On September 15th 2007 it was for the third time that the event called World Day took place in Tallinn, Estonia. It was organized by the Estonian Roundtable for Development Cooperation (AKÜ) in cooperation with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The aim was to introduce development issues to the wider public in Estonia as well as spread information about opportunities of getting involved in solving the global problems.
This year's theme was "Helpful Estonia", which was introducing Estonia as a donor and its priority countries - Ukraine, Moldova, Afghanistan and Georgia. One part of the day was dedicated to Belarus and the difficult situation there. During the event different Estonian and international organizations in the field of developmental and humanitarian aid were introducing their activities. Workshops, discussions and debates took place similarly to the last year and good atmosphere was ensured with different music and dance groups from Estonia and abroad on a stage in the centre of Tallinn. The evening ended with a very emotional and interesting concert from the Finnish - Tanzanian duo PolePole.
Information provided by Merle Kasonen, Estonian Development Cooperation Roundtable AKÜ
Further information: http://www.terveilm.net, merle@terveilm.net
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
FanFest in Romania: Promotion of Fair Trade
What is the Fanfest? “The activities prepared for the participants will span three thematic avenues - Say it Green, FanFest Art and FanFun. Designed as a meeting for environmental activists from all around the country, FanFest 2007 calls on you to become active - an activist and begin to create and act to protect nature. ", says the official site of FanFest (more at: http://www.fanfest.ro/). This year's event took place in Rosia Montana, Romania, from August 24-26, 2007.
The Hungarian NGO Protect The Future was invited officially by the organisers to participate at this event with its mobile café. The aim was to introduce fair trade and to share the Hungarian experience of promotion. An information stand, a fair trade product exhibition and a fair trade related photo exhibition invited the FanFest’s participants to come closer. Volunteers translated the leaflet of Frequently Asked Questions into Romanian language to help better understand the topic. It was ensured that NGOs having interest in fair trade could get information not only about the topic, but also on the ways how they can start their activity.
Gyorgyi Ujszaszi who represented Protect the Future, gave an interview for a local radio station and wrote a "fair article" in a civil movement newspaper. As a result of these activities, around 10 organisations in Romania are ready to start working in the field of fair trade. On Saturday afternoon Gyorgyi Ujszaszi had a lecture which was attended by 30 participants who heard facts about fair trade, its history, principles and international organisations. The documentary film "Against the current" was shown. It talks about the start of the Hungarian fair trade movement. (The film is available with English subtitles upon request at Protect the Future).
The FanFest presence of the Hungarian fair café turned out to be very successful.
Information provided by Gyorgyi Ujszaszi, Protect the Future. For more information please contact her at gyorgyi@vedegylet.hu
The FanFest presence of the Hungarian fair café turned out to be very successful.
Information provided by Gyorgyi Ujszaszi, Protect the Future. For more information please contact her at gyorgyi@vedegylet.hu
November 12-13, 2007: EPAN Working Group; Romania
The next CONCORD Enlargement, Pre-Accession and Neighbourhood (EPAN) Working Group which is convened by TRIALOG will take place in Romania on 12-13 November 2007.
The meeting will mark an important new phase in the development of the EPAN Working Group. Apart from information and discussions on topics of the 2 sub-groups of EPAN - the subgroup on ENPI (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument) and the subgroup on IPA ( Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) - the agenda is likely to include information about the EU budget review, the Slovene platform presidency project; plans for strategic engagement with the Slovene and French presidencies, discussions on current and forthcoming EU policy processes, finalisation of the 2008 workplan and the development of a lobbying strategy, feedback from EPAN members involved in other CONCORD working groups, in addition to selected country updates. A draft agenda and preparatory questionnaires will be circulated in the next few weeks, in addition to detailed information regarding the itinerary.
The registration on the CONCORD extranet is now open for the working group (WG) members, please register by 19th October at the latest. Support for new EU member states WG members: Please note that in order to be able to claim CONCORD/TRIALOG reimbursement for this meeting, you must pre-register on the CONCORD extranet.
The agenda and all the necessary background documents will become available soon and circulated per email. For more information please contact office@trialog.or.at.
The meeting will mark an important new phase in the development of the EPAN Working Group. Apart from information and discussions on topics of the 2 sub-groups of EPAN - the subgroup on ENPI (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument) and the subgroup on IPA ( Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) - the agenda is likely to include information about the EU budget review, the Slovene platform presidency project; plans for strategic engagement with the Slovene and French presidencies, discussions on current and forthcoming EU policy processes, finalisation of the 2008 workplan and the development of a lobbying strategy, feedback from EPAN members involved in other CONCORD working groups, in addition to selected country updates. A draft agenda and preparatory questionnaires will be circulated in the next few weeks, in addition to detailed information regarding the itinerary.
