On 20 December 2023, ISS’ latest MA graduates collected their diplomas during a heartfelt commemoration to conclude their academic journey.
During the ceremony, 108 students were awarded their degrees, while some graduates attended virtually from their home countries. The batch comprised students from almost 50 different countries.
Furthermore, two awards were presented at the ceremony. Dr Roy Huijsmans, Dr Karin Astrid Siegmann, and Dr Nanneke Winters received the Best Teacher Award for their exceptional facilitation. The Best Thesis Prizes were awarded to Conor Farrell, Joelle Vetter and Amanda Faria Oliveira for their high-quality research work.
The 2023 Best Student Essays booklet, ‘An Exercise in Worldmaking’, was unveiled at the ceremony. This booklet, available now for reading, features 26 essays showcasing students’ diverse perspectives and expertise.
Finally, the students took a moment to reflect on the mounting crises of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Their speeches called for solidarity, support and mobilization against injustices in Gaza—a powerful way to conclude their academic journey.
The Director of ILANUD Douglas Durán Chavarría, said: “The main objective of ILANUD has always been the advancement of the human rights approach, which is why a cooperation agreement such as the one now signed with the International Criminal Court is of the utmost relevance for ILANUD, given the outstanding work that the ICC carries out in this field. On the other hand, this new relationship with the ICC is also important for ILANUD because the strengthening of criminal justice systems is particularly relevant for this regional institute of the United Nations, given its special mandate in this area. Therefore, the agreement is an excellent opportunity to work together on issues of mutual interest.”
Through this agreement, the two institutions agree to cooperate closely and consult each other on matters of mutual interest. The institutions also intend to conduct training and assistance for their personnel on topics within their respective mandates, including evidence, judicial proceedings, protection of victims and witnesses and prison management.
Rwanda takes center stage at the prestigious Vakantiebeurs Tourism Fair in Utrecht, Netherlands, showcasing its diverse and captivating tourist offerings. The event, taking place from January 10 to 14, 2024, is a significant platform for Rwanda to connect with the BeNeLux market, comprising Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
The Vakantiebeurs Tourism Fair is renowned as a premier travel fair, drawing exhibitors from over 100 countries. This year, Rwanda aims to leverage the event to build on the positive momentum of the tourism sector’s recovery, particularly in the Netherlands. After the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 2023 has emerged as an important year, witnessing a remarkable 75.3% recovery rate in tourist numbers from the Netherlands to Rwanda.
Visit Rwanda at Vakantiebeurs.
Ariella Kageruka, the Head of Tourism and Conservation at Rwanda Development Board, expressed excitement about the opportunity to showcase Rwanda’s attractions at Vakantiebeurs. She emphasized the importance of the BeNeLux market, highlighting it as a strategic source for leisure tourism.
The Vakantiebeurs Tourism Fair has a proven track record, with the previous edition attracting over 65,000 visitors throughout the 5-day event. With an estimated 65% of attendees expected to return for the 2024 edition, this provides a substantial audience for Rwanda to present its unique offerings.
Visit Rwanda is present at Vakantiebeurs.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, emphasized the country’s increasing popularity among adventure enthusiasts worldwide. He highlighted the diverse experiences awaiting tourists in Rwanda, such as kayaking on Lake Kivu or cycling the Congo Nile Trail. With the Netherlands being a nation where each person owns an average of 1.4 bikes, the ambassador sees this as an excellent opportunity to promote Rwanda’s cycling attractions.
H.E. Mr. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe In the middle, accompanied by his embassy team.
In addition to the presence of Visit Rwanda at the fair, various representatives from notable entities like Wanderlux Safaris, Blue Monkey Tours, Palast Tours & Travels, and RwandAir will participate in side events and networking sessions. These engagements are designed to foster connections with travel agents, tour operators, and potential travelers within the BeNeLux market.
Visit Rwanda, the tourism campaign of the Rwanda Development Board, aims not only to promote tourism but also to contribute to Rwanda’s economic development by facilitating private sector growth. Working in collaboration with conservation and tourism partners, Visit Rwanda strives to create unique tourist experiences while empowering local communities and supporting the conservation of natural ecosystems.
