Is There a Way Out?
Identity Politics in a Globalised Village: Is There a Way Out?
By Paramjit Sahai.
“Trayvon Martin could have been me”-President Obama.
The above statement of President Barrack Obama on the killing of a Black American set me on a thinking roller coaster, when he also added that blacks were confronted with discrimination at every level and on every occasion in their daily life. Is he the same person, who not only became the first Black-American to be elected, as the President of the United States in 2008, but was also reelected to a second four-year term in 2012? These words call for introspection, as Obama’s election victory was seen, as rising above the racial divide.
He assumed his office, with a mighty and catchy slogan, ‘Yes. We Can’, impregnated with deeper meaning. His remarks bring us back to the colour issue, making us ponder whether it is still relevant in USA. Or should we take it that it is a matter of political necessity, as group identity is equally unavoidable for votes, even in the world’s largest democracy? (An interesting aside on identity politics, as automatic spelling check, substitutes ‘Obama’ for ‘Osama’, which could be the greatest travesty for the US President).
Let us take another step, as we walk in to the American civil society. The current debate on the Immigration Reform Bill, if anything, it confirms that Identity politics matters. Chase for Hispanic votes is at the root of this pending legislation. Even die hard conservative Republican legislators have started rethinking their approach on regularization of undocumented persons or illegal migrants. This also raises its head, when a well-known Chicagoan Jazz Singer Alexandra Dee could not omit raising the race factor in the killing of Trayvon Martin, during the course of her concert at the MillenniumPark on July 24, forgetting the fact that the accused also belonged to the minority Hispanic community. The Identity issue hits us at another stage, when it comes to locating the Obama Library, whether it should be in Chicago or Hawaii, where Obama was born.
All the above developments have resulted in scholars and political commentators, raising a fundamental question. Is it the end of the ‘Individual’ dream in America, a country that prides itself in an individual’s worth rather than the label of the group, to which he or she belongs? Lifeway Kefir CEO Julie Smolyanski would, however, like us to believe that individual entrepreneurship matters, as she recalls the success story of her Jew Russian immigrant parents, who introduced ‘Kefir’ into the American market. On the other hand traditional Jews find themselves challenged from nationalist Jews, as they get integrated in their host states. It is, therefore, not surprising to see Rabbi Michael Sternfield leaving the Synagogue in Chicago, for his commitment to America Reform Judaism movement.
Let us now move away from the United States and see how this issue confronts us in this global village. Look at the Catholic Church and the images that emerge from Pope’s recent visit to Brazil in July 2013. A nation, with a 200 million strong Catholic population, finds itself at the crossroads, as it negotiates between ‘cultural Catholicism’ and ‘doctrinaire Catholicism.’ The Pope gave the message of ‘inclusiveness’, as he refrianed from opining on the place of gays in the Church and said, ‘Who am I to judge?’ The same divide is visible in ‘political Islam’ and ‘cultural Islam’ in many Muslim countries in South and Southeast Asia.
It follows us, when Oprah Winfrey raises the issue of racial bias in Switzerland or the Sikhs complain of religious bias in Italy and France or Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is held at an airport in USA, as he has a Muslim name. Identity politics engulfs us in this melting pot America, when Nina Davaluri, person of India origin, is crowned ‘Miss America 2013’, but is subjected to racial slur, being perceived as an Arab and not an American. It also confronts any person, who attempts to understand difference between ‘Hindutva’, a way of life and ‘Hinduism’, representing Hindu religion.
It is the same story in India, which confronts identity politics in elections, based on religion or caste, even though the highest offices of the President, Vice President and Prime Minister have been held by persons belonging to the minority communities, with the Indian Constitution committed to equality. Furthermore, it is the regional or language identity, which results in carving out new states (provinces). The small may not be always beautiful, if it still lacks governance. Identity label is invoked, when a young bureaucrat, named, ‘Durga Shakti Nagpal’, takes on powerful Mafiosi, getting inspiration from her name, which symbolically represents empowerment, like the Hindu deity of ‘Power’. Identity issue became a bone of contention among Political Parties, as these stooped to gain political advantage.
