The Bulletin on EU Enlargement and NGDOs is an annual printed TRIALOG publication. This years issue focuses on The Role and Perspectives of Civil Society Organisations in Development Cooperation - the topic of the conference in Nicaragua, bur also on Nicaragua solidarity and the upcoming EU presidencies in Hungary and Poland. The online version you can download at http://www.trialog.or.at/start.asp?ID=259 or directly TRIALOG Bulletin 2010 in (pdf)! For a hard copy, please write to office@trialog.or.at .
Information provided by Ulrike Bey
Monday, 15 November 2010
NGOs Think About “Investing in Our Common Future” at the Black Sea
October 21st to 23rd 2010 marked the days of the 3rd edition of the Black Sea NGO Forum, a flagship event for Romanian civil society engaged in development cooperation. Recognizing the fact that in spite of many shared elements (history, politics, economic challenges) synergy still lacks in the region, the Black Sea NGO Forum seeks to increase the level of dialogue and coordination among NGOs in the region. The event was co-organised by the Romanian NGDO platform FOND, the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission Representation in Romania.This year’s edition included on its agenda the review of major political and economic developments in the region, country developments (from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Romania), donors’ and international actors’ perspectives as well as a number of thematic panels (on Democracy and Citizens’ Participation, Sustainable Economic Development, Bridging Divided Communities, Environment and Youth) and Cross –Sector Panels (Capacity Building, Challenges for the independence of CSOs, Networking and Solidarity and New Media, PR and Communication Campaigns). Numerous interesting and intriguing topics engaged around 150 participants from around 18 countries in intense discussions and debates. TRIALOG facilitated one of the cross-sectoral panels, discussing the experiences of EPAN and those of working to create and sustain civil society platforms.
Certainly the initiative needs to further crystallize concrete ways of cooperation and synergies between the different actors involved. But the momentum is there, together with other complementary initiatives (i.e. the Eastern Partnership Forum) and many participants are looking forward for the 4th edition!
Information provided by Andra Tanase, TRIALOG
Peacebuilding and International Development Workshop in Cyprus
A set of inter-connected events under the themes of peacebuilding and development took place between 12th and 15th of October 2010 in Cyprus organized in the framework of ENGAGE and TRIALOG. ENGAGE: Do your Part for Peace is a UNDP funded, bi-communal project on reconciliation and peacebuilding in Cyprus implemented by the NGO Support Centre and the Management Centre, in cooperation with the bi-communal Cyprus NGO platform on International Development, CYINDEP. These events included a two-day training session, an evening reception, a multipliers’ workshop and a meeting at a local university. Around 30 participants from both communities, ranging from members of civil society including a former Member of Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs. Kate Klerides, to interested citizens attended and found the event stimulating in respect to their effort and ongoing involvement in peacebuilding and development procedures in Cyprus. The keynote speaker and trainer together with Andra Tanase, capacity building officer of TRIALOG, was the internationally acclaimed expert on issues that deal with systemic peacebuilding, international development and humanitarian aid, Mr. Kai Brand-Jacobsen, of the Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania (PATRIR).
The two-day open training aimed at raising awareness and informing citizens from both the Turkish-Cypriot and the Greek-Cypriot communities on peace and development issues, especially the citizens who are involved in the ongoing peacebuilding process on the island at grassroots and civil society level. This included sessions on the global realities and applicability of peacebuilding and development in Cyprus (including working groups mapping the current situation), development cooperation and peacebuilding in the New Member States of the EU, the role of civil society in peacebuilding and development and the basic conceptual and policy framework of peacebuilding and development cooperation. Moreover, the audience was presented with tools, instruments and good practices in relation to the two interrelated concepts, notable being the case study of Northern Ireland which identified the reasoning behind factors and actors of resistance towards peacebuilding and cooperation in the reconciliation processes. At the same time the speaker discussed how room for a more diplomatic and efficient engagement in dialog with these stakeholders has been facilitated, arriving at the more optimistic results of the present state.On the 13th of October an evening reception with policy decision-makers and media representatives included addresses with welcoming speeches by the Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, Mrs Androulla Kaminara, and Senior Programme Manager of UNDP-ACT Cyprus, Mr. Jaco Cilliers. Kai Brand-Jacobsen stressed the Media’s potential role in contributing and supporting the peacebuilding processes and development around the globe. So far, he underlined, the Media’s role in conflicts, has been supportive towards the other end. That is the continuation of conflicts and the misrepresentation of all parties involved in a conflict.
The workshop held on the 15th of October was devoted to the development of certain ideas that could be used in order for the Management Team to roll out similar trainings on the island. The goal would be to boost Civil Society’s efforts in the context of the reconciliation process in Cyprus.
In concluding both the participants and consequently CYINDEP benefited from a more analytical and structural understanding in what their engagement should be in Peacebuilding and Development Cooperation from the point of view of identifying and thinking across all parameters involved in this process. The said expertise is indeed of critical importance in communicating ways of overcoming reluctant civil society actors, citizens and decision-makers towards arriving at a common understanding among all parties involved in the Cyprus question.
Information provided by Nicholas Papachrysostomou, Mehmet Harmanci and Andra Tanase
Slovenian Development Days
From 14th to 16th October, Slovenian Platform of development and humanitarian NGOs Sloga and the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the second edition of Slovenian development days in Ljubljana. The event was attended by more than 250 representatives of NGOs, ministries, parliamentarians, media and private companies and was aimed at awareness raising in the broader Slovenian public. The Slovenian development days were opened by Dragoljuba Benčina, State secretary at the Slovenian Foreign Ministry and Development Minister, and followed by three roundtables: inclusion of private companies into development cooperation, fair trade and the role of political parties towards development. The event also hosted European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, and Slovenian Foreign Minister, Samuel Žbogar, who presented a current situation of Slovenian and EU development policy and addressed some current challenges in the field. Besides, NGOs and other development actors had the opportunity to present their activities and projects at the Development Village, and gained some new information on project proposal writing, best practices etc. at the workshops organized by the European Commission and the Inter-American Development Bank.
During the Slovenian development days Slovenian development NGOs met European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs. In his presentation the Commissioner emphasized the role of NGOs, who play an important role in developing countries, managing a gap that cannot be covered by member states’ governments. Among some major challenges in the future, he mentioned the division of labour among 27 member states and the implementation of a policy coherence for development principle. In addition, NGOs expressed the role of development education, which should be, according to Commissioner Piebalgs, based on national programmes.NGOs also raised a dilemma of new donors emerging in the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and the question of aid effectiveness. The Commissioner emphasized that the EU still is a leading partner in Africa, however there is a need to become more visible. On climate funding, he moreover stressed, that is should be additional to development funds, which will be monitored also by the European Commission.
Information provided by Eva Pliberšek, Sloga
TRIALOG Training on Project Proposal Writing (EC Funding)
The training on the 25th of October in Bucharest was organized by FOND Development Education Working Group (the Romanian NGDO Platform) with the support of TRIALOG and facilitated by AndraTanase (TRIALOG Capacity Building Officer).The training aimed at informing FOND members (especially the Development Education Working Group members) on the project application process for the Non-State-Actors – Local Authorities (NSA-LA) thematic program (development education line) and drawing concrete project ideas for future calls for proposals.
In the first session, the participants learnt more about the TRIALOG activities, EC funding sources for development cooperation and how to submit a project proposal (following the components of the Application Form). The second part of the training consisted in putting into practice the steps of writing a project proposal (among which how to elaborate a problem/solutions tree). The main problems identified as potential starting points for project proposals included: lack of awareness raising on development education and communication among different groups, ranging from governmental actors to the public (especially young people).
The participants were divided into groups and started working on different project ideas, such as increasing the impact of media on development (development education) in Romania and public awareness on Millennium Development Goals in a structured, coherent, strategic and inclusive way (drafting a national strategy on development education in Romania).
The training provided an excellent framework for the members of FOND Development Education Working Group to structure their ideas into feasible project proposals. These ideas were based on concrete needs identified during the first National Seminar on Global/Development Education organized by FOND in July 2010, with support of the North-South Center.
Information provided by Adela Rusu, FOND
CONCORD Policy Forum meeting in Brussels, 13th October 2010
With the participation of around 40 NGO representatives from most EU countries, CONCORD’s Policy Forum discussed the most burning policy issues of European development cooperation and set the work priorities for 2011.
Maybe the most relevant discussions were hold on the issue of Commissioner Piebalg’s “Green Paper – EU development policy in support of inclusive, smart and sustainable growth” (draft 24th August 2010). Main criticism on this paper was formulated around the fact, that growth is put in the center and as objective of development cooperation. This concept does not consider the actual challenges like climate change, food crisis and limits of growth as well as growth alone does not guarantee sustainable development and eradication of poverty.
Another discussion turned around the Structured Dialogue between the European Commission, the European Parliament, the EU Member States, Local Authorities and Non-State Actors to define their future cooperation in development cooperation. Following, the topic of the financial persectives of the EU budget 2014 to 2020 will require engagement from and coordination between the Policy Forum and the Working Group on Funding for Development and Relief in order to ensure as much as possible the “enabling environment” for CSO engagement.
Special attention also has to be paid to lobby and advocacy for Policy Coherence for Development (PCD). Even if all European Institutions and the member states committed to PCD, in reality it seems that they rather follow the logic of Policy Coherence for Trade and Security rather than for Development.
With the High Level Forum on Development Effectiveness (or Aid Effectiveness as donors call it) in South Korea 2011, the process of the Open Forum for the definition of CSO development effectiveness should be finalised. After defining eight principles of CSO Development Effectiveness in September this year in Istanbul (The Istanbul Principles), further work is needed to define indicators for measuring the effectiveness and to elaborate guidelines for their implementation.
More information on the Policy Forum and relevant documents are available at the website of CONCORD http://www.concordeurope.org/
Information provided by Christine Bedoya, TRIALOG
Maybe the most relevant discussions were hold on the issue of Commissioner Piebalg’s “Green Paper – EU development policy in support of inclusive, smart and sustainable growth” (draft 24th August 2010). Main criticism on this paper was formulated around the fact, that growth is put in the center and as objective of development cooperation. This concept does not consider the actual challenges like climate change, food crisis and limits of growth as well as growth alone does not guarantee sustainable development and eradication of poverty.
