We are happy to inform you that Andra Tanase from Romania will be the new TRIALOG Capacity Building Officer. She will be based in Vienna and start her work with us in the beginning of November 2009. She will be responsible for the planning and implementation of TRIALOG's capacity building programme and will be reachable at a.tanase@trialog.or.at.
Many of you know Andra from her previous work in her organisation PATRIR, the board of the Romanian platform FOND, or as vice-chair of CONCORD's Development Education Forum and from many other occasions and international events.
We are happy to welcome her in our team and are looking forward to good cooperation with all of you.
Friday, 30 October 2009
Bulgarian NGO searching for project partners in the area of migration and asylum
The Bulgarian NGO "Animus Association Foundation" is looking for partners in Moldova, Ukraine and/or Belarus. The project is focused on cooperation to combat human trafficking in Eastern Europe. It is planned to apply to the Europaid call for proposals “New thematic programme cooperation in the area of migration and asylum” (deadline on November 13).
The working title of the project is: "Cooperation between third countries and EU member states on the problem of combating human trafficking in Eastern Europe."
For more information on planned activities, a brief project description, requirements for partner organisations and contact details, please refer to the following document:
http://www.trialog.or.at/images/doku/bg-animus-association-foundation.pdf
Please note that interested organisations have to get in contact with the Animus Association Foundation as soon as possible but the latest by Wednesday, November 4, 2009.
Information provided by Martina Bunk, Animus Association Foundation
The working title of the project is: "Cooperation between third countries and EU member states on the problem of combating human trafficking in Eastern Europe."
For more information on planned activities, a brief project description, requirements for partner organisations and contact details, please refer to the following document:
http://www.trialog.or.at/images/doku/bg-animus-association-foundation.pdf
Please note that interested organisations have to get in contact with the Animus Association Foundation as soon as possible but the latest by Wednesday, November 4, 2009.
Information provided by Martina Bunk, Animus Association Foundation
AidWatch Seminar 2009 and TRIALOG paper on NMS challenges
The annual AidWatch seminar will take place in Brussels this year on 4-6 November. It is the second major event in the AidWatch calendar, after the report launch in the spring (see June TIS: http://trialog-information-service.blogspot.com/2009/06/launch-of-aidwatch-report-2009.html).
The agenda will include an induction day for newcomers to the AidWatch initiative, which will introduce them to the process and how they can be involved. The rest of the seminar will focus on reviewing and evaluating AidWatch in 2009, and making plans for 2010, a year when important aid targets should be being met by EU member state governments. Participants will look at the situation of ODA levels due to the recession and other challenges to the aid calendar next year; share information on upcoming policy and pan-European actions; and look at the strategy and structure of AidWatch. An ‘AidWatchers fair’ will allow participants to share publications and information about work on aid this year in their respective countries.
The new member states are currently underrepresented among those participants registered for the AidWatch seminar. If you would like to attend, please contact Rebecca Steel-Jasińska urgently: trialog@concordeurope.org
A former intern in the Brussels TRIALOG office, Grant Berg, has produced a paper looking at the different challenges faced by old EU member states and new member states in terms of meeting aid quantity and quality commitments that were highlighted by the 2009 CONCORD AidWatch report. The paper can be downloaded from the TRIALOG website: http://www.trialog.or.at/images/doku/nms-aidwatch-oct2009.pdf
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
The agenda will include an induction day for newcomers to the AidWatch initiative, which will introduce them to the process and how they can be involved. The rest of the seminar will focus on reviewing and evaluating AidWatch in 2009, and making plans for 2010, a year when important aid targets should be being met by EU member state governments. Participants will look at the situation of ODA levels due to the recession and other challenges to the aid calendar next year; share information on upcoming policy and pan-European actions; and look at the strategy and structure of AidWatch. An ‘AidWatchers fair’ will allow participants to share publications and information about work on aid this year in their respective countries.
