Afro European Sisters Network (www.myspace.com/aesn)

Arc of Nubia- The Kingdoms of the South Ancestral Royal Community-ARC Social Network of NUBIA

2012-01-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

Join the Arc of Nubia

www.arclud.ning.com

Visit our ARC Projects Meeting Lounge:

Members Conference Lounge
Members Information Lounge
Members Page Setup Demo!!!

ARC Entertainment Lounge:
Arc Movie Lounge
Arc Fun & Games Lounge

BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2011, The Netherlands

2011-02-09T03:10:00.000-08:00

The Association of Students of African Heritage (ASAH) cordially invites you to the fourth edition of Black History Month on 18th and 25th February 2011.

Theme: “The Economics of Culture – the way we dress, eat and express ourselves from an economic perspective”

Many African and Afro-Caribbean countries are endowed with resources that could stimulate economic stability and independence. However, many of those are plight by economic inefficiencies coupled with a constant dependence on global resources. For example, “one may see a black woman elegantly clothed with traditional attire. But her cloth may be from Vlisco (the Dutch manufacturer of African prints), shoes/slippers from Italy and earrings/jewelleries from Thailand. Instead of local manufactures many prefer Hollywood movies over Nollywood/Ghallywood/Black films or even opt for Indian Basmati or American Uncle Sam rice instead of locally cultivated rice etc”.

Considering the trends of commerce, “to what extent are we (Blacks) economically independent when we portray the African/(Afro-) culture”?

***Day 1: Friday February 18th – Culture and Entrepreneurship

The first day of BHM 2011 focuses on culture and the similarities between Blacks from the Diaspora and the African continent. It also provides an opportunity to explore the economic aspect of culture. Furthermore, day 1 serves as a window to showcase and promote Afro-businesses, as well as a means to network.

The day is set up as follows:

*Through the conceptualization of culture and what constitutes the African/(Afro-) culture, a “Black Cultural Expert”, Mrs. Natasha A. Kelly from Berlin, will enlighten us with reference to the theme. The expert will talk about various developments in the Black culture over the years. She will give an extended view on "The Dynamics of Afro-Culture. Politics, Economics and Esthetics of Blackness in Europe".

*Fashion show: Traditional clothing from the African continent and the Diaspora will be displayed. Two different kinds of clothing from the following areas is to be modelled:
-West Africa
-East Africa
-Southern Africa
-Former Netherlands Antilles
-Suriname

During the fashion show, information will be provided about the attires, their origins, designer etc.

*Entrepreneurs: After the fashion show, Mrs. Lori van Echtelt of Mariposa Import, will share her views on “Black consumerism and entrepreneurship”.

*Cultural treats/snacks: There will be cultural snacks to enjoy. Information will be provided about the ingredients used, its origin, the caterers and/or where to buy them.

*There will also be a spoken word performance by T. Martinus. The day ends with a musical performance!

When: Friday, 18th February 2011
Venue: Afro Cultureel Centrum Samen Sterk,
Address: Zieken 103, 2515 SB Den Haag
A 3 minute walk from train station The Hague HS
Parking is available, free parking from 17:00
Website: http://www.samensterkdenhaag.nl/
Doors open: at 17.30
The programme starts: at 18:00
Entrance: Free
Language: English and Dutch
Pre-Registration is appreciated, please sent a mail to info@asah-eur.nl

***Day 2: Friday February 25th – Presentation and workshop entrepreneurship

The second day of BHM 2011 consists of a workshop and an interactive presentation at the Erasmus University.

*Workshop: To encourage the youth and BHM participants of African heritage to take initiative to become entrepreneurs, Ms. W. Gillis-Burleson – managing director of Legato B.V. and the best Black Business Woman 1997 – will give a workshop on empowerment and entrepreneurship. This workshop aims to equip participants with some fundamental knowledge, tools and skills essential for business for starters.

*Presentation: Mr. T. Kofi – Director of the Foundation Africa Next Door – will talk about the consumption trends of Black people and its consequences. Mr. Kofi will show the correlation between the African continent and Black communities worldwide. Participants or the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions or share their opinion. Amongst others, there will be a debate/discussion on “Does our culture inhibit us to enterprise?” during the discussion round.

When: Friday, 25th February 2011
Venue: Erasmus University Rotterdam,
C-Building, Room CB-109
Doors open: at 16.30
The programme starts: at 17:00
Entrance: Free
Language: English and Dutch
Pre-Registration is appreciated, please sent a mail to info@asah-eur.nl

We, ASAH, look forward to celebrate Black History Month 2011 with you!
For further info: visit www.asah-eur.nl

Black History Month 2011 is presented in collaboration with
NiNsee (Nationaal instituut Nederlands slavernijverleden en erfenis) see: http://www.ninsee.nl/

Lawyer cautions against ratifying EU trade treaty

2011-02-05T07:15:00.000-08:00

(Joyce van Genderen-Naar)

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BRUSSELS–Joyce van Genderen-Naar, a Brussels based lawyer who is very much at home in European Union (EU) matters is cautioning Caribbean nations against ratifying the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Cariforum countries.
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“Ratifying this agreement will be disastrous to our countries, as it will open our doors to more imports from the EU … yes, our exports will have 100% access to European markets, but we don’t have the means to,” warned Suriname-born Van Genderen-Naar who in her capacity as lawyer acts as advisor to Caribbean organizations in EU matters.
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The CARIFORUM-EU EPA, signed in October 2008, is a trade and development agreement which covers not only trade in goods, but also services, investment, social and labor standards, competition policy and transparency in government procurement. It is the first (and, to date, only) comprehensive regional EPA in any ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) region. The agreement was signed on 15 October 2008 and provisionally applied as of 29 December 2008. It provides for the gradual and asymmetric liberalization of trade in goods, services and investment between the Caribbean signatories and the EU with the objective of fostering the sustainable development of the Caribbean region.
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Van Genderen-Naar said countries like Suriname should place their best judicial staff on this agreement before actually tabling it in Parliament for ratification. “These are very complex matters that even I as a lawyer who deals with them daily, have trouble understanding. But they should not be taken lightly, because if we’re not careful, products in our countries will become more expensive and people will suffer.”
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She explained that under the EU regime, Caribbean countries will no longer be allowed to levy customs duties for imports from the EU. “And customs duties are a substantial source of income for Caribbean countries like Suriname,” she said.
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Meanwhile, she continued, EU countries place high demands on goods that may be imported into their markets. “They have all sorts of rules and standards that you can only apply to, if you have the latest techniques and most modern equipment; we don’t have those techniques and equipments, so we will not be able to comply, which means that our exports will diminish. So while we earn less from customs duties, we also have less income from exports. . If we sign this agreement we will basically allow the EU at our bread and butter,” she said.
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The lawyer hinted that this is no different from the track records European Countries have left over the past 500 years. “In their eyes we are still no more than territories there for their profit,” she said.
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She said Suriname has enough other opportunities for its exports. “There are enough other countries and regions that want to do business with us. If we don’t ratify this agreement, the only thing that could harm is our banana export. But not our bauxite exports to Norway (Norway is not a member of the EU) or our oil exports. It cannot hurt our tourism industry. On the other hand, China is showing a lot of interest in Suriname, as is Brazil,” she said, emphasizing: “Suriname already has a tough time entering the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) with its exports. Imagine how much tougher the EU will make it for us if we open our markets to them like this. We’re not at equal playing level, so we should think this through properly.”
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Total EU trade with the Caribbean region amounts to more than €8.5 billion per year. EU exports to the Caribbean include chemicals and machinery and transport equipment. Caribbean exports to the EU include agricultural products, fuels and chemicals. The CARIFORUM region includes 15 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Haiti signed the Agreement on 10 December 2009.

Who is Rhoda Wilson? – Inspiring you to aspire to Life

2011-01-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

“If the future road looks ominous or unpromising, and
the roads back uninviting, then we need to
gather our resolve and carrying only the necessary baggage,
step off that road in a new direction”
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- Maya Angelou (2002)
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Rhoda Wilson was born in Lagos, Nigeria to a family steeped in tradition and achievement. Her father was a strict man whose focus for his daughter was education, success and religious obedience. Her father expected high results from Rhoda and wanted nothing less than exceptional goals in all areas of her life.

One thing that Rhoda will never forgot was her father telling her that women would change the world and that her career was more important than a man’s career, she used this idea to motivate herself throughout her career.

Rhoda was sent to England at 17 to attend one of the top boarding schools in the country, Hurtwood House, after hermother died when she was 13. Towards the end of her time at college Rhoda wanted to attend an Ivy League university in the USA so she took the SAT. She passed however, her father’s focus had changed; having re-married, so she remained in the UK to complete her university studies.

Rhoda worked for a number of firms and was at the top of her career in a highly esteemed organization when her position was made redundant. Her confidence took a hit but she had a great circle of friends and was organizing summer balls for charities such as Marie Curie Cancer Care, in memory of her mother who had died from cancer whilst she looked for another job. She eventually found a new role however 11 months into the job, her position was made redundant again.

Rhoda knew that she had to change direction in her life. It was at this point in her life that she decided to embark on one of her pastimes as a music promoter.. She hosted the first concert at the Shepherds Bush Empire which was a huge success. Rhoda found herself working alone most of the time because she wanted to keep costs down doing everything from technical support to contracts and PR.

The success of the first concert gave Rhoda a lot of confidence but the next few concerts did not do as well. She was at her lowest but she refused to give up. Uncertain of which road to take or how to get there Rhoda Wilson knew deep down that she wanted to make a difference and this is what kept her going. One day whilst at a meeting with a businessman, regarding the sponsorship of a new concert, he was to give Rhoda valuable advice to see herself as a brand. He told Rhoda that she could make more of a difference on the small screen.
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This meeting motivated Rhoda to explore this idea but she did not account for the huge costs that were attached to broadcasting a show on a non-mainstream channel. Initially she remained positive, however by the end of her first year in developing her programme plan she soon realized that finding sponsorship was almost impossible particularly in the Afro-Caribbean community. She invested what she could in the show and borrowed £675.00 from a friend on making the first production of The Rhoda Wilson Show, which was broadcast on the 4th of December 2005 on OBE TV. She could not afford a director or producer so she learnt everything from the pre-development, to production and post production. She was joyous and thought that that would be the start of something great because she had something to show advertisers and sponsors to believe in the show.
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However by December 2006 things were not looking good for Rhoda. There were no sponsors, no advertisers but she continued to make progress mentally and kept her show on OBE TV going as often as she could. In the meantime, she was putting pen to paper and writing and calling any TV stations, and separately emailing companies for sponsorship. Her confidence took another dip, no work, no sponsors and no advertisers.. One day in 2007 with the help of a former boss Rhoda found work and used the money she earned to invest in her show again.

Rhoda’s travels to the UAE, Italy and France gave her some time to really evaluate her business, allowing her to formulate a plan of where she wanted to be and how to get there. Rhoda drew a lot of guidance from inspirational books and exercising her faith. She never stopped believing in herself and to remind herself that real success takes years.. She no longer believes that you can do everything yourself regardless of costs. If you want to be successful you need to be able to ask for help and she found a great public relations lady, Ronke Lawal who she feels is the best thing that ever happened to her since her business started. She promotes my show, researches sponsorship avenues and has a group called the Rhoda Wilson Experience on Facebook to keep in touch with her fan base.

By getting the right help through asking Rhoda Wilson is definitely reaching new heights. People have started to label her the “British Oprah Winfrey”, and though this is flattering Rhoda wants to create her own unique and individual brand. She had a genuine passion for her show and for her production company. The Rhoda Wilson show is now on air on SKY Channel 184 - BEN TV with audience of around 1,300,000. Rhoda is currently working on more series and is now getting interest from other networks who have expressed an interest in commissioning the show. Rhoda was recently contacted by an American Channel who is looking to acquire the contents of The Rhoda Wilson Show. Rhoda is also working on a number of documentaries and short films for festivals around the world. Her women’s Charity ACWAL is also doing well and looking forward to successfully make this continue. Rhoda would like her production company to produce amazing life changing productions, touching people profoundly either by watching the show or working with her. With so much to look forward to in the future Rhoda Wilson is set to achieve great things.

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The Rhoda Wilson Show continues to be an international

digital talk show success.
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Confident, sultry and attractive; words used to describe the popular television presenter Rhoda Wilson. Rhoda Wilson was born in Nigeria and led an eclectic, international upbringing, undertaking her education at the prestigious Hurtwood House Boarding school in Dorking, England. With her solid educational background Rhoda Wilson went on to lead a successful career in the financial and energy sectors. Her experience in some of the world’s most prestigious firms has given Rhoda a strong skill-set with an ability to manage teams and develop successful strategies. With this skill set Rhoda has been able to speak at major events as well as offering mentoring to individuals who aspire to be the best. However her creativity and accomplishments did not stop there. In 2003 Rhoda founded Cosmo Music which successfully showcased World Music across the UK. This clearly illustrates Ms Wilson’s strong business acumen but this wasn’t enough for the ambitious self-made success who wanted to take her passion for the media to the next level.

The Rhoda Wilson show started in 2005 on OBE TV and has gained critical acclaim across the digital television ever since. Recently moving to BEN TV (Sky Channel 184) the show, aired weekly, currently has a viewership of circa 1,300,000 per show. With a wide mix of subject matter, Rhoda selects her guests with the central theme of Inspiration at the helm. The 30 minute show consists of interviews based on the lives of inspirational and growing talent across the UK.
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A serial networker and social advocate; Rhoda is clear about her goals for this show- “I believe I can make a difference because there is a need in the market and I have incredible passion and I am committed to making this happen.” (Rhoda Wilson). This passion is reflected by her founding the African and Caribbean Women’s Achievement and Leadership Foundation in 2007, another example of the formidable nature of Rhoda’s talents. With 2009 set to be an exciting year in the world of Ms Wilson get ready to see more success from this phenomenal woman on “The Rhoda Wilson Show”.

For More information
Contact Ronke Lawal
Telephone 07984 141 169
Email: publicrelations@rhodawilson.com

Global Arts Media Initiative for Women of African Descent

2011-01-28T08:05:00.000-08:00

As always, we need your love and support. It only takes 30 seconds to vote Live Unchained…

We are in a competition to win support to develop our initiative as a non-profit organization. We’ve already developed a business plan, preliminary board of directors and short and long-term goals. We are ready to take our project to the next level and do justice to a project of this scope and importance. So, this competition is right on time.

Please vote for Live Unchained here: http://we.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Global-Arts-Media-Initiative-for-Women-of-African-Descent/101969-12001

You simply need to register (don’t worry you won’t receive a ton of annoying e-mails) and then click “I Agree” next to our project. You have to maker sure you click “I Agree”–some people simply clicked “Like” thinking they voted, but if you don’t see your name, the vote didn’t count.

Also, please leave comments explaining why you support Live Unchained. We appreciate everything we’ve seen so far =)

Come April, we’ll all be winners. Now, it’s time to show up, show out and shut it down! Please take 30 seconds to vote Live Unchained now.

The CF EC EPA, where we stand after two years

2011-01-07T10:59:00.001-08:00

(Joyce van Genderen-Naar)
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This brief update has been written to discuss the current state of affairs regarding the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the CARIFORUM (CF)States and the EU, referred to as CF EC EPA. It aims to address the following questions: What has been done thus far and how can both EU and CF representatives demonstrate a stronger commitment to providing public access to information concerning EPA-related developments?

As will be shown, these questions emanate from a recognition of the fact that stakeholders in the Caribbean and the EU, among others, have to be informed about the decisions of the Joint CF EC EPA Institutions. Not providing this information creates a degree of uncertainty that poses an obstacle to not only the functioning of economic actors within the Caribbean region and the EU alike, but to regional economic development writ large.
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The CF EC EPA, concluded in December 2007 and signed in October 2008, has been provisionally applied since 29 December 2008. The Agreement is yet to have entered into official force and effect because neither all EU nor all CARIFORUM member states have completed the procedures of ratification and notification as required by article 243 of CF EC EPA. Assuming some states have completed this process, it is not known, or at least it has not been made public, how many CARIFORUM and EU Member States have in fact done this.
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The above is not to suggest that there has been no progress since the signing of the CF EC EPA two years ago. Indeed, there has been some movement. Notable undertakings include the following: 1) The adoption of rules and procedures that will operationalize the Joint CF EC EPA institutions, and; 2) Some CARIFORUM States have established EPA Implementations Units (Note: The European Commission in Brussels has no EPA Implementation Unit, however, there is a Unit in DG Trade that is responsible for the Caribbean. See website: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/regions/acp/index_en.htm).
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Only the first of these two measures will be further discussed below.
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Progress on the Joint CF-EC EPA Institutions
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The establishment and powers of the joint CF EC EPA institutions are articulated in articles 227-232 of the CF EC Economic Partnership Agreement. Of them, the key institutions are: the Joint CARIFORUM-EC Council; the CARIFORUM-EC Trade and Development Committee; the Joint Parliamentary Committee; and the CF EC Consultative Committee. They will operate jointly and at the same time represent the respective interests of CARIFORUM and EU stakeholders.
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The Joint CARIFORUM-EC EPA Council had its inaugural meeting on 17 May 2010 in Madrid. It was at this meeting that representatives of the EU and the CARIFORUM States adopted the Rules and Procedures for the Joint Council, the CARIFORUM-EC Trade and Development Committee, the Special Committee on Customs Cooperation and Trade Facilitation and other Special Committees. Also adopted were the rules of procedure for dispute settlement, and a code of conduct for EPA arbitrators and mediators. Among these rules, it was also decided that the official and working languages of CF-EC EPA institutions would be English, Spanish, French and Dutch. All of these decisions are published in the Official Journal of the European Union L 247/66 on 21 September 2010.
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Even with the above information, it is still hard to say who the CARIFORUM and EU representatives are that will serve in the joint institutions. This is because not all nominations have been completed, and not all of the participants in the meetings are known. What we do know, however, is that the CF EC Joint Council and CF EC Trade and Development Committee will be composed of representatives of CARIFORUM, EU Council and European Commission (DG Trade and DG Development).
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The EPA Experience: Accounting for the Public Information Deficit
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A reading of the above discussion on the progress of the EPA makes it clear that a problem exists regarding access to information (or the lack thereof) regarding the ongoings of the EPA. What accounts for why information is so scare and difficult to access? The most important reasons for this most likely include; 1) the complexity of the CF EC EPA and its institutions; 2) the many Parties involved (15 CARIFORUM States, 27 EU Member States and the European Commission); 3) the fact that EPA-related meetings are not public unless, pursuant to the rules and procedures, it is expressly stated that a meeting will be made so, and; 4) These same rules and procedures explicitly note that EU and CARIFORUM member states can use their own discretion on whether to officially publish the decisions and recommendations made in these meetings.
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Unlike the most of the other CF-EC EPA institutions, it is expected that the meetings of the joint CF EC EPA Parliamentary Committee and CF EC EPA Consultative Committee will be more open and public. Be that as it may, up to now there has not been much publicity about the set up of these committees.
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Surprisingly, as difficult as it has been for members of the general public to access information on the official progression of the EPA, more problematic still is the impression that communication between the EU and CF also seems to be a problem: A frequently asked question in Brussels is, “What is happening in the Caribbean and who could give us some information about the progress on the Caribbean side?”
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So what are EU and CARIFORUM officials saying explains the general lack of public information? An insider in Brussels maintains that it has nothing to do with mystery and secrecy, but with the fact that the CF EC EPA has not been implemented yet in the CARIFORUM states. Not everyone agrees with that explanation, however. During a recent interview with Branford Isaacs, Head of CARICOM’s EPA Implementation Unit and Specialist in Trade in Goods, and Ms Allyson Francis, the Unit’s Trade in Services and Investment Specialist, Mr. Isaacs responded directly to this answer offered above concerning the lack of public information. He stated the following: “We are aware that some of the feedback we sometimes hear from Brussels is that CARIFORUM states are not really focused on implementation. We can’t speak for Brussels, but we do not recognise that at all”. (Trade Negotiations Insights, Volume 9, Number 10, December 2010 http://ictsd.org/i/news/tni/97942/)
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Further, in another interview in Trade Negotiations Insights Volume 9, Number 8, October 2010, http://ictsd.org/i/news/tni/87787/, H.E. Errol Humphrey, Head of the EPA Implementation Unit in Barbados, gave an indication that the lack of access to information concerning the EPA is inextricably linked to the larger issues concerning the lack of progress on the implementation of the Agreement. In the interview, he explained that,
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“The implementation challenges are twofold: First, making the necessary funding and other resources available, notably in a context marked by the aftermath of the financial and economic crisis, and secondly, educating the stakeholders on the provisions of the Agreement. With regard to resources and funding, the crisis has rendered the mobilisation of resources difficult. Secondly, because stakeholders are less knowledgeable about the EPA than was expected, more time than anticipated has to be spent informing both the public and private sectors about the obligations and opportunities associated with the Agreement.

The Barbados Private Sector Trade Team has been doing its part with its limited resources, but the private sector is of the view that the responsibility for educating the public should be on the government. In this regard, in order to inform stakeholders, we have decided to produce a series of small booklets on trade in goods, investment, entertainment and cultural services, professional services, tourism, etc. to make it easier for relevant stakeholders to have an idea of what is in the agreement without having to read the entire text. We are also trying to be proactive in terms of sensitisation sessions with agencies, industry associations etc. and we should be making better use of the media.“
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Generally speaking, both interviews contain very useful and insightful information about the EPA implementation process and its constraints in the CARIFORUM States.
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Offering A Solution and Looking Ahead to 2011
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Given all of the above, we are left with the question, how can access to information on the CF CE EPA be improved? Although there are several approaches that can and should be taken to address this issue, for the purposes of enhancing CF-EC EPA-related access to information, communication and dialogue, an essential avenue that should be explored is the establishment of a CF EC EPA website. On such a site all EPA documents, briefs and updates could be provided, while also offering a space where individuals could post both questions and comments.
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Finally, what can be looked forward to in 2011? Among other things to look out for, there will be a meeting of the CARIFORUM-EC Trade and Development Committee in March 2011, as well as meetings of the EU side of the CF EC EPA Consultative Committee in Brussels and the region. In the Caribbean, we can also expect that CARIFORUM officials will continue to organize and orient themselves with respect to the Agreement. With all of this though, it is still unclear as to whether we can expect either, a change in the speed with which the EPA is being implemented, or an increase in the accessibility of official information concerning the CF-EC EPA process. Of course, only time will tell. However, time has never spoken louder than the voices of concerned citizens.
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Joyce van Genderen-Naar
Brussels based lawyer
Legal Advisor ACP Civil Society Forum http://www.acpcsforum.igloocommunities.com/
Advisor MDG Global Watch
Email: vangenderen@unicall.be

Sudan: Woman sentenced to a public lashing for daring to wear trousers

2010-12-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

Imperial Matriarch H.I.M Empress Shebah `Ra - Queen Shebah III calls upon all women worldwide to come in action against actions as shown in the below video

This video of young woman being brutally whipped by a police officer in public has inflamed the Sudanese Web since it was posted online last Wednesday. Our Observer says the footage shocked even the most conservative Sudanese people. This isn’t the first time that a woman is submitted to a public flogging for “indecent” behaviour in Sudan (in this case, the young woman was reportedly sentenced for wearing trousers).

A little over a year ago, the case of Lubna Hussein, a Sudanese woman who defied the courts to carry out her public whipping despite the immunity granted by her status as a UN staffer, made international headlines. Under pressure, the Sudanese government eventually pardoned Lubna, but as the recent video shows, other women aren’t so lucky.

WARNING: THE CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO IS VERY DISTURBING.

Read More

Black Women in Europe Power List 2010

2010-12-08T02:28:00.001-08:00

Black Women in Europe™: Power List 2010

View more presentations from Adrianne George.

Official Statement African Kingdoms Federation

The African Kingdom Federation thanks the nomination council for the honour given with the Award and nomination as one of the Power list Women in Europe, of our European based representative Her Excellency Sandra Rafaela.
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We are so delighted as African Kingdoms Federation for this great honour to our Chief-of-Staff and Head of the our Empowerment of African Women programs, responsibility for the empowerment for Afro-European and African Women in and out of Africa.
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May we congratulate all the nominee's of this auspicious Award in all their endeavours for the Afro-European Women and Community worldwide.
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We will be honoured to have a special page dedicated on the African Kingdoms Federation Official site, informing of this auspicious award and featuring all nominated Women, annually.
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We do hope that it inspires all our African Women to greater heights of achievements, know that the African Kingdoms Federation is there and supports and most honoured by the achievement of our people in and outside of Africa, our sincere gratitude for all your efforts and wonderful achievement.
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Your Excellency our gracious appreciation and congratulations for your efforts for the AKF and all of the Women of the Afro-European Community.
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With Respect,
H.I.M Empress Shebah 'Ra - Queen Shebah III
African Kingdom Federation - Head

Black Women in Europe Power List 2010

2010-12-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

Press release December 3rd, 2010

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Black Women in Europe™ blog announced its first-ever Black Women in Europe™: Power List that includes 58 women in Europe in six categories. The categories are business, lifestyle, media, politics, social entrepreneurs and NGOs.

This year’s Black Women in Europe™: Power List 2010 were chosen from nominations from the general public and editor Adrianne George and co-editor Mark Derek McCullough based on their achievements and sphere of influence. “When Michelle Obama was named the most powerful woman in the world this year I noticed that of the 6 other black women on the list none of them lived in Europe”, George explains. “I was inspired to create a list of our own”.

Women on the Black Women in Europe™: Power List include seasoned politicians, accomplished performers, and champion athletes as well as social entrepreneurs and rising stars in the business world. “This list will serve as a source of inspiration to black women everywhere”, George says. “In all arenas we are known to excel”. View the complete list: http://bit.ly/bwiepowerlist
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Black Women in Europe™ Blog
Black Women in Europe™ Blog is an award-winning blog founded in 2006 by Adrianne George. It aims to celebrate the lives of the ordinary and extraordinary black women living in Europe. To learn more about the Black Women in Europe™ Blog visit us at: http://blog.blackwomenineurope.com .

Black Women in Europe™: Power List 2010

View more presentations from Adrianne George.

3rd Anniversary contest to thank you for supporting the Women of the African Diaspora (WAD) Website

2010-11-20T02:52:00.000-08:00

Whether you have been with us for 3 years or are a recent reader, Sandra and I appreciate your support of the Women of the African Diaspora website, Facebook group and Facebook page. WAD was created to inspire black women around the world by highlighting our up and coming writers, artists, entrepreneurs, as well as sharing relevant news.

Our anniversary sponsors have made it possible to reward you for your loyalty delivering the following gifts to you. All of our readers have a chance to win. Where you live will determine your eligibility. Please note geographical delivery restrictions in parenthesis.

| Books: |
“Secrets of Kept Women” by Shani Greene-Dowdell (US resident)
“Reflections of Light for Daily Living” by Dr. Tiffany Brown (US resident)
“Knocked Down by Life, Lifted Up by Faith” by Adrienne Mynatt with companion CD and t-shirt (no geographical limitation)
1 of 5 copies of "This Far By Faith", a faith anthology by Arnita Fields (no geographical limitation)
1 of 2 copies of “When Light Breaks Through” by Melanie Carter (no geographical limitation)
“Behind Those Hills” by M.H.A. Menondji (no geographical limitation)

| Smart phone applications: |
Reflections of Light for Daily Living by Dr. Tiffany Brown (no geographical limitation)

| Mug: |
"So Blessed" from Good News Distributors (US resident)

| Food: |
Twee culinaire arrangementen voor twee personen op locatie bij màrshé Breda. De winnaars kunnen kiezen uit de diverse dagschotels from Marshe Breda (the Netherlands)

| Coaching: |
Een gratis coaching sessie voor een twee (startende) onderneemster bij Màrshé Women Business centre from Marshe Breda (the Netherlands)

| Website, domain name and hosting: |
A basic web site (10 pages), a domain name (for example www.yourname.com), but not country domains e.g .nl or.de.; the general names like .com .net) and web hosting for one year from Jumbo Servers (no geographical limitation)

| Hair care: |
72 euro gift package along with an individualized hair plan from Mariposa Imports (anywhere outside North America)

| Radio interview: |
Become a special guest on the Uncaged Birds™ Radio Show! Uncaged Birds™ is a knowledge, confidence, and skill-building personal development radio series created by Trina Roach, especially for women of African descent living and working in Europe. One lucky woman will win an exclusive 60 minute interview in early 2011. Are you a black woman with your own business or product; expat who wants to share your experience living in another country; who is passionate about a cause with special relevance for the black community or black women as a group? You can talk about your personal passion; be it your business or product, your life as an expat or a special cause near and dear to your heart. NOTE: You will need to call into a phone line to conduct the interview from Uncaged Birds™ (must live in Europe).

To enter to win answer the following question: What does WAD mean? Send your response and indicate which prize you would like to Sandra@womenoftheafricandiaspora.com no later than 27 November 2010. Winners will be chosen in the order in which the replies are received, so don’t delay.

Send us your contributions, give us your feedback and get inspired.

Hugs from Rotterdam and Stockholm,
Sandra and Adrianne

21st Century Sisterhood of Greatness Manifesto

2010-11-15T07:35:00.001-08:00

© 2010 Blanche Williams, National Black Women’s Town Hall, Inc.