Another discussion turned around the Structured Dialogue between the European Commission, the European Parliament, the EU Member States, Local Authorities and Non-State Actors to define their future cooperation in development cooperation. Following, the topic of the financial persectives of the EU budget 2014 to 2020 will require engagement from and coordination between the Policy Forum and the Working Group on Funding for Development and Relief in order to ensure as much as possible the “enabling environment” for CSO engagement.
Special attention also has to be paid to lobby and advocacy for Policy Coherence for Development (PCD). Even if all European Institutions and the member states committed to PCD, in reality it seems that they rather follow the logic of Policy Coherence for Trade and Security rather than for Development.
With the High Level Forum on Development Effectiveness (or Aid Effectiveness as donors call it) in South Korea 2011, the process of the Open Forum for the definition of CSO development effectiveness should be finalised. After defining eight principles of CSO Development Effectiveness in September this year in Istanbul (The Istanbul Principles), further work is needed to define indicators for measuring the effectiveness and to elaborate guidelines for their implementation.
More information on the Policy Forum and relevant documents are available at the website of CONCORD http://www.concordeurope.org/
Information provided by Christine Bedoya, TRIALOG
Interesting Times for Funding for Development
New Member States, now almost all members of CONCORD, still find little time/human resources to invest in participating in financial issues debates and policy work within the working group Funding for Development (FDR). CONCORD’s FDR working group had its regular meeting on the 19th and 20th of October 2010 in Brussels. Among the 37 participants, the big absents as in the last times were the representatives of New Member States (NMS) platforms, with only Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland being quite actively represented. While a clear need for more direct representation and voice from the absentee NMS representatives exists, this article is meant to provide a digest on the main discussions and relevant points.
The agenda’s main points included a number of issues that require input and shaping:
Structured Dialogue: The discussion on implementing mechanisms of development cooperation is now very much under way. The European Commission (EC) proposed a list of ‘needs’ that civil society is responding to. Among discussed topics are: re-granting of funds by national platforms, structural funds, pooled funding, service-delivery versus capacity building role of civil society organisations CSOs etc.
DARE Position Paper: A new, out-of-the-box proposal to create a new funding instrument, “Europe for development”, is an internal proposition to feed discussions for the Structured Dialogue, as the objective is to propose one global proposal on EC funding for CSOs. This proposal of the Development Education and Awareness Raising Forum (DARE) wants to overcome the North-South logic aiming to create a global civil society (involving citizens in the North and South).
NSA-LA Strategy 2011 – 2013: A session with Markus Pirchner, Head of sector ‘Non State Actors’ (Europe Aid F1) involved the discussion of the mid-term evaluation of the 2007-2010 strategy and perspectives for the following period (2010-2013). Among the key lessons learned Mr. Pirchner recalled the fact that the deconcentration was perceived as a positive process, the fact that the number of requests from Local Authorities finally started to increase and that the funds for ACP (African, Carribean, Pacific) countries were underutilized. For the period 2010 – 2013 it is previewed that the three main objectives will stay, that the multi-country actions will be reduced and that in the long-term CSOs are seen more in a capacity-building role. Also, there is a possibility that, due to the late approval of the Annual Action Plans (AAPs) the 2011 and 2012 budgets and calls will be merged.
Financial Perspectives (now Multi-annual Financial Framework): The discussions on the 2014-2020 Multi-annual Financial Framework – MFF (formerly known as Financial Perspectives) are beginning and CONCORD has created a MFF Taskforce to work on this topic in the coming years. In the end of November we expect an EC Consultation Paper on financing external Action post 2013, including European Development Fund (EDF), to come out and to be open for consultation within 8 weeks.
If you want more info on any of these issues, you can contact Elise Vanormelingen from the CONCORD Secretariat (Elise.VANORMELINGEN@concordeurope.org).
All that can be said is that there are interesting times for Funding for Development, and for New Member states we can count a few burning issues such as maintaining preferential funding, sharing lessons on how to deal with hard financial times (Old Member States platforms and networks are now wondering more and more about coping mechanisms), setting geographical priorities of development cooperation, defining the desired future funding mechanisms or being aware of the strengths and challenges of multi-actor development cooperation processes.
Information provided by Andra Tanase, TRIALOG
The agenda’s main points included a number of issues that require input and shaping:
Structured Dialogue: The discussion on implementing mechanisms of development cooperation is now very much under way. The European Commission (EC) proposed a list of ‘needs’ that civil society is responding to. Among discussed topics are: re-granting of funds by national platforms, structural funds, pooled funding, service-delivery versus capacity building role of civil society organisations CSOs etc.
DARE Position Paper: A new, out-of-the-box proposal to create a new funding instrument, “Europe for development”, is an internal proposition to feed discussions for the Structured Dialogue, as the objective is to propose one global proposal on EC funding for CSOs. This proposal of the Development Education and Awareness Raising Forum (DARE) wants to overcome the North-South logic aiming to create a global civil society (involving citizens in the North and South).
NSA-LA Strategy 2011 – 2013: A session with Markus Pirchner, Head of sector ‘Non State Actors’ (Europe Aid F1) involved the discussion of the mid-term evaluation of the 2007-2010 strategy and perspectives for the following period (2010-2013). Among the key lessons learned Mr. Pirchner recalled the fact that the deconcentration was perceived as a positive process, the fact that the number of requests from Local Authorities finally started to increase and that the funds for ACP (African, Carribean, Pacific) countries were underutilized. For the period 2010 – 2013 it is previewed that the three main objectives will stay, that the multi-country actions will be reduced and that in the long-term CSOs are seen more in a capacity-building role. Also, there is a possibility that, due to the late approval of the Annual Action Plans (AAPs) the 2011 and 2012 budgets and calls will be merged.
Financial Perspectives (now Multi-annual Financial Framework): The discussions on the 2014-2020 Multi-annual Financial Framework – MFF (formerly known as Financial Perspectives) are beginning and CONCORD has created a MFF Taskforce to work on this topic in the coming years. In the end of November we expect an EC Consultation Paper on financing external Action post 2013, including European Development Fund (EDF), to come out and to be open for consultation within 8 weeks.
If you want more info on any of these issues, you can contact Elise Vanormelingen from the CONCORD Secretariat (Elise.VANORMELINGEN@concordeurope.org).
All that can be said is that there are interesting times for Funding for Development, and for New Member states we can count a few burning issues such as maintaining preferential funding, sharing lessons on how to deal with hard financial times (Old Member States platforms and networks are now wondering more and more about coping mechanisms), setting geographical priorities of development cooperation, defining the desired future funding mechanisms or being aware of the strengths and challenges of multi-actor development cooperation processes.
Information provided by Andra Tanase, TRIALOG
AidWatch Seminar in Brussels, November 2010
The Aid Watch annual meeting took place on 3-5 November 2010 in Brussels with representatives of most of EU national platforms and several international networks like Publish What You Fund or Oxfam. As several platforms from New Member States are very active in the Aid Watch group, they were also well represented.
This year’s AidWatch seminar was intended to take stock of 2010 and to set the way forward for 2011. It was also meant to allow AidWatchers to have a more profound debate about the long-term policy focus and priorities of AidfWatch up to 2015. The 3 day seminar started with a conference on Least Developed Countries, co-organised with the Belgian platform 11.11.11 and several guests from the South. It was followed by two and a half days of AidWatch discussions concerning next years activities, the budget, the position of the AidWatch group on issues such as the upcoming results survey on the implementation of the commitment to 0.7 % of MS budgets spend on ODA, or different tax revenue alternatives for development funding such as Financial Transaction Tax etc.
The following capacity building needs were identified: Human rights based approach and its link to aid effectiveness, ODA analysis/report writing, Creditor reporting system, Engagement with governments. The date for it is already scheduled for 24-25 February 2011 in Vienna. And will be coorganised by CONCORD, TRIALOG and the French national platform, Coordination Sud. More information will be available soon at the CONCORD and TRIALOG websites.
Additionally, the subgroup on advocacy was mandated to develop a work plan for 2011 based on the decisions and suggestions made at the AidWatch seminar. Members of the advocacy group, the report group and the media group for 2011 were identified.
The full programme and minutes from the meeting can be found at the CONCORD website. For further questions, please contact TRIALOG Policy Officer in Brussels: trialog@concordeurope.org .
Information provided by Monika Matus and Ulrike Bey, TRIALOG
This year’s AidWatch seminar was intended to take stock of 2010 and to set the way forward for 2011. It was also meant to allow AidWatchers to have a more profound debate about the long-term policy focus and priorities of AidfWatch up to 2015. The 3 day seminar started with a conference on Least Developed Countries, co-organised with the Belgian platform 11.11.11 and several guests from the South. It was followed by two and a half days of AidWatch discussions concerning next years activities, the budget, the position of the AidWatch group on issues such as the upcoming results survey on the implementation of the commitment to 0.7 % of MS budgets spend on ODA, or different tax revenue alternatives for development funding such as Financial Transaction Tax etc.
The following capacity building needs were identified: Human rights based approach and its link to aid effectiveness, ODA analysis/report writing, Creditor reporting system, Engagement with governments. The date for it is already scheduled for 24-25 February 2011 in Vienna. And will be coorganised by CONCORD, TRIALOG and the French national platform, Coordination Sud. More information will be available soon at the CONCORD and TRIALOG websites.
Additionally, the subgroup on advocacy was mandated to develop a work plan for 2011 based on the decisions and suggestions made at the AidWatch seminar. Members of the advocacy group, the report group and the media group for 2011 were identified.
The full programme and minutes from the meeting can be found at the CONCORD website. For further questions, please contact TRIALOG Policy Officer in Brussels: trialog@concordeurope.org .
Information provided by Monika Matus and Ulrike Bey, TRIALOG
Project Dobro.cz for active citizens
A new project promoting volunteering was launched in the Czech Republic this October by the biggest Czech on-line job portal jobs.cz. The project called Dobro.cz aims to promote the activity of volunteers, increase the enrolment of new volunteers, make the activities of nonprofit organizations more visible to the public and help NGOs to gain capacities. “We are convinced that the best way of promoting volunteering is to show concrete stories and experiences of people. To have an idea is often enough and you are able to help in the way which would never occur to you,” says the manager of Jobs.cz, Jaroslav Cerny. On the web pages of the project (www.dobro.cz), volunteers can share their experiences and adventures, and organizations have the possibility to post their photos and videos as well as to thank volunteers for their work. Who else should inspire the others than the active citizens who want to achieve something? Moreover, on the web portal www.Jobs.cz, each nonprofit organization can request volunteers, whereby such offers appear right next to standard jobs. FoRS, the Czech forum of Development Cooperation, became the official partner of this project.
