Nexus Magazine 'Summer Edition' 2014

8 SUMMER 2014

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AT A CROSSROADS AGAIN: THE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION /22

INCOMING STUDENTS: WELCOME! /6 ALUMNI: HOW TO BE A DIPLOMAT /16 OPINION: IRAQ, A TICKING TIMEBOMB /18 DEBATE: CULTURAL HERITAGE, A DYING PHENOMENON? /28 1

“The Merkel Diamond”

COLOPHON

NEXUS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014

Date of Publication 1 September 2014 Nexus Nexus Student Association nexus@rug.nl

TABLE OF CONTENT

Cover Photo Nicola Mulinaris

6 Dear Incoming Students: Welcome!

8 Introducing the New Nexus Board 10 Univercity Council / Faculty Council 12 Exchange 16 One Year at the UN / How to be a Diplomat 18 The Situation in Iraq: A Ticking Timebomb 22 At the Crossroads Again: The Future of the

Logo RE_Oslo

24 From Frexibility to Fragility: Why Lithuania

Nexus Magazine Committee 2013-2014 Christian Skrivervik (Editor in Chief) Jill van de Walle (Secreatry) Bart van der Geest Ana Arnaoutoglou-Amza nexusmagazine.law@gmail.com Founder Nexus Magazine Gemma Torras Vives Graphic Design Christian Skrivervik

Contributors The Nexus Board (Old and New) / Josefien Vreeken / Elena Alexandra Radu / Tapio Koivula / Taku Mutezo / Caitlin Bones / Madleen Scatena / Jonathan Richard Grey / Irina Munoz / Nienke Boskma / Ebru Akgun / Christian Hoerter / Bart van der Geest / Alexandra Crisan / Ana Arnaoutoglou-Amza / Gosia Mlek / Matylda Wierietielny / Waltter Roslin / Clementine Beaussier / Ray Feliciana Special Thanks To Nicola Mulinaris

10 % DISCOUNT ON EVERYTHING IN STORE OR 25 % ON BIKE LOCKS / FOR NEXUS MEMBERS

European Union

wants to join the Eurozone

26 The Terrorist Finance Tracking Program 28 Cultural Heritage: A Dying Phenomenon?

34 Net Neutrality: A Brief Overview 36 TED talks: Ben Sauders on why bother leaving the house

NEXUS SPRING 2014 |

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LETTER from the Magazine Committee Dear Reader, The previous academic year saw the birth of the Nexus Magazine Committee and this edition will be the fouth published as an independent committee. The committee was established with the intention of reinventing the magazine in order for it to reach its true potential - and we strive to improve and develop further with every publication.

Our goal is to make this magazine a place to acquire knowledge, to spread ideas and to hold open discussions on subjects that YOU are interested in. If you want to write about an issue that matters to you, local or global, your organization or initiative - please contact us. Also, for every edition we are looking for alumni who would be interested in participating in the continuous “Life After Groningen’ segment. Please be in touch as our development depends and relies on your input and feedback. What makes Nexus Student Association most interesting is the diversity of people and ideas - and this magazine is a project to and from all students!

We sincerely hope that you will enjoy this edition of the magazine, and we look forward to hearing your feedback!

- Nexus Magazine Committee 2013 - 2014

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The Nexus Magazine Committee independently obtained and organized the content of this magazine and is responsible for the publication of the Nexus Magazine. The opinions and ideas expressed by authors of articles in this magazine are solely the opinions and ideas of those authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions and ideas of this magazine or its editors or publishers.

PHOTO: NICOLA MULINARIS

EDITOR’S NOTE:

THE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

TEXT: CHRISTIAN SKRIVERVIK PHOTO: NICOLA MULINARIS

on solving its problems first… In his article, Christian Hoerter illustrates some of the challenges that face the Union and how he thinks the future will play out. How deep will integration go and will the EU ever become a federalist state?

Another important aspect with regards to the future of the European Union relates to cultural heritage. In this edition, we have devoted several pages to the topic, and more specifically the debate is about whether or not cultural heritage is a dying phenomenon. We encourage everyone to join the debate, and we will happily publish comments or opinions in the next edition of the Nexus Magazine.

CHRISTIAN SKRIVERVIK / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / LLB 3

Finally, it’s done! The Summer Edition of the Nexus Mag-

azine became my personal summer project as I have been working on it more or less the entire summer. It is with great pleasure that I now present you with the theme of this edition – namely the future of the European Union.

Even though I am from Norway, a country that has voted against joining the European Union twice, my views on the European Union are quite positive. On the international stage, the European Union as an international (regional) organization is one of a kind. Amongst others, it offers a benchmark model for civilian power, encourages a rule-based approach to international affairs and has helped Europeans understand their shared values. In 2012, the Union won the Nobel Peace Prize “for [having] (…) contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe,” which in my opinion was well deserved and long overdue.

What intrigues me the most is the potential of the European Union as an international organization. No single country can by itself respond to the several challenges present on the world stage and in order to combat challenges like global warming, the financial crisis, nuclear proliferation and instability in the Arab world, the world is in need of effective common action. As an institution representing 28 member states based on sincere, loyal cooperation, the Union can (in an ideal world) potentially serve as a role model for future global governance. Unfortunately, today is not that day, and the Union must focus

I am also happy to say that the first part of the magazine is devoted to the incoming generation of LLB students. In close cooperation with the new Nexus Board, alumni and the international office, we created a place where incoming students can comprehensively obtain some essential information. I sincerely hope that it can serve to make the first few days and weeks as an LLB student less confusing.

Unsurprisingly, the experiences of our alumni have proven to be the most popular segment within the Nexus Magazine. In our first edition last academic year we met Nienke Boskma, who was preparing for an internship at the UN. Now, after having spent a year in Geneva, we revisit her, and she even provides us with some practical tips on ‘How to be a Diplomat.’ For those missing the ‘Life After Groningen’ segment, there is no need to worry. Summer is a busy time for alumni with dissertations and internships and several have expressed an interest in contributing to upcoming editions.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude for having had the opportunity to be the editor in chief of the Nexus Magazine 2.0. This edition is my final edition as editor, and it has truly been an amazingly rewarding experience.

Not only have I learned a lot, but also I have had the pleasure of getting to know so many people. Obviously, this has not been a solo project. Firstly, a standing ovation must be dedicated to the members of the Magazine Committee – Jill van de Walle, Bart van der Geest, Ana Amza and Ina Boncheva. Secondly, a creative applause needs to go to Nicola Mulinaris, who has been our faithful photographer and helper over the past year. Lastly, my sincerest thankfulness goes to all the helpers, writes and alumni who has contributed over the past year – the success of the Nexus Magazine would not have taken place without you!

THANK YOU!

NEXUS SPRING 2014 |

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E?

G N E L L A H C P FOR THE

ARE YOU U

Committee Members The NEXUS MAGAZINE is in search of two new committee members for the upcoming academic year! The workload includes primarily writing, finding writers, gathering and generating story ideas, and editing. We are looking for creative minds and vivid charachters who work well both in a team and independently. Although some experience with writing and editing is preferred, prior experience is not a requirement and we ecourage anyone with with an interest to apply. Applications should be sent to nexusmagazine.law@gmail.com.

Writers We would love to hear your story! In order to produce this magazine we rely on independent writers and we look forward to hearing from YOU! Photographer(s) and Illustrator(s) Photographers and Illustraters are welcome to share their work. We are open to seeing a variety of work as we hope to become a meaningful outlet for the creative lawyers among us.

We are also looking for a resident photographer to help with covers and photos within the magazine.

DO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR THE

NEXUS MAGAZINE? 5

DEAR INCOMING STUDENTS ...

TEXT: JOSEFIEN VREEKEN PHOTO: NICOLA MULINARIS

But first, Let me introduce myself ...

I am Josefien Vreeken, I am born and raised in the Netherlands, to be more precise in the small farmers village Nieuwkoop (40 km south of Amsterdam). My parents are both Dutch, and so is all of my family. After primary school, I completed the highest level of six years in high school. During those six years I followed an additional higher level English program.

I decided to join the LLB program for several reasons; I have always found international and European affairs most interesting, I love debating, and hope to end up in politics or the European field of law one day. Nonetheless, my great dream is to conquer the world in a politically correct way, hence the choice of study: International and European law.

JOSEFIEN VREEKEN / PRESIDENT OF NEXUS / LLB 2

First, congratulations are in order! You not only decided

to join the great program of International and European law (LLB), but you also decided to move to the amazing city of Groningen. Groningen is a real student city; a supermarket on every corner, bars open seven days a week, with students crawling home at 8 in the morning. Of course, Groningen is also a real study city; large quiet libraries in which you can study from 9 to 12, monumental university buildings, and uncountable university facilities.

Studying abroad As an international student you make the brave choice of leaving everything behind to attend university in another country. You will probably only find a few people who will speak your native language (unless you are English or German), but do not worry! You are not the only international, everyone speaks English, and there is always a Dutch person who would love to help you out if you encounter any “Dutch� problems.

As a first year, to my surprise, there were only 8 Dutch nationals who joined the LLB program. There are so many different nationalities within the LLB, with almost all continents are represented. I decided to join the student association Nexus, as I saw it was a great opportunity for me to get to know most of my fellow students. You will be surprised next year by the amazing stories told by students from all over the world! Joining a student organisation is a great way to make new friends and become part of an international network!

