e-CIVICUS - Connecting civil society worldwide - Number 151

e-CIVICUS - Connecting civil society worldwide - Number 151
27 February, 2002
CONTENTS:
SECTION 1. FROM THE DESK OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
("Democracy in the Neighbourhoods" - Innovations in Argentina)

SECTION 2. CITIZEN ACTION AROUND THE WORLD
('SDI-Building Partnerships for Agenda 21 Implementation';
'Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research TFF')

SECTION 3. JOBS/ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
(Postings from 'CIVICUS' and 'WiredWoods'; featuring
'www.devnetjobs.org')

SECTION 4. SCHOLARSHIPS/ AWARDS
(Announcements from 'Mediterranean Development Forum';
'Appreciative Inquiry Consulting LLC'; 'Canadian Council for
International Cooperation'; 'Independent Publisher Book Awards
2002')

SECTION 5. CONFERENCES/ MEETINGS/ EXHIBITIONS
('European Foundation Centre's (EFC) 13th Annual General Assembly
and Conference')

SECTION 6. TRAINING COURSES/ ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES
('International Training Course on Communication for Rights-Based
Programming')

SECTION 7. PUBLICATIONS/ CALLS FOR PAPERS
('Report from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative';
'IDS Working Papers 142 January 2002';
'Article based on Voices of the Poor project of WHO/World Bank';
'Launch of "Scaling Up the Response to Infections Diseases..." by
WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the World Bank, UNESCO and UNFPA';
Featuring monthly newsletter, "Transcaucuses: A Chronology";)

SECTION 8. INTERNET NEWS/ FEATURED WEBSITES
('Daily Headlines e-mail service' from www.oneworld.net/us;
'Newsletter of United Nations University' http://update.unu.edu/;
www.eurasianet.org - covering Central Asia, the Caucasus,
Afghanistan, the Middle East and Mongolia.)

SECTION 9. CIVICUS CIVIL SOCIETY WATCH No.3 - a special
supplemental digest
("Financing Afghanistan's Reconstruction: At Whose Expense?")

SECTION 10. HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US
(Contacting the e-CIVICUS team)

*****************************************************************
SECTION 1. FROM THE DESK OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Democracy in the Neighbourhoods

In December 2001, we witnessed live television coverage of
Argentinians taking to the streets in protest of their
government's inability to prevent the crash-landing of their
economy. Tens of thousands of protestors across the country came
out banging pots and pans as a way of symbolically making their
voices heard, and rousing the government to the catastrophe at
hand. There was shortage of cash, food supplies and morale, but
no shortage of government changes. The country went through
several new governments and Presidents within a span of a few
weeks. This was enough to prove to Argentinians that the problem
would not go away with a mere change of government. The crisis
ran much deeper, and could be traced to a decade of misguided
economic policies, some of it under the direction of the IMF.

Recently, several independent news media reports indicate that
the public continues to be on a state of high alert, and has
begun closely monitoring the activities of the new government,
especially its negotiations with the IMF. The energy and momentum
of the street protests are now spilling over into creative
expressions of participatory democracy at the grassroots level.
The most recent issue of the weekly newsletter ATTAC (No 116, Feb
20, 02) carries a refreshing news feature written by Marcela
Valente for IPS. In this report titled "Argentinia's Rebellion in
the Neighbourhoods", Valente describes the neighbourhood
assemblies that are springing up everywhere in Argentinia's
cities, particularly in the capital and surrounding areas.

These assemblies seem to be attracting young and older persons,
experienced organisers as well as those with no prior political
or organising experience (or inclination!). Poder Cuidadano
(Citizen Power), a prominent local NGO, is lending organisational
and logistical support to these assemblies. It appears that these
assemblies are committed to maintaining flat, non-hierarchical
structures, while at the same time following established
procedures for drafting agendas and calling for meetings.

The purpose of these assemblies is to "remain alert to the
government's measures, channel their (citizens') needs for
participation and expression, and try to put some new faces in
the political arena, even if the new politicians lack
experience." While the participants are clear in their
disillusionment with politicians, they have not given up
altogether on the exercise of politics. In a sense, they are
reclaiming their rights as citizens to participate in the
political decisions affecting their everyday lives and their
collective futures. The assemblies, therefore, are designed to
give a "voice and vote" to every citizen.

This is not naïve optimism, or a misplaced desire for overnight
revolutionary change. To the contrary, people seem to be
painfully aware of the complex political and economic processes,
both foreign and domestic, which have led up to this point. They
are also aware that changes will be slow, incremental and long-
drawn out. Yet, they are investing time and energy into
developing these forums, which meet on a weekly basis, discuss
specific agenda items affecting the neighbourhood and the
country, and vote on future courses of action.

