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September 2002
CONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. Human Rights Educator in Belarus Seeks Collaboration
2. Position Available: The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
3. Fellows Program: Call for applicants
4. Concern over "Shrinking Democratic Space in Kenya"
5. Call for Applicants: Diploma Programme in South Africa
6. New JOURNAL OF DEMOCRACY Books
7. Conference: International Burma Activist Conference
8. Conference: International Policy Conference
9. Report: Organisation of African Unity/ African Civil Society Conference
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
10. Implementing and Assessing the Ceasefire in Sri Lanka
DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
11. Regional NGO Fair in South Eastern Europe
HUMAN RIGHTS
12. World Movement Participant in Singapore Appeals Court's Decision
13. World Movement Participants Protest Disappearances
14. Rebels Implicated in Kisangani Massacre Identified
15. Exhibit: The Gilsu Family Illustrations, Renderings by North Korean Defector Children
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
16. Jordanian Female Journalist Wins Press Award
17. Internship Program: Strengthening Independent Media in Kurdistan-Iraq
18. Conference: E-DEMOCRACY: SCENARIOS FOR 2010
RESEARCH
19. DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT 1990-2000: AN OVERVIEW
20. Publication: SCIENCE IN THE SERVICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
21. Meeting: Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption
22. Corruption Perceptions Index 2002 Released
23. CIPE Electronic Roundtable
WOMEN'S ISSUES
24. Call for applicants: African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)
25. Presentation: THE REPERCUSSIONS OF THE WAR IN SUDAN FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE NUBA MOUNTAINS
26. E-mail Discussion List: African Women and NEPAD
World Movement Participating Organizations and Individuals Mentioned in this Issue
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. Human Rights Educator in Belarus Seeks Collaboration
Mr. Vladimir Kalinin of Belarus is seeking partners with whom to share experiences and best practices of teaching human rights to children. As an educator, Mr. Kalinin has implemented many projects on human rights promotion in primary and secondary schools, including roundtable discussions for teachers, head masters, social workers, and local officials; student drawing and essay competitions; school newspapers on human rights; a volunteer service for monitoring children's rights violations within schools; and a "Children Forum."
Contact Mr. Vladimir Kalinin directly to discuss the possibility of collaborating and exchanging experiences at: ikar57@hotmail.com
2. Position Available: The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The International Budget Project at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities seeks a senior budget specialist to assume responsibility for designing and providing budget training on site and through distance learning around the world. The Washington-based Project works in developing countries to support civil society engagement in public budgeting.
Go to: www.internationalbudget.org/jobad.htm
3. Fellows Program: Call for applicants
The National Endowment for Democracy 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. Please note that a working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program.
Go to: www.ned.org/forum/fellowship_program.html
4. Concern over "Shrinking Democratic Space in Kenya"
The Citizens Coalition for Constitutional Change (CCCC) expresses concern over the volatile situation of the "unraveling of democratic space" in Kenya. The CCCC addresses human rights abuses and infringements to the rule of law in Kenya, and is particularly concerned that the KANU government isolates citizens from effective political participation, perpetuates poverty and economic injustice, and limits the free press.
Contact: cccc@africaonline.co.ke
5. Call for Applicants: Diploma Programme in South Africa
The Diploma Programme in South Africa calls for applicants. The Programme provides affirmative action education and training for individuals interested in leadership positions in heritage work. It emphasizes the importance of heritage and the history of democratic struggle in consolidating a new democratic society. This one-year program is offered through a partnership including the University of Western Cape, the University of Cape Town, and the Robben Island Museum, and is open to graduates or non-graduates with five years of experience and consists of core courses, electives, and a structured internship.