1. Redefine Our Identity

Redefine our identity by consciously rejecting the unhealthy, untrue, and unworthy images that attempt to deny our greatness, extinguish our brilliance, and defeat our spirit. We instead stand firmly in our divine birthright to live a life adorned with grace, excellence, and integrity. We will align ourselves with like minds and assign our goals with like achievers.

2. Reclaim Our Dignity

Reclaim our dignity by walking in the spirit of decency and humility regardless of images that show less than our finest. We will embrace that which pierces our dignity as women, in order to recognize and reshape its effect on our thoughts and expressions. We will no longer allow external forces to dictate the choices we make or the actions we take but will empower our intuitive intelligence to be the force that guides us. We are sisters first, regardless of the diversity of life and styles we encompass.

3. Revolutionize Our Thinking

Revolutionize our thinking by being willing to step outside the box of boundaries and our self-imposed limitations. We will develop a willingness to break down the walls of negativity, doubt, fear, and jealousy and rebuild a mindset strong, positive, and forward thinking. We will shatter our mind’s glass ceiling and learn to soar above the frays of mediocrity. Our evolution, as women ,must be televised in order to demystify those images that have been allowed to run rampant throughout our society.

4. Redesign Our Image

Redesign our image by reshaping and remolding ourselves into who we want to represent instead of what sells. We will learn to take the front seat to frame who we are and not the back seat and take what others want us to emulate. We will learn to take the high road where our ancestors taught us we should be and not the low road where we “dummy down” and accept being marginalized, objectified or hyper sexualized. We will speak out and up for ourselves and our sisters when anyone attempts to disrespect our legacies. We will chart a course that will illuminate our diversity, celebrate our fabulosity, and stimulate our ambitions. We will be the architects of our destiny and builders of our endless possibilities.

5. Rebirth Our Self-Respect

Rebirth our self-respect by understanding and accepting that we are endowed with the right to be respected, revered, honored and adored. As black women, we raise the children of a great race. As black women, we adorn the heavens with the spirits of queens, sojourners, leaders, mothers, daughters and friends. As black women we birth the spirits that knock at our doors of consciousness. As we grow in the ways of sisterhood, we will learn to rebirth a nation that begins within the womb of our feelings, our self-worth, and our self-love. The sisterhood can only give what it possesses, therefore we are committed to nurture, support, and uplift the inner child in us all. We will show loving respect for every sister as we grow to fully and authentically love and respect ourselves.

6. Rebuild Our Relationships

Rebuild our relationships by being accountable for who we are and the role we play in the lives of others. Are our bonds breakable or unshakeable? We will learn to thoughtfully explore the connections we have with other women and how much we honor their presence in our lives. Are there sister relationships that need renovating or do you need a personal overhaul to re-evaluate, re-access or re-focus? Do we treat or speak about our sisters with venom or victory? The sisterhood will not tolerate cheating on the spirit of a sister through jealousy, deceit, or defamation of character. Learn to let people be who they and you must be who you’re destined to become; a sister beyond compare!

7. Restore Our Hope

Restore our hope by each sister living their dreams. We can’t allow anyone’s image or descriptions of us diminish our goal and date with destiny. The best revenge is performance. As we align together in force and focus, we will be the hope and the dream of our ancestors who put the “p” in purpose, pride, and perseverance. We didn’t struggle and stride to now lose our sense of direction. Regardless of what you see, we know better and we must do better to hold each other accountable. Together we can be rock solid in our dedication to uphold the code of the Sisterhood of Greatness.

8. Reconnect With Our Body

Reconnect with the vessel that houses the greatness that lives within by releasing self-judgment, negative and neglectful thoughts. We are charged with reverencing, maintaining and embracing our bodies by integrating positive habits that encourage a healthy life and spirit of wellness. The way we treat and care for ourselves is a direct reflection of how we perceive our self-worth. Our bodies are sacred and hold a divine connection with our inner being and outer humanity.

9. Redeem Our Soulful Spirit

Redeem our soulful spirits by unleashing the false perceptions and conceptions we have about ourselves and our ability to rise above adversity to live in peace and harmony. We are designed to be mindfully innovative, to excel at all things, and to love and be loved in abundance. God’s universe awaits our instruction and bows to our every wish and desire. We must learn to work through our doubts and fears in order to truly reach our highest potential. As African-American women we hold the keys, the map, and the DNA of destiny.

10. Re-Unite Our Sisterhood

Re-unite our sisterhood by coming together and bringing someone else along. We are tied to each other because of the fabric we were created within. Our roles are interchangeable because our maturation is tied to diversity of experience, exposure, and insight. Our power is intergenerational! When we look at the landscape of our lives, there will always be a sister who can help you through any peak or valley because they have already walked that path. We will learn to be each others source and voice. When we apply our understanding and willingness to tap into the wisdom of the sisterhood we will experience a bond that is transformative and exhilarating. We are our sisters.

www.greatnessbydesign.com

The Most Powerful Black Women in Europe List – Call for nominations

2010-11-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

The first list of its kind will recognize black women across Europe who are powerful in a variety of ways.

Nov 07,2010 - Stockholm, Sweden - “I was inspired by Forbes' Most Powerful Women 2010 List on which Michelle Obama is named the most powerful woman in the world”, explains Adrianne George, the creator of the Black Women in Europe™ Blog, social network, and social media group. “I decided to compile a list of The Most Powerful Black Women in Europe”.

The Black Women in Europe™ Social Network, and Linkedin Group members have submitted nominees and the general public is invited to do the same. You can suggest a name to be included on the 1st The Most Powerful Black Women in Europe List by commenting on:

http://blog.blackwomenineurope.com/2010/10/29/the-most-powerful-black-women-in-europe-list-call-for-nominations or by emailing contact@blackwomenineurope.com.

Simply include a name of a powerful black women in Europe (or 2 or a dozen), their country, and why they are powerful. If they have a website please include the URL.

The deadline for nominations is 29 November 2010. The list will be published on the award-winning Black Women in Europe Blog™ on 3 December 2010.

“It is time we had a list of our own”, George adds.

Are Caribbean countries facing existential threats?

2010-11-05T03:03:00.000-07:00

To all the comments on Norman's inspiring and correct analysis of the current situation I would like to add the following we were discussing just before the hurricane hit the Caribbean. It is about the need for legal options and actions.

The Caribbean countries and their citizens, private sector, civil society, social-economic groups are seriously effected by the impasse in which they ended up after the concluding in December 2007 and signing of the CARIFORUM-EC EPA in October 2008. Now, two years later, October 2010, only a few Caribbean States have ratified the CF-EC EPA. Private sector and other stakeholders in the Caribbean are not interested to implement the Agreement, not able to compete with EU technology, standards, services etc. There is a deadlock and the question is how to find a way out. The EPA will not disappear by ignoring it.

The threat of sanctions by the EU as well as the ongoing negotiations between the EU and Africa, Pacific, Asia, Latin America, Central America, Canada and other regions and countries in the world, questions the way the CF-EC EPA has been negotiated, the concluding was rushed into and signing was done, regardless all the objections from state and non state actors who were not involved and not ready to enter into such a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that goes further than the WTO obligations require.

All legal options have to be explored to find solutions.

With regard to the review in 2013 which will give the Caribbean governments the possibility to amend the CF-EC EPA, stakeholders and lawyers should start now to discuss, to draft, to publish and to send their comments to the governments.

Furthermore appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice should be explored.

Is the CCJ competent with regard to CF-EC EPA issues? What are the legal opinions about the CCJ and who is willing to bring these issues before the CCJ?

About the competency of the Caribbean Court of Justice with regard to CF-EC EPA: "The CCJ is an international court with compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction in respect of the interpretation and application of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, the rights and obligations created by the CSME, relating to the establishment of economic enterprises, the provision of professional services, the movement of capital, the acquisition of land for the operation of businesses etc.. The CCJ is a permanent, central, regional authoritative institution that authoritatively and definitively pronounce on those rights and corresponding obligations."

The CF-EC EPA will have its impact on the establishment of economic enterprises, the provision of professional services, the movement of capital, the acquisition of land for the operation of businesses etc. : issues that belong to the compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction of the CCJ. Which means that the CCJ is competent to judge in cases with regard to the CF-EC EPA.

If the CCJ is not, which Court in the Caribbean is? Is there another international Court in the Caribbean?

Legal actions should start in the Caribbean, where the impact of the CF-EC EPA and its damages are feared.

About the legal grounds: they could be found in the Human Rights, Environmental Rights and Labour Rights, now being discussed in European Parliament with regard to the FTA negotiations with India, ASEAN, Mercosur etc. and the EU-Korea FTA , such as:

1. There is no binding complaint management system for human rights violations in the CF-EC EPA (and other FTAs);

2. There is no Dispute settlement for all chapters, including the sustainable chapter;

3. The CF-EC EPA will not improve the economic development of the Caribbean countries (?) and will not improve human rights, labour rights and conditions, social and environmental rights and situations in the Caribbean. Social, environmental and labour conditions in the Caribbean are threatened by the CF - EC EPA (longer working hours, no job security, no healthy circumstances, no more access to cheap medicines etc.).

4. The obligations of the CF-EC EPA go further than the WTO obligations require and will have a negative impact on the political, social and economic situation in the Caribbean.

Furthermore in the EU some organizations and Universities are doing research to write papers about the role of the EU, the European Commission, negotiators and advisors. Questions such as : “Who exactly is sitting at the negotiation tables? Who is there from the Commission apart DG Trade? Who are the negotiators and advisors? “

Case studies to find out on which issues the EU presses the ACP governments, which issues actually could be beneficial for the ACP countries but are refused by the EU or the ACP governments etc.

That could also be done by University, Research Institutions and Organizations in the Caribbean.

Joyce van Genderen-Naar,
Lawyer
email: vangenderen@unicall.be

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Are Caribbean countries facing existential threats?

Norman Girvan

The hurricanes of the last few weeks in the Caribbean have reinforced in my mind a growing sense that Caribbean states may be more and more facing a challenge of existential threats. (I prefer this idea to the discourse of ‘failed states’, which I find rather obnoxious and patronising; being associated with a political agenda of ‘humanitarian interventionism’ and the contemporary incarnation of the doctrine of imperial responsibility.) By existential threats I mean systemic challenges to the viability of our states as functioning socio-economic-ecological-political systems; due to the intersection of climatic, economic, social and political developments.

On Saturday 30 October the entire banana crop of St Vincent, the main export industry, was wiped out in the space of one afternoon. St Lucia and Barbados also suffered major economic damage. At the time of writing this, the weather system responsible is expected eventually to veer northwards and deal what will be another lethal blow to Haiti, where over one million people are living with only tented shelters to protect them as a result of the January earthquake. Another major human catastrophe may be unfolding before our very eyes, which we seem impotent to prevent. On the other hand, if the weather system stays on a westward course, it will deal further blows to Jamaica, which has not yet recovered from Tropical storm Nicole (J$20 billion damage), and probably Belize, which is still recovering from hurricane Richard.

30 years ago, one expected to deal with major disasters of this kind, say, once every ten years. Nowadays, most islands expect at least one, and possibly two or three, every year. In other words this now has to be seen as a permanent, recurring phenomenon or integral feature of Caribbean development.

When you combine acute climate change-related stress of this kind with (a) the acute economic stress arising out of trade preferences and the failure to develop a new “insertion” into the global economy, (b) fiscal stress due to unsustainable debt burdens and the impact of the global economic crisis; and (c) the seeming incapacity of governments to control the impact of transnational crime; one must wonder if we are not in fact experiencing an overlapping and interconnected series of challenges which in their totality, challenge the assumptions underlying the ‘national statehood’ dispensation of the region. Suppose, in other words, that we are not dealing simply with a series of ‘natural disasters’, but rather with a deeper, more systemic threat to the viability of our societies as functional entities in any meaningful sense of the word?

Most of us are not likely to view our condition in such apocalyptic terms, of course. Governments and opinion-makers tend to see each such phenomena as disconnected events, each requiring its own specialised response by a dedicated agency or stakeholder. Our governments give the appearance of being in permanent crisis mode, like the captain and crew of a ship caught in a perfect storm desperately trying to work out how to survive the next monster wave (even as they assure the passengers that they can cope!). Crisis management is not a condition that lends itself to strategic thinking.

Yet isn’t strategic thinking, that attempts to discern the connections among seemingly unrelated phenomena, not what is required? Indeed is it not a necessity for survival? I would think that the first step of such an exercise is for us to admit to ourselves that the problems we face are too wide in scopes and too vast in scale for any one Caribbean country to cope with by itself; that the thinking, institutions and structures we have no longer serve us well; and that no one—neither government nor opposition; public sector or private; civil society or academia—can singly provide the answers. Can we begin a conversation nationally and regionally—or rather, take existing conversations to a higher plane?

November 1, 2010.

Norman Girvan

UWI Trinidad & Tobago

2nd World Diversity Leadership Summit Europe

2010-11-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

WDLS-EU 2011!

24 – 25 of March 2011

WDLS-EU is proud to announce that preparations for the 2. World Diversity Leadership Summit Europe are officially under way.

WDLS-EU WEBSITE & UPDATES!

In preparation for 2011 we are delighted to announce that our website has been renewed and will be continuously refreshed with many updates. Do not hesitate to visit us online. Click on www.wdls.eu to join us on our WDLS-EU Diversity Journey!

WDLS-EU 2011 AGENDA!

Today’s rapidly changing societies and working environments require extremely innovative solutions. Our WDLS-EU 2011 Agenda is carefully designed to offer you the latest innovative solutions for the market and work places. Visit www.wdls.eu/agenda/ and find out what issues WDLS-EU 2011 will be addressing and how these connect directly to you and your working environment.

Our Highlight Panels include:

◦CEO Leadership Strategies: predictions and expectations from the future workforce

◦How are today’s multi-cultural communities impacting tomorrow’s market and work forces?

◦European and Global CEO Roundtable: Understanding and fostering diverse talents and leadership

◦Promoting Diversity to drive profit in multi-national companies and organisations

◦WDLS Awardees Forum: Showcasing WDLS “best in class” leadership strategies for the next generation

◦Beyond Race and Skin Colour: How language drives Diversity and Inclusion in today’s companies and organisations

◦Managing Diversity and Inclusion in legal frameworks and political decision-making processes

◦Facing unconscious bias and mindset in terms of visibility, national and cultural identities and their impact on profit-driven organisations and companies

CALL FOR SPEAKERS!

You are considering speaking at WDLS-EU 2011? We would be most delighted to welcome YOU on board our exclusive and high-profile speakers’ community. Our International Speakers call 2011 is waiting for you online! Visit www.wdls.eu/speakers/ and find out more about your eligibility as speaker!

PARTNERS 2011!

WDLS-EU is constantly looking for new partners and partnerships on its diversity journey. Join our crucial Diversity and Inclusion efforts on European ground by becoming a partner today. Visit www.wdls.eu/sponsoring/: we offer a number of sponsorship packages to fit various needs and budgets. Ask for our extremely attractive Sponsorship Packages!

3rd Anniversary for Women of the African Diaspora Website

2010-10-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

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Facebook Fan Page and Group Boasts Over 1,000 Members Around the World.
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Rotterdam, NL/Stockholm, SWE – Women of the African Diaspora (WAD) website (http://www.womenoftheafricandiaspora.com/) turns three on 1 November 2010 and is celebrating with gifts for its readers and members. The website, Facebook Fan page, and Facebook group, which celebrates black women, has visitors and members from across the globe.
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"I always wanted the Women of the African Diaspora website to more than a website, but to also be a community," says Sandra Rafaela, Women of the African Diaspora’s co-founder and co-editor. “Moving our social network to Facebook has increased our reach and keeps us on track in terms of maintaining that goal”.
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Women of the African Diaspora website was also created to share relevant news, event notices and showcase a wide range of talented black women including authors, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and others. And with black women living on virtually every continent, it certainly has a large and influential market.
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"Women of the African Diaspora’s website content strives to shine a positive spotlight on black women that main stream media far too often ignores," says Adrianne George, Women of the African Diaspora‘s co-founder and co-editor. "While it is true that main stream media generally reports on high profile black women, for example with Forbes naming Michelle Obama the most powerful woman in the word, WAD also highlights the ordinary and extraordinary lives of black women”, she adds. “We continue to be the perfect choice for advertisers who want to reach the important market of black women consumers."
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The year has been marked with highlights for the Women of the African Diaspora co-editors, with Ms. Rafaela being named H.M. Senior Commissioner EU/ Africa on Women Development and Empowerment within the African Kingdoms Federation (AKF) and Ms. George’s Black Women in Europe blog (http://blog.blackwomenineurope.com/) adding to its list of honors by receiving a Sunshine Award. "I can’t believe it has been three years since we launched WAD," explains George. “We really enjoy meeting accomplished and positive black women while providing them with a unique platform for exposure".
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Anniversary gifts are provided by authors Dr. Tiffany Brown, Shani Greene-Dowdell, and Good News Distributors. Businesses, with products or services for black women can participate in the anniversary celebrations by purchasing an advertising package for the website and social network at a 20% savings. Contact adrianne@agcommunicationsgroup.com for advertising information.
Contact: Sandra Rafaela sandra@womenoftheafricandiaspora.com
Adrianne George mailto:adrianne@agcommunicationsgroup.com

Can Trade Policy Improve Human Rights?

2010-10-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

Joyce van Genderen- Naar

On 13 October 2010 the Conference 'Can Trade Policy Improve Human Rights' was organized by the Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Presentations were made by representatives from the WTO, ILO, George Washington University, Avocats sans Frontiéres France.

EU Commissioner De Gucht also adressed the audience, explaining his pro free trade policy.

In his conclusions the President of the S&G Group, Mr. Martin Schultz, said that he is not supporting the opinion of Members in the European Parliament who say 'First Trade and than Human Rights'. He also does not support views that say 'no human rights no trade'. There has to be a balance.

Another concern is that the European Parliament does not have the tools (capacity) yet for its new co-decision competency and responsability with regard to the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) Negotiations, provided for in the Lisbon Treaty. That is why they are organizing these conferences and hearings, to listen to the opinions of the experts and to learn.

So it is a kind of capacity building of the European Parliament and its members. But will it be efficient to deal with these complex global trade issues?

Now the focus is on human rights and social and environmental rights and standards of the FTAs, but there also other issues to address.

Recommendations were made to establish a binding complaint management system for human rights violations in FTAs. Dispute settlement should be applied to all chapters, also to the sustainable chapter, which is not the case in the FTA Korea (and in the CF-EC-EPA and probably otherll FTAs).

The conclusion is that Trade Policy can improve the economic development of a country, but economic growth does not mean that human rights, labour rights and social and environmental rights are improved. In some countries they are (for example Mauritius), but in many countries in the South social-, environmental and labour conditions are worsened because of FTAs (longer working hours, no job security, no healthy circumstances, no more access to cheap medicines etc.).

That has also been said by Asian and European representatives during the

the 8th ASIA-Europe's People's Forum, organised from 2 - 5 October 2010 in Brussels, parallel to the 8th Asia-Europe ASEM Summit in Brussels.

"Challenging and Eroding Corporate Powers" was the theme of this Forum.

Recommendations has been sent by the Forum to the ASEM8 Summit (the Asian and European Heads of States). See the website http://www.aepf.info/

The recommendations started with the message from Charles Santiago, Member of Parliament of Malaysia, that "Poverty is creatyed by unequal systems- it can be eradicated. Governments need to reassert their control over corporations and be accountable to their citizens. Ultimately it is a question of political choice and priorities".

The Forum debated the way companies and businesses have used their expanded legal rights and exceptional access to decision-makers to aggressively push for policies that open new markets and allows access to raw materials regardless of the social or environmental costs. The Forum concluded that the lack of accountability in transnational corporations operations and weak regulation has resulted in the devastation of the environment and erosion of civil, political and labour rights. Voluntary codes of conduct are not enough, they have not prevented human rights and environmental abuses. More has to be done to make corporations accountable to governments. The Forum called upon Asian and EU governments :

* to work towards the development of an international legally binding code which enforces legal responsibilities and accountability for the consequences of company activities. Increase transparency of corporate accounts by adopting a country-by-country reporting standard for multinational companies. Ensure that corporations annualy disclose their finances, environmental, workers safety, human and labour rights, lobbying and tax records.

* Promote the creation of an International Economic Tribunal than can judge transnational companies, be responsible for the defending the fundamental rights of people affected by companies activities and impose appropriate sanctions.

* End corporate lobbying privileges and secrecy by introducing a high-quality, mandatory lobbying transparency register, to end the excessive political influence of corporate lobby groups. Implement effective conflicts of interest rules for Commissioners, Commission officials and Commission Special Advisors and institute enforceable ethiocs rules for corporate and business lobyists.

* Put an hold all EU member states' Bilateral Investment Treaties negotiations, while the new EU investment policy framework is being defined.

* Undertake a full assessment of EU investment policy and ensure policy coherence with excisting policies on sustainable develoment, poverty reduction and women's rights.

* Replace the investor-to-state dispute settlement mechanism, embedded in international treaties, with a state-to-state mechanism.

* Close down tax havens under the jurisdiction of any EU member state and Asian countries.

Joyce van Genderen-NAAR, Lawyer
http://www.mdg-globalwatch.org/

Advisor MDG Global Watch :

Advisor ACP Civil Society Forum:

http://acpcsforum.igloocommunities.com/

email: vangenderen@unicall.be

African, Caribbean, Latin American and Pacific states rejected the granting of additional rights in the UN to the EU

2010-09-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

A UN General Assembly resolution proposed by the EU that would have seen the bloc gain special status on a par with member states has been narrowly defeated, with a majority of nations voting to delay the motion. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy will now not be permitted to address the UN chamber in New York this week as the EU had hoped.

The defeat was brought about by African, Caribbean, Latin American and Pacific states who rejected the granting of additional rights in the UN to the EU but not to other regional groupings such as the Caribbean Community, the African Union, or the South American Union.

They appeared to resent the EU requesting special observer status and argued that other groups should be given similar rights.

Suriname's ambassador, speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community, said that the Community could “conceivably” request a similar status. “A resolution of such importance ought to be adopted by consensus” following an “in-depth exchange of views”, he said.

Lesotho's UN ambassador, speaking on behalf of the African group, said that the draft resolution tabled by the EU was a “very important matter” that would set a “precedent in the UN system” and that a vote should therefore be deferred to allow for more debate.

Nauru's UN ambassador said during the debate, “we already struggle to make our voice heard”.

* European Voice
* EUobserver

Imperial Mother: Queen of the South Part 1

2010-09-11T07:37:00.001-07:00

Imperial Mother: Queen of the South...

a revelation of Africa’s true history.

“Until the lion has his own historian,

the hunter will always be a HERO”

(Quote Keta Slave Fort)

Part 1

Africa as a continent has a great and mysterious past shrouded in various events of human history and civilization. Historians, archeologists, social scientists and religious scholars in their varied studies have attempted to distort Africa’s true status, significance and timeless relevance to the history and the origins of man.

Africa’ past shrouded in myths, mysteries, religion and archaeological discoveries.

So also are the many myths about the creation of man and civilization. In many of those narrations, issues of paternal or maternal leadership are portrayed in the different narrations but with similar thrust.

What is evident though reflects the Matriarchal or Patriarchal characteristics of succession or ruler ship in the Monarchy. African Kingdoms have both systems of succession and several systems of contrived succession. Of much concern however is the deliberate attempt to wish away the descendants of Nimrod and the Kush and to negate and totally ignore the Nubian and Egyptian civilizations of Africa. Much of these distortions however fail rather sadly because the historic revelations of numerous civilizations and relics found at various sites in Africa only reinforce their own undeniable truths.

African Kingdoms predate all known Kingdoms civilizations globally. Ancient African architecture and environmental landscaping only reveal further the deep rooted symbolism and philosophy of a concept of the Supreme Being, a phenomenon of knowledge of God with his varied attributes. They also vividly illustrate a social order of governance and ruler ship founded on an intricate structure of society.

Many ancient scrolls with secret codes narrate histories of Africa. In spite of these, African oral traditions have maintained philosophically different facets of African mythology and capture concepts of the Supreme Being in different forms, symbols and imagery. African descendent Kingdoms and Nations ceremonies and rituals reinforce many of the sacred rites depicted in hieroglyphics and pyramids.

In Greek, Judaism, Quran and Christian biblical writings, there are narratives that acknowledge the genealogies of Kush of Nubia and Egypt. These direct descendants of Ham(Utu) Kush(Hor-Aha) and Nimrod(N`Armer) are written of in the Christian Bible starting at Genesis 10 and thereafter in the clear illustration of the sons of Ham and their first formed Nations and Kingdoms in Genesis 10: 6-20 and throughout the further biblical writings into the Book of Revelations are the Nubian-Kushite Royal bloodline ancestors of Nubia, Egypt, Libya, ancient Abassia (present day Ethiopia, which is different from ancient Ethiopia (Amos 9;7) that referred to the African Continent Nations People) and the Sudanic Kingdoms which covers the African Continent.

Africa`s Imperial Empire of Sheba is the oldest Kingdom Nation in existence, pre-dating all the worlds Kingdoms and Nations. The ancestral Nubian Kushite Kingdom, a Matriarchal Ruled (Kandake) line of Empire Kingdoms, of the first civilisation known to mankind ruled in its past all of the Known World. Written of in all the Holy and Religious writings and within the annals of Mankind’s history, the world history was formed and based on African soil and ancestry. The root origin is within the Empire lineage of the Empire of Kush (Horus-Aha) of Nubia, Kush the grandson of Noah, Adams ninth descendent was the Son of Ham, Noah’s Son.

Nubia-Kush Sheba Matriarchal Throne, family ancestral birth and home region before colonisation

The North - African direct lines Nubian - Kushite Queen Shebah III family ancestral birth and home region of the Royal Throne of Sheba before colonisation was, in the ancient Sheba region covering the border regions of the South of Libya across to the North of Sudan (Nubia) and South of Egypt before the building of the Aswan dam and the further expansion of the borders into Upper Nubia in Sudan.

With the later colonisation and formed borders through this region, the family lines hold the status formal and informal of these 3 Nations as ancestral Nations of Family heritage.

Through their ancestral history, the Imperial lines share ancient bloodline family line ties with the Middle-East.

History and Structure of Nubian Sheba Throne Imperial Empire Kingdoms

To understand this ancient African Imperial Kingdom Empire Matriarchs and Royal Kingdom structure is to understand the foundation of the Kingdoms, the Governments thereof, the Kingdoms Nations past and the Kingdoms in this present time. Firstly the terms: Imperial Kingdom and Imperial Sovereign are in reference to the one ancient African Kingdom.

As the root Mother Kingdom of the Royal Kingdoms and Royal Kingdoms Ruling Head, the Mother Kingdom royal ancestral bloodlines represent ancestors of all of the African Royal Kingdoms and Royal Bloodlines of the African ancient ancestral and descendent Empires and Kingdoms of Nubia in its totality.

The Nubian Imperial Status is the highest order and oldest earthly Royal status within Africa and the Highest Royal Order in the Known World since the anointment of the institutions of Kingdoms at the Dawn of Existence. It is the line of the Ancients or otherwise referred to as the Mother Empire of the Royal Kingdom Nations and historically is undeniably the highest form of Earthly Royal recognition.

In ancient Nubian polity, a Royal Kingdom or Royal Sovereign is under an Imperial Monarch in status and is the Royal Monarch of a Royal Kingdom or a main Royal Kingdom. Its sub-Kingdoms of the Imperial Empire respectively multiple Royal Kingdoms Nations that are within Africa and these constitute Royal Kingdoms in their thousands. A Royal Kingdom that has multiple sub-Kingdoms is referred to as a Paramount Kingdom and its Monarch the Paramount Royal King of that respective Branch of Royal Line Kingdoms of the Empire.

The Empire Kingdom is the Head of the all the Kingdoms and responsible for the affairs of the respective Royal Kingdoms and the Royal Monarchs of the Royal Kingdoms directly. This intricate structure of the Empire Kingdom reflects the entire Imperial Empire respective Royal Kingdoms and lineage of multiple Paramount and Royal Kingdoms Nations.

In other words, the Empire Imperial Matriarch Sovereign is the absolute Omni-Paramount Sovereign Head of the Paramount Monarchs or Major Royal Kingdom Sovereign Heads and Sub-Kingdoms Royal Monarchs of all the respective Royal Kingdoms of the Imperial Empire beneath their respective thrones (which in itself is structurally beneath the Imperial Throne of the Matriarch).

Matriarchs and Patriarchs: Throne of the Matriarchal Empire

Since the dawn of the Kingdoms, the Empire Matriarchs are referred to regardless of their gender as; the King of Kings, or in terms of the Throne of the Matriarchal Empire, the Queen of Sheba. This reference to the Highest Empire Sheba Throne as indicated above covers all the Royal Kingdoms Monarchs, be they Paramount, Major or Sub-Kingdom Royal Monarchs of the root Empire in their totality.

In formal terms and status reference; the Imperial Sovereign or Imperial Empress is in reference to the Matriarchs status as Sovereign Highest Head of all the Empire Royal Kingdoms Nations People. The Matriarch is as such the Imperial Empress of the Kingdoms in direct reference to the collective Royal Kingdoms Nations 100s of Millions of People (that form the collective respective Kingdoms Nations under their direct Royal Throne Ruler).

The Empire Imperial Monarch - the Empress as the respective Empire Royal Kingdoms Monarch has an internal Government of the Empires Royal Kingdoms under the Empire Head (Empire Imperial Monarch) that covers the Empire in its entirety as a Central Government.

