AidWatch Report 2010 launched around Europe

The 2010 AidWatch report “Penalty Against Poverty: More and Better EU aid can score Millenium Development Goals” was officially launched on 10 June, at a press conference in Brussels that was echoed in similar events around Europe.

The report, which chastises European governments for missing their official development aid targets and jeopardising global efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals, was released the week before the European leaders’ meeting in Brussels to decide a common position to take to the September MDG summit.

The launch event in Brussels brought together representatives from the three main EU institutions as well as a spokesperson on the report, a representative of Southern civil society and a representative of CONCORD. The EU Commissioner for Development, Mr Andris Piebalgs, also commented on the report following its launch, saying that “This report comes at the right time [...] Europe’s credibility rests in sticking to our commitments. [...] We need to scale up aid, make it more effective and make other EU policies work for development. We have just five years for the Millennium Development Goals to become the Millennium Development Achievements. This is doable and the MDGs are just too big to fail.”

Other AidWatch events around Europe included launches in a number of the new member states. The Bulgarian platform for example is planning a launch event and most NMS will send out press releases and review the coverage they receive around the launch. In some new member states, such as the Czech Republic and Poland, the report will be launched with national reports after the summer break.

Links: The 2010 AidWatch report can be downloaded from the CONCORD website www.concordeurope.org or directly here (10MB, zipped)

Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG

European workshop on the role of parliaments in aid and development policy

Most European governments are unlikely to meet their ODA targets in 2010. A few months before the MDG review, a workshop bringing together NGO representatives from all over Europe was held in Paris on the 27th and 28th of May 2010 in order to contribute to strengthening democratic pressure on governments to get them to fulfil their commitments. Particular attention was paid to ensuring NMS were well represented within the group, so that the different realities were covered and relevant experiences could be shared.

The role played by parliaments in pushing governments to keep aid commitments is central, so advocacy work towards the European Parliament and national parliaments was identified as an area to be reinforced and better-coordinated. Improving the sharing of information and best practices among CONCORD’s members, from new and older member states, strengthening their expertise and advocacy capacities and coordinating their actions was seen as an effective way to help to increase pressure on European governments to keep their aid and development cooperation promises.
This capacity-building workshop was divided into four parts: looking at the way national governments function around Europe, comparing the scrutiny powers they have when it comes to ODA budgets, looking at positive and less successful examples of how CSOs have worked with parliaments in the past and finally focusing on the European Parliament. Participants provided information about their experiences before the workshop, which led to well prepared participants and a large amount of relevant information being available in briefing papers that were provided in advance. There were also a number of resource people from national parliaments and the European Parliament, who brought additional insight into the discussions.

This workshop is a first step towards increased democratic scrutiny of development cooperation policies in Europe. It should give CONCORD members tools to reinforce their advocacy work and to strengthen governments’ accountability to parliaments. The workshop will also contribute to CONCORD’s strategy towards the institutions, which is currently being reviewed.

The workshop was organised within the framework of CONCORD AidWatch working group in partnership with Coordination SUD, 11.11.11, TRIALOG and SLOGA and is the first in a series of two workshops looking at NGO advocacy and lobbying work. The next workshop is due to take place in September in Vienna.

Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG

European Transition Compendium Almost Public

The European Transition Compendium, an initiative launched by the European Commission last year to use NMS transition experiences in European development policy around the world is nearing completion.

The compendium, a first draft of which has been circulated to member states for comments by mid-June, intends to bring together transition experiences in areas as diverse as economic, social and agricultural reforms and to provide lessons learned that should support processes in developing countries. There will be a brainstorming meeting in July to look into exactly how this compendium will be used in practice.

A draft has been circulated among NMS platforms and the CONCORD working group on Enlargement, Pre-Accession and Neighbourhood for comments that could feed into the process, still at this late stage. If you are interested in contributing to work on this compendium, please contact TRIALOG’s policy officer Rebecca Steel-Jasińska for more information trialog@concordeurope.org

For more background information on the ETC please see previous TIS articles (European Transition Compendium, or ETC - a call for cooperation).

Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG

The Lisbon Treaty, Volcanoes, Floods and Civil Society: TRIALOG Central Training 2010

Despite having to tackle read natural challenges, such as the volcano eruption disrupting all air traffic in Europe or strong floods, “The Lisbon Treaty and Its Implications for Civil Society” was still discussed in Krakow during the TRIALOG Central Training, which took place on 7th and 8th of June. The training was done in cooperation with Grupa Zagranica, the Polish NGDO platform.

Although the group was not large (23 participants), the country representation was quite good and the discussions were focused, achieving the three-fold objectives of the Central Training: exchange and updates for the NMS platforms, planning for upcoming key events and training and knowledge gathering on a very specific topic.

Each platform was invited to be represented by the coordinator, board member and/or policy officer and had as a “homework” to present the situation in their respective countries based on a poster and a set of questions sent beforehand. While more detailed results will be presented in an upcoming report, the general feeling was that the financial sustainability remains a hot spot for most platforms, with very few having or being in a position to have a financial strategy. Many platforms focus on awareness raising and capacity building events, while there is a feeling that these might not be sufficient to guarantee member interests, and particularly to motivate members to stay financially committed to the platforms. The upcoming presidencies, the European Development Days remain moments of interest but also of concern, as it was reflected in the discussion with Marjan Huc (SL), Wojciech Tworkowski (PL) and Mara Simane (LV).
The thematic focus of this Central Training was the Lisbon Treaty and its implications for civil society. Elise Ford, the head of advocacy for Oxfam International skilfully introduced participants to the main changes that civil society organisations working on development cooperation need to pay attention with regards to the newly implemented Lisbon Treaty. Key figures, key structures and key opportunities and challenges for civil society were debated also in working groups, and what is clear is the still unclarity about quite a few aspects of the structures to be put in place.

Will the Lisbon Treaty provide an opportunity for civil society with its 1.000.000 signatures or is this a trap? Will the lobby work become harder with more figures who are harder to reach? Will there be an increased space for democracy through national parliaments receiving more responsibilities? What about the EU ‘embassies’? Many questions are raised, and there is a lot of space still open for discussion. The question remains whether NMS are ready and willing to embark on such discussions. Some of the action plans reflected such intentions, but still few, as the planning sessions towards the end of the two days went back to own plans, own strategies and needs from and input to TRIALOG.

Information provided by Andra Tanase, TRIALOG

Second module of Training for Multipliers in Vienna

From 19th to 21st of May 2010 the second module of the Training of Multipliers took place in Vienna. Taking into account the needs and demands of the participants after the first module, the training was divided into different sections to provide space for expert input, debate, improvement of training skills and own contributions through presentations in small teams.

The intense three days of training started with a market place where the participants introduced their projects where they shared good and bad practices they encountered with these projects. Every day an expert from the development organisations Light for the World and Horizont3000 gave an input on programming, identification and formulation and budgeting respectively. In the training skills sessions the future trainers focused on adult learning methodologies and looked deeper into the qualifications of trainers and their tools. Debated were the Millennium Development Goals, and the role and funding mechanisms for civil society organisations and especially NGOs. The presentations of the participants gave room for small teams of three to five people to step into the shoes of trainers and apply methods in order to discuss several topics ranging from Development cooperation, to project cycle management and Development education.

Generally, this interactive and versatile training had a lot more sharing of best practices and experiences from all participants who will come together again for the last module from 22-24th September 2010 in Vienna. We are happy to invite Angela James (consultant, BOND) as an expert guest speaker for this final module , which will focus on EC Contract Management .

Information provided by Ulrike Bey, TRIALOG

Positive Images Conference, 24 - 25 June 2010, Budapest

We would like to invite you to the Positive Images Conference, an exciting two day conference on 24th and 25th June 2010 in Budapest, Hungary exploring the role of youth in the EU in addressing the phenomenon of migration. Day one will focus on sharing good practice and building capacity among participants in developing youth awareness-raising projects on migration issues. Day two will focus on the inclusion of migration and development topics in EU education systems. Please register your interest in attending the conference at https://www.redcross.org.uk/forms_adv.asp?id=98646 by 18th June 2010. For further details please see www.redcross.org.uk/positiveimages or email positiveimages@redcross.org.uk
Please note that there is no charge associated with registering for the conference. Lunch will be provided on both days. However participants are expected to meet their own travel and accommodation costs to Hungary.

