LDA NIŠ JOINED THE “MORE CITIZENSHIP NETWORK”
Upon successfully finished joint European Voluntary Service project, LDA Central and Southern Serbia, based inNiš, has been invited by AssociaçãoMaisCidadania to join their international “MORE CITIZENSHIP NETWORK”. Born in 2008, this network links international partners to Portugeese organization AssociaçãoMaisCidadania to discuss and deepen themes linked to citizenship and search paths and strategies to answer to the challenges of our society at local and European level.
LDA Niš will share good practices with other members of the Network through development of common projects and will actively work on promoting citizenship, youngster’s engagement, intercultural dialogue, cultural debate, social inclusion and active participation of young people in the society.
Upon successfully finished joint European Voluntary Service project, LDA Central and Southern Serbia, based inNiš, has been invited by AssociaçãoMaisCidadania to join their international “MORE CITIZENSHIP NETWORK”. Born in 2008, this network links international partners to Portugeese organization AssociaçãoMaisCidadania to discuss and deepen themes linked to citizenship and search paths and strategies to answer to the challenges of our society at local and European level.
LDA Niš will share good practices with other members of the Network through development of common projects and will actively work on promoting citizenship, youngster’s engagement, intercultural dialogue, cultural debate, social inclusion and active participation of young people in the society.
INDIGNATION: HUMAN RIGHT DEFENDER, ALES BIALIATSKI, SENTENCED TO 4 AND A HALF YEARS IMPRISONMENT UNDER STRICT REGIME IN BELARUS

Ales Bialiatski, Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and President of the Belarusian Human Rights Center “Viasna”, was sentenced to four and a half years strict regime detention, the payment of a fine, as well as the confiscation of his property, including Viasna’s offices and property registered with members of his family.
The participants of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum calls for his immediate and unconditional release and for all charges against him to be abandoned.
On 24 November, Belarus witnessed the judicial reprisal of the prominent human rights defender, that was found guilty of alleged “tax evasion on a large scale”.
The participants of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, declared to know Ales as an impartial and outspoken human rights defender, who has persistently and consciously protected the ideals of human rights and democracy under authoritarian circumstances.
They expressed their resolute protest at Ales Bialiatski’s conviction and reiterate their position on his prosecution, voiced following his arrest in August 2011.
In the statement they also declare:
• The prosecution and conviction of Ales Bialiatski on tax charges cannot disguise the true reasons for the harassment of the human rights defender. We are convinced that the tax charges, as well as the ill-treatment of personal bank accounts in EU countries meant for human rights activities in Belarus are nothing but a pretext for isolating the key figure of the country’s human rights movement. We would also like to stress that the trial failed to produce even indirect evidence of Ales Bialiatski’s guilt, for which he was severely punished.
• We believe that the verdict to Ales Bialiatski is the result of many years of the Belarusian authorities’ repressive policy against human rights defenders and groups for their criticism of the country’s human rights record. We demand an immediate release and rehabilitation of Ales Bialiatski.
• We call upon the European Union countries to share the responsibility for the fate of Ales Bialiatski and take joint measures for the release of the human rights defender, as well as other prisoners of conscience, as there should be no political prisoners in the countries that have signed the Eastern Partnership Declaration.

Ales Bialiatski, Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and President of the Belarusian Human Rights Center “Viasna”, was sentenced to four and a half years strict regime detention, the payment of a fine, as well as the confiscation of his property, including Viasna’s offices and property registered with members of his family.
The participants of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum calls for his immediate and unconditional release and for all charges against him to be abandoned.
On 24 November, Belarus witnessed the judicial reprisal of the prominent human rights defender, that was found guilty of alleged “tax evasion on a large scale”.
The participants of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, declared to know Ales as an impartial and outspoken human rights defender, who has persistently and consciously protected the ideals of human rights and democracy under authoritarian circumstances.
They expressed their resolute protest at Ales Bialiatski’s conviction and reiterate their position on his prosecution, voiced following his arrest in August 2011.
In the statement they also declare:
• The prosecution and conviction of Ales Bialiatski on tax charges cannot disguise the true reasons for the harassment of the human rights defender. We are convinced that the tax charges, as well as the ill-treatment of personal bank accounts in EU countries meant for human rights activities in Belarus are nothing but a pretext for isolating the key figure of the country’s human rights movement. We would also like to stress that the trial failed to produce even indirect evidence of Ales Bialiatski’s guilt, for which he was severely punished.
• We believe that the verdict to Ales Bialiatski is the result of many years of the Belarusian authorities’ repressive policy against human rights defenders and groups for their criticism of the country’s human rights record. We demand an immediate release and rehabilitation of Ales Bialiatski.
• We call upon the European Union countries to share the responsibility for the fate of Ales Bialiatski and take joint measures for the release of the human rights defender, as well as other prisoners of conscience, as there should be no political prisoners in the countries that have signed the Eastern Partnership Declaration.
