PC Refresh – The cost-effective and sustainable alternative to buying new computers The current economic climate calls for an innovative approach to save on costs in a sustainable way. The Hague-based company PC Refresh employs a smart way to extend the lifespan of computers; it has specialized in refreshing, or reinstalling, PC’s and laptops to return them to brand-new condition. The approach is not new, but is often seen as a hassle and is therefore mostly avoided by computer users and specialists. If done right, however, it is the most thorough way to clean up a computer, removing all traces of viruses, unwanted software and other left-overs that slow down or destabilize a computer, without losing important data. PC Refresh works for both consumers and businesses in The Hague area. Ben van den Dungen is a Dutch Jazz musician and managing director of the Jazz & World music Agency. For him, the benefits are clear: “We have an office with six computers, and were about to replace them with new equipment. That’s until we heard about PC Refresh. Reinstalling our PC’s turned out to be a great alternative. We saved thousands of euros and will be able to use our current infrastructure for a few more years. In the current economic situation, that’s the only way to keep up-to-date with our IT.” In just over a year, PC Refresh has already ‘refreshed’ over 300 PC’s and laptops in The Hague, thereby optimizing the process for speed and cost effectiveness. Reinstallation usually takes 24 to 48 hours, with costs varying between 100 and 200 euros, considerably less than a new PC. On top of a reinstallation, older PC’s can be made faster even by adding system memory and a faster hard drive, in which case the computer speed can match or even exceed that of a new PC. Together with a network of partners, PC Refresh also offers additional services like hardware repairs, network management, backup services and tailor-made computer lessons and workshops.

PC Refresh was founded by Sander Vayez Maatman Msc., who has a 15+ year track record in IT and business development, mostly as an entrepreneur, but also with a telecom operator and a research institute. If you are in need of computer services, repairs or advice, you can contact PC Refresh on +316 330 36 596 or at info@pcrefresh.nu The website (in Dutch) is available at www.pcrefresh.nu

EUKN Publication The current recession has increased unemployment levels in the EU Member States. Young people are hit hardest: one out of three young people in the EU is currently unemployed while the unemployment rates are rising rapidly. The increasing numbers of unemployed affect social cohesion. Furthermore, the economic crisis has reinforced not only economic but also demographic disparities between and within European regions. What are possible and effective strategies in times of crisis? The new publication of the European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN) intends to provide an impetus for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities. The publication starts with setting the scene, by outlining relevant EU policies. Next, EUKN presents data and characteristics of the youth unemployment situation. The subsequent section focuses on the issue of geographic youth mobility and how governments may create favourable conditions for mobility, taking into account both the interests of migrants and those of the regions of origin and departure. Finally, EUKN discusses the perspective of cities and local governments. Attracting and developing human capital is vital for the prosperity of cities. What are implications of this insight for tackling youth unemployment and dealing with the consequences of youth mobility within and between countries? The paper concludes with an overview of the policy-relevant conclusions, questions and implications. Please download the publication from the EUKN-website.

