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The World Movement for Democracy is a global network of democrats, including activists, practitioners, academics, policy makers, and funders, who have come together to develop new forms of cooperation to promote the development of democracy. View previous issues of DemocracyNews.

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May 2004

CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. Call for Applications: Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowships

DEMOCRACY ALERTS
1. DemocracyAlert: Appeal for the Release of Detained Buddhist Monks Fighting for Democracy and Human Rights in Vietnam
2. DemocracyAlert: Vietnamese Minority Group's Peaceful Demonstration Crushed Brutally by Authorities
3. DemocracyAlert: World Movement Participant Arrested and Beaten by DRC National Intelligence Agency

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
4. Third Assembly Follow-up: Press Coverage
5. Yang Jianli's Supporters Mark Two-Year Anniversary of His Illegally Prolonged Detention
6. IMD Annual Report 2003
7. Report: DEMOCRACY IN LATIN AMERICA: TOWARDS A CITIZENS' DEMOCRACY
8. Conference: Defining and Establishing Justice in Muslim Societies, Washington, DC, May 28-19, 2004
9. Call for Applications: Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowships
10. Human Dimension Seminar: Democratic Institutions and Democratic Governance, Warsaw, Poland, May 12-13, 2004
11. Publication: REFORM- A PALESTINIAN PERSPECTIVE- BETWEEN REALITY AND ASPIRATIONS
12. Matters of Conscience Newsletter: International Coalition of Historic Sites Museums of Conscience


CIVIC EDUCATION
13. Report: STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY IN THE AMERICAS THROUGH CIVIC EDUCATION

CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
14. Survey: Have your Say on World Bank/Civil Society Engagement

DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
15. Toolkit: 99 Ways to Build Transparency in Local Governance

ELECTIONS
16. Call for Assistance: World Movement Participant Seeks Elections Assistance
17. New Information and Features Available on IFES-Armenia's Web site
18. Asian Democrats Find Irregularities in Malaysian Polls

LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND ASSISTANCE
19. Parliamentary Network Launches Newsletter: Advancing Democracy

INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
20. Call for Submissions: Bastiat Prize for Journalism
21. Statement on 10 Years of Democracy in South Africa and its Impact on the Religious Community

POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
22. Seminar: The Unfinished Journey of Democracy in Southeastern Europe
23. Publication: FORMER SOVIET UNION: PORTRAIT OF THE NEXT GENERATION
24. International Graphics Contest: Youth Human Rights Movement (YHRM)'s Peace Image

POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
25. Publication: POLITICS OF STATE RESOURCES: PARTY FUNDING IN SOUTH AFRICA

WOMEN'S ISSUES
26. Women's Political Leadership: Win with Women Initiative
27. Report: Women, Electoral Reform and Political Parties

28. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE

CALL FOR ACTION

1. DemocracyAlert: Appeal for the Release of Detained Buddhist Monks Fighting for Democracy and Human Rights in Vietnam
World Movement participant Vo Van Ai of Quê Me: Action for Democracy in Vietnam calls on other participants in the World Movement to support his urgent appeal for the immediate release of two Buddhist monks and prominent dissidents, Thich Huyen Quang and Thich Quang Do, who are currently detained incommunicado in Vietnam. They are leaders of the outlawed Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV), which is Vietnam's active movement for democracy and human rights. After spending over 20 years in prison and under house arrest for their peaceful appeals for democratic reform, both monks were arrested again on October 8, 2003, in a brutal government crackdown on the banned UBCV. Although the monks have not been formally charged, a Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman has announced that they are "under investigation for possessing state secrets," a crime that carries the death penalty in Vietnam. They are both in very poor health and are being denied access to medical care.

Go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/may304.html

2. DemocracyAlert: Vietnamese Minority Group's Peaceful Demonstration Crushed Brutally by Authorities
The World Movement for Democracy recently issued a DemocracyAlert on a violent crackdown on protests of a Vietnamese minority group. On April 10-11, 2004, a Vietnamese minority group's demonstration was crushed with brutal force by Vietnamese government authorities. In the Central Highlands region of Vietnam, thousands of ethnic minority people, known as Montagnards, many of whom are Christians, held peaceful protests and called for long-standing land and religious freedom issues in the region. According to Human Rights Watch and other independent sources, a large number of protesters were injured or arrested and at least ten people were killed by authorities during the protests. For the last three years, the government of Vietnam has restricted freedom of movement, communication, and religious practices in the region.

