DemocracyNews - July 2006
The WMD's DemocracyNews
Electronic Newsletter of the World Movement for Democracy - www.wmd.org
July 2006
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CONTENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. Russian Civil Society Gathers in Moscow in Advance of G8 Summit
2. The Atlas Economic Research Foundation Seeks Nominations for the Freda Utley Prize for Advancing Liberty
3. Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships Program Calls for Applicants
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
4. Increasing Civil Society's Role in the Legislation Process in Oyo State, Nigeria
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
5. Iraq Memory Foundation Launches English Language Newsletter
6. Conciliation Resources Releases 2005 Annual Report
7. Darfur Consortium Sends Two Messages to African Union
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
8. CIPE Roundtable on Building Good Corporate Governance in Middle East and North Africa
ELECTIONS
9. "Democracy Dialogues" Launches Free and Fair Elections Site
10. Arab Elections Network Launches First Seminar on Election Systems
HUMAN RIGHTS
11. South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre Issues New Feature on Burma
12. AHRC Launches New Urgent Appeal Online Support System
13. OAS Seeks Suggestions and Comments on Draft Inter-American Convention against Racism, Discrimination, and Intolerance
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
14. Publication on Strategies for Democratic Change: Assessing the Global Response
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
15. Mizzima.tv Launches Story Dedicated to Burma's Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
16. Committee for the Protection of People's Dignity in Nigeria Launches Youth Democracy Camp.
17. Center for Development and Population Activities Coordinates Youth Civic Participation Camps
POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
18. Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy Launches Indonesian Translation of Development Handbook
19. Dutch and Georgian Groups Work to Strengthen Georgian Political Parties
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
20. Center for Peace and Development Initiatives in Pakistan calls for Governmental Transparency
21. Corruption Fighters' Tool Kits from Transparency International
WOMEN'S ISSUES
22. International Crisis Group Issues Report on Women's Roles in Peace Building in Africa
23. New Manual: Documenting Women's Rights Violations by Non-State Actors
24. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
1. Russian Civil Society Gathers in Moscow in Advance of G8 Summit
On July 11-12, 2006, hundreds of representatives of Russian civil society, including nongovernmental organizations, political parties, public associations, independent trade unions, environmental groups, youth organizations, and others from every region of the country, gathered in Moscow for a conference, entitled "The Other Russia." The conference was held in advance of the G8 summit that is scheduled to take place on July 15-17, 2006, in St. Petersburg, Russia, and aimed to bring international attention to the growing threats to democratic liberties and human rights in Russia. Foreign guests, including representatives of G7 nations, attended the conference. In support and solidarity with Russian civil society, the Project on Transitional Democracies released an open letter, which was read to the participants in "The Other Russia" meeting in Moscow. The letter, signed by 100 policy makers, opinion leaders, intellectuals, and Nobel Laureates from Europe and the United States, stated that Russia should be required to meet "standards of justice, freedom and of internationally acceptable diplomacy if it wishes to remain a member of the G8 and of the community of democratic nations," and called on the G7 leaders to "raise these issues directly with President Putin this weekend in St. Petersburg."
In a closing statement, participants in "The Other Russia" conference declared: "We aim to restore civil control of power in Russia, a control that is guaranteed in the Russian Constitution that is so frequently and unambiguously violated today. This aim requires a return to the principles of federalism and the separation of powers. It calls for the restoration of the social function of the state with regional self-administration and the independence of the media. The judicial system must protect every citizen equally, especially from the dangerous impulses of the representatives of power. It is our duty to free the country from outbreaks of prejudice, racism, and xenophobia and from the looting of our national riches by government officials."
Go to: http://www.theotherrussia.ru/eng/
To read the letter from the open letter released by the Project on Transitional Justice, go to: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060711/dctu034.html?.v=53
2. The Atlas Economic Research Foundation Seeks Nominations for the Freda Utley Prize for Advancing Liberty
The Atlas Economic Research Foundation seeks nominations for the Freda Utley Prize for Advancing Liberty to acknowledge the efforts of think tanks in disseminating the ideals of freedom in areas of the world where freedom is suppressed. The annual prize will award $10,000 to an organization that has reached a broad audience or has achieved a substantial impact on opinion makers in expounding the concepts of freedom and liberty. Organizations located in countries where these ideals are not universal are especially encouraged to apply. Deadline for application is August 31, 2006. The winner will be announced at the Atlas annual Freedom Dinner in November 2006.
