THE NEW TACTICS NEWSLETTER – March 15, 2006
WORLD MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY ASSEMBLY: JUSTICE, PLURALISM AND PARTICIPATION
Istanbul, Turkey
April 2-5, 2006
More than 500 democracy activists, practitioners, trade unionists, scholars, policy makers, and others engaged in promoting democracy around the world are gathering in Istanbul for the Fourth Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy. Participants will convene in practical workshops focused on meeting regional challenges, addressing various areas of democracy work, and building networks across borders. New Tactics in Human Rights is proud to be offering three workshops in collaboration with our partner organization, the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly, and nine presenters from the New Tactics network.
We invite you to newtactics [at] cvt [dot] org to the following questions, which will be posed to the attendees of the New Tactics Network workshop on April 4.
1) How has the New Tactics in Human Rights network, materials and tools benefited your efforts? How are you putting New Tactics to work for you?
2) Please share with us your feedback on areas of focus and input in terms of mechanisms for more in-depth connections, sharing, support (virtual, face-to-face, etc).
3) Do you have any ideas or possible mechanisms for expanding our network?
[more about the workshops and presenters]
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Social entrepreneurs are determined individuals who seek to address social ills using traditional entrepreneurial tactics. Jane Addams, Maria Montessori and Florence Nightingale are examples of pioneers in the field of social entrepreneurship. They implemented a strategic vision which combined their practical skills with a disciplined creativity. Today’s social entrepreneurs develop biodynamic farming methods, advocate legal reform for senior citizens, and provide low-cost agricultural tools to rural peasants. "Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry." (Ashoka Foundation) Foundations such as Skoll, Ashoka and Schwab help to support visionary social entrepreneurs practically and financially, as well as promoting their work and acting as networking hubs for the social entrepreneur, activist and NGO communities. [more]
THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON IS INFORMATION: Using databases to protect and preserve human rights information
The Benetech Initiative is a leading social entrepreneurial organization based in Palo Alto, California. In addition to their work in literacy and land mine detection, Benetech helps "put the power of science and technology at the service of human rights advocates" through their Martus and Human Rights Data Analysis Group (HRDAG) projects.
The Martus Human Rights Bulletin System is a database tool that addresses the specific technological needs of the human rights community by dramatically improving their ability to manage information and document abuses. With this tool, human rights groups can now use Internet technology in order to help collect, organize, search, safeguard and disseminate information about human rights violations. The software backs up the encrypted information on a remote Internet server and securely replicates the information to multiple locations in order to safeguard the information from theft or loss. Analyzer, the companion system to Martus, structures and evaluates Martus data in order to create knowledge about patterns of human rights violations.
We got in contact again with Benetech’s Human Rights Program to hear more about their recent activities. [Read the update]
IN THE NEWSROOM: MORE FELLOWSHIPS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Harvard University’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy is now accepting applications for 2006-2007 fellowships. Two types of fellowships are available: the Carr Center Fellowships for Academics and Scholars (non-stipendiary) and the Carr Center Fellowships for Activists and Practitioners (stipendiary).
The Ford Foundation is also offering fellowships for advanced study for exceptional individuals from outside of the United States.
[more]Bookmark/Search this post with:
