|
||||||||||
DemocracyNews
|
||||||||||
|
Subscribe to DemocracyNews
Search DemocracyNews: |
POSTING NEWS
We welcome items to include in DemocracyNews. Please send an e-mail message to the with the item you would like to post in the body of the message.
August 2003
CONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. World Movement for Democracy Highlights Projects on Civic Education
2. NGO in Colombia Announces New Web Site
3. New Publication: LIBERAL VIEWS ON CONSTITUTION IN PHILIPPINES
4. Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency
Releases State of Democracy Report
5. CIVICUS Announces Fifth World Assembly
6. Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Seeks Nominations for 2004 Humanitarian Prize
7. Kathmandu Workshop on State of Democracy in South Asia
8. Call for Applications: Reagan-Fascell Fellowships
CIVIC EDUCATION
9. Council for Community of Democracies Holds Conference on Civic Education
10. Bulgarian School of Politics Trains New Generation of Leaders
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGHTHENING
11. International Civil Society Assessment and Strengthening Project - Call for Expressions of Interest
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
12. CIPE Feature Article: Land Rights for Poor People Key to Poverty Reduction and Growth
13. New Publication: THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN THE EU ACCESSION COUNTRIES
HUMAN RIGHTS
14. Imprisoned World Movement Participant nominated for Journalism Prize
15. Conference: "History of Human Rights," London, May 2004
16. Minority Rights Information Database Newsletter
17. HURISEARCH-A New Tool for Finding Human Rights Information Online
18. Mongolian Member of Parliament Prevented from Attending Asian Democracy Conference
19. Charges Dropped against Human Rights Activist in Syria
20. National Front for Democracy in Bhutan Calls for International Support to Resolve Refugee Crisis
LABOR UNIONS AND WORKER RIGHTS
21. Free Trade Zone Workers Union in Sri Lanka Calls for Action
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPERESSION
22. Two World Movement for Democracy Participants Receive Human Rights Watch Grants
23. Training Program for Journalists in Central and Eastern Europe
24. June Issue of South Caucuses Monthly Analytical Magazine Available Online
25. Wired.org Online Conference for Nonprofits and NGOs
26. Kabissa Launches Next Phase of "Time to Get Online" Project in Ghana
27. Building Digital Opportunities: ICT Case Studies
28. Training: Women's Electronic Network Training (WENT) 2003
29. World Information Technology Forum, Vilnius, Lithuania, August 27-29, 2003
30. Solomon Islands Media Workshop Held
POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
31. African Youth to Participate in Democracy Conference
RESEARCH
32. Conference: Critical Issues in Pluralism
WOMEN'S ISSUES
33. Conference: "Clash or Consensus? Gender and Human Security in a Globalized World"
34. Online Course: "Making Governance Gender Responsive"
35. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUEANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. World Movement for Democracy Highlights Projects on Civic Education
The World Movement announces the posting of "WHAT'S BEING DONE ON ...Civic Education for Democracy?" on its Web site (www.wmd.org). This issue highlights projects and organizations around the world whose work reflects the ways in which civic education helps to advance democracy. Special features of this issue include interviews with two World Movement participants: David McQuoid-Mason, member of the law faculty and head of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies' Street Law and Democracy Education Program at the University of Natal in South Africa, and Cynthia Gabriel, Executive Director of the Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram). Previous themes for this section of the World Movement Web site have included "Peace Building and Democracy," "Strengthening Local Governance," "Increasing Women's Participation in Politics," "Breakthrough Elections," "Cross-Border Assistance," and "Internet and Other Media." They are available in the "What's Being Done On...?" archives.
Go to: www.wmd.org/wbdo/jul-aug03.html
2. NGO in Colombia Announces New Web Site
PLURAL, Corporación Centro de Estudios Constitucionales, an NGO located in Bogatá, Colombia, that promotes democratic participation, public awareness of democracy, human rights, and that advocates for the public interest, has recently launched its Web site. The Web site includes various publications and information on the current state of democracy in Colombia. A special section focuses on the proposed reforms of the 1991 Constitution. PLURAL is interested in establishing contact with other nongovernmental organizations and research and academic centers that are developing or are interested in promoting similar goals, especially in Latin America.
