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December 2001
CONTENTS
NEWS and PUBLICATIONS
1. New Democracy Network in Asia Launched
2. World Movement Participants in New Government of Peru
3. Women's Learning Partnership Trained Afghan Women in Leadership
4. Russian Student Leaders and Teachers Discuss Efforts to Democratize Schools
5. CIPE Workshop on "Corporate Governance" at the Tenth International Anti-Corruption Conference
6. UN Task Force Formed to Address Global Technology Gap
7. Freedom House Releases Annual Global Survey, "Freedom in the World"
8. IFES Issues Official Statement on Sixth General Elections in Honduras
9. Publication: POLITICAL PARTIES AND DEMOCRACY
10. Publication: JULIS - New Law and International Politics Journal
11. Publication: LIVING LAW: THE ENTERTAINING ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE PRACTICAL LAW
12. Publication: TENURE OF JUDGES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT - A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
13. A Guide to Budget Work for NGOs Available Online
14. World Movement Participating Organization Web Site Includes Up-to-Date Information on Kosovo's Elections
15. New Web site for the RIGHTS Consortium
16. Transparency International Launches Corruption Fighters' Tool Kit
17. AED Calls for Grant Applications: New Awards to Support Small Nonprofits and Promising New Leaders in Social Justice
18. Conference: Inter-American Forum on Political Parties, Miami, Florida, December 13-14, 2001
19. Training: Peacebuilding and Development Summer Institute, Washington, DC, July 1-July 19, 2002
20. Communications Director for APSA Democratization Section Wanted
NEWS and PUBLICATIONS
1. New Democracy Network in Asia Launched
On July 12, 2001, Asian democracy activists, some members of the European Parliament, and European activists launched the "Forum for Democracy in Asia" at the European Parliament. The Forum grew out of an earlier collaboration, called "Asian Democrats" (Democrates d'Asie), launched in Paris on December 10, 1998 (50th Anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights) including Vo Van Ai, Wei Jing-sheng, Jose Ramos-Horta and activists from several Asian countries, who are also involved in the new Forum. The Forum's objective is to promote freedom and the rule of law in Asia by strengthening links among Asian democracy movements and by pressing European and other Western countries to adopt stronger policies toward authoritarian Asian regimes. Its immediate goals are: to encourage the European Union to engage in a firm and critical dialogue with Asian dictatorships and to assist democracy movements; to press the EU to finance independent broadcasting media modeled on Radio Free Asia; to provide information and contacts to journalists working on Asian problems; to organize a "Summit of Asian Democrats" in 2002, bringing together representatives of prominent movements based in Asia, Europe, and the US; and to raise the urgent issue of democratic globalization. Vo Van Ai, a World Movement participant from Vietnam, has been elected Chairman of the Forum.
Contact: Mr. Vo Van Ai, Que Me: Action for Democracy in Vietnam, 48 rue Parmentier, 94450 Limeil-Brevannes, France, Tel: +33-1-45-98-30-85, Fax: +33-1-45-98-32-61, E-mail: queme@compuserve.com, or pj.faulkner@free.fr
2. World Movement Participants in New Government of Peru
Peru has been experiencing a dramatic transition to democracy since Alejandro Toledo was elected President in June 2001. Toledo and his country face various challenges in consolidating democratic institutions. To help overcome these challenges, the following World Movement participants are playing important roles in the Toledo government:
Diego Garcia Sayan--currently Foreign Minister, previously with Andean Commission of Jurists.
Javier Ciulizza--currently Executive Director of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, previously with the Andean Commission of Jurists.
Enrique Obando--currently working on the government committee for the re-structuring of the armed forces with the Ministers of Defense and Interior and the Prime Minister.
Fernando Romero--currently Director of Education and Outreach of the Federal Electoral Council, previously with the Servicios Educativos Rurales.
Carlos Basombrio--currently second in charge to the Interior Minister, directing the government's reform of the police forces, previously with Instituto de Defensa Legal.
Jorge Salazar--currently Director of Investigation and Research at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, previously with Instituto Prensa y Sociedad.
3. Women's Learning Partnership Trained Afghan Women in Leadership
On November 27, 2001, the Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development and Peace (WLP) conducted a leadership training session for Afghan women who are living in the US and in refugee camps in Pakistan. In her opening speech, Mahnaz Afkhami, President of WLP, shared her own experience in working for an independent and democratic society in Iran. The training program included interactive exercises in formulating personal vision statements and negotiating and resolving conflicts. Afkhami is a member of the World Movement Steering Committee.