Protocols and Governance

The Matriarchs rarely interfere in the respective Kingdoms internal affairs outside of internal Governmental Affairs that can affect multiple Kingdom Nations or in times of strife. As such, the Matriarchs focuses more on matters of the collective Kingdoms well-being, guidance, prosperity and protection.

In accordance with ancient African Kingdoms’ tradition and culture, all African Kingdoms have their own respective internal Royal Governments of their respective Royal Throne Monarchs. The ancient Kingdoms form of Government mirrors the postings in modern National Government Ministerial formation. These are made up of all the respective and relevant Kingdom Government Cabinets, Ministers, Parliament, Armies / Warriors and Judicial Divisions as well as traditional formal postings in accordance to each respective ancient Kingdoms internal Protocol.

African Royal Monarchs are the active ruling heads of the Monarchs respective Kingdoms Nations People, Kingdoms Royal Government and of their Kingdoms internal Judicial System. The Monarchs by Royal Utterance, Proclamation, Writing or otherwise of Decrees, Laws and Rules are final.

The Empire Imperial Monarch though Matriarchal is referred to as the King of Kings and rarely spoken of or seen. Most often the Matriarch or King is whispered of with respect and revered as the Highest and most sacred Bloodline and Royalty of the Matriarch lines or Mother Line of the Queen / King of Kings and Queens, the Mother Kingdoms Empress and Queen of the Empire Kingdom. This decorum and reverence of the Empire Imperial Monarch is an automatism that dates back to the traditional security system during the colonial and post-colonial era of African Foreign Government Nations.

Imperial Throne of Sheba

The ancient origins of man as traced to Africa also help define the global exodus of the Kingdoms and Nations of the South to populate the rest of the known world. The ancient Nubian Empire Government Central geographic location was in the North of Africa and Empire Imperial Bloodlines of North African descent. The Empire Heads former home geographic region of Rule was in the North of Africa which in the post-modern History of Africa covered the entire West Africa to the Coast, Upper Central Africa and East Africa to the Coast and was called as well in its totality Sudan (The Black Empire or Nations of the Blacks).

The Empire Royal Kingdoms Nations formed by the descendent children of the thrones Monarchs which expanded throughout the generations covered the entire Regions and all of Central and South Africa. Those are the Ancestral Fore-parents of the African Continents thousands of Royal Kingdoms; all have the self-same Ancestral Central Royal Root origin from the Nile Kingdoms of Nubia-Sheba, North Africa of the Empires Imperial Throne.

The Empire Throne Line families the Ra/Re Lines, meaning lines of the Gods, comprised of one Throne Family that ruled the Empire’s five Imperial Thrones (explained below) which together formed the One Empire Throne under the root throne of Pharaoh Kush of Nubia (Africa), the throne of Nimrod/N’Armer the son of Kush/Hor-Aha, and the throne of Ishtar-Iusaas sister-wife of Nimrod.

Nimrod inherited the family thrones which passed to their daughter and grand-daughter of Pharaoh Kush; Shebah I or Shebah the First.

The inherited Thrones of Shebah the First (Shebah I) formed the Empire Kingdom of Sheba and its collective Empire of Royal Kingdoms in Africa formed by grandfather Pharaoh Kush Nubian Empire of Kingdoms that covered all of the Black World and the then known world hence the title of the then and future Queens of Sheba as “the Queen of the South” (Matthew 12:42). In this particular context one is specifically referring to Africa, the Black Imperial Nubian Empire of the South ruling Matriarch, the Queen of Sheba, Queen of the South (Africa).

Nimrod the First King and the Throne of Ishtar Iusaas, the Isis or Matriarch (Mother of Shebah the First and Daughter and Heiress to the Thrones of her Father) are the root ancestral parents of all the lines of the Pharaohs and Imperial Queen Pharaohs referred to as the Goddess Wives of the Gods (King/Pharaohs). Their totality are the embodiment and representation in all cases as members of the direct families of the selfsame five thrones by inter-marriages within the family lines, otherwise referred to as the Pharaohs of the Nile.

The inherited Thrones of Kush(Nubia), the Thrones of Nimrod formed the first great Empire Matriarchal Throne of Shebah I, Daughter of Nimrod-Narmer. The first born Grand-daughter of Kush-Hor-Aha, Great-Great-grand-daughter of Ham, Great-Great-Great Grand/Daughter of Noah (Bau-Netjer), and the 9th descendent generation line grand-daughter of Adam and Eve through Noah (Genesis 6-9 NKJV).

Imperial Mother: Queen of the South Part 2

2010-09-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

Imperial Mother: Queen of the South...
a revelation of Africa’s true history.

“Until the lion has his own historian,
the hunter will always be a HERO”
(Quote Keta Slave Fort)

Part 2

Shebah the First, the Heiress to the Family Empire Thrones
and Heiress of the Throne of
the Mother of Shebah I, Ishtar Iusaas the Isis.

This Empire Family Kingdoms FIRST Thrones contrary to the revised history of Nubia/Africa during the two major colonial Era and the post-colonial era; are the millennium old ancient Thrones of the Sheba Kingdom Empire of Nubia-Kush Throne Families Empire which comprised of:

The Throne of Kush of Nubia (Ruler of the South) Empire covered the entire South of the Known World with primary root region being present day Africa and whose Royal Throne ancestral birth region was in the Nubia ancestral region in North of Africa.

The Mesopotamia Thrones formed by Nimrod the son of Kush were; the Kingdom Babel(Babylon), Erech, Accad and Calneh in the Land of Shinar. Nimrod from that land thereafter went to Assyria and built Nineveh (one of the oldest and greatest cities of Mesopotamia), Rehoboth the city of Calah and Resen. As such Nimrod was the first King having expanded his fathers Empire of Nubia Africa forming the first Kingdoms outside of the family already ruling regions of the South of the Known World.

The Throne of Libya ruled by the descendent lines of Kush as well as the bloodlines related Throne of Egypt. The Throne of Libya was the second primary Throne of the Ruling Kush Pharaohs lines and often the Throne of Rule over the Empire during the 18th Dynasty to the 25th Dynasty under Tarhaka and his descendents.

The Throne of Kemet later referred to formally as Egypt (meaning Black as soil the name given by the Greek in later millenniums) was formed by Mizriam/C’bre the Brother of Kush.

And; The Thrones of Asia formed by Kush and son Nimrod – Kushan Royal Lines Kingdoms of the Matriarchal Family Kush Empire in North Africa, the forefather lines of the early Nubian –Kushite Asian Kushan Yi Dynasties migrated lines that formed the first Dynasties in Asia.

Nubian-Kushite lines of these Nations outside of present day Africa’s tribal lines, includes the over 350 Million Dravidians-Nubians in South India that Exodus from the Kashmir and Kushan Empire during the Aryan invasion of the Kush Northern India Indus Valley and Kushan Empire, further into the South India Kingdoms regions where they have remained until today. In addition, the Nubian-Kushite descendent lines form Asia Pacific and in the Americas the earliest Nations as well as in far later history the Diaspora Nations during colonisation.

The Polynesian and Asia Pacific Nations Kushan Yi Tribe descendents from the Polynesian or Asian Pacific Region, and the Dravidians Dhalits moved further down into South of India, and another group moved further south forming Sri Lanka and are now referred to as the Tamils.

The West Sudannic West African Nations grand ancestry, the direct descendents of the Mande Nations covers most of West and Central Africa, Akan and Mandinka, Mandingo, Mende and several ancient lines of the Tribal lines of West Africa.

They covered as well the regions of the present day Americas, and is made up of the totality of the modern day Map Region of the present day referred to regions of the third World Nations. They also include those Nations within the region of the surrounding third world countries now formally classified as non-third world nations such as; Argentina, South-Africa, China and the greater part of the Middle-East whose earliest of Thrones that of Babylon and Sumer founding Father was Nimrod. It is significant to recall here that Nimrod was the Empire Patriarchal forefather of the Empire Throne Matriarchal Lines and First born Son of Kush Pharaoh of Nubia the mutual root bloodlines direct ancestral forefather.

Those Nubian ancestors of the descendent Ewe, Ga, Ga Dangbe, Luwa, Ife, Nok, Yoruba, Wolof, Hausa, Akan, Mande, Serer, Bambara Watutsi, and so forth over 600 Tribal descendents of the Nubian Nation Tribes migrated from Upper Nubia into the West Sudanic Kingdoms Nations forming West, Central and Southern Africa.

Migration and Global Exodus: Africa the Cradle of all of the Nation

The Lines of the above mentioned Throne Nations population were all a part of the far earlier formed Federation of Nations of the Empire Root Line Nubian-Anu (Ancestral lines of Bau-Netjer (Noah)) Nations referred to as the Maa Confederation of the first Civilisation known to Mankind; which comprised of the First Civilisation of the Nubians or Nubian Kushites meaning Lines of Kush and from there formed Civilisation Nations of the; Nubian: Mande, Sumerian, Elamites, Magyar and Dravidians.

The term Maa was in respect and reference to the Empire Matriarch Line Heads whose most sacred and ancient of Titles is: Ma-Mi meaning Mother of the Ancient Gods.

The descendents of the Nubian-Kushite lines of these Nations outside of present day Africa’s tribal lines, includes the over 350 Million Dravidians-Nubians in South India that Exodus from the Kashmir and Kushan Empire during the Aryan invasion of the Kush Northern India Indus Valley and Kushan Empire, further into the South India Kingdoms regions where they have remained until today. In addition, the Nubian-Kushite descendent lines form Asia Pacific and in the Americas the earliest Nations as well as in far later history the Diaspora Nations during colonisation.

The Polynesian and Asia Pacific Nations Kushan Yi Tribe descendents from the Polynesian or Asian Pacific Region, and the Dravidians Dhalits moved further down into South of India, and another group moved further south forming Sri Lanka and are now referred to as the Tamils.

The West Sudannic West African Nations grand ancestry, the direct descendents of the Mande Nations covers most of West and Central Africa, Akan and Mandinka, Mandingo, Mende and several ancient lines of the Tribal lines of West Africa.

They covered as well the regions of the present day Americas, and is made up of the totality of the modern day Map Region of the present day referred to regions of the third World Nations. They also include those Nations within the region of the surrounding third world countries now formally classified as non-third world nations such as; Argentina, South-Africa, China and the greater part of the Middle-East whose earliest of Thrones that of Babylon and Sumer founding Father was Nimrod. It is significant to recall here that Nimrod was the Empire Patriarchal forefather of the Empire Throne Matriarchal Lines and First born Son of Kush Pharaoh of Nubia the mutual root bloodlines direct ancestral forefather.

Those Nubian ancestors of the descendent Ewe, Ga, Ga Dangbe, Luwa, Ife, Nok, Yoruba, Wolof, Hausa, Akan, Mande, Serer, Bambara Watutsi, and so forth over 600 Tribal descendents of the Nubian Nation Tribes migrated from Upper Nubia into the West Sudanic Kingdoms Nations forming West, Central and Southern Africa.

Thereafter there were further migrations by the Coastal East African Yi Tribes by Sea into Asia and West African Tribal lines by Sea to the West into the Americas, known through Tribal folklore as parts of the Empire that broke away and drifted further and further West with time. These early migrating Coastal Tribes to the West primarily the Mande moved into the present day referred to Americas forming the Olmec Nations (Incas, Mayas, Arawarks, Caribs, and so forth), and includes the early migrated Tribes into the North America and the Americas Upper Region of Mexico whose ancestors were the Mande formed Olmecs Nations and tribes.

The migrating ancestors and descendents of the Nubian-Kushites formed East-African tribal Nations covering Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Central Africa and so forth into Southern africa, and West Africa lines that earlier travelled and settled lines, expanded its lines covering West Africa.

The migrating ancestors and descendents of the Nubian-Kushite that however remained in North African region formed most of the Upper North-Africa in particular tribal Nations within Sudan, Ethiopia, Chad, Somalia, and Southern regions of; Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania and Libya. The Northern African Tribes and those of the Mesopotamia Regions and Asia that migrated upwards further into the North through Mesopotamia before the first Ice Age and in the interval prior to the second migrating tribes were trapped for approximately 200 years during the Ice Age in the European Caucus Region.

The descendents of the Magyar Nations form the Nations of Asia, Upper North-Asian Continent into Hungary, Siberia and the North-American Continent Indians, the Magyar Nation formed the Ma-gog Nations who fore-fathered the Nations of the Greater European Continents. These Nations that went up North primarily over land born of the African Nubian-Asian descendent Bloodlines formed the Native American Nations.

In the pre-modern Era, by the Exodus from Europe by some of the European Cauc-Asians descendents in the periods of European Religious Persecutions, and that of the feudal rule, there was a further migration to the North-American Continent.

This through the Exodus of Europeans by Sea to North-America by the forefathers of the Ellis Island arrived ancestors of present day Caucasian Nations lines of the North-American Continent.

The Unbroken Throne of the Ancients

The ancient Roman term Athiopia later referred to as Ethiopia meaning “People of Burnt Faces” or Blacks was in reference to this Nubian or Great Black Empire Nation. The ancient Greek reference name “Egypt – meaning Black as soil” is the self same reference to the People of Dark faces, hence the bloodlines of dark and light brown complexion of Nubian Asian lines, but not Caucasian. The lighter skin descendents of the Nubian Asian Nations returned centuries later after the Ice Age and were referred to as Cauc-Asians after their Caucus Region of birth.

The Arabs later called the Empire Nations Sudan meaning Black (Nation), whilst the earlier Nations People referred to themselves as Ta-Netjer meaning of the People of Lands of the Gods. Netjer is in reference to the correct ancient traditional name of Noah which was Bau-Netjer meaning Father of the Gods/Goddess. The Gods/Goddess was in reference to the Empire Imperial of the Thrones, whom in speaking was referred to as My Lord as still today throughout the Kingdoms of Africa in reference to the Kings and Goddess or Ma in reference to the Queens.

The present day Nation of Ethiopia is not the reference Ethiopia or Athiopia of Ancient history. The ancient name of Ethiopia was that of Abassia then later Abyssinia as given by the Romans. Prior to this the present day Ethiopia in accordance to ancient Kingdom History was the Kingdom of Put of the Empire of Kush of Nubia.

The Throne of Sheba as such comprises of the five inherited Thrones. All of the Great Pharaohs thereafter in order to sit on the Throne of King of Kings had to marry a Queen of the direct Royal lines of the Matriarch, that is, their direct lines, sisters or cousins in order to gain the rights of Power to the Throne as King.

Thus the African ancient Kingdom saying; the King is the sign but the Queen is the Symbol. Royal Kingship is passed only through the Female Royal lines of the Matriarch lineage. These descendents Queens were as such referred to as the Goddess Wives of the Gods (Kings).

The Empire Kingdoms born of these five Thrones Empire Nations as such as a collective unit is referred to as the Empire of Kingdom of Sheba, still today which covers all of the African Continent.

This the oldest Throne; survived all the trial and tribulations since times dawn and is Africa greatest inheritance, for the Birth Cradle of all of the Nation of Mankind is in Africa, Egypt was the most favoured Central Administrative seat which housed during its days of glory the main 70 plus Family Imperial line Kings and Queens of the Kingdoms of the Empire under the Pharaohs and Imperial Queen Pharaohs of the hundreds of Kingdoms throughout the Greatest Empire in known History.

In the mid-600 BC Egypt was separated from the Family Thrones after an internal power struggle and a consequent battle.

The separation was done by the Pharaoh of the Nubia-Libya against the introduction of what was deemed as unacceptable practises in the sacred Temples. All reflections or mention of Egypt was removed from the Formal name titles and Throne titles since that period. Unfortunately in later history, this development gave the impression and assumption of no relation between both Thrones and Nubia being ruled by Egypt for a specific period only.

The critical family Throne link of Nubia, Libya, Egypt and Mesopotamia, by Family bloodlines and traditional inter-marriages within the bloodlines thrones was “lost” in the post modern West historical records.

This separation within the Family Throne lines gave birth to the thereafter centuries of animosity in that historical period and reflected within historical records, which in great part is inaccurate and does not give a just reflection of the history behind and within the Throne Families of that Era, or African and World Kingdom Heritage.

Co-b-Ra (King of Egypt) the younger brother of Kush (Horus Aha) the Father of Nimrod (N`Armer); the Fore-Father of the lines of the Empire Throne ruled centuries before the ruling Pharaohs. He also ruled before the Throne separation from Egypt (ruled from their Throne of choice which in most cases rotated between the oldest Throne), that is, that of Nubia, Libya or Egypt.

As earlier explained the Empire Highest Throne was and is that of the Matriarch or Ma-Mi (Mother); the Throne of Shebah, the First of the Empire Matriarchal Throne Kingdom of Sheba, which carries the ancestral Throne name of the collective Empire inherited Throne of Nimrod, the Throne of Anu the very first Empire Throne Father and Ishtar Isis the Matriarchal Mother of the Thrones of the entire Empire Bloodlines and all five Thrones born thereof.

The Matriarchal Mother Throne geographic ancestral birth location is that of the still today called Sheba Region in Nubia in the North of Sudan and covers the Empire’s 10 remaining Kingdoms in the South of Sudan and 1000s of West Sudannic Empire lines which covers present day West Africa into East, Central and Southern Africa.

The ancient Sheba Region itself was partially destroyed with the building of the Aswan-dam. In its earlier history the Kingdoms Nations Nubian lines Capitals moved at times to Meroe, and Napata in accordance to the ruling political climate.

This was repeated Centuries later now by many of the Tribes from Upper Nubia (North-Sudan) Sheba and Nubian regions in another great Exodus during the Arab Colonisation of North Africa and the thereafter 1000 years approximately later European Colonial Era of Africa.

Again in the 19th Century, with the building of the Aswan-dam forming and expanding the Aswan Community during the late-Colonial Era and Post-Colonial Era, several displacements occurred into Egypt and the New Nubia in Egypt, the Central and South of Nubia Sudan and into inner Africa regions.

These descendent Empire Kingdoms and newly formed National Nations within and through the Empires Kingdom Nations of the African Continent are a reflection of ancient migration patterns. The Sheba Royal Kingdom is the region where the First Matriarch formally ruled the massive Empire of the South from, and the region name given thereafter to any region where the Matriarch formally resides or holds a formal residence.

Imperial Mother: Queen of the South Part 3

2010-09-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

Imperial Mother: Queen of the South...
a revelation of Africa’s true history.

“Until the lion has his own historian, the hunter will always be a HERO”
(Quote Keta Slave Fort)

Part 3

Lost Thrones

The Throne of Egypt was lost by Egypt in later history with the death of Nubian-Greek Queen Cleopatra during the Roman invasion and occupation.

The Throne of Ethiopia of origin a descendent Royal Throne of the Kush Put Kingdom, assimilated the Royal Kingdoms and sub-Kingdoms within that region during the 18th -19th Century to form the Imperial Throne of Ethiopia in the days of Emperor Yohannes-V and Emperor Tewedorus of Ethiopia, the predecessors of Emperor Selassie all of the Nubian-Kushite Eastern Nations lines.

In the late-19th Century after the questionable death of the Emperor Selassie, the Empire came totally under Government Rule and the remaining family members left in exile to Europe and the USA where the Crown Prince settled.

Shebah survived the Unbroken Throne

The Empire Sheba Throne bloodlines of the Imperial Thrones lines survived though without the glory of the family early history and their lines of descendent Royal Kingdoms born of the Kush-Nubia Sheba Empire Matriarchal Throne covers the Western, Eastern, Central, Northern and Southern African Regions of Africa.

Today, there is a greater concentration of Kingdoms due to the earliest pre-colonial exodus of the Empire Kingdoms deeper into Africa within West, East, Central and Southern Africa, and Primary Kingdoms within the West African Regions.

The Empire Throne ancestral lines whose North-African ethnic origin is of the Nubian-Kushites Nations bloodlines, over 1200 years ago moved during that insurgent and colonial era. This colonial era predated the approximately 5-6 centuries later devastating European colonial era.

A great part of the lines Nations during that period migrated further into what was later referred to by the colonist as “Black Africa” (West, East, Central and South Africa). Many resettled particularly in ancient Ghana(Cassena) meaning Cas or Kas Royal House – Sena – Lines of Sennar, Nubia), in the Northern Regions of present day Nigeria. They also with time and their lines and generations expanded further and further into East, West, Central and South Africa during that 2000 years period settling and resettling, forming and expanding the Royal Kingdoms Nations of the ancient root Empire with the Generations.

Some went into ancient Ethiopia and assimilated later as one Empire Throne under the Throne of Ethiopia of the well related Kushite Bloodlines.

Later with religious conflicts between North Africa and the Middle-East and Europe spreading within the region, some assimilated into there Royal Empire lines Families of the Ra lines first generations descendent bloodlines Kingdoms throughout Africa.

All these were strategic movements covering over 10, 000 years of the ancient Empire, to protect the Empire Nations Throne, that was targeted to break and weaken the strength of the Empires and its massive descendents of Royal Kingdoms Nations, a tactic applied on Africa at the dawn of and during the respective Colonial era`s.

The Royal bloodline Kingdoms and Royal names ending with or containing: Ra, Re, La, Ah, Kas, Ka, Ku, Sa, Am, Af, As, An, Ak, Ah, Ma, Me, De, Ch, Ky, Ki, Ba, Be, Bah, Bu (pronounced as Su) Oo, Oi, Os, Ou, Sret, Sh, Su, Se, Tu, Wo, Ny, Ni, Nu, Kh, Um, Ha, Ho, Hu, Wi, Ia, Is, Ir, Lu, Ya, Yu, Ti, Te, Th, Wa, We, Mont, El, En, and so forth of the sacred traditional titles are all descendent first generations related to the Empire throne lines, throughout Africa.

The Gathering of the Nations of the First Born:
Bloodlines of Sheba of Kush, the Kingdom of the South.

The Kushite Bloodlines and their descendents Ruled thereafter the Empire now struggling and economically shattered Kingdoms Nations, fighting where possible against the Eastern, and European Colonial forces, Charter Companies and Slavers through that 2000 years era of the Empires history and into the early 19th Century.

During the Colonial Era and into late-post colonial era, the Matriarchs, as such, ruled from within West Africa which is for the Kingdoms all still a part of the ancient Nubia Lands.

Later descendents in the 19th Century late Colonial, early Post-Colonial until the 2nd Millennium, ruled from outside of Africa from the Caribbean and the USA due to the still present threat to the Empire Throne and Empire bloodlines heirs during that period.

Formation of the OAU

In 1962 the former Imperial Matriarch Queen of Sheba, Iris Meryre II (1916-2003) participated fully with the 32 newly formed former African Colonial Nations, in the fight for Africa’s Liberty and Protection. This effort culminated in the formation of the Organisation of African Unity – OAU.

This OAU initiative formed to protect the African Nations People received massive support from the ancient descendent lines Kingdoms of Africa.

Africa was suffering massive destabilisation from the colonial countries then bent on maintaining their economic stranglehold by demanding a reduction in the African Kingdoms influence on the African continent.

That specific intent was manifested in an imposed conditionality for granting independence to the African Nations by getting the new and emerging African Political Leaders to denounce the African Kingdoms.

As conditionality, independence was granted as and when the new Political Leaders accepted reduced positions and only permitted the Kingdoms their traditional presence as Chiefdoms and Chiefs and not Kingdoms and Kings.

In some instances, some new Nations reduced the title and status of the Kings to that of Village chiefs. In the new constitutions promulgated alongside the new so-called independent status, another attempt was made to limit the role and function of the Kingdoms in central governments, regional and in some cases district government institutions.

All of these artificial impositions have met with different consequences. The African Imperial Kingdoms Nations and States have largely survived and have been extremely active in forging peaceful collaboration with the African Governments.

Many newly formed African States suffered from military coups aimed and directed at stifling their capacity for national sovereignty, self determination and economic independence.

Until the end of the cold war, many newly formed African States were caught in a vicious cross fire of international political intrigue. Declaration of ideology for one form of governance or type categorised a nation to subtle trade sanctions, embargoes, isolation and in some cases direct subversive attacks. Nonaligned Nations could not develop any coherent international policies either.

In true character of the ancient traditions of Nubia and Kush, the African Kingdoms continue to survive in line with the ancient religious prophesies. They have retained their Millenniums old Royal traditions and sacred customs of the Divine Throne and Empires in line with the long foretold prophesies of the Ancient Kingdoms Nations of the first born.

The Empress Imperial Matriarch Queen of Sheba, Iris Meryre II, ruled from outside of Africa, primarily for the survival and safety of the lines. She was however active within Africa with the then new African political leadership to create the OAU with a view to bringing to an end the repeat of Africa’s approximately 2000 years of colonisation, trials and tribulations.

Enthronement of Empress Shebah III Queen of Sheba

In 1995 and 2000, Queen Shebah III, the Grand-Daughter of Nubian-Kushite Empress Iris Meryre II of the Sheba Empire and Daughter of Iris Meryre II daughter Imperial Queen Ya-Net Meryre and King Mihk-El Jammes (Pronounced Michel) was by ancient traditional coronation ceremonies under the guidance of Grand-Mother Imperial Empress Iris Meryre II formally Enthroned Matriarch.

The coronation ceremonies were performed for Her Imperial Majesty Empress Shebah ‘Ra – Queen Shebah III in line with traditional ancient ceremonial rites by the Throne Holders Sovereign Elders thus becoming the current and reigning Queen of the South.

By these formal enthronements, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Shebah III is the current Root Bloodlines Throne Empire Matriarch and the third Shebah (Shebah III) of the Ancient and Highest Throne of Kingdoms and Empires in Africa, and outside of Africa.

The Imperial Empress Shebah `Ra – Queen Shebah III of the African Royal Kingdoms is also the current Imperial Empress and Head of the African Kingdoms Federation Central Government.

Sheba/Shebah symbols and signs

The Sacred Throne name of Shebah translates as well in the traditional hieroglyphic star symbols, the “djuat” which means Shebah or the Shebah Star.

This is the root symbol of the Star of David which translates to djuat; in other words the star sign djuat - David means Shebah, and the name Shebah is depicted in the djuat or Star which symbol djuat translated is David. As such the name Shebah and David can be translated as one and the same in accordance to the Empires ancient Language the one is the symbol of the other.

Formal Throne Titles of the Imperial Matriarch

The Empire Empress of the African Kingdoms and Kingdoms Federation 7 formal Imperial and Royal Throne and Titles are:

- The Sovereign Imperial Matriarch or Mother of the Kingdoms.

- Queen of the South, the Queen of the Kush Nubia Empire collective descendent Sheba Royal Kingdoms of Africa.

- The Imperial Matriarch Her Imperial Majesty the Imperial Empress Shebah `Ra – Queen Shebah III

- Queen Shebah III of the Sheba Imperial Empire Kingdom

- Queen Shebah III the Queen of Sheba

- The Queen of Nubia (rarely used hereditary title)

- Queen Abena Nyamtché I the Queen of Pinango and Abron

- Yoomo Guatele Quartey I of Asere-Kpakpatsewe

Amongst the Matriarchs formal titles and direct Royal Throne by bloodlines traditional inheritance is that of the Queen of Nubia which is present day Sudan.

However in the late 17th to early 18th Century, the last of the Matriarchal lines descendents of the throne of King Abdul Shibah of Nubia, amidst the family lines internal and external religious and conflicts with Egypt that dominated the region since the 14th Century, migrated from the family birth home region in North Africa, that criss-cross the border region of North-Sudan, South-Libya and South-Egypt as earlier explained.

Some with the Tribal lines left North-Sudan and resettled further into the Nubian-Kushite Tribal regions of South, South-West, and the Central regions of Southern Libya, and some into their Empire deeper Africa Western regions with the generations.

The Sheba Empire Throne bloodlines sacred traditions throughout the generations have never changed. Each Throne Matriarch has five Royal names traditionally which combined has a specific meaning pertaining to the destiny of the Matriarch and Rule.

The second, third, and fourth names are however only used on specific Throne occasions and not as a standard custom on ascension to the Throne. The present Matriarch Her Imperial Majesty Empress Shebah `Ra – Queen Shebah III’s, first, second, third, fourth and fifth names are: Shebah, Deb-ra, Amel-Ia, Kas’ambu (pronounced Kas`amsu), and `RA (meaning of the Family line of Ra or Re).

The Five Throne combination of names mean:
“She, the arisen who has been prepared for the Stride of Ra (of God”).

Formally only the first Throne Name or First and the Fifth Name are used, together with the Imperial title of the Empire and Queen title as Queen of the Empire Kingdom example; Queen Shebah III or Her Imperial Majesty Empress Shebah `Ra – Queen Shebah III, the Queen of Sheba.

The Throne Names are set before the birth of the Matriarchs after a special sacred traditional ceremony. In fact, it is at times set decades before the very birth, in accordance to time of birth, traditional reading of the Stars and Nature symbols pertaining to the birth of Throne followers in accordance with ancient traditions.

The Throne names are however not allowed to be used or spoken outside of the Throne Family inner lines until after formal ceremonial coronation and rites. The throne names are also not allowed to be given arbitrarily to any other lines of born Matriarchs or Queens unless they are in accordance with the star readings prior to birth.

Imperial Mother: Queen of the South Part 4

2010-09-11T07:32:00.001-07:00

Imperial Mother: Queen of the South...

a revelation of Africa’s true history.

