|
||||||||||
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.
July 2002
CONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. NDI's 2002 Democracy Award
2. Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program
CIVIC EDUCATION
3. Publication: "Approaches to Civic Education: Lessons Learned."
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
4. Conference: Post Conflict Reconstruction
5. Call to Strengthen Mediating Mechanisms to Overcome Violence
6. Call for Participants: Intercultural Youth Dialogue: Post-September 11
ECONOMIC REFORM and THE BUSINESS SECTOR
7. CIPE's 15-Year Evaluation
ELECTIONS
8. Publication: 2001 Gong Annual Report
9. International IDEA Project: Georgia and the South Caucasus
10. Survey: How Nations Promote Democracy through Foreign Policy
HUMAN RIGHTS
11. Bhutanese Refugees observe World Refugee Day
12. Courses on Human Rights and Advocacy
13. Call for nominations of human rights defenders
14. Training Program on Advancing Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
INTERNET, MEDIA, and FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
15. Conference: Democracy and the Internet
16. Workshop on Developing Independent Media in Kurdistan- Iraq
17. Cuban Journalist/Librarian awarded Hellman-Hammett Prize
RESEARCH
18. Report: "The Inflexibility Trap: Frustrated Societies, Weak States, and Democracy"
19. NEPAD: African Initiative, New Partnership
20. July 2002 Issue of the Journal of Democracy
21. Publication: Conference on Democratic Transition and Consolidation
WOMEN'S ISSUES
22. Nigerian Woman Wins Award for Work Against Abuse of Sharia
23. Asia Foundation Program on Indonesian Women and Democracy
24. Women's Human and Legal Rights Training Manual
World Movement participating organizations mentioned in this issue.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS1. NDI's 2002 Democracy Award
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) will honor Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, for his leadership of the Varela Project in Cuba, and the Organization of American States (OAS), for its efforts to promote democracy throughout the region, by presenting them with NDI's 2002 W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award later this year. NDI will pay tribute to Mr. Payá's leadership in the Varela Project, 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. César Gaviria will be recognized for his role as Secretary-General of the OAS, and for the Organization's inter-American agenda of promoting democracy and human rights.
Go to: www.ndi.org or contact Jean Freedberg at jfreedberg@ndi.org.
2. 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
CIVIC EDUCATION
3. Publication: "Approaches to Civic Education: Lessons Learned."
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) published a new technical document on the impact of civic education programs on democratic behaviors and attitudes in developing countries. The document, Approaches to Civic Education: Lessons Learned, is part of USAID's major study to understand how and under what conditions civic education plays a role in the development of a more informed and active democratic citizenry. The study considered adult and school-based civic education programs in Poland, South Africa, and the Dominican Republic. The publication contains the findings, recommendations, and future directions for civic education initiatives.
Go to: www.usaid.gov/democracy/pubsindex.html. To obtain a hard copy, contact: docorder@dec.cdie.org
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
4. Conference: Post Conflict Reconstruction
On September 30-October 4, 2002, Wilton Park will hold a conference with the Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department of the UK Department for International Development entitled, "Post Conflict Reconstruction: Lessons Learned and Best Practices." The Conference will address lessons learned since the end of the Cold War, women's role in the reconstruction process, timeline expectations, the role of the international community, developing a functioning economy, and achieving peace without poverty. The Conference will feature speeches and workshops.
Go to: www.wiltonpark.org or contact Mrs. Stephanie Lelliot, Stephanie.lelliot@wiltonpark.org.uk
5. Call to Strengthen Mediating Mechanisms to Overcome Violence
A statement issued by the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka has expressed concern over the violence and increased tensions between the Tamil and Muslim communities. The Council recognizes that there are several mediating mechanisms in place, such as the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, the government's Peace Secretariat, and the opportunity for bilateral talks. However, it also acknowledges the need to strengthen these mediating mechanisms and to create awareness of the need for the general population to have patience and trust for conflict resolution work to take place.
