Full Coverage: Civil society

31.10.2005 Velika Gorica, Rovinj and Split joined Mursko Sredisce and Varazdin and banned the circuses with animal performances. Prijatelji zivotinja (Friends of Animals) association invites the other Croatian cities and townships to eliminate the unethical practice of torture of animals.

28.10.2005 The Muslim, Catholic and Orthodox Church communities of Albania asked the prime minister Berisha to block the construction of the casino in downtown Tirana, and proposed a new legislation regarding this issue, which, aside from respecting the freedom of initiating such activities, should also take into account the welfare of the citizens and safeguard their interests.

25.10.2005 Torture, killings by police, and ill-treatment remain widespread and unpunished in Brazil nearly 10 years after the creation of a National Human Rights Plan, according to a new Amnesty International report, citing a lack of political will and financial investement as contributing factors.

25.10.2005 Nearly two thirds of the citizens of Serbia would vote for Serbia and Montenegro entry into the EU if a referendum was held tomorrow, finds the public opinion survey commissioned by teh EU Integration Office of the Government of Serbia.

25.10.2005 Legislation authorizing the Affordable Housing Fund--a provision supported by many civil rights groups--is about to get a rider that would have a "chilling" effect on U.S. non-profits, say those same groups, prohibiting voter participation efforts that are open to for-profit groups.

21.10.2005 It's One World Week again (23-30 October), which means you have a chance to make promises that will be fulfilled. By 2006, the organisers ask, what difference will you have made in your local community and to yourself – and the world?

21.10.2005 The World Harmony Run relay, that started in April this year, arrives to Zenica today. The WHR is manifestation of peace, tolerance and understanding, and includes ultra-marathon runners from all parts of the world running a 24,000 kilometre race that goes through 70 countries on six continents.

21.10.2005 An activist of Zelena Akcija environmental association was accused on misdemeanour charges of “...obstruction of normal traffic”, for his part as coordinator of the action “Yellow Lane Reserved for Trams”, held on May 3, 2005.

21.10.2005 Non-profit organisations (NPOs) engaged in development activities work under challenging but unhelpful conditions grappling with management issues. Here, the governing board’s role is vital for effective and efficient performance of the organisation. Vijay Padaki’s latest book, co-authored by Manjulika Vaz, Management Development in Non-Profit Organisations - A Programme for Governing Boards provides insight to the functioning of governing board.

20.10.2005 On October 18, the Centre for Development of Non-Profit Sector from Belgrade, in cooperation with the Centre for Development of Non-Profit Sector in Western Serbia from Uzice, organized a debate under the “Towards Integration with Europe through Youth Programmes” project in Subotica, at the facilities of the “Open Perspectives” NGO.

20.10.2005 Zoran Jacev, the President of Transparency Macedonia, said the Macedonian efforts to fight the corruption seem to be frozen into one place, according to its position in 103rd place on the global list of corruption, published last week by Transparency International.

20.10.2005 The “Ten Years of Dayton and Beyond” International Conference for Bosnia and Herzegovina started today at the International Conference Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. The Conference will end tomorrow, October 21.

19.10.2005 The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council of Europe, in partnership with the Association of Cities and Municipalities of the FBiH and the Association of Towns and Municipalities of the RS, launched the Beacon Scheme today in Sarajevo, on 28 September 2005.

19.10.2005 Last Sunday, October 16, the Women Organization of Sveti Nikole Municipality and its “Babylon” Project, organizes a football tournament, under the auspices of the European Campaign Against Racism in Sports. The tournament was sponsored by FARE (Footbal Against Racism in Europe) Network.

19.10.2005 Despite facing many challenges, China's civil society has been growing and now provides local communities with a range of services, including legal aid and education for rural women.

18.10.2005 The Association of Albanian Municipalities and the Municipality of Tirana, in cooperation with the NGOs Network for Education, held a debate, last week, on issues of decentralization in the field of education.

16.10.2005 The real challenge, in the case of any disaster, is to better integrate foreign and local assistance," says Nir Tsuk. "Ensuring that external resources amplify local efforts is a positive sum game."

16.10.2005 The international women's human rights group MADRE highlights the benefits of channeling relief aid through local community groups—and women in particular.

16.10.2005 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are at the front lines of disaster relief around the world everyday. Johan Schaar offers insights into how we can be better prepared when the next tsunami, Katrina, or other disaster occurs.

16.10.2005 With renewed global attention on reducing the risks posed by disasters, there are many innovative programs that are already working around the world.