For more information, go to: www.plural.org.co
Contact: plural@cable.net.co
3. New Publication: LIBERAL VIEWS ON CONSTITUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES
The National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS), a think-tank based in the Philippines, recently published a book entitled, LIBERAL VIEWS ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. The book, edited by the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments of the House of Representatives discusses whether it is time to introduce amendments to the Constitution.
To request complementary copies of the book, write to: liberal@fnf.org.ph
To learn more about NIPS, go to: www.nips.org.p/h
4. Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency Releases the State of Democracy Report
Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) issued the State of Democracy Report-Second Quarter of Democracy. This report covers the period of February 24-May 15, 2003, and presents an objective and factual analysis of the state of democracy in Pakistan and the process of democratization during the second quarter of the Parliament.
To read the report, go to: www.pildat.org/publications_files/pdf/state_of_democracy_2.pdf
For more information, contact: info@pildat.org
5. CIVICUS Announces Fifth World Assembly
The World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS) announces that it will convene its fifth biennial World Assembly in Gaborone, Botswana, on March 21-25, 2004. The World Assembly is a primary venue for civil society and other stakeholders to exchange information about their achievements and challenges. CIVICUS will use the unique African concept of the "kgotla" to communicate the World Assembly theme of "Acting Together for a Just World." Hundreds of citizen groups and CIVICUS members will explore options to enhance citizen engagement in decision-making at all levels of governance, as well as examine issues of social and economic justice in a globalized world. Through learning exchanges and plenary sessions, they will also look at ways to strengthen the governance and legitimacy of civil society organizations and defend the rights of civic association. Interested civil society organizations and CIVICUS members are invited to submit proposals for workshops and presentations.
For more information on the meeting and for proposal guidelines, go to: www.civicus.org/new/default.asp or email: carol@civicus.org
6. Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Seeks Nominations for 2004 Humanitarian Prize
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation invites nominations for the 2004 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. The Foundation is seeking an organization that has made extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering anywhere around the world. The US $1 million prize, the world's largest humanitarian award, is presented annually to an established nonprofit, charitable or non-governmental organization. The prize is not a grant based on future goals, but an award for recent and historic accomplishments. An independent international panel of jurors makes the final selection. The 2004 prize nomination period opens on August 1, 2003 and nominations must be received or postmarked by November 1, 2003. The prize will be announced in the fall of 2004. The 2003 award will be presented this September.
Go to: www.hiltonfoundation.org
7. Kathmandu Workshop on State of Democracy in South Asia
The inaugural workshop of the "State of Democracy in South Asia" project, organized by the New Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on June, 13-15. In collaboration with a network of institutions and scholars from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the CSDS plans to launch a multi-year research program examining the state of democracy in South Asia. The project will utilize the State of Democracy Assessment framework, which has been designed and piloted by International IDEA in eight countries and is now being employed independently in a number of states, such as Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The project will produce a public report designed to promote debate on democratic reforms in the region.
To read more, go to: www.idea.int/news/11.htm
8. Call for Applications: Reagan-Fascell Fellowships
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program at the Washington, DC-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is accepting fellowship applications for 2004-05. The Fellows Program was established in 2001 to enable democracy activists, practitioners, scholars, and journalists from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and enhance their ability to promote democratic change. While the program is intended primarily to support activists, practitioners, and scholars from new and aspiring democracies, distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Please note that a working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program. Application deadline for fellowships in 2004-05 is September 15, 2003.
