Human security at ASSER
CLEER Conference on ‘Human security as a tool for a comprehensive approach to human rights and security linkages in EU Foreign policy’ 6 December 2013, T.M.C. Asser Instituut, The Hague.
By Dr. Aaron Matta. Senior Researcher in EU law and academic programme coordinator of CLEER, T.M.C. Asser Instituut.
The Centre for the Law of EU External Relations (CLEER) is hosted by the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague and since its establishment in 2008 it functions as a forum for debate and an authoritative research interface between academia and practice dealing with the legal aspects of the role of the EU in the world.
CLEER’s ambition is to stimulate excellence in research, reflection and teaching in EU external relations studies in higher education institutions in and outside the Union and to promote innovative solutions to practical challenges to the external dimension of the EU’s legal order.
The conference is the first event of CLEER’s project ‘Human Security: a new framework for enhanced human rights in the EU’s foreign security and migration policies’, implemented with the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) of the European Union.
The project runs from 1 September 2013 until 31 August 2014 and aims at facilitating academic interaction in closely interrelated areas of EU external conduct, creating synergies between and raising awareness of global security concerns. The project will, specifically, integrate elements of EU external action in security, development and migration policies, through the paradigm of human security.
Human security is a relatively new security concept, characterized by a multidimensional approach of the international community in an effort to respond more effectively to complex security challenges. Despite the emerging consensus in political and academic discourse about the concept as such, the operationalization of human security lags far behind at both global and regional levels. Whereas the EU has stepped up its role as a self-professed global security provider since 2003, no coherent policy and normative framework exists to consistently implement human security policy into EU external action. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and the emergence of new structures to develop and implement external action, a renewed focus on existing research on human security is needed.
The conference invites academics, legal and policy experts, policy-makers and representatives of civil society to discuss an operational framework for a distinct EU approach to security policy so as to provide effective protection and due respect to individuals’ human rights in conflict and post-conflict context. Particular attention will be given to the need for enhancing coordination and synergies of the EU’s so far fragmented toolbox addressing peace, security, stability and development issues, for the overall goal of heightened human rights protection.
The T.M.C Asser Instituut and CLEER continue to count on the kind cooperation by the embassies of the EU Member States in The Hague, and hope to welcome members of the wider diplomatic community as well.
Information regarding forthcoming conference may be found on the CLEER website: www.cleer.eu.
FINE ARTS. When color is the subject.
By Céline Seror, founder of ARTNESS.
Born with the need to express herself through paint, French artist Céline Huon has restlessly been painting about the emotions and experiences of her life.
Her fascination for colors was the origin her work – even before the first line was drawn. After she graduated from the ‘Ecole des Beaux Arts’ of Paris, she kept on using color as the core source of her inspiration. Influenced by the work of Iraqi painter Abraham Haddad, her figurative paintings represents recognizable characters.
The apparent quietness of colors transparencies in Huon’s work rapidly leaves space to the uncovering of a unique intensity and strength. The game of colors and textures guide us gently but with confidence to the emotions of the artist.
Her singular itinerary includes a series of exhibitions for private collectors in France and the Philippines as well as a remarked collaboration with Hermès in Paris for whom she created amazing ‘carré’ scarfs.
Discover Céline Huon’s work on: ARTNESS
ARTNESS is proud to represent the work of Céline Seror and will soon coordinate a show for the artist. To schedule a private or group viewing of her work, feel free to contact Céline Seror at celine.seror@artness.nl or +31 6 50 29 67 65
ARTNESS is an art agency located in Amsterdam aiming at: -representing new works of art through a portfolio of renowned and emerging artists, -advising private and corporate collectors on the choice of their next art acquisition, -coordinating art-related projects such as artist studio visits, workshops, publications and events across the world. www.artness.nl
UPEACE Centre The Hague and peace education
By Eveline Hartogs, Secretary of the Board of the Alliance for the University for Peace.
