CONTENTS

A. From the desk of the CIVICUS Secretary-General
B. General news about civil society and citizen action
C. International conferences/workshops/meetings/fairs and exhibitions
D. Training courses
E. New publications
F. Internet news and websites
G. Scholarly support and awards
H. From the Reader
I. Funders and donors profile

A. FROM THE DESK OF THE CIVICUS SECRETARY-GENERAL

CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONSE TO NATURAL DISASTERS

As US and British cruise missiles rained down on Afghanistan this week, Hurricane Iris, the worst Atlantic storm of the year raged through the eastern coast of Central America, flattening entire villages, capsizing boats and destroying crops. Southern Belize bore the brunt of the storm, with 90 to 100% damage in almost every village. Thousands are left homeless, twenty-two are reported dead and several others still missing. Hurricane Iris developed into a grade IV storm offshore, and the 145 mph winds hit land right around the evening of Monday, October 8th.

Consistent radio and television warnings and mandatory evacuations in off-shore islands and low-lying areas on the mainland, are credited with saving lives. Of the twenty-two dead, twenty were US citizens, members of a dive boat club, who opted to weather the storm on their dive boat, which was moored to the docks. This dive boat tragedy has added to the overall gloom, and has emphasized the importance of following radio warnings and instructions to move to higher ground. Government agencies, led by NEMO, the National Emergency Management Organisation, have already begun the arduous task of search and rescue, and damage assessment. Prime Minister Said Musa, in an address to his fellow Belizeans, acknowledged that Hurricane Iris had had a devastating effect on southern Belize. Indeed, news reports say that Belize last witnessed this degree of devastation in the hurricane of 1961, which ultimately prompted the government to move the nation’s capital from coastal Belize City to inland Belmopan.

Belize, due to its geographic location in the Central American peninsula, is familiar with Mother Nature’s fury. (In fact, northern Belize was among the areas worst affected by Hurricane Mitch in 1998). By the same token, its beautiful beaches, reefs, forests (up to 50% of which are under conservation) and dazzling marine and wildlife make it a nature-lover’s paradise. Even as the export of banana and other cash crops remains important, the country’s tourism industry has witnessed an exciting expansion over the years. Initial reports of damage assessment after Hurricane Iris indicate that the banana industry has suffered a 100% loss, and that the main tourist areas have also been reduced to rubble, thus dealing a double blow to the economy. Food shortages are a serious threat, as rice, beans and corn fields, which were ready to be harvested, have now been destroyed.

Alongside official assessments by government agencies, people’s testimonies have been crucial in reconstructing the effects of the storm, as well as its aftermath. People have been calling or streaming to radio stations to share their anxiety and grief, or to appeal for urgent supplies. In times of natural disasters, radio is a community’s best friend, and is indispensable for issuing warnings, and conducting evacuations as well as relief operations. Even in the case of earthquakes, where there is no scope for warning, radio has been vital for rescue efforts. We have seen this over and over again, including the moving episode in a small town in Gujarat, India, in January of this year, when a local radio station employee refused to desert his post in the midst of the cataclysm, and continued broadcasting SOS messages. As phone lines were dead, the radio messages were what, ultimately, alerted authorities to the earthquake damage in this particular town. All over South and Central America, several community radio stations have been established, and this continues to be an important aspect of civil society’s development. Of a population of 250,000, an estimated 130,000 Belizeans possess radio sets. This week, however, some of the social schisms and difficulties in communications and community access were also thrown into sharp relief: Toledo district, a predominantly Spanish-speaking area with many Mayan communities, did not receive adequate warning as the only radio station was relaying messages in English. Mayan communities have been especially affected by Hurricane Iris, as several of them are located in rural areas with infrastructures and communications that are less developed than the urban centres. In Toledo district, for example, there are inadequate storm shelters, and Mayan activists and community leaders are trying to attend to people’s most basic needs.

