CSP>News

During the three-day street action organized by the Civil Society Promotion Centre the citizens gave the Cantonal Government in Sarajevo very low average grade of 1.73 for its work in seven public policy areas.

Freedom House`s Nations in Transit 2008 report, released earlier this week, noted a growing divergence in democratic performance among the 29 countries and administrative areas from Central Europe to Eurasia it analyzes for their progress, and lack thereof, in areas of electoral processes, civil society, independent media, national democratic governance, local democratic governance, judicial framework and independence and corruption.

The round-table discussion, organized under the auspices of the Civil Society Public Advocacy Initiative programme by the Civic Initiatives, in cooperation with ECNL Budapest and the Government Team for implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy, gathered about 60 participants. The debate, Institutional Models for Cooperation between the State and Civil Society was held at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade.

Srđan Dizdarević, President of Bosnian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, responded, in an open letter addressed to the highest institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the invitation by Safet Halilović, Minister of Refugees and Human Rights, to take part in the Seminar on the proposed theses for preparation of the Anti-Discrimination Law.

Centar za razvoj civilnog društva (CRCD) izašao je, povodom dvogodišnjice od osnivanja Službe za ljudska i manjinska prava Vlade Srbije, sa komentarima i ocenama dosadašnjih aktivnosti Službe.

The Alter Art youth organization from Travnik faced total shut-down of its activities, after it got notice from the Travnik Municipal Cultural Centre to leave the premises of the Internet Club in 10 days time. The Internet Club is the only source of financing for Alter Art`s activities.

On Tuesday, May 27, the Delegation of the European Commission in BiH (DEC) held the first consulting meeting with representatives of civil society on the preparation 2008 Progress Report for Bosnia and Herzegovina. A great number of CSO representatives participated in the meeting and demonstrated great interest in the preparation of the Report.

Youth and independent culture associations from Zagreb, united in the Initiative for Jedinstvo demands, in an open letter addressed to Mayor Milan Bandić, to act on the obligation the City of Zagreb to refurbish and equip the complex of former industrial facilities `Jedinstvo` and define a proper management model.

The group of civil society organizations, provoked by an article published by `Globus` weekly magazine of May 9, 2008, expressed, in an open letter to the Government of Croatia, its discontent with Government`s actions that violate the principles listed in the 2006 National Strategy for Creation of Stimulating Environment for the Development of Civil Society.

The Union of State and Local Administration (SDLSN) of the Republic of Croatia proposes that the social dialogue between the Government and the administration trade unions should also include representatives of the nongovernmental organizations and academic community.

The Government of the Republic of Srpska adopted yesterday the Draft-Law on Volunteering. Over the coming months, it is expected to organize a series of public debates on the Draft and all interested citizens and organizations are invited to take part in the process.

The international conference Giving a stronger voice to civil society in the EU neighbourhood – Development of civil dialogue and partnership relations between civil society, national governments and EU institutions was held on April 2, 2008, at Brdo near Kranj, under the auspices of Slovenian Presidency of the EU.

The informal group of citizens of Sarajevo that has protected, in cooperation with a number of NGOs, for over a month now against, as they say, incompetent municipal and cantonal authorities and deteriorating security situation in Sarajevo, announced its demands in public.

On Monday, March 17, the Argument Research and Analysis Centre from Belgrade organized a round table discussion, at the Belgrade Media Centre, on the topic of development of civil society in Southeast Europe.

Civil society organizations demanded from the Croatian Sabor (the Parliament) to name the external members of Parliamentary Committees in a clear and transparent procedure, to reduce the number of laws adopted in an urgent procedure, and demanded greater transparency from the Government in terms of allocation of funds from the State Budget.

Nongovernmental organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina condemn the press release of the Government of the Canton of Sarajevo, published in the media after the protests of last Wednesday, January 13, accusing the organizers, Dosta! and GROZD of an “anarchist and anti-civilization call for violence”, and of a “morbidly constructed rebellion... and manipulation of children... abusing the personal tragedy of Denis Mrnjavac”.

Amnesty International calls on the Kosovo authorities to make the draft Constitution available for public consultation without delay.

Representatives of NGO sector in Montenegro demand more efficient system of public financing, based on clear principles and criteria, with respect for the independence of the sector.

Civil Society Resource Centre CPCD organizes a gathering of civil society actors tomorrow, November 23, 2007, in Sarajevo. The aim is for CSOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt a public position towards the problems in society and to demonstrate their preparedness to join activities to create responsible government. (Holiday Inn Hotel, Grand Hall, 13:00 hours).

The Sixth NGO Fair – Civil Society Forum will be held on November 16 and 17, 2007, at the Skopje Fair (Halls 2 and 3). The motto of the Fair is Equal Opportunities for All. The Fair will open on Friday, November 16, at 11:00 hours.