Obama’s Victory, a Dutch perspective

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Obama’s Victory, a Dutch perspective
By Mitesh D. Mistry. On what has been the most expensive and closest U.S election to date, President Obama emerged victorious and sealed another four years in the White House as the leader of the world’s most powerful country. Although his victory wasn’t big or as flamboyant as many would have liked, and that the campaign didn’t even come close to the spectacle that inspired a new generation of voters like his 2008 election campaign, this presidential win is as important as the last one. In these difficult times, it is even, arguably, a greater political achievement. President Obama’s win is good for America and indeed the rest of the world. After inheriting a deteriorating nation from the Republicans in 2008, many would have thought the task of rebuilding the United States was impossible. However if we look at America now compared to four years ago, it can be safely said that Barack Obama is the best thing to happen to America. The nation is in much better shape than it looked four years ago and looks ready to tackle the challenges it faces in the next your years. During the four years Obama has been president, he has had to deal with a declining economy due to the burst of the great American housing bubble, increasing unemployment, the automotive industry crisis and the global recession. The automotive industry crisis particularly had a detrimental effect on the US economy as it led to job losses and needed a significant bailout from the government. However to the delight of Americans nationwide, the economy is now looking increasingly encouraging. The automotive industry is beginning a new chapter with the help of a stimulus package designed to encourage growth, increase production and give consumers a better deal. The housing market has started to pick up, unemployment is decreasing and the economy is starting to rebuild itself. In terms of foreign affairs under the Obama administration, more has been done towards the fight against terrorism. The assassination of Osama Bin Laden highlighted the determination President Obama had to weakening terrorist organisations and protecting the American people. His aim to withdraw troops from Afghanistan within the next two years shows how much he is ready to move on and bring prosperity not only to Americans but also to other parts of the world. In the end, Obama beat the odds and unlike his European counterparts; Gordon Brown, Nicolas Sarkozy and Silvio Berlusconi – who all paid the price, became the first western incumbent to retain office whilst a financial crisis still threatens a vulnerable world economy. With the sweet words of Stevie Wonder still ringing in his ear, President Obama looked fearless and in front of the Chicago crowd, he remained hopeful that with another four years he can get his beloved nation back on the road to prosperity and global dominance.

Asser Institute Proposes European Prosecutor’s Office

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Asser Institute Proposes European Prosecutor’s Office

By Leendert Erkelens. Research fellow at the T.M.C. Asser Instituut and former counsellor at the Dutch Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels. The T.M.C. Asser Institute holds a conference on a proposal to set up a European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Conference On 17 July 2013 the European Commission has adopted and issued its Proposal on the establishment of a European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The T.M.C. Asser Instituut will organise a conference on this important new proposal at its premises in The Hague on September 6, 2013. The Conference is entitled: Criminal law protection of the European Union’s financial interests: a shared constitutional responsibility of the EU and its Member States? It aims at offering the first opportunity to the academia together with representatives of EU Member States and EU institutions to evaluate this legislative proposal. The conference will offer a meeting point for exchanging their views based on differing outlooks and it will provide together the first assessment of the Commission’s legislative proposal. The conference will be held at the premises of the Asser Institute in The Hague (for further information see Asser website: http://www.asser.nl/events.aspx?id=368&site_id=1).