Go to: www.atlasusa.org/
3. Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships Program Calls for Applicants
The Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships (AFPF) Program invites journalists from developing countries to apply for the 2007 fellowship program running from mid-March to September 2007. The Program brings 10 print journalists to the United States for an in-depth, practical introduction to the professional and ethical standards of the American print media. Journalists selected will be placed with a host paper and are usually assigned to the city desk to cover local news and features. Fellows must have an excellent command of written and spoken English, at least three years of professional experience as a print journalist, and demonstrate a personal commitment to a career in journalism in their own country. They must be currently employed as print journalists, preferably with an independent news organization in a developing or transitional country. Individuals with U.S. citizenship are not eligible for the program. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2006.
For application information, go to: http://www.pressfellowships.org/overview.html#criteria
CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
4. Increasing Civil Society's Role in the Legislation Process in Oyo State, Nigeria
On June 26, the Center for Constitutional Governance (CCG) in Nigeria held its third workshop in a series that aims to facilitate mechanisms for increasing interaction between legislators and civil society in the law-making process. The workshop, held in Oyo State, was attended by all legislators from the Oyo North Senatorial District of the state, members of various community development committees, and some community-based and faith-based organizations within the district. All the participants agreed that CCG should play a role in facilitating cooperation among the members of the State House of Assembly.
For more information, contact: david_ajetunmobi@yahoo.com
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
5. Iraq Memory Foundation Launches English Language Newsletter
In June 2006, the Iraq Memory Foundation, located in Baghdad, launched its first issue of the English language newsletter, "Memory." The newsletter provides highlights of the Foundation's projects, including the Documentation Project and the Oral History on Film Project. As part of its Documentation Project, the Memory Foundation is preserving, digitizing, classifying, and beginning to analyze more than 11 million pages of records that demonstrate the inner workings of Ba'thist institutions of repression and social control that dominated all aspects of Iraqi life between 1968 and 2003. As part of its Oral History Project, the Foundation is videotaping testimonials by Iraqi men and women of different ethnic, religious, and class backgrounds, all of whom suffered from the regime. As part of a monthly feature that introduces members of the Memory Foundation, the June issue features a short piece on Mustafa Al-Kadhimiy, Director of the Oral History Project. The newsletter also provides information on events hosted or organized by the Memory Foundation.
Go to: www.iraqmemory.org
6. Conciliation Resources Releases 2005 Annual Report
Conciliation Resources (CR) has recently released its 2005 annual report. The report highlights CR's projects in various parts of the world. For example, in Georgia and Abkhazia, CR continued their work with youth and teachers to encourage debate and action on social and political issues. With CR support, youth groups explored their role in transforming Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. In Sierra Leone, CR organized exchange visits and conflict resolution workshops for local volunteers, women peace monitors, and traditional leaders (chiefs). In Colombia and the Philippines, CR worked to promote learning from the experiences of armed groups' engagement in peace processes.
For more information, go to: http://www.c-r.org/pubs/annreps/annreps.shtml
7. Darfur Consortium Sends Two Messages to African Union
On June 16-17, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) held a Justice and Peace in Darfur workshop in Casablanca, Morocco, in cooperation with the Moroccan Organization for Human Rights, the Center for Studies on Human Rights and Democracy in Morocco, and the Darfur Consortium. Based on the recommendations of the workshop, the Darfur Consortium sent messages to the chairman of the African Union Commission, Mr. Alfa Omer Konare, and to other heads of state who are members of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. In these messages, the Darfur Consortium called for extending the AU's jurisdiction in the Darfur region at this critical time. The Darfur Consortium also called upon the African Summit, which took place on July 1-2 in Gambia, to condemn the continued violation of human rights in Darfur and to take action to end this conflict. Additionally, the Consortium urged the African Summit to take measures to end security tensions on the Chad-Sudan borders. It appealed to the governments of the two states to cease armed escalation, refrain from terrorizing citizens, and urged them to provide protection for refugees and respect the Tripoli Agreement. The Darfur Consortium is a coalition of over 30 Africa-based and Africa-focused NGOs that promotes a just, peaceful, and sustainable end to the ongoing crisis in Darfur.
