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August 2002
CONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
NOTE: You will soon receive a special World Movement announcement with information on the World Movement's Third Assembly, which will be held in Durban, South Africa, in April 2003.
1. Fellowships: Center for the Study of Philanthropy
2. Iraq Institute for Democracy Seminar
3. UNDP HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2002
4. Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
5. Report: THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF CIVIC GLOBALISM
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
6. WEAVING CONSENSUS: THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA-BOUGAINVILLE PEACE PROCESS
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
7. CIPE Feature Service Article on Corporate Social Responsibility
HUMAN RIGHTS
8. Leading Bhutanese Human Rights Defender Obtains Legal Aid
9. Egyptian Democracy Activists Jailed after Retrial
10. Nomination of Oswaldo Paya Sardinas for Nobel Peace Prize
11. Life-Threatening Risks for Pro-Democracy Activists in Liberia
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
12. Iranian Journalist Sentenced to Eleven Years in Prison
13. African Journalists Awarded for Courageous Reporting
14. Committee for Democracy in Indonesia Launches a New Web site
15. The Tenth Anniversary of the Democratic Voice of Burma
16. Call for Applications: Lorenzo Natali Prize for Journalism
17. Survey on International ICTs
18. OneWorld TV Online Storytelling
19. Free Speech Threatened in Singapore
20. E-Democracy Resource Flyer
21. Online World Development Summit Resource
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
22. Probidad's Activity Report
WOMEN'S ISSUES
23. Balance sheet on Women in Afghanistan
World Movement Participating Organizations Mentioned in this Issue
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. Fellowships: Center for the Study of Philanthropy
The Center for the Study of Philanthropy invites non-US scholars and practioners working in the NGO sector to apply to its 2003 International Fellows Program. The fellowship program provides leadership training through applied research and professional mentorships for young scholar-practitioners. The 2003 year's focus will be on community foundations. Fellowships begin on March 1, 2003. Applications must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2002.
Go to: www.philanthropy.org or contact: csp@gc.cuny.edu
2. Iraq Institute for Democracy Seminar
The Iraq Institute for Democracy organized a seminar/workshop on May 24-25, 2002, on "Prospects for Democratic Change in Iraq." The topics addressed in the seminar included civilian-based movements, the military's role, and ideologies in Iraq. A summary of the seminar and transcripts of the speeches and discussions are available on the Institute's Web site.
Go to: www.iraq-democracy.org/proceedings.htm
3. UNDP HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2002
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the launching of its Development Report for 2002, "Deepening Democracy in a Fragmented World." The report explores how politics matter for human development, and discusses the relationship between the economic, political, and social attributes of the process of human development. The report is available in several languages.
To download the report, go to: www.undp.org/hdr2002/
4. Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program
The Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) welcomes applications to its Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program. 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, the fellowship program is based at the International Forum for Democratic Studies, the research arm of the Endowment, in Washington, D.C. The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program is intended primarily to support practitioners and scholars from new and aspiring democracies. The deadline for Fall 2003 and Spring 2004 fellowships is September 17, 2002.
Go to: www.ned.org/forum/fellowship_program.html CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
5. Report: THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF CIVIC GLOBALISM
The Democracy Collaborative announces the publication of a report from its first International Roundtable on "The Theory and Practice of Civic Globalism," which was held in April, 2001. Topics discussed include global civic trends, technology and global civil society, the arts as the unacknowledged keystone of civil society, global civil society vs. global markets, and global governance.
Go to: www.democracycollaborative.org/programs/global/index.html
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
6. WEAVING CONSENSUS: THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA-BOUGAINVILLE PEACE PROCESS
Conciliation Resources published the twelfth installment of its series, WEAVING CONSENSUS: THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA-BOUGAINVILLE PEACE PROCESS. The issue contains articles discussing numerous aspects of the conflict, such as constitutional accommodation and conflict prevention, women's involvement in the peace-building process, and the role of the international community.
Go to: www.c-r.org/accord/accord12
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
7. CIPE Feature Service Article on Corporate Social Responsibility
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) announced a feature article discussing a new model of business and corporate governance created by the revolution in communication technology. In the age of globalization and liberalization, business leaders are increasingly concerned about ecological sustainability. The article seeks to deepen the understanding of the new trends in corporate responsibility.
