The Heinrich Böll Foundation The Heinrich Böll Foundation is part of the Green political movement that has developed worldwide as a response to the traditional politics of socialism, liberalism, and conservatism. Our main tenets are ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. We place particular emphasis on gender democracy, meaning social emancipation and equal rights for women and men. We are also committed to equal rights for cultural and ethnic minorities and to the societal and political participation of immigrants. Finally, we promote non-violence and proactive peace policies. To achieve our goals, we seek strategic partnerships with others who share our values. We are an independent organisation, that is, we determine our own priorities and policies. We are based in the Federal Republic of Germany, yet we are an international actor in both ideal and practical terms. Our namesake, the writer and Nobel Prize laureate Heinrich Böll, personifies the values we stand for: defence of freedom, civic courage, tolerance, open debate, and the valuation of art and culture as independent spheres of thought and action. INDIA'S We Are a Green Think Tank l We promote democratic reforms and social innovation. l We work on ecological policies and sustainable development on a global level. l GLOBAL FOOTPRINTS We provide space for the presentation of and debate on art and culture. l We transfer knowledge and skills from experts to political actors. l We provide a forum for open debate and promote dialogue between politics, business, academia, and society. l We support talented students active on socio-political issues both in Germany and abroad. l We document the history of the Green movement in order to promote research and provide political inspiration. We Are an International Policy Network l We are part of the global Green network and promote the development of the Green political movement on all continents. l We focus especially on the broadening and deepening of the European Green movement. l We work actively for the development of a political European public. l We support the participation of civil society in politics and, within the framework of multilateral organisations, take part in conferences and negotiations. We Are Active on Ecology, Democracy, and Human Rights Worldwide l We consider ecology and democracy to be inseparable. We therefore support individuals and projects that are committed to ecology, human rights, democracy, and self-determination. l We support respect for the rule of law and democratic participation in all parts of the world. l We promote the abolition of conditions of dominance, dependency, and violence between the sexes. l We encourage civic and civil-society activism as it is a constituent factor of all democratic political culture. l We train activists so that they can successfully self-organise and participate in political processes. Our culture The national Heinrich Böll Foundation works in close co-operation with its co-foundations in all of Germany's 16 states. Mutual respect and trusting co-operation among ourselves and with our partners are the bases of our business relationships. We are an open organisation. The executive board and all of our employees engage in open dialogue, both internally and externally. We promote equal opportunities, attentive, respectful dealings between women and men, intercultural competence, and a productive engagement with diversity. We aim to constantly evaluate and improve our work. We undertake and take seriously both internal and external evaluations. Commitment, expert and social competence, and flexibility are features of our employees, both in Germany and abroad. They are highly qualified, team-oriented and, with their high level of motivation, they constitute the most important asset of the Foundation. We strive to be a reliable partner for volunteer work and for co-operation with third parties. We handle the funds at our disposal economically and efficiently and assure transparent operations. As a political foundation, we act independently; this also applies in respect to our relationship with the German Green Party. We are autonomous in selecting our executive officers and staffing our committees. About VANI Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) is an apex body of the Voluntary Organisations. l Founded in 1988 to act as a promoter/protector and collective voice of the voluntary sector. l Base of 5000 non-governmental organisations spread in 25 states of India. l Resource centre for publications, research work, articles, important documents and information about and related to the voluntary sector. Objectives: l As a platform, to promote voluntarism and create space for voluntary action. l As a network, attempt to bring about a convergence of common sectoral issues and concerns for building a truly national agenda of voluntary action in India. In addition, facilitate linkages of various efforts and initiatives of the Indian VOICE OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR voluntary sector, which succeed in strengthening a united and sustainable movement of change. l As an association, work towards fostering value based voluntary action and long term sustainability especially amongst our members. Areas of Work l Promoting practices of good governance in the voluntary sector. l Strengthening networks l Articulating independent voices of the sector. l Research and advocacy of policies and laws effecting the voluntary sector. Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) BB-5, Ist Floor, Greater Kailash Enclave-II, New Delhi 110 048 Phone: 011-29228127, 41435535 Telefax: 011-41435535 Email: [email protected] Website: www.vaniindia.org India's Global Footprints LIST OF VANI PUBLICATIONS Economic Policy 1. GATT, WTO and the Developing Countries (Hindi and English). 2. Proposals for National Union Budget for 1993-94: An Alternative to the Fund Bank Dictated Union Author: Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) Budget (English ). Panchayati Raj 1. Local Self-Governance: The Role of Voluntary Organisations (English and Hindi). 2. Nagarpalika (74th Amendment) Act, 1992: The Role of Voluntary Organisations (English and Hindi). November 2013 3. State Panchayat Acts: A Critical Review (Hindi and English). Social Development 1. Summary of Declaration and Programme of Action of UN World Summit for Social Development (Hindi and English). 2. State Reports on Social Development:Assam; Bihar; Gujarat; Haryana; Karnataka; Kerala; Copyright © Voluntary Action Network India Maharashtra; Madhya Pradesh; Orissa; Tamil Nadu; Uttar Pradesh Report; West Bengal. The content of this book can be reproduced in whole or in parts with due 3. Community Based Disaster Management: An Information Guide (Hindi & English). acknowledgment to the publisher. Law and Rules 1. Report of the Task Forces: To review and simplify Acts, Rules, Procedures affecting Voluntary Organisations (Hindi and English). 2. Laws, Rules and Regulations for the Voluntary Sector- Report of the South Asian Conference (English). Supported by: The Heinrich Böll Foundation 3. Action Plan to bring about a collaborative relationship between Voluntary Organisations and Government (Hindi and English). 4. FCR Bill 2006 (Marathi). Promoting Voluntarism 1. Youth & Voluntarism (Hindi and English). Edited by: Ms. Ambika Arvindd 2. Into the Media World: An Introduction to Media Relation for Voluntary Activists. 3. Voluntary Development Organisations: The Guiding Principles (English & Hindi). 4. Non-Governmental Organisations: Guidelines for Good Policy and Practice (Hindi and English). 5. Voluntary Organisations Responsible Partners in Nation Building (English). 6. Voluntarism & Politics (English & Hindi). Published by: General Issues Concerning the Voluntary Sector Voluntary Action Network India (VANI) 1. The Election Process Voters Know How (Hindi and English). BB-5, 1st Floor, 2. Foreign Aid & NGOs: Edited by Dr.Manoranjan Mohanty & Anil K. Singh (English). Greater Kailash Enclave-II, New Delhi 110 048 3. Voluntarism & Govt.: Policy, Programme & Assistance Edited by Dr.Manoranjan Mohanty & Anil K. Singh (English). Phone: 91-11-29228127, 29226632 4. Report of workshop on Good Governance in Civil Society Organisations, Guwahati. Fax: 91-11-41435535 E-mail: [email protected] 5. Report of Workshop on Good Governance in Civil Society Organizations, Kolkata. Website: www.vaniindia.org 6. Report of the Asian Meet of National NGO Platforms Prior to the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong (English). 7. Status of NREGA in Chhattisgarh: Key Issues & Hard Options, A Report on State Tribunal 2006 (English & Hindi). 8. National Policy on the Voluntary & Eleventh Five Year Plan: A Report on National Convention 2007 (English & Hindi). Designed & Printed by: 9. The Hand book on Good Governance for the Voluntary Sector 2010 (English). Print World # 9810185402 E-mail: [email protected] India’s Global Footprints VOLUNTARY ACTION NETWORK INDIA BB-5, 1st Floor, Greater Kailash Enclave-II New Delhi-110048 Phone: 011-29226632, 29228127 Email: [email protected] Website: www.vaniindia.org Foreword he end of the Cold War and the growing impacts of globalization are also making India redefine its Tposition and role both at the regional and the global level. Since the economic liberalization of the 1990s, which led to average annual growth rates of 6%-7%, India’s global presence has been steadily visible. Two issues that are shaping India’s rise are the political dividend that it has garnered as the world’s largest democracy and