Colombia Archives

The World Trade Organization’s Public Forum: A Platform for NGOs to Share & Exchange Views on International Trade

Deadline: 30 May 2014

The World Trade Organization (WTO), the international organization dealing with the global rules of trade between nations is a platform for the member governments to sort out their trade problems with each other. The WTO annually organizes Public Forum – the largest outreach event which is a platform for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to share and exchange views on international trade and gain deeper understanding on the human stories behind trade.

Each year, more than 1,500 representatives from civil society (non-governmental organizations), academia, business, media, governments, parliamentarians and inter-governmental organizations gather to discuss on the latest developments in the trade world and propose ways on enhancing the multilateral trading systems.

NGOs can participate in the Public Forum by submitting a proposal to organize session.

Benefits of Participation in Public Forum:

Increase awareness of WTO activities and the role of the rules-based multilateral trading system
Platform for public debate across a wide range of WTO issues and trade topics
Opportunity to share and exchange views with NGOs
Participate, take part in discussions and organize own sessions
Get in touch with professionals from different sectors and discuss on different trade topics
Explore human stories behind trade realizing connections between trade and people’s daily lives

This year, the Public Forum will be held from 1-3 October 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland. To know more, click ‘Next’.

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TWAS- CONACYT Postdoctoral Fellowship for Developing Nations Scholars

Deadline:15 September 2014

The National Council for Science and Technology (CONACyT) in Mexico in collaboration with The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) invites postdoctoral scientists from developing countries (except Mexico) planning to pursue postdoctoral research in natural sciences to apply for the TWAS-CONACYT Postdoctoral Fellowship program.

Fields:

Agricultural Sciences
Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology
Biological Systems and Organisms
Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences
Chemical Sciences
Engineering Sciences
Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences
Mathematical Sciences
Physics

The fellowship is provided for 6 to 12 months period. Fellows receive a standard monthly allowance to cover living costs (food and accommodation) and health insurance.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicant must be the national of a developing country (other than Mexico).
Applicants must hold a PhD in the field of natural sciences. Application must be made within five years of obtaining a PhD.
Applicant must be regularly employed in a developing country (other than Mexico) and hold a research assignment there.
Applicant must not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in Mexico or any developed country.
An applicant can submit only one fellowship application per year.
An official Acceptance Letter from the Mexican institution recognized by CONACYT must be attached with the application. Note: Students must send Request for Acceptance to the chosen host institution.
Must be proficient in English or Spanish language – certificate required.

Note: All major public and private institutions of higher education and research centers in Mexico are recognized by CONACYT. The application and reference letter must be submitted to TWAS.

For more information, please visit Fellowship Program.

Mendel Fellowships to access the Lilly Library of Indiana University Bloomington

Deadline: 30 September 2015

The Lilly Library of Indiana University Bloomington invites doctoral research students to the senior scholars to apply for Mendel Fellowships to get access to Bernardo Mendel collections in the library. The fellowship amount can be up to $40,000 depending on the length of stay (one week to a full academic year).

The Mendel Fellowship supports research by scholars from around the world in areas of particular interest to the Mendels. The areas of interest can be- he history of the Spanish Colonial Empire; Latin American independence movements; European expansion in the Americas; voyages, travels and exploration; geography, navigation and cartography; German literature and history; and music, including sheet music.

The fellowship covers travel to the Lilly Library and living expenses while in residence.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicant can be from anywhere in the world ranging from doctoral research student to senior scholar.
The project proposal must include the specific holdings they intend to consult.

Application materials include- curriculum vitae, project proposal (2-3 pages), two letters of recommendation, and a indication of length of stay.

For more information, please visit Fellowship Information.

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Submit Stories on Climate Change, Farming and Food Security: Make it published in CCAFS Blog

Deadline: 6 May 2014

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) invites blog posts regarding climate change, farming and food security to publish on CCAFS (CIGAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security) blog. Five blog stories will be selected, one from each region (East Africa, West Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Latin America) to publish in the CCAFS blog.

