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Project News & Upcoming Events: 2007
2007: March April May June July August September October November December
March 2007
APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize 2007
The APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize recognizes initiatives that are making it easy for people to start using free and open source software (FOSS). The prize is awarded to a person or group doing extraordinary work to make FOSS accessible to ordinary computer users. The APC FOSS Prize has been established to honor Chris Nicol, a long time FOSS advocate and activist who for many years worked with APC. Eligible initiatives are those that:
- improve the accessibility to, knowledge of and/or usability of FOSS
- are user-oriented
- are documented so that others can learn from and replicate the model
- have demonstrable impact and have increased the number of people using FOSS on a day-to-day basis
The prize prize money of USD $4,000 is offered. This may be shared by up to two initiatives at the jury's discretion. For applications use the online form to apply for APC Chris Nicol FOSS Prize. The deadline for prize nominations is March 30, 2007. For more information and to access the online form, visit http://www.apc.org/english/chrisnicol/.
April 2007
Workshop - Gender-based Violence: Communicating Information and Good Practice Interventions to Policymakers, Kampala, Uganda, 23 April - 4 May 2007
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive public health and human rights problem throughout the world. Increasingly, resources are spent on research studies, surveys, and program evaluations that are aimed at improving our understanding of the underlying issues and the interventions needed to fight GBV. Yet all too frequently, these data and good practices fail to reach policymakers and, consequently, are not used to shape policies and programs.
The Institute of Public Health (IPH), at Makerere University, and the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), are pleased to inform you of an upcoming sub-Saharan Africa regional workshop dedicated toward developing policy communication and advocacy skills among program officials, researchers, and advocates working in the area of gender-based violence. The workshop is sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Global Bureau and Bureau for Africa.
The two-week workshop is designed to increase skills in using data and information to improve policies and programs to combat GBV. Sessions focus on identifying the policy implications of survey data and research results, creating a dissemination strategy, and developing written and oral presentation skills for effectively communicating with policy audiences and the news media. All sessions will be conducted in English.
The workshop has been planned for researchers, program managers, advocates and others responsible for formulating and implementing programs to reduce gender-based violence. Tuition for the workshop is $1,580, excluding accommodation, subsistence, and airfare. The PRB BRIDGE Project will fund a limited number of qualified candidates so anyone who is interested is encouraged to apply regardless of funding status. Applicants who are seeking funding assistance from the sponsors (PRB) must be from the following USAID-assisted countries: Angola, Benin, Congo (DRC), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Information and application forms are available at: www.prb.org, or www.iph.ac.ug. If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact Sara Adkins-Blanch at PRB, e-mail: saraab@prb.org.
The deadline for receiving applications is March 15, 2007. Please send them to:
Contact:
Dr. Freddie Ssengooba
Institute of Public Health
Makerere University
P.O. Box 7072
Kampala, Uganda
E-mail: IPH@iph.ac.ug
Phone +256 41 543 872 or +256 31 263158
Fax + 256 41 543 888 or +256 41 531807
Fourth World Congress of Rural Women, Durban, South Africa, 21 - 26 April 2007
The World Congress of Rural Women is an international gathering of rural women, which occurs at four-year intervals. The congress has been hosted previously by Australia in 1994, the USA in 1998 and Spain in 2002.The aim of the congress is to discuss universal and wide-ranging issues confronting rural women today and to share concrete experiences of successes in addressing these worldwide. These include: globalisation; trade; sustainable development (social, economic and environment); gender equality; food security and related issues of access to land, water, finance, new technologies, transport and roads; rural housing, women’s health, governance and the impact of public policies on rural women.
The theme of this upcoming congress is United in our diversity: Working together towards the total emancipation of rural women from poverty and hunger. About 2,000 local and international delegates are expected to participate in the congress. Delegates will be drawn from rural women themselves, government, civil society, international and intergovernmental organisations, nongovernmental organisations and community-based organisations.
South Africa, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs will host the 4th World Congress of Rural Women at the International Convention Centre in Durban from 23 to 26 April, 2007. The congress will be preceded by an African Consultation of Rural Women that will be held at the same venue from 19 to 21 April, 2007. Similarly, other regions are encouraged to hold regional consultations prior to the congress.
To register or to obtain any kind of information, please refer to the website:
http://www.4thworldcongressofruralwomen.co.za/
Loan Performer Workshop, Kagera Hall, Hotel Africana, Kampala, 12 April 2007
Crystal Clear Software is organizing a workshop on their micro-finance software "LOAN PERFORMER" where we will lauch Loan Performer version 7.09. In addition we expect to welcome our 175th client. This workshop will take place on Thursday 12 April at Hotel Africana, Kagera Hall, Kampala, Uganda, from 9:00am to 5:30pm.
We hereby cordially invite you to attend this day. Entrance is free, but you are requested to make your own food and travel arrangements. The workshop will include an introduction to Management Information Systems and an introduction to new features of Loan Performer in Clients, Savings Deposits, Loans, Accounting, and Security, Auditing and Controls. The workshop will be closed by the State Minister of Microfinance, Gen. Salim Saleh (tentatively).
For further information, contact:
Contact:
Hans Verkoijen
Crystal Clear Software Ltd.