From January 2012 on, UPEACE Centre The Hague, the representative in the European Union of the University for Peace in Costa Rica, is based in the Academy building of the Peace Palace. The University for Peace (UPEACE) was created in 1980 as a United Nations treaty organization to support the UN’s central peace and security objectives. Its mission is to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace. The University was established under its own Charter, approved by the UN General Assembly, which authorised UPEACE to grant Master’s degrees and doctorates. UPEACE has strong links with various parts of the UN system, including the UN Secretary-General’s office. The new centre in The Hague is meant to become UPEACE’s representative body in the European Union. UPEACE The Hague focuses on education and research in the field of peace issues, in close cooperation with renowned academic and policy-oriented institutes in The Hague region.
Mission
The mission of UPEACE The Hague is to complement the existing academic expertise in global justice, international relations, international law and development studies in The Hague region by providing higher education and undertaking research in the area of peace, and to promote and facilitate UPEACE operations in the Netherlands and beyond. This will be realised on the basis of knowledge and expertise from the UPEACE global network and in cooperation with organisations in The Hague region.
The focus on education and research in the field of peace issues is important for young people, teaching them that peace is not self-evident. Peace is more than ‘absence of war’: peace implies a culture of non-violence and safety. It is also important to have research based peace education; by analysing former and current conflict situations, structures and systems can be found, that give more insight in questions regarding the causes of conflicts and how to prevent conflicting situations from becoming violent. Such research can even be more effective when it will be combined with, for instance, matters of sustainability, water problems, or urban security.
First steps taken
In the academic year 2012-2013 UPEACE The Hague has started providing English spoken courses to The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Leiden University College The Hague. This has resulted in more courses in the academic year 2013-2014 on the following subjects:
- Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
- Civil War and Conflict Studies
- Human Rights and Conflict Resolution
- International Peacebuilding
- Peacebuilding in Fragile Political Orders
- Conflict Resolution and Settlement
- Transforming War Economies
- Fragile Peace Agreements
- Peace, Negotiation and Mediation
The trial of Uhuru Kenyatta before the ICC
The trial of Uhuru Kenyatta before the ICC Trial Chamber V(b) to start on 5 February 2014.
Situation: The Republic of Kenya
Case: The Prosecutor v. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta
Today, 31 October 2013, Trial Chamber V(b) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided to postpone the trial’s commencement in the case against Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta to 5 February 2014.
The Chamber noted that both the Defence and the Prosecutor are in agreement on postponing the trial date until February 2014. On 24 October 2013, Mr Kenyatta’s Defence had requested the Chamber to vacate the initial date of 12 November 2013. The Prosecution accepted that certain factual matters raised by the Defence merited further investigation and submitted that additional time would allow it to present its evidence, namely witnesses’ testimony, in a logical and coherent sequence.
Noting the interest of justice, the fairness and expeditiousness of the proceedings and, in particular, victims and witnesses, the Chamber expressed its deep regret that repeated adjournments of the trial have been necessary because one or both parties have required more time to prepare. The Chamber urged both parties to accelerate their preparation in order to ensure that no further postponements are required.
Background
Mr Kenyatta is charged, as an indirect co-perpetrator, with five counts of crimes against humanity consisting of murder, deportation or forcible transfer, rape, persecution and other inhumane acts allegedly committed during the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007-2008. Charges were confirmed on 23 January 2012, and the case was ultimately committed to trial before Trial Chamber V(b).
In the context of the Kenyan situation, two other cases are currently before the ICC: The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang, and The Prosecutor v. Walter Osapiri Barasa.
The International Criminal Court is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, namely the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
Decision adjourning the commencement of trial
Caravaggio in The Hague
By John Dunkelgrün.
One of the true gems of The Hague, the undeservedly little known museum “Galerij Prins Willem V”, proudly presents Caravaggio’s early masterpiece “Boy bitten by a lizard”. The Galerij on the Buitenhof next to the museum “Gevangenpoort” (with which it shares an entrance) is the oldest public art museum in The Netherlands. Started with works from the private collection of Prince Willem V it opened its doors in 1774. It is quite small, just one long narrow gallery, but richly furnished in 18th century courtly style and … what a collection! Over 150 works by mainly Dutch and Flemish 17th century painters cover the high walls from floor to ceiling in the true style of the age. Luckily binoculars are provided. You’ll find works by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter, Rubens and many others.