The new member states are currently underrepresented among those participants registered for the AidWatch seminar. If you would like to attend, please contact Rebecca Steel-Jasińska urgently: trialog@concordeurope.org
A former intern in the Brussels TRIALOG office, Grant Berg, has produced a paper looking at the different challenges faced by old EU member states and new member states in terms of meeting aid quantity and quality commitments that were highlighted by the 2009 CONCORD AidWatch report. The paper can be downloaded from the TRIALOG website: http://www.trialog.or.at/images/doku/nms-aidwatch-oct2009.pdf
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
October EPAN meeting in Malta
The CONCORD working group on enlargement, pre-accession and neighbourhood (EPAN), which is convened by TRIALOG, met for one of its twice-yearly meetings at the beginning of October 2009. The meeting, which took place in Malta’s capital Valletta, was an opportunity for members to meet and exchange information as well as plan activities for 2010 around the group’s focus areas – the European neighbourhood and the pre-accession areas of the Western Balkans and Turkey.
The southern neighbourhood subgroup prepared for a development forum that will meet in November on the impact of the financial crisis in the region and at which the group’s chair will represent EPAN. The subgroup members also exchanged information on a number of regional initiatives, following up the Istanbul conclusions of 2006 on the role of women in the region, a conference planned by the French Euro-Med platform and the Slovenian NGDO platform SLOGA for March 2010 and the Civil Med Forum.
The eastern neighbourhood subgroup focused on the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, which will be meeting for the first time in November. EPAN has been invited to join the forum, and several member organisations of platforms active within EPAN will also be in attendance. They also discussed the Black Sea NGO Forum which is taking place these days (Oct 29-31) in Bucharest, and where it might overlap with Eastern neighbourhood priorities.
The pre-accession subgroup outlined a table of next steps to take on various issues: reviewing the country progress reports which have been released in the middle of October (see related TIS article “The EC releases its enlargement package”), a couple of weeks after the meeting; contributing to the EP lobbying that will be part of the CONCORD General Assembly in November and taking forward a forum to share best practices on civil dialogue with organisations in the region.
The whole working group discussed the European Commission initiative ‘European Transition Compendium’ with Adolfo Sanchez, the consultant hired to draft the compendium. It was a lively debate, with Mr Sanchez offering answers to questions on challenges previously identified by members of the group and others in NMS platforms (see earlier TIS articles in July and June TIS).
The decisions taken in Malta will shape the work of the group in 2010. More details are available from the minutes, which will be available on the CONCORD extranet from the beginning of November. For any further questions, please write to TRIALOG policy officer Rebecca Steel-Jasińska at: trialog@concordeurope.org
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
The southern neighbourhood subgroup prepared for a development forum that will meet in November on the impact of the financial crisis in the region and at which the group’s chair will represent EPAN. The subgroup members also exchanged information on a number of regional initiatives, following up the Istanbul conclusions of 2006 on the role of women in the region, a conference planned by the French Euro-Med platform and the Slovenian NGDO platform SLOGA for March 2010 and the Civil Med Forum.
The eastern neighbourhood subgroup focused on the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, which will be meeting for the first time in November. EPAN has been invited to join the forum, and several member organisations of platforms active within EPAN will also be in attendance. They also discussed the Black Sea NGO Forum which is taking place these days (Oct 29-31) in Bucharest, and where it might overlap with Eastern neighbourhood priorities.
The pre-accession subgroup outlined a table of next steps to take on various issues: reviewing the country progress reports which have been released in the middle of October (see related TIS article “The EC releases its enlargement package”), a couple of weeks after the meeting; contributing to the EP lobbying that will be part of the CONCORD General Assembly in November and taking forward a forum to share best practices on civil dialogue with organisations in the region.
The whole working group discussed the European Commission initiative ‘European Transition Compendium’ with Adolfo Sanchez, the consultant hired to draft the compendium. It was a lively debate, with Mr Sanchez offering answers to questions on challenges previously identified by members of the group and others in NMS platforms (see earlier TIS articles in July and June TIS).
The decisions taken in Malta will shape the work of the group in 2010. More details are available from the minutes, which will be available on the CONCORD extranet from the beginning of November. For any further questions, please write to TRIALOG policy officer Rebecca Steel-Jasińska at: trialog@concordeurope.org
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
The EC releases its ‘enlargement package’
The European Commission adopted its annual enlargement strategy and progress reports on each candidate and potential candidate country on 14 October 2009. This ‘enlargement package’ sets out the general policy on EU enlargement as well as giving details on progress made by candidate countries Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo.
