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January 2002
CONTENTS
NEWS and PUBLICATIONS
1. Egypt Delays Decision on New Trial for Saad Eddin Ibrahim
2. IFES Proposes a Strategy for Post-Conflict Governance in Afghanistan
3. Solidarity Center and Indonesian Trade Union Work on Debt Issues
4. Report: "Sustaining Global Democratization: A Priority Now More Than Ever"
5. Report: International Forum on Federalism: Mexico, November 2001
6. Report: Fulfillment of the Obligations under the Access to Public Information Act in Bulgaria
7. Report: Privatization in Ukraine
8. Publication: Catalytic Communities' First Newsletter
9. Publication: Newsletter on Media in the New Independent States
10. Publication: GLOBAL CORRUPTION REPORT
11. Publication: JUSTICE - Syrian Human Rights Committee's New Journal
12. Publication: SOCIAL ECONOMY AND LAW (SEAL) ELECTRONIC BULLETIN
13. Publication: KOSOVO AND THE CHANGING FACE OF HUMANITARIAN STUDIES
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
14. Arab Resource Center on Violence Against Women Launches New Web site
15. Online Arab Journalism Review Launched
16. First Pro-Democracy Web Site in Cuba Launched
17. Burundi Human Rights Organization Launches New Web Site
18. CIPE-Romania Office Launches a New Web Site on the Open Doors Campaign
19. Peacebuilding and Development Summer Training Program, Washington, DC
20. Conference: Prospects for Democracy in Iraq: London, January 19, 2002
21. Conference: The Third International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees: Tokyo, Japan, February 9-10, 2002
22. Conference: Electoral Perspectives and the Process of Democratization in DRC: Lessons from SADC: Kinshasa, DR Congo, January 20-24, 2002
23. Position Available - OSI Democracy Coalition Project
24. Positions Available - International Crisis Group
25. Positions Available - CIVICUS
NEWS and PUBLICATIONS
1. Egypt Delays Decision on New Trial for Saad Eddin Ibrahim
On December 19, Egypt's Supreme State Security Court postponed its decision on Saad Eddin Ibrahim's request for a new trial. Ibrahim, an American-Egyptian human rights advocate and a sociology professor at the American University in Cairo, was sentenced by a lower court on May 21 to seven years in prison on charges including tarnishing Egypt's image and accepting foreign money without government approval. The Supreme court's seven-judge panel said it would now rule on January 16, 2002, on Ibrahim's appeal for a new trial. If the appeal is granted, all 27 employees of Ibrahim's Ibn Khaldun Research Centre, who are also serving sentences of up to seven years, would be re-tried.
In the meantime, Freedom House will award the first Bette Bao Lord Prize for Writing in the Cause of Freedom to Ibrahim. The award honors those who, through their writings, have contributed to the expansion of human freedom in closed societies or societies in transition from authoritarian regimes to democracy.
For more information about the case, go to: www.hrw.org/press/2001/12/khaldun1217.htm
For information about the Ibn Khaldun Center for Social and Development Studies, go to: www.ibnkhaldun.org
For information about Freedom House, go to: www.freedomhouse.org
The World Movement issued a Democracy Alert on Ibrahim's trial on May 30, 2001. To see the Alert, go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/may3001.html
2. IFES Proposes Strategy for Post-Conflict Governance in Afghanistan
As the world's attention has turned to the future of Afghanistan, the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) has produced a blueprint for governance and institution building after the war. Authored by Jeff Fischer, IFES Senior Advisor for Elections and Governance, the IFES White Paper, entitled "Post-Conflict Peace Operations and Governance in Afghanistan: A Strategy for Peace and Political Intervention," describes a scenario that concludes with permanent representative institutions being elected in mid-2006. The paper is intended to demonstrate the benefits of employing a broadly scoped and institutionally integrated planning technique for the intervention.
Go to: www.ifes.org/news/afghan_report.pdf
Also of note: Dr. Juliana Pilon, Vice President for Programs at IFES, delivered a keynote address, entitled "The Universality of Human Rights," at a conference that inaugurated the Institute of Human Rights in Auschwitz, Poland, on December 6-7, 2001. Initiated by the local government of Auschwitz and private local sponsors, the Institute's mission is to address challenges of post-totalitarian civil society and to renew the image of the city of Auschwitz, both to confront the legacy of the past and to discuss ways to address the future in a positive manner. The conference involved both theoretical and practical aspects of implementing human rights. Dr. Pilon participated in the World Movement Second Assembly in São Paulo, Brazil.
Go to: www.ifes.org/research_comm/12_2001_IHRspeech.pdf
3. Solidarity Center and Indonesian Trade Union Work on Debt Issues
In Indonesia on November 6, 2001, members of SBSI (Indonesia Prosperity Trade Union), in collaboration with the American Center for International Labor Solidarity, organized the founding meeting of the Koalisi Anti-Utang (KAU) People's Forum, an anti-debt coalition. The Forum gave KAU's members - a wide range of civil society organizations including union, farm, women, and student groups - the opportunity to discuss the impact of the debt burden and structural adjustment policies of international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and IMF, on the daily life of Indonesia.