Contact: Mahnaz Afkhami, Women's Learning Partnership, E-mail: wlp@learningpartnership.org, www.learningpartnership.org
4. Russian Student Leaders and Teachers Discuss Efforts to Democratize Schools
An International Conference, "Building a Working Democracy in Russia" took place in St. Petersburg, Russia, on October 12-14, 2001. The conference brought together over 80 student leaders, school teachers, and professionals from St. Petersburg and Northwest Russia along with international experts. Participants exchanged experiences of introducing democracy in schools and discussed how schools could become resources for community and civil society development. They also established an agenda for the creation of a regional network of "Democracy Schools" in the St. Petersburg region. A report on the conference and other materials are available online.
Go to: www.thedemocracyworks.org/dw!/en/conference/index.html
5. CIPE Workshop on "Corporate Governance" at Tenth International Anti-Corruption Conference
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), conducted a workshop on "Corporate Governance: An Antidote to Corruption" at the Tenth International Anti-Corruption Conference on October 7-11, 2001, in Prague, Czech Republic, organized by Transparency International. CIPE's workshop focused on the importance of improving corporate governance, especially in establishing transparency in corporate transactions, accounting and auditing procedures. Effective strategies on anti-corruption in the private sector was also discussed by a panel of experts from the United States and Central and Eastern Europe.
For the CIPE presentation, go to: www.cipe.org/efn/corpgov/prague.php3
For more information about the International Anti-Corruption Conference, go to: www.10iacc.org/
A presentation on Islamic cultural values and democracy in a market economy by Ambassador Ozdem Sanberk, which took place in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2001, is also available in audio and text transcript on CIPE's Web site. Ambassador Sanberk is the Director of the Istanbul-based Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV), a World Movement participating organization.
Go to: www.cipe.org/fs/Sanberk.php3
6. UN Task Force Formed to Address Global Technology Gap
A new UN task force on technology has been established to fight poverty, improve education and create jobs by expanding access to the Internet and other communications tools in the developing world. The 43-member task force consists of corporate executives, UN and government officials, and leaders of nonprofit organizations that work to close the gap between countries with and without access to new technology.
Go to: www.siliconvalley.com/docs/news/tech/067645.htm, news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7936223.html
7. Freedom House Releases Annual Global Survey, "Freedom in the World"
"Freedom in the World," an annual Freedom House publication on the status of political rights and civil liberties around the world, will be available on December 18, 2001. It assesses whether countries are "Free," "Partly Free," or "Not Free." A press conference will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on December 18 at 9am.
Go to: www.freedomhouse.org/research/index.htm ("Freedom in the World" will soon be available.)
8. IFES Issues Official Statement on Sixth General Elections in Honduras
The International Foundation for Election System(IFES) observed the sixth general elections in Honduras on November 25, 2001. It conducted two pre-election assessments, and its delegation visited polling stations throughout the county. In the statement, IFES lists several recommendations for future elections in Honduras.
Go to: www.ifes.org/research_comm/11-26-01Honduras_Election_Results.pdf
9. Publication: POLITICAL PARTIES AND DEMOCRACY
The National Endowment for Democracy's International Forum for Democratic Studies has published a book, "Political Parties and Democracy," edited by Richard Gunther and Larry Diamond (Johns Hopkins University Press: Washington, DC). The book includes 13 articles written by scholars from around the world. The authors analyze the changing character of parties and party systems in postcommunist Europe, Latin America, and five individual countries that have witnessed significant change: Italy, Japan, Taiwan, India, and Turkey. The book originated in a conference organized by the International Forum.
Go to: www.press.jhu.edu/press/books/titles/f01/f01dipo.htm
10. Publication: JULIS - New Law and International Politics Journal
JULIS, a new law and international politics journal, will soon be published. The journal is directed by students of NOVA Law School in Lisbon, Portugal, and will feature articles on law and foreign affairs. The first issue of JULIS focuses on Africa and contains an interview with former South African President Nelson Mandela. JULIS is currently looking for international partnerships - academic or commercial- for distribution.
Contact: Mr. Frederico Alcantara de Melo, Editorial Board Founder Member, JULIS, E-mail: f.am@clix.pt
11. Publication: LIVING LAW - THE ENTERTAINING ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE PRATCTICAL LAW
St. Petersburg Law Institute in Russia has published a manual on rights and law in two volumes: one for pupils and another for teachers. The publication provides interactive techniques for civic education and directories of rights, law, and juridicial systems.
For more information or to purchase, contact: St. Petersburg Law Institute, V.O. 34, Maliy pr., St. Petersburg 199178, Russia, E-mail: office@livinglaw.spb.ru
12. Publication: TENURE OF JUDGES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT - A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT
In mid-July, 2001, a constitutional amendment to the South African Constitution to change the tenure of Constitutional Court judges was introduced, and there has been much public debate about it in the media and the legal profession. This publication addresses important issues related to the amendment. The document is published by the members of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Town. Christina Murray, one of the authors of the document, is a World Movement participant.