The registration on the CONCORD extranet is now open for the working group (WG) members, please register by 19th October at the latest. Support for new EU member states WG members: Please note that in order to be able to claim CONCORD/TRIALOG reimbursement for this meeting, you must pre-register on the CONCORD extranet.
The agenda and all the necessary background documents will become available soon and circulated per email. For more information please contact office@trialog.or.at.
Vacancy at DEEEP: Advocacy Officer
DEEEP, the Development Education Exchange in Europe Project, is seeking professionals to fill the post of Advocacy Officer. The deadline for submission is 10 October 2007. For more information, please refer to: http://www.deeep.org/english/DEEEP2_JD_advocacy%20officer.doc
Information provided by DEEEP.
Information provided by DEEEP.
November 7-9, 2007: European Development Days; Lisbon
"Climate Change and Development Cooperation" is the subject of the second edition of the European Development Days which take place in Lisbon on November 7-9 2007. European Development Days (EDD) is a European Commission initiative, undertaken by Commissioner Louis Michel and the Directorate-General for Development and relations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific States. It aims to enhance public awareness of development cooperation issues, such as the European Consensus on Development, as well as strengthening aid effectiveness with a view to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Participants come from different sectors such as the EC, member states representatives, development agencies, local authorities, academia, civil society, media, the private sector etc. The programme consists of plenary sessions as well as parallel events, exhibitions etc.
CONCORD will present the photo exhibition Emerging views: How do developing countries see Europe? and organise a networking meeting on the topic Putting the European Consensus into Practice.
For more information on the programme and the participants turn to: http://www.eudevdays.eu/
Participants come from different sectors such as the EC, member states representatives, development agencies, local authorities, academia, civil society, media, the private sector etc. The programme consists of plenary sessions as well as parallel events, exhibitions etc.
CONCORD will present the photo exhibition Emerging views: How do developing countries see Europe? and organise a networking meeting on the topic Putting the European Consensus into Practice.
For more information on the programme and the participants turn to: http://www.eudevdays.eu/
Czech NGOs visit Fair Trade cooperatives in Ghana
A group of eight Austrians and two Czechs made a study trip to Ghana to find out how the Fair Trade cooperatives work in this West African country. The study journey was organized in August 2007 by Welthaus Linz. The two Czech participants from the Society for Fair Trade and Development Education in Brno and from the Ecumenical Academy Prague were supported by TRIALOG. 
The main programme were two visits to Fair Trade cooperatives dealing with Fair Trade food, respectively with Fair Trade handicrafts: The first cooperative is called Kuapa Kokoo and is a cocoa farmers' union consisting of 40.000 farmers’ families. The group was presented the procedures and the way of processing cocoa plants and cocoa products, as well as the advantages of the Fair Trade market.
The other cooperative called Kalangu produces traditional „djembo“ drums, a typical musical instrument used in Ghana for centuries. Thanks to Fair Trade, high professional quality goes along with profit for the association which is used for example for further education of junior association members.
There were many other interesting meetings like visits to Bishop Joseph Afrifah or to the Rector of a Catholic University in Cape Coast. Last but not least, the study group got the chance to get acquainted with the Ghanaian traditional way of life and wonderful nature. All participants who at home work in the field of Fair Trade and development education, got the chance to learn about the daily reality of their African counterparts.
According to the Czech participants, apart from the very valuable personal experience the biggest benefit and at the same time the best motivation for the future work in Fair Trade was to realize that Fair Trade is not just an idea but works in practice. They saw that the conditions of the farmers are improving, the benefits of Fair Trade are used directly for the various social and educational purposes and the flow of money is very transparent. The study visit met the expectations of all participants. The participating representatives of Fair Trade NGOs in the Czech Republic aim to use their experiences and new contacts to shorten the business chain between producers and customers in the future.
Information provided by Tomas Bily, Society for Fair Trade and Development Education in Brno. For more information on the study visit, please contact him at: tomas@fairtrade.cz
The main programme were two visits to Fair Trade cooperatives dealing with Fair Trade food, respectively with Fair Trade handicrafts: The first cooperative is called Kuapa Kokoo and is a cocoa farmers' union consisting of 40.000 farmers’ families. The group was presented the procedures and the way of processing cocoa plants and cocoa products, as well as the advantages of the Fair Trade market.
