June 2008, Issue no 65
http://resource.regional.net
impact@regionalnet.org

1. Funding Opportunities

2. Announcements and Upcoming Events

3. Useful Links

Open Society Institute & Soros Foundations Network – Documentary Photography Project
Application deadline: Friday, June 20, 2008, at 5:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time)


The Open Society Institute (OSI) is a private operating and grant making foundation, which aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.
Traditional media offer limited opportunities for presenting documentary photographs in a way that creates a meaningful and lasting impact on the communities or issues addressed in the images. The Open Society Institute Documentary Photography Project is offering a grant to documentary photographers who have already completed a significant body of work on issues of social justice to collaborate with a partner organization and propose new ways of using photography as a tool for positive social change.
All photographers must have another entity (such as a non-profit, NGO, or community-based organization) that will work with the photographer to design an innovative distribution strategy that targets specific communities and advocates for social change. The partner must engage with the photographer to accomplish these goals—and not just fund or publish the project.
Grants of $5,000 to $30,000 will be awarded.
Application and Selection Process
Please submit your application online at http://oas.soros.org/oas/.
Semi-finalists will be selected in September and may be contacted at that time with requests for additional information. Grant recipients will be announced in late November.

Contact: for any questions, please contact Yukiko Yamagata at yyamagata@sorosny.org.
For further info, please click on: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/photography/focus_areas/distribution/guidelines


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The European Commission - PROGRESS (2007-2013) - Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity
Application deadline: June 24, 2008


The European Union represents a political, social, and economical entity made up by 27 countries. The member states decided together, during a 50 years expansion process, to build a stability, democracy, and constant development area, while maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance, and individual freedoms. The European Union wishes to share its accomplishments and values with the countries and peoples outside its boundaries.
PROGRESS is the new Community Programme for employment and social solidarity, which will run from 2007 until 2013. The programme replaces the former Community programmes covering anti-discrimination, gender equality, the fight against social exclusion and employment incentive measures which provide financial support to the EU's Social Policy Agenda. This single programme complements the European Social Fund as well as the financial support provided for social dialogue, free movement of workers and social studies.
The programme will be divided into five sections:
1. Employment: to support the implementation of the European Employment Strategy (EES)
2. Social protection and social inclusion:to support the implementation of the open method of coordination (OMC) in the field of social protection and inclusion
3. Working conditions: to support the improvement of the working environment and working conditions, including health and safety at work and reconciling work and family life
4. Antidiscrimination and diversity: to support the effective implementation of the principle of non-discrimination and promote its mainstreaming in all Community policies
5. Gender equality: to support the effective implementation of the principle of gender equality and promote gender mainstreaming in all Community policies
Eligible applicants for the PROGRESS programme:
- public and private bodies and relevant actors and stakeholders.
- local and regional authorities, public employment services and national statistics offices.
- Specialised bodies, universities and research institutes, as well as the social partners and non-governmental organisations
- Countries eligible to participate are the 27 EU Member States. It is open to the accession and candidate countries associated to the European Union, as well as the western Balkan countries included in the stabilisation and association process.

For further info, please click on: http://www.eurodesk.org/edesk/Deadline.do?progId=EU0010000040&show


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Goi Peace Foundation - International Essay Contest for Young People
Application deadline: June 30, 2008


The Japanese Goi Peace Foundation is dedicated to promoting world peace, transcending all boundaries of race, religion, or politics, with a belief that peace begins in the mind of each individual.
The Goi Peace Foundation sponsors this contest for young people, which is UNESCO's Partner for the International Decade of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010). The aim is that young people should not only benefit from this global movement, but that they should be empowered to play a leading role in the creation of a culture of peace.

Theme:
The theme of this year's International Essay Contest is `My project to create positive change in my environment. How can I foster sustainable development in my community?`
Please submit your innovative ideas and concrete plans/projects to address the social, cultural, environmental or economic problems faced by your community.

