Wednesday, April 23, 2008

2008 Regional Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Advocacy Course for Indigenous Advocates

Australia
11-20 August 2008

Dear Friends,

The Diplomacy Training Program is calling for applications for its 2008 Regional Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights and Advocacy Course for Indigenous advocates from the Asia-Pacific region and Indigenous Australia. The program will be held from 11 – 20 August 2008 in Darwin and Batchelor, Northern Territory, Australia in partnership with the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE).

Program brochures and application forms are now available on DTP's website.

Application forms must be completed and emailed to dtp@unsw.edu.au by 30 May 2008.

I should be grateful if you could circulate this information to your contacts.

Warm Regards,
Sarah Gembarowski
Administrator/ Accounts
Diplomacy Training Program | Faculty of Law, U.N.S.W
Sydney NSW 2052 | AUSTRALIA

T +61 2 9385 3549 | F + 61 2 9385 1778 |
E dtp@unsw.edu.au | W www.dtp.unsw.edu.au

Sixth Annual Winter Course on Forced Migration

Kolkata, India
1-15 December 2008

It is our pleasure to inform you of the upcoming Sixth Annual Winter Course on Forced Migration organised by Calcutta Research Group, certified by the UNHCR and supported by the Government of Finland and the Brookings Institution. Developed through last few years as a programme on human rights and peace education, the course has gained recognition in the region of South Asia as one of the most well known educational programmes on issues of rights and justice relating to the victims of forced migration. The winter course is aimed at scholars and educationists working on issues of rights and justice, functionaries of humanitarian organisations, national human rights institutions, peace studies scholars and activists, and minority groups, refugee communities, and women's rights activists. The course includes a 15-day orientation course on Forced Migration to be held in Kolkata, India (1-15 December 2008) and also will be preceded by a two and a half month long programme of distance education.

We have advertised the course in periodicals such as Economic and Political Weekly, local newspapers and other web-based networks both in South Asia and abroad. We kindly request you to publicise the course in any forum that you deem fit.

We are enclosing the full description of the course and application procedure. Application forms are available online at www.mcrg.ac.in and the application deadline is 31 May 2008.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,
Ranabir Samaddar
Director
Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group
GC 45 Sector III First Floor
Salt Lake
Kolkata -700106
Phone no : 23370408
Fax No : 23371523
Website:www.mcrg.ac.in

Monday, April 21, 2008

University of Salford International Excellence Scholarship

We are pleased to announce our largest ever scholarship package for international students, the International Excellence Scholarship. There will be an unlimited number of scholarships awarded.

· Awarded on academic merit only (generally on an “equivalent” to a UK 2:1)
· £ 2,000 for courses with fees over £ 9,000
· £ 1,000 for courses with fees under £ 9,000
· Available for all Masters courses beginning in September 2008 or January/February 2009
· No need to apply separately
· No limit to the number of scholarships to be awarded

Students will automatically be considered on the basis of university results and qualifying candidates will automatically receive a £1,000 - £2,000 scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded on academic merit, according to strict criteria defined by the university. There is no limit to the scholarships available and The University of Salford anticipates over 500 postgraduate scholarships will be awarded this year (at a value of over £750,000).

Further details (including terms and conditions) at: www.salford.ac.uk/international/scholarships

For information, our standard fees are £8,400-£10,100. Popular course areas include: Business, Banking, Logistics, Computing, Engineering, Art and Design, Languages, TESOL, Biotechnology, Telecommunications, Construction, MBA.

Posters and leaflets promoting the scheme are available on request. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the scheme, the entry criteria for your country, or on any other matter.

Best wishes

Sam Burney

International Officer
International Relations
Enterprise & Development Division
The University of Salford
120 Faraday House
Salford, Greater Manchester
M5 4WT, United Kingdom

Telephone: + 44 (0)161 295 2318
Facsimile: + 44 (0)161 295 5256
s.b.burney@salford. ac.uk
www.salford.ac.uk/international

Keimyung International Sarang Scholarship

Undergraduate and Graduate Level Scholarship from Keimyung University, Korea
through Keimyung International Sarang Scholarship

On behalf of Keimyung University in Korea, the Office of the Academic Vice President is inviting all outstanding students to apply for the Keimyung International Sarang Scholarship (KISS).

Through the KISS program, Keimyung University in Daegu, Korea is opening its doors to more international students. Their aim is for the students to gain educational and cultural experience in Korea. This scholarship is open to students who finished their secondary and tertiary (for graduate students) education outside Korea and have finished at least 4 semesters of undergraduate or graduate courses in ACUCA (Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia) member institutions.