Go to: www.uct.ac.za/law (click "Discussion Document: Tenure of Judges of the Constitutional Court" to open files.)
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
13. A Guide to Budget Work for NGOs Available Online
The International Budget Project (IBP) has published the second version of "A Guide to Budget Work for NGOs," and it is available on IBP's Web site. It includes the basic principles of budget work, examples of useful resources, and best practices. The Guide provides a basic understanding of the roles that NGOs can play in this field.
Go to: www.internationalbudget.org/resources/guide/index.htm
14. World Movement Participating Organization's Web Site Includes Up-to-Date Information on Kosovo's Elections
A Kosovo organization, KACI, reports on the recent Assembly elections in Kosovo on its Web site, www.kaci-kosova.org. The Web site includes the election results, parallel voting tabulation, and reports on the 2001 electoral campaign and media monitoring.
Go to: www.kaci-kosova.org
15. New Web site for the RIGHTS Consortium
Freedom House, the American Bar Association's Central and Eastern European Law Initiative (ABA/CEELI), and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), have established a consortium to promote the rule of law and human rights. The consortium, known as the RIGHTS Program (Rule of Law Initiative/Global Human Rights Training and Support Program), provides rapid response and long-term assistance to developing democracies and countries in transition. Its Web site functions as a resource for NGOs, human rights activists, and legal practitioners. The Web site includes information about the RIGHTS Consortium members and RIGHTS activities, links to relevant historical and general country background, human rights reports, and access to tools, reports, and manuals developed through RIGHTS activities, as well as links to other practical information available on the Internet.
Go to: www.rightsconsortium.org
16. Transparency International Launches Corruption Fighters' Tool Kit
Transparency International has launched "the Corruption Fighters' Tool Kit," a collection of civil society experiences and emerging strategies. The Tool Kit aims to share the experiences of TI national chapters and other NGOs in fighting corruption around the world. The Tool Kit covers a gamut of activities, in areas ranging from reform of the judiciary to transparency in election processes to corruption control in public procurement. It is available both in English and Spanish on the TI Web site.
Go to: www.transparency.org/activities/cftoolkit.html
17. AED Calls for Grant Applications: New Awards to Support Small Nonprofits and Promising New Leaders in Social Justice
The Academy for Educational Development has called for applications to the New Voices National Fellowship Program. The program awards two-year grants to small nonprofit organizations working in foreign policy, international economic policy, international human rights, women's rights, racial justice and civil rights, migrant and refugee rights, and international peace and security. The fellowship grants include salary, fringe benefits, financial assistance, mentoring, and a professional development account for a promising new leader. Host organizations also receive technical assistance from national and local experts and a computer to support the work of the Fellow. A defining feature of the program is that the nonprofits and their prospective Fellows prepare the fellowship application together as a team.
Deadline: January 15, 2002
G to: www.aed.org/newvoices
Contact: New Voices, AED, Washington, DC, massad@aed.org
18. Conference: Inter-American Forum on Political Parties, Miami, Florida, December 13-14, 2001
The Organization of American States, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank, the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute, and the National Endowment for Democracy, will hold a meeting to create the Inter-American Forum on Political Parties. The Forum will serve as a venue for reflection, analysis, dialogue, and cooperation among party leaders, key experts and analysts, representatives of civil society, media representatives, and representatives of international agencies. Several participants in the World Movement, including Genaro Arriagada, a member of the World Movement Steering Committee, will address the meeting.
Go to: www.upd.oas.org/information/forum_english.html (English) or
www.upd.oas.org/Espaņol/Information/forum.html (Spanish)
19. Training: Peacebuilding and Development Summer Institute, Washington, DC, July 1-July 19, 2002
The Peacebuilding and Development Summer Institute, offered through the
School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC, is a training program designed to give foreign aid workers, government officials, and conflict resolution practitioners practical skills to complement their daily work in war zone areas. Dr. Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Director of the Institute and a professor at American University, moderated a workshop on "Conflict Resolution, Pluralism, and Democracy: The Promise and the Challenge" at the Second Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy in November 2000.
Go to: www.american.edu/sis/peace/summer
Contact: Ms. Aimee Teplinsky, Program Coordinator, Tel: +1-2020885-2014, E-mail: pcrinst@american.edu.
20. Communications Director for APSA Democratization Section Wanted
The American Political Science Association (APSA) Comparative Democratization Section is looking for a volunteer Communications Director to maintain and expand the section's listserv, which plays an important role in keeping members abreast of current literature and helping to foster new discussions among its members. Since this is a relatively new endeavor, the Communications Director is invited to explore the possibility of establishing a section newsletter, electronic or hardcopy. Fluency in the Internet-or a willingness to learn-is required.
Contact: Chris Sabatini, E-mail: chriss@ned.org, before January 1.
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