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(Issue
# 002, Year 1) First Fortnight November 1-15,
2006 |
**GLOBAL
DEMOCRACY NEWSLETTER**
International e-Newsletter promoting peace
building, unity, human rights and global democracy activities
for
creating a new world civilization
Global Democracy
Newsletter carries news from all over the world relating to the non
governmental organizations and institutions engaged in global democracy
activities around the world. It is distributed free of charge through
Internet to the editorial offices of more than 1,500 media in 30 countries
and to over 20,000 NGOs in 125 countries
www.wmgd.net
To subscribe, please send an
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To
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To submit an article, send
your contribution to Editor: Shishir Srivastava, email: article(at)wmgd.net
Contents
**********************************
-- Quotes of the Week
-- Conferences and Events
-- Articles of the Fortnight
-- Book Release
-- Civil Society World News
-- Courses and Workshops
-- How to
submit an article in this Newsletter
-- How to subscribe and unsubscribe from this
newsletter
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1) Quotes of the Week
1.1) “Never believe that a small group of
people can’t change the world…indeed, they are the only ones who
do.” —Margaret Mead
1.2) “You never change things by
fighting the existing reality…. To change something ... build a new model
that makes the existing model obsolete.” —Buckminster
Fuller
1.3) "A world government with powers adequate to
guarantee security is not a remote ideal for the distant future.
It is
an urgent necessity if our civilization is to survive."
—Albert Einstein.
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2)
CONFERENCES/EVENTS
2.1)
Making Globalisation Work
2.2)
International Conference for the Reform of
International Institutions
2.3)
India Social Forum to take place
2.4)
Global Symposium: ‘Towards a New World
Civilization’
2.5)
World Social Forum meeting in Africa
2.1)
Making
Globalisation Work
10 November 2006, Felix Meritis,
Amsterdam
Joseph Stiglitz was a
consultant to President Bill Clinton, held a top position at the World
Bank, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics in 2001. In 2002, he
made a name for himself and became a darling of the anti-globalisation
movement with his fundamental criticism of the functioning of both the
World Bank and the IMF. Stiglitz, who is currently a professor at Columbia
University , will deliver a lecture on Globalisation and its Discontents
at the Felix Meritis European Centre for Arts and Sciences. For more
information (in Dutch, see www.globaliseringslezing.nl
2.2)
International Conference for the Reform of
International Institutions20-21 November 2006, Geneva, Switzerland
The World Forum of Civil Society
Networks - UBUNTU (www.ubuntu.upc.edu) and the World Campaign for In-depth Reform of
the System of International Institutions (www.reformcampaign.net) are pleased to announce, and warmly invite you
to participate in the International conference for the reform of
International Institution, in the form of Dialogues between different
levels of governance and civil society actors, to be held on 20 and 21
November 2006 in the headquarters of the ILO (International Labour
Organization) in Geneva. To participate in the UBUNTU International
Conference please complete the Registration Form at www.reformcampaign.net/?lg=eng&pg=ginebra_2006&que=fitxa, or contact Josep Xercavins at josep.xercavins(at)ubuntu.upc.edu.