FoRS shares experience of Czech presidency

With the support of the Czech - Polish Forum and the EC From FoRS has organised a three day Presidency workshop in Prague from 15-17th of June 2010 with the aim to further strengthen capacities of Hungarian and Polish CSOs in the field of policy and advocacy work, to enhance cooperation and jointly influence EU policies relevant to development issues during Hungarian and Polish Presidencies. The workshop, facilitated by experts from CONCORD, AictionAid, CAN, FoRS, and Glopolis, helped participants to learn about EU policy and advocacy tools and approaches relevant for civil society organisations during Presidencies, further to prepare own presidency projects and discuss priorities as well as to share experiences from the Czech Presidency.

Information provided by Inka Pibilova, FoRS

Czech national seminar on evaluation of development education activities

FoRS organised in cooperation with the North South Centre the Czech national seminar on evaluation of development education activities on 10-11 June 2010. The event gathered around 40 participants from Czech NGOs and their partners from elementary and secondary schools (teachers, tutors), representatives of state institutions and universities as well as experts on development education. The current situation in development education was elaborated on the Czech and EU level with multiple stakeholders. A workshop on evaluation methods, facilitated by Louise Robinson from RISC, followed with the engagement of NGO representatives, teachers and experts.

Information provided by Inka Pibilova, FoRS

First African week in Slovenia

In the last week of May, Sloga together with the African centre Association, organised the first African week in Slovenia. The event aimed at diminishing negative images of Africans living in Slovenia as well as raising awareness of African culture, languages, good practices and challenges that Africans as well as other migrants/nationals may be facing in Slovenia. Starting on May 20, 2010, the week hosted many events – from roundtables, public events, cultural workshops, as well as a football match. The African week, that finished on may 25th by a formal celebration, was welcomed by many eminent speakers – as the President of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk, and mayor of Ljubljana, Zoran Janković. Based on their positive responses, as well as the substantive interest of media and general public, Sloga will emphasize to host an African week on a yearly basis.

Besides the African week, Sloga took part in a traditional running marathon in beginning of May. Sloga formed a »fair trade« running trio: Slovenian foreign minister, Samuel Žbogar, the coordinator of the first fair trade store in Slovenia, Darja Urbas and coordinator of Sloga, Marjan Huč. After the marathon, the running trio headed to the fair trade store, where they discussed some relevant issues related to development cooperation and the position of NGOs in Slovenia.

Information provided by Eva Pliberšek, Sloga Platform

Slovak NGDO Platform signs Memorandum of Understanding with MFA

The Slovak NGDO Platform has become an official partner of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affaires in the process of preparation and consultation of Slovak ODA documents. The Memorandum of Understanding between the MFA and the NGDO Platform was signed at a special ceremony at the premises of the foreign ministry on 4th of May 2010. The Memorandum was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, and Nora Beňáková, chairwoman of the Slovak NGDO Platform.

“Development assistance is one of the priorities of our foreign policy. It is our responsibility to use the limited amount of bilateral ODA effectively in order to really help the people make a change and improve their lives. That is a reason why the cooperation with all relevant actors is very important,” Mr. Lajčák said during the ceremony.

As emphasised he takes the Slovak NGDO Platform as strategic partner for consultation on key documents linked to ODA. Chairwoman of the Slovak NGDO Platform welcomed the opportunity to hold a regular dialogue with MFA. “The Memorandum is about the relationship between two partners that have got a same aim – better development policy and cooperation that really helps the people to help themselves,” Ms. Beňáková said after the signing of the document.

Information provided by Daniela Balážová, Slovak NGDO Platform

Planning Strategically for Environmental and Development Cooperation in Estonia

TRIALOG together with the Estonian National NGDO Platform and with the input from the Strategic Sustainable Development (SSD) Advisers organized between on May 3rd and 4th a national training focusing on the topic of Environment and Development.
The seminar explored the EU-specific and other international sustainable development initiatives and possibilities of funding these type of initiatives in the context of development cooperation. Among the specific topics explored were: Policies of International Development Cooperation related to the environment; Possibilities for EU and non-EU funding for Environmental cooperation projects with the “South,” including on how to apply for this funding; and Tools and processes that can be used as part of a Platform on Environmental and International Development and Estonia´s commitment to “Sustainable Estonia 21” including methods on how to measure success.
The trainer, Shawn Westcott from SSD Advisers, provided participants with a rich toolbox of instruments for tackling the topic, and our hopes go towards the future development of projects and a deeper engagement of Estonians NGOs on development cooperation projects focusing on the environment.