“Until the lion has his own historian,

the hunter will always be a HERO”
(Quote Keta Slave Fort)

Part 4

Preparation for future responsibilities

Her Imperial Majesty Empress Shebah III, as most of the lines is traditionally rarely seen in public. The Queen by nature is not particular about formal or informal public appearances outside of formal duties and ceremonial obligations. In the late 1980s, the African Kingdoms Federation Empires Empress was already preparing for her future responsibilities.

The Imperial Empress studied and worked relentlessly towards a design framework to address the duties and responsibilities to the Throne Nations, and the areas of needs within the African Continent Nations as a whole.

In particular Economical and Social areas that could be supported and addressed by the collective Kingdoms, with the African Nations Government as a United Force towards a goal of change and betterment of life on the African Continent.

Many reasons and concepts have been postulated for economic development. Many others have been formulated in direct response to ideological, philosophical and regional interests.

Many countries develop their development paradigms to suit specific challenges.

In like manner therefore, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Shebah III – Queen Shebah III intensified her research and consultations, thereby designing the basic frame-work to address the rejuvenation of the African Continent towards the eradication of Poverty and Economical Oppression in support of the Trans-African Nations Governments and Trans-African Nations thousands of Royal Kingdoms of the Sheba Empire.

The Imperial Empress Queen Shebah III formulated an African Unity and Development Agenda with the goal of addressing a Trans-African Nations Rural and Urban Regions Infra-structural Development Agenda throughout the African Continent, towards the eradication of poverty on the African Continent.

In line with the need to increase the African Kingdoms capacity to fulfil the vision for Africa, Her Majesty also established the African Kingdoms Federation and the Imperial House Foundations NGOs to facilitate the African Development Agenda. There was a further institutional expansion internally and internationally to support the Continental framework of a new vision and new opportunities for African prosperity and progress, within the agenda.

The Africa Kingdoms Federation and Kingdom Nations under the leadership of the Queen are committed in their resolve in forging fair and equitable development programmes for economic growth of the Africa Nations in line with Africa’s global opportunities and aspirations.

Within that vision and broad framework for Africa, the Imperial Empress with the Africa Kingdoms Federation Assembly focussed on strategic policies for expanding strategic networks of industrial infrastructure, human and technical capital and rewarding Continental partnerships within the African Union, African Nations, Diaspora and International community.

On account of the intense consultations across the length and breadth of the Continent’s Kingdoms and extended bloodlines of the Diaspora, the present day Matriarch, the Imperial Empress Shebah `Ra – Queen Shebah III, has a preference for true African integration.

In this direction, collaboration of efforts and the building of synergy and bridges to the mobilisation of resources (both human and material) are being addressed by the African Kingdoms Federation.

Much of her official travels lead her to various Kingdoms amongst the Empire Nations and People of Africa to consolidate the Federation bonds of cooperation, partnership and development in line with the African Kingdoms and Nations Federation Agenda.

Other travels are strategic globally designed to raise greater understanding and awareness internationally for the African Unity and Economic Emancipation Agenda of the African Kingdoms Federation for the African Nations.

Global Recognition

The Empress is recognised as the Spiritual Head of Africa’s most ancient Empires Spiritual and Divine Throne. As such, Empress Shebah III, is the unbroken ancient Kush Sheba throne bloodline and descendent Throne Head of the Biblical recorded Throne of the Queen of Sheba.

The family bloodline records and Throne Rights are highly respected and recognised as the highest within the hierarchy of African Kingdoms Nations and Trans-African Nations Governments. They are also internationally one of the most historically documented Empire Bloodlines of Ancient and Religious renown through ancestral fore parents Queen Shebah II and King Solomon of the House of David.

The Empire’s Empress is the most highly recognised African Kingdoms Nations Monarch as the Throne Empress of the Matriarch Throne, the Throne of the South or referred to in Modern day as the Throne of Africa.

The Imperial Empress is formerly recognised by the United States of America, and within Europe. The Matriarch holds the formal Political Status of a Head of State of Government, as a recognised Empire Head of State of Kingdom Nations and the Empires Federation of Kingdoms Nations of the African Continent Empire Kingdom Government.

After working quietly in the background for decades on the framework of the Development Agenda for the Trans-African Nations Urban and Rural Regions, in support of the Development Agenda of the post-colonial formed National Nations within the Kingdoms Empire Regions and National Governments, the Imperial Empress in 2006 began a 40 days and 40 nights agenda of finalising the Structure the Trans - African Nations Development Agenda Program in March 2006.

The Empress’s Trans -African Nations Development Decree for Africa by Africa, was met with constructive praises, appreciation, and public acknowledgement by the Federation of African Kingdoms and the International Community.

The Empress’s Development initiative and accentuation on Unity, Peace and support of joint African - International Global Initiative and the Integrated African Continents Trans - African Nations Rural and Urban Regions Development Agenda towards the Eradication of Poverty and Economic Oppression on the African Continent, was met with deep respect and unanimous approval for its design framework by the African and Global Super Powers.

In line with the Continental African Unity Agenda, the African Kingdom Federation planned - The Trans-African Nations Kingdoms Summit, as a further expansion on the frame-work on the African Unity Agenda leading up to a Ghana Summit scheduled for June (18-24) 2007. The Ghana summit did not come on and was rescheduled.

In September 2007, the 1st Annual Kingdoms Nations Summit was held in Tripoli Libya, alongside the African Kingdoms first formal participation in the African Union Anniversary Celebrations. The African Kings, Queens, Sultans and Royal Entourage were formally invited and hosted by Brother Muammar Al Kaddafi (Leader of the Revolution in Libya), and Queen Shebah III, the Queen of Sheba, in Tripoli, Libya.

In September 2008 the Annual African Kingdoms Nation Unity and Development Summit will be again hosted in Libya. This 2nd Summit as already forecasted promises to be far greater than the very successful first Summit attended by over 135 African Kingdoms Emperors, Kings, Queens, Sultans, Royal Court and Dignitaries.

The Empire Kingdom Summit in Libya is planned to be one of the biggest events on the African Continents Kingdoms 2008 Agenda alongside the Empires 1st International African Unity and Development Summit, and Royal visit of the Queen of Shebah with Empire entourage of African Royals to the USA and Europe in 2008 planned by the Kingdoms NGOs Imperial House Foundations-USA.

The Nubian Empire and Nations have survived the rise and fall of all the Empires (Mighty or Small) known to mankind after the birth of the Nubian Empire, the first Empire and Civilisation known to mankind.

The bloodlines have seen the birth of all that became, from religious enlightenment and its expansion to man’s race with technology in a modern world.

The Nubian Nation descendent population and people, as a race (Nubian ethnic name of the Africans Race referred to as Africans or Blacks), cover the Continent of the Southern Hemisphere of the World.

This Nubian Nation descendent population expanded globally with the walk of history, to an equally massive human capital and resourceful collective population, who within and outside of Africa today represent a formidable collective amongst the global African Diaspora Nations.

From the ends of the known Worlds the generations have travelled and multiplied. With Faith, Perseverance and Humility the African continues to survive, and have grown globally in millions as a Global Nation under circumstances past and still yet present that brings both tears and joy to the Heavens a People who have grown.

Having only been possible by the Grace and Power of God as yet, reflected in a collective population that exceeds as a Civilisation of People yet today all of the present Known World.

The Nubian - Kushite lines and its Empire Imperial and Royal lines faired hard under the centuries of trial and tribulations that followed the respective empires, and spiritual Era’s, colonisations and religious changes within their history.

The Nubian - Kushite lines and its Empire Imperial and Royal lines were however never broken as long foretold in its ancient prophesied History. The original ancestral Nubian Kingdoms of Sheba have never been Broken as prophesied of the sacred lines.

The collective Kingdoms, Nations and African Kingdom bloodline thrones are in deed a true and ever present manifestation of the unbroken line of Sheba.

Africa, the First Born and most sacred Historical Treasure of the Kingdoms Nations and of their ancestors dating back to the 9th generation of Adam and Africa Birth Nations of dawn formed the Nation of the World today.

The Empire Kingdom of the Kingdoms of Africa have survived and still form a massive Empire and Federation of descendent Nubia –Kush Tribes and Kingdom Nations of the Queen of Sheba, Mother Africa, the Empire Kingdom of the Queen of the South.

Cush/Kush Africa in the time of Genesis..

African Royalty Community of Nubia (ARC)

2010-08-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Arc of Nubia Social Network was launched a few months ago and we are slowly building and working towards the intentions of our Arc of Nubia that being and extension of the Federation Kingdoms Royal Community for our people and friends in and out of Africa.

Our goal is that of a unification of the people of Africa outside of Africa in union with all within Africa. This towards unity of the African Community and with all friends of all Nations and towards the agenda of the African Kingdoms Federation - Arc of Nubia programs.

This agenda is as followed:

-To establish the Arc of Nubia Chapters worldwide to promote the African Kingdoms Federation and Federation Imperial House Foundation - Development agenda by the Kingdoms for within Africa, the Caricom, Americas', USA, Europe, Middle-East and Asia, and, within all African Descendents Nations and Communities.

-To establish with the African Kingdoms all needed for all Africans that desire to have direct and far closer contacts with their ancestral roots and Kingdoms Heritage, and all friends of Africa towards a better knowledge and closer relationship and understanding of the African People and our Culture.

-To establish the needed avenues through the African Kingdoms, by the African Kingdoms and within the African Kingdoms to all wishing to re-locate or return to Africa as self or with their families. Through step by step integration and/or re-integration into the Tribes and African Kingdoms Communities. It is of critical importance this orientation process through the Arc of Nubia. This to understand and become better acquainted and orientated with the traditions and culture, equally as well as, possibility to maintain self and family, in terms of possibility of employment, and relocation to Africa.

-To open all avenue for ALL willing to participate actively in the Federations Primary Development Agenda Program: PROJECT VII PHOENIX

-To establish this Royal Community the Arc of Nubia, which is unique as your direct portal within Africa and from Africa through as a part of the African Kingdom Community.

-To establish and facilitate better support to any and all wanting to work and establish NGOs, or Commercial, Industrial or other such within the African Kingdoms Regions.

Visite the different page links given in this post to better acquaint with the African Kingdoms and Federation your host of the Arc of Nubia.

Join our Social Network and feel at home in the Arc of Nubia Community, get to know the other family members of our Community on the Arc, so we can expand to better facilitate and support the Arc of Nubia global presence.

6th edition of the Women’s Forum Global Meeting 14 - 16 October 2010

2010-08-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE

6th edition of the Women’s Forum Global Meeting
« Change: Make it happen »
14 - 16 October 2010
Deauville, France

Paris, 25 May 2010– The Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society will hold its 6th annual Global Meeting on October 14-16, 2010 in Deauville, France under the theme “Change: Make it happen”.

“At a time when economies and models of society are questioned by an uncertain and fragile global situation, only diversity, confidence and solidarity between women, in an exchange with men, can make change happen to restore hope in a disrupted world”, declared Women’s Forum CEO and Founder, Aude de Thuin. “The Women’s Forum annual Global Meeting is a major event of expression and mobilization of women in order to spark audacious and innovative policies of change.”

The Women’s Forum Global Meeting will focus on new forms of actions and on actors of needed change. It will immerse about 1,200 participants from over 80 countries in a powerful and interactive experience with CEOs, business leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, thinkers, artists, politicians, and policymakers, all of them opinion leaders and influential in their areas of expertise. Among them, many women from emerging countries invited to join the Forum’s network will give a testimony of their exemplary actions to develop their countries.

These major issues will be debated through five “pillars of change”:
- Change in politics: How to think and act collectively in a world of mistrust?
- Change in the economy: What do we need now for true innovation?
- Change in the environment: How to make the green economy a killer app for business and a reality for all?
- Change in global health: How to build a healthier and more equitable food chain for the planet?
- Change through the woman factor: Pushing the boundaries, yet how far?

This year, among many international delegations, the Forum will host a delegation of men and women from Nordic countries where voluntary measures, as in Sweden, or political ones, as in Norway, allowed them to attain the highest rates of parity in the world. Other countries such as South Africa, United States and Russia will be largely represented.

To the plenary sessions will be added the Discovery Program, a unique place in the Forum for its design, its interactive format to facilitate exchanges, conviviality and many innovative experiences this year around three main axes:
§ Performance with corners like the Diversity Club, Women on Boards, Women’s Network,
§ Commitment with corners of NGOs, the Sustainability in Action Club, and “Women For Education” and “Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards”.
§ Discovery with the “Rising Talents” project, the Writer’s Corner and the Health and Nutrition Corner.

About the Women’s Forum
Founded in 2005 by Aude Zieseniss de Thuin, the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society is an independent global forum of feminine inspiration, recognized among the top 5 global forums worldwide, dedicated to building and implementing a more balanced world for all.
The Forum is a platform of debate, sharing, brainstorming and action where women are given pride of place for speaking out on all major societal issues that count today and will count tomorrow.
2010 will be a year of a reinforced international visibility, a program anchored in major issues that cannot be ignored, fed by a global vision and messages that will be addressed at the Forum’s closing, on October 16th.

In September 2009, Publicis Groupe acquired a majority stake in the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society.

Press Contacts

Women’s Forum
Claudine Ripert-Landler
+33 (0)6 73 45 18 43
claudine.ripert@womens-forum.com

Joanna Spiette
+33(0)1 58 18 62 09
joanna.spiette@womens-forum.com

Publicis Consultants
Vilizara Lazarova
+33 (0)1 57 32 86 46
vilizara.lazarova@consultants.publicis.fr

Isabelle Rivière
+33 (0)1 57 32 86 99
isabelle.riviere@consultants.publicis.fr

The ACP Observatory on Migration

2010-08-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

by Joyce van Genderen-Naar

On Monday 2 August 2010 a press conference and prelaunch of the ACP Observatory on Migration took place in the ACP House in Brussels, with statements from the ACP Assistant Secretary General, Ms. Michèle Dominique Raymond; Head of Governance and Operational Support Section EuropeAid Cooperation Office (AIDCO) European Commission, Ms. Kirsi Pekuri; and Director of the ACP Observatory on Migration, Mr. Laurent de Boeck.

The objective of the Observatory is to produce data on South-South ACP migration flows. There are 12 pilot ACP countries selected, but the research will concern all ACP countries and all ACP regions. The Observatory cooperates with universities in Africa, Caribbean, Pacific and EU. One of the main pillars of the Observatory’s activities is Capacity Building for civil society. They wish to integrate civil society actors in the dialogue concerning policy-making on migration, and give NGO’s, local organizations and individual actors from civil society their say in the process of improving migration policies in ACP countries. Furthermore, these contacts will help to increase the visibility of the Observatory amongst civil-society based organizations.

The Observatory is an institution designed to produce data on South-South ACP migration flows for migrants, civil society and policy-makers and enhance research capacities in ACP countries for the improvement of the migrants’ situation and the strengthening of the migration-development nexus. The total budget for the project is 9 404 776 €. The European Union contributes with 7 994 060 € .

The Observatory will create a network of research centres and private researchers to provide policy-makers, the civil society and the public at large with reliable and harmonized data on ACP migration. It will focus its attention on the migrants’ situation and will foster the inclusion of migration into pilot countries’ development strategies. The Observatory will be officially launched in October 2010. While currently based in Brussels (Belgium), the Observatory will move to one of the 79 ACP countries.

The Observatory is open to the participation of Universities, research centres, government agencies, consultants, experts and general public interested in producing or using comprehensive data on ACP migration. Joining institutions will be part of a high-level research network including research facilities from around the world focusing on migration data and migration management policies. The Observatory will function as an exchange platform for migration research papers and expertise. Through its website, the Observatory will publish research studies and papers which will contribute to a better understanding of ACP migration flows and migration and development issues for policy-makers, government officials and general public.

The ACP observatory works with :

- A Research Consortium with 15 partners, among which National University of Lesotho, Roma, Lesotho, University of Cape Town (UCT) , Cape Town, South Africa, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal; Université Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis, Senegal; Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; MOI University, Eldoret, Kenya; Centre for the Study of Forced Migration of the University ofDar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Université de Goma, Goma, DRC; University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji; University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Associated Partners are: The International Migration Institute, Oxford, United Kingdom; The Commonwealth Secretariat, London, United Kingdom; Université de Yaoundé II, Yaoundé, Cameroon; The Economic and Social Research Foundation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The 12 Pilot Countries are: in West Africa: Senegal and Nigeria; in East Africa: Kenya and Tanzania; in Central Africa: Cameroon and DRC; Southern Africa: Lesotho and Angola; Caribbean: Haiti and Trinidad&Tobago; Pacific: Timor-Leste and Papua-New-Guinea.

PRESS RELEASE: 02/08/2010 - For immediate release

The ACP Observatory on Migration: improving migration research in ACP countries for better policy making
The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States Observatory on Migration is a new institution created to provide reliable data and information on migration flows in ACP countries. The objective is to design better policies to enhance the migration contribution to development. The Observatory will be officially launched in a ceremony foreseen for 25-27 October 2010 which will gather relevant figures from the political, economic and cultural fields both in the EU and the ACP countries.

The European Commission and the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States have partnered in the establishment of an intra-ACP Migration Facility aimed at fostering institutional capacity in the ACP countries and strengthen the civil society with the ultimate aim to include migration issues into national and regional development policies and strategies.
Available data on ACP migration is scarce and often unreliable.

In many countries, the lack of relevant information has serious political consequences, since migrants’ need cannot be taken into account by policy makers. Migration is widely considered to present one of the factors influencing development but in many cases it has not been included in development strategies because of the lack of reliable data. According to Laurent de Boeck, Director of the ACP Observatory on Migration, “unlike South-North movements, South-South migration flows have received very limited attention in the past years.

Yet contrary to public perceptions, South-South migration is highly important in many regions and often takes place between neighbouring countries and those with small wage differentials. Drive factors include labour migration, family reunification, forced migration, traditional cross border flows and the effects of climate change”.
The ACP Observatory on Migration will tackle existing data and information gaps by improving policy-oriented knowledge on migration flows between ACP countries. Under the Secretariat of ACP States and funded by the EDF and Switzerland, the Observatory will introduce an innovative approach to enhance research capacities in ACP countries and provide policy makers the tools to improve their action.

Information will be provided to general public to improve knowledge on migration issues. Research will focus on the protection of migrants’ rights through several research topics including forced migration, labour migration, migration and health, remittances and migration and climate change. The Observatory will foster networking and cooperation between research institutions, private researchers and government agencies through a website and will conduct research to obtain currently inexistent information. The total budget for the project is 9 404 776 €. The European Union contributes with 7 994 060 €.

An official ceremony will be organized in Brussels on 25-27 October 2010 to launch the Observatory. High representatives from EU and ACP institutions will be present to support the initiative, which strengthens the cooperation between European and ACP countries on migration and development. The launching ceremony will include working session and an artistic event foreseen for the 26th October 2010 where cultural and artistic creations from the ACP countries will be presented to the public.
END

Contact:mrfbrusselsacp@iom.int

An ACP Initiative, Empowered by IOM, Funded by the European Union (European contribution: 7 994 060 €) and with the financial support of Switzerland.

Why “Uncaged Birds”?

2010-06-01T09:54:00.003-07:00

FIVE YEARS AGO…

…I traded in my corner office for a room with a view.

In 2005 I left my job as Head of Human Resources Development in a major ad agency to establish my own training and coaching company - Creating Tomorrow: The Leadership Consultancy.

"Creating Tomorrow" - the name itself reflects the enormous Leap of Faith this step represents in my life!

As you can imagine, the road has often been rocky - filled with its fair share of both joy and frustration. To commemorate the challenges I’ve faced on my journey thus far, today - 1 June 2010 - I am launching a project that is very near and dear to my heart: Uncaged Birds™.

Why “Uncaged Birds”?

Inspired by Maya Angelou's seminal autobiography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Uncaged Birds™ honors the realization that simply opening the door to our proverbial cage isn’t enough. Each of us must make the decision to step through the door take flight. This confidence- and skill-building program is designed to reflect the specific needs, heritage and history of women of African descent living in Europe. It is also a vehicle to foster intensified dialogue between women of African descent in the Americas and in other parts of the world; esp. Europe.

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”

Maya Angelou

With Uncaged Birds™ I provide support for women of African descent as they more effectively tap into their innate individual and cultural strength, and utilize that strength as a powerful springboard to personal and professional success – in a safe, stress-free environment that respects our heritage and history.

Let’s be our own rôle models!

Uncaged Birds™ addresses the specific needs of women of African descent committed to succeeding both personally and professionally, despite the added challenge of living and doing business in cultures that are still not used to seeing people of color in a positive, non-stereotypical light. After having lived and worked for more than 30 years in Europe, I designed the program I would have personally wanted and needed for support and motivation as a young expat and woman of color making her way in Europe.

“Nothing will work unless you do.”

Maya Angelou

The launch portfolio will expand throughout the year offering a variety of individual and group coaching, training and communications platforms.

Let’s Get Started!

Are you a woman of African descent living in Europe? If so: be a part of TableTalk: The Virtual Round Table!

This Year’s TableTalk will be a 3-part series of 90-minute interviews taking place in July!

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.”

Maya Angelou

15 July 2010

The Expat Talks or “What’s a nice (Black) American girl like you doing in a place like this?” – A group of five Black American expats share stories and experiences about living and working in Europe, and tell how leaving America has affected the way they see their country – and themselves.

22 July 2010

Europe in Black, Brown and Beige or “No, where do you really come from?” Five Afro-European women come together to discuss issues of national and cultural identity, and compare and contrast how those issues are viewed differently from country to country.

29 July 2010

What We (All) Know or “The free bird thinks of another breeze.” A mixed group of African-American expats and Afro-European women come together to combine their insights about living, loving and working in Europe.

I will act as moderator/facilitator for this series, motivated by my own personal expat experience after living in Germany for more than 30 years.

What’s Left?

Visit the site and let me know what you think!

What do you think of the launch portfolio?
Are you interested in being a part of TableTalk?
What do you think would be a relevant topic for the upcoming CoachingHives™?

Uncaged Birds™…

…was created to support you when and as you need it, so you can more confidently wing towards – then embrace – your own brand of personal and professional freedom!

ACP exporters and EU importers discuss EU Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)

2010-05-29T02:43:00.000-07:00

The Public Consultation on the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), that started in April 2010, is still open until Next Monday 31st of May 2010 and contributions can be submitted until the end of Monday.

(Joyce van Genderen-Naar)

The EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) is a trade arrangement through which the EU provides preferential access to the EU market to 176 developing countries and territories, in the form of reduced tariffs for their goods when entering the EU market. The GSP scheme is an important element in the EU's active support for the sustainable development of developing countries.

The present GSP Regulation expires on 31 December 2011. The purpose of the present consultation exercise is to seek comments from interested parties as inputs to the Commission's work to prepare a future proposal to the Council and Parliament on a successor Regulation. The consultation is aimed at all parties with an interest in the EU GSP scheme, including stakeholders within the EU and in third countries, including beneficiaries.

The report on the Consultation which will be published by the Commission on the Trade website.

View the consultation document

The Commission also organizes specific meetings with interested parties, such as the DG Trade Civil Society Meeting organised on 26 May 2010 in Brussels to discuss the Public consultation on the next GSP regulation with the participants. EU importers need a simple, stable and predictable GSP regulation, was the message of EuroCommerce (the EU retail, wholesail and international trade representation to the EU). In its position paper EuroCommerce says that the companies attracted by the GSP are importers and retailers in the EU, who operate in a highly competitive business environment and will base their planning on the GSP only if the system meets their specific expectations, i.e. simple rules, one year predictability, legal certainty, significant product coverage, a GSP Plus that acts as a true incentive, proper & early stakeholder consultation, preferential rules of origin that work in practice. See: Click Here

ACP exporters who export their products to the EU market under the GSP and EBA stress that the complexity of the Rules of origin, non trade barriers, non tariff barriers and high EU standards make it difficult to enter the EU Market and are the main problem that preferential trade arrangements did not work and will not work. The Rules of Origin should be made more user friendly and adapt to the needs of the ACP countries.

However the Rules of origin are not addressed by the GSP Public Consultation, because there was already a Public Consultation on the Rules of Origin in 2006 and the reform is on its way according to the EC DG Trade.

What ACP (Africa, Carribean, Pacific) countries really need is the processing and distribution of their commodities and raw materials, product diversification, marketing, efficient distribution networks, transport and infrastructure.

Another concern is the artificial line between LDCs and non-LDCs. The suggestion is to add some of the LDCs to the EBA list and to apply it to custom unions in Africa. There should be one scheme (not GSP, GSP+ and EBA) with graduations according to the economic situation of the countries or objective development criteria such as the GDP per capita should be applied. In case of import share as criterion it should be a high percentage for all products.

CARIS (Centre for the Analysis of Regional Integration, University of Sussex) presented its Mid Term Evaluation of the EU's GSP, a report commissioned and financed by the European Commission. In the executive Summary CARIS says in point 15. that 'there is little evidence that the EU's preference regimes have led to a diversification of exports into new products'. Furthermore in point 26. 'While there are some significant trade and output effects for a sub-set of agricultural commodities and regions (notably fruits and vegetables in Ecuador, Costa Rica and Argentina, sugar products in the Caribbean, North Africa and Sub-Sahara African EBA beneficiaries, oils and fats in North Africa), the substantial expansionary impacts of the EU GSP occur in the textile, apparel and leather goods industries within Southern and Eastern Europe, North Africa, Cambodia and Pakistan.'

' Among the EBA regions in the model, Cambodia and Bangladesh benefit most from the EU scheme, while the EBA Sub-Saharan Africa composite region gains very little overall. ' (point 25).

'The bilateral gravity modeling exercise identified some evidence that preferences arising from the EU's free trade arrangements as well as those applied to the Cotonou countries had a positive impact on trade with the EU, rather than EBA, GSP, or GSP+ arrangements, ' according to CARIS in point 23 of the Executive Summary.

Joyce van Genderen-Naar
Brussels
vangenderen@unicall.be

Sandra Rafaela appointed H.M. Senior Commissioner EU/ Africa at the African Kingdoms Federation

2010-05-19T03:38:00.000-07:00

By Sandrine Joseph
(Source: www.poto-mitan.com/archives/436)

I’m so proud to announce the appointment of my friend Sandra Rafaela as H.M Senior Commissioner EU / Africa at the African Kingdoms Federation.

This is an unique opportunity to discover talented women in Europe who masters her destiny and affirm herself as a leader of the African diaspora living in Europe. She kindly accepted to give us an outlook of her vision of black women empowerment.

Sandrine Joseph (SJ) : You are a European Black Woman Leader, co-founder of Women of the African Diaspora – WAD. Could you tell us more about how you have created it? What were the best moments you live by meeting other Black Women.

Sandra Rafaela (SR): End 2005 I discovered that there were almost no websites for black women created by black European women. And if there were any, than it was only for professionals and was only for business. This made me create a website and network (AESN) with information by and for black women. In 2007 I met Adrianne George (Sweden), who had/ has a very successful blog “Black Women in Europe”, and asked if she wanted to work together with me. She agreed and together we created the Women of the African Diaspora website and social network which was launched in 2008. Important was and still is the visibility of black women on the internet. The website features black female authors/ business owners/ artists/ musicians and provides news about or for black women. The different social networks are a platform for black women to network.

SJ : What are the best moments by meeting other Black Women.
SR : Best moment was to be able to co-organize an International Black Women Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This conference was about black business women and about women living in Europe and their experiences. There were also black female business owners who could showcase their business during this conference.

SJ : You have been appointed as H.M. Senior Commissioner EU/ Africa on Women Development and Empowerment within the African Kingdoms Federation? I’ve never heard about this organization. Could you tell us more about it? What are your plan for the 2 next years?
SR : The African Kingdoms Federation (AKF) is a union, consisting of all of Africa’s states ancient Royal Kingdoms referred to as the Traditional Kingdoms and Traditional Rulers, forming a Royal Monarchical Federation. The union form by the Sheba Kingdoms ancestors at its earliest period hundreds years ago, was referred to as the Maa-Confederation, later in the period of its colonial history, with its nations broken and in torment, it was referred to within inner Africa, as the Mother Nation, later referred to as Mother Africa by the slaves taken from the Kingdoms out of Africa, and in particular their African-Americans and African-Caribbean descendants of the Diaspora in the later generations as Mother Africa and the Motherland.

The Federation addresses its responsibilities to the Kingdoms and Tribal Nations, through the Federation over 25 years ago initiated Trans-African Nations Rural and Urban Regions Development Agenda Program Protocols activated by the Matriarchal Decree of March 10th 2006, is under the responsibility of the Federation Imperial House Foundations NGOs; Imperial House Foundations in Africa and the USA, and Imperial House – CI Africa.

The Federation has one purpose, one goal, which is working directly with the Kingdoms and Tribal Nations and as well in collaboration with the Trans-African Nations; African Union and ECOWAS Governments as a unified People towards the Development and Empowerment of the African Continent Nations for the Social and Economical empowerment of the African Tribes, African Nations and African Governments. Initiated after the Federation and Matriarchs over 25 years of preparation within the Kingdoms and sealed through the Federation Matriarchal March 10th 2006 Decree.

As being H.M. Senior Commissioner EU/ Africa on Women Development and Empowerment within the African Kingdoms Federation I want to improve the visibility of black women Worldwide and work and work toward an union between all women.

This through strategic Development of the Internal Infra-structure, of these said Nations, Countries and Continent; of the referenced termed 3rd World Nations.

SJ : What are your plans for the 2 next years?
SR : The coming two year I plan to create more visibility for black women globally but also create a bridge to women in general.

