Lawyers say Ashton's EEAS proposal contradicts Lisbon Treaty
According to legal advice from a UK based law firm the current European External Action Service (EEAS) proposal is inconsistent with the Lisbon Treaty. A coalition of European development organisations says it could trigger legal action against the proposal by EU High-Representative (HR) Catherine Ashton.
The development organisations are worried that the current proposal blurs the distinction between foreign and security policy and development policy, which will lead to the subordination of development priorities. As EU foreign ministries meet on Monday to discuss the proposal, the development organisations urge EU member states, the European Commission and the European Parliament to reject the proposal and ask for a legal review.
Read the press release from here.
Challenges of the new EU Commissioner for Development
Kristalina Georgieva is the new Commissioner for international cooperation, humanitarian aid and crisis response. In a challenge ahead, Europe has two main contributions to make: development policy thinking and development aid delivery.
Development policy is a key part of the "Europe 2020" vision presented by president Barroso. This is a challenge for EU to become a champion of global governance - challenge which include world economic recovery, climate change, migration, food security and making progress towards the Millenium Development Goals. The Commission is already exploiting its expertise in development and strengthening the link between development policy, researchers, national authorities and civil society.
Find more information from here.
The Romanian Government implements through UNDP a development assistance project in Georgia
The business incubator project aims to stimulate economic development and reduce poverty in the Adjara region and to serve as a model for other parts of the region. This project is also viewed as a way to tap into Adjara's high education level; the region, home for 400,000 people has an unemployment rate of roughly 25 percent, 8 percent higher than in the rest of Georgia. Find more information from here.
Haiti - European Commission latest situation report about the victims
The report also emphasizes the main immediate priorities for emergency aid - access to makeshift camps, food distribution, strenghten coordination under the UN leadership among main actors at the operational level.
Total EU's humanitarian assistance including planned pledges amount to a total of 122 million euros in response to the earthquake in Haiti (18 member states and the Commission). The report is available here.
International Peace and Development Training Center (IPDTC) calendar
IPDTC is launching its 2010 Training Calendar with a range of programmes addressing core and expert skills and knoweldge training for policy makers and practitioners working in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, development work, humanitarian aid, gender, governance and related areas. Click here to download the calendar of events.
Press Release
Black Sea Peacebuilding Platform initiative brings together conflict resolution experts in Bucharest
1 November
On 28 – 31 October 2009, civil society conflict resolution experts from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine (including Nagorno-Karabakh and Transdniestria) met at UN House and at the Radisson Hotel in Bucharest. The 25 regional conflict experts met to discuss the initiative to build a permanent standing Black Sea Peacebuilding Platform.
This Platform will provide an inclusive, transparent, democratically governed and regionally-owned civil society platform for improved collaboration, cooperation and sharing of expertise. The Platform is an independent, regionally-owned and regionally-based initiative developed by expert organisations and institutions across the Black Sea Region. The aim of the Platform is to strengthen effective capacities for conflict transformation, violence prevention and peacebuilding locally, nationally and regionally in the Black Sea Region.
The participants of the workshops in Bucharest on 28 – 31 October 2009 agreed to continue the development of the Black Sea Peacebuilding Platform by creating a regional web-portal and expert working groups. National Civil Society Round Tables on conflict and peacebuilding issues will be held in Chisinau, Yerevan and Tbilisi in 2009 and in other capitals of the region in 2010.
The initiative to build a Black Sea Peacebuilding Platform has previously held meetings in Cluj-Napoca, Brussels, Kyiv and Bucharest.
For more information please contact:
Denis Matveev +40 741 610 170 (English, Russian)
Corina Simon +40 742 989 398 (Romanian, English)
***
Editors Note: The initiative to build a Black Sea Peacebuilding Platform was created in November 2008. Its development since then has been driven by professional civil society organisations specialising in peacebuilding, conflict resolution and violence prevention from the Black Sea region. Organisations from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine (including Crimea, Nagorno-Karabakh and Transdniestria) have so far taken part in this initiative. The initiative aims to broaden its base to include representatives from Bulgaria as well as from the conflict zones of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The first meeting of the Platform initiative in Bucharest in 2008 and the latest one in Bucharest in 2009 have both been supported by the Black Sea NGO Forum. In 2009 the Forum was titled “NGOs in Times of Crisis”, and has been organised by FOND (the Romanian Platform for Development NGOs) and the Civil Society Development Foundation (Romania).
