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November 2003
CONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ EVENTS/ MISCELLENEOUS
1. New Information Added in "What's Being Done on Transparency, Accountability, and Access to Information"
2. West Africa Electoral Institute Seeks Executive Director
3. Petition Circulating on Behalf Of Dr. Chee Soon Juan
4. CIVICUS to Host Fifth Biennial World Assembly, March 21- 25, 2004
5. Community of Democracies Regional NGO Forum to Be Held In Bucharest November 14-15, 2003
6. Saad Eddin Ibrahim on Middle East Liberalism in Current JOURNAL OF DEMOCRACY
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGHTHENING
7. New Directory of NGOs Working on Public Policy in Argentina
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
8. New Issue of Crisis Watch Available Online
DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
9. New Publication: EMPOWERING THE POOR: LOCAL GOVERNANCE FOR POVERTY REDUCTION
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
10. Publication: "Conditions and Expectation for Private Enterprise in Iraq: Findings from a Survey of Iraq's Small and Medium Sized Business Owners and Managers"
ELECTIONS
11. New Issue of INTERNATIONAL IDEA NEWS Available Online
12. The Carter Center to Monitor Elections in Guatemala
13. IFES Observes Rwanda's Legislative Elections
14. Croatian NGO Getting Ready for Parliamentary Elections
HUMAN RIGHTS
15. Interview with Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi
16. Human Rights Conference Held in Malaysia
17. Scholar Rescue Fund Fellowships Available for 2003/2004
18. THE KAMPALA DECLARATION ON STRENGTHENING THE HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN AFRICA
RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN AFRICA
19. New Report: ALBANIA'S 2003 LOCAL ELECTIONS: A SPOTLIGHT ON HOMEBOUND, HOSPITALIZED, AND DISABLED VOTERS 20. 2004 Hellman/Hammet Grants Accepting Nominations
LABOR UNIONS AND WORKER RIGHTS
21. Labor Dispute in Sri Lanka Resolved
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
22. Azerbaijan Media Workers Issue Urgent Appeal to International Media Freedom Organizations and the World Community
23. New Issue of Newsletter from First Voice International
24. Nominations Invited For 2004 Petersberg Prize
25. New Report: CENSORSHIP AND CONTROL OF THE INTERNET
POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
26. International Youth Dialogue Seminar Held in Nazareth
27. Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas Virtual Parliament
Launched
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
28. Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency Updates Web Site
WOMEN'S ISSUES
29. Enhancing Participation of Women in African Party Politics
30. New Website for Women's League of Burma
31. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ EVENTS/ MISCELLENEOUS
1. New Information Added in "What's Being Done on Transparency Accountability, and Access to Information"
The October-November issue of "What's Being Done on...Transparency, Accountability, and Access to Information" has been updated with additional information about projects on the issues of transparency, accountability, and access to information. In addition to new projects, a special section, featuring an interview with World Movement participant, Ernesto Villanueva, president of the Steering Committee of Libertad de Información-México A.C. (LIMAC), has been included. In his interview, Villanueva shares his experience in promoting freedom of information laws in Mexico. LIMAC will organize a workshop on access to information at the World Movement's Third Assembly in Durban, South Africa next February.
Go to: www.wmd.org/wbdo/oct-nov03.html
2. West Africa Electoral Institute Seeks Executive Director
The newly established West Africa Electoral Institute based in Dakar, Senegal is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Executive Director. The Institute aims to support the activities of electoral authorities, civil society bodies, non-governmental organizations, and relevant government agencies throughout West Africa as well as to develop a discrete core of training and research projects. Responsibilities of Executive Director include providing a strategic planning direction, develop national, regional, and local connections, provision of overall management, and organize program development. Applicant must be a West African national. Applications are due by November 24, 2003.
Go to: www.osiwa.org/jobWAEI.html
3. Petition Circulating on Behalf Of Dr. Chee Soon Juan
On October 24, 2003 a petition began circulating throughout pro democracy circles in the defense of Dr. Chee Soon Juan, the Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party. The petition letter, addressed to the Prime Minister and Senior Minister of Singapore, urges the government of Singapore to respect human rights and the rule of law in Singapore. Dr. Chee Soon Juan, a World Movement participant, faces charges in a January trial in a lawsuit brought about by the government of Singapore.