The EC has recommended to member states that accession negotiations be opened with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which has undertaken political reforms that meet the Copenhagen political criteria. This will now put extra pressure on both parties to end the name dispute with Greece.
In the conclusions and recommendations given at the end of the strategy document, the EC emphasises the encouragement the enlargement process gives to political and economic reform in the countries concerned. The EC also points to the effects of the financial crisis that have been felt in the region and the major challenge posed by the fight against corruption and organised crime. Particular recommendations are provided for each country, with Cyprus and Iceland also included.
The Balkan Civil Society Development Network has analysed 2006 and 2007 progress reports in terms of the two benchmarks introduced by the EC in 2007 – civil society development and dialogue. This document will be updated with 2009 data and published in the near future on the network’s website http://www.balkancsd.net/
The enlargement package and additional information can be downloaded from DG Enlargement’s website: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-documents/reports_oct_2009_en.htm
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
The EC has recommended to member states that accession negotiations be opened with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which has undertaken political reforms that meet the Copenhagen political criteria. This will now put extra pressure on both parties to end the name dispute with Greece.
In the conclusions and recommendations given at the end of the strategy document, the EC emphasises the encouragement the enlargement process gives to political and economic reform in the countries concerned. The EC also points to the effects of the financial crisis that have been felt in the region and the major challenge posed by the fight against corruption and organised crime. Particular recommendations are provided for each country, with Cyprus and Iceland also included.
The Balkan Civil Society Development Network has analysed 2006 and 2007 progress reports in terms of the two benchmarks introduced by the EC in 2007 – civil society development and dialogue. This document will be updated with 2009 data and published in the near future on the network’s website http://www.balkancsd.net/
The enlargement package and additional information can be downloaded from DG Enlargement’s website: http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-documents/reports_oct_2009_en.htm
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
CONCORD launched Spotlight on Policy Coherence report
Responding to the Commission’s Communication and report on Policy Coherence for Development from September 2009, CONCORD released a report appealing for Europe to stop harming developing countries with its policies.The “Spotlight on Policy Coherence” report was launched in Brussels on October 14, 2009 and looks at the damaging impact that EU policies such as trade and agriculture are having on developing countries, effectively undoing all of the potential achievements of its development aid.
Of particular concern to CONCORD is the new approach proposed by the Commission in its September 15th Communication entitled “Policy Coherence for Development – Establishing the policy framework for a Whole of the Union approach”. This document marks a clear departure from the Commission’s commitment to scrutinising the impact of its policies on the poor by dropping the focus of its ‘policy coherence for development’ framework, from twelve areas to just five. Vital policy areas such as trade, which has massive implications for the lives of millions of poor people, have suddenly been dropped.
For more information, the press-release and introduction to the report given by Rob van Drimmelen (CONCORD/APRODEV) visit the CONCORD website http://www.concordeurope.org/ or use the direct link to the full Spotlight on Policy Coherence report: http://www.concordeurope.org/Files/media/internetdocumentsENG/5_Press/1_Press_releases/00pressreleases2009/CONCORD_PCD-Spotlight-report_light.pdf.
Find the Commission’s Communication on Policy Coherence for Development at:
http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/COM_2009_458_part1_en.pdf
Information provided by Agnès Philippart, CONCORD
World Bank and IMF Civil Society Forum
TRIALOG policy officer Rebecca Steel-Jasińska attended the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Civil Society Forum, which accompanied the Bank and Fund’s annual meeting at the beginning of October 2009 in Istanbul. TRIALOG was involved in the Civil Soceitey Organisations (CSO) planning group, which helped with the preparation of the forum, and the opportunity was used to build on links with Turkish NGDOs, many of which were in attendance.
Sessions at the forum featured a vast array of topics, which ranged from human rights, to aid flows, to food security, to climate change, to youth, to women’s empowerment and many of which focused on the current economic situation, looking at how the Bank and Fund could improve their work with other actors. Those of particular interest to TRIALOG included ‘the Crisis in Emerging Europe’ with Marek Belka, former Prime Minister of Poland speaking and ‘Civil Society in Turkey’ organised by The Third Sector Foundation TUSEV.