2.3)
India Social Forum to take place 9-13
November 2006, India
The India Social
Forum (ISF) 2006 is expected to be attended by nearly 60,000 people from
India , Asia and Africa. The ISF will be held at the Exhibition Ground,
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with the theme “Building Another World: Visions
for the Future”. The upcoming India Social Forum (ISF) 2006 focuses on
engendering dialogue, optimism and hope, by creating a space that will
enable a greater mobilisation of resources for an alternative future
within India, Asia, and Africa. For more information, see http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/141122/1/1893
2.4)
Global Symposium: ‘Towards a New World
Civilization’
8-11 December 2006, India
The objective of the Global Symposium is to
foster personal interaction, mutual understanding and action for a strong
foundation of a nuclear-free, democratic, sustainable, just and peaceful
new world order by bringing together civil society organizations, global
and local leaders in the fields of art, science, religion, culture and
media. The Global Symposium will also serve as the launch pad for the
“Global Action Plan” for building the World Movement for Global Democracy
(WMGD) www.wmgd.net and we would like your organization to play a leading
role in the foundation of this World Movement. For more information, see
http://www.cmseducation.org/symposium Registration closes 25 November 2006
2.5)
World Social Forum meeting in
Africa
20-25 January 2007, Nairobi, Kenya
The World Social Forum International Council in
its meeting held in Parma, Italy, from 10-12 October 2006 have advanced in
the preparation for the next edition of World Social Forum, be held in
Nairobi, 20-25 January 2007. The World Social Forum is an innovative
process, which continues to expand and deepen itself through world,
regional, national, local and thematic events as well as struggles,
campaigns and actions that reaffirm commitment for another world that is
possible, necessary and urgent. For more information, see http://oneworldafrica.org/sasf/eventsdetails.php?event_id=00000012
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3) Articles of the
Fortnight
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4) Book Release
4.1) "TRANSFORMATION: Human Success through Joyful
Activism"
By Hank Stone
President of Citizens for a United Earth
(www.c-u-e.org)
SUMMARY
The U.S. and the world face big and
interlocking problems: overpopulation, global warming, peak oil, fresh
water shortages, famine, ignorance, poverty, and injustice. And the
continuing nuclear threat, and the $1 trillion-per-year war
system.
Reasonable people look at these big problems, and turn away. In
their personal and professional and family lives, after all, they can find
enough challenges.
Even some of my most committed activist friends get
discouraged. After all, the Internet now shows us an overwhelming spectrum
of misdeeds, injustices and threats. We can hardly keep track of what’s
wrong, let alone find solutions.
So why aren’t I discouraged? When I
figured it out, I wrote this book, featuring the Ten Rules for Joyful
Activism.
The world’s problems are bringing about a transformation that
will end our way of life. We cannot avoid this transformation. The future
cannot be a continuation of the past. But we can direct the transformation
toward a successful human future.
The good news is that this isn’t as
hard as it sounds. But there is a catch. The U.S. can’t succeed by leaving
the rest of the world behind. We can’t solve just half the problems. We
can’t leave nuclear weapons lying around anywhere in the world. We can’t
go forward with large numbers of people starving and dying of preventable
diseases. The way forward can not be business as usual, trying harder, or
bravely struggling against adversity. We have to get the whole job
done.
We will need to cooperate and negotiate with peoples around the
world. But standing in the way of cooperation is the idea that America is
more deserving, or blessed, than other countries. We are living in
cultural stories that have given us advantages, including relative wealth
and privilege. They are part of our self image. But our cultural stories
have also caused the big problems threatening humankind, and are now
obsolete.
We must create new cultural stories, in which all human
beings win. Our new stories will create new expectations, new instructions
and new paths of action. We are reassembling the caterpillar into the
butterfly. This is "creative activism."
Creative activism is the
way we can change our cultural stories. Creative activism can’t be done
within the mindset of the present cultural story.
With the Ten Rules
for Joyful Activism, we will think on a big scale, without distress. We
will let go of fear and blame and anger. We will summon the humility to
revolutionize our thinking. We will end war; protect the ecosystem; and
provide for the survival and sustainable prosperity of all.
There is a
movement to transform the human future for success. Read the book. Talk to
your friends. Help make it happen. Enjoy!
Hank Stone
lives with his wife of thirty six years on 75 acres in Ionia, outside
Rochester, NY. He is president of Citizens for a United Earth (www.c-u-e.org), president of the
Coalition for Democratic World Government (www.cdwg), on the board of The American
Movement for World Government, and on the board of advisors to the
Democratic World Federalists. He is a member of Genesee Valley
Citizens for Peace, the Peace Action and Education taskforce of Metro
Justice, and Citizens for Peace of Honeoye, NY. Hank participates
regularly in peace vigils, letter-writing, and discussion groups.
