Issue 32, November 2005

IN THIS ISSUE

EVENTS
DEMOCRACY
Arab activists meet to discuss democracy / Bahrain - November 8.
Notre Dame University in Lebanon hosts 'Democracy and Decentralization' conference

GENDER
Gender & Conflict Transformation Jan 9 - Feb 3 2006 - Online Course
Workshop about disabled Arab women – Manama – Bahrain 11/13 November 05

HEALTH
Presentations of the technical advisory group annual meeting on communication for polio eradication Cameroon, June 22 – 24 2005

DEVELOPMENT
First Islamic conference on the child opens in Rabat

NEWS
HEALTH
Why mental health is a development issue
Lebanon sees 'remarkable progress' in health, curbing child mortality

ENVIRONMENT
Environmental groups in Lebanon left out of ministry talks
Experts map out national environment strategy for Lebanon

CITIZENSHIP
Lebanese secular party promotes citizenship-based society
Helem publishes region's first magazine for gay Arabs

GENDER/ THE REGION
Campaign kicks off for Lebanese women's right to pass on nationality
Lebanese Government seeks NGO support to identify ways to end gender discrimination
Islamic feminists denounce 'chauvinism'
Female activist swims with 'sharks' in Egypt's elections

DEVELOPMENT
Lebanese Al-Mabarrat seeks to improve performance
Home for elderly in Lebanon celebrates 50 years of service
Influx of capital drops Lebanon's balance of payments to $200 million

INTERNATIONAL FUNDING
EU announces strategy to help build Palestinian state
EU plans new phase of cooperation to boost Lebanese economy
Lebanon donor conference postponed

HUMAN AND SOCIAL RIGHTS
Lebanese Government willing to help UNRWA improve conditions in Palestinian camps
Charity offers training programs to orphans, dropouts
Helem publishes region's first magazine for gay Arabs
Palestinian activists urge authorities to improve living conditions in refugee camps
Human rights group condemns Iran's continued use of death penalty against juvenile offenders
Spanish NGOs ready to dispute expulsion of immigrants
Deadly protest adds to grievances of Egypt's Christians
Morocco backs Western Sahara autonomy

REPORTS & BOOKS & ARTICLES

DEVELOPMENT/ THE REGION
NGO's insist reform in Arabs' own interest

ICT
Development gateway special report on information society: next steps
Technologies for Education for All: possibilities and prospects in the Arab Region

GENDER/ THE REGION
Gender, the Millennium Development Goals and Human Rights in Context of the 2005 Review Processes
Exploring and understanding gender in education
Sexuality and globalization
Information & Communication Technologies and Trafficking in Women

EDUCATION
Corporate sector involvement in education for all: partnership with corporate involvement for the improvement of basic education, gender equality, and adult literacy in developing countries
Is private education good for the poor?

HEALTH
Sexual and reproductive health and rights: a cornerstone of development

TRAINING MATERIALS/ TOOL KITS
Gender Training Packages
Building on gender, agro biodiversity and local knowledge: a training manual