Contact: American Center for International Labor Solidarity, Tel: +1-202-778-4500, Fax: +1-202-778-4525, acils@acils.org
4. Report: "Sustaining Global Democratization: A Priority Now More Than Ever"
The Institute for the Study of Diplomacy (ISD) at Georgetown University in Washington, DC hosted a Policy Forum on "Sustaining Global Democratization: A Priority Now More Than Ever" on October 10, 2001. Policy makers and scholars, including, among others, Paula Dobriansky, Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs, and Morton Halperin, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, discussed the importance of democracy promotion in US foreign policy with respect to combating international terrorism. A report will be available on the ISD Web site beginning the week of January 14.
Go to: cfdev.georgetown.edu/sfs/programs/isd/books.html
5. Report: International Forum on Federalism: Mexico, November 15-18, 2001
The Canada-based Forum of Federations and the Mexican government co-organized the "International Forum on Federalism" to provide participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas. Over 1,000 participants attended - the vast majority of them Mexican practitioners from all levels of government, with many from the municipal level. About 60 international experts and practitioners came to speak about their particular experiences in federal governance and to exchange ideas with their Mexican counterparts. The Forum of Federations organized several workshops at the Second Assembly of the World Movement.
Go to: www.ciff.on.ca/Programs/programs.htm#International%20Forum%20on%20Federalism%20in%20Mexico
6. Report: Fulfillment of Obligations under the Access to Public Information Act in Bulgaria
The Access to Information Programme Foundation, based in Bulgaria, held a forum on January 11 to present a report on its survey "Fulfillment of the Obligations under the Access to Public Information Act (AIPA)." The forum sought to create a better understanding of the implementation period of APIA and to present the best existing practices under the law. The report, in English, will published on its Web site.
For more information, contact: Gergana Jouleva, Access to Information Programme Foundation, gergana@aip-bg.org, www.aip-bg.org
7. Report: Privatization in Ukraine
The Ukrainian Regional Report's current issue (URR#29) provides systematic information on how the process of privatization has been proceeding in different Ukrainian regions. URR is a bi-weekly Ukrainian-language analytical and informational bulletin distributed both electronically and in hard copies. This publication covers major trends and events in political and socio-economic development in Ukrainian regions, local self-government, and regional development policies and their implementation.
Go to: www.iews.org/URR.nsf
8. Publication: Catalytic Communities' First Newsletter Catalytic Communities (CatComm) has published its first newsletter, which is available online. The newsletter includes news, stories, and information about CatComm member organizations around the world. CatComm is a totally virtual and temporarily volunteer initiative to help low-income community members worldwide solve their local problems and share their practical solutions through an easy-to-use Internet database and other networking services.
Go to: www.catcomm.org/english/newsletters.htm
9. Publication: Newsletter on Media in the New Independent States
The European Institute for the Media (EIM) issued a 31-page EIM Newsletter on media developments in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), also known as the New Independent States (NIS). The newsletter contains information on five topics: media news; media and government; media law; media conferences; and new media technology. The information is provided by EIM's correspondents in 12 NIS countries. The newsletter is produced under the EIM program "Media for Democracy in the CIS (2000-2003)."
Go to: www.eim.org/MaDP.htm
10. Publication: GLOBAL CORRUPTION REPORT
Transparency International (TI) has published its first annual Global Corruption Report, which provides an overview of the "state of corruption" around the world. The report includes assessments of every region in the world and key topics of global importance. Drawing together analyses from journalists and experts, the report presents recent developments in both corruption and the fight against it.
Go to: www.globalcorruptionreport.org
11. Publication: JUSTICE - Syrian Human Rights Committee's New Journal
The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) published its new quarterly journal, JUSTICE, in October 2001. It includes articles on "Censorship and Freedom of Creativity and Thought in Syria" and on oppressive laws in Syria.
Go to: www.shrc.org/justice/english/index.htm
SHRC has also announced publication of its Human Rights Rating 2001. The document rates the level of human rights and freedom in Syria.
Go to: www.shrc.org/english/docs/hr_rating_2001.htm
12. Publication: Social Economy and Law (SEAL) Electronic Bulletin
The fourth issue of the Social Economy and Law (SEAL) Electronic Bulletin, E-SEAL, has been published by the European Foundation Centre (EFC) as a supplement to the SEAL Journal. E-SEAL provides information about legal and fiscal issues affecting foundations, associations, and NGOs.
Go to: www.efc.be/ftp/public/seal/E-SEAL4.pdf
13. Publication: KOSOVO AND THE CHANGING FACE OF HUMANITARIAN ACTIONS
Papers presented at a May 2001 conference, "The Changing Face of Humanitarian Actions: Learning from Kosovo," organized by Uppsala University's Collegium for Development Studies and the Swedish Parliamentary Commission on Global Development, are now available. Papers discuss such issues as democratization, local institution building, gender, and international aid.