Go to: www.cipe.org/fs/articles.irani.php3
HUMAN RIGHTS
8. Leading Bhutanese Human Rights Defender Obtains Legal Aid
The Canadian Rights and Democracy's Urgent Action and Important Opportunities Committee pledged to provide $2,000 to support the legal fees of S.K. Pradhan, Secretary-General of the Peoples Forum for Human Rights and Development in Bhutan. Mr. Pradhan is accused of murdering the Butan Peoples Party's chairman and was arrested in Nepal while in exile on September 19, 2001. Although there is no substantial evidence, Mr. Pradhan has been imprisoned and denied bail for 10 months under severe conditions.
Go to: www.ichrdd.ca/frame.iphtml?langue=0&urlpage=english/libOnLinejuly2002
To read the World Movement's Democracy Alert on S.K Pradhan, go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/feb502.html
9. Egyptian Democracy Activists Jailed after Retrial
Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim, an Egyptian-American sociologist and democracy activist, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after a retrial on charges of tarnishing the country's image abroad and other offences. In May 2000, Dr. Ibrahim, director of the Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies in Cairo, was arrested and accused of defaming Egypt's reputation and receiving foreign funds without authorization. Twenty-six employees of the Center who were arrested for other various charges were also sentenced after the retrial.
To read the World Movement's Democracy Alert on Dr. Ibrahim, go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/feb1102.html
10. Nomination of Oswaldo Paya Sardinas for Nobel Peace Prize
The Czech-based NGO People in Need Foundation (PINF) is campaigning to draw support for the nomination of Cuban activist, Mr. Oswaldo Paya Sardinas, for the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize. PINF chose Mr. Sardinas for his outstanding human rights work and his involvement in the Varela Project, which is an initiative that seeks to promote peaceful political reform by calling for a referendum on open elections, freedom of speech, freedom for political prisoners and free enterprise. PINF is calling for support to inform the international community about Mr. Sardinas's work and the Cuban situation to support the Nobel Peace Prize nomination and the Varela Project. In September 2002, Mr. Sardinas will be receiving the National Democratic Institute's (NDI) 2002 Democracy Award for his courageous leadership of the Varela Project.
Contact: pinfez@czech-tv.cz
For information on the Varela Project, go to: www.proyectovarela.org/
For information on NDI's 2002 Democracy Award, go to: www.accessdemocracy.org/NDI/library/1415_cu_ndiaward_press.pdf
11. Life-Threatening Risks for Pro-Democracy Activists in Liberia
Participants at an international meeting on the human rights situation in Liberia expressed concern over the politically-motivated assassinations and violent physical attacks on pro-democracy institutions, individuals, and the media. The meeting, held in Accra, Ghana, on July 23-23, 2002, included discussions, conclusions, decisions, and recommendations on the human rights issues in Liberia.
For more information, contact: mfwa@africaonline.com.gh or cede-reg@afnet.net
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
12. Iranian Journalist Sentenced to Eleven Years in Prison
The Iranian Press reported on July 7, 2002, that an appeals court has sentenced Mr. Siamak Pourzand to eleven years of imprisonment on charges of activities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic and collaboration with Iranian counter-revolutionaries. According to both "NO ROOZ" newspaper and the students' news agency "ISNA," his office-appointed lawyer said that Mr. Pourzand can still appeal, but provided he does it himself and not through a lawyer.
Go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/apr402.html
13. African Journalists Awarded for Courageous Reporting Human Rights Watch awarded eleven African journalists the Hellman-Hammett grants for their bravery in the face of political persecution. The Khartoum Monitor, Sudan's only English-language newspaper, is being awarded for publishing articles on government's policies, the Sudanese civil war and the country's human rights record. Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the censorship of and charges against the Khartoum Monitor because of its criticism of the government.
To read the Khartoum Monitor online, go to: www.khartoummonitor.com/main.htm
For information on the Human Rights Watch Hellman-Hammet award, go to: www.hrw.org/about/info/hellman2002.html
14. Committee for Democracy in Indonesia Launches a New Web site
The Committee for Democracy in Indonesia (CDI) announced the launching of its new Web site. The CDI is a forum for debate and contacts to exchange cultural and political experience and ultimately to contribute to the process of democratization in Indonesia. The Web site includes a list of the network's Indonesian and European organizations, a description of the board, archived reports, and current press releases.