To view the full statement, go to: www.peace-srilanka.org/media_statements/2002/28_06html.htm or contact peace2@sri.lanka.net
6. Call for Participants: Intercultural Youth Dialogue: Post-September 11
The Youth Action for Peace and the Association for Arab Youth-Baladna is calling for participants to attend a seminar on Intercultural Dialogue in Nazareth on September 25-29, 2002. The seminar aims to create a framework for intercultural dialogue among youth leaders, raise awareness of the importance of tolerance and pluralist values, share and exchange experiences and skills, and create a network of youth organizations working on ethnic discrimination.
Contact: Youth Action for Peace at yapis@sx4all.be
ECONOMIC REFORM and THE BUSINESS SECTOR
7. CIPE's 15-Year Evaluation
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has published a feature service article, "CIPE 15-Year Evaluation: Impact and Results, 1984-1999." The article summarizes CIPE's work in promoting principles of democratic governance through market-oriented reform and the partnerships it has formed with NGOs, think tanks, foundations, and business associations around the globe.
Go to: www.cipe.org/fs/articles/geurts.php3 or contact fs@cipe.org
ELECTIONS
8. Publication: 2001 GONG Annual Report
GONG, a Croatian NGO empowering citizens to participate in political processes, has released its annual report for 2001. In the past year, GONG organized workshops for almost 15,000 high school students in Croatia preparing them to vote for the first time; printed flyers to educate the public about the meaning and dates of upcoming elections for city and municipal committees (new in Croatia); and helped 1,000 students to visit the Parliament. In addition, GONG observed Ukrainian and Montenegro elections as OSCE observers, and provided a week-long training program for a group of Russian NGO leaders. More information is available in the report.
Go to: www.gong.hr/eng/Reports/index.htm or email gong@gong.hr
9. International IDEA Project: Georgia and the South Caucasus
Prior to the June 2002 elections in Georgia, International IDEA gathered Georgian civil society and local government representatives to discuss the results and challenges of the democratic transition in that country. The project, "Georgia and the South Caucasus" consisted of ten regional workshops in which participants explored whether appointed representatives, rather than elected officials, are making the decisions that influence people's lives. More information about these regional workshops and a national conference held June 8-9 on "Georgia and the South Caucasus: Challenges towards Sustainable Democracy" is available on the following Web site.
Go to: www.idea.int/newsletters/2002_06/from_the_field_1.htm or email info@idea.int
10. Survey: How Nations Promote Democracy through Foreign Policy
The Democracy Coalition Project is conducting a 50-nation survey of how governments promote (or hinder) democracy through their foreign policies. The "Democracy and Foreign Policy Survey" examines governments' responses to coups and election manipulation abroad. It also assesses their relations with entrenched dictatorships and how governments work to strengthen democracy internationally. A final report of the survey will be released in October 2002 on the eve of the Community of Democracies ministerial meeting in Seoul, South Korea.
Go to: www.demcoalition.org or contact Kwaku Nuamah at knuamah@demcoalition.org
For information on the Community of Democracies, go to: www.ccd21.org/
HUMAN RIGHTS
11. Bhutanese Refugees observe World Refugee Day
On June 20, 2002, Bhutanese refugees observed World Refugee Day with the intention of increasing awareness of the refugee situation in Nepal and Bhutan. Although there have been a series of joint Ministerial and Secretarial meetings to resolve the refugee crisis, results have been dim and dissident leaders and refugees are looking for alternative solutions. The People's Forum for Human Rights, Bhutan, is calling for suggestions and program ideas on the refugee issue.