Go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/may404.html

3. World Movement Participant Arrested and Beaten by DRC National Intelligence Agency
On April 10, 2004, Dieudonné Been Masudi Kingombe, World Movement participant and president of le Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche en Droits de l'Homme et Démocratie (CERDH), based in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, was arrested and heavily beaten by l'Agence Nationale de Renseignements (ANR - the National Intelligence Agency). Been Masudi was released a few hours later in very poor health. Although the reason for his arrest is not clear, CERDH and other human rights organizations suspect that this incident is part of ANR's continuous intimidation against human rights defenders in the Katanga region. According to l'Association Africaine de Défense des Droits de l'Homme (ASADHO), a few other well-respected human rights activists are also blacklisted by ANR.

Go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/april1604.html

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

4. Third Assembly Follow-up: Press Coverage
The World Movement for Democracy's Third Assembly web site now includes links to press articles and documents from various sources across the globe. Please visit the site to learn more about the Assembly.

Go to: www.wmd.org/third_assembly/press.html

5. Yang Jianli's Supporters Mark Two-Year Anniversary of His Illegally Prolonged Detention
The World Movement for Democracy recently updated its DemcoracyAlert on Yang Jianli. On April 26, 2004, the second anniversary of Yang Jianli's arrest in China, the ChinaEweekly, an online publication of the Foundation for China in the 21st Century, launched a special issue with over a dozen articles, both in English and Chinese, on Yang's case. The ChinaEweekly also recently published an analysis on Yang's situation by Andrea Worden, a fellow at the China Law Center of Yale Law School. Her article, entitled "Illegally Prolonged Detention in China and the Case of Yang Jianli," is available both in English and Chinese. Go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/june2602.html

6. IMD Annual Report 2003
The Institute for Multi-party Democracy (IMD) announces the release of its 2003 Annual Report. The Netherlands-based IMD works to encourage the process of democratization in young democracies by providing support to political parties as the core pillars of a multiparty democracy. The 2003 report is available online in English.

Go to: www.nimd.nl/upload/publications/2004/imd_annual_report_2003-a4.pdf

7. Report: DEMOCRACY IN LATIN AMERICA: TOWARDS A CITIZENS' DEMOCRACY
This recently released report by the UNDP reveals a deep crisis of confidence in Latin American democracies since the progression towards elected civilian governments during the past twenty-five years. The report, DEMOCRACY IN LATIN AMERICA: TOWARDS A CITIZENS' DEMOCRACY, includes statistical data in 18 Latin American countries, opinion polls, research, interviews with social and political leaders, analyses, and recommended steps of action, and is intended to generate debates on the on the state of democracy in the region. The report is available online in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Go to: http://democracia.undp.org/Default.Asp

8. Conference: Defining and Establishing Justice in Muslim Societies, Washington, DC, May 28-19, 2004
The Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) is holding its fifth annual conference on May 28-9, 2004, in Washington, DC. The conference, "Defining and Establishing Justice in Muslim Societies," will bring together leading scholars, activists, and policy makers from different religious, ethnic, and national backgrounds to discuss methods of promoting freedom, justice, and democracy in the Muslim world. The deadline for pre-registration is May 15, 2004.

To view the conference program, go to: www.islam-democracy.org or contact Layla Sein at sein@islam-democracy.org.

9. Call for Applications: Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowships
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program at the Washington, DC-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) welcomes fellowship applications for 2005-2006. The Fellows Program was 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. While the program is intended primarily to support activists, practitioners, and scholars from new and aspiring democracies, distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Please note that a working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program. The application deadline for fellowships in 2005-2006 is Monday, November 1, 2004.