I now return to the United States, where I am currently on a holiday with my family at Chicago. The US Senate has decreed crimes against the Sikhs under the ambit of ‘Hate Crimes’, as for six other religions. The Sikhs in the United States have become victims of hate crimes, as they are perceived to be Muslims, for the turbans they wear, as a part of their religious symbols. On August 5, 2012, the community faced wanton killing of worshippers in their Gurudwara (ReligiousTemple) in Oak Creek in the State of Wisconsin. Identity does matter, even if it is a mistaken one, in this particular case. Inter-Faith prayers held on August 5, 2013 brought out the best in humanity,as representatives from different Faiths spoke in unison. It was an attempt to rise above identity labels, to discover light out of darkness, as we were reminded of the words of Martin Luther King Jr.
How does ‘Identity’ play out at the global level? Are we deeply died in colours that distinctly divide us, as we wear different identity labels? Or are we closer to the dream of a ‘Universal Man’, as per the vision of Tagore, who believed in himself holding multiple identities, above all these labels? We are still far away from his dreams. What we have is global terrorism, global capitalism, global trade and even global communications, albeit at the technical level, but dialogue among peoples is missing. The governments would rather keep track of conversations, rather than allowing these to become bridges of friendship. Here again, politics at the international level, prevents free flow of people across the globe.
We talk of dialogue and negotiations, but resort to sanctions, economic or otherwise; joined by a willing coalition or even individually. The ‘Snowdown’ effect pushes the ‘Reset” button between USA and Russia, in the opposite direction of ‘Reassessment’. We create World Trade Organization (WTO) for international trade, but opt for regional or bilateral route, as we negotiate Free Trade Agreements. We talk of multiculturalism, but insist on migrants acquiring American, Australian or British values. Democracy has become the cherished goal, but the democrats are happy to break bread with the autocrats.
The so called democratic values, lead to the changing of regimes; while leaders play politics with the institution of ‘Democracy’, without inculcating values enshrined in this institution.. The same democratic principle, however, is missing in international governance, be it UN, IMF, World Bank. We call for Civilization Dialogue, but promote ‘Divide’ through our daily actions. The allegiance to identity labels creates further divides, as we look for a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ ‘Taliban or when legislators in the United Kingdom attempt to bring ‘caste’ under its Anti-Racial Laws.
Where would this lead to? Do we see a diminution or accentuation of the identity labels in domestic or international politics? Does this need to be tackled at the individual, societal or state levels? Is it associated with the policies of the State? We have to ponder over these and other related issues. There are no simple answers or quick solutions. It involves a change in our mindset; to accept others and not merely tolerate them, as believed by Swami Vivekanand. We harken back to President Obama and raise the question, ‘Can We’. Yes, we can, if we follow the path of all religions, which is beautifully inscribed at the ‘Bahai’ Temple, in the vicinity of Chicago, which reads, ‘So powerful is unity’s light that it can illumine the whole earth’.
Celebrating on August 28, 2013 the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s March to Washington DC, President Obama gave a message to Americans to rise above ‘Identity Politics’, urging them to ‘live up to the true meaning of our creed as one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all’. We have to globally search for this ‘Unity in Diversity’, as we grapple with other identities, while maintaining our own. Leaders, as human beings, have to rise above man-created divisions, for the sake of humanity, at large. If not, then the vision of a ‘Universal Man’ would remain a pipe dream, as we stick to our identities at the individual and national levels. So would be our efforts towards building World Peace, if these lack sincerity in this politicized world. Let us all join hands in reaching out to one another, as equals , going beyond identity labels, thereby fulfilling Martin Luther King’s inimitable words, ‘I have a Dream’.
Poland-Holland: two siblings, or beyond the Hanseatic League
By Dr. Jan Borkowski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
I remember that when I learned that I was going to The Hague as the Polish Ambassador, lots of cross-cutting thoughts came to my mind. Holandia! (as we call this country in Polish). The West in a nutshell, which all its achievements and challenges. And, what was especially valuable to me as a European Union scholar, one of the cradles of the European integration. I also looked forward to the Dutch order and good organisation – which I appreciate so much in my work and personal life. The third thought, and on a lighter note, was that I would be a happy man, because I would live in the only country where nobody confuses Poland with Holland and thus no remarks like: “Oh yes, your windmills are beautiful” or “How is Johan Cruyff doing?”.
