Singapore Democrats

From poverty to power: How active citizens and effective states can change the world
By: Oxfam International
From Poverty to Power is essential reading for anyone involved in change processes around the world. A new take on development for the 21st century, Oxfam International's new book provides critical insights into the massive human and economic costs of inequality and poverty and proposes realistic solutions. The best way to tackle them is through a combination of active citizens and effective nation states. Why active citizenship? Because people living in poverty must have a voice in deciding their own destiny, fighting for rights and justice in their own society, and holding states and the private sector to account. Why effective states? Because history shows that no country has prospered without a state structure than can actively manage the development process. For more information, click here.

International Day of Democracy
15 September 2008, Manila, Philippines

This Day was proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 62/7of 8 November 2007 entitled “Support by the United Nations system of the effort of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies”. The resolution was sponsored by the State of Qatar and adopted by consensus. The date of 15 September coincides with the twentieth Anniversary of the first International Conference on New or Restored Democracies held in Manila, the Philippines in June 1988. The ICNRD-6 nucleus national Secretariat provides several suggestions or activities that may be carried out in commemorating the International Day of Democracy directed at member states, parliaments, civil society and the media. For more information, click here.

The every human has rights media awards
Application Deadline: September 15^th, 2008
In December 2008, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Internews and the Every Human Has Rights campaign, supported by The Elders, will celebrate a year of collaboration with leading human rights organisations through the Every Human Has Rights Media Awards. “The Elders” is a group of world leaders convened by Nelson Mandela to use their wisdom, independent leadership and experience to tackle some of the world’s toughest problems. Founding Elders are Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson, Lakhdar Brahimi, Graca Machel, Muhammad Yunus, Fernando Cardoso, Gro Brundtland, Ela Bhatt and Jimmy Carter. Recognising outstanding contributions by the Media: 30 journalists from around the world will be selected by a professional international jury and awarded an all expenses paid trip to Paris in December 2008, where they will meet Human Rights leaders and receive a prize for their contribution to illustrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For more information, click here.

Building tools for youth citizen participation on public policies
Application deadline: August 1^st, 2008

Workshop: September 1^st – 4^th, 2008, Polis Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
This workshop, organised by CIVICUS and LogoLink Latin America (co-ordinated by the Polis Institute), aims to provide young and adult social leaders, as well as public managers, with new tools and strategies for improving participation and accountability in public policy related to youth issues. Practitioners will have the opportunity to exchange information about practices, strategies and tools with which they are involved, in Latin American countries (Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina). Young leaders engaged in work around public policies and adult leaders and managers working on youth issues in the 5 countries are encouraged to apply. Applications must describe briefly the initiatives of participation in public policies that the practitioner is involved in, and his/her interests. For more information, e-mail Liza before 1 August at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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