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GEO/ICAE
Content
1.- ICAE Call for Action: WSF 2008: A Global Day of Action and Mobilisation 3.- The world of education and the community field in mourning following Bernard Normand’s death 4.– UN Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTADXII 5.– United Nations: 52nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women 6.- Social Watch Campaign Coordinator - vacancy in the Third World Institute (ITeM)
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1.– ICAE Call for Action: WSF2008: A Global Day of Action and Mobilisation
ICAE Call for Action
It is people’s dignity, initiative and actions that hold the key to the future! Another world free from starvation, discrimination and environmental degradation is possible. However, this vital goal is absolutely unattainable without the exercise by each and all citizens of their right to learn and increase their capacity for action throughout their lifetimes.
Our collective future will remain at risk in as long as we fail to achieve, in all continents, the full implementation of every child’s right to basic education. We can no longer tolerate the blatant disregard for and violation of the universal right of girls and boys to continued and undisrupted education. This is a violation reflected in the increasing costs of primary education borne by parents, as well as in the fate of 80 million children who are without access to even one year of schooling. While the goal of realizing the universal right to education is far from its reach, we find hope in the limited but significant progress made in the recent years concerning primary education. This reveals that another state of education in the world is possible!
The local and global challenges that we are confronted with cannot be adequately tackled without guaranteeing and promoting the right of youth and adults -- women and men -- to learn and practice the many skills of creative and productive citizenship. In this light, we are disconcerted with the fact that 750 million adults are deprived of their fundamental right to literacy (the majority of whom are women). Further, we condemn the blatant disregard for the Education for All goals two and three, by various governments and international cooperation agencies the world over.
In view of the Millennium Development Goals, we take the position that universal lifelong learning should not be its result, rather a prerequisite towards its achievement!
We, the members and networks of the International Council for Adult Education, call upon all governments and all international cooperation agencies to act -- to act concretely; to revive and reinforce the priority over children’s education; and to radically challenge and alter the current laissez-faire on adult literacy.
On this Global Day of Action, we also draw the attention of parliamentarians worldwide to take stock of the plight of the girls and boys around them and listen to the voices of the children who are silently screaming the words “Do not forget… we are lending you this planet in which we will have tomorrow to live and to survive in”!
On the 26th of January 2008, we call upon decision-makers worldwide to take a pause, peer through their windows and envision another world that benefits humanity -- both women and men.
We invite all citizens in all continents to do the same and imagine the possibility of a new future -- to dream of a dynamic and learning society -- to put their imaginations to test and take concerted action working towards an inter-learning planet.
It is people’s dignity, initiative and actions that hold the key to the future. This is why education is and must be, in all instances, an absolute priority!
2.- GCAP Invitation to members, partners and constituents to mark GCAP’s 3rd Anniversary by joining the World Social Forum Day of Action –“Another World free of Poverty and Inequality is Possible” on January 26, 2008http://www.whiteband.org/Action/take-action/gcap-mobilisation-2008/wsf-2008/
Dear friends.
Many of you will remember that GCAP was launched at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2005. On the occasion of its third birthday, the alliance has decided to actively participate in this call to join hands with those millions demanding, justice, equality, fairness and pro-poor policies all over the world. The slogan for the Day of Action and Mobilization on January 26th 2008 is ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE. We therefore invite all GCAP coalitions, partners as well as all participating organizations and movements at international, national and local level, to organize actions that interlink their national and international connections. The website wsf2008.net and GCAP’s own whiteband.org include details of the international call for action and can be used as the main tool for publicizing and articulating your actions. There is no prescriptive formula for organizing events or actions as WSF is trying to empower the process of global intervention. Steps:
1)
sign the global call (through the site
wsf2008.net)
3.- The world of education and the community field in mourning following Bernard Normand’s death
PRESS RELEASE For immediate circulation
The world of education and the community field in mourning following Bernard Normand’s death
Montréal, 11 January, 2008 – "The grief of the Cooperation Institute of Adult Education (known by its French acronym ICEA) is indescribable. Losing such a dignified and inspiring friend – a pillar of all struggles for education – losing a man of heart so committed and esteemed as Bernard Normand is not only a hard blow for the development of adult education in Québec, but it will also impoverish tomorrow’s public debates.” These were the words expressed by ICEA’s President, Victor Lapalme, following the sudden death, on Wednesday night, of the person who has marked the organisational development of the Institute as General Director from 1998 to 2006, Bernard Normand.
“The ICEA joins the hundreds of partners from the education field with whom Bernard Normand has built a vision, a project of society for the wellness of our fellow citizens. We would like to offer our condolences to his wife, Odette, and to his daughters, Nathalie and Marlénie. Bernard will remain with us forever as his action has marked our personal and collective history”, added Dominique Ollivier, the current General Director.