For somebody who knows Poland and Holland quite well it would indeed be difficult to mix them up. But for somebody who knows Poland and Holland a little better, it would be not so difficult to observe how much of Holland there is in Poland nowadays, and vice versa. Most teenagers in Poland learn about the tulip folly, the siege of Leiden or the Dutch masters. The essays on the Dutch history, Martwa natura z wędzidłem, written by our famous poet, Zbigniew Herbert, entitled after the famous Emblematisch stilleven by Johannes Torrentius, are an obligatory reading in the secondary schools. But art is only one side of the coin, the other is the long-standing tradition of settlements, studying, trade contacts including the famous Hanseatic League.
It starts perhaps with the Dutch settling in Poland in the Middle Ages. The lowlands around Gdańsk are very much similar to the Dutch polders, no wonder that the Dutch colonists chose to settle there as early as the 13th century. They were followed by the Dutch Mennonites, not less than 150 thousands of them, establishing themselves in the end of the 16th and in 17th century along Polish rivers. And those who happen to have been to Warsaw may know that “the Warsaw Montmartre”, Saska Kępa, or the Saxon Meadows, used to be called Holandia and was not in fact settled by the Saxons but by the Dutch. So not only Manhattan. But also many Poles chose the Low Lands as their second home, among others children of those who liberated the Netherlands in 1944 and 1945 with generals Sosabowski and Maczek.
Even though we do not use the Baltic sea for trade as much as we did, the trade is growing. The Netherlands is one of the most important investors in Poland and the Polish citizens use the free movement of persons to settle and work here, to the benefit of both countries. Both the Polish and the Dutch are by nature active and untamed spirits and this gives me optimism for the future. The Dutch entrepreneurship in Poland, and the Polish entrepreneurship in the Netherlands, thrives. As I was handing over the Dutch-Polish Business Award this year, I heard very symptomatic words by one of the Dutch co-organisers: “Dutch entrepreneurs are optimistic when it comes to perspectives of doing business in Poland, the fastest growing economy in the EU and the biggest emerging market.” I take it as a compliment as much as an impartial assessment of the current situation.
Poland moved to the West after 1989, and after 2004 it fully returned to the European family. The distance between Holland and Poland is now shorter than ever – 560 km, with no border controls and through an excellent transport network. It is now easier than ever to rediscover ourselves, much as the previous generations did over the last 700 years. Those who have not made their minds yet, please come and take your time, this is only a six hour drive. As we are entering the year 2014, the 10th year after the Polish accession to the European Union, there will be another occasion to see Poland and celebrate together.
I wish all the readers of the Diplomat’s Magazine a very happy New Year 2014, and tot ziens in Polen.
Public diplomacy in The Hague
By KEITH DINNIE, Founder, Brand Horizons
As 2013 draws to a close, it is interesting to look back on some of the public diplomacy initiatives implemented in The Hague during the course of the year and reported on at the time by Diplomat Magazine.
In the land of bicycles, it is fitting that one of the most memorable public diplomacy initiatives undertaken has been described as ‘cycling diplomacy’. This initiative, coordinated by the Ambassador of Israel to the Netherlands, H.E. Haim Divon, took place on Tuesday 20 August and featured Ambassadors such as H.E. Dr Alvaro Marcelo Moerzinger Pagani, Ambassador for the Oriental Republic of Uruguay to the Netherlands, and H.E. Eduardo Ibarrola -Nicolin, Ambassador for the Federal Republic of Mexico to the Netherlands, amongst a small group of Ambassadors who cycled together in the vicinity of the Binnenhof in the centre of The Hague.
The cultural dimension of public diplomacy is clearly demonstrated through the vigorous programme of cultural events organised by the Dominican Embassy, comprising six top art exhibitions, four concerts, and four publications. Dr Eugenio G. Matos, Minister Counselor at the Dominican Embassy in The Hague, has embodied this cultural aspect of public diplomacy not only here in the Netherlands but also abroad through his violin performance at a gala concert organized by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Panama, February, 2010, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, the corps diplomatique and special guests.
