Date 18/04/2009
Dear Friends,
It has been difficult to digest the sad fact that one of my friend in social movement, Ramesh Patil is no more with us. Though Ramesh was working with Navnirman since last four months, his association with us goes back a long way
Ramesh’s name is known to many in the social field. He dedicated his entire life to society, more often at the cost of neglecting his family. More than 25 years were spent for helping people, fighting causes with passion of a true social activist. His own home is barely a shelter. When it rains, his wife and daughters have nowhere to go but be in their hut which gets completely flooded.
On 17th March, while he was on his way back home at Vikroli, he was attacked by a group, robbed, badly beaten and finally was thrown down from a cliff almost three stories down. He remained on the road through the night. It was morning when someone noticed him. He was admitted in the hospital in a serious condition.
After battling life for 12 days, finally Ramesh succumbed to his injuries .His wife and four daughters are without any support and have no clue how they are going to raise the money for their survival
Future is bleak for the Patil family unless we step in and do whatever we can. Let us join hands and help a man who helped everyone else but himself throughout his life. We, at Navnirman have already pledged to do our best and have already started raising fund for his family. You can also join us and strengthen our hands.
If you wish to help please send your cheques in favour of ‘Navnirman Samaj Vikas Kendra’ at 304, Malwani Renaissance CHS, 9-RSC-2, Mhada Layout, Malad [w], Mumbai 95. All the donations are exempted from income tax under section 80 G of Income Tax Act.
Regards,
Shridhar Kshirsagar
shridhar.ksagar@gmail.com
National convention of ABA will be held on December 27-28, 2008 at
Sewagram Ashram, Wardha (Maharashtra)
National Convention of Azadi Bachao Andolan will be held on December
27-28 at Sewagram Ashram, Wardha (Maharashtra). In the last camp held
in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, activists of the movement took decision to
hold a National Convention in view of the on going nationwide
Anti-SEZs Campaign. ABA wishes to strengthen Anti-SEZs movements going
on specially in ten coastal states of the country where 90% of the
SEZs are situated Most of these movements are spontaneous and have
local people’s leadership and have already achieved remarkable
success. Due to people’s pressure the Goa Government has to cancel all
the 9 SEZs there. ABA felt urgent need to put all its efforts to
strengthen these movements. And National Convention should be held in
Sewagram where all activists may jointly plan strategies for Anti-SEZs
Campaign.
For the preparation of this National Convention 800 units of ABA in 80
districts of 16 states are to be geared up. Delegates in the camp took
responsibilities to mobilise these units in order to ensure
participation of 2000 delegates of the movement in the forthcoming
National Convention.
Contact
Azadi Bachao Andolan
Allahabad
09235406243
0532, 2466798
Azadi.bachao.andolan@gmail.com
naiazadi@gmail.com
Regional Fair: Celebrating the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Chiang Mai-Thailand, 26 – 27 July 2008
1. Introduction
On 13th September, 2007 the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the UN General Assembly. This is a historic achievement for indigenous peoples and many in Asia, including UN agencies, NGOs, donors and governments have supported the call by indigenous representatives to celebrate this achievement and popularize the Declaration.
The Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation (AIPP) has agreed to facilitate the organizing of the celebration and coincide it with its 16th Anniversary of its establishment. AIPP is holding its 5th General Assembly from 29 – 30 July to enable more indigenous peoples from all over Asia to participate in the celebration.
2. Objective
The main objectives of the celebration are to bring together representatives of indigenous organizations and communities, UN agencies, NGOs, donors and governments to celebrate the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and to popularize the Declaration by bringing it to the Thai public as a symbol of the unity and diversity of indigenous peoples in Asia.
3. Activities
The Celebration will be held in an open style exhibition at a popular marketplace in Chiang Mai, where the public can also join in. The 2-day event will centre on three main themes:
3.1 Showcasing the UNDRIP
Under this theme, the UNDRIP will be popularized in various forms. Posters and booklets bearing the full UNDRIP articles will be printed to be handed to different organizations as well as T-Shirts and banners drawing attention to the UNDRIP. Additionally, two short seminars will be organized to inform on the implementation of the UNDRIP will also be organized.
3.2 Showcasing Unity
Various indigenous organizations will showcase together activities undertaken around the region which run on similar themes such as Indigenous Natural Resource Management, Community Mapping, Women Empowerment, Indigenous Health, Indigenous Capacity Building and so on. These activities will present how these activities are done jointly and through mutual support through multi-media, posters and demonstration.