The Commission Proposal in a nutshell The Commission has published its legislative proposal on EPPO mid-July this year. The exclusive task of the Office of the European Public Prosecutor (EPP) will be to investigate and prosecute crimes affecting the EU budget. Where indicated, the EPP will bring cases to trial in the competent court of the relevant Member State. The legal base for setting up this Office is provided by the Treaty on European Union (Lisbon Treaty, Article 86), prescribing that in order to combat crimes affecting the financial interests of the Union an EPPO may be established “from Eurojust” (in French: “à partir d’Eurojust”). One may say that the relation with Eurojust will become organic. Information will be exchanged and Eurojust will provide services in the area of administration, finance, human resources and Information Technology. The EPP will become a member of the Eurojust College and its Executive Board. According to the Commission’s proposal, it shall develop a special relationship with Europol (Article 58 (1)). The Office shall be independent though accountable for its general activities to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission. Internally, the Office will be hierarchically structured with the EPP at the top, supported by four deputies. Externally, the Office will get a decentralised structure with delegated prosecutors in each Member State fully integrated into the judicial system of the concerned Member State. The delegated prosecutors will wear a “double hat”: one derived from EPPO and another from their own country. He or she will remain a member of the national justice system and will be separately remunerated for his/her work as a delegate of EPPO. EPPO will get an exclusive competence to investigate and prosecute offences against the EU budget but also offences which will be inextricably linked to the former criminal offences. The authority of the EPP to act will be vested in the entire EU. For that purpose the territory of the Union’s Member States shall be considered a single legal area (Art. 25 (1)). A comprehensive catalogue of investigation measures provides EPPO with the necessary powers to be able to act. Member States have to ensure that these measures may be used by EPPO. Another catalogue of procedural safeguards provides for the rights of suspects together with additional rights such as the right to remain silent or the right to legal aid. Comment The Commission proposal may be considered a genuine break-through. First attempts to get an instrument in place to help combat fraud against the EU budget date back to 1976. Over time different proposals were launched but always in vain. The Lisbon Treaty made it now legally possible to address this question more firm.  It remains to be seen whether the Commission will succeed with the new attempt. It puts forward strong motives such as the serious size of EU budget related fraud (about €500 million every year) and the current fragmented and ineffective way of investigating and prosecuting these crimes.  However, this – possible – break through is not being equally welcomed by EU Member States. From the point of view of the integrity of the national judicial system it is observed that frictions may rise easily. The national competence to determine criminal justice priorities and the subsequent capacities of police, justice and the prison system to implement those priorities will be affected by the new Office. Culturally, national values and norms concerning what is considered to be “good” and “bad” seem to become sidestepped. Some argue that the sovereignty of Member States is at stake, not just emblematically, but also effectively since such Office will affect (exclusive) power of a State to assert its jurisdiction on its own territory, even if EPPO is typically only concerned with fraud against EU funds, outside the sphere of national sovereignty. The Asser Conference again The Asser conference will primarily deal with questions of a legal and constitutional nature. The Commission proposal will be assessed in terms of the principles of subsidiarity, conferral of competences and proportionality. Furthermore, legal bases and procedures for EPPO operations and judicial review will be analysed, as well as the division of rules of substance and procedure governing EPPO operations between the Union and the national level. Legally, some constitutional issues related to Eurojust and the EPPO will be scrutinised. In all probability not all EU Member States will endorse the setting up of this new Office, therefore such situation could lead to a special framework called “enhanced cooperation” under which a group of (at least nine) Member States would join the proposal. The feasibility of such a framework will be discussed as well. The conference has been prepared by Mr Leendert Erkelens, research fellow at the T.M.C. Asser Instituut and former counsellor at the Dutch Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, and Mr Arjen Meij, former judge at the General Court of the EU and research fellow at the T.M.C. Asser Instituut. Ms Marta Pawlik LL.M. is the project officer. For more information please contact: Conference Department of the T.M.C. Asser Instituut (conferencemanager@asser.nl).