Successful applicants will be awarded with full tuition fee waiver from Keimyung University, full dormitory fee waiver, monthly living allowance, and 1 year Korean Language course (if needed).

Information and complete list of requirements are available in the Office of International Programs (OIP), 2nd floor Bellarmine Hall, Ateneo de Manila University or you may call 4266001 loc 4037/4038.

Interested students should send their application forms to OIP by April 23, 2008.

************ ********* ********* ********* ********* **
Office of International Programs
2/F Bellarmine Hall
Ateneo de Manila University
Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights
Quezon City 1108
PHILIPPINES
Tel. (632) 426 6001 local 4037
(632) 9274534
Fax: (632) 4265907

Monday, April 14, 2008

CHINA-PHILIPPINE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

China
May 10-19, 2008

Focus on the Global South is organizing a Philippine delegation to go to China from May 10-19, 2008 as part of its China-Philippine Exchange Program. In China, Filipino participants will meet with civil society organizations, social movements, members of the academe, and government officials in the hope of fostering and cooperation among progressive researchers, organizers and social movement activists and deepening their understanding about the developmental, social and environmental challenges in both countries.

BACKGROUND
There is an increasing interest and necessity to understand the "China factor" in today's global political economy. Various sectors are already viewing the risen China as a new challenge, which requires new and innovative engagements. It is now the Philippines' third largest trading partner after Japan and the US and the partnership is growing by an annual average growth rate of 41% since 2004. Philippine exports to China amounted to US$4.62 billion in 2006 while imports amounted to US$3.67 billion, giving the Philippines a surplus of US$495 million that year.

In January 2007, the Philippines signed 12 non-agricultural agreements and 19 agricultural agreements with China under the RP-China Trade and Economic Agreements. The Framework Agreement on Expanding and Deepening Bilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation between the Philippine Government and the Chinese Government included agriculture, fisheries, public works and infrastructure, housing, mining, energy, manufacturing, textiles and garments, industrial parks and economic development zones, tourism, information and communications technology, container inspection machines, and trade promotion under the areas of cooperation.

Many NGOs and people's organization in the Philippines have expressed resistance to the RP – China Agreements because of potential and actual problems that are related with land rights, impacts to natural resources and food production. In recent weeks, the increasing clamor to oust the current Philippine president directly involves corruption-ridden deals and loans extended by China.

The emerging geo-political dynamics in the region, involving China, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, as well as the United States also has wide-ranging implications for peace and security. To the extent that the United States' moves in the region are driven by China's rise and China itself pursues its own economic and political interests in the region, these dynamics will frame the possibilities for movements seeking change in both countries and beyond.

QUALIFICATIONS
For the delegation, Focus on the Global South seeks three Filipinos who will be able to maximize the opportunities that the program offers, for their own organizations in particular and for the progressive movements in general.

 They should be activists (researchers, organizers, popular educators, campaigners, etc.) who will join the delegation as representatives of their organizations.
 Those with the following organizational backgrounds will be prioritized: a) development; b) environment; c) farmer d) women; e) labor; and f) an activist policy research.
 The organizations they represent must have a current international work component in their program to ensure follow-up activities after the exchange period.
 They should be able to demonstrate organizational commitment and capacity to use the China - Philippine visit in support of their current China-related work or as a springboard for their organization' s future international work on China.
 They can act as resource persons about their organization and the issues they are working on in the Philippines and should be able to discuss the state of and the strategies for organizing/mobiliza tion in their sectors.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants should send the following to info@focusweb. org on or before April 18, 2008:
 bio-data, resume, or CV with details of activist work
 a short essay (maximum 1,000 words) in English or Filipino explaining how they fit the qualifications enumerated above and how they plan to make use of their participation in the delegation to achieve their personal and organizational objectives
 endorsement from applicant's organization briefly explaining how applicant's participation in program could be useful for the organization

Applicants should already have passports by April 30, 2008.

For any other questions, please contact Herbert Docena: info@focusweb.org or +6324330899.


APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, APRIL 18.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

International Training Workshop on Disaster Risk & Environmental Management

5 – 8 July 2008
Melaka, Malaysia

The World Youth Foundation will be hosting an International Training Workshop on Disaster Risk & Environmental Management tentatively scheduled to be held in from 5-8th July 2008, Melaka , Malaysia .