An inspiring vision for future public diplomacy activities is articulated by José Luis Jácome, Counsellor (Consular Affairs), Embassy of Ecuador in The Hague, who advocates the joint organization of cultural events through which different societies can share their values and artistic heritage, a worthy objective that could be attained through the joint participation of all regional groups, civil society and local authorities.
keithdinnie@brandhorizons.com
Haim Divon’s Cycling Diplomacy
By Dr. Eugenio Matos G. Honorary Associate Publisher of Diplomat Magazine, Minister Counselor, Dominican Republic Embassy, The Hague.
From 7 to 9 December 2013, Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited Israel to launch bilateral cooperation forums with the two administrations. He was accompanied by Frans Timmermans, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation and Henk Kamp and by Minister of Economic Affairs who joined later on the Mission.
Mr. Rutte and his companions rode on bicycles, rented by the TelAvivMunicipality along Rothschild Boulevard. They were guided to see Bauhaus-style buildings in the boulevard near the statue of late ex-mayor Dizengoff. On the picture above, behind Mr. Rutte, is Israeli Ambassador to the Netherlands H.E. Haim Divon. They also stopped to have soft drinks and coffee in one of the stands on the street. The tour ended in the Shalom building, where Mr. Rutte was exposed to a presentation of Israel’s start-up industry.
Prime-Minister Rutte said that Tel Aviv is a charming city. “The combination of the people, architecture, relaxed atmosphere and the sea is simply wonderful” added Mr. Mark Rutte. When asked about the rental of bicycles by the TelAvivMunicipality, he said that in this matter he has only one message to transmit: “Keep doing it”.
There is precedence to this Israeli Public Diplomacy strategy. On August, 2013, Ambassador Divon had the idea to invite some of his colleagues and close friends to join him for a bicycle tour in downtown The Hague. Diplomat Magazine’s editor Roy Lie and photographer Robert Huiberts got this exclusive report https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2013/09/01/cycling-diplomacy/ enhancing Israel Public Diplomacy in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
As an “adopted Dutch cyclist” it is very common for me to watch ambassadors and diplomats commuting by bike not only to work, but also to formal diplomatic receptions. The Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Eduardo Ibarrola-Nicolin, regularly bikes from his residence in Wassenaar to the Mexican Chancery on Nassauplein 28. It is quite easy for the subscriber to spot when H.E. Dr. Alvaro Marcelo Moerzinger, Ambassador of Uruguay is around, not because of his CD license-plate on his car, but to his personal gray alloy-bike. Indeed, a new concept on International Relations has born, Cycling Diplomacy, instilled by Ambassador Divon, from the City of Peace and Justice, The Hague.
As an “adopted Dutch cyclist” it is very common for me to watch ambassadors and diplomats commuting by bike not only to work, but also to formal diplomatic receptions. The Ambassador of Mexico, H.E. Eduardo Ibarrola-Nicolin, regularly bikes from his residence in Wassenaar to the Mexican Chancery on Nassauplein 28. It is quite easy for the subscriber to spot when H.E. Dr. Alvaro Marcelo Moerzinger, Ambassador of Uruguay is around, not because of his CD license-plate on his car, but to his personal gray alloy-bike. Indeed, a new concept on International Relations has born, Cycling Diplomacy, instilled by Ambassador Divon, from the City of Peace and Justice, The Hague.
The Language of the Body
By John Dunkelgrün.
The Ambassador of México, H.E. Sr. Eduardo Ibarrola opened a special exposition of drawings by the famous Mexican sculptor Jorge Marin at the Pulchri Art Society. Jorge Marin is the brother of Javier Marin, who is well known in The Hague. Introduced by Pulchri board member Kees Verschuren this small but precious collection of magic realistic drawings evoke images of the Carnaval in Venice.
Exquisitely drawn they are classical at first impression, but exude a sense of insecurity. The personajes, hiding their identity behind gorgeous masks have wings indicating an ability to fly away from it all, not wanting to be part of what is now our world. It poses the question to the viewer of whether he or she wants to be part of what is happening today. This makes the work contemporary as well as classical.
