DEAR FRIENDS, THE INSTITUTE FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY IS LOOKING FOR PARTICIPANTS TO THE 4TH SOUTHEAST ASIAN ADVOCACY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM NEXT YEAR. PLEASE SEE ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW AND SHARE WITH YOUR NETWORKS. MANY THANKS. __________________ CALL FOR APPLICATION 4th Southeast Asian Advocacy Internship Program, March-May, 2005, Manila, Philippines PROJECT PARTNERS: Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD), Southeast Asia Committee for Advocacy (SEACA), Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR) with support from the UK Department for International Development(DFID-UK) INTRODUCTION: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Southeast Asian region have made important progress in their advocacy work in the past years. The onset of the Asian financial crisis in 1997, for instance, re-energized civil society in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. In Thailand, civil society had an important role in the 1997 constitutional reform process. In the Philippines, a sustained civil society campaign removed former President Estrada from power in early 2001. Nevertheless, the level of advocacy skills and strategy techniques remains uneven. East Timor is still in the process of re-building its nation, while civil society in countries like Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam still lack experience in various advocacy endeavors. CSOs all over the Southeast Asian region still lack capacities for understanding government policy-making processes and implementation and their own role in the democratization process. There is also low level understanding of economic policies at the international and multi-lateral level, which is a crucial in arena of intervention in an increasingly globalizing world. Themes: The internship will address the following themes: · Government and inter-governmental policy making processes- This theme is divided into two main questions: (1) What are some tools of analysis in understanding state policy-making processes? and (2) How do non-state political institutions influence government decision-making? The first questions focuses on the dynamic between local-national- international processes, the different branches of government and the tensions between formal and informal processes. The second question raises the importance of understanding the roles of church, media, political parties and other social institutions in policy-making. · The role of CSOs in democratization- Here participants will be given an overview of modes of civil society engagements in changing political terrains. This theme raises some critical questions and debates on the nature of civil society - state relations and how to best strengthen CSO's capability in advocacy. · Economic policies and their impacts on poverty elimination- This theme will provide a framework of understanding the evolution of mainstream economic discourse and the challenges posed by civil society activism on key developmental issues. Participants will also be introduced to the political requirements and economic tools necessary for effective CSO advocacy on economic reform. OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote advocacy skills of CSOs in the three substantive themes identified above; 2. To promote skills of CSOs in policy analysis a) Policy analysis and alternative policy development b) Strategic planning and developing an advocacy agenda c) Project planning, monitoring and evaluation 3. To promote skills of CSOs in advocacy techniques, such as campaigning, lobbying and other innovative techniques. INTERNSHIP DESIGN: The internship consists of three components: 1. Workshop on Advocacy Strategies and Techniques (4 days): This introductory workshop will focus on the three substantive themes discussed above as well as cutting-edge advocacy techniques. The methodology combines: ·Lectures, round table discussions and case study presentations ·Structured, participatory analysis in small groups and plenary discussions ·Action-oriented learning activities 2. Internship Proper (2 months): During the internship proper, the aarticipants will be "learning by doing" through mentorship. Participants will be assigned to a host organization that matches the intern's thematic interests and on-going advocacy initiatives. Through mentorship, the interns are expected to sharpen his/her advocacy skills and develop an advocacy plan or catalytic project which he/she will implement upon returning to their respective countries. The host organizations will be carefully selected by IPD to provide maximum learning opportunities. 3. Catalytic Project (1 month): At the end of the internship, each intern is required to implement in their country or locality a small catalytic advocacy project which will be given financial support by the program. This project provides an opportunity for the interns to apply the advocacy skills they learned. The project should catalyze advocacy on national or local issues or campaigns on which the interns are currently involved in. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty (20) participants from 8 Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines) will be selected for the 4th Advocacy Internship. This intensive internship is designed for activists with a clear commitment to both concrete engagement as well as the rigors of critical thought. Participants may be campaigners, organizers, trainers, researchers, etc. who are involved in strategic advocacy fields in their countries. They should be familiar with some of the concepts and debates on democratization, poverty alleviation and civil society participation. We specifically seek participants who will have a "multiplier" effect in continuing to disseminate and innovate in new advocacy strategies and techniques. HOW TO APPLY? Application must be made on the special form downloadable from the internship site (http://www.ipd.ph/internship/application). Accomplish the application form and fax to 632-9262893 or send to: Maria Dolores G. Alicias SEACA-IPD Advocacy Internship Program 2005 Institute for Popular Democracy 45 Matimtiman St., Teachers Village, Diliman Quezon City, Philippines 1101 Send also the following requirements: 1) Letter of recommendation from the head of your organization 2) Letter of endorsement from any SEACA member organization in your country 3) Organizational brochure 4) One passport photograph of the applicant 5) Photocopy of 1st page of passport Application online 1) Download the application form http://www.ipd.ph/internship/application and send the accomplished form via email to denden@ipd.org.ph. 2) E-mail a letter of recommendation from the head of your organization. 3) E-mail a scanned letter of endorsement from any SEACA member organization. 4) E-mail a scanned passport photograph of the applicant. 5) E-mail a scanned 1st page of passport. Deadline for submission is on or before 5 January 2005. Applications received after this date or incomplete applications will not be considered. Those selected will be informed of their selection through fax or e-mail. For questions and clarifications please contact the undersigned! Maria Dolores G. Alicias Director, Outreach & Communications Department Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD) #45 Matimtiman St., Teachers Village, Diliman Quezon City, Philippines 1101 Telefax: (0632) 9262893 denden@ipd.org.ph http://www.ipd.ph ======== Asia Pacific Human Rights Education listserv ======== Send mail intended for the list to < >. If you have problems (un)subscribing, contact < >. **You are welcome to reprint, copy, archive, quote or re-post this item, but please retain the original and listserv source.
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