March 2005, Issue no 34
http://resource.regional.net
impact@regionalnet.org

1. Funding Opportunities

2. Announcements and Upcoming Events

3. Useful Links

Open Society Institute - The International Higher Education Support Program (HESP) 2005 - 2006, Returning Scholar Fellowship Program
Application deadline: March 15, 2005


The Returning Scholar Fellowship Program (RSFP) invites applications for 2005-06 from talented scholars who, after studying abroad, seek university positions and academic careers in their home countries. RSFP is open to citizens of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Tajikistan and Ukraine.

Academics from the above countries having graduated (or expecting to graduate by September 2005) from a Western-accredited or HESP-supported university with a postgraduate degree in social sciences/humanities are encouraged to apply. Returning Scholar Fellowships are awarded in the social sciences (including area studies, anthropology, gender studies, economics, history, political science, psychology, public administration, and sociology). AFP also offers teaching fellowships in law and journalism/media studies. Please note that AFP does not support scholars in philology, the visual and performing arts, and certain other humanities fields. Nor does AFP work with business-related fields.

RSFP helps universities in the region retain promising young scholars who are essential to the revitalisation of departments, and to the sustainability of reforms in higher education. RSFP represents a conscious strategy to combat ‘brain drain’ in the social sciences and humanities by offering financial, institutional and professional development support for two academic years (longer in some cases), as well as opportunities for further professional growth as AFP alumni. Fellowships include a monthly stipend and various allowances, including professional development and networking funds, in addition to the opportunity to participate in departmental and professional development projects.

In the 2004/05 academic year, AFP supported 120 Returning Scholars (RS) at institutions throughout Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

The Academic Fellowship Program was launched by the Open Society Institute's Higher Education Support Program in July 2004, and builds on HESP's experience as a core funder of the Civic Education Project and carries forward some aspects of the fellowship opportunities supported by CEP.

More information
Website: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/hesp/focus_areas/afp
Email: afp@osi.hu


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Humanity in Action - Scholarships for Human and Minority Rights Summer Program, Amsterdam/ Berlin/ Copenhagen/ New York/Washington D.C., June 3 - July 6, 2005, September 24 - October 2, 2005
Application deadline: March 20, 2005


Countries eligible: Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Ukraine

Humanity in Action (HiA) is an international organization that brings together European (Danish, Dutch, German and for the first time Central and Eastern European) and American students with an active interest in human and minority rights and the exchange of experiences in defending and enhancing them. The organization is devoted to the study and betterment of human rights and specifically the relationship between majority and minority populations. We invite applications from students with not only an eager interest in analysis and discussion but also in grass roots project work. The summer program is designed to provide a starting point with regard to issues of human and minority rights.

The three summer programs are run simultaneously in Berlin, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam with a joint opening and closing session of all 68 fellows. Ten Americans and eight Central and Eastern European students are distributed among the three summer programs, with an additional ten German students in Berlin, ten Danes in Copenhagen and ten Dutch students in Amsterdam. The summer programs will be followed by a 10-day seminar in the United States at the end of September 2005, bringing together the Fellows from all European participating countries.

During the Summer Programs in Amsterdam, Berlin and Copenhagen, the participants will be offered two weeks of lectures and site visits on the topic of how societies deal with their various minorities, e.g. religious, ethnic, etc. The focus will be historic as well as contemporary. For another two weeks, the Fellows are expected to work in teams on specific issues within the framework of the summer school (oral and written reports) and make substantial contributions to the success of the program. To get a detailed insight into the programs of recent years, see personal testimonials by Senior Fellows and read the papers of the Fellows, please check our website: www.humanityinaction.org.

HIA does NOT provide ‘how-to’ training for human rights activists. It does provide input so that people’s volunteer work and professional careers can be directed by a well-informed awareness of minority issues. Previous Fellows have used the knowledge and experiences gained on the HIA program in their community work, their further education and their career paths in government, the non-profit sector, media and the private sector.

For our program in June 2005 (June 3rd to July 6th 2005) we invite university students from Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Ukraine to submit their applications. You either need to be permanently based in one of these countries or hold its citizenship. Good active and passive command of English is mandatory. Humanity in Action looks for students who are flexible, mature and
self-reliant. At the same time students need to be at ease with intense, constant group activities and interaction. Students in their first semester as well as post-graduates or Ph.D. candidates cannot be considered.

Participation of students from Central and Eastern Europe is made possible by support from the Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft (www.zukunftsfonds.de). Costs and expenses for accommodation, food and travel will be covered.

Application Requirements - HiA Summer Program 2005
1) application form
2) curriculum vitae (no more than two pages)
3) one essay of no more than 500 words in which you state your motivation and qualification to participate in the program
4) one essay of no more than 700 words in which you discuss a human rights or minority issue in your native country and describe a practical action plan by which you would propose to address it in your local community, indicating why you are well-qualified to take the lead in implementing it.
An incomplete application will not be considered. Short-listed applicants will be interviewed by phone or in person at the beginning of April 2005.

More information
Website: www.humanityinaction.org
Email: r.ohliger@humanityinaction.org (Rainer Ohliger, Humanity in Action)


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European Commission - Action 5 Support Measures: Call for submission of innovative co-operation, training and information projects
Application deadline: March 31, 2005


In the previous years, these Calls referred to the submission of ‘large-scale’ projects. The name of the Call was changed to put bigger emphasis on the fact that the Commission intends to support innovative projects in the context of this Call and does explicitly not aim at supporting standard activities of organisations or networks.
The priority themes of the Call DG EAC No 85/04, published in the Official Journal C30 of 5 February 2005, are

1.Cultural diversity and tolerance: projects promoting cultural diversity and tolerance and addressing non-violent conflict transformation by facilitating dialogue and joint activities of young people from multicultural, multiethnic and multifaith backgrounds;

2.Less favoured regions: projects aiming at the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities who face multiple obstacles in geographical (e.g. deprived urban areas, isolated rural areas or islands) and socio-economic terms. Projects need to address how young people can deal with issues of concern to them (participation, decision making, education and training, employment, housing). They should lead to an increase in self-confidence, new skills and competencies and have a positive impact on the young persons’ educational or professional pathway;

3.Eastern Europe - Caucasus - South East Europe: projects aiming at enhancing the promotion and visibility of the Youth programme in Eastern Europe (Eastern neighbouring countries of the enlarged EU: Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine), the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) or South East Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro), with a focus on training of regional multipliers as well as the development of networks and partnerships among stakeholders in the field of youth in these countries;

4. Innovation in youth work: Projects aimed at developing and implementing innovative methods of youth work. Innovative aspects may, for example, concern content and objectives, working methods, the involvement of partners from different backgrounds or the dissemination of information;

5. Co-operation between local or regional authorities and youth NGOs: Projects under this theme have to be clearly focused on one of the priorities of the Youth programme. They have to be submitted by local or regional authorities and shall involve non-profit organisations active in the field of youth from partner countries, leading to a strong trans-national partnership between these entities.

