e-CIVICUS - Connecting civil society worldwide - Number 154
20 March, 2002

CONTENTS:
SECTION 1. FROM THE DESK OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
("Zimbabwe after the elections")

SECTION 2. FEATURED NEWS-ITEM OF THE WEEK
(Global NGO Forum of the Financing for Development Conference,
Monterrey, Mexico)

SECTION 3. CITIZEN ACTION AROUND THE WORLD
(Implementing Roma Rights in Europe; Project Parity - Innovative
campaigns to highlight women's issues; Interactive e-conference
on Corporate Social Responsibility; Global Youth Service Day)

SECTION 4. JOBS/ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
(Announcements from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community -
Pacific Women's Bureau, New Caledonia; YouthBuild, USA)

SECTION 5. CONFERENCES/ MEETINGS EXHIBITIONS
(Women of Pakistan, India and US organise for world peace and
justice; International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and
Neglect -14th International Conference; Women's International
Cross-cultural exchange 'Know-How Conference'; African Young
People AIDS Coalition Conference; Call for Presenters - 4th Annual
Youth and College Leadership Summit)

SECTION 6. TRAINING COURSES/ ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES
(Institute of Cultural Affairs Ghana and ICA,UK; 2002 Directory
of Training Programs in Health Services Research and Health
Policy Available online)

SECTION 7. PUBLICATIONS/ CALLS FOR PAPERS
(Philanthropy News Digest Classifieds; Guide to European
Population Assistance; "From the Roots Up" - by World Neighbours;
"The International Dimension of Human Rights"; New Edition -
Journal Probity; Call for Papers for special issue of Greener
Management International Journal)

SECTION 8. INTERNET NEWS/ FEATURED WEBSITES
(China Association of NGOs; Children in the Media; Ethics Online)

SECTION 9. HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US
(Contacting the e-CIVICUS team)

SECTION 10. "CIVIL SOCIETY WATCH" - a special supplemental digest
(The next issue of the digest will appear in E-CIVICUS number
155)

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SECTION 1. FROM THE DESK OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

ZIMBABWE AFTER THE ELECTIONS
Last week Zimbabweans came out in large numbers to participate in
presidential elections. The months leading up to the election
was marred by violence, intimidation, restrictions on freedom of
speech, press, association and assembly, as well as irregular
electoral practices.

In spite of what many observers, both inside and outside
Zimbabwe, termed a 'climate of fear', millions of people young
and old queued for up to 48 hours, determined to cast their
votes. The large turnout (and administrative delays) led to
voting being extended to three days - an indication of the
commitment of Zimbabwean people to making their voices count.

Unfortunately, for many thousands the chance to exercise their
right to vote was squashed or at least hindered by the late
changes to the Electoral Act by the Zanu PF government, which
disenfranchised those Zimbabweans, both black and white, who hold
dual citizenship. Moreover, a last minute and unilateral decision
to half the number of polling stations in opposition strongholds
and double them in rural localities where loyalty to President
Mugabe and Zanu PF is strongest, clearly favoured the ruling
party and was an obvious departure from internationally accepted
electoral practice

The results of the poll gave Mugabe and his party Zanu PF a
victory (close to 20% margin) over his opponent Morgan Tsvangarai,
leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the candidate
most favoured by many in the international community.

Tsvangarai has refused to accept the outcome of the poll, calling
it "the biggest electoral fraud I have witnessed in my life."
Similarly, the Commonwealth Observer team, Amnesty International,
the European Union, the SADC Observer Mission (excluding South
Africa), as well as human rights organisations and religious
leaders in Zimbabwe, have either denounced the results outright or
have expressed severe reservations about whether the election can
be deemed 'free and fair'. Duke Lefhoko, head of the SADC
observer team went so far as to publicly slate Zanu PF and the
government for running elections in a climate of fear, where
suppression of political dissent, torture, murder and arson as
well as police bias and intimidation were evident.

However, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the South
African Observer Mission declared the poll legitimate and called
on the international community and all Zimbabweans to accept the
result and work toward economic reconstruction and
reconciliation.

The South African Observer mission was left out in the cold,
criticized by the international community and even some of it's
own members for what they saw as a weak if not outrageous
declaration. Indeed, it's head, Sam Motswenyane was vilified in
the South African media and hero worshipped in the Zimbabwean
government controlled media for his referral to electoral
irregularities and reports of intimidation as "administrative
oversights."

The media, both regional and international has indeed had a field
day in the run up and aftermath of these elections and this
raises the important issue of media bias, a charge most often
leveled (and rightly so) at state controlled press and
broadcasters.

There can be no doubt that the Zimbabwean Broadcasting
Corporation (ZBC) and government controlled newspapers have for
some time not adhered to the ethics of objectivity and neutrality
and in fact openly support Mugabe and Zanu PF, while condemning
Tsvangarai and his supporters as "neo colonial puppets" and even
"terrorists".

However, similar criticism could be leveled at large and
influential media organisations in South Africa, Britain,
Australia and the US. Varying degrees of editorial bias toward
Tsvangarai and the MDC or an unfortunate lack of analysis and in-
depth reporting, or both, on issues ranging from the land question
to party policy to alleged assassination plots have been evident
in both broadcast and print media.

In South Africa, Britain and the US, Mugabe and Zanu PF received
the overwhelming share of negative press and broadcast coverage,
whilst the reporting on the MDC and Tsvangarai in particular, was
relatively sparse, superficial and overwhelmingly positive.

Commenting on the media coverage in the months preceding the
elections Dr Sehlare Makgetlaneng of the Africa Institute of
South Africa (SISA) suggested that the South African media in
particular had ceased to be objective and over-emphasised
blunders of the ruling party in Zimbabwe. "For elections to be
free and fair leading South African media organisations had
already decided that Zanu PF must lose. The coverage was one
sided, not balanced at all and that is reflective of the local
media's position on key issues in this country."

Only one newspaper in South Africa, the popular daily Sowetan
chose to include an analysis of media following the declaration of
Mugabe's victory. The article highlighted several irregularities
in reporting (on both sides of the poll) and interestingly, the
selective editing and use of pictures from international news
agencies, accompanied by vague captions, that supported a negative
view of the election process and the ruling party.

One of the keys to a vibrant democracy and active civil society
is the maintenance of a free press. Wherever and whenever press
freedom is curtailed or suppressed voices of civil society must
be raised throughout the world. Similarly, we must never be
silent in our criticism wherever freedom of the press is used as
lip service to political, social or economic developments or to
the advantage of one ideology or individual over another.

As events in Zimbabwe unfold all of us within civil society will
be reminded that tolerance, objectivity and constructive
engagement are key principles of reconstruction , reconciliation
and the upholding of basic human rights. We should at this
difficult time for the people of Zimbabwe extend our solidarity
to all Zimbabweans committed to re-building peace, stability and
a participatory democracy in their country.

Warm regards, Kumi Naidoo.

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SECTION 2. FEATURED NEWS-ITEM OF THE WEEK
GLOBAL NGO FORUM OF FFD, MONTERREY, MEXICO, 14-16 MARCH 2002: The
UN-led Financing for Development (Ffd) conference held at
Monterrey, Mexico has been in the news recently. Although the so-
called "Monterrey Consensus", expected to be the new blueprint
for global development financing, has met with strong criticism
from several governments and civil society organisations around
the world, the conference is acknowledged to be the first to
address the issue in a multi-stakeholder environment. The Global
NGO Forum of the Ffd was held at Monterrey, Mexico, from 14 to 16
March, 2002. For full coverage of civil society participation in
the conference, and civil society positions on the 'Monterrey
Consensus' please visit www.ffdforoglobal.org
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SECTION 3. CITIZEN ACTION AROUND THE WORLD

