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NL Migration: viewpoint FMS
Migration is of all times and cannot be stopped. At best, it can be managed. The EU sees unregulated migration flows as one of the biggest challenges in its existence. We have set out a number of principles that a fair migration policy must meet.
Refugees in Lebanon: despair or perspective?
Last week, on September 6, Clingendael organised the debate "Refugees in Lebanon: despair or perspective?" at Humanity House in the Hague, to present and discuss their recently published report on the issue of refugee protection in Lebanon. Relevant as the topic is, a small FMS delegation also attended this event. After a short introduction by the Institute's general director Monika Sie, moderator Saskia Baas, head of the Durable Solutions Platform in Amman, introduced the two authors of the report, Clingendael senior research fellow Ana Uzelac and research fellow Jos Meester. What followed was a discussion of the report by its authors and the moderator.
Talking about the new development policy
On 19 June, the roundtable discussion on the policy paper 'Investing in Perspective' took place in the Lower House. A dynamic group of companies, business organisations, NGOs and professors talked to MPs about the new policy of Minister Kaag for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation (BHOS). FMS was also present and listened attentively from the audience. The discussion consisted of three rounds where the different groups could express their thoughts on the policy paper, and answer substantive questions from the MPs present.
Political Café Armenia: A revolution of love and solidarity
In the Netherlands, the recent political upheaval in Armenia has largely stayed out of the news. High time, therefore, to dig a little deeper into recent events. And what better place for that that a Political Café? In a well-filled Humanity House, the FMS organised a very interesting evening full of strong analyses, gripping stories and musical highlights on 25 June. Under the watchful eye of moderator Arjen Berkvens, the audience learned more about the revolution.
Ethiopia aims for peace with neighbour Eritrea
Does light seem to be shining at the end of the tunnel for neighbouring Ethiopia and Eritrea after all? According to Ethiopia's new prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, there is. At a press conference, he revealed that Ethiopia will recognise and implement the 2000 peace treaty between the two countries. This, according to the international community and Ahmed, should lead to reconciliation between the African neighbours, who have been fighting each other for years over control of the border town of Badme. This conflict has led to more than tens of thousands of people being killed and also triggered a large migration flow. By officially recognising the agreement, Ahmed hopes it will open the door to peace and prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
Stop the abolition of dividend tax!
Tax Justice Netherlands, of which FMS is part, is today launching a campaign against the abolition of the dividend tax. The cabinet plans to come to the House of Representatives in September with the bill abolishing dividend tax. In the coming months, we want to make it clear that the abolition of this tax is ill-considered and should therefore be abandoned.
Zimbabwe chooses: fair elections, transformation or back to square one?
When Emmerson Mnangagwa took office as Zimbabwe's new president, on 24 November 2017, he promised to call new, fair and transparent elections. Mnangagwa appears to be fulfilling this promise, at least in part. Presidential and parliamentary elections will take place in the country on 30 July. For the first time in three decades, the political playing field during the elections will look different. Because Robert Mugabe, who was in power for 37 years, was sidelined by the army last November, the battle will be mainly between Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T). These elections are essential for Zimbabwe's democratic, economic, political and social transformation.
'Investing in Perspective': the new development policy as a lucrative business model?
On 18 May, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Kaag's long-awaited policy paper (BHOS) was released. Good news: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are given a central role in the policy paper Investing in Perspective and gender equality (SDG 5) also runs like a thread through the piece. Yet there are also a number of not entirely unimportant SDGs that are left out in the cold. In addition, Kaag steps away from some partner countries and focuses her policy on a number of regions, namely West Africa/Sahel, Horn of Africa, Middle East and North Africa, to tackle poverty, migration, terror and climate change. Business is given an important role here: the BHOS policy is presented by Kaag as a lucrative business model, not only when it comes to foreign trade, but also development cooperation. With this approach, Kaag unfortunately ignores the importance of good governance and room for a level playing field. The paper also mainly takes into account the interests of BV Nederland, regularly losing sight of the interests of developing countries.
Armenia's Velvet Revolution
On 8 May, after weeks of mass protests, a new prime minister was appointed in Armenia: Nikol Pashinjan, the leader of the Armenian Velvet Revolution. Driving the protests were students and other young activists. The FMS asked one of those activists, 20-year-old Ozheni Avetisyan, to write about her experience of this revolution. Want to read Avetisyan article? Then click on read more.
Migration in the Sahel: lunch lecture with Bram Vermeulen
Almost all NOS correspondents are back in the Netherlands for a while. So is Bram Vermeulen: NOS correspondent, NRC journalist and maker of, among others, the series De Trek for VPRO. An ideal opportunity to speak to him once, they thought at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So last Tuesday (22 May), they organised a special lunch lecture with Bram Vermeulen and the ministry's Special Envoy for Migration, Marit Maij.
