e-CIVICUS Connecting civil society worldwide - Number 133

A. FROM THE DESK OF THE CIVICUS SECRETARY GENERAL

TRAGEDY IN THE UNITED STATES POSES ENORMOUS CHALLENGE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY
WORLDWIDE

It is with great shock and sadness that people around the world witnessed
the tragic events in the United States of America this week. On behalf of
the CIVICUS Board, its members and staff, we extend our deepest condolences
to all those who have lost loved ones and to the millions of people around
the world who have been affected by these heinous acts.

During this time of collective grief, CIVICUS wishes to honour those
citizens and civil society organizations whose acts of kindness, heroism,
and volunteerism have saved lives from the wreckage, while reminding us of
our common humanity. In particular, we wish to acknowledge:

- Volunteer and professional rescue workers who are still working to find
survivors;
- Religious organizations and other secular non-profit organizations who
have helped people to mourn and support their neighbours;
- Women and men who have donated blood;
- Women and men preparing food and providing other forms of support for
relief workers;
- Volunteer and professional emergency medical personnel;
- Messages of support and solidarity from individuals and organizations all
over the world;
- School children sending cards and teddy bears to school children in New
York as well as to victims in hospitals;
- Those contributing money to families of victims;
- Peace activists organizing vigils and teach-ins denouncing all violence
- All individuals who are finding their own ways and gestures to express
support and grief

We join civil society organizations around the globe in strongly
condemning all forms of violence and terrorism. As Amnesty International
stated : "The violent attacks in the USA represent the gravest violation of
most basic of human rights. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.
But in seeking justice for victims of this terrible crime, the world must
exercise the highest respect for the rights of all individuals.
International solidarity with the victims is not about seeking revenge but
about co-operating within the rule of law to bring those responsible to
justice. Scapegoating individuals or communities will achieve nothing."

In the aftermath of this tragedy, we wish to denounce guilt by association
that targets Arabs, Arab-Americans and our Muslim friends and neighbours.
This is the time to come together as a global, human community determined
to end the cycle of violence. In the coming days, civil society
organizations must send out a powerful message to governments that violence
is not the answer to violence. The time has come to reflect on what is
happening in the world that leads to such a hideous event; civic
organizations can and should play a leading role in fostering such
reflection, and promoting the appropriate kinds of education and cultures
of dialogue and conflict resolution.

Christian Aid, a UK-based development organisation, and others have urged
the United States and its allies to carefully assess the potential impact
any proposed military action might have on the poor, the innocent and the
voiceless. In view of speculation of an imminent attack on Afghanistan,
foreign aid workers there who are being evacuated have pointed out that the
vast majority of Afghan citizens do not support the atrocities carried out
this week, they are in fact unaware of what has happened since most do not
have access to media.

We urge political leaders to act with calm and restraint to ensure that
any actions taken respect human rights, international treaties and the rule
of law. We cannot permit this tragedy to translate into war on whatever scale.

In solidarity,

Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General

www.amnesty.org
www.christian-aid.org.uk
www.oneworld.org

B. GENERAL NEWS ABOUT CIVIL SOCIETY AND CITIZEN ACTION

SEPTEMBER 11TH FUND - SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

In the wake of the tragic events of Tuesday, many of you may be considering
making special grants, establishing designated funds or guiding your donors
who want to contribute to relief efforts in New York, Washington or other
affected communities.

The Council on Foundations and United Way of America have worked with the
New York Community Trust and the United Way of New York City to coordinate
that process. The New York Community Trust and United Way of New York City
have set up a single, common relief fund-The September 11th Fund-to
mobilize financial resources to respond to the pressing needs of the
victims and their families and all those affected by the tragedy in any
community within the United States. We are using Council resources to
extend outreach to the many people worldwide who are looking for a way to
participate in an accountable and effective manner.

The September 11th Fund was created to receive tax-deductible donations
from any location. The New York Community Trust and the United Way of New
York City will administer the funds and will form a distribution committee
to ensure that resources are deployed effectively in New York and other
cities affected by these terrible events. Donors may specify the community
where they would like their contributions to be used.

The fund will provide immediate support to established emergency assistance
agencies, such as the American Red Cross. It will also bring together the
resources of other nonprofit health and human service agencies.

Anyone wishing to contribute to The September 11th Fund may send donations
in care of United Way of New York City, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.
Contributions also are being accepted on United Way of New York City's Web
site at www.uwnyc.org

TWO-YEAR PROJECT FINDS CITIZEN PARTICPATION AN INCREASING STABILITY FACTOR
AND ENHANCEMENT TOOL TO DEMOCRATIC THINKING IN ROMANIA

For almost two years a USAID funded project in Romania, implemented by the
Research Triangle Institute, on citizen participation revealed some
experiences and local practices that can make an external auditor believe
that Romania is on the right way to democracy.