IMPLEMENTING ROMA RIGHTS IN EUROPE:
(European Roma Rights Center's (ERRC) Contribution to Council of
Europe Meeting)
The ERRC submitted oral and written comments to a meeting on the
"legal situation of Roma in Europe" of the Committee on Legal
Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe. The context of the meeting was a reassessment
of Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation adopted almost a decade
ago. ERRC Executive Director welcomed the Parliamentary
Assembly's initiative as an opportunity for the Council of Europe
to play a more active role in implementing Roma rights. In
addition the ED suggested adopted recommendations should
emphasize human rights, anti-discrimination and the struggle
against racism as central to any policies and/or laws addressing
the situation of Roma in Europe. For further information and for
full text of the ERRC submission, please visit:
http://errc.org/publications/legal/index.shtml

INNOVATIVE CAMPAIGNS TO HIGHLIGHT WOMEN'S ISSUES:
Project Parity (training future women leaders worldwide) is
compiling a listing of perhaps 50 eyecatching campaigns that NGOs
and pressure groups have used successfully to attract Press and
Media attention, to bring their own causes to public and
political attention. We are very keen to hear from journalists
and organisations about short, inexpensive successful events.The
listing will be made available to any campaign groups,
particularly new ones, to help them plan their own campaigns.
Please send us your suggestions for inclusion in the list -
campaigns on your or any subjects you have run or campaigns on
any subject (environment, health, education, peace-making,
equality, reconciliation, violence against women, etc) you have
heard about. Recently, Argentineans outraged at politicians'
corruption took to the streets with broomsticks 'to sweep the
nation clear of corrupt politicos', gaining worldwide media and
press attention. An example of another very inexpensive and
successful campaign is "The cost of a clothesline" being run by
women against violence in Sri Lanka.
CONTACT: Tim Symonds
Executive Director, Project Parity, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0) 1892 891 106
Email: [email protected] Web:
http://www.shevolution.com

INTERACTIVE E-CONFERENCE ON CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSBILITY:
This e-conference will contribute to the global debate on CSR,
and develop an agenda for future leaders by providing an
opportunity for young people to express their view on the role of
various stakeholders in promoting CSR.
Each week, a new topic for discussion will be introduced. Each
topic will be moderated by young people from developed,
developing, and transition economies.
http://www.youthactionnet.org/calendar.php

GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY 26-28 APRIL, 2002, Worldwide,
Youth Changing the World!
Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is an annual global event led by
Youth Service America with the Global Youth Action Network as its
key partner, together with a consortium of
32 International Organizations and well over 100 National
Coordinating Committees. The goals of GYSD are to:
*Highlight the ways that young people improve their communities
through service 365 days a year
*Recruit the next generation of volunteers
*Promote the benefits of youth service around the world
For more info visit www.gysd.net or email [email protected]

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SECTION 4. JOBS/ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT OFFICER - THE SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC
COMMUNITY(SPC), PACIFIC WOMEN'S BUREAU(PWB)
LOCATION: Noumea, New Caledonia
CLOSING DATE: Closing date: March 30, 2002.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an independent
intergovernmental agency providing technical advice, assistance,
training and research in the service of the 22 Pacific Island
countries and territories of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
It currently has a staff of more than 200. SPC is officially
bilingual, with English and French being the working languages.
The Pacific Women's Bureau (PWB) of the SPC strives to ensure
that SPC's vision is realised with actions that support gender
equity and the advancement of women in the Pacific Community. For
full job description for position of Women's Development Officer,
and for descriptio of salary, benefits as well as application
requirements, please visit:
www.civicus.org and click on 'opportunities' and tehn on 'jobs'.
Applications should be addressed to:
Director General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community
P.O. Box D5, Noumea Cedex
New Caledonia
Applications may alternatively, or additionally, be submitted by
email to [email protected], preferably in plain text or Rich Text
Format (RTF).