In a surprising turn of events, The New York Times has recently filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and Microsoft. The lawsuit, filed in the final week of December, alleges that OpenAI utilized millions of articles from The New York Times in training its artificial intelligence models.
The newspaper claims that this practice not only constitutes copyright infringement but also poses a direct threat as unfair competition to traditional media outlets. In the legal documents, The New York Times argues that OpenAI’s use of its articles is also illegal. The lawsuit suggests that by incorporating copyrighted material without proper authorization, OpenAI has breached intellectual property rights. Furthermore, the newspaper claims that the AI models developed by OpenAI serve as direct competition to traditional media, as they can generate content in response to user queries.
Generative Artificial Intelligence and Training Data
Generative Artificial Intelligence, such as ChatGPT, is trained using diverse data sources from the internet, including newspapers, novels, webpages, encyclopedias, and more. This comprehensive training approach allows the models to generate human-like text responses to a wide array of queries.
The Challenge of Copyrighted Content
One significant challenge faced by AI developers is the use of copyrighted material in the training data. As AI models are trained on vast amounts of information gathered from the web, it becomes challenging to ensure that all the data used is free from copyright restrictions. The New York Times lawsuit sheds light on this issue, focusing on the unauthorized use of its articles in the training process.
OpenAI’s Response
OpenAI, a leading organization in artificial intelligence research, has not remained silent on the matter. In their initial response, they acknowledged the complexity of using diverse data sources and emphasized their commitment to addressing copyright concerns. OpenAI expressed a willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue to find a resolution.
Potential Implications
The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the development and deployment of AI models. If The New York Times prevails, it may set a precedent for other media outlets to scrutinize the use of their content in AI training datasets. This could lead to a shift in how developers source and handle training data, with a greater emphasis on obtaining proper permissions for copyrighted material.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, so do the legal challenges associated with its development. The lawsuit filed by The New York Times against OpenAI highlights the complex issues surrounding the use of copyrighted content in training AI models. The outcome of this case could shape the future of AI development practices and the relationship between the technology sector and traditional media. It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold and whether it will prompt changes in the way AI developers approach training data and copyright compliance.
By H.E. Mr. Suljuk Mustansar Tarar, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
There is a certain randomness in old friendships. My dear friend Imran Qureshi, the famous visual artist, called me one day from Lahore in April to say that his first show after the Covid pandemic would be displayed at Gallery Ropac in Paris. He asked if I could join. As I live in the Hague, the notice was short. Despite that, it sounded worthwhile, primarily because I had attended Qureshi’s exhibition in MET New York and Washington DC at equally short notice.
I drove to Paris and made it to the opening reception on the evening of April 27. The show was aptly titled Homecoming – for it was after long that the artist was exhibiting his work and it was the type of work he had been doing in the 2010s. Unlike Qureshi’s recent work, these were miniatures showing his mastery.
Imran Qureshi
The opening was followed by a dinner where I met famous designer Christian Louboutin, a friend of Qureshi’s. I gave him my book, All That Art, which he browsed with interest. Qureshi later told me that Louboutin kept All That Art in his summer home in Portugal. I liked the simplicity of Louboutin, who kindly allowed me to take a photo of him with the book. Visual artist Suleman Khilji came from the UK, where he is studying at the Royal College of Arts.
Khilji’s figurative work is profoundly contemporary yet has an element of classic figurative painting, too, and though figurative work is coming back, Khilji started it at a time when it required some daring because the Pakistani art market was fascinated with neo-miniature abstraction. Pakistani designer Mehrunissa, who, with her mother, is the force behind creative Studio Lel, was also present. Thus, Paris became a meeting point for Lahore’s National College of Arts graduates from different parts of the world over Imran Qureshi’s exhibition.
Imran Qureshi, Thaddaeus Ropac and H.E. Suljuk Mustansar Tarar.
I had another day to spend in Paris. The next morning I opted to see the Pompidou Centre. It is one of the early large-scale buildings of high-tech architecture and one of my favourite buildings. It was completed in 1977 and designed by two star-chitects, Renzo Piano and the late Sir Richard Rogers.
