By Keith Dinnie, Founder, Brand Horizons. Fine art can play an important role in a country’s public diplomacy strategy. Fine art represents a wonderful opportunity to build bridges between countries, transcending political differences through the celebration of art that crosses borders and enthuses audiences regardless of nationality. The promotion of fine art by individual countries constitutes one element in the broad concept of cultural diplomacy, which also encompasses literature, music, sport, and other cultural expressions. Some diplomats are highly attuned to the importance of fine art. For example, former US Ambassador to the Netherlands, Professor Cynthia P. Schneider, served as an exhibition curator at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts before her diplomatic career brought her to The Hague in 1998. The Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition is a high profile fine arts event that attracted over 475,000 visitors in 2013, its most recent incarnation. Possibly realizing the public diplomacy opportunity to engage with such a large, receptive audience, ten countries participated for the first time in the 2013 Biennale, joining the seventy-eight countries already participating. Countries participating for the first time included Angola, Bahamas, Côte d’Ivoire, Kuwait, Maldives, and Paraguay. In her book ‘Seven Days in the Art World’ (published by Granta Books, 2008), Sarah Thornton devotes an entire chapter to the Venice Biennale, and features a brief interview with the head of visual arts at the British Council, who comments on how important it is to use art to promote Britain’s foreign policy objectives. Here in the Netherlands, a key player in the interface between fine art and public diplomacy is Drs. Eva Maria Elisabeth Mennes Wuesten, Director of the Eva Art Production Foundation. Drs. Eva Maria Elisabeth Mennes Wuesten is an expat herself and knows the impact of promotion by art. Through organising and promoting artist visits and exhibitions in collaboration with the embassies of various countries in the Netherlands, Drs. Mennes has a deep understanding of the power of fine art in enhancing the reputation of countries. In March this year, for example, Drs. Mennes’ organisation will be involved in bringing Guatemalan artist José Toledo to the park in front of Wassenaar’s townhall De Paauw at the start of a two-month exhibition of the artist’s work. Ambassadors from various countries will attend the opening ceremony. During the summer months Jose Toledo’s sculptures will be seen in the annual Sculpture Park at Duin & Kruidberg Estate at Santpoort Noord, just an hour’s drive from The Hague. In autumn the artist Juan Carlos Reyes from the Dominican Republic will have an exposition at the prestigious Kasteel de Wittenburg at Wassenaar, another Public Diplomacy project from the Dominican Embassy in The Hague.   keithdinnie@brandhorizons.com  

By Dr. Aaron Matta, Senior Researcher in EU Law. Academic Programme Coordinator of CLEER, T.M.C. Asser Instituut  CLEER special lecture on ”The experiences of the Lithuanian Presidency of the EU Council in the field of external relations”, 20 February 2014, T.M.C. Asser Instituut, The Hague.  The lecture was chaired by Dr. Aaron Matta, Senior Researcher in EU Law and Academic Programme Coordinator of CLEER and took place in the context of the CLEER special lecture series examining the Presidencies retrospectively with the aim of assessing the extent to which each country has fulfilled its aspirations and what its actions have meant for the European Union’s international relations more broadly.  Dr. Matta made a few preliminary remarks before introducing the speakers, discussing in brief the three main priorities for the Union agreed upon at the beginning of the Lithuanian Presidency in July 2013, namely, restoring financial stability and growth, guaranteeing energy security and promoting openness, particularly through closer cooperation with Eastern Partners.  His Excellency, Mr Darius Jonas Semaška, Ambassador of Lithuania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands gave a highly reflective presentation on the key challenges, aims and achievements of the Presidency, with particular reference to the unique Lithuanian perspective in policy-making and the advantages this offered. The Ambassador underlined the fact that although the Lithuanian Presidency began in a difficult political climate, at a time when the EU was facing criticism regarding its capacity to respond to the economic crisis and a great deal needed to be done to restore credibility, many achievements were nevertheless accomplished. He referred to the significant steps made towards the establishment of the Banking Union, the restoration of trust in the Eurozone, evidenced by Latvia’s recent accession, and the advancements made in trade cooperation. The Ambassador underlined that energy infrastructure was further developed and that Union-wide projects were successfully implemented which created a more favourable business environment, thereby strengthening the EU’s stand in external relations. He also referred to the advancements made in the field of enlargement, emphasising that the prospect of EU accession remains a great driving force for a country to implement the necessary reforms, pointing to the agreement on the resumption of negotiations with Turkey by way of example. The Ambassador also discussed the successes of the Vilnius Summit of November 2013 with regards to the development of the Eastern Partnership, referring in particular to the Association Agreements with Georgia and Moldova, along with the visa facilitation agreement with Azerbaijan.   Prof. Dr. Peter van Elsuwege, Professor of European Union law at Ghent University and Academic Coordinator of a Jean Monnet Module on “The Legal Dimension of EU External Relations” continued by providing an insightful, critical analysis of the success of the Lithuanian Presidency in the light of the challenging political and economic climate. Prof. Elsuwege examined in particular the priority of the development of the Eastern Partnership in the Presidency’s external policy, concluding that its visibility has increased and that important steps were taken at the Vilnius Summit, in spite of the fact they were tainted by the disappointment over the U-turns in policy witnessed in the cases of Armenia and the Ukraine. He referred to the rather hesitant response of the EU regarding the Russian ban on diary exports from Lithuania and following the first protests in Kiev. He questioned whether things could have been done differently in retrospect and whether it was foreseeable that the development of the Eastern Partnership would encounter these hurdles, rendering the decision to prioritise it rather naïve. Prof. Elsuwege nevertheless concluded that the Lithuanian Presidency did what was expected of it and successfully managed the economic and social agenda of the EU, making significant advancements towards the achievement of its overriding objectives in external relations.  A highly engaging discussion followed the presentations, with both speakers responding to comments and questions from the audience, particularly on the issue of the EU’s response to the situation in the Ukraine. The lecture concluded with a reception.  