For further details and to download a copy of our application booklet, go to: www.ned.org/forum/R-FApplication.pdf or contact: fellowships@ned.org
CIVIC EDUCATION
9. Council for Community of Democracies Holds Conference on Civic Education
The Council for a Community of Democracies (CCD), a nongovernmental organization that was formed to support a global movement of governments committed to pursuing a common set of democratic principles, has undertaken to develop a global strategic plan to advance democracy education. A conference on the plan was held on June 8-10, 2003, that brought together 35 educators, and representatives of civil society and government from 13 countries, as well as representatives of the World Bank, UNESCO, UNDP and the Organization of American States. The conference was organized with the American Forum for Global Education. Participants produced a strategic plan that was mandated by the Conference of the Community of Democracies in Seoul, South Korea, in November 2002.
For a summary of the major recommendations of the plan, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/Pocantico.doc
10. Bulgarian School of Politics Trains New Generation of Leaders
Created through the initiative of the Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation, the Bulgarian School of Politics is helping train a new generation of young leaders from different ethnic backgrounds, different political parties and different walks of life to become citizens who are aware of their democratic rights and responsibilities, who value the principles of democratic pluralism and tolerance, and who encourage and participate in open dialogue. The School conducts four annual seminars with the support of international experts. Major topics of study include democratic models of exercising power, conflict management and resolution, rule of law, ethics in politics, sustainable economic development and administrative reform. The School creates an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for differences, which allows students to exchange ideas and best practices.
Go to: www.peace-bg.org
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGHTHENING
11. International Civil Society Assessment & Strengthening Project - Call for Expressions of Interest
CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organizations, is inviting applications for national partners to implement the CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) 2003-04. The CSI is an action-research project that assesses the state of civil society in countries around the world with a view to creating a knowledge base and an impetus for strengthening civil society initiatives. The CSI was piloted in 14 countries around the world, and CIVICUS has launched the first full implementation phase in approximately 50 countries. The CSI will be implemented by civil society organizations at the country level, in close partnership with CIVICUS.
For more information and application details, go to: www.civicus.org or email index@civicus.org
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
12. CIPE Feature Article: Land Rights for Poor People Key to Poverty Reduction and Growth
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has published its latest feature article, Land Rights for Poor People Key to Poverty Reduction and Growth, authored by Klaus Deininger, Senior Economist at the World Bank. The article addresses the issues of poverty reduction and growth in developing countries. It emphasizes land rights for the poor and the economic and social benefits they would yield, including the improvement of governance, the empowerment of women and other marginalized groups, an increase in private investment, and more rapid economic growth and poverty reduction. Go to: www.cipe.org/publications/fs/articles/Deininger.htm
13. New Publication: THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN THE EU ACCESSION COUNTRIES
The Center for the Study of Democracy, based in Bulgaria, announces the publication of a book entitled THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN THE EU ACCESSION COUNTRIES: SIZE, SCOPE, TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN THE PROCESS OF EU ENLARGEMENT. The book includes articles from scholars and policy analysts from different countries discussing possible impacts of the accession of 12 Central and Eastern European countries to the European Union, in particular the effects of the informal economy within those countries. The book addresses the following questions: How large is the informal economy in Central Eastern Europe? What are its sources? In what direction is it evolving? How is it different from the informal activities in EU member states? Does it represent an obstacle to further European integration or can it serve as a bridge between accession countries and member states?
Go to: www.csd.bg/publications/infeconseeaccession/content.htm
HUMAN RIGHTS
14. Imprisoned World Movement Participant on Shortlist for Journalism Prize
The International Federation of Journalists announced a shortlist of 16 world class journalists who are in line for five 10,000 Euro awards in this year's Natali Prize for Journalism: Excellence in Reporting Human Rights, Democracy and Development. The list includes Sergei Duvanov, an independent journalist and a World Movement Participant from Kazakhstan who has been imprisoned on fabricated charges since October of 2002. The awards will be presented to the winners at a special prize-giving ceremony to be held at the International Press Centre Résidence Palace in Brussels in October 2003.