On 26th September, parts of Luzon including Metro Manila, the main urban center of the Phillippines, were hit by the typhoon Ondoy
Thousands of Filipinos, mostly from urban poor areas, suffered from huge floods, the worst in Metro Manila since 1967. More than 240 people died, and many are still missing. Almost 320,000 people were displaced or have lost their homes, many of them cramped in evacuation centres without food or water. Relief goods such as food, water, medicine, clothes, blankets, beddings, etc, as well as school supplies are urgently needed especially in urban poor communities.
The European Commission has adopted a Communication on Policy Coherence for Development (PCD)
More than 50 million people are projected to be in poverty in 2009. The 2008 EU Research paper on MDGs identifies three categories of factors that influence progress towards the MDGs: developing countries own policies, development cooperation and the global policy framework, including EU policies and their impact on developing countries. EU commitment to PCD is founded as regards its legal base on article 178 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. The Treaty of Lisbon, if ratified, would give a solid legal base to PCD.
http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/COM_2009_458_part1_en.pdf
Swedish ministers outline Council Presidency priorities to the committees on constitutional affairs, climate change, international trade and gender equality
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/008-60075-244-09-36-901-20090901IPR60074-01-09-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm
Commission's Green Paper on learning mobility for young people
On 8 July 2009 the European Commission published a Green Paper on "Promoting the learning mobility of young people". The aim is to open up a debate on how best to boost the opportunities for young people in Europe to develop their knowledge and skills by spending time abroad. With this Green Paper the Commission has launched a public consultation inviting all interested parties to comment on the issues and question raised: How can we convince more young people to spend time abroad? What obstacles to mobility do we have to overcome? How can all players involved- governments, education and training institutions, NGO's- join forces in a new partnership for learning mobility?
The consultation will be open until 15 December 2009. Click here to submit your contribution.
Music against poverty contest: young Europeans raise their voices on development aid
Young EU citizens are invited to share their message on fighting poverty and development through a music contest organised by the European Commission's cooperation office EuropeAid. The winner selected through online voting will have the opportunity to perform during the European Development Days on 22-24 October 2009 in Stockholm. Mobilizing the young and more generally, European citizens, about the EU's fight agains poverty worldwide is necessary to bring support and ensure there's political will on the global stage.
Louis Michel-European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid: "I believe today as I did when I took office five years ago that it is possible to eradicate extreme poverty and to reach the Millenium Development Goals. This is not just a dream. Today an opportunity is given to the youth to spread awareness on this key issue facing their generation. With this music contest, young Europeans can tell the world to make it happen".
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1071&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
One billion people throughout the world suffer from hunger, a figure which has increased by 100 million because of the global financial crisis
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said the figure was a record high.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8109698.stm
Reinforcing cooperation between Europe and Africa
Strenghtening cooperation between Europe and Africa in the transport sector is at the core of the communication adopted by the European Commission. It aims to connect the Trans-European and Africa networks, in particular through developing a common map of transport infrastructures.
Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "With approximately E 4,5 billion coming from the 10 th European Development Fund for the period 2007-2013, the European Commission is currently one of the largest donors in the areas of infrastructure and transport in Africa".
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/989&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Press the G8!
The G8 has a unique opportunity to act urgently against poverty-and specially the increasing poverty of women and the socially excluded in the face of the multiple crises of food, fuel and finance affecting the world. Join us and put pressure on the richest countries leaders to make sure they act against poverty. Click here to sign the petition.
Romania and the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) of the Romanian Peace Institute (PATRIR) sent a message to the Office of the President of Romania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Public Officials, FOND, Diplomats, UNDP Staff, interested stakeholders and experts involved in programs to develop Romania's ODA and international development cooperation, on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
Romania has a long history of supporting international peacekeeping missions. In 2001, the country enhanced its contribution to international peace support operations with the establishment of the Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania (PATRIR), now recognized as one of the leading centres of expertise internationally in peacebuilding, early warning, violence prevention and post-war recovery. Find more information from www.patrir.ro. You cand also read: Messages from the UN Secretary General and President of the General Assembly, on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, International Peace and Development Training Centre-May 2009 Training Success and IPDTC Presentation, "Si vis pacem, para pacem", "Uniunea urmareste sa promoveze pacea: Propuneri pentru alegerile europarlamentare din 2009", "Does Peacebuilding Matter in Development Aid?".
May 2009 Progress Report from the Black Sea Peacebuilding Plarform Initiative (PATRIR)
The Black Sea Peacebuilding two-week Design and Planning Session was held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania from May 11-22nd. The iniative for the establishment for Black Sea Peacebuilding Platform was formally launched at the Black Sea NGO Forum in octomber-november 2008 by a Working Group made up of civil society organizations from across the BSR.