THE EAP CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM WILL BE PERMANENT PARTICIPANT OF THE EAP PLATFORM MEETINGS. THE DECISION AT THE EVE OF THE 3RD ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FORUM (Poznan, PL – 28-30 November 2011)
The Civil Society Forum of Eastern Partnership will be officially invited to participate in the meetings of all four EaP thematic platforms as a permanent participant. This very important decision arrived at the eve of the 3rd annual Assembly of the EaP Civil Society Forum (Poznan, Poland, 28-30 November 2011).
“It is one of our most important achievement in terms of policy making. The recognizing of the hard work done in these two years and an extra opportunity, in view of the new tasks that the Forum could have in relation to the grants that the European Commission will start to allocate to projects in this area” stated Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, Co-Chair of the Forum and ALDA Director.
The recent EaP Platform on Democracy, Good Governance and Stability (17/11/2011) held a fruitful discussion concerning the involvement of the CSF in the activities of the EaP multilateral track.
The EU Member States and Eastern partners well received the proposal presented, by a joint letter of HR/VP C. Ashton and Cssr. S. Fule, from the EEAS about the opportunity that the CSF will be a permanent participant of the Eap platform meetings.
The 3rd annual Assembly of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum “A partnership for democratic reforms and European integration” will gather around 300 participants and guests from civil society sector working in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and EU. During three days of intensive agenda participants will be able to discuss different question on civil society engagement in eastern partnership, challenges and prospects for further development of EaP Civil Society Forum.
The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) has been established in 2009 following the Prague Summit launching the Eastern Partnership. The EaP CSF aims to support the further development of civil society organizations and promote contacts between them as well as facilitate their dialogue with public authorities. The first EaP CSF took place in Brussels on 16-17 November 2009 and second was held in Berlin on 18-19 November 2010.
The 3rd annual meeting of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum will have extended format (from 1,5 up to three days) which has been made possible thanks to the European Commission/European External Action Service and the generous support of Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Agenda of the Forum is intensive and full of activities: plenary sessions, working group discussions, side events and debates on Strategic concept of the Forum and issue of Forum registration as legal entity.
ŠtefanFüle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy will open the fist panel discussion “Towards a new strategy for civil society engagement in the Eastern Partnership”.
RadosławSikorski, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland will give a speech on the topic “Two Years of the Eastern Partnership and the EaP Civil Society Forum” and Award the Eastern Partnership Journalistic Prize for outstanding reporting on democracy, human rights, fight against abuse of power and the European Union issues.
For any further information please visit www.eap-csf.eu/
The Civil Society Forum of Eastern Partnership will be officially invited to participate in the meetings of all four EaP thematic platforms as a permanent participant. This very important decision arrived at the eve of the 3rd annual Assembly of the EaP Civil Society Forum (Poznan, Poland, 28-30 November 2011).
“It is one of our most important achievement in terms of policy making. The recognizing of the hard work done in these two years and an extra opportunity, in view of the new tasks that the Forum could have in relation to the grants that the European Commission will start to allocate to projects in this area” stated Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, Co-Chair of the Forum and ALDA Director.
The recent EaP Platform on Democracy, Good Governance and Stability (17/11/2011) held a fruitful discussion concerning the involvement of the CSF in the activities of the EaP multilateral track.
The EU Member States and Eastern partners well received the proposal presented, by a joint letter of HR/VP C. Ashton and Cssr. S. Fule, from the EEAS about the opportunity that the CSF will be a permanent participant of the Eap platform meetings.
The 3rd annual Assembly of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum “A partnership for democratic reforms and European integration” will gather around 300 participants and guests from civil society sector working in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and EU. During three days of intensive agenda participants will be able to discuss different question on civil society engagement in eastern partnership, challenges and prospects for further development of EaP Civil Society Forum.
The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) has been established in 2009 following the Prague Summit launching the Eastern Partnership. The EaP CSF aims to support the further development of civil society organizations and promote contacts between them as well as facilitate their dialogue with public authorities. The first EaP CSF took place in Brussels on 16-17 November 2009 and second was held in Berlin on 18-19 November 2010.
The 3rd annual meeting of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum will have extended format (from 1,5 up to three days) which has been made possible thanks to the European Commission/European External Action Service and the generous support of Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Agenda of the Forum is intensive and full of activities: plenary sessions, working group discussions, side events and debates on Strategic concept of the Forum and issue of Forum registration as legal entity.
ŠtefanFüle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy will open the fist panel discussion “Towards a new strategy for civil society engagement in the Eastern Partnership”.
RadosławSikorski, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland will give a speech on the topic “Two Years of the Eastern Partnership and the EaP Civil Society Forum” and Award the Eastern Partnership Journalistic Prize for outstanding reporting on democracy, human rights, fight against abuse of power and the European Union issues.