The man: looking back on his life
Bernard Normand had taken office at ICEA in January 1998. Holder of a PhD in sociology of work and a Master’s Degree in law, he had multiplied the field experiences throughout a career marked by his sense of leadership within the civil society and community movement. He had participated in the foundation of the “Centre de Formation Populaire” (Popular Training Center), in the enhancement of the Network of technical resources groups on Housing, in the development of the working youth movement of the MRC of Deux-Montagnes and, further on, in the Quebecer gathering of employability development institutions. He had also collaborated in the movement for the promotion and defence of handicapped people’s rights, in the economic and community development centre of Centre-Nord and in the Institute of community education development. Bernard Normand had also signed many articles incidentally published in the “Relations” magazine, and he had addressed more than one report to the members of Parliament on different themes that were really important to him.
In his cover letter for the post of ICEA Director, Mr. Normand wrote: “People consider I have skills as rallier contributing to synergy, to the vision and action plan…, as active spokesperson in the development and promotion of public positions…” He has done much more than that. “The passing of this outstanding man through our organisational life leaves an indelible mark that no fulminant illness will ever take away. His strong image, together with the serenity and the courage he had until the very last moment, will remain in our minds”, concludes ICEA President.
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Source: Cooperation Institute of Adult Education (ICEA) Christiane Allaire, responsible for the communications project
4. - UN Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTADXII
The 12th
UN Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTADXII,will be held at
ministerial level next April, 20-25, 2008 in Accra,Ghana. The conference is
not only about defining UNCTAD's programme butalso about what is important
for developing countries: a kind ofdevelopment paradigm which is later
sometimes used or abused byofficial institutions and donors. As developing
countries have more saythan at the WTO, there are some interesting positions
being taken,sometimes reflected in the outcome. At the end of this letter,
there issome more background information.
See :http://www.unctadxii.org/en/The-Conference/Accreditation-and-registration/
The registration form can be downloaded at:
http://www.unctadxii.org/Documents/UNCTADXII/registrationform_UXII_v1.pdf
5.- United Nations: 52nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women New York from 25 February to 7 March 2008
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/52sess.htm
The 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women will be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York from 25 February to 7 March 2008.
Participants The session will be attended by the representatives of Member States of the United Nations and representatives of United Nations entities and of ECOSOC accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world.
Themes As decided in the revision of its working methods and programme of work in 2006 (ECOSOC 2006/9), during the 52nd session the Commission will consider a priority theme and an emerging issue. In addition, the Commission will also review implementation of the agreed conclusions (recommendations) on a theme considered at an earlier session.
Priority theme Financing for gender equality and empowerment of women
Related On-line Discussion (Final report of the on-line discussion)
Emerging issue
Gender perspectives on climate change (Thursday 28 February – 3-6pm) The emerging issue will be considered through an interactive expert panel. Five to six experts on the chosen theme will provide information and insights based on experience from research and analysis, policy development and programme planning, implementation and monitoring. A brief discussion guide will be provided in advance by the Division for the Advancement of Women. Member States and other participants are expected to provide information and insights, experiences, lessons learned and good practice examples from their efforts to address the emerging issue. Further details on the interactive event – experts, discussion guide, and following the event, presentations by the experts and the moderator’s summary, will be posted on this site as soon as they are available.
Review theme Women’s equal participation in conflict prevention, management and conflict resolution and in post-conflict peacebuilding (Friday 29 February – 10am – 1pm)
The review of the agreed conclusions on “Women’s equal participation in conflict prevention, management and conflict resolution and in post-conflict peacebuilding”, adopted by the Commission at its 48th session in 2004, will take the form of an interactive dialogue. Discussion will be initiated by initial interventions by one or two keynote speakers. A brief discussion guide will be provided in advance by the Division for the Advancement of Women. Member States and other participants are expected to provide information and insights, experiences, lessons learned and good practice examples from their efforts to implement the agreed conclusions. Further details on the interactive event – keynote speakers, discussion guide, and following the event, presentations by the keynote speakers and the moderator’s summary, will be posted on this site as soon as they are available.
Parallel event on the theme for the 53rd session in 2009
“The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS.”
To provide initial guidance to the Member States and other actors in preparing for the consideration of the theme of the 53rd session in 2009: “The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS”, an interactive panel will be organized in the margins of the Commission, as a parallel event. A panel of experts will introduce the topic and an interactive dialogue will follow. A brief discussion guide will be provided in advance by the Division for the Advancement of Women. Member States and other participants are expected to provide information and insights, based on their, experiences, lessons learned and good practice examples from their work in this area, to share ideas on what should be covered by the Commission at its 53rd session.. Further details on the interactive event – experts, discussion guide, and following the event, presentations by the experts and the moderator’s summary, will be posted on this site as soon as they are available. Indicators on violence against women In response to the General Assembly resolution 61/143, on “Intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women”, the Commission will organize a joint workshop with the Statistics Commission to consider the development of indicators on violence against women during the first week of the Commission. (Wednesday 27 February – lunchtime)
Official programme of work
Week One: 25-29 February 2008
Week Two: 3-7 March 2008
6.- Social Watch Campaign Coordinator - vacancy in the Third World Institute (ITeM)
"Roberto
Bissio" <rbissio@item.org.uy>
Dear friends,
Please help us disseminate the following notice of vacancy in the Third World Institute (ITeM) for the position of Social Watch Campaign Coordinator.