Read the Report from here.
PATRIR-Department of Peace Operations calls for effective steps to be taken in order to de-escalate the situation in Republic of Moldova
Download the communique from here.
CONCORD statement on Council conclusions on supporting developing countries in coping with the crisis, 19 May 2009
Ministers gathered on 18-19 May have adopted Council conclusions on provision of the European Union support to developing countries. The EU has reaffirmed its commitments to achieve its ODA targets, but does not require member states to meet the crucial individual targets. The lack of mention to these targets in the actual text reflects a weak and disappointing commitment on the part of member states with regards to hard won promises on aid.
CONCORD calls on the Commission to review its commitments. CONCORD is extremely disappointed to note that climate change is barely mentioned in these conclusions. The document is available here.
Manifest on the political crisis in Moldova
As a neighboring country to EU, and one that reclaimed special statute to adhere to the EU community, Moldova deserves more attention, care and suuport these days from the democratic nations. Read the Manifest from here.
Less than a week after the London Summit, the European Commission outlines a range of actions which the EU can take now to help developing countries weather the ongoing economic crisis
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission"-the recession must not, cannot, will not be used as an excuse for going back on our promises to keep on increasing aid."
Louis Michel, Commissioner responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said: "We know what we must do: meet our aid targets, advance our money to have an impact when it is most needed, refocus our existing programmes to tackle the crisis and then make every Euro count. The real value of just working more effectively together at 27 in our development action is around 7 billion euros per year – the relief in human suffering that brings is incalculable. Today's communication maps out just how we can achieve that. I am proud that Europe is first to act after the G20 in support of developing countries."
European Commission pledges EUR115million for trade project in Eastern and Southern Africa
EU and Africa join forces to develop aviation cooperation
Following the two days EU-Africa aviation conference, which took place in Windhoek on 2-3 April 2009, the EU Commission and the African Union Commission have agreed on the principle for an ambitious common strategic framework to develop safer and more sustainable air transport. European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani and Commissioner Louis Michel launched this initiative with Dr Elham Ibrahim, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.
"Europe and Africa must strengthen their links and cooperate more in aviation. We will both benefit from a new air transport dynamics between our continents", said Vice-president Tajani. "Improved safety standards and more choice are at the basis of our new dialogue.
European Development Youth Prize 2008/2009
The event is organized by European Schoolnet and the Directorate General for Development.
The Development Youth Prize is open to schools in the 27 member states of the European Union. The focus for the 2008 competition is Africa - Human Development. There are three themes for entries: gender equality, children and youth or cultural diversity
International Women's Day:the EU calls on children worldwide to participate in drawing competition on gender equality
The competition calls on children all over the world to express their vision of gender equality.
"Protecting women’s rights and empowering them as decision-makers are fundamental principles of the European Union’s work across the globe. Wherever we work we take women’s rights into account. Our objective is women’s rights to be respected and protected throughout the world and involving the children in the process is investing in the future" Mrs Benita FERRERO WALDNER, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, says.
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/what/gender/drawing-competition_en.htm
Informal meeting of heads of state or government of 1 March 2009
Heads of state or government met in Brussels and had an in-depth discussion on the current financial and economic crisis. They agreed that Europe can only face this challenge and overcome the current crisis by continuing to act together in a coordinated manner, with the framework of the Single Market and EMU. They agreed to take action along the following lines-building confidence and promoting financial stability, getting the real economy back on track, working together at the global level.
http://www.consilium.europa.eu
The European Commission, together with the United Nations, is hosting a two-day high level meeting in Brussels from today which aims to boost support for the peace process in Somalia
This meeting aims to generate support for the Djibouti peace process, to consider the security situation in the country and to analyse the ways to bring about better governance as well as development and improved living conditions for the peoples of Somalia.
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament
Based on Article 180 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, this Strategy forms one half of a package covering aspects of DDR within and beyond the EU, addressing also appropriate links between the two dimensions. It complements and supports existing EU initiatives on climate change.This Strategy contains the main objectives, priority areas for intervention, implementation priorities, EU funding instruments.
http://www.fondromania.org/eng/library/DRR_COM09_84_en.pdf
UN Millenium Campaign expresses disappointment at final communique from G7 Finance Ministers Meeting
Find more information here
European Year of Volunteering 2011
In a meeting on 18th February 2009, hosted by the DG Education and Culture, it was announced that the European Commission, on instruction of President Barroso, has started preparing the European Year of Volunteering 2011. Read the Press Release from here.