The event also featured book and report launches as well as networking receptions with almost five hundred civil society representatives as well as those from the Bank and Fund.
More information about the Forum can be found on the World Bank website: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/CSO/0,,contentMDK:22294326~pagePK:220503~piPK:220476~theSitePK:228717,00.html
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
Sessions at the forum featured a vast array of topics, which ranged from human rights, to aid flows, to food security, to climate change, to youth, to women’s empowerment and many of which focused on the current economic situation, looking at how the Bank and Fund could improve their work with other actors. Those of particular interest to TRIALOG included ‘the Crisis in Emerging Europe’ with Marek Belka, former Prime Minister of Poland speaking and ‘Civil Society in Turkey’ organised by The Third Sector Foundation TUSEV.
The event also featured book and report launches as well as networking receptions with almost five hundred civil society representatives as well as those from the Bank and Fund.
More information about the Forum can be found on the World Bank website: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/CSO/0,,contentMDK:22294326~pagePK:220503~piPK:220476~theSitePK:228717,00.html
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
Thursday, 29 October 2009
New joint project of the Greek, Cypriot and Maltese platforms
The Greek, Maltese and Cypriot national NGDO platforms together with leading member NGOs, local authorities (LA) and migrants’ organisations have designed a project in order to enhance cooperation in the three countries, build their capacity to become efficient agents of development and to participate in the planning of and the debate over EU development policy. Further objectives are to establish a strong partnership with migrants’ organisations and local authorities in the 3 countries and to increase the dialogue between development actors in the 3 countries and in Africa as well as enhance interaction with the relevant EU institutions.
The project will tackle the following problems:
- Insufficient coordination among NGDOs at the national, regional and European level
- Lack of cooperation between NGDOs, LAs and migration organisations in the field of development cooperation
- Lack of available information, given the distance of the 3 Mediterranean Platforms from the European centre (Brussels)
- Lack of efficient South – North dialogue
- Lack of sufficient and efficient participation from this part of the EU NGDOs in the formulation of the EU development policies
The activities of the project which will probably start in December 2009 include: a field survey on the partners’ experience and knowledge on issues of development, national trainings for networking, lobbying and advocacy, a series of interactive structured dialogue workshops in Greece, Cyprus and Malta with representatives from all partners to develop a concrete strategy of cooperation, a peer to peer mentoring program, study visits of representatives of the 3 platforms to Brussels institutions (e.g. EU Commission, ECOSOC, EU Parliament and CONCORD), the organisation of an international panel discussion and partnership fair in Greece and the establishment of a web-based forum to facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices.
For more information on the project please contact Eugenia Vathakou, Planning and Networking Director, Development and Education Centre European Perspective (DECEP) at: evathakou@europers.gr
Information provided by Eugenia Vathakou, European Perspective
The project will tackle the following problems:
- Insufficient coordination among NGDOs at the national, regional and European level
- Lack of cooperation between NGDOs, LAs and migration organisations in the field of development cooperation
- Lack of available information, given the distance of the 3 Mediterranean Platforms from the European centre (Brussels)
- Lack of efficient South – North dialogue
- Lack of sufficient and efficient participation from this part of the EU NGDOs in the formulation of the EU development policies
The activities of the project which will probably start in December 2009 include: a field survey on the partners’ experience and knowledge on issues of development, national trainings for networking, lobbying and advocacy, a series of interactive structured dialogue workshops in Greece, Cyprus and Malta with representatives from all partners to develop a concrete strategy of cooperation, a peer to peer mentoring program, study visits of representatives of the 3 platforms to Brussels institutions (e.g. EU Commission, ECOSOC, EU Parliament and CONCORD), the organisation of an international panel discussion and partnership fair in Greece and the establishment of a web-based forum to facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices.