Projects must clearly meet one of these priorities mentioned in the Call. Projects must be innovative and show new approaches on how to deal with the priority themes mentioned. Projects have to involve partner organisations from at least four different countries (including the applicant), must have a strong transnational European component and must involve young people and youth workers in the preparation, implementation and follow-up of activities. This enumeration is not exhaustive, for the full list of selection and award criteria, please see the text of the Call.
Please pay attention to the fact that only applications which comply with the eligibility criteria mentioned in the Call will be subject of an in-depth evaluation.
Projects must be of a duration of at least 18 months in order to ensure that the activity is sustainable. If justified, a maximum duration of up to 3 years will be accepted.
Applicants have to choose between two different project/budget formats depending on the type of activities/instruments they want to use.
The maximum funding amount per project will not exceed EUR 100.000 per year (12 months) of activity and the maximum grant will not exceed EUR 300.000.

More information
Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/youth/program/call_action_5_en.html


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Kennedy Center for Performing Arts - Fellowships at the Vilar Institute for Arts Management
Application deadline: April 1, 2005


The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts offers valuable skills building for arts managers through the Vilar Institute for Arts Management. Vilar Fellows enjoy close working relationships with experienced arts professionals, hands-on work opportunities, a structured blend of independent and collective learning experiences, and the opportunity to work in one of the busiest and most artistically diverse performing arts centers in the United States. Fellows are expected to attend performances and educational events, as well as complete significant projects within the context of the Kennedy Center. Vilar Fellowships are full-time and last 10 months starting in September and ending in June. The Vilar Institute emphasizes excellence, creativity, economic problem solving, strategic planning, internationalism, and a commitment to new technologies.

More information
Website: http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/vilarinstitute/fellowships/


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Stanford Institute for International Studies - Summer Fellows on Democracy and Development, August 1 – 19, 2005, USA
Application deadline: April 1, 2005


The Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) at the Stanford Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, California invites policy makers and activists from countries undergoing political, economic and social transitions to participate in its first annual summer fellows program on democracy, development, and the rule of law to be held from August 1-19, 2005 at Stanford University on its northern California campus.

This program is aimed at early to mid-career policy-makers, academics, and leaders of civil society organizations (such as representatives of trade unions, non-governmental organizations, the media, business and professional associations) who will play important roles in their country's democratic, economic, and social development. We anticipate recruiting a group of 25-30 individuals dedicated to democracy and development promotion within their home countries (particularly in, but not limited to, the regions of the Middle East, Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and other parts of the former Soviet Union).

More information
Website: http://cddrl.stanford.edu./summerfellows/


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Open Society Institute - Global Supplementary Grant Program
Application deadline: For students pursuing a Ph.D. in North America, Asia, or Australia: April 1, 2005. For students pursuing a Ph.D. in Western Europe or the Middle/Near East: June 3, 2005


The Global Supplementary Grant Program offers supplementary grants to students from selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The grants enable qualified students to pursue doctoral studies in the humanities and social sciences at accredited universities in Western Europe, the Middle/Near East, Asia, Australia, and North America.

Grants are awarded on the basis of academic record, merit of the proposed study, applicant's long-term goals, and financial need. Supplemental funding is provided for one year of study with the option to apply for a second year. Reapplication procedures are outlined in the 2005 - 2006 application form. Renewal grants are not guaranteed; competition for renewal takes place among the general pool of applicants. Only students who have been accepted into a full-time doctoral (Ph.D.) program at an accredited university are eligible to apply.

Grants are provided to help cover costs in one of the following categories:
Tuition and fees: not to exceed 50 percent of tuition and fees per academic year;
Living expenses: students who have succeeded in funding their tuition, either through scholarships or tuition wavers, are eligible for housing and living funds;
Other: students who have secured all necessary funds but cannot afford additional expenses, such as travel to/from their host country, books, materials, or health insurance are eligible for additional funds.
Grants will not be provided to cover expenses in all three categories. Only those students with confirmed financial support will receive grants. In addition, in no case may an applicant request grant assistance for the support of an accompanying child or spouse.

Eligibility
1. Candidates must be nationals of one of the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
2. Members of the Roma community are encouraged to apply.
3. Candidates must be under 40 years of age at the time of application.
4. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the spoken and written language of their host institution.
5. ONLY those students who have already been awarded partial or full tuition, room and board stipends, or other types of financial aid may apply.

Applicants must provide the fullest possible account of their financial situation, including copies of financial aid requests to the host university and any other documents confirming additional financial support. False statements will result in immediate disqualification.

Ineligibility
1. These awards support doctoral studies in social sciences and humanities only. Requests for support in the following fields will not be considered: business administration/ management training; computer science; finance/banking/marketing; engineering; hard and natural sciences (physics, biology, chemistry, etc.); mathematics; medical sciences; fine or performing arts.
2. Applications will not be considered for study in the student's home country or within Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, or for nondoctoral study, language preparatory, and summer school courses.
3. Students with permanent resident status and asylum seekers in the host country are not eligible to apply. Only those with valid student visas in the host country are eligible to apply.
4. Late applications will be automatically disqualified.

Selection
Students are selected in an open competition announced once per year. A team of experts (the GSGP Board) makes all grant decisions based on quality of the application, written essays, academic records, and future goals. Preference will be given to students pursuing advanced studies in regionally relevant areas that will directly benefit the quality of academic and civil society development in their home country. Selection Committee decisions are final.

Applicants should send one copy of each of the following documents, including an official or university translation if language is other than English.
1. Curriculum vitae (including complete work history, extracurricular activities, academic awards, and publications);
2. A copy of the official letter of admission from the academic institution (if not available, explain why);
3. Copies of all undergraduate and post-secondary school records (new applicants only);
4. The official letter informing the applicant of the details of the scholarship or financial aid award (if separate from item 2 above) and/or any other documents confirming additional support;
5. A copy of the identification pages of applicant's passport;
6. Copy of applicant's visa (students in the United States should also enclose copy of their I-20 or DS-2019);
7. Two academic reference letters from professors who have direct knowledge of the applicant's work and abilities.

NOTE: Omission of one or more of the documents mentioned above renders an application incomplete and may result in disqualification. In the event that a document becomes available only after the submission of an application, applicants are asked to indicate this in their applications and to send the missing document as soon as possible.

Application and Deadlines
Applicants may apply for a grant using OSI's Online Application System. Alternatively, applicants may download an application from this page and apply offline. Applications should be mailed to the address below or to applicant's local Soros foundation office.

Global Supplementary Grant Program
Open Society Institute
400 West 59th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10019
USA
Website: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/scholarship/focus_areas/global_supplementary/guidelines
Email: scholar@sorosny.org


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European Youth Foundation - Grants for international youth activities
Application deadline: April 1, 2005


The European Youth Foundation (EYF) is a fund established by the Council of Europe to provide financial support for European youth activities. It aims to encourage co-operation amongst young people in Europe by providing financial support to youth activities. It concerns activities, which serve the promotion of peace, understanding and co-operation in a spirit of respect for human rights, democracy, tolerance and solidarity.

The EYF provides financial support to the following types of activity undertaken by youth NGOs or networks, or by other NGOs involved in the areas of youth work relevant to the Council of Europe's youth policies and work:
Educational, social, cultural and humanitarian activities of a European character
Activities aiming at strengthening peace and co-operation in Europe
Activities designed to promote closer co-operation and better understanding among young people in Europe, particularly by developing the exchange of information
Activities intended to stimulate mutual aid in Europe and in the developing countries for cultural, educational and social purposes
Studies, research and documentation on youth matters.