SJ : If you wanted to share you knowledge on Black Women, what could be the best source of information you would provide, and why?
SR: There are different sources on the internet where information about Black Women can be found: Afro European Sisters Network Blog/ Black Female Authors Blog/ Women of the African Diaspora website/ Black Women Unite Social Network/ Black Women in Europe Blog/ Black History Heroes Blog. All pages can also be found on Facebook.

SJ :Regarding Black History, do you think that Black Women have the right place in our memories?
SR: In Europe black women are not really visible. As long we cant mention 10 Black European women who were part of the European history, we still got a lot of work to do. Cause I’ am convinced that they are out there, but that we never heard of them.

Her web presence :
www.womenoftheafricandiaspora.com
www.afroeuropeansistersnetwork.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/aesn
www.blackwomenunite.ning.com
www.facebook.com/sandra.rafaela

Caricom should reject the EC proposal for a hurriedmeeting of the Joint Council

2010-05-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

Commentary: Timid Leadership setting back Caribbean in the world

Published on Friday, May 14, 2010

By Sir Ronald Sanders

Several commentators have lamented in recent years the seeming timidity of Caribbean leaders in not more aggressively defending and advancing the economic interests of Caribbean countries in the global community.

This apparent timidity has been evident in a number of areas including the surrender to bullying by the European Union (EU) when Caribbean governments signed up to an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which went beyond the requirements of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, and in the submission to the dictation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) over the operations of the financial services sector.

These capitulations will hurt the Caribbean now and haunt the region’s economic future for some time to come. Essentially, the space for making and implementing decisions in the Caribbean’s interest is either being severely restricted or lost altogether.

This malaise is weakening the once vibrant Caribbean Community which was led by courageous men and women who were not averse to standing up to the most powerful countries and agencies in defense of matters of importance to their nations and to the region.

While they sought strategic alliances with other nations and groups of countries, such as the pact with African and Pacific countries in the original negotiations with the EU, the motivation was the furtherance of their domestic and regional interest. They recognized that each of them was stronger for the support of the others, and they made unity not only a virtue but a tool, gathering together their best brains from government, the private sector and academia to map out their strategies and to implement them.

Somewhere along the path in recent years, the region has lost its way. The resolve to act collectively in the common interest of all appears to have been pushed to one side, as governments seek individual salvation. Collective action, long a strength of CARICOM, is paid only lip service. Worse yet, the collective use of the Caribbean’s best brains in government, business, and academia has disappeared.

So, the OECS countries join Japan to vote for commercial whaling even though there is a thriving tourism whale watching industry in the region; some countries have joined the Venezuelan-initiated ALBA – often taking positions within that group before discussing it in CARICOM; and the region remains divided on the issue of diplomatic recognition of China or Taiwan.

But, above all, bold leadership has diminished in the region, and it has reduced among Caribbean people the ambition to reach for the stars; to push the envelope so as to stride out of the shadows and into the global sunlight. The region is weaker for it. And, it will become weaker still unless the leadership of the region returns to the fundamentals of collective thinking and collective action, and asserts the Caribbean’s interest boldly; not surrendering to imposed rules in which they have not had a say; refusing to be bullied; and not allowing their governments to be captured by the inducements of others.

In this connection, a statement made to me by the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, is warmly welcomed. The Prime Minister told me on the record that “Venezuela had nothing to do with St Vincent’s decision to offer itself for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2011-2012 term”.

Our discussion followed my commentary: “Serve the Caribbean’s interest, not some other country’s”.

Dr Gonsalves placed his government’s decision in the context of the need for small Caribbean states to be bold in order to reverse the idea that they are “little nothings”, and he was adamant that, should St Vincent and the Grenadines – one of the smallest of the Caribbean nations - succeed in this quest, its seat on the Security Council will be a CARICOM seat dedicated to advancing the region’s interest even as it deliberates, and helps to arbitrate on, global hot-spot issues.

Gonsalves looked forward to St Vincent’s UN mission being strengthened by personnel from other CARICOM countries and benefitting from advice and consultations with experienced present and former diplomats from the region. While he expected support from the ALBA countries, he declared: “We are not an ALBA candidate”. In this, the Prime Minister was prudently distancing his country from the controversial relations between Venezuela and Colombia, since it is Colombia against whom St Vincent will be competing for the single seat available to the Latin American and Caribbean group.

If, indeed, the St Vincent government is pursuing the Security Council non-permanent seat in a spirit of boldness and to assert the right of small countries to be represented and heard at the highest levels of global decision-making, then all Caribbean people should support it. When Guyana ran for - and got – the seat in 1975 as the first CARICOM state to do so, it was because the government at the time also felt that the domination by the larger Latin American states should end and the capacity of small states to contribute to thinking and solutions at the global level should be demonstrated.

None of this ignores the costs that the St Vincent government will face, and in this connection, every CARICOM government should pitch-in with money and qualified people. The quest must be a Caribbean one, for Caribbean purposes, financed by the Caribbean to assert the region’s independence.

And, as part of this resurgence of Caribbean boldness, regional governments should reject the recent offer made by the European Union to pay for Caribbean delegates to attend a Meeting of the CARIFORUM-EU EPA Joint Council, at ministerial level, on 17 May 2010 in Madrid.

This meeting was hastily proposed by the Commission of the European Union to be held on the day of the scheduled CARIFORUM-EU Summit in order “to adopt the two sets of Rules of Procedures” for the Joint Council.

But, CARICOM countries have not collectively addressed these rules. Worse yet, the European Commission (EC) has scheduled only one and a half hours to consider these complex legal rules whose application will have far reaching implications for the work of the Joint Council.

It is obvious that the EC expects the Caribbean to do nothing but rubber stamp the rules. And, it is time that regional governments call a halt to being railroaded.

They should reject the proposal for a hurried meeting of the Joint Council for which they are not prepared, and they should use the Summit to boldly tell the EU leadership of their dissatisfaction with the treatment the Caribbean has received for sugar, bananas and rum.

It is time again for collective and informed Caribbean boldness.

Sir Ronald Sanders is a business executive and former Caribbean diplomat who publishes widely on small states in the global community. Reponses to: http://www.sirronaldsanders.com/

ACP and EU Tired of EPAs

2010-05-03T09:36:00.001-07:00

By Joyce van Genderen-Naar

The ACP and EU views expressed April 29, 2010 at the International EPA Seminar in Brussels, "EPAs in (times of) crisis” (state of play of the EPA negotiations and implementation and the EPAs in the light of the global crises), made very clear that :

1. 8 years of EPA negotiations (2002-2010) were a disaster.

2. there is a 'fatigue' in ACP countries and in EU Members States: the majority is tired of or not interested in EPAs.

3. main reason of the failure is that the European Commission has never listened and never taken serious the concerns and needs of ACP countries and has forced the ACP countries and their governments to conclude the EPAs.

4. ACP representatives spoke about unethical and unrespectful negotiations practices of EU representatives in their countries, putting pressure on ACP exporters to influence their governments to conclude the EPAs.

5. the impact of the global crises (food, financial, economic, climat change) on ACP countries makes it necessary and urgent to rethink the EPAs, and in case of the Caribbean to review and not to ratify the CF-EC-EPA.

7. Calls were made to suspend or block the EPA negotiations.

8. The way forward and other issues were discussed at the International EPA Seminar in Brussels.

9. The presentations will be made available at www.epawatch.eu

What I noticed is that ACP state actors (representatives of Governments and embassies) and non state actors (NGOs, civil society) are together opposing the inflexibility, deadlines etc. of these negotiations. Before only NGOs were against EPAs, now ACP state and non state are in this together, trying to safeguard their economies and future.

The regional EPA negotiations were dividing ACP: Africa (4 regions), Caribbean and Pacific. But what brings them together is the need to defend their common interests: poverty eradication, sustainable development and globalisation, which are not guaranteed by the EPA and the negotiations with the EC. Due to the inflexible EPA negotiations the EC is alienating the ACP countries. ACP countries need their experts not only for EPA negotiations with the EC but also for economic cooperation with Asia and America. That was also an important message of the ACP representatives at the International EPA Seminar in Brussels.

Civil organisations contributing to the organisation of the seminar were: ActionAid, African Trade Network, APRODEV, Africa Groups Sweden, Caribbean Policy Development Centre, ENDA, Forum Syd, ICCO, Oxfam International, Pacific Network on Globalisation, Partnership for Change, SOS Faim, Third World Network Africa, Transnational Institute, Traidcraft, and 11.11.11.(Marc Maes).

The Key note address was made by Martin Khor, Director South Centre: EPAs in times of crises

Civil society perspectives on the state of the play by:

* Maureen Penjueli (Pacific Network on Globalisation): Pacific perspectives
* Cheikh Tidiane Dieye (ENDA) : African perspectives
* Shantal Munro (Caribbean Policy Development Centre) : Caribbean perspectives

The global Food crisis and EPAs :

* Jean-Jacques Grodent (SOS Faim) : The global food crisis and the right to food.
* NN, Réseau des organisations paysannes et de producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA): Food crisis, EPAs and

African small holders

* Karin Ulmer (APRODEV) : Can better Safeguards help?

Rethinking EPAs:

* Emily Jones (Oxford University): Updating the EPAs in light of the crises
* Sanya Reid-Smith (Third World Network): Services, investments and trade-related issues
* Viviana Munoz (South Centre): Intellectual property rights

Why is there still only one “full” EPA (and should there be more)?

* Debate among representatives of Civil Society, the EU Commission and the ACP

www.epawatch.eu

Netwerkbijeenkomst bij Kraka- e Sewa te Amsterdam Zuid Oost 7 mei 2010

2010-05-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

Van idee naar werkelijkheid !

Hoe zorg je ervoor dat het niet blijft bij het verzinnen van ideeën, maar hoe zet je een idee om in resultaat? Dat is de vraag waarop je tijdens deze netwerkbijeenkomst een antwoord kunt verwachten. Je krijgt praktische tips en tools aangereikt waarmee je direct aan de slag kunt. Aan het eind van deze mini workshop kun je een of meerdere belemmeringen benoemen en kun je de focus cirkel toepassen. Om zo ook jouw idee (misschien wel het gat in de markt?!) leven in te blazen.

Ben ik in beeld?

Ben je in staat om in slechts enkele zinnen de ander te vertellen wat je doet? En zo ja, klopt wat je vertelt met dat wat je wilt uitstralen? Komt het over bij de ander? In deze mini workshop verkennen we jouw kernboodschap en zichtbaarheid.

Wij verwelkomen jullie graag om 16.30 uur bij het verzorgingstehuis Krake-e Sewa van Cordaan in Amsterdam Zuid Oost. Om de inwendige mens te verzorgen zal er voor een Maaltijd gezorgd worden. Na afloop bestaat de gelegenheid tot netwerken onder het genot van een borrel. De bijeenkomst is gratis voor leden, voor niet leden zijn de kosten € 20,-

Wij rekenen op een grootse opkomst.

Programma 7 mei 2010:

16.30 uur ontvangst met koffie/thee/frisdrank

17.00 uur opening en welkomstwoord Maritza Russel, voorzitter EZVN

17.15 uur Ben ik in beeld?

Sandra Derksen van Jobpitch, www.jobpitch.nl en Heleen Verweij van Visser en Verweij Communicatie, http://www.visserenverweij.nl/, tevens presentatrice TV Gelderland voor het programma Buitengewoon.

18.15 Van idee naar werkelijkheid

Elsbeth van Lienden van Centipede, www.schrijfjeondernemingsplan.nl,

19.00 uur Buffet, Borrel en netwerken

20.30 uur Afsluiting

In verband met de catering en de beveiliging verzoeken wij u vóór woensdag 5 mei a.s te mailen of je komt onder vermelding van uw naam en contactgegevens naar info@ezvn.nl.

Locatie: Kraka-e-Sewa, Anton de Komplein 60,1102 DR Amsterdam Zuidoost ,Tel 020- 3123960. Bereikbaarheid; Kraka-e-Sewa is met het openbaar vervoer gemakkelijk te bereiken vanaf station Amsterdam-Bijlmer. Bij de halte stadsdeelkantoor/Anton de Komplein of de Dolingadreef/Bijlmermeerdreef stoppen de volgende bussen: 41, 44, 45, 46, 47. Met de auto is de locatie ook prima bereikbaar (A9, afslag S112 Bijlmermeer).

Commentary: After a year of the EPA with Europe: What benefits for the Caribbean?

2010-04-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

By Sir Ronald Sanders

The European Commission (EC) will be holding a symposium on April 22 and 23 on the year-old Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) collectively and 15 Caribbean countries individually.
There is, as yet, no indication that Caribbean governments or the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat will be holding a similar exercise.

It has to be assumed that each of the governments that signed the EPA has long established units both to implement its terms and to monitor its effects on individual economies.

Therefore, relevant authorities in each of the Caribbean states as well as the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) should be able to provide a list of the benefits that have been secured from the EU under the EPA. Our publics had been told that we would benefit not only from the exports of new goods and commodities to the EU but also from the provision of a wide range of services. Additionally, Caribbean companies would have the right of establishment in the EU.

Against this background, it should be fairly easy for the competent authority in each country to provide information related to just a few matters such as: what preparations and actions have been taken by exporters of goods and especially services to access the EU market; what are the investment plans by companies to establish in the EU market; and how easy or difficult are their plans looking for access to Europe.

There is a very important clause in the EPA which allows for a review of it within 5 years of its coming into force. That clause was hard fought for, and came about only because Guyana’s President Bharat Jagdeo had the courage to insist upon it even after other Caribbean governments had agreed to sign the EPA without such a review mechanism.

In defence of several Caribbean heads of government, it should be noted that they were reluctant to sign and many did so only after their crucial exports of bananas and sugar and some manufactured goods (from Trinidad and Tobago for instance) were threatened by the EC with a higher tariff in the EU market.

But, if the EPA is to be properly reviewed – and it should be subject to such a review on an annual basis – it is essential to monitor its implementation and to gather information that will inform an examination

However, informed sources in the region say that some governments have done very little about implementation and others have done nothing at all.

What is known for certain is that even though Caribbean countries and the EU are supposed to be ‘partners’ under the EPA, the EC has denounced the Sugar Protocol causing Caribbean countries to lose their preferential price for sugar; the EC has agreed a new trade regime for bananas with exports from non African, Caribbean and Pacific countries that will decimate what is left of the banana industry in the Caribbean; and come June 20, the EC will renege on an undertaking to the Caribbean rum industry to help finance restructuring and marketing while at the same time reducing tariffs on competing rum from several Latin American countries.

Not surprisingly several Caribbean businesses have lamented the benefits to them of the EPA so far. For example, Ramesh Dookooh, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, observes that “Guyana earns much of its revenue on traditional exports, including rice and sugar, both of which are not covered by the EPA’s duty- and quota-free. Thus, the private sector in our country has its reservations about the economic opportunities available under the EPA”. Nonetheless, he is hopeful. He says: “Wider consultation with stakeholders and a stronger focus on the developmental dimension of the agreements could make the EPAs even more effective.”

Unfortunately, there has not been much evidence of consultation. The experience of sugar, rum and bananas indicate that the EC now takes the Caribbean for granted. After all, they do already have a signed full EPA from the region, so why concern themselves overly about the Caribbean.

The EC also controls the purse strings. They have knotted those strings on the purse of the 8th European Development Fund (ED) from which money for restructuring and marketing the rum industry should have come, and its daunting bureaucratic procedures halt many Caribbean countries in their tracks from getting money to implement the EPA under the 10th EDF.

An EU fund, managed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), is reported to be exhausted with no sign of being replenished.

Undoubtedly, the global financial crisis – as well as the failures of regional financial institutions – has battered Caribbean governments. All CARICOM countries have been preoccupied with saving their economies from shocks including worsening terms of trade especially with the EU – even Guyana though it had 3.3 per cent growth in 2009.

But, Caribbean governments cannot afford to let attention to the EPA with the EU slip. The European Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, recently told German business people: “The economic crisis has temporarily halted the process of globalisation. But let there be no mistake: this process is very likely to pick up again with renewed vigour. The EU must put in place the conditions to benefit from it to the full”. He is looking to a “successful conclusion” of the global negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) “to boost Europe's GDP by around 45 billion Euros”.

Commissioner De Gucht will measure a “successful conclusion” very differently from the Caribbean, but the region should have its own collective plan of action and its own definition of success on which it should collaborate with like-minded countries.

The implementation of the EPA and the procuring of benefits from it have not been evident so far, and the EC has not been helpful to the Caribbean in the process.

When Caribbean leaders meet their EU counterparts for a Conference on May 17th in Spain, they should be fully briefed and prepared to tell European leaders of their dissatisfaction and propose means of making the EPA deliver on the ‘partnership’ it promised.

Sir Ronald Sanders is a business executive and former Caribbean diplomat who publishes widely on small states in the global community. Reponses to: www.sirronaldsanders.com

South Africa: Race, Liberation and Authentic Citizenship

2010-04-17T22:49:00.001-07:00

By Liepollo Lebohang Pheko

Last week on South Africa's ETV an unexpected national moment occurred, a phrase was coined and a YouTube global discourse erupted. A discussion between myself and Andrie Visagie of the AWB (Afrikaner Resistance Movement) brought into sharp focus a whole host of tensions, contradictions and implications of what it means to be a South African in 2010 from two very divergent perspectives.

The last few days have been an opportunity of reflection and stillness through the tumult.

I am deeply moved by countless messages of support, strength and courage from across the country and beyond. I stand in gratitude to the many people who are lifting up prayers and sending love. As I traversed the digital highway a number of nuances lit my consciousness. The thirty-minute programme comes at a moment when race relations seem to have been exposed in all their fragility. As one of the gracious messages conveyed, 'I am forever changed by what I witnessed'.

It is very difficult to express the moment when Andrie Visagie charged towards me in the studio and then pointed at me saying 'I am not through with you'. It happened fast and quickly entered the popular lexicon of talked about events. This has not afforded me much space to revisit the moment. However watching it again has been alarming, offensive and contemptuous in the extreme. Having seen Mr Visagie's response to the question about whether he cares about farm workers in this country, one wonders at the sort of intimidation they are subjected to in remote parts of this country by people like him. The interviewer rightly stepped between us and responses to this intervention form part of my concern. Having read a sampling of the copious commentaries and blogs that sprung up like mushrooms - most of which express concern and indignation at what I experienced - there are some disturbing tendencies being circulated.

I am amused by some of the comments that note that my well-manicured nails show no evidence of suffering. Other bloggers remarked that if I were their wife, they too would have been angry since I talked until Visagie was backed into a corner of impotent rage. Another said that the manicured nails of this independent, opinionated woman in Visagie's face were nearly enough to provoke a beating. It seems that in some people's minds the brutal verbal onslaught upon an African woman by a thickset white man was not only acceptable but somehow deserved. These men effectively stood back and allowed their sister to be assaulted by white supremacy while they watched in amusement and even sympathy with the very supremacy which has also brutalised them.

This suggests a psychosis of self-hate, coupled with centuries of a mental onslaught which now accepts very bizarre, perverse and brutal behaviour as normative. As Fanon articulates, 'the development of violence among colonised people will be disproportionate to the violence exercised by the threatened colonial regime ... violence is in action all-inclusive and national'. None of us have been spared the repeated citations that natives are untrustworthy, lazy and blood-thirsty. Accusations that black people want handouts, free houses and jobs they do not deserve at the expense of white people are the latest incarnation in what is effectively part of the same narrative. The narrative suggests that Africans do not deserve anything beyond the discretion of white largesse and that those who dare for more self determined lives are 'cheeky kaffirs' who pose a threat to the long-standing status quo.

The blogs by some of the white Visagie sympathisers do not bear repetition but remind us that our national identity is fractured and contested. They help us recall that the phenomenon called liberation is far removed from the miraculous melding of rainbow diversity. Several of these bloggers have been given the entry point to enunciate the sort of rage that Visagie usefully brought into the national domain. We are presented with an interesting collision of race, gender and class prejudices. Of the many calls I have received in recent days, none have been from the Human Rights Commission, the Commission of Gender Equality or the Equality Court. I am not aware of anything that these institutions have said in the media that they may not have had the opportunity to communicate to me.

Perhaps they are also grappling with how to reach out to an African woman who inadvertently found herself in the midst of combustible race and gender hostility on live television. It is admittedly complex to examine the gender, race and class intersections then frame an appropriate or adequate response. Even my multiracial church has not managed to frame a concerted response to what many saw on TV screens. It is profoundly uncomfortable. Where the blood of Jesus should be the lowest common denominator, Kingdom citizenship seems to be obscured by very earthly but pervasive discomforts about race, racism and the ugliest facets of discrimination.

One wonders what the response would have been if an African leader perhaps a Vavi, a Mantashe or Julius had castigated and threatened a white woman panellist in the same manner. I have no doubt that the furore would have gone beyond YouTube amusement and entered the realms of the criminal justice system. One can already imagine the likes of Afri-forum demanding an apology, submitting a complaint to the BCCSA and beating a determined track towards the Equality Court before the weekend was up.

At the time of writing the programme has been removed from broadcast because of complaints from viewers who assert that it has created race tension. I am of the opinion that it has merely reminded us of long standing division thus presents an excellent opportunity to have overdue conversations about things we rarely speak of outside confined spaces.

If this incident had occurred to the sister, mother, daughter, wife or neighbour of any right minded man of any race in this country I would like to believe that the blogs which are absorbed by my glossy finger nails would contain far more thoughtful reflection and appropriate outrage. Questions about what was allegedly said to provoke Visagie's outburst have much in common with the rape survivor being asked what she was wearing at the time of the crime. It is the same rationale that which men use to terrorise their partners within the confines of the home because of spurious infractions. It is also the same rationale that asks women whose toddlers have been raped why they left their diaper-clad children in the care of others.

As a young woman in the 1990s I was concerned that the popular call to arms 'wa thinta bafazi wa thinta mbokodo' would eventually narrow the space for women to express pain. It denies us the right to articulate deep hurt, whether physical, emotional or spiritual, and does not permit African women the inherent right to experience the necessity of vulnerability. It presumes that we are rocks to be raped, assaulted, abused, humiliated by employers, traumatised in the home, objectified in popular culture and held ransom to the grossest abuses in the name of culture - all to be borne with stoic dignity. The alibis under banners like 'so strong, black woman, survivor, resourceful' absolve us all from taking corrective action. It is a perverse logic, which must be questioned and challenged.

We have become so accustomed to centuries of being dehumanised, humiliated and subjected to the most violent assault on our personhood as Africans and women that incidents such as this elicit little more than passing outrage. The assault on our personhood extends to the man who was fed to lions, the person who was shot because a farmer thought they were a baboon, the workers dragged by bakkies, the women who were fed urine-laced food at the University of the Free State and whose humiliation was compounded by the inexplicable invitation that these young men return to complete their studies. Some of these would almost seem like urban legends if they were not such atrocious and absolutely indescribable acts of racially charged aggression and hatred.

Reconciliation sixteen years on has not at all resolved the structural deficits nor begun to address economic sovereignty. I beg to differ with the hypothesis that white minority rule is gone and that it is gone forever. It is pervasive in economic power, corporate capital and visible in the GINI coefficient. South Africa's is the highest in the world along with Brazil, higher than India and China. Allocation of resources and opportunity is still skewed along racial lines. The fault lines are evidenced by the still appalling living conditions of most Africans in this country, and the implicit acceptance of this situation. It is the same deficit of values and appreciation of our personhood that allows this to continue almost unchallenged by the new government. They are in effect gate, keeping and perpetuating the years of social apartheid. Having decreed that we stop talking and forgive without any restorative processes, we are ransomed by silent dismay. By our silence we are mocked and in our darkness we are further tormented.

'We want to be free. We are not interested in being a part of this failure of South Africa,' says Andrie Visagie. And yet statistics show the contrary to be true. They show in fact the African majority has yet to receive the benefits of citizenship sixteen years into the new dispensation, and that in fact Mr Visagie and the majority of white citizens have not experienced any recession of their privileges. They are still the winners.

Several people have asked me if Mr Visagie apologised to me once emotions had subsided, even as a public relations exercise. It occurred to me then that the extent sense of censure was a mooted statement issued by the AWB, which received little media attention. It iterated the constitution's principles of freedom of expression, adding that the secretary general's behaviour on ETV contradicted this. No mention was made about the verbal onslaught and the pending publicly-made threat that Mr Visagie made to me. Nor was he asked to explain his remarks. I am owed at least an apology and that apology is also owed to the millions of people in this country who have been subjected to the brutality, dehumanisation, legislated discrimination and systematic removal of land, resources and collective attack on our self-esteem. It has been an attempt to totally annihilate Africans' sense of being and entitlement to self-determined lives in their own country.

Beyond that sense of shame, a sincere recognition of Africans' humanity would act as a useful platform to acknowledge centuries of white privilege, begin the corrective actions that the government has, in sixteen years, done with little or uneven effect.
No one begrudges the nation some much-needed comic relief during these recessed times. It should however not negate a moment to examine the implications of this action and our attendant inaction. This liberation of ours is hotly contested, differentially experienced and highly compromised; the majority are yet to fully move into an encompassing expression of this citizenship and liberation at all levels and spheres of life.

People like Andre Visagie are merely emblems of deeply rooted resentment, unresolved battles and fraught and fractured national identities. And the matter of white entitlement has never been more clearly elucidated. Centuries of unmerited gain and head starts do not seem to form part of their reflection.

Perhaps this is the beginning a process of reconfiguring an authentic sense of our nation. Claudia Von Werlhof expresses it thus: 'One cannot be with the people who are below, without telling the dominant people very clearly, that they have to come down ... The mighty have to get down from their throne, and the powerless have to raise themselves'. Who then will help the powerless to raise themselves and who will climb down from the throne of social and economic privilege?

Liepollo Lebohang Pheko is policy and advocacy director of The Trade Collective and director responsible for social accounting, institutional transformation, social and development policy, Four Rivers.

The AGCG Advertising Network launch will put advertisers in front of black women and expats around the world

2010-04-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

The AGCG Advertising Network launch will put advertisers in front of black women and expats around the world

Black women are an economic powerhouse and expats have disposable income and special needs.

Stockholm, Sweden April 15, 2010 – The AGCG Advertising Network provides businesses, service providers and event planners access to the diverse and economically important market of black women and global citizens known as expatriates.

“Black women continue to spend money on the products and services they need even during an economic downturn”, Adrianne George, founder of the AGCG Advertising Network explains. “While they may focus more on items for the household and less on discretionary purchases, black women continue to make buying decisions for themselves and their families”.

Indeed research reported in Target Market News shows that purchases by African Americans of items related to the home continued to increase despite the need for economic sacrifices. Appliance purchases grew 27% to $2.2 billion. Computers for home use climbed 28% to $3.5 billion. Consumer electronic expenditures went up by 32% to $4.5 billion.

“Of course the market for reaching black women extends outside of the United States”, says George. “In fact black women in Europe are often an ignored market yet make spending decisions daily as do their other European counterparts”.

International citizens known as expatriates can be found in every corner of the world and have special needs. “As an expat from the States living in Europe I know these needs first hand”, George reveals. “While the reasons vary for living abroad those who do need mobile phone service, information about schools for their children, insurance options, food stuffs, and other personal items”, she says. “Just imagine starting from scratch and needing to know everything”. Businesses who reach out to the expat market find a receptive audience.

The AGCG Advertising Network is comprised of multiple Internet properties from recognizable brands: Afro European Sister’s Network, Black Expat, Black Female Authors, Black Women in Europe™, EurOBamaBlog, JobsinStockholm.com Blog, and Women of the African Diaspora, and provides vertical advertising across several platforms and several channels.

Since one size does not fit all the AG Communications Group can also create advertising plans that include additional websites outside of the AGCG Advertising Network as well as ad copy in different languages.

“The time has come to court black women and international citizens if you want to grow your business and expand your customer base”, says George. “These are two of the most loyal markets”.

Contact: adrianne@agcommunicationsgroup.com
AGCG Advertising Network: http://agcommunicationsgroup.com/agcg-network/AG
Communications Group: http://agcommunicationsgroup.com/about/

Awaken the Goddess Within April 24th 2010 Breda, NL

2010-04-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

CLICK ON THE FLYER

In collaboration with Mariposa Import and Màrshé Breda, the Afro European Sisters Network and Women of the African Diaspora organize the workshop Awaken the Goddess Within.

Awakening the Goddess Within is an invitation to awaken your feminine source of power. It is about nourishing a woman from the roots of her being and empowering her from the inside out. Acknowledging your value, beauty and self-worth as a woman is essential to awakening the Goddess within you. Are ready to awaken your goddess within? If so, then this workshop is the space and place for you to meet with your Goddess and other Goddess’s a like.

Program Saturday 24 april 2010:

- 09.30 - 10.00 Arrival

- 10.00 - 12.00 Workshop Jurne Azubiah (UK)

- 12.00 - 13.00 Lunch

- 13.00 - 15.00 Workshop Jurne Azubiah (UK)

- 15.00 - 15.30 Coffee Break

- 15.30 - 16.30 Workshop Lori van Echtelt (NL/US)

- 16.30 - 17.30 Màrshé Breda

- 17.30 - 18.00 Socialize

Workshop Awaken the Goddess Within by Jurne Azubiah.

Workshop Hair and Self by Lori van Echtelt

Workshop Food / Culture and Enterperneurship by Màrshé Breda

Where: Oneness Africa
Chr. Huygensstraat 44
4816 BK Breda (The Netherlands)

Price: 25,= euro

Reservations via: database-xena@aesn.eu

Due to international participants/ speakers the workshops will be in English.

