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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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October 2003

CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. World Movement's Third Assembly Draft Agenda Available Online
2. World Movement Participant Receives Defender of Democracy Award
3. World Leaders' Statement on Democracy in Cuba
4. Fellowship Opportunities at the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy
5. Scholar Rescue Fund Fellowships Available for 2003/2004
6. Humphrey Law and Human Rights Fellowships
7. Fellowship Opportunity for International Journalists at The International Women's Media Foundation
8. Oak Human Rights Fellowship at Colby College
9. Fellowship Opportunity at the Center for the Study of Philanthropy
10. Members of the World Movement's Network of Democracy Research Institutes Gather in Philadelphia

CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGHTHENING
11. Civil Society Organizations Seek to Develop Partnerships at International Civil Society Forum in Mongolia
12. October Issue of Civic Engagement News Available Online

CONFLICT RESOLUTION
13. Publication: CRISISWATCH

ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
14. Workshop on Privatization in Tanzania
15. Publication: Corporate Governance and Development Finance in Asia and the Pacific

ELECTIONS
16. NDI Reports on Upcoming Presidential Election in Azerbaijan

HUAN RIGHTS
17. Publication: Ugandan HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2002-2003
18. Conference on Human Rights Education in Asia Pacific, November 10-12, 2003
19. Freedom House ANNUAL SURVEY OF POLITICAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
20. Publication: POLE STAR: HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY
21. New Issue of LIBERTAS Available Online

INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
22. Human Rights Watch Urges Malaysian Government to Drop Case Against Online Newspaper MALAYSIAKINI
23. Online Course: ICT for Civil Society
24. Exposing Corruption Through Media Training in Papua New Guinea
25. Making Government More Accessible in Cambodia Though New Technology
26. E-Democracy and "Public Net-Works"

POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
27. International Youth Conference for Democracy Held in Singapore in July

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
28. Transparency International Launches Corruption Perceptions Index 2003
29. Conference Report on "Corruption and Anti-Corruption"
30. Bulgarian NGO Celebrates International "Right to Know Day"

WOMEN'S ISSUES
31. International Program for Capacity Building and Training in Women's Human Rights, November 23 - December 6, 2003
32. Workshop on "Enhancing Participation of Women in African Party Politics," October 23-25, 2003
33. New Radio Program Launched for Afghan Women
34. World Bank Launches New Web site Promoting Women's Rights
35. Online Forum on Gender Empowerment Launched

WORKERS' RIGHTS AND TRADE UNIONS
36. The Free Trade Zones Workers Union Campaigns for Workers' Rights in Sri Lanka

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




ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

1. World Movement's Third Assembly Draft Agenda Available Online
The Draft Agenda of the World Movement's Third Assembly is now available on the Assembly's Web site. The Assembly will take place in Durban, South Africa on February 1-4, 2003. The draft agenda includes plenary sessions and over 40 workshops that are proposed to be organized. Workshop organizers are also listed and linked to their Web sites. The agenda will continue to be updated.

Go to: http://www.wmd.org/third_assembly/agenda.html

2. World Movement Participant Receives Defender of Democracy Award
Chee Soon Juan, a World Movement for Democracy participant, recently received the Parliamentarians for Global Action's Defender of Democracy award on September 16 at the organization's 25th anniversary. Dr. Chee is a neurophysiologist by training and is currently the Secretary General of the Singapore Democratic Party. He was honored for his work to deepen and broaden of democratic roots in Singapore.

To read about the Defender of Democracy Awards, go to: http://www.pgaction.org/uploadedfiles/press%20release.pdf

3. World Leaders' Statement on Democracy in Cuba
On September 18, 2003, Václav Havel, Arpád Goncz, and Lech Walesa - former presidents of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, respectively - issued a statement published in newspapers around the world addressing democracy in Cuba's future. The authors discuss the need for a democratic transition in Cuba and call for Europe and the U.S. to set up funds for Cuban civil society to play a more effective and participatory role in their future. The authors are members of the International Committee for Democracy in Cuba, which seeks to show political solidarity with fellow democracy activists in Cuba and to channel economic support to Cuba's democratic opposition.

