Marianist NGO Report: 4 April 2005 - Pope John Paul II: May He Rest In Peace

CIVICUS RELEASES MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGS) ONLINE CAMPAIGNING TOOLKIT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY
Civil society organizations who are or would like to be involved in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can now build MDG campaigns with a free online toolkit released by CIVICUS. The seven chapter toolkit, with printable chapters in Word and PDF, provides a framework for the development of strategies customized for different national and regional contexts. It provides basic information on the MDGs, advice on how to plan a campaign, a range of essential campaigning tools, practical campaigning skills as well as a number of case studies on MDG campaigns that have been taking place around the world. It also provides useful campaign resources and links to UN support and to other organizations with similar aims. The toolkit is available on the CIVICUS website at www.civicus.org/mdg/1-1.htm

EVIDENCE OF INSURGENTS USING CHILD SOLDIERS (MARCH 15, 2005)
A member of the Sunni insurgency in Iraq claimed 23 children, either orphans or children of insurgents, "have been involved in the fight against the US." A senior policeman in Baghdad cited a higher figure, saying police had captured 60 children who either fought or worked for the insurgents. According to the Iraqi Red Crescent, "the most worrying aspect of the situation is the negative psychological impact on the children," many of whom have "effectively been brainwashed." (Integrated Regional Information Networks)
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/attack/consequences/2005/0315child.htm

THE UGLY AMERICAN BANK (MARCH 18, 2005)
Paul Wolfowitz's close association with the "laissez-faire" reconstruction operation in Iraq may cast additional doubt on the World Bank's legitimacy, notes Paul Krugman of the New York Times. In Iraq, the US has strongly favored aggressive privatization and radical free-market economics that are bitterly resented in many parts of the world. Poor countries could "see Mr. Wolfowitz's selection as a sign that we're still trying to impose policies they believe have failed," writes Krugman. http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/bwi-wto/wbank/2005/0318uglybank.htm

AFRICAN NGO STATEMENT ON RECENT DEBT CANCELLATION PROPOSALS
In response to these proposals for debt cancellation, a number of African NGOs have grouped together to draft and publish their response to these recent plans. For the full statement see: http://www.eurodad.org/articles/default.aspx?id=611

ANNAN DISCUSSES DARFUR EMERGENCY WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL GROUPS - NEW YORK, MAR 28 2005
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan met today with representatives of leading non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to hear their views and discuss how better to focus attention and generate action on the emergency in Sudan's Darfur region. The Secretary-General ( http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=1368 )stressed as critical the ability of NGOs to operate without restrictions in Darfur – including to report freely on violations of human rights and humanitarian law, which are continuing on a daily basis, a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement. Mr. Annan also expressed his deep concern about the rising level of threats against relief workers in Darfur, and called on all parties to ensure their safety and security, the statement said. For their part, the NGOs discussed the urgent need for further action by the Security Council – including on the question of adopting targeted sanctions and on referring the Darfur situation to the International Criminal Court (<"http://www.icc-cpi.int/home.html&l=en">ICC), as recommended by the International Commission of Inquiry appointed by Mr. Annan to probe allegations of human rights abuses.

IN LARGER FREEDOM - TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL (MARCH 21, 2005)
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's report to the General Assembly follows on from proposals of the High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change and the Millennium Project. In dealing with the advancement of development, debt relief, security and human rights, "In Larger Freedom" also sets out a sweeping UN reform agenda that includes enlarging the Security Council, replacing the Human Rights Commission and overhauling the Secretariat. Heads of states will consider Annan's recommendations at a high level summit in September 2005. (United Nations) http://www.globalpolicy.org/reform/initiatives/1997.htm#follow