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August 2001
CONTENTS
NEWS 1. Balkan Think Tanks Gather to Develop a Policy Document
2. World Movement Participants Working Together for Democracy in Burma
3. World Movement Participants Working Together on Municipal Finance in Latin America
4. Exiled Tibetans Vote for New Prime Minister
5. Asian Center Holds Workshop on "Freedom of Information for Good Governance" in New Delhi
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. World Movement Web Site on Africa Launched
7. Singapore Democratic Party Launches Web Site
8. Center for International Private Enterprise Launches Web Site on Informal Sectors
9. Listen to Women's Learning Partnership Speeches Online
10. Asia Foundation Launches Web site on East Timor Elections
11. Article: "The Internet is a Tool for the Promotion of Open, Democratic Societies"
12. Article: "The Internet and State Control in Authoritarian Regimes: China, Cuba, and the Counterrevolution"
13. Volunteers Needed in Thailand
14. Launch of Women's Virtual Newsroom, September 17-20
15. Peace Brigades International (PBI) 20th Anniversary Conference, October 26-27
16. Global Forum on Legislative Oversight for Transparency and Accountability, December 10-12
17. Arab NGOs Network for Democracy Meeting, September 9-13
18. Journalism Prize: Development and Democracy
19. Call for Nominations for 2002 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders
NEWS
1. Balkan Think Tanks Meet to Develop Policy Document
Think tank leaders from Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and Bulgaria met at the Center for Liberal Strategies in Sofia, Bulgaria, on June 14, 2001 to discuss priorities for democratization in the Balkans. Political extremism, organized crime and unresolved national questions continue to threaten the Balkans, most notably Macedonia which could soon slide into a full-scale war. The meeting resulted in an agreement to develop a multi-faceted policy document that would assess the various obstacles and threats to democratization in the countries of the region; explore and outline the countries' respective policy objectives on the path to reform; and offer areas where cross-border cooperation would ameliorate conditions in the Southern Balkans. Ivan Krastev, Chair of the Center's Board, is a member of the World Movement's Steering Committee.
More Information: Ivan Krastev, Center for Liberal Strategies, e-mail: ivan@cls-sofia.org; Web site: www.cls-sofia.org
2. World Movement Participants Working Together for Democracy in Burma
At a press conference in New Delhi on August 8, Ravi Nair, Executive Director of the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre (SAHRDC) and World Movement participant, called for "multi-polar engagement" between the government of India and the regime in Burma that would encompass human rights issues. The press conference was organized by "Friends of the Democratic Movement in Burma," a coalition of Indian and Burmese civil society groups, to mark the 13th anniversary of the 1988 democratic uprising in Burma. The Friends of the Democratic Movement in Burma includes Thin Thin Aung of Women's Rights and Welfare Association, who is also a World Movement participant.
More information: www.student.ipfw.edu/~htutkk01/mizzima/mz-index.html
3. World Movement Participants Working Together on the Issue of Municipal Finance in Latin America
Giberto Toro of Colombia and Mercedes de Freitas of Venezuela, both World Movement participants, recently held a forum on "Decentralization, Municipal Finance and Municipal Autonomy" in Venezuela. These issues are currently important topics of public debate in Venezuela. Mr. Toro shared his organization's experience with these issues in Colombia. Mr. Toro and Ms. Freitas met at the World Movement Sao Paulo Assembly, resulting in this collaborative effort.
Presentation available online (Please use Internet Explore to view the presentation.): www.wmd.org/lan/documents/presentation10-07-01_files/frame.htm
More information: Mercedes de Freitas, Fundación Momento de la Gente, e-mail: merchydf@telcel.net.ve
4. Exiled Tibetans Vote for New Prime Minister
Tibetans around the World cast ballots for a new prime minister in exile on July 29 at makeshift polling stations worldwide. The Election Commissioner in Dharamsala, India, is expected to announce the results on August 25. According to Tibetan Election Commission Chairman Namgyal Dorjee, over 60,000 people registered to vote. There are two final candidates: Samdhong Rinpoche, former chairman of the Tibetan exile parliament, and Juchen Thupten Namgyal, former chairman of the Tibetan government-in-exile's Council of Ministers.
