From: Kouraich.Jaouahdou@unctad.org
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 11:59 AM
Subject: 2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development

21-23 March 2005, Marrakesh, Morocco

2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Advancing Implementation on Water and Energy
(21-23 March 2005, Marrakesh, Morocco)

You are warmly invited to attend the 2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Advancing Implementation on Water and Energy.

The Forum is being organized by the Moroccan Ministery of Territory Planning, Water and Environment (MATEE) in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA).

(Limited Funding is available to enable participants from developing countries to attend)

The deadline for registration is MONDAY 7 MARCH 2005.

All details on :
http://www.moroccoforum.org/

http://www.aries.mq.edu.au/pdf/aries_media_release.pdf

A just-released Macquarie University report, Whole-school Approaches to Sustainability: An international review of sustainable school programs, identifies a number of critical success factors to inform and facilitate the ongoing development of similar programs in Australia. Associate Professor Daniella Tilbury, one of the review's authors. "This study has documented through research and anecdotal evidence that whole-school approaches to sustainability have an important contribution to make in shifting our communities towards sustainability", says Associate Professor Daniella Tilbury, one of the review's authors. "National policy and initiatives which support these approaches at the state and local level enhance involvement as well as the quality of practice."

ARIES Media release, February 2005

hi folks

please see below for details on this award, with applications due in early april 2005.

cameron

++++++++

-----Original Message-----

From: Jennifer Radloff [mailto:jenny@apcwomen.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 7:54 AM

(Please disseminate widely and apologies for cross-posting)

GENDER and INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (GICT) AWARDS 2005


***ANNOUNCEMENT and APPLICATION FORM ***

> 'Empowerment'... refers broadly to the challenging of social norms,
> shifts in equalising power relations, enabling voice and expression, a
> sense and active claim of rights, an increase in perceived opportunity,
> and increases in 'confidence' and the consequences that arise from this.
> --Adapted from Research: ICT Innovations for Poverty Reduction, UNESCO;
> 2004

> FOCUS OF THE AWARDS

> The focus of the 2005 Awards is on ICT initiatives that promote
> women’s economic empowerment as it relates to development.

> Economic empowerment is seen in terms of:

> ----overcoming marginalisation, oppressive social norms, and
> inadequate support and responsibility from governments in terms of
> access & rights to resources & making sound decisions;

> ----offering women choice and opportunity,

> ----encouraging women to fulfil their potentials;

> ----giving voice and capability to counter their seeming
> powerlessness.

> ICT-related development is defined not only as it relates to income or
> material deprivation but as resolving basic needs of the community and
> promoting social networking through ICT intervention.The focus is not
> on the technology itself but in looking at the practical gender and
> strategic application by women to address their local needs and the
> specificity of their situations.


> CATEGORY

> Two winners will be awarded for:

> Outstanding ICT Project for Women's Economic Empowerment

> A cash prize of USD8,000 will be given to each winner.


> ELIGIBILITY

> The GICT Awards is open to civil society organisations,
> community-based groups, women's organisations and networks and
> social movements in the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia,
> Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam,
> Cambodia, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Federated
> States of Micronesia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Islamic
> Republic of Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao
> People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands,
> Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Papua
> New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Samoa,
> Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand,
> Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Tuvalu.

> The target beneficiaries of the projects must be women or girls.
> Special attention will be given to projects initiated by women
> themselves.

> Both project and project owners should be based in any of the Asia
> Pacific countries mentioned above.

> To be considered, the projects must be operational for **at least two
> years** and should be able to demonstrate results.

> The Awards program **does not** give grants for future projects, or
> research studies by graduate or undergraduate students.

> Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) refer to the broad
> range of digital technologies like computer hardware and software,
> fixed lines and mobile phones, electronic mail, satellite technology,
> wireless or cable networks, multimedia tools (convergence of the
> Internet and radio and/or video), and the Internet which are used to
> create, transmit and distribute information and services. **Initiatives
> must have, in any manner, actual use of the Internet** in order to
> qualify.


> CRITERIA

> The Awards will honour local, small-scale and community-based
> projects with women and girls as the main beneficiaries.

> 1. Utilizes ICTs to promote women's economic empowerment and gender
> equality

> a. Uses information and communications technologies (ICTs) in support of
> women’s economic empowerment and the promotion of gender equality.

> b. Demonstrates the impact of supporting individual women, communities
> of women, or women’s organizations, to improve the quality of their
> lives and to make meaningful contributions to equitable human
> development and the broader struggle for social justice.