To read the statement, go to: http://www.wmd.org/documents/DemNews-Oct2003/CubaLibre-1010.doc
To read about the International Committee for Democracy in Cuba, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/DemNews-Oct2003/ICDC-1010.doc

4. Fellowship Opportunities at the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy
The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD), a newly established democracy assistance foundation, serves as a gathering point of information and as a platform for the international exchange of ideas relating to democracy and human rights in the Asia-Pacific region. TFD is offering grants to support four fellowships as follows: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Dissertation Fellowship, Graduate Fellowship, and International Visiting Fellowship. All visiting fellows will reside in Taipei and receive a living stipend.

For application deadlines and other information contact: tfd@taiwandemocracy.org.tw

5. 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.

Go to: http://www.iie.org/ScholarRescueFund

6. Humphrey Law and Human Rights Fellowships
The International Humphrey Fellows Program at the University of Minnesota announces fellowships in law and human rights for the August 2004 - May 2005 academic year.  The fellowships are open to mid-career human rights advocates and lawyers from designated developing nations and emerging democracies who want to study human rights law, other relevant laws, public policy, and administration, as well as to undertake a professional affiliation in their particular areas of interest.  Applicants need to apply at the U.S. Embassy in their home country.  The deadline varies by country.

Go to: http://www.iie.org/Template.cfm?&Template=/programs/hhh/fellinf.htm
and http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/hrcenter.htm

7. Fellowship Opportunity for International Journalists at the International Women's Media Foundation
The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) has created new fellowships designed to provide international women journalists with three-month experience working with leading U.S. media companies. The program is open to women journalists who have participated in any IWMF or African Women's Media Center program, including journalists who have received the IWMF's Courage in Journalism Award. A successful applicant will be dedicated to a career in journalism, currently employed in a media organization and show a strong commitment to sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues upon returning home. Excellent written and spoken English skills are required. The first fellowship will be announced in January 2004 and will run from April - June 2004. The fellowship will rotate between journalists working in the print and broadcast media, with the first year's fellowship going to a journalist working in the print media. The deadline for applications is November 3, 2003.

For more information and an application, go to: http://www.iwmf.org/programs/7666

8. Fellowship Opportunity: The Oak Fellowship at Colby College
The Oak Institute for the Study of International Human Rights at Colby College in Maine, United States, is accepting nominations for the Oak Human Rights Fellowship for the fall 2004. The Oaks Institute is seeking a human rights practitioner working on human rights issues in East and Southeast Asia. Possible areas of expertise include, but are not limited to: internally displaced populations; women and children; economic and political rights; religious or cultural forms of discrimination; and torture. The Oak Fellowship offers an opportunity for prominent practitioners in international human rights to take a sabbatical leave from their work and spend the fall semester as a scholar-in-residence at Colby College. A stipend, benefits, and roundtrip transportation are provided.
Completed applications must be submitted no later than January 16, 2004.

Go to: http://www.colby.edu/oak
Nominations should be sent to: oakhr@colby.edu

9. Fellowship Opportunity at the Center for the Study of Philanthropy
The Center for the Study of Philanthropy at the City University of New York is accepting applications for the spring 2004 International Fellows Program. The International Fellows Program is for scholar/practitioners working in the international NGO sector. The program is open to senior-level practitioners over the age of 35 who are citizens of countries other than the United States. Applicants must speak and write English fluently. Candidates must have a strong institutional base and a clear interest in working with the community foundation model. A stipend and living accommodations are provided. The deadline is October 15, 2003.

Go to: http://www.philanthropy.org/inside/international_philanthropy/international_fellows_prog.htm

10. Members of the World Movement's Network of Democracy Research Institutes Gather in Philadelphia
The Network of Democracy Research Institutes (NDRI), a global association of organizations that conduct research on democratization, and a functional network of the World Movement for Democracy, hosted ten scholars from international think-tanks at the 2003 annual meeting of the American Political Science Association (APSA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Political scientists from China, Georgia, Ghana, Korea, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey attended numerous APSA panel sessions and then participated in a day-long workshop for think-tank researches on August 31.