To apply, contact: davidsh@humanities.uct.ac.za
6. New JOURNAL OF DEMOCRACY Books
The JOURNAL OF DEMOCRACY, published by the National Endowment for Democracy's International Forum for Democratic Studies, announced the publication of two books, DEMOCRACY AFTER COMMUNISM (April 2002) and EMERGING MARKET DEMOCRACIES: LATIN AMERICA AND EAST ASIA (July 2002). DEMOCRACY AFTER COMMUNISM compares the political transitions away from Communism in the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe with those in other regions. EMERGING MARKET DEMOCRACIES explores the relationship between economic and political liberalization in Latin America and East Asia by considering the effects of the end of the Cold War, the "third wave" of democratization, and economic globalization.
To purchase the books online, go to: http://www.press.jhu.edu/press/index.htm
7. Conference: International Burma Activist Conference
Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB), InterPares, and Rights and Democracy are hosting the International Burma Activist Conference on October 9, 2002, in Ottawa, Canada. The Conference will be attended by members of the Canadian Burma activist network, NGOs, unions, Canadian Members of Parliament, government officials, media, and the general public. The Conference will update participants on the current situation and consider the role of the international community in bringing democratic change to Burma. Issues discussed will include the refugee situation, human rights abuses, foreign investment, future political prospects, and Canada's relationship with Burma.
Go to: www.cfob.org
8. Conference: International Policy Conference
The Capital Ownership Group (COG) is holding an International Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., on October 9-11, 2002. Its purpose is to expand the COG network into a broader strategic alliance on practical means to humanize globalization. The agenda can be found at: http://capitalownership.org/DC%20Conference/COGConferenceFlyer.pdf
To register, go to: http://capitalownership.org/ConferenceRegistration.htm
9. Report: Organisation of African Unity/ African Civil Society Conference
The Organisation of African Unity (OAU),now the African Union, has issued a report from the Second OAU/African Civil Society Conference, which was held on June 11-14, 2002, in Ethiopia. The meeting, "Developing Partnerships between the OAU and African Civil Society Organizations," included representatives of civil society groups, regional organizations, the media, and other groups.
Contact: oau-ews@telecom.net.et
For information about the African Union, go to: www.africa-union.org
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
10. Implementing and Assessing the Ceasefire in Sri Lanka
People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) issued a report entitled, "Ceasefire Implementation and Assessment of Current Monitoring Activities-An Overview." The report examines the various perceptions that involved actors have concerning the agreement's effectiveness; analyzes both the ceasefire's positive and negative aspects; and evaluates the progress of the ceasefire since implementation.
For a copy of the report, contact: paffrel@sltnet.lk
DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
11. Regional NGO Fair in South Eastern Europe
The Euroregional Center for Democracy is hosting a Regional NGO Fair in Timisoara, Romania, on September 26-28, 2002. The Fair's objective is to enhance policy dialogues between civil society practitioners and local government representatives on how to build an open local government by providing access to information and by assuring public participation in decision-making. The Fair will consist of over 200 participants and will include workshops and other exhibits.
Go to: www.regionalnet.org/fair2002
HUMAN RIGHTS
12. World Movement Participant in Singapore Appeals Court's Decision
The Singapore courts have decided to award the plaintiffs the damages and legal costs demanded of Dr. Chee Soon Juan, Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party, without a trial. Dr. Chee is appealing the decision based on his arguments that his defense was not recognized. Dr. Chee has also retracted his apology and has provided evidence that he was intimidated into making an apology to the plaintiffs. He continues to demand a full and fair trial.
Go to: www.singaporedemocrats.org/index.php?id=mediarelease/media0104.html
13. World Movement Participants Protest Disappearances
International organizations, including World Movement participants Sam Rainsy of the Sam Rainsy Party in Cambodia and Vo Van Ai of Vietnam (in exile) and Penelope Faulkner of the International Buddhist Information Bureau, are protesting the disappearance of Buddhist monk and human rights activist Thich Tri Luc. Thich Tri Luc escaped to Cambodia from Vietnam to avoid religious persecution, but since his disappearance on July 25, 2002 he is feared to have been forcibly deported back to Vietnam and detained. These organizations condemn the Vietnamese government for refusing to take responsibility for the disappearance and the Cambodian government for failing to protect asylum seekers, such as Thich Tri Luc.
