Interact Summer 2005 Contents Editorial
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issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 1 interactsummer 2005 ParticipatingParticipating inin democracydemocracy Also in this issue: Challenges in Yemen Environment in Honduras News, analysis, ideas from the Catholic Institute for International Relations CIIR is known in some countries as International Cooperation for Development issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 2 Independent women NEW BOOK FROM CIIR The story of women’s activism in East Timor By Irena Cristalis and Catherine Scott Independent women is about the activism of East Timorese women and their part in the struggle for liberation from Indonesian rule. It shows how participation in this struggle empowered women and set them on a path towards greater equality with men. The book explores the social and political dynamics that shaped the newly-independent nation, and compares the experience of women in East Timor with the experience of women in Cambodia, Mozambique and Namibia – countries that also endured periods of conflict followed by a transition to independence. ISBN 1 85287 317 5 Based on extensive research and interviews with East 232 pages paperback Timorese women activists, Independent women Price £11.95 plus £2 p&p (p&p free to CIIR members) provides a fascinating insight into the lives and motivations of these courageous women. It will be Published on 30 August 2005 essential reading for anyone interested in the history To order a copy write to CIIR Publications, Unit 3, Canonbury Yard, and development of East Timor, the role of women in 190a New North Road, London N1 7BJ or order online from www.ciir.org independence struggles, or women’s rights in general. CIIR Annual General Meeting Friday 7th October 2005 The interfaith challenge Working together for peace and development Dr Chandra Muzaffar London Voluntary Sector Resource Centre 356 Holloway Road London N7 6PA All welcome The AGM will start at 6pm, with Dr Chandra speaking at 7pm A buffet supper will be served at 8.30 pm Dr Chandra Muzaffar is a Malaysian Muslim scholar, activist and head of the International Movement for a Just World. issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 3 interact summer 2005 Contents editorial 4 4 diary: the journey to development Participating 5 agenda: it’s just me, what can I do? in democracy 6 news: supporting West Papua Standing alone, people’s voices will not be heard. Together they have a chance. And they have insight: participating in democracy 10 more of a chance if they can seize opportunities to participate in the democratic or decision- 8 No democracy without us 10 making process. Women in East Timor CIIR/ICD has made promoting civil society 10 Constructing a new participation one of its three strategic aims over meaning the next five years. This edition of Interact looks Community radio in Ecuador at some of the ways in which people in the countries where CIIR/ICD works are already 11 From small beginnings getting involved and participating – sometimes, Citizen participation in Peru as the story on community radio in Ecuador shows, with amazing results. action The ability to ‘participate in democracy’ is also a 12 key issue for those of us living in the global North, where the structures of formal democracy 12 The fight for life have over the years managed to largely refine out Opposing environmental the voice of the people. Consequently people fed destruction in Honduras up with the way the world is being run are turning to other methods of making their views known. viewpoint 14 Thanks to the participation of millions of ordinary people in campaigns like Make Poverty History, 14 Moving one step forward our leaders are having to sit up and take notice. Capacity building in Honduras The articles in this Interact show the inspiration that we can gain from people in the global 15 Stone flowers South. We in the North must keep the pressure Sex workers in El Salvador up at our end, if we are to play our part in making another world possible. 