With changing weather patterns all over the world, meteorologists and oceanographers predict that hurricanes and floods of a greater number and intensity will affect coastal areas and islands. Just this year, the extensive loss of life and homelessness, with millions affected by the floods in Orissa, India, and Mozambique are cases in point. Emergencies of these proportions require the mobilization of far greater resources and attention than are now available from national governments and the international community.

More than half of those rendered homeless in Belize are children and infants. The government has appealed to neighbours and other members of the international community for aid. It is relying very firmly on the generosity of its citizens in the Northern part of the country, which has escaped the storm. Indeed, people have already started responding, as have humanitarian organizations, especially the Red Cross. The Inter-American Development bank has presented Belize Red Cross with a cheque to carry out its relief operations. The governments of the United States and Mexico are responding with money, rescue supplies and personnel, and medical teams. Belize’s Prime Minister and other public figures, including community organizers and activists, have expressed confidence in the determination of the people. Radio reports indicate that families and communities have already started salvaging their belongings from the wreckage, and seem determined to speed up the recovery process, rather than allow themselves to be dragged down by the devastation.

A measure of the resilience and compassion of Belizeans is apparent in the list of appeals issued by the fm radio website. Following reporting of the hurricane, clearly the news-event with the greatest national importance this week, there is detailed information on how concerned Belizeans can contribute to a fund set up to aid victims of the September 11th tragedy in the United States, their northern neighbour.

Warm regards,
Kumi Naidoo

For further information, please visit
www.lovefm.com, website of fm radio station
www.bbc.co.uk, website of British Broadcasting Corporation
www.reporterbelize.com, independent English daily

B. GENERAL NEWS ABOUT CIVIL SOCIETY AND CITIZEN ACTION

LETTER TO HELP RELIEF EFFORT

Greetings,

As we work for long-term peace, justice, and plenty for all, many of us also wish to find a trustworthy way to contribute in some small way to immediate relief for those who have been most directly impacted by ongoing military operations. As you probably know, the people of Afghanistan were already suffering malnutrition and hunger due to drought and internal military conflicts. Now, that crisis has become more acute and will follow refugees into neighboring nations.

Many people have asked us to whom donations for immediate hunger relief in Afghanistan and neighboring regions might be directed. My sources in Pakistan tell me that the international agency Islamic Relief, which has operations in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, is very reliable and is working very hard to provide aid to those who need it most. This agency does have a website through which individuals may easily make donations targeted specifically to this relief effort.

Here is the URL for Islamic Relief: www.islamic-relief.com .
Here is the URL for making an online donation: www.islamic-relief.com/SubMenu/Help/Register.asp

With warm regards and hopes for peace,

Pattrice Le-Muire Jones
Coordinator Global Hunger Alliance
www.globalhunger.net

THREAT TO CIVIL SOCIETY IN UGANDA
[Human Rights Watch]

The Ugandan Parliament should reject a proposed law threatening the legitimate activities of civil society, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released on 2 October.

The Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Amendment Bill makes registration for NGOs harder and allows suspending NGOs that do not conform to any “government policy or plan.” It gives the government wide-ranging powers to interfere with NGO work and suspend associations. NGO leaders can be imprisoned for up to one year if they breach the proposed law.

Normal political party activity is illegal in Uganda, and opposition supporters have been harassed and arrested in recent months.

“Given how constrained political life is in Uganda, it is all the more important that civil society be able to act freely,” said Alison Des Forges, Senior Advisor at the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. “This is a bad law, and we hope parliament rejects it.”

The bill will be one of the first challenges faced by the new parliament, which was elected in June this year.

“The proposed law potentially criminalizes civil society organizations instead of recognizing their enormous contribution to the social, political and economic life in Uganda.” said Des Forges. “The parliament should draft a new NGO law instead, that aims at building a constructive relationship between the state and civil society.”

The NGO bill would replace an already restrictive NGO law. In a briefing entitled “Freedom of Association at Risk”, Human Rights Watch analyzes the current law as well as the new bill. “Both the current law and the proposed bill violate the right to freedom of association guaranteed under international law. As party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Uganda is bound to those standards,” added Des Forges.