3.3 Showcasing Diversity
Indigenous individuals or community representatives will also have space to show their diverse cultures – be it their food, dances, costumes, traditional music. Space for selling indigenous products will also be provided.
4. Participation
AIPP plans to invite 100 representatives, mainly indigenous peoples, from all over Asia. About 50 of these representatives will be fully funded under the 5th AIPP General Assembly budget, while the others will be invited to contribute towards their own airfares and accommodation in Chiang Mai. However, if funds permit, some of these other representatives may also be funded. AIPP and its partners also hope to support the other local logistical needs to make the Regional Fair a success.
5. Budget and Fund-Raising
The budget of the Regional Fair is about USD60,000, covering rental of equipment, venue and furniture/fittings; food, accommodation and local transportation of 150 participants; airfares for about 70 indigenous representatives from the region; costs for printing and other publication; and administrative support.
Fund-raising for the project will be part a joint effort with indigenous organizations, UN agencies, donors and NGOs who wish to be part of the organizers of the celebration.
For further information, please contact:
Jannie Lasimbang
Secretary General
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) Foundation
108 Moo 5, Tambon Sampranate, Amphur San Sai,
Chiang Mai, 50210 Thailand
Tel: +6653 380 168, Fax: +6653 380 752
Email: secgen@aippfoundation.org; jannielasimbang@hotmail.com
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The Asia-Pacific Regional Human Development Initiative (APRI) Fellowship
Fellowships for a citizen of a developing country in the Asia Pacific region. Two types of Fellowships:
1) The theme for the Academic Fellowship, which is intended for Ph.D. students who are at an advanced stage of writing dissertation, is ‘Social Exclusion.’
2) The theme for the Media Fellowship is ‘Gender’, linked to the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Human Development Report on gender.
Deadline for application is 15 October 2008.
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The Asia-Pacific Regional Human Development Initiative (APRI) Fellowships
The UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Human Development Initiative (APRI) announces the opening of two types of Human Development fellowships for citizens of the Asia-Pacific countries.
1) Human Development Academic Fellowships
The aim of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Academic Fellowships for Asia and Pacific is to analyse issues from the human development perspective, with a focus on fostering creative thinking and innovative research on the subject among young people. The research must focus on a well-defined aspect of human development, could be theoretical, applied, policy-oriented or a combination and must amount to a substantive contribution to human development thinking relevant for the region.
The Fellowship is intended for young Ph.D. students who are at an advanced dissertation stage working on a topic related to human development – theoretical, applied or policy oriented.
2) Human Development Media Fellowships
The aim of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Fellowships for Asia Pacific (Media) is to encourage dissemination and advocacy on issues of concern to countries of the Asia Pacific region from a human development perspective. The fellowship was developed based on the premise that stronger media coverage of human development could promote focus on critical development concerns.
The fellowship is intended to support mid-career media professionals to communicate human development themes in mainstream media.
Related Links
Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.undprcc.lk/Work_with_us/popups/APHD_FAQ.html
Basic Proposal Format: http://www.undprcc.lk/Work_with_us/popups/APHD_FORMAT.html
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Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival 2008, December 11 – 15,
2008
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Kathmandu, Nepal
It is our pleasure to inform you that the sixth annual and competitive
event the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) will be
organized by Himal Association from December 11-15, 2008. By screening
some of the most recent and exciting films about mountain issues,
environment, cultures, communities and societies from various corners of
the world along with various other activities during the festival KIMFF
seeks to demonstrate the complexity and diversity of mountain life.
We are, at the moment, soliciting entries for the festival, and we hope
you can participate by sending relevant films you may have directed or
produced in the last three years. We will also rely on you to spread the
word about KIMFF.
Entry form for KIMFF 2008 is available at our website along with other
details. Visit us at www.himalassociation.org/kimff.
The submission deadline for the entries is August 15, 2008.
Interested filmmakers are requested to mark the following timeline:
January 1, 2005: Films made after this date are eligible
August 15, 2008: Last date for submission of entry
October 1, 2008: Final selection of entries
October 30, 2008: Last date for submission of final print
December 11 – 15, 2008: Holding of KIMFF 2008
We look forward to your involvement in KIMFF 2008.
For further information, please contact:
Ramyata Limbu
Festival Director
Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival
Himal Association
P.O. Box 166
Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel.: 977-1-5542544
Fax: 977-1-5541196
Email: kimff@himalassociation.org
www.himalassociation.org/kimff