The EYF may support the following operations:
A. International youth meetings for youth leaders, including seminars, conferences, workshops, camps, and festivals. The EYF will cover up two-thirds of the total cost.
B. Youth activities other than meetings such as studies, research projects and the production of information and documentation on youth issue, for example specialised publications, information campaigns, web sites, and CD-ROMs. The EYF will contribute up to 75% of the total costs.
C. Administration of international non-governmental youth organisations and networks.
D. Pilot projects - youth meetings or activities, which contribute more particularly to priority objectives of the Council of Europe.

Applicants must represent either an international non-governmental youth organisation with branches in at least four Member-States of the Council of Europe, or a national youth organisation co-operating with at least three other national organisations from different Member States. No more than one third of the participants in any project supported by the Foundation should be of the same nationality and no more than one quarter may be over the age of 30. As a general rule, any eligible project takes place in one (or more) Member States of the Council of Europe. Participants and organisers must make a significant financial contribution towards the activity themselves.

The deadlines for applications are:
1 April - for projects taking place during the first half of the following year
1st October - for projects held during the latter half of the following year.

A list of the members can be found on: http://www.coe.int/T/e/com/about_coe/member_states/default.asp

More information
Website: http://galadriel.coe.int/fej/index.jsp
Email: eyf@coe.int


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Central European University – Diploma Total Law: Advanced European Union Legal Practice, July 4 - 22, 2005, Budapest, Hungary
Application deadline: April 4, 2005


The Legal Studies Department of Central European University (CEU) is pleased to announce its new Diploma in Advanced European Union Legal Practice, organized by the Total Law Teaching Team, between July 4 and 22, 2005.

The program is about the Practice of European Union Law, providing insider hands-on analysis of the functioning of the European Union. As such, it constitutes an excellent course for those wishing to deepen their knowledge in the field or to prepare for working in or with EU institutions. The Total Law method believes in contextualization, situating a legal controversy, a court decision, a Treaty provision, a Directive or Regulation in its economic, social and political context. The Total Law teaching team, led by Joseph Weiler, University Professor and Jean Monnet Chair at New York University School of Law, is a unique blend of well-known academics and senior officials working in the European Union institutions who have also written widely in the field. The members of his team are José M. de Areilza, Professor of European Union Law and Vice Dean of Legal Studies at Instituto de Empresa, Madrid; Kieran Bradley, member of the Legal Service of the European Parliament, Brussels; Damian Chalmers, Reader in EU law at the London School of Economics and Political Science; Miguel Poiares Maduro, Advocate General at the European Court of Justice, Luxembourg and Professor of European and International Law at the Universida de Nova de Lisboa, and Imola Streho, coordinator of the Team, référendaire at theEuropean Court of Justice, Luxembourg.

The coursework will consist of seminars, workshops and daily assignments that will be completed individually or in group. A basic knowledge of European Union Law is required to follow this advanced course. Those without this knowledge but wishing to participate are required to take a one-week Introductory Course to the Law of the European Union, offered immediately prior to the start of the program.

More information
Website: http://www.ceu.hu/total_law.html


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Tomorrow People Organization - Intercultural Encounters Study Abroad Program, August 1 – 15, 2005, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro.
Application deadline: April 10, 2005


This four-week program is open to achieving undergraduate students from around the world who want to broaden their knowledge about other cultures and impact that the process of globalization has on different spheres of our lives, gain leadership skills, meet other achieving young people from around the world, become global citizens and increase the possibility to become future leaders in different fields.

Intercultural Encounters Program is a comprehensive 4-week program that consists of three components: university courses, cultural activities and community service. The following university courses will be taught: 1. Multiculturalism This is the main course mandatory for all the participants. In addition, each student takes an additional course choosing between: 2. Globalization and Development 3. International Relations – Diplomacy.

The courses are taught in English and are fully accredited. The transcripts are issued by Ural State University, Russia - one of the biggest and most famous universities in Russian Federation.

For those NOT requiring financial aid who wish to receive the decision sooner, we have introduced a fast track application which is due March 25th.

More information
Website: http://www.tomorrowpeople.org/ICE/applicationform.html
Email: contact@tomorrowpeople.org


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European Commission - Citizens and Governance in a knowledge based society - Priority 7
Application deadline: April 13, 2005


Priority 7 is the principal source of support for the Humanities and Social Sciences within the Sixth Framework Programme - FP6. It is intended to contribute to the creation of a European Research Area. The components of the programme are 'knowledge-based society and social cohesion' and 'citizenship democracy and new forms of governance'.

The aim is to rationally mobilise the wealth and diversity of European research capacities in economic, political, social sciences and humanities. Issues will be addressed which relate to the emergence of the knowledge-based society and new forms of relationships between its citizens and between its citizens and institutions.

Under each research area are topics open for submission of proposals, for a Network of Excellence or an Integrated Project.

Knowledge-based society and social cohesion:
Research area 1: Improving the generation, distribution and use of knowledge and its impact on economic and social development. The topics are: Understanding knowledge; Knowledge dynamics and economic and societal development in Europe and in its regions; Science and technology in the knowledge based society. Topics for specific targeted research projects and Co-ordination Actions are: knowledge based society; knowledge based entrepreneurship; social sciences and humanities.

Research area 2: Options and choices for the development of a knowledge-based society. The topics are: Societal trends in the knowledge based society and their implications for quality of life; Social cohesion in the knowledge based society; Promoting the knowledge society through life-long learning. Topics for specific targeted research projects and Co-ordination Actions are: education challenges for the knowledge society; reinforcing the links between science and education; inter-generational inheritance of inequalities; insecurity.

Research area 3: The variety of paths towards a knowledge society. The topic is: Migration, immigration and multi-culturalism as challenges for knowledge based societies. Topics for specific targeted research projects and Co-ordination Actions are: historical development of socio-economic development models; current pressures leading to convergence; citizens attitudes , preferences, civic values; sustainable development; knowledge for Humankind initiative.

Citizenship, democracy and new forms of governance:
Research area 4: The implications of European integration and enlargement for governance and the citizen. The topics are: 'Deepening and widening of the European Union' - lessons from the past and visions of the future; Global governance, regulatory frameworks and the role of the European Union. Topics for specific targeted research projects and Co-ordination Actions are: social, political and economic transformation in the candidate countries.

Research area 5: Articulation of areas of responsibility and new forms of governance. The topics are: Public interest - conception, regulation and implementation; Multilevel governance, democracy and new policy instruments; Towards a European Contract Law. Topics for specific targeted research projects and Co-ordination Actions are: corporate social responsibility

Research area 6: Issues connected with the resolution of conflicts and restoration of peace and justice. The topic is: New approaches to security and the role of Europe. Topics for specific targeted research projects and Co-ordination Actions are : human rights; violent conflicts.

Research area 7: New forms of citizenship and cultural identities. The topics are: European Citizenship and multiple identities; Cultural dialogue and the European society; New perspectives on European History. Topics for specific targeted research projects and Co-ordination Actions are:active civic participation; European public sphere.

Eligibility: legal entities, e.g. individuals, industrial and commercial firms, universities, research organisations, etc. including SMEs.
Countries able to participate with community funding are: the 25 EU-Member States, the Associated Candidate Countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey), Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Israel.