For more information, contact the People's Forum for Human Rights at skpfhrd@mos.com.np
For information on the case of Mr. S. K. Pradhan, secretary-general of the Peoples Forum for Human Rights and Democracy, Bhutan(PFHRD), who is currently being held in Nepal, go to: http://www.wmd.org/democracyalert/feb502.html
12. Courses on Human Rights and Advocacy
Fahamu, in association with the Department for Continuing Education at the University of Oxford, is calling for applicants for the Adilisha Distance Learning Courses for Human Rights and Advocacy. Throughout the next year, seven courses designed specifically to meet the needs of human rights and advocacy organizations in southern Africa will be offered and led by international and regional experts.
Go to: http://www.pambazuka.org/newsletter.php?id=8416 or www.fahamu.org or contact anil@fahamu.org.za
13. Call for nominations of human rights defenders
The Martin Ennals Foundation, based in Switzerland, invites nominations for its 2003 Award for Human Rights Defenders. The Award is granted annually in recognition of commitment and ongoing work in the defense and promotion of human rights. The Award is meant to encourage and protect those working for human rights in hostile conditions.
Go to: www.martinennalsaward.org or contact info@martinennalsaward.org.
14. Training Program on Advancing Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) is organizing a week-long Regional Training Programme on Advancing Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 29-August 4, 2002. The purpose of the Training Programme is to strengthen knowledge, skills and tools to advance these rights.
Go to: www.forumasia.org/training/020320Regional%20ESC.html or email training@forumasia.org
INTERNET, MEDIA, and FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
15. Conference: Democracy and the Internet
The European Parliament in Brussels will host a seminar this month, entitled, "Democracy, Freedom, and the Internet: How Digital Technologies Empower or Undermine Civil Liberties." The conference will include discussions of data collection, cyber crime, and democracy issues.
Contact: Mcappato@europarl.eu.ing
16. Workshop on Developing Independent Media in Kurdistan- Iraq
The American Society for Kurds (ASK) held two workshops for journalists in Kurdistan-Iraq during June 1-6 and June 8-14, 2002. The workshops aimed to strengthen the relatively free independent media sector that has emerged in the region since 1991. Media professionals and academics addressed the workshops' topics, followed by participant discussion of obstacles facing free media and the means by which to overcome them.
Go to: www.askurds.org or email askurds@yahoo.com
17. Cuban Journalist/Librarian awarded Hellman-Hammett Prize
Human Rights Watch awarded Victor Rolando Arroyo with the Hellman-Hamett Prize for supporting freedom of expression through his work as a journalist and librarian in Cuba. Mr. Arroyo was designated as a Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International after serving six months in prison for being convicted of "hoarding" when he distributed donated toys to needy children during the Christmas season. Mr. Arroyo is a director of the independent Reyes Magos Library. The Hellman-Hammett Prize publicizes the repression of free speech and censorship experienced by recipients.
Go to: www.friendsofcubanlibraries.org
For information from Amnesty International, go to: http://web.amnesty.org/80256A2900558068/0/D6BC3E358FA5C31D80256A48004AB746?Open&Highlight=2,arroyo
For information from Human Rights Watch, go to: http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/americas/cuba.html
Note: The World Movement for Democracy Web site currently features a section called "What's Being Done on Using the Internet and Other Media to Promote Democracy?" Go to: http://www.wmd.org/wbdo/jun-jul02.html
RESEARCH
18. Report: "The Inflexibility Trap: Frustrated Societies, Weak States, and Democracy"
This report on democracy in the Balkans was prepared by a group of eight research centers, including the Center for Liberal Strategies (CLS)in Bulgaria, and offers strategies for overcoming major challenges to democracy, including state weakness, a lack of security, crime and corruption, and dissatisfied electorates. The report is available on the Web site of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and a version of "The Inflexibility Trap" will appear in the July 2002 issue of NED's Journal of Democracy.
