Fwd: NGO Training on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Strasbourg, 13-16 September 2001


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Subject: Fwd: NGO Training on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Strasbourg, 13-16 September 2001

From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>

Original sender: Ariel Eliyahu <[email protected]>

Fwd: NGO Training on the Framework Convention for the
Protection of National Minorities, Strasbourg, 13-16 September 2001


London, 3 July 2001
 
NGO Training on the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the
Protection of National Minorities
Strasbourg, France, 13 - 16 September 2001
 
Dear colleagues,
 
Minority Rights Group International (MRG) invites you to apply to
participate in a training seminar on the Framework Convention for the
Protection of National Minorities.  The training is organized with the
cooperation of the Directorate of Human Rights of the Council of
Europe and will take place at the headquarters of the Council of
Europe in Strasbourg from 13 - 16 September 2001.  The deadline for
applications is 26 July 2001.
 
MRG will invite representatives of 25 NGOs from States that have
ratified or are likely to ratify the Convention to the training. They
are selected on the basis of their organisations' institutional
capacity and commitment to raise awareness and monitor implementation
of the Convention, for  example:
 
� promote the implementation of the Convention through advocacy work,
e.g. involvement in the state reporting process or producing
alternative reports;
 
� produce, translate and distribute general or country specific
materials concerning the Convention;

� organise seminars on the Convention for NGOs working on minority
issues in their country;

� monitor minority rights issues in their country.
 
The objectives of the training will be to:
 
� provide information on the content of the Convention and its
monitoring mechanism;

� discuss and identify ways in which NGOs can best contribute to the
monitoring of the implementation of the Convention, both at the
domestic level and at the level of the Council of Europe;

and
� develop follow-up activities, including networking throughout
Europe.
 
The programme will include seminars by internationally recognised
minority rights experts in order to provide an overview of the Council
of Europe's human rights work, and minority rights instruments and
mechanisms, including in-depth consideration of the Framework
Convention and its monitoring mechanism.  There will be task groups
focusing on the development of NGO advocacy strategies to contribute
to effective monitoring of State compliance and drafting additional
information/alternative reports, as well as case studies and
opportunities to share good practice.  The programme is highly
interactive and participative.
 
In addition, there will be opportunities to make contacts and liaise
with people involved with the implementation of the Framework
Convention, including governmental representatives from State parties
and Council of Europe officials.
 
NGO representatives attending the training are required to be staff
members of their organisations, and should have:
 
� experience in advocacy work;
� commitment to human and minority rights;
 
MRG will aim for a mixture of people from different countries, at
least 60% of whom will be from minority communities, and a gender
balance. The training will be conducted in English.  Unfortunately,
the budget does not allow for interpretation costs and therefore
participants should have very good English language skills. MRG will
select participants on the basis of their application.
 
If you, or one of your colleagues is interested in participating,
please submit the completed application form as soon as possible, but
no later than Thursday, 26 July 2001. Should you have any queries
please contact Magdalena Syposz at [email protected] ,
Chris Chapman at [email protected] , or Veena Meetoo
[email protected]. Alternatively you can ring us on
 
+ (44-20)-7978-9498 ( Magdalena ext. 211, Chris 314, Veena 213 ).
Please note that Magdalena will be out of the office from 23rd July.
 
MRG has applied for funding to cover the costs of the training.
However this funding has not yet been confirmed. We are confident of
securing funding and therefore are beginning to plan, but the training
seminar is still subject to funding at this stage. Costs of travel,
accommodation, and subsistence will be covered by MRG for all
successful applicants.
 
We look forward to receiving your application.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Chris Chapman, Veena Meetoo, and Magdalena Syposz
Minority Rights Group
 
Enclosures (application form)

........

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