DemocracyNews - November 2006
The WMD's DemocracyNews
Electronic Newsletter of the World Movement for Democracy - www.wmd.org
November 2006
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CONTENTS
DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS
1. Human Rights Organizations Demand Justice for Slain Russian Journalist Anna Politkovskaya
2. In Memoriam: Kazakh Human Rights Activist and Scholar Nurbulat Massanov
3. US Campaign for Burma Demands Urgent Action in Eastern Burma
4. CIVICUS Condemns the Closure of the Russian-Chechen Friendship Society
5. Web Site Blocked by Bahrain Government Ahead of Elections
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
6. International IDEA Publishes Handbook on Democracy, Conflict, and Human Security
7. Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Calls for Article Submissions
8. African Transitional Justice Research Network Publishes First Newsletter
9. ARDA Publishes Book on Asia’s Leading Freedom Fighters
10. Online Community of Zimbabwean Activists Updates Web Site
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
11. IPCRI Holds Conference on Education for Peace and Democracy
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
12. Center for International Private Enterprise Releases Fall “Overseas Report”
ELECTIONS
13. Human Rights Information & Training Center Issues Report on Media Coverage of Yemeni Election Campaigns
14. ACHRS Organizes Workshop in Bahrain for Elections Monitoring
HUMAN RIGHTS
15. Southeast Asia Human Rights Defenders Forum to be Held in November
16. Foundation for Human Rights Initiative in Uganda Issues Report on Civil Liberties
17. Human Rights Education Associates Offers Long-Distance Courses for Early 2007
18. HURIDOCS Launches Search Engine for Human Rights Materials
19. SAHRDC Assesses Human Rights in Singapore
20. Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Issues Political Violence Report for September
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
21. Freedom House Launches New Online Resource on Press Freedom
22. Applications Now Being Accepted for John S. Knight Fellowships for Journalism
23. Regional Human Rights Network Petitions Against Continued Detention of Eritrean Journalists
LABOR UNIONS AND WORKER RIGHTS
24. The Laogai Research Foundation to Release Laogai Handbook 2005-2006
POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
25. Youth Activists Around the World Celebrate World Youth Day for Democracy
26. World Youth Movement for Democracy Releases November Newsletter
27. Arab Democracy Network Issues Report on Establishing a Youth Wing
28. Women’s Learning Partnership Announces Young Women’s Learning Partnership Initiative
29. African Social Science Council Calls for Proposals for Multinational Working Group on Youth and Identity in Africa
30. Humanities Research Center Bulgaria Announces Summer School Program
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
31. 12th International Anti-Corruption Conference to be Held in Guatemala
32. TUMIKOM Publishes Third National Report on Parliamentary Efficiency in Turkey
WOMEN’S ISSUES
33. Women’s Learning Partnership Continues Campaign for Women’s Right to Citizenship
34. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
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DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS
1. Human Rights Organizations Demand Justice for Slain Russian Journalist Anna Politkovskaya
On October 7, Anna Politkovskaya, a 48-year-old investigative reporter for Moscow’s newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was found shot dead in the elevator of her apartment building in Moscow. Politkovskaya was best known for criticizing President Vladimir Putin and for her reports on human rights abuses in Chechnya. Many Russians believe that her murder was a contract killing, and her newspaper has offered a $1 million reward to solve her murder. Meanwhile, prosecutors in Moscow have opened a murder investigation, and President Putin and the Duma speaker, Boris Gryzlov, have pledged to hold thorough investigations of the case. Reporters expect that there will be international pressure to solve this case in a transparent way.
There have already been a number of statements and demonstrations in Politkovskaya’s memory across Russia and Europe. Reporters Without Borders, for one, has started an online petition campaign, demanding the creation of an international commission of enquiry to establish the truth about her death. Also, the Chechnya Advocacy Network has initiated a letter writing campaign demanding a full and honest investigation into the murder. Among demonstrations in Politkovskaya’s honor that occurred across Russia and around the world, one held on October 16 in the Russian Republic of Ingushetia stands out as it was violently dispelled by local police. Magomed Mutsolgov, head of the NGO, Mashr, along with many others, were tried and sentenced in connection to this demonstration. Mutsolgov was fined for violating legislation on organizing demonstrations, even though he had informed the city authorities in writing beforehand of his intention to stage one.