NEXUS SPRING 2014 |

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... WELCOME TO

INCOMING STUDENTS

GRONINGEN !!

WHAT IS NEXUS? Nexus Student Association Groningen is the student association (studievereniging) for the LLB programme in International and European Law and related master programmes. These programmes mainly consist of international students and, therefore, Nexus is very internationally orientated. Besides organizing activities to integrate internationals into Dutch culture, such as a political debate with local parties in English, Nexus also aims to provide members with the chance to obtain a social network, participate in the organization of guest lectures or informal activities, attend debating trainings, trips and workshops, all in a multicultural environment.

WHAT CAN NEXUS DO FOR YOU? As a Nexus member you will meet many international students, can join in activities and become an active member which is a great experience.

Practical aspects of joining Nexus are the book discounts, the opportunity to enhance your CV and the international network you build.

As part of this organisation I made many friends. Group work, studying together, borrowing books, getting the right notes (and summaries which saves a whole lot of time) has become a lot easier as I had a solid social basis.

I decided to become an active member, and founded the Dutch Support Group (DSG) for Nexus. The DSG is a small group of Dutch natives who want to help out all non-native students struggling with the Dutch language.

Through this I could put my Dutch skills to good use.

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This year I will have the prestigious challenge of upholding the reputation of Nexus as president, as I will set the agenda and the direction in which the association moves.

I will preside over the General Assemblies and make the final decision on the most sensitive matters, as well as answering for the actions of the Association externally.

NEXUS AND YOUR STUDENT LIFE As a student your life changes drastically. You may have to do your own groceries, clean your room and make sure the bills are paid in time for the first time. Your priority is to complete a bachelor with outstanding grades, but one must not forget to have a little fun! My student philosophy is; to be a good student you must find a good balance between study during the day and party during the nights.

Use your new freedoms to the maximum and maintain the ambition you had when you signed up for the LLB program.

This year I hope to see our association grow into a beautiful international organization with great activities, such as communal events, interesting lectures, fun trips and great parties. We will do our utter best to make you feel at home in the Netherlands.

LETS MAKE NEXT YEAR HOT AND HAPPENING!!!

Kisses from the Nexus Pres. who hopes to toast with you on the day of arrival!

Josefien Vreeken

INCOMING STUDENTS

INTRODUCING ...

PHOTO: NICOLA MULINARIS

... THE NEXUS BOARD 2014/15 ONE SPOT STILL AVAILABLE: THE FIRST YEAR REPRESENTATIVE WHICH IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE NEWLY ARRIVED FIRST YEARS. BECOME A PART OF THE BOARD OF NEXUS ALREADY IN THE FIRST YEAR! MORE INFORMATION AWAITS DURING THE INTRODUCTION DAYS.

NEXUS SPRING 2014 |

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SECRETARY: ELENA ALEXANDRA RADU Hello! My name is Elena Alexandra Radu and I am proud to say that I am one of the internationals in the 6th Board of Nexus, being born in Romania in Moldova region of the country. As I love to be involved in numerous activities, I have ever since high school kept myself busy with different actions from cleaning the environment near where I lived, to participating in MUNs or sessions of the European Youth Parliament both as a delegate and as a chair.

guard our beliefs in immanent justice.

In our association, my job description (as I like to regard it!) is that of the secretary. The main task is to organize all the documents and emails. Thus, I am a facilitator for the communication between the association and everything that comes from the inside (members, Faculty) or outside (other associations or universities). In short, I am the one who avoids bureaucracy as much as I can and tries not to get stuck in loads of paperwork!

I have to admit that when I was in my final grade of high school, I had a lot of opportunities ahead and I did not know which one to grab in order for it to be the best choice for my life. Finally, I discovered that I would adore would be to study Criminal Law or Criminology in depth, but first, I realized that if I do not have a strong basis in Law, I could hardly become a specialist in my favorite area. So, in some years, I imagine myself a professional who will be able to safe

As Josefien already mentioned, the key to a fantastic student life is to be balanced and be active, both socially and academically! I wish you all to spend the best years of your life in Groningen and I cannot wait to start working with you in Nexus!

TRESURER: TAPIO KOIVULA

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: MINA BALIJAGIC

My name is Tapio Koivula and I come from the cold country of Finland. My decision to study abroad was the best one of my life, but the opportunity didn’t knock until the last moment. It took a month, at most, to go through the process of realizing my wishes and acting upon them.

Hi all! My name is Azemina (you are welcome to call me Mina) and I am half Bulgarian half Bosnian! Last year, I started the IRIO program at the RUG, but I quickly realized that it was not my thing, and luckily switched to International and European Law.

I first spent a year in The Hague, studying European Studies, then switched to the law program in Groningen. I am enjoying this incredible student city and I can guarantee that you, as new students, will also find many amazing things here. I am really much looking forward to meeting, helping you out and getting to know you.

As for Nexus, I am in charge of the external affairs of the association, so I will deal a lot with other partners and sponsors. Apart from studying, I easily agree to a night on the town, as you will soon find out, and this year Nexus will definitely be hosting several awesome parties, so stay tuned!

Best, Tapio

All in all, I can’t wait to meet you all and guide you through the obstacles that a first year student will encounter.

Best regards, Elena Alexandra Radu

Kissses, Mina

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AS A THER NEW E AR E STI LL

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RNAT

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A FEW THIN GS YO U SHO STUDENT , ULD K NOW ...

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THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL AND WHAT THEY DO TEXT & PHOTO: TAKU MUTEZO

The University Council is the representative body as well

as the highest policy making body at the University of Groningen. The “Uraad” as it is called in Dutch, is similar to a parliament as it stands to represent all students at the University. The members of the University Council are elected from the two parties within the University, staff and students. Their aim is to ensure that students’ interests are protected, and represented. Generally, students face various problems in terms of housing, exams, library facilities or food at the cafeteria. These are some of the diverse issues that the University Council is there to address. It is the role of the University Council to ensure a better environment for students and staff as a whole to develop and benefit from being part of a University accredited as being in the Top 100 Universities in the world.

The University Council has 24 members representing staff and students, elected from amongst their ranks.

The 12 staff members are elected for two years and the 12 student members for one. The election period for the student representatives occurs annually in May, and each candidate has to be a member of one of the student political parties. Currently there are three main parties, that

represent the students in the University Council; namely SOG (Studenten Organisatie Groningen), Calimero and OSR. These parties have similar goals, however the main differences lie in their methods of implementation, and the aims that they prioritize as a party. SOG, which is the oldest and largest party, stands for quality education at the University and also advocates for improved quality for facilities that apply to student life such as the library, sports facilities and cultural extracurricular activities. This contrasts to Calimero which focuses mainly on the quality of education, such as the automatic enrollment of students for examinations. It is also interesting to note the fact that SOG is the only party in the University Council that has ever had international representatives; two of which are members of Nexus.

The University Council is therefore an integral aspect of University of groningen that makes policies influencing all students that study in Groningen. It is important therefore to always keep this in mind, and to cast your vote during the election period and to voice any issues that you face as a student.

Goals for the year as your international representative: - Internationalization; this covers the language policy, accessibility of information for internationals and equal opportunities for all RUG students such as availability of internships for internationals and extracurricular activities in English - Continuing the policies started by my predecessors; the previous international representatives. Particulars the Food committee which aims to provide better, affordable and healthier food at the cafeterias, as well as flexible opening times.

TAKU MUTEZO / SOG / LLB 2 NEXUS SPRING 2014 |

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INCOMING STUDENTS

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION IN THE FACULTY COUNCIL LAW TEXT & PHOTO: CAITLIN BONES

CAITLIN BONES / TBR / LLB 2

For the first time the Faculty Council Law in 2014-2015 includes an International Student.

The Faculty Council Law consists of staff and students and is the highest advisory body within the Faculty. The student section is directly elected every May from two political student associations, TBR (Ten Behoeve van Rechtenstudenten) and PR (Progressief Rechten).

I am Caitlin Bones, a student from England and I was successfully elected in 2014 with the support of TBR. I am starting my second year of the International and European Law LLB Program and I am honoured to be the first International Student on the Faculty Council.

Within the Law Faculty 10% of the student population originates from countries outside the Netherlands, therefore it is vital that our international student voice is represented. Previously, the international perspective and issues specifically related to overseas students did not have this direct representation with the Faculty Council Law. Now as the Faculty continues to strive to attract more International students, and become truly global. There is support from the highest echelons within the university for this massive step forward and it is being embraced at all levels across the Faculty.

There are a number of important issues to address which are of specific concern to our International population and, importantly, will also be of interest to students from the Netherlands, including .....

For us as Internationals to truly get our voice heard it is important that we all make the most of this opportunity.

I would encourage you to talk to me and give me your views on any subject or areas of concern you may have.

This will assist me at the monthly board meetings and help to ensure issues concerning foreign students are raised in a timely manner.

If you are really interested in student politics or just want to learn more feel free to come along to a TBR meeting where I am sure you will learn more about life at Groningen University. It would also be great to have another international student representative in 2015!

Finally, I am thankful to the Faculty Board for its support since my election and its commitment to this initiative by aiming to provide translated documents and (hopefully) a translator at official meetings. Thereby fully supporting and ensuring the integration of the international voice within meetings conducted (as you would expect in the Netherlands) in Dutch!

