Please see http://www.TraumaResearch.net/net2/forum2/lindner.htm for a presentation of Lindner's research.

See furthermore a link to the Trauma Research Net on http://www.humiliationstudies.org/links/links.php.

To get the TRN-Newsletter free of charge and become a member of the Trauma Research Net you must merely complete a registration form, which also serves to up-date the networking data base and mailing list. Details on registration can be found on the registration form on the TRN homepage.

URL http://www.traumaresearch.net/fr_let.htm

OnlineWomen Bulletin August 19, 2004: Motherhood may be blocking women's rise as national leaders (Singapore)
Thanks to Betty Scheper for forwarding this bulletin!

OnlineWomen Bulletin
An Asian Innovative Practice on Gender Mainstreaming*
19 August 2004

This bulletin highlights Asia Pacific women's involvement in politics, governance,
decision-making and transformative leadership. You will also find summaries of the data and information we have recently uploaded in our website plus announcements of events and other women-focused news stories from around the world. If you do not have full internet access please contact us and we will provide you with copies of the documents you want in TXT or MSWord format. Thank you.

SHE SAID:
"Our sole objective is to increase women’s participation in the decision-making process of [India]. Everyone knows what has happened to the reservations bill. Even if it is passed, at 33 per cent, women will still remain a minority. We want to bring the participation to 50 per cent, matching our numbers in the population."

-Avisha Kulkarni
General secretary of the Womanist Party of India on the occasion of the party's registration by India's Election Commission

ON THIS ISSUE:

A. Women in Politics News
Singapore: Motherhood may be blocking women's rise as national leaders
Singapore: PM Lee wants more women to enter politics
India: 'All women' party to contest State polls'
Singapore: Three women made ministers

C. Other Features
Post Your Events
Support OnlineWomen
Contact OnlineWomen

WIP NEWS

Singapore: Motherhood may be blocking women's rise as national leaders
With little fanfare, Singapore now has two women in national leadership as Ministers of State, and a third in local government as one of the five mayors. The absence of excitement can be read as a sign of maturity. Women in top positions are no longer deemed newsworthy by virtue of their rarity value. In accordance with the well-established principle of meritocracy, it is the capability of the individual that matters, not the gender.
For the full story: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/analysis/2004/0819_paternity.htm
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0819_sg_maternity.htm

Singapore: PM Lee wants more women to enter politics
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday urged more women to step forward to take part in the local political scene. Speaking at his first official function since becoming the prime minister, Mr Lee said he is particularly happy to have more women in his team. 'We want more women to come into the team,' he said. 'And I think there's talent out there, and I say to them, don't be shy. Come forward. Come and work with us.'
For the full story: http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/story/0,4567,125573,00.html
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0816_sg_WIP.htm

India: 'All women' party to contest State polls
Prabha Rau, Margaret Alva and Smriti 'Tulsi' Irani better watch out. The Womanist Party of India (WPI), formed on October 31, 2003, has been offered registration by the Election Commission. This party, the first of its kind in India exclusively for women, will be testing the waters in the coming Maharashtra Assembly polls. "We plan to contest from all 288 constituencies in Maharashtra. We do not expect much as we have very little time on our hands. But we will surely make an impact," says Avisha Kulkarni, general secretary of the WPI. For the
full story: http://sify.com/cities/mumbai/fullstory.php?id=13545140
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0816_in_womanist_party_of_india.htm

Singapore: Three women made ministers
Women are back on the front benches of government after three years of absence and they want more to follow their lead into the political arena. The appointment of not just one, but three women office-holders sends a "clear and positive" signal that they can and should play a role in determining Singapore's future, said Lim Hwee Hua.
For the full story: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/8/12/asia/8642689&sec=asia
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0812_sg_womenministers.htm

OTHER NEWS

Indian Kashmir assembly stalled over women's rights
The assembly of insurgency-torn Indian Kashmir was stalled on Thursday due to a proposal to deprive women of their residency status if they married men from outside the Muslim-majority state. Non-Kashmiris are banned from buying property in the scenic Himalayan region, but supporters of restricting women's residency status say the age-old law is circumvented through marriages of convenience.
For the full story:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2004/August/subcontinent_August656.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0819_in_kashmir_residencybill.htm

Philippines: New law allows abused women to sue partners
A new law allows women to sue their boyfriends or live-in partners for physical, emotional and verbal abuse even if they are only on a dating relationship and not yet married. Penalty includes imprisonment and a fine of not less than a hundred thousand pesos. Republic Act 9262, or the Antiviolence Against Women and their Children law of 2004, coauthored by Rep. Bellaflor Angara Castillo, penalizes all acts of violence against women-whether they are married, in a live-in setup or in a relationship.
For the full story:
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/aug/19/yehey/metro/20040819met1.html
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0819_ph_RA9262_abuse.htm

Laos gets funds to promote women's rights
The Asian Development Bank Wednesday granted $250,000 to Laos to promote gender equality among ethnic communities. The Manila-based ADB said women in the country have to work harder and yet have fewer rights, including property rights, particularly those who live in more remote areas.
For the full story: http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=eaf502ffe0a7abde
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0818_pg_violence.htm

Singapore: All working mums entitled to longer maternity leave
For his first factory opening as Trade and Industry Minister, Mr Lim Hng Kiang found himself at a diaper factory. 'I see this as a good omen in our effort to encourage more babies in Singapore,' he quipped in a speech to open the new Kimberly-Clark factory. Omens aside, there will be fresh moves from next week to encourage Singapore women to have more babies. All working mothers in all companies will get longer, more flexible maternity leave no matter where they work, Mr Lim told reporters at the Kimberly-Clark factory opening in Tuas.
For the full story: http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/topstories/story/0,4386,267837,00.html?
Or: http://www.onlinhttp:/www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0819_sg_maternityleave.htm

Papua New Guinea: Women have had enough of violence (Opinion)
Women have had enough! For far too long they have been raped, brutally murdered, robbed, harassed, threatened and treated with total contempt. Their freedom has long been robbed from them. Their dignity as free citizens of this country long denied and they live in absolute fear for their lives. Now they are standing up for their rights.
For the full story: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20040818/view01.htm
Or:
http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0817_bd_discrimination_women_commissioners.htm

Bangladesh: No discrimination against women commissioners
The High Court (HC) yesterday asked the government not to discriminate between women ward commissioners and their male counterparts in delegation of authority and voided a ministerial circular that it called contrary to the constitution. The verdict came after 10 women ward commissioners from reserved seats of Khulna City Corporation filed a writ petition last year, challenging the local government and rural development ministry's circular that did not allow the women commissioners to take part in census or issue nationality certificates or reference letters.
For the full story: http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/08/17/d4081701011.htm
Or:
http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0817_bd_discrimination_women_commissioners.htm

Pakistan: 'Women's economic empowerment is vital'
Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday said the economic empowerment of women was vital for the country's socio-economic development. He told women leaders and a representative delegation of women and party workers from NA-59 that he had never worked for personal interests. "I have always kept national interest above the personal interest," he said. Highlighting the important role and contribution of women for the economic development, he assured them that the government would make more efforts for women's economic empowerment and their prosperity.
For the full story: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_17-8-2004_pg7_33
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0817_pk_women_empowerment.htm

Pakistan: Hiraj criticises ministerial body for women in distress
State Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Raza Hayat Hiraj has expressed his dissatisfaction with a committee of the women's ministry that deals with women in distress. At the Women in Distress and Detention Fund's board meeting on Thursday, which he presided over, he said the committee did not meet often enough. He directed the board's secretary to ensure participation of all provinces in the fund's activities. He also stressed the need to develop monitoring mechanisms for timely implementation of the committee's workplan. The minister said a special meeting involving all the provinces should be held soon to assess the success of the fund's initiatives. He also asked the board's secretary to request the home department for data of women in prisons. Additional Secretary Ministry of Women Development and Social Welfare (MWD) Rukan Abdullah Gardezi informed the board that the MWD had planned to establish seven new crisis centres for women in distress. He said that the crisis centres would provide women with legal aid and medical assistance in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Mianwali and Kohat. Three such crisis centres were already operating in Islamabad, Sahiwal and Vehari, he said.
For the full story: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_13-8-2004_pg7_26
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0813_pk_Hiraj_womensministry.htm

China not planning to send women to space
China's space agency says it is not planning to send women into space in the near future, Xinhua reported Wednesday. However, Sun Laiyan, director of the China National Space Administration, reaffirmed his nation's intent to consider a plan to select woman candidates and train them for space missions. China has followed a policy of gender equality since New China was founded in 1949, said Sun.
For the full story: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-08/12/content_364724.htm
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0812_cn_women_outerspace.htm