PO Box 7463 Kampala, Uganda
King Fahd Plaza, 3rd floor, 52 Kampala Road
Tel: 256-41-4-231739
Fax 256-41-4-233644
Email: verkoyen@imul.com or ccs@infocom.co.ug
Web: www.loanperformer.com
Call for Applications: United Nations Journalism Fellowships, Application deadline: 17 April 2007
The Dag Hammarskjöld Scholarship Fund for Journalists is now currently accepting applications from young journalists for its 2007 Fellowship Programme. Opened to professional radio, television and print journalists from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, who are interested in coming to New York to report on international affairs during the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the programme commences in September 2007. This is the 46th year the Fund has sponsored this program which was established to honor the second Secretary-General of the United Nations. In the last four decades, the Fund has awarded fellowships to more than 170 journalists from nearly 80 countries. Many former Fellows have achieved great success as journalists and in other professions. In 2006, the Fund awarded fellowships to journalists from Afghanistan, Brazil, India and Nigeria.
The four fellows to be selected will be young journalists between ages 25 and 35 to attend a 10-week fellowship just before the General Assembly session begins. It is an all-expense paid programme that will cover travel, accommodations and per diem expenses. Fellowship criteria and guidelines and downloadable application forms can be found at website below. Original signed applications and sample work products are required. Selection of the four 2007 Journalism Fellows will be announced in June by the Fund’s Board of Directors.
The application deadline is Monday, April 17, 2007. For further questions or information, contact:
Contact:
Email: info@unjournalismfellowship.org
Web: http://www.unjournalismfellowship.org
2007 Commonweath People's Forum: Footage and Interviews from NGOs/Civil Society in Uganda
Organisers of the 2007 Commonweath People's Forum inform NGOs and Civil Society in Uganda that Mr. David Obot has been assigned responsibility to organize footage (TV Short messages always about 15-30 Seconds) on views, experiences or useful information from the Ugandan participants about the Commonwealth People's Forum (CPF).
Representatives of organisations who might have participated in previous CPFs or plans to participate in the forthcoming CPF in Uganda are requested to contact Mr. David Obot or Mr. Henry Owera for further information and to arrange from the footage/interviews. Organisations should indicate their interest by 28 April 2007.
Contact:
Mr. David Obot
Tel.: +256-77-2501985 (Mobile); 041-4288781 (Office)
Email: david.obot@gmail.com
OR
Mr. Henry Owera
Tel.: +256-71-2693242 (Mobile); 041-4288781 (Office)
Email: owerah@gmail.com
Blog: http://www.owerahbits.blogspot.com
BROSDI/CELAC Farmers Knowledge Fair: The Role of Mobile Telephony to Grass Root Farmers in Rural Uganda
Busoga Rural Open Source Development Initiative (BROSDI) in close collaboration with the Collecting and Exchange of Local Agricultural Content (CELAC) Luwero District Agricultural Network organized a Farmers Knowledge Fair in Luwero district on 27th April 2007, at New Edens Primary School – Wobulenzi. This year’s theme was: The Role of Mobile Telephony to Grass Root Farmers in Rural Uganda. The objectives of the Fair were to enable farmers to explore new market opportunities for their products; to expose the farmers to alternative ICT methods used by the CELAC project; to enable the farmers have face to face discussions with fellow farmers from other districts - this would encourage them to relate even after the event; and to encourage the farmers have a sense of competition so as they can realize better quality and more produce.
Parallel events were run that consisted of an exhibition where there was extensive face to face interaction, learning sessions and discussions with the farmers, buyers and guests. The Fair brought together farmers from Luwero, Kasese, Bushenyi, Masaka, Kabale, Mbarara, Kabarole, Kayunga, Lira, Pallisa, Mayuge, Mbale, Sironko, Apac and Tororo districts involved in farming Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes, Goats, Millet, Pigs, Bananas, Irish Potatoes, Cows, Bees, Pineapples, Cassava, Guinea Fowls, Chicken, Turkeys, Maize, Onions, Beans, Tomatoes, Sesame, Ducks, Ground nuts & Sheep.
Other Fair activities included debates, a mock radio program and knowledge sharing forum. Management and participation was by the farmers though, some of the events called for audience participation in terms of views on issues being discussed.
For further information, contact:
Contact:
Maria Nakirya
Agricultural Program Coordinator, BROSDI
Email: marianakirya2000@yahoo.com
Web: http://www.brosdi.or.ug or http://www.celac.or.ug
Community-Based Programme to Support Women in Peacebuilding and Prevention of Sexual Violence
In an inception workshop held from 16 to 20 April 2007, in Lira, Uganda, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) embarked on a two-year initiative to support women in their communities in building peace and preventing sexual violence during and after conflicts. The programme will focus on ensuring that national commitments in changing attitudes towards women's rights are achieved, offering increased security, and promoting a greater inclusion of women in peace processes free from sexual and gender-based violence after conflict.
For further information, visit:
Web: http://www.unifem.org/news_events/story_detail.php?StoryID=574
May 2007
Joint AfNOG'2007, AfriNIC-6 and ISOC INET Africa meeting, Abuja, Nigeria, 1 - 4 May 2007
The joint AfNOG'2007, AfriNIC-6 and ISOC INET Africa meeting will be held in Abuja, from May 1 to 4, 2007 in Abuja, Nigeria. This four day event will provide a public forum for the African Internet community and policy makers to discuss different aspects of the Internet on the continent, from Network Operations to Internet Resources Management Policies and Standards development, including the impact of International Domain Names, unwanted traffic, security and the governance of internet on national and regional information societies and ICT capacity building.
The INET meeting, organized by the Internet Society (ISOC), will comprise of a technical session on unwanted traffic on the Internet and security challenges, in the morning. The afternoon will be dedicated to Internet governance and will focus on the priorities for Africa for the Internet Governance Forum that will take place in Rio de Janerio, Brazil, in November 2007 (see http://www.isoc.org/isoc/conferences/inet/07/ for detailed agenda).