Go to: www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=1820&Language=EN
To read World Movement's December 12, 2002 alert about Duvanov's case, go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/dec1202.html
15. Conference: "History of Human Rights, London, May 2004
A conference entitled "The History of Human Rights" will be held in London, UK, in May 2004. It is hosted by the Institute of Contemporary History and the Weiner Library of the Leo Baeck Institute, both based in London, and will focus on natural rights and human rights, human rights and religious faith, ethics and human rights, women and human rights, and universalism vs. culturalism. The conference organizers have called for papers to be presented. Abstracts must be submitted by October 1, 2003, and must consider issues dealing with the history of human rights.
For submission details and other information, email: kklinger@wienerlibrary.co.uk
16. Minority Rights Information Database Newsletter
The Minority Rights Information System (MIRIS) database now publishes a bi-monthly newsletter containing updates and new information about case laws, domestic legislation and reports stored in the MIRIS system. The aim of the MIRIS database is to promote the development of minority rights standards by providing accessible information about the implementation of minority rights worldwide to experts, public officials, NGOs and minority representatives, researchers, and students
To obtain information or to subscribe to the newsletter, go to: http://dev.eurac.edu:8085/mugs2/about.jsp?sideBarItem=projectDescription&TopBarItem=About
17. HURISEARCH-A New Tool for Finding Human Rights Information Online
HURIDOCS, a global network of organizations concerned with more effective ways of using information for the cause of human rights, announces the launch of a new tool for searching human rights information. HURISEARCH (hurisearch.org) allows searching sites of non-governmental human rights organizations in 58 different languages, and at the moment includes over 600 sites of human rights NGOs. Suggestions to include additional sites are welcome. This pilot project was established in cooperation with Human Rights Education Associates. A short survey is available on HURISEARCH Web site to provide feedback.
Go to: hurisearch.org
18. Mongolian Member of Parliament Prevented from Attending Asian Democracy Conference
On June 25 and 26, the Liberty Center, a non-profit organization committed to democratic reforms and human rights protection and education in Mongolia, issued alerts about the detention and release of a Mongolian democratic leader and parliament member, Gundalai Lamjav. On 24 July 2003 at the Ulaanbaatar Airport, Gundalai Lamjav was prevented from flying to Seoul, South Korea, en route to Singapore to chair a session on Democracy and Human Rights at the International Youth Conference for Democracy. After being forcefully taken from the airplane, Gundalai was brought to the Democratic Central Office, where he was attacked and forced into a police car by a group of Special Forces. Police brought him to Gants Hudag detention center where he was considered a "suspect." The public shock after Gundalai's brutal arrest triggered a series of events and protests demanding his release, which he was granted 25 hours after the arrest.
For more information, go to: www.libertycenter.org.mn
19. Charges Dropped against Human Rights Activist in Syria
According to Amnesty International, Syrian authorities dropped charges against Haithem al-Maleh, a leading human rights activist in Syria and a senior figure in the Human Rights Association of Syria (HRAS). Maleh was accused of disseminating false news and printing HRAS publications without license. These charges could have led to up to three years in prison.
For more information and background on this case, go to: http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engmde240232003
20. National Front for Democracy in Bhutan Calls for International Support to Resolve the Refugee Crisis The prolonged Bhutanese refugee crisis continues to linger despite dozens of talks held between the governments of Nepal and Bhutan towards finding an amicable solution. The 15th round of the bilateral talks is scheduled for August 11-14, 2003, but according to the National Front for Democracy in Bhutan (NFD-Bhutan), nothing concrete is expected from it. Meanwhile, NFD-Bhutan has appealed to the international community to help to resolve the refugee crisis, and has urged the Bhutanese government to declare general amnesty to all refugees to prove its sincere commitment to pave a way for their smooth repatriation.
Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/DemNews-Aug2003/Bhutan_Refugee_Crisis.doc
To learn more about the Bhutanese Refugee crisis, go to: www.geocities.com/bhutaneserefugees/index.html
LABOR UNIONS AND WORKER RIGHTS
21. Free Trade Zone Workers of Union in Sri Lanka Issues Calls for Action
The Free Trade Zones Workers Union (FTZWU) in Sri Lanka issued an appeal stating that the rights of members of the Union are denied by Jaqalanka Ltd., and that several members have recently received threats to their lives. The workers demand that Jaqalanka Ltd. recognize the Union as the collective bargaining agent with the company, respect the worker rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining, and provide facilities for the trade union to operate. The Union also calls on the company and the government of Sri Lanka to ensure the safety of the branch union members who voted in favor of the Union at the referendum held on July 9, and whose lives have recently been threatened. Finally, the Union appeals to the activists in Sri Lanka and abroad to issue supporting letters and to pressure the company management and the government to take actions to resolve the dispute.
Go to: www.tieasia.org/Jaqalanka.htm
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPERESSION
22. Two World Movement for Democracy Participants Receive Human Rights Watch Grants
Human Rights Watch administers the Hellman-Hammett grant program for writers around the world who have been victims of political persecution and are in financial need. The Hellman/Hammett grants focus attention on repression of free speech and censorship by publicizing the persecution that the grant recipients have endured. This year, two World Movement for Democracy participants, Mark Grigorian and Chee Soon Juan, are among the recipients of the Hellman-Hammett grants. Mark Grigorian, an Armenian journalist, suffered serious wounds in October 2002 when an unknown assailant threw a hand grenade at his feet. Miraculously he survived, but pieces of shrapnel remain lodged throughout his body. This and other incidents caused Grigorian to flee to London where he is now working on Armenia and the Caucasus at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Chee Soon Juan, a Singapore professor and author, is secretary-general of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party. After taking part in by-elections in 1992, he was dismissed from the National University of Singapore where he taught. He was also found guilty of defaming Prime Minister and Senior Minister Lee Kwan Yew after he raised questions about secret government loans to former Indonesian President Suharto. In October 2002, Chee was sentenced to five weeks in prison when he refused to pay a fine for holding a peaceful May Day rally without a permit. He had applied for the requisite permit and had been denied on grounds that it posed potential law and order problems.
To learn more about the Hellman_Hammett Grants Program, go to: www.hrw.org/about/info/helham.html
23. Training Program for Journalists in Central and Eastern Europe
The Polish-Czech-Slovak Solidarity Foundation invites organizations from Central and Eastern Europe to take part in or co-operate with its journalists training programs. In its effort to assist the development of independent media in countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Foundation conducts two types of programs for journalists: "Technology of the Free Word," which trains participants to independently prepare texts for publication; and the "Independent Media" program, which provides internship opportunities in mass media outlets located in Warsaw, Poland. The training sessions and internships will be held in Warsaw in a 20-day cycle beginning in September 2003.
For individual and institution application forms, program descriptions and rules, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/DemNews-Aug2003/ProgramRules-Descriptions-ApplicationForms.doc
For more information on participation in or cooperation within the framework of the programs, e-mail: spczs@szpitalna.ngo.pl or spczs@free.ngo.pl
To learn more about the Polish-Czech-Slovak Solidarity Foundation, go to: http://free.ngo.pl/spczs/index_pl.php
24. June Issue of South Caucuses Monthly Analytical Magazine Available Online The June issue of the monthly analytical magazine, South Caucuses, is now available on the Caucuses Journalists Network Web site. The Caucuses Journalists Network is a joint project of the Research Center "Region" in Yerevan, Armenia, the Caucasian Institute of Peace Democracy and Development in Tbilisi, Georgia, and the Committee of Protection of Azerbaijani Journalists (RUH) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Network's Web site provides a common Internet page for journalists and researchers, publishers, and the media in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The project aims to help with the establishment of a more outspoken and effective media in the region, and to provide assistance to journalists in getting first-hand information about their neighboring countries.
