Dr Surin Engages with Civil Society Ahead of Summit
Ha Noi, 26 October 2010, http://www.aseansec.org/25412.htm
An engagement with stakeholders this morning has demonstrated a strong sense of ownership among the ASEAN citizens when the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, held a ten-country video conference with representatives from seven of the ASEAN Member States, as well as with Australia, India and Japan. The dialogue was held to include the stakeholders on ASEAN’s work and prepare them on what they can expect from the 17th ASEAN Summit and Related Summit, which will be held later this week in Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
During the two-hour dialogue which was broadcasted from Ha Noi, academia and researchers, representatives from civil society organizations, and members of the media posed a wide-ranging set of challenging but important questions to Dr Surin. The queries covered issues such as next weekend’s general elections in Myanmar, human rights, Indonesia’s chairmanship next year, as well as the global financial crisis and free trade area agreements.
But most questions centred around the peoples of ASEAN – the community building efforts to reach an ASEAN Community by the year 2015 and its progress and challenges. Questions were also raised on fair employment opportunities and migrant workers, as well as environmental issues such as climate change and haze, development in teachers’ training, women’s participation in society, youth development, and sports.
Dr Surin said the ten-country video conference this morning, which was hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat and supported by the World Bank and the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), is a demonstration of a form of regional connectivity. He added that the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, which will be deliberated upon and adopted by the ASEAN Leaders during this week’s Summit, will be the foundation to better link the region, which will in turn bring political, economic and social benefits to the entire population of ASEAN. The Master Plan is an important document as a well-connected region will help to increase the competitiveness levels of the Member States and of ASEAN collectively. Read more…
Statement on World Youth Day for Democracy
Release all student and youth political prisoners in Burma
October 18th, 2010
October 18 marks World Youth Day for Democracy, a day when
students and youth around the world stand in solidarity with young people imprisoned in Burma for taking part in pro-democracy activities. On this day, four student and youth alliances; are urging the international community to put pressure on the Burmese military regime to:
1. Release all students and youth political prisoners effective immediately, along with all other political prisoners.
2. Stop the oppression of democratic students and youth activists who are seeking freedom and human rights protection.
3. Stop attacks in the ethnic areas where students and youth have to face difficult situations.
4. Commence a dialogue with democratic and ethnic forces to stop the root causes of current problems, which brings hardship and injustice to students and youth in Burma.
Many political prisoners in Burma are students and youth. Young people often receive harsh punishments when they resist the dictatorship and some have been subjected to life-long imprisonment. Some have even been sentenced to more than 100 years in prison, simply because they participated in their university’s student union.
Young people’s thirst for democracy, freedom and human rights is great and many have risked their freedom when joining non-violent demonstrations against the military regime. Although, students and youth are the future of the nation, in Burma, they are subjected to the military dictatorship’s brutal and abusive practices. In many parts of the country, young people are deeply affected by increasing poverty. They lack educational opportunities and adequate healthcare. They often are forced to work as child laborers or are recruited to become child soldiers. Growing up in these dire conditions, they experience many human rights violations.
The upcoming November 7, 2010 elections have been designed to ensure the current military regime remains in power. We predict that the human rights situation of students, youth and all the people of Burma will only worsen after the elections.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and democratic leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, appealed to the world to, “use your liberty to promote ours.” The All Burma Federation of Student Unions-Foreign Affairs Committee, Generation Wave, The Nationalities Youth Forum and the Student and Youth Congress of Burma are repeating her call to the international community. We urge you to support our demand to the Burmese military regime to free all student and youth political prisoners now.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Thwin Linn Aung: + 66 (0) 878502354 (All Burma Federation of Student Unions-Foreign
Affairs Committee)
Aung Marm Oo: + 66 (0) 816736326 (Students and Youth Congress of Burma)
Apply NOW! Call for Applications Master of Human Rights and Democratization (Asia Pacific).
Applications due 10 December, 2010.
Call for Applications
Master of Human Rights and Democratization (Asia Pacific).
Applications are now being accepted for study and for scholarships in
the Master of Human Rights and Democratization (Asia Pacific) (MHRD).
The MHRD is a unique Master degree program in which students undertake
a foundational semester of study at the University of Sydney, and then
a second semester at one of the four partner universities:
• Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia)
• Mahidol University (Thailand)
• Katmandu School of Law (Nepal)
• University of Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Graduates of the course will gain an interdisciplinary understanding
of human rights and democratization in the Asia Pacific, and will have
opportunities to research and examine the application of human rights
and democratization in the field with the partner institutions.