To view or sign the petition, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/demnews-nov2003/Chee_Soon_Juan.doc
Singapore Democrats: www.singaporedemocrat.org
4. CIVICUS to Host Fifth Biennial World Assembly, March 21- 25, 2004
CIVICUS will bring civil society representatives from around the world to gather under the theme "acting together for a just world." This year's conference will take place in Gaborone, Botswana.
To learn more about the event and registration deadlines, visit the CIVICUS Web site.
Go to: www.civicusassembly.org/
5. Community of Democracies Regional NGO Forum Will Be Held In Bucharest November 14-15, 2003
The Partners for Local Development Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme are organizing the event which will bring together NGOs and democracy activists from the Central and Eastern Europe region. The Community of Democracies is an international coalition of democratic nations aimed at fostering cooperation for the protection of democracies. The Forum will serve as a promoter of dialogue between democratic governments and civil society members from the NGO sector.
Go to: www.bucharest-cd-ngoforum.ro/
6. Saad Eddin Ibrahim on Middle East Liberalism in JOURNAL OF DEMOCRACY
The October 2003 issue of the JOURNAL OF DEMOCRACY features an article by Egyptian activist, scholar, and World Movement participant, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, entitled "Reviving Middle Eastern Liberalism." In the article, Ibrahim reflects on his personal journey as an Arab activist working for peace and democracy, as well as the movement in the Middle East as a whole. Ibrahim discusses his time in an Egyptian prison and how the democracy movement in Egypt and the Middle East has changed in the past three years.
The full text of that article and the abstracts of the other articles are available on the Journal of Democracy's Web site.
Go to: www.journalofdemocracy.org/
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGHTHENING
7. New Directory of NGOs Working on Public Policy in Argentina
The Argentinean non-profit organization, the Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth (CIPPEC) has recently released a Directory of Public Policy related NGOs. The directory contains recent and relevant information on 150 NGOs in Argentina that work on public policy issues. The objectives of the directory are to strengthen relationships among NGOs in order to foster joint actions and to promote interaction between the public sector and civil society.
Go to: www.directoriodeongs.org
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
8. New Issue of CrisisWatch Available Online
The International Crisis Group has issued the November edition of CrisisWatch, which briefly summarizes developments during the previous month in some 70 situations of current or potential conflict, providing references and links to more detailed information sources. The publication alerts readers to situations where, in the coming month, there is a particular risk of new or significantly escalated conflict, or a particular conflict resolution opportunity.
Go to: www.crisisweb.org//library/documents/crisiswatch/cw_nov_finalwith_p.pdf
DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
9. New Publication: EMPOWERING THE POOR: LOCAL GOVERNANCE FOR POVERTY REDUCTION
On October 13, 2003, the United Nations Capital Development Fund has launched a new book, EMPOWRING THE POOR: LOCAL GOVERNANCE FOR POVERTY REDUCTION. The book analyzes current international development initiatives, specifically the international efforts to reduce poverty. The book argues that a greater involvement of local populations in decision-making, through democratic decentralization, may significantly contribute to poverty reduction.
Go to: www.uncdf.org/english/news_and_statements/newsfiles/news_empowering_oct03.htm
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
10. Publication: "Conditions and Expectation for Private Enterprise in Iraq: Findings from a Survey of Iraq's Small and Medium Sized Business Owners and Managers"
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has released the results of a post-conflict public survey of Iraq's private sector. CIPE, supported by the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce in the undertaking of this project, aimed at evaluating the future of Iraq's new economy. The report discusses how the Iraqi private sector is poised to rebuild the economy after three decades of a state dominated and internationally limited economic system. Key topics discussed include: optimism for economic growth, access to credit and banking, an open market economy in Iraq, international trade, and tax reform.