The project aimed at introducing citizen participation techniques
especially in raising the attention of local governments to be more open to
its citizens. The programme was conducted through training sessions,
workshops where issues of budget transparency, citizen involvement in
preparing and carrying out local governments' action plans were raised.

A result of the project was the publication of 'A Practical Guide to
Citizen Participation in Local Government in Romania', a state-of-the-art
guide with a strong emphasis on practical advice and featuring extensive
illustrations from US and Romanian local governments. The guide concludes
with chapters on CP in budgeting, financial management and local economic
development. The last three chapters also form the basis for separate
"component mini-manuals," already available in Romanian. The manual is
available on the Internet: www.lga.ro .

The project found that some local governments are receptive to change and
are ready to adopt new tools for closer communication with citizens, such
as: citizen advisory groups, public information campaigns, and ways of
assessing public opinion through surveys, focus groups, etc.

Some rural communities have a history of citizen participation and
voluntary community organization that were crushed under the heavily
centralized former regime. Reviving such institutions can be the first
step to more vital local government. Example: cooperative management of
common pastures.

A Citizen Participation program in a limited geographic area that
deliberately set out to unite the two communities around a common
participatory goal would well serve the objective of increasing stability
and enhancing the growth of democratic ways of thinking in western Romania.
Such a program could be organized within a single county or group of
communes. Perhaps the most promising theme might be an environmental
project, which would draw on both communities' strong sense of place.

For further information:
CONTACT: Daniel Serban, Citizen Participation Program Manager, Research
Triangle Institute, Romania
E-MAIL: [email protected]
INTERNET: www.lga.ro

INTERNATIONAL CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE IN KOREA PUSHES THE KOREAN
RECONCILIATION AND REUNIFICATION PROCESS FROM BELOW
[Focus on Security">

On 13-14 August, 2001 participants from Korea, the Asia-Pacific, Europe and
North America attended an historic gathering at Yonsei University in Seoul,
Korea: The International Conference on Korean Reconciliation and
Reunification for Global Peace. This was a landmark effort to globalize the
struggle to overcome the division of Korea by bringing together the energy
of Korean and international civil society movements and organizations.

Just a little over a year ago, on June 15, 2000, the historic summit held
by the leaders of the two Koreas captured the imagination of the world,
offering the hope of dismantling the structures of military confrontation
and hostility on the Korean peninsula and of overcoming Korea's division.
At the time of the gathering, though, this historic process of
reconciliation and reunification was in grave danger. The Bush
administrations' cool attitude towards the reconciliation process, combined
with its shift in global military policy towards the Asia-Pacific region
has emerged as key obstacles towards moving torwards Korean reconciliation
and reunification. The meeting in Seoul, by brining together
representatives from Korean and international civil society and follow-up
efforts, holds out the promise of giving the reconciliation and
reunification process a much needed push from below.

Leading scholars, activists, elected representatives and diplomats came
together to engage in a broad dialogue about the progress towards
reconciliation and reunification, the obstacles to be overcome, the hopes
of moving forward and the need for international solidarity to support
these efforts. The two-day conference ended with the adoption of a
declaration by the participants and the related formation of a Global Forum
for Korean Reconciliation and Reunification: Working for Korean Unity and
Global Peace.

The conference could mark a significant leap forward in the "globalization
of movements for overcoming Korea's division system," to borrow from the
title of a paper delivered at the conference. The Global Forum for Korean
Reconciliation and Reunification plans to build on efforts such as these,
supporting transnational movements working for Korean reconciliation and
reunification as part of the larger struggle for global peace and justice
in the Asia-Pacific region and throughout the globe.

C. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS, FAIRS, EXHIBITIONS
(Conferences marked with an asterisk (*) are appearing in this newsletter
for the first time)

GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY YEARBOOK 2001 LAUNCH IN NEW YORK (*)

The Global Civil Society Yearbook will be launched on September 17th at a
champagne reception and buffet lunch. The book is published by Oxford
University Press. The book launch and press conference are co-sponsored by
the United Nations and the London School of Economics Foundation and
Centennial Fund. The launch will be held from 12-2:00 p.m. in the UN
Private Dining Room 6. A press conference will immediately follow.

Global Civil Society 2001 is the first edition of an annual series
thatwilldiscuss and clarify the concept of a 'global civil society',
attempt to map and measure it, and examine each year how it is
evolving. The Yearbook gives a voice to civil society in the
process of globalisation, helping to humanise and democratise this
process. It serves as a tool for participants in global civil society by
shedding light on their strengths and weakenesses, and an aid in
agenda-setting.

