Dance. Strike. Rise

Photo credit: Nicole Rand

By Taryn Putinta

“One in three women will either be raped or beaten in her lifetime.” That’s a big statistic; when most people read that one billion women will be raped or beaten, it makes them think, “I can’t do anything about that, I’m just one person.” Wrong.  On February 14^th, 2013 you can dance in two flash mobs in Leiden to raise awareness to help put an end to all of it!

Nicole Rand, a senior Psychology major at Webster University has brought this event to Webster and teamed up with the Bijlmer Project, to raise money and awareness to help end violence against women. Nicole explains her motivation behind getting everyone together for this cause. “The strike involves rising up and dancing, to shake the world into awareness to the fact that one in three women will either be raped or beaten in her lifetime, that’s 1 billion women. Hearing this statistic not only outraged me, but also made me realize that I can no longer sit back and do nothing. I must do something to try and stop the violence that so many women experience on a daily basis. Women are the greatest resource on this planet, and we/they need protection, and we need and deserve to feel safe in the world. With this event, I am trying to create awareness, awareness of this terrible fact, but also a demand to stop the violence. I think it is extremely important that all men and women take part in this event, simply due to the fact that this statistic affects everyone on the planet, not just women. It’s especially important that men stand up and fight to end this violence, since mostly men are the ones perpetrating the violence towards women. If men get together and rise to say ‘no more,’ then change will occur, and women must rise to protect their friends, sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, cousins. Just one is too big of a number, one billion is an atrocity, and things must change.”

Every day for the last two weeks women from the staff and students of Webster have been meeting to practice their moves for the flash mob, “It’s time to break the chain,” so where are our Webster men? It’s time to step up gentlemen! Practice is every day in the Living and Learning Center.onook at the Facebook event page, One Billion Rising Leiden, to keep yourself updated and informed.

The steps are simple, the song is great, and the cause is worthy. What’s your reason to rise? One billion rising is a worldwide event that has flash mobs popping up on every continent! You can find your local rising at http://www.onebillionrising.org/.

The Netherlands bound to invade Iran?

By Arnout van der Zwaal

Iran is not willing to expose its nuclear plans to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). Therefore, the United States and the European Union have banned the trade of Iranian oil and blocked money transfers to the central bank of Iran. As part of the European Union, The Netherlands take part in this decision.

The IAEA controls countries’ nuclear activities worldwide. With the IAEA not being able to do the research which is needed to determine whether a county has pacifistic intentions or not, the U.S. and the EU have imposed sanctions on Iran.

On 31 December 2011, U.S. President Obama composed a law that was intended to increase the pressure on Iran to fulfill their international duties. International banks (such as private and state-controlled banks) will be excluded from the dollar system if they maintain their business relations with the Iranian central bank.

This has resulted immediately with the Iranian rial depreciating 30% against the U.S. dollar, and has ultimately led to a massive inflation with no possibilities to pay Iran’s imported commodities.

Also, the EU imposed a complete embargo on Iranian petrol. Deliveries of equipment for the Iranian oil industry and investments in Iranian oil companies have also been banned.

At the moment, the relationship that The Netherlands has with Iran is only a consular relationship due to the vast Dutch community in Iran. On the question if the current tensions between the U.S. and Iran could inflict serious damage to the relationship between China, Russia and Western countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only said that Iran has to participate in the international community and has to agree to the terms of the IAEA demands.

The curiosity that results from these unanswered questions increases, and leads to new questions such as: Where do the interests of the U.S. and the EU lie in order for them to impose such sanctions?

It is curious that when this reporter interviewed him, the spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not want to go deeper and answer the question about Israeli sources that claim Iran already has two nuclear missiles. He also refused to comment on the possible consequences of a war between Israel or the U.S. with Iran, and the consequent endangerment  of populations all over the world.

The “diplomatic track” that The Netherlands follows in the conflict with Iran seems to be the way it handles its foreign affairs. Therefore, it is unlikely that the Dutch Secret Service (AIVD) will bring its information about possible Iranian nuclear plans into the open before The Netherlands shows a readiness to  provide its military support to yet another war in the Middle East.

