News (2002)

Official Launch of the
Nonviolent Peaceforce

The official launch of the Nonviolent Peaceforce took place during the Interna-tional Convening Event in Suraj Kund, near Delhi, India, 28-11 till 2-12. An IFOR representative participated in this historic event as IFOR is a member organisation. The Nonviolent Peaceforce works at the invitation of local groups to protect human rights and prevent death and destruction, thus creating the space for local groups to struggle non-violently, enter into dialogue, and seek peaceful resolution. resolution. The initiative to bring this peaceforce into reality was taken at the Hague Appeal for Peace, in 1999.
-> Press Releases
(December 2002)

"Eliminate the Hate" Project in Ventura County

The Eliminate the Hate program has been designed to reduce hate-related incidents by identifying how youth facility staff, families, minors, and adults can respond to escalating acts of violence toward others. The program examines bias and methods of identifying how intolerant behavior impacts lives and communities. In/Out of custody juvenile wards or minors on informal probation who have been involved in hate crimes, are inclined toward participation with hate crime groups, or in general may benefit from participation in the program.
Read more...
(December 2002)

Call for Applications: Politics of Democratic and Welfare Development (Dubrovnik, April 20-27, 2003)

Project “The Politics of Democratic and Welfare Development in South Eastern Europe: a Network for Research and Education”, conducted by University of Bergen, Norway (Rokkan Centre and Department of Comparative Politics), and in co-operation with the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Political Science, Croatia, and the Institute for Strengthening Democracy, Konjic, Bosnia, organizes the course “Welfare, Multiculturalism and European Development”.
Deadline: January 20
-> More Information

Call for Applications:
Institute for Holcaust and Jewish Civilisation Studies (Cracow, July 1 - 14, 2003)

The Holocaust Educational Foundation at the Northwestern University, Chicago, USA and the Centre for European Studies at Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland announce a Summer Institute for Holocaust and Jewish Civilization Studies to be held on July 1-14, 2003 in Cracow. Applicants should write a resume and a short letter indicating their interests, and how they would benefit from the Institute. For receiving a fellowship participants must conduct a Holocaust related course at their university. Deadline: February 28
-> More Information & Application

"Pathways to Tolerance"
Project in San Diego

PATHWAYS to Tolerance is a program created by the San Diego Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League. The program serves adolescents in the juvenile court system who have committed a hate crime or bias incident, or having been charged with any form of illegal behavior, show evidence of racial, ethnic, religious or other form of intolerance. Through facilitated group interaction, integrating education with cognitive-behavioral, experiential and self-psychological interventions, the program aims to effect a measurable increase in tolerant attitudes and beliefs. Skill building activities will be used to promote anger management, decision making and critical thinking skills. Read more...
(ADL, November 2003)

Call for Papers:
Insanyat (Humanities)

Insanyat (Humanities), a graduate students on-line periodical based at the American University in Cairo, Sociology and Anthropology Department, seeks submissions for its January, 2003 issue. The aim of the journal is to provide a site for discussion and intellectual exchange among graduate students and scholars from various social sciences backgrounds in the Middle East on wide range of topics. Read more...

Human Security Network (HSN) meeting took place in Vienna

On 29 Nov. 02, the Human Security Network (HSN) meeting of senior officials, human rights education and children in armed conflict experts took place in the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria. The purpose of the meeting has been to discuss the progress made in the thematic areas, human rights education and children in armed conflict, selected as priority areas by the Austrian HSN Chair for 2002/2003. During the meeting, it has been once again underlined and reaffirmed that assuring respect for human rights and human rights education in particular is a vital strategy for achieving and enhancing human security. Read more..
(December 2002)

IFOR elected
new International Committee

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) has a new International Committee. The seven members come from all over the world: Austria, India, Japan, Switzerland, the United States and Zimbabwe; the IFOR President, Jonathan Sisson comes from Switzerland too. The New International Coordinator, David Mumford, is from Britain, where he has been active in peace and nonviolence issues for many years.