Because Anna Politkovskaya was threatened, jailed, forced into exile, and poisoned during her career, her case underlines the dangers critical journalists face today in Russia. The Committee to Protect Journalists ranks Russia as the third deadliest country in the world for journalists in the past 15 years, behind only Algeria and Iraq. Since 1992, a total of 42 journalists have died in Russia, and the vast majority of these cases remain unresolved by Russian authorities.
To sign the Reporters Without Borders petition, go to: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19163
To join the Chechnya Advocacy Network writing campaign, go to:
http://www.chechnyaadvocacy.org/APletter.html
To learn more about other unsolved murders of journalists in Russia, go to:
http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2005/russia_murders/russia_murders.html
2. In Memoriam: Kazakh Human Rights Activist and Scholar Nurbulat Massanov
On October 5, Nurbulat Massonov of Kazakhstan passed away at the age of 53 due to an apparent reaction to a food allergy. Massanov was a human rights activist, historian, and scholar of Kazakh history and national identity. He attended the last two World Movement Assemblies in Durban, South Africa, and Istanbul, Turkey. Massanov was always willing to help other people. He was frequently confronted with situations when activists he knew needed help, like fellow WMD participants Sergei Duvanov and Slava Mammedov, when they were exiled, jailed, or pressured in various ways, and he was always the first to offer support and assistance and to advocate on their behalf. For the last several years, Massanov was a visiting professor abroad because he was kept from local teaching positions for political reasons. Most recently, he had founded a new institute on the problems of cultural legacy of nomads and had been running Club Polyton, a lively discussion club dedicated to fostering political discussion among local activists and visiting dignitaries in spite of government censorship. With Club Polyton, Massanov strove for tolerance of varying points of view, the development of a brave and active civil society, the development of democratic ideals, and the wide involvement of youth in political discussions in Kazakhstan. Previously, he was an academic secretary in the Department of Social Sciences of the Academy of Sciences in Kazakhstan, a reader in the Kazakh State University, a co-founder of the International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, a member of the governing board of the "Soros-Kazakhstan" foundation, a co-chair of the Forum of Democratic Forces of Kazakhstan, and head of the Kazakhstani Association of Political Science. He leaves behind a wife, a son, and two daughters.
To visit Club Polyton’s active Web site, go to: http://www.club.kz/index.php?lang=en
3. US Campaign for Burma Demands Urgent Action in Eastern Burma
The US Campaign for Burma has begun a “30 Days of Action” effort to demand UN Security Council action to address the destruction of over 3,000 villages in Eastern Burma by the ruling military junta. Over 500,000 people are currently internally displaced in Eastern Burma, many barely surviving the ravages of disease and military violence. The US Campaign for Burma’s goal is to have people from all over the world send 3,000 individually signed postcards to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan demanding that he immediately call for strong UN Security Council action on Burma’s military dictators. The US Campaign for Burma will provide postcards to those interested in joining the effort. The Campaign also asks that individuals reach out to their local communities to provide information on the situation, collect signatures on the provided postcards, and write op-ed pieces for their local papers.
Go to: http://www.uscampaignforburma.org/action/action.html
4. CIVICUS Condemns the Closure of the Russian-Chechen Friendship Society
On October 13, CIVICUS released a statement condemning the closure of the Russian-Chechen Friendship Society (RCFS), and asks individuals to write letters to President Putin appealing to the Russian Government to respect the freedom of association for civil society organizations. RCFS is a prominent human rights organization in Russia that has been critical of government policy in Chechnya and has published reports alleging torture, abductions, and murder of civilians by government forces. RCFS was liquidated on the grounds that it had violated the recently amended Federal Law on Public Associations under which it is illegal for an NGO to be headed by a person with a criminal record. The director of RCFS, Stanislav Dmitrievskii, was handed a two-year suspended sentence in February after he was found guilty of inciting ethnic hatred; the charge was condemned by rights groups as politically motivated. The courts also accused RCFS of changing addresses without notifying the appropriate authorities, holding an unsanctioned march in April, and refusing to remove the word “Russian” from its name.