To bring the Galerij out from the shadows, Emilie Gordenker (of Mauritshuis fame) and her crew hit upon the idea of presenting one top work a year that is normally not to be seen in The Netherlands. It has to be a work fitting in with the collection of the Galerij itself, in period and quality. As the curator Ariana van Suchtelen explained, it is fitting that the first work so borrowed was a work by Caravaggio, the pioneer par excellence of the claire-obscure style in the Rome of around 1600. In “A boy bitten by a lizard” light and shadow thrust and parry like a champion fencing match as can clearly be seen in the attached detail. The painting was made while Caravaggio was still an apprentice in order to show off his skill in painting emotions (the boy startled and hurt by the sudden bite). Caravaggio’s paintings were much discussed and criticized at the time and … so widely followed that he became the only artist in history after whom a painting style was named, caravagism. Luckily the Galerij canshow two exmples of this style from its own collection, a Rubens and a Van Honthorst.
The Caravaggio is on display from Friday October 11th to Sunday December 8th 2013.
Opening times Tuesday through Sunday from 12.00 ~ 17.00
Make sure you don’t miss it.
The painting is in The Hague courtesy of the National Gallery in London
MIJN DERDE LAND / MY THIRD COUNTRY
By John Dunkelgrün.
The Netherlands has many surprising hidden gems, from “Hofjes” to small ancient cities, seemingly unchanged over hundreds of years. One of these gems is Huize Frankendael, the last remaining manor house within Amsterdam. It was built in the middle of the 17th century in the new polder of Watergraafsmeer deeper below sea level than any other point in Amsterdam. At the time more than 50 such estates were built outside the ring of canals to escape the stink and pestilence of the city center in summer. Frankendael, which was privately owned and inhabited until 2006, is the only such house still standing. Today it is beautifully restored with gold colored brocade wall covering and is used as an exhibition space. It also houses Merkelbach, a remarkable restaurant that serves slow cooked seasonal foods from the best purveyors and some great wines. At this moment there is an exposition curated by the Frankendael curator Nathanja van Dijk together with Carolyn Drake. The theme is “My third land” after a poem by the Dutch (former) Poet Laureate Gerrit Komrij, “Counterweight” (Contragewicht). The poem deals eloquently with the problem of having moved to another country and not feeling totally at home in either place. This is something that must resonate with the expat community anywhere. Komrij solves it by creating an imaginary “third” country in his head. The exhibition shows works of such imaginary countries, ranging from a child’s private world in a tent made from a sheet over a couple of chairs by Ryan Gander (executed in marble!) to a marvelous series of maps of non-existent islands that date from classical Greek times to the 19th century. There are the haunting pictures of the islands of Charles Avery as well as his mesmerizing imaginary tree. Of course there are far more works to see, but the house itself and its 17th century garden are in themselves well worth a visit, as is restaurant Merkelbach. The exhibition runs until December 2nd and is open from Thursday through Sunday from 12.00 to 18.00. There is a film evening and several night openings. It is located on the Middelweg 72 in the Watergraafsmeer area of Amsterdam. For more information see www.huizefrankendael.nlExplore the Zaanse Schans
By Gualtiero Buonamassa.
Zaanse Schans is a fully inhabited, open-air conservation area and museum located just a few miles north of Amsterdam. Here you can get a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. The area consist of authentic houses, a historic shipyard, a pewter factory, a cheese and dairy farm, a age-old grocery store, clog-making demonstrations, and above all, lots of windmills.