The colourful structure, caged in pipes and utility edifices on the Paris street skyline, looked odd. It looked like a Lego structure. However, its other side, the actual front, has a large public space in front and engages the people sitting there or entering the centre. Pompidou Centre has a huge public library, gallery spaces and cinema halls. As I took the escalator, it was like going to an airport but with the most beautiful view of Paris.
In 2024, I hope to visit Paris again to see the retrospective of American abstract expressionist icon Mark Rothko, whose work I got to appreciate while living in New York. But this time, Paris combined for me Pakistan’s creative people from my alma mater, the National College of Arts and high-tech architecture.
About the author:
H.E. Mr. Suljuk Mustansar Tarar is Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A career diplomat, he writes about contemporary art and architecture and is the author of All That Art. He can be followed on Instagram @suljuktarar & X @suljuk.This article has been published in The News on December 31,2023.
The statement released by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in The Hague addresses a tragic terrorist attack that occurred in Kerman on January 3, 2024. The statement condemns the act in the strongest terms and provides details on the human toll, with 84 people, including children and women, losing their lives, and over 200 individuals incurring injuries.
The swift condemnation of the attack by various entities, including the Dutch government and the European Union, is acknowledged in the statement. The Embassy emphasizes that such acts of terrorism provide an opportunity for global unity in the fight against this heinous phenomenon. The statement underscores the commitment of the Islamic Republic of Iran to conducting thorough investigations to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and masterminds behind the attack.
Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist acts, highlighting their explicit aim to destabilize Iran and spread insecurity in the region and the world. The commitment to utilizing all political, legal, and international mechanisms to hold accountable those responsible for orchestrating and carrying out these attacks is reiterated in the statement. The pursuit of justice for the victims is emphasized as a top priority.
HRWF (08.01.2024) – From 8 to 19 January 2024, the District Court of Oslo will examine the de-registration case of Jehovah’s Witnesses on the grounds of their exclusion policy of members, also named disfellowshipping.
The case follows the government’s denial of the Witnesses’ application for state grants in 2021, which they had received for 30 years. These subsidies are not “gifts” but allocations provided for by the Norwegian Constitution and laws to respect the principle of equality between religious communities, whatever their size, since the Church of Norway (Lutheran) is supported by taxpayers’ money.
A timeline in short
On 27 January 2022, the County Governor (Statsforvalteren) for Oslo and Viken, Ms. Valgerd Svarstad-Haugland, issued an administrative decision denying the state subsidy for the year 2021 to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The starting point of the legal saga was a report addressed to the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs by Prof. Furuli, a professor emeritus of Semitic languages at the University of Oslo and a disfellowshipped Jehovah’s Witness himself, in connection with the exclusion and expulsion policy of members. The question was raised about how the report should be assessed with regard to the registration of and state subsidies to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Noteworthy is that Prof. Furuli supported a first decision in August 2021 by a Norwegian court “annulling” an ecclesiastical decision where the Jehovah’s Witnesses disfellowshipped one of their female members, Gry Helen Nygård. However, this decision was reversed on 9 July 2021 by the Borgarting Court of Appeal and on 3 May 2022 by the Supreme Court of Norway with a unanimous decision (5-0). Nygård then took her case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which rejected her complaint without giving any further reason, which is common when the ECHR regards complaints as clearly unfounded.
Nygård has also taken her case to a different court, the media, and has found a sympathetic ear from people hostile to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
On 25 October 2022, the County Governor of Oslo and Viken, Ms. Valgerd Svarstad-Haugland, demanded via letter that Jehovah’s Witnesses change their religious beliefs and practices, otherwise they would lose their registration. In her letter, she did not refer to any court decisions or complaints to the police, child welfare authorities, or other relevant authorities. The Witnesses proposed to meet her but she declined their request.
On 22 December 2022, the County Governor revoked their registration as a religious community.
On 30 December 2022, Oslo District Court granted Jehovah’s Witnesses a temporary injunction suspending the County Governor’s decision and pending litigation.