For the Africa meeting and registration details, contact:
Contact:
Dawit Bekele
Manager, African Regional Bureau
Internet Society (ISOC)
Tel: +251 911 22 13 33
Email: bekele@isoc.org
Web: https://www.afrinic.net/meeting/afrinic-6/registration.htm
Call for Papers: Women's Narratives, War, and Peace-Building
Critical Half, the bi-annual academic journal of Women for Women International, is currently seeking submissions for its Summer 2007 issue, which will focus on the function of women's individual and collective narratives during and after war and civil conflict. Women for Women International provides women survivors of war, civil strife, and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies.
The deadline for submissions is May 21, 2007. The call for papers (CFP) is available online. Past issues of Critical Half are available at http://www.womenforwomen.org/repubbiannual.htm.
For further information or for a copy of the Call for Papers, contact:
Contact:
Email: CriticalHalf@womenforwomen.org
Web: http://www.womenforwomen.org/cfpapers.htm
East African Telecentre Leaders Forum (EA-TLF): Promoting ICT for Rural Development - Meeting the Movement Challenges
Once again the EA-TLF is around the corner. The forum, the third of its kind, will be co-hosted in Kenya by UgaBYTES and Kenya Network of Telecentres - KenTel in the Kenya Board district - Busia. The event is planned to run in two phases; the online and face-to face sessions. The online sessions will be guided by subject matter specialists. Each of the session is important in fostering learning and sharing within the sub region and beyond about key telecentre issues.
The EA-TLF is an East African telecentre event that occurs twice a year and with rotating venues within the sub region and focusing on different themes. It is part of the global framework of telecentre.org and partners' gatherings that are focused at facilitating learning and sharing of ideas and solutions among telecentre practitioners. As such the EA-TLF uses open space facilitation methods - in which every participant is a learner and facilitator.
Participants who can facilitate themselves to the face-to-face event are encouraged to contact the respective national representatives. The face-to-face session will run from 4 - 6 June including a telecentre visit. This session will be preceded by an online session hosted on the UgaBYTES mailing list that will run from 14 - 25 May 2007.
Telecentre practitioners in the sub region are encouraged to contact the following National network leaders who are charged with selecting national participants to the event, who will be facilitated by the organizers. The network leaders will also provide further information about the event:
- Burundi - Pamela Ogwal, UgaBYTES at opamela@ugabytes.org
- Kenya - Ken Chelimo at chelimoken@yahoo.com
- Rwanda - Paul Barera at pbarera@yahoo.fr
- Tanzania - Joseph Sekiku at sekiku@satconet.net
- Uganda - Sulah Ndaula, UgaBYTES at ndaulasula@ugabytes.org
AITEC UGANDA Exhibition, 30 May – 1 June 2007, Hotel Africana, Kampala, Uganda
The 10th year anniversary AITEC Uganda: ICT Conference & Exhibition is to be held at the Hotel Africana in Kampala from 30 May - 1 June 2007. Uganda is one of the continent’s most progressive and fastest growing ICT markets. The government’s commitment to promoting the rapid adoption of ICT solutions in education, business and government is reflected in the decision to create a separate ministry to administer the ICT sector this year.
Computing and telecommunications resellers, service providers and training institutions have multiplied over the past five years in response to the increased demand for ICT skills, equipment and services. The exhibition will provide a platform for the country’s growing population of ICT users in government and the private sector to assess latest technologies and the services offered by vendors and service providers.
Exhibitors are entitled to a free listing of their products and services in the exhibition catalogue. An independent panel of judges will select the best stands. A cocktail party and trophy award ceremony will take place on the second day of the exhibition. Over the two days of the exhibition an Enterprise Solutions Showcase will provide a presentation facility for exhibiting companies to showcase their hardware and software products, services and solutions.
For further information, contact:
Contact:
Elizabeth Ntege
NFT Consult Ltd
Tel: +256 (0)41 4237904 / +256 (0)71305001 / +256 (0)75 2830525
Email: elizabeth.ntege@nftconsult.com
June 2007
Training programme: Building capacity for rights - Democracy and Development in Africa
The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) at the University of the Witwatersrand, together with the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) of the Netherlands will co-host an exciting and innovative course on Development and Human Rights. This course, intended for people concerned with social change in Africa, aims to build capacity for advancing rights within development and activist organizations. It will assist researchers, advocates, trainers and programme officers from civil society and state institutions to develop practical approaches to using rights advocacy and development programmes. There are three modules:
- Module one of the course explores key concepts and a framework for a rights approach to advocacy and development programming.
- Module two applies the framework to specific rights areas: socio-economic rights, reproductive and sexual rights, political and civil rights.
- Module three focuses on building skills for the practical application of a rights approach in advocacy work and development programmes.
Contact:
Tahera Timol
Senior Admin Officer
Centre for Applied Legal Studies
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tel: + 27 11 717 8600/21
Fax: + 27 11 403 2341
Email: Tahera.Timol@wits.ac.za
Web: http://www.law.wits.ac.za/cals/ or http://www.kit.nl/
Cairo Conference on Knowledge Management as an Enabler of Change and Innovation in Africa, June 11 - 13, 2007
The Conference on Knowledge Management as an Enabler of Change and Innovation in Africa will be held on June 11-13, 2007, at The Conrad Hotel in Cairo, Egypt. The conference will bring together about 100 senior leaders and decision-makers from various African institutions to discuss key KM issues in the region. It is expected to provide the opportunity for participants to network with peers and colleagues, explore the practical aspects of knowledge management, share lessons about experiences to a larger audience, and examine more systematically the impact of KM within organizations, its role in broader changes, and how it had been used innovatively in specific sectoral areas.
