International Summer School - Fourth Edition

POMEZIA (ROME), 11 - 17 July 2011

Amnesty International - Italy

CIRPS, and Consortium of Pomezia are pleased to present the 2011

International Summer School:

Understanding the way to human dignity

The fourth edition of the Summer School is a 7-day residential intensive course from 11 to 17 July 2011 which takes place at the University Centre of Pomezia, Selva dei Pini College (Rome).

It is open to 30 university graduates (both first cycle and second cycle degree), who aspire to work in the field of human rights and international cooperation.

Course Aims The aim of the course is to provide participants with a better understanding of the interlinked dimensions of exclusion, deprivation, insecurity and voicelessness as well as an increased awareness that human rights violations drive and deepen poverty impeding human dignity. More broadly, the programme is intended to equip and empower participants to take action and call for human rights solution to poverty. Specifically, participants will be given the opportunity:

1.to become familiar with the human rights and humanitarian laws as well as with NGOs' research and communication activities focused on human rights and development related issues;

2.to focus and deepen knowledge on housing rights as a key factor to human dignity;

3.to deal with the basic principles, relevant provisions and overall objectives related to business and human rights;

4.to learn about the objectives and methodologies of human rights education, development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects.

Course fee and application procedure The fee for the Summer School is € 500,00.

Fee includes tuition, written materials and full-board accommodation in Selva dei Pini College. Travel is not included.

3 scholarships including travel expenses (up to € 500,00) and full-board accommodation are awarded to applicants from developing countries.

Applicants should submit through the following link: www.amnesty.it/application-iss

by filling the on-line application form and supplying the supporting materials listed.

Deadline for applications is 15 may 2011. The course is an intensive programme of university-level study and potential applicants should therefore be confident that they are academically and linguistically prepared for such a programme.

Particularly, proficiency in both oral and written English is required.

Programme: The course provides an interactive approach with a theoretical structure. Lessons are supported by debates, simulations, workshops, case-studies and working groups. Ideas and answers are given through debates and introducing theories, approaches and concrete experiences realized through cooperation projects and case-studies and/or testimonials.

Film screenings and informal activities are scheduled to take place in the evening. Participants take part in "night talks" on specific issues discussed during the day.

Classes are supported by multimedia and audio-visual material. The whole course is carried out in a highly professional atmosphere, with international experts in development, cooperation, business ethics and sustainability and professors from Sapienza University, Rome, Amnesty International and European institutions.

The programme focuses on the following topics:

•Human Rights and Humanitarian laws and the Enforcement Machinery

•Housing Rights

•Business and Human Rights" and Sustainability Reporting

•Media and Human Rights

•Humanitarian aid and International development cooperation

•Education for Human Dignity

For more detailed information, please contact: Ms. Chiara Pacifici or Ms. Marta Genualdo Email: iss@amnesty.it Tel. +39 06 4490236 Skype: International.summer.school .

http://www.amnesty.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/4713

Grants for Democracy and Human Rights Projects

Grants for Democracy and Human Rights Projects
from the May 18 Memorial Foundation

The May 18 Memorial Foundation in South Korea is providing funding support to organizations around the world promoting democracy and human rights and building international solidarity under its

“Grant for Democracy and Human Rights Projects in Overseas 2011.”

The Foundation also has a call for nominations for the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2011

There are two main categories of grants under this program:

(1) Project support offered on issues concerning civil movements, democracy education , human rights advocacy and for working in conflict zone for a period of 1-2 years. The grants under this category can be offered up to 3,000,000 won (US $2400) per year.

(2) The organization support is available for a networks, grassroots organization or research institute for a period of 2 years. The grants available under this category are approximately 300,000 won (US $240) per month.

Organizations working for more than three years can apply for this funding opportunity. Funding is offered to NGOs based in a developing country only.

Selected organizations besides receiving funding will also get the opportunity to participate in a variety of the May 18 Memorial Foundation’s international solidarity programs such as the Gwangju Asian Forum, Gwangju Human Rights Folk and the International Internship Program.

The deadline to submit applications is 13 February 2011

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For more info see;

http://eng.518.org/eng/html/main.html?act=dtl&TM18MF=05010000&idx=587&page=1

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Those interested... feel free to apply..

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International Leadership Forum Announcement - Call for Applications, University of Connecticut

Those interested,... pls proceed to the link..
nidzam..

The UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights at the University of Connecticut invites applications for the sixth annual International Leadership Programme: A Global Intergenerational Forum, to be held August 6-14, 2010 in Storrs, Connecticut.

Applications must be received by February 26, 2010.

The Forum seeks to empower young leaders by involving them in finding solutions to emerging human rights problems, and nurturing individuals to be effective leaders in the field of human rights. To this end, the Forum will:

•Introduce participants to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Build a network of solidarity among human rights leaders
• Expand the knowledge relevant to human rights practice
• Provide tools and a platform for open debates
• Provide programmes, activities and processes necessary for human rights leadership
• Promote the sharing of experiences and understanding
• Showcase speakers on such topics as: health and human rights, education, the environment, the plight of child soldiers, the use of media, fundraising, conflict resolution and transformation; litigation and advocacy

The UNESCO Chair will provide all conference participants with dormitory housing, meals, ground transportation in Connecticut, resource materials and a certificate of participation.

Young people between the ages of 18-30, with community service experience, and with demonstrated ability to work on solutions to human rights problems, should apply. Relevant issues include, but are not limited to, human trafficking, the plight of children, refugees, hunger, HIV/AIDs, gender discrimination, racism, classism, the environment and peace education.

Conference will be held in English only. Fluency in English is required. Applicants will be selected based on the strength of their application essay, demonstrated commitment to human rights (practical/hands-on experience), potential impact on the individual and their potential contribution to the Forum, regional and gender representation.

Programme details and application material can be accessed by linking to http://www.unescochair.uconn.edu/

Nana Amos
Program Manager
University of Connecticut
UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights
UConn-ANC Partnership
233 Glenbrook Road, Unit 4124
Storrs, CT 06269-4124
860.486.3054 Phone
860.486.2545 Fax

http://www.unescochair.uconn.edu/

Democratic rights still far off

http://www.thenutgraph.com/domestic-rights-still-far-off
29 Oct 09 : 8.00AM By Ding Jo-Ann

"POST-8 March, [the election results] left civil society exhilarated and giddy knowing that change is possible," says Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) executive director Ivy Josiah. "It has strengthened Malaysians as a whole to speak up, organise and demand reform."

Candlelight vigils have become part of the fabric of city life
http://www.thenutgraph.com/user_uploads/images/2009/10/28/281009_CIVIL_JUSTICE.j/
pg

Indeed, since the last general election, Malaysians have been upping their engagement with issues in the public sphere. Citizen movements such as the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia and Fast for the Nation initiatives have been organised by citizens who want to see a better Malaysia. Candlelight vigils have become part of the fabric of city life. With civil society leaders such as residents' association frontperson Edward Lee and human rights activist Elizabeth Wong elected into government, the expectation is civil society's influence will be stronger in the days to come.
http://sayaanakbangsamalaysia.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuySyteKyO0
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/6/nation/4663770&sec=nation

But have the election results of 20 months ago resulted into tangible change on the ground?

New opportunities

"The post-March 8 [climate] has given us a window of opportunity to work with legislators who are keen on reforms and changes using the human rights framework," says Centre for Independent Journalism(CIJ), Malaysia executive director Gayathry Venkiteswaran. "Residents and human rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have the ears of the state leaders in some states like never before."

She cites the example of the Selangor government trying to address the issues of displaced estate workers due to the commercialisation of plantations. "It is still early to tell if these will yield the results, but the process is in place."
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/16/nation/20960840&sec=nation

It's not just Pakatan Rakyat (PR) representatives who are now accessible to civil society. "Interestingly, [BN] government representatives including ministers and Members of Parliament have also been seeking out civil society as they too have learnt that they should listen and take action," Josiah says.

The increased attention has resulted in an increased workload for some NGOs. Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) director Dr Colin Nicholas says COAC's work has increased "manifold" as certain governments have started taking steps to address Orang Asli concerns.
http://www.coac.org.my/codenavia/portals/coacv2/code/main/gateway.php

"[T]wo states - Perak (before the BN wrested the state from PR) and Selangor - have taken very proactive steps to protect and advance Orang Asli rights and interests. This has resulted in diverting a lot of our time and resources to working with the state on ways to realise the new thrust of these two opposition-led governments," says Nicholas.

http://www.thenutgraph.net/measures-under-nizar-must continue,http://www.thenutgraph.com/sgor-withdraw-appeal-dispute-temuans

With the "window of opportunity" that has opened, civil society groups have their work cut out for them in the next few years.