This International Training Workshop on Disaster Risk & Environmental Management is a follow-up of the International Training Workshop for Youth Representatives on Environment and Disaster Management held in August 2006 and the International Conference on Environment and Disaster Management held in August 2005 in Melaka , Malaysia by the Foundation.

The international training workshop will focus to introduce young people to the fields of Disaster Risk Management and Environmental Management and includes wide ranging topics to develop a broad based understanding of these fields. It also includes exercises for participants to get practical knowledge.

The objectives of this International Training Workshop are:

- To create awareness and encourage greater educational presence on issues pertaining to disaster risk management

- To empower youth to use education and communication as key tools to achieve MDGs

- To examine existing approaches and proven success stories on environment conservation, i.e awareness and prevention programmes

- To understand, involve and dialogue with youth about environment sustainability



Proposed Outcome

At the end of the training participants will be expected to define an agenda that can be followed up in their own contexts after conclusion of the workshop. Another possible outcome to be achieved at the workshop is to develop an electronic or other network between interested participants that can inform and define future agenda for such youth-based learning events.

Application Criteria:

Ø 80 youth representatives from various national youth councils / organizations/ or school of higher learning

Ø 10 representatives of collaborating Ministries and international non-governmental organizations working on disaster management, environment and sustainable development related aspects and representatives of United Nations agencies.

Ø Must be proficient in English

Ø Must have knowledge on issues pertaining to the training workshop

Ø Must be able to contribute positively to the objectives of the training workshop

Ø Be young people between the ages of 18-25; however some flexibility will be exercised as the definition of youth varies from country to country

Ø Geographical and gender balance will be respected



Air Travel Subsidy:

The Foundation regrets to inform that there are no funds available for air travel subsidy. Hence participants are strongly encouraged to fund their own air-travel.

The Call for Participation and the Application Forms are available at our website at www.wyf.org.my (PDF Format only) or email Ms Varsha at wyf@po.jaring. my for the Word Format. We would like to request you not to send any supporting documents (unless otherwise stated) to avoid clogging up our systems.

Last Date of Application : 2nd May 2008

Thank you


Ms Varsha Ajmera
Chief Operations Officer

www.wyf.org.my

Free Online Course on Sustainable Development

Dear All,

I hope my mail finds you well!

You are invited to apply for this year's free online course on Sustainable Development, offered by Youth Action for Change (www.youthactionfor change.org).
If you want to make an active contribution to regaining the balance between humankind and Mother Earth, you are the right person for this course. The course lasts for four months, from May to August 2008 and includes both working online and offline, by yourself and with international and local partners.

The topics treated in the course are:

- Introduction to Sustainable Development or "How to live with Mother Earth"
- Ecology or "What a sustainable system looks like"
- Water, Food & Energy or "How to connect to the cycles and achieve intelligent systems"
- Climate Change or "The planetary challenges ahead"
- Economy and Organization or "How to reach a sustainable society"
- Lifestyles or "How to transform your habits"- Systems thinking or "How to grasp what matters" and
- Future or "Where are we going and where am I going from now"

There is room for sharing your own expertise in fields related to the general topic. For each topic there will be some materials to get an overview and questions for discussion plus resources for further reading. A chatroom is available for socializing with the other participants throughout the course.

The course requires much dedication from its participants. You will have to:

1. read texts,
2. watch videos,
3. participate in the forum,
4. summarize the discussion about one topic,
5. do internet research,
6. explore your own community/city/ region,
7. read a book of your choice,
8. do a small practical project.

All of these are necessary for completing the course and getting a certificate. There are deadlines tied to the different parts, and failure to meet them may lead
to exclusion from the course. Another requirement is the capacity to communicate in English.

You are invited to apply by filling out the application form below and sending it to the teacher Kjell at kjell@hospitalitycl ub.org until April 20th 2008. Even though the course is offered by YOUTH Action for Change, if you are older but still feel you
want to learn and make a significant contribution in this field, please feel free to apply.

The course is limited to 25 participants.

Timeline:

May - Self-Introduction of participants, Research in Local Community, Reading a Book
June and July - Course Work, one topic each week
August - Practical Project, Report

------------ --------- --------- -----
APPLICATION FORM
------------ --------- --------- -----
Full name:
Date and place of Birth:
Current Address:
Telephone:
E-mail:

1. Why would you like to take part in the course?
Where does your motivation come from?

2. What do you hope to learn in this course? Which
topics are most interesting for you?

3. Do you have any first-hand experience in an areas
related to sustainable development? Are you or have
you been active in any project or organization that
has some relation to it?