The despair of refugee camps

Photo credit: Safia Elwakil

By Safia Elwakil

Since last year the heart-rending deportation of the Iraqis and Mauro’s story “The Angolan boy” has made refugees the center of debate in The Netherlands. Their inhumane treatment emerged in mainstream media and people are starting to question the integrity of the IND (Integration and Naturalization) ministry, responsible for Dutch refugee policies.

Even though public attention dwindled about the subject there are still tragic stories that need to be told. Mai Elhaboubi, an Iraqi woman who came with her family to The Netherlands in 2008, left Iraq in the hope of a better life for her children. She wanted to provide with them the security and safety that they need in order to thrive. Since her arrival in The Netherlands, she and her family have not left the premises of the Katwijk refugee camp. Her family consists of Ali (7), Faja (10), Abd Elazziz (18), Hadil (20), and her husband Hesham. He is chronically sick and is not able to work, and Abd Elazziz suffers from obesity and receives treatment at the Obesitas center, where a dietician guides him.

Hadil has been accepted to pursue a medical degree at De Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, but unfortunately was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and is receiving chemical treatment to curb the tumor. Due to restrictions refugees have to get a stamp at specific times every time they leave the camp. It already was hard for Hadil to go and attend classes, and her mother has been battling to get permission for her daughter, but due to Hadil’s illness, the girl is always too tired, and stopped going. She now studies at home.

Because of the husband’s condition, Mai is the one responsible for the family and with the little Dutch that she has learned, she tries to arrange everything: she meets with lawyers, applies for a residence permit and tries her best not to get deported. “We are still in the process of trying to get a permit on medical grounds, but it is sure taking too long.”

Photo credit: Safia Elwakil

Overall, life at a refugee camp is heartless: families live there with their children and are secluded, deprived of any social interaction with the surrounding community. The camp has certain regulations to restrain them: they have to obtain a stamp 6 times a week and they receive a minimum of €4,20 financial aid daily. This makes it difficult for them to travel to neighboring cities, consequently it gets harder to meet locals and create social networks. Furthermore, children receive their lessons in the camp in order to prevent another Mauro story from happening. (Mauro is an Angolan boy who was going to be deported, but his Dutch peers and school pressured the Minister of Immigration and Refugees, Gerd Leers. The boy eventually received a study visa and was allowed to stay in The Netherlands until he finishes his studies.) For Mai and her family, there is no possible way out, unless they succeed in obtaining a residence permit, which is an energy- and time-consuming process that often lasts years.

In 2011 Mr. Andrew Fundingsland, a former Webster University lecturer, started a film project with the students for a film course, collecting footage inside the refugee camps and interviewing as many refugees as possible just to get the truth out about the insensitive Dutch authorities who treated the refugees as second-class people. At the time the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant wrote an article about the Iraqi families who were awakened in the middle of the night, secretly put on planes, and sent back to Iraq, and then left there at the airport with just €100 per person. When the matter received the media’s attention, Mr. Andrew provided them with the necessary information and footage.

Refugee camps are completely the opposite of the human rights culture acknowledged by the West. After escaping the horrors of a war zone, the least the West can do is to treat them as human beings, and create opportunities that give them a chance to continue their future plans.

Never get viruses again with Macin-***FATAL SYSTEM ERROR – REBOOTING***

Photo credit: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ew7AN1IaGTI/Twstttl5yPI/AAAAAAAADiM/yfBVYp-Ht4k/s1600/computer-virus-picturejpg1.jpg

By Nick Kallechy

Pandemonium struck Apple headquarters mid-April as a recent U.S. Cyber-Security census found over 600,000 registered Macintosh’s to be infected with a severe Trojan FlashBack Virus. Sources have blamed poor understanding of technology matters among the public for the widespread infection, particularly the myth that “Mac’s can’t get computer viruses.”

“What do you mean? Mac’s don’t get viruses,” was the general consensus of an everyday sample taken around Leiden late last week. “I bought my Mac because they said it was easy to use and it wouldn’t get infected,” said 33-year-old Christine de Gruezen, who had a hard time believing that the report was real at all.

