E-zine nEUws, 83rd edition

E-zine nEUws, 83rd edition

30 March 2007

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. 

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. 

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.