Singapore lawyer wins seat on UN women's rights body
Veteran women's activist and family lawyer Anamah Tan has been elected to the United Nations expert body on women's rights issues. The 63-year-old is the first Singaporean to win a seat on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Cedaw). She will join 22 other men and women from around the world, all experts 'of high moral standing and competence in the fields covered by the Convention', next January.
For the full story: http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/topstories/story/0,4386,266531,00.html?
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0813_sg_lawyer-activist_CEDAW.htm

New Zealand: Law fails to protect women
Women's Refuges say protection orders are increasingly ineffective as breaches are not being taken seriously. Women's Refuge says the law is not protecting women from violence. A report released by the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges says protection orders are increasingly ineffective as breaches are not being taken seriously.
For the full story: http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.asp?id=42116&c=w
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0812_nz_protection_orders.htm

Philippines: Population management and women's rights
While there is an urgent need for government to address the growing population and its concomitant ills, women should not be taken to task or bear the burden of its population management program. The two proposed bills; the two-kids policy authored by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and the five-year moratorium on childbirth proposed by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, are viewed as anti-women and unrealistic by women's organizations and a violation of women's reproductive rights.
For the full story: http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/news/column.php?id=233
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0806_ph_populationmgt_womensrights.htm

Philippines: Women groups to join caravan vs war games
Progressive women organizations are set to join the caravan today to register their opposition to the on-going military exercises of Filipino and American soldiers. The caravan is set to pass through the urban centers of Davao del Sur and Cotabato and will culminate in a rally at the gate of Camp Lucero, Carmen, Cotabato, the venue of the military exercises.
For the full story: http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/news/story.php?id=1707
Or: http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0812_womenorgs_caravan_vs_war_games.htm

Female Olympians break more gender barriers
The summer Olympics opening tomorrow in Athens promise to make some notable contributions to women's sports history. While women's wrestling and women's saber fencing make their Olympic debut, a 47-year-old female tennis legend will become the oldest player--male or female--to compete for the U.S. Olympic team. Meanwhile, two Afghan women have broken down their country's Olympic gender barrier and will be part of Afghanistan's reentry into the games after an eight-year hiatus.
For the full story: http://www.womensenews.com/article.cfm/dyn/aid/1946
Or:
http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/archives/04_0812_female_Olympians_break_gender_barriers.htm

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Call for Submissions:
TEACHING ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS

Joyce Apsel (co-editor with Helen Fein of Teaching about Genocide, 3rd ed. 2003) is collecting syllabi (including writing and other assignments and short essays) for a new volume, Teaching about Human Rights to be published by the American Sociological Association. The goal is to include a broad a range of courses taught in different countries and from a variety of perspectives and to provide a needed resource with web-sites and bibliography sources for teachers who are designing courses on the subject.
The editor is looking for courses currently taught in a variety of disciplines
including sociology, history, literature, political science, critical studies, law,
public health, philosophy, drama, psychology, art, and other disciplines as well as from an interdisciplinary perspective for both undergraduate and graduate students.

The recent increase in courses on human rights and changes in the nature of courses taught range from comparative perspectives to focus on specific cases and from focus on human rights violations in specific areas to the challenges of humanitarianism. Courses in human rights are taught in a variety of area studies programs and in multidisciplinary programs such as gender studies, peace studies, legal studies and genocide studies.

The editor encourages submission of present and recent course syllabi and other materials from teachers in various countries and disciplines.

Please e-mail the course syllabi and other materials with your name, department or affiliation, e-mail and mailing address to: jaa5@nyu.edu

or mail one copy of the syllabus and other materials to:

Dr. Joyce Apsel
New York University
Master Teacher in Humanities
General Studies Program
726 Broadway, room 605a
New York, NY 10003

You will be notified if your syllabus is selected and asked for permission to publish it. Please address questions to: jaa5@nyu.edu.

Dear All,
Please let us inform you of an important work done by Global Nomads Group in the matter of Sudan Crisis: Live from Breijing Refugee Camp, Chad. Please visit Global Nomads Group's website at Global Nomads Group
From their newsletter: "Dear Friends of GNG, A week from now, Friday August 27th (11 am EST), students all over the United States and the world will be granted an unprecedented opportunity to gain insight into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world today. Broadcasting live from the extremely remote Breijing Refugee Camp in Chad (near the border of Sudan), the GNG team will invite Sudanese refugees to share their hardships directly with students, and aid workers to talk about the realities of running a refugee camp. To be a part of this one-time, exclusive broadcast, please fill out the following form (even if you've expressed your interest in the program, you still must fill out your full videoconferencing and billing details). Last day to sign up is Monday, August 23rd: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=66759487843 Cost: $150 per school Date: August 27th, 2004 Time: 11 am EST Note that fees will be waived for low-income schools (please send a request to info@gng.org asap) We hope you can make it! Best, David David Macquart Global Nomads Group"

Thank you for your interest in our upcoming broadcast from a Sudanese refugee
camp.

After a grueling trip through rough roads and flooded river beds, the Global
Nomads Group team has arrived at the Breijing Refugee Camp, located
along the Chad/Sudan border.

Conditions there are extremely harsh, with refugees braving 100-plus degree heat
and sudden, violent thunderstorms with little or nothing to protect them. The
camp is currently way over capacity and is having trouble keeping up with the
stream of new refugees that arrive daily.

Given the remoteness, very few people (and aid) have been able to access the
camp. On Friday, August 27th at 10 am (ET) - NOTE THE TIME CHANGE - you will have the opportunity to get
a firsthand account of the situation from aid workers and refugees.

THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE BROADCAST, SO DON’T MISS IT!

DETAILS

Date: Friday, August 27th at 10 am (ET) - NOTE THE TIME CHANGE

Fee: $150 per school (note that this charge includes bridging fees). We will,
however, waive fees for low-income schools (to have your application considered,
please send a detailed request to info@gng.org no later than Friday,
August 20th).

Interactivity levels: GNG will select interactive sites (3 schools) randomly.
All other participants will be view-only (one way video and audio). We cannot
guarantee your placement as an interactive site.

To confirm your spot, please fill out this online scheduling form by Monday,
August 23rd.

BEYOND VIOLENCE: Transforming Intractable Conflicts
An International Workshop Sponsored by
The Center for International Studies at Ohio University
and The United States Institute of Peace

September 17-18, 2004
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio

http://www.ohiou.edu/internationalstudies/events.htm

This workshop is focused on strategies for resolving seemingly intractable
conflicts. Three countries- Colombia, Indonesia, Sudan- have been selected
for careful examination by area specialists, with the intent that
lessons may be drawn for other sites of political violence worldwide. The
goal of the workshop is to understand what has made conflicts in these
settings intractable and to identify strategies for resolving
them. Invited speakers will address the historical and practical
issues involved in transforming conflict into peace in Colombia,
Indonesia and Sudan, and breakout sessions will be dedicated to issues such as
the role of media in framing conflict, military and paramilitary
involvement in conflict, and international and regional dimensions of the
conflict. The sessions of this workshop will provide an opportunity for cross-
regional comparison and interdisciplinary dialogue concerning national
political change in a tense world.
The workshop is open to anyone who studies, teaches, or is interested in
ending violence and creating opportunities for peace including:
teachers and researchers, graduate students, community activists,
representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Dr. Jacques Bertrand is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto. He received his Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University in 1995 and is the author of Nationalism and Ethnic Violence in Indonesia (2004, Cambridge University Press).

Dr. Marc Chernick is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of
Government and the Center for Latin American Studies at Georgetown
University. He is the Director of Georgetown?s United Nations project on
early warning and conflict prevention in Latin America. He holds a Ph.D. in
Political Science from Columbia University and has written widely on
drug-trafficking, political violence and negotiating settlement to armed
conflict in Colombia and in the Andean region. He is currently completing a
book on the Colombian peace process.

Mr. Khalid ElHaj is a long time teacher and educational administrator from
Rufa'a, Sudan. He has authored many of the books published by the
Republican Brotherhood, a progressive Islamic human rights organization
in Sudan. Mr. El Haj has a degree in history from the University of Khartoum.

Dr. Daniel García-Peña is a former High Commissioner of Peace (1995-1998),
Director of the non-government organization Planeta Paz (Peace Planet),
which is dedicated to strengthening grass roots support for the peace
process, and Professor of Political Science at the National University of
Colombia.

Dr. Jok Madut Jok is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at
Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and received his Ph.D. from
UCLA. He is author of War and Slavery in Sudan: The Ethnography of
Political Violence (2001, University of Pennsylvania Press).

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS:
The Center for International Studies, Ohio University
http://www.ohio.edu/internationalstudies
The United States Institute of Peace
http://www.usip.org

Registration Form and Accommodation information can be found at:
http://www.ohio.edu/internationalstudies/event.htm
PLEASE REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 3.
THERE IS NO REGISTRATION FEE

For more information, contact:
Karla Schneider
Assistant Director, Southeast Asian Studies Program
Center for International Studies
208 Yamada International House, Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1841, Fax: 740.593.1837
Email: schneidk@ohio.edu

Location: Ohio
Deadline: September 3, 2004

European Masters Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation

The European Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation is a multidisciplinary and intensive one-year academic programme that reflects the indivisible links between human rights, democracy, peace and development.