The fact that Mac’s DO indeed get viruses is one that its parent company, Apple, has kept quiet about for some time. While anybody working in or familiar with the IT industry can tell you that there is no such thing as a computer impervious to sabotage, the vast majority of the public does not understand this concept.

Thus the majority of Macintosh users have not installed Anti-Virus software, a utility which, even in its free version, would have stopped the Trojan dead in its tracks. This small program made the difference in infection rates between PCs and Macs as the particular brand of FlashBack Trojan is almost non-existent on Linux and Window’s networks.

“We all knew this day would come,” says Webster Leiden’s System Administrator, Jeroen Hensing. “Mac’s used to rarely get viruses because few people were taking the time to write them, their share of the market was so low.”

As Macintosh quickly becomes an everyday household name, we will begin to see their infection by new viruses. The challenge for Macintosh now becomes to design a security system as robust and competitive as the Windows and Linux systems it once ridiculed.

A barbecue to vote for!

By Edwin van der Velden

Zarina, running for the presidency of the SGA (Student Government Association), organized a successful barbecue to give students an opportunity to interact with her. While the cold outside made it a most difficult venture they still succeeded in making it a great festivity. It all took place within the main room at the Living and Learning Center. Multiple tables were laid out, some covered with all kinds of foods. From bratwurst, to hamburgers, to barbecued vegetables and meats on a stick.

Nabila, a student at Webster University and Zarina’s friend, helped to prepare the hamburgers. “I have done this many times before,” Nabila commented. Her handmade hamburgers have been a popular selection at this party, and were quickly depleted. For those with special dietary needs, there was halal meat and vegetarian food. In a calm atmosphere the students enjoyed this get-together. A projector connected to an Apple computer was used as a sound box to play music. Other students gathered around to listen  to the music and converse.

Some even started playing a pictogram game to celebrate the occasion. Pictograms is a game where a person is given a secret word to describe using only pictures, and the audience has to gue

Photo credit: Edwin van der Velden

ss what word the picture represents.  “Fantastic, superbly organized,” Savannah Wilson, another Webster student, commented. The students who arrived at 4 p.m. hungry and sober, left filled and satisfied, heading off to continue their festivities elsewhere.

 

Election spotlight: SGA presidential candidate Tunku Zarina–A brief history and Q&A before election day

Photo credit: Amanda Cochran

By Amanda Cochran

Hailing from Malaysia, 23 year-old Zarina has attended Webster University for one year and is majoring in International Relations.

During her time wandering the halls of Webster she has been involved with student council and, if elected, she has a clear set of goals and an opened mind for the future.

“I’m running because I want to not only bring the clubs together, but also get Webster’s students involved and active in more social programs between ourselves and the Leiden community,” added Zarina.

When running for SGA President a candidate must have a 3.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation, and of course passion and commitment. The Q&A below allows Zarina to show how passionate she truly is.

Q: With what changes do you plan to make Webster better?

A: As I’ve mentioned, I came into this election with a clear set of goals: I want to make the clubs more cohesive, I want to make the students more active, and I want to be the link between the students, clubs, and management. For me, I want to help the students in any way possible, be it providing cheaper and better food in the vending machines, to capping the textbooks. I’m open to suggestions and feedback, and one of my main ideas is having suggestion-themed meetings to discuss any wanted changes, complaints or comments from the student population.

Q: How do you plan to gain more student interest in the Student Government/ SG Activities?

A: Better marketing, earlier announcements, etc. But at the end of the day, I can’t force the students to take part. I will, however, diversify SGA’s activities and host competitions, and field trips around The Netherlands.

Q: What do you hope to gain from this experience?

A: Honestly, I don’t have an answer for that question. I don’t have any expectations. But I’m open to all possibilities. I just want to enjoy the process of lobbying and try to get my message across to Webster’s student body.

Best of luck to all candidates and remember to vote.