For more information on the project please contact Eugenia Vathakou, Planning and Networking Director, Development and Education Centre European Perspective (DECEP) at: evathakou@europers.gr
Information provided by Eugenia Vathakou, European Perspective
Development Days: From Slovenia to Stockholm
In October, the Slovenian NGDO platform SLOGA was much involved in the organisation of Development Days, both at the national and the European level. From October 15-17, SLOGA together with its members (Slovenian Philanthropy, Ekvilib Institute and the UN Association of Slovenia) as well as in cooperation with the Slovenian Foreign Ministry organised the first Slovenian Development Days, that gathered national and international actors in the field of development cooperation. The event was opened by the State Secretary, acting as development minister, Dragoljuba Benčina, who was formally handed over the MDG III Torch. The opening was then followed by two roundtables - one on the topic of development aid in a time of global crisis and one on the inclusion of the human rights based approach into international development cooperation. On Friday, October 16, Slovenian president Danilo Türk addressed the public at the Slovenian Development Days and gave a speech on the topic of women empowerment, which was followed by a public roundtable on the issue.At the European Development Days held from 22-24 October 2009 in Stockholm, SLOGA presented its activities at the develop
ment village. In addition, the platform together with the Slovenian MFA and the European Commission organised a roundtable “East meets South” that gathered several high level speakers and more than 200 participants. Selected speakers, as Jerzy Buzek, President of the EP, Jože Mencinger, Vice president of the first Slovenian government, and many others discussed and shared their experiences in the fields of democracy building and economic transition. They agreed that New EU Member States became an important development actor in the wide EU area. In the near future those countries are planning to increase their cooperation with Africa, also in the area of exchanging best practices on the transition and democratisation processes.
ment village. In addition, the platform together with the Slovenian MFA and the European Commission organised a roundtable “East meets South” that gathered several high level speakers and more than 200 participants. Selected speakers, as Jerzy Buzek, President of the EP, Jože Mencinger, Vice president of the first Slovenian government, and many others discussed and shared their experiences in the fields of democracy building and economic transition. They agreed that New EU Member States became an important development actor in the wide EU area. In the near future those countries are planning to increase their cooperation with Africa, also in the area of exchanging best practices on the transition and democratisation processes.For more information on the recent SLOGA activities, please visit http://www.sloga-platform.org/ or contact Eva Pliberšek at: eva.plibersek@sloga-platform.org
Information provided by Eva Pliberšek, SLOGA
Grupa Zagranica report on Polish Development Assistance 2008
In September 2009, the Polish NGDO platform „Grupa Zagranica" published the report „Polish Development Assistance 2008. Independent Report of Non-governmental Organisations." It is already the third time that members of the Zagranica Group have come together to produce this report as a supplement to and critical review of the information published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The report is the result of the work of the Monitoring Group on ODA within the Polish platform. The report was issued on September 17 on a public discussion meeting with media and the Polish MFA. Then it was further discussed at the 3rd Forum of Polish development cooperation organised by the MFA on September 19 in Warsaw.
This year’s report highlights the most important trends in both the quantity and quality of Poland’s ODA, presenting in detail a number of key issues, some of them addressed for the first time, e.g. the report describes in greater detail the aid expenditures reported by the military, particularly in Afghanistan.
In sum, Polish ODA in 2008 amounted to PLN 900m, equivalent to 0.08% GNI. This is the first time since the country’s accession to the European Union that the value of Polish aid has diminished. The NGOs state that Poland is "in danger of missing the main target regarding the quantity of aid, agreed internationally and confirmed by the Council of Ministers." However, the Polish platform acknowledges that "the target could still be met, provided there is strong political will, determination on the part of the government and parliamentary support."
NGO criticism is directed also towards the still missing adoption of the Development Cooperation Act, the practise of inflating aid statistics or to the problem that Poland does not direct enough aid to Africa. It is stressed that in order to ensure a successful EU Presidency in 2011, Poland has to already in 2010 strengthen its development cooperation system and build its capacity to lead the EU’s work on development issues. Positively evaluated are the MFA activities in the field of development education. The report contains a number of recommendations which remind the government to take aid commitments seriously.
For more information, download the English summary of the report at: http://www.trialog.or.at/images/doku/polish-oda-2008-ex_summary_eng.pdf
Visit the website of Grupa Zagranica at: http://www.zagranica.org.pl/
Find information on the MFA Forum of Polish development cooperation at:
http://www.polskapomoc.gov.pl/3rd,Forum,of,Polish,development,co-operation,908.html
Information provided by Ola Antonowicz, Polish Green Network/Grupa Zagranica
This year’s report highlights the most important trends in both the quantity and quality of Poland’s ODA, presenting in detail a number of key issues, some of them addressed for the first time, e.g. the report describes in greater detail the aid expenditures reported by the military, particularly in Afghanistan.
