Month: September 2016

15 September: International Day of Democracy

2016 Theme: Democracy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — a plan for achieving a better future for all, laying out a path over 15 years to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. At the heart of the Agenda are the Sustainable Development Goals, which call for mobilizing efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

The new goals result from a process that has been more inclusive than ever, with Governments involving business, civil society and citizens from the outset. Now, the task of implementing and monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals requires States to work in close partnership with civil society. Parliaments in particular have a critical role in translating the new sustainable development agenda into concrete action through passing legislation, making budget allocations and holding governments accountable.

Speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commended the parliamentarians of the world for the valuable role they played in shaping the new framework. He also underscored that their contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda will be equally critical: “People will look to you to hold your governments accountable for achieving the goals, and to write the laws and invest in the programmes that will make them a reality,” he said, noting that democratic principles also run through the entire document “like a silver thread.”

Sustainable Development Goal 16 addresses democracy by calling for inclusive and participatory societies and institutions. It aims to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”

The Goal is both an end in itself and a crucial part of delivering sustainable development in all countries. It has been seen by many commentators as the transformational goal and key to ensuring that the Agenda can be accomplished.

Background

The International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.

The values of freedom, respect for human rights and the principle of holding periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage are essential elements of democracy.  In turn, democracy provides the natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights. These values are embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and further developed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which enshrines a host of political rights and civil liberties underpinning meaningful democracies.

The link between democracy and human rights is captured in article 21(3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states:

“The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.”

The rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and subsequent human rights instruments covering group rights (e.g. indigenous peoples, minorities, people with disabilities) are equally essential for democracy as they ensure an equitable distribution of wealth, and equality and equity in respect of access to civil and political rights.

Call for Applications: Social Leader Forum 2016 in Georgia

Deadline: September 10, 2016

Location: Georgia.

Type: Fully Funded.

Creative Development Center in cooperation with CRISP e.V and with financial support of Black Sea trust and Erasmus+ is recruiting representatives from Public, NGO and (Social) Business sectors, coming from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Turkey to participate in the Social Leader Forum 2016. The forum aims to foster discussion and exchange on the issue of social entrepreneurship and its role in integration of vulnerable groups into society, especially when it comes to the labor market. As experience shows, there is an urgent need for all sectors to combine their strength and experiences in order to tackle the issue.

Program Activities:

In order to reach program goals the project foresees the following activities:

  • Kick off meeting – September 29-October 5, Georgia.
    The participants meet to exchange on their expertise in order to develop networks for future cooperation. The participants will get input on building cross-sector/cross-border cooperation and plan the next steps, which is the implementation of local initiatives in the region. The meeting is visited by representatives of public as well as business sector.
  • Local activities – October-November
    The participants develop and conduct project ideas that are either cross border or cross sector. The project ideas should include further plan for sustainable development of cooperation. They get seed funding from the program in order to implement the projects before the Forum.
  • Forum – December 4-11, Istanbul, Turkey
    During the Forum the participants present their projects, evaluate their local activities and meet representatives of other sectors. This meeting is mainly focused on presenting local actions, for their further development and building partnerships. We plan to invite important actors from business, CSO and public sectors, who are potential supporters of such initiatives. Besides that, the final meeting will include an Alumni forum, in order to connect new fellows with alumni of previous years!

Benefits:

  • All expenses are covered including travel and accommodation.
  • There is NO participation Fee.

Eligibility:

  • Open to participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Turkey.
  • Applicants can be working in public administration, (social) business, NGOs, universities, think tanks and other spheres of professional engagement concerning the issue of youth unemployment, labor migration, creating income opportunities for disadvantage groups (rural youth, IDPs, women, minorities), career development for young people, social entrepreneurship and are interested in cross-sector cooperation and social innovation.
  • Applicants should have a strong interest in exchanging on best practice and the developing and learning of new ways of working on the issue and to think “out-of-the-box”.
  • There is no age limit, but a minimum age of 18.
  • Working language is English.
  • The participants will be selected by a joint jury from all partner organizations. Partners from Germany as well as from other countries will provide expert workshops for all participants.

Application Process:

If you are interested to become part of the project, please fill in the application form online till September 10.

All questions shall be addressed to: teonadalak@gmail.com/+995593197219

Downloads: CfA 2016 Final | Project Concept

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