On 26 April 2023, the District Court lifted the injunction in response to a request by the Ministry of Children and Families. The decision was appealed.
On 30 June 2023, the Borgarting Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on technical grounds.
What are and can be the consequences of the de-registration?
News reports about the State revoking the Witnesses’ registration stigmatize the nearly 12,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses of Norway.
The negative media coverage has led to considerable increase in verbal abuse, physical assaults, as well as vandalism of places of worship (e.g., offensive graffiti, arson).
The community is losing the State’s recognition of their religious marriages as well as some $1.6 million (USD) in government grants.
The State intrusion into the beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses that is being examined in Norway can have a very negative impact on other religious communities in Norway and other countries.
The ruling against that religious community “can have consequences for a whole range of other faiths,” stated Dag Øistein Endsjø, professor of Religious studies at the University of Oslo, in an interview published in the newspaper Vårt Land .
In an editorial, Vebjørn Selbekk (editor-in-chief of the respected Norwegian Christian newspaper, Dagen) expressed fear that the County Governor may go on and sanction other religious groups whose beliefs and practices she happens to disagree with. He regarded the decision as anti-democratic, and expressed the hope that the Jehovah’s Witnesses will “emerge victorious from the upcoming court process.” Noteworthy is that Mr. Selbekk is not a Jehovah’s Witness and is critical of their theology.
Last but not least, a collateral damage is also the reaction of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs whose spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, decried the hypocrisy of Norway which deregistered Jehovah’s Witnesses, while criticizing Moscow at international forums for banning that same religious community. She also added that Russia’s nationwide ban is hereby legitimized by the decision in Norway.
The picturesque coastal town of Scheveningen, located in The Hague, is set to become a hub of artistic brilliance with the upcoming exhibition titled “A Winter by the Sea.” Organized by Triple A Projects, this exhibition brings together a group of talented Dutch artists whose works captivate and inspire.
Festive Opening on January 13 at 3 pm
Mark your calendars for a festive opening on January 13 at 3 pm, where art enthusiasts and the local community can gather to celebrate the creative endeavors of these renowned Dutch artists. The event is not just an exhibition; it’s a cultural celebration that invites everyone to immerse themselves in the world of artistic expression.
Explore the artists’ individual worlds by visiting their websites, such as Marisa Polin, Rob van’t Zelde and discover the depth and diversity they bring to “A Winter by the Sea.”
Mark your calendars for a festive opening on January 13 at 3
Exhibition Details
The exhibition will be open on January 13/14, 20/21, and 27/28, 2024. Visitors can explore the artistic wonders from 1 pm to 5 pm on these dates. The venue, located at Strandweg 171-173, Noordboulevard, Scheveningen, promises an immersive experience with the sea as a breathtaking backdrop.
For those arriving by car, convenient parking is available behind the exhibition venue. Alternatively, public transport is easily accessible via tram 9, with the nearest stop being Zwarte Pad.
Rob van’t Zelde
More Information
For additional details about the exhibition, visit the Triple A Projects website at www.allaboutartprojects.nl. For inquiries, feel free to reach out to Det Regts and Saskia Groenewegen, the organizers of this artistic endeavor.
Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or just beginning your artistic journey, this exhibition promises a delightful and enriching experience by the sea. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this cultural celebration in Scheveningen!
An interview by Caucasian Journalwith His Excellency Hideki Ishizuka, the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Georgia.
Alexander Kaffka, editor-in-chief of CJ: Your service in Georgia had started in summer, so you must have got already some local experience. Can you name three impressions in Georgia, which you did not expect, and which have surprised you?
Hideki Ishizuka: My first impression was the view from the airplane, just before I arrived at Tbilisi. I am deeply impressed by the breathtaking scenery of the white shining mountains of the Great Caucasian Range and the beautiful forests. But I was more impressed by the well cultivated crop field at the brink of deep gorge in the mountainous region. It shows the diligence of people of Georgia, and I feel sympathy because it is very similar to Japan’s “terraced paddy fields”.