Information provided by Tereza Vodova, FoRS
Information provided by Tereza Vodova, FoRS
Dialogue in the Baltic-Mediterranean Axis
The Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU, Kehys, organized a seminar on “(Inter)Regional Civil Society Cooperation” in Athens on October 20, 2010, as part of the ongoing project “Facilitating Political Dialogue in the Baltico-Mediterranean Axis”. The seminar examined the preconditions, challenges and possibilities for civil society cooperation in and between the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions. The topic was approached through two recently published reports focusing on the intercultural trends and mutual perceptions in the Euro-Mediterranean region, a presentation on the development and current state of Black Sea civil society cooperation, as well as a panel discussion where common themes and challenges were identified.
The panellists and other participants identified many common challenges and obstacles that are hindering the NGOs to use their full potential. Fundamental problem for the NGOs is the lack of both financial and human resources. Funding is insufficient and favours big, well established organizations, while the smaller ones often have less expertise and resources needed for the complex application processes. The lack of training and support from the governments’ part was brought up, while on the other hand it was mentioned that the NGOs themselves should be more active in cooperating with each other and making their needs known to the governments and donors. Civil societies in the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions have a lot of expertise and potential, but in order for it to be fully realized active cooperation and networking inside and between the regions is essential.
For a full report please visit the website: http://www.kehys.fi/alf/news/seminar-on-inter-regional-civil-society-cooperation
In September a study on “Attitudes and prejudices between the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean regions” was published as part of the project. The study aims to find out how the two regions perceive themselves, the other region and the relations between the two. It is based on a survey of 260 people form 18 different countries. The thematic focus of the study is on three topics, environment, culture and mobility. The study can be downloaded in pdf form at http://www.kehys.fi/alf/programme-material
Information provided by Mikko Lipsanen, Kehys
The panellists and other participants identified many common challenges and obstacles that are hindering the NGOs to use their full potential. Fundamental problem for the NGOs is the lack of both financial and human resources. Funding is insufficient and favours big, well established organizations, while the smaller ones often have less expertise and resources needed for the complex application processes. The lack of training and support from the governments’ part was brought up, while on the other hand it was mentioned that the NGOs themselves should be more active in cooperating with each other and making their needs known to the governments and donors. Civil societies in the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions have a lot of expertise and potential, but in order for it to be fully realized active cooperation and networking inside and between the regions is essential.
For a full report please visit the website: http://www.kehys.fi/alf/news/seminar-on-inter-regional-civil-society-cooperation
In September a study on “Attitudes and prejudices between the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean regions” was published as part of the project. The study aims to find out how the two regions perceive themselves, the other region and the relations between the two. It is based on a survey of 260 people form 18 different countries. The thematic focus of the study is on three topics, environment, culture and mobility. The study can be downloaded in pdf form at http://www.kehys.fi/alf/programme-material
Information provided by Mikko Lipsanen, Kehys
Internship DEEEP, Brussels, Application until December 15
DEEEP is seeking for an intern for 5 months, starting in February 2011. The internship will take place in Brussels. Please find more information on the DEEEP Website http://www.deeep.org/. If you are interested, please send your CV and motivation letter to vacancies@deeep.org, before December 15. Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Feel free to share with people who might be interested!
Training “Working with EuropeAid – Contract Management”
The Czech Forum for Development Cooperation (FoRS) will organize a three-day training focused on the implementation of projects financed by EuropeAid (November 30 - December 2, Prague). The first 2 days of the training will be led by an expert from the Italian organization punto.sud (in English) and the third day focused on the Czech context by a Czech expert (in Czech). The training is part of the project "Helpdesk for projects financed by the EuropeAid" realized in cooperation with punto.sud and other NGOs from the EU-12. It follows a training organized in Hungary (November 16-18) and will be followed by a training in Poland (December 14-15). For more information please see: http://www.puntosud.org/helpdesk-europeaid/doku.php/training/sessions_2010. Detailed information on the training in Prague is available on the web pages of FoRS. The deadline for sending the application forms is November 19 (to marie.zazvorkova@fors.cz).
Information provided by Tereza Vodova, FoRS
Information provided by Tereza Vodova, FoRS
Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Execution. Never Again - NGO Coalition demands Corporate Accountability
It has been 15 years since the Nigerian human rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed for standing up for the social and economic rights of the Ogoni people against Shell. Last year, after 14 years of struggle, his family and the Ogoni people finally received compensation (settled out of court). Shell is still not accountable for its other ecological and social injustices in Nigeria. Gas flares, polluted waters, displacement of peoples, we need to hold European Companies accountable for their action.That is why on 10th November 2010, hundreds of NGOs across Europe, forming part of the European Coalition of Corporate Justice (ECCJ – http://www.corporatejustice.org/), held debates, actions, and film screenings to highlight the need for legislation that holds corporations accountable for their social and environmental actions.
ECCJ is a European network bringing together over 250 civil society organisations present in 15 European countries. Members include the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and national affiliates of Oxfam, Greenpeace, Amnesty International and Friends of the Earth. Activities happened in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden in order to urge the EU to take measures that will stop corporate abuses and provide access to justice for victims of these abuses.
The coalition demanded:
(1) liability – that EU companies are legally accountable for any harm they cause to people and the environment internationally;
(2) transparency - that European companies disclose accurate information about their impacts on people and the environment;
(3) access to justice - that non-EU victims of the operations of European companies have access to justice in the EU.
(1) liability – that EU companies are legally accountable for any harm they cause to people and the environment internationally;
(2) transparency - that European companies disclose accurate information about their impacts on people and the environment;
(3) access to justice - that non-EU victims of the operations of European companies have access to justice in the EU.
Companies operating in the EU cannot continue to externalise their social and environmental costs. Instead they should be socially responsible by treating people and the environment fairly.
The European Commission is preparing a new Communication on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - to be launched in 2011. The Action Day was aimed at promoting the message of ECCJ’s campaign “Rights for Peoples - Rules for Business” (http://www.rightsforpeople.org/), which aims to collect 100,000 signatures from citizens around Europe in support of ECCJ’s demands. By adding your signature to the petition, we can make this happen together.
Rights for People can only be achieved through legislation that ensures Rules for Business.
Information provided by Nishma Doshi, European Coalition of Corporate Justice
How does the World look to You? A Peer-Education Course on Global Development
The Galway One World Centre, a development education training and resource centre base on the Westcoast of Ireland, is running a training course approved under the Grundtvig Programme for teachers, youth and community workers. There might also be space for people that do not fall under the Grundtvig programme and reduced fees apply.
How does the World look to You?A peer-education course on global development.
Today's world seems to becoming more and more interconnected through ever faster communication technologies and transport possibilities. However, while this has become a reality for many people, it has not led to greater understanding or solidarity between people. This course attempts to equip teachers, youth and community workers with skills to tackle issues of inequality with their groups and will include both updated information on specific issues as well as methodologies to use in educational settings. Through the facilitated sessions, all participants can share their skills and expertise and benefit not only from the facilitator but also from each others experiences.
This course offers an overview of some of the main issues in global development such as racism, trade & aid, sustainability, and gender. As each of these could fill an entire course on its own, these sessions will offer a snapshot of the issues, how they can be explored in classrooms and workshops and reading lists for further information.
The course has been organised by the Galway One World Centre and has been approved as a Grundtvig training course (Ref. No. IE-2011-181-001) which means that participants from countries within the EU can apply for funding to cover all associated costs (for details please check with your national agency, a list can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc1208_en.htm). Applications for funding must be received by January 14th, 2011.
For further information / bookings contact the Galway One World Centre at _353 (0)91 530590 / info@galwayowc.org / http://www.galwayowc.org/
Information provided by Heike Vornhagen, Galway One World Centre
How does the World look to You?A peer-education course on global development.
Today's world seems to becoming more and more interconnected through ever faster communication technologies and transport possibilities. However, while this has become a reality for many people, it has not led to greater understanding or solidarity between people. This course attempts to equip teachers, youth and community workers with skills to tackle issues of inequality with their groups and will include both updated information on specific issues as well as methodologies to use in educational settings. Through the facilitated sessions, all participants can share their skills and expertise and benefit not only from the facilitator but also from each others experiences.
This course offers an overview of some of the main issues in global development such as racism, trade & aid, sustainability, and gender. As each of these could fill an entire course on its own, these sessions will offer a snapshot of the issues, how they can be explored in classrooms and workshops and reading lists for further information.
The course has been organised by the Galway One World Centre and has been approved as a Grundtvig training course (Ref. No. IE-2011-181-001) which means that participants from countries within the EU can apply for funding to cover all associated costs (for details please check with your national agency, a list can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc1208_en.htm). Applications for funding must be received by January 14th, 2011.
For further information / bookings contact the Galway One World Centre at _353 (0)91 530590 / info@galwayowc.org / http://www.galwayowc.org/
Information provided by Heike Vornhagen, Galway One World Centre
Call for GLEN Tutors 2011
GLEN is looking for tutors who will train, prepare and accompany the participants of GLEN Multipliers Training Cycle 2011. The deadline for applications is January 10th 2011. Please find all the information in on the website http://www.glen-europe.org/index.php?lnk=9&bc=485. We are looking forward to working with you!
GLEN is a joint non-profit, politically independent initiative of eleven organisations from old and new member states of the European Union. GLEN aims at contributing to a better understanding of global interdependency, fair and sustainable ways of living, to a responsible development policy and to North-South relations based upon equal partnership and mutual respect.
GLEN is a joint non-profit, politically independent initiative of eleven organisations from old and new member states of the European Union. GLEN aims at contributing to a better understanding of global interdependency, fair and sustainable ways of living, to a responsible development policy and to North-South relations based upon equal partnership and mutual respect.
International Human Rights Training Program 2011 - Application until 21 November 2010
The International Center for Human Rights Education announced that the application period for the 31st annual International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) is now open and will be accepting applications until November 21st, 2010.
