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*What's new at Comhlámh*

Become a member of Comhlámh!
Comhlámh is heading for its 35th anniversary in 2010. Our membership has continued to grow over the past couple of years on the back of a lot of campaigning work, public events, a heightened media profile and a wider recognition of the organisation generally. Membership of our organization at only 45 euro per year represents excellent value for money. Members benefit from valuable networking opportunities and social events, priority booking and reduced prices for the Comhlámh education programme and the opportunity to represent you views as part of our lobbying campaign groups.
Click here to learn about membership benefits and how to join Comhlámh

Summer Activist Celebration: Bloom Movement Social Evening, 21 July
A bring and share summer celebration of your activism. Come along, share a bite, a drink and a story with us and catch up on what we're all working on at the moment. Bring: A dish of food to share and your own drinks. The celebration will take place on Wednesday, 21st of July from 6 pm in TACTIC, Studio3, Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, 5-9 Temple Bar (opposite Ha'ppenny Bridge Inn).
For more information click here

Comhlámh at the Festival of World Cultures
This weekend Comhlámh and Trócaire are at the Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire investigating the trickiness of trade rules through games, workshops for children of all ages and a talk. Visit us in the Trade Routes area to play some games and find out how trade rules make it difficult for people in poor countries to sell their goods, and how trade activists from Dublin to Dar es Salaam are trying to bring about change.
Read more here

Comhlámh joins Concern’s event at Cultivate for World Humanitarian Day, 19 August 
Thursday 19th August is World Humanitarian Day and Concern Worldwide will be hosting an open day from midday at Cultivate on St Andrew St (off Dame St), Dublin 2 on the UN’s theme for the day: ‘I am an aid worker’ and Comhlámh will be there with an information stand so come and talk to us!
Comhlámh will be providing first-hand information and advice on a range of issues relating to aid workers, including Reverse Culture Shock, social welfare entitlements and Coming Home Weekends.
Read more here  

Reception Volunteer needed!
Comhlámh and Irish Refugee Council are searching for a volunteer for our shared reception in Ballast House, Aston Quay, Dublin 2. We would be happy if you could commit one day of your time and join our friendly teams.
If you are interested in volunteering please send an email to Elena Garcia - elena@comhlamh.org or call (01) 4783490

Talk About Development...
Talk About Development is an online forum where development workers, volunteers, and anyone who is interested in challenging poverty and inequality can share ideas and debate issues that have an impact on global justice and development.
We believe that people acting in solidarity can work to change the structures of global injustice and poverty. Talk About Development provides a space to debate issues of development and global poverty, to discuss ways to take action for justice, to work together and to share information about working or volunteering overseas.
Check it out at www.talkaboutdevelopment.org and share your ideas, opinions, experiences and reflections on all matters relating to development.

Follow Comhlámh on Twitter!
Comhlámh has joined Twitter two months ago and we are happy about every new follower! If you want to receive our regular updates on Comhlámhs news, events, courses, meetings and campaigns join Twitter and become a follower. It is a good way to stay engaged and informed about the work we do. If you e-mail me with your news item to kamila@comhlamh.org, I’d be delighted to include it in our daily list of tweets!
You can view our Twitter site here

Become a Fan of Comhlámh on Facebook!
Comhlámh is busy updating Comhlámh's Fans with news on our events, courses, meeting, action and compaigns. If you would like to receive our regular updates please become our Fan on our new Facebook page. You can also post your development and global justice related news, links and updates on Comhlámh's Facebook wall. Within the last month the number of Fans of our page increased to 500!
Click here and become a Fan of Comhlámh on Facebook

*News*

Act Now on 2015 to deliver Ireland's Aid Promise. Send an email to your TD!
Make sure our politicians know that you care about our aid promise!
Tell them that this year we have a unique opportunity to reaffirm Ireland's reputation as a country that keeps its promises to the world.
Please take some time to write to your local TDs, and ask them to call on the government to set out a clear plan deliver our aid promise.
Read more and take action here

NGOs Write to Oireachtas Members to ACT NOW on Global Poverty
Dóchas, the umbrella organisations of 45 overseas aid organisations, has written to all members of the Oireachtas, to urge them to ACT NOW on overseas aid. In their message, the NGOs remind law-makers that Ireland signed up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ten years ago, and that this September, Ireland’s Taoiseach will join other world leaders in a UN review of progress achieved, and promises made.  The NGOs call on the Government to urgently prepare for the Summit by bringing forward a concrete, time-bound action plan – an MDG breakthrough plan.
Read more here

It’s about You Campaign
Equality and human rights are everyone’s issues. Especially yours. They determine your home life, your school life, your community, your health or your work chances.
Equality & Rights Alliance want to hear from you!
Share your view and support our campaign for better equality and human rights.
Read more here

The Government has the power to liberate thousands of workers from exploitation, press release, 2nd June
Over 200 migrant workers from across the country, along with trade union, community sector and employer allies, held a demonstration outside the offices of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe, T.D., calling on him to give workers employed through the employment permit system the right to change employer.
The current employment permits system binds a worker to one employer. This is a leading factor in the exploitation of workers.
Read more here