You can contact me as well via Facebook (Caitlin Bones), email (c.bones@student.rug.nl) or in person – I will try to ensure you all know me.

Also, have a look at #teamCaitlin on Facebook to see all about the campaign and future announcements – thank you to everyone involved who helped and supported me.

I hope you all enjoy your time in Groningen and I wish you the upmost success.

• Ensuring lectures are delivered to as high a standard of English proficiency as expected of students; • Early publication of timetables to allow better planning; • Ensuring the Binding Study Advice level is not increased (45 ECTS at the moment); • Publication of a Reading/Book list; • Greater consideration of the timing of exams and lectures in relation to vacations periods, enabling better planning of travel times, flights etc.

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INCOMING STUDENTS

E B L L I W U O Y N O AND G GOIN

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EVERY LLB STUDENT MUST SPEND A SEMESTER ABROAD IN ORDER TO GRADUATE. LUCKILY, THE UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN HAS PLENTY PARTNER UNIVERSITIES SPREAD ALL OVER THE WORLD, SO DEPENDING ON YOUR PREFERANCES - WHETHER YOU WANT ADVENTURE, ACADEMICS, ACTIVITIES OR PARTY - YOU WILL DEFINITELY FIND A CHOICE THAT SUITS YOU. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.IESE-EXCHANGE.NL. 12

MADLEEN SCATENA / ALUMNI

TEXT & PHOTO: MADLEEN SCATENA

GENERAL TIPS FOR EXCHANGE AND MY SEMESTER IN

When choosing the right place to spend your semester

abroad you have several options on how to make that decision. You can either go for the party, the distance, the weather, the culture, the easy grades or the subjects. I ended up in Vilnius, Lithuania, for none of the reasons above.

I simply went because I promised my Lithuanian friend to put it on the list after a spontaneous night drinking in the KULT. And I got it all; great party, an exciting new place, great cultural offers, some easy grades, but also amazing subjects. After getting over the first shock of actually being selected for Lithuania, I got excited when my host university immediately contacted me and I saw the great variety of courses. Lithuania and the university surprised me in more than one aspect. Not only was the organization of the Erasmus program excellent, but also the academic level of the Master courses I took were amazing and really helped me in deciding what to do after the LLB. If you are looking for an easy semester the Erasmus courses offered at the university will give you just that, but if you want to get to know another area of law the LLB does not offer, you should look beyond the Erasmus course offer and see if they have Master courses you can attend. Not only could I test whether or not I was ready for master level courses, but through these courses I got connected with Lithuanian students as well and not only other foreigners.

If you are hoping to improve your skills or learn a language in the host country you will most likely drown these high goals and expectations in alcohol the very first day of your Erasmus. I chose Lithuania because I thought it was an odd destination and probably a great cultural place where I would not experience the common party semester. Unfortunately, what Spain is for us, Lithuania

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VILNIUS, LITHUANIA is for the French, Italian and Turkish students - namely, a cheap place to party and where scoring less then 8 or 9 is practically impossible. However, it is not hard to stay outside of the party scene for a while and soak in some real culture and knowledge as well if you are willing to do so, especially when you choose courses outside of the Erasmus ones. Of course this varies from university to university so you should check beforehand what awaits you at your destination. Another tip is to actually discover the city and country you end up spending your semester abroad, instead of travelling to every neighboring country the ESN committee can come up with.

Although every year it seems like the same destinations are preferred among the students, for whatever reasons, I would truely advise you to also look at the less obvious choices as they can bear the most potential. If I would choose again I wouldn’t necessarily put Lithuania as a first choice. Although it was a great time at a great university, I would definitely first look at the courses offered and deliberate whether they can help me decide on a master.

Further, I would look at the duration of the actual semester and see if it overlaps with the exams back home (in Groningen). Moreover, I would have a chat with the students who went to my preferred destination and ask how the examinations and organization of the courses are in real life.

Lastly, in whichever place you choose you will have a fantastic time, make hundreds of new Facebook friends (of which you will most likely never speak to again) and additionally add another exciting place on your travel list.

INCOMING STUDENTS

My time at the UNIVERSITY OF ries and a sense of academic fulfilment.

EDINBURGH has left me with fond memo-

The city is incredibly beautiful, classy and diverse. You

can explore the historical Old Town and the somewhat more modern New Town. There is also the beach in Portobello, the slightly shady, but interesting harbour area around Leith, and the majestic Holyrood Park, located right in the middle of the city. I would advise anybody to spend a little more money and find a house located in the Old Town as this is where all student activity is centralized, plus it is the most beautiful part of the city. I can’t say that I experienced much of Scotland’s notorious bad weather, perhaps it was a good year, although the closer it gets to Christmas the earlier it gets dark which can be a little depressing. Price-wise I would say it is slightly more expensive than Groningen.

The University certainly lives up to its prestigious image.

The administration is straight-forward and the facilities are excellent. There is a large variety of courses that you can choose from first year to third/fourth year Honours courses. The difficulty level is definitely a step up from Groningen, however you can take the easy way out by choosing multiple first year courses if this worries you.

Nonetheless, I would discourage this as the second year and Honours courses tend to be a lot more interesting.

The Honours courses in particular have a pleasant small-

TEXT & PHOTO: JONATHAN RICHARD GREY

scale and very interactive teaching style as there will be no more than twenty students in each class. Exams take place before Christmas which, on the upside, means that you will be able to enjoy a very long Christmas break without any exams to worry about. However, on the downside it means that the semester is rather short.

Student life is great. Despite there not being an ESN organization, there are still many activities that are organized for the many incoming exchange students of all three Edinburgh universities. Also, there are many societies that you can join, including the law society which is absolutely worth checking out. Additionally, there are many very cheap day or weekend trips organized by the University, for instance to the Scottish Highlands. Nightlife is great, but a little different to Groningen which might take some getting used to. Clubs are spread out over the city and especially on the weekends you should expect to pay entrance fees. Pubs and clubs close quite early, so a night out will start much earlier that it usually would in Groningen.

I would recommend the University of Edinburgh to anybody who is looking to enjoy their semester abroad and experience a truly amazing city, but who is also seeking to challenge themselves academically.

JONATHAN RICHARD GREY / ALUMNI NEXUS SPRING 2014 |

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TEXT & PHOTO: IRINA MUÑOZ

IRINA MUÑOZ / ALUMNI

EL OMBLINGO DE LA LUNA: MY EXCHANGE SEMESTER IN GUADALAJARA,

For my semester abroad, I wanted to see something com-

pletely different. I wanted to dive into a new culture and study a different legal system. Many of you may imagine an exchange semester in Mexico like an eternal summer: chilling on the beach and drinking tequila all the time.

Indeed, I can’t deny that I enjoyed being able to escape the winter months in Groningen. In fact, I got so used to the sunshine in Guadalajara that after some time I started freezing like all other Mexicans when temperatures fell below 22° C. Believe it or not, at some point I actually wore woolen pullovers and scarves at 20° C. No need to describe the shock when I got back to Groningen on 1st of February…

But it was not all sunshine and tequila. Who would expect that sudden cloudbursts flood the streets of Guadalajara so much that all the traffic completely stops and you cannot even cross the street anymore for hours? Who would think that attendance is mandatory for all lectures (which often start at 7 AM), and that being one minute late for class can mean that you automatically fail the whole course? Considering the strict rules on campus (no smoking, no chewing gum, no sleeping allowed), it sometimes felt a bit like being back in school again. My university, the TEC, also required a lot of work and dedication: in order to obtain the required 30 ECTS, I had to attend six whole-semester courses, all of which included a group project, an individual research paper, an oral presentation and three exams per course. However, I enjoyed this approach very much, because it allowed me to view each subject from a theoretical as well as from a more practical angle. For instance, my

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MEXICO

favorite course, Fundamental Rights Law, included a moot-court of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which was a challenge, but also a lot of fun. Not so convenient was that it was not allowed to take the legislation to the exams – meaning that we had to learn all the relevant Articles and case law by heart.

When I first told my parents I wanted to live in Mexico, they were obviously shocked. Unfortunately, the country often features quite negatively in the news. However, I had been fascinated with Mexico for a long time, and I wanted to know whether the wide-spread prejudices were actually true. Looking back, my experiences during my exchange semester showed me that international news coverage often fails to convey all the facets of a people, its culture and conflicts; it makes us get a certain image of a country which may not really reflect its diversity and beauty.

Because I came to love Mexico and the friendliness of its people, it was of course all the more frustrating to see how so many Mexicans are helpless in the face of violence and corruption in their country.

All in all, the exchange semester in Guadalajara was an unforgettable experience. It made me grow with the new challenges (most prominently the challenge of always being on time to 7AM classes in spite of the not very reliable public transport system). Next to learning the Mexican Labor Code by heart, I did see the sunrise in the little town named Tequila, I jumped from a waterfall in La Huasteca and visited the ruins of an Aztec temple in Mexico City. Most importantly, I learned: if you have the chance, take a risk. Break with prejudices. And enjoy the beauty of the world.