Information provided by Andra Tanase, TRIALOG

Training in Bratislava

Around 10 participants from different Slovak NGOs participated at the TRIALOG Training on Quality Criteria for Development Cooperation. The training took place in premises of Slovak NGDO Platform in Bratislava on 30th of April 2010. During the training led by Andra Tanase the participants received a good overview of the different quality criteria to be implemented throughout the project cycle management of development cooperation and development education projects. The participants had also been introduced to some concrete tools that help monitor and incr ease the quality of those projects. “The training was very interesting and in many ways useful. I especially appreciate the agenda linked to the quality in project writing which included the tips, good and bad practices when writing the application,” said Lenka Nemcova, Executive Secretary of Slovak NGDO Platform, after the training.

Information provided by Daniela Balážová, Slovak NGDO Platform

FoRS General Assembly and the new Board

On 26 May, 2010, the General Assembly of the Czech platform took place in Prague. FoRS organisations appreciated that in 2009, when the Czech presidency was held, FoRS was actively involved in European policy and advocacy work. At the same time, FoRS has initiated an internal discussion on CSO development effectiveness and contributed through the Open forum for CSO Development effectiveness to the debate on the global level. FoRS also contributed to the finalisation of the Czech Strategy on development cooperation, to the National strategy of development education and on the policy coherence for development debate. FoRS has established and strengthened important partnerships and enhanced capacities of its members as well as of the Secretariat.

FoRS members have admitted 6 new organisations and therefore the membership base increased to 37 members and 10 observers. New Executive and Advisory Board has been selected. After 7 years, Simon Panek from People In Need has handed over his Chair to Pavel Gruber from Caritas. For the full list of Board members, see http://www.fors.cz/en/about_us/structure.

FoRS further discussed current challenges as well as the need of quality standards. Finally, current situation in the Czech development cooperation was discussed with deputy minister of foreign affairs and with deputy director of Czech Development Agency.

Information provided by Inka Pibilova, FoRS

Promotion of Global/Development Education in Slovakia

From 27-28 May 2010 a national seminar to promote global/development education in Slovakia took place in Bratislava. The meeting brought together all stakeholders in the field of global/development education in Slovakia and approximately 40 participants from ministries, methodological pedagogical centres, governmental agencies, representatives from non-governmental organisations dealing with global/development education at national, regional and local level, local authorities as well as foreign experts from the Portuguese NGDO Platform (Plarforma ONGD), the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe (NSC).

The seminar was organised by the Slovak NGDO Platform and their members and took place in co-operation and with the support of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. The programme of the seminar tackled main challenges and perspectives for global development education in Slovakia; the role of civil society as well as local authorities in this field; European perspectives on global/development education, and the role of European institutions in supporting global development education in the new member states of the EU. The main objective of the seminar was to enable an exchange between all important stakeholders in the field of global/development education and to initiate the setting up of a working group for the preparation of a draft national Globlal/Development Education strategy for Slovakia.

Information provided by Daniela Balážová, Slovak NGDO Platform

The Missing Link? Development and Functioning of Civil Dialogue in the Western Balkans Workshop, 20th May, Brussels

On 20th May 2010, the BCSDN held its 2nd EU policy workshop in Brussels. This year’s event was devoted to assessing the state of affairs in development and functioning of civil dialogue, i.e. structures and mechanisms for dialogue between public institutions and civil society, in the countries of the Western Balkans. The workshop brought together 54 representatives of local CSOs, networks and institutions from the region and representatives of EU institutions, especially the Commissions’ Directorate General for Enlargement, responsible for monitoring the progress of (pre-) accession countries and management of IPA assistance.

