United States Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

European Policy Dialogue Forum (EPDF) Unites Seven Religions, Young People and Policymakers in Rotterdam to Foster Social Inclusion

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Organized by the International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID, the EPDF recognizes the pressing challenges faced by young people, including conflicts, climate crises, as well as economic instability.

Key Points: 
  • Organized by the International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID, the EPDF recognizes the pressing challenges faced by young people, including conflicts, climate crises, as well as economic instability.
  • This year's EPDF aims to emphasize the critical role of cities and their planning in actively engaging community members to provide balanced solutions.
  • It will highlight the contributions of young refugees and migrants to strengthen the relationship between different communities.
  • The Forum is a collaboration with European Council of Religious Leaders/Religions for Peace Europe (ECRL/RfP) and the KAICIID-supported Network for Dialogue as well as Multicoloured Religions Rotterdam as a local partner.

Senator Ben Cardin Presented with the 2023 Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity and Tolerance

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 19, 2023

Today, the Senator received the 2023 Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity and Tolerance at a Capitol Hill ceremony.

Key Points: 
  • Today, the Senator received the 2023 Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity and Tolerance at a Capitol Hill ceremony.
  • Upon receiving the Anne Frank Award, Senator Cardin stated, “I am deeply grateful to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for presenting me with this Anne Frank Award.
  • Butkevych, a human rights activist and prisoner of war, was recognized with the 2023 Anne Frank Special Recognition Award for his work to uphold human rights and combat xenophobia and racism.
  • First presented in 2014, the Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity and Tolerance has been presented to the following recipients:

Azerbaijan's use of force in Nagorno-Karabakh risks undermining key international norms, signaling to dictators that might makes right

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

What she found was frustration: “Sanction Azerbaijan or go back to your country!

Key Points: 
  • What she found was frustration: “Sanction Azerbaijan or go back to your country!
  • Should the authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan be allowed to act with impunity in Nagorno-Karabakh, then I fear it will only further erode the international principle of nonuse of force.
  • And it was not entirely unexpected; troops had been building up for weeks prior to the assault.
  • The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic had been in de facto existence since 1991, though never formally recognized by any nation or international body.

‘Reintegrating’ or ‘ethnic cleansing’

    • The Azerbaijani government in the capital Baku presents its country as a multiethnic, cosmopolitan society in which the Armenian population can fully participate, with all of its cultural rights guaranteed.
    • But the regime in Baku has a well-founded reputation for authoritarianism, suppression of dissent and repression of the Armenian population in particular.
    • If most of the population leaves, as expected by a senior Nagorno-Karabakh official, that could amount to about 120,000 people.

Washington and Moscow weigh in

    • But she did attest to the “violence, deprivation and … fear” of Armenians living under the government of Azerbaijan.
    • Power also mentioned the commitment by Washington to allocate US$11.5 million in relief.
    • For 25 years after the First Karabakh War ended in 1994 with a cease-fire, Washington co-chaired negotiation efforts with Paris and Moscow to find a resolution through what was known as as the Minsk Group.
    • There have been numerous flare-ups ever since, with Azerbaijani forces attacking both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia proper.

Larger geopolitical picture

    • Resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute was one of the few areas of agreement and collaboration between Washington and Moscow.
    • The close alliance between Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as with Israel, and the regional interests of Iran further complicate matters.
    • Moscow – Armenia’s long-standing ally – has in the meantime been preoccupied with events in Ukraine.

Challenging international norms

    • It was emphasized time and again that resorting to the use of force would not be acceptable, and all the parties committed to pursuing a peaceful resolution.
    • In line with similar foreign policy decisions made by Moscow in regards to Ukraine or the Syrian government against its own people, international observers are pointing to a resurgence in the use of force as a norm in international affairs.
    • If Azerbaijan carries on with impunity in Nagorno-Karabakh, it will send a signal to authoritarian leaders around the world that might makes right.

Canada reaffirms our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 22, 2023

The Prime Minister announced Canada is shifting our approach to provide multi-year assistance and ensure Ukraine has the predictable support it needs for long-term success.

Key Points: 
  • The Prime Minister announced Canada is shifting our approach to provide multi-year assistance and ensure Ukraine has the predictable support it needs for long-term success.
  • "Canada will stand with Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.
  • During his visit to Canada, President Zelenskyy delivered an address to Parliament to thank Canada for its continued support.
  • Since Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed more than 175,000 Ukrainians and their family members.