The conference is hosted by Global Development Network with support from DFID, DGIS, ACBF and the World Bank Institute. It is designed to build on the learning from previous GDN-sponsored knowledge Management events, share lessons with a larger audience, and examine more thoroughly the impact of KM on organizations across Africa.
For further information, contact:
Contact:
Global Development Network (GDN) Cairo
Building 144/A - 3rd Floor
Smart Village, Cairo-Alex Desert Road
Giza, Egypt
Tel.: + 202 539 2420
Fax: + 202 539 2422
Web: http://www.gdnet.org/middle.php?oid=1196
Commonwealth Partners' Forum 2007 at the 8WAMM, Kampala, Uganda, 8 - 10 June 2007
Prior to the 8th Commonwealth Women Affairs Ministers Meeting (8WAMM), representatives from civil society came together at a Partners' Forum from 8 - 10 June 2007, at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. The forum was to discuss and report on issues pertaining to the 8WAMM theme: "Financing Gender Equality for Development and Democracy" and to develop and write a communiqué to be presented to the Ministers. This forum attracted over 250 representatives of civil society organisations from around the Commonwealth as well as magistrates, judges, parliamentarians, businesswomen and development partners interested in gender equality issues.
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Partners Forum fed into the plenaries of the Ministerial meetings, in which every sixth speaker was a civil society representative. The thematic working groups at the 8WAMM offered opportunity for informal exchanges between government and civil society representatives as well as promoting open and constructive discussion in the government-civil society dialogue. Participation of civil society in the 8WAMM provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between governments and civil society on key gender issues of interest to Commonwealth countries. The objectives of the Commonwealth Partners' Forum were to:
- Provide an opportunity for civil society organisations (CSOs) across the Commonwealth to share experiences and learning on the 8WAMM theme: "Financing Gender Equality for Development and Democracy"
- Network, share experiences and report on progress with the implementation of the CPoA and develop key messages for Ministers
- Network and share experiences as well as report on critical challenges and emerging issues from the CPoA and to bring these to the attention of Ministers
- Mobilise civil society opinion in advance of 8WAMM on the issues to be addressed by Ministers and senior officials
- Civil Society Meeting (for CSOs) organised by the Commonwealth Women's Network to critically examine how the new aid architecture will impact on gender equality work. The main aim of this forum was to discuss the impact of the new aid modalities on gender equality work. The forum provided an opportunity for civil society not only to make recommendations to the ministers meeting but also to prepare for the review of the Paris Declaration that will take place in Accra , Ghana in 2008.
- Gender and Human Rights Workshop for judicial officers, lawyers and paralegals in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The Workshop was organised by the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges' Association and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.
- A one-day workshop under InterAction Leadership Programme organised by the British Council. InterAction is a transformational leadership programme which, for the past three years, has been working with dynamic and innovative individuals who want to make a positive difference in their organisations and communities across Africa and the UK. The programme is a unique approach to leadership, and enables participants to engage with the challenges that their countries face by learning from what has worked and is working in Africa and other parts of the world.
- One-day workshop for ministers held in Kampala immediately prior to their triennial meeting in June 2007. Facilitated by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), the purpose was to support Ministers as effective policy practitioners for gender equality and women's empowerment .
The focus of the 8WAMM was motivated by the fact that the Commonwealth region is a host of the world's poorest nations where more than 800 million people live on less than one dollar a day. In the recent past, many countries in the region have been engaged in developing national Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRSP) in exchange for debt relief as demanded by the World Bank and other donors. There has also been commitment to increase development aid in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS). However, despite all these initiatives poverty has remained widespread in most countries with women being the most affected. Poverty will continue to increase especially among women unless gender inequalities are addressed. Financing gender equality work contributes substantially to the elimination of gender inequalities in all spheres of life. In many commonwealth countries progress towards gender equality has been very slow because of failure to attach money to policy commitments leading to either inadequate or no implementation of gender related programs and actions.
The Partners Forum final communiqué to the 8WAMM can be downloaded from:
Web: http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/uploads/documents/munyonyo%20communique%20final1.pdf
8th Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting - 8WAMM, Kampala, Uganda, 11 - 14 June 2007
The 8th WAMM was held in Kampala, Uganda, from 11 - 14 June 2007. Women's Affairs Ministers Meetings (WAMMs) are held triennially. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Don McKinnon, is responsible for the general organisation and conduct of 8WAMM which is serviced by the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. The previous meeting, 7WAMM, was held in Fiji Islands from 30 May – 2 June 2004, and Ministers agreed the new Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015.
The 8WAMM is of strategic importance for a number of reasons. It is the third WAMM to take place in Africa, the previous two were held in Nairobi (1985) and Harare (1987). It is the first WAMM being held since the new Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015 was agreed by Ministers at the 7WAMM (2004), presented to the UN Beijing+10 Global Review, and endorsed by Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) at their meeting in Malta 2005. Finally, it is being held five months prior to CHOGM in the same host country, Uganda, which offers potential for bringing women's empowerment and gender equality to the attention of Heads of Government.
The theme for the 8WAMM was "Financing Gender Equality for Development and Democracy". The objectives of the meeting were:
- To provide a forum for discussion, sharing of experiences and forward planning on the proposed theme of "Financing Gender Equality for Development and Democracy"
- To report on the implementation of the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015, the Commonwealth Secretariat's Gender Audit, and the Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015 Monitoring Group
- To discuss and agree a Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
- To develop a strategy/message for CHOGM in Uganda
The communiqué from the 8WAMM can be downloaded from:
Web: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/document/165524/8wammkampala_communique.htm
The Civil Society Capacity Building Programme: Summary Report Of A Meeting Between Key Leaders In Parliament And Civil Society Leaders, 28 - 30 June 2007
The Civil Society Steering Committee (CSSC) of the Civil Society Capacity Building Programme (CSCBP) in conjunction with the Planning and Development Co-ordination Office of Parliament convened a three-day meeting between key leaders in Parliament and civil society to discuss the nature of the relationship between the legislature and civil society in the new dispensation of multiparty governance. The three day meeting which took place at Hotel Triangle Annex in Jinja, from 28th June – 30th June 2007, was attended by 46 participants who comprised of Chairpersons of Sessional and Standing Committees of Parliament, Chief Whips in Parliament, Chairpersons of Parliamentary Forums, and key leaders of various civil society organisations.