To view the most recent issue of Democracy Research News, the Networks electronic newsletter, go to www.wmd.org/ndri/ndri.html

To subscribe or for more information on the NDRI, please write to Thomas W. Skladony at skadony@ned.org


CIVIL SOCIEY STRENGTHENING

11. Civil Society Organizations Seek to Develop Partnerships at International Civil Society Forum in Mongolia
The International Civil Society Forum (ICFS) held a conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on September 10-12. Over 200 civil society representatives from 63 countries gathered for the forum with the main theme "Civil Society Partnerships for Democracy." The participants focused on practical ways to promote partnerships and strengthen commitments to democratic governance locally, nationally, and internationally. Participants set forth nine principles of democratic governance and adopted 59 recommendations to be addressed to governments, NGOs, and civil society. A plan of action was adopted and endorsed by ICFS to create regional and national "Democracy Watch" networks, promote access to information, and foster greater civil society activities.

Go to: http://www.icnrd5-mongolia.mn

12. October Issue of Civic Engagement News Available Online
The Council on Public Engagement released the October issue of its newsletter, Civic Engagement. This issue highlights participants' experiences in preparing for and witnessing the events of becoming a U.S. citizen. Ideas about teaching and learning democracy are also discussed in the issue, which includes a report on the Jane Addams School for Democracy. Civic Engagement News is an electronic newsletter of the Committee on the Intellectual Foundations of Civic Engagement in the Disciplines - a working group of the Council on Public Engagement (COPE) at the University of Minnesota. It is sent free of charge to colleagues in Minnesota and elsewhere who are interested in civic engagement ideas and developments, especially in higher education.

Go to: http://www.umn.edu/civic


CONFLICT RESOLUTION

13. Publication: CRISISWATCH
Launched by the International Crisis Group (ICG), a monthly bulletin, called "CrisisWatch," provides updates on situations of conflict or potential conflict around the world. CrisisWatch summarizes developments of current or potential conflict and provides links to information sources. It also alerts readers to situations where, there is a particular risk of a new or significantly escalated conflict, or a particular conflict resolution opportunity. In addition, information about ICG reports and briefing papers that have been published in the last month is included in the bulletin.

Go to: http://www.crisisweb.org/home/index.cfm?id=1200&l=1


ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR

14. Workshop on Privatization in Tanzania
On September 3-4, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) hosted a workshop on privatization in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Many state agencies have been privatized in recent years, and politically sensitive utilities are likely soon to follow. Despite the huge impact on civil society, public debate has been relatively absent in Tanzania. To address this, NIMD provided a forum for discussion, which was attended by party leaders of the major Tanzanian political parties.

Go to: http://www.nimd.org/default.aspx?menuid=0&type=newsitem&contentid=81&special=

15. Publication: Corporate Governance and Development Finance in Asia and the Pacific
In an article titled "Corporate Governance and Development Finance in Asia and the Pacific," Octavio Peralta looks critically at the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s and examines what the implications are for good governance in the region. The article examines interlocking interests of economies that grow on a relationship-based environment rather than on a market driven environment. Peralta studies the need for effective corporate governance reforms within the Asian business community as a necessity to promote economic growth. The author is Deputy Secretary General of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific.

Go to: http://www.cipe.org/pdf/publications/fs/peralta.pdf


ELECTIONS

16. NDI Reports on Upcoming Azerbaijan Presidential Election
On October 15, 2003, voters throughout Azerbaijan will go to the polls and cast their ballots to elect a president. The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has released the first two reports in an ongoing series monitoring the pre-election climate in Azerbaijan. These first two reports provide background on the political situation, legal framework, and the pre-election environment. Future issues will focus on Azerbaijan nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the media, and the international community. NDI will provide regular updates through the election day.

Go to: http://www.wmd.org/documents/DemNews-Oct2003/NDIReport1-1010.doc and http://www.wmd.org/documents/DemNews-Oct2003/NDIReport1-1010.doc


HUMAN RIGHTS

17. Publication: Ugandan HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2002-2003
The latest publication, HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2002-2003, from the Uganda-based Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) focuses on the right of citizens to participate in governance, restrictions on civil and political liberties in Uganda, liberty and personal security, the rights of internally displaced persons, prison conditions, and the rights of women and children. The publication is useful for academics, parliamentarians, human rights activists, government officials, judicial bodies, civic organizations, inter-governmental agencies and all members of civil society who are interested in becoming stakeholders in promoting democracy in the country.