Poor and marginalised increasingly silenced as impact of recession takes hold, press release, 1st July
The voice of the poor and the marginalised has been largely silenced in the current recession as – unlike most other groups in society - they have no powerful interest groups to represent them, according to Philip O’Connor, Chairperson of the European Anti Poverty Network Ireland.
Read more here

Conclusions on MDGs published by EU Foreign Affairs Council   
EU Development Ministers met on 14 June to agree the EU position towards the MDG Review Summit, which was later endorsed by EU Heads of State. The Council reaffirmed EU commitments to achieve development aid targets by 2015 and its support for the achievement of the MDGs, and called on the High Level Plenary Meeting to agree on a concrete action plan.   
Read more here

Cuts in Development Education
As you may already know, the new Conservative-led administration has announced an immediate freeze on new funding for development awareness projects and has arbitrarily canceled five development education projects with immediate effect. It has also announced a further stop on projects totaling more than £6.5 million. This is likely to mean the withdrawal of the new Global Development Engagement Fund which was to replace the DFID Mini Grant Scheme later this year. The cancelation of this fund will mean that there will be no access to development education grants from DFID for new projects while existing grants clearly remain vulnerable to further cuts.
Click here to read more and take action
Click here to Download the letter to MPs and here to Secretary of State

Eurozone governments and European authorities are using the economy to justify pushing through rightwing policy changes
One thing should be made clear about the situation in the eurozone economies that is not clear at all if we rely on most of the news reports. This is not a situation where countries face a "dilemma" because they have overspent and piled up too much public debt. They do not face "tough choices" that will force them to cut spending and raise taxes while the economy is weak or in recession, in order to "satisfy financial markets".
Read more here

BBC on Global poll: Wide dissatisfaction with capitalism 20 years after fall of Berlin Wall and call for regulation of business
Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a new BBC World Service global poll suggests that dissatisfaction with free market capitalism is widespread, with an average of only 11% across 27 countries saying that it works well and that greater regulation is not a good idea. In only two countries do more than one in five feel that capitalism works well as it stands, according to the poll – the United States (25%) and Pakistan (21%).
Read more here

Johann Hari urges ‘decent people’ to get involved in WDM’s campaign to stop bankers betting on food
Johann Hari urged 'decent people' to get involved in WDM's campaign to stop bankers betting on food in an article in the Independent last week: "Only one force can stop another speculation-starvation-bubble. The decent people in developed countries need to shout louder than the lobbyists from Goldman Sachs. The World Development Movement is launching a week of pressure this summer as crucial decisions on this are taken: text WDM to 82055 to find out what you can do."
Read more here

EU says restarting Doha talks is up to the US
European trade commissioner Karel De Gucht has said it is not up to Europe to kick-start the Doha round of multilateral trade talks, instead placing the burden squarely on the shoulders of the United States.  The Belgian politician was speaking to members of the European Parliament's trade committee on Tuesday (22 June), part of the consultation process before the commission comes forward with proposals this October on how to reform the EU's overall trade policy.
Read more here

Public consultation on future trade policy
Following the 'Europe 2020' paper adopted on 3 March 2010, the European Commission is launching a broad public consultation on the future direction of EU trade policy. The Commission's intention is to set out its policy during autumn 2010, explaining how trade policy can help achieve the objectives of the 'Europe 2020' strategy. The purpose of the present consultation is to gather views from relevant stakeholders regarding the rationale, scope and strategic objectives for a future EU trade policy.
Read more and fill in online questionnaire here

The scramble for East Africa
The East African Community has accelerated negotiations with Europe for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The race is on for negotiators and lobbyists to either let Europe in or keep it out. And so far, influential EPA advocates are in the lead, according to Yash Tandon, former head of the South Centre and critic of African EPAs with Europe. As corporate proponents advance the trade deal, negotiations threaten East African unity at a critical time in its still early development.
Read more here

Guyana Has No Regrets over Holding Out on EPA
Two years after 14 Caribbean countries signed a wide-ranging and controversial Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe, Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo still maintains that his country was right in holding out until the last minute to get a "better deal" for the Caribbean.
Read more here

Obama must ditch Bush-era trade deals
South Korea will join the growing group of nations that have recently resorted to currency controls in the wake of the global financial crisis. As a rash of new research has shown, such controls are legitimate tools to prevent and mitigate financial crises.
Read more here 

U failure to reform international investment agreements will have costs for taxpayers and the environment
On 7th of July the Commission released its proposals on the future EU investment policy and the member states' investment treaties. See here

Documents:
"EU failure to reform international investment agreements will have costs for taxpayers and the environment": See here
"EU Investment Agreements in the Lisbon Treaty Era: A Reader"): See here
"Reclaiming public interest in Europe's international investment policy. Civil society statement on the future of Europe's international investment policy"): See here

MEPs ring alarm bells over financial industry’s excessive lobbying power
Twenty two Members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum launched a remarkable warning against the financial industry’s intensive lobbying efforts last week, warning that it “poses a danger to democracy”. The MEPs highlighted the weakness of a counter-lobby defending the public interest and warned that there was a dangerous imbalance between the power of the banking lobbyists compared to that of civil society.
Read more here

Food industry delight at vote on traffic light labelling scheme
In June, MEPs voted on new legislation on food labeling – determining what nutritional information should be displayed on the packaging of items such as snacks, soft drinks and ready-meals. The vote has been the subject of a major lobby campaign by the food industry, opposed to mandatory information on food packaging.
Read more here

No transparency - two years on
The European Commission's lobby register has failed to bring lobbying into the open in its first two years, ALTER-EU concluded on the second anniversary of the register's launch.  

