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What's Being Done On . . . Civic Education for Democracy ?
Civic education is often undertaken in difficult cultural and political environments. In this context, civic education programs gain increased attention through the promotion of democratic theories and practices, which can facilitate cooperation, government accountability and institution-building. Effective civic education programs can rise to the challenge of advancing democracy in nations where democratic transitions are resisted and extremely difficult. Civic education programs are also used to combat political extremism, which transgresses the rules of organized civil society, poses a great threat to democratic nations, especially those in the process of transition because they are often vulnerable to extremist groups. Civic education can act as a resource to combat political extremism ideologically, thus helping to shift the political landscape of a nation from a radical and extremist position to one accordant with fundamental democratic principles. Global National Democratic Institute - Global www.ndi.org The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is currently employing an approach, called Civic Forum, to advance democracy education and citizen action in numerous post-conflict societies, including Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, East Timor, Haiti, Kosovo, Liberia, West Bank/Gaza, and Sierra Leone. Civic Forum programs are four-phase, grassroots initiatives designed to help citizens organize themselves and participate in political activity. In most instances, NDI has recruited professional community organizers, civic educators and public policy advocates as resident representatives who direct the program's implementation. Ultimately, Civic Forum results in sustainable political organizing practices. In this way, there are local precedents and processes for continuous citizen participation. The process of organizing, which includes the recruitment of volunteers and building support in a community, allows citizens to learn about democratic rights and responsibilities, the structure and function of government, issue analysis, and many other citizenship competencies through participation in the organizing efforts. Africa Congo en Images - Democratic Republic of the Congo Contact: cim25@hotmail.com or apilafski@inmarsat.francetelecom.fr Congo en Images (CIM), a Kisingani-based group specializing in civic education, has developed an integrated program that consists of six civic education training sessions in the northeast region of the Congo. To enhance the flow of information at the sessions, CIM is publishing a booklet containing the resolutions of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue as a primary resource. Sessions focus on various topics, including civil society, electoral systems, strategies for promoting peace, and social and economic rights. CIM also plans to sponsor a traveling multi-media exposition entitled "All for a United Congo," which acts as a supplement to other formal CIM civic education programs, and aims to promote unity among the various ethnic groups, social classes, and religious groups in the region. In addition, CIM circulates a bi-monthly newsletter, Le Signal, as well as quarterly reports on democracy, good governance, and progress towards peace, to NGOs, politicians, churches and representatives of locally-based international organizations. Forum for Democratic Initiatives - Sierra Leone Contact: fordi@sierratel.sl or fordisl@yahoo.com The Forum for Democratic Initiatives (FORDI) works to ameliorate the effects the ongoing conflict has had on the educational system and civil society institutions. FORDI in Sierra Leone is undertaking a one-year Civic Guides project to help citizens better relate to the newly emerging government institutions and political processes, such as an Anti-corruption Commission and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. FORDI gives on-site assistance to citizens to access these institutions and educates the citizenry on how these institutions work. Additionally, FORDI is compiling three civic education handbooks to educate people about Sierra Leone's Constitution and their rights as citizens. At least 3,000 of these handbooks will be distributed free of charge to civil society groups in the country. The handbooks are titled "The Sierra Leone Constitution Made Simple," "Understand How the Courts Work," and "Know Your Rights and Duties When Dealing With the Police." The handbooks are supplemented with a series of radio broadcasts designed to inform the people. FORDI hopes that increasing awareness of citizen rights will help bring an end to ongoing tensions through democratic engagement. Groupe Justice et Liberation - Democratic Republic of the Congo Contact: gjlrdc@hotmail.com The Groupe Justice and Liberation (GJL) is a human rights group based in Kisangani, the northeast region of the Congo. The GJL is active in promoting peace, respect for human rights, and greater civic participation by carrying out a broad-ranging civic education program. Aimed at increasing civic participation in peace building and human rights advocacy, is geared toward youth, specifically