Art exhibitions or continuation of diplomacy by other means

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Art exhibitions or continuation of diplomacy by other means
By H.E. Mr. Petru Dimitriu, Ambassador Permanent Observer of the Council of Europe to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva. The Permanent delegation of the Council of Europe to Geneva is very proud of the series of art exhibition organized at its headquarters under the generic name of “European Roots”. One can ask whether multilateral diplomacy ought to go beyond itself to statements in intergovernmental meetings, negotiations in formal or informal settings, and verbal promotion of the treaties concluded. This is a valid question for the Council of Europe too, whose main objectives are the promotion of the human rights, democracy and the rule of law. And it is all the more pertinent, if the working place is Geneva the capital of human rights, not Paris, where UNESCO works with people’s minds. In order to offer a loud and sound affirmative response to the question above, one should not just assume but saddle up and take initiative.  This is how the exhibition entitled “The Soul of Landscape” took shape, showing to the diplomatic and non-diplomatic Geneva the beautiful artworks of the Italian artist Amedeo Besana.  To which I invite you right away. Photo 2Indeed, the spirit of major legal instruments of the Council of Europe, such as the European Cultural Convention and the European Landscape Convention, can be promoted by legal, political and practical arguments, but artistic transfiguration could produce efficient and lasting understanding and support. Notably, the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society  (Convention 199, 2005) offers a convincing explanation for everyone wishing to understand the link between human rights and the cultural heritage which makes it very user-friendly for the human rights community in Geneva. The States Parties to this Convention agreed to recognise that rights relating to cultural heritage are inherent in the right to participate in cultural life, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that the conservation of cultural heritage and its sustainable use have human development and quality of life as their goal. The State Parties also agreed to promote an understanding of the common heritage of Europe, which as a source of remembrance, understanding, identity, cohesion and creativity.  The Convention says that “the cultural heritage consist of ideals, principles and values, which foster the development of a peaceful and stable society, founded on respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law”. The exhibition was intended to be a reminder of a convention that promotes the common cultural heritage which, among other factors, fosters the respect of all human rights. In other words, continuation of diplomacy by other means. If we allowed the original phrase of Clausewitz to justify the war, I do not see why you would reject much innocent and well-meant paraphrase. But, certainly the exhibition was not just a diplomatic encounter. It was a high-quality artistic event. And, surprise, the conviviality between diplomacy and arts was even more pregnant. The painter, Amedeo Besana, is a former United Nations staff who continues, in a very delightful way, by his art, to serve the spirit of the United Nations. He was born in Italy, as you all guessed by the sound of his name. But I bet that you would have identified anyway the nationality of the painter by the colours, the light, the joy of life and optimism he has brought with his canvasses. Amedeo Besana is not a professional painter; he is not prompted in his art by any predetermined agenda or material needs. He paints just to respond to his noble inner call to communicate his joy of life, his love for the places he has admired, and his desire to share with the rest of us his human feelings. And all that gives to his art the fragile, but noble touch of spontaneity, as well as the powerful, but warm essence of authenticity. Amedeo Besana does not depict the scenes he brings to us from a distant, observing position. He is there within the landscapes in which he mixes not only colours, but also his soul. Can you see it?

Panama, a Country under Construction

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Panama, a Country under Construction
By Dr. Jose M. Teran, Ambassador of Panama. This is how Ricardo Martinelli, President of Panama, describes his home country. With 3.6 million inhabitants, in a strategic point in Central America, where the north and south get together, where the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans allows the transit to world trade and where the sun shines everyday, Panama is a country under construction, with opportunities for doing business and a place that offers the best conditions for retirement. The recent Global Competitiveness Report has ranked Panama in position 40 by 2013, improving by 13 points just in two years. So, is not a coincidence why Panama has become the most competitive economy in Central America.  According to leading rating agencies, Panama’s investment grade rating improved for the second year in a row from BBB- to BBB. The country has a bridge for the mobilization of passengers to the entire American Continent and facilitates efficient and modern communication services.  With a service vocation and as a commerce promoter, both nationally and internationally, Panama has gone from being just a canal to becoming a logistic platform by air, sea and land, with the growth of the Panama Canal as a main axis.  Services complementing the Panama Canal include ports on the Pacific and Atlantic sides, insurance, legal services and ship registry, connecting 144 maritime routes, the greatest global maritime connectivity. Five submarine and transoceanic optical fiber cables crosses the Isthmus of Panama, turning into the ideal place for telecommunication companies and data centers.  The Global Technology Report of the World Economic Forum ranks Panama as the country with the second highest level of technology in Latin America. Our prestigious International banking Center, with 93 banks offers security and reliability of the system, best practices, application of international standards, free flow of capital and over 100 years as a dollarized economy. We invite you to help consolidate Panama as an International Financial Center by bringing your financial entities to join the world-class institutions already located in our marketplace and taking advantage of the business opportunities presented.

