Regional Cooperation Newsletter Jan-Feb 2008

REGIONAL COOPERATION NEWSLETTER January – February 2008

In this issue: Development quote ECOWAS Labour Policy Review: Call for inputs ADP Executive Director in Taiwan 33rd ICSW Global Conference, Tours, France 8th CIVICUS World Assembly, Scotland

Development quote: “There is a profound disconnect between these large campaigns and women in the village. The distance between Delhi and New York is easy to overcome but the distance between Delhi and the Indian village keeps growing”. Indian Activist 2005, Multiple Spaces of Power, Making Change Happen, Just Associates

ECOWAS Labour Policy Review It is a very encouraging news, indeed good news, that the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) in pursuant of its objectives will bring together a group of experts in March 2008 to consider, review and improve the Draft Labour Policies for the sub region. ECOWAS has graciously extended an invitation to ICSW to this important meeting. ICSW would be pleased to receive your inputs and contributions, latest by 15 th February 2008, in the following areas: Ageing, Migration and Integration, Employment for Young People, Gender Gaps in Employment and Pay, Investing in Human Capital, Social Dialogue.

ADP Executive Director in Taiwan On 21st January 2008, Mr. Charles Abbey, Executive Director, successfully completed a two- month International Visiting Fellowship with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD). Mr. Abbey researched into “Human Rights and Democracy: A Preliminary Assessment of the Contributions and Challenges of Civil Society Organisations in Taiwan”. Taiwan is ranked 14th in the global economy and recognised as the leading nation in Asia in human rights and democracy and has a lot to share with other countries in the areas of human rights, democracy, humanitarian relief and economic development. The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy would be pleased to receive grant applications from developing countries NGOs/CSOs. Applications will be considered on case by case basis. Please see www.tfd.org.tw The Chang Jung Christian University, Graduate Institute, established by the British Presbyterian Church in1885, assists with several scholarships for students from the developing world. Please see www.cjcu.edu.tw/taiwan or contact Professor Yoshi Amae at [email protected]

33rd ICSW Global Conference The 33rd ICSW Global Conference takes place in Tours, France, 30th June-4th July 2008. Please take advantage of the early bird registration. See http://www.icsw2008.org/en/ or via www.icsw.org

Central and West Africa Regional Newsletter Page 1 8th CIVICUS World Assembly The 8th CIVICUS World Assembly will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, 18th-21st June 2008. More information can be found at www.civicusassembly.org

The content of this Regional Newsletter may be freely reproduced or cited provided the source is acknowledged. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the policy of ICSW.

Please distribute this newsletter as widely as possible.

Newsletter Editor: Charles Abbey – Regional President Central and West Africa

ICSW Regional Presidents’ Contact Details: Charles Abbey Chairman Ghana Association of Private Voluntary Organisations in Development P. O. Box CT 3918 Cantonments Accra PO Box A 17 LA Ghana Email: [email protected] Tel: 233-21- 854 216 or 17

Regional Treasurer: Paschaline Tar

Central and West Africa Regional Newsletter Page 2