To order the report contact: fhri@spacenetuganda.com

To learn about FHRI, go to: http://www.fhri.or.ug

18. Conference on Human Rights Education in Asia Pacific, November 10-12, 2003
The Asia-Pacific Center on Education for International Understanding, the Asian Regional Center for Human Rights Education, and the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center are jointly organizing a regional conference on human rights education to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 10-12, 2003. The conference agenda will address human rights in the world today. Participants will discuss how to promote human rights education programs and how to address human rights issues that are left out of mainstream dialogue.

Go to: http://www.arrc-hre.com/schedule/schedule.html

19. Publication: Freedom House ANNUAL SURVEY OF POLITICAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
Freedom House has published the 2003 edition of FREEDOM IN THE WORLD, an annual comparative assessment of the state of political rights and civil liberties in 192 countries and 18 related and disputed territories. Widely used by policy makers, journalists, and scholars, the 700-page survey reports on freedom around the globe.

Go to: http://www.freedomhouse.org/research/index.htm

20. Publication: POLE STAR: HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY
Rights and Democracy, an international human rights organization based in Canada, has recently published POLE STAR: HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE INFORMATION SOCIETY, by Deborah Hurley, in an effort to prepare for the World Summit on the Information Society in December 2003. The essay emphasizes people's rights in the development of the information society and a global community. Issues covered in this essay include: human rights, access to information, education, and privacy.

Go to: www.ichrdd.ca/english/commdoc/publications/globalization/wsis/polestar.pdf

21. New Issue of LIBERTAS Available Online
Rights and Democracy's Online Newsletter, Libertas, released its September issue, which is now available online. This special issue focuses on the human rights situation in Iran within the context of the international quest for human rights around the globe.

Go to: www.ichrdd.ca/frame2.iphtml?langue=0&menu=m01&urlpage=/english/commodoc/publications/libertas/main.html


INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

22. Human Rights Watch Urges Malaysian Government to Drop Case Against Malaysiakini
On October 8, 2003, Human Rights Watch issued a statement urging the Malaysian Government to drop its case against an Online newspaper, Malaysiakini, a World Movement participating organization. The government began investigating the popular news outlet for posting a letter to the editor on January 9 that criticized government policies favoring ethnic Malays. According to Brad Adams, executive director of the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch, "this controversy is...about...the right of all Malaysians to receive news and opinions unfiltered by the government."

Go to: http://www.hrw.org/press/2003/10/malaysia100803.htm

To visit Malaysiakini, go to: www.malaysiakini.com

23. Online Course: ICT Policy for Civil Society
The ICT Policy for Civil Society training course, developed by the Association for Progressive Communications and the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization, builds the capacity of civil society organizations to understand policy and regulation related to information and communication technologies (ICT). It will help civil society organizations begin to engage and influence policymaking processes affecting ICT adoption and implementation at the national, regional and global levels. The course is available online and is open to everyone. The five-day course focuses on the importance of the Internet in mobilizing civil society to develop an advocacy strategy to influence ICT policies.

Go to: http://www.apc.org/english/capacity/policy/curriculum.shtml

24. Exposing Corruption Through Media Training in Papua New Guinea
At the request of the Media Council of Papua New Guinea, the Asia Pacific Journalism Centre, in collaboration with the Centre for Democratic Institutions in Australia, designed and delivered two workshops for media practitioners in Port Moresby and Madang, Australia. The workshops were conducted in June/July 2003 and focused on strengthening the skills of journalists form Papua New Guinea in attacking corruption and promoting good governance. These workshops combined training in assertiveness and other personal communication skills with the techniques of investigative reporting.