16 Putting democracy to the test Elections in Somaliland 18 17 country profile: Zimbabwe Editor 18 interview: Marvin Zavala 19 reflection: defender of the poor Cover picture: A young boy sporting a sticker for Olandina 20 review Caiero, a candidate in the 2001 elections in East Timor. Photo: Irene Slegt/CIIR. Published Aug 2005 by the Catholic In some countries, Editor Alastair Whitson Institute for International Relations CIIR operates under Director of Communications Nick Sireau Unit 3, Canonbury Yard, the name of Executive Director Christine Allen 190a New North Road, London N1 7BJ International Cooperation Design Twenty-Five Educational www.ciir.org tel +44 (0) 20 7354 0883 for Development (ICD). CIIR/ICD works Printing APG (ISO 14001 accreditation for fax +44 (0) 20 7359 0017 with local partners and people for international environmental standards) Charity reg. in the UK no. 294329 sustainable development and the Recycle this magazine! Don’t throw it ISSN 1816-045X Company reg. no. 2002500 eradication of poverty. away. Lend it to your friends or recycle it. issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 4 diary Boys on the roadside between Sana’a and Hodeidah. The journey to Nick Sireau/CIIR Some fellow development workers from other international organisations have jokingly told me that there are several kinds of development NGOs operating in Yemen, such as ‘suitcase NGOs’, ‘one-man NGOs’, ‘mobile phone NGOs’ and ‘plastic bag NGOs’. Initially I laughed at this, but it made me reflect that these are the kinds of NGOs that I might be working with. What lies ahead is indeed very challenging and will no doubt require a lot of creativity. I hope and pray that I can cope with what is required and needed from me. Opportunity I have always wanted to work outside my own country, so I am very glad of this opportunity to take part in catalysing change in Yemen. However, coming here meant that I had to leave my family in the Philippines. This was Joy Jakosalem- ARRIVED IN SANA’A, the capital of can see that Yemeni women are a difficult decision to make, but I Balane, from Yemen, on 7 February, together somewhat restricted in public life am fortunate to have a very the Philippines, Iwith my son Jon River. The (compared to my Filipino culture), supportive husband who urged reflects on her journey from the Philippines was a I also see several Yemeni women me to take this opportunity. His first few long one, but it was only the start working outside the confines of constant support and reassurance weeks as a of my journey – a journey into their homes – particularly in that he and my two other kids are development Yemeni culture on which I would development work. This for me is fine in the Philippines keeps me worker in learn much, not just about the very positive and a good start for strong. Yemen country, but also about myself. putting forward the ideas of At times I wonder how many I have two words to describe gender and development. other women like me have the Yemenis – ‘very warm’. In I will be working on CIIR/ICD’s dreamed of working in a foreign general the people are welcoming capacity building project for civil country but cannot do so because and friendly. I am always struck by society organisations. There is a of their family and the kids. But the closeness between Yemeni great challenge ahead in building bringing my son Jon River here men. They are very expressive, the capacity of local organisations with me has been a great help. especially when greeting each and of civil society in general. Working in a foreign country and other, kissing each other’s cheeks Most non-governmental in a different culture can be lonely, and even giving each other a hug. organisations (NGOs) are still in but having Jon River to go home to I also see a lot of men friends the initial phase of formation, and after work keeps that loneliness at walking along the streets holding will need a lot of support in the bay. hands. In my country, this would areas of organisational and Of course, I did not expect my be taboo. human development. experience in Yemen to be always an easy one. At times, I find Challenges Potential solace in believing that during Before I came to Yemen, I had the At the same time, the local NGOs difficult times a person’s courage, pre-conceived idea that Arab in Yemen have great potential. For creativity and spirit are put to the culture is very strict, particularly one thing, Islam has built in test. I believe we can come concerning women. Shortly after I among its followers the value of through this test, and that I and arrived, on a visit to the coastal giving to the poor. Most NGOs my son can be part of the journey city of Hodeidah, I wore for the have received contributions from to development of the Yemini first time the balto, a traditional individual businessmen for their people through CIIR/ICD. costume for Yemeni women. Yet charitable work. This practice is Yemenis are far from the Arab favourable to NGOs and not Joy Jakosalem-Balane is a CIIR/ICD culture that I originally imagined, something I have seen (at least to development worker in Yemen. and I am glad about this. While I this degree) in the Philippines. She is from the Philippines. 4 interact Summer 2005 issue 008 10/8/05 15:17 Page 5 agenda It’s just me, agenda what can I do? ANYOFUSare We must all live out our solidarity with the people of the world, disappointed with the writes Christine Allen Moutcome of the G8 summit at Gleneagles.