In sum, Polish ODA in 2008 amounted to PLN 900m, equivalent to 0.08% GNI. This is the first time since the country’s accession to the European Union that the value of Polish aid has diminished. The NGOs state that Poland is "in danger of missing the main target regarding the quantity of aid, agreed internationally and confirmed by the Council of Ministers." However, the Polish platform acknowledges that "the target could still be met, provided there is strong political will, determination on the part of the government and parliamentary support."
NGO criticism is directed also towards the still missing adoption of the Development Cooperation Act, the practise of inflating aid statistics or to the problem that Poland does not direct enough aid to Africa. It is stressed that in order to ensure a successful EU Presidency in 2011, Poland has to already in 2010 strengthen its development cooperation system and build its capacity to lead the EU’s work on development issues. Positively evaluated are the MFA activities in the field of development education. The report contains a number of recommendations which remind the government to take aid commitments seriously.
For more information, download the English summary of the report at: http://www.trialog.or.at/images/doku/polish-oda-2008-ex_summary_eng.pdf
Visit the website of Grupa Zagranica at: http://www.zagranica.org.pl/
Find information on the MFA Forum of Polish development cooperation at:
http://www.polskapomoc.gov.pl/3rd,Forum,of,Polish,development,co-operation,908.html
Information provided by Ola Antonowicz, Polish Green Network/Grupa Zagranica
First General Assembly of the Bulgarian Platform for International Development (BPID)
The Bulgarian Platform for International Development (BPID) was formally created on 27 January 2009. The process of its establishment lasted about 3 years. After the first conference on EU Development Policies, organised by TRIALOG in Sofia in 2006, the Platform has gone through different phases. After the initial enthusiasm, a group of 10-12 active NGDOs kept on working together, trying to support as much as possible the Bulgarian advancement in the ODA field. This informal network, which included organisations with various profiles, backgrounds and activities, began to participate in different events both at national and international level.
Last 2008 year turned out to be crucial for this informal gathering of Bulgarian NGDOs. Thanks to a project, financed by the Presidency Fund and run by ECIP Foundation, one of the active participants within the network, the process of the official establishment of BPID was intensified. The project, entitled “Bulgarian Civil Society Participation in the EU Development Policies”, brought together the energy and experience collected over the years in favor of the future policy of the country in this field. Thus, 17 NGDOs became founding members of the platform and in the meanwhile the number of members has risen to 19.
The first General Assembly of BPID was held this summer on 23rd of July 2009 in Sofia. The new elected Board comprises of 7 individuals: the Chairman Rumyan Sechkov - Executive director of CEGA Foundation, Iva Boneva – Centre for Inclusive Education (CIE), Ludmila Mincheva – Index Foundation, Nadya Boneva- Alliance for regional and civil Initiatives (ARCI), Natalia Dimitrova – Bluelink Foundation, Ognyan Drumev – ECIP Foundation, Ventsislav Kirkov – Bulgarian Association for family planning.
The participants adopted BPID’ 3-year Strategy and Action Plan, discussed and approved internal rules and procedures of the functioning of the organisation. Participation in shaping Bulgarian and European policy for development and the membership in EU networks was considered to be of high importance for the future of the Platform. Different BPID members expressed their willingness for a close cooperation with the European NGO confederation for relief and development CONCORD, by participating in Working groups and other activities at EU level and beyond.
For more information please contact Nadya Boneva at nboneva@yahoo.com
Information provided by Nadya Boneva, BPID board
Last 2008 year turned out to be crucial for this informal gathering of Bulgarian NGDOs. Thanks to a project, financed by the Presidency Fund and run by ECIP Foundation, one of the active participants within the network, the process of the official establishment of BPID was intensified. The project, entitled “Bulgarian Civil Society Participation in the EU Development Policies”, brought together the energy and experience collected over the years in favor of the future policy of the country in this field. Thus, 17 NGDOs became founding members of the platform and in the meanwhile the number of members has risen to 19.
