Internews celebrates 19 years of promoting independent broadcast media, with updates and anecdotes from staff in 23 countries.

Subscribe to the Womens Rights Watch Nigeria mailing list to receive alerts on women's rights in Nigeria, updates on legislative reforms and landmark judicial decisions. Join us in campaigning against violations of women's rights in Nigeria.WomensRightsWatch-Nigeria is hosted on Kabissa.

I am trying to get any information about any organisation, which is
still using the LEPSA (LEarner's centred Problem Solving Approach) or
Community Based Health Communication Approach. In the 1980s we used
this method a lot and Dr. Matomora from Tanzania had been a champion.
Of late I have not heard of what is happening on these lines, and I
wonder whether the methods have been dumped or are still in use. If
in use what have are the latest additions, where are these experi-
ences, whom can I contact to pick up the discussion from there.

Whereas this press release deals mainly with the commercial "Direct Media Service" in Kenya it is also interesting for health personnel in other countries because the Africa Learning Channel (ALC) broadcasts materials collected from African productions and co-productions and focuses on social development issues such as micro-enterprise development, health, HIV/AIDS, history, English as a Second Language, Conflict Resolution, Economic Development, Women's Issues and Human Rights free of charge via Worldspace's AfriStar satellite.

The Danish company internet Metrocomia has launched companies in Uganda and Kenya and is looking to open in more countries in Africa if it can find the right partners. It believes the African market has tremendous potential. Russell Southwood spoke to Metrocomia’s Chair and Co-founder David Madie to find out what gives him this confidence.

As traditional media becomes increasingly repressive in Zimbabwe, the
launch of a local web site, www.kubatana.net is a breath of fresh air. The NGO Network Alliance Project, the energy behind the development of kubatana, has brought Zimbabwean ngos, csos and development organisations together under one online umbrella. Kubatana is a Shona word which means "working together" - an apt name when a strengthened civic response to the current social and political unrest in Zimbabwe needs to be encouraged.

I have been very impressed by your newsletter, but have unsubscribed because I simply don't have time to read it. My colleagues who work on Africa will do so and will alert me to matters of special interest. With all best wishes for your excellent newsletter.

A Rwandan priest wanted by a UN war crimes tribunal to face charges of genocide is in hiding in Italy.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Engineering Professional Development will offer a disaster management workshop, "Managing Mass Population Displacement Emergencies," September 17-­21, 2001 in Madison, Wisconsin.

The National Center for Nonprofit Boards (NCNB) will host its sixth International Fellowship in Nonprofit Governance in Washington, DC from November 1-16, 2001. The Fellowship is a capacity-building program created to build a cadre of board development professional trainers who can facilitate the strengthening of boards of directors in various regions of the world.

This publication provides information about support for biomedical a0nd behavioral research available from organizations throughout the world. It is one of our most requested publications, and is widely distributed to scientists in the United States and abroad.

The World Bank has made much of the fact that its Development Gateway internet project will be 'independent'. Because of the sensitive nature of the issues it will cover, and its claims to represent all views – including those of civil society groups – the Bank has repeatedly said it is establishing a Foundation to run the Gateway and will not be running it in-house. This was first announced last July to civil society organisations discussing a possible committee to help steer the creation of the Gateway (this never materialised), and then restated to the e-consultation last November. The World Bank President on 11th November stated that the Bank would create: "a new structure in which the Gateway will be financed and controlled in a public-private partnership outside the World Bank and with a separate and totally independent Editorial Board with broad representation from all sections of the development community."

It has been known for some time that the only certain way to get onto the Gateway Foundation's board was to contribute 5 million dollars. But leaked Bank documents prepared for today's Board meeting demonstrate that the Gateway Foundation is "merely an appendix of the World Bank". These are the words used in an anti-corruption claim filed yesterday by two prominent Uruguayan civil society members. The claim, filed to the Bank's Fraud and Corruption Hotline, alleges "serious irregularities" in the way the Gateway Foundation has been established.

It points out that the World Bank will provide up to three directors to the Foundation, and that the Foundation will contract back to the Bank the running of the internet portal, its main output. As the Foundation will be situated in the Bank, was entirely designed by the Bank and the Bank has made the key outside appointments, the claimants argue that "donors and perhaps even the American authorities that granted it legal status as a non-profit organization, may have been deceived in their good faith to accept a non-existing independence." The Bank's documents recognise that conflicts of interest exist, but proposes two very insufficient measures to deal with them. It will: "establish a timetable to phase out the management contracts", and "in the course of the first year will locate the Foundation Secretariat outside of Bank premises." Nothing about competitive tendering for the services or proper separation of functions.