The aims of the E.MA Programme are:
• to form high-level professionals in the field of human rights and democratisation qualified to work as academics, staff members or field workers for inter-governmental, governmental, and non-governmental organisations
• to provide its graduates with practical work experience
• to create a European network of curriculum development and staff exchange among universities in the field of human rights and democratisation.

Graduation and Inauguration Ceremony
Palazzo Ducale, Venice
15 September 2002

Address by Ms. Daniela Napoli
Head of the Human Rights and Democratisation Unit
External Relations Directorate General, European Commission

Distinguished authorities,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Students of the E.MA,

On behalf of the European Commission, it is a great pleasure to be here on the fifth anniversary of the E.MA’s creation. I have followed the evolution of this unique Masters degree closely, and in the last five years I have watched it grow from a healthy infancy to its current strength and character. Every year the capacity, achievements and sense of purpose of the E.MA develop at a remarkable pace.

When the idea of the E.MA was first discussed, it required a leap of imagination to believe that all the elements would come together to make such a creature work. But not only was it successfully born, the E.MA has bounced precociously onto the world stage, making its distinctive voice heard in all corners of the human rights community.

The E.MA has grown strong not by accident, but through the careful support of its guardians and friends. The programme has benefited from many such supporters, all of whom regard it with real affection and recognise its special potential. Without question, the key elements in the success of this programme have been the vision and commitment of the actors involved, which has given the programme a capacity to evolve, constantly seeking to improve and make the most of its potential.

Among the key actors in this venture:
There are the academic institutions, in many ways the backbone of the E.MA. The hard work and generosity of the participating universities and professors have made this dream a reality. In sharing their expertise and breaking down academic barriers to learning, their contribution has been central to the achievements of the E.MA. In this respect, I would like to pay tribute to the responsible academics from each institution who have work so tirelessly to make the E.MA a success, in particular the Programme Director, Professor Papisca of the University of Padua.

When I was an undergraduate, one of my college professors once told me that university was a wonderful place, except for the students. Of course, this could not be further from the truth. Students are the vital lifeblood of a university, and certainly of this initiative. Since 1997, over 300 individuals with ‘E.MA’ after their names have proved that a university degree can be judged throughout the world by the quality of its graduates. Through their hard work and commitment both during the course and in the workplace afterwards, the graduates have been exceptional ambassadors for this Masters, truly the international voice of the E.MA. They are doing important work for human rights and democracy in every corner of the globe, in field offices and headquarters of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, in ministries of foreign affairs and as academics in universities. It gives me special pleasure to meet E.MA graduates fully engaged in work, for example at the United Nations in Geneva and New York: a living testament to the vitality of the programme.

The importance of the E.MA has been recognised by a wide range of institutions, whose support has been essential. The role of the Commune of Venice and the Region of Veneto cannot be underestimated; they have recognised the crucial importance of education, human rights and European cooperation, and given confidence and encouragement the programme. The disposition of the historic site which has become the home of the E.MA is an impressive example of such recognition. Similarly, the support and encouragement of the Italian government is deeply appreciated and increasingly important to the project.

Since its inception, the European Member States and institutions have been convinced of the E.MA’s potential to promote the core values of the Union.

It is the only project to have been mentioned in the conclusions of three European Councils, which made particular reference to the ‘added-value’ provided by the E.MA and the success of its graduates. Members State representatives also provide very welcome support by participating in the teaching programme.

The European Parliament, which is at the forefront of promoting human rights and democracy, has played a central role in ensuring the continuity of the E.MA. Its political support ensures that substantial assistance is provided under the part of the EU Budget reserved for politically important initiatives. Parliamentarians have also been generous in sharing their expertise with students.

International organisations and bodies, such as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNESCO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe have given the E.MA prestigious backing and have actively participated in the teaching programme and Advisory Board.

The combined commitment and enthusiasm of all these participants has created a unique spirit of confidence and determination in the E.MA, a sense that great things are possible with hard work and imagination. This spirit has found concrete expression in the way that the course has developed year after year, learning from its experience and pushing the barriers of the achievable ever further. This capacity to evolve represents the very essence of the E.MA, its character and personality.

The first major evolution facilitated the enlargement of participating universities from the founding ten to fifteen, one in every EU Member State, and the more recent expansion to a total of 27 EU universities. These moves were made possible by the openness and generosity of the founding members, who worked hard to establish the degree, and decided to extend membership to colleagues from other institutions, thereby enhancing the diversity and strength of the network. On every occasion that difficult decisions have been made in the E.MA, they have been rewarded by exceptional results.

The evolutionary momentum of the E.MA has now picked up pace with the intended establishment of an autonomous European Inter-University Centre, which will assume responsibility for the management of the E.MA programme and will develop new initiatives in the field of human rights and democracy. I believe that the Centre will help to ensure the continuing success of the E.MA and build on the achievements of its partners.

The E.MA has also shown its capacity to interact with a rapidly changing world, and shoulder its responsibility to promote the values which inform it. It has, in its short life, provided supranational inspiration for the creation of similar regional degrees in South East Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean and hopefully soon Asia and Latin America. In the aftermath of the terrible events of last September, the E.MA has also made its contribution to the important debate on the role of human rights post 9-11, organising a high-level conference on human rights, the fight against terrorism and intercultural dialogue.

It is indicative of the regard in which E.MA graduates hold their alma mater that another important evolution has been at the initiative of former students themselves, namely the creation of an official alumni association. The growing network of graduates represents a huge potential for the promotion of human rights and democracy, and a graduate organisation is very much to be welcomed. I invite my colleagues from the many organisations represented here today to ‘watch this space’ for future developments.

I offer my warm congratulations to the students graduating here today, setting out from the cloisters of the Lido to make their contribution to the fight for human rights and democracy throughout the world. And to the new generation of Masterini, starting classes this week, I hope that your association with the E.MA will be a long and fulfilling one, and that you will play a significant part in its continuing development.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate the appreciation of the European Commission for the achievements of the E.MA, truly one of our flagship projects. In only five years, it has made a significant contribution to making a world in which human rights and democratic values are increasingly meaningful and universal. Now, with its diverse partnerships and strong reputation, it is even more important that the E.MA continues with its pioneering, evolutionary approach. Imagine, with this spirit and character, what can be achieved in the next five years.

Thank you.

Dear All,
Please take a look at New Tactics in Human Rights: An Online Resource for Practitioners
New Tactics in Human Rights

The new edition of the New Tactics workbook, with more than 100
examples of innovative ways that people have addressed human
rights issues around the world, is now available to download or
print online. Print copies will be available in September.

2004-2005 Fellowships for Threatened Scholars
from CEEMAN-L List

The Institute of International Education's Scholar Rescue Fund provides fellowships for scholars whose lives and work are threatened in their home countries. These fellowships permit scholars to find temporary refuge at universities and colleges anywhere in the world, enabling them to pursue their academic work and to continue to share their knowledge with students, colleagues, and the community at large. When conditions improve, these scholars will return home to help rebuild universities and societies ravaged by fear, conflict and repression.

How the Scholar Rescue Fund Works:
* Academics, researchers and independent scholars from any country, field or discipline may qualify. Preference is given to scholars with a Ph.D. or other highest degree in their field; who have been employed in scholarly activities at a university, college or other institution of higher learning during the last four years (excluding displacement or prohibition); who demonstrate superior academic accomplishment or promise; and whose selection is likely to benefit the academic community in the home and/or host country or region. Applications from female scholars and under-represented groups are strongly encouraged.

* Universities, colleges and research centers in any country may apply to serve as hosts.

* Applications and nominations should be made to the Fund's Selection Committee. Institutions interested in hosting a particular scholar should submit a letter with the scholar's application. Fellowships are awarded to institutions for support of specific individuals, to be matched in most cases by the institution or third-party. Fellowship recipients are expected to continue their work in safety at the host institution-teaching, lecturing, conducting research, writing and publishing. Fellowships from 3 months to one calendar year will be considered with up to 25 fellowships awarded annually. The maximum award is US $20,000.

* Applications are accepted at any time. Emergency applications receive urgent consideration. Non-emergency applications will be consideredaccording to the following schedule:

Fall 2004: Applications received by September 1; decision by November 1.
Winter 2005: Applications received by January 1; decision by March 1.
Spring 2005: Applications received by April 1; decision by June 1.

How to apply:
Use this link to download the application:
http://www.iie.org/images/srf/2004_05_SRF_Deadlines_Application.pdf
(see especially page 4)

Location: Open
Deadline: Various
Website:
http://www.iie.org/images/srf/2004_05_SRF_Deadlines_Application.pdf

Dear All!