Small enough to see on your lunch-break, this boutique exposition is well worth a visit. Until January 8th, Tuesday through Sunday 11.00 ~ 17.00, but closed for the holidays from 23/12 through 3/1 .
From Queen to King in 2013
By Alexander W. Beelaerts van Blokland, Justice in the Court of Appeal and honorary Special Advisor International Affairs of the Municipality of The Hague.
The year 2013 was a special one: the succession to the throne. This was of course also important to the new ambassadors in The Haghe who had to present their credentials. On April 17th the new ambassador of China, H.E. Chen Xu (51), was the last ambassador who did that to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix (75), on May 8th the new ambassador of Marocco H.E. Abdelouahab Bellouki (58) was the first one to present his credentials to her eldest son, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander (46). With something new: photos have been made of every presenting of credentials since the new King took over. In 2013 all together five ambassadors in The Hague presented their credentials to the Queen and twentythree to the King. The ones that I did not yet introduce to you are H.E. Musaru Tsjui (62) from Japan on November 27th, H.E. Vestine Nahimana (50) from Burundi and H.E. Jaime Victor B. Ledda (also 50) from the Philippines on December 4th and H.E. Piragibe Dos Santos Tarrago (61) from Brasil. A warm welcome in The Hague to all of you ! All together there are now exactly one hundred ambassadors in The Hague. Above that number there are 51 countries –most of them are small ones- with an ambassador in Brussels who also are ambassador to The Netherlands, plus one in London and one in Bern. It is a pity we almost never see them in The Hague. Nine countries do have a Chargé d’Affairs in The Hague who is Chef de Poste; among them remarkably the USA that already since some years has no ambassador here. In Brussels (10) and London (2) also the Chargé d’Affairs is Chef de Poste also in The Netherlands. I wish all the ambassadors and their staff and families a healthy, happy and prosperous 2014 ! a.beelaerts@planet.nlBusiness as usual? A New Year, A New Approach to NGO Work
By Dr. Patrick Moriarty, Director of IRC International Water & Sanitation Centre The Hague.
What needs to happen to ensure that everyone in the world has access to water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) services?
From Buonamassa’s Lens
Gent (Belgium) during the Christmas days. Shots from Diplomat Magazine’s photographer Walter Buonamassa. click here for more beautiful pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/98057281@N02/sets/
Exotic Invaders at the Hofvijver
By Catherine Kailey.
One of the side benefits of travel is a heightened acuity to one’s own environment after having returned from a trip, whether it be it near or far. For those of us who find ourselves living away from our country of birth for many years, “adaption” eventually gives way to assimilation. In my case, the city of assimilation, and residence, is The Hague. Soon, we may conclude that “home”, wherever it may have been, is no longer “home”, as we have become mere sojourners in a once familiar, but now increasingly foreign, land. Simultaneously, we have successfully adapted to our new environment.
While walking my dog along the Havenkade by Westbroek Park, in recent years, I’ve often noticed a streak of exotic lime green flashing past from above accompanied by a din of excited squawking. Local birdlovers, like me, immediately recognize the distinctive sounds and colors of the Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) or Halsbandparkiet, as it is known in Dutch.
Were it not for a delightful visit to the Malaysian city of Melacca (Melaka) which is well known for its historic Dutch colonial city center and, since 2008, has been listed as an UNESCO world heritage site; I would never had thought to consider that the Rose-ringed Parakeet has also settled in The Hague as an alien. This tropical bird, to use the formal Dutch term, is an “Exoot” or exotic and is native to northeast Africa and southeast Asia.
Melacca’s historic 17th C. Stadthuys on the Crimson Square, is certainly worth visiting, but a riverside “slaapboom” or sleeping tree, is what really captivated my attention during my visit to the city. Thousands of local parrots can be observed descending nightly upon an “Avatar” like tree at dusk for a communal ritual of sleeping safely together amongst the branches of a stately old sleeping tree in the old city center. Some months later, after having returned home to Scheveningen, I mistook the first pair of Rose-ringed Parakeets that I saw darting amongst the trees at the park, for successful caged escapees, only to later learn that there several “colonies” have taken up residence in Dutch urban areas and one of the largest colonies, numbering some 5,000 birds, is to be found in The Hague. Naturally, I was eager to learn where their “sleeping tree” was located and was amused to discover that they have taken up residence at the Binnenhof or, to be more precise, on the “island” in the Hofvijver—in front of the prime minister’s “little tower.”