For further info, please click on: http://www.eurodesk.org/edesk/Deadline.do?progId=EU0010000336&show


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UNESCO-L’ORÉAL Co-Sponsored Fellowships for Young Women in Life Sciences
Application deadline: June 30, 2008


UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded on 16 November 1945. Besides building classrooms in devastated countries or publishing scientific breakthroughs, this specialized United Nations agency, has a far more ambitious goal: to build peace in the minds of men.
The French L'Oréal Group is the world's largest cosmetics and beauty company. L'Oréal has developed activities in the field of cosmetics, concentrating on hair color, skin care, sun protection, make-up, perfumes and hair care. L'Oréal is active in the dermatological and pharmaceutical fields. L'Oréal is also the top nanotechnology patent-holder in the United States.
The annual UNESCO-L'ORÉAL Fellowships encourage young female scientists at doctoral or post-doctoral level to pursue their research projects in Life Sciences in the laboratory of their choice, usually outside their home country.
By fostering these young researchers and their hopes, the programme aims to reinforce the role of women in scientific disciplines.
The Fellowship beneficiaries are geographically spread, three Fellows being selected from each of the five UNESCO regions: Africa, Arab States, Asia/Pacific, Europe/North America and Latin America/ Caribbean.
Candidates must already be engaged in pursuing research at the doctoral or post-doctoral level in one or allied fields of life sciences including biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, agriculture, medicine, pharmacy and physiology.
Special attention will be given to candidatures from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Criteria:
- Candidates must be no more than 35 years of age
- Preference will be given to candidates already possessing at the time of a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in the life sciences. However, candidatures from students pursuing studies/research leading to a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) will also be entertained.
- Only candidates with the necessary qualifications and who demonstrate outstanding intellectual promise and personal qualities will be considered under this programme.
- Candidates must be proficient in reading and writing the language of instruction in the proposed country of study.
- Applicants must be in good health, both physically and mentally.

For further info, please click on: http://www.eurodesk.org/edesk/Deadline.do?progId=EU0010000309&show


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Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Foundation - Young European of the Year Award & Travel Fellowships
Application deadline: June 30, 2008


The aim of the foundation is to support the development of young people to be politically conscious and responsible personalities and to support the European process.
The Heinz-Schwarzkopf-Foundation Young Europe was founded in 1971 in Hamburg. The Foundation has an office in Berlin to co-ordinate its activities in eastern Europe.

Young European of the Year Award
Since 1991 the Foundation supports the European Youth Parliament. The EYP aims to promote the European dimension in education and to give students in the 16-22-age group the opportunity to participate in a practical, positive learning experience. For further information on this: http://www.eypej.org/

Every year the Foundation awards in co-operation with the European Youth Parliament the `The Young European of the Year`. This is an opportunity to nominate a young person between 18 and 28 years old who has dedicated themselves in a particular way to European communication and integration. The award is financed with EUR 5.000 to be used to finance a six-month practical traineeship with a Member of the European Parliament or another European institution. It is also possible to use the award to finance a project which promotes European integration.
The deadline for applications is 30 June 2008.

For further info, please click on: http://www.eurodesk.org/edesk/Deadline.do?progId=EU0010000210&show


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The European Commission - Action 1.2: Citizens’ projects and support measures
Application deadline: July 1, 2008


The European Union represents a political, social, and economical entity made up by 27 countries. The member states decided together, during a 50 years expansion process, to build a stability, democracy, and constant development area, while maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance, and individual freedoms. The European Union wishes to share its accomplishments and values with the countries and peoples outside its boundaries.
Citizens’ projects and support measures explores innovative methods of citizens’ participation. The citizens’ projects' measures aims to support a variety of projects of a transnational and cross-sectoral dimension, directly involving citizens. Those projects should gather citizens from different horizons, who will act together or debate on common European issues, at local and European level. Innovative methods enabling citizens’ participation should be applied.

It is part of the “Europe for Citizens” programme. Action 1 - Active Citizens for Europe, is directed at activities involving citizens and at bringing together people from local communities across Europe to share and exchange experiences, opinions and values, to learn from history and to build for the future. It encourages meetings, exchanges and debates among European citizens from different countries and through different means.