Sultan Somjee, Kenyan ethnographer honored by the UN for his efforts to preserve indigenous people’s peace traditions, says in response to the Iraqi Prisoner Abuse of 2004, “Humiliation does not have nationality, religion, color or gender. Humiliation of one human being humiliates humanity and our dignity of being.”
I would add, only if we avoid institutions, attitudes, and behavior with humiliating effects will we create a future for our world in the spirit of Kofi Annan’s promotion for the Olympic Games of 2004, namely “celebrate humanity.”
In this context, any occurences of humiliation are hurtful to all of us.
With sadness, as a physician and as human being,
Evelin

The Lancet
The legacy of Abu Ghraib This week's Health and Human Rights section examines how the US military medical system has failed to protect detainees' human rights in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay. An inquiry into medical personnel's complicity in human rights violations in places like Abu Ghraib could provide vital reform. The lead Editorial argues that the western world no longer takes human rights seriously.

Dear All!
Similar to the film The Remains of the Day (see my posting of July 30, 2004), the film Pleasantville highlights authenticity as compared to life dominated by rules and regulations. It reminds me a lot of Japan and its current struggle. In the film Pleasantville, the use of color signifies authenticity. It is a black-and-white film whenever rules dominate, however, as soon as authenticity emerges, people and things "acquire" color!
Most warmly!
Evelin

Please see a review on http://www.suntimes.com/cgi-bin/print.cgi.

Dear All!
Please see William A. Callahan's fascinating article

National Insecurities: Humiliation, Salvation, and Chinese Nationalism

on our Publications page.

Most warmly!
Evelin

Contingent States: Greater China and Transnational Relations
William A. Callahan

Studies the economic and ideological flow that permeates the borders of the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea.

In the 1990s, Greater China became the subject of debate as the site of either the danger of the “China threat” or the promise of Confucian capitalism. William A. Callahan argues that Greater China presents challenges not only to economic and political order but also to international relations theory. In fact, Greater China, though absent from geopolitical maps and international law, is very much present in economic and cultural exchange and exemplifies the contingent state of international politics.

Callahan deconstructs the mainstream geopolitical and political-economic understandings of Greater China, tracing its emergence through an ethnographic analysis of four political “problems” in East Asia: the South China Sea disputes, Sino-Korean relations, the return of Hong Kong, and cross-straits relations. Callahan shows how bureaucrats, outlaws, tycoons, academics, workers, politicians, and hooligans alike produce Greater China through networks of relations in local, national, regional, global, and transnational space. Finally, Contingent States reveals how each of the “problems” provoked theoretical innovations that depart from standard conceptions of sovereignty, democracy, and the nation-state.

William A. Callahan is senior lecturer of international politics and director of the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Durham, England, and the author of Imagining Democracy: Reading “The Events of May” in Thailand and Pollwatching, Elections, and Civil Society in Southeast Asia.

$22.95 Paper ISBN 0816644004
$68.95 Cloth ISBN 0816643997

312 pages | 3 maps | 5 7/8 x 9 | September 2004
Borderlines Series, volume 22

DIGNITY INTERNATIONAL: MONTHLY NEWSBULLETIN - August 2004

Dignity News
* Third Global Linking & Learning Programme on ESC Rights ­ Deadline
extended by 15 days
* Forum Barcelona 2004
* Visits to the Dignity Office

Other News
* Crisis in Darfur, Sudan including resources on applying a Human Rights
Based Approach in Emergency Situations
* Human Right to Food ­ Civil Society inputs in the Governmental
Negotiations
* US-Peru Trade Negotiations ­ respect human rights reminds Paul Hunt,
Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health
* Top economist, Jeffrey Sachs advises African countries not to pay their
debts
* New UN Human Rights Chief Louis Arbour at the African Union summit
* Access for All - 15th International AIDS Conference, Bangkok
* Israeli Security Wall ­ Illegal rules the International Court of Justice
* World Social Forum Updates

Publications
* Darfur Destroyed ­ A New Report by Human Rights Watch
* 2003 Annual Report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Announcements
* Thirst: a film on the right to water
* Freedom Summer Palestine 2004

Forthcoming Events ­ Highlights
* People’s caravan for Food Sovereignty

DIGNITY NEWS
*** Third Global Linking & Learning Programme on ESC Rights ­ Due to the
spread of SPAM, some of the e-mails sent to us were rejected by the virus
protection system. If you have sent in your application and you have
received an acknowledgement then do not worry. However if you have not
received an acknowledgement by e-mail, please resend your application by fax
to +351 21 08 78 400 or by e-mail to applications@dignityinternational.org
For this reason, the deadline for applications has been extended by 15 days
to 30 August 2004. Selection will take place in the first two weeks of
September and all applicants will be notified thereafter.

*** Forum Barcelona 2004 is a space where the citizens of the world gather,
engage in dialogue, and debate the most urgent issues of the 21st century.
The Dialogues (conferences, congresses, debates and seminars) are at the
core of Forum Barcelona 2004.
Dignity’s Simone Andrade participated in the Poverty, microcredits and
development seminar from
15-17 July. The seminar examined the resources and tools for eradicating
poverty: past and present. For further details of Forum Barcelona 2004, see
http://www.barcelona2004.org/eng/eventos/dialogos/ficha.cfm?IdEvento=165

For a summary of the meeting, see
http://www.barcelona2004.org/esp/eventos/dialogos/docs/conclusiones/c_pobrezaesp.pdf

*** Visits to Dignity International ­ Dignity International office received
numerous visits during the month of July. Hanne Lund Madsen, a human rights
consultant from Denmark and an expert on the Rights Based Approach visited
Dignity International. The discussions focussed in particular on the
Capacity Building Programme on ESC Rights of Dignity International as well
as the involvement of Dignity in a seminar on ESC Rights in Denmark.

Dignity team also received Maria Brederode Soares and Teresa Gaspar, from
the National Council of Education of Portugal. They were introduced to
Dignity’s work. Dignity team also learned of the work of the visitors on
promoting human rights education in the schools in Portugal.

Dignity’s Executive Director Aye Aye Win also met with Firoze Manji Director
of Fahamu, Learning for Change, an organisation based in Oxford UK,
promoting distance learning for organisations working for progressive social
change in Africa see http://www.fahamu.org

OTHER NEWS
*** Crisis in Darfur ­ One million people have left their homes in Darfur,
Western Sudan, fleeing fighting and danger. Camps have been set up for the
displaced people in Sudan and those who have fled to Chad.

* For the work of the United Nations in Sudan and the crisis in Sudan see
http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=88&Body=Sudan&Body1=

* For further details on the Field office of the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights in Sudan see
http://www.ohchr.org/english/countries/field/sudan.htm

* On 22 August 2000, the 23rd session of the Committee on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights examined the initial report of Sudan on how that country
is implementing the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights.
Committee experts asked a Government delegation about women's rights in
Sudan, including using flogging as a punishment, and female genital
mutilation. see
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/308717CB4399D009C125694400
2A53FB?opendocument

* Human Rights in Darfour ­ for very good background materials and analysis
of the human rights situation in Darfour region of Sudan see the Human
Rights Watch website http://www.hrw.org/doc?t=africa&c=darfur

* See also the Amnesty International report on Sudan Darfur: Rape as a
weapon of war: sexual violence and its consequences
http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engafr540762004

* Developing sustainable human rights communities Sudan ­ For further
details of the project started by People’s Movement for Human Rights
education with the Sudanese Organization for Human Rights
Education and Democracy, see http://www.pdhre.org/pdhre/projects/sudan.html

* For activities of the various development agencies in Sudan, check out:
Oxfam http://www.oxfam.org/eng/campaigns_emer_sudan.htm

* CARE ­ emergency aid and long term solutions for war torn Sudan see
http://www.careusa.org/newsroom/featurestories/2004/may/05072004_sudanfeatur
e.asp

* Applying the rights based approach in emergency situation:

* Forced Displacement and Human Rights,
Luis Morago Nicolas, October 2000. Action Aid briefing paper: the
International legal framework applicable to refugees and internally
displaced persons
http://www.actionaid.org.uk/wps/content/documents/emu_displace.pdf

* Learning about rights - Luis Morago Nicolas, December 2001 A set of
modules on rights and humanitarian standards in emergencies that are
conceived as a supporting tool for the design and implementation of learning
programmes. 1: Basic concepts: rights, law & society; 2: Values & principles
of humanitarianism & human rights; 3: Legal protection of human rights on
emergencies; 4: Women & human rights in emergencies; 5: Rights-based
emergency work: analysis & practice.
http://www.actionaid.org.uk/wps/content/documents/intro.pdf

*** Human Right to Food - More than 50 civil society organizations (CSOs)
participated in government negotiations on the human right to food, held at
the FAO, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization in early July.
The negotiations are aimed at producing practical guidelines for the
implementation of the right to food, as part of an international effort to
end hunger.