> 2. Upscales initiatives and community-centred technologies

> a. Uses information and communication tools that are sustainable for a
> long period of time and appropriate to the needs and specific contexts
> of the community it is serving.

> b. Has the potential and ease to be replicated in other areas taking
> into account the different contexts and forces at play.

> c. Broadens the reach and impact of pilot ICT initiatives targeted
> towards women's economic empowerment and gender equality.


> 3. Promotes cooperation and social networking

> a. Fosters multi-stakeholder cooperation and active participation
> among different sectors (e.g., local communities and business,
> government, other organisations) in the community.

> b. Acts as a channel to access information, gain social support and
> confidence, nurtures collective or community life.

> c. Strengthens the capacity of people in implementing the project.


> LEARNING LESSONS AND SHARING STRATEGIES

> To be eligible for the Awards, applicants need to reflect on and
> express understanding and strategic analysis of the methods and tools
> they used, and of their own failures and ultimate success in such a
> way that others can learn from their experience.


> TIMETABLE

> Nominations will be accepted from February 15 to April 30, 2005.
> Winners will be selected and announced by August 30, 2005.


> LANGUAGE

> For the 2005 Awards, application forms must be submitted in English.


> APPLICATION AND FILE ATTACHMENT SIZES

> Completed applications must not exceed **10 pages** in length (not
> including the application instructions). Fonts used to fill up the
> form may be a minimum of 9 points and a maximum of 12 points in size.
> File attachments such as photos must not be larger than **1MB**.
> Applicants who wish to submit supplemental material such as video must
> send the application packages by mail.


> SUBMISSION

> Applicants may complete and submit the Application Form below and send
> as a file attachment to: awards2005-apply@apcwomen.org

> Please write the name of your project in the Subject line of the
> e-mail.

> For applicants who may want to submit their application by filling up
> the online application form, please go to:

> Or send your application by fax to: (632) 9203330

> If applicants are unable to send their forms through e-mail, or wish
> to add supplemental materials such as videos, application packages may
> also be mailed to:

> Gender and ICT Awards Project Team
> 2A Madonna Lane
> Sanville 1, Brgy. Culiat
> Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1128

> Mailed applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2005. Proof of
> posting is not proof of receipt. Only complete application entries
> received by the closing date will be considered for the awards.


> For those who have queries or require guidance in completing the
> application form, please submit all inquiries by April 1, 2005 through
> email to: mylene@apcwomen.org