primary and secondary school students in the region. The GJL also publishes three civic education manuals for secondary school teachers. The manual acts as a supplement to current material used for GJL's human rights training sessions for 32 schools in and around Kisangani that focus on the basic tenets of human rights and encourage them to become human rights activists in their own environments. Hargeisa Voluntary Youth Committee - Somaliland http://havoyoco.8k.com/ Contact: Havoyoco@bgtinet.com The Hargeisa Voluntary Youth Committee (HAVOYOCO) is a development organization promoting grassroots mobilization and participation. Currently, five members of the HACOYOCO staff are being trained on legal issues regarding the conduct of elections, including public participation and the rule of law. The staff members also receive training on voter education and civic education on democracy, elections, constitutions and multi-party systems. The training of the group of five, who will form the nucleus of HAVAYOCO's civic education team, is conducted at the University of Somaliland in two five-day courses. In addition, HAVOYOCO is organizing an orientation workshop and a series of three-day civic education workshops, which address issues such as governance, the democratic process in Somaliland and traditional Somaliland political systems. HAVOYOCO also produces a booklet on free and fair elections and the role of the community as well as other civic education materials for use in workshops and distribution to civil society organizations. Lastly, HAVOYOCO will develop a mass-media campaign with weekly programs on radio, television and in the newspapers to target a larger audience. Ligue des Electeurs - Democratic Republic of the Congo Contact: xbahaya@hotmail.com The Lingue des Electeurs (LE) is a nongovernmental organization focusing on democratic development, the defense of human rights, and the promotion of democratic culture. Based in Kinshasa, LE conducts various civic education outreach projects including a civic education program specializing in electoral issues. LE is currently conducting research on the socio-political environment of the Congo and on the consolidation of peace efforts. Additionally, LE provides training sessions focusing on democracy for individuals in the 11 provinces of the Congo. Movement for Democracy and Elections in Liberia - Liberia Contact: modelliblchp@yahoo.com The Movement for Democracy and Elections in Liberia (MODEL) addresses the need for civic and voter education. In doing so, MODEL holds planning meetings with community leaders in the western and central regions of Liberia, including Bassa, Bong, Nimba, Bomi and Cape Mount Counties. These meetings coordinate community project committees that are responsible for the selection and training of facilitators and resource persons in civic education. MODEL also holds workshops in each of the five counties, involving men and women of voting age, teachers, and county administrators. The MODEL curriculum emphasizes basic democratic principles, such as freedom of association, press and speech; free, fair and transparent elections; the rule of law, tolerance of diversity, meritocracy, checks and balances, separation of powers, and human rights; and the constitutional right of citizens to participate in national decision making and political processes. National Counseling Center - Angola Contact: santana.ndi@email.ebonet.net The National Counseling Center (NCC), a group of experienced civic activists, lawyers and members of parliament, trains electoral education trainers in civic education, human rights and elections. The NCC also conducts training for women's organizations, churches and traditional leaders to increase the participation of women in politics, focusing on topics such as domestic violence and traditional marriage. Expanding on democracy education materials developed by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the NCC conducts civic education courses and electoral education courses. In addition, the NCC educates political party leaders and members on basic skills to participate in the Angolan democratic process. This training addresses the performance of Angolan political parties, their programs, understanding of democracy, and the increasing concern of a disconnection from the concerns for maintaining relations with the grassroots. Promotion de la Femme Rurale - Democratic Republic of the Congo Contact: conafed@ic.cd The Promotion de la Femme Rurale (PROFER) is one of the leading civil society organizations active in promoting civic education in the Congo. PROFER conducts ten three-day training sessions on human rights and democracy for community leaders in the rural zones of Demba, Bibaya and Kazumba. PROFER also hosts ten public discussions for a larger and more general audience of 200 people in the same locales (Demba, Bibaya and Kazumba) in addition to 24 half-hour radio and television programs that focus on the theory and application of human rights principles, and the rule of law. These programs will be broadcast on Kananga-based stations, and are intended for the one million plus residents of the regional capital. To facilitate interaction among nongovernmental organizations, PROFER