To learn more, contact Felicity Pascoe at: felicity.pascoe@anu.edu.au
Go to: www.cdi.anu.edu.au/png/PNG_InvestJourn_Jul03.htm

25. Making Government More Accessible in Cambodia through New Technology
To promote participatory democracy in Cambodia, American Assistance for Cambodia is building schools and providing internet technologies to rural regions throughout Cambodia. On September 1, 2003, 13 schools in remote, secluded areas were connected to the Internet through donated computers and an innovative method of using wireless technologies to provide villagers with email access. Through these technologies, their voices can be heard in provincial capitals. To date villagers have used email to voice concerns over agricultural land use and living conditions to their provincial governors, where a month ago their voices went unheard. This project shows that the spread of access to information technology can be vital in the effort to promote democracy.

Go to: http://www.cambodiaschools.com or www.villageleap.com

26. E-Democracy and "Public Net-Works"
New online articles on e-democracy have recently been issued by Publicus.net. The first paper, "E-democracy, E-Governance, and Public Net-Work," deals with the increasing potential and use of information and communication technologies to improve citizen participation and government decision making. Another paper, "Public Network: Online Information Exchange in the Pursuit of Public Service Goals," goes into further detail on the ideas of Public Net-Works. The author of both articles, Steven Clift, explains how public Net-Works use similar tools and online communities to encourage stakeholder participation in efforts to help governments, NGOs, and others implement programs in an effective manner.

Go to: http://www.publicus.net/articles/edempublicnetwork.html


POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH

27. International Youth Conference for Democracy Held in Singapore
On July 26-27, 2003, the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA), the Singapore Democratic Party, and the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) held an International Youth Conference for Democracy in Singapore. Two highlights of the conference were a call by delegates for the Singapore Government to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) adopted by the United Nations, and the formation of the Sweden-Singapore Initiative for Democracy, which will continue to organize projects such as training workshops, exchange programs, and conferences in Singapore. The conference sessions focused on elections, media, civil society, youth programs, human rights, and labor. One of the panelist was World Movement Assistant Project Manager Mr.Ryota Jonen.

Go to: http://www.cald.org/news/singapore_conference.htm


TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

28. Transparency International Launches Corruption Perceptions Index 2003
On October 7, Transparency International (TI) released a new Corruption Perceptions Index. The Index ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians. It indicates high levels of corruption in both many developed countries and less developed ones, and that it is vital that developed countries enforce international conventions to curb bribery by international companies ensuring the fulfillment of their obligations under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. TI suggests that governments implement results-oriented programs to fight corruption and calls for more support for civil society organizations to monitor the implementation of government programs and for a firmer line among international financial institutions and donor countries.

Go to: http://www.transparency.org/cpi/index.html#cpi

29. Report on "Corruption and Anti Corruption" Course
The Australian National Centre for Development Studies, in cooperation with the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Centre for Democratic Institutions, held its sixth annual Corruption and Anti-Corruption course on August 25 - September 12, 2003. The objective of the course was to develop an understanding of the relationship between corruption, liberalization, and good governance. Different types of corruption were examined, and practical strategies for investigation and prevention were discussed. Officers from ombudsmen offices in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu were among participants in the course, and they developed project proposals, which could be implemented by their own institutions.

To read the report, go to: http://www.cdi.anu.edu.au/asia_pacific/Pacific_Corruption_Anti-Corruption_Sept03.htm

30. Bulgarian NGO Celebrates International "Right to Know Day"
On September 28, 2003, Access to Information Programme, a Bulgarian NGO and member of the Freedom of Information Network, organized a ceremony to present the first annual awards to Bulgarian citizens, media, and NGOs who have actively exercised their rights to freedom of information. Around 150 journalists, citizens, and NGO representatives attended the ceremony. The purpose of the awards is to encourage citizens, NGOs, and journalists to exercise their rights of information access, and to push governmental institutions to create conditions for exercising rights under the Bulgarian Access to Public Information Act (APIA). The winners included renowned journalists and NGO leaders. A "Golden Key" was awarded to the Municipality of Dobrich, for best organized activities to supply information to the public. Among the other award winners were a local environmental NGO, the Web site of the Supreme Administrative Court (www.sac.government.bg), a journalist who published an article revealing illegal spending of budget funds by the National Health Insurance Fund, and a citizen who had repeatedly requested information from the Ministry of the Economy.

