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August 2007 Newsletter |
WYMD Updates
1) WYMD Secretariat to move
DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS from the World Movement for Democracy (WMD)
1) Iran: Iranian Activists Arrested
2) Egypt: Media and Government Campaign Escalates against Egyptian Human Rights and Democracy Defender Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim
3) Iran: Iranian Bus Drivers Union President Mansour Osanloo Abducted and Held in Prison
HIGHLIGHTED ARTICLES, NEWS AND REPORTS FROM PARTICIPANTS
1) News: International organization unlawfully persecuted in Russia (Russia)
2) Project: Launch of the Euromed Youth Programme III (Jordan)
3)
Report: Seminar on Intercultural Dialogue and Understanding (Poland)
HIGHLIGHTED NEWS FROM INTERNATIONAL PRESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS
1) Sierra Leone: Peaceful vote but Sierra Leone's problems remain
2) Sri Lanka: Government abuses intensify
HIGHLIGHTED FORTHCOMING EVENTS
1)
International Conference on Youth and Democracy in South Asia (India) August 12 - August 15
2)
International and National Youth Leader's Conference (Nigeria) August 25 - August 30, 2007
3) Forum "BG Youth" (Bulgaria) October 1 - October 30, 2007
4) International Council on National Youth Policy (ICNYP) International Symposium (India) October 29 - November 2, 2007
5) International Youth Leadership Conference (Czech Republic) January 6 - January 11, 2008
6) 2008 Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference (Canada) June 6 - June 20, 2008
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRANTS, FUNDING AND PARTICIPATION
1)
OHCHR & UNITAR 2007 Human Rights Fellowship Programme for Students from Least Developed Countries (Switzerland)
2)
UNOY European coordinator internship (Netherlands)
3) Development Gateway Foundation Photo Contest (International)
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1) WYMD secretariat to move...bye bye São Paulo!
As many of you know, the Global Youth Action Network has hosted the international secretariat out of its office in São Paulo, Brazil, for the past two years. Now the time has come to pass the torch to the Youth Human Rights Movement - International, who will coordinate the secretariat from their new office in Kiev, Ukraine!
Given that the Youth Movement is based on the spirit of inter-regional exchange and collaboration, we couldn't be happier that the secretariat will be moving across the world to be hosted by an organization with extensive experience in youth democracy activism and networking.
Visit the YHRM website
- here
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Democracy Alerts/Appeals (from the World Movement for Democracy) |
1) Iran: Iranian Activists Arrested
The Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP) recently issued an alert for Amir Yaghoub Ali and Bahareh Hedayat, two activists in the Iranian "One Million Signatures" Campaign who have been arrested. Amir Yaghoub Ali, 20, one of a growing number of young men involved in the "One Million Signatures" campaign, which demands an end to discriminatory laws against women, was arrested on July 11 while collecting signatures at Andisheh Park in Tehran. He is the 13th campaign activist to be arrested. After five days in detention, he was transferred to section 209 of Evin Prison, which is administered by the Ministry of Intelligence. He has been in Evin since then, celebrating his 20th birthday in solitary confinement. Bahareh Hedayat, 24, was arrested on July 9 at Amir Kabir University in Tehran and is also being held at Evin Prison. Bahareh was arrested while peacefully participating in a sit-in to protest the arrest of fellow students. She could face harsh treatments especially because she was convicted on charges of acting against "national security" earlier this year. A member of the "One Million Signatures" campaign and one of the founders of a women's commission in Tahkim Vahdat, a prominent student organization in Iran, she received a two-year suspended prison sentence for her participation in the June 12, 2006 peaceful women’s rally in Tehran which ended in police violence and the detention of more than 70 people.
For information on who to send letters to, visit:
WMD website
2) Media and Government Campaign Escalates against Egyptian Human Rights and Democracy Defender Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim
According to the Egyptian independent daily AL-DOSTOUR, Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim, a prominent Egyptian-American sociologist and human rights activist known for his opposition to the government, has been advised by senior public figures and decision-makers not to return to Egypt from abroad. According to AL-DOSTOUR, government officials are holding Dr. Ibrahim responsible for the US decision to freeze US$200 million in aid to Egypt. Also, the government has filed two lawsuits against him aimed at closing down the Ibn Khaldoun Centre for Development Studies, over which he presides. It is alleged that Dr. Ibrahim has violated the law and the Constitution by violating Egypt's NGO laws that prohibit NGOs from taking part in political activities and by harming Egypt's national security and national interests. Dr. Ibrahim's lawyers argue that the real motive behind this persecution is his staunch criticism of President Mubarak and the government.
