Expatica news

Dutch news in brief, 18 November 2005

Unicef appeal a big success

A television appeal broadcast in the Netherlands on Thursday night will help send 131,000 girls in the developing world to school, Unicef said on Friday. Some 6,500 people singed up as donors for the education drive for girls run by the Dutch section of the United Nations Children’s Fund. The aim of the TROS TV Show Special was to help provide an education for 90,000 girls during the 90-minute programme. Comedian and cabaret star Jorgen Raymann and his daughter Melody, 12, visited a Unicef education project in Zambia for the programme. Melody, a student of the International School Almere, said the experience taught her how lucky most children in the Netherlands are. Unicef estimates 62 million girls worldwide are being deprived of the chance to go to school. The UN has set 2015 as a target date of the provision of education for all children in the world.

Child benefit low in the Netherlands

Parents in the Netherlands receive far lower government support for their children than parents in other rich countries, Gijs Vonk, the head of the social insurance agency (SVB) said on Thursday. The Netherlands invaribally rates poorly in international comparisons relating to child supports.

AEL abandons party plan

The Arab European League (AEL) has abandoned plans to establish a Muslim party in the Netherlands. The AEL will issue voting advice to its followers about the parties than share its ideas for the local election in 2006 and general election in 2007, AEL leader Abou Jahjah told newspaper ‘NRC’ on Friday.

PM to shun Bouterse

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said he would to everything in his power during a visit to Suriname next week to avoid meeting former dictator Desi Bouterse. Asked about the possibility of a meeting, Balkenende said: “Mr B.? I have no desire to meet him.”

Dutch treat in racism storm

A popular chocolate-covered marshmallow biscuit has been embroiled in controversy due to its name – negerzoenen (negro’s kisses). Slavery action foundation ‘Eer en Herstel’ has lodged a discrimination complaint against manufacturer Van Der Breggen in Tilburg. The foundation chairman Roy Groenberg rejects the company’s claim the name is not racist. The name “is as innocent as the train journeys of the Jews to the death camps,” he claimed in an interview with the media.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2005]

Subject: Dutch news