We look forward to another inspiring three-week program and the opportunity to meet more than 120 participants from around the world. The IHRTP is intended for human rights workers and educators from non-governmental organizations, National Human Rights Institutions, government bodies and educational institutions. The goal of the IHRTP is to strengthen the capacity of human rights organizations to undertake human rights education efforts aimed at building a global culture of human rights. The curriculum is based on principles of adult experiential learning in which participants and facilitators engage in a process of mutual teaching and learning.
“This training program is an important Canadian contribution to the spread of human rights and democratic principles around the world,” says Ian Hamilton, Executive Director of Equitas. “Through the IHRTP, participants gain greater confidence in their abilities as well as the skills and motivation to become effective human rights champions upon their return home”.
For more information and the application form, please visit http://www.equitas.org/english/programs/IHRTP.php
We look forward to another inspiring three-week program and the opportunity to meet more than 120 participants from around the world. The IHRTP is intended for human rights workers and educators from non-governmental organizations, National Human Rights Institutions, government bodies and educational institutions. The goal of the IHRTP is to strengthen the capacity of human rights organizations to undertake human rights education efforts aimed at building a global culture of human rights. The curriculum is based on principles of adult experiential learning in which participants and facilitators engage in a process of mutual teaching and learning.
“This training program is an important Canadian contribution to the spread of human rights and democratic principles around the world,” says Ian Hamilton, Executive Director of Equitas. “Through the IHRTP, participants gain greater confidence in their abilities as well as the skills and motivation to become effective human rights champions upon their return home”.
For more information and the application form, please visit http://www.equitas.org/english/programs/IHRTP.php
Roundtable "Afghanistan through the Development Lens"
On October 26th, the Slobvenian NGDO platform Sloga held a roundtable about development issues of Afghanistan. There were two foreign guests, Ghulam Rasoul Wahid (Deputy Director of National Solidarity Programme from Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development Afghanistan) and Karim Merchant (freelance international Consultant on Rural Development and a Senior Advisor on strategy, policy and programmes in Afghanistan) and also four guests from Slovenia (representatives from government and journalist). There were three important issues addressed. First the guests talked about analysis and evaluation of the role that the international community played on development in Afghanistan up to now but with main focus on the period after 2001. Then the most current and urgent problems of the Afghan people were presented and also what were the main problems for involved international community in that area. The last, they talked about how can Slovenia and EU participate in rebuilding Afghanistan and supporting relevant elements of Afghan civil society. The conclusions of the roundtable were supported by all guests and recommendations that were formed will be sent to relevant Slovenian and European stakeholders. These recommendations can be found on http://www.sloga-platform.org/.Information provided by Dunja Šegrt, Sloga
The Workshop “Human rights-based approach to development”, 25 November 2010
The Czech NGDO platform FoRS together with Glopolis and Terre des Hommes Hungary organizes a capacity building workshop on mainstreaming human rights in development aid and awareness on the 25th November in Prague. The workshop will present and discuss the concept of human rights-based approach to development that challenges the traditional approaches to development. Further, it will initiate a reflection among participants about their own development approaches and activities (being programming, awareness raising or policy work) and provide some tools for better mainstreaming human rights into the participants´ work. The workshop will consist of participatory sessions and case studies on specific rights (to education, to food, women’s rights,..). If you want to participate, please register by 19th November. The application form as well as detailed program is available on the web pages of FoRS (The Czech Forum of Development Cooperation). For more information contact marie.zazvorkova@fors.cz.
Information provided by Tereza Vodova, FoRS
Information provided by Tereza Vodova, FoRS
Friday, 15 October 2010
First Global Assembly of the Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness in Istanbul
The Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness held its First Global Assembly from 28th to 30th in September 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey. The more than 200 CSO, donor and government representatives from around the world discussed and approved 8 global principles for CSO development effectiveness, based on the inputs from about 60 national, regional and sectoral consultations. The principles state that CSOs are effective as development actor when they…- respect and promote human rights and social justice
- embody gender equality and equity while promoting woman and girl’s rights
- focus on people’s empowerment, democratic ownership and participation
- promote environmental sustainability
- practice transparency and accountability
- pursue equitable partnerships and solidarity
- create and share knowledge and commit to mutual learning
- commit to realizing positive sustainable change (outcomes and impact)
These principles will be the basis for a comprehensive global framework of CSO development effectiveness that will be completed over the next couple of months by interested CSOs in the Open Forum. They will also inform a multi-stakeholder dialogue in the run-up to the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in South Korea in late 2011.
The Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness is an initiative conceived of and led by a diverse coalition of CSOs from around the world to identify the elements that are essential to the development effectiveness of CSOs. This process is unique in its effort to create a global CSO consensus on the principles to which we hold ourselves accountable and to which we wish to be held accountable by the constituencies we serve and represent, by our fellow CSOs, and by donors.
For more information visit the website of the Open Forum. Download the Istanbul principles.
Sources: Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness, CONCORD
Third and Last Module of Training of Multipliers 2010 completed
The group of multipliers came together one last time in Vienna, from 22nd to 24th September 2010, to complete their training. This time the focus was particularly on the Monitoring and Evaluating of projects. Thomas Vogel, Programme Manager at Horizont3000 gave a helpful explanation of the advanced tools necessary for these tasks of Project Management. This included types of evaluation, costs and requirements, and concepts such as relevance, effectiveness or sustainability. Angela James, who runs the BOND EC Funding Advice line, shared her expertise on the EC Standard Contract, and its reporting requirements. “Take this contract very seriously” and “Ask the Commission when in doubt” were some of her advice. During training skills sessions, the participants learnt how to deal with difficult situations and broadened their public speaking skills through brief interactive exercises. Two more interesting sessions prepared by the participants themselves focused on Innovation and Sustainability in Project Writing and Training Skills in Development Cooperation. On the last day, the Open Space gave participants the opportunity to discuss topics of their choice in groups.
To assess the impact of the training, a closing session asked the participants the visions they have for the future and the next steps they will take, individually, as a group and on a national level. Some of these steps included creating networks and partnerships among the multipliers, organising internal and external training sessions, and working on confidence and capacity building in New Member States NGOs. While all participants declared themselves strongly committed, support mechanisms, funding opportunities and in some cases stronger connections to the national platforms are needed.Overall, it was a successful set of modules and the newly trained trainers returned satisfied and certificate in hand to their respective countries. The feedback from this year’s participants will help TRIALOG to put together the Training of Multipliers 2011.
Information provided by Jess Blijkers, TRIALOG
EPAN Working Group meeting in Brussels, 5-6th October
The Working Group EPAN (Enlargement, Pre-Accession and Neighbourhood) met at the beginning of October under the auspices of TRIALOG.
The Working Group Meeting gathered representatives of the three subgroups and of TRIALOG and discussed the progress undertaken so far, the following steps and the possible challenges in 2011. A focal point of the discussion was the link between EPAN activities and next year’s Hungarian and Polish Presidency of the EU. The members of the working group also discussed and identified means to enhance the efficiency and the profile of the group in order to consolidate its status as a link between North and Global South through the very specific transition experiences of new EU member states (NMS) and Accession/Candidate Countries.
The Southern Neighbourhood subgroup expressed its intention to be present at events relevant for the area, such as the Euro Med Forum. Moreover, the focus for next year will be strengthening the connections between civil society and the secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean.
The Eastern Neighbourhood subgroup will continue to focus on the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and on the Black Sea Forum, with the intention of identifying links between these two events and to correlate them with the EPAN agenda.
The Pre-Accession subgroup outlined the progress made in 2010 with regard to the information sharing process between the members of the subgroup. Next year, it is intended to enhance the engagement of the grass root level organisations in Pre-Accession countries and to strengthen the participation of members from Turkey, Iceland and Croatia. The subgroup concluded that it is important to increase the development capacities of the so-called Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)-countries and their capacity to absorb funding.
During the two-day meeting the members of EPAN had the opportunity to exchange views with guests such as representatives of the European Commission, UNDP or representatives of NGOs from other thematic sectors.
More details from the meeting report will be available soon on TRIALOG’s website. For any further questions, please contact TRIALOG policy officer Monika Matus at: trialog@concordeurope.org
Information provided by Monika Matus, TRIALOG
The Working Group Meeting gathered representatives of the three subgroups and of TRIALOG and discussed the progress undertaken so far, the following steps and the possible challenges in 2011. A focal point of the discussion was the link between EPAN activities and next year’s Hungarian and Polish Presidency of the EU. The members of the working group also discussed and identified means to enhance the efficiency and the profile of the group in order to consolidate its status as a link between North and Global South through the very specific transition experiences of new EU member states (NMS) and Accession/Candidate Countries.
The Southern Neighbourhood subgroup expressed its intention to be present at events relevant for the area, such as the Euro Med Forum. Moreover, the focus for next year will be strengthening the connections between civil society and the secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean.
The Eastern Neighbourhood subgroup will continue to focus on the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and on the Black Sea Forum, with the intention of identifying links between these two events and to correlate them with the EPAN agenda.
The Pre-Accession subgroup outlined the progress made in 2010 with regard to the information sharing process between the members of the subgroup. Next year, it is intended to enhance the engagement of the grass root level organisations in Pre-Accession countries and to strengthen the participation of members from Turkey, Iceland and Croatia. The subgroup concluded that it is important to increase the development capacities of the so-called Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)-countries and their capacity to absorb funding.
During the two-day meeting the members of EPAN had the opportunity to exchange views with guests such as representatives of the European Commission, UNDP or representatives of NGOs from other thematic sectors.
More details from the meeting report will be available soon on TRIALOG’s website. For any further questions, please contact TRIALOG policy officer Monika Matus at: trialog@concordeurope.org
Information provided by Monika Matus, TRIALOG
Meeting with Comissioner for Enlargement
On September 15th, 2010 an informal group of Brussels based NGO representatives , such as the Open Society Institute, Transparency International, WWF, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network and the EPAN working group participated in a meeting with Enlargement Commissioner, Mr Stefan Füle. The participants of the meeting presented a memorandum describing current problems and policy recommendations concerning Enlargement, Pre-Accession, Neighbourhood regions. Several topics touched by the group, such as CSO participation, Political Conditionality or Human Rights were widely discussed with the Commissioner and members of his Cabinet. For the information concerning follow up after the meeting and the minutes, please contact TRIALOG Brussels office at trialog@concordeurope.org
Information provided by Monika Matus, TRIALOG
Information provided by Monika Matus, TRIALOG
Development Education Projects from Writing to Implementation
Between 7th and 8th of October 2010 TRIALOG organized in cooperation with LITDEA a training focusing on Development Education, project writing and strategies for including Development Education in school curricula. The first day, an avid dialogue took place with representatives of civil society, teachers 
and Ministry for Foreign Affairs on what are the opportunities in Lithuania to include development education in school curricula. Case studies from the UK were presented and participants engaged in discussions reflecting on the challenges and opportunities. Transversality of development education topics was recognized as an opportunity and also the existing experience with such topics, even if not identified as
development education.
