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NEWS & PUBLICATIONSBelgium Today September 2011FOREIGN MINISTER TO ATTEND HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON LIBYA IN NEW YORK Belgium has played an active role in Libya since the beginning of the conflict. Alongside the United States, it was one of the early members of the international coalition which intervened in support of the Libyan population. The decision of the Belgian executive branch to intervene in Libya with some allies and partners was approved unanimously (with one abstention) by the federal parliament. In doing so, Belgium was honoring its ‘responsibility to protect,’ a UN norm aimed at protecting civilians under certain circumstances. In late August, after the impressive gains made by the opposition in Tripoli, Belgium saluted the courage of the Libyans who fought and are still fighting for their freedom. It is they who made this victory possible; it is their determination and persistence which are culminating in the defeat of the Gaddafi regime; but it is also the Libyans who will be responsible for putting a ‘New Libya’ on the road of democracy, the respect for human rights and the rule of law. On several occasions, including at the Paris Conference on September 1, Belgium has expressed its willingness to continue to play an active role and thus contribute to a better future for Libyans. The Benelux countries (Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg) have closely cooperated in the framework of the international coalition in Libya and have operated under a single banner at various ‘contact group’ meetings. In September, Belgian Foreign Minister Steve Vanackere, representing the Benelux, is expected to attend a new high-level meeting on Libya in New York, in the margin of the United Nations General Assembly. Belgium believes that the international community, and especially the United Nations, should play a central role in ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition in Libya. For its part, Belgium is committed to supporting Libya, bilaterally and within the UN, as well as the European Union and NATO, in every way necessary, starting from the concrete needs of the Libyan people and their aspirations. In this context, Belgium has already announced its intention to re-open its embassy in Tripoli as soon as possible, to take the necessary steps to unfreeze 100 million euros of Libyan assets and to free up, in addition to the assistance it has already granted since the outburst of the crisis, more than 6 million euros for Libya’s reconstruction and the promotion of the rule of law in Libya. BELGIUM INCREASES ITS AID TO SOMALIA The worst humanitarian crisis in the world is currently ravaging the Horn of Africa. No less than 13 million people are being affected by famine and drought. Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing. Humanitarian organizations are reporting a considerable shortage of funding. Security problems are also hindering the delivery of emergency aid. Belgian Development Cooperation is quickly freeing up funds for the victims. Given the persistent monetary shortage in emergency aid, Belgium has decided to add 4 million euros to the 5.05 million previously granted. This money will go to humanitarian NGOs or multilateral organizations active in the region. EMBASSY HELPS PBS HISTORY DETECTIVES It all started with a California man who found an ornate medal in an embossed red box while cleaning out the garage after his father’s death. Along with the medal he found a photograph of his father, Joseph Goularte, at an award ceremony in February, 1951 with a caption explaining the Belgian government bestowed upon him the "Order of Leopold." His father seldom talked about his military service. The Belgian government awards this honor for extreme bravery or meritorious service. George Patton and Dwight Eisenhower have a Leopold Cross. What did this soldier do to earn this decoration?
If you want to find out the story behind this medal, this episode of History Detectives airs on most PBS stations on Tuesday, September 20. TEAM BELGIUM COMPETES IN SOLAR DECATHLON
Team Belgium’s entry, E-Cube (pictured here), is defined by four principles: modularity, affordability, flexibility and efficiency. The ultra-efficient house is conceived as an affordable building kit that can be assembled in days rather than months. The Solar Decathlon is open to the public and free of charge.
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History Detectives host Gwendolyn Wright resolves to find the answer and interviews Joris Totté, First
Secretary Press and Public Affairs at the Embassy of Belgium. With the help of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in Brussels, he provides key information that solves the mystery surrounding this medal.
A team
from the University of Ghent is one of twenty collegiate groups selected to participate in the U.S.
Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011, scheduled to take place on the National Mall (West Potomac Park)
from September 23 to October 2. Each team in the competition will try to design, build and operate a
solar-powered house that is the most cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive.|
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