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NL After 3 years, the FMS says goodbye to Remy van Aanholt
After three wonderful years, Remy has decided to realise his ambitions for a fairer world in another workplace. From 1 August, he will start working at the Judicial Council in The Hague. It is with pain in his heart that he is leaving the FMS, as these were three special years. On his last day at the office, Remy looks back on this, in a candid conversation with colleague Max Landheer.
Support the FMS for more international solidarity!
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the need for international solidarity has suddenly become incredibly clear. The war has major negative consequences for many other countries. It is precisely now that different policies are needed.
A concrete perspective is necessary for EU integration of the Western Balkans
It has been almost 20 years since the EU met in Thessaloniki, Greece, in June 2003 to discuss the integration of the Western Balkans. This included a promise that Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, northern Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia would have a clear perspective towards EU membership. After two decades, only Croatia joined in 2013 - the other countries are still in the waiting room, leading to great frustration.
A look back at the MENA Academy in Sulaymaniyah
During 2-5 June, the fourth edition of the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) Academy and first edition of the MENA Women Academy took place in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Autonomous Region (KRG), Iraq. For four days, 45 participants from Tunisia, Jordan, the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon and the KRG, Iraq were trained on a variety of topical political issues and skills.
Retrospective Interview Russia expert Gijs Kessler
On Monday 23 May, we spoke with Russia expert Gijs Kessler, affiliated with the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam. A specialist in the social and economic history of the Soviet Union and Russia, Kessler lived in Moscow between 2002 and 2016. He recently published his book "Russia: country that wants to be different".
FMS on Africa Day!
In a few days, it will be here: Africa Day. Have you already bought your ticket?
Together with our partners, it will be a jam-packed day with sessions on a variety of topics. As FMS, we are also organising two substantive sessions ourselves.
Vacancy Director FMS
The FMS is looking for a new chief executive.
Next Monday, 23 May: Interview with Russia expert Gijs Kessler
This Monday, 23 May, FMS director Arjen Berkvens will hold an interview with leading Russia expert Gijs Kessler, affiliated to the International Institute of Social History. Very recently, Kessler published his latest work; "Russia - country that wants to be different". Kessler is a specialist on the social and economic history of the Soviet Union and Russia, and lived in Moscow between 2002 and 2016.
Opposition wins in Lebanese elections, but status quo threatens to persist
Last Sunday, 15 May, Lebanon held parliamentary elections. They were long awaited in the crisis-ridden country. An economic depression caused by political mismanagement, the coronavirus pandemic and the port explosion in Beirut in August 2020 have brought the country to the precipice. More than 70 per cent of Lebanese residents now live below poverty line.
Turkey sentences human rights activist Kavala to life in prison
On 25 April, in Turkey, human rights activist and philanthropist Osman Kavala has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in anti-government protests. The case raises enormous concerns about the independence of Turkish courts and is expected to damage Turkey's relations with Western countries and rights organizations - as the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) commenced an infringement procedure against Turkey. Since 2019, Ankara has refused to abide by various ECHR rulings.