By Syeda Dhanak Fatima Hashmi. China has played a crucial role in maintaining regional peace and security by upholding its concept of an inclusive, cooperative and sustainable security. This has clarified the country’s stance on issues of regional concern, contributing to long-term stability and development in Asia, which includes the promotion of common development, building of partnerships, improvement of existing multilateral frameworks, rule-setting, military exchanges and proper settlement of differences. To ensure long-term stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific, China has put forward a number of proposals that have been highly valued by the international community. To ensure common development is the fundamental guarantee of peace and stability, and the ‘master key’ to solving security problems. The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative is not only a path of development but also a path of peace, as it will not only bring opportunities to the economic development of regional countries, but also provide ideas and solutions for them to solve security problems. The central theme behind the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is to open new economic and trade avenues that would lead to the overall social and economic prosperity of the region. The fruit of this economic cooperation is a market far larger in scope than the one that exists because of economic conflict in the region. The envisaged economic route from Gwadar to Kashgar can serve as an alternative and economically shorter sea route instead of the far longer straits of Malacca. This has always been the most compelling reason for multilateral and regional cooperation. Two of the most reputable theories that support the idea of regional stability, regional integration and strategic cooperation can be stated in terms of ‘economic opportunity cost hypotheses and ‘neo-functionalism’. The first theory assumes that trade and economic interdependence increases stakes amongst economically integrated nations and thereby reduces chances of conflicts erupting. Whereas the proponents of neo-functionalism are of the view that cooperation in one area produces cooperation in other areas.CPEC will pass through Gilgit-Baltistan in the north which will connect Kashgar in China’s western province of Xinjiang. Almost 80% of China’s oil is currently transported through the Strait of Malacca to Shanghai. The calculated distance is almost 16,000km and takes two to three months, with Gwadar becoming operational, the distance would be reduced to less than 5,000km. When fully operational Gwadar will promote not only the economic development of Pakistan but also serve as a gateway to the Central Asian countries. Keeping in view the regional stability, Pakistan and India are both important neighbours for China which wants to promote trade with its neighbours. Pakistan is a victim of terrorism and that all countries were responsible for contributing towards the eradication of terrorism. But the brutalities of the Indian army in Indian-held Kashmir cannot be ignored here.   Pivot to Asia: Status quo or a challengerpower ? Hence, regional integration is not possible as long as regional trade is sacrificed for so-called security. Pakistan needs to follow the Chinese model whose trade with India had crossed over $100 billion despite serious political issues between them. Some elements also fear that if there is peace in the region, it will challenge their predominance in the business of the state.Furthermore, the dimension of CPEC that is ignored is its potential to defeat terrorism in the region by raising and improving socio-economic conditions of the people. The Sri Lankan polity, at first divided over the role of China in the region, has come to recognise that the Belt Road Initiative approach fits well with Colombo’s goals of rebuilding a war-torn economy through enhanced connectivity. China also calls for improving regional security architecture to lay a solid foundation for enduring peace and stability in the region, and also calls on countries to properly handle differences and disputes to maintain the peaceful and stable environment in the region. In the context of Pakistan, CPEC is often termed a game changer for the weak economy of Pakistan. The corridor project carries vital significance as it promises to elevate Islamabad’s economic growth. Unlike US aid, the Chinese aid to Pakistan has offered infrastructure and energy projects that would serve as a means to improve Pakistan’s economy. Despite the cheapness of land, Pakistan is lagging behind in connectivity which increases the trade cost. However, under the umbrella of CPEC the cost would be minimised and export incentives increased. Pakistan expects 4% of global trade. The kind of toll tax, rental fees that Pakistan will gain is roughly $6 billion to $8 billion by 2020. A strategic and economic balance of power in the region would ensure peaceful resolution of conflicts but also enhance strategic stability leading to a win-win situation. Or by words of professor Anis H. Bajrektarevic: “Asia has to answer itself whether the newest concepts – such as the OBOR/CPEC vs. Indo-Pacific oceanic triangling – are complementary to its development or the heartland-rimland sort of dangerous confrontation. Asia needs a true multilateralism, not a hostage situation of getting caught in a cross-fire.” The CPEC itself with its focus on Gwadar, has also given impetus to maritime cooperation between China and Pakistan, and beyond. Both states wish to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of maritime security, search and rescue, and the blue water economy. Thus, it would not be wrong to say that CPEC has the potential of accruing strategic cooperation. This approach serves as strategic enabler in a rapidly transforming world order. It is therefore the need of time to move from archaic geopolitical vendetta of 19^th and 20^th centuries to interstate strategic play in the 21^st century. The pursuit of a state’s national interest in the international arena constitutes its foreign policy. A successful foreign policy should employ a balance of economic, diplomatic, and military tools. It is the national interest that shapes the possibilities of state to behave collectively. Through a balanced foreign policy approach, the South Asian region can achieve its mega development projects and establish into a peaceful integrated region. Confidence-building measures between regional players is the first step in this direction to uplift the socioeconomic standards of the people of this region. ——————– An early version of this text has been published by the China Daily Author is a Foreign Policy Analyst and Research Head at a think tank based in Islamabad. She has done Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Governance and Public Policy. Her areas of research include both regional as well as global issues of contemporary international relations.