By Eelco H. Dykstra, MD. Introduction Eelco H. Dykstra is what one could call a ‘professional expat’: his career in emergency and disaster management spanned more than 20 years during which he was involved in both the policy and practical sides of crisis management on four continents. A few years ago he returned to the Netherlands from WashingtonDC and remains active in the international arena. While in the USA he also served as an international correspondent, wrote a number of books and was an active member of the National Press Club. Not only is Eelco the driving force behind the launch of ‘Foundation Counterpoint’ as a new, international and independent ‘Think- and Do-tank’. This organization will be launched shortly and will be described in a feature article next month. One of the ‘raisons d’être’ of Foundation Counterpoint coincides with that of Diplomat Magazine: to bridge the gap between the diplomatic community and the Dutch. Because of his international background and his writing antics he will join the editorial staff of Diplomat Magazine and write a monthly column called “A smile and a thought…” The columns put a playful spotlight on the interface between the Dutch and the International Community it hosts. Yes, his musings may appear at times to be mildly provocative at first sight but they are first and foremost playful – with a little irony thrown in here and there… You be the judge! His columns are intended to give you ‘a smile and a thought’. A smile because perhaps you hadn’t quite looked at something that way and a thought because the column may leave you wondering… “Diplomats have the job of conveying, in the most persuasive way possible, the views of the home government to the governments to which they are accredited and, in doing so, to try to convince those governments to act in ways that suit home country interests. In this way, diplomats are part of the beginning and the end of each loop in the continuous process through which foreign policy is made.” So far the standard description of what diplomats do. The Dutch seem quite pleased with what they do and how they do it. And why not? Every nation seeks to push its best qualities to the front and the lesser ones – if they exist at all – to the back. A fine piece of Dutch national marketing skills can be found in the USA. For some time now, this is the slogan with which the Dutch Embassy and its Consulates explain what Holland is and why that matters: “The Netherlands is the same size as Maryland, has the same population as Florida and/but generates the same GDP, Gross Domestic Product, as the State of New York… ”. The impression this leaves with Americans is obvious – and positive. “Wow…, impressive!” The Netherlands, so small (Maryland…) yet so productive (New York…). Holland is not only small but what never ceases to amaze the neutral international observer how fragmented it is. Look at the number of smaller entities it has for its size. Look at the number of political parties participating in local elections. Look at the number of broadcasting companies on Dutch television. Look at the number of newspapers and magazines for sale. For such a relatively small nation to have 403 counties, 12 provinces (and a public body of the Caribbean Netherlands), 24 Water Boards, and 25 Safety Regions, each with their own governing bodies, it’s amazing that the Netherlands work at all. Yet it must and it does to achieve the same GDP as the State of New York. Hang on a second. Let’s look again at the slogan used by the Dutch Embassy. Why not compare the Netherlands to ‘Chicagoland’? The Greater Chicago area is also enclosed on one side by water. The Greater Chicago are also has a population well in excess of 15 million. Considering The Netherlands as Chicagoland means that we are talking about Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague serving as the cultural, economic and government ‘hubs’ in a single, large metropolitan area with some green inside and a lot more green outside of it. Presenting the Dutch ‘Randstad’ as the Greater Chicago area? I don’t think the Dutch will go for it. The Maryland – Florida – New York comparison works much better. A fine piece of “conveying, in the most persuasive way possible, the views of the home government to the governments to which they are accredited”. A fine piece of marketing. Diplomatic marketing. It’s an art!  

By Nané Lagerwey, top-10 golf player in the Netherlands, former expat and MA in English literature. Sotogrande and Valderrama. Does it sound familiar to you? Both golf clubs, which are located only one- hour drive from Malaga airport, belong to the most prestigious courses in Spain. Immediately I feel more than welcome amongst the easygoing Spanish people. The hyper real authentic Andalusian looking clubhouses radiate warmth, elegance and style. Meanwhile the fireplace crackles and comforts. Last Christmas break I had to escape the Dutch ominous clouds and flew straight to the Mediterranean sun. Spain in winter is always a good excuse to practice my golf skills. As soon as I arrive, a great tapas lunch – with a magnificent seaside view – awaited me, in order to hit the ball even further. My dear friend, Mr. Cees van Leeuwen, who has been the previous Secretary of State, invited me for a round on his home course Sotogrande. Lovely pine trees alternate the exotic palm trees, yet our balls do not refrain from clashing against nature. In the midst of winter, it feels like a dream to feel the sun and a delicate breeze caressing my bare arms. After the 9^th hole we have a drink halfway in a small cottage, before heading to the tenth. Drinking soda and eating pata negra with manchego is apparently much easier than hitting the ball straight onto the fairways. For golf fanatics, Valderrama is Elysium. Although the average golf player might come across as cack-handed, no one would notice your flaws, because each hole bedazzles you even more than the other. Club de Golf Valderrama, the venue for the 1997 Ryder Cup, two World Golf Championships and 16 editions of the Volvo Masters, is even more stunning than ever. Although my driver is prone to hara-kiri, it was –due to the length of this highly appraised golf course — obligatory to get it out of my bag. We could argue about whether ‘happy slapping’ is an oxymoron, in the sense of hitting golf balls from right to left and from left to right, at Valderrama this term may be considered absolute bliss. Seeing every little spot of this number 1 European golf course is a joy instead of a punishment. In the end, I must admit that after 18 mesmerizing holes, the bogeys on my scorecard still hurt me. All the more reason to return as soon as it starts raining in Holland. Hasta luego, my Sunshine.