For any further information please visit www.eap-csf.eu/
MAYOR OF NIS VISITS ALDA OFFICE HOSTING THE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY
The Mayor of Niš, MrMilošSimonović, visited yesterday (23rd of June) the ALDA office in Brussels which is hosting the newly established Representative Office of the City of Niš.
Dr Alexandra Lugovic who is in charge of that office will be the eyes and ears of Niš in Brussels presenting what Niš has to offer potential partners and inversely looking for opportunities and contacts from which Niš can benefit.
The Mayor and his associates were welcomed by MrPer Vinther, ALDA President, and ALDA staff and spent time in the office discussing the potential for strengthening the co-operation between Niš and ALDA as well as between the City and the Local Democracy Agency for Central and Southern Serbia, which has been hosted by Niš for a number of years.
The visit was preceded by a well-attended reception the evening before, putting the Representative Office and the City of Niš clearly on the radar screen in the EU Capital.
The Mayor of Niš, MrMilošSimonović, visited yesterday (23rd of June) the ALDA office in Brussels which is hosting the newly established Representative Office of the City of Niš.
Dr Alexandra Lugovic who is in charge of that office will be the eyes and ears of Niš in Brussels presenting what Niš has to offer potential partners and inversely looking for opportunities and contacts from which Niš can benefit.
The Mayor and his associates were welcomed by MrPer Vinther, ALDA President, and ALDA staff and spent time in the office discussing the potential for strengthening the co-operation between Niš and ALDA as well as between the City and the Local Democracy Agency for Central and Southern Serbia, which has been hosted by Niš for a number of years.
The visit was preceded by a well-attended reception the evening before, putting the Representative Office and the City of Niš clearly on the radar screen in the EU Capital.
“DEALING WITH A PAST LEFT UNSAID – CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INSTITUTIONS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ACTORS”. In Strasbourg the final conference of the ALDA project PEACE (22-23 November 2011)
Restudy the recent history of European countries to strengthen the ideals of peace, tolerance and participation and help the building of an Europe ever more land of cohesion, stability and prosperity. This was the main aim of the project PEACE, implemented by ALDA, the Association of Local Democracy Agencies which final conference tooke place in Strasbourg the 22nd and 23rd of November. The main subject of the conference was active remembrance. It united participants from several European countries, all professionals of historical education and active remembrance (educators, teachers, researchers, memorial curators and peace educators). Through presentations on the treatment of repressed pasts in Europe and exchange between the participants, the conference brought new insights on how to deal with different pasts. All participants were encouraged to actively bring their specific experience in different workshops. Debates were held on subjects such as remembrance and its relation with active citizenship and a positive attitude towards Human Rights and peace. One of the aims of the project was to develop efficient activities in this field. The event combined different methods such as round tables and working groups in order to promote a wide debate benefiting from both multilateral and specific perspectives. Participants participated also in a visit to “Le Mémorial de l’Alsace-Moselle”. “RAPPORTARSI CON UN PASSATO NON DETTO – SFIDE E OPPORTUNITA’ PER LE ISTITUZIONI E GLI ATTORI DELLA SOCIETA’ CIVILE “. A Strasburgo la conferenza finale del progetto PACE di ALDA (22-23 novembre 2011) Ristudiare la storia recente dei paesi europei per rafforzare gli ideali di pace, tolleranza e partecipazione e contribuire alla costruzione di una Europa sempre più terreno di coesione, stabilità e prosperità. Questo era l’obiettivo principale del progetto PACE, implementato da ALDA, la cui conferenza finale si è svolta a Strasburgo il 22 e 23 novembre. Tema principale della conferenza è stato la memoria attiva, ed ha unito partecipanti giunti da diversi paesi europei, tutti i professionisti della formazione storica e della memoria attiva (educatori, insegnanti, ricercatori, curatori di memoriali e educatori alla pace). Attraverso presentazioni sui trattamenti repressivi del passato in Europa e lo scambio tra i partecipanti, la conferenza ha portato nuove conoscenze su come affrontare i diversi aspetti del passato. Tutti i partecipanti sono stati incoraggiati a portare attivamente la loro specifica esperienza in diversi laboratori. Dibattiti si sono svolti su temi quali la memoria e la sua relazione con la cittadinanza attiva e un atteggiamento positivo verso i diritti umani e la pace. Uno degli obiettivi del progetto era sviluppare azioni efficaci in questo campo. L’evento ha combinato diversi metodi di lavoro, come tavole rotonde e gruppi di lavoro al fine di promuovere un ampio dibattito perché tutti potessero beneficiare di entrambe le prospettive