The specific objectives for 2008 are to support citizens' panels which would enable them to:
· collect the opinion of citizens on some key European challenges for the future (see themes);
· consolidate a method for stimulating active interaction and discussion between citizens on certain EU policy areas that affect their daily life;
· create mechanisms that enable European citizens to develop civic competences, to formulate their views and opinions on the European integration process in the form of recommendations for policy makers at European level;
· encourage the dialogue between European citizens and the institutions of the EU, empowering citizens as regards EU policies and their impact, and ensuring appropriate follow up of citizens' opinions by the EU institutions.

Projects should address at least one of the following priority themes:
· intercultural dialogue,
· new institutional developments: a new momentum for active European citizenship,
· women participation in political life,
· sport for active citizenship and social inclusion,
· the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.

Eligibile applicants:
To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must satisfy the following requirements:
· the applicant must be a public body or a non-profit-making organisation with a legal status and legal personality. Consequently, natural persons — i.e. individuals — are not eligible,
· applicants must be established in the 27 EU Member States or Croatia
Project must involve partner organisations from at least four different eligible countries other than the country of the applicant, fulfilling the eligibility criteria as defined above.

For further info, please click on: http://www.eurodesk.org/edesk/Deadline.do?progId=EU0010000396&show


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European Cultural Foundation – Artistic projects & Making collaboration work, grants for cultural organisations
Application deadline: September 1, 2008 and April 1, 2009


The European Cultural Foundation is an independent organisation that helps the arts contribute to a strong, united, and diverse Europe built on shared cultural values.

I. Artistic project grants for cultural organisations and individual artists, deadline 1 September 2008
II. Making collaboration work grants for cultural organisations, deadline 1 April 2009
For your first application, you do not have to fill in an application form. We simply ask you to present us your project in a written format (English, max. of 2 pages, around 1000 words), no attachments needed at this stage; of course, it helps when you say something about who might be involved, where and when it might be taking place, why this project is relevant. But as you only have limited space, stick to what is most important, and focus on what you are actually going to do.
· After the deadline, we will start reading all the project descriptions
· Within a few weeks, we will invite those applicants whose projects we found most interesting to write a more extensive project application. This will include all necessary technical details about dates, budget, exact activities, context, etc. These applicants will have 4 weeks to submit the complete applications
· The full project application will then be finally assessed by the Grants team and its advisers
GENERAL INFO
Please note: all the info on the Artistic Project Grants will be online latest June15, so please watch this space!
· Who can apply for `Making collaboration work`?
Cultural organisations: this funding line is about stimulating collaboration between cultural organisations. Projects will be assessed specifically on their collaborative nature and the added value they bring to the practice of cultural cooperation in Europe
· Deadline: 1 April 2008; only cultural organisations may apply
· Maximum grant: €30 000, the average project grant is € 10 000 - € 15 000
· The ECF does not support more than 80% of the project's total budget. Since the application process is highly competitive, you will maximize your chances of being awarded a grant by presenting a project which will be supported by a balanced and mixed range of funders
· All applicants and project partner organisations are required to create a profile of their organisation on rhiz.eu, the ECF-initiated intercultural internet community for all those active in arts and culture
· Support will not be awarded to projects that will take place before grants assessments have been finalized. We expect assessment decisions to be taken at least 10 weeks after of the deadlines advertised on the website.

For further info, please click on: http://www.eurocult.org/we-support-cultural-cooperation/grants/application-guide/


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Open Society Institute, Training of Diversity Trainers: Basic Skills and Competencies for Teaching Diversity Management
Application deadline: June 20, 2008


The Open Society Institute (OSI) is a private operating and grant making foundation, which aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.
Place: Budapest, Hungary
Date: November 21-27, 2008
Deadline for application: June 20, 2008
Selection notification: July 7, 2008
Applications should be submitted on-line.
The Managing Multiethnic Communities Program (MMCP) of the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI) of the Open Society Institute (OSI) – Budapest, Hungary, announces a call for applications for a six-day training of trainers (ToT) on raising awareness of diversity management.