The FAO has reported that in a world that produces more than enough food to
feed itself, more than 840 million people suffer from hunger and
malnutrition. Members of the United Nations have committed themselves to
cutting that number by half by 2015. It is hoped that the "Voluntary
Guidelines on the Right to Food" become a practical tool for reaching that
goal. In a paper released to government delegates, the CSOs from Africa,
Asia, Latin America, North America and Europe expressed concern that the
current version of the guidelines text does not adequately reflect the need
to have national strategies to implement the right to food. Moreover, it is
critical that such strategies be based on a comprehensive analysis of the
causes of hunger.

The CSOs also urged government delegates to ensure that the international
dimensions of hunger and malnutrition are adequately reflected in the
document. They were united in pressing for firm adherence to existing human
rights standards rather than accepting language that has already been
debated and agreed upon within the UN human rights system.

Source: FIAN (http:/www.fian.org ) For more information, please contact
Michael Windfuhr, cell phone 0049-177-388-4385, windfuhr@fian.org.

For the regular daily updates produced by the NGO Caucus at the meeting,
contact Caroline Samdup at csamdup@ichrdd.ca

For the General comments 12 on the Right to Food, produced by the UN
Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights see
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/3d02758c707031d58025677f003b73b9?O
pendocument

*** US-Peru Trade Negotiations: Special Rapporteur on the Right to health
Reminds parties of Human Rights Obligations ­ Following his recent Mission
to Peru, Paul Hunt, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to
the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental
health, urged the United States and Peru to take the right to health into
account during their current trade negotiations. The US and Peru are holding
talks about establishing a bilateral trade agreement as part of wider
negotiations about a possible trade deal between the US and the Andean
region in South America.

Recognising the existent Peru’s “commitment to human rights, including the
right to health”, Paul Hunt stated “if the final agreement has the effect of
restricting access to essential drugs it will be inconsistent with Peru's
national and international human rights obligations”. The Special Rapporteur
expressed being “deeply concerned that the US-Peru trade agreement will
water-down internationally agreed health safeguards, leading to higher
prices for essential drugs that millions of Peruvians will find
unaffordable”. He added that the “trade agreement must not restrict Peru's
ability to use the public health safeguards enshrined in TRIPS and the Doha
Declaration” ­ it “must improve - not further impede - access to essential
medicines, especially for those living in poverty”.
Source UNHCHR ­ See
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/35C240E546171AC1C1256EC800
308A37?opendocument

*** Top economist, Jeffrey Sachs advises African countries not to pay their
debts - Jeffrey Sachs, special adviser to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan
on anti-poverty targets, declared that Africa's heavy debt burden was
untenable and urged the continent not to pay its debts if rich countries
refused to cancel them. The U.S. economist spoke at a conference in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, on hunger, on the eve of a summit of the heads of state of
the African Union. The estimated sub-Saharan Africa's foreign debt lays at
$201 billion.
"The time has come to end this charade. The debts are unaffordable," Sachs
said. "If they won't cancel the debts I would suggest obstruction. You do
it yourselves."
Source:
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1553531,00.html

*** New UN Human Rights Chief Louis Arbour Visits Africa ­ the new United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour participated in the
Third Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, from 5 to 7 July 2004.
Mrs. Arbour’s participation in the Summit represented her first official
mission as High Commissioner after taking up her duties at the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva on the 1 July. The trip
highlights the importance she and her Office attach to the promotion and
protection of human rights in Africa. See
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/NewsRoom?OpenFrameSet

*** Access for All - 15th International AIDS Conference took place in
Bangkok from 11-16 July - In 2003, more than 3 million people died of
HIV/AIDS and at least 5 million acquired the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV)— amounting to 40 million the number of people living with the virus
around the world.

For the final conference programme and the official daily summaries of the
conference proceedings, see http://www.aids2004.org/

The Secretary general of the United Nations said that "we need leaders
everywhere to demonstrate that speaking up about Aids is a point of pride,
not a source of shame. There must be no more sticking heads in the sand ...
no more hiding behind a veil of apathy", because "we are not doing nearly
well enough”. He added that "AIDS is far more than a health crisis. It is a
threat to development itself."
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Aids_Focus/0,,2-7-59_1555998,00.html

For good daily press coverage by the Inter Press Service see the conference
daily newspaper Terra Viva at
http://www.ipsnews.co.th/terraviva.asp

* Thai NGO Coalition on HIV/AIDS - Thai NGO Coalition on AIDS (TNCA)
TNCA, a network of 168 Thai NGOs, aims to improve the quality of life of
people living with HIV and AIDS (PHA) in Thailand, and to prevent further
infections. With four regional branches, TNCA works to support and develop
the NGO response to HIV/AIDS throughout the whole country. Working closely
with PHAs, TNCA advocates strongly for better health care and human rights,
and coordinates with public sector efforts on prevention and treatment and
care issues.
http://www.ias.se/bangkok/subpage.aspx?pageId=162

*** Dignity’s Board Member Acharn Bantorn Ondam spoke at the International
Forum on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, an international forum organized by the
Thai Working Group on Human Rights and HIV/AIDS. He emphasized the
importance of applying human rights in work related to HIV/AIDs. For
further information, on the International Forum on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights
please contact Boonthan Verawongse at Dignity International ­ Asia e-mail
dignity@inet.co.th

Media Training manual on Gender HIV/AIDS and Rights - The manual was
developed by an experts group and tested in two IPS journalists training
workshops in South Africa and Jamaica. The manual has three modules: A
Gender Analysis Framework for the Media; Gender and HIV/AIDS - The Missing
Story; and Improved Knowledge and Skills. Hands on exercises and examples
from the media offer a practical feel to the content of the modules. See
http://www.ipsnews.co.th/trainningmanual.asp

The XVI International Aids Conference will be held in Toronto, Canada from
13 ­ 19 August 2006. For the official conference site and preparations,
please see http://www.aids2006.org/

*** Israeli Security Wall ­ Illegal - the International Court of Justice in
the Hague ruled that the "security wall" Israel is building in the West Bank
is illegal. The Court further said that “Israel is under an obligation to
terminate its breaches of international law; it is under an obligation to
cease forthwith the works of construction of the wall”.

The legal arguments for the ruling are complex. The judges also based their
decisions on the obligations arising from the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Being that “Israel is bound by the provisions of the International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”, “it is under an obligation not to
raise any obstacle to the exercise of such rights in those fields where
competence has been transferred to Palestinian authorities”.

Moreover, the International Court of Justice pointed some of the wall
constituted violations of international law under the ICESCR. More
specifically these refer to the right to work (Articles 6 and 7); protection
and assistance accorded to the family and to children and young persons
(Article 10); the right to an adequate standard of living, including
adequate food, clothing and housing, and the right “to be free from hunger”
(Art. 11); the right to health (Art. 12); the right to education (Arts. 13
and 14).

For further information on the International Court of Justice see,
http://www.icj-cij.org/ ICJ Advisory Opinion at:
http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/idocket/imwp/imwpframe.htm

*** World Social Forum Updates ­
* Amercas Social Forum - The first edition of the Americas Social Forum was
held from July 25 to 30, 2004, in Quito, Ecuador. Articles and analyses from
the event are available at the FSA official website:
www.forosocialamericas.org.

* European Social Forum registration - Registration to participate to the
third edition of the European Social Forum is now open. The event will be
held from October 14 to 17, 2004, in London (United Kingdom). The form is
available on the website www.fse-esf.org. The theme of the Forum is “Another
Europe in Another World”. The programme is constituted by six main axles:

- War and peace
- Democracy and fundamental rights
- Social justice and solidarity: against privatisation (deregulation), for
workers, social and women’s rights
- Corporate globalisation and global justice
- Against racism, discrimination and the far right: for equality and
diversity
- Environmental crisis and sustainable society

For the complete list of plenaries that will discuss on the ESF central
issues see
http://www.fse-esf.org/en/esf.shtml?conds[0][category.......1]=Programme&als
[SSECTION]=Programme

PUBLICATIONS
*** Darfour Destroyed ­ A report by Human Rights watch
http://hrw.org/reports/2004/sudan0504/

*** 2003 Annual Report of the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights is now available. http://www.unhchr.ch/pdf/annualrep03.pdf

ANNOUNCEMENTS
*** THIRST: a new documentary film about the impacts of water privatisation.
It is the first film to focus on what is becoming one of the 21st century's
major sources of conflict: water. Who has the right to water? Is it one of
the commonly shared goods - a human right for all people? Or is it a
commodity to be bought, sold, and traded in the global marketplace, like all
commodities? "Thirst,” tells the stories of communities in Bolivia, India,
and the United States that are asking these fundamental questions.