Go to: perso.wanadoo.fr/democratie.indonesie/CDI-en-index.html
15. The Tenth Anniversary of the Democratic Voice of Burma
On July 19, 2002, the Norway-based Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) radio celebrated its tenth anniversary of promoting democracy through freedom of expression. In addition to the commemoration of the anniversary, DVB also organized a two-day conference that focused on the importance of independent media in Burma, during which participants agreed to meet annually to support Burmese media organizations in exile.
Go to: www.mizzima.com/archives/news-in-2002/news-in-jul/index.htm#17
For information on the Democratic Voice of Burma radio, visit: www.dvb.no/
16. Call for Applications: Lorenzo Natali Prize for Journalism
The International Federation of Journalists (IFG) welcomes applications for the Lorenzo Natali Prize for Journalism. The prize is awarded to journalists who exhibit a commitment to reporting on human rights and development. The deadline for application submissions is September 23, 2002.
Go to: www.ifj.org/hrights/lorenzo/inrp.html
17. Survey on International ICTs
The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and Panos London announced the release of their survey examining information and communication technologies (ICTs). The survey illustrates the level of participation of developing countries in utilizing ICTs and identifies the key decision makers in the ICT arena.
Go to: www.panos.org.uk/briefing/birth_rights_files/686_CTO_report.pdf
18. OneWorld TV Online Storytelling
OneWorld, an international network including 1250 NGOs around the world, has launched its online OneWorld TV program through which people can tell their own video stories on interactive TV. The program aims to empower NGOs and individuals by providing an interactive online forum to increase international understanding and informed action on world poverty, the environment, and human rights. OneWorld TV encourages contributors to upload their own stories and add new information to the existing stories.
Go to www.oneworld.net/tv
19. Free Speech Threatened in Singapore
The Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA) expressed concern over the July Subordinate Court ruling against Dr. Chee Soon Juan, Secretary General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). Dr. Chee was charged with violating a government ban on speeches pertaining to religion and ethnicity during an event at Singapore's "Speaker's Corner" on February 15, 2002. Ruling that Chee's speech could have incited ethnic and racial tensions, the court fined Chee S$1,725, banning him from running for parliament for five years according to Singapore law.
Go to: www.asiademocracy.org
20. E-Democracy Resources Flyer
E-Democracy Resources Flyer provides frequently updated online resources with links and announcements directly related to e-democracy from across the Internet. By providing the resources, the Flyer seeks to help democracy actors utilize information and communication technologies to connect themselves with others. The Flyer is published by the Democracies Online Newswire.
To access the "E-Democracy Resources" flyer, go to: www.publicus.net/articles/edemresources.html
For the Democracies Online Newswire, go to: www.e-democracy.org/do
21. Online World Development Summit Resource
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace recently launched an internet resource Web site for activists, scholars, and journalists, called the "World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Resource Center." The Resource Center includes features publications discussing issues from the summit, such as foreign investment, climate change, and regional policies in Africa, China, and the Western Hemisphere.
Go to: www.ceip.org/wssd
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
22. Probidad's Activity Report
Probidad, an El Salvador-based organization promoting regional anti-corruption initiatives and free press programs, has released an activity report for March 1-July 10, 2002. The report includes information on Internet resources, recent activities in El Salvador, PROBIDAD magazine, and "Journalists Against Corruption" projects. (The report is currently available in Spanish only.)
Go to: www.probidad.org/info/nuevos/2002/007.html
WOMEN'S ISSUES
23. Balance sheet on Women in Afghanistan
WOMANKIND Worldwide, a women's rights organization, announced the publication of a "balance sheet" illustrating the progress made by women in Afghanistan since the removal of the Taliban. The report also considers where financial and political attention should be focused to assist Afghan women.
To view the balance sheet, go to: www.womankind.org.uk/documents/balance.htm
World Movement participating organizations mentioned in this issue:
- Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia(ARDA): www.asiademocracy.org
- Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE):www.cipe.org
- Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies : www.ibnkhaldun.org
- Iraq Institute for Democracy: www.idea.int
- National Endowment for Democracy (serving as the World Movement's Secretariat) - US: www.ned.org
- National Democratic Institute (NDI) - US: www.ndi.org
- Peoples Forum for Human Rights and Development: Contact:skpfhrd@mos.com.np
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
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