ALUMI

ONE YEAR AT THE UN

INTERVIEW: NIENKE BOSKMA TEXT & PHOTO: NIENKE BOSKMA INTERVIEWER: BART VD GEEST

After completing her Bachelor in law, Nienke Boskma took a Master in international law and the law of international organisations with a specialisation in human rights at Groningen. She did an internship at the United Nations in Geneva for the international service for human rights and is now working for the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva.

What are your plans for the future?

I would like to do humanitarian work at an organisation such as the United Nations Commission For Refugees (UNCFR). I found my work at the international service for human rights to be very abstract, and although it was very interesting, I prefer to do something concrete, something of which the results are immediately visible.

Would you recommend doing an internship at the United Nations?

Yes, absolutely! I have been able to apply a lot of the knowledge that I gained during my studies and use it for the work that I did here; in that sense the LLB program is very relevant. You will of course mainly use international law, but it helps to have learnt European Law, because there is also a European delegation working at the UN. Do you have any suggestions for students interested in doing an internship at the United Nations?

Patience is very important, and certainly don’t give up trying. There are many students from around the world who would like to do an internship at the UN, so there is a lot of competition. I would suggest using your contacts (if you have them) and send in a lot of applications. Sadly, the UN does not always reply to your applications, so you have to take the initiative to get in contact with them.

One last piece of advice: in your motivational letter, it is important to point out why you want to work specifically in Geneva, and why this internship corresponds to you.

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HOW TO BE A DIPLOMAT IN FIVE SIMPLE STEPS

Disclaimer: this article most definitely does not reflect the views of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The past six months I have been doing an internship with the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations in Geneva.

Through this I have been part of the heart of the diplomatic world and witnessed the ins and outs of the diplomatic games. Turns out, it is quite easy to be a diplomat and here is how you can be one too:

Nations building with pride: straight back and always look people in the eye. Alternatively, you can also have a heated conversation on your Blackberry in the hallways.

Preferably pace back in forth in front of a meeting room where negotiations are taking place. Of course, this will disturb your fellow diplomats but who cares, you’re more important than them.

1. TALK A LOT

4. BE INTERESTED

Just talk, and say very little with very many words. Preferably throw in some fancy words as well, particularly some that don’t make sense in the context of your statement. This will confuse the interpreters, and consequently the entire room. If you don’t trust the interpreters, do like the Chinese delegation and have the English translation in your ear, wait for the translation to finish, and if you’re happy with it, you continue with your statement.

Or at least, pretend that you are. Look focused during meetings, stare at your laptop screen, and frantically type emails and notes. When in a meeting, rush out a few times with your phone in your hand to answer a phone call. Remember, you need to look busy and important (see point 3). If you don’t feel like pretending, you can also do like the North Korean delegate and buy grand pianos online. Nobody is going to walk up to you anyway and tell you to pay attention.

2. BE CONVINCING You should be able to have people sell their house, including their dog, to you without them realizing it.

Know what you’re talking about, or at least, pretend that you do. Always keep a straight face, and don’t let the other see if they put you off. Practice your poker face, play poker. When negotiating, bluff. Always do this, also because it will help you identify other people bluffing.

After all, it takes one to know one.

3. LOOK IMPORTANT It doesn’t matter whether you have a lot of money or not, always look like you do. Wear fancy clothes, expensive sunglasses, and good shoes. Walk through the United

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5. DRINK True negotiations take place outside the United Nations building, preferably over a drink. Invite people out for dinners and drinks, become their friends, their confidant, and have them spill State secret over a bottle of wine. When you see them again the next day, walk up to them in a busy meeting room to thank them for a nice evening, so that everyone can see that you are buddies now. However, when applying this diplomatic tactic, don’t forget the most important rule: never drink more than your drinking partner. You wouldn’t want this tactic to turn against you.

OPINION

THE SITUATION IN IRAQ A TICKING TIMEBOMB

With the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) increasingly claiming territory, the Republic

of Iraq is once again in the spotlight. This jihadist militant group has occupied major cities in Iraq over the past weeks, and threatens to enter the capital Baghdad. Iraq’s promising military forces have faced nothing but defeat; sadly, one cannot claim that this is surprising.

TEXT: EBRU AKGUN PHOTO: WHATIQ KHUSAIE / GETTY IMAGES

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Following the 9/11 attacks, the George W. Bush administration started planning to overthrow the Hussein government. On November 2002, the United Nations Security Council passed UNSCHR 1141, followed by the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 by the United States and its allies.

Throughout the tensions created by the allies, an insurgency quickly developed into intense inter-ethnic violence between the Sunni and the Shia population, which continues up to this day.

Iraq was a part of the Ottoman Empire until the end of the First World War. With the collapse of the empire, the imperial powers drew the new boundaries of the newly independent countries, ignoring the ethnic and religious differences within the region. In Iraq’s case, this has amounted to religious tension between the Sunnis and Shia up to this day. The conflict between these two Islamic denominations reaches back to Muhammad’s death. After his death, Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali and his children were murdered due to political conflicts. The Shia branch was formed as a result. The murder is the initial conflict that has lead to wars between the two branches for centuries. Saddam Hussein governed Iraq for twentyfour years and despite having Christian and Kurdish politicians in his government, it remains a fact that the Sunni minority suppressed the Shia and the Kurdish. With the overthrow of his regime the roles changed. Until recently, Iraq was governed by its Sunni minority and Syria was governed by its Alawite minority. However, deadly clashes in both countries has reversed the roles, changing the future and the dynamic of the countries’ society.

The lack of central authority in both Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic has created the perfect environment for terrorist organizations and radical groups within the region. After the fall of the Hussein regime, Iraq formed weakly linked parts; a Kurdish region in the North, a Shia region in the South and a Sunni region in the center. This distribution has amounted in a weak Sunni population, because the North and South of Iraq are famous for their resources; petrol and natural gas. Due to their geostrategic position, the Kurds of the North were drawn closer to the Western world by creating strong ties with the US and the Republic of Turkey, decreasing tensions between Kurds and Turks. At the same time the Shias created strong relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is a Shia country. Naturally, it was only a matter of time before the Sunnis of Iraq, outnumbered by the other two groups, started suffering due to their poverty. While the Kurds carried on the path of forming an autonomous region, the Shia population took control over the remaining parts.

The religious tension deepened with Sunnis struggling to find employment, increasing their vulnerability. With ethnic and religious conflicts on one hand and economic troubles on the other hand, the central part of Iraq is like a cornered cat. ISIS took advantage of this situation along with the civil war in Syria and managed to occupy 19

EBRU AKGUN / LLB 3

important cities in Iraq such as Mosul. It is clearly visible that the success of ISIS is based on the incompetence of the Iraqi army. Some analysts also claim that the rapid military success of ISIS depends on the financial support made by Gulf countries, mainly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. If proven true, this will create even greater tension within the Arab and Islamic world, but also overall at an international level. As the General Assembly has made clear in resolution 54/109 (International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism), it is unacceptable for an internationally recognized country or countries to finance a merciless terrorist organization. The result of the incompetence of the Iraqi military to protect its people is hundreds of thousands of people fleeing, causing a reformation of Iraq’s geography once again. One of the examples would be that Kirkuk is now under the influence of the Kurdish administration, where hundreds of Turkmen refugees are provided with shelter.

Secretary of State John Kerry visited Iraq’s prime minister, Al-Maliki, on June 23rd in order to discuss potential solutions to Iraq’s current state, as ISIS is not only a threat to Iraq, but to the region as a whole. Kerry also dismissed any accusation that the US is to blame for Iraq’s conflicts. However, in order to evaluate the truth of this statement, what transpired in 2003 must be examined. The aim of the US and its allies was “to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people”. The war aimed to eliminate weapons of mass destruction, but as the head of UN weapons inspections in Iraq (UNMIVIC) stated, there were none. The war aimed to eliminate Hussein’s support for al Qaeda in Iraq, yet this terrorist organization was not present in the country until after the invasion. The war aimed to transform Iraq into a model democracy based on the rule of law, but instead Hussein’s tyranny was replaced with anarchy. Finally, the war aimed to make Iraq a friendly base for US troops if needed against Iran, but it provided Iran a new ally instead, while the “freed people of Iraq” are trying to flee the country on a large scale. Consequently, the only ‘positive’ outcome of

the war was the removal of Hussein, however, this ‘positive’ outcome has created the perfect habitat for ISIS and other terrorist groups to flourish.

Keeping in mind that the unjustified interference has been a mistake, I do not see how the intervention of any country or international organization could solve the current internal conflicts of Iraq. The more important question is whether or not Iraq will remain intact.

One of the possible outcomes is that the country will split into three. However, with refugees fleeing the country and the numerous attacks by ISIS, hoping for a peaceful dissolution like in Czechoslovakia in 1993 is delusional. This ongoing conflict will, without doubt, stop being a relatively internal situation, evolving into a general threat for the region. As seen in many Middle Eastern countries, Iraq is not only facing ethnic tension, but also religious ones. ISIS follows the Sunni belief, whereas the majority of the country and the ones demanding revenge from ISIS actions are Shias. This inter-religious tension can eventually include Iran, because many cities that are considered holy by Iraqi Shias are also considered so by

Shia Iranians. It would be unacceptable for Iran if radical Sunnis would capture these cities. However, any form of intervention by Iran would be unacceptable for the Sunnis residing in the center of Iraq and would also be unjustified at an international level. Another unacceptable fact is that ISIS has targeted Turkmen minorities in the past week. Segments of this population are Sunni and the rest is Shia. Turkey does not tolerate the violent acts of ISIS towards Shia Turkmen. Finally, let’s not forget the economic side to this conflict; the region’s resources and the demand for these resources in the Western market.