The filmmakers have travelled all around the world, talking to people
affected by privatised water systems. The film features labour and community
activists struggling to assert that water is a public trust and a public
responsibility.
Source: www.globalexchange.org
Check: http://www.thirstthemovie.org/

*** Freedom Summer Palestine 2004: a 56-day campaign (one day for every year
of displacement and dispossession) against occupation; 56 days of
non-violent, direct actions by Palestinians and Internationals to promote
freedom and justice for Palestine.

The aim is to draw the attention of the world to the nature of the situation
on the ground in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially to clarify
that the Palestinian struggle is a matter of struggling for dignity, human
rights and freedom. (www.choike.org)
http://www.palsolidarity.org/traveltopalestine/freedomsummer2004.php

FORTHCOMING EVENTS ­ HIGHLIGHTS
*** The People’s Caravan for Food Sovereignty is a grassroots-led mass
mobilisation that will pass by 13 Asian countries, from 1 to 30 of September
following 4 different routes, all starting in Malaysia and ending in Nepal.
It aims to raise awareness and mobilise various sectors of society on the
issue of the human right to food - although this is a fundamental right
enshrined in many conventions and agreements, the reality in many Asian
countries shows a different story. Massive hunger and poverty, landlessness
peasants, unsafe food and water, and many other social problems continue to
plague the region.

Under the main theme Assert Our Rights to Land and Food, seminars, meetings,
rallies, cultural activities, etc., will be held under the three sub-themes:
WTO out of Food and Agriculture; Eliminate Pesticides and Genetic
Engineering (GE); Resist Agrochemical TransNational Cooperations TNCs.
See: http://www.panap.net/caravan/index-en.cfm

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
For the updated Calendar of Activities for 2004, please see:
July ­ September
http://www.dignityinternational.org/2004monthly_planner3.html

October ­ December
http://www.dignityinternational.org/2004monthly_planner4.html

THIS NEWSBULLETIN CAN BE ACCESSED DIRECTLY FROM THE WEB AT
http://dignity.3pontos.net/doc/news_2004august.doc
or selected items can be seen at the Dignity International website at
http://www.dignityinternational.org/News_August2004.html

Dear All!
In the past days I followed the media coverage of the soccer game between China and Japan on August 7, 2004.
The Chinese fans who were interviewed clearly identified with the national humiliation that China experienced at the hands of Japan one generation ago. A young Chinese said that he wanted China to get strong so that it could "not to be humiliated again."
Most warmly!
Evelin

Chinese Riot After Japan Victory
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3541380.stm

Dear Evelin,
I saw a film by Emir Kusturica, Time of the Gypsies that I think covers
nicely the cycle of humiliation. The way you explained it, that it might
create depression, extreme admiration, or violent reaction. It shows the
life of the Gypsies living in the former Yugoslavia and how a Gypsy boy
drawn into the beggar business which is truly functions as a horrible
system. He is deported from East to West, abused, exploited, transformed
and confused. It is an amazing movie with beautiful pictures and music.

Judit

Dear All!
I thank Barnett Pearce for reminding me of the relevance of research on shame versus guilt cultures for Japan.
See some of the references I found further down.
Most warmly!
Evelin

References:
Benedict, Ruth (1946). The Chrysanthemum and the Sword. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Christopher, Robert C. (1983). The Japanese Mind: The Goliath Explained. Tokyo: Charles E Tuttle.

I found the following URL helpful:
Atherton James S. (2003) Doceo: Shame-Culture and Guilt-Culture [On-line] UK: Retrieved on August 4, 2004, from http://www.doceo.co.uk/background/shame_guilt.htm.

Dear All!
As you know, I currently try to understand Japanese culture. I was reminded in discussions that I should specify that: I am interested to understand human beings and the spectrum of cultural expressions they can shape. For me Japanese history and culture is human history and culture, and therefore also my history and culture. I do not want to study "them," "the Japanese," but "us," "the human beings" who occupy planet Earth.
Please see a conversation I had first in person, later via email, with a very knowledgeable and sensitive Japanese friend, who does not want to be named.
Most warmly!
Evelin

Conversation:

Evelin: It was so interesting to listen to your description and explanation of Japanese corporate culture. You remember, I asked you how it is possible that on one side there is a culture in Japan of adaptation and not being different, and on the other side you find people who are as different from the mainstream as Yukio Mishima was [famous writer who committed ritual suicide]. As far as I recall, you said that those who belong to a group must avoid sticking out; Mishima, however, belonged to another group. Do I recall this correctly?

Japanese friend: Yes. I said that. It is jealousy. Japanese business persons, expecially men, envy those who have special talent. They get together and attack the "strange" guy. But when they find that this guy is too strong and he is too different from them, they stop attacking the man. They actually tell themselves, "This guy is very special. He is not one of us, so we do not have to be jealous about him."

E: What about respect? Is a person who is different, respected? Or despised?

JF: The "different" individual would be "despised, that is, the weak "the others" are actually in fear of this different and strong individual and pretend that they are not afraid of him. Pretending they are not afraid, they would say the "strange" guy cannot do things properly. But actually those "ordinary others" are afraid of him, saying they despise this strange guy.

E: Would YOU dare to be different?

JF: Yes. I tend to enjoy being different from the others. But still, I have a record of behaving as a decent Japanese business man who can do things properly, that is, try to do same things as others do.

E: What is this jealousy? I try to understand this better. Is jealousy a feeling that the person who is different is perceived as actually looking down upon those who are not different?

JF: It is probable. Deep down in the heart, or deep psychologically, those "ordinary majority" feel they are inferior to this "strange" guy. And that might be the reason why those majority attack this strange different guy, saying he cannot do things properly or he is doing strange things and annoying all the others.

Wiley Psychology Bulletin
Publishing this month:

Emotions at Work: Theory, Research and Applications for Management
Edited by Roy Payne and Cary Cooper
This up-to-date reference provides the latest thinking and research on the broad range of emotional experience in work environments. It pays particular attention to the causes of emotional change, the consequences of emotional experience for individuals and their organizations, and the implications for effective strategies for managing individuals (including oneself) and organizations.
"...strong theory, quality research and good practice. As an in-depth introduction to emotions at work, this book will prove useful for students, researchers, consultants and managers." Stress & Health

The Adoption Reunion Handbook
Elizabeth Trinder, Julia Feast and David Howe
‘The first handbook I’ve ever read that I couldn’t put down. Essential and illuminating reading for anyone involved in adoption reunion’
Kate Hilpern, Journalist Specialising in Adoption
Many adopted people today try to find information about their origins and search for birth family members.
Based on a large-scale research study, The Adoption Reunion Handbook is essential reading for everyone involved in adoption, particularly those considering searching for information on their birth relatives. It will also be of use to birth parents, adoptive parents, adoption charities, social workers psychologists and counsellors.

Becoming a Parent
Jackie Ganley
An emotional survival guide to pregnancy and childbirth
Like all volumes in the Family Matters series, this authoritative new book provides expert advice to ordinary people struggling with everyday challenges - in this case, the emotional trials of new mothers. Enduring the stresses of pregnancy and giving birth are only half of what it takes to become a parent. The other half involves adjusting emotionally to the reality of a newborn. With tips on getting outside help and "discussion points" for self-therapy, Becoming a Parent offers real-life solutions, based on actual cases, to every difficulty new parents might expect.

Also available in the Family Matters Series
Toddler Troubles
Coping With Depression in Young People
Parent Power
The Father’s Book
Postnatal Depression
Having It All?
Living Happily Ever After
Sex & Your Teenager

Conferences
In August Wiley will be attending the 28th International Congress of Psychology in Beijing from the 8th-13th August.
At the beginning of July Wiley attended the European Association of Psychology and Law Conference in Krakow. The Wiley prize for best paper by a newcomer was won by Dr Veronika Anna Polisenska from the Institute of Psychology of the Academy of Sciences, Veveri, Czech Republic, for her paper on 'Burglars: their territory and strategy'. Dr Polisenska has won £100 worth of Wiley books.

A Growing Muslim Identity: Increasingly, Arabs define themselves in terms of Islam
Op-Ed by Professor Shibley Telhami, Los Angeles Times, Sunday, July 11, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — One of the most stunning moments after the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime was the rush of tens of thousands of celebrating Iraqi Shiites into the streets in response to the call of their most revered leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. It was a stark demonstration of Shiite power, one that may have unnerved those Americans who believe in the possibility of a secular, democratic Iraq. The moment was also a harbinger of a larger trend across the Middle East, one that poses difficult, long-term challenges for U.S. foreign policy: More and more Arabs identify themselves as Muslims first.

This trend is evident in a survey I conducted last month in six Arab countries — Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. It is related to another, more enduring phenomenon: the Arab public's perception of their mostly authoritarian governments. Respondents to my survey believe that the war in Iraq has made the region even less democratic. A possible — and remarkable — consequence of this perception is that most Arabs polled said that they wanted the clergy to play a bigger role in politics.

