VOICES RISING
YEAR III - VOL 3. Nº119
December 30, 2004
CONTENT
1.- IN THE FACE OF DEBT AND DISASTER: LONG-LASTING RELIEF FOR THE PEOPLES OF THE SOUTH!
2.- GCE ACTION WEEK 2005 - SMALL GRANTS
3.- OUR TIME IS NOW!
NOTE: WE WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT VOICES RISING WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL JANUARY 27TH., 2005, DATE ON WHICH WE WILL START TO ISSUE SPECIAL EDITIONS ON WORLD SOCIAL FORUM (PORTO ALEGRE, FROM JANUARY 26th. TO 31st., 2005)
ICAE- WORLD SOCIAL FORUM - PORTO ALEGRE 2005
In 2005 World Social Forum, ICAE will simultaneously work in different terrains or thematic axes, composing spaces of reflection and exchange that shall create new processes of collective action.
:: "Education and Citizenship:
For the right to quality public services for all women and men"
January 29 08:30
Impact of the ongoing macroeconomic trends in water, health and education services.
Chaired by: GCE
January 30 Seminar: Education as a Human Right (coordinated by Açao Educativa)
Workshop: The Right of Action of the Right to Learn
:: Popular University of Social Movements and/or Network of Knowledge
Terrain: Autonomous thought, reappropriation and socialization of knowledge and technologies.
Address proposal comments to:
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1.- IN THE FACE OF DEBT AND DISASTER: LONG-LASTING RELIEF FOR THE PEOPLES OF THE SOUTH!
DAWN
dawn@repem.org.uy
We express our deepest sympathy and solidarity for the peoples of Sri lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and many other South countries who are currently suffering from the devastation unleashed by the tsunami last December 26. We cannot overemphasize how profoundly saddened we are by the climbing death toll, numbering over 25,000 as of this writing, and the many thousand others missing or injured, the destruction of property, the loss of livelihoods and the widespread dislocation of communities.
The
Now, more than ever, at their hour of greatest need, the peoples of the South must be heeded in their long-standing demand for debt cancellation. In the face of this massive destruction, northern and international creditors should not continue to hold South peoples in bondage for debts
that have in large part, only contributed to their impoverishment and deprivation.
If there is any measure of sincerity in the outpouring of compassion from North governments for the peoples of the South, let this be through concrete action In addition to emergency relief operations and rehabilitation, what we need immediately is:
UNCONDITIONAL DEBT CANCELLATION NOW!
Southern governments should not continue to prioritize debt service, and squander much needed public funds: STOP PAYING ONEROUS and ILLEGITIMATE DEBTS!
Prioritize relief and rehabilitation, basic social services, clean and safe water, and other human development programs!
Jubilee South
Jubilee South APMDD (Asia/Pacific Movement for Debt and Development)
Freedom from Debt Coalition of the
(Please sign on)
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Solidarity towards the Asian populations stricken by the Tsunami: making the inhabitants know-how available for reconstruction and the wealth of states for the abolition of foreign debt.
International Alliance of Inhabitants
eva.boev@habitants.org
Faced with the disaster of apocalyptic proportions that has upset great part of Asia, the International Alliance of Inhabitants calls upon associations of civil society and all anti-globalisation movements to show, in a concrete manner, solidariety with the stricken populations. It is time to get going, putting all our know-how as builders of cities to rebuild the villages of fishermen, the shantytowns and the popular quarters destroyed by the Tsunami. Otherwise, we run the risk that nobody will take the necessary action... Read more http://iai.opencontent.it/article/articleview/1414/1/275/
Further information on the disaster and how one can help the stricken populations can be found by clicking here http://iai.opencontent.it/article/articleview/1414/1/275/
Cesare Ottolini
Coordinator International Alliance of Inhabitants
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2.- GCE ACTION WEEK 2005 - SMALL GRANTS
Dear Friends,
Across the world, hundreds of organisations and hundreds of thousands of people are coming together to add their voice to the call to "Educate to End Poverty", in the 2005 Global Action Week. Together, we will create a truly massive force that world leaders cannot ignore.
We have already received applications from over 80 countries for the Global Action Week 2005. However, the GCE has not yet received a Registration Form from your country.
In the past, the efforts of your organisation and the inspiring activities held in your country have been vital in making the Action Week an international success. Because of this, the GCE is writing today to encourage you to get involved in the Action Week 2005 and to remind you to
register as soon as possible.
The GCE is currently distributing Small Grants Application Forms to all those groups that have registered for the Global Action Week 2005. We don't want you to miss out on the opportunity to apply for funding for the Global Action Week, so we are sending through a copy of the Registration
Form and the Funding Application Form.