To see the CIVICUS press release, go to: http://www.civicus.org/csw/RUSSIA_Appeal_13.10.06_English.htm
To send a letter in English, go to: http://www.civicus.org/csw/RUSSIA_19.10.06_Template-English.doc
To send a letter in Russian, go to: http://www.civicus.org/csw/RUSSIA_19.10.06_Template-Russian.doc
5. Web Site Blocked by Bahrain Government Ahead of Elections
The Web site of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), bahrainrights.org, has been blocked by Batelco, Bahrain's main Internet service provider. The BCHR is especially concerned that the latest moves may be part of an attempt to stifle criticism of the government ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, due to be held in less than a month. The Center demands that the Web site be unblocked and renews its call for the government to end its long-standing practice of censoring the Internet for political reasons. The BCHR believes that the move is an attempt by the government to prevent discussion or awareness of the recent Bandargate scandal, in which several government officials have been accused of fomenting sectarianism and planning to unfairly influence the upcoming parliamentary elections. Aside from the BCHR's Web site, it should be noted that at least 15 other Bahraini news and discussion Web sites are already blocked by Batelco. The BCHR calls upon the government to immediately unblock the BCHR Web site, as well as all other blocked sites, and permanently end its practice of censoring the Internet; lift the press gag on the Bandargate scandal and guarantee the freedom of speech on all issues ahead of the upcoming elections; and launch a transparent investigation into the allegations of the Bandargate scandal and punish all officials who are found guilty.
Go to: http://www.bahrainrights.org/ref06102600
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
6. International IDEA Publishes Handbook on Democracy, Conflict, and Human Security
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) recently published a new handbook, “Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21st Century.” Using case studies from Bosnia, India, Liberia, Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, the handbook covers how democracies can deliver social and economic rights, include all citizens in decision making, and reduce poverty. It also suggests ways that democratic practice can contribute to the management of contemporary conflicts and promote the realization of security and development objectives. The handbook is unique in that it focuses on the linkages between democratization and human security, while offering entry points for improved social justice. The key findings in the publication include: democratization must be linked to meeting human needs and reducing inequality; democratic systems must evolve from technical into substantive democracies; and the viability of democracy will be influenced by the legitimacy it achieves and its ability to respond to human needs.
Go to: http://www.idea.int/publications/dchs/dchs_vol1.cfm
7. Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Calls for Article Submissions
The Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL) is asking for article submissions for its new publication, entitled “Quarterly Review of the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law,” to be released February 2007. The journal will promote reflection on human rights and humanitarian laws, policy and action for democracy, conflict transformation, and peace building through contemporary international law. The Review will offer a forum for discussing representative democracy and humanitarian affairs as well as analysis of the causes and characteristics of conflicts. Submitted manuscripts should relate to international human rights, humanitarian law, international law, transitional justice, conflict transformation, peace building, policy, and/or action. Articles must have footnotes, be in English, and only be submitted to IHRHL. Articles should be between 5,000 and 10,000 words, although shorter contributions may be included under the “Notes and Comments” section of the journal.
To submit an article, send an attachment in an email to: ihrhl_review@yahoo.com or to quarterlyreview_ihrhl@yahoo.com.
8. African Transitional Justice Research Network Publishes First Newsletter
The African Transitional Justice Research Network (ATJRN) based in South Africa has published its first electronic newsletter. The newsletter serves as a forum through which the ATJRN can share information on and among African transitional justice researchers. It includes updates on regional transitional justice developments, a digest of new developments in the ATJRN, and information on capacity building workshops. ATJRN welcomes any comments or suggestions regarding the newsletter through emails to info@transitionaljustice.org.za.