Unique solidarity between the EU outermost and ACP bananaproducing and exporting countries

2010-04-06T11:14:00.001-07:00

(Joyce van Genderen-Naar)

The Declaration on Bananas the ACP-EU Joint Assembly adopted on 1 April 2010 in Tenerife last week, is the result of an unique solidarity between the EU outermost and ACP banana producing and exporting countries, among which the Caribbean.

In the joint declaration both EU Outermost regions and ACP countries critizised the EU policy and the EC agreement with the Latin Americans, closed by the EC at the expense of EU Outermost regions and ACP countries. The banana producers from Tenerife/Las Canarias, Guadeloupe, Martinique, the Caribbean, Africa and the Pacific expressed their common concerns. Tenerife and Las Canarias being part of Spain, said how disappointed they are in Spain were the agreement with the Latin Americans will be signed in May 2010.

They called upon the EU to stop this, or else the economies of the Canarias, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Caribbean, Africa and Pacific banana producing and exporting countries will be destroyed. No one understands why the EU is doing this. The Caribbean representatives said that not only bananas, but also rum and sugar, and everything else that is functioning well in the Caribbean is in danger because of EU measures.

As said in the Declaration:
"The European Parliament seriously considers the impact of the issues raised in this declaration before giving its consent to the bananas agreement."

The role of the European Parliament is strengthened by the Lisbon Treaty, which means that the role of civil society (CS) is strengthened too. The Eur. Parl. consults the CS before agreeing on Trade Agreements and EU policy with regard to trade relations, economic and other commercial EU interests. Which means that representatives of interest groups and organizations have to discuss their interests and concerns with the Members of European Parliament if they want them to support their case. So we have to lobby more in Brussels. That is what the Latin Americans have been doing and their strong voices are heard.

The EC defends its policy by saying that the Latin American countries are so poor, more than the Caribbean, and that they depend on the banana export. A very weak argument, because the profits of the multinationals, Chiquita etc., are not for the benefit of the poor people of Latin America who are exploited by these multinationals, that are not respecting labour standards. In a EC meeting on 16 March 2010 in Brussels the International Trade Unions asked the EC not to close Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, because it is the most dangerous place in the world for trade unionists: over 60% of all trade unionists killed in the world are Colombian, 128 Colombian Trade Unionists were assassinated between 2007-2009. That should also be brought forward with regard to the banana agreement between the EC and Colombia.

So what we could and should do is defend our countries' and populations' interest through debates in parliaments (national and on EU-ACP level), with members of Parliaments (national and EU-ACP), in the media, newspapers, at Universities, etc. We have to lobby more.

DECLARATION on the EU-Latin America Bananas Agreement and its impact on ACP and EU banana producers(ES)

01.04.2010

The EU-Latin America bananas agreement and its impact on ACP and EU banana producers

The deal

A. In December 2009 the EU came to an agreement within the WTO with the US and Latin American producers to put an end to the long-running dispute on bananas.

B. The deal will mean significant tariff cuts (35% between 2010 and 2017 at the earliest) for non-ACP imports and, as a result, it will harm the
competitiveness of ACP and EU producers.

C. Moreover, the EU is currently holding bilateral talks with certain Latin American countries, with a view to signing free-trade agreements, which may lead to significant further tariff reductions and considerably reduce any supposed benefits to ACP banana producers derived from EPAs.

D. Bananas are the world's fourth biggest agricultural export. The EU market accounts for over a third of all imports.

E. Multinationals operating in Latin America control over 80% of the global market.

F. In 2008, 72% of the bananas sold in Europe were already from Latin America,whereas bananas from ACP countries and the EU only represented 17% and 10.5% respectively. Virtually all ACP banana exports go to the EU, while Latin American countries also export to North and South America and Russia.

G. Banana production has a major impact on local communities, not only in economic terms, but also as regards the environment, migration, gender and labour standards.

H. In some Latin American countries banana production by multinationals has been linked to a high level of human rights violations.

I. The agreement will enter into force if and when the European Parliament gives its consent and the Council authorises its conclusion.

The impact

J. The effects of the agreement, which is an attempt to match sustainable development objectives with WTO obligations, are already starting to be
felt.

K. ACP producers will be hit hard as they lose a significant part of their tariff protection. Some ACP countries, which depend heavily on banana exports, may see their export industries disappear altogether with dire social and economic consequences.

L. Without proper accompanying measures, European banana producing regions, some of which are among the poorest in the EU and already face high unemployment, will also pay a hefty socioeconomic price.

M. The multinationals will benefit enormously at the expense of EU/ACP small-scale farming communities.

N. ACP and European banana producing regions will need more financial support to maintain this key economic activity in order to compete with bananas from regions with very low levels of salaries, social conditions and environmental rules.

O. The move towards ever-cheaper bananas is likely to lead to a race to the bottom in terms of labour standards, including child labour, environmental protection, corruption and tax evasion in the banana sector.

P. The European Commission has put together a support package for ACP producers (banana accompanying measures), worth ?190 million over four years, with an extra ?10 million depending on certain conditions. This support does not take into account further tariff cuts resulting from bilateral trade agreements with Latin American countries.

Q. The new concessions made to Colombia and Peru and already requested by Central American countries go much further than those included in the recent agreement and may destabilise other countries in the region, as well as the economies of other banana producers in ACP countries and in the EU.

R. No additional support is foreseen for EU producers, particularly from the outermost regions.

The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, recalling that policy coherence for development is now enshrined in the Lisbon treaty, demands that:

1. The Commission conducts an economic, social and environmental impact assessment of the EU-Latin America bananas agreement for ACP and EU banana
producers, as provided for in Declaration XXIII of the Cotonou Agreement;

2. The Commission fairly considers increasing the financial package to help ACP and European producers adjust to the new regime and speeds up disbursement
of these funds;

3. The Commission considers specific additional financial and technical assistance to ACP countries to address social and environmental effects, supply-side constraints and promoting diversification beyond 2013;

4. The EU brings forward measures to help heavily banana-dependent states to diversify their economies, including more aid-for-trade, fulfilling EC and Member States' aid-for-trade pledges of ?1 billion each (with 50% available for ACP countries);

5. The Commission provides support to offset losses incurred by EU producers,gradually puts in place measures to encourage sustainable banana production
in the EU and ensures the effective application of the banana safeguard clause in bilateral and multilateral trade agreements;

6. Any new tariff cuts under bilateral trade agreements with Latin American nations over and above the WTO agreement possibly give rise to adequate compensatory measures;

7. The Commission provides ACP and EU producers with genuine legal certainty on the future of the banana trade regime and that the EP and ACP national parliaments continue to monitor this issue closely;

8. EU and ACP authorities step up their efforts to ensure that all banana producing nations effectively apply all aspects of the ILO's decent labour agenda;

9. The Commission raises awareness on ethical trading to discourage European retailers from importing bananas from producers with inadequate policies on
tax evasion, corruption, labour standards and human rights violations;

10. The European Parliament seriously considers the impact of the issues raised in this declaration before giving its consent to the bananas agreement.

www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/acp/60_19/default_en.htm

Modeontwerpster E.M. Campbell introduceert haar nieuwe collectie 2010 in Kunstencentrum de Kunstlinie in Citymall 036.

2010-04-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Modeontwerpster E.M. Campbell introduceert haar nieuwe collectie 2010 in Kunstencentrum de Kunstlinie in Citymall 036. Haar collectie bestaat uit 60 creaties van ‘high fashion’. Via een oproep in de Almere Vandaag heeft zij zelf 30 modellen geworven en opgeleid, die haar nieuwe lijn zullen showen. Het merendeel van de modellen is afkomstig uit Almere.

Entree modeshow: € 17,50. Reserveer kaarten door een email te sturen naar: e.m.campbel@upcmail.nl.

E.M. Campbell ontwerp voor de ‘Renaissance Woman’.
Op haar website schrijft zij hierover: 'A Renaissance Woman is one who is educated, experienced in many facets of life. She is elegant, independent, resets boundaries, knows her own powers as well as her limitations, is open-minded and progressive, and willing to take steps to enable and empower others. The beautiful woman with brains'.

Naast mode, komt haar creativiteit tot uiting in poëzie en abstracte tekeningen. Haar tekeningen zijn sinds woensdag 31 maart te zien in de etalage van Belfort 13 in Citymall 036.

Kijk snel op haar website http://www.elainecampbell.eu/ om alvast een indruk te krijgen van haar werk.

Mother Necessity, where would we be without independent women?

2010-03-31T06:40:00.001-07:00

(Nika C. Beamon)

It’s said that necessity is the mother of invention; that’s certainly true when it comes to women in this country redefining the structure the American workforce and institution of marriage to meet their changing lifestyles.

It’s said that necessity is the mother of invention; that’s certainly true when it comes to women in this country redefining the structure the American workforce and institution of marriage to meet their changing lifestyles. The advancements women have made in terms of education and income have forced numerous adjustments to be made, arguably assisting America, as a whole, to be more competitive in the global community.

According to in the Pew Research Center, single women with college degrees have higher incomes now then their counterparts in 1970 while the wages of unmarried men haven’t faired as well. Overall, the earnings of all women with a college education have skyrocketed by 44 percent between 1970 and 2007 whereas there’s been a mere 6 percent growth for men. Consequently, there are an increasing number of women in the workforce.

In fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly half of all those people employed, or 47.4 percent of those employed in December 2009 were women. As a result, women who are also mothers are requiring employers to make significant strides to change the workplace to meet their needs. These adjustments i.e. flex time, compressed workweeks, paid maternity leave, on-site child-care and nursing facilities; job sharing, nursing mother rooms, etc… benefit all of society.

Of course, financial independence all means women have more options in terms of when or if she wants to get married, thereby changing the picture this institution in America. According to the US Census Bureau, just 55% of males ages 18 and older and 50% of women are married. I look at the rise of singles in this county in my book I Didn't Work This Hard Just to Get Married: Successful, Single Black Women Speak Out. What I found is that while most people want someone to share their life with being about to fulfill your own dreams as an individual has gives women the opportunity get married for the right reasons and therefore have a healthier, better functioning, long lasting union.

While some may see the adjustments in society by women as a downside, it’s clear that women view them as growth; a chance to make their mark on the world in a way that will ultimately make it better for the American family and for them as individuals. After all, it’s also said that there’s no growth without change and we can all agree that the US need to continue to progress.

I Didn't Work This Hard Just to Get Married
ISBN: 978-1-55652-819-4
To read an excerpt: www.mcbeamon.com
Available @ Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com
To watch a video trailer: log on to Youtube.com

Single, Women, Dating, Relationships, Valentine, s Day, African American, Marriage

For more information:
Contact: Nika C. Beamon
P: 973-230-0923
E: Denali17@optonline.net

The University of Maastricht Graduate School of Governance & Oxfam Novib are working to discover the financial services that African migrants in the EU need.

2010-03-26T05:08:00.000-07:00

The University of Maastricht Graduate School of Governance in the Netherlands is working with Oxfam Novib , the international poverty action initiative, on discovering the financial services that African migrants living in the European Union need access to. They are currently conducting a study that seeks to engage ten different African migrant communities across the EU.

The goal of the research is to suggest ways that financial services, particularly money transfer services, could be made easier and cheaper to access for Africans living in the EU. The study’s results will also be used to guide Oxfam Novib in fostering partnerships with African organizations in the EU and microcredit organizations in select African countries.

Survey Link: Click Here

ACP Civil Society Forum - Joyce van Genderen

2010-03-20T13:11:00.001-07:00

Interview ACP Civile Society Forum- Joyce van Genderen-Naar

Watch live streaming video from acpcsforum at livestream.com

ACP28/020/09 Rev.1 Brussels, 11 December 2009

PAHD Dept

3rd ACP Civil Society ForumDeclaration 2009

Brussels, Belgium

(ACP – EU Partnership)

3rd ACP Civil Society Forum

Declaration 2009

Brussels, Belgium

(ACP – EU Partnership)

We, the Representatives of Civil Society Organizations of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), meeting in Brussels on the 10th and 11th of December 2009, within the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and subsequent to the mandate of the adopted Plan of Action of the Civil Society meeting held in Entebbe, Uganda in October, 1997, with the precise intention of fulfilling the objectives of the ACP Civil Society Forum to promote, facilitate and enhance the vital contributions of regional and national grassroots, community based and other civil society organizations, who work for the benefit of the people of the ACP Regions ,

1. Noting that the ACP – EU Partnership Agreement signed the Cotonou Agreement on the 23rd of June 2000;

2. Acknowledging the justified place, role and the right of Non State Actors (NSAs) to be involved in all phases of the cooperation process, as legally enshrined in the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement;

3. Relying on the ACP Civil Society Plan of Action dated July, 2001 that was subsequently endorsed by the 27th ACP – EU Council of Ministers Meeting in Punta Cana on the 27th of June 2002 as the basis for its actions;

4. Recognizing, assessing, and acting upon the established objectives of the said ACP Civil Society Plan of Action;

5. Assessing the work of the delegates as presented by the Chairpersons and the Rapporteurs at the two previous statutory meetings held in 2001 and 2006 of the ACP Civil Society Forum and their respective Plan of Actions;

6. Embracing the legitimacy and legality of all the foregoing;

7. Considering the passage of time since the 1997 Meeting, the limited capacity of Civil Society Organisations, their limited access to information and subsequent low involvement in ACP-EU processes;

8. Noting the due expiration of the current Cotonou Agreement in the year 2020;

9. Hereby declare the urgency of taking ownership of the ACP Civil Society Forum and to formulate guidelines and procedures, relating to:

i. Management and Organisation of the ACP Civil Society Forum

Declare that:

1. The Civil Society Forum shall meet every two years at the headquarters of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Grouping in Brussels;

2. There shall be regional meetings of Civil Society on an annual basis to facilitate and promote regional dialogue and consensus – these meetings shall therefore be convened in the respective regions;

3. The ACP Civil Society Forum, taking into consideration, the provision of gender equality, shall adopt the following operational structure in order to provide a channel for information flow from bottom up; create a network for coordinating actions; sharing, gathering and disseminating information:

a. The Chairperson of the ACP Civil Society Forum shall lead and oversee the process;

b. One National Focal Point from each of the seventy-nine member states, and one Regional Focal Point (Vice Chairperson) from each of the Six ACP sub-regions shall be installed to manage the flow of information and communications with Civil Society Organisations in the said six sub-regions;

ii. Operations of the Civil Society Forum

Communication and interchange:

1. The ACP Civil Society Forum shall effect communications by means of an inclusive CSO social network via the internet and by any other media that is practical for that purpose in order to fill gaps in the communication flows essentially as a central pillar to fulfilling the functions of the Civil Society Forum at all levels.

2. Acknowledging the recognition accorded to the work of Civil Society by the Cotonou Agreement, the ACP Civil Society Forum shall develop positions and advocacy based on the principles and precepts of Evidence Based Knowledge Sharing and Policy Making relying on the wealth of ACP Civil Society expertise and sensitivity for that which concerns the strategic interests and the practical needs of populations they represent and advocate for.

iii. Commitments:

1. Acknowledging the established guidelines for Civil Society Capacity Building support mechanisms at the national level requiring a civil society organization to contribute up to 25% of the resources required to access European Union funding, we hereby declare that the Forum will advocate for the reduction of this stipulation and mechanism review (to no more than 10%). In that, in general, development funding mechanisms require co-payments or contributions from beneficiary populations;

2. At the next mid-term review of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, and at the all-ACP level, we advocate that EDF Intra-ACP financial resources are committed to fund the ACP Civil Society Forum, in order to facilitate the implementation of the objectives of this and all prior Meetings of the ACP Civil Society Forum, as outlined in the ACP Civil Society Forum Declarations and the Plans of Actions.

We do hereby declare that Civil Society, at the national, regional and all-ACP levels shall stand ready to:

i. Participate in the negotiation, implementation and monitoring of the Economic Partnership Agreement ;

ii. Participate in the discussions and actions addressing Natural Disasters the Environment and Climate Change;

iii. Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of attempts to accomplish national indicators;

iv. Participate in the promotion of the use of Culture as a means of National, Regional and Human Development;

v. Participate in the discussions and actions addressing the present global economic and financial crisis;

vi. Participate in fostering sustainable youth development;

vii. Participate in policy dialogue and programmes that promote transparency and good governance at all national, regional and all-ACP levels of development;

viii. Participate in the promotion of food security and sovereignty;

ix. Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of progress on the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals;

x. Participate in the promotion of gender equality, human rights, good governance and democratic processes;

xi. Participate in the policy dialogue and programmes on Sexual and Reproductive Health and in the fight against HIV and AIDS;

xii. Participate in the Joint Parliamentary Assembly, ACP Parliamentary Assembly, ACP Council of Ministers, ACP Committee of Ambassadors;

xiii. Participate in the creation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Civil Society and public policy at all levels.

iv. Final Provisions:

i. Undertake to promote, distribute and implement this Brussels Declaration and Plan of Action on the aforementioned issues;

ii. Request the ACP Ministers of Finance, ACP and EU Councils of Ministers to reaffirm a commitment to provide access up to 15% of EDF resources for Civil Society Orgnisations, which will contribute to the disbursement of funds in a timely manner;

iii. Appeal to ACP States, EU and the joint ACP-EU institutions, in collaboration with our partners and financial institutions for development at national, regional, all-ACP and international level, to support, follow-up and participate in the implementation of the Brussels Declaration of the 3rd ACP Civil Society Forum; and

iv. Request the Chairperson of the Meeting of the 3rd ACP Civil Society Forum, in collaboration with the Chairperson of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors and the Secretary-General of the ACP Group, to forward this Declaration to the Chairperson of the next Meeting of ACP Ministers of Finance, Presidents of the ACP Council of Ministers, EU Council of Ministers, and European Commission, Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Heads of the ACP Regional Integration Organisations, ACP Media and relevant bi- and multilateral partners.

Brussels, 11 December 2009

For the 3rd ACP Civil Society Forum

Mr. Lawman Layon Lynch

Chairperson

EU Trade Conference in Brussels

2010-03-20T00:50:00.000-07:00

Joyce van Genderen-Naar

On 16 March 2010, I attended the EU Trade Conference in Brussels, the "EU Trade Policy towards Developing Countries: Challenges and opportunities for the next years" in Brussels. There were many EU Civil Society Organizations, EU officials, Asian representatives and only a few ACP representatives.

ACP and EPA were mentioned all the time, meaning Africa, not Caribbean and Pacific. Caribbean was only mentioned when the EC spoke about the only full signed EPA, the CF-EC-EPA, and the control mechanism through the new EPA Parliamentary institution. The implementation and ratification problems of the CF-EC-EPA were not discussed and there was no presenter from the Caribbean or the Pacific. There was a presenter descending from Italy for Latin America and Caribbean, who only spoke about EU Trade with Latin America. The Asian presenter from India spoke about the EU Trade with China, India, Korea etc. Not Pacific.

Prof. Festus Fajana, African Union was one of the presenters. He said that the EPA has been forced upon the ACP. The EC said to be optimistic and will go on with the EPAs for Africa. (Note: On 29 April 2010 the Civil Society Organisaties are organizing a big International EPA Seminar in Brussels to deal with these issues).

There were also presentations about EU Trade with Asia and Latin America. We were informed that the EC has only Free Trade Arrangements with Korea, to be followed by Singapore and Japan perhaps. With regard to Latin America only with Mexico and some two other South American countries. Asian and Latin American countries are sceptic and don't want certain EU rules and standards imposed upon them by the EC.

The Trade Unions presenter asked EC not to close Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, because it is the most dangerous place in the world for trade unionists: over 60% of all trade unionists killed in the world are Colombian, between 2007-2009 128 Colombian Trade Unionists were assassinated. That should also be brought forward with regard to the banana agreement between the EC and Colombia.

Other most important news was that the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GPS) will end in December 2011 and will be replaced by a new system, and that their will be public consultations online in April and May 2010, for stakeholders, civil society, private sector etc. to give their views. The EC Public Consultation will be on the website in a few days. ACP stakeholders could and should participate in these Public Consultations.
The EU GPS system is the system of preferential trading arrangements through which the EU gives preferential access to its markets to developing countries, in the form of a reduction or elimination of the custom duties on goods originating from developing countries.

Many countries are depending on this GSP system, existing of- a general agreement, which provides autonomous preferences to 176 developing countries and territories;
- the Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance (GSP +), which offers additional preferences to support vulnerable developing countries in their ratification and implementation of relevant international conventions in this fields; and
- the Everything But Arms arrangement , which provides duty-free, quota-free access for all Least - Developed Countries (LDCs).

The conference programme and more information are available from the conference website:
http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=512

Awaken the Goddess Within April 24th 2010 Breda, NL

2010-03-17T02:40:00.000-07:00

CLICK ON THE FLYER

Call for Applications: "Healthy Mothers, Strong World: The Next Generation of Ideas for Maternal Health"

2010-03-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

September 2010 – May 2011

Ashoka and the Maternal Health Task Force (MHTF) present the first annual Young Champions of Maternal Health Program. The nine month professional development opportunity will be launched at a global Maternal Health Change Summit, to be held from August 30 – September 1, 2010 in India.

About The Young Champions Program

Strong mothers enable children, families, communities and economies to grow and thrive. Yet there are over 500,000 maternal deaths every year, and millions more suffer from preventable disabilities. The causes of these tragedies are many, but most causes are rooted in the unequal social and economic status of women.

Ashoka and the Maternal Health Task Force are partnering to create an innovative new program that transforms the field of maternal health globally. The Young Champions of Maternal Health Program will use the Changemakers online platform to identify 16 young leaders – called Young Champions – from around the world that will spend nine months working abroad on a maternal health project while being mentored by a seasoned Ashoka Fellow in the field of maternal health.

2010 Young Champions of Maternal Health Program Structure

Sixteen Young Champions will be chosen to spend a nine (9) months abroad working on a maternal health project, each mentored by an established Ashoka Fellow and his or her organization working in the field of maternal health. The Ashoka Fellows and their staff will design projects for the Young Champions that complement and build upon the proposed project of their application. Young Champions will assist and work under the tutelage of the Ashoka Fellow as they apply their new skills to developing their own project.

The nine month mentorship will take place in a different country from the Young Champion’s country of residence. All living accommodations, transport, visas, insurance and other incidentals will be covered by the program. A monthly stipend will also be provided in accordance to the prevailing wage rates of the country in which the Young Champion will reside.

Eligibility

Successful completion of at least a B.A. (or equivalent degree)
A track record of involvement in public health, as indicated by professional and/or academic experiences.

A clear commitment to and professional interest in the improvement of maternal health, especially in developing countries.

Demonstrated leadership qualities and potential as evidenced by community and organizational activities reflected within the application.

Preparedness and enthusiasm to participate in a nine month mentorship experience with an Ashoka Fellow who may live in a country that is of a different cultural context.

Please read through the Young Champions Guidelines and Criteria at www.changemakers.com/maternalhealth located under “Competition Information”. All young professionals are welcome to apply, whether they have an existing maternal health project or a new project proposal that is still in the idea stage.

For more information, please visit www.changemakers.com/maternalhealth. Should you have further questions, please contact us at connect@changemakers.com with “maternal health” included in your subject line.

To apply, please visit: www.changemakers.com/en-us/node/add/competition-entry/65090 - you will be prompted to register for Changemakers to obtain access to the entry form.

Application Deadline;

March 17, 2010

About Ashoka’s Changemakers

Changemakers is an initiative of Ashoka, an organization with over three decades of finding, funding, and expanding the work of social entrepreneurs across the globe. It is a global online community of action that connects people to share ideas, inspire and mentor each other, and find and support the best ideas in social innovation. The Changemakers online community builds on this history and expands the Ashoka vision by creating an “Everyone a Changemaker” world through networking, relationship-building, and the sourcing of funding opportunities.

Through its collaborative competitions and open-source process, Changemakers has created one of the world’s most robust laboratories for launching, refining, and scaling ideas for solving the world’s most pressing social problems.

About The Maternal Health Task Force

The Maternal Health Task Force at EngenderHealth brings together existing maternal health networks and engages new organizations to facilitate global coordination of maternal health programs. Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Maternal Health Task Force convenes stakeholders and creates an inclusive setting to engage in dialogue, build consensus,

Workshop: Awaken the Goddess Within April 24th Breda The Netherlands

2010-03-04T04:20:00.000-08:00

In collaboration with Mariposa Import and Màrshé Breda, the Afro European Sisters Network and Women of the African Diaspora organize the workshop Awaken the Goddess Within.

Awakening the Goddess Within is an invitation to awaken your feminine source of power. It is about nourishing a woman from the roots of her being and empowering her from the inside out. Acknowledging your value, beauty and self-worth as a woman is essential to awakening the Goddess within you. Are ready to awaken your goddess within? If so, then this workshop is the space and place for you to meet with your Goddess and other Goddess’s a like.

Program Saturday 24 april 2010:

- 09.30 - 10.00 Arrival

- 10.00 - 12.00 Workshop Jurne Azubiah (UK)

- 12.00 - 13.00 Lunch

- 13.00 - 15.00 Workshop Jurne Azubiah (UK)

- 15.00 - 15.30 Koffie pauze

- 15.30 - 16.30 Workshop Lori van Echtelt (NL/US)

- 16.30 - 17.30 Màrshé Breda

- 17.30 - 18.00 Socialize

Workshop Awaken the Goddess Within by Jurne Azubiah.

Workshop Hair and Self by Lori van Echtelt

Workshop Food/ Culture and Enterperneurship by Màrshé Breda

Where: Oneness Africa
Chr. Huygensstraat 44
4816 BK Breda (The Netherlands)

Price: 25,= euro

Reservations via: database-xena@aesn.eu

More info soon!
English
Dutch

Due to international participants/ speakers the workshops will be in English.

Almeerse modellen gezocht

2010-02-07T02:36:00.000-08:00

Almere/ Liset van Ravenzwaaij
,,Je kan dan wel nog zo mooi zijn, maar als je niet kunt lopen op een paar hoge hakken houdt het gewoon op'', vertelt Elaine Campbell uit Almere als ze uitlegt naar wat voor meisjes en vrouwen ze op zoek is.
Campbell, modeontwerpster en zelf voormalig model, werkt sinds juni aan een nieuwe lijn en presenteert deze op 17 april in de Kunstlinie.

Voordat het zover is, heeft Campbell echter eerst tientallen modellen in spé uit Almere nodig die in haar creaties (zoals op de foto) de catwalk over willen lopen.

,,Ik zoek modellen vanaf een jaar of achttien'', vertelt de ontwerpster. ,,Wit of bruin, maatje 36 of 42; dat maakt niet uit. De lengte daarentegen is wel belangrijk, 1,70 meter is een vereiste omdat ze op hakken moeten lopen die minstens acht centimeter zijn.''

Om die modellen te vinden, houdt ze op 17 februari een inloop in de Kunstlinie. ,,Iedereen die het ziet zitten, kan een e-mail sturen naar emcampbell11@hotmail.com met een foto en de motivatie en uit alle e-mails maak ik uiteindelijk een selectie van meisjes die langs kunnen komen op de inloop. Daarna volgen ze een training om ze klaar te stomen voor de catwalk.''

Naast de modeshow is Campbell bezig met het opzetten van een nieuw Almeers modellenbureau. ,,Na de show hoop ik dan ook met een aantal meisjes verder te werken en het modellenbureau meer vorm te geven.''

Met zestig creaties in haar nieuwe lijn, van jurken tot pakken, hoopt ze minstens zoveel modellen te vinden. ,,Dat zou ideaal zijn, want dan hoeft niemand zich ten minste haastig om te kleden. Maar ik weet niet of me dat gaat lukken'', lacht ze.

,,De stress achter de schermen bij een modeshow ben ik inmiddels wel gewend, het hoort erbij, maar het zou veel stress schelen als iedereen slechts één creatie hoeft te dragen.''

In Antwerpen heeft Campbell regelmatig haar lijnen kunnen presenteren met behulp van sponsors. ,,Dit is de eerste keer dat ik het in Nederland doe en tevens de eerste keer dat ik het volledig zonder sponsors opzet. Vrij lastig maar tegelijkertijd ook een mooie uitdaging. Ik hoop studenten van bijvoorbeeld het ROC Flevoland te kunnen vinden die tijdens de show aan de slag gaan als visagist of licht- en geluidtechnicus, als een soort van stage. Dat zou heel mooi zijn.''

Na de modeshow hoopt Campbell de collectie te verkopen. ,,Het is zeker een draagbare collectie, het extreme heb ik dit keer achterwege gelaten. Inmiddels staan er een aantal afspraken met winkels in Amsterdam en Antwerpen, dus het is afwachten of ze wat zien in mijn ontwerpen.''

Sandrine Joseph elected as Secretary General at European Professional Women's Network

2010-02-02T11:31:00.001-08:00

(Sandrine Joseph)

The Presidents and leaders of the 17 City European Professional Women’s Network (EuropeanPWN) elected a new Board on Jan 22, 2010. The two day General Meeting was hosted in Barcelona, part of the federation since 2008. In addition to formal elections, the leaders exchanged ideas and insights on EuropeanPWN’s evolving vision, strategy and priorities for 2010 and beyond in response to significant growth in the number of networks, activities and strategic partners across Europe.