Good evening Lebanon! This is The Hague calling…

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Logo STL By Dr. Christophe Paulussen, Senior researcher/Academic coordinator International Humanitarian Law/International Criminal Law Programme On 4 June 2013, the final lecture of the second season of the Lebanon lecture series was concluded. The Lebanon lecture series, or more officially, the inter-university programme on international criminal law and procedure (2011-2015), was launched in November 2011 by the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague in cooperation with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The programme is unique in that each season caters for the delivery of 14 exceptional lectures on international criminal law and procedure, streamed, via internet from the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague to one of the eight lecture theatres of the participating universities in Lebanon (Lebanese University, Beirut Arab University, Université Saint Joseph, Université La Sagesse, Université Saint Esprit de Kaslik, Notre Dame University, American University of Science and Technology and the American University in Beirut). The participating Lebanese students are in the 3rd or 4th year of their (law) studies. Lecturers include prominent (international) academics and practitioners in the field, the first two seasons have been kicked off by STL President, Sir David Baragwanath. Lectures are delivered in English with simultaneous translation to Arabic. Each (1-1.5 hour lecture) is followed by an interactive question and answer session with the lecturer via Skype. Many lecturers have described their lecture as rather surreal, but definitely a fascinating and tremendously stimulating experience! This programme’s formula could be used in any country in the world. The Lebanon lectures have not only filled a gap in the current curricula of the eight participating universities, it has also strengthened the cooperation between these universities. The main themes of the programme are: History of the law of the international tribunals Sources of international criminal (procedural) law Substantive law: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and terrorism General principles: modes of liability, rights of the accused, role of victims Jurisdiction, admissibility and complementarity International criminal proceedings: pre-trial, trial, judgment, appeal and sentencing Students complete their participation in the programme by sitting an exam in Lebanon. The 25 best students are rewarded with a study trip to The Hague, where they make a tour of the international institutions and of course visit the T.M.C. Asser instituut. This technically challenging project, has been most rewarding to date as exemplified by the following quote: “Dear T.M.C Asser Instituut, I want to say thanks for this big opportunity that you gave me: first to let me explore the real world of justice. Second to introducing us to respectful professors and judges in this program which is first of its kind in Lebanon and the Middle East. And finally, all the words of thanks will not be enough to express my gratitude and appreciation for your efforts to build a better future for young generations.” Participant of the Lebanon Programme 2011/2012 For more information, please contact: c.paulussen@asser.nl