They all require the conflicts to be solved as soon as possible. Clearly, Iraq’s Shia prime minister Al-Maliki is not competent to solve the conflicts on his own. Yet, the fact that ISIS is a terrorist organization makes diplomatic solutions rather difficult. We also have to bear in mind that the Kurdish leader in Iraq, Barzani, has made it quite clear with its potential referendum that Iraq can no longer be the way it once used to be, as the Kurds will not give up the state they have created for themselves. Yet, as laid down in the Iraqi constitution, this referendum cannot be lawful without the approval of the central government. At this point, the recognition of other countries, even though the central Iraqi government will never approve, is vital.

For example, the fact that the State of Israel supports the formation of a Kurdish state has already lead to great frustration among Arab countries.

In conclusion, it is not possible to expect that Iraq will revert to what it used to be before Hussein’s regime.

The current weak form of a federation will not last long either. As there is no possible justification for external intervention, since there are currently no states that can bring legitimate claims for self defense and the fact that the UN Security Council has not authorized an intervention under the chapter 7 mandate, the question that arises is how Iraq will solve this ongoing conflict before it spills over to its neighboring countries Turkey and Iran. If Iraq does split into three different states, how will the Middle East and the rest of the world react? In the meantime tensions between Iran and the Western world remain, conflicts between Israel and Iran evolve and there is still no solution for Palestine. Keeping in mind that Iraq’s internal clashes are not the only conflict within the region, the Middle East has turned into a time bomb and it is only a matter of time for greater disasters to emerge.

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The contents of this article may not cover relevant events that occurred following the date of its conception (27/06/2014).

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1. PHOTO: H. HAMDANI/ AFP/ GETTY IMAGES 2. PHOTO: US AIR FORCE SGT. BENDET

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THE FUTURE OF THE

EUROPEAN UNION

AT THE CROSSROADS AGAIN: THE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION /22 FROM FLEXIBILITY TO FRAGILITY: WHY LITHUANIA WANTS TO JOIN THE EUROZONE /24 THE TERRORIST FINANCE TRACKING PROGRAM /26 CULTURAL HERITAGE IS IT A DYING PHENOMENON? /28 21 PHOTO: NICOLA MULINARIS

AT THE CROS

THE FUTURE OF TH

CHRISTIAN HOERTER / LLB 3

The European Union, established in the aftermath of

World War II in order to achieve an ‘ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe’ and to ensure economic and social progress, has managed to create an area of peace and prosperity. Notwithstanding the multitude of crises and crossroads it found itself in, the Union transformed the whole continent, economically and politically.

Now, however, in the face of austerity economics, a lack of democracy in its institutions and various conflicts at its doorstep, dark clouds are gathering above Brussels. Across the continent, national groups are marching towards Strasbourg, coming from left and right in defense of national sovereignty, trying to prevent the rise of federalism.

The federalist dream, vivid at least ever since Schuman and Monnet, was put into question during the crisis that hit Europe in 2008, leaving deep traces that will be felt for a long time to come. As the national debts of Spain, Greece, Italy, Ireland and Portugal skyrocketed, previously ignored problems of the current European Union came to light, almost bringing the Union down to its knees.

The embodiment of the federalist dream or at least one of the major steps towards it, the single currency, almost collapsed under the weight of the banking and sovereign debt crises, threatening the existence of the Union altogether. Euroscepticism across the continent was fueled.

Ever since, the mere word “federalism” almost became the phobia of the European electorate and politicians, being instantly associated with undemocratic institutions and a lack of sovereignty; not only in the UK where the fear of losing the ‘last bits’ of sovereignty never disappeared.

This Eurosceptic attitude of the European citizenry and politicians became ever more evident in the recent European elections. Local election results in France, Denmark, Greece and the UK showed a large increase in the support for Eurosceptic and populist parties and thus, their march on Strasbourg. Marine LePenn’s Front National secured 25% of the votes in the French election, while Nigel Farage and his anti-EU party secured the first spot in the UK elections, ahead of the Labour and Conservative parties. This was an undesirable outcome for those fighting for an ever-closer Union, for those, that tried to raise awareness for the election and those that tried to counter Euroscepticism, such as Viviane Reding who tried reviving Churchill’s federalist vision of a “United States of Europe”. The outcome of the election left the Union rather puzzled – at the crossroads – again.

But what exactly is it, this so-feared word ‘federalism’? In many ways, what the citizens are afraid of – similar to a great number of national politicians – is the creation of a European superstate, centralized in Brussels, which takes away all sovereignty left in the hands of national politicians. Yet, this might be exactly where the problem lies, since federalism has nothing to do with a superstate that strips away the power of its member states. As Gross puts it, “[r]ather than constituting a model for an ever closer political union or a European state, federalism implies a process of balancing power in a differentiated political order which enables unity while guaranteeing diversity.”

Having said that, what does the recent European election

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OPINION

SSROADS AGAIN:

HE EUROPEAN UNION TEXT: CHRISTIAN HOERTER PHOTO: BEPPE GIACOPPE

results imply for the future? Did the federalist dream die and with it mark the rise of a new – Eurosceptic – era? If one takes the election results as a direct indication of the European electorate’s sentiment towards the Union, then the future does indeed look quite dark- particularly when talking about the chances of the federalist dream becoming a reality. Particularly, in countries where Eurosceptic parties gained a great amount of support, the future for a strong Union does not look too bright. Yet, there is a brighter alternative. One could argue that the European elections do not entirely represent how the Member states and its citizens feel about the prospect of a federal Union. Rather it seems that Europe’s voters were making a statement by supporting Eurosceptic parties. This statement quite simply said that currently, the Union’s political activity and the activity of national politicians is just not good enough and hence, voters are demanding changes and more concrete results.

In any event, no matter how one interprets the results, a first step towards change and maybe a new direction has been taken. On June 26th and 27th, the European Council met in the small town of Ypres in order to remember World War I, appoint the new President of the Commission and set the new agenda for the Union. In the run up to the meeting, battles have been fought behind the scenes, among others between Germany and the UK, about the post of the President of the Commission and thus about the new direction. At the crossroads again, the EU will move towards either a more federalist Union or towards preserving the status-quo and thus the current

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stagnation of the Union, a political situation over which the electorate expressed its discontent. In the end, the man that won the battle was the Spitzenkandidat Juncker.

For the first time – as decided prior to the election – the winning party’s candidate hereby gave the citizens a say in electing the head of the executive branch. This is perhaps an ‘important investment into the future of European democracy’, perhaps a first step towards overcoming the democratic deficit and promoting legitimacy.

Moreover, Juncker is seen by many as a promoter of federalism. Thus, he might provide stimulus and drive in getting one step closer to the dream of federalism and overcome the fear of federalism that has led to half-hearted integration attempts leaving problems of major importance unsolved. The implementation of a single currency in the absence of the willingness to harmonize and integrate the fiscal system only serves as one example. In the end, the future of the European Union must be about deeper integration. As Verhofstadt, founding member of the Spinelli Group, a federalist group, stated: ‘It’s not about a superstate. It’s about more integration as the engine of growth, unified capital markets, a unified banking system, common debt in the eurozone.’ After all the steps that nations state, together as the European Union, made, there might be ‘no future for the people of Europe other than in union,’ as Jean Monnet said. However, the future remains uncertain and no one knows whether the dark clouds above Brussels will make way for rays of sunshine.

Tempus loquitur.

OPINION

FROM FLEXIBILITY TO FRAGILITY

WHY LITHUANIA WANTS TO JOIN THE EUROZONE TEXT: BART VAN DER GEEST PHOTO: NICOLA MULINARIS

Lithuania is set to become the Eurozone’s 19th member

out of 28 countries in the European Union on January 1st 2015, after receiving the green light in a resolution passed by the European Parliament last Wednesday. It is the last Baltic nation, after Estonia (2011) and Latvia (2014) outside of the currency union to be given approval; Lithuania’s former application was turned down in 2012 after it failed to meet the technical criteria for membership – a stable exchange rate, low inflation and public debt and deficit within EU limits. If everything goes according to plan, Lithuania will trade in its Litas for Euros, and cede sovereignty over monetary policy to the European Central Bank. Yet, given the rising tide of euro-scepticism, near-record unemployment rates and the prospect of slow economic growth for countries within the European Union, the government’s apparent eagerness to adopt the euro may seem surprising. After all, membership effectively.

In theory, all members of the European Union are required to apply for euro membership, excluding the United Kingdom and Denmark, who received permanent exemptions to the Maastricht treaty of 1992. The countries must make changes to their legal systems and economies in order to qualify, but so far those concerned (Sweden, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Croatia and Poland) are not showing much enthusiasm, preferring instead to deliberately avoid making these difficult choices. Lithuania, on the other hand, is seeking to finalize its convergence with the EU and its Baltic neighbours,

seeing this as the next logical step in encouraging regional economic integration, attracting foreign investment and strengthening ties with Western Europe in order to alleviate Russia’s political and economic influence on the Baltic.