My second impression was the Georgian hospitality, which many foreign people are fascinated by. Japanese people are also proud of their way of hospitality “omotenashi” to consider guest first with respect, but Georgian hospitality “Maspindzloba” is more proactive and generous with friendship. Georgian people are very friendly to guests with gentle smiles. I found in many cases people are polite to each other (except for traffic jam…) and I often hear “Ki Batono!” in their conversations. This kind of politeness is also very comfortable to Japanese people, as we have the same culture.
Third, I am impressed with the friendship that the Georgian people have towards Japan. Beyond my expectation, many Georgian people are interested in ancient tradition like Judo or Sumo, and pop culture including Anime and Manga. I am learning Georgian language and it always makes me encouraged to see Georgian people learn Japanese language eagerly. I am happy to hear that Tbilisi State University has opened Japanese language major courses this year.
AK: I am sure you also now have a very clear vision the full spectrum of interrelations between Japan and Georgia – in political, economic, cultural fields. Are there any tendencies, achievements, or particular projects that you want to emphasize?
IH: As 2022 remarked the 30-year anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Georgia, I feel that the bilateral relations are developing year by year.
I am very happy to say high-level visits become frequent. As a proof, Japan-Georgia Parliamentary Friendship Association visited Georgia and the Georgian counterpart also visited Japan this year. Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture, Sport and Youth, H.E. Ms. Tea Tsulukiani visited Japan remarking FIBA Basket World Cup held in Okinawa prefecture.
Our bilateral relationship entered new stage of cooperation to address common agenda. Both countries have already signed cooperation scheme such as JCM (Joint Crediting Mechanism), Investment Agreement, Tax Convention and so forth.
Before my diplomatic mission in Georgia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan dispatched me to Hitotsubashi University, and I was teaching history of diplomacy and international relations. Taking advantage of my academic background, I would like to encourage intellectual exchange. In 2024, Georgia will host ADB (Asian Development Bank) General Assembly for which Japan has been the biggest funding country since its establishment. Therefore, I will spare no effort to strengthen the political and economic ties between the two countries.
AK: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, and your appointment to Georgia? From your publications I see that your professional interests are quite far from our region, and more related to China and USA.
IH: It is true that most of my career has been dedicated to the diplomatic missions in China and other countries such as Sweden, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Vienna etc. However, as the geopolitical significance and connectivity Georgia contains is getting more important, every piece of my knowledge and experience, for example promotion of economic cooperation and cultural exchange, is also helping me to work in Georgia.
I was a professor in Hitotsubashi University; the historical path which Georgia, since millennia BC to this century, has been walking on, teaches us all kinds of important elements necessary to study international relations. No wonder that more and more universities in Japan have been interested in Georgia and Caucasus region as well.
Also, I used to be the Director of Country Assistance Planning Division III of International Cooperation Bureau in charge of ODA (Official Development Assistance) policies. I understand that ODA is one of the best ways to assist other countries and build stronger ties with Japan.When it comes to Georgia, Japan has implemented more than 200 projects in the framework of the GGP (Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects) to support the development of Georgia. Actually recently I have signed two grant contract to provide vital services to persons with disabilities for promoting their independent living in Khobi Municipality and to improve the mobility of the local people to gain access to the goods, essential services and critical facilities in Oni town and 21 villages.
AK: Speaking about your interests, I have noticed that you have also authored many scholarly articles and books on cultural and historic subjects. They are very wide, ranging from ancient Chinese architecture to medieval Pashtu poetry, and from Japanese numismatics to folk songs. May I ask what’s the role of arts and history in your life? And how do you manage to combine such versatile research interests with a daily diplomatic work?
IH: I believe purpose of philosophy and science is “to know yourself”, as all the ancient wisemen said. Humanity like arts and history helps us to find ourselves directly. One of my conclusions of my diplomatic career is this is the world of humankind wherever it may be. My academic discipline is area study in East Asia, and it should not only find the unique points of a region but also consider the universal human aspect of a specific regionality. One of the methods is comparative study of cultures.
In a diplomat’s life, every day is the comparative study, for example translation of languages. It is quite interesting process not only for curiosity but also for pursuit for academic knowledge.