Read ALTER-EU's statement here and CEO's comment on the second anniversary of the lobby register here

ECAS is actively taking part in the discussions on the European Citizens’ Initiative
The Citizens’ Initiative states that “Not less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States may take the initiative of inviting the EU Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties”. Considering this ECAS would like to ask your opinion about the Commission’s requirement to ask the signatories of a citizens’ initiative for personal identification data.  
Click here to access the survey, which aim is to assess the citizens’ position on the regulation

EU to Ban Illegal Timber
Several EU countries have changed their position from opposing to supporting an EU-wide ban on illegal logging, and the majority are now in favour of an outright prohibition.
Read the press release from Just Forests here

Illegal logging of Rosewood a serious threat to Irish Music
Just Music calls on Ireland’s musicians, music-lovers and musical instrument-makers to act to save Rosewood from extinction from illegal logging. Rosewood is an extremely important ‘tonewood’.
Read more here

Victory for whales!
The proposal to legalise whale killing went down in flames in Morocco. In a few short weeks, AVAAZ built the biggest whale-saving petition in history, signed by an extraordinary 1.2 million of us worldwide, and delivered it directly to key delegates at the International Whaling Commission meeting. In the end, the 24 year old whaling ban was upheld.
Read more here  

Stop Stoning!
Last week a massive global outcry stopped an Iranian woman, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, from being stoned to death.
But Sakineh still faces hanging, and today, fifteen more people await execution by stoning. People are buried up to their necks and large rocks are hurled at their heads.
Sign the petition here 

East Africa: Caravan on Maternal Health
Nurses from Mulago Hospital signing the petition The East African Caravan on Maternal Health was launched on July 3rd, 2010 at the Kibera D.O Open Grounds, Kibera, Nairobi. It will travel from Kenya, through Tanzania and Rwanda, before culminating in Uganda just prior to the African Union Summit where African Heads of State and Government will discuss issues of Maternal and Child Health.
Read more here

Africa should not be defined by single events
The World Cup may have briefly dispelled our misperceptions but the global force of Afro-pessimism is likely to reassert itself quickly, writes Joe Humphreys.
Read more here

Niger: food crisis could cost a generation - WFP
The food crisis in Niger is deteriorating faster than expected and could cost the lives of a generation, the head of the World Food Programme (WFP) said. Josette Sheeran, executive director of the organisation, said the brains and bodies of children under five will be damaged for life if they don't have adequate nutrition. The drought-stricken Sahel region in West Africa - encompassing Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Mali - is facing dwindling food supplies and high prices at market.
Read more here

West Africa: Aid Agencies Call for Surge in Aid
Ten leading aid agencies have called for a 'surge' in the humanitarian effort to help 10 million people at risk of acute hunger across the Sahel region of West and Central Africa. The centre of the crisis is Niger, where seven million people, almost half the population do not have enough food. A further two million people in Chad, and hundreds of thousands more in Mali, Mauritania, parts of Burkina Faso and the extreme north of Nigeria are also suffering as a result of the crisis.
Read more here

East Africa: ICTS for democracy  
What is the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to support processes of democratisation and empowerment in developing countries? This report, prepared for the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, outlines the theoretical background to discussions on ICTs and democracy, and presents case studies from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Read more here

DRC: Warlord's ICC Trial Suspended
The International Criminal Court (ICC) today suspended proceedings in the case of a Congolese warlord accused of recruiting child soldiers, saying that prosecutors have refused orders to disclose information to his defence. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the founder and leader of the Union of Congolese Patriots in the Ituri region of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), faces two counts of war crimes: conscripting and enlisting child soldiers into the military wing of his group and then using them to participate in hostilities between September 2002 and August 2003.
Read more here

Africa: DRC to Get Billions in Debt Relief  
A debt relief programme worth $12.3bn (£8.1bn) has been agreed for the Democratic Republic of Congo, it has been announced. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank said the country had made good efforts to reform its economy and governance in recent years.
Read more here

UN to Set Up Agency Promoting Women's Rights
The UN is to set up a single agency dedicated to promote the rights of women and girls around the world. The UN General Assembly voted in favour of the body after four years of negotiations. The new UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women will be referred to as UN Women, officials said.
Read more here