Course Structure
In the first semester at the University of Sydney, students will
undertake a foundational course in social science, legal and political
approaches to human rights and democratization. During the second
semester students will follow two core units of study complemented by
either supervised research, an internship at an in-country
organization specializing in human rights/democratization or undertake
further specialized electives. Students must select one of the four
partners universities listed above to undertake their second semester
study.
Courses
Human Rights Norms and Laws (1 & 2)
Human Rights and Democratization Research
Dynamics of Human Rights Violations
Democratization: Theory and Practice
Critical and Emerging Issues in the Asia Pacific
In the second semester, students will take one of the following options:
• Internship program
• Research thesis
Graduates will have both the ability to undertake independent
scholarly research on current issues pertaining to human rights and
democratization in the Asia Pacific and skills to put their academic
understanding and practical experience to use in real situations.
Potential Students
We are looking for people who have a strong commitment to or
experience on working on issues about human rights and
democratization. The degree will strongly benefit people already
working in, or seeking to work in the fields of human rights and
democratization in our region.
Through a combination of academic and practical educational
experiences, the objective of the program is to produce graduates who
can support ongoing efforts to strengthen institutions dedicated to
the protection and promotion of human rights and democracy and to
enhance a regional culture of human rights and democracy. Recognizing
the critical institutional developments that are taking place both
regionally and in particular countries during this time, the program
has been set up to ensure that human rights and democracy advocates in
the region are well resourced to lead us into the next decades.
Scholarships
34 scholarships, covering course fees and a living and travel
allowance, will be offered to outstanding applicants from across the
Asia Pacific region. This is made possible with the support of a
significant grant from the European Commission.
Scholarships will be available to citizens of Asia Pacific countries.
The award of scholarships will be determined by academic
qualifications and potential contribution to human rights and
democratization.
Dates
Applications are now open.
Applications for the MHRD close on 30 April 2011 and are considered
upon receipt.
Applications for the Human Rights and Democratization Scholarship
close on 10 December 2010.
Contacts and Further Information
If you are interested in the program, you can find more information at
http://sydney.edu.au/arts/human_rights_democratisation/
For any questions, or for a copy of the application form, please
contact Academic Director Dr. Danielle Celermajer at
danielle.celermajer@usyd.edu.au.
Apply NOW! 32nd International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP)
Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue,
Québec,
Canada, June
5 – June 24, 2011
Dear Friend,
Greetings
from Equitas!
We are delighted to contact you today with details about our next annual International Human Rights Training Program. We are looking forward to another inspiring three-week program and the opportunity to meet more than 120 participants from around 60 different countries.
We are inviting you to forward the enclosed Application Form, Program Information and Memorandum of Agreement to your network of human rights activists and encourage organizations who you think could benefit from the program to apply.
It is also a good opportunity to share with your network your personal experience at the IHRTP. We always appreciate recommendations from IHRTP Alumni.
In circulating the information, please bear in mind that the IHRTP is intended for human rights workers and educators from Non-Governmental Organizations, National Human Rights Institutions, Government bodies and educational institutions. The goal of the IHRTP is to strengthen the capacity of human rights organizations to undertake human rights education efforts aimed at building a global culture of human rights. The curriculum is based on principles of adult experiential learning in which participants and facilitators engage in a process of mutual teaching and learning. The Program Information provides a detailed description of the Program.
We received more than 950 applications for the 2010 IHRTP and it is therefore unlikely that we will have enough spaces for all of the qualified candidates. The selection process and participant profile we are looking for are described in the attached document. The Equitas Selection Committee gives priority to the organisations best able to demonstrate their commitment and effectiveness in relation to human rights promotion and education. Consideration is also given to overall gender balance, geographic representation and the availability of bursaries.
Please note that the deadline for receiving applications is November 21st, 2010 and that only the 2011 Application Forms will be accepted. You can also find the documents, in English and French, on our web site at: http://www.equitas.org/english/programs/IHRTP.php
Should you have comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the IHRTP Team at ihrtp-pifdh@equitas.org
Yours sincerely,
Ian Hamilton
Directeur Général / Executive
Director
Equitas Centre international d’éducation aux droits humains / International Centre for Human Rights Education
666 Sherbrooke ouest, Bureau 1100 Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 1E7
Tel: +1.514.954.0382; Fax: +1.514.954.0659
www.equitas.org
34 scholarships available for Asia Pacific residents.
