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What's Being Done On . . . Peace Building and Democracy ?
Asociación Civil Consorcio Justicia - Occidente (Civil Association of Justice Consortium- Venezuela www.consorciojusticia.org/ The Asociación Civil Consorcio Justicia works to solve societal conflicts on the local level. Venezuela currently faces serious societal pressures as the government struggles to maintain order. The Asociación Civil Consorcio Justicia works in Tachira State training justices of the peace and other local officials in appropriate methods of peaceful conflict resolution. The Asociación has worked with over 250 mayors to promote the adoption of justice of the peace legislation, and has conducted state-wide seminars on the topic. As a grass-roots organization, it has networked with similar NGOs to create a nation-wide pro-democracy and pro-justice movement. Federación Nacional de Concejales (National Federation of Councilmen) - Colombia www.fenacon.org/index.htm Contact: fenacon@multiphone.net.co The Federación Nacional de Concejales (FENACON) provides support and opportunities for networking to its membership of more than 1,000 locally elected council members. The council members are leaders on the municipal level, but have not been well integrated into the larger governmental structure. FENACON's capacity building program works to legitimize the authority of council members and create a more representative government. Councilors are supported through the connections of the network and the expanded legal assistance of FENACON. The underlying notion behind this project is the belief that a strong network of local government officials can help resolve conflicts at the local level before they escalate into bigger problems. The Fund for Legal and Economic Reform - Kyrgyzstan Contact: fsppr@ktnet.kg The Fund for Legal and Economic Reform in Kyrgyzstan is a regional human rights network based in Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan, a densely populated region divided among three countries--Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan that inherited complicated border disputes, including historical claims to each other's territories. The Fund for Legal and Economic Reform in Kyrgyzstan supports a project establishing and maintaining a cross-border human rights NGO network in Fergana Valley. The project conducts regional training seminars for human rights activists, publishes a news bulletin, consults and provides technical assistance to new and established human rights NGOs, and has creating a Web-accessible database on human rights information. Institute for Democracy and Mediation - Albania Contact: aiis@icc.al.eu.org The Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) works to strengthen the civic sector in Albania and improve the leadership and communication skills of civic activists at the local level. In the run-up to the 2000 local elections, IDM organized debates throughout the country between candidates. IDM also provides training in leadership skills for young party activists across political spectrum, and works to improve relations between citizens and the police at the local level. This project was inspired by the work of the Center for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria, which established Police-Community Consultative Groups to encourage dialogue between citizens and police. International Republican Institute - Sudan http://www.iri.org/countries.asp?ID=0000000025 Contact: africa@iri.org The International Republican Institute's (IRI) program in Sudan seeks to decrease the marginalization of women in Sudan by capitalizing on women's roles as community leaders by training them in democracy building and grass-roots political participation. Simultaneously, the program is developing indigenous capacity for training the next generation of women leaders. By creating educated leaders on the local level, the Institute is promoting an alternative to war. The goal is to empower women to lead the next generation of Sudanese into a peaceful society. Lebanese Foundation for Permanent Civil Peace - Lebanon www.kleudge.com/flpcp/ Contact: amessarra@kleudge.com The Lebanese Foundation for Permanent Civil Peace seeks to create sustainable civil peace by encouraging active civic participation, dialogue, and peaceful regulation of conflicts. The Foundation believes that democratic processes serve as an infrastructure for a sustainable civil peace, and therefore works on increasing the capacity of municipal governments in Lebanon. The publication of a resource guide to local development, a series of workshops, and small pilot projects are all used to support the Foundation's efforts. The Foundation uses a multifaceted approach by developing a working coalition of NGOs, governmental officials and representatives of the private sector who share a common interest in strengthening municipal government in Lebanon. This can help prevent reoccurrence of conflicts in the country. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs - Northern Ireland www.ndi.org/worldwide/europe/europe9799.asp Contact: socndi@earthlink.netf The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) works closely with political parties and other actors to help build a meaningful peace in Northern Ireland. It recently started a new program to enhance communication and spur preventive discussion in anticipation of Assembly Elections. NDI has developed a training and consultation program to work with Northern Ireland's political parties in the areas of party growth and increased civic participation in an effort to combat the decline of party moderates. Open Private-Public Sector Dialogue - Romania Contact: ion.anton@xnet.ro Faced with significant mistrust towards entrepreneurs, the business community of Romania has formed independent business associations, which then formed an alliance, the Strategic Alliance of Business Associations (SABA), to speak with one voice and to have a better chance of participating in national policy making. SABA seeks to resolve challenges and conflicts between the private sector and the public sector through open dialogue and partnership. This process was first initiated to advocate for a new tax code in Romania. After numerous hearings and feedback, representatives of the business community and government agreed on principles for a modern tax law. Romanian business associations continue to improve and to institutionalize the mechanisms for establishing private-public dialogue. People's Action for Free and Fair Elections - Sri Lanka Contact: paffrel@sltnet.lk As a proactive grassroots organization, People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL)conducts activities to educate voters in the basics of democracy, to ensure that voters are registered, and to monitor the registration process. PAFFREL continues to enlarge the arenas for constructive dialogue by promoting messages regarding democracy via television (e.g., quiz shows, and television dramas) and print materials (e.g. cartoon strips). PAFRREL has committed itself to educating the people on the issue of minority rights, which is a fundamental principle in the creation of a democracy. Research Foundation of National Peace-Security - Taiwan www.geocities.com/tranps2000/ Contact: tranps@ms35.hinet.net or tranps2000@yahoo.ca The Research Foundation of National Peace-Security (TRANPS) works to promote stability and peace in the region through human rights, strong civil society, pluralism, rule of law, and multiculturalism. To achieve these tasks, the Foundation provides training programs to community organizers so that they can in turn educate and train community memebers, as well as resolve problems and challenges within their communities through democratic decision-making processes. In collaboration with four Taiwanese organizations and three Canadian organizations (Canadian Institute of Conflict Resolution, Faculty of Humanity of St. Paul University, and Formosan Association for Public Affairs, all in Ottawa), the Foundation organizes "Third Party Neutral" workshops for government officials and members of the NGO community. The organization also promotes the role of so-called Civilian-Based Defense (CBD) as a complementary component to the traditional military defense against outside threats. The CBD program teaches how to defy potentially unwanted regimes through non-violent means of civic disobedience and non-cooperation. Sustainable Return of Refugees and Displaced Person Civil Society Project-Croatia www.zamirnet.hr/eng/page/projekti/cards.htm The Sustainable Return of Refugees and Displaced Person Civil Society Project (SRRDP-CS) is implemented in collaboration with three organizations, CARE INTERNATIONAL, GONG, and ZaMirNET, and is an integral part of European Union's CARDS 2001 national project. SRRDP-CS provides support in rehabilitating of the social structure in four Croatian county districts affected by war (Dvor, Glina, Knin and Gracac). The project targets local authorities, NGOs, and other groups involved in civic initiatives. It organizes activities to strengthen the efficiency and development of local governmental and non-governmental organizations, and to increase public participation and the level of available information. Activities include: training sessions, the dissemination of information, the provision of ICT resources for the civil sector, the creation of regional networks to provide opportunities for exchange of experiences and information, educational "citizens hours" with selected local authorities or local committees, online forums, etc. 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) 378-9890. |
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