Also, on May 30, Mr. Amr Tharwat, an employee at the Ibn Khaldoun Center for Development Studies, was arrested by Egyptian State Security at his families' residence in Cairo's Matereya district. Mr. Tharwat was the major organizer of the recent Shura Election monitoring as well as the Ibn Khaldoun public opinion polling that was carried out earlier this year. In addition to Mr. Tharwat, the Egyptian authorities arrested four other people staying at the house of Dr. Ahmed Sobhy (Adellatif Mohamed Saied, Ahmed Dahmash, Abdelhamed Abdelrahman, and Ahmed El Sayed) and confiscated files, books, and computers that were found on the premises.
Beginning on June 21, several democracy organizations began sending letters and issuing press releases condemning the heightened public campaign against Dr. Ibrahim. They believe that he expresses his opinions peacefully inside and outside Egypt, and that the Egyptian authorities should debate or engage him with similarly peaceful means and intentions.
For more information, visit the Earth Times website
3) Iranian Bus Drivers Union President Mansour Osanloo Abducted and Held in Prison
The American Center for International Labor Solidarity (Solidarity Center) reports that on July 10, Iranian Bus Drivers Union President Mansour Osanloo was getting off a city bus when he was beaten and abducted by assailants in an unmarked car, and he has not been seen since. Mr. Osanloo was arrested, in December 2005, for orchestrating a protest in which bus drivers in Tehran refused to take passengers' fares. Tehran bus workers were due to strike on January 28, 2006, calling for his release and other demands, but the arrests of several hundred union workers that day resulted in the strike being called off. On May 28, 2007, Mr. Osanloo was sentenced to five years in prison. Prior to his July 10 abduction, he had spoken at meetings of the International Transport Workers Federation and the International Trade Union Confederation in London and Brussels. On July 11, the Solidarity Center issued a press release in which it joined the global labor movement in condemning the kidnapping of Mr. Osanloo. It noted that this latest attack on a union leader appears to be part of an orchestrated crackdown on Iranian unions. The Bus Drivers Union's vice president, Ebrahim Madadi, was arrested on July 3, but was released two days later as a result of international protests. A global solidarity protest calling for Mr. Osanloo's immediate release has been initiated by the International Transport Worker's Association.
For more information, visit the Solidarity Center website
Join the global solidarity protest - here
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Highlighted Contributions from Youth and Democracy Groups |
News on projects, issues and experiences; articles and reports; news of events and information on groups and organizations, from people working on youth activism and democracy issues.
Please remember, we do not monitor groups, and do not wish to censor material. We hope the information here is truthful, but we also hope that participants reading this information will try to gather as much information as they can about these groups and current affairs.
1) News:
International organization unlawfully persecuted in Russia (Russia)
One of the most active human rights organizations in the Russian speaking space "International Youth Human Rights Movement" has been declared "inactive" and was deprived of legal personality by court decision in Nizhy Novgorod, Russia on demand of the Federal Registration Service. The judgement was passed on June 13 but the organization learned about it just a few days ago - the hearings took place behind closed doors - YHRM were not notified. The international organization, which unites more than a thousand activists from 22 countries, was declared non-existent de jure. This case is one of the consequences of the much criticized new Russian legislation on NGOs that severely hinders activities of NGOs and gives controlling bodies extended powers of sanctions. YHRM is quite active in supporting freedom of association and has been one of the most vocal critics of the new legislation. The International YHRM is going to appeal against the decision and is calling for support from all civil society actors facing increased pressure and extensive control from the authorities in Russia.
