Steven Clift
Tue, 26 Nov 2002 13:19:53 -0800
*** Democracies Online Newswire - http://e-democracy.org/do *** *** *** *** Up to seven posts a week. To join over 2500 subscribers, *** *** e-mail <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, in message: sub do-wire *** Note those "eligible to apply are non-governmental independent policy institutes from countries covered by the activities of a national Soros Foundation/Open Society Institute." See: http://www.soros.org/natfound/index.html (Please check the list before you ask OSI questions.) The Open Society folks sponsored my visit to Warsaw and Vilnius in September. In their call for proposals below, they mention the <http://www.policy.lv> web site. I visited with the Latvian project leader while I was in Lithuanian. Policy.lv is clearly a world- leading model non-partisan policy analysis and commentary site. They even use syndication techniques. The depth of their policy content presented from a neutral civil-society position makes a strong point about what we are missing in the .Org space in other states and countries. Obviously, support from OSI helped Policy.lv get off the ground. However, the fact that it is a living and vibrant site says something about Latvia and those who have worked hard to bring meaning to their online efforts. Steven Clift Democracies Online P.S. Also of interest: International Conference Building the Information Commonwealth: Information Technologies and Building Prospects for the Development of Civil Society Institutions in the CIS Countries St. Petersburg, Russia, April 22-24, 2003 http://www.communities.org.ru/conference Deadline for abstracts: 31st December 2002 Authors of accepted papers notified by: 20th February 2003 More below ... >From "Announcements": http://www.osi.hu/infoprogram/ Call for proposals Information Program of Open Society Institute is announcing a competition for proposal from independent policy institute to develop interactive policy-related web presence. Resulting websites will foster citizen participation in the policy development process through provision of access to related information, offering a platform for for public debates and tools for facilitation of the flow of input from citizens and civic groups towards the policy- makers. They will offer space for monitoring and advocacy initiatives as well as policy analyses. Although understandingly the primary audience is going to be individuals and institutions already involved in various aspects of policy-making, the websites will strive to have an appeal as broad as possible. An example of such an already existing website is politika.lv (English version http://policy.lv). The following aspects of submitted proposals will be particularly taken into consideration: 1. Innovative character of proposed activities 2. Synergy between the core acitivities of the applying policy institute and the those of the website 3. Ideas and potential for cooperation with content partners as well as similar project abroad 4. Long-term sustainability vision 5. Co-funding offered 6. Previous achievements of the applying policy institutes 7. Geographical location – preference will be given to the countries other than the EU candidate states 8. Timing of forthcoming national elections – preference will be given to countries 1.5-2 years ahead of national elections Eligible to apply are non-governmental independent policy institutes from countries covered by the activities of a national Soros Foundation/Open Society Institute. A profile of the applying institution as well as a detailed business plan should be included in the application. Deadline for applications: 20 December 2002 Contact: Jerzy Celichowski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> From: http://www.osi.hu/infoprogram/Russia%20Conference.htm The disintegration of the USSR is still resonating within the world community. The formation of an effective civil society sector will hopefully work to overcome the economical, social and cultural effects of a totalitarian government which are the common heritage of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. This remains one of the most immediate and significant tasks for all the ex-USSR states. The decade since 1991 has shown that the path to stable democratic societies in the CIS region is a very difficult one. The negative factors common to all the CIS countries, unstable economic growth, traditions of state paternalism, low living standards, a hazardous investment climate, the "soviet mentality" are still even now determining the everyday lives of the majority of the population of our countries. It is thus crucial to make effective use of available "global resources" such as information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support a radical improvement in the quality of life of ordinary people, of women, youth, the elderly, the disabled and indigenous peoples. Currently, , information technologies in the countries of the CIS region it would be generally agreed are primarily used as tools for private gain and are accessible only to the relatively small numbers who can afford individual access. Developing strategies for enabling information technologies to serve the broader needs of society, to support the development of democratic institutions, and to strengthen the struggle against poverty is a challenge that presents itself to civil society and public authorities? These questions are becoming more and more critical for the peoples in our countries where rapid technological development presents possibilities (and risks) of radical change in economic and social circumstances and for responding to growing social injustice. Critical analysis of the the Information Society in the CIS region as it is evolving, the influence of new technical (and following these social and cultural) factors within our societies and their impacts on the development of the civil society institutions, the analysis of the applicability of modern inter-disciplinary approaches (e.g. Community Networking/Community Informatics) to support the realization of community-based IT projects will be the main goals of the conference. We'll focus on several key problems of the civil society development in CIS countries looked at through the prism of the use of ICTs. Participants in the Conference: Leaders of the non-profit and civil society organizations performing projects in the area of ICTs in the CIS countries; deputies of national Parliaments; representatives of the executive structures of the countries of the region; specialists from governmental agencies and programs; representatives of international charitable organizations, NGO's and foundations; experts from International Organizations, academicians and practitioners from the different countries who are interested in discussing the Conference issues. Organizers of the Conference: The Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA) Institute of Research on Problems of Nonprofits in the Newly Independent States (IRPN) Centre of Community Networking and Informational Policy Studies (CCNS) The Conference Venue: St. Petersburg, which is Russia's Northern capital, preparing for its 300 anniversary is a very appropriate and natural place for this event. (http://www.spb300.com) The Conference will take place of the main building of the IPA - Tavrichesky Palace, one of the most magnificent palaces in St. Petersburg (XVIII century). More information about the Palace and the Conference facilities at http://www.iacis.ru/kongr_en.htm Languages of the Conference The working languages of the Conference will be Russian and English Themes of the Conference The Conference will be organized with an alternation of plenary sessions and panels following 12 main directions: + civil society and information society in the CIS countries:identifying the problem area + e-governance and participation of local citizens in the decision- making at the local, regional and national levels + local communities in the CIS countries: typology, myths and realities + new information infrastructure at local level: creation and ownership of Community Information + participation of the countries of the region in international projects and programs directed towards ICT usage for the development of the civil sector + using ICTs for not-for-profit and civil society purposes in the CIS countries + connectivity and software + civil society/communities and digital economies + Social, Psychological and Cultural Barriers to access. + model legislation concerning information policy for the CIS countries and national programs. + formation of the information society in the CIS and problems of Global Security + how do ICTs influence local, national, and regional development? Submission of papers Proposals for papers should be submitted as abstracts of no more than 500 words, and should include details of the proposer's name, position, affiliation, and contact details. The abstracts will be reviewed by the Program Committee which consist of CIS and international members. ?riteria for selection for Proposals: - relevance to the Themes of the Conference - relevance to the development of Civil Society in the CIS - papers can address either the theoretical or the practical aspects of the issues Proposals should be submitted electronically: - in English to Michael Gurstein, Conference Co-Chair <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - in Russian to Organizing Committee to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> in RTF, Word or PDF format. Deadline for abstracts: 31st December 2002 Authors of accepted papers notified by: 20th February 2003 For further information and submission details, please, contact Organizing Committee: e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ^ ^ ^ ^ Steven L. Clift - W: http://www.publicus.net Minneapolis - - - E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minnesota - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667 USA - - - - - - - ICQ: 13789183 *** Past Messages, Discussion http://e-democracy.org/do *** *** To subscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE *** *** To UNSUBSCRIBE instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE *** *** Please forward this post to others and encourage *** *** them to subscribe to the free DO-WIRE service. *** *** Please send submissions to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***