More information: www.tibet.ca/wtnarchive/2001/7/30_1.html
5. Asian Center Holds Workshop on "Freedom of Information for Good Governance" in New Delhi
On August 6-8, 2001, the Asian Center for Democratic Governance held a workshop in New Delhi, India, entitled "Freedom of Information for Good Governance." The two and one-half day event, organized in cooperation with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), included sessions on the following themes: the legal-political environment for freedom of information; the media's role in ensuring transparency; the government's role in providing transparency; economic information and the role of the business community; and the impact of new technologies. The workshop included leading journalists, policy experts and politicians from Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, and United Kingdom. A workshop report will be available soon.
More Information: Gautam Adhikari, Asian Center for Democratic Governance, E-mail: gautam@ned.org; Web site: www.ned.org/acdg/index.html
EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. World Movement Web Site on Africa Launched
The Africa section of the World Movement Web site is now available. This section provides links to existing networks in the Africa region, including the Africa Democracy Forum, which was launched at the Africa regional preparatory meeting for the Second Assembly of the World Movement. The Web site also includes information about organizations participating in the World Movement in the region, publication and research materials, potential funding sources, training and internship/job opportunities, and news on Africa.
Go to: www.wmd.org/africa/africa.html or via the World Movement's home page (www.wmd.org)
7. Singapore Democratic Party Launches Web Site
The Singapore Democratic Party, working for a democratic transition in Singapore, and headed by Dr. Chee Soon Juan, has launched its new Web site. The Web site will be a vehicle to advance the platform of the party as well as to disseminate political news and information concerning Singapore. Dr. Chee Soon Juan is also Chairman of the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA), which organized the Asia regional workshop at the World Movement's Second Assembly.
Go to: www.singaporedemocrats.org
More Information: Dr. Chee Soon Juan, Secretary-General, Singapore Democratic Party, e-mail: sdp2000@pacific.net.sg
8. Center for International Private Enterprise Launches Web Site Section on Informal Sectors
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has launched a new section on its Web site entitled, "Slashing Red Tape: The Informal Sector and the Cost of Doing Business." The section features articles on the issue of informal sectors in business and democracy, a background paper prepared for the workshop at the World Movement Sao Paulo Assembly, a tool kit for entrepreneurs and policymakers, and case studies. Some documents on the Web site are available in English, Russian, and Spanish.
More Information: www.cipe.org/efn/informalsector/
9. Listen to Women's Learning Partnership's Speeches Online
The Women's Learning Partnership (WLP), based in the United States, has launched a new Web site, in which various speeches at WLP's events are available online. The Web site also contains, among its vast resources, a listing of international women's organizations that are working on leadership, civil society building, human rights education, and sustainable and equitable development. WLP's mission is "to empower women and girls in the Global South through leadership training, capacity-building, and helping women generate as well as receive information and knowledge." WLP is headed by Ms. Mahnaz Afkhami, a member of the World Movement Steering Committee.
Go to: www.learningpartnership.org
10. Asia Foundation Launches Web Site on East Timor Elections
The Asia Foundation's office in East Timor has launched a Web site related to the historic elections to be held in East Timor on August 30. The bi-lingual site serves as a one-stop repository of information regarding the elections for the 88-member Constituent Assembly. It features daily news stories about the elections, information regarding polling, counting and the observation process, and links to all parties and candidates participating in the elections. The site also features an Asia Foundation-sponsored voter survey released in late-May.
Go to: www.easttimorelections.org
11. Article: "The Internet is a Tool for the Promotion of Open, Democratic Societies"
In this article, David Hoffman of Internews and Jerry Berman of the Center for Democracy and Technology argue that the spread of Internet technology must go hand in hand with good policy. In order to maximize the Internet's effectiveness and accessibility worldwide, conditions must first exist to provide a healthy legal and regulatory environment that will encourage the growth of information technology. Only when these policies are in place can the Internet serve as a valuable tool for strengthening democratic societies, economic growth and human development around the world.