The other cooperative called Kalangu produces traditional „djembo“ drums, a typical musical instrument used in Ghana for centuries. Thanks to Fair Trade, high professional quality goes along with profit for the association which is used for example for further education of junior association members.
There were many other interesting meetings like visits to Bishop Joseph Afrifah or to the Rector of a Catholic University in Cape Coast. Last but not least, the study group got the chance to get acquainted with the Ghanaian traditional way of life and wonderful nature. All participants who at home work in the field of Fair Trade and development education, got the chance to learn about the daily reality of their African counterparts.
According to the Czech participants, apart from the very valuable personal experience the biggest benefit and at the same time the best motivation for the future work in Fair Trade was to realize that Fair Trade is not just an idea but works in practice. They saw that the conditions of the farmers are improving, the benefits of Fair Trade are used directly for the various social and educational purposes and the flow of money is very transparent. The study visit met the expectations of all participants. The participating representatives of Fair Trade NGOs in the Czech Republic aim to use their experiences and new contacts to shorten the business chain between producers and customers in the future.
Information provided by Tomas Bily, Society for Fair Trade and Development Education in Brno. For more information on the study visit, please contact him at: tomas@fairtrade.cz
All photos: copyright Tomas Bily
Photo 1 (on the right): Children of the Fair Trade producers of the cooperative Kuapa Kokoo in a village north of Kumasi.
Photo 2 (on the left): Drum producer of the cooperative Kalangu in Accra.
Photo 2 (on the left): Drum producer of the cooperative Kalangu in Accra.
Brno: Transborder Laboratory for cooperation from below
The seminar "Transborder Laboratory for Cooperation from Below" was organized by the Institute for Studies in Political Economy together with Economy and Society Trust, the Paulo Freire Centre and the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. It was held in Brno, Czech Republic, between the 14th and the 16th of September 2007.
The seminar was called a laboratory because it had an experimental character. The four co-operation partners stated above from various backgrounds invited critical social researchers and grassroots activist which mainly included people from the development cooperation field, anti-globalists and Central and Eastern European political activists who got together to participate in a joint discussion and learning process. This turned out to be an interesting pool of backgrounds and thus opinions. The goals of the seminar were primarily the dissemination of knowledge, an exchange between university and activist experience and discussions on prospects of trans-border co-operations. The seminar was two and a half days long and was divided into five parts. It was based on dialogue and joint reflection of activist and research experiences. Each of the five half days were opened by expert input statements, which were meant to be brief, though always very interesting and critical, these experts where later used as resource persons for the related discussions.
Tania Borg from Kopin Malta took part in the seminar (with support from TRIALOG) and shares her impressions:
Looking back on the weekend, it was an extremely interesting one, the fact that there was such a good combination of activists and academics, from Europe and also from Brasil who at times agreed and at other times had different opinions yet providing such a harmonization of actors. Even more so, some of the grass-roots activists themselves have written papers hence putting them onto the other side of the spectrum, the academic side. Their inputs resulted into academic yet practical experienced papers or rather reflection and action, having read about Freire one could note that this experiment was held within the Freiren context of PRAXIS, where speakers showed a clear action, reflection and action approach. Thus triggering more insights into action and reflection within the participants and also proofing the experiment was a successful one. Being a new experience for a few of the participants it enticed future collaboration and participation in such seminars.
Information provided by Tania Borg, KOPIN Malta (Koperazzjoni Internazzjonali). For more information please contact her at: tania.borg@gmail.com
The seminar was called a laboratory because it had an experimental character. The four co-operation partners stated above from various backgrounds invited critical social researchers and grassroots activist which mainly included people from the development cooperation field, anti-globalists and Central and Eastern European political activists who got together to participate in a joint discussion and learning process. This turned out to be an interesting pool of backgrounds and thus opinions. The goals of the seminar were primarily the dissemination of knowledge, an exchange between university and activist experience and discussions on prospects of trans-border co-operations. The seminar was two and a half days long and was divided into five parts. It was based on dialogue and joint reflection of activist and research experiences. Each of the five half days were opened by expert input statements, which were meant to be brief, though always very interesting and critical, these experts where later used as resource persons for the related discussions.