More information
Website: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cfm?CALL_ID=12
Email: rtd-citizens@cec.eu.int


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Centre for Advanced Study Sofia - Fellowship programme 'Multiple Institutional Cultures in Southeast Europe within the Context of European Unification’
Application deadline: April 15, 2005


The Centre for Advanced Study Sofia (CAS) is announcing its call for applications for fellowships in the international research project ‘Roles, Identities and Hybrids - Multiple Institutional Cultures in Southeast Europe within the Context of European Unification’ for the academic 2005 - 2006 year. The annual enrolment includes eight researchers - four fellows from the humanities and four from the social sciences. The duration of each fellowship is 9 months. Non-Bulgarian fellows are also eligible - they will be residing permanently or on a part-time basis in Sofia (negotiable in each individual case) and shall participate in all workshops, seminars and public events of the ‘Roles, Identities and Hybrids’ project that take part in CAS, Sofia. The working language of the project is English. The goal of this collective research project is to explore the zone of intersection, interaction, and hybridization between institutional roles and collective identities. These intersections are of special importance for the countries in Southeastern Europe.

More information
Website: www.cas.bg
Email: milapopova@cas.bg (Mila Popova, Project Coordinator)


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European Commission DG Health and Consumer Protection - Public Health
Application deadline: April 15, 2005


This public health programme is a key instrument supporting the development of the Community's health strategy. It should contribute to and ensure a high level of human health protection, tackle inequalities in health and encourage co-operation between Member States. The total budget for the period 2003 to 2008 is EUR 353.77 million.

The programme comprises three general objectives:
1. improving information and knowledge for the development of public health,
2. reacting rapidly to health threats
3. health promotion and disease prevention through addressing health determinants across all policies and activities.

The actions are:
Activities related to the monitoring and rapid reaction systems;
Activities on health determinants;
Activities related to legislation;
Activities related to consultation, knowledge and information;
Promotion of co-ordination at the European level of non-governmental organisation.

The priority areas identified in 2005 are:
Health Information - Developing and co-ordinating the health information system; Operating the health monitoring system; Mechanisms for reporting and analysis of health issues and producing health reports; Improving access to and transfer of data at EU level (EU public health portal) and other publishing platforms; e-Health; Health impact assessment; Co-operation between Member States on health policy.

Health Threats - Surveillance development and integration; exchange of information on vaccination and immunisation strategies; health security and preparedness; Safety of blood, tissues and organs; Antimicrobial resistance control; networking and quality improvement of laboratories; Capacity building; Targeted capacity building.

Health Determinants - Tobacco; Alcohol and Drugs; AIDS; nutrition; physical activity; genetic determinants; Mental health; Injury protection;environmental and socio-economic health determinants; Health promotion in particular settings; focus on key target groups, in particular on young people.

Organisations eligible to apply should be active in the field of public health and be international/intergovernmental public organisations. Priority will be given to multi-annual projects.

The Community's financial contribution will be maximum 60% of eligible project costs. A maximum co-funding of 80% of eligible costs could be envisaged where a project has a significant European added value and also involves the new Member States and Candidate Countries in a substantial manner.

Countries eligible to participate:
The 25 Member States of the EU;
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway;
The candidate countries - Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

More information
Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/index_en.html
Email: sanco-mailbox@cec.eu.int


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Open Society Institute - The International Higher Education Support Program (HESP) 2005 - 2006 International Scholar Fellowship Program
Application deadline: March 15, 2005


The International Scholar Fellowship Program (ISFP) invites highly qualified scholars in the social sciences and humanities from around the world to teach at selected university departments in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, , Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Tajikistan, and Ukraine.

AFP welcomes applications from faculty, retired faculty, Ph.D.s, and advanced postgraduate students in the social sciences/humanities (including area studies, anthropology, economics, history, political science, psychology, public administration, philosophy and sociology). AFP also offers fellowships in law and journalism/media studies. Please note that AFP does not support scholars in philology, the visual and performing arts, and certain other humanities fields. Nor does AFP work with business-related fields. Applicants must hold, or be expecting to receive, a graduate degree from a Western-accredited university, and be applying to teach outside their country of citizenship.

AFP International Scholars reside in the host country and teach courses for one academic year (two semesters) at partner universities located throughout Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Mongolia. In addition to teaching, AFP Fellows work on a variety of projects within their host departments, and benefit from the diverse academic network connecting AFP program countries. Fellowship packages include a stipend, transportation, accommodation, health insurance and various other allowances, including professional development and networking funds. ISFP also offers the possibility non-resident arrangements for Resource Fellows, in which Fellows visit the host institution for several short consultations and remain in contact for mentoring and advice between visits. Details of such arrangements are negotiated during the selection process.

In the 2004/05 academic year, AFP placed more than 30 fellows at universities in South Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2005. The one-year fellowships begin in September 2005 and finish in May/June 2006, while non-resident assignments will vary depending on the nature of the placement.

The Academic Fellowship Program was launched by the Open Society Institute's Higher Education Support Program in July 2004, and builds on HESP's experience as a core funder of the Civic Education Project and carries forward some aspects of the fellowship opportunities supported by CEP.

More information
Website: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/hesp/focus_areas/afp
Email: afp@osi.hu


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United Nations - Internship programme at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Application deadline: April 30, 2005


This internship programme is aimed at graduate students and is available at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - OHCHR.

The aim of the internship is to:
a) increase the intern's understanding of current human rights issues at the international level and give an insight into the work of the United Nations and OHCHR in particular;
b) provide OHCHR and the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms with the assistance and contribution of outstanding students or graduates.

Interns will be involved, inter alia, in: researching human rights issues, drafting analytical papers and reports, providing substantive and technical servicing of meetings, preventing backlog from fact-finding and technical cooperation activities as well as field operations and supporting other OHCHR activities.

Participants must be graduate students and holders of graduate level degrees in disciplines related to the work of the United Nations,e.g. International law, Political Science, History, Social Sciences. Preference will be given to those who have specialized in human rights issues.

United Nations internships are not remunerated. Travel costs and living expenses must be met by the interns themselves. Applicants must be sponsored by an academic institution and must have a good command of at least two of the six official languages of the United Nations, i.e. English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Chinese.

Internships are for a minimum period of three months and may be renewed once for a further three-month period. Interns are selected twice a year.

Closing dates for applications each year are 30 April for the May/June selection and 31 October for the November/December selection.

More information
Website: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/hchr/genif.htm


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European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, 7th Summer Course ‘The European System of Human Rights Protection’, September 5 – 16, 2005, Europa-Universitat Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Germany
Application deadline: May 31, 2005


This Summer Course, held in English, will deal in detail specifically with the European system of human rights protection. Although there are numerous summer courses and other special study programs within Europe on human rights protection, this course provides an integrated treatment of the various supra-national European systems and of specifically European issues of human rights protection, that is, with important matters relevant to over forty European countries with very diverse political, economic and social systems. The subject matter, therefore, includes human rights protection within the regimes of the Council of Europe (the European Convention of Human Rights and the European Social Charter), the European Community, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (Helsinki Accords), as well on the universal level of public international law where relevant. The treatment of the substantive regimes and their specific rights catalogues is set against the background of a consideration of the philosophical, historical, political, economic and sociological aspects of human rights, and includes practical institutional matters such as complaint procedures as well as developments such as the so-called 'New Rights'. Practical and contemporary issues, such as the protection of human rights in situations of war or civil disorder, will also be addressed.

This comprehensive course has been organised by and will be presented by a dedicated group of experienced and experts teachers from universities in eleven European countries, co-ordinated by the Viadrina European University Frankfurt (Oder) (Germany). The other participants are the Universities of Lund (Sweden), Oviedo (Spain), Utrecht (Netherlands), Turku (Finland), Aberystwyth (United Kingdom), Rennes I (France), Uppsala (Sweden), Lublin (Poland), Maribor (Slovenia), Eötvös Lórand Budapest (Hungary) and Salzburg (Austria).