YouthBuild, USA, seeks a Graduate Employment Opportunities
Coordinator. This position is the resource to the YouthBuild
network for graduate opportunities with The Home Depot and other
national employer partners with which YouthBuild USA has or is
developing relationships. For more information email:
[email protected]. (From the USA Freedom Corps
listserve.)

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SECTION 5. CONFERENCES/ MEETINGS/ EXHIBITIONS
(Conferences marked with an asterisk (*) are appearing in e-
CIVICUS for the first time)

WOMEN OF PAKISTAN, INDIA AND US ORGANIZE FOR WORLD PEACE AND
JUSTICE:
The Global Women's History Project April 2002 conference titled
"Women of Pakistan and India: Rights, Ecology, Economy, and
Nuclear Disarmament" brings together women activists from
Pakistan, India and other countries at a critical moment in world
history.
APRIL 25-28, WESTFIELD STATE COLLEGE, WESTFIELD, MA
Coordinators:
Dr. Elise G. Young, History Department, Westfield
State College.
Phone: 1-413-572-5343 E-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Usha Zacharias, Communications Department,
Westfield State College.
Phone: 1-413-572-5746 E-mail: [email protected]

(*)THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND
NEGLECT (IPSCAN)- 14th International Congress
Denver, Colorado July 7-10, 2002
"Charting Our Progress Toward Protection of Children Worldwide"
Description: At the Congress, ISPCAN will be celebrating its 25th
anniversary and commemorating the 40th anniversary of the
publication of "The Battered Child Syndrome," the landmark
article written by Dr. C. Henry Kempe which brought the problems
of abuse and neglect to public attention worldwide. It will also
be the 30th anniversary of the Kempe Children's Center, founded
by Dr. C. H. Kempe. Over 2000 delegates and professionals
committed to Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Treatment,
are expected to attend from over 50 countries.
Registration and accommodation information:
E-mail: [email protected] website: www.ispcan.org/events.html Tel:
1+303-996-9997 Fax: 1+303-265-9092

(*)KNOW-HOW CONFERENCE (July 23-27 2002)
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Event Details: Know How Conference is organized by Isis-WICCE
(Women's International Cross-Cultural Exchange) which is based in
Kampala, assisted by the International Information Center and
Archives for the Women's Movement
(IIAV) in Amsterdam and Isis International-Manila.
This conference brings together specialists in getting
information to where it is needed, whether to the grass roots,
researchers, policy makers or the media.
Contact Information:
Ruth Ojiambo Ochieng
Director,Isis-Women's International Cross Cultural Exchange
Plot 32 Bukoto Street, Kamwokya
PO Box 4934
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 256-41-543953 Fax: 256-41-543954 email:[email protected]

(*)LET AFRICA LIVE! AFRICAN YOUNG PEOPLE AIDS COALITION
CONFERENCE
The first International Young Peoples Conference on AIDS in
Africa will be held in Mombasa, Kenya from May 28 - June 1, 2002.
The event,hosted by Africa Young AIDS Coalition (AFYOAC), is
expected to be the largest gathering of young African HIV/AIDS
activists throughout the continent. The conference will bring
together young researchers,educators, advocates, counselors and
policymakers. It will provide a strong platform in shaping the
future role of young people in HIV/AIDS prevention and care
within the continent. The conference will also focus on the
prevention needs of young people and look for appropriate ways
capable of bridging the existing communication, language and
experience sharing gap between young HIV/AIDS activists in
Africa. For information, contact The Secretariat, The First
International Africa Young Peoples Conference on AIDS, at
[email protected] or visit
http://www2.womensnet.org.za/events/show.cfm?id=219