Tania Borg from Kopin Malta took part in the seminar (with support from TRIALOG) and shares her impressions:
Looking back on the weekend, it was an extremely interesting one, the fact that there was such a good combination of activists and academics, from Europe and also from Brasil who at times agreed and at other times had different opinions yet providing such a harmonization of actors. Even more so, some of the grass-roots activists themselves have written papers hence putting them onto the other side of the spectrum, the academic side. Their inputs resulted into academic yet practical experienced papers or rather reflection and action, having read about Freire one could note that this experiment was held within the Freiren context of PRAXIS, where speakers showed a clear action, reflection and action approach. Thus triggering more insights into action and reflection within the participants and also proofing the experiment was a successful one. Being a new experience for a few of the participants it enticed future collaboration and participation in such seminars.
Information provided by Tania Borg, KOPIN Malta (Koperazzjoni Internazzjonali). For more information please contact her at: tania.borg@gmail.com
Monday, 1 October 2007
Oct/Nov, 2007: Dtalk - Development Training and Learning Programme; Ireland
Dtalk is a training programme specifically designed for NGO staff. It aims to promote a culture of learning and knowledge sharing in the international development sector, and to ensure that development workers and volunteers are adequately trained and prepared for the challenges of their roles. Courses and training programmes are provided in a wide variety of subjects, such as security management, stress awareness, mediation, programme management, strategic planning and civil society strengthening. Trainings are open to all staff of EU-based NGOs, both at home and abroad, and are subsidised by the Irish Government.
The following courses, organised by Dtalk, will take place in October/November 2007:
All of the above courses will take place in the Development Studies Centre, Kimmage, Dublin, Ireland. For futher information visit http://www.dtalk.ie/.
To register for any course please contact: Programme Administrators - Niamh Brennan or Kathleen Cox, telephone: +353 (0)1 4064307, email: niamh.brennan@kimmagedsc.ie, kathleen.cox@kimmagedsc.ie; Programme Coordinator - Patricia Wall, telephone: +353 (0)1 4064424, email: Patricia.Wall@kimmagedsc.ie.
Information provided by Hans Zomer, Dóchas
Dóchas is the umbrella organisation of Irish Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) involved in development and relief overseas and/or development education in Ireland.
Guide to European Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Population Assistance
The Guide to European Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Population Assistance publishes information about funding available in the European Union (EU), including its Member States plus Switzerland and Norway, to help improve sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV/AIDS and population assistance in developing countries. It includes 67 funding streams from 27 EU Member States plus the European Commission and provides current, consolidated and easy-to-use information on European NGO support for programmes and services of all types in developing countries. Each entry provides contact information, purpose and mission of the institutions, a review of financial information and, most importantly, detailed information about how to submit a proposal and apply for funding. The free online funding guide can be searched by recipient or donor country, and each donor profile can be downloaded for printing.
The Guide is published by the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) and has been updated recently. It is available at: http://www.euroresources.org/
Information provided by Matthias Brucker, German Foundation for World Population (DSW).
The Guide is published by the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) and has been updated recently. It is available at: http://www.euroresources.org/
Information provided by Matthias Brucker, German Foundation for World Population (DSW).
October 17, 2007: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
On this day, civil society campaigners around the world will demand that global governments keep their promises to achieve the Millennium Development Goals to end extreme poverty by 2015. Last year on October 17, over 23 million people in 87 countries "stood up" against poverty in what was "the largest single coordinated mobilisation of people in the history of the Guinness World Records". All around the world, in churches, schools, workplaces and on the streets, civil society joined with one action and one message in a powerful show of solidarity that reached political leaders on every continent.
This year, on October 17, the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) and the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) will be aiming to break this record and mobilise millions more to become part of the growing movement to end poverty. The task for this year is to show that the movement is growing and to keep the momentum going. As Nelson Mandela said at the launch of GCAP, "As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest". Read more at: http://www.civicus.org/new/content/deskofthesecretarygeneral78.htm
Full details on the campaign can be found on http://www.whiteband.org/ or http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/.
Source: e-CIVICUS 353 HTML, 22 August 2007, ISSUE No. 353
This year, on October 17, the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) and the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) will be aiming to break this record and mobilise millions more to become part of the growing movement to end poverty. The task for this year is to show that the movement is growing and to keep the momentum going. As Nelson Mandela said at the launch of GCAP, "As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest". Read more at: http://www.civicus.org/new/content/deskofthesecretarygeneral78.htm
Full details on the campaign can be found on http://www.whiteband.org/ or http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/.