If you would like to attend
CONTACT: Patty O'Grady at the
TEL.: (1-212) 851-2994
E-MAIL: p.o'[email protected]

INTERNATIONAL VENTURE PHILANTHROPY FORUM :
Exploring New Capital Models for the Nonprofit Sector

The Nonprofit Enterprise and Self-Sustainability Team (NESsT) invites you
to join over 150 corporate and foundation leaders, fund managers, venture
capitalists, private investors and policymakers in this first international
gathering designed to provide greater international attention and
definition to the field of venture philanthropy. Participants from around
the world will critically evaluate the experience of venture philanthropy
investors, and will consider strategies for fostering venture philanthropy
in the emerging economies of Central Europe and Latin America.

This important event is less than a month away! Visit the new Forum link
on the NESsT website for updated agenda, speakers, etc.

DATE: 1-3 October, 2001
VENUE: Budapest, HUNGARY
CONTACT: Forum Co-ordinator, NESsT
TEL.: (56-2) 222-5190
FAX: (56-2) 634-2599
E-MAIL: [email protected]
INTERNET: www.nesst.org

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON VOLUNTEERING

the International Conference on Volunteering will be held in November this
jear in this year in Beijing. The conference is jointly sponsored by the
China National Committee for IYV 2001, UNDP/UNV, etc. in conjunction with
the International Year of Volunteers (IYV2001).

The Chinese Government actively responded to the initiative of the UN by
establishing the China National Committee for IYV 2001 in early March 2001.
The International Conference on Volunteering is one of the major events
organized by the Committee during IYV 2001.The theme of the Conference is
Volunteering towards A Caring Society: Recognition, Facilitation and
Development. For more information about the Conference visit www.civa.org.cn .

The Beijing International Volunteers Association is appointed as the
Secretariat of the Organizing Committee of the International Conference on
Volunteering and invites organizations to participate in the Conference and
the Exhibition.

THEME: Volunteering Towards a Caring Society: Recognition, Facilitation and
Development
DATE: 7-9 November, 2001
VENUE: Beijing, CHINA
CONTACT: Wang Xin, Program Officer, Beijing International Volunteers
Association (BIVA), China International Center for Economic and Technical
Exchanges (CICETE)
TEL.: 10-62016342
FAX: 10-62380927
E-MAIL: [email protected], [email protected]
INTERNET: www.civa.org.cn, www.chinaiva.org

DIGITAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE COMMUNITY MULTIMEDIA
CENTRES (*)

The regional seminar will be held by UNESCO in Bucharest, Romania on 12-16
November 2001. International development partners are invited to the
November 16 session on project co-operation. For further information, see
www.unesco.org/webworld/bucharest.html .

This meeting comes within the framework of UNESCO's international
initiative for Community Multimedia Centres (CMCs), which aims to promote
community empowerment and to address the digital divide by combining
community broadcasting with Internet and related technologies. The
Bucharest meeting follows a successful seminar on the same theme in
Kothmale (Sri Lanka), 22-27 January, 2001. See:
www.unesco.org/webworld/public_domain/kothmale.shtml .

UNESCO will invite 30 project managers from radio stations, community
telecentres and networked associations throughout Eastern Europe to explore
the potential of convergence between these two types of facilities in a
four-day workshop (12-15 November). Professionals active in the field are
welcome to participate in the workshop as observers, at their own expense.

The workshop will be followed by a roundtable on 16 November attended by
international development partners to discuss project support. This is
expected to provide the impetus for a new international co-operative
initiative to empower and network communities in the region, particularly
disadvantaged or marginalised communities, by reinforcing existing
facilities, creating and networking CMCs.

Development partners are invited to attend all or part of the workshop
preceding the roundtable.

For further information visit www.unesco.org/webworld/bucharest.html or

CONTACT: Stella Hughes or Rosa Gonzalez
E-MAIL: [email protected] or [email protected]

D. TRAINING COURSES

BUSINESS PLANNING AND FINANCIAL MODELING FOR MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS
10-14 December 2001, Washington DC

This five-day course introduces participants to a systematic business
planning framework and a sophisticated financial projections model
(Microfin) currently used by hundreds of MFIs around the world. The
workshop is lead by Chuck Waterfield and Tony Sheldon, the authors of the
tools, and provides extensive hands-on computer work.

For further information:
CONTACT: Chuck Waterfield
TEL.: (1-717) 295-9292
E-MAIL: [email protected]
INTERNET: www.microfin.com

E. NEW PUBLICATIONS

ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE: A GLOBAL ACTION AND REFLECTION GUIDE
By David Cohen, Rosa de la Vega, and Gabrielle Watson

Available September 2001, 368 pages, ISBN 1-56549-131-9, US$ 49.95 spiral bound

* The essential guide for advocacy practitioners, trainers, activists and
researchers.
* The first comprehensive worldwide guide to advocacy skills and
organizations.