The program in broad outline includes the following:
Part I: General and Institutional Issues:- overview of regimes and institutions; philosophical, conceptual, sociological and historical aspects; issues of national implementation; control procedures; the role of non-governmental organisations.
Part II: Substantive Human Rights:- civil and political rights; the right to work; the rights to health and to development; the right to self-determination and minority protection; non- discrimination; migration and refugees.

This course is designed for advanced undergraduate students or recent graduates and aims at providing them with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of human rights law and policy within the transnational European context. Participants are expected to attend for the whole duration of the program.

Participating students must:
- have a good working knowledge of English;
- be at an advanced stage of their studies or recent graduates;
- have at least a basic understanding of public international law.
Participants from international organisations or NGOs are also welcome.

The total fee for the program is 420 EURO. This charge includes:
- full tuition costs;
- accommodation for full period of the program (12 nights accommodation);
- all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Monday-Friday throughout both weeks of the program.

In cases of demonstrated need (especially in the case of students from Eastern European Universities), a small scholarship may be provided (subject to funding availability). Further details can be obtained on request by e-mail or fax.

More information
Website: http://www.hrcourse.euv-frankfurt-o.de
Email: jursok@euv-frankfurt-o.de


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UNESCO - Internships at UNESCO
Application deadline: June 15, 2005


UNESCO offers the possibility to students, researchers and national civil servants to apply for unpaid internships of 1 to 3 months at its headquarters. Depending on the qualifications, these internships relate either to the Organisation’s strategic activities or to administrative or technical functions.

The aim is to give professional experience in an international organisation which relates to and supplements the education of the participants. It offers the opportunity to work in the multicultural environment of an intergovernmental organisation.

Criteria:
Education: student in postgraduate studies in one of the following fields: education, culture, natural sciences, social and human sciences or communication, or in a field directly related to the management and administration of an international organization.
It is necessary to be registered for a postgraduate degree (MA, DEA, DESS, Maestria or equivalent) at the time of submission of application and for the duration of the internship. Candidates must have already completed at least four years of full time studies at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a graduate degree.
Languages: excellent spoken and written knowledge of one of the two working languages, English or French, and a good knowledge of the other language.
Computer skills: ability to use office-related software (MS Office).
Attitude: an awareness of the many facets of a multicultural world and a commitment to international public service are essential.

The internship is unpaid, but UNESCO does provide a special insurance policy covering the risk of death or invalidity, as well as certain medical expenses in the event of accident or illness.

More inforamtion
Website: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php@URL_ID=11716&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html


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Youth without Frontiers - Youth NGOs in Development, The best experience of last decade, April 25 – 30, 2005, Baku, Azerbaijan
Application deadline: March 15, 2005


Why does Youth without Frontiers organise Youth Forum?
Over the last decade the countries of the former Soviet Block are living through the transition from authoritarian regimes to the democracy. While changes are taking place, the young people are facing with new kind of risks and problems, which traditional approaches are not helpful. The new well established national youth policies are very vital to support young people in changing society and to contribute into the democracy. The strong national youth organizations should be essential part of this policy.

Recent years, the youth work of Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries have been considerably improved. The youth organizations became the reality of the countries society and they are playing some roles in the implementation of the national youth policies. Governmental youth structures begun to recognize the role of youth NGOs and cooperate with them. However, the national youth policies can not be considered well functioning today. Mr. Peter Lauritzen (Deputy Director for Youth in the Council of Europe Directorate for Youth and Sport) has proposed 11 indicators of the well functioning national youth policy (http://www.youthforum.org/en/our_work/youth_work/0762-02%2011%20indicators%20of%20a%20.pdf). If we analyse the youth policies of the European FSU countries, we can identify many shortcomings, especially in youth legislation, youth training, youth budget, youth information and multy-level policies. Most of the youth organizations are working in capital or other big cities. Youth work at regional level is weak developed. The financial support to youth organizations are not regular and well established. However, in some countries there are good models of financing of youth organizations.

Why a Youth Forum on Youth NGOs in Development: The best experience of last decade?
It is important to note that the advantages and shortcomings in the youth policies of different European FSU countries differ from each other. It is also obvious that non-FSU countries of former so-called Soviet block have much more development in youth work, than FSU countries. At the same time, the non-European FSU countries, such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have long way for establishing really well working youth policy, which is based on democratic ideas.

That is why it would be useful to have a forum where all the best experiences of the youth policies in Eastern European countries would be reported and discussed. This event will be helpful for the other countries to learn. The other importance of such Youth Forum will be involvement of the some non-European FSU countries, such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Aims and Objectives of the Youth Forum
Highlighting the best experience in youth policy of the Eastern European countries in last decade.
Creating a forum for youth leaders of the target regions to exchange with the best experience in youth work.
Familiarizing the Central Asian youth leaders with youth policy instruments of the European countries

Main Content of the Youth Forum:
The place of youth organization in the national youth policy and civil society
Financing of the youth NGOs or best fundraising tool
Leadership and management in youth NGOs
Relationships with governmental structures
The role National Youth Council
The role of non-formal education and youth training policy
Youth legislation
Regional youth work

Methodology:
Posters prepared in advance which will be presented in the Bazar of the best experiences in youth work.
Visits to the youth organizations office having stable successful performance in last two-three years.
The meetings with governmental and non-governmental youth organizations will be organized aiming to familiarize the participants with the current state of youth work in Azerbaijan and to have exchange of ideas.
Distribution of publications or policy documents by organizers and participants that are dedicated to the topic.
Facilitated discussions.
Group work.

Languages:
English is the working language of the youth forum. However, to better evaluate participants language needs, candidates are kindly requested to mention in their application forms all the languages in which they are able to work. Candidates must have sufficient understanding of English language in order to comprehend and complete the application form without assistance from another person.

Profile of Participants:
Active youth leaders, project carriers, voluntary or professional youth workers working in International Youth Organisations (INGYOs), National Youth Councils (NYCs), other national, local or international youth organisations, networks, or youth initiatives, governmental services and other partners, in particular those co-operating with the European Youth Centres or the European Youth Foundation, the Youth programme of the European Union will be selected for this Youth Forum.

All candidates should have a specific practical experience in the field of youth work and be working in or with multi-cultural youth work settings, inter-community projects, development projects, or in another relevant youth development fields. Additional experience in the field of intercultural education will be considered in the selection process. Candidates who have experience on development of youth sector, but who are faced with the reality of barriers in their everyday practice of youth work will also be given priority.

In addition, candidates who will be responsible for projects / activities of relevance, with a multi-cultural and youth development over the next year or who have responsibility for issues of youth development at their organisation, are particularly welcome to apply.

All candidates should:
Be aged between 18 and 35 years;
Be actively involved in a youth organisation or governmental youth related service, and in a position to take on responsibilities within multi-cultural or intercultural activities after the youth forum;
Be well informed about their organisation and prepared to exchange of successful experience and lessons learnt during decade at the youth forum;
Be able to work in working language of the forum in this case English Langauge;
Be committed to attend for the full duration of the forum and be supported by their youth organisation, governmental service or a national agency of the YOUTH programme of the European Union with a letter of recommendation from a responsible member of the staff or board of the organisation confirming their support for both the candidate and their ability to multiply the youth forum ( Please see attached application form for details and letter of recommendation required).