If you are interested in applying, please send the following either in English or Spanish:
* Resume * A letter describing your interest in Social Watch, and summarizing your skills * A brief example of your writing (2 to 4 pages, can be an original or already published piece). * Three references (name, position, organization or institution, telephone and e-mail).
IMPORTANT: Applications must be sent before January 25, 2008 and must be addressed to:
Social Watch Fax: +598 2 411 9222 or E-mail: swreport@socialwatch.org
Sincerely, Roberto Bissio
Third World Institute (ITeM) December 2007
OPENING POSITION: Social Watch Campaign Coordinator. LOCATION: The Social Watch International Secretariat is located in Montevideo, Uruguay, and is based at the Third World Institute (ITeM). (The position requires the candidate to travel frequently)
TERMS OF REFERENCE: The Campaign Coordinator will have overall responsibility for serving the network of national Social Watch coalitions around the world, supporting the network in the development and implementation of its campaigns. He/She will work to achieve the goals of Social Watch, strengthening the political will to implement the commitments undertaken by governments in terms of poverty eradication and gender equality. Other strategic areas of work include: strengthening the Social Watch national coalitions and promoting the creation of new ones, supporting the editorial and research work of the coalition’s Secretariat, based in Montevideo, and making sure it meets the strategic goals of the network and the needs of its members.
The position directly reports to the coordinator of the International Secretariat of Social Watch.
Among other activities the Campaign Coordinator should be able to:
* Identify organizations that may be interested in joining Social Watch, help build the capacity of national Social Watch platforms to monitor the commitments undertaken by their governments and promote their active participation in the Social Watch international network. * Encourage and support Social Watch regional activities and the work of the Coordinating Committee * Facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences among coalition members and between the latter and other civil society networks, government entities and intergovernmental bodies. * Help develop the proposals of national coalitions to carry out activities related to Social Watch. * Attend regional and international meetings, and if necessary, represent Social Watch on such occasions. * Identify and establish relationships with the media. * Participate in defining the priorities of the editorial and research teams of the Social Watch International Secretariat; assist in the fundraising for Social Watch activities.
ABOUT Social Watch: Social Watch is a network of more than 400 civil society organizations in sixty countries around the world, working for social justice, poverty eradication and gender equality. In particular, Social Watch regularly monitors and informs about the compliance of governments with undertaken commitments.
For more information about Social Watch, please visit www.socialwatch.org
REQUIREMENTS: Graduate degree in Social or Political Sciences, International Relations or other areas related to the issues addressed by Social Watch or equivalent expertise.
* At least three years of experience in international NGO networking and advocacy * Ability to work independently under minimum supervision * Work experience with NGOs, particularly from Africa, Asia or Latin America and the Caribbean * Excellent skills for writing and speaking in public * Excellent skills for interacting with journalists, NGO representatives, government representatives and intergovernmental organizations * Capacity to prioritize goals and carry out multiple tasks * Proven experience in dealing with staff and in project management (programmatic and financial) * Experience in team work * Dynamism, independence and willingness to work in multicultural environments * Availability to travel frequently, if necessary * Commitment to social justice, poverty eradication and gender equality * Fluency in English (essential), oral and written communication skills in Spanish and/or French. Knowledge of other languages will be of immense help.
TERMS AND OPPORTUNITIES: * Salary will be commensurate with experience. The position includes health insurance. Support will be provided for transfer to Montevideo if necessary. * The International Secretariat of Social Watch is based at the Third World Institute (ITeM) with headquarters in Montevideo, Uruguay * Opportunity to play a significant role in the global efforts for social justice, poverty eradication and gender equality * Opportunity to influence the development of our campaign priorities and the strengthening of civil society networks worldwide.
HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in applying for the position, please send us the following:
* Resume * A letter describing your interest in Social Watch, and summarizing your skills * A brief example of your writing (2 to 4 pages, can be an original or already published piece). * Three references (name, position, organization or institution, telephone and e-mail). Please, specify when they can be reached.
IMPORTANT: Your application must be sent before January 25, 2008 and must be addressed to:
Social Watch - Fax: +598 2 411 9222 or E-mail: swreport@socialwatch.org
ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE, DO NOT CALL US. THANK YOU.
The Third World Institute (ITeM) is committed to equality of opportunities in hiring staff. -- Roberto Bissio Executive Director / Instituto del Tercer Mundo Jackson 1136, Montevideo 11200, Uruguay - +598 (2) 419 6192 -- www.item.org.uy
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