From aiming to pass freedom of information laws in at least two states, to reforming Islamic family law, to recognising indigenous rights, it's clear that civil society is not idle.
http://thenutgraph.com/freedom-of-information-making-it-happen http://www.sistersinislam.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=706&I\
temid=273

But many more hands are needed. "There are so many areas of human rights violations in this country that need proper research, documentation and representation. In terms of human resources, we are still at a shortfall," says Khoo.

He says that on a recent trip to Miri, he heard of many cases where indigenous customary land rights had been violated because the state had granted mining concessions and plantation rights to companies. However, there weren't enough lawyers to file actions against the Sarawak government. http://www.thenutgraph.com/land-rights-key-to-survival

Nicholas also says they are under-resourced, while Josiah cites the need for more resources so that WAO's work can expand into non-urban areas where it is also much needed.

Holding "friends" accountable

Although great strides forward have been made, the task at hand remains enormous.

Bar Council human rights committee co-chairperson Andrew Khoo says: "To a certain extent, we've grown up a bit since 8 March. We've realised that things are not so easy to accomplish. Even when those we were working with have become members of state governments, we have
learnt it's not so easy to deliver on some of the promises that were made."

Khoo says that the pace of change has in some instances been disappointing. He cites the delay in implementing local government elections in PR-held states.
http://www.thenutgraph.com/modified-local-elections-wanted-in-selangor

Gayathry concurs. "One of the challenges we face is the diluted commitment by PR members in some core areas of reforms," she says. "Among them are their own manifestos to introduce local council elections. You get a sense that there is some backtracking now and that is not healthy."
http://www.thenutgraph.com/keep-election-promises-suaram-tells-guan-eng

With former civil society leaders now in government, people like Gayathry also find themselves redefining some relationships, especially with friends who have since been elected into public office.

"Our expectation is that these friends will be able to push the reform agenda to the fullest but this is not always the case...Sometimes the leaders of the PR parties think we unfairly target them but they don't understand that we are only keeping them in check," she says.

Although it is often BN leaders who label civil society as "irresponsible NGOs", Nicholas and Josiah both acknowledge that there are also those in PR who need to be better informed about human rights issues. "[W]e have friends in Pakatan and BN states just as we have detractors in Pakatan and BN," Josiah says.
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2003&dt=0528&pub=Utusan_Express&sec=F\
ront_Page&pg=fp_07.htm

International shame
In terms of political support, the federal government has yet to demonstrate a clear commitment to engaging with civil society. Khoo says the government only seems to respond when there is a risk of foreign direct investment drying up.

"For example, the problem of trafficking in persons. It wasn't until the United States government put us on the watch list that [the government] did something about it. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007 came into force, and then we were taken off the watch list.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/68555
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=419407

"[But] after one year of nothing happening, we were then put back on the watch list. Now, we're seeing prosecutions," Khoo observes.
http://www.humantrafficking.org/updates/855

Khoo also says that since the Internal Security Act has received international attention, the government has decided to make changes to it. However, he points out that there are many people detained without trial under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime)Ordinance 1969 and Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 which no one is doing much about.
http://thenutgraph.com/isa-review-includes-revising-detention-period
http://www.thenutgraph.com/not-just-isa

Way forward
Injustices suffered by Penan people are seen as inadequately addressed by the government (© Sofiyah Israa / Flickr)
http://www.thenutgraph.com/user_uploads/images/2009/10/28/281009_CIVIL_PENAN.jpg

It remains to be seen how civil society can galvanise the extra support it needs to see the kind of changes required for a "basic democracy" to function.

Nicholas, who has been working to establish indigenous rights for years, says: "A total change of government appears to be our best option in achieving this at the moment compared to the tedious and expensive court cases, lobbying, dialogues and other methods we have been using."

Khoo believes that more human rights education is needed for those in positions of leadership. "We need basic understanding of human rights to permeate administrative and judicial decisions. We need more training for our judges and decision-makers to take into account basic human rights norms," says Khoo.

But perhaps more importantly, how much change and how quickly it will happen will depend on public support. Without citizens actively clamouring for full civil liberties and democratic rights, it would be a rare government indeed that would deliver democracy on a silver platter.

Comment:

It still depends on the angle that you are looking from. If you ask somebody in one of the Arab countries they would say our democracy is far ahead and the best among developing countries... yet if you ask somebody from Australia...hm.. he may not list us as democratic country at all..