Full Article: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/07/10/ED187218.DTL
12. Article: "The Internet and State Control in Authoritarian Regimes: China, Cuba, and the Counterrevolution"
Shanthi Kalathil and Taylor C. Boas, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based think tank, illustrate how two authoritarian regimes, China and Cuba, are maintaining control over the Internet's political impact through different combinations of reactive and proactive strategies. Examining the experiences of these two countries may help to shed light on other authoritarian regimes' strategies for Internet development, as well as help to develop generalizable conclusions about the impact of the Internet on authoritarian rule.
Full Article: www.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue6_8/kalathil/index.html
13. Volunteers Needed in Thailand
The Burma Volunteer Program, based in Thailand, currently has volunteer positions available. Positions are available in the fields of human rights, women's rights, ESL (English as a Second Language), labor issues, and computer training. Volunteer will be working with Burmese students and organizations in Thailand. Free accommodations and a food stipend of 100 baht/month (approx. US$45) are provided.
More information: e-mail: maesotel@loxinfo.co.th; Web site: www.geocities.com/maesotesl
14. Women's Virtual Newsroom to be launched in Accra, Ghana, September 17-20, 2001
British journalist Lesley Abdela will be in Ghana on September 17-20 as a member of a 10-person training team of international women journalists, arranged by BBC journalist Lesley Riddoch. The team will help launch a "virtual newsroom," a pioneering project linking women journalists and activists in four African countries - Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. The women journalists will work remotely for a year, using British Council offices and specially-adapted machinery/software donated by IBM.
More Information: Tim Symonds, Eyecatcher Associates, e-mail: tim.symonds@shevolution.com
15. Peace Brigades International (PBI) 20th Anniversary Conference, Konstanz, Germany and Romanshorn, Switzerland, October 26-27 Celebrating the 20th anniversary of PBI, this international conference will bring together representatives and individuals from a wide range of backgrounds in peace and human rights movements and organizations, as well as state and inter-governmental bodies. The conference will present a platform for the international exchange of ideas and for establishing new partnerships. The theme of the conference is "Promoting Nonviolence and Protecting Human Rights - The Role of Civilian Third Party Initiatives in Conflict Areas."
More Information: Jurgen Stork, Peace Brigades International, e-mail: pbizurich@dataway.ch, Web site: www.peacebirgades.org
16. Global Forum on Legislative Oversight for Transparency and Accountability, Manila, Philippines, December 10-12
The Global Forum aims to provide a venue for parliamentarians, legislative strengthening experts, and civil society organizations around the globe to share "best practices" in using legislative oversight as a tool for ensuring transparency and accountability in government.
More Information: www.cld.org/oversightforum.htm
17. Arab NGOs Network for Democracy Meeting, Beirut, Lebanon, September 9-13
This meeting, organized by the Arab NGOs Network for Democracy in collaboration with UNDP and EU, aims to discuss issues, such as international trade agreements, globalization, sustainable development, human rights, and peace and conflict resolution.
More information: e-mail maksoc@cyberia.net.lb
18. Journalism Prize: Development and Democracy
The International Federation of Journalists is seeking applicants for the Natali Prize for Journalism: Excellence in Reporting Human Rights, Democracy and Development. The prize is awarded to print journalists who have demonstrated striking insights and particular dedication to the reporting of human rights issues within the context of the development process. Two prizes worth 10,000 euros (approx. $8,950) each are awarded for outstanding reporting on human rights and development by print journalists from the European Union and from the developing world. Application deadline is 26 October.
For more, contact: E-mail: bettina.peters@ifj.org or Isabella.haaf@ifj.org; Web site: www.ifj.org
19. Call for Nominations for the 2002 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders
This Award is granted annually to an individual, or in some cases an organization, in recognition of commitment and ongoing efforts in the defense and promotion of human rights. Nominees must currently be involved in human rights work. Special account is taken of those who have demonstrated an active record of combating human rights violations by courageous and innovative means. The deadline for nominations is October 15, 2001.
More information: Huridocs, +41-22-7-55-5260 (Fax), e-mail: mea@huridocs.org; Web Site: www.digitalsmile.com/mea
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