Gender Sensitivity Training
in Manila

A Gender Sensitivity Training was conducted by Dr. Zenaida Quezada-Reyes and her students of Women Studies in three communities of Metro Manila and nearby cities last October, 2002. The participants were women leaders, housewives and youth leaders. Four modules were developed by the students with the supervision of Dr. Reyes. The modules included topics like the difference between sex and gender, gender socialization in the Philippines of gender, historical context of gender and the situation of women in the Philippines with emphasis on gender violence.
Read more...
(October 2002)

Evaluation workshop at the
University of Augsburg

The evaluation workshop which had been developed by a working group of the Tolerance Network has been run with a group of students of pedagogy at Augsburg University. The first part of the wokshop aimed at sensititzing the students for criteria of success and quality in university education. In the second part the students prepared presentations for different topics concerning evaluation, such as theoretical underpinnings of evaluation, quality management, evaluation resources on the internet and a critical discussion of the PISA evaluation by the UNESCO. For more information contact Florian Wenzel.
(November 2002)

New manual
on human rights education
by the Council of Europe

Compass is the title of the manual on human rights education with young people just produced by the Directorate of Youth and Sport of the Council of Europe. Compass is addressed to all those who are curious and motivated to undertake human rights education but have had no opportunities for training or are short of methods to do it. More...

(October 7, 2002)

Colloquium
"Anti-terrorist measures and Human Rights" in Vienna

On October 30./31. the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights, the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy ETC (Graz) and the Vienna Diplomatic Academy organise a Colloquium on "Anti-terrorist measures and Human Rights". It will analyse regional initiatives and national case studies. Panel discussions will explore the chances of preventive measures against terrorism in the light of the concept of human security. The colloquium will take place at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy.
Program (.pfd-download)
Contact: Minna Nikolova
(October 9, 2002)

Activities against a possible war in Iraq

The International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) is taking a number of steps to speak out against a possible war in Iraq. IFOR's branch in Germany, Versoehnungsbund e.V., will be sending a delegation to Iraq in the coming weeks, supported by the whole IFOR movement. The delegation's purpose is to express support for Iraqi citizens in this difficult time, and to make
contact with faith based communities there. (October 7, 2002)

Development of Principles and a Manual on Human Rights Education

The European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC) has been entrusted by the Austrian chair of the Human Security Network with the elaboration of a declaration on 10 principles and a manual on human rights education to be presented to the meeting of foreign ministers of the Human Security Network in Graz in May 2003. Read more...
(October 9, 2002)

Nonviolence training for female trainers from Asia, Africa and Europe

IFOR's Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) just finished the first training in its Training of Trainers Program. In the hospitable training centre Kurve in Wustrow (Germany), 13 nonviolence trainers from Asia, Africa, and the Caucasian region received a two weeks intensive training. Topics were active nonviolence, gender awareness, fund raising and women and the media. Upon return, the participants will carry out two nonviolence trainings for target groups within their own countries, and return next year for another fortnight of training. With this program, the WPP hopes to expand its pool of experienced women nonviolence trainers.

More information: Janne Poort-vanEeden

(October 7, 2002)

Background: WPP

NGOs meet on the occasion of economic forum in Poland

On September 5-7, 2002, several dozen representatives of non-governmental organisations from Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia participated in the XII ECONOMIC FORUM "Europe after Integration: Overcoming the Problems and Meeting the Challenges." The panel discussion entitled „Business and Non-governmental Organisations in building a Civic Society and Market Economy in Central and Eastern Europe", organised on the initiative of Polish NGOs, attracted more than 100 participants. An exhibition entitled „Sharing Experiences: Activities of Polish NGO‚s Working Abroad" was organised in conjunction with the Economic Forum. A CD was presented containing information about the working group as well as the activities of Polish non governmental organisations working abroad. The disk also contains the texts prepared during the "Civic Diplomacy" conference. More Information: Krzysztof Stanowski
(September 20, 2002)

Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate: ADL and Court TV Join in a New Education Initiative

Court TV's public service broadcast and education initiative, "Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate" premiered on Friday, October 4, 2002 at 8 a.m. (ET/PT) with a half-hour special on Court TV. The initiative was created in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks to help young people understand the consequences of hate and to learn important values of acceptance and diversity. The "Empowering Children" initiative includes a written resource guide, companion video and comprehensive component on the Internet. Read more...
(October 4, 2002)

"Education for Democracy International Network" (EDIT.Net) founded

Throughout activities over 10 years in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, an
informal international network of trainer teams supporting local communities through civic education. Each team operates on the basis of a local non-governmental organization. Each is independent in terms of program, organization and finances. Now the partners decided to organize themselves in more formal structure. On September 18 - 22 they foundet the "Education for Demoracy International Network" (EDIT.Net).
Read more...
(September 25, 2002)

US-Project:
Partners Against Hate

Featuring both online and offline resources and support, Partners Against Hate promotes awareness of promising techniques to prevent, deter, and reduce juvenile hate-related behavior. The purpose of this project is to provide the public with a comprehensive clearinghouse of hate crime-related information, including resources, news reports, and effective counteraction tools in the fight against youth-initiated hate violence. (August 23, 2002)

Call for Nominates:
Evens Price for Intercultural Education

The Evens Foundation prize is awarded to a project (or organisation) which has contributed to the integration of European citizens in the field of intercultural education, and has demonstrated determination and creativity. The prize consists of a sum of 30.000 euro for the laureate and 5.000 euro for the second and third prizes, as encouragement for the work undertaken. Deadline: November 30, 2002. More Info... (Sept 10, 2002)

New Project on
Right-wing Extremism

CAP, Bertelsmann Foundation and a media commission together investigate reasons behind right-wing ideas, ideologies, and violence as well as patterns of right-wing biographies. The aim of the project is to develop convincing suggestions for action against right-wing extremism and to pass on these results and findings to decision-makers on politics and education. If you work in a similar field or want to share information, please do not hesitate to contact Britta Schellenberg
(August 20, 2002)

Balkan Youth
for Tolerance

"Balkan Youth for Tolerance" is a project aiming at raising youth awareness for human rights in general and the minority rights more specifically on the Balkans.
28 participants from 7 target countries will discuss minority topics in two seminars (Romania, Bulgaria), visit different institutions, media centers and experts, have workshops with different minority groups, make a short documentary video film about the programme, participate in an online discussion forum on minority topics. More Info...
(August 8, 2002)

New online tool for
Human Rights Education

The Berlin based "European School of Governance" is currently developing a new platform for Human Rights Education. Partner in this project is the UNESCO chair for Human Rights Education at Magdeburg University. The platform will be available in the internet for schools. It will make the complex rules of Human rights easily available and offer virtual, multi-media exercises, case studies and materials for interactive education in class rooms. (August 09, 2002)
More information: Dr. Thomas R. Henschel (info@eusg.de)

Carl Bertelsmann Prize 2002 for Transparancy International

This year's Carl Bertelsmann Prize will be awarded to Transparency
International (TI). TI, a non-governmental organisation that fights
corruption, is being recognised for its work in promoting transparency at
all levels of society and for advancing solutions to problems created by the
failure of the market and the public sphere. The organization has
established a worldwise network of branches. (July 20, 2002)

Read more...