Go to: http://www.transitionaljustice.org.za/docs/atjrnvol1.pdf
9. ARDA Publishes Book on Asia’s Leading Freedom Fighters
The Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA) recently published a book, entitled “Those Who Dare: Voices of Asia's Democrats.” It is a compilation of stories of Asia's leading freedom fighters who describe and analyze their confrontations with authoritarian governments. The book is a celebration of the creative power of ideas when they are energized by the acts of those who stand up and fight for their fellow citizens.
Go to: http://www.asiademocracy.org/content_view.php?section_id=1&content_id=689
10. Online Community of Zimbabwean Activists Updates Web Site
Kubutana, an online community of Zimbabwean activists, has updated its Web site, which now contains over 7,000 articles. The Web site also now contains interviews with famous Zimbabweans, including filmmaker and writer Tsitsi Dangarembga; artist, activist, and educator Heeten Bhagat; civil society activist Catherine Makoni; and journalist Percy Zvomuya. There are a number of active blogs on the Web site concerning the current issues of voter apathy, domestic violence, and the brutal suppression of dissent in Zimbabwe. Kubatana also provides a list of opportunities to get involved in human rights and civil society activism.
Go to: http://www.kubatana.net/
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
11. IPCRI Holds Conference on Education for Peace and Democracy
On November 19-23, 2006, The Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) is convening an international conference on education for peace and democracy. The conference will bring together peace and democracy educators, curricula writers, encounter facilitators, peace studies practitioners, conflict resolution practitioners, human rights educators, mediators, and activists from academia, the research sector, governmental and community organizations, and others from Israel, Palestine and beyond, with a special emphasis on other crisis regions. The conference will serve as a meeting ground for dialogue and mutual learning in the field of peace and democracy education from the viewpoint of academia and from the field of practitioners. The conference will also provide an opportunity to build connections across multi-disciplinary sectors. It will be held in Antalya, Turkey.
For more information go to: www.ipcri.org/peaceeducation/index.html
To see the conference schedule, go to: www.ipcri.org/peaceeducation/docs/program.html
To register, go to: http://www.ipcri.org/peaceeducation/docs/registration_form_2006.doc
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
12. Center for International Private Enterprise Releases Fall “Overseas Report”
On October 19, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) released its fall 2006 “Overseas Report.” This report features, among other items, articles on making democracy deliver in the Philippines, a new computer-based simulation program used to facilitate dialogue and decision-making by Iraqi elected officials, improving corporate governance in Palestine, and groundbreaking polls on bribery and barriers to doing business in Yemen. The center spread features CIPE’s work in Africa, including an article on an important anti-corruption toolkit released by a CIPE partner in Mozambique.
Go to: http://www.cipe.org/publications/overseas/pdf/OR_Fall_2006_final.pdf
ELECTIONS
13. Human Rights Information & Training Center Issues Report on Media Coverage of Yemeni Election Campaigns
The Human Rights Information & Training Center (HRITIC) has issued a report on the national media’s coverage of Yemeni elections held on September 20. HRITIC finds that the national media’s coverage was unbalanced and unfair, and therefore favored the incumbent, President Saleh. Media monitors claim that the media showed favoritism towards the incumbent not only through the content of the articles, but by giving him bigger headlines, better photos, and providing more cameras at his election rallies. HRITIC criticizes the media for not providing voters with balanced coverage of all candidates and for violating the elections law. HRITIC also criticizes the Supreme Elections and Referendum Commission for not providing a legal framework in the “Election Manual” to ensure balanced media coverage.
Go to: http://www.hritic.org
14. ACHRS Organizes Workshop in Bahrain for Elections Monitoring
In cooperation with the Supreme Commission for Elections, the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) organized a workshop in Bahrain for domestic election observers. The two-day workshop is an activity of the Arab Election Network. The program included a training session on international standards and monitoring, the role of the media in elections monitoring, the process of elections monitoring, and the rules of observers’ behavior.