Africa’s answer to a European problem

Photo credit: Savanna Wilson

By Savanna Wilson

Out of darkest Africa Michelle Weaver emerges a possible candidate for Webster’s Student Council President. Change is in the air. Taryn Putinta has stepped down from her position, leaving very big shoes to fill. Michelle Weaver has stepped up to take on the challenge. What were the odds that the only other Zimbabwean at Webster ends up reporting on this.

When one conjures up an image of student council president you can’t help but imagine a thoroughly organized, diligent, principled student with a perfect GPA. Michelle embodies this definition. However, that is just the tip of iceberg; there is immensely more to this woman if you care to look deeper.

Insider’s scoop

Don’t be fooled by the blonde hair and blue eyes; she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. Having lived in Zimbabwe and attended an all-boys school means she can hold her own. Even though she is fearless in some areas, she is petrified in others. S,he admitted she has an immense fear of the dark, dogs and water. Although those reservations don’t hold her back, she has dealt with her fear every day as she is an avid swimmer and water polo player. When she was little, she aspired to be “everything” as she said, but thankfully she has narrowed it down and now she just hopes to be your Student Council President.

Peer Review

Having grown up in wildest Africa she has become extremely resourceful. As Meylin Hulleman, her roommate, puts it, “She is very good at making a solution for every problem she’s faced with.” She has a compassionate, driven heart. While in Africa she participated in numerous community outreaches. Students have noticed her gentle nature. Marissa Musselman described her as very “caring.” Tanvir Hamid and Sebastian Fliege both feel she’s very mature. Sebastian expressed how “she is responsible, disciplined, and very goal-oriented for her age.” Fred Krogt and Meylin Hulleman both agree she is a “dedicated student that will get the job done.”

 Ideas bigger than Elephants

She hopes to make improvements. First and foremost her goal is to “create unity.” She stated that “fostering a harmonious environment among clubs” will be the first item on the agenda. There has been friction between them over the past year and if she comes into office she would like to remove this tension. She wants the students to feel heard. If they have any issues, she wants students to feel like they can come to her. She also wants to plan more community outreach events that all students can participate in. This is because she feels “it will help integrate Webster into the Leiden community while advertizing it at the same time.” She urges Webster students to turn from “spectators into participants” and work together to bring about change.

Football madness

 

Photo credit: Tom Hakes

By Tom Hakes

You could feel the tension in the air during the arrival of the participating teams of last week’s Webster University’s football tournament. Teams from the Webster campuses in London, Geneva and Vienna traveled all the way to the Leiden Campus in The Netherlands for one simple reason: To play football. The idea behind this tournament was that the different teams would come together, play a few games and get a chance to connect with the opposing team to create a better connection among campuses. However, what was thought of as friendly matches between schools turned out to be a handful of hard fought battles between what seemed like hateful rivals.

While the first match up seemed to be over in a matter of seconds, the second game fought out by Webster Leiden and Webster Vienna, seemed to last much longer. Most viewers got this feeling not because the game was so menacing or so uneventful. No, this was all related to the fact that most of the time was spent arguing and insulting the referee. The game had started and in a matter of seconds the fans and followers heard shouting by the players on Vienna’s team. They swore that one of Leiden’s strikers had touched the ball with his hand and could not understand how the referee had not seen this. They should have just continued playing, since once the referee has decided on something he will not be convinced by what seems like 5 maniacs screaming insults and protests in his face. After a few more hindrances like this, the game ended up in a tie in not only the score but also in the feeling of anger and resentment between both teams.

This, of course, was not the only match where things got out of hand, and near the end of the tournament a lot of players were at the end of their patience. When I tried to get some opinions of players from the Vienna campus, I was either shut down or I received comments like “This would be a lot more fun if I was on the team from Leiden” and “Leiden has an obvious advantage because the referees favor their team.” When the tournament came to an end and the team that had traveled all the way from London became victorious, most of the players calmed down and everybody was able to come together in peace for dinner and the giving out of the trophies.

“Crowded”–From the spark to the opening

By InnaStorchak

On the 28^th of March, the Leiden Webster University Art Gallery premiered the semester’s first exhibition, under the supervision of the Gallery’s new curator, Malia Bloeden. Artist Nathania Rubin presented her exhibition “Crowded.”