Encounter of Arab and Jewish kindergardens in Jaffa

After three months withouth regular encounters between 12 Arab and Israeli kindergardens in Jaffa due to the tensed general situation, the Adam Institute managed to organise meetings again. The children of 12 kindergardens met in May and June, four more meetings are currently planned. For more info contact morkus@tolerance-net.org.
(June 25, 2002)

Power of Language
Seminar in Berlin

The Center for Applied Policy Re-search and the Anti-Racism initiative Stummschrei in Berlin organized a "Power of Language" seminar from 21.-23. June 2002. The seminar was attended by several professionals that work as facilitators in civic education, as social workers or diversity trainers. It explored the context of such language and power issues in Germany.
This workshops is one of many steps that is purused by the German network members right now to adapt The Power of Language for democracy education.
(June 24, 2002)

Tolerance Network:
Evaluation Subgroup meeting

The International Network’s subgroup on evaluation met at Lake Starnberg near Munich June 16-19 to further develop a workshop concept, designed to introduce practitioners from the field to the issue of evaluation. The interactive workshop addresses challenges, opportunities, characteristics and requirements of evaluation as they relate to the field of democracy- and human rights education.
It offers participants an introduction to methods and data analysis. The workshop is currently being tested with practitioners in different countries. Concurrent with the workshop a resource guide on evaluation in the field is planned.
(June 20, 2002)

New Print Newsletter
PODIUM available

The International Network – Education for Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance has issued the 6th edition of its print-newsletter PODIUM. The main focus this time is Human Rights Education. In her contribution Felice I. Yeban, Director of the Center for Peace, Gender and Human Rights Education in Manila, states that "Human Rights Education is in a crisis of its own meaning." Almuth Wietholtz reports on the last Expert Meeting on the topic. Nils Rosemann contributed an Exert’s Commentary on "Human Rights Education as a preventive measure against racism". In addition Podium 1/2002 includes a portrait of the International Fellowship of Recon-ciliation, some useful bookmarks and information on upcoming events in the field of the network’s activity. (June 10, 2002)

Nonviolent Peaceforce Mission supported by a member
of our Network

The Organization Nonviolent Peaceforce has appointed our network member David Grant as Program Officer. There will be a major Convening Event in Faridabad, India, at the end of November.
The basic mission is to put several hundred unarmed civilian peacekeepers into an area of violent conflict in order to nonviolently: accompany, monitor and, if necessary, interpose.

For more information contact David Grant. (June 18, 2002)

International Workshop on Human Rights Education and Training Issues among Human Rights NGOs

The Arab Institute of Human Rights, Tunesia, organized in collaboration with the Documentation, Information and Training Center in the Field of Human Rights, Marocco, and with the support of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Marrakech a four day workshop, 1st to 4th of June 2002, on training issues. The Bertelsmann Foundation was asked to present its cooperation with the Center of Applied Policy Research in the field of Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance Education. The ideas exchanged were manifold and will be documented by the organizers in a publication that will be available at the end of the year. (June 6, 2002)

"RITA II – Region in Transition"

The Program's objective is to support the democratic and market-oriented transformation in the former Eastern Bloc countries, primarily through sharing of the Polish experience. In 2002, similarly as in a previous year, two deadlines of grants competition will be announced on June 30 and September 30. RITA will support projects which will be implemented mainly in Poland with partners from the Region in order to support the strengthening of democracy, the rule of law, civil society and market economy in the countries of Region. At the same time projects selected under RITA will contribute to the process of developing new leaders within non-governmental organizations, local communities, local self-government, among journalists, scientists, teachers or students in the Region. Details about the program, as well as application forms can be found in Polish or Russian Language at the foundation's website. (FED, June 6, 2002)

International Expert Meeting on Human Rights Education

From May 13th to May 16th an International Expert Meeting took place in Munich, Germany. Participants from all member organizations and additional experts contributed to an intensive debate on different aspects of Human Rights education.
Part of the programme was a public panel discussion on "Teaching for a culture of Human Rights" at the Goethe Forum. The network also defined the next steps for the common work in the field of Human Rights Education.
(Tolerance Network, May 17, 2002)