Young Agriculture and Climate Change professionals are encouraged to participate in the competition.

Benefits to Writers:

The winning blogs will be posted on CCAFS blog
Winning stories will be promoted within CCAFS wide networks
Stories will be featured in the respective region (social media promotion, featured in newsletters and more)
The winners will get chance to highlight their own blog, website and profile

Eligibility Criteria:

The writer can be a farmer, or an individual working in a youth project related to farming or focusing on gender-issues within food and farming. The competition is open to everyone.
The posts should feature stories of people and organizations creating a positive change linked to food and farming in their communities.
The blog stories should be 600-800 words long.
Stories should integrate a climate change, youth and/or gender component.
The blog should be based on writer’s own experience and not an imagination.
Blogs should be written in English language.

Note: The blog can include photos, video/presentation/poster or any related multimedia. In such cases, the used multimedia must be credited and the quotes, facts or any other information used from external sources must have references.

For more information and guidelines, please visit Call for Blog Stories.

Fellowship Opportunity to Journalists: Trip to South Africa and Mozambique for Maternal and Child Health Reporting

Deadline: 12 May 2014

The United Nations Foundation and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) have jointly launched the Maternal and Child Health Reporting Fellowship Program. This is an opportunity for journalists around the world to get a unique opportunity to tour South Africa and Mozambique. This includes site visits to villages, clinics and schools to speak to the women, children and health professionals about the issues they face everyday.

The fellowship tour begins from 29 June 2014 when the fellows depart from their home countries and ends on 8 July 2014 when they leave Mozambique for their home country. The fellowship covers airfare, visas, food, accommodations and ground transportation.

The fellows will participate in The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Conference to be held from 30 June to 1 July 2014 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa. There, the fellow journalists will meet and interview health experts from around the world who can provide global context for the challenges and opportunities facing the field.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicant can be from anywhere in the world.
Applicant must be working (full-time) journalist at a media organization.
Proficiency in English is mandatory.

For more information, please visit Maternal and Child Health Reporting Fellowship.

EuropeAid’s EIDHR and Non State Actors and Local Authorities in Development Country-Based Support Schemes for Libya

Deadline: 20 May 2014

All interested organizations are invited to submit proposals for European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR) and Non State Actors and Local Authorities in Development (NSA/LA) Country-Based Support Schemes for Libya. The major purpose of this program is to :

Strengthen the capacities of civil society to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as to push for democratic reforms in Libya.
To support the development of a strong, cohesive and sustainable Libyan civil society community.

Lots:

LOT 1 (Human Rights): To support actions which seek to enhance and foster effective policy dialogue, awareness raising,monitoring or democratic reforms in the field of human rights. Funding available under lot 1 is up to EUR 900,000.
LOT 2 (Non State Actors and Local Authorities): To reinforce the capacity of Libyan civil society to engage in effective policy dialogue, to hold central and local authorities accountable, to contribute to reforms and democratic changes and to become an actor of socio-economic development, with a particular focus on the interests of vulnerable groups. Funding available under Lot 2 is up to EUR 2,900,000.

Eligibility criteria:

Be legal persons
Be non-profit-making
Be specific types of organizations such as defined by Article 11(2) establishing the Regulation (EC) N° 236/2014 of common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union’s instruments for external action for lot 1.
Be specific types of organizations such as defined by Annex B of the Regulation (EC) No 233/2014 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (DCI) for lot2.
Be effectively established11 in a Member State of the European Union or in Libya
Be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary

Note: Candidates must register themselves by using Online PADOR registration system.

For more information, visit this link .

The National Endowment for Democracy Worldwide Grant Program

Deadline: 20 June 2014

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is accepting grant applications from local independent non-governmental organizations around the world that are devoted to the promotion of political and economic freedom, a strong civil society, independent media, human rights, and the rule of law.