This international ToT offers skills for experienced trainers working with local governments on issues pertaining to the management of multiethnic communities. The focus is both personal and institutional, raising participants’ awareness of diversity issues and the risks and opportunities generated by diversity training, and drawing from participants’ experiences in the field. Sessions combine theory and practice, and provide insights and skills necessary for designing and delivering trainings that can assist policy-makers in their management of ethnic and social diversity.

Through their involvement, participants are expected to contribute actively to the growth of a sustained, strategic network of diversity trainers, and to the development of knowledge and skills in managing multiethnic communities.

The working language is English.
* Participants from Central and South East Europe and Central Asia are encouraged to apply. Participants from communities outside of these primary target regions can only be self-funded.
* Alumni of MMCP/LGI direct trainings are encouraged to apply.
* LGI actively encourages the application of candidates associated with the national secretariats of the Decade of Roma Inclusion.

For further info, please click on: http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2079&m_id=9


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Open Society Institute, Introductory Training for Policy-makers: Ethnic Diversity and Public Service Delivery
Application deadline: June 20, 2008


The Open Society Institute (OSI) is a private operating and grant making foundation, which aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.
Place: Budapest, Hungary
Date: November 4-8, 2008
Deadline for application: June 20, 2008
Selection notification: July 7, 2008
Applications should be submitted on-line.
The Managing Multiethnic Communities Program (MMCP) of the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI) of the Open Society Institute (OSI) – Budapest, Hungary, announces a call for applications for a five-day introductory training of trainers (ToT) on ethnic diversity and public service delivery.

This international training is for development workers and policy makers, and staff of local and national government and international organizations, managers of public services, human resource managers of public institutions, policy advisors and consultants, project managers working on EU funded projects, trainers of local governments and faculty staff from public administration and public policy higher education. It will present recent thinking and practice in diversity management involving ethnicity. It combines personal and institutional focuses and it concentrates on participants’ awareness of diversity issues in the region and on the diversity awareness and skills necessary for policymakers leading managing public services in diverse communities. The workshop is based on participatory and experiential learning methods and makes use of real life case studies.

The working language is English.

Target Groups
* Senior local government decision makers (elected and appointed) from CEE and SEE
* Officials working in other tiers of government whose tasks are related to local government
* Consultants with field experience in work with local governments
* Representatives of NGOs involved in local planning and service delivery issues

For further info, please click on: http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2078&m_id=9


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Open Society Institute, 4th MMCP Diversity Management Training Jamboree
Application deadline: June 20, 2008


The Open Society Institute (OSI) is a private operating and grant making foundation, which aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.
Workshop 1: Ethnic diversity and inclusion in the local public policy process
Workshop 2: Mainstreaming minority rights into the local public policy process

Place: Budapest, Hungary
Date: November 23-27, 2008
Deadline for application: June 20, 2008
Selection notification: July 7, 2008
Applications should be submitted on-line.
The Managing Multiethnic Communities Program (MMCP) of the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI) of the Open Society Institute (OSI) – Budapest, Hungary, announces a call for applications for a five-day introductory Training Jamboree on Diversity Management.

This international training is part of LGI strategy to promote cutting edge training curricula. Training is designed primarily for development workers and policy makers, and staff of local and national government and international organizations, managers of public services, human resource managers of public institutions, policy advisors and consultants, project managers working on EU funded projects, trainers of local governments and faculty staff from public administration and public policy higher education. It will present recent thinking and practice in diversity management involving ethnicity. It combines personal and institutional focuses and it concentrates on participants’ awareness of diversity issues in the region and on the diversity awareness and skills necessary for policymakers leading and managing public services in diverse communities. The workshop is based on participatory and experiential learning methods and makes use of real life case studies.