Drawing on Oxfam America's and the Advocacy Institute's experience as
progressive social change organizations, Advocacy for Social Justice offers
a framework for understanding advocacy in today's globalizing world.

Above all, Advocacy for Social Justice celebrates the innovative and
inspirational advocacy efforts that are already creating change in so many
countries, in both the North and the South.

Intended for the advocacy practitioner and trainer alike, Advocacy for
Social Justice explores the elements of advocacy and offers a toolkit for
taking action, comprehensive case studies, and hundreds of resource
listings for hungry activists around the world.

About the authors

- David Cohen is a co-founder and co-Director of the Advocacy Institute, who
has spent his adult life working as an advocate, organizer, lobbyist and
strategist on major social justice and political reform issues in the USA.

- Rosa de la Vega worked as Coordinator of Capacity Building Programs at
the Advocacy Institute for five years. She is now Program Coordinator with
YouthBuild in New Mexico.

- Gabrielle Watson works at the Centro de Derechos Economicos y Sociales,
Quito, Ecuador. Previously, she worked as a researcher in the Policy
Department at Oxfam America, and worked for five years researching and
writing about social movements and community participation in urban services
throughout Latin America.

To order this book please visit the Kumarian website at www.kpbooks.com or:

CONTACT: Guy Bentham, Editor and Associate Publisher, Kumarian Press Inc.
TEL.: (1-860) 243-2098
FAX: (1-860) 243-2867
E-MAIL: [email protected]
INTERNET: www.kpbooks.com

ENDEARING MYTHS, ENDURING MYTHS, ENDURING TRUTHS: ENABLING PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN BUSINESS, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR

Business Partners for Development has published a new report entitled
'Endearing Myths, Enduring Truths: Enabling Partnerships Between Business,
Civil
Society and the Public Sector. The report provides an insight into the emerging
lessons from BPD's four Clusters. It can be viewed on line at
www.bpdweb.org/krg
where you can also register to get on BPD's general mailing list.

F. INTERNET NEWS AND WEBSITES

CONECCS DATABASE

The database for Consultation, the European Commission and Civil Society
(CONECCS) is part of the Commission's commitment to provide better
information about its consultation processes. Here you can find information
about the Commission's formal or structured civil society consultation
bodies and search a directory of pan-European civil society organisations
representing a wide range of interests in Europe.
INTERNET: europa.eu.int/comm/civil_society/coneccs/index_en.htm

VOICES OF THE POOR AND SOCIAL CAPITAL WEBSITES IN SPANISH

The PovertyNet team is striving to offer more materials in languages other
than English and has just launched two new websites in Spanish:
Voices of the Poor, at www.worldbank.org/poverty/spanish/voices/index.htm
and Social Capital, at www.worldbank.org/poverty/spanish/scapital/index.htm

G. SCHOLARLY SUPPORT AND AWARDS

The College Board of Trustees has recently established a special
International Department Scholarship Fund (IDSF) through which we can grant
scholarships to qualified participants from African Countries. At the same
time, and in order to broader our scope of activities, they opened 2 new
departments, one for French speaking countries and the second for
Portuguese countries in Africa.

The College cooperates in a number of higher education networks in Europe
and the Mediterranean area, mainly through the Med Campus and
other Programmes (initiated and co-sponsored by the EU). A number of our
partners are Dutch universities and management schools. Please visit their
web site which lists the networks in which the College participates. The
College is also a member of the European Association of International
Education (EAIE) and the European Health Management Association (EHMA).

For further information:
CONTACT: Dr. Joseph Shevel, President, Galillee College, Tivon, Israel
E-MAIL:
[email protected]
INTERNET: www.galilcol.ac.il

H. FROM THE READER

Dear CIVICUS World Assembly Organisers,

I feel that I benefited most from the CIVICUS 4th World Assembly in the
areas of networking and cross-border cooperation. I hope to work with Mihai
lisetchi from AID-ONG Romania on future projects. I attended the youth
workshop on the final day of the World Assembly and made good contacts and
exchanges.

The European regional meeting was also useful and enabled me to meet for
the first time or renew contacts with members in my region. This will
enable future cooperation.

I want to sincerely thank the Participation Fund for the scholarship which
afforded me this valuable experience. I would not have been able to make
such a long trip without it and I promise to make the best use possible of
everything that I have gained by my presence at the Vancouver World Assembly.

Sincerely,

Alicja Derkowska, Educational Society for Malopolska, Poland

I. ABOUT CIVICUS

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international
alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society
throughout the world.

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TEL.: (36-1) 356-8440 FAX: (36-1) 356-8499
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INTERNET: www.civicus.org