Go to: http://www.righttoknowday.net/index_eng.htm

To learn more about Access to Information Programme, go to: http://www.aip-bg.org


WOMEN'S ISSUES

31. International Program for Capacity Building and Training in Women's Human Rights, November 23 - December 6, 2003
Cidadinia, Estudo, Pequisa, Informcão e Acão (CEPIA - Citizenship, Studies, Information, Action) is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization dedicated to developing projects that promote human and citizenship rights in Brazil. CEPIA is currently calling for applications to the International Program for Capacity Building and Training in Women's Human Rights to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from November 23 to December 6, 2003. The forum is an initiative based on various United Nations documents and international conventions that point out the importance of educational and capacity building programs, directed to the recognition and applicability of women's human rights. The Program intends to develop sociological, juridical, strategic, and normative knowledge to promote exchange of successful experiences and to discuss strategies to promote and implement women's human rights.

Contact: Rosana Heringer, Rosana@forumcivil.org.br

To learn more about CEPIA, go to: http://www.cepia.org.br

32. Workshop on "Enhancing Participation of Women in African Party Politics," October 23-25, 2003
On October 23-25, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) is organizing a workshop in Dakar, Senegal, on "Enhancing Participation of Women in African Party Politics." African female experts from different liberal parties throughout the continent will discuss their national situation and the measures taken by parties to enhance female participation. The workshop will produce a joint declaration with practical points for the future.

Go to: www.nimd.org/default.aspx?menuid=0&type=newsitem&contentid=84&special=

33. New Radio Program Launched for Afghan Women
The Afghan Women's Network (AWN) began producing radio programs to increase the amount of information that Afghan women in rural areas receive and, further, to provide NGO members of AWN with training in communication. The radio project is coordinated with the Canada-based Institute for Media, Policy, and Civil Society. AWN works with other NGOs to put two programs on the air every two weeks. One of the programs is a 10-minute segment called "Women and the Constitution", focusing on the rights of women under the new Afghan Constitution. The other program is a 20-minute segment called "Women in Focus", which looks at issues related to women.

Go to: www.afghanwomensnetwork.org/radio.htm

34. World Bank Launches New Web site Promoting Women's Rights
The World Bank launched a new Web site that describes how the Bank seeks to reduce gender disparities and enhance women's participation in economic development through its programs and projects. It summarizes knowledge and experience, provides gender statistics, and facilitates discussion on gender and development. The Web site includes policy documents, practical examples in topics such as agriculture and infrastructure, and related links.

Go to: http://www.worldbank.org/gender/

35. Online Forum on Gender Empowerment Launched
The Digital Opportunity Channel and Information for Development (I4D) launched an Online discussion list, "Gender & ICT: Issues, Implications & Opportunities." The forum is designed to take on issues of gender discrimination in access to information and the resulting hampering of sustainable development that often follows such unequal access. I4D and the Digital Opportunity Channel reaffirm the need to focus on gender equality through Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The forum is time-bound, topics-based, and objective-oriented with the goal of contributing to an open discussion for all who choose to participate. Each discussion will focus on best practices for gender equality, how ICT can help in the equality movement, and possible policy implications that can be adopted by various bodies around the world.

Go to: http://www.dgroups.org/groups/GenderICT/


WORKERS' RIGHTS AND TRADE UNIONS

36. The Free Trade Zones Workers Union Campaigns for Workers' Rights in Sri Lanka
The Free Trade Zones Workers Union (FTZWU) in Sri Lanka issued an update on the Jaqalnka Ltd workers' struggle to protect their rights. On October 16, 2003, the Fair Labour Association will convene an investigation of the complaint filed by the workers of the factory. In the meantime, the factory was visited by auditors from the brand label Colombia. Following their visit, several workers who met with the auditors were threatened and forced to resign. FTZWU calls activists in Sri Lanka and abroad to continue pressuring the Jaqalnka Ltd for the protection of workers' rights.

Go to: http://www.tieasia.org/Jaqalanka.htm




37. 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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