For further info, please click on the following website: http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2077&m_id=9


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Open Society Institute - Call for Proposals: LGI Fellowship Program 2008/2009
Application deadline: July 4, 2008


The Open Society Institute (OSI) is a private operating and grant making foundation, which aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.
I. Purpose

LGI's Fellowship Program supports practical policy reform in the region, builds the capacities of individuals who are well placed to influence policy, creates networks of multinational experts, and supports the mission of LGI. Through the Fellowship Program, LGI explores emerging or insufficiently studied policy issues relevant for the regions where we work. Each year LGI selects talented professionals from Central, East and South-East Europe and the former Soviet Union to participate in the one-year program. This year we also are looking for proposals beyond these transitional regions. Fellows work in small teams under the guidance of a well-respected mentor to produce policy-oriented studies on a given topic. The completed studies are impact oriented; each contains an advocacy or implementation strategy and concrete policy recommendations. LGI provides its fellows with training on how to write effective policy reports, how to identify and analyze available policy options, ! how to formulate an effective advocacy campaign, and how deliver a persuasive policy presentation. At the conclusion of the program LGI works with its fellows to determine what steps it can take to support the proposed recommendations in the completed studies. Fellows are generally policy researchers, policy advisors, civil servants and members of NGOs, advocacy groups or professional associations.


· To learn more about the Open Society Institute see: http://www.soros.org/
· To learn more about the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative see: http://lgi.osi.hu/


II. The Project

The primary goal of the LGI Policy Fellowship program is to support policy research aimed at stimulating innovative and practical policy reform in areas that LGI is interested in exploring further. Each year broad topics are identified for candidates from different country groups. LGI is currently calling for Fellows for its 2008/2009 program, which will run from October 2008 to October 2009. For more background information about the fellowship program please see:
http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?m_id=127


III. Topics

This year LGI is featuring three topics:

· Topic 1: Local Taxation of Informal Economies
· Topic 2: Improving the Effectiveness and Accountability of Voluntary Inter-municipal Cooperation Arrangements
· Topic 3: Citizen Participation in Public Decision-Making: How Sub-national Governments Can Support Citizen Engagement and Institutionalise Participatory Practices


For further information, please click on: http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2090&m_id=19


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Open Society Institute, Workshop: Incorporating Diversity in Public Administration Higher Education
Application deadline: September 15, 2008


The Open Society Institute (OSI) is a private operating and grant making foundation, which aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.

Place: Budapest, Hungary
Date: November, 3-7 2008
Deadline for applications: September 15, 2008
Applications should be submitted by email


Ethnic, linguistic, religious, gender and other forms of diversity are central issues for public administration. However, contemporary public administration education rarely relates diversity to public administration, and often, public administrators lack the awareness and skills to integrate diversity into their work effectively. By incorporating diversity into the curriculum of university departments, schools and institutes of public administration can build public administrators’ awareness and skills in managing diverse communities.

This CRC workshop will bring together educators from a range of social, political, and economic contexts and institutions. Participants will: get to a better understanding of the principles that link diversity and public administration; enhance their knowledge and skills so as to incorporate diversity into their curriculum effectively; and clarify how public administration education/institutions can be a model of good diversity management. The workshops offer an opportunity for teachers in higher education to discuss and develop their courses and generate ideas for future cooperation.
Application Procedures
All CRC Applicants must:
-Be university teachers and/ or professionals (who teach part-time) in the Social Sciences and Humanities from the region (non EU countries) who are preparing to revise or develop their courses;
-Have sufficient English language ability, both written and spoken, to participate in discussions and use resource materials;
-Submit an application with all accompanying required documents as stated on the CRC application form.

For further info, please click on: http://lgi.osi.hu/documents.php?id=2068&m_id=9


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Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe


The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe was launched in 1999 as the first comprehensive conflict prevention strategy of the international community, aimed at strengthening the efforts of the countries of South Eastern Europe in fostering peace, democracy, respect for human rights and economic prosperity. The Stability Pact provided a framework to stimulate regional co-operation and expedite integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Over the years, the Stability Pact has been responsible for several “success stories”. Parliamentary co-operation is now institutionalised, with the establishing of a Regional Secretariat in the National Assembly of Bulgaria. Thanks to the entry into force of CEFTA 2006, South Eastern Europe is becoming a single, large free trade area, regulated by modern rules that provide the basis for an increase in intra-regional trade and make the region more attractive to investors. Other important elements of the regional co-operation are in place – the Energy Community Treaty, the SEE Investment Committee, the co-ordination of social policies and the electronic SEE Agenda plus, promoting e-governance and information and communication technology development through the region. Four countries have formed the Sava River Commission to manage the economic and environmental issues of this important basin. There is now a common approach to addressing difficult issues s! uch as the fight against organised crime and corruption. Best practices in the area of migration are being exchanged. Ever closer co-operation among the local authorities along the borders of SEE countries which are today being protected almost exclusively by police and not military any more. SEE countries have agreed to assume more technical and financial responsibilities in the field of disaster preparedness and prevention.