The meeting convened under the theme “Building Bridges, exploring possibilities: The Parliament/CSOs partnership in Uganda” sought to achieve the following objectives:
- To critically analyse the roles and relationship between Parliament and Civil Society in order to glean lessons learnt
- To propose new and better ways of relating between Parliament and Civil Society
- To redefine the relationship modality given the new multiparty political dispensation
- To provide a networking space for leaders in Parliament and Civil Society.
The discussion centred on effective and practical ways of enhancing the relationship between Parliamentarians and Civil Society Organisations with a view to understand better the key roles and contribution that Parliament and Civil Society play, focussing on areas of mutual benefit, as well as redefining the relationship modality that would enable both Parliament and Civil Society to play their roles.
After thorough discussions, the meeting came up with a joint communiqué which spelt out the way forward.
One of the recommendations included in the joint communiqué followed a request from Parliament to CSOs to make use of the Parliamentary library by depositing publications there. This, needless to emphasise, is an invaluable opportunity for CSOs to provide up to date reference information that can greatly inform members’ decision making, as well as provide exposure for CSOs in their various areas of expertise. Kindly note that the material can be submitted in soft and hard copy, but preferably hard copies.
For further information, contact:
Contact:
Apolo Kakaire
Communication Officer
Civil Society Capacity Building Programme
Tel: +256 41 4269023/2
Mob: +256 77 2774440
Email: akakaire@civilsocietyfund.or.ug
July 2007
Mango Finance training in Kampala, Uganda, July 2007
Mango will to be returning to Kampala, Uganda to deliver two of their most popular financial management training events, specially written for NGO field staff:
- FM1: Practical Financial Management for NGOs: Getting the Basics Right, 2 to 6 July 2007.
- FM2: Managing for Financial Sustainability Strategic Financial Management for NGOs, 9 to 11 July 2007
EAC RICTSP Incubator Projects: Open Call for Proposals, Deadline 9 July 2007
The overall objective of the Regional ICT Support Programme (RICTSP) is to contribute to the Eastern and Southern Africa regional integration agenda through an effective and efficient Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) environment. The primary purpose of the RICTSP is to achieve a reduction in the “digital divide” by removing some of the constraints to the efficient use of ICT.
The EAC RICTSP Incubator Project is established to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and private entrepreneurs in initiatives where ICTs are used to boost business or which are regarded as ICT service businesses. The aim of the Incubators Project is that the entrepreneurs integrate ICT tools in their daily business, create new business opportunities using modern ICT solution or create new type of business or services using ICT as vehicle for the business and for cross-sectoral solutions or having impact in the development of the society. Special attention, although not exclusive, will be given to enterprises run by women.
This open call for proposals shall culminate with the award of grants to successful applicants to establish and/or support projects the demonstrate the viability of the Internet. The minimum amount of any grant will be of 5,000 Euros and the maximum of 20,000 Euros. However, the programme reserves the right to support grants that would require less funds than the minimum stipulated. In addition, the grant may not exceed 75% of the cost of the proposed action – successful applicants are expected to contribute at least 25% of the cost of action.
The call for proposal including guidelines for grant applicants and the grant applicant form are available at http://www.eac.int/. The guidelines and grant application form as well as further information can also be obtained from the local focal persons in each country as identified below. You can also click on WORD or PDF to download a copy of the grant application guidelines and grant application form. The deadline for applications is 9th July 2007 at 17:00 (EAST).
A brief on the project and guidelines for gant applicants is also available in WORD and PDF format. Click on either WORD or PDF to download the 4-page document with frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Local Focal Persons:
|
Kenya
Ms. Alice Munyua |
Tanzania
Ms. Margareth Nzuki |
Uganda
Ms. Dorothy Okello |
The International Women's Summit (IWS), July 4 - 7 2007, Nairobi, Kenya
The International Women’s Summit brought together 1,500 women of all ages and HIV statuses, as well as stakeholders and partners to discuss the impact HIV and AIDS has on women and recognise the leadership women from across the world have demonstrated in bringing a solution to the pandemic. The IWS featured a wide range of activities and sessions and exceptional speakers to celebrate and expand the power of women’s leadership. The Summit allowed particpants to build skills, strengthen existing partnerships and create new networks in order to mobilise the changes needed to reverse the global HIV pandemic on women and girls at all levels. The first day, July 4, was a Positive Women’s Forum exclusively for HIV positive women.
The goals of the Summit were: To highlight the difference women’s leadership is making in response to HIV and AIDS by making visible African and young women’s leadership, at grassroots and community levels, including national, regional and international levels; To build the capacity of leaders and their organisations in undertaking sustainable programmes that address cutting-edge issues; To raise awareness and mobilise the women’s movement on HIV and AIDS and crosscutting issues and produce the evidence required to effect change at all levels in society; To provide the space for networking and the building of strategic partnerships that will broaden the impact of responses to HIV and AIDS at all levels.