Go to: http://www.caucasusjournalists.net/number.asp
25. Wired.org Online Conference for Nonprofits and NGOs
A four-day online conference will take place on September 13-19 to bring together leading practitioners from non-profit organizations, education institutions, and socially responsible companies on the forefront of using the Internet to advance their missions. Through interactive media presentations and discussions, participants will learn new approaches to improve online communication and community, share ideas, and network with other professionals, volunteers, and supporters of nonprofit and non-governmental organizations. Those who register prior to September 3 will receive a 25 percent discount off the US $199 registration fee.
To learn more and to register go to: www.icohere.com/wiredorg/
26. Kabissa Launches Next Phase of "Time to Get Online" Project in Ghana Following a successful pilot in Nigeria earlier this year, Kabissa , a nonprofit organization that seeks to use technology to strengthen organizations working to improve the lives of people in Africa, recently launched the next phase of its "Time to Get Online" project in Ghana. The project provides organizations with learning materials and an opportunity to attend capacity-building workshops that focus on raising the awareness and developing the skills necessary to use the Internet effectively. The on-site workshops give these organizations the opportunity to ask questions and interact with an Internet expert. In addition, a free, electronic version of the self-learning materials is available on the "Time to Get Online" Web site- www.timetogetonline.org.
For more information or to participate, go to: www.timetogetonline.org or contact Kim Lowery at ttgo@kabissa.org
27. Building Digital Opportunities: ICT Case Studies
As part of a program on Building Digital Opportunities, OneWorld, a network of over 1,500 organizations working to promote human rights and sustainable development, recently started to conduct case studies of how civil society organizations are using information and communication technologies and what the impact is. The case studies identify both positive and negative impact that ICTs have. Recent case studies include the Inter-African Network for Human Rights and Development, and two Indian projects one called Indev, and one called Deepalaya.
Go to: www.digitalopportunity.org/fulltext/casestudies.shtml
28. Training: Women's Electronic Network Training (WENT)2003
The Women's Electronic Network Training (WENT) workshop invites women advocates, entrepreneurs, and trainers in the Asia-Pacific regions who are interested in learning more about developing online content, e-commerce, or ICT training with gender perspective. The workshop will be held on October 12-20, 2003. Applications to participate in the workshop must be submitted by September 1, 2003 to the Asian Pacific Women's Information and Network Center.
Email application to: went-apply@apcwomen.org, or fax it to + 82-2-710-9896
29. World Information Technology Forum, Vilnius, Lithuania, August 27-29, 2003
The World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) will convene on August 27-29 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The goal of the Forum is to prepare and help implement information development strategies and projects in developing countries. The WITFOR conference will gather leading thinkers from around the world to discuss information and communication technologies as transforming forces and to explore the possibilities, promises, and perils of today's networked world. It is targeted to politicians and senior officials responsible for information development from both developing and industrialized nations, representatives of non-governmental organizations, representatives of inter-governmental organizations, and business leaders.
Go to: www.witfor.lt
30. Solomon Islands Media Workshop, 20-23 June 2003
At the request of the Media Association of the Solomon Islands (MASI), the Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) collaborated with the Australia-based Centre for Democratic Institutions to conduct a media workshop in Honiara in June 2003. This initiative complements the intervention in the Solomon Islands by Australia and other Pacific Island countries to restore law and order. The workshop trained media practitioners in three primary areas: information and technology; media experiences including general news coverage, crisis reporting and accountability; and practical experiences, such as proposal writing, presentation, and establishing training calendars. This workshop has led to further cooperation between MASI and MCPNG as they move into the initial stages of drafting a media Code of Ethics, and creating a Constitution and Standards Committee.
Go to: www.cdi.anu.edu.au/solomon_islands/SolomonIs_Media_Jun03.htm POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
31. African Youth to Participate in Democracy Conference
World Voices Norway, a Norwegian nonpartisan nongovernmental agency, organized a conference on Youth and Democracy in Africa, in Oslo, Norway,on August 8-10, 2003. The objective of the conference was to uncover perspectives of youth in Africa on democracy and to seek ways of promoting their participation in political processes. It also aimed to raise awareness among governments and the United Nations, on how they can involve youth in championing democratic principles. The conference was expected to give youth concrete ideas on how to engage in democratic development activities.