The next “logical” step forward If there is one reason why Lithuania’s President, Dalia Grybauskaite, is willing to risk entering a fragile Eurozone, it is because this would be beneficial for the country’s national security in the wake of Russia’s assertiveness in Ukraine. Back in 1990, Lithuania became the first of the three Baltic States to declare independence from the Soviet Union. Ever since, protecting its independence has been a fundamental guiding principle in the country’s foreign policy decisions and this would explain why the Baltic States are so eager to improve relations with Western Europe. Visiting Latvia’s President, Andris Berzins, in January, Grybauskaite said: “We need to take a number of concrete urgent steps that are essential for the security and well-being of our people. Standing together we will successfully resist external challenges, speed up implmentation of key projects, and strengthen energy and economic security in the Baltics.”

The government has cited numerous other benefits of euro adoption; it eliminates currency exchange expenses, increases price stability for export and import within the European Union, lowers interest rates and attracts foreign

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sceptics, and a common worry on the side of the public, is that the changeover could result in the increase of domestic prices; though according to Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Euro, there is “no evidence of significant price raises” from previous changeovers.

BART VD GEEST / LLB 2

investment. Although Lithuania has the largest economy of the Baltic states, it would need the advantages of being a member of the Eurozone in order to envision a leader ship role in the Baltic Sea Region. As a relatively small and open economy, Lithuania needs to attract foreign investment to bolster its economy. Also, because the lita has been pegged to the euro for several years, politicians are convinced that a currency exchange won’t lead to a major loss of exchange rate flexibility.

A risky strategy There are, however, a number of risks that go hand in hand with the monetary integration of a peripheral, “catching up” economy. First of all, Lithuania no longer has the option of devaluating its currency as a way of making its exports more competitive if the country’s economy runs into trouble. This means that it is more difficult for Lithuania to climb out of an economic crisis and it risks falling into the same deflationary cycle of falling prices and wages as Greece, Spain and Portugal.

Given the economic crisis, Lithuania may also be obliged to financially contribute to richer, albeit indebted countries. In addition, a common argument on the side of euro

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While the political will is undoubtedly present, the public is less than enthusiastic about the euro. In light of the recent euro zone debt crisis that hit countries of the periphery, very few Lithuanians actually see the benefits of euro adoption. In a recent Euro barometer survey, public support fell to 34% in March from 40% in November and more than half of the Lithuanians oppose the switch.

Not only is the euro no longer a symbol of stability, but the Lithuanians are emotionally attached to the lita; like Latvia and its lats, the name of the currency alludes to the country’s name. Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius also admits that the last monetary reforms of the country went less than smoothly as they were accompanied by shady dealings and political corruption, and this would explain why some people are also suspicious.

There’s no turning back Now that the Lithuanian government has been given approval to adopt the euro on January 1st 2015, it is unlikely that it will pull back its plans. Being the only EU country that was refused Eurozone membership in 2006, Lithuania will do everything it possibly can not to make the same mistake, which is to fall outside of the limits set by the European Central Bank. Adoption of the euro means deterring Russia from exercising its influence over the Baltic Sea Region, encouraging economic integration with its neighbouring countries and attracting foreign investment; these goals, if taken all together, are possibly so important for the country that they may outweigh the fears of the Lithuanian people.

OPINION

TEXT & PHOTO : ALEXANDRA CRISAN

THE TERRORIST FINANCE TRACKING PROGRAM “How can the European Union keep personal data protected, while maintaining a safe position on the international stage?”

European citizens are currently in a situation where their personal data is abusively used by the Terrorist Fi-

nance Tracking Program (TFTP) in order to protect signatory parties against future terrorist attacks; this calls for defensive action by the Union. Considering the fact that the relationship between Europe and the United States is based on principles of democracy, liberty, justice and solidarity, one should acknowledge the tremendous importance of assuring an equal amount of personal data protection and access to judicial redress for all the parties involved under the bilateral agreement. Consequently, the Parliament’s proposal of suspending the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program needs to be analyzed by the Commission since it encompasses a high risk of violation of EU standards, fundamental rights and data protection standards.

Firstly, the TFTP was initiated by the US Treasury Department for the scope of identifying, tracking and pursuing terrorists such as Al-Qaida and their networks. The program is strongly connected with the Society of Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) which used to provide TFTP with their financial transaction information. However, in 2009 SWIFT switched from

storing this information on the US servers to storing it on the EU servers. Consequently, the US negotiated an agreement with the EU for processing and transferring this information to the US starting from 2010. Even though the program possessed rigorous safeguards and protocols to protect privacy, practice has proven that TFTP did not provide adequate protection for EU citizens, and, NEXUS SPRING 2014 |

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moreover, their judicial redress possibilities were highly limited in comparison with those of US citizens. As a result, transatlantic trust and the trust for US organizations performing in the EU strongly eroded due to large-scale access by US intelligence agencies. Therefore, due to the fact that it is highly possible that these mass surveillance operations are being used for reasons other than national security and the fight against terrorism, such as economic and industrial espionage or profiling on political grounds, the TFTP should be suspended until the Union can conclude a more protective agreement with the US. Looking at the prerogatives of the Commission, we can observe that its supreme task is the protection of the general interest of the Union and, for this end, to ensure an accurate application of the Treaties. On these bases, the Commission is entitled to propose legislation for the purpose of ensuring that the legal force of the EU Treaties is not undermined and for the benefit of EU citizens. Consequently, one can assume that the institution will take a course of action in order to secure Article 16 TFEU. Moreover, the EU institutions would become liable for breaking EU law in the event of transferring personal data to the US for law enforcement purposes in the absence of adequate safeguards and protections for the respect of fundamental rights of EU citizens, such as those mentioned in the Charter on Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Based on Article 16 TFEU the EU is required to ensure a high level of security for the Member States, and certain provisions give certain competences to the Union in order to achieve the goals that are mentioned above.

Therefore, an optimal action is expected in order to redress this situation.

The concerns raised by the Commission at this moment do not come as a surprise for the Community. In 2013, the European Parliament expressed grave concerns about the revelations concerning NSA’s activities with regard to direct access to financial payment messages and related data which could have constituted a clear breach of the agreement. At that moment the Parliament immediately requested the suspension of the agreement by the Commission. The Commission could not prove that the allegations published by the media were in violation of the agreement. Once again, the current concerns forwarded by the Commission are based on allegations only, so there still is no clear evidence to ascertain that the US is using the information for purposes other than those that are at the basis of TFTP; namely, to prevent, investigate, detect or prosecute criminal offences, including terrorism.

However, there exist other options that can ensure the protection of the citizens. For example, the EU can develop legislation and amend the agreement so that the other 27

ALEXANDRA CRISAN / LLB 3

party complies with Article 18 more effectively. This incentive would force the US to revise its legislation and bring it in line with international law, so that it recognizes the right to privacy, provides judicial redress for EU citizens and subsequently accepts the amendment proposed by the EU. The latter could conclude the upcoming Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership conditioned upon the US’ approval of the amendment. Therefore, in case the US does not approve of the amendment, then the European Parliament will not give its consent to the final TTIP agreement. A more drastic measure would be to start proceedings for the termination of the agreement. The reason behind this option is that it would persuade the US to amend the treaty in such a way that it would conform to the scope and the legal requirements of the TFTP within six months before the termination takes effect.

To conclude, one should understand that the Parliament’s proposal to suspend the TFTP is not a feasible option considering the fact that there is no proper evidence of a breach aside from allegations. Therefore, the EU should try to amend the Program with legislation so that it can confer adequate protection for European citizens, and consequently restrict intelligence agencies with regard to the use of collected personal data.

DEBATE

Cultural Heritage: IS IT A DYING PHENOMENON?

TEXT: ANA ARNAOUTOGLOU-AMZA PHOTO: NICOLA MULINARIS

Our culture has been a defining feature of who we are today as individuals ever since the beginning of time.

Battles were won and lost, alliances were forged, blood was shed and so history was made; it all served no other purpose than determining what we as peoples now stand for. Our history, our traditions, our language, our land, the battles both won and lost, the alliances forged and the blood shed by our ancestors on the very earth we walk on, all determine what we as peoples stand for. Love comes in many ways and under different aspects yet the love I am speaking of is nowadays becoming more and more difficult to witness: the love for your homeland, for your country; the kind of love that I came to understand a little better when I chose to study abroad. Yet whether or not we feel that kind of love, we all bear- to certain degrees- the cultural trademarks of the country we were raised in.

As it has for thousands of years, the world is changing and along with it so do we. Among the numerous

effects of this continuous transformation lies one which people are starting to become aware of: the slow death of culture. Perhaps death is too strong a word, for culture in itself, as a whole is not dying but merely adapting to the progresses we have made in all fields. It molds to the shapes we give our lives. It is the ethos of each and every country that is in danger of disappearing in favor of a single homogenous culture. This phenomenon has sparked many debates, but it is the reasons for its occurrence that raise even more questions and disputes.

There are those who believe that immigration is one of the contributing factors to the extinguishing of culture. Can it be that leaving your country in favor of another entails the degradation and eventual extinction/loss of your own cultural heritage? On the one hand it is understandable why some would assume the answer is ‘yes’. It is up to each individual person to give back to his nation, and by choosing to live or work somewhere else that is no longer a possi-

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“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.”-

Mahatma Gahndi

ANA AMZA / LLB 2

bility. As mentioned before, each of us bears the cultural trademarks of the environment we were raised in, emblems which we carry with us wherever we go.