The first General Assembly of BPID was held this summer on 23rd of July 2009 in Sofia. The new elected Board comprises of 7 individuals: the Chairman Rumyan Sechkov - Executive director of CEGA Foundation, Iva Boneva – Centre for Inclusive Education (CIE), Ludmila Mincheva – Index Foundation, Nadya Boneva- Alliance for regional and civil Initiatives (ARCI), Natalia Dimitrova – Bluelink Foundation, Ognyan Drumev – ECIP Foundation, Ventsislav Kirkov – Bulgarian Association for family planning.
The participants adopted BPID’ 3-year Strategy and Action Plan, discussed and approved internal rules and procedures of the functioning of the organisation. Participation in shaping Bulgarian and European policy for development and the membership in EU networks was considered to be of high importance for the future of the Platform. Different BPID members expressed their willingness for a close cooperation with the European NGO confederation for relief and development CONCORD, by participating in Working groups and other activities at EU level and beyond.
For more information please contact Nadya Boneva at nboneva@yahoo.com
Information provided by Nadya Boneva, BPID board
We can help others: awareness raising campaign in Lithuania
This autumn the Lithuanian NGO Information and Support Centre conducted the public awareness raising campaign We Can Help Others, with a special focus on the youth in Lithuania. The campaign focused on Lithuania’s neighbourhood countries and the countries of South Caucasus since these are priority countries of the national development cooperation policy and because of historical ties the public has a better knowledge of the political, economic and social systems in these countries. The campaign featured photo exhibitions, discussions with local communities, the production and broadcast of a TV spot, radio spots and programs on national and regional radio stations, advertisements and articles in the press, a journalist competition, inclusion of a development cooperation heading on a national internet portal, launch of a specialised internet site and the production of a brochure.
The photo exhibitions highlighted the everyday life of people in Moldova, Georgia and Tajikistan. The pictures displayed largely reminded of the life in Lithuania twenty years ago and were causing empathy of the viewers. The exhibitions have been shown in all regional public libraries of Lithuania for a whole month. Afterwards, they have been moved to other municipal libraries. In addition, the libraries have been provided with documentaries on development issues in Belarus, Georgia, Tajikistan and other countries for public screenings.
On 17 October – the International Anti-Poverty Day – a screening of films took place in a cinema in Vilnius. The documentaries showed the imprint of the political regime on the lives of circus workers in Azerbaijan, inhuman procedures of issuing visas for Belarussian citizens, migration of men in search of work and the life of deprived women in Tajikistan, schooling and health problems of children in Georgia, imprisonment of opposition leaders and the difficult situation of their families in Belarus. The Stand Up! Take Action! campaign was held to express the solidarity with the people living in poverty all over the world.
Several radio programs and press articles also covered other specific development activities implemented by member organisations of the Lithuanian NGDO Platform, reported about volunteering experiences of young people and provided information on concrete possibilities of giving assistance to developing countries.
Photo from the exhibition, A large family in Tajikistan, 2009
The photo exhibitions highlighted the everyday life of people in Moldova, Georgia and Tajikistan. The pictures displayed largely reminded of the life in Lithuania twenty years ago and were causing empathy of the viewers. The exhibitions have been shown in all regional public libraries of Lithuania for a whole month. Afterwards, they have been moved to other municipal libraries. In addition, the libraries have been provided with documentaries on development issues in Belarus, Georgia, Tajikistan and other countries for public screenings.
On 17 October – the International Anti-Poverty Day – a screening of films took place in a cinema in Vilnius. The documentaries showed the imprint of the political regime on the lives of circus workers in Azerbaijan, inhuman procedures of issuing visas for Belarussian citizens, migration of men in search of work and the life of deprived women in Tajikistan, schooling and health problems of children in Georgia, imprisonment of opposition leaders and the difficult situation of their families in Belarus. The Stand Up! Take Action! campaign was held to express the solidarity with the people living in poverty all over the world.
Several radio programs and press articles also covered other specific development activities implemented by member organisations of the Lithuanian NGDO Platform, reported about volunteering experiences of young people and provided information on concrete possibilities of giving assistance to developing countries.
