Dr. Sofia Macher,
recipient of multiple human rights awards and author of Tactical Notebook:
Audiencias Públicas (Public Audiences).

Sofia Macher was recently awarded the 2007 Human Rights Award by Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights for her work to promote human rights and peace through truth and reconciliation. In 2006, she received the Eclipse Award from the Center for Victims of Torture in recognition of extraordinary service for the protection and healing of torture survivors. A member of the New Tactics Working Group, Dr. Macher is also author of the Tactical Notebook “Audiencias Públicas: Un espacio para legitimar el testimonio y dignificar a las víctimas del conflicto interno en el Perú” (now translated and available in English as “Public Audiences: Creating Space to Recognize Victims of Internal Conflict in Peru”. From 1997 to 2001, Dr. Macher served as Secretary General of the Coordinadora National de los Derechos Humanos de Peru (the National Coordinator for Human Rights, CNDDHH). The Coordinadora, which includes 65 human rights organizations in Peru, took the extraordinary step of creating a strategic plan to end torture that involved the careful evaluation of the strengths and opportunities for each organization to act in coordination. Its work is credited with paving the way for Peru’s democratic transition and for building pressure to create the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, on which Sofia served as a commissioner. The Commission also broke new ground, including establishing a detailed set of standards for support to victims of the violence.

The New Tactics project also has a tactical notebook featuring this groundbreaking work of the Coordinadora. A new English translation of this notebook, “Together We are Stronger,” is now also available. This Tactical Notebook (originally in Spanish as “Juntos somos más Fuertes”), written by Erika Bocanegra analyzes the characteristics needed for in building and maintaining a strong and vibrant coalition of organizations that has lasted for over 20 years. The notebook provides an excellent step by step process guide for how the Coordinadora successfully organized, even in the context of an authoritarian government.

NEW TACTICS PARTNERSHIP GRANTS

The New Tactics project received an overwhelming response to the announcement of the 2007-2008 grant application “Promoting Tactical Innovation and Strategic Thinking in the Global Human Rights Movement”. Although the final awards are still pending, New Tactics was very excited to receive over 170 applications from 58 countries from all regions of the globe. Most prominently, we received 68 applications from Asia and 60 from Africa. The top ten countries included:

• Nigeria (13)
• India and Indonesia (12 each)
• Pakistan (9)
• Bangladesh, Cameroon, Liberia, and Philippines (8 each)
• Kenya and Nepal (7 each).

Although we were only able to accept and process applications submitted in English, there was strong interest in French and Spanish speaking countries as well. Information about past recipients and grant activities can be found here.

IN THE NEWSROOM: Meeting, Grant, Award, & Contest

Full details and other announcements in the Newsroom

African Union And OAS To Host "DemocracyBridge" Meeting In U.S. – 11-12 July, 2007

Promote and defend democracy across Africa and the Americas at the "DemocracyBridge" meeting, on 11 and 12 July in Washington, D.C. Along with academics and civil society reps, the African Union and the Organization of American States are getting together to analyze democracy, human rights and conflict resolution, focusing specifically on the newly approved African Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance and what can be learned from its American counterpart. Check out the panels and "breakout" sessions on how to observe elections, promote democratic institutions and network across the region. Civil society organizations that would like to participate should email: summitcso [at] oas [dot] org or fax: +1 (202) 458-3665. For the agenda for "DemocracyBridge: Multilateral Regional Efforts for the Promotion and Defense of Democracy in Africa and America", see: http://tinyurl.com/2l3quo (MS Word)

2007 Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) Competition
Application Deadline: 20 August 2007
The Global Development Network (GDN) is accepting submissions for the Global Development Network’s annual competition for the Most Innovative Development Project, which carries prizes in cash and travel of over US $50,000! The finalists will present their proposals at GDN’s Annual Global Development Conference in Brisbane, Australia in January 2008. Submissions are accepted for an ongoing development project implemented in a developing or transition country. For more information, see www.gdnet.org/2007awards

Call for nnominations of the 2007 Integrity Awards - Submission Deadline: 30 September 2007
Transparency International, the global anti-corruption organisation, has opened nominations for its 2007 Integrity Awards that honour the "unsung heroes of the fight against corruption." The three awards recognise individuals and organisations from around the world that have risked their lives and their livelihoods - in the name of justice, transparency and integrity - to unmask corruption and challenge people and institutions that wield enormous power. For more information, see www.civicus.org/new/media/Call-Nominations-2007IntegrityAwards.doc

2007-2008 Mondialogo School Contest! - Application Deadline: 1 November 2007
Over 2,500 teams from all five continents are expected to register for the third Mondialogo School Contest (2007-2008). As part of the launch, schools in 40 countries will organize a "Mondialogo Day" to present their projects and plans for the 2007-2008 contests. Participating schools are matched with a partner team from another country to prepare joint creative projects illustrating a dialogue between their two cultures. Launched to coincide with the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21 May), the contest puts into practice the principles of cultural diversity and pluralism. For more information, see www.civicus.org/new/media/Register-MondialogoSchoolContest2007.doc