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E-zine nEUws, 83rd edition
E-zine nEUws, 83rd edition
30 March 2007
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Calls for Proposals
The calls on the following European Commission budget lines are usually open for organizations and projects interested in SRHR. For further details on any of these Calls or corrigenda see the EuropeAid website.
EIDHR projects aim at maximizing the effectiveness, impact and visibility of actions undertaken in support of the protection and promotion of human rights and democratization in:
- Tajikistan, until 26.4.2007, Budget: € 150,000.
The Food Security Programme seeks to improve food security by addressing availability and accessibility of food for vulnerable
populations:
- Burkina Faso, until 01.06.2007, budget: € 402,500 (with a priority on maternal health)
- Yemen, forecast, budget: € 3,000,000 (including support of basic
health care services)
The FONDESIN programme supports local initiatives and the civil society through institutional development:
- Dominican Republic, until: 26.4.2007, budget: to be published soon.
The 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7).
DSW has compiled the calls for proposals which can be used by NGOs working in the field of
SRHR. This information is published on our website.
If you work in the field of SRHR and need further assistance, please
don’t hesitate to contact us at: info-eu@dsw-hannover.de.
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EU News
Berlin Declaration – 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome
25 March 2007
A declaration capturing the union’s achievements, values and goals
and was signed by the presidents of the three European institutions
on the occasion of the European Union’s 50th anniversary. No
reference to God or religion was made, an issue which concerned some
SRHR advocates. The declaration is seen as a “political-psychological
preparation” for the discussions around the European constitution at
the EU summit in June. Declaration.
Joint EU-Africa Strategy
19 March 2007
Working with partners, DSW has urged European Commissioner for
Development Louis Michel to incorporate civil society input on EU
development cooperation policies, such as the new joint EU-Africa
strategy. Based on past experience, civil society organisations in
Brussels and in developing countries are weary of policy rhetoric
focusing on participation and ownership, while consultation input is
commonly dismissed. Specific suggestions to improve the joint EU-
Africa strategy in relation to SRH and HIV/AIDS were detailed in a
separate letter. Online consultation for joint EU-Africa strategy here.
EuropeAid Presents 2006 Results
21 March 2007
Koos Richelle, Director General of the EuropeAid, presented 2006
results of Euorpean Commission development spending. Budget support
has been identified by the EU as the "preferred modality [to deliver
aid] where conditions allow", especially when it comes to achieving
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The EC plans to distribute
up to 50% of its overall spending through budget support in the
future (2002-2006: 18%). Find more here.
Proposed EC Strategy for Gender Equality
8 March 2007
On International Women's Day, March 8, the European Commission
presented its communication on “Gender Equality and Women Empowerment
in Development Cooperation”. The Communication mentions: “the main
area where serious Gender Equality concerns exist is the sphere of
sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Not only does an
increased investment in SRH support a basic human right, but an
increase in the health status of women has positive effects on the
overall economy.” Communication.
Ministerial Conference on AIDS in Bremen
12-13 March 2007
A draft Bremen Declaration, signed by EU Health Ministers and other
key policymakers, affirms ICPD and ICPD+5; the UNGASS 2001 and 2006
Declarations; and the Dublin and Vilnius Declarations. It commits to
leadership at national, European and international levels to fight
HIV/AIDS, including: exchange and implemention of best practices on
prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections;
further reducing mother-to-child transmission; and promoting
comprehensive sexuality education, counselling and services on safer
sex and condom use, especially for young people. The draft
Declaration will be further discussed and signed by EU Health
Ministers during their informal meeting in April. Declaration.
EC Development Commissioner Louis Michel to Take One Month Unpaid Leave
19 March 2007
Commissioner Michel - who oversees the EU's multibillion-euro aid
programmes for developing countries - will run for a seat in the
Belgian senate, the upper house of the parliament. During his leave
(from 12 May to 10 June 2007) he will campaign for the elections and
will be temporarily replaced by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.
For the official EC press release please look here.
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Upcoming Events
G8 Parliamentary Conference
30-31 May 2007
DSW and its Parliamentary Advisory Committee, in partnership with
EPF, is organizing a conference on the Economic Rewards of Investing
in HIV/AIDS Prevention and Health with Parliamentarians from G8,
European and African countries. The invitation-only meeting will take
place a week before the German G8 Summit in Berlin, Germany. More
here.
"Keeping the Promises on Education"
02 May 2007
The European Commission, the UK government, and the World Bank aim to
spotlight commitments made by donors and recipient countries on
education at a high-level event titled "Keeping the Promises on
Education" in Brussels. Co-organizers of the event will be
represented by Commissioner Louis Michel, World Bank President Paul
Wolfowitz, and UK Finance Minister Gordon Brown. Further information
will be available shortly: www.promises-on-education.org.
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USA: Global Gag Rule Rescinded |
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Today, US-American president Barack Obama rescinded "The Mexico City Policy", also known as the “Global Gag Rule”. First imposed by the Reagan Administration in 1984, this policy directed the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to withhold funds from foreign NGOs that provide abortion information or counselling to women or lobbied foreign governments to legalise or make abortion available. For more information, go here.
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Report: Maternal Health in Gaza |
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The Lancet.com has published a serious of report from for health-care workers on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. To read a report by Hatem Shurrab, an aid worker with Islamic Relief, on the current maternal health situation in Gaza, go here.
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