34 scholarships available for Asia Pacific residents.
Applications due 10 December, 2010.
Call for Applications
Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific).
Applications are now being accepted for study and for scholarships in
the Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific) (MHRD).
The MHRD is a unique Master degree program in which students undertake
a foundational semester of study at the University of Sydney, and then
a second semester at one of the four partner universities:
• Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia)
• Mahidol University (Thailand)
• Katmandu School of Law (Nepal)
• University of Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Graduates of the course will gain an interdisciplinary understanding
of human rights and democratisation in the Asia Pacific, and will have
opportunities to research and examine the application of human rights
and democratisation in the field with the partner institutions.
Course Structure
In the first semester at the University of Sydney, students will
undertake a foundational course in social science, legal and political
approaches to human rights and democratisation. During the second
semester students will follow two core units of study complemented by
either supervised research, an internship at an in-country
organisation specialising in human rights/democratisation or undertake
further specialised electives. Students must select one of the four
partners universities listed above to undertake their second semester
study.
Courses
Human Rights Norms and Laws (1 & 2)
Human Rights and Democratisation Research
Dynamics of Human Rights Violations
Democratisation: Theory and Practice
Critical and Emerging Issues in the Asia Pacific
In the second semester, students will take one of the following
options:
• Internship program
• Research thesis
Graduates will have both the ability to undertake independent
scholarly research on current issues pertaining to human rights and
democratisation in the Asia Pacific and skills to put their academic
understanding and practical experience to use in real situations.
Potential Students
We are looking for people who have a strong commitment to or
experience on working on issues about human rights and
democratisation. The degree will strongly benefit people already
working in, or seeking to work in the fields of human rights and
democratisation in our region.
Through a combination of academic and practical educational
experiences, the objective of the program is to produce graduates who
can support ongoing efforts to strengthen institutions dedicated to
the protection and promotion of human rights and democracy and to
enhance a regional culture of human rights and democracy. Recognising
the critical institutional developments that are taking place both
regionally and in particular countries during this time, the program
has been set up to ensure that human rights and democracy advocates in
the region are well resourced to lead us into the next decades.
Scholarships
34 scholarships, covering course fees and a living and travel
allowance, will be offered to outstanding applicants from across the
Asia Pacific region. This is made possible with the support of a
significant grant from the European Commission.
Scholarships will be available to citizens of Asia Pacific countries.
The award of scholarships will be determined by academic
qualifications and potential contribution to human rights and
democratisation.
Dates
Applications are now open.
Applications for the MHRD close on 30 April 2011 and are considered
upon receipt.
Applications for the Human Rights and Democratisation Scholarship
close on 10 December 2010.
Contacts and Further Information
If you are interested in the program, you can find more information at
http://sydney.edu.au/arts/human_rights_democratisation/
For any questions, or for a copy of the application form, please
contact Academic Director Dr. Danielle Celermajer at
danielle.celermajer@usyd.edu.au.
Announcing Asia Pacific Scholarship Consortium 2011 Scholarship Application – deadline is December 1, 2010
The Asia Pacific Scholarship Consortium is pleased to announce the 2011 Scholarship Application.
The deadline is December 1, 2010.
Please circulate and contact apsconsortium@gmail.com for academic counseling or with any questions.
The forms can also be downloaded from www.apsconsortium.org.
The Asia Pacific Scholarship Consortium (APSC)
Masters Scholarships for Individuals from Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Lao PDR. The APSC is an informal network of universities in Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the Philippines that aims to facilitate scholarships in high quality post graduate courses for individuals from Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Lao PDR who require financial support to study in the following fields:
- community health
- education
- humanities and social sciences
- policy, law and administration
- development
- environment
- media
- social work
- journalism and media
First International Conference on Human Rights in Southeast Asia: Will ASEAN Pass or Fail?
By prachatai
Created 2010-09-28 09:02
The First International Conference on Human Rights in Southeast Asia will be held on October 14 and 15, 2010 at the Royal River Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree, Thailand’s Representative to the ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) comments: “This conference on human rights in Southeast Asia is historic as it challenges the existing norms in Southeast Asia. And it does this by providing a platform to contribute to righting the wrongs.”