For more information on the Darfur Consortium, go to: http://www.darfurconsortium.org/
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
8. CIPE Roundtable on Building Good Corporate Governance in Middle East and North Africa
On July 6, Dr. Nasser Saidi, Executive Director of the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance and Special Advisor to the United Arab Emirates' Minister of State for Finance and Industry, spoke about efforts to build corporate governance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at a roundtable sponsored by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). Dr. Saidi gave a brief overview of the economic conditions in the region, highlighting the importance of good governance. He also described the work of the newly formed Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance. A video of the presentation and power point notes are available on the CIPE Web site.
Go to: http://www.cipe.org/whats_new/events/webevents/070606.htm
ELECTIONS
9. "Democracy Dialogues" Launches Free and Fair Elections Site
As part of its online "Democracy Dialogues" initiative, the U.S. Department of State has just introduced a new section on free and fair elections. The Web site provides materials on the subject, including background essays, documents, teaching resources, discussion questions, bibliographies, and links to various organizations working for elections. In addition to English, core Web site materials are or will soon be available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Persian, Russian and Spanish. Along with this new feature, over the next several weeks the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) will be sponsoring a series of public Web-chats addressing issues related to free and fair elections, including chats on voter education; youth voting; election commissions and election monitoring; and the media and elections.
For information about this series and how to register, go to: http://www.democracy.gov/dd/eng_democracy_dialogues/elections.html
To give feedback, please contact Peter M. Benda at BendaPM@state.gov.
10. Arab Elections Network Launches First Seminar on Election Systems
The newly established Arab Elections Network in cooperation with the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) and the International Center of Baghdad University recently organized a seminar on Election Systems. The seminar was attended by 50 researchers from 11 Arab countries and discussed papers on different models of elections systems in countries such as Germany, India, South Africa, Algeria, and the United States. The recently established Arab Elections Network has 40 participants from 12 Arab countries.
Go to: http://www.achrs.org/english/CenterNewsView.asp?CNID=196
HUMAN RIGHTS
11. South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre Issues New Feature on Burma
The South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre has issued a new Human Rights Feature (HRF) urging the international community to take a far more stringent stance on Burma. The HRF concludes that the most effective strategy in dealing with the military government would be a UN Security Council Resolution that would create a comprehensive strategy directed at Burma's compliance with international human rights standards. The HRF condemns the current military junta as a threat to international peace and security and a blow to the country's prospects for democracy. The HRF urges the newly created Human Rights Council to refer a resolution on Burma to the Security Council. The HRF also urges the Permanent Members of the Security Council and others to set aside political and economic alliances when dealing with the Burmese regime. HRFs are a bi-monthly feature of the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Center.
Go to: http://www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/hrfeatures.htm
12. AHRC Launches New Urgent Appeal Online Support System
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), a Hong Kong-based organization monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia, recently launched new urgent appeal online support system to supplement its existing Urgent Appeals Program. The new online support system will allow subscribers to automatically generate email appeals. All messages from the AHRC will contain a hyperlink that will lead the supporter to the AHRC Web site containing the draft letter of appeal in an online format.
For further inquiries regarding the system, contact the AHRC Urgent Appeals Desk at ua@ahrchk.org
Go to: www.ahrchk.net/index.php
13. OAS Seeks Suggestions and Comments on Draft Inter-American Convention against Racism, Discrimination, and Intolerance
The Organization of American States (OAS) has opened a Web page for suggestions and comments on the drafting of a future Inter-American Convention against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance. It is intended to encourage nongovernmental organizations, research institutes, universities, and other sectors of civil society to participate in preparing the new Convention. The new Web page will receive opinions, queries, and comments of civil society through July 31, 2006. The final text of the Inter-American Convention against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance will be adopted by representatives of the 34 OAS member states at a session of the General Assembly.