It can’t get more Dutch than at Zaanse Schans. Most Dutch icons, such as clogs, mills and cheese, are represented here. This presentation of Dutch life attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
First Industrial Site in the World
Some 250 years ago, well over 600 windmills were cramped into this relatively small area. Together they formed the first industrial site in the world. They performed a wide range of industrial duties, such as producing shelves, paint, mustard, oil and paper. Today the mills offer wonderful views, best seen from a boat tour on the Zaan river. You can also visit three of these age-old mills and have a look inside. SPECIFICATIONS for Visitors Free entrance except for Musea and windmils. AutoParking is close to entrance but not free. You may do the payment with credit card Travelling with train : Take the stoptrain from Amsterdam CS direction Alkmaar untill station Koog-Zaandijk and few minutes walking to Zaanse Schans. Travelling with Bus : From Amsterdam CS. Bus 91 Travelling with auto : A8 exit Purmerend A7 en follow indication Zaanse Schans www.zaanseschans.nl Adres Schansend 7 1509 AW Zaandam 075-6810000Kropholler’s 1913 “Kerkdorp”
By Catherine A. Dailey.
When traversing the Nieuwe Parklaan, scarcely a soul is able to arrive in Scheveningen, without noticing the imposing brick complex located next to the Circus Theater in the very heart of Scheveningen Bad- a prominent landmark known to some as the “Kropholler Kerpdorp” and to others as the Kropholler Complex. For the faithful, who have regularly visited the Roman Catholic community on the Berkenbosch Blokstraat over the course of the last century, it has simply come to be known as the Lourdes Chapel or Lourdes grotto (Lourdesgrot).
As the international community observes centennial celebrations for the International Court of Justice this year, it is perhaps fitting to reflect upon the humble beginnings and grand design for another Scheveningen project under construction in the parish territory bordering the site where work was already well underway on the CarnegiePeacePalace in 1910. Few today are aware of anything relating to the history of this important registered landmark (rijksmomunument), and even fewer have reason to think about Alexander Jacobus Kropholler (1881-1973) , or “Co” to his contemporaries, the young architect responsible for the project’s ambitious design.
The ever creative architect and writer, with an impressive oevre assembled over the span of a most enviable long life, has rightfully taken his place in Dutch architectural history as the most important “traditionalist” of his time. He first distinguished himself when he joined forces with Jan Frederik Staal (1879-1940). The two young men opened an architectural firm in 1902 at the ages of 19 and 20 respectively ; following Staal’s return from an extended study trip in the United States. Their collaboration, while productive, was to last just eight years, during which time Staal became increasingly fascinated with high rise office and hotel buildings in the urban landscapes of America’s great cities; enchanted with theosophical theories and practices and drifted, politically, towards socialism.
In sharp contrast to the clearly esoteric direction that his partner chose to embark upon; Kropholler remained firmly grounded by the traditions of “DelftSchool” and was, specifically, inspired by the works of Hendrik Petrus Berlage (1856-1934). His faithful adherence to traditionalism led him to discover Eugene Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879), French Gothic Revival architect, architectural theorist and restorer of French medieval buildings and, with the last, Kropholler’s interest in Romanesque influences, monastic traditions and Catholic philosophers had been permanently awakened. Known to “retreat” to cloisters for regular stays in order to “work through” his ideas; these experiences are likely to have contributed to his 1908 decision to be baptized in the Catholic Church and just two years later, in 1910, Kropholler severed his ties with Staal and refrained from ever speaking with or seeing him again.
Continuing to accept projects on his own, Kropholler submitted “Scheveningse kerkbouw” as he called it, an ambitious urban development project (Stedenbouwkundig plan) to the city of The Hague for review and approval in 1911–the following year. It is worth noting, that as early as 1910, a Roman Catholic stichting (foundation) was created by the Bisschop of Haarlem. The diocese of Rotterdam would not be created for more than a half century later, thus it was the Bishop of Haarlem who was to grant the decree to develop the building parcel, bordered by the Berkenbosch Blokstraat, Neptunustraat, De Messtraat and Circustraat. To oversee the project, the bishop appointed the highly regarded poet priest, A.M.J.I. Binnewiertz (1870-1915) as his construction priest (bouwpastoor) for the new R.C. Our Lady of Lourdes community, a territorial parish.