Go to: http://www.achrs.org/english/CenterNewsView.asp?CNID=231
HUMAN RIGHTS
15. Southeast Asia Human Rights Defenders Forum to be Held in November
The first Southeast Asia Human Rights Defenders Forum (SEA-HRDF) will be held at La Parranda Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 14-18. Under the theme of “Promoting People-Centered Regional Cooperation: Strengthening the Role of Human Rights Defenders in Southeast Asia,” the forum will be co-hosted by FORUM-ASIA and the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) in cooperation with the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC). The forum will provide a venue for dialogue and discussion on practical strategies to strengthen the role of human rights defenders in the implementation of the right to adequate housing and secure livelihood, and freedom of expression, association, assembly, movement, and access to information. More than 50 participants are expected to attend.
For more information, contact Ms. Niza Concepcion at niza@forum-asia.org or Miwa Igawa at miwa@forum-asia.org.
16. Foundation for Human Rights Initiative in Uganda Issues a Report on Civil Liberties
The Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) in Uganda has recently released a Report on Civil Liberties. The report covers the condition of human rights in Uganda from January to July 2006. Among many other issues, the report addresses the treatment of detainees and conditions in places of detention, including the treatment of juvenile offenders. In preparing the report, FHRI visited various places of detention, interviewed detainees and wardens, and discussed the findings with concerned authorities. In the report, FHRI makes several recommendations to the Ugandan Government and to the Parliament to improve the quality of human rights in Uganda.
Go to: http://www.wmd.org/documents/nov06-1.pdf, http://www.wmd.org/documents/nov06-2.pdf
17. Human Rights Education Associates Offers Long-Distance Courses for Early 2007
Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) organizes specialized courses via distance education for human rights advocates and educators, staff of social justice organizations, and development professionals. For early 2007, HREA courses will include: The United Nations Human Rights System: Transitioning from the Commission on Human Rights to the Human Rights Council; Einfuehrung in die Menschenrechtsbildung (Introduction in Education on Human Rights); Incidencia Politica para Avanzar los Derechos Humanos (Political Struggle for the Advancement of Human Rights); Human Rights Advocacy; Research and Evaluation in the NGO Sector’s Rights-Based Programming; and Human Rights Litigation.
Go to: http://hrea.org/courses/index.html
18. HURIDOCS Launches Search Engine for Human Rights Materials
The Human Rights Information and Documentation Systems, International (HURIDOCS) has launched a new Web search engine for human rights materials called HuriSearch. HuriSearch is intended to provide human rights professionals with a powerful Web research tool, to increase the visibility of information published by human rights organizations, and to encourage webmasters to use data systematically, thus making human rights information searches more reliable and efficient. HuriSearch targets persons working with or interested in human rights who need powerful search tools to access up-to-date and relevant information, including human rights monitors and researchers, students and academics, diplomats and persons working in international organizations, and politicians and journalists. HuriSearch is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese.
Go to: http://www.hurisearch.org
19. SAHRDC Assesses Human Rights in Singapore
According to the Singapore Democratic Party, the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre (SAHRDC) claims that money is silencing the problem of human rights in Singapore. In Singapore, citizens are not permitted to circulate newspapers, make broadcasts, hold demonstrations, or even speak to a public audience without government authorization. World Movement participant Chee Soon Juan, for one, was summoned to court in May for speaking publicly without a permit. More recently, the government banned demonstrations this September during the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Anti-poverty activists were denied entry to the main venue, which caused both the IMF and World Bank to voice disapproval. SAHRDC asserts that human rights violations continue to go ignored because of the economic interests of foreign investors, noting that there are over 7,000 multinational corporations currently invested in Singapore. SAHRDC calls on the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that such situations in states like Singapore receive the attention they deserve.
Go to: http://www.singaporedemocrat.org/articlehrf06.html
20. Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Issues Political Violence Report for September
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum has issued a Political Violence Report for September 2006. The report includes several cases of political violence and activism against political violence. On September 9, eight Zimbabwe National Student Union leaders were arrested while having a meeting; police arrested 107 Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) members in Harare during a protest; and on September 13 police brutally assaulted Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) demonstrators. On September 17, activists on a door-to-door campaign for the election scheduled for October 7 were also reportedly attacked. On September 25, however, about 200 individuals demonstrated for a new constitution.