Climate of Trust
Russian Hate Crime Training

The Anti-Defamation-Leage in co-operation with the Bay Area Council for Jewish Rescue and Renewal, The San Franscico Police Department, and the San Francisco District Attorney, will deliver for the second year of the Climate of Trust Hate Crime Training program. This exchange program brings Russian Law Enforcement officials to San Francisco and Bay Area law enforcement official to Russia. This program offers the participants an opportunity to engage in anti-bias training (the A CLASSROOM OF DIFFERENCE) and provides a cross-cultural forum to share ideas. This August when the second program takes place it will also include teachers and school administrators.
(ADL, May 10, 2002)

David Grant led trainings
for observers to Palestine-Israel

Network member David Grant has led the trainings for thefirst three groups of Dutch observers to Palestine-Israel. The goals of the mission are: * To express solidarity with the Palestinian victims of the occupation and with the Israeli victims of terrorist attacks, and with all civil society groups seeking a just and nonviolent peace; * To have a mitigating effect on the level of violence on both sides; *To inform and influence Dutch and European politics. See United Civilians for Peace for their reports from both sides of the conflict. David also has written a personal account of being under military curfew during the first Israeli invasion of Ramallah. His essay, "Hunkered Down in Ramallah", is available from the member's network. (May 8, 2002)

Adam Institute:
Beacon in the Israeli darkness

Even under the currently rather extreme circumstances, the Adam institute staff is continuing to work in many projects in Arab and Jewish schools with groups of teachers. Whereas most others cancelled their activities, Adam is one of the few organizations that continue with Arab/Jewish encounters, although a few were postponed for fears of Jewish parents from terrorist attacks or Arab children from reprisals. As the Arabic newspaper ‘Al-Ithad’ published in Haifa puts it: "The Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace is perhaps the only beacon in the Israeli darkness.”
(Adam Institute, April 5, 2002)

'Peace Clubs and Gender" training in Harare, Zimbabwe

In a cooperation of several IFOR branches, a 'Peace Clubs and Gender' training, was held in January 23-27, 2002, in Harare, Zimbabwe. This training brought 12 key youth peace leaders from Zambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe together, in a pioneering trainingwhich highlighted active nonviolence, gender issues, and leadership and organizational skills. The training was a first step in the establishment of peace clubs with the full participation of women in these three countries. It was funded by the Dutch Samen-op-Weg Kerken (A cooperation project of three Churches). (IFOR, 20 March 2002)

Bertelsmann Foundation's anniversary

On 13th March 2002 the Bertelsmann Foundation celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. The Bertelsmann Foundation, founder and partner organization in the International Tolerance Network, used the anniversary to consider new ways of supporting reforms in the future. The Gütersloh think tank wants to develop new reform ideas, make them available to the public, and actively support their implementation in order to make them even more effective. This is why the Foundation is currently considering the possibility of founding a “knowledge transfer agency” modeled after management consulting companies.
(Bertelsmann, 15 March 2002)

Reinhard Mohn Explorer Foundation

In a move to gain more reform ideas from abroad, the Bertelsmann Foundation is establishing the Reinhard Mohn Explorer Foundation, which will be funded with one million Euro per year. “We are seeking and supporting ‘pathfinders’ who recognize the need for social policy action and respond to it. We want to work with these social entrepreneurs at home and abroad,” explained Executive Board Chair Dr. Gunter Thielen at the press conference held in conjunction with the Foundation’s twenty-fifth anniversary.
(Bertelsmann, 15. March 2002)

Betzavta Webpage

Over the last five years the Center for Applied Policy Research in Munich and the Bertelsmann Foundation have set up a network of trainers for tolerance education. The launch of German language webpages for each of the programs is an additional step to strengthen these networks. In spring 2002 the webpage www.betzavta.de went online. It provides the reader with information on the educational program, its authors at the ADAM Institute in Jerusalem and also introduces the trainers that facilitate Betzavta trainings in German speaking countries. A strategic partner in this venture is the European Youth Education Center in Weimar.
(CAP & Bertelsmann, 4. March 2002)

Next Council Meeting

The IFOR International Secretariat is busy preparing the Council meeting, which will take place in the USA in June. The Council is the 4-yearly meeting of the whole IFOR movement, where the policy for the coming period will be outlined and the new Steering Committee will be chosen. (IFOR, February 2002)