The second day, the focus shifted to project writing and throughout the day participants went over the phases of the project cycle and application writing and 3 project ideas were outlined. The day was intense and towards the end most participants recognized the training as interesting and useful for their work but also recognized the need for more NGOs to actively participate in such events and be ready to draft projects in cooperation with schools.
Information provided by Andra Tanase, TRIALOG
and Ministry for Foreign Affairs on what are the opportunities in Lithuania to include development education in school curricula. Case studies from the UK were presented and participants engaged in discussions reflecting on the challenges and opportunities. Transversality of development education topics was recognized as an opportunity and also the existing experience with such topics, even if not identified asdevelopment education.
The second day, the focus shifted to project writing and throughout the day participants went over the phases of the project cycle and application writing and 3 project ideas were outlined. The day was intense and towards the end most participants recognized the training as interesting and useful for their work but also recognized the need for more NGOs to actively participate in such events and be ready to draft projects in cooperation with schools.
Information provided by Andra Tanase, TRIALOG
Commissioner Piebalgs visits Prague
On the 7th October 2010, the European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs visited Prague and met representatives of Czech ministries, NGOs and the private sector. Piebalgs called upon the Czech Republic to contribute more to the official development assistance of the European Union (EU) and to fulfil its financial commitments. Piebalgs also supported the cooperation with the nongovernmental sector, which he saw as driving engine of development assistance. The Czech non-profit and non-governmental organizations associated in the Czech Forum of Development Cooperation FoRS, welcomed the meeting with the commissioner and shared his opinion on the importance of setting long-term plans for the fulfilment of the EU member states’ commitments. According to the evaluation report of FoRS, the Czech Republic provides only 0,12 % of its gross domestic income to the official development assistance purposes. More information about Piebalgs’ visit is available on the web pages of FoRS.Information provided by Tereza Vodova, FoRS
Slovak Contribution to the Millennium Development Goals
On 13th September, 2010 the Slovak NGDOs Platform organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovak agency for international development aid a public event titled the "Contribution of Slovakia to the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals and the reduction of world poverty“. The aim of the meeting was to evaluate the commitment of Slovakia to give the highest attention to the sustainable growth and battle against poverty, which was signed at the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. The NGDO Platform also presented a study about the fulfillment of MDGs during 2004-2009 at the event to the highest representatives of the Slovak Republic who took part in the UN summit about MDGs on 20th – 22nd September, 2010 in New York.Speaking at a plenary session of the UN summit, President Ivan Gasparovic stated that the "Slovak Republic is aware of the shared responsibility of developed countries for global development. Despite a tight budget of the Slovak Official Development Assistance (ODA), Slovakia allocates funds to help developing and transition countries each year and intends to continue this policy. Our development assistance is not very significant in terms of volume, but the activities and results in partner countries are perceived very positively. This is mainly due to our efficient performance based on the knowledge of local conditions and in accordance with the needs of partner countries”.
The study can be downloaded at the web page of the platform in Slovak language (pdf), a short summary in English language (pdf) is also available.
Information provided by Lenka Nemcová, Platforma MVRO
“Development Education Awareness Rising (DEAR) is among the best answers to the problems we have in the modern world”
On the initiative of the European Development Education Multi Stakeholder Group, and co-hosted by Members of European Parliament Ska Keller (Greens, Germany) and Filip Kaczmarek (EPP, Poland), representatives of European institutions, member states and civil society discussed the role of development education and awareness raising (DEAR) in the fight against global poverty at a lunch event in the European Parliament in Brussels on 15 September 2010.
Ska Keller underlined the key role of DEAR and citizens empowerment to make people participate in the development debate. She insisted on the need for concrete political action and financial commitment for DEAR in the view of the upcoming financial perspectives. Furthermore, she proposed to include DEAR as a mainstream topic and cross cutting issue in European policies – not only on development, but also programmes of other sectors such as Youth in Action.
Filip Kaczmarek emphasised the need for public support if ODA commitments shall be met and stated that “DEAR is among the best answers to the problems we have in the modern world.” In Poland, events as the Global Education Week or the European Development Days, planned for 2011, were crucial to mobilise public interest for development issues. DEAR shall be included in relevant upcoming parliament reports on development policies.
At the occasion of the event, Sergio Guimaraes from the Portuguese Development Agency IPAD and co-chair of the multi stakeholder group, presented the recent “European Development Education Monitoring Report (DE Watch)”, which shows how DEAR policies are gaining ground in Europe, while there is still a long way to go – and even some backslashes – in certain countries. In particular, the report underlines importance of DEAR strategies in member states and at European level.
The European Commission, represented by Markus Pirchner from EuropeAid, confirmed the institution’s commitment to a more strategic approach, which is currently under elaboration through the DEAR supporting initiative in the EC “structured dialogue”. Upcoming highlight of this process is a conference on 11 and 12 October 2010 in Brussels, where state and non-state actors from the European DEAR community will discuss elements for a possible future European DEAR strategy. Commissioner Piebalgs will hold a keynote speech.
In the debate, participants underlined that investment in DEAR and mobilisation of citizens’ support for development would pay in the long run. Integration in formal education should be reinforced, especially through cross-sectoral and cross-institutional cooperation, for example with the Council of Europe. The participants agreed that development education and public awareness should be at the heart of European development policies, and accordingly reflected in political process such as a possible revision of the European Development Consensus or the upcoming financial perspectives. As Sergio Guimaraes put it: “DEAR is at the very core of our concept of citizenship.”
Download the full report of the event
Information provided by Tobias Troll, DEEEP and MSH Secretariat
Ska Keller underlined the key role of DEAR and citizens empowerment to make people participate in the development debate. She insisted on the need for concrete political action and financial commitment for DEAR in the view of the upcoming financial perspectives. Furthermore, she proposed to include DEAR as a mainstream topic and cross cutting issue in European policies – not only on development, but also programmes of other sectors such as Youth in Action.
Filip Kaczmarek emphasised the need for public support if ODA commitments shall be met and stated that “DEAR is among the best answers to the problems we have in the modern world.” In Poland, events as the Global Education Week or the European Development Days, planned for 2011, were crucial to mobilise public interest for development issues. DEAR shall be included in relevant upcoming parliament reports on development policies.
At the occasion of the event, Sergio Guimaraes from the Portuguese Development Agency IPAD and co-chair of the multi stakeholder group, presented the recent “European Development Education Monitoring Report (DE Watch)”, which shows how DEAR policies are gaining ground in Europe, while there is still a long way to go – and even some backslashes – in certain countries. In particular, the report underlines importance of DEAR strategies in member states and at European level.
The European Commission, represented by Markus Pirchner from EuropeAid, confirmed the institution’s commitment to a more strategic approach, which is currently under elaboration through the DEAR supporting initiative in the EC “structured dialogue”. Upcoming highlight of this process is a conference on 11 and 12 October 2010 in Brussels, where state and non-state actors from the European DEAR community will discuss elements for a possible future European DEAR strategy. Commissioner Piebalgs will hold a keynote speech.
In the debate, participants underlined that investment in DEAR and mobilisation of citizens’ support for development would pay in the long run. Integration in formal education should be reinforced, especially through cross-sectoral and cross-institutional cooperation, for example with the Council of Europe. The participants agreed that development education and public awareness should be at the heart of European development policies, and accordingly reflected in political process such as a possible revision of the European Development Consensus or the upcoming financial perspectives. As Sergio Guimaraes put it: “DEAR is at the very core of our concept of citizenship.”
Download the full report of the event
Information provided by Tobias Troll, DEEEP and MSH Secretariat
Application for Workshop “Engaging as Active Citizens in Development Education”, 6-13 March 2011, Romania
The NGO Formare Studia invites applications for the participation in the International Workshop “Engaging as Active Citizens in Development Education” which will take place from 6 to 13 March 2011 in Iasi, Romania. This workshop will be conducted with the support of the European Commission, DG Education and Culture, Lifelong Learning programme, GRUNDTVIG.
Themes of discussion will be for example active citizenship, European decision making process and how to get the citizens involved, being an active citizen, challenges to education and many more. There will be lectures, presentations of participants, experience sharing and working groups for an advocacy campaign for development.
Please have a closer look at the programme on the website of Formare Studia. The number of participants is limited. Application deadline is 20 December 2010. Please send the application form duly completed and signed by email to smaranda@formarestudia.ro. The application form is available online.
Themes of discussion will be for example active citizenship, European decision making process and how to get the citizens involved, being an active citizen, challenges to education and many more. There will be lectures, presentations of participants, experience sharing and working groups for an advocacy campaign for development.
Please have a closer look at the programme on the website of Formare Studia. The number of participants is limited. Application deadline is 20 December 2010. Please send the application form duly completed and signed by email to smaranda@formarestudia.ro. The application form is available online.
Czech - Polish Roundtable on Development Cooperation and Climate Change during the Polish EU Presidency
In the frame of the Czech, Polish and Hungarian cooperation of civil society organisations (CSOs) with the aim to share the experience of the EU presidency a Czech-Polish Roundtable will take place on 18. November 2010. The Czech - Polish Roundtable will bring together development and environmental CSOs who are interested in the EU Presidency, deepening their knowledge on selected subjects and providing space for planning of joint policy and advocacy actions.
Objectives of the Roundtable are to help development CSOs understand their role during the EU presidency and prepare for the key issues and events in 2011; to provide a wider perspective on Polish priority topics and to coordinate the preparation of policy and advocacy plans for the Polish presidency in 2011 among Polish CSOs and with international partners. Seats are limited, therefore kindly send application forms to monika@zagranica.org.pl latest by 31. October 2010.