hosts roundtable discussions with other NGOs about important local issues affecting the progress towards democracy and the protection of human rights. Radio Maendeleo - Democratic Republic of the Congo Contact: buca@bushnet.net Radio Maendeleo, an independent radio station located in Bukavu, Congo, attempts to give a fair and balanced account of the news as well as a variety of public service programs, including those highlighting human rights and peace issues. The station, owned and run by a collective of local NGOs, has earned a reputation as the most reliable source of information in the city. As such, Radio Maendeleo has recently increased its audience by purchasing and distributing 20 FM-short wave radios to new listening clubs, which have become part of a network of discussion groups. The discussion groups encourage listening club members to discuss their understanding of the news and education programs concerning peace, reconciliation and human rights. This allows Radio Maendeleo staff journalists to report on issues affecting rural areas, which are then included in regular news and special public affairs programming. Synergie pour la Paix - Democratic Republic of the Congo Contact: sypardc@hotmail.com Synergie pour la Paix (SYPA) is a network of 18 NGOs based in Oriental Province, dedicated to reinforcing efforts toward peace and reconciliation. It conducts a civic education program aimed at women that it will implement in conjunction with three women's groups: Mamans Wima, Promotion de la femme par les medias (PROFEM), and Solidarite des Filles-meres (SODIFES). The education programs focus on family rights, human rights, conflict resolution, and democracy. Monthly meetings with each group culminate in three training sessions focusing on democracy and governance topics, human rights issues, and health rights. Each workshop brings together representatives from each of the three groups as a platform to encourage women to play an active role in civic life. Americas Center for a Free Cuba - Cuba http://www.cubacenter.org/ The Center for a Free Cuba is an independent, nonpartisan institution dedicated to the promotion of human rights and a democratic transition in Cuba. The Center gathers and disseminates Cuba-related information, publishes and distributes (on-island) educational information about democracy, human rights and market economics, delivers emergency humanitarian aid to persecuted Cubans, and reports on events and issues in Cuba to international organizations. Asia Social and Resource Development Fund - Tibet Contact: (n/a) The Social and Resource Development Fund (SARD), a department of the Tibetan government-in-exile assists in the socio-economic rehabilitation of the Tibetan people; supports education, health, environmental, and employment programs in the community; preserves and promotes understanding of the Tibetan religion, art and culture; generates income for the Emergency Fund that provides support to the poorest members of the Tibetan community; and supports the development of democracy in the Tibetan community. To meet the challenge of democratization that the Tibetan community in exile faces, SARD raises political awareness among Tibetans, especially those in remote settlements, by supporting Tibetan grassroots organizations, associations and ad hoc committees that are working to inform and educate their communities about democracy and human rights and to increase participation in the political process. CEE/NIS Center for Human Rights Poland-Belarus - NIS Contact: www.belarushumanrights.org The Center for Human Rights Poland-Belarus is an independent, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization consisting of a network of human rights offices. It regularly publishes reports on the status of human rights and trains local activists to run the branch offices. The Centre for Human Rights Poland-Belarus also provides citizens with legal representation and counseling, among other civic education activities. Circle of Friends - Belarus http://krug.home.by/english/ The Circle of Friends Resource Center provides a program designed to strengthen democracy-building in Belarus' eastern region of Mogilev. Circle of Friends organizes training workshops and roundtables, and is building a regional coalition of NGOs to identify and address pressing social problems in the Mogilev region. All of the programs will include a focus on supporting nonpartisan voter education and mobilization projects targeting the country's fall 2004 parliamentary elections. Youth Human Rights Group - Kyrgyzstan www.yhrg.elcat.kg/index.htm Contact: youth@elcat.kg The Youth Human Rights Group (YHRG) is an independent, nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that is active in the areas of education, publicity and legislative lobbying on children's rights. Since its formation in November 1995, the YHRG has been working to change Kyrgyz attitudes by focusing on young people and educating them about their rights and highlighting their role in promoting democracy within society. Currently, the YHRG is running a multifaceted program of civic education and defense of young people's rights in Kyrgyzstan. The program includes a wide range of educational activities including