Go to: www.worldvoices.no/africa/conference/
RESEARCH
32. Conference: Critical Issues in Pluralism
The Critical Issues in Pluralism Project, a new research project of Inter-Disciplinary Net (global research network of people, projects and events), will host its first global conference on September 19-21, 2003, at Mansfield College, Oxford University, UK. The conference will explore challenges of pluralism in the contemporary world and seek to identify the political, economic, religious and literary limits of pluralism. Margaret Chatterjee, an Indian philosopher, is keynote speaker for the event.
For more information, go to: www.inter-disciplinary.net/pluralism/pl03cfp.htm or e-mail Dr. Rob Fisher at rf@inter-disciplenary.net
WOMEN'S ISSUES
33. Conference: "Clash or Consensus? Gender and Human Security in a Globalized World"
On October 8-9, 2003, the Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development and Peace (WLP), with the support and cooperation of the Global Fund for Women, will host an international conference entitled "Clash or Consensus? Gender and Human Security in a Globalized World." The conference will provide a forum for activists, policy-makers, and leading human security experts from the Global South, particularly from Muslim societies, to define and implement human security goals from the perspective that is people-centered and focused on the social, political, economic, and cultural needs and rights of individuals. Conference panels will analyze human security issues from a gender perspective and explore ways of developing cultures of peace, preventing the spread of fundamentalism and extremism, promoting human rights and sustainable development, and strengthening democratic governance. The conference will take place at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC.
For details and to register, go to: www.learningpartnership.org/events/2003/03clashorconsensus.phtml
To learn more about WLP and to read the WLP's 2002 annual report, go to: www.learningpartnership.org and www.learningpartnership.org/about/annualreport.phtml
34. Online Course: "Making Governance Gender Responsive"
The Center for Asia Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP) provides an online course composed of ten modules on the theme "Gender Responsive Governance." The course seeks to develop public understanding of the link between gender and governance as well as to raise awareness of gender biases in governance. The support for the module development was provided by the United Nations Development Programme's Regional Gender Program (UNDP-APGEN).
To access the course, go to: http://onlinewomeninpolitics.org/modules/login/Module_regs_intro.asp
35. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
- PLURAL - www.plural.org.co
- CIVICUS - www.civicus.org/new/default.asp
- Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) -www.idea.int/news/11htm
- National Endowment for Democracy (NED) - www.ned.org
- Council for Community of Democracies (CCD) - www.ccd21.org
- Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) - www.cipe.org
- Center for the Study of Democracy - www.csd.org.bg/
- Sergei Duvanov, Independent News Agency Politon
- National Front for Democracy in Bhutan
- The Free Trade Zone Workers Union - www.tieasia.org/index.html
- Mark Grigorian, Institute on War and Peace Reporting -www.iwpr.net/home_index_new.html
- Chee Soon Juan, Singapore Democratic Party - www.singaporedemocrat.org/index.php?id=the_party/about.html
- Polish-Czech-Slovak Solidarity Foundation - http://free.ngo.pl/spczs/index_pl.php
- Kabissa - www.kabissa.org
- Women's Learning Partnership Center for Rights, Development and Peace (WLP) - www.learningpartership.org
- Center for Asia Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP) - www.capwip.org/
Please Note: Readers of DemocracyNews will often be referred to Web sites for further information. If you are interested in a particular item, but are unable to access the World Wide Web, please contact the or fax at (202) 378-9889, and we will try to provide the information to you by other means.
c/o National Endowment for Democracy
1025 F Street, NW, Suite 800,
Washington, DC 20004 USA
Tel: (202) 378-9700
Fax: (202) 378-9889
http://www.wmd.org
||
|| Site map ||