> GENDER AND ICT AWARDS 2005

> ***APPLICATION FORM***
>
>
> A. PROJECT INFORMATION
>
> 1. a. Project Name or Title:
>
> b. Project URL, if any:
>
>
> 2.Describe how the initiative reflects each of the Gender and ICT
Awards
> criteria.
>
> a. Utilizes ICTs to promote women's economic empowerment
>
> a.1 What types of ICT tools do you use?
>
> a.2 How does the application of these contribute to the promotion
of
> women's economic empowerment and gender equality?
>
> a.3 How was the achievement of women’s economic empowerment
> and gender
> equality assessed/determined?
>
> a.4 Which cultural, traditional and religious gender-biased notions
and
> beliefs were challenged, if any?
>
> a.5 In what ways is your project different from others in enabling
> women’s economic empowerment and gender equality?
>
> a.6 What added value does your project bring to the ICT for development
> fora?
>
>
> b. Upscales initiatives and community-centred technologies
>
> b.1 Please narrate specific innovative or new approaches employed
> by
> the project, if any, that contribute to its development and its
> relevance to the community it is serving.
>
> b.2 Describe the processes or mechanisms that are in place to
> ensure
> the project’s sustainability.
>
> b.3 How can your project be replicated elsewhere?
>
>
> c. Promotes cooperation and social networking
>
> c.1 Who participates in the initiative? (Please identify participants,
> beneficiaries, and implementation partners. Provide specific demographic
> (age, income, rural/urban) information about your
> beneficiaries.)
>
> c.2 Please identify the project’s most important partners and
explain
> their role in the project and in helping to mainstream gender.
>
> c.3 How does the project foster cooperation and active
participation
> among the different sectors (government, private sector, civil
> society) in the community?
>
> c.4 How does the project strengthen the capacity of those who are
> involved in its implementation?
>
>
> 3. Learning Lessons and Sharing Strategies
>
> a. Why, when, and how did the project begin?
>
> b. What are the goals of the initiative?
>
> c. How are decisions being made in project implementation?
>
> d. What mechanisms are in place to ensure transparency and
> accountability in implementing the project?
>
> e. What results and/or immediate outcomes has the initiative
> achieved,
> and what impact has it had on the beneficiaries, participants, and
> community?
>
> f. What tools and processes did you use to monitor and evaluate the
> results of the initiative?
>
>
> B. GENERAL INFORMATION
>
> 1. Name of organization
>
> 2. Address
>
> 3. Country
>
> 4. Telephone number
>
> 5. Fax number
>
> 6. E-mail address
>
> 7. Organisation's URL (if applicable):
>
> 8. Name and designation of person submitting this application form
>
> 9. Organization’s Vision/Mission
>
> 10.Where did you hear about the Gender and ICT Awards?
>
> 11.References: Please provide the names and contact information
> (below) of _3 referees_. At least 1 to a maximum of 2 of these
referees
> must be from the country in which the project is based.
>
> Referee 1
> Name:
> Designation:
> Organisation:
> Email Address:
> Mailing Address:
>
> Referee 2
> Name:
> Designation:
> Organisation:
> Email Address:
> Mailing Address:
>
> Referee 3
> Name:
> Designation:
> Organisation:
> Email Address:
> Mailing Address:
>
> 12.Please list any additional materials (including photos and video)
> that you are including in your application packet.
>
> ......................................................................
> ................................................................
>
>
>
>
>
> To our applicants: We want to inform you that by submitting an
> application to the APC WNSP and GKP Gender and ICT Awards
> 2005, you
> are permitting APC WNSP and GKP to translate, distribute and
> publish
> information from your application (and any subsequent information
> requested by Awards officials) in any form, through the use of
> printed
> materials, ICT (including the Awards website), or otherwise.
>
> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. BEST WISHES!
>
> The Association for Progressive Communications Women's
> Networking
> Support Program APC WNSP) and the Global Knowledge
> Partnership (GKP)
>
>
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
>
> The Gender and ICT Awards is sponsored by the Association for
> Progressive Communications Women's Networking Support
> Program (APC
> WNSP) and the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP).
>
> The APC WNSP is a global network of women who support
> networking for
> social change and women's empowerment through the use of ICTs.
>
>
> The GKP is a worldwide network where governments, donor
> agencies,
> private sector companies, civil society, networks and international
> institutions gather as equals to apply ICTs for development.
>
>
> The GICT Awards is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development
> and
> Cooperation (SDC) and the Department for
> International Development (DFID), United Kingdom
>

Mexico Solidarity Network Study Abroad Program - Mexican Social Movements

16-credit, 14-week semester abroad program on Mexican Social Movements

Accredited by the UAM-Xochimilco in Mexico City

Sept 11 - Dec 17, 2005 Jan 29 - May 13, 2006

For detailed information and applications see
www.MexicoSolidarity.org/Study%20Abroad/

Contact: MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org
Tel: 773-583-7728

The Mexico Solidarity Network Study Abroad program is a 14-week, inter-disciplinary course focusing on the context, strategy and tactics of Mexican social movements. The course is open to college students and activists who want to investigate the theoretical groundings and actual manifestations of Mexican social movements, with important lessons for international solidarity work and US-based movements. The 16-credit program is accredited (applicable to most undergraduate or masters programs) by the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana - Xochimilco, one of Mexico's most prestigious public universities. The masters and undergrad accreditations have distinct academic requirements. The program is limited to 24 students. Groups are divided by academic level into classes of about 6 students each.

The course will give participants the theoretical grounding and practical experience to be more effective social actors in a globalized world.

Participants will study:
- The social, political and cultural context within which Mexican social movements struggle.
- Grassroots alternatives to predominant neoliberal models of development.
- Strategies, structures and manifestations of Mexican social movements, including indigenous and campesino movements, urban-based movements, ex-Braceros, women's organizations, independent labor organizations and NGOs.

Educational objectives:
- Introduce students to Mexico's rich and diverse economic, political and social context, with special emphasis on grassroots and community-based initiatives that are struggling for democracy, autonomy and self-determination.

- Understand the depth and scope of the US-Mexico relationship, with particular emphasis on power dynamics, economic and social relations, and important bi-national issues, including immigration, the neoliberal model, narco-trafficking, labor rights, and environmental issues.

- Develop strong Spanish language skills, with emphasis on oral communication and comprehension.