Please do ignore the deadlines included in the Registration Form, as the GCE would be more than happy to still receive your registration. The deadline for the funding application form is 10th January 2005.
If for any reason you have not already received the information on Global Action Week 2005, including the materials sent to you by post and the Planning Pack sent by email, or for more information on the Action Week, please contact Jo Walker on actionweek@campaignforeducation.org
Kind regards,
Jo Walker
Action Week Coordinator
Global Campaign for Education
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 313 111
Mobile: +44 (0) 7779 726395
Email: actionweek@campaignforeducation.org
GCE ACTION WEEK 2005 - SMALL GRANTS
Application Sheet 1 of 4: Rules and Guidelines
1. Joint applications, made on behalf of many organisations that are working together to plan a combined Action Week programme, will be given strong preference over applications from a single organisation.
2. As funds are limited, GCE can only accept applications from developing countries.
3. The deadline for submitting applications is 21st December. No applications will be accepted after this date.
4. The typical small grant is between US $1000 to US $3000. Larger grants will be considered in special circumstances (e.g. a very large country with an ambitious country-wide programme).
5. The fact that you have received Action Week funding from GCE in the past is not a guarantee that you are entitled to a further grant in 2005. Everyone must apply and the applications will be judged on their merits.
6. Preference will be given to plans that form part of the Send my Friend to School activities (ideally, at least one of the activities targeting decision-makers at national or state level).
7. We cannot pay wages or salary costs for individuals involved in organising the Action Week. We expect participating groups to contribute some of their own resources to the success of the Action Week, particularly in the form of time and effort.
8. Reasonable expenses for local travel and, where necessary, accommodation may be included in the budget but GCE strongly discourages the practice of paying people to attend meetings by offering them inflated per diems or honoraria.
9. We strongly encourage you to seek additional sources of funding in country. Possible funding partners could include the field offices of UN agencies such as UNESCO and UNICEF; the Commonwealth Education Fund; bilateral aid agencies or embassies of countries such as
10. GCE expects all recipients of small grants to sign a contract before transferral of funds. This will be sent to you after your application is accepted. Below is an estimated timeline for the procedure of distribution of Action Week grants. Please note, this timeline will only apply if GCE receives all the correct bank details and contact information. GCE accepts no responsibility for delayed payments if all the necessary information is not submitted.
Jan 10: Deadline to return funding application
By Jan 21 GCE informs applicants of funding outcomes
By Jan 31 Contracts received by recipient organizations, for signing and sending back to GCE
By Feb 20 Signed contracts received by GCE
By Mar 20 Funds transferred into account
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3.- OUR TIME IS NOW!
Sally Mlidi
smlidi@yahoo.com
“Our time is now!” is the resounding cry of the African women gathered at the third Africa Social Forum at the Mulungushi Conference Center in Lusaka,
Befittingly, the Africa Court of Women was held on December 10th which is International Human Rights Day. Coincidentally, it was also a day when a proud daughter of Africa, Prof. Wangari Maathai was awarded her noble price in recognition to her tireless work in upholding human rights of poor and marginalized communities through environmental justice advocacy. Like many of the women who gave their testimonies, Wangari Maathai faced state prosecution in her attempt to safeguard people’s rights including beatings and arrests. Yet, this did not deter her determination in fighting to protect and conserve Kenyans forests and people’s rights to landed resources.
On the following day, feminists and women activist came together to reflect on and initiate a dialogue on feminist contribution to a new Africa. Sara Longwe and Fatma Alloo aptly facilitated the session. However, participants did not need much prompting, as the dialogue was a space long awaited for. Participants represented among others Teachers Trade Unions, Development Practitioners, Research Institutions, Journalists and People’s organizations.
The dialogue was boosted by the participation of brothers from
In the spirit of the agenda to build an alternative culture for Africa, a culture that would usher in the Africa we aspire, the alternative to the present chaos and despair, where selfless dedication and courage become the earmarks of social actors, where sacrifices made by the likes of Prof. Maathai are redeemed and recognized locally. No doubt, Prof. Wangari Maathai’s accomplishment is our achievement and symbolizes the essence of our struggle. The challenge is to foster many more Wangari’s so as to swell our numbers and give force to the beating of drums that call to hearts and minds in new rhythms of joyful revolution.
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The International Gender and Education Office (GEO) of ICAE creates
VOICES RISING
Email: voicesrising@icae.org.uy
Web: www.icae.org.uy
Tel/fax: 00 5982 401 00 06
Address: Acevedo Diaz 1600 / 1002.
11200 Montevideo,