Egypt: The Problem of Female Circumcision
Despite the important achievements so far in the field of women rights and the continuous efforts from both the state and the civil society to protect and promote these rights. Yet some traditional practices that seriously violate women rights still persist. Among those practices, is female circumcision, which is still unfortunately widely spread in Egypt.
Read more here

The Chevron Precedent  
As oil giant Chevron faces off against Nigerian activists and their families over the company's alleged role in the deaths of two protestors in the Niger Delta in 1998, Dana Wagner discusses the case and its significance for corporate responsibility.
Read more here  

Trade union harassment continues at Prada supplier
It is with great regret that the Clean Clothes Campaign is reopening the campaign to demand justice for workers at the DESA leather factory in Duzce, Turkey. This decison follows failure by both DESA management and the European buyers to implement and support a protocol signed by DESA and the union Deri Is over six months ago.
Read more and take action here

Tata Group Escalates Repression Against Bengal Tea Workers
Leaders of a West Bengal tea plantation workers' protest last year against the abusive treatment of a pregnant 22 year-old tea garden worker could face prison sentences of up to 7 years, if India's powerful Tata Group has its way. Tata is lashing out against nearly 1,000 tea plantation workers and their families living and working on the Nowera Nuddy Tea Estate in West Bengal, India. In the latest developoment, arrest warrants have been issued for 12 workers on the estate - including the woman whose abusive treatment sparked the protests leading to a crushing 4-month lockout last year when she was refused maternity leave and forced to pluck tea while 8 months pregnant.
Click here to read more and here to take action  

With Refuge Like This...
Habtom, a 30-year-old Eritrean, has all the grim qualifications needed to be a refugee. He was arrested for protesting a dictatorship, tortured in custody, and fears his life would be at risk if he returned home. Another part of his story is also typical: he suffered lengthy detention in a European Union nominally committed to the universal defence of human rights.
Read more here 

Poll ranks AIDS as top health issue
AIDS is the world’s most important health-care issue according to people all over the world who were polled for their perceptions of the AIDS epidemic in a new survey commissioned by UNAIDS.
Read more here 

Young people lead "prevention revolution"
Across the world, but especially in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, young people are taking action to protect themselves from HIV, says a new study by UNAIDS.
Click here for full report

Fighting climate change - while adapting to it
Environmental scientists are calling on policy-makers to help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change, rather than focus resources on reducing carbon emissions alone.
Read more here 

IHH Mavi Marmara flotilla report
IHH, the Turkish charity that led the Freedom flotilla have produced a report, which details what happened on the Mavi Marmara, the names of those killed, injured, violations and infringements carried out by Israel.
Download the report here

Swansea City Council resolve to exclude Veolia from future contracts
Swansea City Council passed a resolution to exclude Veolia from all future contracts. Swansea is the second largest city in Wales. Veolia, a large French multinational, is helping to build and operate a tramway linking illegal settlements in East Jerusalem with Israel. Veolia runs a number of council services across Britain for refuse collection, water, energy and transport.
Read more here 

World economies collapse in absence of Bono’s wisdom
Stock markets around the world have been sent crashing today following the news that Bono’s back surgery will keep him out of action for up to six weeks.
Read more here  

Free-Dom Young People's Music Project
Free-Dom Music Project is created for children from various nationalities that live in Ireland. The idea of the project is to bring children together through music and art and show the traditional musical roots of world's cultures.   
Read more here or here 

*Events*

A Sikh Face in Ireland: Photographic and Life History Project, May – September
Photographic and life history project, A Sikh Face in Ireland, will be on view at the Chester Beatty Library from 7 May - 18 July. This multimedia exhibition is produced and supported by FOMACS (Forum on Migration and Communications) in collaboration with photographer/oral historian, Dr Glenn Jordan, and researcher, Satwinder Singh.  For more information, please contact: Maeve Burke or Ann Nolan, info.fomacs@dit.ie Tel: +353 (0)1 402 3006 
Read more here

Festival of World Cultures, 23-25 July
Immersed in folk, traditional, eclectic, tribal, digital and the experimental, the dlr Festival of World Cultures presents a kaleidoscopic programme of concerts & club nights, fairs & markets, performances, street events, workshops and so much more. It is staged throughout the historic port town of Dún Laoghaire.
More details are available here

European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, AkiDwA
AkiDwA- The African and Migrant Women’s Network in Ireland is organising a series of events such as workshops, concerts and seminars to commemorate 2010 the European year of combating poverty and social exclusion.
Click here to read more 

Indie'Go World Music Festival, 6-8 August
This family friendly festival promises to be one of the best new music festivals in Ireland this summer, boasting a versatile Irish and international line-up ranging from folk-country musician Ben Reel to indie band Dirty Epics to the Cumbia Cosmonauts from Australia, with their electronic adaptations of Latin American dance rhythms. Part of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Self Help Africa and to Barnardos. This festival will take place in Ballydarton House, Fennagh, Co Carlow.
For further information or to purchase tickets please visit http://www.indiegoworldmusic.ie/ or email info@indiegoworldmusic.ie