Go to: www.cipe.org/pdf/iraq_survey_final.pdf
ELECTIONS
11. New Issue of INTERNATIONAL IDEA NEWS Available Online
The September/October issue of INTERNATIONAL IDEA NEWS published by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is now available online. Highlights of the current issue include an article on elections and democracy in the Arab world and a review of democratic reform in Nigeria surrounding the elections of this year. There are reports on elections from all regions of the world, with political parties of Latin America being brought into focus for this issue.
Go to: www.idea.int/newsletters/sep.2003/August_september03.htm
12. The Carter Center to Monitor Elections in Guatemala
The Carter Center has announced that during the week of October 23rd they opened an office in Guatemala City to begin monitoring the national electoral process, with a special emphasis on human rights and campaign finance. Carter Center staff in collaboration with representatives of local communities will oversee election-related observation activities in Guatemala, including the deployment of four human rights monitors around the country and coordination with local and international observers. The national elections will be held on November 9th.
Go to: www.cartercenter.org/viewdoc.asp?docID=1515&submenu=news
13. IFES Observes Rwanda's Legislative Elections
The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) sent a 13 member delegation of election practitioners and specialists to observe Rwanda's legislative elections held September 29-30 and October 2-3, 2003. An IFES representative remained in Rwanda between the presidential and legislative contests to monitor political campaigning and election preparations. Based on pre-election observations, IFES has prepared a statement offering a series of technical recommendations to the Rwandan National Electoral Commission for the legislative elections.
Go to: www.ifes.org/pressroom/Press%20Releases/10_04_03_IFES_Statement_RwandaElections.pdf
14. Croatian NGO Getting Ready for Parliamentary Elections
GONG, a Croatian NGO, is preparing for the national Parliamentary Elections to be held on November 23, 2003. GONG has six years of election monitoring experience in Croatia, as well as in neighboring countries and Russia. GONG works to ensure that voters are well informed about their voting rights and prepared to participate in the electoral process. GONG expects to have 3,500 observers from around Croatia for the upcoming elections.
Go to: www.gong.hr/eng/gong.asp?cat=2&subcat=33
To read about GONG activities in preparation to elections, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/demnews-nov2003/GONG_Article.doc
HUMAN RIGHTS
15. Interview with Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi
This year's Nobel Peace Prize Laureate is Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian human rights activist and that country's first female judge. A week after being awarded the prize, she returned to a joyous crowd in Tehran and participated in an interview conducted by the United Nations Integrated Region Information Network. Ebadi has campaigned for women's and children's rights for over 20 years and in her interview she said the prize belonged to all those working for peaceful change and that there is no contradiction between Islam and human rights.
To view the interview, go to: www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=37340&SelectRegion=Central_Asia&SelectCountry=IRAN
To read the full text of the Nobel Committee's announcement of the Peace Prize for Shirin Ebadi, go to:
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3180486.stm
16. Human Rights Conference Held in Malaysia
The Education & Research Association for Consumers conducted a workshop on economic, social, and cultural rights on August 24-27, 2003. Participants in the workshop were mostly university students and members of local NGOs in Malaysia. The objective of the workshop was to create a platform for a younger generation to be educated on basic human rights principles. Participants were given the opportunity to share with each other their beliefs and ideas on human rights. Fact finding methods to act and respond to human rights violations were also taught at the workshop.
For further information on the Human Rights Training Programme, contact: Sharon Nobel eratraining@po.jaring.my
17. Scholar Rescue Fund Fellowships Available for 2003/2004
The Institute for International Education's (IIE) Scholar Rescue Fund provides fellowships for scholars whose lives and work are threatened in their home countries. These fellowships permit scholars to find temporary refuge at universities and colleges anywhere in the world, enabling them to pursue their academic work and to continue to share their knowledge with students, colleagues, and the community at large. When conditions improve, these scholars will return home to help rebuild universities and societies ravaged by fear, conflict, and repression. Academics, researchers, and independent scholars all qualify, but preference is given to applicants with a PhD or other higher degree who have been employed in scholarly activities. Universities, colleges, or research centers in any country may apply to serve as hosts. Applications are accepted any time, and emergency cases are given urgency. The winter deadline for applications is January 1, 2004. The spring deadline is April 1, 2004.