Preparatory Team of the Youth Forum:
The preparatory team of the youth forum composed of the selected partner organization members’s and Trainers team of the European Youth Centre Trainers Pool and external training consultants.

The application form should be sent directly to the email address of Youth without Frontiers , together with a letter of recommendation from the sending organisation or service, no later than 15th of March 2005.
The preparatory team will make the selection of participants on the basis of the motivation, perceived training needs, experience and potential for multiplication within a viable youth work context by individual candidates and sending organisations. In addition, the team will try to ensure a balance between gender, geographical regions, and different types of experiences, cultural backgrounds and organisations.
Candidates will be informed by the end of March 2005 whether they have been accepted or put on the waiting list. Due to the large number of applications expected, the Youth without Frontiers is not in a position to confirm refusal to candidates not accepted for the youth forum.
Accepted candidates will receive all relevant youth forum documentation in advance of the forum by e-mail. The sending organisations and their successful applicants are reminded that once a candidate has been placed on the final list, they must make every effort to attend for the full duration of the forum. If, for any exceptional reason, they are unable to take up the offer of a place, they must inform the organizers immediately. Replacements, but not necessarily candidates from the same organisation, will be taken from the waiting list.

International travel, meal and accomondation costs of the Youth Forum:
Food and accomondation will be covered by the Youth without Frontiers. International Travel expenses will be reimbursed (upon presentation of the relevant receipts). Full International Travel Payment for international participants will be made at the end of the forum in cash (Euro) or, in exceptional cases, by bank transfers.

More information
Website: www.youthforum.org


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Migrations, Crises and Recent Conflicts in the Balkans, October 27 – 29, 2005, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
Application deadline: June 15, 2005


At the initiative of the DemoBalk network, the Association of Demographers of Serbia and the International Association of French-speaking Demographers (AIDELF), an international scientific conference on the subject Migrations, Crisis and Recent Conflicts in the Balkans will be held in Belgrade, from 27 to 29 October 2005.

The purpose of this scientific meeting is to give a versatile and complete balance mainly of demographic consequences of migrations caused by the socio-economic and political crises and armed conflicts that took place in the Balkans during the 1990s. Both the external migrations (from the countries within the Balkans to the countries outside of the Balkans, as well as among the countries within the Balkans) and the internal migrations will be considered. The consequences (short-term, mid-term, and long-term) for the total population growth, spatial distribution, and structures of the population (by age, sex, ethnicity, etc.) are to be considered both from the aspect of the countries and the regions of origin and from the aspect of the countries and the regions of destination. Also to be studied are the consequences of the policies of the Balkan countries that concern the refugees and the internally displaced persons as well as the consequences of the immigration policies of the countries of destination (outside of the Balkans). Attention will also be given to the changes in the method of collecting of the relevant statistical data.

The Conference will be divided into four sessions:
Migrations in the Balkans and their consequences for the countries in the region
Migrations in the Balkans and consequences to third countries
Forced migrations
Problems of migration measurement.

More information
Website: www.demobalk.org
www.demography-lab.org
Email: demobalk@prd.uth.gr


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Youth Movement for Peace - International Seminar on Violence Towards Young People, April 20 – 24, 2005, Oradea, Romania
Application deadline: March 21, 2005


MTP Oradea is happy to launch the call for participants for a seminar on developing sustainable strategies addressing different forms of violence towards young people that is addressed to youth workers or youth leaders with experience in intercultural and international youth activities, dealing with violent/conflict situations.

The aim of this seminar is to empower youth workers to develop sustainable strategies in activities addressing racism, xenophobia, and discrimination as forms of violence towards young people.

Objectives of the seminar:
The general objective of the seminar is to sustain youth workers to act like key factors in reducing racism, xenophobia and discrimination affecting young people.

Specific objectives:
– Participant will explore and get a basic understanding of violence phenomenon and how it affects young people.
– To identify and map violence and conflict – oriented situations in order to develop appropriate approaches.
– To raise awareness of youth workers to actively involve together with decision makers in developing strategies to prevent and reduce violence towards young people
– To develop an action plan to address racism, discrimination and xenophobia involving all factors that might contribute to reduce violence.

Program elements:
The final programme will be designed once having the full overview of the group's profile and it will focus on:
- Violence and its manifestations;
- Causes of violence manifestations;
- Mapping the conflict/violence situations. Who are the factors and their concerns?
- Activities and tools in conflict/violence prevention;
- Sustainable strategies to address violence prevention. Best practice principles;
- Action plan. What can I do? What’s the next step?
- Evaluation.

Methodology
The methodology will include communication based methods (interaction, dialogue, open discussions), activity – based methods (experience, practice and experimentation), socially – focused methods (partnership, teamwork, networking) and self-directed methods (creativity, discovery, responsibility). The overall character will be participative, pro-active and interactive with a learner – centered educational approach. The methods that will be used are methods recommended by the Council of Europe to be applied in youth work and used in non-formal educational contexts.

Number of participants: 25
Profile of the participants and recruitment procedure:
- Be able to work in English;
- Age between 18 and 30 years old;
- Be youth workers or youth leaders with experience in intercultural and international youth activities;
- Dealing with violent/conflict situations affecting young people;
- Willing to participate for the entire duration of the seminar and share their experience in conflict situations or violence in youth activities;
- Be resident in one of the Council of Europe member states.

Participants will be selected on a gender equality basis. The selection process will not take into consideration social conditions, religious or ethnical minority, sexual orientation, etc. We encourage participants from Central and South-Eastern European countries to apply.

Board and lodging will be provided by MTP for the whole duration of the seminar.
Participants are asked to have their own insurance for the duration of the seminar for accident, civil liability or illness.

Travel costs of all participants will be reimbursed at 75%. Due to a low budget for transport, we encourage participants that come from a range of 800 km to use bus or train as means of transport. There will be no participation fee.Visas will be reimbursed 100%.

More information
Email: yaporadea@yahoo.com


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ISWINT – International Students Week, May 9 – 15, 2005, Timisoara, Romania
Application deadline: March 30, 2005 (April 15, 2005 for those who don't need a visa)


This Student Festival is built around it's main theme: youth's role in society, how do they fit in, how do they participate?

The participants fee is 35 euro (for non-romanian citizens, 1 million lei for romanian citizens and 300.000 for students from Timisoara) and will cover the accomodation, the meal for the whole week, the one-day trip and the workshop materials. We do not offer travel support.

More information
Website: www.iswint.utt.ro


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Inclusive Europe: Horizon 2020, November 17 - 19, 2005, Budapest, Hungary


· In search of new concepts about cultural democracy.
· Exploring the interrelations of cultural diversity, multiculturality and equal chances to culture.
· European culture in 2020: confronting visions.
· Another step on the road towards intensifying the cultural component in the development and integration of Europe.
At the international cultural conference A Soul for Europe, held in Berlin last December, State Secretary Andras Benedek announced the arrangement of a similar event next November in Budapest. With the organisation of this meeting, the Hungarian Ministry of Cultural Heritage wants to maintain the momentum created by the Berlin conference; Inclusive Europe: Horizon 2020 will be another stage in the way towards firmly establishing the role of culture in the construction of the new Europe. By its historical and geographical position, Budapest is well suited for the active involvement of those eastern and south-eastern countries and cultures that are actually not about to join the EU.