Go to: www.ned.org/forum/R-FApplication.pdf or contact: fellowships@ned.org

10. Human Dimension Seminar: Democratic Institutions and Democratic Governance, Warsaw, Poland, May 12-13, 2004
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is hosting a Human Dimension Seminar in Warsaw, Poland, on May 12-13, 2004. By focusing on democratic institutions and democratic governance, the seminar will review the concepts, best practices, and challenges faced by developing and established democracies. NGOs are invited to register, attend, and display information materials at the seminar.

To apply, go to: http://meetings.odihr.pl or email office@odihr.pl

For information on OSCE, go to: www.osce.org/

11. Publication: REFORM- A PALESTINIAN PERSPECTIVE- BETWEEN REALITY AND ASPIRATIONS
This recently book published by the Jerusalem-based Civic Forum Institute (CFI) includes summaries of two conference events held in Gaza and Ramallah in 2003, recommendations from workshops held in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It also features reports by leading Palestinian academics on subjects of reform including financial, judicial, administrative, election, economic, local government, and civil society reform. The book, REFORM- A PALESTINIAN PERSPECTIVE- BETWEEN REALITY AND ASPIRATIONS, is available in English and Arabic.

For more information, contact: Julie@cfip.og

12. Matters of Conscience Newsletter: International Coalition of Historic Sites Museums of Conscience
The International Coalition of Historic Site Museums of Conscience recently published the first issue of its monthly newsletter, "Matters of Conscience." Each issue includes sections on sites of conscience programs, publications and resources, conferences and workshops, upcoming events, and announcements. The April/May 2004 issue includes a brief report on the Sites of Conscience workshop that was organized by the Coalition Office and the District Six Museum of South Africa at the World Movement's Third Assembly in Durban, as well as information on "The Return" of ex-residents to the District Six Museum, and information on the Museum of Memoria Abierta and the Gulag Museum's traveling exhibit.

To subscribe, contact: coalition@tenement.org

Go to: www.sitesofconscience.org/

CIVIC EDUCATION

13. Report: STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY IN THE AMERICAS THROUGH CIVIC EDUCATION
The Unit for Social Development and Education at the Organization of American States (OAS) recently released a 150-page report designed to stimulate dialogue throughout the Americas on the contribution of civic education to democracy for adolescents. The report, STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY IN THE AMERICAS THROUGH CIVIC EDUCATION: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS HIGHLIGHTING THE VIEWS OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, includes country-specific statistics that identify best educational practices for citizenship and democracy. The report is available in English and Spanish online.

Go to: www.oas.org/udse

CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING

14. Survey: Have your Say on World Bank/Civil Society Engagement
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation invites civil society organizations to respond to a survey on civil society's engagement with the World Bank. CIVICUS is the Secretariat for the World Bank-Civil Society Joint Facilitation Committee (JFC), a transitional consultative body committed to the creation of transparent and democratic mechanisms for engagement between civil society organizations and the World Bank at the global level. The survey questions if and how the JFC can be a useful mechanism for civil society organizations and World Bank engagement, and is available online.

To fill out the survey go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=81022418999

For information on CIVICUS go to: www.civicus.org

DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

15. Toolkit: 99 Ways to Build Transparency in Local Governance
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and Transparency International launched a publication based on 29 tools and 70 case studies to assist others in promoting effective citizen participation, improve transparency, and combat city level corruption and inefficiency. The toolkit, "Tools to Support Transparency in Local Governance," is part of UN-HABITAT's Global Campaign on Urban Governance, which is aimed to eradicate urban poverty through improved governance by building capacity of local governments.

To learn more about the Toolkit, go to: www.unhabitat.org/governance or email governance@unhabitat.org.