Global Young Greens Conference, 8 - 14 August 2010 in Berlin
For more information and to book your place, please consult the website here or contact Global Young Greens gyg-info@globalyounggreens.org

Climate Camp, 12 - 16 August - Victoria Bridge, County Tyrone.
This year's climate camp will take place form the 12th to the 16th of August in County Tyrone, to support the local community campaign that is in opposition to the building of a new A5 road between Dublin and Derry.  
Read more about this campaign here
This camp is getting closer and closer and work is well underway, if you have any questions, sugestions or want to get involved we'd be happy to hear from you, contact Climate Camp at: info@climatecamp.ie

An Independent Irish Foreign Policy - A Future? 3-4 September  
This event will take place from 3rd to 4th September in Teacher’s Club, Parnell Square, Dublin 1. For further information please visit www.pana.ie or contact Roger Cole, PANA, Tel: 01 2351512, Email: pana@eircom.net

Gender Equality, Citizenship and Multiculturalism in Contemporary Europe, 10 September  
This one day international conference exploring the theme of gender equality, citizenship and multiculturalism in contemporary Europe will take place on 10th of September from 10.15 am to 5.30 pm, Brookfield Health Sciences, Room G04, University College Cork.
For further details click here or contact anne.neylon@student.ucc.ie

ECO-UNESCO Youth for Sustainable Development Conference, 22 September 
Youth for the Future Learning to Change our World
This conference will take place on 22nd of September in ECO-UNESCO, The Greenhouse, 17 St Andrew Street, Dublin 2. It is a conference for youth workers, youth leaders, teachers and community educators. Young people aged 15 – 18 are also warmly invited to attend with their adult support workers.  
Read more here 

Trad for Trócaire, 23-29 September
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann and Trócaire have teamed up to run this new national fundraising initiative that will launch for the first time this September. Musicians and venues around the country will be encouraged to hold a traditional Irish music session between 23-29 September in aid of Trócaire.   
If you would like to organise a Trad event in your area please log on to http://www.trocaire.org/ and order your Trad pack today.

World Education Forum in Palestine, 28 – 31 October
The registration for organizations and self-organized activities for the World Education Forum in Palestine (October 28 - 31) are open. This event is vitally important in the context of today’s world, moreover holding this Forum in Palestine is of powerful symbolic value and of crucial importance for Palestine and people of conscience around the globe. The World Education Forum in Palestine takes place during a time of ongoing occupation of the Palestinian people, the siege of Gaza and persecution of local and international activists.
Read more here 

Trócaire Mobilising for Justice Grants Scheme, 31 October closing date
Through development education, campaigns and policy work, Trócaire aims to ensure that we in Ireland - both as individuals and as a country - play our part in addressing global injustice and poverty. Our new Mobilising for Justice Grants Scheme, which replaces our Development Education Small Grants, contributes towards this aim through building partnerships with a broad range of groups and organisations in Ireland.
Please click here for further information.  

UNITED Conference, Moscow, 21-26 November 2010
'What Can You(th) Do? Networking for Intercultural Dialogue' in English and Russian language.
This conference is part of the project 'Utilising the Network of Ethnic Associations in Russia to provide support for youth organisations in Russia'
Read more here 

Great Ethiopian Run, 22 November  
Vita seeks runners to participate in the Great Ethiopian Run on 22 November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Funds raised will go towards improving the lives of women in the Chencha region of Ethiopia and will also cover travel, accommodation and entry fees.  
To find out more please click here or contact Rachel Gilliland, Tel: 01 8820108, Email: rachel.gilliland@vita.ie

NYCI Conference, 26th November 2010
The National Youth Council’s annual conference for the youth sector for 2010 is ‘Dealers in Happiness’
The role of youth workers in promoting positive mental health in young people
It will take place on 26th of November 2010 at the Emmaus Centre, Swords, Co. Dublin
For further information or to book a place contact Lisa Hyland or Elaine Lowry on 01-478 4122 or e-mail lisa@nyci.ie or elaine@nyci.ie

IHS International Haiku Competition 2010
Irish NGOs launch poetry competition: Dóchas and the Irish Haiku Society have teamed up to launch the IHS International Haiku Competition 2010. The winning haiku poems in the competition will be those that express best what it means to live in Ireland at the beginning of the 21st century, and how Ireland can play a role in shaping our global future, as part of a world-wide society of nations and peoples.   
Competition details are available here

*Courses, Workshops, Seminars*

SWP Women's Liberation Day School, 24 July
This event will take place on Saturday 24th of July between 2pm and 6pm in Wynn’s Hotel. There will be two sessions: Engels and the Marxist Tradition on Women’s Liberation. Capitalism and the Changing Family.
Read more here 

Communicating your Cause in Challenging Times, 27 July 
This seminar will take place on Tuesday 27th of July from 9am to 1pm in Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.   
Read more here 

Exploring Africa in July, 29-31
Africa Centre developed the Exploring Africa training course in consultation with D-talk to address a gap and demand for such a course. This course is part of Africa Centre’s Development Education Programme.
Read more here