Inclusive Europe
The deliberations on the main topic of the conference will constitute the annual conference of the European Forum for the Arts and Heritage (EFAH). Debate will focus on the questions of access, equity, participation and voice these challenges now present. There will be a special emphasis on the issues raised by different types and dimensions of cultural difference particularly salient in Central and Eastern Europe and. Discussions will bear upon both the role of governmental policy and, given the nature of EFAH, on the role of artists and cultural operators in addressing these issues.

The conference will assess the various discourses through which, beginning in the 1960s, the welfare states of Western Europe and Communist regimes elsewhere sought to ‘democratise’ access to and participation in the arts and heritage. This cultural democratisation approach has appeared elitist in the end, since it tended to imply the sharing with ‘the masses’ of a cultural canon determined on high. It has not been fully successful, as the unequal distribution of cultural capital in society has made the hoped for access either very difficult or unsolicited by the intended beneficiaries. In addition, scenarios of subsidised cultural provision by the public authorities have been modified on the one hand by the growing presence of market-driven culture industries. In Central and Eastern Europe the transition to the free market has produced new disparities and dimensions of inequality. And yet, the promotion of broader access and participation has also encountered a number of successes and is an enduring policy priority for most European governments.

The conference will also debate different interpretations of the rather different notion of cultural democracy that has come to the fore more recently as an alternative to democratisation strategies, in other words the goal of increasing and diversifying access to the means of cultural production, and distribution instead of merely broadening access to cultural consumption. It will address these questions on a Europe-wide, indeed global scale, since both European integration and globalisation make it necessary to look beyond the purely national level to identify the forces and flows that are changing the ‘grammar’ of national cultures. What patterns and forces in the cultural economy already pre-determine forms of exclusion as regards cultural expression, goods and services? What new concepts and tools such as the notion of the ‘cultural commons’ and ‘copyleft’ might be deployed by governments and cultural actors, as well as by the European Union? The relations between social inequality and cultural difference also need to be examined in a fresh light. Policies of ‘multiculturalism’ based on the assumption of distinct cultural ‘identities’ have tended to freeze the latter into fixed categories divorced from social and economic stratification, whereas some cultural perspectives approaches have ‘culturalised’ inequality. Cultural and economic exclusion are often coterminous, as has been the case particularly with the Roma population in Central and Eastern Europe and with many immigrant groups in Western and Northern Europe.

In this perspective, the concern is not merely with cultural democracy for ‘minorities’ but rather with the nature of society as a whole. And hence the need to rethink the role both governments and the cultural sector can play. What is their scope for manoeuvre under the prevailing socio-economic conditions? What are the forms of intercultural competence – mutual translation and dialogic interchange – required What forms of cooperation, exchange and alliance-building can be combined with new approaches in policy-making that give empowerment and voice to all, as equal subjects working together rather than being authorised to do so by a dominant majority. Enabling all the groups that henceforth constitute national communities to assume ownership of the now composite cultural landscape within each nation as well as across Europe remains a major challenge for policy-makers.

As the political scientist Bhikhu Parekh has put it, ‘we’ cannot integrate ‘them’ as long as ‘we’ remain ‘we’; ‘we’ must be loosened up to create a new common space in which ‘they’ can be accommodated and become part of a newly constituted ‘we’. The shared challenge is how to reconstitute the national – and European – ‘we’ within a public space that cherishes both plurality and the shared identity of common citizenship.
Such questions could all be approached from various angles: through the eyes of the social researcher, in the policy-making perspective, or simply through the lens of the media. At Budapest they will be deconstructed both by policy-makers and arts and heritage practitioners. How do the latter experience the challenges of cultural democracy their daily work? What do they recommend to decision-makers?

Horizon 2020
The conference will also provide a platform for prospective visions. The past few years have posed many challenges to high level administrators: tensions on the global arena, draft European constitution, eastern enlargement, planning 2007-2013 etc. The aim is to elevate participants of the Budapest conference – including invited ministers and high officials of the European Commission – from their condensed agenda, and to divert attention towards the not-too-distant, though not-yet-imminent visions of European culture in 2020.

Eminent intellectuals and political thinkers will be invited to look at the future of European culture on the horizon of 2020 from various angles, one of these being, of course, the prospects of cultural democracy. Speakers will furthermore explore other – anthropological, demographic, technological, economic, security etc. – factors, as well as the internal dynamics of the arts. This attempt at gazing into the future will hopefully enable decision makers and cultural actors to see day-to-day issues in a more lucid perspective.

Organisation
The conference will be held in Budapest from 17 Thursday to 19 Saturday, November, in the centre of the city that is part of the world heritage site: exact venue to be identified soon. The conference will be held in English, with Hungarian translation at the plenary sessions.
The Hungarian Ministry of Cultural Heritage will extend invitations to culture ministers in Europe and to high international officials in culture. It will play host to the invited speakers, too. Upon the experience of earlier EFAH conferences, 150-200 delegates are expected to attend at their own expense. Participants will also be offered rich and varied cultural programmes.

Organisers:
Hungarian Ministry of Cultural Heritage
European Forum for the Arts and Heritage
The Budapest Cultural Observatory
Hungarofest
KulturPont – Cultural Contact Point Hungary
Point Hungary

More information
Website: http://www.budobs.org/InclusiveEurope.htm
Email: peter@budobs.org


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Application Details for the Dr. Erhard Busek - SEEMO Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe 2005
Application deadline: May 1, 2005


The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is pleased to announce the Dr. Erhard Busek - SEEMO 2005 Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe.

Sponsored by Erhard Busek, special coordinator for the Stability Pact, the 2,000 Euro award will be given to a journalist, editor, media executive or person educating journalists in South Eastern Europe, thus using the media to promote a climate of better understanding among people in the region and to work towards ending minority problems, ethnic divisions, racism, xenophobia etc.

In 2002, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) and its international jury chose Croatian journalist Denis Latin as recipient of the Dr. Erhard Busek - SEEMO 2002 Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in journalism, which contributed toward better understanding in South Eastern Europe. In 2003, the award was presented to Kemal Kurspahic, former editor-in-chief of the Sarajevo daily Oslobodjenje.

If you know of anyone who would be a worthy recipient of the Dr. Erhard Busek - SEEMO Award for Better Understanding in South East Europe, please send a letter to SEEMO with basic details about the person you would like to nominate (along with a professional CV, describing why she / he should receive the award), as well as the contacts of the person you are nominating (media organisation, address, phone, fax, email). If your nomination is supported by an organisation/ media outlet, please send us the name of the contact person supporting your nomination, as well as basic information about the organisation/ media outlet. If your nomination is supported by other individual/ individuals, please send us the necessary details and contacts of the other supporters. We also need your basic details and your contacts (address, phone, fax, email, mobile phone).

Any additional material about the nominated person (such as TV reports on video or DVD, audio reports on cassette or CD, or articles in newspapers), if possible with a short English translation, are welcomed. Please send them with your nomination.

Material will not be returned, so please always send copies of documents, CVs, reports, articles, videos, audiotapes, DVDs or CDs.