How can this be?

Historically, Arabs have had three political options: Islam, pan-Arabism or nationalism linked to individual states. Hussein's appeal in the Arab world, such as it was, principally flowed from his embrace of secular Arab nationalism. After the death of Egypt's pan-Arab leader, Gamal Abdel Nasser, in 1970, secular Arab nationalism never regained the influence it had in the 1950s and 1960s. But it still had adherents and government advocates, most notably the Baathists in Syria and Iraq, and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. But the demise of the Baathists in Iraq, the weakening of Syria's hand and the paralysis of the Palestinian government and its leader, Yasser Arafat, have further eroded the movement's appeal. One consequence has been evident in Iraq. Once the Baath institutions collapsed, the primary organizations capable of mobilizing large crowds were religious.

Still, the trends are not all heading in one direction. There is much to suggest that secular Arab nationalism remains a significant political force. For example, few in the Arab world admire religious figures as leaders. In my survey, I asked respondents to name the world leaders they most admired. The most frequently mentioned were Nasser and French President Jacques Chirac, despite the fact that he has banned the veil in French schools. In Jordan, the deposed Hussein topped the list with 20%. The most popular leaders identified with an Islamic agenda were Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah militia, and Osama bin Laden. The common image running through these choices is that of a leader defying the United States. Not surprisingly, President Bush was the second most disliked leader, after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Furthermore, the preeminence of Islamic identity in the region varies from country to country. In Egypt and Lebanon, most respondents identify themselves as Egyptians and Lebanese more so than Arab or Muslim. But in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, majorities or pluralities cited their Islamic identity above all others.

These results suggest that the desire for a greater role for clerics in regional politics is driven by two factors: the absence of alternative means to organize opposition to Arab governments, and the belief that clerics would be less susceptible to corruption in a region where rulers' corruption is a major issue. Whatever the reasons for many Arabs looking to Muslim clerics to lead them, it's clear that this sentiment will enhance the influence of religious authority in the region, despite a widespread public recognition that the model of rule by clergy in Iran has been mostly a failure.

Arabs' increasing embrace of Islam as the primary source of their identity did not begin with the Iraq war or even after Sept. 11. The phenomenon has intermittently occurred over the last several decades. But its accelerated growth today is in part the result of the collapse of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in 2000, the subsequent rise of the latest Palestinian intifada and the Israeli response to it. Not only did the breakdown of talks weaken the PLO and empower its Islamist opponents, especially Hamas, but the conflict with Israel also began to be seen increasingly in religious, rather than nationalist, terms. Both the Israelis' and Palestinians' focus on the status of Jerusalem in the negotiations, coupled with the need to broaden support for the Palestinian cause among Arabs and Muslims, helped turn the issue into an Islamic one as well. Today, Palestine is far more important in non-Arab states such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey than it was only a few years ago.

The Iraq war and the way the war on terrorism have been perceived in much of the Islamic world have further intensified identification with being a Muslim. Increasingly, Muslims view the war on terrorism as a war on Islam. Conversely, many Americans now regard Islam as the source of the terrorist problem. These trends have provided Islamic groups with increasing grass-roots potential limited only by the operating space allowed them by insecure authoritarian governments.

The increasing tendency to frame issues in religious terms does not augur well for U.S. relations in the region. The hope for a resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, one rooted in the idea of two states living side by side in peace, is a nationalist one. If the conflict becomes religious, it's difficult to envision a peaceful solution.

Some conflict of interest is inevitable in U.S. relations with Arab and Muslim countries. Traditionally, however, they have found ways to accommodate their interests. But it is harder to envision any accommodation when the stakes are religious. Nothing should be of higher foreign-policy priority for the U.S. than to avoid such an outcome.

Shibley Telhami is Anwar Sadat professor for peace and development at the University of Maryland and senior fellow at the Saban Center at the Brookings Institution.

The highlight of this newsletter is the award of the prestigious Caine Prize for African Literature. The winner was Zimbabwean Brian Chikwava. He laments laws in his homeland which restrict even the clothes he wears and is glad he no longer has to depend on his expertise as a quantity surveyor to pay the rent. Read an interview with him at:
http://www.africanreviewofbooks.com/Newsitems/040722chikwavaint.html

The winning story, 'Seventh Street Alchemy' was published in Writing Still, an anthology of Zimbabwean stories. You can read a review here and buy the book: http://www.africanreviewofbooks.com/Reviews/writingstill.html

Other reviews just published include:
The Cry of Winnie Mandela by Njabulo Ndebele. More at:
http://www.africanreviewofbooks.com/Reviews/ndebele.html

Islands by Dan Sleigh. More at:
http://www.africanreviewofbooks.com/Reviews/sleigh.html

Obsolescent Capitalism by Samir Amin. More at:
http://www.africanreviewofbooks.com/Reviews/amin.html

Ama: A story of the Atlantic slave yrade by Manu Herbstein. More at:
http://www.africanreviewofbooks.com/Reviews/herbstein.html

Also in the news is the success of Zimbabwe International Book Fair in attracting a record number of participants ahead of its opening at the end of July. More at:
http://www.africanreviewofbooks.com/Newsitems/040716zibf.html

A new prize has been launched in South Africa by European Union member countries. More at:
http://www.africanreviewofbooks.com/Newsitems/040716euaward.html

New titles available on the ARoB Bookshop include:
Burning Hunger: One family's struggle against apartheid by Lynda Schuster
Guns and Guerilla Girls: Women in the Zimbabwean national liberation struggle by Tanya Lyons
Nigerian Cities - edited by Toyin Falola and Steven J. Salm
The Marvels of the African World - edited by Niyi Afolabi
See these and many more at:
http://www.ekmpowershop.com/ekmps/shops/africanreview/index.asp?function=DISPLAYCAT&catid=2

The African Review of Books is a labour of love and depends on your buying books through our shop. We hope you choose us to go shopping when you need more than a review to read. Spend more than £30 and the postage is free, no matter where in the world you live. You can pay online or over the phone with a credit card and if there is any book you want that we do not feature send us an email (mail@africanreviewofbooks.com) and we will get it for you.

Thanks for your support

Raks and Richard

"Human Security and National Security":
International Symposium on Human Security, 2004, in Kyoto
Date: 14:30-17:30, Wednesday, July 7, 2004. (Doors open at 14:00)
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/human_secu/sympo0406.html
Venue: The Kyoto International Conference Hall (Takaragaike, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto)
Sponsor: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Yomiuri Shimbun, Osaka

As globalization accelerates in the 21st century, increasing threats, such as the internationalization of internal conflicts, infectious diseases and disparities in world wealth, are not being sufficiently addressed through the traditional framework of state security. A response to this trend is the introduction of "Human Security," conceptualized by the Commission on Human Security in its final report, "Human Security Now."

In May 2003, "Human Security Now" was submitted to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan by Commission on Human Security co-chairs Sadako Ogata, former United Nations high commissioner for refugees, and Professor Amartya Sen, Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge University.

This report emphasizes the importance of Human Security in assisting nation-building through enhancing communities and protecting and empowering individuals. The Japanese Government is steadily promoting Human Security as a pillar of its diplomacy.

The symposium will include:
a) Opening remarks
b) A panel discussion (panelists subject to change):
-Sadako Ogata, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and former U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
-Shinichi Kitaoka, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
-Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo: Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations
-Nafis Sadik: Former Executive Director of the U.N. Population Fund
-Clemente Baena Soares: Former Secretary-General of the Organization of American States
-(Moderator) Kaoru Ishikawa: director-general of Multilateral Cooperation Department of the Foreign Ministry