Activist Fleadh: Kilbarrack CDP summer school, 14 - 15 August
Kilbarrack CDP is hosting a summer school for radicals of all ages on 14th and 15th of August. It is being organised by an 'ad hoc group of activists' who came together arising from the Equality Studies conference in May.
Fleadh venue: Kilbarrack Community Development Project, c/o St Benedict's Resource Centre, Swan's Nest Road, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5.
For further details click here and contact Cathleen O'Neill at cathleen@kilbarrackcdp.com

Environmental Education - introduction to Education for Sustainable Development methodologies, 24 August 
This one-day training introduces environmental education utilising activities developed by ECO-UNESCO to encourage young people to get involved in environmental issues.  It will take place on 24th of August from 10 am to 4 pm in ECO-UNESCO, The Greenhouse, 17 St Andrew Street, Dublin 2.
For further information please click here or contact training@ecounesco.ie

Hanna’s House Summer School: A feminist peace: how do we get there? 27 – 29 August  
Date: 27th- 29th August 2010
Where: Art College, at the University of Ulster’s Belfast Campus on York Road.
Fee: €10/£10 (waged) or €5/£5 (unwaged)
As our policy is to make all our events as accessible and affordable as possible to participants For more information email hannashouse@nwci.ie

Seminar on the Code of Conduct on Images and Messages, 12 October  
This Seminar will take place on 12th of October from 10 am to 1 pm, VSB, in 34 Shaftsbury Square, Belfast, BT2 7DB. It is organised by the Centre for Global Education in association with Dóchas.
For more information contact stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com, Tel: (028) 9024 8179.

APPETISER - An introduction to international youth work, Bonn, Germany, 14 – 18 October 2010 
This seminar is designed to give a feeling of what it means to work with young people in an international setting. Leaving all explanations and knowledge aside it is about giving a space for participants to explore the advantage of "internationality".  Appetiser aims to give a strong positive first experience of international youth work and motivate participants to use the "Youth in Action" Programme. Deadline for applications is 8th August 2010
Apply online here
For more information on the training course click here

Dtalk – Development Training & Learning @ Kimmage courses
New Dtalk courses calendar for 2010 is available online. To register for any course please contact: Selam Desta, Email: selam.desta@kimmagedsc.ie, Tel: 01 4064341
Full details of all courses are available by clicking here

Dtalk Tailor Made courses
Dtalk can provide Tailor Made training to suit the exact needs and context of your organisation. Drawing on more than 65 highly skilled trainers from three first-rate training institutions with expertise in a large range of topics, Dtalk is uniquely placed to meet your organisation's capacity building needs. Dtalk can provide training in Ireland or overseas.
For further information please click on the above link or contact Selam Desta, Email: selam.desta@kimmagedsc.ie, Tel: 01 4064424

Kimmage Open & Distance Education for Development Workers – Course Schedule for 2010
KODE course schedule for 2010 is available online here
Further details available from Deirdre Healy, KODE, Kimmage Development Studies Centre, Email: deirdre.healy@kimmagedsc.ie

Citizens Information Board National Calendar of Training Events for 2010
This calendar includes almost 32 training events, taking place throughout the country in the period March to June 2010. The information attached can be downloaded, printed out and posted on notice boards.
You can download information on training events here

Youth in Action Opportunities- Mayfield Arts Seminars and EVS training 
There are opportunities for Irish development education organisations to become involved in the EU Youth in Action Programme during following events:
Youth perspectives/Youth Visions- Mayfield Community Arts Centre GlobalFest Seminars June 2010.
EVS Takeoff- a short training for anyone interested in sending volunteers abroad using European Voluntary Service (EVS)
For more information click here and here

Latin American Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese Classes: new summer intensive courses!
LASC offers small class sizes and the classes are taught in a fun and participative environment. Summer courses are one month-long: four hours a week for four weeks on July or August, beginner level, evening time, cost €120 for non-members/ €110 for member. Check out the calendar on www.lasc.ie !

LASC Youth Workshops 
LASC offers tailor-made workshops to Youth Leaders interested in increasing their knowledge on Latin American Issues and bringing a Global perspective to their youth work.  More info from education@lasc.ie or click here

Arts, Participation and Development - Creative Approaches to Global Education and Action, October – May
This course will combine presentations, case studies, and group participation with a focus on experiential learning. Course participation will require access to internet outside of the course time as an on-line learning community will be established and tools and resources shared on-line. The course will take place in Crawford college of Art & Design, Cork. Fee: €680 (subsidised by funding from the Irish Aid Development Education Unit).
For further information please email Jess or Nora at ccad.globalarteduc@cit.ie 

Autumn Courses at the Carmichael Centre for voluntary groups
Click here to view Autumn Courses at the Carmichael Centre.  
For further information contact Caroline Gobe, Tel: 01 8735285, Email: tssinfo@carmichaelcentre.ie

