The Helsinki Citizens Assembly hCa

The Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly is an organization of citizens dedicated to peace, democracy and human rights in Europe.

The Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly is a non-governmental organization, working on the notions of fundamental rights and freedoms, peace, democracy and pluralism. hCa works independently from political parties, government and states, aims to:

  • introduce the basic rights and freedoms accepted in international agreements and outlined by universal standards into daily life;
  • promote peaceful processes for the resolution of problems through mutual understanding dialogue and peace;
  • improve pluralist democratic bodies and civil society initiatives;
  • ensure the supremacy of law and to defend an economic system that promotes the well-being of human life and the environment.

Why “Helsinki”? The Helsinki Final Act (August 01, 1975) provided a basis for creating conditions favorable to peace in Europe and made human rights a common value to be respected by all nations in a world which was divided into East and West camps in that period. The word « Helsinki » refers to the historic significance of this agreement (taken directly from Helsinki Yurttaslar Dernegi).

The collapse of the Berlin Wall and the new global political context this created gave rise to a new peace movement called the “Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly”. From October 19th to 22nd 1990, peace activists from all parts of Europe (chaired by Vaclav Havel, then president of Czechoslovakia) held a meeting … (see the full long wikipedia-text).

More links on wikipedia: Helsinki Accords; Helsinki Committee for Human Rights.

Other links:

Continuer la lecture de « The Helsinki Citizens Assembly hCa »

RUPANTAR

Linked with Binayak Sen – India.

Rupantar is founded in 1992, and started its operations from 1994 in Khulna and Bagerhat district. At the beginning activities were mainly cultural; Rupantar activists performed theaters and popular folk music on various social issues.

The fundamental principal of Rupantar is based on the hypothesis that culture and sustainable development are closely connected. This connection is an emerging concept in the development world. Although the identity of a society is largely determined by its culture, yet is difficult for any society to have a static sense of the culture. Both society and culture are changing simultaneously.

Vision: Establishing a Gender Equitable Democratic Society with Cultural Values, Free From Injustice and Superstitions

Mission & Strategy;
Intervention;
Development;
Achievements;
Photo Gallery;
Comming special events 2007-2008;
Democracy & Governance Programme;
Contact.

About: RUPANTAR: AGENT FOR SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

Continuer la lecture de « RUPANTAR »

People's Union for Civil Liberties PUCL

Linked with Binayak Sen – India.

In November 1980, a National Convention of civil rights workers converted the People’s Union for Civil Liberties into a membership organisation. The National Convention elected Mr. V.M. Tarkunde as President and Mr. Arun Shourie as the General Secretary of PUCL. Since then the PUCL has undertaken work on several fronts-from commencing work towards preparing a new Prisons Act and Jail Manual under the leadership of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer to agitating on specific issues like the release of trade unionists arrested under the National Security Act in Madhya Pradesh. Most of the effort has been devoted to setting up State and Local Units which alone can effectively pursue specific issues. (full text).

Homepage;
PUCL explained on wikipedia;
PUCL Office bearers;
Library;
Publications;
PUCL-news;
monthly bulletin/newsletter;
Contact.

A short history: Veteren leader Jaya Prakash Narayan (JP) founded the People’s Union for Civil Liberties and Democratic Rights (PUCLDR), in 1976. The idea was to make the PUCLDR. An organisation free from political ideologies, so that people belonging to various political parties may come together on one platform for the defence of Civil Liberties and Human Rights.

Continuer la lecture de « People's Union for Civil Liberties PUCL »

Dissident Voice

a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice

Linked with Averting World War III, Ending Dollar Hegemony and US Imperialism, and with The Monarchy’s Clash with Socialism.

Dissident Voice is an internet newsletter dedicated to challenging the distortions and lies of the corporate press and the privileged classes it serves. The goal of Dissident Voice is to provide hard hitting, thought provoking and even entertaining news and commentaries on politics and culture that can serve as ammunition in struggles for peace and social justice.

A regularly updated resource with links to many articles, quotes, and important information missing from mainstream news coverage about the war in Iraq.

Homepage of the new website (since April 2007;
Links;
Archives (since April 2007);
Homepage of the old dissident voice-website (with a marvellous Editor’s Fave Links-collection on the left column);
archive of the old dissident voice-website;
Contact.

Submissions: Dissident Voice (DV) welcomes your article submissions. Send them to us by mail.

Continuer la lecture de « Dissident Voice »

World War 4 Report

Defending the fourth world, deconstructing the war on terrorism.

Linked with WELCOME TO WORLD WAR 4.