Growing concerns about human rights in South East Asia will be the focus of this international conference. Though there has been much praise for establishing the new ASEAN commission on human rights, papers in the conference will address how the ASEAN states still fail to meet people’s human rights.
The ASEAN’s human rights body has attracted global attention and some early assessments. The conference papers will further develop the debate on ASEAN standards, with the participation of key ASEAN diplomats and commission members including Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN. Conference activities also cover some of the more controversial issues in human rights now, such as Human Rights and Sexuality, and the Thai government’s recent crackdown on protesters in March-May 2010.
During the two-day activity, there will be panel discussions on women’s rights, which includes a keynote by Ms. Shanti Diariam, former member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups including children’s rights and indigenous peoples’ rights, terrorism, peace and security issues, the environment, freedom of media and freedom of religion, and democracy.
The conference is relevant given the recent developments in the SEA region. “Now that ASEAN is increasingly speaking of fostering people’s participation and rights, I think this conference is extremely timely because it creates a venue for human rights activists and academics to learn from each other. It helps deepen a culture of respect and support for human rights in key quarters, among policy-makers and practitioners alike,” said Phil Robertson, Deputy Director of the Asia Division of the New York-based Human Rights Watch.
Although human rights are ultimately a national issue and a government that respects human rights is but a product of historic national political struggles, it is critical that the discourse be elevated to bring on board SEA countries that are lagging behind in their obligation to realize human rights of their peoples. Says Dr. Azmi Sharom, Associate Professor of Law, Universiti Malaya, “As a collection of individual countries, the human rights experience in ASEAN has been as varied as the nations themselves: from serious breaches such as those in Myanmar, to huge leaps in progressive measures in Thailand and Indonesia, to the tepid neither here nor there indifference of Malaysia and Singapore. The development in human rights in ASEAN is diverse and embryonic. The need for discourse is thus absolutely vital.”
* ASEAN
* human rights
* Pick to Post
About Prachatai.com independent web newspaper © The Foundation for Community Educational Media 2006
Hanoi Vietnam – ASEAN Youth Statement 2010 APF
Contact:
ASEAN Youth Media Team
Email: aseanyouthmovement@gmail.com
www.aseanyouthmovement.org
Tel: +84 0906173043, +84 01244494271
AYM’s NEW Released!!! Young Peacemakers Riding to Peace
AYM proudly presents our latest newsletter: Young Peacemakers Riding to Peace.
Big thanks goes to our media team their hard work and our friends from ASEAN countries
who share thoughts and ideas in this piece of peace work:)
Be the first to read it online NOW!
URGENT! Photo Submission for ASEAN Youth Movement Photo Exhibition in Hanoi Vietnam!!!
Dear Friends,
If you are one of the young blood photographers, here is your chance to show ASEAN peoples and the world your youth perspectives to the world through the eyes of young generation.
ASEAN Peoples Forum 2010, will be organised on 23-26 September in Hanoi Vietnam. ASEAN Youth Movement Media Team is in charge of Media Action plan. And one of our project is Photo Exhibition and our theme: “People and Way of Life in ASEAN”.
So, we would like to encourage youth in the ASEAN region to submit their meaningful photograph to raise your voices through photography:
The exhibition:
There will be 15-25 photos for the exhibition. So there will be only selected 15-25 photos and the rest will be selected to make handmade postcards for fundraising for photographers and our ASEAN Youth Movement.
What we need from you;
1. Two or three of original photos regarding to theme:
People and Way of Life in ASEAN. Photo for exhibit will be 8×12 inches. Each photo requires 2000-3000 pix minimum.
2. Caption of your photo – only one sentence with clear and meaningful description
3. Photographer’s name and surname in English
4. Photographer’s organization (if you have)
5. Location of the photo taken (province and country and year)
This is only example, yours might be better: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37764344@N07/sets/72157623425164472/
Moreover, we will make handmade postcards as ‘ASEAN Youth Showcase’ for fundraising, as we mentioned above. Feel free to submit your photo for handmade postcard activity. Amount of the photos summiting for postcards is unlimited!!!
If you are interested, please email to netting2005@gmail.com and midazbr@gmail.com. Hurry up, DEADLINE is Friday 17 September 2010.
Be the first to submit your photos!
Cheers,
Netting, Tong and Mook
AYM Media Team