MA in Gender, Globalisation and Rights, NUI, Galway
The MA Gender, Globalisation and Rights is a unique programme exploring the two dominant discourses of globalisation and human rights through a gender lens. Key questions explored in the programme include the gender impacts of the global economic crisis, the implications of rising fundamentalisms for women and building democracy, and overall the implications for women's agency and power.
For more information click here or contact Nata Duvvury, Course Director Tel: 091 495399 or Gillian Browne, Course Administrator, Tel: 091493450

New MA in Community Education, Equality and Social Activism at Maynooth
Another world is possible: learning from each other's struggles
For decades community groups, the women's movement and other social justice movements have been the driving force behind equality in Ireland, while global justice activists have highlighted the crisis of climate change and neo-liberalism. This course brings together experienced activists in community education and social movements with those interested and motivated about social justice to create new knowledge and develop alternatives.
For more information click here or contact the Dept. of Adult and Community Education, NUI Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland at adcomed@nuim.ie or (+353-1) 7083937.

M.Phil. in International Peace Studies
The M. Phil. in International Peace Studies examines the causes and consequences of war and armed conflict, with a view to understanding how to achieve sustainable peace through processes of peacemaking and peacebuilding. Courses draw on perspectives from development studies, political science, international relations, ethics and conflict resolution, allowing students to engage critically with the social, political and economic issues associated with peace and political violence. This is a one-year Master’s programme at the Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin.
For more info click here and for registration here  

TCD/UCD Master’s in Development Practice – Open for Applications
The joint TCD-UCD Master’s degree in Development Practice (MDP) will commence in September 2010. This is a new two-year programme that offers a world class training and education in development practice at graduate level. Applications are now being accepted through the Graduate Studies Office, TCD at the following link.
Further information and updates can be found on the new Master’s in Development Practice website here

BA in Development Studies 
There are a limited number of places still available on this course, which will commence at Kimmage Development Studies Centre in September. Delivered by a combination of taught course work and open/distance learning, this HETAC accredited two year programme is targeted at mature learners who have some prior experience of working in international development and /or the community development and voluntary sectors in Ireland, and who wish to study for a Degree for the first time.
For more details click here or contact the centre at: Tel: 01 4064386, Email: info@kimmagedsc.ie
Closing date for applications: 30 July

Other Courses

Dtalk courses - Development Training & Learning @ Kimmage.

Learning Point - This website from The Wheel is for all your training searches, enquiries and needs! Just input the topic in which you wish to train and it will search the database for courses nationwide! More:

Community Exchange (Activelink) - Community Exchange provides a communication channel for groups and individuals involved or interested in the work of community and voluntary organisations in Ireland.

The Citizens Information Board (formerly Comhairle)

Suas - Suas is a youth and education focused organisation, which facilitates young people to address educational disadvantage at home and overseas. Suas is secular and is a registered charity.

The Carmichael Centre - The Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups is a centre for small national voluntary organisations working at the cutting edge in areas such as disability, illness, education, the arts, the environment and social care. Founded in 1988, it provides a total package of supports in an environment that promotes active citizenship and mutual support.

The Wheel - The Wheel is a support and representative body connecting Community and Voluntary organisations across Ireland.

INTRAC is a non-profit organisation working in the international development and relief sector.

The Directory of Social Change aims to be an internationally recognised independent source of information and support to voluntary and community sectors worldwide.

*Volunteering Overseas*

Keep up-to-date on news related to overseas volunteering!
Do you want to keep up-to-date on issues and news related to overseas volunteering?
If so subscribe to Comhlámh’s Volunteering Options RSS Feed.

Click the RSS link on Volunteering Options homepage - http://www.volunteeringoptions.org/

VSO Volunteer Information Day, 31 July 
This information day will take place on 31st of July at 2 pm in Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, 27-31 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 2. Come along and learn about VSO’s work, the application process, and the professionals they are looking to recruit. A returned volunteer will give a brief presentation about their experience overseas.
To register or for further information, please email info@vso.ie

UNV launches booklet "Changing the world online"
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is pleased to announce the publication of “Changing the World Online”. The booklet demonstrates the added value online volunteers bring to organizations working for peace and development, and highlights how online voluntary action achieves tangible results.
Read more here

ILCU Foundation: International Internship Programme – Mongolia
The ILCU Foundation and the Canadian Cooperative Association (CCA) work in partnership on credit union projects in Africa and the Internship Programme is the most recent collaboration for both of these organisations. This programme is an excellent opportunity to work overseas whereby each intern receives a monthly allowance to cover travel and living expenses for the six-month overseas placement. Therefore this is not a paid role. The interns will be working in various countries in Africa and Asia. The Irish intern will be placed in Mongolia.
Full details, including application and reference forms, are available here.

*Resources*

Blog on SCC lobby on Trócaire website  
How do you persuade dozens of Irish politicians to commit to a strong Climate Bill? Trócaire, working with the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, found a way! Read the blog on Trócaire's website here to find out how it feels to talk to your TDs face to face for the first time!