The assembly elected Marijo Bos and Rieke Smakman as Presidents along with Susanne Forsman-Hey, as Treasurer of the Federation and Sandrine Joseph as, Secretary General. Marijo, Rieke and Susanne served as Presidents of Madrid, Amsterdam and Nice respectively. Furthermore, Monica Pesce will continue in a Federation leadership role as a VP now focusing on Women on Boards, Karine Heckmann as VP New Networks and Ana Baranda and Malika Mir sharing the VP Technology role. Strategic Partnerships will be led by Marijo Bos and Marketing, Public Relations and other appointed leaders will be announced shortly.

More information

HAITI: FROM THE FRONT LINES (Flavia Cherry)

2010-02-02T11:10:00.001-08:00

(Flavia Cherry, Chair Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action)

It is good to see that some efforts are being made to reach women in desperate need, but those of us on the ground are yet to see this happen in many of the areas where there is desperate need for food and relief. AID agencies MUST find a more humane way to reach out to the women and children who are most vulnerable and desperate. I know that the need is great, there is no excuse for what is the reality on the ground here in Haiti as Caribbean citizens offered help and mmany have even been denied entry. It is obvious that the aid agencies, (well intentioned as they may be) are unable to handle the scale of the problem here in Haiti. So why are they not being inclusive and involving more Haitian and Caribbean institutions in the relief and recovery efforts? Something is very wrong about the picture here in Haiti because while international agencies are dropping the ball in an attempt to monopolize aid efforts, Haitians are dying. Apart from lines for women, there is an urgent need for volunteers to go into the camps to reach women, children, disabled and elderly people who are unable to move.

It is a disgrace for so much money to be circling around to all kinds of aid groups and every single day I see so many people hungry, desperate. This situation is simply not acceptable. There are women in camps who have not had anything to eat for days. There are many available Hatians who are willing to assist as volunteers to get the aid to those who need it and CARICOM was willing to send help, but something seems to be really wrong. Why are Caribbean Goernments not allowed to play a more pivotal role, especially as there are many CARICOM citizens and regional security officers who speak creole and would be able to communicate better with the people of Haiti.

What I see on the ground is lots of big fancy air conditioned vehicles moving up and down with foreigners, creating more dust and pollution on the roads. Thousands of millitary officers everywhere, heavily armed like they are in some kind of battle zone. The girl guides and boy scouts of Haiti are also out in their uniforms, but unlike the army of troops, they are up and about, assisting in many ways. I saw of group of the boy scouts and girl guides directing traffic today, Sunday!

From the very beginning, I have been asking why aid agencies did not arrange separate lines for women, children and disabled people. It is obvious that if you leave people hungry for 5 to 8 days without food, they will be desperate and when food finally arrives, it will be survival of the fittest. The international agencies allowed confusion to reign supreme for more than two weeks while sensational and racist media people were merrily portraying images of hungry people fighting for food. At least now that they have suddenly realized the need for separate lines, I hope that this happens at every single distribution point, because as I am writing this email, that certainly is NOT the case.

I would like to share two separate events which I witnessed yesterday.

The first one is what I call a miracle birth. A young lay who had both legs amputated delivered a healthy baby on the ground, under a bed sheet. Not only were both legs amputated, but she had bandages all over her hips. Because of her condition, this expectant mother should never have been left out there on the streets at that advanced stage of her pregnancy because the chances of having a normal delivery in her physical coniditon were very slim. At the time of the delivery, people were everywhere, men, women, children, all huddled together under those sheets, for shelter from the sun. If there were complications, both mother and baby could very easily have passed, as no one in the camp had any transport or means of getting the mother to a medical facility. Other mothers were there with their newborns. This poor mother had nothing, no milk, no clothing for the baby, nothing! A doctor eventually came, but the mother was left there, with her baby, so we brought milk and supplies, including a sleeping bag. I know these are not normal times, but it is exactly for this reason, international aid agencies should be more inclusive and engage all those who are willing and capable of providing support.

The second incident happend in the heart of Port Au Prince yesterday where the largest number of people are living under the most inhumane conditions. I was taking pictures, when suddenly everyone started to run towards the Palace gates. I stood on top of a vehicle and realized that it was President Preval who had ventured onto the lawn and people starting shouting out to him, saying that they were hungry. President Preval came to the fence and hundreds of people kept running towards the fence. Many of them were shouting ¨Lavalas, Aristide, Lavalas, Aristide¨. Several others were asking President Preval why he had not addressed his people and told them what was happening. One woman put it this way: (I have not had anything to eat for four days and no one is hearing anything from the President, we have no idea what our Government is doing). I am using brackets because I cannot find quotation marks on this french keyboard.

President Preval spoke to those who were closest to the fence, but the large number of people who were pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of him, obviously heard nothing. At least I got a picture of the whole scene, including President Preval behind the fence with hundreds of people right next to him on the other side. Something about that scene convinced me even more, that there is really no need for such a heavy millitary presence in Haiti. What Haiti needs is an army of medical, civilian and specialist voluneers who will work with the people of Haiti to rebuild their nation - not a heavily armed millitary of more than 50,000 standing guard over them.

Regards,

Flavia

PS: I must express appreciation for the many volunteers from various countries who are giving very genuine assistance to the people of Haiti, but my comments remain relevant because of the reality on the ground

It is heartbreaking to see how disabled people are living on the sidewalks, with no shelter. Women and children are hungry in camps - no bathing, sanitary facilities. Girls are the biggest victims - being sexually abused and raped in the so-called camps, covered by bed sheets and no privacy. Some calling for Aristide! It is a human disaster.

Februari 2nd

Message from Flavia Cherry,
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 4:06 PM
Haiti - From the front lines

Hi friends:

We have organized an international solidarity camp through which all our supplies are being sent to the DR and then to Haiti, directly to the women and the women´s organizations. I would love very much if Andaiye could join us on our team visit, which is currently being planned. For now, our strategy is to reach out as best as we can with supplies being sent from our members everywhere, including the diaspora. It is not nearly enough, but at least we are not helpless when we come accross some dire situations. Our strategy is also to hold aid/international agencies accountable, even if we have to shame them in the process. My efforts are not in vain because I now have an interview with a major canadian television station, so we are getting the news out there.

It is very rough here in Haiti, so I plan to go home for a few days and then return for another week. I am hoping that when our team visits, they will not have to sleep in tents and sleeping bags or wrapped up in sheets, like I am doing now. So I am organizing better accommodation with the help of some of the women´s organizations as well as our members in Haiti. There are some hotels operating but with such a huge millitary presence, they are absorbing almost every decent living space - not to mention the food etc, to keep them there. When I get back to St. Lucia, I am hoping to organize for some Caribbean media people to join our team when it goes to Haiti. So if any of you have any ideas on how to do that, please advise.

What is most urgently needed is feminine hygiene supplies, including napkins for women who have just given birth, pampers for newborns, baby wipes, rubbing alcohol, bras and panties, including clothes for women who have lost everything. Older men are also desperates in need, so we need underwares for them also. I never thought of some basic things like combs, but some of our youth members have lost everything and are living under tents. One comb was being passed around from person to person. So we need to include stuff like combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste etc. Also it is cold here at nights, so we need little booties for the baby´s feet as well as hats and wraps to keep them warm, pampers and baby wipes. Of course, there is a desperate need for food, so as much as we can get would be welcome, but what I have listed is most urgent. Oh, there are no bathing facilities, no privacy in most of the camps, so we urgently need some feminine wipes. It is heartbreaking to see young girls looking for a place to clean themselves and having to settle for right there in the open - men, boys, everyone in full view.

Please send all supples addressed as follows:

URGENT HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOR HAITI

Ms. Sergia Galvan and Mayra Tavarez
Colectiva Mujeres Y Salud/CAFRA
Calle Socomo Sanchez, No 64
Gazcue, Santo Domingo, DR

Tel: 1-809-315-0571 or 809-682-3128

I know many people have collected stuff but they have not found a way to get them here in Haiti, so ask them to send it to us and we will get them in, to the people who need it most.

Regards,

Flavia

SOS: Urgent Call For Relief to get to Haiti

2010-01-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

The Civil Society Forum of the ACP States is totally disturbed about the slowness with which needed aid is getting to the Haitian people. We are well aware that tremendous financial aid is presently being committed to the cause, with the EU contributing approximately three million Euros to the relief efforts.

There is clearly a problem with coordination, and frankly, the United States of America have taken control of the airport and borders, thus having under its management all ports of entry into Haiti. This has been apparently accepted by CARICOM, but Jamaica has been designated and confirmed the hub of all relief efforts heading to Haiti, as such, it is our firm belief that the ACP Civil Society prepares itself to offer meaningful and organized aid for the Haitian people.

There is another crisis on hand : in a couple of days many Haitians will flood the borders of Jamaica and other Caribbean countries in boats. The Caribbean countries, already facing serious economic crises, will shelter the refugees.

It is imperative that we are funded to carry out a strategic and proactive response programme that will see to the sustained development of the State in crisis. ACP Civil Society Forum is therefore proposing:

1. Since there seems to be a problem with logistics, we need to partner with agencies such as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross to transport resources that have already been collected across the Caribbean region, so that shipment can be arranged and delivered in an orderly and timely manner.
2. ACP Civil Society must ensure that there is a team dispatched to Haiti, to assist with recovery, but most importantly, rebuilding. We are not interested in being put up in hotels etc, the main interest is to get there and help, this is pivotal.
3. We have identified a Salvation Army owned property in Port-au-Prince that could house volunteers; as such we need help with securing tents for volunteers.
4. Of greater importance is the sustainable rebuilding and development exercise. The ACP Civil Society Forum therefore needs to meet and implement an extensive youth and community development exercise that would incorporate issues relating to the affective.

We are therefore appealing for donations which will be spent on the most immediate need which is Transportation to get the relief there and medical and sanitary supplies. Apart from getting relief in, there is the problem of getting people with severe injuries out of Haiti where they could get special medical attention.

Barbados is setting up a portable medical facility in Haiti which will be fully outfitted with operating theatres, and medical personnel. This facility will need to be constantly supplied with large amounts of medical and sanitary supplies.

Here is a list coming out of Haiti of those needs which we are told are urgently needed for at least 100,000 people:

1. Ace bandages, gauze pads, bandage & tape
2. Water purification tablets & Rehydration salts
3. antibiotic and antifungal (Mycology) creams
4. anti-allergy medication (i.e. Benadryl)
5. anti-parasite medication
6. Tylenol; children's tylenol
7. cold and cough medicine
8. diarrhea medication
9. eye drops
10. insect repellent
11. hydrogen peroxide
12. skin disinfectant spray

Account information is as follows:
Account: BANGO (Barbados Association of NGOs)
RBC Royal Bank of Canada, Hastings, Christ Church, Barbados, Caribbean:
Swift Code: ROYCBBBB
Transit No: 09545
Acc#: 31018001

Further information will be forwarded as we get more information to make it easier for you to donate to Haiti.

January 17, 2010

Lawman Lynch
Chairman
ACP Civil Society Forum
Jamaica
lawmanlynch@yahoo.com

Roosevelt O King
Secretary General
Barbados Association of Non Governmental Organisations
rok@caribsurf.com

Flavia Cherry
Chair of CAFRA (Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action)
St. Lucia
cafraslu@hotmail.com

7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #3 CDEMA Coordinating Pledges of Aid for Haiti

2010-01-15T00:32:00.001-08:00

THE EVENT:
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake located 18.451°N, 72.445°W struck the island of Haiti on Tuesday January 12th, 2010 at about 5:53 PM Atlantic Standard Time (AST). According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck 15 km (10 miles) South West of Port-au-Prince at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Aftershocks are still being felt.

Reports indicate that there has been extensive damage to Port-au-Prince and causalities may be in excess of 100,000 and hence an urgent need for search and rescue support. It is estimated that approximately three (3) million people have been affected.

CDEMA has initiated a level three (3) response based on preliminary reports on the extent of devastation in Haiti. This level of activation is initiated in cases where disasters overwhelm the capacity of the affected state(s) to respond. It is the highest level of activation by CDEMA and triggers the Regional Response Mechanism.

PROGNOSIS:
There remains a continuing threat from aftershocks resulting in collapse of damaged structures and the possibility of landslides.

THE SITUATION:
Current preliminary information indicates that there has been wide spread damage in Port Au Prince. Hospitals, government agencies and international organizations buildings are among the buildings that have been damaged or destroyed.

Communication:
CDEMA has established contact with the Department of Civil Protection in Haiti who are regrouping and mobilising resources. HAM Radio communication with Haiti has been achieved with some success though limited and is being monitored.

Utilities:
Utilities including water, electricity and telephone services have been disrupted and communication remains a challenge.

Health:
Hospitals and health facilities have been severely affected. The main hospital in Port-au-Prince has collapsed and two (2) hospitals have been destroyed. PAHO has indicated that immediate health priorities include: search and rescue of survivors trapped underneath rubble; treatment of people with major trauma injuries; preventing the infection of wounds; provision of clean water; sanitation; and ensuring breast-feeding is continued.

Accessibility:
The airport is open to day time flights only. Both sea ports have been damaged. There have been reports of extensive damage to roads

Regional Response Actions:

1. Departing from Barbados today is a regional high powered delegation including the CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington; Chairman of CARICOM, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica; Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable David Thompson; Mr. Jeremy Collymore, Executive Director, CDEMA; Mr. Grantley Watson, the Regional Security Coordinator, RSS, and the Vice President Operations Caribbean Development Bank, Mr. P. Desmond Brunton departed Barbados this evening to meet with Hon. Bruce Golding in Jamaica on Thursday January 14. The delegation will travel to Haiti tomorrow Friday January 15, 2010 to gather data to further inform the nature and scope of the region’s assistance.

2. The Regional Security System and Search and Rescue teams remain on standby.

3. A technical team comprising representatives from the CARICOM Secretariat, CDEMA, UWI, IMPACS (the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security) and the Regional Security System (RSS) will be deployed to Haiti on Friday January 15, 2010 to support the political team and carry out the initial assessment. The team will seek :
- To express solidarity with the Government and people of Haiti at this time of need.
- To assure the Government and people of Haiti of the region’s commitment to support the Haiti response efforts in a tangible and effective manner.
- To establish an initial picture of the Government of Haiti’s priority response and recovery needs.
- To conduct an initial assessment of the earthquake impact and identify priority needs.
- To initially define how the CARICOM region’s response can be best articulated for a tangible and effective response from the region.
-To identify logistical arrangements such as transportation, accommodation and other arrangements for receiving incoming humanitarian supplies and personnel, being deployed from the region.
-To determine the way forward for CARICOM support especially in the area of law enforcement and maintenance of public order.

4. CDEMA is working with international and regional carriers to coordinate the securing of pledges and aid distribution to Haiti.

5. CDEMA has also defined operational scenarios to inform the scope and framework of the CARICOM interventions.

6. CDEMA continues to receive pledges from donors and partners.

7. Suriname has pledges to provide military and police personnel for Haiti. They are currently filling a four (4) feet container with drinking water, blankets and rice to provide assistance in the initial stages.

8.The CDEMA Coordinating Unit also met with the British High Commission in Barbados to discuss the situation in Haiti and to examine issues surrounding the response efforts. The Department for International Development deployed a five (5) member technical team which is expected to arrive in Haiti today. The team includes four (4) technical experts from the United Kingdom and Mr. Roger Bellers previously deployed on Tuesday. DFID and CDEMA have agreed to liaise on the ground in Haiti for a coordinated response.

9. Today the CDEMA Coordinating Unit discussed the response efforts for Haiti with the Australian High Commission. The Government of Australia has pledged AUS$10 million for the Haitian Response AUS$1 million of which will be chandelled through CDEMA. CDEMA has already initiated arrangements to access these funds.

10.The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) will deploy Mr. Phillip Cross, the Caribbean Representative of the ITU who will deliver satellite phones to various organizations to assist in addressing some of the communication challenges being experienced.Action by Partners and CDEMA Non Participating States:

The International Federation of Red Cross has launched an appeal for US $10 million in cash, kind, or services to support the Haitian National Red Cross Society to assist 20, 000 families (100,000 beneficiaries) for nine months.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number is (246) 425 0386

Ps: Joyce van Genderen-Naar Thanks for sharing the info!

Haiti: How you can help with relief efforts (Saturday 16-01-2010 at 4pm)

2010-01-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Join TV Host, Victoria Gaither, as she talks with staff writer from the Miami Times, Sandra Jean Charite, about what you can do to help the haitian people during this devastating time. Reports are hundreds of thousands of people have died in the earthquake.

Tuesday's earthquake knocked down powerlines and knocked down buildings. Join us and hear how you can help through the american red cross. We'll also take your calls. We look forward to your support.

See details: www.blogtalkradio.com/victoria-gaither/2010/01/16/haiti-how-you-can-help-with-relief-efforts

Date: Saturday 16-01-2010
Time: 4 PM

Johan Ferrier herdacht in Amsterdam

2010-01-09T08:31:00.000-08:00

Johan Ferrier is in Amsterdam herdacht als een groot staatsman die zich als een wijze bruggenbouwer heeft ingezet voor de samenleving en zijn medemens. De eerste president van Suriname overleed maandag op 99-jarige leeftijd in zijn woonplaats Oegstgeest.

In de Koningskerk in Amsterdam, waar hij graag kwam, vond een dankdienst voor zijn leven plaats. Familie, vrienden en prominenten als de huidige Surinaamse president Venetiaan keken terug op het leven van Ferrier.

Vrijdag namen honderden mensen afscheid van de voormalig staatsman in de Surinaamse ambassade in Den Haag. Ferrier wordt maandag in Oegstgeest in besloten kring begraven.

Meer...

Indien u naar de Dienst wilt kijken zie: http://nos.nl/nieuws/live/journaal24/wmv/

Black Genocide.......

2009-12-20T04:41:00.000-08:00

They were stolen from their homes, locked in chains and taken across an ocean. And for more than 200 years, their blood and sweat would help to build the richest and most powerful nation the world has ever known.

But when slavery ended, their welcome was over. America's wealthy elite had decided it was time for them to disappear and they were not particular about how it might be done.

What you are about to see is that the plan these people set in motion 150 years ago is still being carried out today. So don't think that this is history. It is not. It is happening right here, and it's happening right now.

More info:www.maafa21.com/

THIRD ACP CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM ESTABLISHES ACP INFORMATION AND DIALOGUE NETWORK

2009-12-18T05:24:00.000-08:00

By Joyce van Genderen-Naar

On 10 and 11 December 2009 the 3rd ACP Civil Society Forum was held at the ACP House in Brussels. Representatives from Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Civil Society came together to discuss how to move forward after many years of silence and inactivity. In 1997 the Forum was established by ACP Civil Society organizations from the ACP regions in Entebbe, Uganda with the aim to provide a platform for civil society actors in the ACP countries, where they could articulate views and concerns, share information and facilitate dialogue with official ACP-EU institutions in order to support and strengthen the participation of ACP Civil Society in the ACP-EU development cooperation. The follow up was an impressive and unique Conference on the Participation of Civil Society in the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement, organised in July 2001 by the Belgian EU Presidency and the ACP Secretariat in Brussels. For almost a week, from July 2nd – 7th 2001, more than 150 representatives of ACP civil society came together in Brussels to discuss their role in the ACP-EC cooperation and the ACP-EC-Agreement, signed by the EC and the ACP countries a year before in Cotonou on 23 June 2000.

This first ACP Civil Society Forum adopted a Plan of Action.
However, between 2001 and 2006 there was no follow up and no implementation. Only in 2006 the 2nd ACP Civil Society Forum was organised. During a 4-day meeting in April 2006 at the ACP Secretariat in Brussels a Declaration and Plan of Action was adopted, and never implemented during the years to follow.

The participants of the 3rd ACP Civil Society Forum, a two day meeting in Brussels, organised in December 2009, three years later after the second one, concluded that the remaining 10 years should not be wasted, being aware that the Cotonou Agreement will expire in 2020. They decided to create a network for the exchange and sharing of information and dialogue through internet and any other appropriate media, connecting Civil Society organizations and their focal points in 79 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. They agreed upon a coordinator for each of the six ACP regions: four in Africa, one in the Caribbean and one in the Pacific. According to the ACP rotation system the Caribbean chaired the 3rd ACP Civil Society Forum and appointed Mr. Lawman Lynch (Jamaica). In 2006 the Chair of the 2nd ACP Civil Society Forum came from Africa (Cote d’Ivoire) and the next Chair will be from the Pacific.

ACP Secretary-General, Sir John Kaputin, at the opening of the 3rd ACP Civil Society Meeting in Brussels, urged the participants to make the most of this all-ACP platform of stock-taking, policy dialogue and planning. He said that a high priority for Civil Society at the national, regional and all-ACP levels, is the aspiration to be involved in the consultation in the Programming, Implementation of National and Regional Indicative Programmes and all-ACP Programmes, consultation in the Mid-Term Review process of the Country Strategy Papers and the National and Regional Indicative Programmes; consultation in the review of the Cotonou Agreement (which is taking place now); the negotiation and Follow- Up of the Economic Partnership Agreements and the impact of the current Financial Crisis.

He encouraged the participants to exchange views evaluating the types of consultations that target the existing wide range of Non-State Actor Organisations, and to discuss and agree amongst themselves on the most appropriate working mechanisms for future cooperation at the national, regional and all-ACP levels.

As said before the participants of the 3rd ACP Civil Society Forum agreed upon a virtual network as the most appropriate working mechanisms for future cooperation at the national, regional and all-ACP levels. Through internet discussions they will deal with the questions raised by the ACP Secretary General Sir John Kaputin, such as: How satisfied are we with our Governments approach to active policy dialogue with the wide range of Civil Society actors? Has significant progress been made, since our last all-ACP discourse, to greater include Civil Society in the consultation processes on Capacity Building needs? Have Civil Society Capacity Building requirement been addressed to facilitate greater involvement in the policy dialogue on issues highlighted in the thematic areas discussed at the last meeting? Are Civil Society stakeholders present at the negotiating table on Economic Partnership Agreements?

Mrs. Dominique DELICOUR of the EuropeAid cooperation office (AIDCO) of the European Commission made a presentation on the participation of ACP Civil Society in the 9th and 10th European Development Fund (EDF). She gave an overview of the ACP programmes adopted, approved and the budget foreseen (191,6 million Euro for the 10th EDF). She said that there is a strong appeal and push for better and more involvement and engagement of Civil Society and that it is important for Civil Society to seize this momentum and to participate in the regional seminar, planned by AIDCO.F1 in Mali, Africa, in 2010 in the framework of structured dialogue. She also informed the participants about the EC study on Civil Society participation and urged them to read this. The study is available on the site: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/what/civil-society/index_en.htm

All ACP participants stressed the complexity and bureaucratic procedures of the EC procedures, the problems they experience in dealing with the European Commission, the National and Regional Authorizing Officers. They asked why the EC sees capacity building as the solution of all ACP problems. They even suggested that the EC in its turn needs capacity building too in order to deal with the ACP countries and their population. They made an urgent appeal upon the EC to involve ACP experts, ACP Universities and ACP research institutions for the design, implementation and monitoring of studies, research and capacity building programmes in the ACP countries. The practice followed by the EC to send EU consultants to the ACP countries has not resulted in capacity building nor exchange and transfer of knowledge, in contrary the many reports they wrote are not used and are a waste of time and money.

The second presentation was made by Dr. Stephanie Diakité, International Expert, on the Evidence Based Knowledge Sharing (EBKS) as a tool for Civil Society to influence ACP-EU policy. Once again the ACP participants of the Forum noted that there is enough expertise and experience in ACP countries and that nothing new was placed on the table.

Brussels, December 14, 2009
Joyce van Genderen-Naar, Lawyer/journalist
Email: vangenderen@unicall.be

Winners of the Women of the African Diaspora Website & Social Network 2nd Anniversary Survey

2009-12-06T02:42:00.000-08:00

Sandra Rafaela and Adrianne George are pleased to announce the following winners on the Women of the African Diaspora 2nd Anniversary survey:

- Kim C Johnson (US): Sheabutter Cottage
Sheabutter Cottage Cioccolatina gift box worth £20,
SheabutterCottage gift box worth £15,
Sheabutter Cottage AshantiGirl gift box worth £10

- Taiwo (UK): Sisay
Sisay International's set of Amla 100 gr amla powder,
100 ml amla oil, set of shikakai 100 gr Shikakai powder,
100 ml shikakai oil, set of Neem 100 gr neem powder,
100 ml Neem oil, and 2x heating caps (for a deep conditioning treatment)

-Maatis (US): Northwest Scents Natural Black Hair Care
Gift Certificate from Northwest Scents Natural Black Hair Care for $40

- Portia (UK): Creating Tomorrow
Two sessions of Dispell Disbelief\u2122 Coaching from Creating Tomorrow

- Kathryn (US): Simplicity Mastered
369 (90-Day Business Action Plan) valued at $395 from Simplicity Mastered

-Trina (DE): M.H.A. Menondji
An authographed copy of the novel Beyond Those Hills: An Officer And A Lady by M.H.A. Menondji
If you haven’t had a chance to complete the survey you still can to claim your free custom greeting cards; just in time for the holidays-mailed for you-from Donna Elmore.

Take the survey today:
http://tinyurl.com/womenoftheafricandiaspora

Thank you to all of our sponsors/partners!

SISAY:natural hair and skincare for woman and children of color

All the best from Holland and Sweden!

Sandra & Adrianne

Being Black and Becoming European: Un/Settled Migration and Hidden Histories

2009-12-03T11:47:00.000-08:00

Call for Papers Deadline: 2010-02-28

Being Black and Becoming European:
Un/Settled Migration and Hidden Histories

"Striving to be European and black requires some specific forms of
double consciousness"

Paul Gilroy - The Black Atlantic, 1993

The Editors of African and Black Diaspora: An International Journal(Routledge)announce a Call for Papers on Being Black and Becoming
European:Un/Settled Migration and Hidden Histories to examine the
intersection between Being Black and Becoming European in the context
of a changing Europe.

In the last decade, the presence of African Diaspora populations has
drawn increased attention from scholars and the public at large.
Although the systematic study of the history of what is now generally
referred to as Black Europe has just begun, the history African
Diaspora populations in Europe remains neglected and hidden.

The Editors encourage a range of contributions that critically examine
Being Black and Becoming European amid contestations, negotiations,
and competing identity claims through a range of perspectives that
touch on questions such as: What does it mean to be Black and Becoming
European in a changing Europe? How have processes and dynamics of
racialization and gendering of Black subjects materialized and been
contested? What are the historical legacies of European colonialism on
Being Black and Becoming European? In what ways has Blackness been
constructed and negotiated across Europe? What sort of state
strategies has been deployed to police, regulate and manage Blackness
in Europe? What discursive frameworks are emerging to examine Being
Black and Becoming European?

Contributors are encouraged to explore being Black and Becoming
European: Unsettled Migration and Hidden Histories in Europe through
various disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches such as
literature, history, music, performance and cultural studies,
photography and visual art, and anthropology etc...

African and Black Diaspora: An International Journal (Routledge) is
devoted to a critical interrogation of the trans/national movement,
locations and intersections of subjectivity within the African
Diaspora in the context of globalization as well as in different
discourses, political, social, historical and cultural contexts. The
journal maps and navigates the theoretical and political forces set in
motion by nation-state and provides a counter-narrative of subject
positions regarding resistance, negotiation and cultural production of
African descendant populations.

The aim of the journal is to advance the analytical and interrogative
discourses that constitute the distinctive interdisciplinary field of
African and Black Diaspora Studies in the production of knowledge
about the deterritorialised and transnational nature of the African
and Black Diaspora. Eschewing essentialist modes of theorizing, the
journal situates the movement of African descended populations
(geographic, cultural, social, political and psychological) in the
context of globalized and transnational spaces by emphasizing the
centrality of African and Black Diaspora as a unit of analysis as well
as the development of diasporic identities across time and space.

Abstracts should be 400-500 words in length. Authors should send their
material with the abstract attached as a Word document. The abstract
should also be included in the body of the message. Please be sure to
include the following information in the e-mail as well: Full name,
university affiliation, and the title of your abstract.

Deadlines: submission of Abstracts, February 28, 2010 and submission
of completed papers, July 30, 2010. Authors of accepted abstracts will
receive e-mail notification no later than March 15, 2010.

Proposals should be sent to:
Fassil Demissie,
DePaul University
fdemissi@depaul.edu

Fassil Demissie, Editor
African and Black Diaspora
Department of Public Policy, Suite 150.1
DePaul University
2352 N. Clifton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
Email: fdemissi@depaul.edu=

Sandrine Joseph, une femme de tête et d’engagement

2009-12-01T23:46:00.000-08:00

Cadre supérieur, Sandrine Joseph, 37 ans, se nourrit de défis, de convictions et de son engagement au sein de différents réseaux européens.

Il est difficile de résumer le parcours de Sandrine Joseph tant il est riche et varié ! Une chose est sûre : elle s’est toujours donné les moyens de sa réussite et de ses ambitions.

Dès 20 ans, elle commence à travailler pour financer ses études (Maîtrise de finances et DEA de stratégie industrielle à la Sorbonne) et fait ses premières armes au sein de la fonction publique : ministère des finances et l’ENA. Mais plutôt que de tenter d’intégrer un grand corps de l’Etat, Sandrine Joseph préfère se tourner vers un cabinet de conseil en stratégie spécialisé dans Internet, un secteur alors naissant.