However, whilst encountering different cultures, this insignia changes in such a manner so as to incorporate new principles only to create an intricate mosaic.

There are those who fear that not long from now, this process will spread to the extent that there would be nothing new to assimilate because all the beautiful, individual colors of the mosaic would blend together, thus creating a uniform, common color to all countries.

On the other hand, it is argued that when choosing to settle in a land not your own, the social nature inherent to mankind forces you to adapt to this new culture, renouncing your old traditions and instead embracing those of your new home. In this way, the culture of each individual country is preserved by those inhabiting its territories, which have lived there long enough so as to acquire knowledge with regards

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to the various ‘ways’ of the people. In this way, culture is passed down from person to person and not lost, but preserved.

The world is changing, that much is clear. But just because a culture is not your own does not mean that you cannot learn to cherish, respect and even love it.

It is my belief that it would be extremely difficult to generalize and that carrying on your cultural heritage or replacing it with another is entirely up to each individual person. After all we are all humans and this earth is ours to share regardless of where we come from and what language we speak. There is one love that should be above that for your country and that is the love for mankind and for the wonderful people from all over the world which in a way or another influence your life and make life on this planet such an amazing experience.

DEBATE

Cultural Heritage: IS IT A DYING PHENOMENON?

AN ANTHROPOLOGISTS PERSPECTIVE MATYLDA WIERIETIELNY

The phenomena described in the article are one of

the facets of a much bigger process, namely globalization. Globalization, broadly defined as increasing interdependency of markets, societies and cultures has been influencing the mosaic of cultures profoundly. However, I do not share the doubt described by the author that such processes result in ‘slow death of culture’. This is because what I think we are witnessing these days is a coexistence of two types of processes, globalization processes and counter-globalization processes. It is true that the expansive Western civilization is spreading its influence and more and more distinct cultural traditions a´´re incorporating its elements such as western music, visual culture or clothes.

It is also true that small ethnic minorities and tribes are dying out and every now and then we hear in the news about a last member of culture X who passed away and took all the traditional knowledge to the grave. But at the same time I see processes that are headed in the opposite direction, processes that I would call the revival of cultures. For example, there are numerous ethnic minorities all over the world who use the distinctiveness of their cultures as a magnet that attracts tourists and travelers. In this case the unique cultural heritage with its traditional foods, clothes and customs is displayed openly and with pride to those who come a long way to admire

TEXT & PHOTO: MATYLDA WIERIETIELNY

it. Of course one could raise questions regarding ‘authenticity’ of such displays and ask – are the Native Americans authentic when performing traditional dances for a group of tourists as a way to earn a living?

But regardless of the answer to that question, a fact remains that there is a high demand for distinctiveness, for experiencing the exotic. Moreover, the counter-globalization processes extend the tourism industry. The recent economic crisis sparked a wave of nationalistic, right-wing political movements across Europe that generally emphasize the value of their own national cultures and ‘ways’ over extensive integration within the European Union or over influences of immigrants in their countries. I think that developments of this sort show how strong the concept of national culture is and how attached to it people are. And politics aside, it is evident that for many their distinct cultural heritage is a huge part of their identity, a lens through which they see the rest of the world and simply something they would never be willing to give up. Therefore, the danger of globalization leading to a single, homogenous culture of the world, where all the distinct colors of the mosaic blend into one, is not a real danger.

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“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him” John F. Kennedy

A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE TEXT & PHOTO: WALTTER ROSLIN

WALTTER ROSLIN / LLB 3

Culture is used as a defining term for many aspects

Having stated that culture - in its natural form - is evof human life, such as the way we interact with er-changing, it is undoubtedly affected by globalisaone another and how social norms are formed and tion. This happens mostly in the field of popular culfollowed - just to name a few. Culture also forms a ture, where the most popular shows are broadcasted bond between the ones said to follow its etiquette, be across all corners of the world, shaping the views and it a nation, tribe, or for instance a family. Through values of many. However, many now fear that due to the course of time, cultures have evolved alongside the effects of globalisation and integration, culture mankind; some have become more extreme than is turning from a vibrant mix of paint into a blob of others whilst others share similarities with many beige. Everywhere cultures are mingling; there is no other cultures. Similar to humankind, culture is not more variation. Migrants are ‘made’ to assimilate to in a standstill, but is constantly evolving and gaining the customs and traditions of their destinations and new aspects; equally, a culture will also die when its many perceive that moving to another country inevitime has come. tably changes their life, and it certainly does. However, individuals are still left to follow their own values; Cultures portray current and upcoming values in they decide how they perceive other people and how societies. When left alone without interference, they to interact. A Conveyor belt of cultural assimilation are always in a transition phase, outing the old and only exists in the eyes of those rooted in the ways of slowly welcoming the new. A good example of this the old, who close their eyes from the beauty of the is the decline of nationalism in the ever-globalised world and who are too pre-occupied with building world, where mutual cooperation and mutual interest walls to protect their own “true” culture. for causes with worldly effects outweigh self-centred individualism. True self-interest still plays a valid Thus, each individual should be left to decide on role; however, pride no longer has the footing as it their own what form of culture they choose to follow, used to. One could say that the majority of people how they perceive their own values and how they have transcended the glorification of a national state want to live their lives. Just like humans, cultures die and have reached a far more objective view on toand are ever-changing, yet fragments of the old will day’s nations and are thus able to portray much more always remain in the memories of those left walking criticism if matters are not handled as they should. this planet.

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Cultural Heritage: IS IT A DYING PHENOMENON?

A POLISH PERSPECTIVE GOSIA MLEK / LLM

I do not believe that moving abroad (especially with-

in Europe) can lead to a degradation of own cultural heritage. This is so due to a few reasons. Firstly, nowadays it is so easy and cheap to travel between countries, that coming back home e.g. to celebrate Christmas (that is probably the culmination of all traditions), is not a problem at all. Secondly, what constitutes a culture (language, music, social habits etc.) is also easily preserved thanks to digital media: you can watch your country’s TV abroad, read the magazines, follow your friends or relatives on Facebook, live the ups and downs of your own nation and participate emotionally in the creation and preservation of the broadly interpreted culture, even from the distance. Even the cuisine can easily be preserved: in every place where I have lived abroad, there has always been a little (or even a big!) Polish (or Eastern European) store, where I could buy all the typical products - making it easy to follow my grandma’s recipes. While living abroad you look at your own culture from a perspective, and you are even more aware of it because you can compare it and see it in a European context. That, I believe, gives you more appreciation for your own distinctiveness.

I guess that in the case of my country, Poland, the emigrants can be divided in two groups: ones that fled the communist regime, and ones that moved abroad to find better jobs after the accession to the

TEXT & PHOTO: GOSIA MLEK

EU. The latter definitely upkeep their Polish culture because they usually left with their whole families, and it is mainly within the family where one finds the environment in which culture gets preserved.

They often do not even learn the language of their new country of residence (which is rather shameful, but still affects the preservation of own culture). As a person who left her home country seven years ago, I do not feel detached from my own heritage. On the contrary, I believe that people who decide to move abroad often tend to glorify their homeland. This is especially true in the case of the “old emigrants” who are stunned by the achievements of the post 1989 free country and are even more proud of the achievements than the people who stayed. This comes hand in hand with the will to get to know more about your fatherland and promote it abroad. This was the case of my dear friend who I met in Italy last year: she left Poland in the early 70s to escape the regime, but her heart truly stayed at home. Now she takes every opportunity to travel back, listens to Chopin (and, believe it or not, organises gym sessions for seniors where instead of techno she plays the Mazurkas), teaches her granddaughter Polish songs and poems, and her house is literally white and red, with little Polish flags and souvenirs in every corner. And true, she might be putting parmiggiano in the traditional Polish chicken soup, but abroad, she probably feels much more Polish than many Poles who stayed.

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DEBATE

A FRENCH PERSPECTIVE TEXT & PHOTO: CLEMTENTINE BEAUSSIER

CLEMENTINE BEAUSSIER / LLM

In France, the debate regarding the protection of cul-

ture arose recently and was the occasion for everyone who wished to voice opinions they were nourishing on the idea, which obviously lead to a clash of opposing views. Last year, during the recognition of the gay marriage by Parliament, one could hear from parts of the crowd that the legalization of the gay marriage would jeopardize French national culture. That being said, what is meant by cultural heritage in France?

Isn’t it a feature of a society in perpetual evolution?

These questions are in particular important for France due to the diversity encompassed within its society, in addition to the position of the Government to remain a secular State. In my view, this position could imply two consequences: either everyone is free to express their thoughts in society; or, no one can express their beliefs and should avoid imposing them on others. Obviously these two opinions have nourished the debate.

On the one hand, it has been said that immigration could threaten French culture as many immigrants neither know the language (or know it well enough), nor French history, and bring their own habits to France whilst resisting integration. The adoption of the regulation forbidding Muslim women from wearing an entire veil in public areas goes into this direction. People applauding this measure are often said to be nationalists; however, not all in favor are against immigration to France. In my opinion, they simply aim at conveying the French cultural heritage to the new entrants.

On the other hand, for some, immigration and diversity are bringing a new layer to French culture, which subsequently adds to all the layers that France has 33

been collecting through history, art and language and should consequently be viewed as an enrichment.