Reinventing Public diplomacy in Afghanistan

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Reinventing Public diplomacy in Afghanistan
By Jorrit Kamminga, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Clingendael Institute and PhD candidate at the University of Valencia. With the end of the security transition process and the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan next year, the dominant military paradigm of the past twelve years will be replaced by a civilian-led international effort that continues to support long-term peace, stability and development. Without foreign ‘boots on the ground’ that can win hearts and minds, public diplomacy efforts will again become more important in our relationship with the Afghan people. The challenge, however, is how to reinvent public diplomacy in a new political environment that is fraught with uncertainty and instability. In a first study, the Clingendael Institute recently compared the Dutch and American approaches of public diplomacy in Afghanistan. It found three basic differences. First, within the American model, culture is often used to create a narrative for the American interaction with the Afghan people, ultimately aimed at achieving foreign policy objectives. In the Dutch model, however, it is the other way around: cultural exchanges are primarily valued as positive assets in themselves, and only secondarily as instruments of foreign policy. Second, the American model links public diplomacy efforts abroad openly to the ideological dialogue between the West and Islam. It is therefore also more linked to counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism objectives in Afghanistan. In contrast, the Netherlands has a more independent policy that separates public diplomacy efforts as much as possible from the military conflict. The Dutch focus is especially on cultural diplomacy: supporting both Dutch and Afghan culture, and any linkages between the two. Third, given the larger US military profile abroad, their public diplomacy efforts have become a defensive mechanism, used to counter the negative perceptions of the US that result from its military operations in Afghanistan. In comparison, the Netherlands has had a much lower profile in Iraq and Afghanistan – even while in charge of Uruzgan province between 2006 and 2010 – which meant public diplomacy was never used as an instrument of damage control. The problem with the Dutch approach, however, is that the Netherlands have very few funds available to support public diplomacy initiatives in Afghanistan. What is needed beyond 2014 is an approach that is disconnected from the current military framework. Such an approach departs from the more modest and non-military Dutch model, but includes the broader political and especially financial commitment of the American model. The new narrative of the public diplomacy discourse in Afghanistan should especially be about common values and common interests. It should convince Afghans why it is in their interest to align themselves with the West and to protect our shared interests from potentially malignant influences found in Afghan society. *The discussion paper ‘Public Diplomacy in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 Transition: Lessons from the United States and the Netherlands’ can be found online at: http://www.clingendael.nl/publication/public-diplomacy-afghanistan-beyond-2014-transition-lessons-united-states-and.

Migration Benefits From Good Relationship With Diplomatic Representations

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Migration Benefits From Good Relationship With Diplomatic Representations
By Martin A. Wyss, Chief of Mission IOM the Netherlands The International Organization for Migration, established in 1951, is the global lead agency on migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. With 151 member states, a further 12 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) set up an office in the Netherlands in 1991. Voluntary Return IOM assists migrants who wish to depart voluntarily from the Netherlands. Since 2000 IOM the Netherlands supported around 32.000 migrants with their voluntary return to their country of origin or their resettlement to a third country. The assistance offered consists of information and counselling, the procurement of travel documents, the arrangements for safe travel, and the provision of cash and/or in kind reintegration support.  With support of IOM offices in countries of origin, migrants are assisted with individual in kind reintegration activities  in the countries of origin, such as the setting up of income generating activities, or the financing of educational or training programmes or medical support. IOM’s reintegration assistance takes individual choices and possibilities into account. Tailored assistance is provided to vulnerable people: migrants with health concerns, victims of trafficking, (ex-) unaccompanied minors, families or single parents with underage children, and irregular migrants. Close cooperation with Embassies and Consulates is vital for the assistance IOM can offer migrants who wish to depart voluntarily from the Netherlands. Diplomatic representations play an important role in informing migrants on the option of voluntary return and referring them to IOM. Migration & Development IOM also involves diplomatic representations in its Migration & Development (M&D) programme. IOM’s Temporary Return of Qualified Nationals (TRQN) project aims to contribute to the development and/or reconstruction of a number of selected countries by engaging their overseas migrant communities in improving the capacity of governmental and non-governmental institutions. The TRQN project also offers a limited number of internships and training for selected staff of host institutions and government agencies. Martin Wyss, Chief of Mission: “It is our mission to assist migrants to stay in touch with their countries of origin so that the ties between the Diaspora and the home countries remain intact. IOM the Netherlands is privileged to work closely with Embassies and Consulates as increasingly migration is an issue of importance to all countries and their Ministries of Foreign Affairs”. Currently IOM is facilitating temporary assignments to Afghanistan, Armenia, Cape Verde, Georgia, Ghana, Iraq, Morocco, Somalia and South Sudan. IOM works closely with the diplomatic representations from these countries by discussing the migration and development opportunities and challenges, identifying priority sectors for development in these countries and outreach to the Diaspora community in the Netherlands. Arrivals to the Netherlands and Integration As part of the Dutch resettlement programme, IOM facilitates the resettlement of refugees to the Netherlands. This happens in close cooperation with the IOM offices in countries of departure and partner organizations. IOM the Netherlands coordinates health assessments, pre-departure orientation training and logistics. IOM also provides assistance to family members entitled to reunite with their family in the Netherlands. IOM arranges the travel and serves as contact point for the relatives in the Netherlands. The travel costs to the Netherlands are prepaid by sponsors. Through its new ‘Grassroots Integration through Volunteering Experiences’ (GIVE) project IOM aims to support the integration of migrants through participation with volunteer work. IOM’s cultural orientation training for different groups bound for the Netherlands also paves the way for integration in Dutch society. IOM the Netherlands is involved in the distribution of a TV series in several African countries. The series is part of the international cross-media project Surprising Europe consists of a documentary, a nine part TV series and a website. The Surprising Europe project wants to create awareness about the life of Africans in Europe.