4.2) GRACE Pilgrimage for a Future Without
War
Those who are walking in the name of GRACE do not come to
judge. They do not come to put a new ideology on a country or a land or
its people, rather they come in the service of openness, of perception and
of support.
GRACE pledges not to aggravate war but to end it where ever
one happens to be.”
(Sabine Lichtenfels)
In June 2005, shaken by
the threat of a possible war against Iran, with the question what one
single person can do to stop future wars, Sabine Lichtenfels decides to
undertake a pilgrimage. She gives away everything she owns, covers long
stretches on foot and is without any money. Her driving force is the
decision to uncover and change those internal structures which externally
lead to war and violence. Doing this, she discovers a strength which
begins to shine for ever clearer and brighter:"GRACE", the connectedness
with creation, empowers her to follow her inner voice more precisely and
more thrustingly than before. It is "something that is stronger than any
government or any army – because it is at home in the hearts of all human
beings".
Her journey takes her from Germany via Switzerland to Italy
and Greece and from there to Israel/Palestine. Together with Benjamin
Mendelssohn she leads a group of 40 pilgrims, Israelis, Palestinians and
Internationals, through the unique landscape of Northern Israel and from
there to the other side of the wall into the occupied territories of the
West Bank, through refugee camps, a jewish settlement and on to
Jerusalem.
In the name of "GRACE" support actions and unusual
encounters take place, walls of fear and rage which for a long time have
seemed insurmountable are now crumbling. With strong feminine authority
and directness a woman describes her steps against the war. It is a
truthful and deeply humane voice that is speaking. GRACE grows to be a
force that overcomes walls and effects change where ever people are
committed to peace and self-change. It is also a voice that takes a stand
for a global future perspective: "The Middle East is about more than the
fate of two peoples. If peace is achievable here then something new will
have been achieved for human kind. “
On November
9th, 2006 a book release will take place in Berlin. The author, two
of her closer cooperations partners Benjamin von
Mendelssohn (Peace Research Village Association, Berlin) and Sami Awad (Holy Land Trust, Bethlehem, Palestine),
will be present. For current information please go to our homepage:
www.grace-in-berlin.net
The historical date of November 9 was chosen
to remember the "Reichspogromnacht" (Crystal Night) 1938 and the opening
of the Berlin wall in 1989. In 2005, on November 9th, meditations
developed by Sabine Lichtenfels took place all over the world, for example
at the wall in Baqqa (Israel) and in Auschwitz. This year, the meditation
will take place in Berlin. Groups in Europe, Colombia, India, Israel and
Palestine will join. Whoever is interested is invited to join! Please
contact us.
The book is available in German at the end of October. By
the end of 2006 the English translation is planned to be printed.
Translations in other languages are planned. We are thankful for all
support.
May Peace Prevail on Earth !
Janni Hentrich
in the name of the Community
Verlag Meiga, ISBN
3-927266-23-X, geb. 296 S., 42 farb. Abb.
www.grace-in-berlin.net
info(at)grace-in-berlin.net
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5) Civil Society WORLD News
5.1)
Nobel prize for Turkish writer focuses attention
on civil society issues
5.2)
Bahrain civil society welcomes election watchdog
role
5.3)
Human Rights Watch honours global rights defenders Disabled
Russian activists decry their nation’s apathy
5.4)
Disabled Russian activists decry their nation’s
apathy
5.5)
Civil society concerned about Canada’s ‘quiet free trade
agreement’
5.6)
Civil society applauds South Africa's Security Council seat
5.7)
Join the Global Accountability Index blog
5.8)
A Transparency Charter
for international financial institutions (IFIs)
5.1)
Nobel prize for Turkish writer
focuses attention on civil society issues
In awarding the 2006 Nobel Prize for Literature to Orhan
Pamuk, the Swedish Academy stressed the Turkish author’s literary skill.