Why World War 4: The « World War III » envisioned in the Cold War was a devastating conflict between two monolithic superpowers. The Cold War, thankfully, never reached this climax. But now we are faced with its chilling sequel: the age of « asymmetrical » or « molecularized » warfare, in which a single globalized superpower faces an invisible, hydra-headed enemy which is everywhere and nowhere; in which the expansion of « free markets » is an explicit aim of military campaigns; and in which indigenous peoples, stateless ethnicities and localist/autonomist poltical models—the « Fourth World »–are increasingly targeted and conflated with the « terrorist » threat. The leaders of this new global crusade acknowledge openly that it will last generations. To emphasize that this new world situation requires a new kind of thinking, we have joined with those on the left and right alike that call this global conflict World War 4.

Homepage;
Documents;
Blog;
Newsletter/Subscribe;
Archive/back issues;
Contact.

Peoples / About;
Mission statement: WW4 REPORT has been monitoring the global War on Terrorism and its implications for human rights, democracy and ecology since the immediate aftermath of 9-11.

Continuer la lecture de « World War 4 Report »

Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques IRIS

Linked with Pascal Boniface – France, and with Disarmament and development.

L’Institut de relations internationales et stratégiques est un centre de recherche français en relations internationales qui s’intéresse tout particulièrement aux questions relatives à la politique étrangère, la stratégie, la sécurité et la défense. Créé en 1990, il compte parmi les principaux centres de recherche en relations internationales. Il est actuellement dirigé par Pascal Boniface. Jacques Boyon est, lui, président du Conseil d’Administration de l’Institut. L’IRIS a récemment créé l’IPRIS (Institut privé de relations internationales et stratégiques), un établissement d’enseignement supérieur privé qui délivre plusieurs diplômes selon les spécialités. (wikipedia.fr).

Programmes;
agenda des manifestations;
publications;
rapports d’activités;
lettre d’information;
Adresse: Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques, 2 bis, rue Mercoeur – 75011 PARIS, Tél. : 33 (0) 1 53 27 60 60 – Fax : 33 (0) 1 53 27 60 70, e-mail;
Organigramme / Contacts.

Présentation: Dirigé par Pascal Boniface, l’IRIS est un centre de recherche sur les questions stratégiques et les relations internationales. Sa création en 1990 répondait à plusieurs objectifs:

Continuer la lecture de « Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques IRIS »

Institut Européen en Sciences de Religions IESR

Religion and Politics in the Construction of the European Union (Department of Government, European Institute, London School of Economics).

Linked with Régis Debray – France, and with Disarmament and development.

L’Institut Européen en Sciences des Religions a été créé par un arrêté du 26 juin 2002, (et modifié par l’arrêté du 6 mars 2006), du Ministre de la Jeunesse, de l’Education nationale et de la Recherche. (full text).

Plan du site;
Actualités:
Formations;
Resources;
Adresse; IESR, 14 rue Ernest Cresson, 75104 Paris, France, Tel. +33 1 40 52 10 00, Fax. +33 1 40 52 10 01,
Contact.

About: The European Institute of Religious Studies was created by a decree dated 26 June 2002 and signed by Luc Ferry, the Minister of Youth, National Education and Research.

Continuer la lecture de « Institut Européen en Sciences de Religions IESR »

Friends Of the Article V Convention FOAVC

Linked with Joel S. Hirschhorn – USA, and with The Grand Delusion.

We are a non-partisan association of American citizens from every state in our Republic comprised of a broad range of occupations, ethnicities, religious affiliations and political persuasions. Our common bond is a deep commitment to preserving the values and principles embodied in our founding documents – the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution – upon which this nation was founded. (Homepage FOAVC).

Article V of the U.S. Constitution (on the Cornell University Law School): The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.

The United States Constitution, on Cornell University Law School.

Press Release FOAVC, Oct. 4, 2007.

Continuer la lecture de « Friends Of the Article V Convention FOAVC »

Transparency International TI

ALREADY on this blog on April 30th, 2006: Transparency International Switzerland for the set-up of the anonymous hotline for white-collar “whistleblowers”, see Transparency International Switzerland;

The Anti-corruption handbook ACH: The ACH is a practical guide which aims to assist the process of designing and applying anti-corruption measures – from legal reform to institution-building. Intended as a one-stop reference for practitioners around the world, it provides a unique and up-to-date overview of key reform elements, developing guidelines for their effective implementation illustrated by examples of good practice.

The ACH is based on TI’s National Integrity System approach to countering corruption, which offers a framework for assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of national anti-corruption efforts. The ACH seeks to build on this approach, addressing the key elements of anti-corruption reform in a useful and practical way.

The Handbook features key measures for tackling corruption, grouped into six main areas: … (full text).