Go to: www.kus.uu.se/index-e.html
For a printed copy of the papers, contact: Ms. Mia Melin, info@kus.uu.se, Fax: +46-18-12-08-32
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
14. Arab Resource Center on Violence Against Women Launches New Web site
The Arab Resource Center on Violence Against Women, "AMAN," has launched a new Web site featuring a variety of materials and resources designed to empower women and educate them on human rights and the law. The Web site includes copies of legislation, international conventions, treaties and protocols; articles and research; relevant news items; interactive resources, including search engines and chat rooms; as well as on-line petitions.
Go to: www.amanjordan.org
15. Online Arab Journalism Review Launched
Elsohof.com, the first online Arab journalism review, was launched in September. It focuses on media-related issues in the Arab world, such as censorship and self-censorship, as well as journalism more generally. It publishes investigative reports on such issues as media ethics, freedom of expression, accountability and transparency, newsroom diversity, and balanced coverage. Elsohof.com aims to build an interactive network to exchange ideas and influence decision makers, particularly on press freedom. Elsohof.com is published in Arabic and English. The Web site also provides daily, biweekly, and monthly editions.
Go to: www.elsohof.com
16. First Pro-Democracy Web Site in Cuba Launched
Marta Beatriz Roque, a leader of the Cuban Institute of Independent Economists, recently announced the creation of a Web site that provides news from roughly 130 dissident groups, as well as monthly reports on various issues in Cuba. The site also lists contact information for 60 independent libraries and over 20 alternative news sources.
Go to: www.cubaicei.org
17. Burundi Human Rights Organization Launches New Web Site
La Ligue Burundaise des Droits de l'Homme ITEKA, a Burundi-based human rights organization, re-designed its Web site, which includes information about activities of the organization, news about human rights violations in the country, and a Web version of La Ligue's bulletins.
Go to: www.ligue-iteka.bi
18. CIPE-Romania Office Launches a New Web Site on the Open Doors Campaign
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) Romania Office has launched a new Web site dedicated to promoting the Open Doors Campaign. The Campaign is an initiative, led by Romanian business associations and chambers of commerce, to promote the passage of laws to ensure public input into the government process, freedom of information, fiscal accountability, and transparency.
Go to: www.opendoorscampaign.org/eng/index.html
19. Peacebuilding and Development Summer Training Program, Washington, DC
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. Trainers will guide participants through three week-long sessions which explore the relationship of religion, culture and gender in peacebuilding and development work. The Peacebuilding and Development Summer Institute is one of the first academic programs specifically organized to bridge the two issues of peacebuilding and development.
Go to: www.american.edu/sis/peace/summer
20. Conference: Prospects for Democracy in Iraq: London, January 19, 2002 The Iraq Institute for Democracy, in collaboration with the Iraqi Cultural Forum and Centre of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of London, will host a one-day seminar on "Prospects for Democracy in Iraq" in London on January 19, 2002. The speakers and participants at the seminar will discuss the process of democratization in Iraq and its future.
Contact: Iraq Institute for Democracy, iraq.institute@iraq-democracy.org, Tel/Fax: +32-2-537-3989
21. Conference: The Third International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees: Tokyo, Japan, February 9-10, 2002
The Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR) will hold the Third International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees in Tokyo, Japan, in February 2002. Participants will discuss issues including the human rights situation in North Korea, North Korean refugees in China, and returnees from Japan.
Contact: Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, nkhuman@nkhumanrights.or.kr, www.nkhumanrights.or.kr
22. Conference: Electoral Perspectives and the Process of Democratization in DRC: Lessons from SADC: Kinshasa, DR Congo, January 20-24, 2002
La Ligue des Electeurs, in collaboration with the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA), will host a workshop on "Electoral Perspective and the Process of Democratization in DRC: Lessons from SADC" on January 20-24, 2002. The workshop will bring together government representatives, political parties, churches, and civil society organizations to discuss electoral systems, supporting legal frameworks, and models of electoral commissions.
Go to: www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=18645&SelectRegion=Great_Lakes&SelectCountry=DRC
23. Position Available - OSI Democracy Coalition Project
The Open Society Institute (OSI) Coalition Project is looking for a Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa, who will direct the Project's investigative, grant-making, programmatic and evaluation activities in the region.
Go to: www.wmd.org/mena/mena_opportunities.html
24. Positions Available - International Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group (ICG) seeks five Senior Analysts for its Amman office. ICG is embarking on a new project focused on the Middle East, opening an office in Amman. The ICG Middle East Program will produce a range of policy reports that will provide governments, international organizations, and the world community at large with informed, independent and timely analysis of key regional issues.
Go to: www.wmd.org/mena/mena.opportunities.html
25. Positions Available - CIVICUS
Several new positions, including Chief Operating Officer, Director of Programme, Director of Communications, and Manager for Finance and Administration, are available at CIVICUS Johannesburg Office. CIVICUS is an international civil society movement with members in over one hundred countries. CIVICUS facilitates activities to nurture the founding, growth, protection, and resource of citizen action worldwide and especially where participatory democracy, freedom of association and expression, and other enabling conditions for civil society are threatened.
For full position descriptions, go to: www.civicus.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
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