Go to: www.vnhrnet.org/website/LoiKeuGoiCuaGHPGVNTN.html
Or email: ubcv.ibib@buddhist.com
14. Rebels Implicated in Kisangani Massacre Identified
Human Rights Watch has issued a report entitled, "War Crimes in Kisangani: The Response of Rwandan-backed Rebels to the May 2002 Mutiny." The report reveals the identities of top commanders of the Congolese Rally for Democracy rebel movement who are implicated in the killings, rape, and looting that occurred in Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Go to: www.hrw.org/press/2002/08/kisangani0820.htm
15. Exhibit: The Gilsu Family Illustrations: Renderings by North Korean Defector Children
The U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, Senator Sam Brownback, and Senator Edward Kennedy hosted a reception launching the exhibit "The Gilsu Family Illustrations: Renderings by North Korean Defector Children." The Gilsu family fled North Korea in August 1997 because of harsh living conditions and famine. In June 2001, the family demanded refugee status and asylum in Beijing at the UN High Commission for Refugees office. The exhibit featured 58 original drawings by the Gilsu children, who drew pictures of daily life under the Kim Jong-il regime while hiding in China, with the intention to heighten awareness about human rights problems in North Korea.
For more information, contact: hrnk_org@hotmail.com
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
16. Jordanian Female Journalist Wins Press Award
Mahassen Al Emam, director of the Arab Women Media Center (AWMC), will receive the Knight International Press Fellowship Award for her contributions to the media in Jordan. Al Emam was the first female to ascend to the position of chief editor in her country. She now works with the AWMC to assist other female journalists in the field through offering training courses and various professional opportunities. The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) will present the Knight International Press Fellowship Award on October 8, 2002.
Go to: www.star.com.jo/article/0,5596,189_5511,00.html
For information on AWMC, go to: www.odag.org/awmc
17. Internship Program: Strengthening Independent Media in Kurdistan-Iraq
American Society for Kurds (ASK) launched an internship program to strengthen independent media sources in Kurdistan, Iraq. ASK is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that offers educational and technical training and assistance to the Kurds. This two-month program, intended to encourage youth in Iraq to explore and strengthen journalism, works with undergraduate students from the University of Salah-al-Deen in Arbil and the University of Sulaymani in Sulaymania.
For more information, go to: www.askurds.org/strengtheningmedia.htm
18. Conference: E-DEMOCRACY: SCENARIOS FOR 2010
Evaluating Practices and Validating Technologies in E-Democracy (EVE), a worldwide partnership of universities, research institutes, and marketing and technology companies, works to examine and strengthen projects in Electronic Democracy, or "E-Democracy." EVE will host a conference, "E-Democracy: Scenarios for 2010," on October 15-16, 2002, in Paris, France. The objective of the conference is to compare the impact that socio-political practices and available IC technologies have on citizens and public authorities. The conference will address e-citizenship, e-vote, and links with e-governance, as well as EVE's achievements in this field after its first year of research.
Go to: www.eve.cnrs.fr/index.htm
RESEARCH
19. DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT 1990-2000: AN OVERVIEW
The Canadian Rights and Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development) published a paper on the changes of democratization in the past decade. The paper explores Rights and Democracy's work in the area of human rights and democracy promotion and identifies the lessons learned from collective experience, emerging development issues, and potential future approaches. The paper is available online in English, French, and Spanish.
Go to: www.ichrdd.ca/english/commdoc/publications/demDev/ddOverview10Years.html
20. Publication: SCIENCE IN THE SERVICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS
SCIENCE IN THE SERVICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS, by Richard Pierre Claude, has been published by the University of Pennsylvania Press. The publication explores how expanded notions of scientific freedom and responsibility have encouraged scientists, engineers, and health professionals to apply their technical expertise to the causes of human rights and democracy.