Vowing that “we can lead the change we wish to see in the world”, participants at the World YWCA’s International Women’s Summit on HIV and AIDS concluded their meeting with a call to action demanding individual and collective responsibility. “This call to action is not just words on paper” Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, General Secretary of the World YWCA told press at the Kenyatta International Conference Center. “ It is a personal pledge each of us at this summit is making in our hearts and with our hands. And as the World YWCA, which is a movement of 25 million women worldwide, we know that these pledges will multiply. Where one woman acts, more will be inspired, more will be committed, more will take action until there is no power that can stop us. “
Actress Naomi Watts, UNAIDS special representative, speaking in a specially prepared video, said, ‘Leadership is critical and we need more of it and more people at all levels” to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, care and treatment by 2010. Affirming the “courageous leadership” of women that has already been demonstrated in the Summit, she concluded, “ while the road ahead is tough, I do firmly believe that if we push the envelope, if we work together, and we stand strong, we can and we will turn the tide of AIDS.”
For more information, visit: http://www.worldywca.info/index.php/ywca/world_council_07/iws_women_s_summit
August 2007
2007 Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) Competition
Submissions are welcome for the Global Development Network’s annual competition for the Most Innovative Development Project, which carries prizes in cash and travel of over US $50,000! The finalists will present their proposals at GDN’s Annual Global Development Conference in Brisbane, Australia in January 2008. Submissions are accepted for an ongoing development project implemented in a developing or transition country. Criteria include the degree of innovation and the potential for broad application of the project in other countries. Applicants are requested to use the new application template available on the GDN website.
Deadline for submission: August 20, 2007.
For more information on the competition, contact the GDN Secretariat:
Contact:
Tel: (91) 11-2613-9494 / 2613-6885
Fax: (91) 11-2613-6893 / 4170-4248
Email:awards@gdnet.org
Web: http://www.gdnet.org/2007awards
Address for Registered Mail and Courier:
2nd Floor, West Wing, ISID Complex,
Vasant Kunj Institutional Area
New Delhi 110070
India
Address for Regular Mail:
Post Box No 7510
Vasant Kunj P.O.
New Delhi 110070
India
September 2007
Web2ForDev International Conference - Participatory Web for Development, Rome, Italy, 25-27 September 2007
Web2ForDev 2007 is the first conference devoted to exploring the ways in which international development stakeholders can take advantage of the technical and organizational opportunities provided by Web 2.0 methods, approaches and applications. It is a joint venture by CTA, FAO, IICD, GTZ, ACP Secretariat, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Euforic, DGroups, CGIAR and IFAD.
The Web2ForDev conference will promote the adoption and dissemination of appropriate, low-cost and replicable Internet-based applications by actors in agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. It aims to inspire participants to use and develop their own information management and communication systems based on these applications. The conference targets agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management stakeholders, particularly those from developing countries, experienced with or interested in the potential of Web 2.0, including technology intermediaries, policy makers, information and communication specialists, software developers, application and system providers and information service providers. Participants are expected to have experience and understanding of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and to be in a position to understand, adopt and disseminate the showcased applications and approaches.
A call for proposals has also been announced with a submission deadline of 14 May 2007 (revised deadline). Accepted presenters or panelists from developing countries may apply for sponsorship to attend the Conference. For more information about the conference and/or the call for proposals, contact:
Contact:
Email: proposals@web2fordev.net
Web: http://www.web2fordev.net/
Conference updates:
English: http://www.dgroups.org/groups/web2fordev/index.cfm
Français: http://www.dgroups.org/groups/web2pourdev/index.cfm
Gender Festival 2007, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 11 - 14 September 2007
The 2007 Gender Festival on 'African Feminist Struggles in the Context of Globalization' will take place at Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) Gender Resource Centre, Mabibo, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 11 - 14 September 2007. The Festival is an open space for bringing together feminist and gender-focused groups, other civil society organizations, institutions, activists and other development actors working at various levels to meet, reflect and strategize on the progress made in feminist struggles for gender equity, social transformation and participatory democracy in Tanzania. Discussions will take into account the present context of corporate-led globalization and 'free market' ideology, and their impact on development and democracy in Africa and the world over, and examine alternative frameworks and strategies.
The 2007 Gender Festival provides a major opportunity for feminists, gender and human rights activists, civil society organizations, students, researchers and others to reflect on “herstory”, and take stock of achievements, constraints, challenges and potential opportunities for fostering joint action to build an alternative and better world. At the conference, participants from a wide spectrum will share their experiences, sharpen their skills and capacities, network and establish further linkages amongst and between themselves and other actors.
Paper presentations in workshops will fall under the following sub themes:
- The right to bodily integrity, sexuality, reproductive health and safe motherhood.
- Beyond access: struggles over emancipatory education, language, information and media.
- The right to safe and clean water for all: struggles over delivery and privatization
- The right to decent employment, sustainable livelihoods and livable incomes: struggles against impoverishment, exploitation, and oppression and control over resources and incomes.
- Feminist struggles over natural resources, including land, minerals, water and fisheries
- Taming the Demon: struggles over HIV & AIDS in all its manifestations
- Struggles over equitable power sharing in all spheres of politics and decision making
- Deafening NO to Gender Based Violence and patriarchal culture
- Feminist Debates and Dialogue
- Politics of Culture, unilateralism and the rise of fundamentalisms.
- Feminist participatory leadership and organizing styles
- Popular Feminist History.