Because of the increasing global tensions, Middle Corridor and its pivotal country Georgia have been drawing positive attention from the entire world, including Japan.
AK: Sometimes, when speaking to a diplomat there is a risk to receive nothing but a “diplomatic answer”, but this should not discourage the interviewer. The situation in our region is rather complicated, in particularly in the field of security. How is Georgia and this region in general viewed from Tokyo?
IH: In my view, Georgia has been increasing its geopolitical significance because of the regional and global challenges. For example, Georgia has good relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and plays an important role as intermediator to ensure peace and stability in the region. In fact, I witnessed the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan visited Tbilisi at the same time on the occasion of Silk Road Forum in October this year, which represented Georgia’s role in the region. Because of the increasing global tensions, Middle Corridor and its pivotal country Georgia have been drawing positive attention from the entire world, including Japan.
Japan and Georgia share the basic values such as democracy, rule of law, human rights etc. Georgia is an important partner for Japan to build free, open and rule-based international order. That is why Japan has been assisting its nation-building from the day 1 and has been fully respecting and supporting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
AK: Can we touch upon the economic side of our relations? What can be done, in your view, to make Georgia more attractive for serious Japanese investors?
IH: With its oldest history of wine, various tourism spots and business-friendly environment, Georgia has many attractive points in terms of business. Georgia is now enjoying very rapid economic growth. Georgia is reportedly reaching soon to 8000 USD per capita national income. There are several Japanese companies such as Toyota-Caucasus, JTI (Japan Tobacco International), TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) and so forth, which make investments in Georgia. In order to increase business activities between two countries, we need to foster more people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding. I hope a platform between Japan and Georgian businesses can provide business information for each other.
I heard that more than 70% of Georgia’s electricity is generated from renewable energy. Green energy can attract Japanese investment. As I mentioned earlier, Japan and Georgia are working on concrete projects in the framework of JCM (Joint Crediting Mechanism). Japanese companies with high technology can contribute to Georgia’s sustainable development and I see many rooms for bilateral cooperation in this field. How wonderful it is if green energy of Georgia would be combined with global digital transformation (DX) as GX (Green Transformation)!
Education, research, science and technology have been the key elements of development, and traditional virtues like diligence and politeness helped the stability of society.
AK: We at the Caucasian Journal are strong believers in the importance of wide dissemination of the world’s best practices, reform experiences and other advanced know-how – to make them better known and eventually adopted in our region. As Japan has exemplary achievements in many fields, can you point us to any such subjects, that might be useful to adopt in Georgia, so we could help by providing media coverage on them?
IH: Japan has achieved rapid economic growth while preserving its traditions and cultures. Japan has no big oil-gas field, coal or gold mine nor other big natural resources, and is a small country in comparison with surrounding big powers, but human resources are available for Japan’s socio-economic development. Education, research, science and technology have been the key elements of development, and traditional virtues like diligence and politeness helped the stability of society.
There is a narrative almost known to all Japanese: In 1868, when Meiji Restoration started, Nagaoka city was involved in Civil War and once ruined. Later the government subsidized 100 bushels of rice as reconstruction aid. Citizens discussed how to use it, for food assistance or reconstruction of municipality, but they decided to sell the rice for the construction of the school and because of the rich human resource, the city had developed very rapidly in a few years. I believe, education is the priority for the socio-economic development.
It is quite interesting that Illia Chavchavadze highly evaluated such Japan’s efforts to westernize the education system, and pointed out the possibility of Japan’s further development in 1889 in his newspaper Iveria.
AK: If there is anything that you would like to add for our readers, the floor is yours.
IH: My good counterpart, Ambassador of Georgia to Japan, H.E. Teimuraz Lezhava has been actively promoting Georgian culture in Japan through social media. I also would like to promote people’s understanding of Japan and Japanese culture in Georgia. To this end, our embassy has been conducting various cultural events and activities and will plan more.
We also have Facebook page where you can find relevant information such as new cultural events, interesting facts about Japan, Embassy’s recent activities or Japanese Government (MEXT: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Scholarship program which encourages Georgian students to study in Japan.