multilaterali e specifiche. I partecipanti hanno anche partecipato ad una visita al “Mémorial de l’Alsazia-Mosella”. « LE PASSE SOUS SILENCE – DEFIS ET OPPORTUNITES POUR LES INSTITUTIONS ET LES ACTEURS DE LA SOCIETE CIVILE », conférence finale du projet PEACE (à Strasbourg, le 22-23 novembre 2011) Les objectifs principaux du projet PEACE, mis en œuvre par l’Association des agences de la démocratie locale, et conclu avec la conférence à Strasbourg du 22-23 novembre, ont été (1) de réexaminer l’histoire contemporaine des pays européens pour renforcer les notions de paix, de tolérance et de participation, (2) d’aider à la construction d’une Europe toujours plus cohérente, stable et prospère. Le sujet débattu, par cette conférence et par le projet entier, a été la mémoire active. Pour cela, les participants ont représenté plusieurs pays européens et plusieurs métiers de la mémoire active ou de l’éducation (des éducateurs, des professeurs, des chercheurs, des conservateurs et des enseignants pour la paix). La conférence a contribué à la définition du « bon usage des différentes versions de l’Histoire » à travers des exposés sur comment traiter le « passé sous silence », en Europe, et à travers des séances d’échanges d’informations. Les participants ont été encouragés à présenter leurs expériences dans des groupes de travail différents. Les thèmes à débattre étaient la mémoire et sa relation avec la citoyenneté participative mais aussi les droits de l’homme et la paix. Puisque l’objectif était également le développement d’activités remarquables dans le domaine, la conférence a utilisé des méthodes comme la « table-ronde » et le « groupe de travail » (deux méthodes qui favorisent une grande variété de discussions multilatérales et/ou spécifiques). Les participants ont aussi eu la possibilité de visiter le Mémorial de l’Alsace-Moselle. “ОБСУЖДЕНИЕ ТОГО, ЧТО ПОСЛЕДНИЙ ВЫСТУПАЮЩИЙ НЕ УСПЕЛ СКАЗАТЬ – О ПЕРСПЕКТИВАХ И ОСОБЕННОСТЯХ ДЛЯ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЙ И ПРЕДСТАВИТЕЛИ ГРАЖДАНСКОГО ОБЩЕСТВА”. Последняя конференция относительно проекта PEACE компании ALDA в Страсбурге (22-23 Ноября 2011) Повторное исследование новейших историй Европейских стран для укрепления идеалов для мира, допусков и участия, а также способствования в построении Европейского общества для большего объединения, стабильности и процветания земель. Это было основной целью проекта PEACE, реализуемого ALDA, Ассоциацией Органов местной демократии, последняя конференция которой проходит в Страсбурге 22 и 23 Ноября. Основной предмет конференции было текущее подведение итогов. Это объединило участников из нескольких Европейский стран, всех профессионалов создания истории и активного участия (работников образования, учителей, исследователей, памятных кураторов и работников образования в сфере общественного спокойствия). Посредством презентаций по исключению подавлений, которые имели место в прошлом в Европе и обменом между участниками, конференция предоставила новые правильные представления относительно того как справляться с различными проблемами прошлого. Все участники были активно заинтересованы в том, чтобы внести определенный опыт в различные практические семинары. Проводились дебаты на темы, такие как, память и ее связь с активной гражданской позицией, а также положительным отношением к Правам человека и мира. Одна из целей проекта состояла в проведении эффективной деятельности в данной сфере. Данное событие включало в себя различные мероприятия, такие как круглые столы и оперативные группы, чтобы способствовать обсуждению с широкими массами относительно многосторонних и определенных перспектив. Участники также принимали участие в посещении Мемориала Эльзас-Мозель (“Le Mémorial de l’Alsace-Moselle”).
Restudy the recent history of European countries to strengthen the ideals of peace, tolerance and participation and help the building of an Europe ever more land of cohesion, stability and prosperity. This was the main aim of the project PEACE, implemented by ALDA, the Association of Local Democracy Agencies which final conference tooke place in Strasbourg the 22nd and 23rd of November. The main subject of the conference was active remembrance. It united participants from several European countries, all professionals of historical education and active remembrance (educators, teachers, researchers, memorial curators and peace educators). Through presentations on the treatment of repressed pasts in Europe and exchange between the participants, the conference brought new insights on how to deal with different pasts. All participants were encouraged to actively bring their specific experience in different workshops. Debates were held on subjects such as remembrance and its relation with active citizenship and a positive attitude towards Human Rights and peace. One of the aims of the project was to develop efficient activities in this field. The event combined different methods such as round tables and working groups in order to promote a wide debate benefiting from both multilateral and specific perspectives. Participants participated also in a visit to “Le Mémorial de l’Alsace-Moselle”. “RAPPORTARSI CON UN PASSATO NON DETTO – SFIDE E OPPORTUNITA’ PER LE ISTITUZIONI E GLI