Three succeeding panels discussed the development and functioning of Civil Dialogue in the Western Balkans, an Acquis for civil society development and civil society dialogue and national and international cooperation. As a conclusion the main points were stressed: Development of civil dialogue must include structured input, i.e. structures and mechanisms of dialogue between public authorities and civil society, but civil dialogue should be understood and practiced beyond these. Civil dialogue is primarily about building trust and partnership between the two parties; While Acquis can be negotiated upon in the process of accession, civil dialogue as part of Political criteria should primarily be about adoption of EU principles and values. The Commission, through better policy and assistance coherence could especially influence the indigenous models of civil dialogue to develop to the degree and structures agreed upon on national level; Regionally, it seems, the links are not missing, but many established links from the past, both between Governments and civil society, need to be re-linked for a more effective sharing of information, knowledge and know-how in the area of civil dialogue.

Images of the conference are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/balkancsd/4678375338/

The policy paper, video clips of panelists, photos and PPP will soon be available on the BCSDN website http://www.balkancsd.net

Information provided by Tanja Hafner-Ademi, BCSDN

National Seminar on Development Education in Malta

On 10 May 2010, SKOP, the national platform for Maltese NGDOs organised a national seminar to promote development education (DE). It was held in the capital city of Malta, Valletta at the Mediterranean Conference Centre and was supported by the North South Centre and DEEEP.

The purpose of the meeting was to bring together key Maltese stakeholders in the field and raise awareness on DE among governmental and non-governmental actors. It acted as an opportunity to exchange information, good practice and to explore possibilities of cooperation among relevant stakeholders in development education.
The seminar was attended by teachers, representatives of academia, students, members of NGOs, governmental representatives and the public. During the day there were talks by foreign guests; Alessio Surian, Franz Halbartschlager and Marcos Estrada de Oliviera and by representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education in Malta.

During the workshops recommendations were collected to see what the main issues in Malta are and what should a national DE strategy include to have the biggest positive impact on all. The main recommendations that came out included the need for a resource centre of global education material for the formal and non-formal sector. It was mentioned that students participating in development education projects need to be given more of a voice to express themselves. During the workshop on migration the participants showed their concern for the need of anti-racist education at all levels.

The issue that development education projects in Malta are usually short term was also mentioned; showing the need to bring more people on board, to create training, and get the support from the ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs to make sure DE in Malta becomes more long term with a greater impact. The seminar proved to be a positive starting point for developing a national DE strategy in Malta. Participants realised the importance of such a strategy and voiced their opinion that this is a necessary step that needs to be taken. SKOP believes that through DE, issues of social justice and human rights can be addressed while giving a foundation for people to act in a just, equal, sustainable and humane way.

Information provided by Louisa Attard, SKOP

Czech Act on Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid

On 13 May, 2010 Václav Klaus, the President of the Czech Republic, signed the first Czech Act on Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. The Act becomes effective as of 1 July 2010. Full version (in Czech) is visible here.

Information provided by Inka Pibilova, FoRS

Latin American Organisations working on Colombia are interested to link to the NMSs

On the 26th of May 2010 TRIALOG was invited to provide a perspective on the situation in the New Member States on development cooperation, with a particular focus on the interest and solidarity initiatives towards Latin American countries, specifically Colombia. This is a follow up of an earlier call launched by OIDHACO towards the EU New Member States which could be interested in work on Human Rights in Colombia or other Latin American countries.

The International Office for Human Rights - Action on Colombia (OIDHACO) is a network of more than 30 European CSOs (both development and human rights CSOs) dedicated to providing information, doing advocacy and networking at the European Union (EU) and United Nations (Geneva) level. OIDHACO seeks to contribute to the construction and strengthening of democracy, rule of law and peace with social justice in Colombia.

The network is seeking support in terms of organising meetings, inviting Colombian representatives who are travelling to Europe to participate in meetings and in awareness raising events around the human rights situation in Colombia, sending on key messages proposed by OIDHACO to NMS governments, contacting MEPs etc.

While Colombia is not on the official priority list of the NMS governments in terms of development cooperation strategies, the engagement on human rights advocacy and lobby on the Colombian issue could represent a rich experience for many NGDOs in the NMS. The experience with transition processes, the strong expertise in human rights advocacy as well as some cultural and economic links with Colombia are all potential linkage points. The invitation is open and we hope that what is the exploration of cooperation grounds will turn into seeds for action soon.