These “feathered foreign invaders” may not be “angry birds”, but in the eyes of a few concerned caretakers of “monumental trees”, naturalists and government officials; their presence in the community is increasingly unappreciated. In an article written last February 13th, Boudewijn Revis (city caretaker), announced that 6 of the 25 chestnut trees along the Hofvijver have been so damaged by the birds that they must be cut down and removed. Further, the independent Advice Council on Monumental Trees (Adviesraad Monumentale Bomen) has labeled the damaged trees a “safety risk.”
It would seem that the Rose-ringed Parakeets days at the Hofvijver may be numbered. If, and when, their trees are removed, they will be forced to migrate elsewhere. According to SOVON, the Dutch Center for Field Orinthology, an organization which actively monitors and counts wild bird populations for in developing nature management policies, management plans and spatial planning, some 10,000 Rose-ringed parakeets residing in major urban areas around the Randstad. In addition to The Hague, they have been observed in Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden and Leiderdorp and they have a known range of up to 30 km from their “sleeping tree” so the hope may be that by removing the trees; the undesired winged “kraakers” will be forced move on so that peace and tranquility will return to the little island in the Hofvijver.
Cuba : Example of Resistance and Solidarity.
By Zelmys Maria Dominguez Cortina, Ambassador of Cuba to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Each January 1st marks the anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution – that in 1959, put end to one of the bloodiest dictatorships of Latin America. The will of the Cuban people of ruling their own destiny became the main source of conflict with the powerful neighbor of the North, the United States of America, which believes that Cuba should be forever their backyard, as part of the written destiny for the Biggest Island of the Antilles.
However, Cuba followed the ideas of the Cuban National hero Jose Marti, by creating a sovereign anti-discriminatory project of political, economic and social system, based in the respect of all the rights of any human being; developing the capacities and potential of the population in order to build a better society. Cuba also condemns all interventionist and discriminatory political manner in international relations, as well as the threat or the use of force, unilateral coercive measures, aggression and all forms of terrorism; including State terrorism. The Constitution of the Republic of Cuba condemns any type of discrimination for reasons of race, creed or opinion.
The Cuban Revolution resisted for more than 50 years the blockade of United States towards Cuba. Every year at the General Assembly of United Nations the overwhelming majority of the countries of the world votes in favor of the draft resolution presented by Cuba entitled “Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial, and Financial Embargo Imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.” Since its very conception, the blockade has been and it is a flagrant violation of International Law and is contrary to the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and constitutes a violation of the right to peace, development and security of a sovereign State.
Given its stated purpose and the complex political, legal and administrative structure on which it is based, the blockade qualifies as an act of genocide under the Geneva Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948. The blockade has proven to be the main obstacle for Cuban economic and social development, the largest hindrance for expanding Cuba’s commercial ties with the rest of the world, and has become a serious restraint for the international cooperation that the country both provides and receives.
Nevertheless, the Cuban people not only showed during all their years their capacity of developing a successful system, but also supported other countries of the world, with doctors, professors, and technicians in many fields. The well known solidarity of the Cuban people to others all over the world is a great example of the victory of the Cuban project and the support of the people to the historical leaders of our Revolution.
Cuba is not isolated. It has diplomatic relations with 190 countries, orders and institutions (184 UN member and 6 do not). It has 148 locations abroad in 120 countries, including 119 embassies, 1 section of interests, 21 consulates general, 3 offices, diplomatic representatives and 3 representations to international organizations. On 5 January, 2014 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands Frans Timmermans will visit Cuba, as a new important step towards the improvement of the bilateral relations, which also follows the positive trend of EU towards Cuba.
It is a matter of joy each anniversary of victories as a new step for a better world, because in Cuba, we believe that a better world is possible and we try to build it every day.