ATTORI DELLA SOCIETA’ CIVILE “. A Strasburgo la conferenza finale del progetto PACE di ALDA (22-23 novembre 2011) Ristudiare la storia recente dei paesi europei per rafforzare gli ideali di pace, tolleranza e partecipazione e contribuire alla costruzione di una Europa sempre più terreno di coesione, stabilità e prosperità. Questo era l’obiettivo principale del progetto PACE, implementato da ALDA, la cui conferenza finale si è svolta a Strasburgo il 22 e 23 novembre. Tema principale della conferenza è stato la memoria attiva, ed ha unito partecipanti giunti da diversi paesi europei, tutti i professionisti della formazione storica e della memoria attiva (educatori, insegnanti, ricercatori, curatori di memoriali e educatori alla pace). Attraverso presentazioni sui trattamenti repressivi del passato in Europa e lo scambio tra i partecipanti, la conferenza ha portato nuove conoscenze su come affrontare i diversi aspetti del passato. Tutti i partecipanti sono stati incoraggiati a portare attivamente la loro specifica esperienza in diversi laboratori. Dibattiti si sono svolti su temi quali la memoria e la sua relazione con la cittadinanza attiva e un atteggiamento positivo verso i diritti umani e la pace. Uno degli obiettivi del progetto era sviluppare azioni efficaci in questo campo. L’evento ha combinato diversi metodi di lavoro, come tavole rotonde e gruppi di lavoro al fine di promuovere un ampio dibattito perché tutti potessero beneficiare di entrambe le prospettive multilaterali e specifiche. I partecipanti hanno anche partecipato ad una visita al “Mémorial de l’Alsazia-Mosella”. « LE PASSE SOUS SILENCE – DEFIS ET OPPORTUNITES POUR LES INSTITUTIONS ET LES ACTEURS DE LA SOCIETE CIVILE », conférence finale du projet PEACE (à Strasbourg, le 22-23 novembre 2011) Les objectifs principaux du projet PEACE, mis en œuvre par l’Association des agences de la démocratie locale, et conclu avec la conférence à Strasbourg du 22-23 novembre, ont été (1) de réexaminer l’histoire contemporaine des pays européens pour renforcer les notions de paix, de tolérance et de participation, (2) d’aider à la construction d’une Europe toujours plus cohérente, stable et prospère. Le sujet débattu, par cette conférence et par le projet entier, a été la mémoire active. Pour cela, les participants ont représenté plusieurs pays européens et plusieurs métiers de la mémoire active ou de l’éducation (des éducateurs, des professeurs, des chercheurs, des conservateurs et des enseignants pour la paix). La conférence a contribué à la définition du « bon usage des différentes versions de l’Histoire » à travers des exposés sur comment traiter le « passé sous silence », en Europe, et à travers des séances d’échanges d’informations. Les participants ont été encouragés à présenter leurs expériences dans des groupes de travail différents. Les thèmes à débattre étaient la mémoire et sa relation avec la citoyenneté participative mais aussi les droits de l’homme et la paix. Puisque l’objectif était également le développement d’activités remarquables dans le domaine, la conférence a utilisé des méthodes comme la « table-ronde » et le « groupe de travail » (deux méthodes qui favorisent une grande variété de discussions multilatérales et/ou spécifiques). Les participants ont aussi eu la possibilité de visiter le Mémorial de l’Alsace-Moselle. “ОБСУЖДЕНИЕ ТОГО, ЧТО ПОСЛЕДНИЙ ВЫСТУПАЮЩИЙ НЕ УСПЕЛ СКАЗАТЬ – О ПЕРСПЕКТИВАХ И ОСОБЕННОСТЯХ ДЛЯ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЙ И ПРЕДСТАВИТЕЛИ ГРАЖДАНСКОГО ОБЩЕСТВА”. Последняя конференция относительно проекта PEACE компании ALDA в Страсбурге (22-23 Ноября 2011) Повторное исследование новейших историй Европейских стран для укрепления идеалов для мира, допусков и участия, а также способствования в построении Европейского общества для большего объединения, стабильности и процветания земель. Это было основной целью проекта PEACE, реализуемого ALDA, Ассоциацией Органов местной демократии, последняя конференция которой проходит в Страсбурге 22 и 23 Ноября. Основной предмет конференции было текущее подведение итогов. Это объединило участников из нескольких Европейский стран, всех профессионалов создания истории и активного участия (работников образования, учителей, исследователей, памятных кураторов и работников образования в сфере общественного спокойствия). Посредством презентаций по исключению подавлений, которые имели место в прошлом в Европе и обменом между участниками, конференция предоставила новые правильные представления относительно того как справляться с различными проблемами прошлого. Все участники были активно заинтересованы в том, чтобы внести определенный опыт в различные практические семинары. Проводились дебаты на темы, такие как, память и ее связь с активной гражданской позицией, а также положительным отношением к Правам человека и мира. Одна из целей проекта состояла в проведении эффективной деятельности в данной сфере. Данное событие включало в себя различные мероприятия, такие как круглые столы и оперативные группы, чтобы способствовать обсуждению с широкими массами относительно многосторонних и определенных перспектив. Участники также принимали участие в посещении Мемориала Эльзас-Мозель (“Le Mémorial de l’Alsace-Moselle”).
THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK (EIB) JUST LAUNCHED THE 2011 FEMIP INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME “BUILDING CAPACITY IN MEDITERRANEAN PARTNER COUNTRIES”.

EIB selects talented young individuals who have the potential to contribute to the economic and social progress of the Mediterranean partner countries to undertake an internship in the Bank’s offices.
The FEMIP Internship Programme is open to students and young graduates who are nationals of the Mediterranean partner countries.
The countries are: Algeria, Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. The programme offers the successful candidates an opportunity to gain professional experience within the EIB (in Luxembourg or at one of the external offices) and to evolve in a multicultural international environment.
Monthly stipend, insurance and travel costs are provided. Interns will be responsible for their own accommodation costs.
Deadline: 30 November 2011.
More info at: http://www.eib.org/about/news/femip-internship-programme-2011.htm

EIB selects talented young individuals who have the potential to contribute to the economic and social progress of the Mediterranean partner countries to undertake an internship in the Bank’s offices.
The FEMIP Internship Programme is open to students and young graduates who are nationals of the Mediterranean partner countries.
The countries are: Algeria, Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. The programme offers the successful candidates an opportunity to gain professional experience within the EIB (in Luxembourg or at one of the external offices) and to evolve in a multicultural international environment.
Monthly stipend, insurance and travel costs are provided. Interns will be responsible for their own accommodation costs.
Deadline: 30 November 2011.
More info at: http://www.eib.org/about/news/femip-internship-programme-2011.htm
TRAINING COURSE ON EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY SERVICE - VALDAGNO (ITALY), DECEMBER-FEBRUARY 2011 Abstract
ALDA is more and more engaged in the promotion of volunteering, targeting primarily the younger generations in order to foster their active citizenship and their sense of belonging both to the local community and to Europe. In this respect, ALDA has activated a training course that will start in Valdagno (Italy) on December.
The training course is focused on the European Voluntary Service, considered as one of the main “tool” to promote volunteering at the European and international level. It is addressed to one of the ALDA members, the Studio Progetto Social Cooperative, active in the social field, and particularly focused on youth. The staff of Studio Progetto working with youth will take part in this course, lasting 20 hours, focused on providing practical and technical information and instruments to carry out qualitative EVS projects: the Cooperative will thus contribute to provide mobility opportunities for young people and will further strengthen the active participation of young people in building “Europe from below”. Through this training process Studio Progetto will be accredited both as sending and as hosting organization: the first foreign volunteers will arrive in Valdagno in 2012; the first volunteers going from Valdagno to Europe will also leave in 2012.
For those who are interested in the training course delivered by ALDA, please contact the Resources and Development Unit Coordinator Marco Boaria at marco.boaria@aldaintranet.org.
ALDA is more and more engaged in the promotion of volunteering, targeting primarily the younger generations in order to foster their active citizenship and their sense of belonging both to the local community and to Europe. In this respect, ALDA has activated a training course that will start in Valdagno (Italy) on December.
The training course is focused on the European Voluntary Service, considered as one of the main “tool” to promote volunteering at the European and international level. It is addressed to one of the ALDA members, the Studio Progetto Social Cooperative, active in the social field, and particularly focused on youth. The staff of Studio Progetto working with youth will take part in this course, lasting 20 hours, focused on providing practical and technical information and instruments to carry out qualitative EVS projects: the Cooperative will thus contribute to provide mobility opportunities for young people and will further strengthen the active participation of young people in building “Europe from below”. Through this training process Studio Progetto will be accredited both as sending and as hosting organization: the first foreign volunteers will arrive in Valdagno in 2012; the first volunteers going from Valdagno to Europe will also leave in 2012.
For those who are interested in the training course delivered by ALDA, please contact the Resources and Development Unit Coordinator Marco Boaria at marco.boaria@aldaintranet.org.
OPENED THE OFFICES OF THE LDA KOSOVO. PEJE/PEC (21 and 22 November 2011)

The LDA Kosovo with its further activities will be a bridge towards Europe not only for the host city, Peje/Pec, but for the all the country as a whole.
All the participants to the opening ceremony of the new offices of the LDA, that took place in Peje/Pec the 21st of November, stressed that this is not just a hope, but a certainty.
Kosovo need Europa as Europa need peaceful relations between Kosovo and Serbia and thecompletion of the diplomatic path between the two countries, sine qua non condition for the stability of the entire region.
The LDA Kosovo wants to play an important role in this game.
The ceremony was attended, among others,by Mr.Ali Berisha, Mayor of Peje/Pec, the host city and local partner of the LDA, Mr.MaurizioCamin, President of TavoloTrentino con ilKossovo, Colonel AndreaBorzaga new Commander of the Italian contingent in Kosovo and Commander of the Multinational Battle Group West KFOR (Kosovo Force), andMrs. Antonella Valmorbida, Director of ALDA, in connection from Italy.