Kropholler’s project consisted of 13 houses, a chapel, parsonage, tower base, school, and church. It remains unclear as to why he designed a total of thirteen homes, but a copy of one of the preliminary renderings prepared for Binniwiertz may be found on the a simple “1913” inscription drawn on the parsonage’s façade which was later to be changed to the Latin verse “Funda Nos in Pace” found in ”Ave Maris Stella”, an ancient plainsong Vespers hymn to Mary, meaning “establish us in peace”, which can be traced to the sixth century. When one takes into consideration the fact that by 1911, when Kropholler’s plan was submitted; two major international peace conferences, in 1899 and 1907, had already been hosted by the city and many more associated “justice and peace” related programs had been held at the nearby Kurhaus Hotel; it becomes clear that the parish was erected to care for the souls who were expected to be moving into or visiting the area in keeping with the city’s projected plans for expansion.
Yet another clue substantiating this theory can be found in the pelican relief by Joseph Mendes de Costa, found on the chapel’s façade on the Berkenbosch Blokstraat. The pelican image, in rondo form, evokes the Eucharist, one of the earliest Christian symbols. An early example is to be seen in the Roman “Basilica of Saint Sabina at the Aventine” (432 A.D.).
Finally, a quite literally, concrete, indication of the community’s determination to reflect upon the always universal and ever timely themes of “justice and peace” during the unsettling and bellicose years in which the parish was founded , which directly preceded the build up and outbreak of hostilities in the Great War, are to be quietly found in one of the glazed hand formed tiles which form the one of the sanctuary’s sidewalls (left of the altar). The words “Regina Pacis, Ora pro nobis”, a Latin invocation to the Blessed virgin Mary, meaning “Queen of Peace, pray for us”, already informally in use, was not officially added to the Litany of Loreto by Pope Benedict XV, dubbed “the peace pope”, until 1917.
The aforementioned themes are but a few found in Kropholler’s “Lady Chapel” on the Berkenbosch Blokstraat. The remaining examples await your discovery. The sanctuary is open daily for silent prayer and meditation. All are welcome.
Diplomats Meet & Greet
Sponsored by the Embassy of Guatemala. Thursday Nov. 7th at Carlton Ambassador from 6pm. In collaboration with Diplomat Magazine.
Dr. Vjosa Dobruna, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Dr. Vjosa Dobruna was designated as the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands in June, 2013. She presented her credentials to His Majesty the King of the Netherlands on October 16, 2013.
Dr. Dobruna joined Kosovo diplomatic service in 2012, when she was nominated as ambassador at-large for Latin America.
Prior to the diplomatic assignment, Dr. Dobruna served as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Public Radio and Television of Kosovo (RTK), the National Head of the Department for Democratic Governance, Civil Society, and Independent Media-UN Joint Interim Administrative Structure of Kosovo; mandated to monitor and recommend regulations on human and minority rights, equal opportunity, good governance, and independent media.
She also practiced pediatrics and worked as human right advocate and campaigner.
She contributes to several organizations, including Woman Waging Peace /Inclusive Security Network, Safe House for Battered Women, and in the past served as board member to the Open Society Foundation, OSCE Mission in Kosovo as media advisory board member, American University in Kosovo as board of trustees, Courts of Women Against Violence as a judge, Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms, Network of East-West Women, Women for Peace in Mediterranean, Mother Teresa Association.
Through her career she has founded several health and human rights organizations, such as Center for the Protection of Women and Children in Prishtina, Safe House for Women in Gjakova, and Women’s Center in Tetovo.
She received several awards, such as: National Honor Society in US, Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights, Washington DC, Alexander Langer Award for Minority Rights, Bolzano/Bozen, Italy, Edward Barsky Award for Courageous Physician, Chicago, ILL, U.S.A, International Woman of The Year, finalist for 1999, Valle d’Aosta, Italy, Medalio dell’oro, Bologna, Italy.
Dr. Dobruna has graduated from University of Pristina in Kosovo, Postgraduate Studies from University of Zagreb in Croatia and fellowship from Harvard University, KSG Carr Center on Human Rights.
Ambassador Dobruna is fluent in Albanian, English, Croatian, Serbian, and has working knowledge of Italian.