board for the indefatigable support they rendered to the disabled in Tunisia over the years. The program included a market, a lottery, an auction, and live music. Attendees were given ample opportunity to walk about the market to purchase items, including lottery tickets.   For a photo-album on the Les Oiseaux Bleus Fundraising, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157654569082572   BW 024   A musical performance followed by the renowned Soprano Christina Schönbach of the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague, accompanied by pianist Eva Szalai of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest. The performance started with “A Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy Gillespie followed by the story of “Dido & Aeneas” by baroque composer Henry Purcell. The performance was concluded with “Love Is like a Bird.”   BW 018   The prize of the lottery, a round trip to Tunisia for two persons, went to the spouse of the Ambassador of Turkey. Donations will be made toward the Les Oiseaux bleus foundation.   BW 015  

stop violence against women at Cyprus residence

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stop violence against women at Cyprus residence
International community committed to stop violence against women Residence of Cyprus ambassador will be turned into B&B during 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters   11 June 2015 – Dutch MP Marith Rebel and the diplomatic community in The Hague met with NGOs at the premises of the Embassy of Cyprus yesterday, 10 June 2015 to reinvigorate the commitment of the international community to stop violence against women. Violence against women is a global problem. And therefore it is of the utmost importance that relief workers from development countries can be present at the 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters which will be held in The Hague from 3 to 6 November this year. At the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus and with the contribution of the Dutch Foreign Ministry and the Dutch Foundation of Women’s Shelters, the conference’s project organization, the international community in The Hague met to be briefed about the upcoming 3rd World Conference and on how to support the project financially and practically.  Over a 1,000 relief workers from all over the world have already expressed the intention to register for the conference of which 500 have already registered definitely. Unfortunately it is still uncertain for a large group whether they can really attend the conference due to a lack of financial resources. The international community in The Hague wants to change this. During the meeting various initiatives were born to offer financial and practical help to the relief workers. For example, the Cypriot ambassador and his wife are ready to offer Bed & Breakfast accommodation during the conference for relief workers from Cyprus. Other initiatives announced were: People will cook for each other in exchange for money which will then be donated, there will be an art auction and participants to the conference can be “adopted”. 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters The 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters is organized by the Dutch Foundation of Women’s Shelters on request from the Global Network of Women’s Shelters (GNWS). The conference will be held in The Hague from 3 – 6 November 2015 and will be supported by sponsors, the Dutch government and the Municipality of The Hague. The most important goal of this conference is to offer a platform to women’s shelters and other partners in order to learn from one another and to exchange experiences. This exchange is meant to contribute to a systematic approach to eliminate violence against women and children.    
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