Human Rights Watch calls upon the Ugandan parliament to reject the proposed bill and review the current law, with a view to limit powers by the state to interfere with legitimate NGO activity and to ensure that administrative procedures are not abused.

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

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP: INDIA CONFERENCE (*)

Corporate citizenship is not just a western fad. It is of equal - if not more - importance for developing countries where the role of the private sector in addressing poverty, human rights and sustainable development is rising steeply up the agenda.

How are developing country firms, banks, public sector companies and others responding to this challenge? What does corporate citizenship mean for them and how are they internalizing it? How is the Global Compact being implemented in countries like India? What does corporate accountability mean for public sector firms? How is the corruption challenge being addressed? What forms of multi-stakeholder partnership are emerging? What is the role of the media? Does socially responsible investment mean anything?

This conference will bring together senior figures from business and industry, finance, media, government and NGOs to discuss these and related issues. Speakers will range from sectors such as steel, aviation, professional services and energy, to mining & minerals, manufacturing, media and finance.

The conference offers an excellent opportunity to learn from, and network with, leading thinkers and doers in this vital area in Asia.

Full conference details - including speakers' biographies & on-line registration - are available on the organizers website, Centre for Social Markets: www.csmworld.org

DATE: 4-5 December, 2001
VENUE: Calcutta, INDIA
CONTACT: Malini Mehra, Director, Centre for Social Markets
ADDRESS:
UK Office: 38 Decima Street, London SE1 4QQ, UK
TEL.: (44-20) 740-77625
FAX: (44-20) 740-77082

India office: 15 Stephen Court, 18/A Park Street, Calcutta - 700071, INDIA
TEL.: (91-33) 229-4537, 246 5669
FAX: (91-33) 229-0647

E-MAIL: [email protected]
INTERNET: www.csmworld.org

WHAT PRICE INDEPENDENCE? NCVO ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The annual conference of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, UK (NCVO) will examine what independence means to voluntary sector organisations - and look at the costs of achieving it. In doing so, it will address issues such as the role of the voluntary sector in delivering public services, sustainable funding and more. The conference will feature keynote speeches from Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, Secretary of State for Trade & Industry and Minister for Women and Tim Smit, Chief Executive of the groundbreaking Eden Project. Seminars will cover everything from boosting earned income to current developments in human rights.

Tickets cost £140 (NCVO members) £195 (Voluntary sector non members) and £250 (Corporates). A 10% discount is available on bookings and payments received before 23 November 2001.

DATE: 6 February (Wednesday), 2002
VENUE: The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, UK
ORGANISER: National Council for Voluntary Organisations, UK
CONTACT: Julia Childerhouse, NCVO
TEL.: (44-20) 752-02446
E-MAIL: [email protected]

D. TRAINING COURSES

MANAGING NGO RESOURCE CENTRES
by Coady International Institute, Canada

Development organizations around the world recognize the power of information to raise awareness and mobilize action for social change. They also recognize the need to develop their own capacity to access, organize and use information effectively. They need methods that are both locally appropriate and globally connected.

The Certificate in Managing NGO Resource Centres will provide participants with the opportunity to gain or improve skills in managing information, as well as to analyse the dynamics of indigenous knowledge, appropriate media, information sharing and networking. During the program participants will develop an action plan for their resource centre's contribution to the community-based development, information and education strategies of their organization.

This unique four-week program is intended for those actively working in, or planning to establish, a resource centre. The workshop format will emphasize the active exchange of ideas among participants within a collaborative learning environment. Participants will also have access to excellent information technology facilities. Registration will be limited to 25 participants.

DATE: 13 May - 7 June, 2002
VENUE: Antigonish, NS, CANADA
CONTACT: M. Toogood, Registrar, Coady International Institute
TEL.: (1-902) 867-3953
FAX: (1-902) 867-3907
E-MAIL: [email protected]

E. NEW PUBLICATIONS

WHERE CORRUPTION LIVES

Edited by Gerald E. Caiden, O.P. Dwivedi, and Joseph Jabbra
Available September 2001
288 pages
ISBN 1-56549-133-5 US$ 24.95 paper
ISBN 1-56549-134-3 US$ 60.00 cloth

Where Corruption Lives presents an up-to-date and comprehensive global survey of the presence of official corruption in governance. It links theoretical perspectives to common practices found throughout the world, examining both liberal democracies with their relatively clean governance and autocracies where corruption is institutionalized.