Go to: www.iie.org/ScholarRescueFund
18. THE KAMPALA DECLARATION ON STRENGTHENING THE HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN AFRICA
Delegates from the Africa Human Rights NGO Summit, organized by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiatives in Kampala, Uganda on September 22-26, 2003, have released a Declaration on the role of African NGOs in the human rights movement. The declaration examines the current state of NGOs and human rights movements in Africa, pointing out lessons learned from the past and signs for of encouragement for the future. The summit delegates also state their concerns, observations, and recommendations for future action. The declaration calls for democratic reform of institutions and a greater collaboration of efforts by NGOs.
Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/demnews-nov2003/Kampala_declartioan_on_human_rights.doc
19. New Report: ALBANIA'S 2003 LOCAL ELECTIONS: A SPOTLIGHT ON HOMEBOUND, HOSPITALIZED, AND DISABLED VOTERS
This new report by Jerry Mindes highlights how the Albanian election code has changed and mobile ballot boxes are no longer used by the Albanian election commission. Therefore immobile voters are discriminated against. A study conducted after the October 13, 2003 elections found that 11% of voters could not make it to the polls due to physical disabilities. The report follows the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation (ADRF) on their quest to challenge current election law so that elections will be more inclusive.
Go to: www.electionaccess.org/Bp/Albania_local_election.htm
20. 2004 Hellman/Hammet Grants Accepting Nominations
The New York-based Human Rights Watch is inviting nominations until December for the 2004 Hellman/Hammett grant program. The program supports writers and human rights activists who have been victims of political persecution and are in financial need. The grants highlight free-expression violations around the world and help bring attention to human rights issues in countries where recipients live. Deadline for nominations is December 1. Grants will be awarded in spring 2004.
For nomination forms, contact Marcia Allinam at allinam@hrw.org
To learn about Hellman-Hammet Grants, go to: www.hrw.org/about/info/helham.html
LABOR UNIONS AND WORKER RIGHTS
21. Labor Dispute in Sri Lanka Resolved
The Free Trade Zone Workers Union (FTZWU) in Sri Lanka reports that a several-months long intense dispute between Jaqalanka factory workers and the factory management has been resolved with the interventions of the Fair Labor Association and the Center for Policy Alternatives. The disputing parties have reached an agreement, in which most of the union's demands have been met. Jaqalanka agreed to recognize FTZWU as the representative for workers, and promised to refrain from victimization and harassment of union members. The case was covered in the August and October DemocracyNews issues.
Go to: www.tieasia.org/Jaqalanka.htm
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPERESSION
22. Azerbaijan Media Workers Issue Urgent Appeal to International Media Freedom Organizations and the World Community
The Azerbaijan Journalists Confederation (AJK) is calling for support from democrats around the world, following that country's presidential election, held on October 15, 2003, which international observers declared did not meet international standards or Azerbaijan's commitments to organize democratic elections. AJK and international observers report that government forces suppressed opposition party supporters and attacked journalists in an effort to undermine the democratic process in Azerbaijan. AJK lists 73 journalists being physically assaulted by police and armed forces. Both AJK and international observers are calling for international attention so that these corrupt practices will be exposed in an effort to provide safety to journalists and to protect the human and civil rights of Azerbaijan citizens.
To view the list of targeted journalists, go to: www.humanrights-az.org/news.php?nid=83&cid=24
23. New Issue of Newsletter from First Voice International
The fall issue of First Voice International's newsletter is now available online. First Voice International is a nonprofit organization which uses satellite technology to promote social development across the global south. The current newsletter contains articles and information about how First Voice International uses satellites to provide multimedia and broadcasting capabilities to Asia and Africa. As a result of having access to information technology, communities can shorten the distances between themselves and share best practices on a host of issues ranging from civil society and governance to public health. The newsletter indicates how information technology can lead to a better informed civil society.
