From diplomat’s spouse to gold trader
By Naomi Weststrate – Irak, spouse of Dutch diplomat.
With my husband and my two daughters we have travelled quite a bit. My husband’s first overseas posting was Berlin, Germany. In the time we were there, the economy was booming and especially in the East of Berlin building sites were omnipresent. The outlook of the city was changing almost by the month… The same we noticed when we arrived in Moscow for our second tour abroad. Business was going well for everyone and the city was flourishing. In the course of our stay there we experienced the beginning of the economic crisis and saw people getting poorer. One of the phenomena this brought along was that everywhere “lombards”, pawn shops were established, places where people could leave their possessions in exchange for money.
When we returned to the Netherlands, I decided I wanted to start working again. I decided to follow both my own passion and the long family tradition I come from: the gold and silver business. As a business model, I decided to step into a niche that was still void in the Netherlands: Offering people the opportunity to exchange their old jewelry for cash money in an “up-market” fashion.
I had noticed that for many people, and particularly for diplomats, the threshold to go and sell their old gold and silver was quite high, even though they would have carried it around the world for several years without ever wearing or using it. This is quite different from selling your possessions at a pawn shop like we saw in some countries, it is just a way to get rid of unused items and be able to spend the money you receive for that on things you really like, be it a new piece of jewelry, be it a new outfit or be it a nice trip.
One of the reasons that would make people reluctant to exchange their old jewelry for money is the fact that shops in this line of work can be quite “shabby” and are often located in less pleasant neighborhoods, just like the “lombards” I saw in other European cities. That is why I decided to locate my shop at the Van Hoytemastraat, a stylish and pleasant shopping street in Benoordenhout, a neighborhood where many expats and diplomats are located. I decorated my shop in a way that would make people feel at ease and give them a feeling of trust and personal attention.
In the course of the years I have received many fellow diplomats in my shop. Many of them have compelling stories to tell. Often jewelry is connected with such life stories: a loved one who used to wear it, a piece bought in country such and such, etc. That’s why I value personal attention and take the time to listen to stories of people who want to tell them. And of course, a Nespresso or a good cup of tea is always available.
http://www.degoudwaag.nl/en/
Croatia ratifies amendments to the Rome Statute
Croatia ratifies amendments to the Rome Statute on the crime of aggression and on article 8 related to war crimes.
In direct from the ICC.
The President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, Ambassador Tiina Intelmann, welcomed the deposit today of the instruments of ratification of the 2010 amendments to the Rome Statute, by Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations.
The first of these amendments concerns the crime of aggression; this amendment was adopted in a historic consensus at the 2010 Review Conference of the Rome Statute in Kampala, Uganda. The second of these amendments pertains to article 8 of the Rome Statute and concerns the use of certain weapons during non-international armed conflict as war crimes.
“The deposit of instruments of ratification by Croatia brings the number of ratifications of the crime of aggression to thirteen. I hope that other States Parties will follow suit in order to achieve soon the universal ratification of the Kampala Amendments,” stated President Intelmann.
Croatia is the third Eastern European country to ratify the Kampala Amendments. Croatia ratified the Rome Statute on 21 May 2001, becoming the 32nd State Party, and also ratified the Agreement of Privileges and Immunities of the Court on 17 December 2004. Croatia has also completed the process of domestic implementation of the Rome Statute through the incorporation of the crimes and general principles contained in the Rome Statute, including the definition of the crime of aggression as provided for in the Kampala Amendments, and of the necessary provisions to ensure effective cooperation with the International Criminal Court.
The crime of aggression was initially included in the Rome Statute in 1998 as one of the crimes under the jurisdiction of the Court, while the definition of the crime and the mechanism for the Court’s exercise of jurisdiction were deferred to a Review Conference. The amendments adopted in Kampala, Uganda in 2010 define the crime of aggression and provide for the conditions for the exercise of jurisdiction over this crime. The Court may exercise jurisdiction over the crime of aggression once thirty States Parties have ratified the amendments, and subject to a decision to be taken after 1 January 2017 by the States Parties.
Crime of aggression amendments UN Treaty – Ratification participants list Article 8 amendments UN Treaty – Ratification participants list
Latvia,18th Eurozone member state
On 1 January 2014 Latvia became the 18th country of the Eurozone and sharing a currency with more than 332 million people. Minister of Finance Andris Vilks explains: “Latvia will not be a silent partner but will take an active part in policy making to further strengthen European integration.”
The past decade has been a very turbulent period for the Latvian economy. From acquiring double digit growth figures before 2008, the country has since not only experienced a double digit drop in GDP but also managed to rebound to a healthier economy and mitigate the many socioeconomic consequences of the global economic crisis. Latvia’s GDP growth in 2012 reached 5.0% and during this period Latvia was the fastest growing economy in the EU. Economic growth in Latvia in the third quarter of 2013 was the 2nd highest in the EU. The Ministry of Finance revised its macroeconomic forecasts in June 2013, increasing the projected GDP growth in 2013 and 2014 to 4.2%. In the medium term, GDP is expected to maintain a 4% growth rate.
“Practical preparations for the transition period have entered the final stage. Latvian authorities have made a thorough and systematic effort over the last months to ensure a smooth and safe changeover process. Most of the activities are developed in close cooperation with and participation of a wide range of private and public sector institutions and experts,” says Finance Ministry State Secretary Sanita Bajāre.
To ensure convenient cash circulation following the euro changeover starting from 1 January 2014, a two-week long dual circulation period of both currencies – lats and euros – was introduced. During this period it was be possible to pay for goods and services in both currencies.