Letters of support are much welcome, send to the address of organization:
39400, Russia, Voronezh-center, box 152,
by fax: +7 4732 54 55 30 (preferably)
or by e-mail int@yhrm.org
More information - here (soon to be updated into English)
More about the work of YHRM on the YHRM website
2) Project: Launch of the Euromed Youth Programme III
(Jordan)
The Euromed Youth Unit at the Ministry of Political Development was launched on July 4th , 2007. The Euromed Youth Programme III in Jordan was launched under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Al Hassan Bin Talal. The Launch was attended by over 80 Jordanian Youth Organisations. The Prince remarked that the programme is an opportunity to create a civilised framework for communication and dialogue between youth in order to enhance the dignity of mankind. Citing a recent survey of 28,000 people in 27 countries conducted by the BBC World service, Prince Hassan said about 56 per cent of those surveyed said there are direct positive links connecting cultures that can guarantee full stability, 52 per cent agreed that conflict is not due to religion and culture, but rather to political differences. Director of the EuroMed Youth III Programme at the Ministry of Political Development, Mr. Ali Bibi said the participation of youth in the programme highlights Jordan’s role as a model of a modern state that strongly believes in building harmony, stability and tolerance in the region. Mr. Bibi also indicated that participation in the programme would enhance the capabilities of youth organizations and develop the concept of building bridges.
Read the background to the programme
- here
3) Report:
Seminar on
Intercultural Dialogue and Understanding (Poland)
From July 24th to 31st , 2007 more than 40 young civil activists from 15 countries of Western and Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the South Caucasus gathered in a small village near Krakow, Poland, for the traditional 'SIDU' (Seminar on Intercultural Dialogue and Understanding), organized by the 'Helsinki Citizens' Assembly' international network and the 'Never Again' association (Poland). The main focus of the program was on racism and discrimination. The participants discussed a range of topics, such as the remembrance of the Holocaust and confronting its denial, modern anti-Semitism and homophobia, migration in Europe, the social roots of racism and discrimination. Great attention was also paid to the presentation of the situation in the participating countries. The representatives of the international Youth Human Rights Movement presented the picture of the extreme right in Russia and the anti-fascist actions, stating that neo-Nazi movements are trans-national in nature and it's impossible to combat them in one country separately. This idea was supported by participants from other countries.
More information available by e-mail: int@yhrm.org
Check out WYMD's Resource Page
for toolkits, guides, and more articles.
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Highlighted News from the International Press and Human Rights Groups |
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1) Sierra Leone: Peaceful vote but Sierra Leone's problems remain (the Guardian )
August 13, 2007
The first presidential election towards a peaceful transition of power since British troops helped bring an end to a brutal civil war five years ago was held in Sierra Leone on Sunday. There were seven candidates vying to take over the presidency from President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah who is constitutionally obliged to step down having already served two five-year terms. Solomon Berewa - the vice-president and candidate for the ruling party is considered the likely winner. The main challenge comes from a 54-year-old opposition leader and businessman, Ernest Bai Koroma. More than 55% of the vote must be won by the winning candidate, or there will be a run-off contest. A new parliament was also elected. Voting was peaceful despite sporadic disturbances and long delays in places. While one of Africa's most brutal conflicts is now history, many of the other problems that plagued Sierra Leone and contributed to civil war, particularly corruption, remain a burden. The International Crisis Group said in a report that "most of the problems that existed before the war remain - poverty, bad governance, corruption, massive unemployment and disillusioned youth". Final election results are due within 12 days.
Read more
2) Sri Lanka: Government abuses intensify (Human Rights Watch)
August 6, 2007
The Sri Lankan government is responsible for unlawful killings, enforced disappearances and other serious human rights violations since the resumption of major hostilities with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) last year, according to a recently-released Human Rights Watch report. According to Human Rights Watch abuses by government forces have increased dramatically over the past 18 months. HRW has asked the country's donors and concerned governments to support a United Nations monitoring mission in Sri Lanka. The 129-page report, "Return to War: Human Rights Under Siege", includes accounts by victims and eyewitnesses which document the shocking increase in violations by government forces. Most of these violations have been against Ethnic Tamils, the report said, but members of the Muslim and majority Sinhalese population have also been targetted. 'The Sri Lankan government has apparently given its security forces a green light to use "dirty war" tactics,' said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. 'Abuses by the LTTE are no excuse for the government's campaign of killings, "disappearances" and forced returns of the displaced.' Despite a 2002 ceasefire between the government and the LTTE which remains in force, major hostilities resumed in mid-2006. Security forces have subjected civilians to indiscriminate attacks and impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid. Since August 2006, some 315,000 people,mostly Tamils and Muslims have been displaced, with around 100,000 displaced in March alone. A rise in abductions and "disappearances" over the past one-and-a-half years has been documented, and more than 1,100 new cases were reported between January 2006 and June 2007. Most of these "disappearances" implicate government forces or armed groups acting with governmental complicity. Emergency Regulations have been expanded, labeling as terrorist offenses a range of peaceful activities. The regulations have been used to prosecute political opponents and members of the media.