For information about Transparency International go to: www.transparency.org

ELECTIONS

16. Call for Assistance: World Movement Participant Seeks Elections Assistance
A Ukrainian World Movement participant seeks assistance in identifying pollsters who have experience in working under extreme pressure from authorities, including violence and threats. In the recent Mukachevo City Council Elections in Zakarpatska region, the election committee announced the incumbent as the winner of the elections. However, the exit polls conducted by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation indicate that the opposition candidate received 62 % of the vote against a 30% vote for the incumbent. Immediately following the results of the elections, the government-controlled media initiated a campaign to discredit the results of the exit polls. For the first time since Ukraine's independence, the opinion polling organizations faced pressure and threats from the authorities during the election. As the country prepares for its presidential elections in October 2004, the World Movement participant would like to exchange experiences and lessons learned from other professionals with polling experience. Please send the names of any recommended publications or materials on the subject of polling, including methodology, results, possible errors, etc.

Contact: Ilko Kucheriv at ilko@carrier.kiev.ua

17. New Information and Features Available on IFES-Armenia's Web site
The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) recently launched its newly designed web site that includes expanded news and public outreach sections, an improved search function, and photos of IFES-Armenia's activities. The site's six new categories include: About Us, Citizens' Awareness in Participation in Armenia (CAPA) Project Information, Our Services, Virtual Library, News, and Links. The site is available in English and Armenian.

Go to: www.ifes.org/reg_activities/armenia-reg-act.htm

18. Asian Democrats Find Irregularities in Malaysian Polls
The Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA) concluded that the 11th General Elections held in Malaysia on March 21, 2004, were not free or fair. In their report, ARDA election observers point out discrepancies in the electoral rolls, uneven access to the media, and an ill-prepared Elections Commission. The observation team included representatives from Cambodia, Singapore and Japan. ARDA works with local political parties and NGOs to promote democracy, human rights, and political reform in Asia. A full report will soon be available.

Go to: www.asiademocracy.org

LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND ASSISTANCE

19. Parliamentary Network Launches Newsletter: Advancing Democracy
The International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy (IMPD) announced the first issue of its bi-monthly newsletter. The IMPD is a functional network of the World Movement for Democracy consisting of parliamentarians across the globe committed to: defending parliamentarians who are denied their seats, face harassment, or are otherwise prohibited from fulfilling their elected duties; challenging undemocratic practices, political oppression, the violation of human rights, and government corruption; and enhancing the ability of the democratic opposition within parliaments to challenge government unaccountability and corruption; and working with the public and parliaments to deepen democracy. The current issue features a parliamentary election guide, recent actions by governments to promote democracy and to restrict democracy, and new publications.

To subscribe email tiffanyl@ned.org

For more information about the IMPD and its membership, go to: www.wmd.org/parliamentarian/main.html

INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

20. Call for Submissions: Bastiat Prize for Journalism
The International Policy Network (IPN), a London-based free market think tank, is currently accepting submissions for the Bastiat Prize for Journalism competition. Writers across the globe who have published articles promoting the institutions of a free society - free speech, property rights, rule of law, free markets and sound science- are welcome to participate. The think tank is offering a $10,000 prize for the best article. The Bastiat Prize for Journalism, first held in 2002, was inspired by the 19th century French philosopher Frédéric Bastiat and his belief in free trade and the defense of liberty. Entries of more than 4,500 words must be submitted by June 30, 2004, and must be written in English. Rules, regulations, judging criteria and previous entries can be found on IPN's Web site.

Go to: www.policynetwork.net

21. Statement on 10 Years of Democracy in South Africa and its Impact on the Religious Community
The South African chapter of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCPR) issued a statement on the role that the interfaith religious community played during and after the years of the apartheid in South Africa. The statement calls on all faith-based communities to re-commit themselves to the charter of Religious Rights and Responsibilities and to pledge their support to the promotion of working together for peace. WCPR stresses the importance of interfaith work and promotes a culture of respect for all religions. WCPR organized a workshop, "The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Helping or Hindering Transitions to Democracy," at the World Movement's Third Assembly.

To read the statement, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/SAstatement050704.doc

For information on WCPR, go to: www.wcrp.org/

POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH

22. Seminar: The Unfinished Journey of Democracy in Southeastern Europe
The Bulgarian School of Politics has launched the first course of its 2004 regional program, "The Unfinished Journey of Democracy in Southeastern Europe." The course is the first in a series of five three-day seminars that will be held across the region from March to September 2004, during which participants will learn and acquire new leadership skills, new democratic practices of decision-making, and develop a new awareness of civil behavior, pluralism, and tolerance. The program is being implemented through Freedom House's Regional Networking Project and aims to facilitate the creation of a community of young political and civil society leaders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro.