Outcomes, impacts as well as possible follow up of joint cooperation will be discussed during the Prague Evaluation Seminar in the spring 2012 after both presidencies are completed.
Information provided by Tereza Vodova, FoRS
Objectives of the Roundtable are to help development CSOs understand their role during the EU presidency and prepare for the key issues and events in 2011; to provide a wider perspective on Polish priority topics and to coordinate the preparation of policy and advocacy plans for the Polish presidency in 2011 among Polish CSOs and with international partners. Seats are limited, therefore kindly send application forms to monika@zagranica.org.pl latest by 31. October 2010.
Outcomes, impacts as well as possible follow up of joint cooperation will be discussed during the Prague Evaluation Seminar in the spring 2012 after both presidencies are completed.
Information provided by Tereza Vodova, FoRS
Fair Procurement conference looks into situation of New Member States
The FAIR PROCURA 2010, final conference of the Public Affairs project, was held in Dortmund, Germany, on 24th September 2010. It created an opportunity to present the key outputs of the Public Affairs project’s researches and initiatives, as well as to share experience with all stakeholders involved in Fair Trade, social and sustainable procurement fields. More than one hundred participants, public authorities, NGOs, Fair Trade producers, Fair Trade retailers and supplying companies participated in the discussions on various topics such as food and textile sectors, as well as legal aspects of Fair Trade Public Procurement (FTPP). The participants could benefit from the experience of high level speakers: Members of the European Parliament, legal experts and most advanced contracting authorities at EU level.The conference permitted to get an overview of Fair Trade Public Procurement in Europe, and explained the use of FTPP as a tool to support sustainable development and, in particular, marginalised producers in developing countries.
A session dedicated to FTPP issues in countries where Fair Trade awareness is still low was especially relevant for the TRIALOG project, working mostly with actors from New Member States potentially interested in the topic. Interesting discussions were raised, however there was little space provided for knowledge and experience exchange for “newcomers” in the field. This initiative could feed to further development of similar knowledge transfer oriented events.
To learn more about the project’s key outputs visit the website of the Conference of the European Fair Trade Association or contact fair-procura@eftafairtrade.org .
Information provided by Monika Matus, TRIALOG
Bad News for European NGDOs: decrease in EC funding between 2004 and 2008
CONCORD recently published a report entitled Facts and Figures: What the official 2008 figures continue to tell us about EC aid and NGOs in which they came to the following observations, unsatisfactory tidings for European NGOs.
Although the overall funding for CSOs (including universities, professional associations, NGOs, foundations, etc) has increased by 2.4% between 2004 and 2008, the grants accorded specifically to NGOs have not known such an significant increase, only 0.7%, out of the total EC External Aid, in that same time span. The funding for European NGOs in particular (as opposed to local NGOs) has even decreased dropping from €681 million in 2004 to €669 in 2008, even while 12 new countries joined the EU. The competition has risen further due to EC grants, previously reserved for European NGOs, being made accessible to other civil society actors such as trade unions, foundations or universities. Funding for development is not increasing as fast (+9.45%) as funding for emergency (+12%) and International Organisations received, in 2008, twice what was received by NGOs. Even if the EC budget did increase between 2004 and 2008, the share of external aid decreased by 1%. Finally, Concord notes the higher percentage of the total budget being deconcentrated and managed by EC Delegations in developing countries (23%).
In view of this report, CONCORD makes a series of key recommendations including more transparency, more consultation and analysis and additional funds allocated to long-term development actions without this being at the expense of humanitarian aid.
Follow the link to read the full report
Information provided by Jess Blijkers, TRIALOG
Although the overall funding for CSOs (including universities, professional associations, NGOs, foundations, etc) has increased by 2.4% between 2004 and 2008, the grants accorded specifically to NGOs have not known such an significant increase, only 0.7%, out of the total EC External Aid, in that same time span. The funding for European NGOs in particular (as opposed to local NGOs) has even decreased dropping from €681 million in 2004 to €669 in 2008, even while 12 new countries joined the EU. The competition has risen further due to EC grants, previously reserved for European NGOs, being made accessible to other civil society actors such as trade unions, foundations or universities. Funding for development is not increasing as fast (+9.45%) as funding for emergency (+12%) and International Organisations received, in 2008, twice what was received by NGOs. Even if the EC budget did increase between 2004 and 2008, the share of external aid decreased by 1%. Finally, Concord notes the higher percentage of the total budget being deconcentrated and managed by EC Delegations in developing countries (23%).
In view of this report, CONCORD makes a series of key recommendations including more transparency, more consultation and analysis and additional funds allocated to long-term development actions without this being at the expense of humanitarian aid.
Follow the link to read the full report
Information provided by Jess Blijkers, TRIALOG
Global Education Online Training Course: the Human Rights Dimension
The North-South Centre is happy to announce the online training course Human Rights Education: Addressing Global Challenges offered by the North South Centre and The Network University (TNU).
This global education online learning course is designed for education practitioners, social workers, youth activists, as well as policy and decision makers. It has been designed to complement the Global Education Guidelines, a pedagogical tool for educators and policy makers to understand and implement Global Education, and share with a wider audience concepts and approaches promoted by the North-South Centre’s Global Education programme.
This course, under the main title "Global Education - The Human Rights Dimension", provides an introduction to human rights education as part of the Global Education context, and deals with its concepts, approaches, strategies and action, by considering its interconnections between the global and local. It is designed for professionals working in or with global education / human rights education, either as part of international organisations, national educational institutions or those working for national and local civil society organisations. The course also welcomes students with a special interest in the topic.
The upcoming course takes place from 8 November – 3 December 2010. The deadline for submitting the complete application is 27 October 2010.
For additional information concerning the course please access the link.
This global education online learning course is designed for education practitioners, social workers, youth activists, as well as policy and decision makers. It has been designed to complement the Global Education Guidelines, a pedagogical tool for educators and policy makers to understand and implement Global Education, and share with a wider audience concepts and approaches promoted by the North-South Centre’s Global Education programme.
This course, under the main title "Global Education - The Human Rights Dimension", provides an introduction to human rights education as part of the Global Education context, and deals with its concepts, approaches, strategies and action, by considering its interconnections between the global and local. It is designed for professionals working in or with global education / human rights education, either as part of international organisations, national educational institutions or those working for national and local civil society organisations. The course also welcomes students with a special interest in the topic.
The upcoming course takes place from 8 November – 3 December 2010. The deadline for submitting the complete application is 27 October 2010.
For additional information concerning the course please access the link.
ERSTE Foundation Award for Social Integration – What Would You Change? (Deadline 30.11.2010)
The ERSTE Foundation Award for Social Integration 2011 addresses to twelve countries from CSEE region: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. Organizations from these countries are invited to apply with their projects from the 1 September until the 30 November 2010. The foundation award for social integration promotes and recognizes organizations in the public and non-profit sectors that engage people’s abilities, capacities, and initiatives for socially-oriented practice and progressive change in society.
The Award is integral to the ERSTE Foundation Social Development programme , which emphasizes a commitment to human and cultural diversity, holistic human development, social and economic justice, and individual and group self-determination. It is given to innovative and creative social integration projects that have made a valuable impact and difference in the lives of intended beneficiaries. The financial component of the Award is intended to further the awardees in their social practice. In addition to the financial grant, the Award provides wide exposure so that winning projects get more visibility. It creates opportunities for the winners to have better access to networks of possible partners and supporters, as well as to the databases of ERSTE Foundation. Projects have to demonstrate outcomes, results, and sustainability. The Award is open to the public sector, civil society, private initiatives, and religious communities as well as to the media. Eligible projects must be: completed before the date of application, ongoing but with presentable outcomes, results, and/or sustainable elements and the implementation location must be in one (or more) of the twelve countries.
Source: BCSDN E-Mail Alerts 216
The Award is integral to the ERSTE Foundation Social Development programme , which emphasizes a commitment to human and cultural diversity, holistic human development, social and economic justice, and individual and group self-determination. It is given to innovative and creative social integration projects that have made a valuable impact and difference in the lives of intended beneficiaries. The financial component of the Award is intended to further the awardees in their social practice. In addition to the financial grant, the Award provides wide exposure so that winning projects get more visibility. It creates opportunities for the winners to have better access to networks of possible partners and supporters, as well as to the databases of ERSTE Foundation. Projects have to demonstrate outcomes, results, and sustainability. The Award is open to the public sector, civil society, private initiatives, and religious communities as well as to the media. Eligible projects must be: completed before the date of application, ongoing but with presentable outcomes, results, and/or sustainable elements and the implementation location must be in one (or more) of the twelve countries.
Source: BCSDN E-Mail Alerts 216
New Slovak Platform Project Manager
From 1st October, 2010, Jana Bielikova became a new project manager of Slovak NGDOs Platform (Platforma MVRO). She studied International Relations at University of Economy in Bratislava and is experienced in NGO management, marketing, project and event management. She has worked in different countries, among them the Philippines and Pakistan. Daniela Balazova, a former journalist, became external collaborator in function of media coordinator of the Slovak NGDOs Platform. The contacts of the secretariat of the Slovak NGDO Platform are published on the platform's website http://www.mvro.sk/en/contacts
Information provided by Lenka Nemcová, Platforma MVRO
Information provided by Lenka Nemcová, Platforma MVRO
Young Reporters Against Poverty (YRAP) competition
Young Reporters Against Poverty (YRAP) is the first Europe-wide competition for journalism and communication students passionate about development issues. Young Reporters Against Poverty is a chance for European journalism and communication students to receive hands-on training about development, the EU and how to report live from the European Development Days.The Young Reporter Against Poverty competition is open to journalism and communication students aged between 18 and 30 years old from all EU 27 member states and is organised by the European Journalism Centre with financial support from the European Commission’s EuropeAid Co-operation Office.
A handpicked group of 33 finalists will be selected to attend this year's European Development Days, to be held in Brussels in early December 2010. After receiving hands-on training to assist them in their live reporting of the event, the finalists then have one week to perfect their best article/broadcast, to be presented to a jury of professional journalists and media professionals. Three overall winners will then be selected for the press trip of a lifetime – to Africa.
