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
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