4. Do you have regular internet access? If not, how
often and with what kind of connection are you able to
go online?

5. Have you ever participated in an online-course? If
yes, which one(s)? If no, what do you expect from this
course?

6. How much time can you dedicate to the course?

7. Could this course be relevant for your personal
professional future? If yes, how?

8. Do you always throw your garbage in the wastebin?

9. Anything else you would like to share?

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (Fulbright) is requesting assistance in recruiting applicants for the 2009-2010 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program in the United States. The application period is from March 3, 2008 to June 6, 2008.

The Humphrey Program brings accomplished professionals from developing countries to the United States at a mid-point in their careers for a year of study and related practical professional experiences. Fellowships are granted competitively to candidates with a commitment to public service in both the public and private sectors. The program is designed to meet the requirements of policy makers, planners, and managers who have a public service orientation, are commited to their country's development, and have demonstrated leadership potential.

Applicants may come from the following areas:
1. Agricultural development/agricultural economics
2. Communications/journalism
3. Economic development/Finance and banking
4. Educational administration, planning and policy
5. HIV/AIDS policy and prevention
6. Human resource management
7. Law and human rights
8. Natural resources and environmental management
9. Public health policy and mangement
10. Public policy analysis and public administration
11. Substance abuse education, treatment and prevention
12. Teaching of English as a Foreign Language
13. Technology policy and management
14. Trafficking in persons, policy and prevention
15. Urban and regional planning

The Humphrey program is not intended for technicians or research-oriented professionals. Candidates should be mid-career professionals committed to public services and should have demonstrated ability to achieve positions of significant responsibility and have the promise of assuming future leaderhship roles. Other qualification requirements are in the information materials on the 2009 Humphrey competition.

Since it began in 1978, eighty-six (86) Filipino professionals from the public and private sectors, including non-governmental organizations, have gone to the United States on the Humphrey program. They currently occupy important leadership positions in their respective fields and organizations. Fulbright looks forward to continuing this excellent record of Humphrey fellowships through assistance in identifying appropriate candidates.

Application forms and information materials may be obtained from the Philippine-American Education Foundation (PAEF) office at the 10th Floor, Ayala Life-FGU Center, 6811 Ayala Avenue, Makati City. The application form can also be downloaded from the PAEF website: www.paef.org.ph and may be photocopied.

Completed applications should be received at the PAEF on or before June 6, 2008.

www.paef.org.ph

Scholarships from the Institute of International Management, NCKU, Taiwan

The Institute of International Management, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, will be offering a full range of scholarships for International Ph.D. andInternational MBA candidates. A four-year scholarship will be granted to accepted Ph.D. applicants and a two year scholarship will be granted to accepted MBA applicants. This scholarship will include free tuition and dormitory fees plus a US$125-300 (NT$4,000-10, 000) assistantship during the study period. For more details regarding the programs and application, please visit the following website: www.imba.ncku. edu.tw


National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) was founded in 1931 by the Government of Taiwan and now operates with a total of 9 colleges, consisting of 60 departments. In 2005, the university was chosen by the Ministry of Education as one of the two universities which will receive an additional annual budget of approximately US$ 51.5million from 2006 to 2010 as support to achieve the goal to be internationally recognized as one of the top-10 universities in Asia and top-150 universities worldwide. According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2005 by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, NCKU was ranked among 2-3 of the best universities by nation and among 37- 65 and 301-400 best universities by regional and around the world
respectively. As reported by Asiaweek, NCKU was ranked 16th among Asia's best universities in 2000. The college was evaluated by the MOE as first ranking in 2001 and as excellent in 2005.

The Institute is inviting the University to recommend potential graduates or candidates to apply to this program. Interested applicants who have a master's degree (for Ph.D.) or who have a college degree (for MBA) are encouraged to apply as early as possible by sending completed application forms and related documents through post and by email to the address below. The Admissions Committee will review applications as they are received and notify successful candidates through post and email. For questions or clarifications please email at this address em53011@email. ncku.edu. tw


Wann-Yih Wu, Ph.D.
Chairman, Institute of International Management
National Cheng Kung University
Email: wanyi@mail.ncku. edu.tw
Tel : 886-6-2757575 Ext. 53000
Fax : 886-6-2751175
Website: www.imba.ncku. edu.tw

Assistant's Information:
Laurence Lin
Assistant of Institute of International Management
College of Management, National Cheng Kung University
Email : em53011@email. ncku.edu. tw
Tel : 886-6-2757575 Ext. 53011 - 802
Fax : 886-6-2751175
Website: www.imba.ncku.edu.tw