Repérée et embauchée par France Télécom – Orange en 1998, elle occupe successivement des postes à dominante marketing, finance et technique. « Ce qui me guide et me motive, c’est l’innovation, l’accompagnement du changement et le relationnel. Je recherche les défis et apprécie d’avoir une vision stratégique des choses ». En 2007, elle devient marketing manager au sein de l’incubateur d’Orange (Orange Labs) où elle travaille sur des projets innovants, utilisant à la fois ses compétences en finances et marketing.

Read the article at the original source:
http://www.maviepro.fr/magazine/vie-pro/sandrine-joseph-une-femme-de-tete-et-d-engagement

Directrice Talent management et développement des cadres chez un opérateur télécom.

Sur quels réseaux sociaux êtes-vous inscrits ? Pourquoi ceux-là ? A quoi cela vous sert-il (vous a-t-il servi / pensez-vous que ça vous servira) ?

Je suis inscrite sur des réseaux professionnels généralistes (Linkedin, Viadeo, Xing) pour développer ma visibilité et trouver rapidement des informations me permettant d'être performante dans le cadre de mes missions, créer des opportunités pour bouger. Ayant mon hobby - RISKANGEL (financement des start-ups), Linkedin me permet de cibler mes invitations, de trouver des angels pour mes porteurs de projets, ainsi que des spécialistes pour faire mûrir des projets. Dans le cadre de la promotion des femmes de couleur en entreprise (Black Women in Europe), je trouve des relais internationaux, tant en capitalisation des bonnes pratiques, qu'en brainstorm sur des problématiques internationales.

Original post:
http://www.courriercadres.com/content/sandrine-joseph

Sandrine Joseph reçoit Outre Mer Network
door outremernetwork

SECOND INTERNATIONAL DECADE OF DECOLONIZATION ENDS UNNOTICED

2009-11-29T10:59:00.001-08:00

By Joyce van Genderen-Naar

The Second International Decade of Decolonization is ending soon in 2010. The main conclusion is that two decades were not enough to resolve all decolonization issues, in contrary the process of self-determination leading to decolonization has become increasingly complex. Third and even more International Decades will be needed before all Non-Self-Governing Territories have attained self-determination. The international mandate for decolonisation is a function of the UN Charter and UN resolutions on decolonisation are supported by all of the nations of the world, with regard to the international obligation to develop self-government and to take due account of the political aspirations of the people of their territories (article 73 of the United Nations Charter). But the implementation is politically sensitive and information has been scarce. Decolonization issues stay unnoticed.

The stocktaking took place during the Caribbean Regional Seminar on Decolonization, organized on 12, 13 and 14 May in St. Kitts and Nevis (Caribbean) by the UN Special Committee of 24 on Decolonization (Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples). Recommendations were made to establish a mechanism for dialogue between local authorities in the Territories, administering Powers and the international community to facilitate the decolonization process. There has to be more interaction and cooperation between the Special Committee and the administering Powers, by creating frameworks for dialogue between the Territories, the administering Powers and the Special Committee. The international community needs to work together and to remain engaged, guided by the political options available to the Non-Self-Governing Territories: free association with other independent States, full integration with political rights, or independence. It is important to focus more on the specific needs of each Territory in terms of their political and economic needs and assistance by the United Nations system. Education and public outreach are crucial for decolonization, to enable the people concerned to make informed decisions regarding their future political status, to promote maturity and movement towards “appropriation of the own destiny”: “You cannot insist on your rights, unless you understand them.” Decisions on self-determination must be based on full information and education.

In a message to the Seminar UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had urged the administering Powers, Non-Self-Governing Territories and the United Nations to continue working together to accelerate the process of eradicating colonialism. He said that progress in this area will require close cooperation between all three actors. He noted that the right to self-determination must be taken into proper account in exploring how to accelerate the decolonization process for the remaining 16 UN listed non self-governing territories, namely the 10 Overseas Countries and Territories of the UK (Anquilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean Sea; Falklands Islands (Malvinas) and St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean; Pitcairn Islands in the Pacific; Gibraltar in Europe); New Caledonia, Overseas Country and Territory of France in the Pacific; 3 territories of the USA: Virgin Island in the Caribbean, American Samoa and Guam in the Pacific; Tokelau, a self-governing dependency of New Zealand in the Pacific; Western Sahara, occupied by Morocco, in Africa.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was counting on the administering Powers in particular to discharge their obligations in a manner that promotes the well-being of the inhabitants of the territories within their responsibility. The interests of the peoples of the Territories have to be at the heart of all efforts. The UN system will continue to assist the Non-Self-Governing Territories, in areas such as economic and social development, environmental sustainability, healthcare and good governance.

Emerging challenges for the Non-Self-Governing Territories on their path towards decolonisation are the impact of climate change, the global economic and financial crisis, the role of regional cooperation, education and public awareness, the role of women, the empowerment of vulnerable people and the capacity for full self-government towards self-determination. Key elements in responding to the challenges of today are political maturity, economic sustainability, enhanced administrative capacity and strengthened regional cooperation.
Regional cooperation and regional arrangements offered important opportunities for many Non-Self-Governing Territories and contributed to the development of a strong regional identity and strengthened concrete functional cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. Important were the role of the United Nations regional commissions, such as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and bodies like the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), as well as various United Nations specialized agencies. In response to climate change, which had exposed the vulnerability of many Non-Self-Governing Territories, regional cooperation could play a crucial role in the field of disaster preparedness. The global economic crisis had further highlighted the importance of economic sustainability and diversification of the economic base in the Non-Self-Governing Territories through community-based development, the development of small and medium enterprises, promotion of micro-financing and employment-generating activities, and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.

In his closing statement on behalf of the host country, Delano Frank Bart, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations, characterized the seminar as “the penultimate event” in the course of the Decade. He said that with regard to the energy, food and financial crises, the Territories had been hit as hard as most countries, if not more, but that their concerns were often marginalized. “Our role is to ensure that all needs are met, especially the needs of those of us who are not governing themselves.” Highlighting the impact of climate change, he said that, of the 16 Territories under the Special Committee’s mandate, the majority were islands. Therefore, the concerns of small island developing States within the United Nations system were also the concerns of those Territories. They were among the most vulnerable and needed to be aware of the commitment of the international community to stand by them and “weather the storm together”. Recalling that his country had recently celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary of independence, he said Saint Kitts and Nevis remembered the concerns of the pre-independence period. One needed the goodwill of all parties to resolve such issues, and the participants should, therefore, take away with them a determination to ensure that the day would come in the not-too-distant future, when the Special Committee’s work would bear fruit, and that the solutions found would be in the best interests of all concerned.

The recommendations of the St. Kitts Seminar have become the most recent chapter of the ever growing legislative authority on the self-determination of the territories. Some of the recommendations were included in the decolonisation resolutions adopted by the UN Fourth Committee in November 2009, and are expected to be approved by the General Assembly in December 2009. Implementation is an entirely separate matter, according to International Advisor on Democratic Governance Dr. Carlyle Corbin

GUAM’s self-determination bill
How important information and education are to the people of the Non-self Governing Territories and how essential to the expression of their political aspirations and self-determination, was shown on November 5, 2009, when the delegate of Guam Hon. Madeleine Z. Bordallo, in the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife Legislative hearing on H.R. 3940, introduced a self-determination bill to support a public education program for the people of Guam regarding various political status options to express their desired political status. Guam is a territory of the USA in the Pacific, that has been under the United States Flag as an unincorporated territory for over 111 years. Guam, like her sister territory Puerto Rico, was ceded to the United States from Spain upon the signing of the Treaty of Paris settling the Spanish-American War in 1898. Guam is listed by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory. Despites all efforts towards defining a new political relationship between Guam and the United States, the political aspirations of the people of Guam for such status were never realized. A referendum affording the people of Guam an opportunity to express their views on status was authorized by local law but remains unscheduled.

In November the US Congressional Committee approved the self-determination bill and assistance to the territories. Dr. Corbin explained that there are two separate pieces of legislation - one bill for American Samoa, Guam and the US Virgin Islands, and a second different bill for Puerto Rico, which is essentially a referendum bill which had been adopted by the same Committee earlier this year. The Puerto Rico measure does not address public education since they already have a very sophisticated process in place via their political parties. Both bills have been adopted by the substantive committee in one House of the US Congress so far. It still has to be adopted by the full House of Representatives, then by the US Senate and signed by the President. He anticipated that this would happen without too much difficulty since there is no new financial resources associated with either measure.

Dr. Corbin also made clear that the issue is not only between independence or not, but rather to chose one of the three political status option which provides for a full measure of self-government, namely independence, free association and integration. These are so recognised by the UN. Some member states which administer territories, such as the UK, have told its territories that offers neither integration nor free association to them, and the choice is either independence or remaining in a dependency status. This is unlike the Dutch Antilles which had achieved sufficient autonomy to be regarded as fully self-governing. This might change as the dismantling of the five islands will now yield a new less autonomous model for the two islands which have chosen in referendum to become separate countries within the Dutch Kingdom.

Brussels, November 2009
Joyce van Genderen-Naar
Email: vangenderen@unicall.be

The history of the disappearance of the reference to the ACP countries from the Lisbon Treaty

2009-11-23T23:37:00.000-08:00

The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

BANANAS: will the european union confirm that the fight against poverty is no longer a priority in its "global europe" strategy?

COMMUNIQUE

At a time when European leaders are gathering to welcome the dawn of a new era with the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty, this change may well prove to be more extensive than anticipated. The coming days could spell the end of the era when Europe considered the fight against poverty a priority.

In the ongoing discussions on the Banana Dossier, the ACP States have made numerous concessions in an effort towards finding a definitive and balanced solution.

In fact, analysis of the European banana market has shown that the customs tariff of €176/t that has been applied to banana imports from Central and South American countries (MFN countries) since January 2006, has sharply increased their presence on the EU market. There is no risk whatsoever, not now nor in the future, given the limited production capacity of the ACP countries that the European market will be “flooded” with ACP bananas. Just one MFN country, like Ecuador for example, could, single-handedly, if it so desired, supply the entire 27-country EU market which, let us not forget, is the only possible trade opening for ACP products.

As a result, it is difficult, at first glance, to understand what is at stake for the European Union when, to the detriment of its commitments to the ACP banana-producing countries, it has proposed that the MFN countries engage in even more extensive liberalization at a faster rate, and suddenly announced an imminent agreement with them.

The ACP countries have repeatedly demonstrated that they fully understand the current trade policy trend which is liberalization. They are therefore in no doubt whatsoever that the trade preferences they currently enjoy will continue to be eroded until they most likely disappear. However, in highlighting the development programme included in the WTO Doha Round negotiations they have merely called for WTO Members to honour their commitments, stressing the need that for any agreement to be balanced, it must necessarily include a transition period with a moratorium, so as to enable the ACP banana-producing countries to adapt to the new market conditions.

In the same context, they recalled the undertaking of the same WTO Member States whereby those among them who granted longstanding preferences must provide financial and additional capacity-building assistance to help remedy supply-side constraints and promote diversification of existing production in the territories of the preference-recipient Members.

In their most recent submission, a pale reflection of their initial demands, the ACP States:

(a) an initial reduction, as “full and final settlement”, from €176/t to €148/t during 2010;

(b) call for the level of 148/t to be maintained, in the event that no agreement is reached on the agriculture modalities of the Doha Round;

(c) accept, in the event of an agreement on the agriculture modalities of the Doha round, a gradual reduction of the customs tariff over ten (10) years, including a 3-year moratorium following application of the first tariff reduction from €176/t to €148/t;

(d) call for financial aid in the sum of 250 million euros, the minimum amount required to meet the needs of ACP banana-supplying countries for the 2010-2013 period; and

(e) an undertaking on the part of the EC to participate in a joint review mechanism designed to assess the situation of the ACP banana suppliers after 2013, and to provide additional resources, as necessary.

In a letter addressed to the heads of several European institutions, including the President of the European Commission, President of the European Council and the President of the European Parliament, Mrs. Eunice Kazembe, incumbent President of the ACP Council of Ministers and Minister of Industry and Trade of Malawi, recalled the fears aroused by the disappearance of the reference to the ACP countries from the Lisbon Treaty. This marks a departure from the texts currently in force, whereas the ACP Group remains the largest grouping of the poorest countries in the developing world, with a longstanding historical relationship with the European Union.

The President of the ACP Council has clearly indicated that Europe has a unique opportunity to allay these fears or to confirm them, depending on the response that the European Commission will give to the ACP demands. This would demonstrate if Europe is definitively adopting an aggressive trade strategy based on its “Global Europe” policy at the expense of a frontline role in the fight against poverty.

For press details contact: iroga@acp.int

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The history of the disappearance of the reference to the ACP countries from the Lisbon Treaty

Below: An article by Joyce van Genderen-Naar

DRAFT EU-CONSTITUTION LEAVES OUT ACP-EC-COOPERATION
Joyce van Genderen-Naar
Lawyer
Brussels, 16th March 2004.

In the Draft Constitution for Europe, which shall replace the present EC/EU-Treaties, the article on the ACP-EC-Agreement (art. 179. par.3 EC-Treaty) has been left out.
Art. 179 par. 3 EC-treaty decides:
' The provisions of this Article shall not affect cooperation with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in the framework of the ACP-EC Convention. '
Art. 179 par. 3 is a part of the current provisions on Development Cooperation in the EC-Treaty (Title XX) and a part of art. 179 :
Article 179
1. Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Treaty, the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251, shall adopt the measures necessary to further the objectives referred to in Article 177. Such measures may take the form of multiannual programmes.
2. The European Investment Bank shall contribute, under the terms laid down in its Statute, to the implementation of the measures referred to in paragraph 1.
3. The provisions of this Article shall not affect cooperation with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in the framework of the ACP-EC Convention.

There is no such article in the Draft Constitution. Title V of the Draft deals with the External Policy of the Union; Chapter IV deals with the cooperation with Third Countries and humanitarian aid. Section 1 concerns Development Cooperation and Article III - 219 par. 1 - 3 will replace the current Article 179 EC-Treaty.
Article III - 219 par 2 inserts the current Article 181 EC-Treaty, ends in par. 3 with what is now Article 179 par. 2: 'The European Investment Bank shall contribute, under the terms laid down in its Statute, to the implementation of the measures referred to in paragraph 1.' and leaves out the current Article 179 par. 3 concerning the ACP-EC-cooperation.

Draft EU-Constitution Article III - 219
1. European laws or framework laws shall establish the measures necessary for the implementation of development cooperation policy, which may relate to multiannual cooperation programmes with developing countries or programmes with a thematic approach.

2. The Union may conclude with third countries and competent international organisations any agreement helping to achieve the objectives referred to in Article III - 93. Such agreements shall be negotiated and conluded in accordance with Article III-227.
The first subparagraph shall be without prejudice to Member States' competence to negotiate in international bodies and to conclude international agreements.

3. The European Investment Bank shall contribute, under the terms laid down in its Statute, to the implementation of the measures referred to in paragraph 1.

Article179 par. 3 EC-Treaty ('the provisions of article 179 shall not affect cooperation with the ACP-countries in the framework of the ACP-EC Convention') referes to the special relationship between the EC/EU and the ACP-countries, which is the oldest and largest form of cooperation between Europe and countries from the South (ACP) and stood model for later cooperation with other countries. Historical bounds between Europe and the ACP-countries give Europe a special responsability for these countries, which should not be forgotten and should be a part of the next Constitution for Europe. This responsability stays and is even more urgent, because after 37 years of cooperation 40 of the 79 ACP-countries still belong to the poorest countries in the world. Out of the 48 poorest countries in the world 40 are ACP-countries!! By the Cotonou Agreement signed the 23d of June 2000 the ACP-EC-cooperation has been extended until 2020 with the objectives of poverty eradication, sustainable development and the integration in the world economy of the ACP-countries.

What is the reason for the delete of the current article 179 par.3 EC-Treaty? The following reasons were given by a representative of the European Commission:
Today article 179 par. 3 EC provides for a special form of cooperation with the ACP-countries, which makes it possible to finance the European Development Fund outside the framework of the EU-budget. The EDF is composed by national contributions of the EC-member states. In a first version of the Draft the Presidium of the Convention took over current Article 179 par. 3, but emphasized that the Convention should examine whether this provision should be deleted, because a specific policy or different financing is no longer needed. The final report of the Working Group VII of the Convention, dealing with the external policy of the Union, stated: "there is large support for making EDF part of the general EU-budget, that is why for the EDF the same procedures will be applied as for other areas where financial support wil be given". The final report made also clear that this should mean an improvement of the efficiency and more focus on poverty eradication of the EU-development programmes in general, and in no way should it lead to the reduction of the support of the ACP-countries.

A majority of the Convention has supported this approach and Article 179 par. 3 EC was left out of the Draft European Constitution.

Other arguments were: the integration of Cotonou in the normal communautarian framework makes it possible to adjust the support in a better way to the real needs, performance and receive capacity of the ACP-countries, while the process of multiannual programmes will stay in tact. It also helps the European Parliament to fully fulfill its budget tasks conform the general line of the Convention. Further details should be provided for in the institutional agreement concerning the financial perspectives post-2006.

My advice to the ACP is to make an official request to the European Commission and Members of the Convention (representatives of the European Parliament and Member States) to insert a provision concerning the ACP-EC-Cooperation in the Draft/New Constitution in view of the special relationship between the EU and the ACP, historical bounds, responsabilities and mutual interest, as agreed by EC and ACP in Article 55 of the Cotonou Agreement: The objectives of development finance cooperation shall be, through the provision of adequate financial resources and appropriate technical assistance, to support and promote the efforts of the ACP States to achieve the objectives set out in this Agreement on the basis of mutual interest and in a spirit of interdependence".

In principle it is possible that the IGC still decide to insert article 179 par. 3 EC in the future European Constitution. As long as the Constitution is not formal accepted it is legally possible. In contrast with the future Convention in the current IGC only the Governments of the Member States have the power to decide. So they have to be approached in order to save article 179 par. 3 EC. However with regard to the political point of view it will not be easy to insert article 179 par. 3 EC in the New Constitution, because almost every delegation in the IGC has stated that they wish to maintain the draft text of the Constitution with as less as possible adjustments, especially for non-institutional issues. Nor in the IGC at political level nor in the group of legal experts of the IGC the proposition has been made to integrate the ACP-EC-cooperation in the European Constitution. EU-Commisisoner Nielson said during an intervention of the Working Group VII on the External EU-Policy that the cooperation modalities between the EC and the ACP-countries should be revised.

The Convention probably did not consult the ACP. Consultation between the EC and the ACP-states should take place according to Article 12 of the ACP-EC-Agreement in view of the Coherence of Community policies and their impact on the inplementation of the Agreement. Article 12 decides that where the Community intends, in the exercise of its powers, to take a measure which might affect the interests of the ACP states, as fas ar this Agreement's objectives are concerned, it shall inform in good time the said States of its intentions. Towards this end, the Commission shall communicate simultaneously to the Secretariat of the ACP states its proposal for such measures. Where necessary, a request for information may also take place on the initiative of the ACP states. At their request, consultations shall be held promptly so that account may be taken of their concerns as to the impact of those measures before any final decision is made.

EC-TREATY
TITLE XX
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

Article 177

1. Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation, which shall be complementary to the policies pursued by the Member States, shall foster:
-
The sustainable economic and social development of the developing countries, and more particularly the most disadvantaged among them,

-
The smooth and gradual integration of the developing countries into the world economy,

-
The campaign against poverty in the developing countries.
2. Community policy in this area shall contribute to the general objective of developing and consolidating democracy and the rule of law, and to that of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.
3. The Community and the Member States shall comply with the commitments and take account of the objectives they have approved in the context of the United Nations and other competent international organisations.

Article 178

The Community shall take account of the objectives referred to in Article 177 in the policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries.

Article 179

1. Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Treaty, the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251, shall adopt the measures necessary to further the objectives referred to in Article 177. Such measures may take the form of multiannual programmes.
2. The European Investment Bank shall contribute, under the terms laid down in its Statute, to the implementation of the measures referred to in paragraph 1.
3. The provisions of this Article shall not affect cooperation with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in the framework of the ACP-EC Convention.

Article 181

Within their respective spheres of competence, the Community and the Member States shall cooperate with third countries and with the competent international organisations. The arrangements for Community cooperation may be the subject of agreements between the Community and the third parties concerned, which shall be negotiated and concluded in accordance with Article 300.
The previous paragraph shall be without prejudice to Member States' competence to negotiate in international bodies and to conclude international agreements.

DRAFT EU-CONSTITUTION
Chapter IV: Cooperation with Third Countries and Humanitarian Aid.
Section 1: Development Cooperation.

Article III - 219
1. European laws or framework laws shall establish the measures necessary for the implementation of development cooperation policy, which may relate to multiannual cooperation programmes with developing countries or programmes with a thematic approach.

2. The Union may conclude with third countries and competent international organisations any agreement helping to achieve the objectives referred to in Article III - 93. Such agreements shall be negotiated and conluded in accordance with Article 111 - 227.
The first subparagraph shall be without prejudice to Member States' competence to negotiate in international bodies and to conclude international agreements.

3. The European Investment Bank shall contribute, under the terms laid down in its Statute, to the implementation of the measures referred to in paragraph 1.

Joyce van Genderen-Naar
Lawyer Brussels Bar
Email: vangenderen@unicall.be

3rd Annual European Union Equality Summitt

2009-11-16T01:41:00.000-08:00

The third Equality Summit will be held in Stockholm on 16–17 November.

This is an annual event for ministers, chairs of national equality bodies, chairs of NGOs at EU level, EU social partners and representatives of international organisations. The purpose is to share knowledge and experience so as to develop stronger and more effective ways of working against all forms of discrimination, and to promote equal rights and opportunities for all in the EU.

Get full details, get the program and external resources form the summit website.
<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;altcast_code=9c727ec937" &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;3rd European Union Equality Summit&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

If there is a problem viewing the live blog here you can click here instead.

For Videos and Updates See:
www.womenoftheafricandiaspora.com/2009/11/16/3rd-annual-european-union-equality-summitt/

European Partnership Agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific States

2009-11-09T09:59:00.000-08:00

Elaine M. Campbell

Renegotiate EPA: a very optimistic approach

To be clear, EPA is not called Economic Partnership Agreement for nothing. It is a not a Development Aid package but rather a trade agreement, one of many, such as its predecessor the Cotonou Agreement signed in 2000. EPA seeks to realign the business/trade relationships which were granted to ACP countries under a preferential agreement, reached at time of the signing of the entry of the UK to the European Union in 1972. In time, there has been a gradual change of these preferential trade relations between the Caribbean, African and Pacific regions and the EU. This is evident, amongst others, from the downturn in the regions’ sugar and banana industries.

The concerns voiced by the academics is typical of a “reactive approach” taken by peoples of our region. The academics claimed that representatives have made the deal of EPA with their eyes wide shut. The truth is, it is not for the representatives to make deals. They are channels of information. It is for the elected Caribbean leaders to make sensible decisions on our behalf. At this point, leaders are aware, or at least should have been aware, of the consequences of the UK’s membership of the EU. There was time enough, more than 30 years, in which our leaders should have created a strategic plan in which Jamaica, after almost 46 years of independence, would have been able to step up to the challenges of playing ball on an unlevel international field.

I do not wish to call the lobbying efforts by the academics, in order to “renegotiate the trade deal”, a useless attempt. But I do think that this would cause our representatives in Brussels to become beggars without a cause. Our region has no cohesive plan of getting us out of a peripheral position of merely surviving as “Third World countries”. The effort put in by the Caribbean representatives is ineffective at changing the underlying economical intentions of the EU. EPA has been discussed in all the regions of ACP. The African (French and English-speaking) and Pacific regions are nowhere near signing any documents relating to EPA.

It has been hinted that, under EPA, it will be easier for professionals from the Caribbean region entering the European Union. To me, this is saying that our governments ought to be aware of the next great brain drain from the region. What is our contingency plan? Most of our teachers, doctors, and much-needed personnel have already migrated to the UK, US and Canada. The EU needs workers and is seeking a way of finding people to shore up its economy so as to keep its stronghold on the international stage. Therefore, is this really a negotiation victory we get from EPA?

It is my greatest wish to see our people wake up from the colonial slumber and take a “proactive approach” in the building of our country and regions. One concrete plan would be to see the representatives bodies, such as CRNM, become fully staffed. Brussels, like Washington, is the centre of world politics, and it is highly unprofessional to see the few good civil servants being ostracised when they do what they can when attending meetings on our behalf.

In our region we need a proactive civil society which simulates discussions on international issues affecting our daily lives. Also, we should take a more proactive, pre-emptive approach in countering the moves of the EU or any other country for that matter. Let the truth be known, decisions in Brussels are the outcome of long, internal EU debates and discussions involving local and national stakeholders right from the formative stages. To think that we could renegotiate EPA at this stage is very optimistic. We are simply not prepared.

Elaine Campbell is a legal researcher in The Netherlands.
emcampbell11@hotmail.com

Crossing Borders and Frontiers

2009-11-06T03:30:00.001-08:00

Joyce van Genderen-Naar

The landscape of international development cooperation is coloured by many actors and organisations. Among them are doctors, engineers, architects, lawyers, economists, sociologist, and journalists, crossing borders and frontiers all over the world. They established international non-governmental organisations on the basis of their profession to work in countries which are at war or in conflict situations. Their work brings along risks, dangers and although characterised by impartiality, neutrality and independence, it is sometimes controversial and criticised as partial and interfering in state affairs. One of the reasons could be the lack of information and understanding about their objectives and their working-method as well as the cooperation and communication with national governments and local experts.

View on Nyanzale Refugees Camp (North Kivu, DRC).© Cédric Gerbehaye/Agence VU (www.etat-critique.org)
Well known are the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international medical humanitarian organisation created in 1971 by doctors and journalists in France. MSF provides aid/medical care in nearly 60 countries to people in crisis regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation, on the basis of need and independent access to victims of conflict as required under international humanitarian law. Medical teams conduct evaluations on the ground to determine the medical needs and care for people who suffer from violence, neglect, or catastrophe, due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care or natural disasters. MSF says that the key to act independently in response to a crisis is its independent funding. Eighty-nine percent of MSF's overall funding comes from private sources, not governments. Website: www.msf.org

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) are formed by several non-governmental organisations in several countries, focused on engineering and construction in international development work and strongly linked to academia and students. Engineers without Borders/Ingénieurs sans frontières (ISF)-France was founded in the 1980s, followed by ISF-Spain and ISF-Italy in the 1990s and EWB-Canada, one of the largest of the EWB organisations, in the late 1990s and many other EWB/ISF groups around the world. Website: www.ewb-international.org

Architects Without Borders is a non-governmental not-for-profit volunteer humanitarian relief organisation, providing technical assistance and support for recovery and reconstruction programs in countries that suffer from economic crisis, human conflict and natural disaster, such as the Tsunami in Asia. Website: www.awb.iohome.net

Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) was founded in 1992 in Belgium, sending lawyers without borders, lawyers for lawyers, abroad to take part in sensitive trials and to assist or represent human rights lawyers and human rights activists persecuted for exercising their profession. Lawyers without borders defended the accused and represented the victims in Rwandan courts and between 1995 and 1998 lawyers were trained in Arusha, Tanzania, for appearance before the International Court (ICC) in Rwanda. Website: www.asf.be/index.php?module=home&lang=en

International Lawyers and Economists against Poverty (ILEAP)/Juristes et Economistes Internationaux contre la Pauvrete (JEICP), is an independent non-profit organisation, launched in Nairobi in May 2002 and established as a non-profit organisation in Canada. The work of ILEAP is focused on increasing the capacity and participation of development countries in international negotiations. African and Caribbean experts are trained by ILEAP for the negotiations of the economic partnership agreements (EPA) with the European Community. Capacity building is provided by trade professionals from several countries. Website:www.ileap-jeicp.org/

Association Studies Without Borders/Études sans frontières is a more recent nonprofit association, founded in Paris in March 2003 by young French citizens with the support of international personalities, such as Vaclav Havel, former president of Czechoslovakia, who considers education as a guarantee for peace promotion, solidarity and sustainable development. Through Studies Without Borders young people, who are not able to study in their own country due to crisis, can continue and resume their studies in Europe and North America, and go back to their country when the situation permits. A total of 190 students from Chechnya, Congo, Rwanda and Western Sahara benefited from the programs of Studies Without Borders. Website:www.etudessansfrontieres.org

Reporters without Borders/Reporters sans frontières (RSF), is a Paris-based international non-governmental organisation, founded in 1985, to advocate freedom of the press, the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas regardless of frontiers, in accordance with Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights. RWB compiles and publishes an annual ranking of countries based upon the organisation’s assessment of their press freedom records. The impartiality of Reporters Without Borders is not universally accepted. Criticisms concern RWB’s funding (a significant amount of funding, 19% of total, comes from certain western governments and organisations), its anti-Castro and anti-Chavez reporting, its methodology in ranking press freedom and the lack of direct understanding of existing laws in ranked countries. Website: www.rsf.org

Sociologists Without Borders was founded in Spain in 2001, as a non-governmental organisation, and has established chapters in Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, USA, Brazil, and Italy, and others are in formation. Sociologists Without Borders became visible as first professional group that made a critical statement against the United States government unilateral intervention in Iraq. In 2004 and 2005, young sociologists joined the Kibera project, an international effort in support of the welfare and development of a poor slum quarter of Nairobi. Sociologists Without Borders work together with journalists to collect and analyse relevant information for the public. Website: www.sociologistswithoutborders.org