Go to: www.oas.org/racismo/Racism2006_eng.asp
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
14. Publication on Strategies for Democratic Change: Assessing the Global Response
The Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) and the Democracy Coalition Project (DCP) have published a book, entitled STRATEGIES FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE: ASSESSING THE GLOBAL RESPONSE, which examines how the international community has responded to recent threats to democracy in seven countries. The book provides an in-depth analysis of how EU states, the United States, and other international actors can better fulfill their commitments to support democracy by coordinating common strategies. It examines what the international community has done recently to advocate democratic transition and consolidation in Burma, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. It raises such questions as: What strategies of democracy promotion have been favored? How different have been the approaches adopted by the various members of the Community of Democracies? In which circumstances has the international community found it easiest to influence democratic development, and in which has it most struggled to gain traction? The report offers recommendations on how international communities can better address current challenges to fragile democratic transitions.
Go to: www.demcoalition.org/2005_html/activ_publi.html
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
15. Mizzima.tv Launches Story Dedicated to Burma's Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Mizzima News has announced its launch of Mizzima.tv, a Web site with footage, documentaries and new programs on Burma-related issues with a story in honor of Burma's democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Mizzima is dedicated to providing ongoing news on Burma. Mizzima.tv has been designed to give access to on-the-ground coverage of important issues facing Burmese people inside and outside of the country through multimedia videos. Mizzima.tv is best viewed in Quicktime 7 (free download available at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/standalone.html).
Go to: http://www.mizzima.tv/
Mizzima.tv is best viewed in Quicktime 7 (free download available at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/standalone.html).
POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
16. Committee for the Protection of People's Dignity in Nigeria Launches Youth Democracy Camp.
The Committee for the Protection of People's Dignity (COPPED) has recently established a youth democracy summer camp. The camp runs for three days and provides an environment for the youth of Nigeria to come together to discuss democratic solutions to their country's problems. Campers are introduced to democratic techniques through open ballot elections of camp council positions, open discussions, and the formation of a "Youth Parliament." The Parliament members elect their leaders and discuss issues affecting Nigerian society, such as poverty and the Niger Delta crises. The youth debate each issue, formulate recommendations, and pass bills through the 'National Assembly.' COPPED runs four camps a year: two National Camps with 40 participants attending each session, and two Mini Regional Camps for at least 20 participants each.
To read about a participant's experience go to: http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/content/view/3335/55/
For more information on the Camp or COPPED contact: copped123@yahoo.com
17. Center for Development and Population Activities Coordinates Youth Civic Participation Camps
The Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) is starting a new project focused on enabling young people's civic participation in Egypt. CEDPA will collaborate with Egypt's National Council for Youth to encourage young people's participation in their communities and promote youth engagement in Egypt's policy process. The project's goal is to reach 1200 young people, aged 20-24, through week-long leadership camps. The camps will educate participants in political and economic issues affecting their country and engage the young women and men in individual and group activities to develop national and local youth networks.
Go to: http://www.cedpa.org/content/news/detail/893
POLITICAL PARTIES AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
18. Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy Launches Indonesian Translation of Development Handbook
On June 21, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD) launched an Indonesian translation of the IMD's Institutional Development Handbook. The book, A FRAMEWORK FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTY BUILDING, contains the basic principles of institution building for political parties and the main methods for party creation. The book launch in Jakarta was hosted by the Indonesian Community for Democracy (KID), which is the Indonesian partner of IMD, and works to promote multiparty democracy through civic training and democratic education in the region.
Go to: http://www.nimd.org/default.aspx?type=newsitem&contentid=319
19. Dutch and Georgian Groups Work to Strengthen Georgian Political Parties
The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy and its Georgian partner, the Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (CIPDD), have launched a project to aid Georgian political parties strengthen their internal organization and inter-party ties. The main objective of the project is to strengthen democratic practices within Georgian parties and improve the administrative and programmatic capacities of party cadres. The project aims to establish a Multiparty Center in Tbilisi, which would host public debates and offer research materials that would be available for viewing by all political parties, academics, journalists, professionals, and interested citizens.