Homepage;
sitemap;
news-room;
global priorities;
publications;
policy and research;
corruption perception 2007;
Contacts via web & address: Transparency International Secretariat, Alt-Moabit 96, 10559 Berlin, Tel. +49-30-3438 20-0, Fax +49-30-3470 391.

About: Transparency International, the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption, brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world.
TI’s mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption.

Continuer la lecture de « Transparency International TI »

adhunika – women shape the future

[adhunika (fem.) adj. of present times: modern: recent: current (Bangla Acedamy Bengali-English Dictionary)].

Community: Women from all walks of life of Bangladesh belong to adhunika. Experience our lives through our work;

out future: Listen to our next generation, our future; teach them, learn from them, guide them, follow them; they are the pioneers of an egalitarian society;

our blog: Adhunika blog is launched with a mission to share knowledge among women from every walk of life. Sometime it would be in the form of sharing experience to find a feasible solution of a problem; sometime it would be in the form of professional consultation, which Adhunika group will arrange for its bloggers. Nevertheless, the intent of this blog always remains the same – to help and empower women through a common web-based platform;

sitemap;
news;
current projects;
events;
links and resources;
CONTACT: You can contact us by sending email with your work for consideration.

ABOUT: Adhunika is a global volunteer based organization, dedicated to promoting technology usage for the Bangladeshi women worldwide.

Continuer la lecture de « adhunika – women shape the future »

Center for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed CRP

(also available in german)

Linked with Mohua Paul – Bangladesh.

Flood rehabilitation programme: A large area in Bangladesh was submerged by devastating floods from July to September 2007. Million of people became shelterless. Many people suffered from diseases due to inadequate supply of pure drinking water and lack of food. Disabled people are especially vulnerable during the flood. Government of Bangladesh had started relief programme to face the situation and non- governmental organizations urged to stand by the flood victims. In this context CRP has requested Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), the funding body of the project titled “Strengthening the Establishment of Rights of Disabled People in Bangladesh” to extended their support under the contingency fund. In response to this MJF approved support amounting BDT 400000.00 on August 2007. CRP has also appeal to its individual donors and medicine companies to come forward in this regard. Under this programme dry food, oral dehydration supplements and water purification tablets were distributed among the flood affected extreme poor and disabled people. CRP’s relief distribution programmme was carried out from August to September 2007 in 40 Upazillas under 7 districts.

The Homepage-URL is valuable for all pages, just click on the internal links to reach the pages you want.

Continuer la lecture de « Center for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed CRP »

National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights NCDHR

Linked with A charter of Dalit human rights, and with Nishikant Waghmare – India.

« Our’s is a battle not for wealth or for power. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for the reclamation of human personality. » Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

NCDHR recieves ‘RAFTO Human Rights Prize-2007‘ on November 4 in Bergen, Norway.

Who are Dalits? & What is Untouchability;
Overview of Dalit Human Rights Situation;
Reports & Publications;
Resources & links;
Women’s Rights Overview;
Dalit Economic Rights;
Dalit Right to Education;
Address: NCDHR National Secretariat, 8/1, 2nd Floor, South Patel Nagar, New Delhi – 110008, Tel: (+91) 011-25842249 , Fax: 011-25842250
Contact.

About NCDHR: Human Rights (NCDHR) is a coalition of Dalit Human Rights activists, civil society organizations, journalists, and academics who are committed to ending the caste-based discrimination and “untouchability” practices that deny human rights and dignity to 170 million Indian citizens – one sixth of India’s population. Established in 1998, NCDHR is a non-party based secular platform centered in Delhi and with offices in 14 states of the country.

Continuer la lecture de « National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights NCDHR »

Cours à distance 'la philosophie pour les enfants'

En lien avec La Philosophie et les enfants.

Bienvenue sur le site de la philosophie pour les enfants de l’Université Laval!

Mis à part les cours sur place, vous pouvez être interessé par leur cours à distance L’OBSERVATION EN PHILOSOPHIE POUR LES ENFANTS! PHI-22693

Gagnant de deux prix d’excellence en 2005 (Association canadienne de l’éducation à distance et Réseau de valorisation de l’enseignement de l’Université Laval), ce cours de 3 crédits porte sur l’observation de communautés d’enfants engagés dans l’acte de philosopher. Il s’adresse d’abord aux personnes qui désirent observer, voire comprendre puis expliquer les principales composantes du processus consistant à faire de la philosophie avec les enfants.

Pour suivre ce cours, vous devez avoir accès à un ordinateur et à une connection Internet. De plus, si vous n’avez pas la haute vitesse, vous devez avoir un lecteur DVD dans votre ordinateur qui vous permettra de visionner les séquences à l’étude. Le cours est en lien avec une série documentaire de 13 émissions Des enfants philosophent présentées à Canal Savoir.