The “Eurozone joins Latvia” events are organised by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia in cooperation with the Bank of Latvia, State Chancellery and other governmental and nongovernmental authorities.
The President of Kosovo pays a visit to Diplomat Club The Hague
Her Excellency, Atifete Jahjaga President of Kosovo, visited on Thursday 5th of December a Diplomats Meet & Greet, an event hosted by H.E. Ms. Vjosa Dobruna Ambassador of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Ms. Vjosa Dobruna welcomed members of the diplomatic corps and special guests.
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Ms. Atifete Jahjaga, was received by King Willem-Alexander King of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Mark Rutte, at the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives of the Kingdom of Netherlands.
President Atifete Jahjaga was born 20 April 1975 and is the fourth President of Kosovo, the first female President of the Republic of Kosovo, the first non-partisan candidate, the first female head of state in the modern Balkans and the youngest to be elected to the office. President Jahjaga served as Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel General, the highest rank amongst women in Southeastern Europe.
Diplomats meet & greet took place on 5 December at Carlton Ambassador, in collaboration with Diplomat Cub The Hague, Diplomat Magazine.
For additional pictures about this event please click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98057281@N02/sets/72157638560517866/
Photographer: Roland Smulders.
Happy Holidays from Diplomat Magazine Staff
Holiday Greetings !!!!
The team of the Diplomat Magazine wishes our readers and followers a Happy Holiday Season and a prosperous and healthy New Year! Our magazine will maintain its commitment to keep our readers informed about diplomatic events and other news items relevant to the diplomatic community. We thank you for your interest in our magazine and hope to see many of you at the various events in 2014! Happy Holidays from Diplomat Magazine’s photographers !
Our team of photographers wish you all the best for 2014 !!!
Mandela Memorial in The Hague
The Hague, Nelson Mandela celebrated. There are wreaths laid last week besides the Bel Air Hotel where is located Nelson Mandela’s Statue on the Johan de Wittlaan in The Hague. The statue stands in The Hague’s international district on the Johan de Wittlaan. Standing more than twice a person’s size and unusually at ground level, sculpture Arie Schippers has captured the personality as well as the gait of this great former South African statesman.
Photographer: José Löhr, Den Haag.
Swearing-in ceremony judge Geoffrey A. Henderson
Swearing-in ceremony for newly elected International Criminal Court judge Geoffrey A. Henderson
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
A solemn ceremony took place today, 12 December 2013, under the presidency of Judge Sang-Hyun Song, President of the ICC, at the Arthur Robinson Court Room of the ICC HQ, The Hague as Justice Geoffrey A Henderson from Trinidad and Tobago took the oath of office. The new judge has replaced Justice Anthony Carmona, also from Trinidad and Tobago, who was elected as the fifth president of his home country, and therefore resigned his ICC role.
Justice Henderson is highly qualified and has extensive experience in the field of criminal law as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago and subsequently as a High Court judge of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago.
The solemn ceremony was held at the seat of the Court. Courtroom I is named after Arthur Robinson, the third president of Trinidad and Tobago, whose proposal to the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 to create an international criminal court triggered the process which eventually led to the adoption of the Rome Statute. This was therefore a special and appropriate place to welcome Judge Geoffrey Henderson.
ICONS by artist photographer Angèle Etoundi Essamba
By Céline Seror
ARTNESS.
Click here for more pictures during the vernissage on Saturday 7 December: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98057281@N02/sets/
The photography exhibition ICONS by artist photographer Angèle Etoundi Essamba was opened on Saturday 7 December by Alexander Beelaerts van Blokland today at Galerie 91 in the center of The Hague.
Angèle Etoundi Essamba was born in Cameroon, grew up in France before settling in the Netherlands. Her multiculturalism is one of the foundations of her work together with a strong attachment to her African roots. Since she started with photography, back in the early 80s, Etoundi Essamba has chosen the African Women as her central source of inspiration. Voluntarily breaking away from the stereotypes of submission and poverty, her work is rather celebrating the inner beauty and richness of the African diversity.
Etoundi Essamba’s images have travelled the world and the continents as consistent evidence that Africa is everywhere and not limited to geographical boundaries. Acclaimed by both public and private institutions, she is considered as one of the most talented African woman photographers of her generation.
The exhibition ICONS is a selection of 28 amazing black and white portraits covering 28 years of Angèle’s career. The photographs presented reflect in a unique way the notions of pride, strength and awareness, which are key works to define her artwork.
ICONS is running until Sunday 15 December at Galerie 91- Ana Paulownastraat 91 – The Hague. The galerie is open everyday from 13:00-18:00 – For more information, please contact Céline Seror at celine.seror@artness.nl or +31 6 50 29 67 65 – www.artness.nl
Korte Amstelstraat 12G
NL -1018XS Amsterdam
Amsterdam: +31 6 50 29 67 65
Paris: +33 6 52 94 90 25
www.artness.nl
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President of Kosovo at Diplomats meet & Greet
Her Excellency, Atifete Jahjaga, President of Kosovo,, Thursday 5 December at Diplomats Meet & Greet. an event hosted by the Embassy of Kosovo at Carlton Ambassador in coordination with Diplomat Club The Hague, Diplomat Magazine. Her Excellency, Ms. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of Kosovo, has welcomed members of the diplomatic corps and special guests.
President Atifete Jahjaga was born 20 April 1975 and is the fourth President of Kosovo, the first female President of the Republic of Kosovo, the first non-partisan candidate, the first female head of state in the modern Balkans and the youngest to be elected to the office. President Jahjaga served as Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel General, the highest rank amongst women in Southeastern Europe.
More information about this visit will be published here soon.