research; monitoring of detention facilities for youth; provision of pro bono legal consultations; classes for secondary school students; training for teachers; and seminars for students in regional colleges and universities. International Foundation for Election Systems - Azerbaijan/Kyrgyzstan www.ifes.org Contact: khowell@ifes.org The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) provides professional advice and technical assistance in promoting democracy and serves as an information clearinghouse on elections, rule of law, governance, and civil society. In Azerbaijan, IFES and Debate in Civic Society sponsor a democracy camp for young teachers. The week-long event brings together school instructors from six different regions in the country to establish networks, broaden their knowledge of election systems, and develop and strengthen a culture of elections using debate techniques. The Democracy Camp for Young Teachers is the first of two democracy camps in Azerbaijan during summer 2003. The second camp will be held for children and will focus on education about the development of civil society and the role of elections in democracy. Middle East Iraq Institute for Democracy - Iraq www.iraq-democracy.org/ Contact: iraq.institute@iraq-democracy.org The Iraq Institute for Democracy (IID), a nonprofit organization based in Erbil in northern Iraq, promotes democratic values, pluralism, the rule of law, and freedom of expression by organizing civic education programs and running a public campaign on democratic values in Kurdish provinces. The IID works to capitalize on the appeal of democracy to the youth of Iraqi Kurdistan and hopes that by educating eager young people, it can help prevent future Kurdish internal conflicts and promote democracy throughout Iraq. The IID continues to build its institutional capacity, trains educators in civic and democracy education, conducts civic education courses, and translates articles on democracy. The courses in civic education focus on the history of democracy and civil society, civic rights, the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and governance. In addition, the courses include methods in reading, writing and summarizing texts, analyzing and critiquing ideas and opinions, motivating, stimulating and engaging participants, preparing and outlining a training program, assessing impact and managing time, organizing and leading group discussions. The IID also publishes a bi-weekly newspaper,in addition to the production and distribution of thirty thousand posters and stickers, as part of its democracy public awareness campaign. Panorama - West Bank www.panoramacenter.org/ Contact: panorama@panoramacenter.org Panorama, a Palestinian NGO, conducts a wide range of activities in civic education and democracy and works to institutionalize democracy in Palestinian society through civic education, advocacy and open public access to information. Panorama is currently conducting a campaign designed to promote good governance in Palestinian governing institutions and NGOs that includes training for civic activists on good governance principles and applications as well as public meetings between citizens and elected representatives. Additionally, Panorama is producing two moderated, televised debates on the interplay between civil society and government in the promotion of good governance, an educational newsletter, and a manual on good governance for use as a reference guide for civic activists and government officials. The goal is to build capacity in those areas, thereby strengthening the ability of civic and governmental institutions to function in a strong, effective, and credible manner. Women's Learning Partnership - Afghanistan/Iran www.learningpartnership.org/ The Women's Learning Partnership (WLP) aims to empower women activists and organizations by enhancing their leadership skills, training them in the use of different technologies, and engaging them in the production and exchange of information. The WLP, in collaboration with its Afghan partner organization, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), is developing an eLearning Center in Herat, Afghanistan, to facilitate two 21-day training sessions for AIL trainers and community leaders on the use of computers and the Internet to advance women's rights and democracy advocacy; to create and administer a pilot Internet-and-email based eLearning course on democracy and leadership for Afghan and Iranian Persian speakers; and to organize a regional train-the-trainers seminar for Afghan women in leadership roles, entitled the "Institute for Leadership Training and Technology." About "What's Being Done On . . . " For three months at a time, we highlight the activities of various organizations in different global regions, and links to important resources, that are focused on a particular theme or area of democracy work. Each new theme is announced via DemocracyNews, and the information from the previous installment is placed in the archives below. We hope to receive and post information about the work you or others may be doing that is focused on these issues. Send information via e-mail to the or by fax to (202) 378-9889. |
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