- Improve important grassroots organizing skills, including critical analysis, strategic analysis, organizational dynamics, writing and public speaking.

- Develop strong intercultural skills based on a solid understanding of race, class and gender dynamics, and an appreciation of international solidarity.

- Establish relationships with grassroots and community-based groups in Chiapas, Tlaxcala, Mexico City, Chihuahua and Ciudad Juarez.

Participants spend eight weeks in Chiapas, two weeks in Toluca de Guadalupe, Tlaxcala, a long weekend in Mexico City, two weeks in Chihuahua City, and two weeks in Ciudad Juarez. Courses are based on the modular system, an interdisciplinary educational model developed at the UAM-Xochimilco. The modular system encourages student participation and a dynamic, hands-on approach to integrating theory and practice.

Participants should be at least 18 years old, have experience in grassroots or community-based organizing, and have completed at least one year of college-level Spanish or equivalent in language mastery. The successful applicant will have a basic grounding in political analysis, globalization processes and grassroots movements.

The academic steering committee responsible for developing course content and educational goals includes: Dr. Glenn Keicker, DePauw University Dr. Sonia Comboni, UAM-Xochimilco, Mexico City Dr. Andres Jimenez, U of CA Prof. Keith Yearman, College of DuPage Dr. Celeste Kostopulos-Cooperman, Suffolk University Dr. Esteban Loustaunau, Augustana College Dr. Norma Lozano Jackson, Benedict College Dr. Peter Jackson, Benedict College Dr's. Patricia and Howard Lamson, Earlham College Dr. Nina Reich, Loyola-Marymount Univ Dr. Alicia Schmit-Camacho, Yale Univ Dr. Raymundo Sanchez Barraza, Universidad de la Tierra, Chiapas Dr. Sonia Comboni, UAM-Xochimilco, Mexico City Dr. Cheri Meacham, North Park University Prof. David Lozano, UAM-Xochimilco, Mexico City Dr. Merike Blofield, Grand Valley State Univ-MI Dr. Sarah Hernandez, New College of Florida Dr. Teresa Vazquez, Pitzer College Dr. Jeanne Simonelli, Chair of Dept of Anthropology, Wake Forest Univ.
Dr. Skip Oliver, Heidelberg College Prof. Lesley Davis, Indiana University School of Law Dr. Vicki Galloway, Professor of Spanish and Associate Chair for Research
and Assessment in the School of Modern Languages, Georgia Tech Dr. Gypsy Swanger, Border Studies Program, Earlham College Dr. Margaret Cerullo, Hampshire College Dr. Nik Theodore, University of Illinois-Chicago

For detailed information and applications see
www.MexicoSolidarity.org/Study%20Abroad/

For an application or more information, contact the Mexico Solidarity Network at MSN@MexicoSolidarity.org or call 773-583-7728.

ICT for all Tunis 2005 takes place from 15 to 18 November 2005, under the direction of the organisation Committee of the World Summit on the Information Society (COSMSI) and is organised in collaboration with Otto Frei AG. The Platform is situated adjacent to the WSIS on a secure area at the KRAM exhibition complex in Tunis.

ICT for all Tunis 2005 is the major parallel event at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis 2005. Open to the public, the Platform aims to enrich the political core of the WSIS by dealing with the people-centred development dimension of Information and Communication Technologies through a lively exhibition, high-level conference and interactive workshops.

Goal
ICT for all Tunis 2005 aims to contribute to a more effective worldwide use of ICT for development and stimulate concrete action between developing and developed countries.

Objective 1: network
To bring different stakeholders together to share knowledge, experiences and to encourage partnerships in the field of ICT for development. To promote the role of the private sector in particular, as stakeholders providing economically viable models for universal access to information and value-added ICT services.

Objective 2: showcase
To showcase examples of how companies, organisations and countries are active in ICT4D. Exhibitors present technologies, products, projects, services, approaches, best practices and innovations.

Objective 3: debate
To debate and reflect on state-of-the-art lessons, specific experiences, innovative models and future trends in the area of ICT4D.

Objective 4: action
To stimulate innovative actions including concrete multi-stakeholder deals, action-oriented partnerships, joint programmes and financing models.

Stakeholders
The platform embodies the true multi-stakeholder spirit, encouraging the development of action-orientated partnerships and collaborations between government agencies, civil society groups, private sector companies, donor agencies and inter-governmental organisations from across all continents.

Source:http://www.ict4all-tunis.org