CALL FOR PRESENTERS

New Light Leadership Coalition 4th Annual
YOUTH & COLLEGE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
"Unveiling the Essence of Leadership"
8 - 10 November 2002 Baltimore Convention Center Maryland
http://www.nllc.org/ys2002
Workshops will be held in 2-hour sessions on Friday, November 8 &
Saturday, November 9, 2002. If your proposal is accepted, we may
ask you to facilitate two or
three sessions. Each workshop will have approximately 30 - 40
participants ages 16 through 25. The goal is to have each young
person leave this experience with a greater understanding of
leadership and valuable resources to aid in the development of
these skills. All submissions must be postmarked by June 30,
2002. *Note: Special consideration given to youth speakers and
presenters
If you are interested in facilitating a workshop, please
fill out the workshop proposal form at http://www.nllc.org/ys2002
or CONTACT:
NLLC, PO Box 66305 Baltimore, MD 21239-6305

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SECTION.6 TRAINING COURSES/ ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

TITLE: International Technology of Participation Training of
Facilitators
ORGANISERS: Institute of Cultural Affairs Ghana and ICA,UK
DATES: 6-17th May 2002
LOCATION: Accra, Ghana
DESCRIPTION: This is a two-week training course that will:
Equip participants with the practical group facilitation methods
developed and practised globally by ICA over the past 30 years;
clarify the role of the facilitator in the participatory process,
and explore skills, techniques and styles to manage different
groups in different situations; Enable participants to design,
conduct and follow up on participatory processes;Provide an
opportunity to network with facilitators from a variety of
African countries
For further details contact:
The Training Co-ordinator
Institute of Cultural Affairs Ghana
P.O. Box OS 2060,
Osu-Accra,Ghana
Tel: (233) 21 2241677 Fax: (233) 21 221343
Email: [email protected]

The 2002 Directory of Training Programs in Health Services
Research and Health Policy Available online at:
http://www.academyhealth.org/directory/search.cfm. (From the
Equidad listserve of the Division of Health and Human Development
- PAHO/WHO)

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SECTION 7. PUBLICATIONS/ CALLS FOR PAPERS

Philanthropy News Digest Classifieds (PND CLASSIFIEDS)
The Foundation Center has just launched a brand new feature in
its popular online news journal, which puts non profit
professionals in touch with a wide array of products and services
tailored to the nonprofit sector. Visitors to the Center's Web
site can now search through PND Classifieds to find information
about consultants, proposal writers, Web site designers, software
providers, education and training services, nonprofit employment
specialists and more. Visit:
www.fdncenter.org/pnd/classifieds/

GUIDE TO EUROPEAN POPULATION ASSISTANCE
The revised 3rd edition provides an overview of European
governmental funding lines, specifically in the field of sexual
and reproductive health, including family planning and HIV/AIDS,
population and sustainable development. The Guide helps find
donors that support specific subject fields, award grants in
geographic areas and provide the type of grant sought. Free for
NGOs in developing countries (Euro 40/USD 37 for Northern NGOs).
The Guide or a password to access the website
http://www.eurongos.org/guide.htm can be ordered from:
The German Foundation for World Population (DSW)
Goettinger Chaussee 115
D - 30459 Hannover - Germany
Phone: + 49 511 943 730 Fax: + 49 511 943 73 73
E-mail: [email protected].

From the Roots Up: Strengthening Organizational Capacity through
Guided Self-Assessment
Building on 50 years of field experience in World Neighbors
programs, this guide is designed to help grassroots NGOs and
community groups recognize their own potential, identify critical
issues for programme and organisational development, and decide
for themselves what actions to take, in relation to their
purpose, context, and resources. The publication is available in
Spanish and French.
Publisher: World Neighbors
Cost: $US20.00 plus postage ($5.00 in the US/Canada, $7.00
Internationally). Website Contact: [email protected]

The International Dimension of Human Rights
Robert Kogod Goldman, Claudio M. Grossman, Claudia Martin and
Diego Rodríguez-Pinzón
Inter-American Development Bank, the Academy for Human Rights and
Humanitarian Rights of American University, Washington College of
Law,
This publication includes extracts of judgments, reports and
opinions of international supervisory organs and domestic
judicial tribunals, as well as the work of scholars in this
subject.
ISBN: 1-931003-14-9 -English-Spanish - 2001
More information at:
http://www.iadb.org/exr/pub/pages/book.asp?id=130(From the
Equidad listserve of the Division of Health and Human Development
- PAHO/WHO)