For more information go to: www.freedomhouse.org

23. Publication: FORMER SOVIET UNION: PORTRAIT OF THE NEXT GENERATION
Nadia Diuk of the National Endowment for Democracy recently published an article in Azerbaijan International, FORMER SOVIET UNION: PORTRAIT OF THE NEXT GENERATION, analyzing post-Soviet youth, particularly in Azerbaijan, on their attitudes toward their own society, political institutions, and other cultures and countries. Using results of a poll conducted in Azerbaijan, Russia, and Ukraine, the article discusses unique trends revealed among the younger Azerbaijani generation, with occasional references to Russia and Ukraine. Diuk points out that young Azerbaijanis tend to prefer Government's bigger role in caring for all of its citizens, yet they don't have a high level of trust in state institutions, such as police and the parliament, or civil society organizations Go to: www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/ai114_folder/114_articles/114_survey_next_generation

24. International Graphics Contest: Youth Human Rights Movement (YHRM)'s Peace Image
The Youth Human Rights Movement (YHRM) calls for artistic submissions of graphics to be used on YHRM materials. The image should represent one of the three following areas: tolerance, peacemaking, nonviolence, or inter-cultural cooperation; "Peace Symbols" representing the spirit of peacemaking and tolerance; or "Heroes Images" representing famous peace activists or literary characters. The deadline for these JPG graphic submissions of less than 1 MB capacity (in English or Russian) is May 31, 2004. The YHRM works to promote human rights, tolerance, and non-formal education in Russia, Central Eastern Europe, and the New Independent States.

For information on the contest go to: http://antifa.ynnet.org

Send submissions to: antifa-graph@hrworld.ru

POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

25. Publication: POLITICS OF STATE RESOURCES: PARTY FUNDING IN SOUTH AFRICA
The Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA) and the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation recently published a book on the public funding of political parties in South-Southern Africa. The publication, POLITICS OF STATE RESOURCES: PARTY FUNDING IN SOUTH AFRICA, investigates the manner in which state of public resources are used in South Africa and suggests possible reforms that would uphold best practices in democratic governance.

Go to: www.kas.de/db_files/dokumente/7_dokument_dok_pdf_4482_2.pdf

For information on EISA go to: www.eisa.org.za

WOMEN'S ISSUES

26. Women's Political Leadership: Win with Women Initiative
The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) recently launched the Win with Women Initiative, which advocates for increased women's representation in political leadership and decision-making positions around the world. Central to the initiative is the Global Action Plan, an advocacy tool that focuses specifically on the role of political parties, as the gateway to political office, in increasing leadership opportunities for women. The Global Action Plan was developed at the Win with Women: Strengthen Political Parties Global Forum hosted by NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright in December 2003. Recommendations to political parties were authored and ratified by political party leaders from 27 countries who have direct experience with opening genuine avenues for women's leadership and making a difference in their countries. The Global Action Plan is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish online.

Go to: www.ndi.org/globalp/women/forum/winwithwomen.asp

For information on NDI, go to: www.ndi.org

27. Report: Women, Electoral Reform and Political Parties
International IDEA's report on "Mujer, Partidos Politicos y Reforma Electoral" (Women, Electoral Reform and Political Parties) is now available online. The report presents findings from a workshop held in Lima, Peru, on January 20, 2004, by International IDEA and Transparencia. Representatives of political parties, congress, electoral organizations, academia, and civil society groups discussed Peru's recently approved Political Party Law and its potential for promoting female participation.

To view the workshop report, go to: www.idea.int/newsletters/2004/peru_women_political_leadership.htm

To learn more about Peru's Political Party Law, go to: http://200.37.159.14/Sicr/RelatAgenda/proapro.nsf/0de6d4a383ac8e9005256b76007bde47/2f80040e6be0bb3b05256dbe0067813b?OpenDocument

28. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE 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.


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