The contributors explore the initiatives being taken by national governments and international organizations to combat and reduce corrupt practices, and assess their chances of success or failure.

No comparable comparative study of official corruption exists, and this book will be essential reading for students of comparative politics, public administration, and public ethics.

TO ORDER:

CONTACT: Guy Bentham, Editor and Associate Publisher, Kumarian Press, Inc.
ADDRESS: 1294 Blue Hills Avenue, Bloomfield, CT 06002-1302, USA
TEL.: (1-860) 243-2098
FAX: (1-860) 243-2867
E-MAIL: [email protected]
INTERNET: www.kpbooks.com

BOOKS FOR BEGINNING FUNDRAISERS

This series of books is for leaders of organizations who want to increase their financial independence at a time when grants from foreign agencies are shifting or shrinking. They want to raise funds from people and organizations in their own communities, as well as from overseas. They want to work locally to raise a portion of the money they need, at the lowest possible cost. To get all that they must build a varied, sustained, local fundraising program. The books are written specially for agencies in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and who want to begin or improve their fundraising programs.

The author, Elizabeth Wilson has lived and worked in Southeast Asia and conducted communications and fundraising training programs and consultancies in many countries. She has written three books based on her experiences and research and on interviews with people from 23 countries. The books were published by the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Amsterdam, together with ITDG Publishing, London.

FUNDRAISING CLOSE TO HOME

Book 1
BUILDING CREDIBILITY, THE FOUNDATION FOR FUNDRAISING

Book 1 Building credibility, the foundation for fundraising Credibility is an essential component of successful fundraising. Organizations can learn to build credibility from existing strengths and thus increase their appeal to potential donors. The roles of staff, boards of directors, and volunteers in building a widely respected organization are discussed. Specific steps to achieve a credible long-range plan and an easy to understand financial plan are described in detail.
182 pages

Book 2
BUILDING STRUCTURES AND SKILLS FOR FUNDRAISING

The first eight chapters pave the way for fundraising campaigns, including the role of the leader, the board, volunteers, overcoming fear of fundraising, and building strategic alliances. Following chapters outline the practical essentials of effective communications programs: how to make the spoken word, printed materials, media coverage, audio-visual materials, public relations events, and the Internet work for you.
202 pages

Book 3
BUILDING FUNDRAISING PROGRAMS TO ATTRACT COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Fundraising events, income generating businesses, donation boxes, mail and telephone campaigns, electronic fundraising, applying for local grants, and many other approaches can be used to attract support from the community. Planning effective programs is emphasized, with a special focus on techniques for face-to-face appeals and ways to engage the business community.
279 pages

TO ORDER CONTACT:

TEL.: (1-905) 885-7110
FAX: (1-905) 885-8717
E-MAIL: [email protected]
INTERNET: www.eagle.ca/~ewilson

NEW BUSINESS PARTNERS FOR DEVELOPMENT REPORT

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

USAID ANNOUNCES DEC EXPRESS

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) present DEC Express.

DEC Express is a Free, electronic publication from the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) that provides a listing of the latest development experience reports from USAID.

The Development Experience Clearinghouse (DEC) is the largest online resource for USAID funded, international development documentation. Reports cover: Economic Growth/Agriculture, World Environment, Democracy/Governance, Human Capacity Development, Health, Nutrition and Population, Humanitarian Assistance.

The bulletin is intended especially for USAID personnel, international development professionals, researchers and students.

To receive DEC Express via e-mail every two weeks subscribe at www.dec.org/addtolist.cfm .

G. SCHOLARLY SUPPORT AND AWARDS

INTERNSHIP OFFER

Do you looking for an opportunity to gather experiences in the field of environment?

Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO), a national research and networking organisation of Bangladesh is offering this opportunity for you.

As an intern of ESDO you will be part of a wide range of environmental activities. It will be an excellent opportunity to get hands on experiences in implementation of environment-related projects and research work.

For information about ESDO, please visit www.esdobd.org and then forward your CV to us by e-mail. We will gate back you soon.

CONTACT: Siddika Sultana, Programme Director, ESDO
E-MAIL: [email protected]

SILVER ROSE AWARDS

Following the success of last year's awards, SOLIDAR will hold its 2001 Silver Rose Awards on 17 October, 2001 in Brussels. This is a high profile event, rewarding contributions to social justice, from individuals and organisations, both internationally and in Europe.

If you are in Brussels, do please come and join us!

Award Ceremony from 18h30 to 19h45 on 17 October (Wednesday) in the European Parliament (room A3G3). A reception to follow.

If you need a pass to get into the European Parliament could you please call James or Suzy at the Brussels Solidar office (32-2) 500-1023) or email [email protected] as soon as possible.

For more information please visit: www.solidar.org

NEW DATE OF AFRICA-AMERICA INSTITUTE'S 17TH ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

Due to the tragic events of 11 September, The Africa-America Institute's (AAI) 17th Annual Award Dinner has been rescheduled for Tuesday, 13 November , 2001 originally planned for Friday, 21 September 21.

"We at AAI share the grief of the entire country, especially those who have lost friends and loved ones," said AAI Chairman, Kofi Appenteng. AAI President, Mora McLean added, "Our commitment to education and dialogue as a means of uniting Americans, Africans and people everywhere around common goals is stronger than ever."

The dinner, which is New York's largest annual event focused on Africa will be attended by hundreds of guests representing a wide cross-section of business, education, government, diplomatic and civic leaders from around the world.

Honored guests will include President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana and President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, attending the event to accept the AAI National Achievement Award on behalf of the people of Ghana and Senegal.
AAI will also honor Dr. Mathilde Krim, founder of the American Foundation of AIDS Research, with the AAI Award for Individual Initiative, commemorating her 20 years of leadership in the battle against AIDS, in Africa and around the world; Rosa Whitaker, the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa - the first in U.S. history - for her successful efforts to focus U.S. trade policy on Africa; Kenneth Walker, the 30-year veteran journalist and National Public Radio's Africa Bureau Chief, for his balanced news coverage of Africa; and Tamela Hultman and Reed Kramer of allAfrica.com who will receive the AAI Award of Special Recognition for Lifetime Achievement in Media.

For online information about this year's dinner please visit www.aaionline.org .

DATE: 13 November, 2001
VENUE: Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York, THE UNITED STATES
CONTACT: Denise Walker, Africa-America Institute
TEL.: (1-877) 565-1801, (1-212) 949-5666
E-MAIL: [email protected]
INTERNET: www.aaionline.org

H. FROM THE READER

Dear e-CIVICUS,

Last year we posted a notice about our Certificate Program on the e-Civicus Newsletter, and received a tremendous response. Thank you!
We would like to post a similar message for our upcoming training program. I have used the same format as last year, and hope it is still appropriate.

Best wishes,
Sue Adams, Coady International Institute

(Please look at Section D of this e-CIVICUS for details of the training course)

I. ABOUT CIVICUS

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

e-CIVICUS is produced weekly, and distributed to thousands of subscribers worldwide. If you would like to comment on a past issue of e-CIVICUS or request that appropriate information about your organisation be included in a future issue of e-CIVICUS, please contact the CIVICUS Newsletter Office at the following e-mail address: [email protected].
Due to space restrictions, we may not be able to include all submissions.

To subscribe: send a blank e-mail with 'subscribe' in the subject line to [email protected].
To unsubscribe: send a blank e-mail with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line to [email protected].

Co-ordinator of e-CIVICUS:
Miklos Barabas, Programme and Communications Director
TEL.: (36-1) 356-8440 FAX: (36-1) 356-8499
E-MAIL: [email protected]
INTERNET: www.civicus.org