Contact Person OIDHACO: Emmanuel Raison emmanuel.raison@oidhaco.org, oidhaco@oidhaco.org Website www.oidhaco.net

Information provided by Andra Tanase, TRIALOG

Conference “Learning from the futures”, September 5-7, 2010, Palacky University Olomouc

How can we learn from the future - not knowing how it will look like? At first sight, the title seems to be a paradox - and did not humankind prove to be unable to learn even from the past? Several National Associations of the Club of Rome and the Millennium Project will meet at Palacky University Olomouc in 2010 in order to discuss possible futures and outline scenarios and pathways which might lead to desirable or undesirable futures. From these possible futures, we will derive lessons for the present. For more information please visit http://www.clubofrome.at/2010/futures.

Roundtable on work with local partners in emergencies

Caritas Czech Republic organised in cooperation with FoRS a Roundtable on work with local partners in emergencies on 11 May 2010. Karl Ammann, Disaster Management Consultant, shared his wide experience with Humanitarian Aid and Cooperation with Local Partners from Caritas. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Czech Development Agency provided the institutional donors perspective. Further, local partner’s perspective was presented by Liana Mkheidze from Caritas Georgia. Finally, Czech NGO representatives discussed good and bad practices in Czech Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation.

Information provided by Inka Pibilova, FoRS

CARDET leads three research projects under Solidarity Funds

The International NGO CARDET based in Cyprus leads three projects under the European Integration Fund and the European Refugee Fund (Solidarity Funds). The projects are “Research on Cypriot students’ perceptions with regards to immigrants”, “Development of indicators and methods for the evaluation of measures of integration” and “Research with regards to the needs of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection and whether those are covered by existing programs, and identification of Best Practices.” The first two projects were awarded after an open call for proposals from the Civil Registry and Migration Department (European Integration Fund), and the third project was awarded after an open call for proposals by the Asylum Service (European Refugee Fund). The projects are expected to contribute towards the improvement of Cyprus policies and practices regarding immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The research is expected to determine the needs of those groups and the effectiveness of policies, practices and projects targeting them. The utilization of the results by the Public Services and organizations involved in migration and asylum issues is expected to add value and quality to reception and integration measures and practices targeting those groups. Consequently, these developments will be reflected on the enhancement of domestic social cohesion and the alleviation of discrimination and marginalization of migrants, asylum seekers and persons under international protection. The projects are co-funded from the European Solidarity Fund (75%) and the Republic of Cyprus (25%) and will be completed by the end of June. For further information please contact Dr. Charalambos Vrasidas (info@cardet.org; +357-22795018), www.cardet.org.

Information provided by Dr. Charalambos Vrasidas, CARDET

New Board of Slovak NGDO Platform

The Slovak NGDO Platform held its General Assembly on 16 April, 2010, in Bratislava where the Platform’s members elected a new Board. The new board members are Ms. Nora Beňáková (Chairwoman, independent candidate), Mr. Ján Mihálik (Vicechair, PDCS - Partners for Democratic Change Slovakia), Mr. Marián Čaučík (director of Dobrá novina and former chairman of Slovak NGDO Platform), Mr. Peter Brezáni (Analyst of Research Centre of the Slovak Foreign Policy Association) and Mr. Daniel Dräxler (director of ADRA Slovakia).

Information provided by Daniela Balážová, Slovak NGDOs Platform

International Congress "Integration and Sustainable Development in the Black Sea Region" and Sustainability Award

The Black Sea Organization for Integration and Sustainable Development (BSOISD) is organizing an International Congress "Integration and Sustainable Development in the Black Sea Region" from 4th to 6th December 2010 in the Congress Center of Marina Cape Vacation Complex near Burgas, Bulgaria. The conference intends to provide an international platform for dialogue, debates, development of solutions in various aspects of international cooperation in the Black Sea region in the name of economic development, social stability and growth, and sustainable development.