Go to: http://www.wmd.org/documents/nov06-3.pdf
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
21. Freedom House Launches New Online Resource on Press Freedom
Freedom House has launched a new online resource that provides information about press freedom around the world. The Web site includes global and regional pages highlighting the main trends for each year, as well as detailed historical data from the organization’s annual Freedom of the Press Survey. Other features include annual overview essays summarizing the state of global press freedom for each year since 2002, and reports and ratings for every country. The Web site also contains links to a variety of press freedom resources.
Go to: http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=16
22. Applications Now Being Accepted for John S. Knight Fellowships for Journalism
Stanford University is now accepting applications for the 2007-2008 John S. Knight Fellowships. The Fellowship is intended to provide journalists with a year to study and reflect, far away from newsroom deadline pressures, in the company of other accomplished journalists. The program gives outstanding mid-career journalists the chance to broaden and deepen their understanding of a changing world, in order to improve the quality of news and information reaching the public through the news media. Completed US applications must be postmarked by February 1, and completed international applications must be postmarked by December 15.
Go to: http://knight.stanford.edu/application/index.html
23. Regional Human Rights Network Petitions Against Continued Detention of Eritrean Journalists
On October 30, the chairperson of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net), Hassan Shire Sheikh, together with lawyers and other Network members in Kenya, met the Eritrean Ambassador to Kenya and presented a petition on behalf of 16 journalists who have remained under detention since 2001. The meeting was also attended by the Network Focal Point and the Independent Medical Legal Unit, as well the Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Omar Faruk. The Ambassador promised to forward the petition to his government with a recommendation for further action. The operation of private media is prohibited in Eritrea. The Network is calling upon the Eritrean government to observe all international press laws and re-open media channels as a way of facilitating the checks and balances necessary for democratic governance.
For more information, send emails to: ehahrdp@yahoo.ca, hshire@yorku.ca
LABOR UNIONS AND WORKER RIGHTS
24. The Laogai Research Foundation to Release Laogai Handbook 2005-2006
The Laogai Research Foundation, an organization established to gather information and spread public awareness on the Chinese prison system known as Laogai, has announced the release of its Laogai Handbook 2005-2006. The Laogai Handbook is the world’s only independent and publicly available catalog of China’s Laogai, the most extensive and covert network of forced labor camps in the world. This edition, which incorporates information uncovered through September 2006, identifies 1,045 camps in operation and many others that have been dismantled, merged, or moved. Yet this number is only an estimate and most likely many more exist. The Chinese government considers national statistics about the Laogai to be state secrets. The handbook will be made available in mid-December and can be pre-ordered. Handbooks from previous years are available online.
To pre-order a copy, contact the Laogai Research Foundation: laogai@laogai.org
To read previous handbooks, go to: http://www.laogai.org/news/newsdetail.php?id=2293
POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION OF YOUTH
25. Youth Activists Around the World Celebrate World Youth Day for Democracy
In commemoration of the World Youth Movement for Democracy’s World Youth Day, which is celebrated each year on October 18, dozens of groups in various countries, such as Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Palestine, and Taiwan, organized youth workshops, conducted dialogues between students and representatives of national and local government institutions, and studied youth perspectives on democracy. World Youth Day focuses on highlighting what youth are already doing in their communities, both to increase recognition of diverse youth contributions to democracy building and to inspire new activities and collaboration in the future. The Youth Movement's secretariat highlighted some Youth Day activities on its Web site. To celebrate World Youth Day, the National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections-Partners of Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-PADD) based in Liberia organized a series of activities emphasizing the role of youths in the democratic process. NAYMOTE-PADD took outstanding youth leaders to school campuses, where they talked to students about various topics of importance to democracy, including participation and leadership. These events provided students with the opportunity to pose questions to the various speakers. NAYMOTE-PADD also recently issued its newsletter, “Partners,” for July-September 2006. This issue highlights NAYMOTE-PADD interventions on civic education and democracy promotion in Liberia. It includes grant information, a story about a recent cultural exchange, information on recent elections, coverage of various recent activities, and a list of upcoming events.