Read more
Read the HRW report |
Highlighted Forthcoming
Events |
1) International Conference on Youth and Democracy in South Asia (India) August 12 - August 15, 2007
The role of young people is immense and vitally important in any democracy. As India celebrates sixty years of independence on 15th August, the Center for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) in association with like-minded organizations will launch a 3-day international conference on "Youth & Democracy in South Asia". The objective of this program is to bring together, young people, youth activists and academics from different walks of life and deliberate on concerns and issues of democracy in the context of young people. Today there is an urgent need for young people to participate in the processes of development in all South Asian Countries. Although there are youth initiatives everywhere, it is important to bring young people together on a common platform to share their views and ideas about democracy as future leaders. The expected outcome is increased involvement of youth in decision-making roles in the democracies they represent. In a fully functioning democracy youth should become participants and a participant youth should understand the meaning of citizenship, police action and governance and have the acquired skills to voice their concerns and ability to make the system accountable. The Conference will aim to discuss that youth can and must participate not only in issues that concern them but also in the formulation of policies that affect them. Youth from South Asian countries as well as a few Asia Pacific regions will be invited to participate in the conference planned from 12 - 14 August 2007 in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract submission: Every participant is expected to present a paper on any of a number of topics. Abstract of the same has to be submitted on or before April 30th 2007. The confirmed participants list will be announced on 5th May 2007.
- here
2) International and National Youth Leader's Conference (Nigeria) August 25 - August 30, 2007
To All World/African Youth Leaders, Southern States Youth Leaders (Nigeria) and Friends... The Governing-Council of the Southern States Youth Forum of Nigeria in conjunction with the Federal/State Government is organising an International/National Youth leaders Conference/Workshop in Anambra, Delta & Imo state respectively from 25th-30th August 2007. This Programme is to help the World Youth Leaders address the common problems of young people and find ways to support the Government in bringing about Peace. Global Youth Leaders, Youth Organisations, NGOs, and World youth Federation Leaders, Our Brothers in Africa (Youth/NGOs Organisation ) are invited to join in deliberating on the future of African youths, particularly in Niger-Delta, Nigeria.
For more information email: Southern States Youth Forum: sosyof2007(at)yahoo.com
3) Forum "BG Youth" (Bulgaria) October 1 - October 30, 2007
A Third National "BG Youth" Forum will be hold in Sofia in October 2007. More than 300 young people will take part in the forum - representatives of youth groups and NGOs. The main focus of the Forum "BG Youth" will be: Good practices and positive experience gained through youth activities and initiatives during the year; introduction of the youth policy followed by the State Agency for Youth and Sport: A National programme "Youth info-consultative centers"; a "Youth development" project ; "Youth development" programme ; National Youth Information System. The meeting will continue with discussions on the topic issues and work in groups. The participants will be enriched with shared experience and practices as well as new ideas for youth activities and initiatives.
For further details email youthinfo(at)youthsport.bg
4) International Council on National Youth Policy (ICNYP) International Symposium (India) October 29 - November 2, 2007
'Youth Participation and Empowerment - Getting beyond the Rhetoric and Slogans.' Central to the building of strong, healthy and inclusive communities and nations is the active participation of young men and women. So often this participation is adult defined, lead and structured. In reality, it is quite tokenistic in terms of the scope and level of youth responsibility and leadership. ICNYP recognises that across the globe there are many exciting examples of where young people are designing and leading initiatives which are making a difference in terms of community and national life. This International Symposium seeks to bring together such young people with youth policy and program makers to share experiences, ideas and aspirations and to identify what motivates and sustains successful youth designed and lead actions. This Symposium is limited to 125 participants. It seeks a balance of 75% youth activists (15 - 30 years old) and 25% youth policy and program makers (all ages). The focus of the Symposium is listening to the experiences and ideas of young people who 'stepped up' and have made a significant impact on their societies through their actions. The critical outcome of the Symposium is a clear understanding of the type of policy and practice environment that supports and sustains young men and women to design, implement and monitor initiatives that make a real difference at both the community and nation building levels.