Irish Government announces devastating development aid cuts
NGOs across Europe have expressed shock and deep concern at this act by Ireland usually considered as a progressive European development donor. At a time when the financial crisis and global recession is hitting the poorest and most vulnerable hardest, this cut will have huge implications for the many developing countries receiving vital aid from the Irish government. This represents the latest in a round of aid cuts from European donors. It signals a dangerous trend which threatens the Millennium Development Goals' commitments so vital to alleviating poverty in poor countries. Last December Italy announced aid cuts of 56% and Latvia, which recently became a donor of development aid, released a statement last month announcing a 100% cut to its aid budget.
Read more here:
http://www.concordeurope.org/Files/media/internetdocumentsENG/5
Press/1_Press_releases/00pressreleases2009/irish-Aid-cut-press-release-04-02-2009.doc
The European Union's Development Cooperation Instrument-"Non State Actors and Local Authorities in Development"- General Evaluation of Actions to Raise Public Awareness of Development issues in Europe; Development education
This report contains the legal basis for European Comission support in the area of Development Education, a strategic planning and policy coherence with EC development cooperation policies, the programme implementation modalities, relation between EC and NGO's implementing DE projects, key actors involved in Development Education, distribution of projects by year, by country and by theme.
Download the entire report from below.
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/worldwide/civil-society/documents/de-ar_evaluation2008.pdf
Operational Strategy 2009-Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid-ECHO
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/policies/strategy/strategy_2009_en.pdf
Strengthening the international humanitarian response-Commission adopts E 27 million capacity-building programme and will continue to support efforts to make the international humanitarian system more responsive and efficient
Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid inaugurates humanitarian office in Haiti and supports the country's development efforts
To see more, click here.
OECD, the European Parliament and the European Commission organised in Brussels, on Thursday 12 February, the Conference on Policy Coherence for Development.
http://www.eurostep.org/wcm/content/view/528/158/
The Civil Society Development Foundation (CSDF Romania) is looking for a fellow from Ukraine
The Civil Society Development Foundation (CSDF Romania) is pleased to launch the new Black Sea NGO Fellowship Program.The program runs under the aegis of the Black Sea NGO Forum and is financed by Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation. The objectives aim to increase the level of dialogue, mutual knowledge and coordination among NGOs in the Black Sea region. The first series of the program (March – April 2010) is directed towards NGO professionals from Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. A fellow from each country will be working for one month at the Secretariat of the Black Sea NGO forum, which is currently ensured by the Civil Society Development Foundation.
Fellows’ tasks will regard:
* being involved in the process of programming and organizing the 3rd edition of the Forum (October 2010);
* establishing new contacts and communicating with representatives of NGOs in the Black Sea region;
* developing proposals and organizing activities related to the Forum;
* designing and updating the Forum webpage and newsletter.
The fellows will be also involved in:
* study visits to Romanian NGOs and public authorities relevant to their specific domains of interest;
* relevant events for their specific domains of interest.
Profile of Ukrainian candidates
Candidates aged 25 – 35 employed fulltime in an Ukrainian NGO on a management position (at least project managers).
The ideal candidate should have:
* minimum 2 years experience in the NGO sector in Ukraine;
* very good level of proficiency in English and an intermediate level of proficiency in Russian;
* experience in writing reports and informing materials on NGO activities;
* experience in events’ organizing;
* analysis and synthesis skills;
* communication skills;
* teamwork skills.
We offer:
* motivating per diem;
* accommodation, meals, transport and communication costs covered;
* medical insurance and consular fees covered;
* opportunity for professional development by attending training courses organized by CSDF.
The application deadline for candidates from Ukraine is 15 March 2010. The fellow will be staying in Romania for 1 month: April 2010.
Applicants are required to submit the following:
* application form (link for downloading: http://www.blackseango.org/pagini/fellowship.php);
* letter of motivation in English;
* CV (in English);
* letter of recommendation from the current supervisor;
* letter of recommendation from a referee outside the NGO the applicant is currently working for;
* letter of support from the current employer – the Employer Agreement (link for downloading: http://www.blackseango.org/pagini/fellowship.php).
The best scored candidates will attend a skype / phone interview during 16 – 18 March 2010. The selected candidate will be announced on 22 March 2010. For more information please do not hesitate to contact us: Ms. Andreea Sorescu, Program Coordinator, Civil Society Development Foundation (andreea.sorescu@fdsc.ro) or visit the following link: http://www.blackseango.org/pagini/fellowship.php.