The Evolution of International Human Rights: Visions Seen. By Paul Gordon Lauren
"An indispensable reference source for scholars and students of human rights." Political Science Quarterly
This widely acclaimed and highly regarded book, embraced by students, scholars, policy makers, and activists, now appears in a new edition. Using the theme of visions seen by those who dreamed of what might be, Lauren explores the dramatic transformation of a world patterned by centuries of traditional structures of authority, gender abuse, racial prejudice, class divisions and slavery, colonial empires, and claims of national sovereignty into a global community that now boldly proclaims that the way governments treat their own people is a matter of international concern and sets the goal of human rights for all peoples and all nations.
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Universal Jurisdiction: National Courts and the Prosecution of Serious Crimes Under International Law. Edited by Stephen Macedo
Universal jurisdiction stands for the principle that atrocities such as genocide, torture, and war crimes are so heinous and so universally abhorred that any state is entitled to prosecute these crimes in its national courts regardless where they were committed or the nationality of the perpetrators or the victims. Universal Jurisdiction brings together leading scholars to discuss the origins, evolution, and implications of this legal weapon against impunity. They examine the questions that cloud its future, and its role in specific cases involving Adolf Eichmann, Pinochet, Habré, and former Rwandan government officials, among others, in order to determine the proper place of universal jurisdiction in the emerging regime of international legal accountability.
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A Force Profonde: The Power, Politics, and Promise of Human Rights. Edited by Edward A. Kolodziej
Presenting detailed portraits and penetrating analyses, the contributors of A Force Profonde: The Power, Politics, and Promise of Human Rights confront the enduring questions of how to define shared goals and fashion workable strategies to bridge cultural differences and surmount the many formidable and varying regional obstacles to the advancement of human rights.
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Shattered Voices: Language, Violence, and the Work of Truth Commissions. By Teresa Godwin Phelps
When grievous harm happens, a rebalancing is bound to occur, whether it is orderly and lawful or disorderly and unlawful. Shattered Voices contends that language is requisite to any adequate balancing, and that a solution is viable only if it provides an atmosphere in which storytelling and subsequent dialogue can flourish. In the developing culture of ubiquitous truth reports, Phelps argues that we must become attentive to the form these reports take--to the narrative structure, the use of victims' stories, and the way in which a political message is conveyed to the citizens of the emerging democracy.
By looking concretely at the work and responsibilities of truth commissions, Shattered Voices offers an important and thoughtful analysis of the efficacy of the ways human rights abuses are addressed.
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Human Rights, the Rule of Law, and Development in Africa. Edited by Paul Tiyambe Zeleza and Philip J. McConnaughay
Africa's leading scholars, jurists, and human rights activists, contributors to the volume diverge from Western theories of African democratization by rejecting the continental view of an Africa blighted by failure, disease, and economic malaise. Combining academic analysis with social concern, intellectual discourse with civic engagement, and scholarly research with institution building, Human Rights, the Rule of Law, and Development in Africa makes a significant contribution to the debate about the connections between the protection of human rights and the pursuit of economic development in Africa.
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Pennsylvania Studies in Human Rights (PSHR)
The issue of human rights has in our time come to dominate headlines and profoundly affect relations among nations and peoples. Drawing from the work of top authorities from the fields of international law, political science, international relations, and advocacy studies, volumes in the series shed light on a complex array of human rights topics, from genocide to reproductive freedom, from education to statistical measurement, in regions from China to Guatemala.

Series Editor: Bert B. Lockwood, Jr. Professor and Director, Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights, University of Cincinnati College of Law

University of Pennsylvania Press
4200 Pine Street
Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19104

Dear All!
The high occurance of suicide in Japan seems, at least partly, to be linked to the particular status of suicide in Japanese culture. Not least, the ritual suicide commited by the famous Japanese writer Yukio Mishima in 1970, illustrates the aesthetics of blood and martyrdom in the name of Japanese greatness (see interview with Akihiro Miwa in an earlier posting).
In Himeji-Castle, for example, a place that is dedicated to ritual suicide is to be found within the castle walls, with a well to wash the bodies of the beheaded.
Evelin

From http://www.fastload.org/se/Seppuku.html:
Hara-kiri (also called seppuku) is a ritual and honorable suicide with Japanese origins. Traditionally, it is done in a spiritually clean temple by cutting open one's abdomen with a wakizashi, thereby releasing the soul. The traditional form is one deep cut down and one across. A slightly less honorable version (and much less painful) is that at the same time, a friend (called kaizoe[?] or kaizoe-nin[?]) severs the head for an instant death.
Hara-kiri was traditionally used as the ultimate protest when one's own morals stood in the way of executing an order from the master. It was also permissible as a form of repentance when one had committed an unforgivable sin, either by accident or on purpose.
In Japanese, hara kiri (腹切り) is a slang term -- literally, "belly slashing". The formal term for honorable suicide, which should be used unless one is deliberately trying to be insulting, is seppuku (disembowelment) (切腹).

From http://victorian.fortunecity.com/duchamp/410/seppuku.html:
Seppuku, (Sape-puu-kuu) the Japanese formal language term for ritual suicide (Hara-kiri (Har-rah-kee-ree) is the common language term.), was an intregal aspect of feudal Japan (1192-1868). It developed as an intregal part of the code of bushido and the discipline of the samurai warrior class.
Hara-kiri, which literally means "stomach cutting" is a particularly painful method of self-destruction, and prior to the emergence of the samurai as a professional warrior class, was totally foreign to the Japanese.
The early history of Japan reveals quite clearly that the Japanese were far more interested in living the good life than in dying a painful death. It was not until well after the introduction of Buddhism, with its theme of the transitory nature of life and the glory of death, that such a development became possible.
To the samurai, seppuku--whether ordered as punishment or chosen in preference to a dishonorable death at the hands of an enemy--was unquestionable demonstration of their honor, courage, loyalty, and moral character.
When samurai were on the battlefield, they often carried out acts of hara-kiri rapidly and with very little formal preparation. But on the other occasions, particularly when it was ordered by a feudal lord, or the shogun (as was directed of Lord Asano in the Tale of the 47 Ronin. ) , seppuku or hara-kiri was a very formal ceremony, requiring certain etiquette, witnesses and considerable preparation.
Not all Japanese samurai or lords believed in, even though many of them followed the custom. The great Ieyasu Tokugawa, who founded Japan's last great Shogunate dynasty in 1603, eventually issued an edict forbidding hara-kiri to both secondary and primary retainers.
The custom was so deeply entrenched, however, that it continued, and in 1663, at the urging of Lord Nobutsuna Matsudaira of Izu, the shogunate government issued another, stronger edict, prohibiting ritual suicide. This was followed up by very stern punishment for any lord who allowed any of his followers to commit harakiri or seppuku. Still the practice continued throughout the long Tokugawa reign, but it declined considerably as time went by.
Honor for the samurai was dearer than life and in many cases, self destruction was regarded not simply as right, but as the only right course. Disgrace and defeat were atoned by committing hara-kiri or seppuku. Upon the death of a daimyo loyal followers might show their grief and affection for their master by it. Other reasons a samurai committed seppuku were: to show contempt for an enemy; to protest against injustice, as a means to get their lord to reconsider an unwise or unworthy action and as a means to save others.
The ritual for disenbowlment was to be performed calmly and without flinching. If condemned to death, it was held to be a privilege to execute the sentence on one's own body rather than to be a disgrace and die at the hands of the public headsman.
The location of an officially ordered seppuku ceremony was very important. Often the ritual was performed at temple
(but not Shinto shrines), in the garden or villas, and inside homes. The size of the area available was also important, as it was prescribed precisely for samurai of high rank.
All the matters relating to the act was carefully prescribed and carried out in the most meticulous manner. The most conspicuous participant, other than the victim, was the kaishaku (kie-shah-kuu), or assistant, who was responsible for cutting off the victim's head after he had sliced his abdomen open. The was generally a close friend or associate of the condemned.
Although suicide is deplored in Japan today, it does not have the sinful overtones that are common in the west. People still kill themselves for failed businesses, involvement in love triangles, or even failing school examinations, death is still consider by many as better than dishonor.

From http://www.oren.jp/japan_12.htm:
Seppuku means the ritual form of suicide that used to be practiced by members of the samurai class to show they accepted responsibility for their actions. It has its beginnings in the Heian Period, about one thousand years ago. In present-day Japan, of course, seppuku is not practiced either as a form of suicide or as a punishment.
In Japan, a man who is respected as being a person of high moral character is said to "have stomach", meaning that he is a man of definite principles.
In feudal times warriors used to respect the abdomen because it was considered to be the receptacle of the spirit, so when they assumed responsibility as warriors for some action or course of conduct and had to die, they would cut open their abdomen.
In the Edo era seppuku became the mode of capital punishment for members of the samurai class. To allow the warrior to die by his own hand showed respect for his character and honor. To avoid mishaps occurring during the act of seppuku and to cut short needless suffering, another person would be standing by to cut off the head of the person as soon as he had cut open his abdomen.

Dear All!
I find it interesting to see under which circumstances people are said to become "ghosts" in Japan.
For example, in the castle of Himeji, Okiku's Well is known for its famous ghost story called "Banshu Sara-Yashiki." Okiku was once a servant at Himeji Castle. She found out that one of the retainers planned to kill the lord of the castle. She foiled this murder attempt and saved the lord. In revenge, the retainer stole one of the lord's ten treasure dishes. Okiku was tortured to death for the missing dish, and the retainer threw her body into the well. It is said that her voice is still to be heard at night, mournfully counting the remaining crockery.
In other words, Okiku was loyal to her lord, saved him from being murdered, and when the foiled murderer took revenge on her, the lord, instead of rewarding her for her loyalty and saving her in exchange, let her be tortured to death: this represents a profound betrayal of loyalty, and utter humiliation. This, clearly, is regarded, by Japanese folktales, as a reason for not finding peace after death.
Warmly!
Evelin