The campaign We Can Help Others was part of a project which is supported by the European Commission and the Lithuanian government. More information on the campaign and development cooperation in Lithuania can be found at the recently launched website http://www.pagalba.org/. For further information please contact Martinas Zaltauskas, NGO Information and Support Centre, at info@nisc.lt or martinas@nisc.lt
Photo from the exhibition, A large family in Tajikistan, 2009
Information provided by Olia Zuravliova, NGO Information and Support Centre
Events to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in Malta
As in the past years, in 2009, the STOPoverty! Neqirdu l-Faqar! Campaign with its partners, namely the Maltese NGDO platform SKOP, KOPIN, KKG, Graffitti and KDZ, has organised a series of events to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, held on 17 October, and to provide the opportunity to Stand up! and Take Action!
Starting with the launch of ActionAid’s photographic exhibition "HungerFREE women speak out" about women and the right to food and land at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 15, the Stand Up! Take Action! activity was organised in Malta and Gozo between the 16th and 18th of October. The Maltese public was urged to stand up for one minute to remember the poor of the world and to urge governments to keep their promises. The Stand Up! activity is coordinated by the Schools2Communities project - coordinated in Malta by KOPIN. In collaboration with this project, a discussion was held about poverty, the Millennium Development Goals and the Mediterranean region on October 17, following the theatre production Ceda l-Imbatt performed by Theatrencore.
During a press conference on October 16 - the World Food Day, Koperattiva Kummerc Gust (KKG) launched its Right to Food Campaign ‘Kieku l-Ikel Jitekellem’. Two Indian workers participated and passed on a clear message regarding ethical consumption. As part of the campaign and under the slogan "you are what you eat", Moviment Graffitti held its annual activity "Reclaim the World" in Valletta on October 24.
On October 19, a workshop about Art Campaigning Management took place as part of the I SHOP FAIR project of the network of ethical consumers, coordinated in Malta by KKG. Last but not least, a dialogue event on October 24 entitled "Y Standup?" was held to promote participation of young people in discussions on poverty issues locally, nationally, on European and international levels. The young people were invited to discuss their commitment to reducing poverty on all these different levels, while also offering possible routes for policy and for action to church and government authorities.
Information provided by Angie Farrugia, SKOP Malta
National Debate on MDGs in Cyprus
On 10 October 2009, the Future Worlds Center organised a first National Debate in Cyprus about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Debate was hosted by the UNDP – Action for Cooperation and Trust in Nicosia and included a panel of distinguished guests such as representatives from UNDP-ACT, The European Institute of Cyprus, the Cyprus Family Planning Association, the Cyprus NGO Platform ‘The Development’ and the Cameroonian Students Association. Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, Cypriot Member of European Parliament, honoured the debate with an opening speech that was read by Yiannis Laouris, President of the Board of Future Worlds Center.
The National Debate on MDGs was part of the EU funded project ‘Youth Ambassadors for Millennium Development Goals’ (Project No.: ONG-ED/2007/136-678) that the Cypriot NGO Future Worlds Center is implementing as partner organisation, with Salesian Missionary Voluntary Service in Poland as the lead, and EDUCON (CZ) and Hungarian Baptist Aid as members of the consortium.
The National Debate on MDGs was part of the EU funded project ‘Youth Ambassadors for Millennium Development Goals’ (Project No.: ONG-ED/2007/136-678) that the Cypriot NGO Future Worlds Center is implementing as partner organisation, with Salesian Missionary Voluntary Service in Poland as the lead, and EDUCON (CZ) and Hungarian Baptist Aid as members of the consortium.The National Debate attracted around 70 participants – members of civil society organisations, university students, teachers and high school students from different cities around the island. A large part of the participants have agreed to become Youth Ambassadors and to plan future street happenings and round tables at universities to further promote the MDGs in Cyprus.
For more information about the project, please contact Larry Fergeson at Future Worlds Center larry.fergeson.cyprus@gmail.com or visit http://cy.youth4world.com/.
Information provided by Kerstin Wittig, Future Worlds Center
Information provided by Kerstin Wittig, Future Worlds Center
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