Deadline for submission is 29 October 2010. Find all necessary information on http://www.youngreporters.net/
Two Vacancies Peacebuilding, Kosovo: forumZFD
The German peacebuilding NGO Forum Civil Peace Service (forumZFD) has currently two vacancies for its programme in Western Balkans. The two forumZFD placements in Prishtina are in the framework of the "Civil Peace Service in development cooperation" programme, funded by the German government. Deadline for applications is 15 November 2010. Please note that working level of German language is a requirement, next to regional expertise and experience in with peacebuilding and conflict resolution issues. For further information see http://www.forumzfd.de/jobs or follow the link to the description and pdf.
Mary Robinson Award for Young Women's Leadership in Human Rights
If you are a young woman, under the age of 30, involved in Human Rights work - Please nominate yourself for the Mary Robinson Award for Young Women's Leadership in Human Rights. The deadline for submission of the reviewed nomination is October 31, 2010. Download the Nomination form at http://www.worldywcacouncil.org/Mary-Robinson-Award or find attached. Email the completed form to maryrobinsonaward@worldywca.org
The World YWCA established the Mary Robinson Award for Young Women's Leadership in Human Rights to recognise young women leaders and human rights activists. The first recipients of the award will be honoured and celebrated during the International Women's Summit in Zurich, Switzerland from July 12 - 13, 2011.
The award recognises: 1. young YWCA human rights activist ; 2. A young woman human rights activist from the broader community of partners working on human rights; 3. A member association that demonstrates exemplary support and
promotion of young women's leadership in the field of human rights.
Mary Robinson is a renowned human rights activist and a trailblazer for women's rights and leadership, was the first woman President of Ireland (1990-1997) and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002). She has spent most of her life as a human rights advocate. As an academic (Trinity College Law Faculty 1968-90), legislator (Senator 1969-89) and barrister (1967-90, Senior Counsel 1980, English Bar 1973) she has always sought to use law as an instrument for social change, arguing landmark cases before the European Court of Human Rights, the Irish courts and the European Court in Luxemburg. Mary Robinson served as Chair for the Council of Women World Leaders and is presently leading Realising Rights: the Ethical Globalisation Initiative.
The World YWCA established the Mary Robinson Award for Young Women's Leadership in Human Rights to recognise young women leaders and human rights activists. The first recipients of the award will be honoured and celebrated during the International Women's Summit in Zurich, Switzerland from July 12 - 13, 2011.
The award recognises: 1. young YWCA human rights activist ; 2. A young woman human rights activist from the broader community of partners working on human rights; 3. A member association that demonstrates exemplary support and
promotion of young women's leadership in the field of human rights.
Mary Robinson is a renowned human rights activist and a trailblazer for women's rights and leadership, was the first woman President of Ireland (1990-1997) and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002). She has spent most of her life as a human rights advocate. As an academic (Trinity College Law Faculty 1968-90), legislator (Senator 1969-89) and barrister (1967-90, Senior Counsel 1980, English Bar 1973) she has always sought to use law as an instrument for social change, arguing landmark cases before the European Court of Human Rights, the Irish courts and the European Court in Luxemburg. Mary Robinson served as Chair for the Council of Women World Leaders and is presently leading Realising Rights: the Ethical Globalisation Initiative.
Bretton Woods Conference, London, 22 November 2010
The Bretton Woods Project is announcing its conference on 'the private finance turn' in development in London. This conference brings together a range of different organisations that have begun to concentrate on the new trend of private finance for development, notably through Financial Intermediaries and private equity lending. It will focus on the International Finance Corporation (IFCs) of the Worldbank Group and the European Investment Bank (EIB) as perhaps the two longest-standing private finance supporting international financial institutions (IFIs), but also on other funders involved in the same activities such as the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC), African Development Bank (ADB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The conference under the title “Private equity, financial intermediaries and what they mean for development” will be on Monday November 22nd, with a strategy and action day on Tuesday 23rd. For more information and to register, please follow the online link http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/art-566623.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
GLEN is looking for a coordinator of RENew Seminar 2011
GLEN is searching for the Coordinator of the RENew Seminar that will take place on March 30th - April 3rd 2011 in Jedlinia, Poland. The RENew Seminar is the last phase of the GLEN Multipliers Training Cycle 2010 and it stands for the Review, Evaluation and Networking Seminar. The participants meet to present, evaluate and reflect on their experiences in the South as well as of the Global Education Practice Phase. During the seminar they will receive a more profound training in global education methodology and will be encouraged to brainstorm and network for new global education activities. Participants leave the RENew glenergised, motivated to do global education and conscious of the opportunities of involvement in GLEN and other organisations working in the domain of global education. Deadline for application is October 15, 2010.
In order to apply, please send your CV and motivation letter (max. 1 page) by email to Kasia Szeniawska (kasia@glen-europe.org). Please find more information on the GLEN website.
In order to apply, please send your CV and motivation letter (max. 1 page) by email to Kasia Szeniawska (kasia@glen-europe.org). Please find more information on the GLEN website.
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
News from TRIALOG
TRIALOG hopes that you all enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing summer break and that you are back with a lot of renewed energy for upcoming events and activities. We would like to invite you to read the current issue of TIS.
There are few updates from our office. In September our new Policy Officer Monika Matus started in Brussels and replaced Rebecca Steel-Jasińska who is now on maternity leave. Monika’s previous experiences include international capacity building trainings and facilitation especially within the GLEN Europe network, cooperation with the DEEEP project, several development cooperation projects in West and East Africa, awareness campaigns on issues like gender in development or decent work in Southern countries and others. She recently worked with CEE Bankwatch and Friends of the Earth Europe for the campaign challenging the European Investment Bank’s engagement in development. Also in September Elisa Romero started as Office Assistant replacing Brigitte Quehenberger who is on maternity leave. Elisa holds a degree in International Cultural and Business Studies with an emphasis on Latin American cultures from the University of Passau, Germany. Before joining TRIALOG she worked as assistant to the director at TRIALOG’s lead agency HORIZONT3000. Additionally new in our team are two temporary interns, Jess Blijkers in the Vienna Office and Karina Mereuta in Brussels.
We would also like to announce that we have revised TRIALOG’s Capacity Building Guidelines which detail TRIALOG’s capacity building activities, as well as the regulations in place to access TRIALOG´s support for capacity building. Please take a look at them: Capacity Building Guidelines.
The preparations for the Nicaragua conference in November are going on. Please have a look at the updated agenda. In a couple of days you will also find a complete translation of the Reader for the conference available in Spanish on our Website. This translation work was made possible through the UNV Online Volunteering Service (http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/) .
Happy reading!
There are few updates from our office. In September our new Policy Officer Monika Matus started in Brussels and replaced Rebecca Steel-Jasińska who is now on maternity leave. Monika’s previous experiences include international capacity building trainings and facilitation especially within the GLEN Europe network, cooperation with the DEEEP project, several development cooperation projects in West and East Africa, awareness campaigns on issues like gender in development or decent work in Southern countries and others. She recently worked with CEE Bankwatch and Friends of the Earth Europe for the campaign challenging the European Investment Bank’s engagement in development. Also in September Elisa Romero started as Office Assistant replacing Brigitte Quehenberger who is on maternity leave. Elisa holds a degree in International Cultural and Business Studies with an emphasis on Latin American cultures from the University of Passau, Germany. Before joining TRIALOG she worked as assistant to the director at TRIALOG’s lead agency HORIZONT3000. Additionally new in our team are two temporary interns, Jess Blijkers in the Vienna Office and Karina Mereuta in Brussels.
We would also like to announce that we have revised TRIALOG’s Capacity Building Guidelines which detail TRIALOG’s capacity building activities, as well as the regulations in place to access TRIALOG´s support for capacity building. Please take a look at them: Capacity Building Guidelines.
The preparations for the Nicaragua conference in November are going on. Please have a look at the updated agenda. In a couple of days you will also find a complete translation of the Reader for the conference available in Spanish on our Website. This translation work was made possible through the UNV Online Volunteering Service (http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/) .
Happy reading!
Coherency of EU Development Policy, 6th October 2010, Vienna
The Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC) in Vienna, Austria, is inviting for an event on the Coherency of EU Development Policy which will take place on the 6th of October, 2010. Speakers will be:
Abdalla Hamdok (Director, Governance and Public Administration, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa) on "Europe’s global role in development. An African Perspective"; Ollivier Bodin (European Commission, DG Development) on "EU Policy coherence for Development post-Lisbon: where are we?" and Maurizio Carbone (Jean Monnet Chair and Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow) on "The EU and the Developing World: Partnership, Poverty, Politicisation". Please have a look at the programme.
Abdalla Hamdok (Director, Governance and Public Administration, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa) on "Europe’s global role in development. An African Perspective"; Ollivier Bodin (European Commission, DG Development) on "EU Policy coherence for Development post-Lisbon: where are we?" and Maurizio Carbone (Jean Monnet Chair and Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow) on "The EU and the Developing World: Partnership, Poverty, Politicisation". Please have a look at the programme.
Global Development Policy – Which Role for Europe?
The role of Europe in the global development policy was the focus of the speech of Dr. Marcus Cornaro, Dirctor for European Neighbourhood policy at EuropeAid at an event oganised by the Austrian Development Agency on September 7, 2010.
In his speech, Dr. Cornaro explained that with the Lisbon treaty and the establishment of the European External Action Service, development policy got the status of an important European policy. The challenges now are on one hand the establishment of new parameters for the development policy for the time 2014 – 2020 (accompanied by the new financial perspectives) and on the other hand the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He emphasised that in order to reach the MDGs by 2015 a quantum jump in development cooperation is needed as 1.4 billion people still live in extreme poverty and the means provided by the EU and its member states are far below their commitments.
Some trends in the European development policy he mentioned, are the promotion of regional cooperation (in trade, transport, environment etc.), linking grants with loans for infrastructure projects and driving reforms via recipients budgets.
Global debates currently revolve around four main issues which are (1) the MDG review, (2) role and place for emerging donors (China, Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa), (3) Aid fatigue combined with food, fuel and financial crisis and (4) the role of public ODA versus the share of private sector (Corporate Social Responsibility) and philantropy (like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation).
The European angle in this context is focused on the division of labour between EU and its member states and the question of what the European added value is; the programming 2014-2020 with better cooperation and coordination with member states against fragmentation of development cooperation; and the MDGs.
In the review of the European development policy the focus will be on inclusive, smart and sustainable growth. Emphasis will be placed on the following issues: How to deal with the “fragile bottom billion”? Linking development finance and leverage; Policy coherence; Natural resources and green growth; New ways of public – private partnerships, Phasing out middle income countries.