Management of Public Diplomacy and Regional Brands

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Management of Public Diplomacy and Regional Brands
By José Luis Jácome,  Counsellor (Consular Affairs), Embassy of Ecuador in The Hague. The information revolution and the notion that an information society influences all spheres of human life; the current public and private organizational structures cannot abstract themselves from this dynamic where diplomatic management should, now more than ever, fulfill its labors through communicational strategies.  In this framework, the communicational strategy of Public Diplomacy requires the use of concrete instruments and techniques. Communication and Public Diplomacy are forced to co-exist and find spaces where ideals of universal citizenship, a culture of peace and virtual portals where civilizations meet are erected. The development of technological solutions for the global diffusion of un-printed news has also allowed for the strengthening of social networks that increasingly consolidate the notion of a global village, interconnected in real time.  In this new world, efficient diplomatic management should access scientific, academic, cultural and social spaces traditionally reserved for civil society, with the objective of contributing to the interrelations of civilizations and increasing the development of intercultural spaces that contribute to a culture of peace, in accordance with the UNESCO Resolution No. 53/243, this being, in my opinion, the main goal of Public Diplomacy. The culture of peace considers, among other aspects, the protection of the weakest members of society, the free circulation of information and universal access to this information.  It also considers the defense of universal values of respect for human dignity and the struggle against all forms of social discrimination, in general, and respect for the universal conquests for the rights and dignity of a human being.  These are the pillars upon which, and objective with which, Regional Brands  for the organization of cultural, sporting, academic, scientific and social events should be designed, as a natural expression of the modern diplomacy that transcends national management and seeks to materialize the universal paradigms consecrated in the Charter of the United Nations. The management of Public Diplomacy and Regional Brands is viable, for example, through the joint organization of cultural events through which different societies can share their values and artistic heritage.  This goal could materialize through the construction of a cultural agenda for 2014, with the co-participation by all regional groups, civil society and local authorities. (Original version in Spanish translated to English by Hailey Troock). The author holds a Ph.D in jurisprudence at  Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Ecuador.

International Criminal Justice Day

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International Criminal Justice Day
By Bonnie Klap. The Hague Institute of Global Justice was the venue for the Celebration of International Criminal Justice Day. The Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court came into effect in July,  2002 and the ICC opened its doors in The Hague at that time, a significant  moment for international justice. A great number of dignitaries were present to celebrate this historic event, among them Her Excellency Navanethem Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who gave an excellent lecture, highlighting the achievements and challenges of the ICC.
She specifically emphasized the tremendous workload of the ICC and mentioned the 18 cases in 9 situations as an example here of. Fortunately she was also able to give a few examples of ICC’s successes, such as the fact that victims now also have a voice in the process. “We are morally obliged to work toward a more just society and a culture of accountability,” according to High Commissioner Pillay. His Excellency Judge Sang-Hyun Song, President of the International Criminal Court, Her Excellency Ambassador Tiina Intelmann, President of the Assembly Of States Parties to the International Court and Her Excellency Vesela Mrden Korac, Ambassador of Croatia and Facilitator of the The Hague Working Group on Strategic Planning were also present,  as well as many members of the Diplomat Corps and the ICC. After High Commissioner Pillay’s interesting lecture Dr. Eugenio Matos, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Dominican Republic and a gifted violin player, and  composer-pianist Vladan Kulisic treated the audience to a wonderful musical performance, playing music from the movie Schindler’s List and Csárdás, among others. The President of the ICC, His Excellency Judge Song, is a music lover and it was by his special invitation that Dr. Matos  performed at this event to promote peace and security. Once again this  underscores the fact that the relationship between the fine arts and diplomacy has remained unchanged for centuries.

Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of WMD

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Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of WMD
Logo OPCW Logo IAEA By Tanya Mehra, ASSER Institute. From 2 – 6 September 2013, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut together with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will organise the Fourth Annual Summer Programme on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in a Changing World. There is an increasing demand for professionals in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation of WMDs. The challenges posed to international security by nuclear, chemical and biological weapons are as urgent today as during the Cold War. In the first decade of the 21st Century there is a growing concern for terrorist attacks with WMDs and countries in the Middle East and other turbulent regions continue to develop WMD programmes. In August 2010, the T.M.C Asser Instituut and the OPCW launched the first Summer Programme on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of WMDs.  In its first three years, the Summer Programme has already established itself as a popular and highly regarded educational resource for advanced graduate students and young to mid-level professional with interests in WMD diplomacy and treaty implementation. One of the aims of the programme is to offer an integrated approach to weapons of mass destruction. The programme will address the non-proliferation and disarmament efforts taken respectively with chemical, nuclear and biological weapons; the more crosscutting aspects will be discussed in high-level panels. The all-encompassing programme seeks to strike a balance between the legal, scientific, diplomatic and military issues relating to the broad spectrum of WMD in our contemporary world. It links the disarmament and non-proliferation efforts and at the same time distinguishes the challenges each individual category of WMDs currently faces. The programme is supported by all the leading treaty-based organizations in the field of WMDs, which makes this programme quite unique. The following institutions contribute to the programme: •    Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) •    Biological Weapons Convention – Implementation Support Unit (BWC-ISU) •    International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) •    United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Fellows Program This year’s speakers include, amongst others:  Olli Heinonen, Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs/Harvard University, Jean du Preez, Chief of External Relations and International Cooperation/CTBTO, Dr. Paul F. Walker, International Program Director of the Environmental Security and Sustainability Program/Green Cross International, Mr. Piet de Klerk, Sherpa of the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit, and H.E. Mr Ahmet Üzümcü, Director-General of the OPCW. This year the Summer Programme will include the following topics:  the future of the OPCW beyond the Third Review Conference, the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit, the UN mission to investigate alleged uses of chemical weapons in Syria, current challenges of the Biological Weapons Conventions, and many others. To complement the classroom content of the Summer Programme, one day will be devoted to field trips to see how WMD treaties are applied in practice:  to the OPCW’s inspection equipment store and laboratory followed by a visit to an inspectable chemical industry plant site; to a nuclear research reactor in Delft, and to TNO, a Dutch defence research organisation, for a live sampling-and-analysis exercise in the context of an investigation of alleged uses of WMD. The field visits will offer participants direct experience in CBRN preparedness and in the way international treaties on WMDs are implemented at the national level. The Summer Programme will provide unique insight into the legal framework of each sub-category of weapons, sound understanding of the distinct characteristics of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and a solid grounding in WMD treaty implementation. “Being passionate about this topic for almost 10 years and having recently graduated, it was a unique opportunity to extend my knowledge on WMD issues, meet great people and discuss with international experts. According to me the programme was absolutely well organized and reached all my expectations and even more. Without any doubts, what I have learned and the contacts that I have made will decidedly determine my future professional life which will be, I hope, in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation of WMD.” Participant in the 2012 Summer Programme on ‘Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in a Changing World’, S.F., Belgium For more information please contact: Tanya Mehra, Education Manager T.M.C. Asser Instituut educationtraining@@asser.nl
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