More information:
Website: http://www.stabilitypact.org/default.asp
Email: scsp@stabilitypact.org


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Balkan Reconstruction Report


Website: http://www.tol.cz/look/TOL/section.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&tpid=8


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US policy in the Balkans region: “It is a key region for us and for our European allies” (Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Testimony Before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Washington, DC March 12, 2008)


For the past 15 years, three U.S. administrations have sought to stabilize the region and facilitate its post-communist transition, investing significant diplomatic capital and assistance funds. Three American Presidents — Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush—articulated and advanced the strategic objective of helping Europe become whole, free, and at peace.
Today as we take stock, we can see that several countries have turned a corner. Much work remains, but realism about challenges ahead should not obscure the prospects for success. I will start this overview with:
· Kosovo, Europe’s newest democracy.
· Then, I will address Serbia, whose path to Europe must be nurtured, even more so in the wake of Kosovo’s declaration of independence.
· Following that, I will discuss Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is in need of reform.
· Finally, I will discuss the so-called Adriatic three—Albania, Croatia and Macedonia and another newly independent state—Montenegro.
More information
Website: http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/102136.htm


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The Center for Peace in the Balkans


The Centre for Peace in the Balkans is a non profit Toronto based corporation whose members are actively engaged in the collection of information and materials related to the region with the goal of scrutinizing the reasoning and assumptions, both cultural and geopolitical, behind the West’s flawed Balkan strategy and providing support and alternative solutions to the conflict management process in the Balkans.

The mission and objective of the Centre for Peace in the Balkans is to set the record straight. Because the treatment of the Balkan crises by the media and politicians has been largely one-sided and propagandistic, dialogue, debate and the dissemination of information to the general public are necessary to restore balance in the Canadian and world public perceptions and enrich the policy making process vis –a- vis the Balkan region.

Historical, political, legal and moral arguments need to be cleansed of their propagandistic spin if Canadians are truly to debate just solutions to the conflicts that exist among the many peoples of the Balkan region. These solutions must take into account the concerns and aspirations of all nations in the Balkans.

The activists of the Centre are working diligently not in order to advocate one side over another in the last decades’ conflicts in the Balkans. Through peaceful means and the presentation of pertinent materials, the Centre is striving to advocate a balanced and accurate presentation of the current socio-political situation on the Balkan Peninsula.

The Centre is also working towards eliminating the discriminatory practices, which currently exist in Canada for individuals from Balkan region, and is engaged in the continued action of bringing NATO military and political leaders to stand trial at a independent tribunal for the crimes they committed in Yugoslavia.

More information
Website: http://www.balkanpeace.org/index.php
E-mail: scontact@balkanpeace.org




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UN Report: “Balkans Safer Than Western European”


The Balkans have made huge strides in cutting conventional crimes such as homicide, robbery, rape, burglary and assault but challenges still remain in the form of organized crime and its links to politicians and business, a new UN report concludes.
`Some of you will be surprised`, said Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which compiled the report, at a news conference in Brussels. `In general, if you look at conventional crime, the levels of these crimes across the region are by far lower than they used to be, particularly at the beginning of the 1990s.`
The UN report says that the levels of conventional crime are now lower in the Balkans than in Western Europe.
More information
Website: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3374754,00.html





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Euroregional Center for Democracy

Semenic Nr. 10
300035, Timisoara
Romania

Tel: + 4 0256 221 471
Fax: + 4 0256 436 633

http://www.regionalnet.org

Editor:
Emil Stan

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