Information provided by Christine Bedoya, TRIALOG
In his speech, Dr. Cornaro explained that with the Lisbon treaty and the establishment of the European External Action Service, development policy got the status of an important European policy. The challenges now are on one hand the establishment of new parameters for the development policy for the time 2014 – 2020 (accompanied by the new financial perspectives) and on the other hand the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He emphasised that in order to reach the MDGs by 2015 a quantum jump in development cooperation is needed as 1.4 billion people still live in extreme poverty and the means provided by the EU and its member states are far below their commitments.
Some trends in the European development policy he mentioned, are the promotion of regional cooperation (in trade, transport, environment etc.), linking grants with loans for infrastructure projects and driving reforms via recipients budgets.
Global debates currently revolve around four main issues which are (1) the MDG review, (2) role and place for emerging donors (China, Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa), (3) Aid fatigue combined with food, fuel and financial crisis and (4) the role of public ODA versus the share of private sector (Corporate Social Responsibility) and philantropy (like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation).
The European angle in this context is focused on the division of labour between EU and its member states and the question of what the European added value is; the programming 2014-2020 with better cooperation and coordination with member states against fragmentation of development cooperation; and the MDGs.
In the review of the European development policy the focus will be on inclusive, smart and sustainable growth. Emphasis will be placed on the following issues: How to deal with the “fragile bottom billion”? Linking development finance and leverage; Policy coherence; Natural resources and green growth; New ways of public – private partnerships, Phasing out middle income countries.
Information provided by Christine Bedoya, TRIALOG
A Step forward: The Establishment of a Humanitarian Response Center
The impact of humanitarian crisis around the world is increasingly severe and humanitarian action is a collective responsibility at an international level, involving many different stakeholders, including NGOs. With the aim of strengthening the role of Slovenia and its NGOs in international humanitarian community, SLOGA, the Platform of NGOs for development cooperation and humanitarian aid, with the cooperation of Foundation TOGETHER, will establish a Humanitarian Response Center (HRC) of NGOs. The establishment of the HRC is one of the activities of the DG ECHO financed project “Strengthening the Capacities of the NGOs in ECHO underrepresented countries”, in which Foundation TOGETHER is the applicant organisation of the project, SLOGA and the People in Peril Association are implementing partners.On 7th September 2010 SLOGA organized a HRC introductory meeting of humanitarian NGOs, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Administration for civil protection and disaster relief. During the meeting NGOs activities, available resources and their expectations about HRC were presented. The NGOs agreed that HRC will primarily operate on the following areas: it will serve as a cooperating and coordinating point of NGOs, facilitate rapid reactions to humanitarian crisis, build capacities, ensure the linkage between NGOs and public authorities (ministries, civil protection and other relevant stakeholders), facilitate exchange of experience and transfer of good practice, work with other organizations and agencies on EU level, search partners in the field and raise awareness. For this purpose a web page of HRC is established (available on http://www.humanitarni-center.si/), that will provide information on activities of the center, trainings, humanitarian crisis around the world and other relevant information.
During the meeting all organizations expressed their interest to become members of the HRC and the representatives of the ministry and administration expressed their support and willingness for further cooperation.
For any further information please contact: Janja Mikulan, janja.mikulan@sloga-platform.org
Information provided by Janja Mikulan, SLOGA
Awareness Raising on Development Cooperation Issues in Lithuania
The Association LITDEA (Lithuanian Development Education and Awareness Raising Network) uniting 9 Lithuanian CSOs working on development cooperation and awareness raising issues is currently implementing the short-term (6 months) project titled “Society’s Awareness Raising on Development Cooperation Issues”.The main aim of the project is to impart information about development cooperation to the public, encouraging not only the interest in this field but also the active participation, e.g. by contributing to the elaboration of Lithuana’s development cooperation activities. The project aims at inducing the interest of society for global problems and ultimately contributes to the strengthening of developing countries. The background of the project is the lack of information and insufficient education on development cooperation among the Lithuanian public, which limits the active contribution of Lithuanian citizens to development.
The heads of subdistricts and representatives of local communities of Lithuanian municipalities are the target group of the project as they have direct contacts with the majority of Lithuanian inhabitants every day. 80 of them, selected according to their motivation, will participate in the trainings on development cooperation issues. Experienced experts from member organisations of LITDEA, having knowledge on development cooperation issue and skills for working with local authorities, will prepare and provide the trainings in mid-autumn, 2010. The participants will get consultations about involving the concrete aspects of development cooperation issues into their existing and, especially, future action plans and will at the same time become multipliers for spreading the information further to their local community members.
This is a pilot project which is planned to be continued next year involving new participants. It is
implemented under the Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.
For more information please contact Ms. Raimonda Kucinskaite, raimonda@npi.lt
Information provided by Raimonda Kucinskaite, National Development Institute
Estonian NGO is looking for partners from Georgia
The Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation is searching for project partners from Georgia for the European Commission call for proposals under „Non-Stae Acrtors and Local Authorities in Development“ EuropeAid/130519/L/ACT/GE, deadline for submission 1.11.2010. Deadline for the partnership proposals to Piret Tamberg (piret@terveilm.net) is 22.09.2010.
Please view more information on the TRIALOG website.
Please view more information on the TRIALOG website.
North-South Centre announces Global Education Activities
The North-South Centre announced a variety of Global Education activities taking place in autumn 2010. The Global Education Summer e-course will take place from 27 September to 22 October, deadline for application is 15 September 2010. For more information please click here.
The World Aware Education Awards seeks to recognise and encourage projects which promote the practice of global education in formal and non-formal educational settings, displaying excellence in networking, partnership and coordination for increased and improved global education; bringing together different actors and institutions. Deadline for applications for the World Aware Education Awards 2010 edition is 13 October 2010. View information.
The Global Education Week 2010 will take place from 13 to 21 November 2010 and has as theme “Peace and Non-Violence for the children of the World”. The North-South centre has launched a special webpage with information, resources, partners and stakeholders.
The World Aware Education Awards seeks to recognise and encourage projects which promote the practice of global education in formal and non-formal educational settings, displaying excellence in networking, partnership and coordination for increased and improved global education; bringing together different actors and institutions. Deadline for applications for the World Aware Education Awards 2010 edition is 13 October 2010. View information.
The Global Education Week 2010 will take place from 13 to 21 November 2010 and has as theme “Peace and Non-Violence for the children of the World”. The North-South centre has launched a special webpage with information, resources, partners and stakeholders.
Conference: ‘Development, Trade, Foreign and Security Policies", Bucharest 25-26 Nov, 2010
The conference ‘Development, Trade, Foreign and Security Policies: How Can Emerging Donors Make a Difference?’ is organized by The Romanian Association for International Cooperation and Development (ARCADIA) with the endorsement of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the support of The Romanian NGDO Platform FOND, The European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI) as well as other national and European organisations. Through this conference, our organisation creates a space of interaction, dialogue and exchange of practices between national and European groups interested in international development, namely policymakers, academia, business, professional associations, NGO platforms and mass-media.As a new EU Member State, Romania is (re)emerging as a international donor and is interested in becoming a dynamic actor on the global arena, in its capacity as contributor to international development. In this context, the focus of the event is twofold: (1) to analyse the interplay between trade, foreign and security policies in emerging donors’ contexts and (2) to explore the manner in which such donors shape their identities while trying to make use of their transition experience in their development engagements.
In addition, the event will address the following issues: the role of professional communities in supporting policy making and mapping out stakeholders in Romania currently involved in or with an interest in international development; determine best practices in development during the transition period and how these can contribute to ODA programs, enhance awareness on international development issues and promote global education.
The conference especially welcomes NGO practitioners in the field of development cooperation. NGO representatives can attend individually as participants or can propose a workshop together with at least 2 other members of similar organizations. Deadline for workshop proposals is September 20. For individual applications the deadline is October 1. For more information on the conference, application forms and procedures, please visit http://arcadianetwork.org/conference/2010/ or directly contact Ms. Corina Ciambur (e-mail:
corina.ciambur@arcadianetwork.org).
corina.ciambur@arcadianetwork.org).
Information provided by Corina Ciambur, ARCADIA
New Eurobarometer Survey "Europeans, Development aid and the MDGs"
Since 1973, the European Commission has been conducting surveys on public opinion in the Member States addressing major topics concerning European citizenship. This report examines European public opinion on development policy in general and the EU’s role as aid donor in particular. Over 26,500 people living in the 27 EU member states were surveyed in June 2010. The results of the survey can be seen as a barometer of current European attitudes toward development in view of two forthcoming events.
European citizens continue to show resolute support to aid provided to developing countries. One week before the UN High Level Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, the survey shows that 89% of respondents consider development aid is important or very important. Two in three Europeans believe that the EU should honor, or even improve, on its promises to increase development aid to 0.7% of GNI by 2015, the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goal. This support, shared by a vast majority of citizens regardless of the nationality, has remained consistently high despite the financial crisis and the economic situation in Europe. In this context, three quarters (76%) of Europeans believe that there is added value in EU countries working together which contributes to avoid duplication and ensure aid effectiveness.
See the survey or visit the EU Public Opinion website
European citizens continue to show resolute support to aid provided to developing countries. One week before the UN High Level Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, the survey shows that 89% of respondents consider development aid is important or very important. Two in three Europeans believe that the EU should honor, or even improve, on its promises to increase development aid to 0.7% of GNI by 2015, the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goal. This support, shared by a vast majority of citizens regardless of the nationality, has remained consistently high despite the financial crisis and the economic situation in Europe. In this context, three quarters (76%) of Europeans believe that there is added value in EU countries working together which contributes to avoid duplication and ensure aid effectiveness.
See the survey or visit the EU Public Opinion website
Peace Building Expert Lebanon, forumZFD
The German peacebuilding NGO Forum Civil Peace Service (forumZFD) has currently two vacancies for its Lebanon-programme. The two forumZFD placements in Beirut are in the framework of the "Civil Peace Service in development cooperation" programme, funded by the German government. Deadline for applications is 28 September. Please note that working level of German language is a requirement, next to regional expertise and experience in with peacebuilding and conflict resolution issues. For further information see http://www.forumzfd.de/jobs. Please see the Job description (pdf, in German).
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