Community Level

SOUTH AFRICA: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE AWARDS - http://www.thefundingsite.co.za/RFPs/detail.asp?ID=166The annual Investing in the Future Awards honour companies and organisations that are contributing to the well-being of South African society as a whole. Winning projects have to demonstrate sustainability, partnership building between the government, business and communities, and integration into the development of South Africa. The awards are designed to heighten public, government and business awareness of corporate social investment.

GREAT LAKES: RELIGIOUS GROUP OPTS FOR "TRADITIONAL" METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION - Calling for "African solutions to African problems", a group of religious organisations meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, recommended on Tuesday the use of traditional methods to resolve conflicts in the Great Lakes region. The recommendation was among several made at the end of a two-day workshop organised by the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa, where the group adopted a position paper ahead of a planned UN and African Union (AU) international conference on the Great Lakes. Further details: http://www.pambazuka.org/index.php?id=22117

SECURING INDIGENOUS WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND PARTICIPATION http://www.unifem.org/filesconfirmed/2/ 355_at_a_glance_indigenous_women.pdf Indigenous peoples, an estimated 370 million living in more than 70 countries, maintain social, cultural, economic and political characteristics distinct from those of the dominant societies they live in. Although among the most resilient of peoples worldwide, systematic marginalization throughout history has made them arguably one of the poorest and most vulnerable groups of people today. Many are victims of racial discrimination, social exclusion and rapid economic development without their consent. They have been denied their land rights, and deprived of access to basic needs like education and healthcare. When combined with other forms of discrimination, such as those based on race or ethnicity, the effects of gender discrimination can multiply, posing serious challenges to women's enjoyment of their basic human rights, says a UNIFEM briefing, 'Securing Indigenous Women’s Rights and Participation'.

AFRICA/GLOBAL: WHAT IS THE SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMUNITY MEDIA TO
CIVIL SOCIETY?
http://www.wacc.org.uk/publications/md/md2002-4/comm-media.html
Community media provide a vital alternative to the profit-oriented agenda of corporate media. They are driven by social objectives rather than the private, profit motive. They empower people rather than treat them as passive consumers, and they nurture local knowledge rather than replace it with standard solutions. Ownership and control of community media is rooted in, and responsible to, the communities they serve. And they are committed to human rights, social justice, the environment and sustainable approaches to development.

Kwanzaa by Abdul-Rahim Dewo Long before the invasion of the Greek Hyksos, the African people had a very important celebration, which in Kiswahili was called Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa meant "the first fruits of the harvest" and in present day Uganda, a tribe in the eastern region (Basoga) call it "Mpambo", the "best" of the harvest. It was widely believed that we became better human beings to ourselves and to others when we practiced the principles. These principles greatly impacted on the naming systems, such that even the days of the week were named after the principles. Below is a brief outline of the principles:

Sunday	-----	UMOJA (Unity)
Monday	-----	KUJICHANGULIA (Self determination)
Tuesday	-----	UJIMA (Collective work and responsibility)
Wednesday	-----	UJAMAA (Co-operative economics)
Thursday	-----	NIA (Purpose)
Friday	-----	KUUMBA (Creativity)
Saturday	-----	IMANI (Faith)

The principles are still applicable today and are utilized in order to affirm our cultural heritage and identity. I pray and hope the Spirits will rejoice On-high! The relationship between Kwanzaa and the Life principles, is clearer after a good (but brief) understanding of African tradition. I believe the time has come for us to revise our history, and make positive resolutions. May the spirits of the innocent children rest in Eternal peace. I call upon the African tribes and clans to re-address our spiritual and mental course of action. [editors note - As we celebrate Kwanzaa remember the children. Teach them well for they are the light that illuminates our shared hopes and dreams.] To learn more about Kwanzaa, visit http://www.tike.com/celeb-kw.htm ; http://www.itskwanzaatime.com/ ; http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.html ; http://www.melanet.com/kwanzaa/

Capacity Building, by Ben Green and Mike Battock of the Civil Society Department, DFID