More details on the symposium, and the application form: - here
5) International Youth Leadership Conference (Czech Republic) January 6 - January 11, 2008
The 15th International Youth Leadership Conference is a week-long youth forum on world politics, international relations and international law. The most recent conferences welcomed around 100 students from an average of 50 different countries worldwide, with a strong emphasis on cross-cultural, international youth empowerment, and an open-minded exchange of different perspectives on global issues. Participants play active roles in simulations of important world organizations: UN Security Council Crisis Meeting; International Criminal Court Trial; Model European Parliament Proceeding. Other conference activities include visits to foreign embassies, Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chamber of Deputies and Senate of the Czech Republic, group debates, banquet dinners, and some free time to explore the beautiful streets of Prague. There is a special Early Bird discount worth 100 euros available for those applicants who apply early and pay their conference fees by September 1st, 2007.
Visit the website
6) 2008 Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference (Canada) June 6 - June 20, 2008
The National Executive Committee of the 2008 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference is encouraging young leaders from Canada’s community non-profit sector to actively consider applying to join this unique two-week conference. The Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference brings together Canada's future leaders from business, labour, government, NGOs, education and the cultural sector for a unique two-week experience aimed at broadening their perspectives on work, leadership, their communities, and their country. Members of the Conference are Canadian citizens from different regions of Canada, different perspectives and different careers. All members share one thing in common: they are high potential individuals expected to achieve senior leadership positions in their organizations and communities. The Conference opens June 6, 2008 in Banff, Alberta, and closes two weeks later in Ottawa-Gatineau. Participant expenses for all travel, food and lodging are covered by the Conference with the exception of travel to the opening plenary and from the closing ceremony. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2007.
Detailed information and online applications can be obtained on the website - here
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Opportunities
for Grants, Funding and Participation |
1)
OHCHR & UNITAR 2007 Human Rights Fellowship Programme for Students from Least Developed Countries (Switzerland)
2007 Human Rights Fellowship Programme for Students from Least Developed Countries. The Human Rights Fellowship Programme for Students from Least Developed Countries (LDC) is jointly organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). The overall objectives of this project are: To increase the understanding of the LDC fellows of current human rights issues at the international level and give them an insight into the work of the United Nations and OHCHR; and To provide OHCHR and the United Nations human rights mechanisms with the assistance and contribution of outstanding students or graduates from LDCs. To qualify for the fellowship, candidates from the LDCs listed below must be graduate students or holders of a graduate degree in a discipline related to the work of the United Nations (e.g. international law, political science, social sciences, history or other related topics). Experience with or a specialization in human rights will be considered an asset. Candidates should be less than 30 years old at the time they send their candidature. The 2007 programme will be run in English. Selected participants will be requested to submit proof of fluency in English
2)
UNOY European coordinator internship (Netherlands)
The intern will be expected to develop, coordinate and lead UNOY Peacebuilders activities in Europe, to ensure that communication flows among members are dynamic and effective, support our European members in the implementation of their projects and link them up to the Peace It Together Campaign. Requirements: Some relevant experience in the field of peace-building and youth work in Europe, last years or degree in Higher education and/or post-graduate studies (preferred). Leadership, planning, project writing and intercultural communication skills are preferred, and computer skills, fluency in English, Russian, French and/ or Spanish a plus. Enthusiasm and commitment are required are required, as are flexibility and capability to work independently and in a team. Applicants should be aged between 20 and 29. Deadline for applications 20 August
3)
Development Gateway Foundation Photo Contest (International)
The Development Gateway Foundation photo competition is open to ALL photographers at least 18 years of age. We are looking for compelling photographs of socio-economic development in developing countries. Four types of photographs will be accepted. 1) The images may show information and communications technologies helping ordinary people. 2) The images may show people making something, selling wares, working in a field, constructing a building or type of infrastructure, or acquiring knowledge. 3) The images could be abstract images representing hope, the future, or capacity building. 4) The photographs may also include images of original artwork from a developing country. Please do not include photographs of groups of people posing. Each entry must include a written statement explaining how that image is representative of development. Images will be judged on technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit. The top 10 photographs will be posted on the Development Gateway Foundation Web site. All visitors to the site will be able to vote once. The voting will begin at 12:01 a.m. on October 1 and end at 11:59 on October 8. The winner will be announced on October 9. Prize: $500.00. See the website for more details.
Deadline for submitting entries is September 21, 2007
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