Prime Minister visits Kyiv, Ukraine

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 10, 2023

He was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland.

Key Points: 
  • He was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland.
  • In the wake of escalating strikes on civilian targets, and as Ukraine continues to stand strong, the Prime Minister and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held a bilateral meeting.
  • Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy reaffirmed the two countries' partnership with a Canada and Ukraine Joint Declaration .
  • While in Ukraine, the Prime Minister also met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.

VEON Joins BeSafe Campaign to Combat Human Trafficking Targeting Ukrainians

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Amsterdam, 8 March 2023: VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and online services, today announces its support to “BeSafe” campaign to protect Ukrainian women and children from the risks of human trafficking.

Key Points: 
  • Amsterdam, 8 March 2023: VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and online services, today announces its support to “BeSafe” campaign to protect Ukrainian women and children from the risks of human trafficking.
  • To support the initiative, VEON provides technical aid while Kyivstar launches a messaging campaign that reaches displaced Ukrainians in countries of refuge, offering advice on how to report suspected trafficking and how to find help.
  • The messaging campaign focuses on individuals who have been displaced to particularly high-risk countries where known human trafficking is occurring.
  • The UN has also identified the displacement of Ukrainians as one of two new factors driving human trafficking activity on a global scale.

Beijing Review: Timely initiative provides alternative to geopolitical tension

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 10, 2022

BEIJING, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --This is an opinion piece by Ong Tee Keat, Chairman of the Center for New Inclusive Asia, Malaysia, for Beijing Review:

Key Points: 
  • BEIJING, Aug. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --This is an opinion piece by Ong Tee Keat, Chairman of the Center for New Inclusive Asia, Malaysia, for Beijing Review:
    Chinese President Xi Jinping's Global Security Initiative (GSI) is no doubt a timely call that provides the world with an alternative to the escalating geopolitical tension.
  • It was first directed at Asia, but now is becoming increasingly relevant globally.
  • Legitimate security concerns of all conflicting nations involved have to be addressed even-handedly to minimize differences, if full-blown conflicts are to be averted.
  • This by itself is a timely and relevant public good that warrants global attention and common sense across the political spectrum.

AJC's Jacob Blaustein Institute Partners with UN on New Policy for Combating Holocaust and Genocide Denial

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 16, 2022

NEW YORK, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Jewish Committee (AJC) welcomes the publication by the UN Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, of a new policy paper on combating Holocaust and genocide denial.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, June 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Jewish Committee (AJC) welcomes the publication by the UN Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, of a new policy paper on combating Holocaust and genocide denial.
  • The paper was produced in collaboration with AJC's Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights (JBI).
  • "Holocaust denial is rooted in antisemitism," emphasizes Nderitu in the policy paper's foreword, adding that her office is also "extremely worried about the increasingly frequent distortions of the Holocaust's scope and intentionality."
  • engage with government officials, encouraging them to condemn Holocaust distortion and denial.

VERACITY WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCES JAY TRUESDALE AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 6, 2022

NEW YORK, May 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veracity Worldwide , a leading strategic advisory and market intelligence firm, has appointed Jay Truesdale as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, May 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veracity Worldwide , a leading strategic advisory and market intelligence firm, has appointed Jay Truesdale as its new Chief Executive Officer.
  • Jay brings over 20 years of risk, strategy, and crisis preparedness expertise to Veracity Worldwide and its global client base.
  • Jay is joining Veracity from McKinsey & Company, where he was a leader on risk management and strategy topics spanning five continents and a broad range of industries.
  • "It is a tremendous honor to serve as CEO of Veracity Worldwide," said Truesdale.

Poland Reappoints American Jewish Committee's Andrew Baker to Key OSCE Post on Antisemitism

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 13, 2022

Baker's appointment was announced by Zbigniew Rau, Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, who assumed the post of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office this month.

Key Points: 
  • Baker's appointment was announced by Zbigniew Rau, Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, who assumed the post of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office this month.
  • "It is my hope that during the Polish Chairmanship we will be able to further strengthen the focus of the OSCE on combating antisemitism.
  • Poland will host the OSCE Conference on Combating Antisemitism on February 7 and 8.
  • AJC, the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, with headquarters in the U.S., maintains offices and posts in several OSCE member states.