Just after the congress the BSOISD will hold a contest for the International Award “Integration and Sustainable Development”. This award rewards individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the development of integration processes in the Black Sea region and introduction of the sustainable development principles in various activities. Therefore it aims to identify and promote the most effective and innovative developments, projects and approaches in the field of economy and society, as well as to introduce sustainable development principles in modern business and social processes. The deadline for sending applications for the Contest is November 10, 2010. The award ceremony will be held on the 7th of December.

The Black Sea Organization for Integration and Sustainable Development is a newly founded non-governmental organization aiming at mutual integration of the Black Sea region in the fields of economy, society and ecology in order to achieve sustainable development initiatives, as well as the creation and strengthening of economic and social ties with stakeholders – non-residents of the Black Sea region.
For more information on the organisation, the congress as well as the contest please visit http://blacksea-online.org/

Information provided by Maksim Obukhov, Black Sea Organization for Integration and Sustainable Development

E-Book on Human Rights-based approach, Minority Rights Group

Minority Rights Group published an e-book on the Human Rights-based Approach to Campaigning and Development Education. This toolkit is the product of a two-year project undertaken by Minority Rights Group International (MRG) with the aim of raising public awareness of development problems and increasing public support in the new Member States of the European Union for their governments' international assistance and policy. The e-book is now available in English, Hungarian, Latvian, Polish, Slovak and Slovenian languages on the website http://www.minorityrights.org/9380/toolkit/development-education-toolkit.html

CiSocH - Civil Society Helpdesk of EuorpeAid

EuropeAid provides information and assistance in the web: "CiSocH - Your wiki on and for Civil Society working in development" gives information in Wikipedia Format. Currently you find short explanations and links mainly to the EuropeAid Website. To visit the website go to https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/aidco/index.php/Main_Page

Information taken from bengo eu mail Nr. 292

Global Crossroads: The Role and Perspectives of CSOs in Development Cooperation, 24-26. Nov 2010, Nicaragua

In continuation of its conference on paradigm shift in development cooperation (the Prague Conference 2008) TRIALOG is organising a conference on “The Role and Perspectives of CSOs in Development Cooperation”. This conference will take place in Nicaragua from 24th to 26th of November, 2010. In the frame of this conference we invite CSO representatives from the 12 new EU member states, from the 15 old EU member states and from the “Global South” (especially from Latin America) to continue the discussions started and to find joint statements on the identity and role of CSOs in development cooperation in the “North” and in the “South”. The conference is organised in cooperation with Horizont3000 and the URACCAN University.

From Nov. 29th to Dec. 3rd, TRIALOG is organising field visits to development projects in Nicaragua for participants from the 12 NMS. The visits will include meetings with local stakeholders, CSOs, the local target group and beneficiaries, as well as official representatives of the EC-delegations and regional offices of the European national representations.

Here you find the background to the conference, the agenda and registration forms.

Policy Brief Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, FoRS

FoRS has issued an English and Czech version of a policy brief on gender mainstreaming in development cooperation. The brief gives an introduction into gender equality in development, explains how to put gender equality into practice and gives recommendations for the Czech government as well as NGDOs. A gender working group has also been established within FoRS. Download the policy brief (pdf).

Information provided by Ondřej Horký, Institute of International Relations

World Vision Romania launches newsletter

World Vision Romania is implementing between January 2010 – January 2011 an international project named “Raising Awareness on Development Cooperation”(RADC) . The project brings together NGOs and universities in Malta, Cyprus and Romania to strengthen the support of these countries’ citizens in the fight against global poverty and to raise awareness on the historical context and scope of the EU international development cooperation policy. RADC is one of World Vision's project's in development education and its main purpose is to create a study curricula that will tackle the Millennium Development Goals and that can be implemented in universities or used by any person or organization interested in furthering the field of development cooperation. It is currently being implemented with the financial contribution of EuropeAid and led by the Cypriot NGDO CARDET.

The newsletter of this project will be published every four months and will contain information related to international development cooperation and global education. It will also contain information on the specific activities of the RADC project that highlight: (a) a more experiential way of building public support for the MDG agenda and the fight against world poverty; and (b) a way of bringing universities and NGDOs ever closer together. Download the newsletter here (pdf.

For more information, feedback and own contributions please contact World Vision Romania: claudia_iatan@wvi.org

Information provided by Claudia Iatan, World Vision Romania