News
Letter Letter
The Hague, August and September 2016
Informative sessions in the Netherlands about the Final Agreement for the End of the Conflict
On 21 and 22 September, the Embassy of Colombia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands organized two informative sessions, explaining the Final Agreement for the End of the Conflict and the Construction of a Stable and Long-lasting Peace in Colombia, facing the Plebiscite on 2 October 2016.
Colombians residing in the Netherlands who registered to vote in the past will be able to participate in this poll in The Hague and Amsterdam. The first informative session was held at the University of Applied Sciences in The Hague and the second one at Casa
Migrante Organization in Amsterdam, the latter in cooperation with the General Consulate of Colombian in Amsterdam. During these sessions Ambassador Juan JosĂŠ Quintana presented a summary about the agreements reached in Havana
between the Government and FARC-EP, followed by a question and answer session, in which doubts were clarified. Moreover, Colombian attendees were informed about the requirements and procedures for the Plebiscite Polls on 2 October 2016.
The aim of these presentations was to inform the Colombian community residing in the Netherlands about the content of the Agreements and to promote the citizen’s participation in the mentioned democratic process, which is of historical importance for the country.
The Embassy of Colombia to the Netherlands welcomed students from Nyenrode University who will be travelling to Colombia
On 2 September 2016, the Embassy of Colombia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands along with the Dutch Organization for International Cooperation in Educational Affairs - EP Nuffic – and Nyenrode University in Utrecht
participated at the farewell of 49 students (between 24 and 45 years old) at the International Business and Economics Master of this University, who will be travelling to Bogota, Colombia, in a following weeks.
During this event, the representative on economic affairs of the Embassy, Maria Alejandra Paez, presented the country.
At the end of the presentations, the Director of the Master’s Program of Nyenrode University offered a farewell speech to the students and was grateful The Master students were with the Embassy’s specially interested on the participation. investment of the country as well as on the exports and In this academic visit to imports between Colombia Colombia, students will be and the Netherlands. able to take courses at Los Andes University, visit Similarly, EP-Nuffic multinational companies presented key (e.i. Makro and PepsiCo), information about the and receive a conference by programs offered in Latin the Executive Director of America, particularly in KLM in Colombia at the Colombia, and Holland House. As a result, highlighted the relevance of the students will be able to Dutch education and the experience the culture, possibility to expand it to economy and other students worldwide. elements of the country.
For more information: http://www.nyenrode.nl/
The Embassy of Colombia to the Netherlands took part in the Embassy Festival
On 3 September 2016, the annual Embassy Festival was held at Lange Voorhout in The Hague counting with the participation of 42 embassies, including the Embassy of Colombia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The purpose of this event is to promote the different cultures represented in the city among the international community.
The festival featured various activities representing each country’s culture, creating a diverse agenda filled with traditional dance, gastronomy, music and folklore.
Colombian Ambassador Juan Jose Quintana, and the new Director of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) Carolina Castañeda, attended the event and tasted a fresh cup of coffee offered in the Colombian stand. Within the framework of the Promotional Plan of Colombia Abroad, the Embassy of Colombia, in cooperation with the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation office in Amsterdam, offered Colombian coffee at the Festival, as this is one of the country’s most representative products.
The stand had a professional barista who offered free samples of coffee from the Huila department. Guests from different nationalities visiting
the stand were delighted with the product and interested in knowing more about Colombia’s tourism and culture.
Carolina Castañeda takes office as Director of FNC Europe
Carolina Castañeda assumed in August her new position as Director of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) for Europe which is headquartered in Amsterdam. Flor Betancourth, who was Director ad interim, reassumes
her responsibilities as Trade and Operations Manager of FNC Europe. We welcome Carolina, wishing her all the best in her new position as representative of FNC in Europe.
The Embassy of Colombia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands participated in the Latin American Film and Music Festival in Rotterdam
From 17 to 21 August 2016, the first version of the Latin American Film and Music Festival (FLAR) was held at the LantarenVenster Theatre located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. During the festival more than thirty Latin American films and documentaries, released in the last two years, were presented.
and Iván Higa. Within the framework of the Promotional Plan of Colombia Abroad, the Embassy of Colombia to the Netherlands supported the Festival by bringing Manolo Cruz, who is the director, writer and main character of Colombian film La Ciénaga, as special guest in the questions and answers session.
Five Colombian films were broadcasted during the festival: Ciudad Delirio by director Chus Gutiérrez; La tierra y sombra by César Augusto Acevedo; Sabogal by Juan José Lozano and Sergio Mejía; La Ciénaga between sea and land by Carlos del Castillo and Manolo Cruz; and Oro Colombiano by Sanjay
The purpose of this participation was to promote the high quality of Colombian productions to the Dutch and international community. At the end of the film, guests were also able to enjoy a concert offered by La-33 Orchestra, an outstanding urban Colombian salsa.
The Embassy of Colombia to the Netherlands offered a Lecture about Private International Law
On 16 August 2016, Le Club Droit International, the International Law Association - Cypriot Branch and the Embassy of Colombia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands hosted a lecture about private international law. The Deputy Head of Mission, Álvaro Gutiérrez, welcomed Professor Symeon Symeonides, who delivered the conference at the Colombian Embassy in The Hague.
His work was awarded with four scholarly prizes and cited by the Supreme Courts of the United States, United Kingdom and Israel. During the lecture he explained that the concepts of “Private International Law” or “Conflicts of Law” are not accurate to describe this area of law. Nevertheless, different assumptions about its functionality, scope and nature can be studied, he said. The aim of the lecture was to characterize Symeonides is a Cypriot scholar, contemporary private who holds two law degrees on international law and identify its international law (public and changes, without prejudice. private) from the Thessaloniki University in Greece, a Master in Thus, the Embassy of Colombia in Laws (LL.M), and a Doctor of the Netherlands is committed to Juridical Sciences (S.J.D) from promote new cooperation Harvard University. In addition, he channels for academic has published 26 books in seven enhancement among States and languages about the subject. interested parts.
EVENTS
Fernando Botero in Rotterdam, the Netherlands Between 2 July and 11 September 2016, The Kunsthal in Rotterdam hosted the exhibition Botero: Celebrate Life! by the respected Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
On 8 October 2016, the Embassy of Colombia to the Netherlands will participate in the Hispanic Heritage Day which well be commemorated through “Hispanic Origins”, an event to be held at the Hilton Hotel, by offering a taste of its gastronomy. The main objective of this event is to promote the richness and variety of Hispanic cultures. On this occasion, guests will be able to enjoy concerts, dance shows, gastronomy and art of the following countries: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. Program: 15:00-16:00 16:00-18:00 18:00-21:00
Children's Area (special room above) Art, live performances, dance area and gastronomy Singing and Dance Show
EMBASSY OF COLOMBIA TO THE NETHERLANDS
TEL (+31) 703 614545 – FAX (+31) 703 614636 Groot Hertoginnelaan 14, 2517 EG. The Hague, Netherlands www.paisesbajos,embajada.gov.co