MPG-06: INTERNATIONAL TOUR REPORT

DAY SIX

GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENCE

Date: 28th June '2011                                                    Time: 10:00hrs to 13:00hrs

ORGANIZATION FOR PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WARFARE

Date: 28th June '2011                                           Time: 14:00hrs to 16:00hrs

DAY SEVEN

AGUE UNIVERSITY – SESION I

Date: 30th June '2011                                                    Time: 9:00hrs to 11:30hrs

The delegations of MIT School of Government first visited the Hague University. A lecture was delivered by Mr. Joris Voorhove, director and lecturer of SEN foundation for research and international cooperation on Europe and democracy. He is also former defence minister of Holland. The key points he stressed on were as follows:

1. All the people in Europe feel that the roots of democracy are in Europe but the fact is that the facts of human rights and democracy are in ancient India.
2. He also made some statements on democracy and discussed the positives and negatives on democracy.

Later, a workshop was conducted on Europe and democracy, all the students actively participated and were awarded certificates by Dr. T. I. M. van Tongren, Dean for Academy of public management, safety and security in the Hague University.

The staff and students of Hague University showed their interests in mutual exchange programme in MITSOG and were keen to visit MITSOG. The hosts were cordial and amicable, their hospitality was amazing!

DUTCH PARLIAMENT

Date: 30th June '2011                                              Time: 12:00hrs to 15:00hrs

After visiting the Hague university, the MITSOG visited the Dutch Parliament. A documentary related to the working of house of representatives of Holland was shown. The students were then taken to the Planary Session Hall. The healthcare policy of Holland was being discussed in that hall. The health minister of Holland, Miss. Scheppers was answering to the questions posed to her by the MP’s. The speaker for the house was Miss. Arip. The visit to the planary session was followed by the visit to the library of the Dutch Parliament. The library had the proceedings related to the all the discussions of the planary session that has taken place since 1850. Then there was an interactive session with Ms. Tanya Jadnansingh (MP from labour party).

She had an energetic personality, sticking to her own set of beliefs, she is an ardent follower of Gita which influences her political decisions to a great extent. The section was very enlightening and the students enthusiastically participated in the interaction. The hospitality we received at the Dutch Parliament was great and the visit was very fruitful!

HAGUE UNIVERSITY – SESION II

Date: 30th June '2011                                             Time: 15:30hrs to 17:00hrs

DAY EIGHT

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

Date: 1st July '2011                                                     Time: 9:00hrs to 12:00hrs

Today the MITSOG delegation had the most awaited visits to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), one of the most important politico-military alliances in the world, located in Brussels, where they had the privilege of 3 interactive sessions.

The 1st session was conducted by, Mr. Zsoit Rabai, Information Officer Public Diplomacy, NATO HQ on the topic `Introduction to NATO in the Light of New Strategic Concept’.

Some of the key points he covered :-

1. NATO was a totally different alliance during the cold war and most of the people remember it as a military block.
2. It is political military alliance based on common values and security interest  , with a motto ‘PEACE AND SECURITY. THAT’S OUR MISSION’.
3. Its core task  is to protect the population of member states wherein it carries out joint assessment, consultation and launching operations.
4. NATO doesn’t expect any traditional military attack or war but at the same time it is concerned about the emerging threats like cyber attacks, global warming and terrorism.
5. This was followed by a very interesting and informative Q & A session and a need for greater interaction of countries like India with NATO was felt

The 2nd session was conducted by Mr. Gilles Vander Ghinst, Head, Contact Countries/Global Partners Section & Co-operation Directorate Political Affairs & Security Policy on the topic `Relation with Partner Countries and Partner across the Globe’.

The speaker started the session by giving a historical perspective and some of the key points he covered are :-

1. NATO was concentrating on a different mandate during the Second World War unlike today. It was concentrating only on protecting the territories of member states.
2. It is for member states and is like an Insurance Policy.
3. India is one of the most important contry contributing for UN troops.
4. NATO has pre-training centres for NATO forces unlike United Nations.
5. NATO operations do not always mean military operations.
6. NATO visited Delhi last year to attend a conference organized by Ministry of External Affairs.
7. Followed by this beneficial session, students actively participated in the Question – Answer round.

The 3rd session was conducted by Mr. Erik Sandahl, Operation Section A, Operation Division and there was a powerpoint presentation on  ‘NATO’s operations’.

NATO’s history is divided in 3 parts

1. 1949 -89
2. From early 1990s
3. After 26/11

Risks & Challenges before NATO

1. Instability
2. Failed Failing status
3. Misuse of emerging technologies
4. Climate change
5. Availability of conventional weaponry
6. Regional crises and conflicts
7. Disruption of the flow of vital resourses
8. Cyber attacks

NATO’s Strategic Priorities

1. Collective Defence
2. Crises management
3. Co-operative security

A wonderful session was being followed and was a great learning experience for lifetime.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Date: 1st July '2011                                                    Time: 14:30hrs to 16:30hrs

The delegates then visited the European Parliament in Brussels and was addressed for nearly 2 hours by Mr. Ryan Meilak. The following points were disussed in the session:

1. Currently 27 countries are members of EU.
2. Concept of European union is innovation,
3. EU has contributed to put an end to border disputes.
4. European Commission, European Parliament, Council of Ministers, European Central Bank, European court of Justice are the institutions of the European Union.
5. EU always propose ideas and now the European Parliament consist of 736 MPs.
6. There is a systematic structural arrangement in European Union.
7. In the 6th general elections(2009) of European Parliament 43% of voting is done.
8. Out of 736 MPs 256 Mps are women which consist of 34.8% in European Parliament.

After the presentation, the MITSOG delegations was conducted around the European Union Parliament. They were briefed in the central Hall where important Planary session of the EU parliament are held. It was indeed a good learning experience.

DAY NINE

UNESCO, PARIS

Date: 2nd July '2011                                                  Time: 16:00hrs to 18:00hrs

The delegates of MIT School of Government were welcomed by Mr.Sachin Bhatt of the secretariat of the UNESCO. He made the participants aware pf the UNESCO’s activities, functions and structure. He emphasised that UNESCO works with various governments to bring sustainable development and to preserve the cultural heritage of the world.

The participants also informed Mr. Bhatt about their survey on education at wardha Gandhi ashram and gave him a feedback regarding the ‘NAEE TALIM’ principle of education of Gandhiji working wonders in the village. This was greatly appreciated by Mr.bhatt. After that participants were then shown around the Japanese garden.

DAY TEN

PARIS TOUR

Date: 3rd July '2011                                            Time: 10:00hrs to 20:00hrs

DAY ELEVEN

TRAVEL TO GENEVA FROM PARIS

Date: 4th July '2011                                         Time: 10:00hrs to 15:30hrs