However, analysts and critics see unmistakeable evidence of political
motives in the decision-making. Pamuk has a relatively small body of work
for a Nobel laureate, but he has been a literary pioneer in trying to fuse
Western and Islamic cultures, and has emerged as an outspoken proponent of
free speech inside Turkey. For more information, see
www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav101306.shtml
5.2) Bahrain civil society
welcomes election watchdog role
A decision to allow all licensed
NGOs to monitor the election process in Bahrain has been welcomed by civil
groups. However, some said the decision by the elections Supreme Committee
didn't go far enough because it does not include provisions for
international monitors. The new rule restricts election monitoring to
Bahraini citizens only, but Bahrain Human Rights Society assistant
secretary general Dr Abdulla Aldeerazi said he didn't see this as a major
problem. The decision follows pressure from NGOs to allow them to monitor
the elections independently, rather than as part of a committee formed by
the judiciary. For more information, see www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=158988&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29210
5.3) Human Rights Watch honours global rights
defenders
Human Rights Watch will give its highest honor on
November 2 to three leading activists working to defend human rights in
Mexico, Nepal and Zimbabwe. Human Rights Watch works closely with these
courageous, brave individuals as part of its defense of human rights in
more than 70 countries around the world. "The activists we honor have
shown dedication to the cause of human rights," said Kenneth Roth,
executive director of Human Rights Watch. "They have worked courageously,
often in life-threatening environments, to expose rights abuses in their
countries." For more information, see www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/HRW/ab47e30c5a74af70dd1c56a2a51783cb.htm
5.4) Disabled Russian activists decry their nation’s
apathy
There was a sense of urgency at this week's conference of
the All-Russian Society of Invalids, or VOI. The conference drew more than
100 delegates from more than 70 regions to discuss how to counter a raft
of new laws setting back the nation's nascent disabled-rights movement.
Recent legislation has made it tougher for companies to hire disabled
people, cut payments to the disabled, and limited the number of specially
equipped cars, prosthetic limbs and other devices that make everyday life
easier. For more information, see www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2006/10/19/003.html
5.5) Civil society concerned about Canada’s ‘quiet free trade
agreement’
One of the agreements the Canadian government is trying
to finalise is the Central America Four Free Trade Agreement (CA4TA) with
Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Talks were suspended in
February 2004 over a failure to resolve issues of contention. The Canadian
Association of Labour Lawyers (CALL), an association of over 350
progressive lawyers that has worked to promote legally enforceable rights
for workers in the Americas, has "serious reservations that the proposed
CA4TA will benefit workers in Central America or Canada." It uses past
trade agreements, such as NAFTA and CAFTA, to point out historical
deficiencies in the area of workers' rights when it comes to international
trade. For more information, see http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/463/1
5.6) Civil society applauds
South Africa's Security Council seat
The country's major civil
society groups have applauded South Africa's future participation in the
United Nations Security Council. South Africa takes up its two-year seat
on the Security Council in January after it was elected to it with 186
votes out of 192 UN member states. It will be one of 10 non-permanent
members joining permanent members Britain, the United States , China,
France and Russia to make up the 15-member Security Council. For more
information, see www.sabcnews.com/world/other/0,2172,136901,00.html
5.7) Join the Global Accountability Index blog
In December
this year, the One World Trust will release the findings of the 2006
Global Accountability Index. The Index will assess 30 of the world’s most
powerful organisations from intergovernmental, corporate and
non-governmental sectors. The accountability of these organisations will
be analysed according to four key criteria on transparency, participation,
evaluation, complaint and response mechanisms. The focus of the index will
be on existing systems and structures and forms of commitment to
accountability at the head offices of the organisations. For more
information, see www.oneworldtrust.org/?display=index_2006
5.8) A Transparency Charter for international
financial institutions (IFIs)
Drawn from international law and best
practices adopted by democratic states, the GTI “Transparency Charter for