Go to: www.firstvoiceint.org/pdf/newsletter_fall03.pdf
24. Nominations Invited For 2004 Petersberg Prize
The Development Gateway Foundation is inviting nominations for the Petersburg Prize, 2004, an award that honors an individual or organization that has effectively used Information Communications Technologies (ICT) to improve people's lives in developing nations. ICT is a vital link in promoting democracy, as it has the ability to link resources and spread information helping to create an empowered civil society. The deadline for nominations is February 1, 2004.
Go to: www.dgfoundation.org/prize
25. New Report: CENSORSHIP AND CONTROL OF THE INTERNET
This new report by Privacy International and the GreenNet Educational Trust suggests that Internet censorship is common around the world, and that efforts to stifle online free speech are becoming increasingly effective. Researchers have found that restrictions on Internet activity, as well as government secrecy and communications surveillance, have reached an unprecedented level across the globe.
Go to: www.privacyinternational.org/survey/censorship/
POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
26. International Youth Dialogue Seminar Held in Nazareth
The Association for Arab Youth-Baladna held a post September 11th Seminar in Nazareth on September 21 -25, 2003. Baladna is a group of educators, artists, lawyers, community workers, feminist activists and journalists who came together a year ago and decided to create an independent Palestinian Arab youth movement. Baladna held the Seminar in an effort to argue against the widely believed notion that war is inevitable due to profound differences between the western world and Islam. The seminars emphasized cross cultural dialogue and understanding which are necessary to avoid war and to live in democratic societies. A final report on the conference seminar has been released and can be downloaded from Baladna's Web site.
Go to: www.baladnayouth.org/report/article.php?id=31
27. Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas Virtual Parliament Launched
The Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA) has launched the latest version of the Virtual Parliament of the Americas, an online tool enabling parliamentarians to communicate and work together on issues of hemispheric importance. The project intends to address the communication needs expressed by FIPA's member parliamentarians
Go to: www.e-fipa.org
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
28. Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency Updates Web Site
The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has updated its Web site to make it more interactive and user-friendly. The updated site includes opinion polls, feedback submission, and a search facility. Free downloadable publications are available on democracy and capacity building in an effort to disseminate information more clearly and effectively.
Go to: www.pildat.org
WOMEN'S ISSUES
29. Enhancing Participation of Women in African Party Politics
On October 23-25 during the annual congress of the Liberal International in Dakar, Senegal, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy organized a workshop titled "Enhancing Participation of Women in African Party Politics." Fifteen women representatives from across Africa gathered to discuss issues regarding how to increase the numbers of women in public office.
Go to: www.nimd.org/default.aspx?menuid=14&type=newsitem&contentid=99&special=
30. New Website for Women's League of Burma
The Women's League of Burma (WLB) has launched its new Web site. The WLB is an umbrella organization comprising 11 already existing women's organizations of different historical and ethnic backgrounds. Its mission is to work for the empowerment of women and the advancement of women's participation in all spheres of society and democracy while building an understanding between women from different backgrounds throughout Burma.
Go to: www.womenofburma.org
31. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
- Saad Eddin Ibrahim, Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies - www.ibnkhaldun.org
- Chee Soon Juan,Singapore Democratic Party - www.singaporedemocrat.org
- CIVICUS - www.civicus.org/new/default.asp
- Community of Democracies - www.ccd21.org/
- Center for International Private Enterprise - www.cipe.org
- The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) - www.ifes.org/
- GONG - www.gong.hr
- The Free Trade Zone Workers Union (FTZWU) - www.tieasia.org/Jaqalanka.htm
- First Voice International - http://www.firstvoiceint.org/
- The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) - www.pildat.org
- The Association for Arab Youth-Baladna - www.baladnayouth.org
- The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy - www.nimd.org
- The Women's League of Burma (WLB) - www.womenofburma.org
- Libertad de Información-México A.C. (LIMAC) - www.limac.org.mx/html/
- The Foundation for Human Rights Initiatives - www.fhri.or.ug
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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Tel: (202) 378-9700
Fax: (202) 378-9889
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