The claim was filed by Roberto Bissio, coordinator of Social Watch () and Latin American secretary of Third World Network and Dr Carlos Abin, Executive Director of the Instituto del Tercer Mundo (http://www.item.org.uy). They are both closely involved with a number of internet initiatives, and have clearly stated during consultations that the Gateway appears to represent unwarranted competition with existing country- and topic- focussed portals which are genuinely independent.

They, as others involved in such existing initiatives will be outraged by some of the claims in the Gateway team's June 2001 report to the Bank's Board. The Gateway Business Plan (28 June 2001) mentions other initiatives and organisations in the field, such as the DOT Force, ECOSOC's ICT Taskforce, IICD, Bellanet, Benton Foundation, Eldis and Oneworld. Then claims that "The Foundation adds the following unique and complementary elements in the fight to bridge the digital divide: 1) Independence. As a non-profit organization with broad stakeholder representation, the Foundation will maintain its independence and act as an honest broker in the development community; 2) Global reach with local roots; 3) Catalytic approach; 4) Inclusiveness."

It is hard to see that the Gateway is really richer in these qualities than many other schemes. It seems then that the Bank is not content with keeping control of the initial site design, staffing and appointment of outside editors for the site. It wants to maintain a tight grip of its day to day management. One person working with the Gateway commented to the Bretton Woods Project yesterday: “the Foundation is a nice idea, but it does seem like a front for Bank employees to keep their Bank jobs with all the traditional trappings.” It seems ironic that a site which will cover topics including good governance and corruption is built on such shaky foundations. Once this is more widely known, the Gateway will have an even harder time drumming up civil society engagement in the scheme. For the anti-corruption claim (which raises other issues too) and a summary of the leaked Bank documents, see the web link below.

Alex Wilks, Bretton Woods Project, UK, 19th July 2001

See also: Letter below from John Garrison

EISA has recently published this innovative CD Rom as a comprehensive resource on the local government election process in South Africa. In order to allow as many people as possible to access this important resource EISA has set up a website housing much of this information in an online format. Users wishing to buy the full version of the e-book, complete with video clips, full text reference of legislation and detailed analysis of election issues may do so by accessing the website and placing their order with EISA. The CD Rom is currently selling at the introductory price of only R85 per CD Rom.

The Burundi human rights organisation, Ligue Iteka, has called on the government to ratify the statute of a proposed International Criminal Court (ICC). "This would prove that the government really wants to put an end to impunity," the organisation said, according to the Net Press news agency.

President Bush yesterday called on the World Bank to provide a larger proportion of its financial assistance to developing nations through direct grants instead of loans for needs such as health care, the New York Times reports. Speaking at World Bank headquarters yesterday, Bush proposed that the bank provide up to 50% of its assistance to developing countries through grants, thus allowing the countries to "alleviate the debt that burdens" their economies.

Amnesty International today called on the government of the Central African Republic to end further human rights violations after eight weeks of killings and detentions. Bangui, the capital, remains in a climate of fear since a failed coup on 28 May 2001 against President Ange-Félix Patassé.

Zimbabwean Labour Minister July Moyo on Thursday said he hoped that the next round of negotiations between the government, labour and business would avert another national strike in the country.

A new strategy that aims to integrate environmental concerns into the World Bank's lending programs was approved by the bank's Board of Directors Wednesday. The bank has developed a broad environment portfolio worth some $18 billion.

A United Nations conference on small arms is failing to produce a serious plan of action and may even prompt a walkout by some key member states, Human Rights Watch said today. The conference, which concludes in New York on July 20, has not addressed state responsibility for
weapons proliferation and has focused too much on the illegal trafficking of small arms, Human Rights Watch said.

The banning of a live current affairs radio phone-in discussion forum in the week served to underline government’s apparent determination to stifle all independent sources of information and opinion in the media and reinforced fears that renewed threats to curb “unprofessional practices and misconduct by the oppositional Press” will see the introduction of further repressive media legislation.