International Financial Institutions: Claiming our Right to Know” is a
forward-looking statement of the standards to which IFI access to
information policies should conform. Aimed at inter-governmental
organisations whose primary activities relate to financial matters such as
the World Bank, regional development banks, the IMF and the WTO. The GTI
Charter advocates a rights-based approach leading to a radical overhaul of
existing IFI information disclosure policies as part of efforts to
overcome the serious democratic deficit at these institutions, as well as
to promote a better climate for policy development, decision-making and
project delivery. For more information, see www.ifitransparency.org/activities.shtml?x=44474&als[select]=44474
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6) COURSES/WORKSHOPS
6.1) How
to thrive in an uncertain environment
6.2)
Online course: Transforming Civil Conflicts
6.3) Oxfam International Youth Partnerships
2007-2010
6.4) Master of Arts
Programme in Democracy Studies at Georgetown University
6.5) MA Critical Disability Studies
Applications
How to thrive in an uncertain
environment
4 November 2006, London, UK
This is a scenario
planning workshop that aims to give introductory insights into the
scenario planning methodology or process. You should attend if: 1) you are
curious about scenario planning and organisational learning; 2) you want
to know more about the art of developing a long term view; 3) you are keen
to learn how to recognise risks and opportunities in an uncertain
environment; and 4) you are prepared to be highly interactive and open to
different and sometimes challenging views. For more information, see http://pioneersofchange.net/localnetworks/london
Online course: Transforming Civil Conflicts
Application
Deadline: 13 November- 9 December 2006
Transforming Civil Conflicts is
an online course developed by the Network University in cooperation with
Bradford University. This award-winning four-week course familiarises
participants with contemporary theories of conflict and conflict
resolution, provides a range of relevant information on conflict on the
Internet, and practical issues and debates from within the field. For more
information, see www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC22623
Oxfam International Youth Partnerships
2007-2010
Application Deadline: 31 January 2007
Oxfam
International Youth Partnerships is a global network of young people
working with their communities to create positive, equitable and
sustainable change. Between 2007 and 2010 300 young people will have
opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding and to
talk and share with other young people. They will be able to use these
opportunities to support their work in their own communities. Their
participation in OIYP will start in April 2007. If selected, young must be
available to attend a workshop in October 2007 in Sydney , Australia . For
more information, see www.iyp.oxfam.org
Master of Arts Programme in Democracy Studies at Georgetown
University
Application Deadline: 15 February 2007
The Center
for Democracy and Civil Society has established a two-year Master of Arts
Programme in Democracy Studies through the Department of Government.
Intended to meet the diverse needs of all those who seek a deeper
understanding of democracy and processes of democratisation, the
ground-breaking programme will be of special interest for those seeking to
develop careers working on behalf of democratic change in a wide range of
professional and academic settings, in the public, private, and nonprofit
sectors. For more information, see www.georgetown.edu/centers/cdacs/mawelcome.htm
MA Critical Disability Studies Applications
Application
Deadline: 1 March 2007
Applications for entry to the Fall 2007/08
session of the MA Critical Disability Studies program at York University
are now being accepted. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and
are also invited to attend Graduate Open House to be held on 11 November
2006. Information and admission details pertaining to the graduate
programme are outlined on the programme website at www.atkinson.yorku.ca/cdis. For more
information on registrations, see www.yorku.ca/web/futurestudents/graduate/openhouse.html
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GLOBAL DEMOCRACYe-Newsletter
Team:
Chief Patron:Mr Jagdish Gandhi,
Founder-Manager, City
Montessori School, Lucknow, India
Suresh Kumar (Coordinator,
Internet Forum)
Rakesh
Sonkar (Coordinator, Education Forum)
Tariq Khan (Coordinator, Civil
Society Forum)
Syed Qarar
Hasan (Coordinator, Youth Forum)
Shishir Srivastava (Editor and
Coordinator, Democracy Forum)
GLOBAL DEMOCRACYe-Newsletter
is an
initiative of Personality Development and Career Counselling (PDCC)
Department of City Montessori School (CMS), Lucknow,
India
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