Nathania Rubin is an independent fine art researcher, concept animator and visual artist who lived all week at the Webster campus, covering the gallery’s walls with her artwork.  “Crowded” is a static exhibition with the artwork created directly on the walls, using various media, such as paint, graphite, ink and marker.

Rubin’s show “…uses drawing and animation to explore transformation and fragmentation of identity.”  This exploration of oneself is clearly felt by viewers as the artistic clatter of Rubin’s work overwhelms the atmosphere.

Photo credit: Inna Storchak

Of course, the event could not have happened without its organizers. Malia Bloeden is one of the main reasons for the Gallery’s success.  Bloeden, Liz Miller’s successor, has previously studied Media and Communications at Webster, and is the new caretaker and organizer of the art gallery.

She watched over the whole process of the exhibition’ s set up – from the planning to inviting the artist, setting up and organizing the exhibit. She is one of the backbones of the gallery, and on the day of the opening, welcomed its guests, students and faculty to the building.

The Gallery was extremely successful and enjoyable, with a large number of guests and viewers arriving at the opening.  Bloeden was excited to continue working in her new position, and looked forward to meeting, and getting to know various visiting artists who will be coming in the future.

“Organizing and running an art exhibition is not as easy as it appears to be, and a lot of work has to be put into it ‘behind the scenes,’ which is what many people don’t realize,” stated one of the exhibition’s guests.  “Crowded,” which may at first appear to be a simple event,’s has demonstrated exactly that to the Webster community.  Because the artist lived and worked all day at the Webster Art annex, the news of the event spread among the faculty and students, and Malia soon found she had a success on her hands.

Inciting violence with Joke Kaviaar

By Janissa Jacobs

Sitting in Webster’s Room 4, waiting for Joke Kaviaar to begin her poetry reading, one would never expect to leave debating whether or not the destruction of property can be considered an act of terrorism. Nonetheless, Joke Kaviaar was able to incite such conversations from myself, and the members of my class. (Theories of Human Rights–Youth Perspectives, joining the Protest Literature class as guests). This was Joke’s first visit to a classroom, but this did not make her shy away from her powerful messages. Joke began her poetry reading by addressing the issue of asylum, as it relates to policies within the EU and the Netherlands. She explained the reasons behind her poems, and what events motivated her to write them. Her poem, Why still ask why, was inspired by migrants kept in a detention center screaming ‘why’ out of the windows to the activists below.

Ms. Kaviaar’s passion is evident from beginning to end. With her fiercely strong rhythm and her thought-provoking stanzas, Joke addressed issues about freedom of speech in The Netherlands and poignantly asked the audience: “Where did freedom of speech go?” Joke considers herself a writer of things that people just do not want to hear, driving her to write more about such things. Her poem Slave of Us, where she addresses the issue of migrants who are exploited in their country of origin and then again in the countries of destination left two lines swimming in the minds of the audience:

We are even prepared to pay

just to make them go away

Joke Kaviaar’s freedom of expressing herself, has been called “Inciting to violence with terrorist intent” by Dutch authorities. While she exclaims that it is “time for a new generation” to share their opinions and express their right to speak, Joke makes clear that she is not a human rights activist. “I am not a human rights activist myself. First, I am an anarchist and then I fight for the freedom of speech to express my own opinion.”

Joke Kaviaar’s human rights messages are clear: First, stopping migrants from seeking asylum is a violation of human rights; second, freedom of speech in The Netherlands is not as free as people might think; third, the burning of property (with no casualties) is not an act of terrorism. Agree, or disagree with Joke Kaviaar’s message–but no one can deny that she has a right to express it.

(Joke Kaviaar is a Dutch poet who has read and published her poetry in The Netherlands and in the United States.  Her appearance was at Webster University in Leiden on April 3 for the classes of Ms. Anne de Graaf’s Theories of Human Rights: Youth Perspectives and Dr. Ivan Augsburger’s Protest Literature.)