ONEWORLD (), in partnership with EURODAD (www.eurodad.org), invite you to participate in an online discussion from 18 July to 12 October at http://www.DebtChannel.org, the portal on international debt. In the run-up to the Genoa G8 Summit and against a background of 'debt fatigue' we are launching this online discussion forum. Our aim is to increase understanding of current issues for NGOs, policy-makers and interested citizens. We want to map out the way ahead, allow contributors to bring in new ideas and re-animate the debt debate prior to the World Bank and IMF meetings in Washington. To find out more and to register please go to DebtChannel.org

The Ethiopian Federal Supreme Court has adjourned to consider a request from police investigators for more time to gather evidence against former Defence Minister Siye Abraha and other former government officials and businessmen charged with corruption, local newspapers reported on Tuesday.

Public officers who fail to declare their wealth risk jail and a fine of up to Sh1 million in the proposed anti-graft law. But wealth acquired before December 1, 1997, will not be subjected to scrutiny unless the officer was under investigation by the former Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority, police or the Attorney-General by December 22, 2000.

Spurred by Jake Lynch, a TV journalist with Rupert Murdoch's Sky News, a new initiative, Reporting the World, is challenging one-dimensional war and conflict reporting, offering concrete alternatives rather than mere (if solid) criticism. Jake is the driving force behind the initiative, a MediaChannel-affiliate, which has been holding a series of seminars in association with the Freedom Forum in London and the Conflict and Peace Forums at Taplow Court in London. The seminars have attracted prominent U.K. and international editors and reporters willing to debate objectivity and balance in reporting.

The African Wildlife Foundation has launched a new regional conservation project known as the "four corners natural resource management project." The transboundary four corners project refers to the Caprivi Strip, the only place in the world where four African countries - Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe - meet. They share the Zambezi River, one of the longest rivers in Africa.

Southern Africa's first women-only university will open in Zimbabwe next year. It will be one of only two women-only universities in Africa, the first being in Sudan, northern Africa.

More than 200,000 students of Nigeria's 37 Universities are scheduled to resume studies this week following the end of a three-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Commitment to the goal of universal primary education (UPE) by 2015 has received unprecedented support from governments and donors. But what is the reality for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in terms of the additional educational capacity required? And will the demand for primary schooling be sufficient
to achieve UPE?

No move on education, thin pledges to meet the global health crisis and a debt relief programme that leaves most countries still paying more to lenders than to their healthcare systems - Oxfam looks at the "huge gap" between the G8's promises and action.

A leading global watchdog has added to President George W. Bush's calls for a shake-up on aid and debt by arguing for a targetted "third way" approach involving independent oversight of decisions on which countries should receive 100 per cent cancellation.

Tougher action must be taken against those who get embroiled in fraud schemes set up through letter and email networks, says an anti-corruption
group following the high-profile kidnapping of a British businessman allegedly caught up in such a scam.

After years of lethargy, the international community has declared war on AIDS. Following the G8 summit, a fund is to be set up by the end of the year. But the agreement being negotiated with the pharmaceuticals industry may fail to provide much-needed care for millions in poor countries, argues Philippe Riviere.

Civil society groups from across Africa yesterday pledged to be a driving force on the road towards the creation of a 53-nation political and economic
union at the close of a three-day trans continental summit.

As negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol enter a new round in Bonn this week and G8 leaders gather in Genoa, Italy, the global community is braced for a climate showdown between EU leaders and the Bush administration. Although President Bush has questioned the need for the emissions reductions required in the Kyoto Protocol, recent scientific reports by the International Panel on Climate Change and the US National Academy of Sciences have been even firmer than earlier ones in their conclusion that emissions reductions are urgently needed.

The following is an article by Stan Houston, a doctor with the University of Zimbabwe's medical school. In response, Helen Jackson, UNFPA has written a comment about Dr. Houston's article. Both the article and the comment were published in SAfAIDS News (June, 2001). We would like to hear your views on the article and publish feedback in the next edition of SAfAIDS News.

A distinguished member of the Parliamentarians for Global Action is asking for nominations for the PGA's 'Defender of Democracy' Award. Senator Johnson would much appreciate nominations of women as he fully realises women are so often overlooked in the world's awards. If you have suggestions of women defenders of democracy, please e-mail them direct to Senator Johnson on his e-mail address below. Nominations are due by July 31, 2001.

Amnesty International [AI] is making an urgent appeal to Italy to fulfil its international obligations and immediately arrest a Rwandese citizen who has reportedly been indicted by the ICTR to ensure that the accused person does not flee.

THE virulent legal battle between the Botswana Guardian and Midweek Sun began on Monday, 09 July 2001, with the papers' attorneys scoring preliminary goals.