This faith in the long-term benefits of participatory democracy,
and the willingness to persevere over an indefinite period of
time, without the incentive of immediate results, is truly
inspiring. Apparently, the significance of these forums is not
lost on the media, at least the independent print and broadcast
media, which is committed to going beyond the sensationalism and
despondency of national crises. Argentinian neighbourhood
assemblies are relying on community radio to get their message
across, and international news services such as IPS continue to
cover such citizen initiatives. CIVICUS supports these
initiatives, and has always maintained that citizen action and
empowerment does not stop with casting a vote every four or five
years. Citizen action implies a keen interest and alertness to
the political, social and economic processes around us, and the
willingness to express our doubts and anxieties when necessary.

Marcela Valente's article and ATTAC No 116 is accessible at
http://attac.org/attacinfoen/attacnews116.zip (rich text format),
or http://attac.org/attacinfoen/attacnews116.pdf (pdf format)
Warm regards,
Kumi Naidoo

*****************************************************************
SECTION 2. CITIZEN ACTION AROUND THE WORLD

SDI - BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR AGENDA 21 IMPLEMENTATION.
Sustainable Development International is a bi-annual journal and
web site www.sustdev.org that publishes papers and articles on
issues pertaining to sustainable development and the
implementation of Agenda 21. SDI publishes papers from
governments, inter-governmental organisations, NGO's, industry
and businesses in the field of sustainable development. SDI would
like to generate a discussion forum in the run up to the WSSD.
Every fortnight we will ask a question and we would like to hear
back from you with your views and ideas. These will help generate
a report on the findings, which will appear on the web.
Question: WHAT ARE YOU DOING, AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR AS PART OF AN
ORGANISATION/BUSINESS TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 21 IN
THE RUN UP TO THE WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?
Website: http://www.sustdev.org http://www.sustdev.org/cgi-
bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi
Please write Anna Pink at [email protected]. If you have a
particular question that you would like us to ask our subscribers
then please also send it in.

After receiving overwhelming response to PressInfo 143
(www.transnational.org/pressinf/2002/pf143_BushWarAddress.html)
the TRANSNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PEACE AND FUTURE RESEARCH (TFF)
invites you to send them your ideas and concrete proposals for
alternative, sustainable peace policies for the US and the world.
See how and distribute this message to as many as you can. See
here what the dialogue is about and how to participate:
www.transnational.org/pressinf/2002/pf144_DialogueAmericans.html
and then submit your ideas and proposals by emailing:
[email protected].
TFF asks that you include your name and country for TFF only.Your
views will be published anonymously unless you explicitly tell us
you want it to be public. We will then select messages to inspire
our 500-1000 daily visitors. And perhaps, one day, we will see
better policies? Without people's voice, we won't.

*****************************************************************
SECTION 3. JOBS/ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

ORGANISTATION/INSTITUTION: CIVICUS
POSITION: Assistant Director, Development & Public Affairs/
Head of office
DESCRIPTION: Will be responsible for maintaining an effective
presence for CIVICUS with multi-lateral and international
organisations headquartered in the United States (such as the
United Nations, the World Bank, the IMF, major transnational
NGOs) and with North American donors, private and public.
Specifically, the incumbent will assist the Secretary General and
the Director, Development & Public Affairs, develop a
representational strategy with these organisations and will staff
its implementation with the objective of strengthening and
extending the strong historic base of such relations.

The successful candidate will have: Very strong record in
representing civil society organisations to above-mentioned
institutions; successful fundraising skills; solid management and
programme oversight experience; sound understanding of the
international civil society community and its issues; excellent
oral and written communication skills, especially in English;
excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to work
effectively in a team; ability to develop, plan, and implement a
strategy; high energy levels; capacity to operate well under
pressure and against deadlines.

Application Deadline: 8 March 2002

The post will be based in Washington, D.C. CIVICUS is an equal
opportunity employer offering competitive remuneration packages.
Please send cover letter, resume, salary expectations, and three
reference letters to CIVICUS by email: [email protected] or by
fax: 202-331-8774, or by post:
919 18th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20006.

ORGANISATION/INSTITUTION: Wired Woods
POSITION: Multiple Summer 2002 Positions
DESCRIPTION: WiredWoods is a non-profit start-up dedicated to
getting at-risk middle school children excited about technology
as a path to a better future. WiredWoods teaches them how to work
in teams to build web sites as part of a traditional, overnight
summer camp. By marrying the power of computers with the joy of
camp, we seek to make a lasting impact on these children.
Searching for qualified applicants for the following positions:
1)Program Coordinator, 2)Program Specialist, 3)Counselor. These
will be demanding and rewarding full time jobs from mid-June
until the end of August including camp orientation and WiredWoods
training. Salary, completion bonus, meals and rustic group
housing at camp will be provided. For complete position details
and qualifications, please visit www.wiredwoods.org
CONTACT: Lars Hasselblad Torres, Teaching Coo,֦
E­