Pursuant to this vision, the foreign culture brought by new citizens should be accessible to the French citizens who will contribute to adapting the existing French culture as well. Both cultures should remain distinct, but live together and harmonize.

Obviously, the phenomenon of “ghettoization”, in which immigrants settle in specific areas where other immigrants are already established, does not tend to enhance the mixing of cultures. An ideal vision of France would consist of mixing this diversity to make a new French culture emerge. The development of mixed quartiers where a French family could have neighbors originating from Algeria or Portugal could bring a solution satisfying both sides of the debate.

The defenders of French culture should not be scared of discovering and learning from these foreign cultures while at the same time being able to promote the French one.

Living in the Netherlands, particularly in Groningen - the city that welcomes thousands of students every year, of which many are foreign, shows how the country is coping with such diversity. Indeed the organization of cultural events (Koningsdag, concerts, football matches (especially this year), Bloemenmarkt…) and the market offering typical Dutch food three times a week tends to present Dutch culture to all these foreigners who will remember several features of the Dutch culture that they have experienced first hand. The goal to make known Dutch culture is clearly achieved without depriving the foreign students the room to protect their original culture.

DON'T BREAK THE INTERNET NET NEUTRALITY: A BRIEF OVERVIEW

TEXT & PHOTO: RAY FELICIANA, HOUSE OF CARDS

Network neutrality, in short, is the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) must treat all data that

travels over their networks equally. It was Tim Wu in 2003 who put this subject on the agenda with his paper titled “Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination.” He defined net neutrality “an internet that does not favor one application (say the World Wide Web) over others (say, e-mail)” . The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States is currently deliberating on a critical decision that will determine whether or not ISPs will be able to discriminate against certain websites, and the issue is also being debated in the EU. The main issue is concerned with audiovisual services – services such as Netflix or YouTube, which take up a significant amount of bandwidth.

Without net neutrality, ISPs would be able to charge companies running websites in order to get them on a “fast lane” to users. For example, an ISP could reduce the bandwidth available to stream YouTube videos to users, resulting in slow-loading, non-HD videos unless Google (who own YouTube) paid the ISP to allow them on the “fast lane”. While this may not sound like a big deal to the average consumer, it will have repercussions for the concept of the open internet as a whole, stifling innovation, creativity and freedom. It will essentially turn ISPs into gatekeepers, making deals with the few companies that can afford to pay and inhibiting new companies or competition. Thus, net neutrality is about more than slowing down websites’ access to users – it also prevents against other forms of discrimination and “pay-to-play” regimes.

Though discrimination and limitations in network neutrality have existed, and reasonable forms of net

management are unavoidable due to the technical limitations (congestion being the principle one) in owning and operating internet services. Without any form of net management, costs of ever-expanding capacity would be getting out of hand. Despite this, as stated previously, the internet has improved the way we communicate, learn, share and create - it is ideal to want it to continue to foster such innovation, creativity, and freedom that has made significant impact on the lives of countless around the world. As the Electronic Frontier Foundation (known as the EFF and are leading the charge against measures that would kill net neutrality, amongst other threats to civil liberties in the digital age) has put it: “Individually and collectively, anti-net neutrality practices pose a dire threat to the engine of innovation that has allowed hackers, startup companies, and kids in their college dorm rooms to make the Internet that we know and love today.”

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OPINION

Curiously, the issue isn’t the David versus Goliath, Citizens versus Corporations typical of many current debates.

Major players in the industry have something to lose with the death of net neutrality – industry giants such as Google and Microsoft. It is however, clear from data gathered concerning lobbying efforts from both sides that the pressure has been far from equal. The leading opponents of neutrality (largely the ISPs) have devoted significantly more resources to lobbying than the leading supporters of net neutrality (largely the big tech companies). While the tech companies have been expanded their lobbying presence recently, they are still playing catch-up - the big telecom companies have spent years convincing key decision-makers (spending 42 million dollars in 2014, and 93 million in 2013). The politics of the situation seems quite grim as well. The former head of the FCC, the governmental organization that is supposed to be protecting the free and open internet, is now the lead lobbyist for the ISPs, and the current head of the FCC is a former ISP lobbyist. Can anybody say “conflict of interest”?

The current debate isn’t the first time net neutrality has been brought up. Consistently, the FCC has proposed open internet rules, only to be ruled against in court. The new proposal has three main parts: The first is a transparency rule that requires Internet access providers to disclose how they manage traffic and price their services.

The second is a ban on blocking websites or other Internet services, and the third is a “no commercially unreason

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RAY FELICIANA / LLB 3

able practices” rule that the FCC says will stop the sort of non-neutral practices by Internet providers that many people are concerned about. Concern is raised by the third part, concerning commercially unreasonable practices, as it is considered that the exceptions are too broad, and will not stop non-neutral practices like special access deals, pay-for-play, and preferential treatment for privileged Internet users (those who pay up to the ISPs).

Ultimately, the situation is a mess of legality and politics, with ISPs standing to become like cable companies with more control and massive amounts of money to be made, tech companies who will have a whole lot of money to lose, and us, the consumers, caught in the crossfire, with the potential to lose all the freedom that has made the internet a particularly special place.

TED

BART VD GEEST / LLB 2

It is no surprise that by the end of the exam period in July

everyone is in dire need of holidays. It is a time where we can blow off some steam and take a moment to do something completely different from the things that we do on a daily basis. For many, travelling is the best opportunity to clear the mind, to learn new cultures and languages but more importantly, to experience something new. While most people return to their offices after a long and sunny holiday, there are some who take a step further and dedicate their entire lives to exploring the world that’s around them.

Ben Saunders, a polar explorer of limits, likes to test how far a human can be pushed both physically and psychologically or how far he can venture away from the safety and the comfort of his home. In 2004, at the age of 26, he was the youngest person to ski solo to the North Pole, and in 2008 and 2010 he attempted to break the speed record for a solo walk to the North Pole; however, his journey ended abruptly both times due to equipment failure. From October 2013 to February 2014 he retraced, leading a two-man team, Captain Scott’s ill-fated 2,900 km expedition to the South Pole on foot; the latter and his team died

in the process of attempting, in 1912, the longest unsupported polar expedition in history. In one of his talks at TED, Saunders delivers an inspirational message as he addresses the question: “If it is being done somewhere by someone, and we can participate virtually, then why bother leaving the house?”

While Saunders argues that there is no sheer joy in dragging heavy things around cold places, he believes that there is something addictive about tasting the very edge of what is humanly possible. He pulls his inspiration from George Lee Melory, a 20th Century explorer who once postulated that there is something in man that responds to the challenge of Mount Everest. It is this challenge, together with that sense of accomplishment, which keeps on pulling us in.

Though Saunders tells his audience of his solo ski adventure across the North Pole, he cleverly does not describe his journey in its entirety. This is because he believes that watching and wondering cannot replace, as such, the real experience that is to be found on his 10 week journey;

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TED

TALKS

BEN SAUDERS ON WHY BOTHER LEAVING THE HOUSE

TEXT: BART VAN DER GEEST PHOTO: NICOLA MULINARIS, TEDx

telling you what it’s like does not do the journey any justice. You ultimately have to experience the adventure for yourself to understand what Saunders experienced. We simply cannot get the full story from a handful of pictures and words and this is, perhaps, the main reason why anyone should bother leaving the house.

“It seems to me […], that the doing … to try to experience, to engage, to endeavor, rather than to watch and to wonder, that is where the real meat of life is to be found.”

Another interesting point which Saunders makes is that there is this misconception nowadays that everything in the field of exploration has already been done and that there certainly isn’t much call for explorers. Yet, as technology progresses and equipment becomes more sophisticated, humans are capable of going further and faster and they are thus confronted with new challenges. Saunders completed such a challenge, as he retraced the journey of Scott and his men in 1912.

“If I have learned anything in nearly 12 years now of dragging heavy things around cold places, it is that true,

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real inspiration and growth only comes from adversity and from challenge, from stepping away from what is comfortable and familiar and stepping out into the unknown… I certainly would implore you to open the door just a little bit and take a look at what is outside. “ He urges audiences to consider carefully how to spend the “tiny amount of time we each have on this planet.” Aside from being a polar explorer, Ben Saunders is also an advocate for the natural world. During his many exhibitions he has been able to witness the effects of climate change and with his talks he hopes to raise awareness for sustainable solutions.

All humans have a natural curiosity for the world that’s around them, but they have to continue going out there to build the experience for themselves. Whether you intend to test the limits of human capability, to go out on an adventure, or simply to clear your mind, there is a real benefit in opening your front door and taking a look at what’s outside, because as Saunders sincerely puts it, that’s where the real meat of life is to be found.

FINALLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL CONTRIBUTORS AND HELPERS FOR MAKING THE COMPLETION OF THIS EDITION OF THE MAGAZINE POSSIBLE. WE ARE MAKING THIS MAGAZINE FOR YOU - YES, FOR YOU! THEREFORE, WE RELY ON YOUR FEEDBACK, COLLABORATION, INPUT AND COMMENTS IN ORDER TO KEEP PRODUCING MAGAZINES THAT YOU WANT TO READ. SO, PLEASE BE IN TOUCH! NEXUS MAGAZINE COMMITTEE

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