It has been around a half year since I started to work as Ambassador of Japan to Georgia. I am thankful for a lot of people welcoming me. I would like to do my best to strength the ties between our countries.
On the 1st of December 2023, a select group of diplomats convened in the heart of Dutch horticulture, Westland, for an introductory meeting organized by Mayor Bouke Arendsand Dr. Mayelinne De Lara, Publisher of Diplomat Magazine. The gathering took place at the World Horti Center in Naaldwijk, the international hub of horticulture, showcasing Westland’s prowess as the largest concentrated greenhouse horticultural area globally.
Among the distinguished guests were the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Ms. Sahar Ghanem Ambassador of Yemen, H.E. Mr. Askar Zhumagaliyev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Arnoldo Brenes Castro, Ambassador of Costa Rica, Ms. Chonvipat Changtrakul, Charge d’affaires of Thailand, and Mr. Shahrokh Nazemi of Iran.
The day’s program was meticulously crafted to provide a comprehensive insight into Westland’s innovation, productivity, and global partnerships in horticulture. The schedule included a series of presentations by the director of the World Horti Center, Mrs. Puck van Holsteijn, and the director of Dutch Greenhouse Delta, Ms. Mirjam Boekesteijn. Following the presentations were interesting pitches of FoodVentures, Certhon and KUBO, a tour of the World Horti Center, and a guided visit by its CEO to Koppert Cress, Mr. Rob Baan a leading player in the industry.
The Mayor of Westland, Mr. Bouke Arends, set the tone for the day with a warm welcome, expressing his honor at hosting the esteemed guests. He highlighted Westland’s commitment to spreading the message of local, sustainable food production globally. The region, often referred to as the ‘City of Glass,’ boasts a concentration of key players in the entire greenhouse horticulture chain within a compact area of less than 100 square kilometers.
Mayor Arends emphasized the uniqueness of this cluster, bringing together activities from seeds to growing, packaging, transport, and trade, supported by government initiatives and collaboration with knowledge, technology, and research institutes. The economic impact is substantial, with the greenhouse industry alone generating over 6 billion Euros annually, contributing to continuous innovations.
“The greenhouse industry in our municipality generates more than 6 billion Euros annually. The added value of the entire cluster is twice that amount.
On a daily basis the companies in our region work on the newest innovations to improve horticulture, such as different types of (semi)-closed greenhouses, sustainable water use and almost autonomous greenhouses.” he explained.
In addressing the challenges of a growing global population and urbanization trends, Mayor Arends emphasized the role of high-tech horticulture in achieving local food production. He invited collaboration between Westland’s businesses and governments worldwide to address these challenges collectively. Mayor Arends declared the following “By 2050, it is expected that the world population will reach approximately 9 billion people, mainly living in new cities or so-called megacities. This means we are facing towards 600 cities with more than 10 million inhabitants. Feeding the population of these megacities will become increasingly important.”
After Mayor Arends’ speech, Ambassador Sahar Ghanem, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to witness the “unknown miracle of the Netherlands.” She commended the Dutch expertise in agriculture, acknowledging the Netherlands as the second-largest global exporter of agricultural products. “This says a lot about the level of innovation, creativity, experience and knowledge this sector could reach in the Netherlands.” She said.
Ambassador Ghanem saw this expertise as vital in addressing contemporary global challenges, including climate change, conflicts, and limited resources. She emphasized the potential for stronger cooperation between countries to harness the benefits of Dutch advancements in science and innovation for the greater good of humanity. “I see great potential and opportunity that can be used for the benefit of all humanity through stronger cooperation between countries in this field of science and innovation.”
The day’s program concluded with a sense of optimism and the promise of future engagements. Mayor Arends expressed his belief in the power of collaboration and learning from each other. “As diplomats you understand as no other the importance of speaking and acting in such a way as to keep all doors open. I believe working together and engage in economic relations can be such a vehicle.” The visit to Westland was a platform for building connections, sharing knowledge, and fostering partnerships that transcend borders for a sustainable and innovative future in horticulture.