To see World Youth Day activities, go to: www.ymd.youthlink.org/ymd/launchday.html
To see the NAYMOTE-PADD newsletter, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/nov06-5.pdf
26. World Youth Movement for Democracy Releases November Newsletter
The World Youth Movement for Democracy has issued its online newsletter for November. This issue contains updates on activities, including World Youth Day events; news concerning Zimbabwe, China, Chile, and Russia; a list of upcoming events for the month of November; a list of opportunities for grants, funding, and participation; and highlighted articles and reports from youth and democracy groups in Africa and Europe. Those interested in posting new information in the World Youth Movement’s online newsletters can send items by email to wymd@youthlink.org.
Go to: http://www.ymd.youthlink.org/ymd/november06newsletter.html
27. Arab Democracy Network Issues Report on Establishing a Youth Wing
The Arab Democracy Network (ADN) has issued a report, “Perception of the Palestinian Youth to Establish a Youth Wing for the Arab Democracy Network,” which is a result of core group meetings held in October in the West Bank and Gaza strip. Over 200 men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 attended the meetings. The core groups met in seven different locations and were asked to consider questions relating to what democracy means, the measure of youth tendency towards democracy, and youth reaction to forming the Arab Youth Democracy Network (AYDN). Focus group participants reached consensus that Panorama Center, as the secretariat of the ADN, should continue its joint efforts to cooperate with Arab and civil society institutions in implementing the recommendations listed throughout the report. They also asserted that additional studies, conferences, workshops and operational activities and projects should be undertaken to establish a strong and reputable youth network that will promote and support rehabilitation and democracy-building efforts in Palestine and the Arab region.
Go to: http://www.wmd.org/documents/nov06-6.pdf
28. Women’s Learning Partnership Announces Young Women’s Learning Partnership Initiative
The Women’s Learning Partnership (WLP) has announced a new initiative focused on developing the leadership skills of young girls between the ages of 12 and 15. The Young Women’s Learning Partnership (YWLP) initiative, coordinated by Asma Khader of Jordan, will help develop the talents and skills of emerging leaders and facilitate intergenerational dialogue and cooperation, thereby expanding and strengthening young women's active participation in the women's movement. The initiative will focus on engaging young girls in a leadership learning process that is participatory, inclusive, and respects diversity. The leadership concept and methodology created by the Partnership and reflected in Leading to Choices: A Leadership Training Handbook for Women that has been published in 17 culture-specific editions, will be adapted for young girls to help them create a shared vision, build consensus, hone their communication skills, and create action plans to achieve specific group goals. The initiative will begin work in Bahrain and Jordan. After the new curriculum is adapted for Arabic and English, it will be taken up by other partners to augment their existing programs for young women of eighteen and older.
Go to: http://www.learningpartnership.org/publications/training/ltc
29. African Social Science Council Calls for Proposals for Multinational Working Group on Youth and Identity in Africa
The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) invites researchers to submit proposals for consideration for its new Multinational Working Group (MWG) on the theme of youth and identity in Africa. The MWG is a flagship research program generally lasting two years, through which CODESRIA promotes multinational, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational reflections on issues in the African social research community. Moreover, youth and youth identity is one of the thematic areas at the heart of the Council, and child and youth studies are also a core activity of CODESRIA. A long list of research fields for this particular MWG is available online. The deadline for proposals is November 20. Selected candidates will participate in a seminar in Senegal in January 2007.