Go to: http://www.nimd.org/default.aspx?menuid=14&type=newsitem&contentid=321&special
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
20. Center for Peace and Development Initiatives in Pakistan calls for Governmental Transparency
On July 7, the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) in Pakistan issued a press release appealing for the end of corruption and calling for governmental transparency. In particular, they appeal to the Standing Committees on Education to lead the government in ensuring compliance with international standards of good parliamentary governance. CPDI states that performance of most parliamentary committees has so far been highly questionable because of their closed-door meetings, and the lack of access to information and transparency in relation to their proceedings. CPDI suggests that access to information and transparency in the proceedings of education committees can significantly improve their credibility and effectiveness, and would positively contribute to the efforts to achieve good governance and democratic development.
Go to: http://www.cpdi-pakistan.org/
21. Corruption Fighters' Tool Kits from Transparency International
Transparency International has been compiling Corruption Fighters' Tool Kits. These reports are compilations of practical civil society anti-corruption experiences. They present innovative anti-corruption tools developed and implemented by TI National Chapters and other civil society organizations from around the world. Publications highlight the potential of civil society to create mechanisms for monitoring public institutions and for promoting accountable and responsive public administration. The Corruption Fighter's Tool Kits, and the new Special Edition: Teaching Integrity to Youth, offer the reader a dynamic collection of transparency tools. Presently, the Corruption Fighters' Tool Kit includes 46 tools from around the world, including: how TI Bangladesh uses theatre as a means to raise awareness about corruption and how TI Peru is testing the new Peruvian access to information law, among many other tools created by civil society organizations. The Special Edition 2004: Teaching Integrity to Youth includes additional tools of youth anti-corruption education.
Go to: http://www.transparency.org/tools/e_toolkit
WOMEN'S ISSUES
22. International Crisis Group Issues Report on Women's Roles in Peace Building in Africa
The International Crisis Group has issued a new report on Women's Peace Building in Sudan, the Congo, and Uganda. The report suggests that peace agreements, post-conflict reconstruction, and governance do better when women are involved. It claims women make a difference, in part because they adopt a more inclusive approach toward security and address key social and economic issues that would otherwise be ignored. However, in all three countries, women remain marginalized in formal processes and under-represented in the security sector as a whole. The report concludes that governments and the international community must do much more to support female peace activists.
The report includes recommendations on women's empowerment in peace building processes specifically for the governments of Sudan, the Congo, and Uganda. The report also has general recommendations to these governments and the international community regarding women's roles in various issues, including the security sector and judicial reform; reproductive health; and regional and cross border security.
Go to: http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=4185
23. New Manual: Documenting Women's Rights Violations by Non-State Actors
The Canadian Rights and Democracy, part of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, has released a new publication, entitled Documenting Women's Rights Violations by Non-State Actors. This manual, specifically addressed to groups and individuals not well versed in legal matters, provides tools to human rights activists and defenders who investigate violence perpetrated against women by non-state actors. The manual offers guidance with regard to the legal definitions and human rights protection mechanisms that may help activists compel states to fulfill their obligation to protect human rights. It presents concrete examples of particular forms of violence committed against women by non-state actors and models of strategies that have been used effectively.
For the manual, go to: http://www.dd-rd.ca/site/_PDF/publications/women/Non-State.pdf
For information on Rights and Democracy, go to: http://www.dd-rd.ca/site/home/index.php?lang=en
24. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
* Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) - www.achrs.org
* Arab Elections Network
* Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) - www.ahrchk.net
* Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) - www.cihrs.org
* Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (CIPDD) - www.cipdd.org/en/index.shtml
* Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) - www.cipe.org
* Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) - www.cpdi-pakistan.org
* Democracy Coalition Project (DCP) - http://demcoalition.org/html/home.html
* International Crisis Group - www.crisisgroup.org
* Mizzima News - www.mizzima.com
* Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD - http://www.nimd.org
* South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre - www.hri.ca/partners/sahrdc/
* Transparency International - www.transparency.org
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The WMD's DemocracyNews
Electronic Newsletter of the World Movement for Democracy - www.wmd.org