Contact: ProfClaude@aol.com
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
21. Meeting: Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption
The Parliament of Canada will host the inaugural meeting of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) on October 13-16, 2002, in Ottawa, Canada. GOPAC recognizes that representative parliaments, through ensuring accountability and transparency, can play an effective role in developing comprehensive national efforts to control corruption. The Parliamentary Centre f Canada is acting as the interim GOPAC secretariat for this meeting, in which 100-200 participants will to attend.
Contact the Parliamentary Centre at campbme@parl.gc.ca or John Williams, M.P at willij@parl.gc.ca
Also, to read the World Movement Second Assembly workshop report, "Establishing A Global Network of Parliamentarians Against Corruption," go to: http://www.wmd.org/second_assembly/functional/w-f5.html22. Corruption Perceptions Index 2002 Released
Transparency International has released the latest Corruption Perception Index, which ranks 102 countries regarding the prevalence of corruption. The Index reports on the perceptions of country analysts and business people concerning how rampant corruption is in those countries.
Go to: www.transparency.org/pressreleases_archive/2002/2002.08.28.cpi.en.html
23. CIPE Electronic Roundtable
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) will host a live online discussion on "Ethics, Governance and Combating Corruption" on September 9, 2002. The discussion will include John P. Linstroth, a member of the Florida (U.S.) Commission on Ethics and a member of the CIPE Board of Directors. Mr. Linstroth will provide an overview of the Florida Code of Ethics and discuss how improved governance can effectively be used to combat corruption.
Go to: www.cipe.org/whats_new/events/webevents
WOMEN'S ISSUES
24. Call for applicants: African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)
The African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies is seeking applicants for the fifth training course on "The Use of International Human Rights Procedures for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women in Africa." The training course will be held on October 7-12, 2002, in Banjul, The Gambia, and intends to build the capacities of young human rights activists, particularly women, on the use of regional and international instruments to promote and protect the rights of women in Africa. The course will be conducted in English and French.
Contact: training@acdhrs.org
25. Presentation: THE REPERCUSSIONS OF THE WAR IN SUDAN FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE NUBA MOUNTAINS
The National Endowment for Democracy will host a brown bag lunch seminar featuring Intisar El Sadig, Director of the Sudanese Badya Center for Integrated Development, on September 6, 2002, from 12:00pm-1:30pm. The Badya Center for Integrated Development is one of the most advanced organizations working with women and children in the Nuba Mountains. Intisar El Sadig will speak on the current situation in Sudan and her work in the Nuba Mountains.
Contact: alexiousb@ned.org
26. E-mail Discussion List: African Women and NEPAD
The African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) and APC-Africa-Women are hosting an e-mail discussion on African Women and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in both English and French. Various topics will be discussed.
Go to: www.africaonline.co.ke/femnet
World Movement participating individuals and organizations mentioned in this issue:
- African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (The Gambia): www.acdhrs.org/
- American Society for Kurds (U.S.): www.askurds.org
- Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)-(U.S.): www.cipe.org
- Dr. Chee Soon Juan, Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA): http://www.asiademocracy.org/
- International Buddhist Information Bureau (France): ubcv.ibib@buddhist.com
- National Endowment for Democracy (serving as the World Movement's Secretariat)-(U.S.): www.ned.org
- Parliamentary Centre (Canada): http://parlcent.parl.gc.ca/English/
- People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL)(Sri Lanka): www.lankaworld.com/paffrel/
- Rights and Democracy (Canada): http://www.ichrdd.ca/flash.html
- Sam Rainsy of the Sam Rainsy Party (Cambodia): www.samrainsyparty.org/
- Transparency International (TI)-(Worldwide): http://www.transparency.org/
- Vo Van Ai (Vietnam, based in France)
c/o National Endowment for Democracy
1025 F Street, NW, Suite 800,
Washington, DC 20004 USA
Tel: (202) 378-9700
Fax: (202) 378-9889
http://www.wmd.org
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