Go to: http://www.codesria.org/Links/new06/mwg_youth06.pdf
30. Humanities Research Center Bulgaria Announces Summer School Program
The Humanities Research Center Bulgaria, together with the Institute of Sociology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and Chairs of Sociology at Sofia and Southwestern Universities, are announcing a Summer School for Young Social Scientists for June 2007. It will gather a faculty of leading Bulgarian and European experts, and will be devoted to improving knowledge in the fields of sociology, social practice, social awareness, and environmental issues. The workshop will include such topics as ethno-sociology, issues of poverty, culture in a market society, conflict resolution, social work, lobbying, and eco-design. Working visits to municipalities, ethnic minority communities, a national park/reserve, etc will be provided. Curricula is still in preparation and the Humanities Research Center Bulgaria remains open to suggestions and inquiries to improve the program.
To apply, send CVs and brief descriptions of expectations to: hrc@hrc-bg.com or snikolov@hrc-bg.com.
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
31. 12th International Anti-Corruption Conference to be Held in Guatemala
The 12th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) will be held on November 15-18, 2006, in Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala. The conference theme is "Towards a fairer world: Why is corruption still blocking the way?" The meeting will offer an opportunity for an honest and rigorous examination of the continuing obstacles posed by endemic corruption around the world. Government officials and civil society and business people will exchange information and ideas about the fight against corruption, assess existing strategies, and develop new approaches. Transparency International, which serves as secretariat of the IACC Council, is working with its national chapter in the country, Acción Ciudadana, and the government of Guatemala to organize the conference.
Please note: This item was mistakenly included earlier this year in DemocracyNews as having had already occurred. We apologize for the error.
Go to: http://www.transparency.org/iacc
32. TUMIKOM Publishes Third National Report on Parliamentary Efficiency in Turkey
The Turkish Association for Parliamentary Monitoring Committees (TUMIKOM) has published its Third National Report on the efficiency of the 550 parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The report is based on voters’ actions, and not on the evaluations of parliamentarians themselves. TUMIKOM also used legal documents to support its findings. These National Reports are meant to strengthen voter consciousness by providing voters with transparent and accurate information.
To read the National Reports, go to: www.tumikom.org
WOMEN’S ISSUES
33. Women’s Learning Partnership Continues Campaign for Women’s Right to Citizenship
An international campaign by Women’s Learning Partnership (WLP) was launched in September 2006 in support of national and regional partners in Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, and Algeria. The campaign continues its efforts to raise awareness of and pursue amendments to nationality laws to ensure that women are entitled to the same citizenship rights as men, thus enabling them and their families to benefit from equal access to public services. On September 19, 2006, the King of Bahrain granted Bahraini citizenship to over 372 children of Bahraini mothers and non-Bahraini fathers. Five days later, the parliament of Iran passed a law that allows children with Iranian mothers and foreign fathers to apply for Iranian nationality once they reach 18 years of age. These developments are seen as positive and a step forward in the Campaign for Arab Women’s Right to Nationality, Claiming Equal Citizenship. This campaign is mentioned in the WLP’s 15th issue of eNews, which includes a letter from the president, analysis of contemporary issues, updates on activities, new publications, and a welcome to new WLP staff members. The newsletter also details the initiatives to launch the Women Leaders Intercultural Forum (WLIF) in New York and to establish the Young Women’s Learning Partnership (YWLP) as described in item number 28 above.
For more on the campaign, go to: http://www.learningpartnership.org/citizenship/
For the newsletter, go to: http://www.learningpartnership.org/news/enews/2006/iss15
34. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
CIVICUS www.civicus.org/new/default.asp
International IDEA www.idea.int
Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA) www.asiademocracy.org
Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) www.ipcri.org
Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) www.cipe.org
Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) www.achrs.org
South Asia Human Rights Documentation Center (SAHRDC) www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/
FORUM-ASIA www.forum-asia.org
Freedom House - www.freedomhouse.org
World Youth Movement for Democracy www.ymd.youthlink.org/ymd/index.html
Arab Democracy Network (ADN) groups.yahoo.com/group/ArabDemocracyNetwork
Women’s Learning Partnership www.learningpartnership.org
Transparency International www.transparency.org
TUMIKOM www.tumikom.org/onsoru.htm
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Electronic Newsletter of the World Movement for Democracy - www.wmd.org