Women Peacemakers Program

The IFOR Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) has been awarded funding for another four years. One of its activities for this year will be a gender training for the IFOR members who will participate in the Council. (IFOR, 25 January 2002)

Workshop for Trainers in Azerbaijan

Between Feb 1 and 5, Krzysztof Stanowski and Ewa Bracha from the Education for Democracy Foundation will conduct a basic workshop for NGO leaders and teachers from all regions of Azerbaijan. The workshop is organized in cooperation with the INAM Center of Pluralism in Baku as well as with several local NGOs. The Workshop will expand the team of trainers working in the Foundation's International Trainers network.
(FED, 7 February 2002)

Workshop for Women Leaders

Between Jan 24 and 29 Krzysztof Stanowski with Ukrainians belonging to the "Education for Denocracy - International Trainers Network" were running a workwhop for women leaders from Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia). The aim was to prepare participants to conduct serious citizen forums (both locally and crossborder) in the Caucasus.
(31 January 2002)

Novamerica at the Social Forum

Novamerica is an active participant of the World Social Forum from the 31 January until the 5 February. We believe that "a different world is possible" and that with all the organizations that are in Porto Alegre we will strengh the efforts that are been developed all around the earth to build another globalization were all the persons, all the cultures and all the religions have place.
(28 January 2002)

Print-Newsletter PODIUM 2/2001

For the fifth time the Print-Newsletter of our network called "PODIUM" was printed last month. It includes an article on Intergroup Relations Programs by Walter G. Stephan and Cookie White Stephan from New Mexico State University in the US, a presentation of the Aquino Foundation at the Philippines which is part of our network, and an article on Evaluation on Education for Democracy by Gabriele Ketterle. (2 January 2002)

Participa Conducts
Interviews in Ecuador

Catalina Delpiano, Project Head of PARTICIPA, went to Quito, Ecuador from December 17-19, 2001 to interview professionals in the social and political circles in that country. The purpose of the interviews was to find out their views of the social, economic, political, and institutional climate in Ecuador as it approaches the upcoming elections in October 2002. (21 December 2001)

4th Annual Meeting
in Hamburg

It It has already become a tradition to have the network`s annual conference in November. The conference started with a working group day: The four groups "Tolerance Reports", "Educational Concepts", "Evaluation" and "Human Rights Education" discussed their working progress and the format of the forthcoming publications. Read more.. (20 November 2001)

Network members
visit South Africa

"U Managing Conflict" (UMAC) is the name of a organization from Cape Town, which just joined our Network. Katrin Uhl, one of the network's coordinators, reports on a visit in South Africa in October 2001. She gives a first-hand impression of the challenges and issues specific to this country in transition. "The South African perspective on human rights-, democracy- and tolerance-education and the challenges at hand are very different from many of those faced by other Network member organizations." Read more...
(5 November 2001)

Participation to
American Summit Process

Since 1997 PARTICIPA has carried out actions to promote civic participation and create opportunities for dialogue among governments and civil society organizations (CSO) in the American Summit processes. The national coordinators of the 17 countries interested in continuing with this process, three academic centers, FOCAL, ESQUEL, PARTICIPA, and
the Executive Secretariat of the Interamerican Network for Democracy will participate in this project. Read more about Participa...
(10 October 2001)

Contributor to the
European Year of Languages

The International Network - Education for Democracy, Human Rights and Tolerance contributes to the campaign "The European Year of Languages". The Council of Europe, which is the campaign's initiator, embraced the "Power of Language"- program as an important contribution to the year. (21 September 2001)

Publication "Power of Language" presented at the Council of Europe

The network's working group "Language and Democracy" presented the first publication of the network. The handbook "The Power of Language. An Activity Guide for Facilitators" contains exercises and practical workshop examples from different countries and regions around the globe. Read more... (29 August 2001)