During the meeting was finalized and signed by partners the Agreement that will be the operational basis of the LDA, the Association “TavoloTrentino per il Kosovo” was confirmed lead partner and was appointed the Director of the LDA, Mr. Elbert Krasniqi.
The LDA is promoted by ALDA under the auspices of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, in cooperation with international and local partners.
The ribbon cutting for the new headquarters at the Shtepia e Kultures (rrEnverHadrip.nPeje/Pec),gave to the ADL a physical place where start to implement projects and activities that already are in its agenda.
LDA Kosovo can count on the support of the network of ALDA and other 12 LDAs currently active in the Balkans and South Caucasus.
Decentralisation of power and development of administrative capacities at the local level, together with a capable and vivid civil society, represent a fundamental step in the process of democratisation, stability and development of Kosovo.
With these aims, the LDA Kosovo will develop projects which will foster inter-ethnic dialogue, promote international cooperation, encourage civil society to participate actively in the life of the local community, develop the growth of democracy and good local governance, promote the economic development, giving answers to problems and needs of the population.
The international partners of the LDA are actively engaged in Kosovo since several years, as the Lead Partner Association Table Trentino with Kosovo (TCK) – (Italy and Kosovo) for over 10 years working with the Municipality of Peja/Pec and numerous local organizations, AiBi, Friends of the Children (Italy and Kosovo), RTM Reggio Third World (Italy and Kosovo), the Only Equal Rights Association (Italy), ALFA Formation (France), the town of Yalova (Turkey). LDA local partners are the Municipality of Peja/Pec, which is also the host city, and AKM, Association of Municipalities of Kosovo.
The role of the international partners will be to provide core financial support, participate in activities where they have the skills and capacities, to encourage their own partners to participate in the work of the LDA and to promote the work of the LDA in their own community and encourage wider participation.
On occasion of the opening of new offices of the LDA, an international conference took place on the anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, approved by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989, which ended with a series of entertainment activities organized for children and families in Peje/Pec at the Youth Centre.

The LDA Kosovo with its further activities will be a bridge towards Europe not only for the host city, Peje/Pec, but for the all the country as a whole.
All the participants to the opening ceremony of the new offices of the LDA, that took place in Peje/Pec the 21st of November, stressed that this is not just a hope, but a certainty.
Kosovo need Europa as Europa need peaceful relations between Kosovo and Serbia and thecompletion of the diplomatic path between the two countries, sine qua non condition for the stability of the entire region.
The LDA Kosovo wants to play an important role in this game.
The ceremony was attended, among others,by Mr.Ali Berisha, Mayor of Peje/Pec, the host city and local partner of the LDA, Mr.MaurizioCamin, President of TavoloTrentino con ilKossovo, Colonel AndreaBorzaga new Commander of the Italian contingent in Kosovo and Commander of the Multinational Battle Group West KFOR (Kosovo Force), andMrs. Antonella Valmorbida, Director of ALDA, in connection from Italy.
During the meeting was finalized and signed by partners the Agreement that will be the operational basis of the LDA, the Association “TavoloTrentino per il Kosovo” was confirmed lead partner and was appointed the Director of the LDA, Mr. Elbert Krasniqi.
The LDA is promoted by ALDA under the auspices of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, in cooperation with international and local partners.
The ribbon cutting for the new headquarters at the Shtepia e Kultures (rrEnverHadrip.nPeje/Pec),gave to the ADL a physical place where start to implement projects and activities that already are in its agenda.
LDA Kosovo can count on the support of the network of ALDA and other 12 LDAs currently active in the Balkans and South Caucasus.
Decentralisation of power and development of administrative capacities at the local level, together with a capable and vivid civil society, represent a fundamental step in the process of democratisation, stability and development of Kosovo.
With these aims, the LDA Kosovo will develop projects which will foster inter-ethnic dialogue, promote international cooperation, encourage civil society to participate actively in the life of the local community, develop the growth of democracy and good local governance, promote the economic development, giving answers to problems and needs of the population.
The international partners of the LDA are actively engaged in Kosovo since several years, as the Lead Partner Association Table Trentino with Kosovo (TCK) – (Italy and Kosovo) for over 10 years working with the Municipality of Peja/Pec and numerous local organizations, AiBi, Friends of the Children (Italy and Kosovo), RTM Reggio Third World (Italy and Kosovo), the Only Equal Rights Association (Italy), ALFA Formation (France), the town of Yalova (Turkey). LDA local partners are the Municipality of Peja/Pec, which is also the host city, and AKM, Association of Municipalities of Kosovo.
The role of the international partners will be to provide core financial support, participate in activities where they have the skills and capacities, to encourage their own partners to participate in the work of the LDA and to promote the work of the LDA in their own community and encourage wider participation.
On occasion of the opening of new offices of the LDA, an international conference took place on the anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, approved by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989, which ended with a series of entertainment activities organized for children and families in Peje/Pec at the Youth Centre.