Go to: www.ned.org/reports/feb2002.html
The Center for Liberal Strategies is a member of the World Movement's Network of Democracy Research Institutes. Go to: http://www.wmd.org/ndri/ndri.html
19. NEPAD: African Initiative, New Partnership
The International Peace Academy will host a Policy Forum on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in New York City on July 16,2002. The Forum is being organized in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of Algeria, Egypt, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa to the United Nations, with the objective to inform participants about the NEPAD commitment to strengthen the continent's capacity guided by common goals and mutual accountability. Dr. Christopher Landsberg, a World Movement Steering Committee member, will be one of the speakers.
Go to: www.ipacademy.org/Programs/Programs.htm or contact ipa@ipacademy.org
20. July 2002 Issue of the Journal of Democracy
The July issue of the Journal of Democracy features responses to Thomas Carothers' earlier article, "Debating the Transition Paradigm"; "Middle East Studies after 9/11"; and articles on the Balkans, Central Asia, Africa, and other topics.
Go to: www.journalofdemocracy.org/jod.htm or contact jod@ned.org
21. Publication: Conference on Democratic Transition and Consolidation
The Fundacion para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Dialogo Exterior (FRIDE) and the Gorbachev Foundation of North America (GFNA) published a book on the Conference on Democratic Transition and Consolidation, which was held in Madrid in October, 2001. This book summarizes the work done by the participants in the Conference and includes a CD-ROM with the participants' papers.
For more information, go to: www.fride.org
WOMEN'S ISSUES
22. Nigerian Woman Wins Award for Work Against Abuse of Sharia
Ms. Ayesha Imam, coordinator of BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights, has been selected to receive the 2002 John Humphrey Freedom Award of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (ICHRDD) in Canada. Through BAOBAB, Ms. Imam has valiantly worked to clarify and improve the current versions of Sharia law in order to protect women's rights through pro-just Muslim laws. She will be honored for her courageous efforts to challenge assaults on women's rights in the name of religious law. The ICHRRD will present the award to Ayesha Imam on International Human Rights Day in Montreal on December 10, 2002. Ms. Imam is a member of the Steering Committee of the Africa Democracy Forum, a new network that emerged from the World Movement for Democracy's Second Assembly in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Go to: www.ichrdd.ca/flash.html
For information on the Africa Democracy Forum, go to: www.wmd.org/africa/africa_democracy_forum.html
23. Asia Foundation Program on Indonesian Women and Democracy
The Asia Foundation's Women's Political Participation Program in Indonesia supports the emerging capacity of NGO work and the development of advocacy strategies. With Asia Foundation support, the Center for Electoral Reform (CETRO) and Koalisi Perempuan Indonesia advocate for policy reforms to increase women's participation. Programs encourage the formation of women's caucuses in parliament and bringing women into networks to enhance their leadership and representation, and to further analysis of policy issues affecting women.
Go to: www.asiafoundation.org/pdf/women.pdf
24. Women's Human and Legal Rights Training Manual
The International Human Rights Law Group (IHRLG) announces a new online resource, "Making Human Rights Real: A Legal Literacy Program for Women in Morocco." This manual is part of a legal literacy program produced by the IHRLG's Morocco field office and 14 women's advocacy NGOs in Morocco. The 288-page manual is available online in Arabic and English, and features an Introduction to Legal Literacy for Women, a Facilitator's Guide, sessions to hold with women participants, and other resources on legal literacy and women's human rights.
Go to: www.hrlawgroup.org/country_programs/morocco/legal_literacy_manual.asp
World Movement participating organizations mentioned in this issue:
- Africa Democracy Forum: www.wmd.org/africa/africa_democracy_forum.html
- BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights - Nigeria
- Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) - US: www.cipe.org
- Center for Liberal Strategies - Bulgaria: www.cls-sofia.org
- International IDEA - Sweden: www.idea.int
- Forum-Asia - Thailand: www.forumasia.org
- National Endowment for Democracy (serving as the World Movement's Secretariat) - US: www.ned.org
- National Democratic Institute (NDI) - US: www.ndi.org
- National Peace Council of Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka: www.peace-srilanka.org/main.html
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 ||