Il est difficile de bien comprendre la pratique de la philosophie avec les enfants sans observer ce qui se passe en classe. L’approche pédagogique de ce cours à distance est donc centrée sur l’observation de plus en plus fine d’un matériel audiovisuel montrant trois communautés d’enfants – première, troisième et sixième année du primaire – engagés dans la recherche philosophique. Qui plus est, elle donne l’occasion, tout en observant, de participer, comme tous les autres étudiants et étudiantes qui suivent le cours sur le Web, à la création d’une communauté de recherche virtuelle. Bien que différente de celles créées par les enfants, cette communauté de recherche virtuelle permet de vivre les premiers pas de ce qui pourrait devenir un jour une réalité … (full long text).

Adresse: Université Laval, Faculté de PHILOSOPHIE, Pavillon Félix-Antoine-Savard, Bureau 644, Université Laval, Québec (Québec) G1K 7P4, CANADA – Renseignements, Secrétariat: (418) 656-2244, Télécopieur: (418) 656-7267, mail, Site web.

The Women's Development Bank, or Banmujer

Linked with Nora Castañeda – Venezuela.

BANMUJER cumple seis años de gestión: Con excelentes resultados el Banco de Desarrollo de la Mujer (BANMUJER), ente adscrito al Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Economía Comunal (MINEC), llega a seis años de gestión, alcanzando significativos logros a favor de las mujeres venezolanas en condiciones de pobreza, contribuyendo a mejorar, íntegramente, su calidad de vida.

En seis años de funcionamiento, BANMUJER ha beneficiado a más de un millón 984 mil personas (1.984.815) en todo el territorio nacional, a través de sus servicios financieros y no financieros; aunado a los programas especiales, impulsando la economía popular y solidaria con la participación protagónica de las mujeres.
Hasta el mes de agosto del año en curso, BANMUJER otorgó un total de 76.659 créditos, equivalentes a una inversión de 234.511 millones de bolívares. La entrega masiva de los créditos ha generado casi 397 mil empleos en todo el país.

Ha beneficiado un total de 2.265 cooperativas y 73.490 unidades económicas asociativas (UEAs) o microempresas, las cuales han fortalecido los diferentes sectores económicos del país: 60% sector manufacturero, 19% sector servicio, 11% sector agrícola y 10% sector comercio.

Paralelamente, al apoyo económico, a través de talleres de Economía Popular y de Diagnóstico Comunitario, ha ofrecido, permanentemente, la orientación, el acompañamiento y la asesoría a todas sus usuarias y todos sus usuarios, con el fin de prepararlas y formarlas de manera íntegra. En seis años ha facilitado más de 10 mil (10.080) talleres, en los cuales han participado 147.321 mujeres y hombres. Prensa Banmujer, 25 / 09 / 2007. (full text).

The Women’s Development Bank, or Banmujer, was established in Venezuela in 2001 to remedy the political, economic, and social disadvantages faced by women. The Bank offers both financial and non-financial services to women. The latter is revolutionary and distinguishes the Bank from other banks.

The bank provides small, low-interest loans, known as micro-credit loans, ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 bolívars (US$260 to $520) per woman, for the establishment of business ventures. Loans are not granted to individuals, but rather to groups of five to ten women. In this manner, the bank is ideologically aligned with President Hugo Chávez, by promoting community solidarity over individualism, which is associated with capitalism. The bank has provided over 40,000 such loans since its establishment. These loans have been responsible for the creation of more than 70,000 jobs.[citation needed] The bank also offers financial advice to women, and serves as a consultant in the formation and development of business projects … (wikipedia).

Link: Banmujer planifica y discute presupuesto para 2007.

The Center for Korean Legal Studies

Linked with Bruce Cumings – USA.

The Columbia Law School’s Center for Korean Legal Studies is the only center devoted entirely to the study of both the South and North Korean legal systems. The Center has dedicated itself to building the most comprehensive depository of Korean legal materials outside the Koreas. The Center has also created the Korean Language and Cultural Exchange Program, which matches visiting Korean scholars with law students mutually interested in improving their English/Korean language skills. Other noteworthy programs offered by the Center are the Korean Law Forum, the Annual Trade Law Seminar, and the Visiting Scholars program.

Faculty for Korean Legal Studies;
News;
Korean Legal Resources;
Notable events;
Photo Gallery;
links;
Contact: Columbia University School of Law, Center for Korean Legal Studies, Mail Code: 4024, Box A-19, 435 West 116th Street, New York, NY 10027, PHONE: (212) 854-5759, FAX: (212) 854-4980

About: With the establishment of the Center for Korean Legal Studies, Columbia Law School became the first American law school to have a center dedicated to the study of Korean law.

Continuer la lecture de « The Center for Korean Legal Studies »