More information
SEEMO/IPI
‘Busek Award’
Spiegelgasse 2/29
1010 Vienna, Austria
Tel: +43 1 513 39 40
Fax: +43 1 512 90 15
Website: http://www.seemo.org
Email: busekaward@seemo.org
info@seemo.org (Kristina Benkotic, SEEMO Assistant)


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Cultural Policy Research Award 2005 - For Applied Comparative Cultural Policy Research
Application deadline: May 5, 2005


The main aim of the Cultural Policy Research Award (CPR Award) is to stimulate academic research in the field of cultural policy, with an emphasis on the usefulness of the research in terms of practical application. The research should throw light on contemporary European cultural issues and problems, possibly analyzing them and working towards new policy solutions. The overall area covered by the award is 'applied comparative cultural policy research'. Preference will be given to proposed research which covers a topical issue affecting contemporary Europe and which considers the possible remodelling of cultural systems, cultural institutions and cultural policy education. The winner of the CPR Award 2005 will be announced at the European Foundation Centre's 16th Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Conference 'Foundations for Europe: Making the Union Work for All Citizens', Budapest, Hungary, June 4-6, 2005.

More information
Website: www.cpraward.org
Email: cpraward@cpraward.org (Svetlana Jovicic, CPR Award manager)


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Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, Faculty Development Center - Quality Teaching for Quality Learning: Education for Critical Thinking , May 5 – 8, 2005, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Application deadline: April 3, 2005


The Faculty Development Center of the Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, in partnership with the Romanian Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking Association, announces a conference which aims to promote active learning and critical thinking across the curriculum. Thinking critically involves self-analysis while reasoning, starting with the honest evaluation of the alternatives with the purpose of constructing informed opinions and guiding action. It is an interactive cognitive process and can be consciously developed. We invite you to participate in the Quality Teaching for Quality Learning: Education for Critical Thinking international conference and share your experiences and knowledge in the field.

This four-day conference will take place in the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania and will allow educational scientists and practitioners to share good practice in teaching for active learning in university education and to advocate a quality teaching with a focus on the development of critical thinking skills.
The conference will bring together policy-makers, practitioners and researchers in education interested in making teaching in pre-university and university education more interactive. Topics of interest:
Teaching for critical thinking
Critical thinking and democratic society
Reading and writing for critical thinking
Competence based curriculum and critical thinking
Pedagogical evaluation of critical thinking skills
Critical thinking and knowledge based society
Critical thinking and efficient learning
Critical literacy
Educational policy and public discourse
Changes in university pedagogy
Universities and critical judgment
Use of technology in critical thinking education
The critical thinking and the labor market

Conference languages: English and Romanian. Proceedings: The proceedings will be published in a volume. The languages of the volume will be the languages of the conference. Submission of papers: The abstracts (no more than 200 words) should be submitted to the organizers by e-mail at bernat@alsdgc.ro. They should be sent together with the registration form.

Important dates:
April 3, 2005 - Submission of paper abstracts
April 10, 2005 - Notification of acceptance
April 20, 2005 - Registration of participants by email, fax
May 5-8, 2005 Conference
September 2005 Publication of the conference proceedings

More information
Email: bernat@alsdgc.ro


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http://www.policiesforculture.org/forum.php


The Policies for Culture programme has recently launched its Forum webpage - a new interactive tool that aims to build a space of discussion and exchange of information and experiences on current issues on the agenda of cultural policy research in the region. The forum, which is open to all interested contributors, from SEE and beyond, facilitates contributions on the basis of a background paper provided for each topic, gathering in the end the input received into a summarising report. The first topic proposed aims to question the relevance, utility and use of the (quasi-) arm's length financing mechanisms in SEE, on the basis of a background paper written by Delia Mucica. All those with an interest and experience are invited to contribute to the proposed topic or to suggest a new topic of interest which can be of regional relevance.


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www.vifaost.de


Virtual Library Eastern Europe - The academic portal for the countries of Eastern, Central Eastern and Southeastern Europe

The Virtual Library Eastern Europe (ViFaOst) is a scientific web portal (now online in English, Russian and in the German original) that provides extensive specialist information on the history, culture, politics and society of the states and regions of Eastern Europe. While history has been the site's main focus to date, the other subject areas will be extended substantially within the coming year and a half. A variety of research tools provides easy access to a wide range of information on the most recent literature, bibliographies, annotated internet resources, primary sources, full texts and other materials of interest. ViFaOst is a joint initiative of the Bavarian State Library, the Department of Eastern and South-eastern European History at Munich's Ludwig Maximilian University, the Munich-based Osteuropa-Institut and the Herder Institute in Marburg. It is sponsored by the German Research Foundation (DFG).


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www.iienetwork.org/?p=Directory


IIE Opportunities for Students, Scholars and Campuses

IIE is pleased to announce the publication of a new IIENetwork Membership Directory 2005. This is the first time in ten years that we have published this directory, which serves as a vital global education resource to international education professionals.

The 226 page membership directory includes contact information for over 3,000 professionals at higher education institutions (study abroad directors, international student advisers, university presidents, and more) who are active participants in international educational exchange.

A new feature of this IIENetwork Membership Directory is a special 23-page Resource Guide, ‘Opportunities for Students, Scholars and Campuses’, with information about the fellowships and grants for students and scholars that are available through IIE worldwide (Fulbright, European Union Scholar-in Residence Program, Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program, Visiting Scholar Program, GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program and many more).

This guide to IIE-administered programs, including dates/deadlines and program contacts, is available to you as a PDF file, free of charge.


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http://www.policiesforculture.org/periodicals.php Policies for Culture - E-bulletin


Starting with 2005, the Policies for Culture programme would like to give more space to presenting in the e-bulletin South East European initiatives in the field of cultural policies in a large sense - meaning initiatives in the cultural sector which address, question, propose, debate, build, etc. on critical issues of cultural development, creativity, relationship with other sectors, relevance within society, etc.

Since we would like to secure a large coverage of the current initiatives and developments in the region within the announced field, we would kindly ask you to keep us informed on your projects and to submit any other information you consider relevant for the PfC network.


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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/e-nass/


This e-network aims to deepen communication to prompt further inter/multi-disciplinary dialogue within academic community of social sciences, including professionals and students. The members are enthusiastically encouraged to contribute any relevant announcements of Call for Papers, Fellowships/ Scholarships, Conferences, Graduate Programs, Websites, Publications, Summer Schools, Jobs, Internships and etc. valuable for the target group. Thus, if you have any scholarly announcement concerning social sciences, please do not hesitate to share it within this global academic network. The list is essentially generalist to cover all branches of social sciences related to a wide geographical content of Eurasia from steppes of Central Asia to European shores neighbouring Atlantic but neither neglecting Middle East nor Balkans and provides numerous links useful for research. Although the primary language of the list is English, contributions in other languages of Latin script are highly welcome. The list, however, discourages any form of discussion or commercial-minded advertisement.
Murat Cemrek, PhD

Subscribe: e-nass-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


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http://www.wbua.info


World Business University Association
The first unique global database containing 200,000 educational institutions, organisations, foundations, associations and companies, and over 25,000,0000 users worldwide.

The database also contains information onlecturers, businessmen, politicians, CEOs, charimen of world charity organisations as well as other organisations, students and other institutional employees from all over the world.


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http://www.entereurope.hr


We are inviting you to take a look at EnterEurope - a web portal for accessing EU information on-line. Information available at the portal is in Croatian language only, although a wide range of information sources and documents are provided in English through links to external sites and to particular documents. The content is updated on a daily basis.

EnterEurope is a project managed by the European Documentation Centre of the Institute for International Relations from Zagreb, Croatia. It is financially backed by the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) and the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.


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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:
Camelia Cocioba

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