Warning Signs: The Science and Impacts of Climate Change
Christian Aid’s Time for Climate Justice campaign calls for urgent action to tackle the climate crisis. This campaign is based on clear scientific information about climate change and its effects, as well as Christian Aid’s own work with poor people and our understanding of their experience.
Click here to read more

Sign up for free to Oireachtas Brief Social Policy Monitor
The Oireachtas Brief Social Policy Monitor is a free parliamentary monitoring service for NGOs, the community and voluntary sector, activists, students and anyone interested in social policy.
Read more here

Teaching material about EPAs
Trade or Trade in Development? Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
Read more here  

Documents on EPAs from South Centre
Click here to access publications from South Centre

10 Keys To Fully Understand European Subsidies For 2010
WelcomeEurope published a simple, complete guide with 20 pages of methodology and practical advice to fully understand European subsidies.
Click here to download the guide 

New Animated Film launched on World Refugee Day - Burden of Proof
Burden of Proof is a short animated film about the asylum process in Ireland. It uses voiceover narration to remind audiences of the historical context for the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees, portraying the journey that a mother and son take in order to reach Ireland, apply for asylum and access safety. The film was made in conjunction with FOMACS and the Irish Refugee Council and premiered in Dublin on 18 June as part of a European-wide series of events marking World Refugee Day.
Watch the film here

The Curious Ear: Through African Ears  
FOMACS’ Having your Voice Heard is once again on the national airwaves, with stories just recently broadcasted on RTÉ One, ‘The Curious Ear’.This programme ‘Through African Ears’ features extracts from the short documentaries made by five of the women in the FOMACS’ radio mentoring programme (Neltah's appeared in an earlier " Curious ear', "Neltah tells a love story"). You’ll hear Curious Ear producer, Ronan Kelly, in conversation with programme makers: Abiba Ndelay, Gladys Atsenokhai, Lauretta Ibosonu, Marsha Dubbe, Neltah Chadamoyo and Vanessa Ogida, in addition to radio mentor and journalist, Rósín Boyd.
Listen to The Curious Ear: Through African Ears here  

EP report underlines importance of Global Education
On 17 May, the European Parliament adopted a resolution "on key competences for a changing world: implementation of the Education and Training 2010 work programme" (reference P7_TA(2010)0164). This resolution is based on a report tabled by Spanish Socialist MEP Badia I Cutchet Maria in the Culture and Education Committee.
Please download the report here

DSA Bulletin
The June Edition of the DSA Bulletin is now available online.
Please download it here 

DERC Development Education Digest: June 2010  
The Digest has been produced by the Development Education Research Centre (DERC), at the Institute of Education, London in order to raise the profile of development education internationally and provide a focal point for researchers, policy makers and practitioners in the field. It includes research and policy summaries, as well as details of recent publications.
Read more here 

HRW report on Zimbabwe diamonds
Human Rights Watch (HRW) published an update to its previous report on diamonds on Zimbabwe, entitled, 'Deliberate Chaos: Ongoing Human Rights Abuses in the Marange Diamond Fields of Zimbabwe'.
The Report can be downloaded here

Africa: Help out Small Farmers, Report Urges
Small-holder farmers, who make up almost all of Africa’s agriculture sector, need more support to reduce over-dependence on increasingly costly food imports, states a new report. Policymakers should ìstrengthen the competitiveness of small-holder farmers, thus avoiding a rural exodus that would put pressure on the cities and lead to more food imports, according to the 2010 technology and innovation report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
Read more here

Special FAO Online Forum to Discuss Gender, ICTS and Rural Livelihoods
From 5 – 16 July 2010, a special online forum being hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization’s e-agriculture.org initiative, and will discuss the issues surrounding gender, ICTs and rural livelihoods. The forum will also be moderated by the APC’s Jennifer Radloff as part of the Gender, agriculture and rural development in the information society. (GenARDIS) project. Join e-agriculture and GenARDIS for this forum, which will look at what has and has not worked, good practices, as well as the critical area of capacity building and what can be done to empower men and women to play a bigger role in ICTs for agriculture and rural development.
Read more here

Global: UN Launches Booklet on How to Deter Sexual Violence
The United Nations has launched its first compilation of the best practices for its peacekeepers and other workers to prevent, deter and respond to the use of rape as a war tactic. The booklet, titled: "Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence - An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice", was launched at the UN headquarters in New York, US.
Read more here

Wheel's Sector Connector
Sector Connector is a new online space where people involved in community, voluntary and charitable activity can exchange information and advice.
Do you need advice on any aspect of setting-up, running or managing a community, voluntary or charitable organisation? Why not ask your peers on Sector Connector? The Wheel’s panel of experts will answer your question, but anyone else can also share their knowledge and experience. 
Click here to read more and register

Bothar’s Annual Report
Bothar’s Annual Report for the period July 1st 2008 to June 30th 2009 is now available.
You will find a full version here  

*Jobs*

Comhlámh Job Noticeboard is a useful resourse for those searching an employment, interships or volunteering placements in Development Sector. It includes many exciting opportunities, both in Ireland and overseas.

Please click here to be redirected to Comhlámh's Job Noticeboard

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