- Feminist struggles over unfair trade and debt, and for an alternative global economy
For further information, contact:
Contact:
Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP)
Gender Resource Centre - Mabibo
P.O. Box 8921, Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA
Tel: +255 22 2443450/205
Mob: +255 22 754 784050
Fax: +255 22 2443244
Email: info@tgnp.org
Web: http://www.tgnp.org
E-Network of National Gender Equality Machineries in Africa - Thematic online discussion:"Women, political participation and decision making in Africa", 4 September - 14 October 2007
You are invited to participate in the online discussion on the theme "Women, political participation and decision-making in Africa", which is being organized by the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women/Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Economic Commission for Africa in cooperation with the E-Network of National Gender Equality Machineries in Africa.
The discussion will run for six weeks from 4 September to 14 October 2007. The purpose of the online discussion is to contribute to a better understanding of women's political participation in Africa; collect measures taken at national and subregional levels to promote women's participation; identify good practices and lessons learned and highlight gaps and challenges requiring further action.
To register, please click on the following link to fill out an online form:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/forum/forum-daw-politicalparticipation2007.htm
If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact Mr. Rajkumar Cheney Krishnan (cheneykrishnan@un.org) at the Division for the Advancement of Women.
Background
In recent years women's political participation has increased in Africa. The UN report "Africa and the Millennium Development Goals - 2007 Update" noted that the share of parliamentary seats held by women increased from 7 per cent in 1990 to 17 per cent in 2007, which is close to the global average. In Rwanda, women hold 48.8 percent of seats in the Lower House, the highest percentage worldwide. In January 2006, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became President of Liberia and Africa's first elected woman president. According to the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), 30% of Africa's local councillors are women. Some countries have set quotas or reserved seats for women in national and local legislative bodies.Despite this progress made, serious and persistent obstacles still hinder the advancement of women and their participation in decision-making processes. Some of the principal obstacles are related to persistent poverty, the lack of equal access to health, education, training and employment, the impact of armed conflict and natural disasters that affect some of the countries of the region.
The 1995 Beijing Platform for Action emphasized that "women's equal participation in decision-making is not only a demand for justice or democracy, but can also be seen as a necessary condition for women's interests to be taken into account. Without the perspective of women at all levels of decision-making, the goals of equality, development and peace cannot be achieved." The Platform defined two strategic objectives: (a) ensure women's equal access to and full participation in all power structures and decision- making; and (b) increase women's capacity to participate in decision-making and leadership.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, in its Article 7, called upon States parties "to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country". In its resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, the Security Council also reaffirmed the importance of the equal participation and full involvement of women in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, as well as the need to increase their role in decision-making.
This online discussion will support the e-Network of the National Machineries on Gender Equality in Africa and other stakeholders to work toward the increased participation of women in political and other decision-making bodies in Africa.
Themes of the Online Discussion
First week: September 4 - 9:
Introduction: How do you assess the current level of women's participation in decision-making in Africa?
Second and third weeks: September 10 - 23:
Women's participation in politics: constraints and strategies
Fourth week: September 24-30:
Women's participation in other decision-making processes: education, private sector, civil society and the media
Fifth week: October 1-7:
Building alliances with women in decision-making positions
Sixth week: October 8-14:
Other issues, wrap up and recommendations
October 2007
2007 Africa SMME Conference and Awards, Johannesburg, South Africa, 25 October 2007
In line with the NEPAD’s drive to support and profile the role that Small, Medium or Micro enterprises (SMMEs) play in promoting economic growth and job creation, the Africagrowth Academy in partnership with African governments and institutions including Banks, Print media, Academic and private sector institutions and other enterprise support agencies will be organising the 2007 Africa SMME Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony on the 25th of October 2007, at the Crown Reef Convention Centre, Gold Reef City Hotel, Ormonde, Johannesburg, South Africa. The Conference and Awards ceremony will be aimed at presenting latest trends in SMME development in the continent and recognising and presenting awards to successful SMMEs by sector. The main aim is to support and showcase Africa’s finest entrepreneurial achievements in the SMMEs sector were the winners of each category will be announced at a gala dinner the evening of the 25th of October 2007.
If your business has grown in a responsible and sustainable manner over the last few years and is furthermore contributing to the African and local economy, we feel you need recognition. The closing date for entries is 30 June 2007. For further questions or information, contact:
Contact:
Dina Potgieter
Administrator : Africagrowth Research
PO Box 3628, Tygervalley, 7536
Tel: +27 (021) 946 1791
Fax: +27 (021) 946 1652
Email: dina@africagrowth.com
Web: http://www.africagrowth.com
Connect Africa Summit: Marshall Plan for ICT to meet 2015 development goals, Kigali Serena Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda, 29 - 30 October 2007
The Connect Africa Summit will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, 29-30 October 2007, under the patronage of the President of Rwanda, Mr Paul Kagame, and Chairman of the African Union, President John Kufour of Ghana. This collaborative effort will engage some 500 high-level stakeholders active in the region, including China, India, the European Commission and G8, OECD and Arab countries, major ICT companies, the United Nations Development Programme and other international organizations.
While investment in ICT infrastructure in Africa has improved dramatically in recent years, representing a total of $8 billion in 2005 -- up from $3.5 billion in 2000 -- and growth in mobile phones has increased by as much as 400 per cent, Africa has fallen back in overall connectivity, according to the ITU. While mobile telephone use has surpassed fixed line telephone access, fewer than 4 out of every 100 Africans have Internet access; broadband penetration remains below 1 per cent; and 70 per cent of all Internet traffic within Africa is re-routed outside the continent, driving up costs for businesses and consumers. The Connect Africa Summit will be organized by the ITU, the World Bank and the UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID), in partnership with the African Development Bank, the African Telecommunication Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
The private sector, governments and international organizations will be called on to work together, and there will be a commitment to creating an environment that promotes the improvement of ICT. The emphasis shall be laid on a few targeted areas, such as using ICT to empower people with disabilities and to "reverse the pyramid of learning" by ensuring that all schools are connected to the Internet. The goal is to establish 500'000 telecentres worldwide by 2015.