Source: e-CIVICUS 353 HTML, 22 August 2007, ISSUE No. 353
October 15-16, 2007: Fair Trade Advocacy Forum; Brussels
The aims of the forum, organised by the four main fair trade networks, are to establish an effective Fair Trade Advocacy Network to execute targeted advocacy activities in a coordinated way and to increase awareness about advocacy among Fair Trade actors. Expected participants are Fair Trade actors interested in advocacy, 40 to 50 people from Europe and abroad.
Find the agenda at:
http://www.trialog.or.at/docs/agenda_fairtrade_advocacyforumoct07.pdf
The event will be followed by a half day conference on October 17 on "Fair Trade: a lever for change: How can the EU support the growing interest of consumers in sustainable production and social responsibility?"
For more information please visit http://www.fairtrade-advocacy.org/ or contact the Fair Trade Advocacy Office in Brussels at: sjolund@fairtrade-advocacy.org
Find the agenda at:
http://www.trialog.or.at/docs/agenda_fairtrade_advocacyforumoct07.pdf
The event will be followed by a half day conference on October 17 on "Fair Trade: a lever for change: How can the EU support the growing interest of consumers in sustainable production and social responsibility?"
For more information please visit http://www.fairtrade-advocacy.org/ or contact the Fair Trade Advocacy Office in Brussels at: sjolund@fairtrade-advocacy.org
All RPP project funds used
The Regional Partnership Programme between Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia and Czech Republic has spent all its project funds. The two last small national calls for pilot projects between NGOs from Slovenia and Slovakia in cooperation with Austrian partners have been closed. 7 proposals have been received from Slovenia and 5 from Slovakia. After appraisal by the Committee in summer on the whole 8 projects have been approved.
Find the lists of the approved projects here:
http://doku.cac.at/proposals-approved.xls
For more information on the Regional PArtnership Programme please visit:
http://www.regionalpartnership.at/
Find the lists of the approved projects here:
http://doku.cac.at/proposals-approved.xls
For more information on the Regional PArtnership Programme please visit:
http://www.regionalpartnership.at/
Friday, 3 August 2007
Portuguese Presidency Project: EU-Africa Dialogue
The Presidency Project of the Portuguese NGDO Platform which is focused on the Europe-Africa Dialogue was officially launched with a public event in Lisbon on the 5th of July. During the event the main priorities and activities of the project were presented, as well as the methodology of coordination with other national and international initiatives. The event was attended by over 50 participants, including representatives from NGOs and national and international institutions, and got good media coverage.
Taking into account the Portuguese Presidency of the EU and the EU-Africa Summit, which will take place during the second semester of 2007, the Portuguese NGDO Platform has prepared a project focused on civil society participation in the dialogue between the European and African continents. The project will address three main interconnected themes: Governance, Migration, and Development Co-operation. Its main event will be a Civil Society Forum, gathering together representatives from European and African organisations.
Taking into account the Portuguese Presidency of the EU and the EU-Africa Summit, which will take place during the second semester of 2007, the Portuguese NGDO Platform has prepared a project focused on civil society participation in the dialogue between the European and African continents. The project will address three main interconnected themes: Governance, Migration, and Development Co-operation. Its main event will be a Civil Society Forum, gathering together representatives from European and African organisations.
For more information (incl. the first presidency project newsletter issue) please go to the website of the Portuguese NGDO platform at http://www.plataformaongd.pt/ and click on "Portuguese EU Presidency" in the left-hand menu.
Official presidency website: http://www.eu2007.pt/UE/vEN
Source: http://www.plataformaongd.pt
Europeans and Development Aid: EC publishes Eurobarometer Survey
On the eve of the symbolic mid-term date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a European Commission survey (published in June 2007) shows broad public support for the European Union's priorities in development co-operation. Most Europeans (66%) consider reducing extreme poverty and hunger in developing countries as a priority. Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases is the second goal (46%). And across the EU, Sub-Saharan Africa stands out in most people's minds as being in greatest need of aid (64%).
The fieldwork of this study was conducted between 14 February and 18 March 2007 in the 27 Member States of the European Union.
Access the full EC survey results (64 pages) and look at the responses in your country at:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/michel/speeches/docs/ip/2007/EurobaroEN.pdf
Source: CONCORD EU Monitoring Newsletter, July 11, 2007.
The fieldwork of this study was conducted between 14 February and 18 March 2007 in the 27 Member States of the European Union.
Access the full EC survey results (64 pages) and look at the responses in your country at:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/michel/speeches/docs/ip/2007/EurobaroEN.pdf
Source: CONCORD EU Monitoring Newsletter, July 11, 2007.
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