ALDA AT THE CLOSING CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF VOLUNTEERING 2011 - WARSAW, 1-2 DECEMBER 2011
ALDA will participate at the closing conference of the European Year of Volunteering 2011 that will take place on 1 and 2 December 2011 in Warsaw. It will be a policy-oriented conference focusing on the topic “Preparing a lasting legacy for the European Year of Volunteering”. The idea is to set the scene for policy development and continued action in the area of volunteering at EU, national and regional levels, to ensure a lasting, meaningful legacy for the European Year in the years to come.
ALDA has played a relevant role in the field of volunteering during 2011, developing a structured strategy entitled “volunteering for democracy” encompassing several activities implemented in different countries throughout the year. ALDA has been part of the EYV 2011 Alliance, contributing to the debate from its own perspective, thus promoting volunteering as a fundamental means to activate citizens and promote their full participation both at the local and at the European level. One of the main activities carried out by ALDA throughout the year is represented by the International conference “Volunteering for democracy”, held in Bydgoszcz (Poland) in July, in the framework (and under the auspices) of the Polish Presidency of the EU. The conference, attended by more than 150 representatives from 25 different countries, led to the drafting of a set of recommendations, jointly developed by participants, which constitutes the guidelines for further promoting and developing “volunteering” in the fields of democracy and citizen participation.
For further information, please download here (the Final Recommendation of the Conference in Bydgoszcz, Poland, 8th July 2011.
ALDA will participate at the closing conference of the European Year of Volunteering 2011 that will take place on 1 and 2 December 2011 in Warsaw. It will be a policy-oriented conference focusing on the topic “Preparing a lasting legacy for the European Year of Volunteering”. The idea is to set the scene for policy development and continued action in the area of volunteering at EU, national and regional levels, to ensure a lasting, meaningful legacy for the European Year in the years to come.
ALDA has played a relevant role in the field of volunteering during 2011, developing a structured strategy entitled “volunteering for democracy” encompassing several activities implemented in different countries throughout the year. ALDA has been part of the EYV 2011 Alliance, contributing to the debate from its own perspective, thus promoting volunteering as a fundamental means to activate citizens and promote their full participation both at the local and at the European level. One of the main activities carried out by ALDA throughout the year is represented by the International conference “Volunteering for democracy”, held in Bydgoszcz (Poland) in July, in the framework (and under the auspices) of the Polish Presidency of the EU. The conference, attended by more than 150 representatives from 25 different countries, led to the drafting of a set of recommendations, jointly developed by participants, which constitutes the guidelines for further promoting and developing “volunteering” in the fields of democracy and citizen participation.
For further information, please download here (the Final Recommendation of the Conference in Bydgoszcz, Poland, 8th July 2011.
PROGRAMME 2012 AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LDAS IN THE AGENDA OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF ALDA. Rome 18 November 2011
Programme 2012 and development of the LDAs were the main topics of the ALDA Governing Board held in Rome in the representative office of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (18 November 2011).
Mrs Anna Maria Menosso, Vicepresident of the FVG Region, attended the meeting bringing the greetings of the Administration to the participants.
She stressed, among the many initiatives of the network of ALDA involving her Region, the support for women of Montenegro (Friuli Venezia Giulia is the lead partner of the LDA Montenegro) through the revival of the ancient practice of lace in collaboration with the School in Gorizia.
Attended the meeting also the Honorary President of ALDA, Mr. Gianfranco Martini and Mr. Alessandro Perelli, representative of the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The Governing Board discussed the proposal of the programme for 2012 and the expected budget,
and the development of the LDAs, in particular the development of the partnership, the follow up of the meeting in Sisak (3rd to 4th of November 2001), about the situation in Croatia, co-funding issue for the LDAs, the opening of the LDA in Armenia and further process for Azerbaijan.
The members of the Governing Board discussed also the preparation of the ALDA General Assembly 2012, which will take place in Trieste.
Programme 2012 and development of the LDAs were the main topics of the ALDA Governing Board held in Rome in the representative office of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (18 November 2011).
Mrs Anna Maria Menosso, Vicepresident of the FVG Region, attended the meeting bringing the greetings of the Administration to the participants.
She stressed, among the many initiatives of the network of ALDA involving her Region, the support for women of Montenegro (Friuli Venezia Giulia is the lead partner of the LDA Montenegro) through the revival of the ancient practice of lace in collaboration with the School in Gorizia.
Attended the meeting also the Honorary President of ALDA, Mr. Gianfranco Martini and Mr. Alessandro Perelli, representative of the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The Governing Board discussed the proposal of the programme for 2012 and the expected budget,
and the development of the LDAs, in particular the development of the partnership, the follow up of the meeting in Sisak (3rd to 4th of November 2001), about the situation in Croatia, co-funding issue for the LDAs, the opening of the LDA in Armenia and further process for Azerbaijan.
The members of the Governing Board discussed also the preparation of the ALDA General Assembly 2012, which will take place in Trieste.