For further information on the Connect Africa Summit, contact:
Contact:
Enrica Murmura
Secretariat of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development
New York
Tel: +1 212 963-5913
E-mail: murmura@un.org
Web: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/connect/africa/2007/summit/index.html
November 2007
Commonwealth Women's Network (CWN): Workshop on Realising Women's Potential in Transforming Commonwealth Societies through financing Gender Equality Work, November 20, 2007
A workshop on realising women’s potential is being organized around the themes of the CHOGM ‘Transforming Commonwealth Societies to achieve Political, Economic and Human Development’ and the Commonwealth People's Forum (CPF) theme of “Realising People’s Potential”. The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday 20th November, 2007 from 12.00noon - 7.30pm at Hotel Africana Kampala Uganda. The workshop will be underpinned by a debate on financing gender equality work with specific objectives as;
- To facilitate policy dialogue on the importance of resource allocation for promoting Gender Equality specifically focusing on the need for engendered policy making processes in resource allocation for economic and human development spheres of the commonwealth society.
- To identify and discuss the centrality of financing gender and in particular promotion of women’s rights to achieving targets that will be set in CHOGM Declaration and CPF statement.
- To take forward discussions of financing gender equality work and to identify key massages from civil society for upcoming review of Paris declaration on Aid Effectiveness in 2008 in Accra Ghana
- To devise strategies for working towards the implementation of the commonwealth plan of action for Gender Equality.
Ms. Elizabeth Eilor will give the African regional perspective of aid effectiveness,
Ms. Rae Julian will present on the Caribbean perspective
Ms. Paulette Senior will give the Canadian perspective and
Ms. Doris Bingley is to present on the European experience.
Ms. Nelcia Robinson from the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA) will facilitate the group report back session. All the above attended the 8WAMM Partners Forum.
Kindly click link to obtain the Workshop Programme (PDF format) for your guidance.
For more information, contact Ms. Florence Kebirungi, Coordinator, CWN at cwn@eassi.org/
Portuguese Platform for Women’s Rights: Call for input on women's rights and the integration of gender equality
The Portuguese Platform for Women’s Rights is a nongovernmental organisation whose members are associations active in promoting women’s rights and gender equality. The Portuguese Platform for Women’s Rights is independent from political parties, religious institutions or governmental structures. It represents Portugal in the European Women’s Lobby (an NGO that brings together over 4000 women’s organisations from all over Europe) and in the Association des Femmes de l’Europe Méridionale (an NGO whose members are women’s rights organisations from France, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain).
Next month (8-9 December 2007), Lisbon will host the EU-Africa Summit hold under the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union (Find more about this event here: http://www.eu2007.pt/UE/vEN/Reunioes_Eventos/ChefesEstado/EUAfrica.htm and here: http://europafrica.org/lisbon-summit/).
The Portuguese Platform for Women’s Rights is disposed to lobby for women’s rights and the integration of a gender equality perspective in this Summit. Therefore, we kindly ask you to let us know your priorities as African women’s NGO in order to agree on a joint declaration on this crucial issue to be realised and widely disseminated on this occasion.
Please distribute widely among your members and give us feedback until 26 November 2007 to:
plataforma@plataformamulheres.org.pt
December 2007
nGOmobile - SMS Competition for NGOs
Mobile phone use is spreading through the developing world quicker than a bushfire. This should be great news for the non-profit sector,but not everyone is reaping the benefit quite yet. The massive potential of mobile technology, particularly at grass-roots level, has already been demonstrated. Examples from around the world include ... patients receiving text message (SMS) reminders to take their medicine, so they no longer waste time and money travelling to their nearest clinic. Farmers finding out the current market price before deciding whether to take their produce to market that day. National parks communicating details about dangerous animals, providing an early warning system to mitigate against human-wildlife conflict. Unemployed youths in Nairobi's shantytowns receiving texts alerting them to job opportunities in the city...
kiwanja.net have just launched their latest mobile initiative - nGOmobile which is a competition which encourages grassroots NGOs in developing countries to submit ideas on ways they could use text messaging in their work. The breadth of SMS use is staggering, but kiwanja.net have the feeling that we're still only just scratching the surface. nGOmobile wants us all to dig a little deeper. Better still, we want to give you the opportunity to exploit the full potential of mobile technology in your work
nGOmobile is a text message-based competition aimed exclusively and unashamedly at grassroots non-profit organisations working for positive social and environmental change throughout the developing world. Behind the scenes, these unsung heroes of the NGO community battle against the daily realities of life in a developing country, where it can take all day to fulfil the simplest task. These people don't lack passion and commitment. They lack tools and resources. We're here to change all that. Every year, nGOmobile will enable four worthy winners to leapfrog the mobile technology barrier. The competition wants to encourage NGOs to think more about how mobile technology could be applied in their work. If you need inspiration, there are plenty of examples in the kiwanja Mobile Database .
NGOs from developing countries are invited to submit a short proposal outlining how text messaging could make their job easier. The ideas don't need to be rocket science, or even earth-shatteringly original. Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest, easiest and most obvious. We should know - most of ours have been! What we are looking for is impact - a clear indication that winning an amazing prize, and gaining access to mobile technology, would revolutionise your work and turn mission impossible into mission accomplished...
The best four entries will win laptop computers, Nokia phones, GSM modems and $1,000 in cash, courtesy of a range of sponsors which include Hewlett Packard, Nokia and Wieden+Kennedy.
Deadline for submission: December 14, 2007.
Full details, and links to the entry form, are available on the competition website at http://www.ngomobile.org
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