ANNOUNCEMENT: New Edition - Journal Probity
With its first publication in May 1999, the Journal Probity
(Revista Probidad, in Spanish) became, and remains,
Internet's first anti-corruption journal. The new edition of the
journal focuses on El Salvador, with a presentation of a 150 page
annual report compiled by Probity (Probidad, in Spanish), an
anti-corruption organization that administers local and regional
projects,including the journal. This edition about El Salvador
also includes essays and resources. This and past editions of the
journal on: http://www.probidad.org/revista (Spanish)
http://www.probidad.org/english/index.html (English)
Journalists Against Corruption (PFC) http://www.portal-pfc.org

CALL FOR PAPERS

GREENER MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL
Accepting contributions for a Special issue on "Foresighting and
Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Development Planning" The
issue aims to be a single source of information on some of the
latest developments in the field. Seeking high-quality papers
and studies that can be valuable to both the management and
research communities. Theoretical or conceptual papers should
have a strong practical significance, with clear implications for
business practice. Case studies are also welcome. Authors should
closely follow the submission guideline which can be found by
clicking on "Notes to Contributors" at www.greenleaf-
publishing.com/gmihome.htm
Submission deadline for initial expressions of interest (approx.
300 words) is 10 April 2002.
Submissions should be sent via email to all three editors:
Professor Anthony Clayton
Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies
University of the West Indies
Email: [email protected]
Emilio Vento
UNIDO-ICS Liaison Officer
Email: [email protected]
Dr Walter Wehrmeyer
Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey
E-mail: [email protected]

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SECTION 8. INTERNET NEWS/ FEATURED WEBSITES

CANGO (China Association for Non-Governmental Organization
Cooperation) This is the English website of a Chinese NGO. CANGO
has a membership of 76 Chinese NGOs and a programme of
cooperation with NGOs throughout the world.
CANGO describes its mission: to empower citizens to create an
environment that offers a fair chance to everybody to contribute
to China's sustainable development. Programmes include Community
and Gender Development, Environment in Focus, and Microfinance
and Capacity Building in Tibet.
CANGO has active Partners and Funders worldwide including Canada,
USA, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, France, UK, and
Japan. http://www.cango.org
NEW ISSUE OF DEVELOPMENT OUTREACH: A flagship magazine published
by the World Bank www1.worldbank.org/devoutreach/
From the Division of Health and Human Development - PAHO/WHO list
serve.

CHILDREN IN THE MEDIA: News Agency dedicated to coverage of
Children's Rights and related issues.
Information is available is Spanish, English and Portuguese
www.andi.org.br

Ethics Newsline, published weekly by the nonprofit Institute for
Global Ethics, is the premier source of cutting edge news,
analysis and commentary on issues of the day, seen through the
lens of ethics. There is an archive of news stories, commentary
and analysis of key issues going back to 1998. To sign up for
the free weekly news service email: [email protected] or
go to: www.globalethics.org/newsline/members

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SECTION 9. HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US

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 post announcements,
comments and suggestions, please email: [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]

THE e-CIVICUS TEAM:
Indira Ravindran (Editor), Christie Atherton, Patricia Sipher,
Gail Goodall, Jan Wells

Address: CIVICUS, World Alliance for Citizen Participation
919, 18th Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC, 20006, USA
Tel: 1-202-331-8518 Fax: 1-202-331-8774
Email: [email protected] Web: www.civicus.org

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SECTION 10. CIVICUS CIVIL SOCIETY WATCH

(THIS SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL DIGEST IS PRODUCED BY THE CIVICUS TEAM IN
OUR VANCOUVER OFFICE. THE NEXT ISSUE OF THIS DIGEST WILL APPEAR IN
ECIVICUS 155)
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