The NED is a United States initiative to strengthen democratic institutions throughout the world through private, non-governmental efforts. The foundation makes more than 1,000 grants to support the projects of non-governmental groups abroad who are working for democratic goals in more than 90 countries.

The NED grant program encourages proposals from organizations working in diverse environment such as newly established democracies, semi-authoritarian countries, highly repressive societies and countries undergoing democratic transitions.

Program Areas:

Pluralism
- Trade Union
- Business
- Other Private Sector Institutions
Democratic Governance Political Process
- Political Parties
- Election Participation and Administration
- Public Policy and Information
- Strengthening Legislatures
- The Rule of Law and the Administration of Justice
- The Military and Democracy
Education, Culture and Communication
- Independent Newspapers, Journals, and Other Communications Media
- Democratic Education
- Activities Directed at Strengthening Popular Understanding and Intellectual Advocacy of Democracy
Research/International Forum for Democracy
International Cooperation

Eligibility Criteria:

Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) – civic organizations, associations, independent media, and other similar organizations are eligible to apply for NED Grant.
Individuals, governmental bodies, or state-supported institutions such as public universities are not eligible to apply.
Proposals from local, independent organizations for non partisan programs promoting and defending human rights & rule of law are strongly encouraged.

Applications can be made via online application method, email or regular mail. Application materials include – proposal cover sheet, proposal narrative, proposal budget, and registration documents. In case of grant renewal proposals, applicants should include interim assessment along with other documents.

For more information on NED Grant, please visit Applying for NED Grant.

Become Peace Writer to document the Story of Women Peace Maker

Deadline: 30 May 2014

Individuals with excellent writing and analytic skills are invited to become Peace Writers by the University of San Diego, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice to pair with Women Peace Makers 2014. The Peace Writers will be documenting the story of their partner women peace makers in the written form. Peace writers interview the women peace makers daily and document about their experience of living in conflict and building peace in their communities and nations. This is a challenging opportunity that allows the peace writers to understand the life lived at one part of the world exposing them to deeper realities.

The document produced will include narrative stories and complementary components, such as a historical summary of the conflict and a table of best practices in peace building as demonstrated by the work of the Peace Maker.

Total four Peace Writers will be selected to pair with four Peace Makers to participate in an an eight-week residency at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice in the University of San Diego.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicant must hold a graduate degree or should be currently enrolled in a graduate program related to peace studies, conflict analysis, human rights, international relations, gender studies, narrative writing, journalism or communications.
Applicant must have excellent writing and analytic skills.
Applicants must have experience in interviewing or interacting with others in an intercultural setting, including communicating with people for whom English is a second language.
Applicant must have the ability to meet regular deadlines and produce a 30 to 80-page document in 10 weeks.
Applicant must be willing to submit work to an institute editor and program staff for feedback and remarks.
Applicant must be willing to share office room with other peace writers and to work flexible hours and attend all program-related events.

For more information, please visit Peace Writers.

Read also about the Women Peace Makers. Deadline to apply for Women Peace Makers is 15 May 2014.

The Hurford Youth Fellows Program for Youth around the World

Deadline: 23 May 2014

Youth around the world are encouraged to apply for the Hurford Youth Fellows Program, an opportunity to build her/his leadership and organizational skills. The fellowship is offered to three fellows per year for a period of four months and allows the fellow contribute to the development of the World Youth Movement. The World Youth Movement for Democracy and the International Forum for Democratic Studies at NED (National Endowment for Democracy) are jointly hosting the program with support from the Hurford Foundation.

The World Movement for Democracy is a global network that brings together democracy activists, practitioners, academics, policy makers, and funders. NED is a private, nonprofit organization that applies nongovernmental efforts to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. International Forum for Democratic Studies is forum of NED established as the preeminent center for the study of the theoretical and practical aspects of democratic development worldwide. The Hurford Foundation established to honor the late John B. Hurford is the supporter of the World Movement for Democracy & the World Youth Movement for Democracy.

The Youth Fellows will stay and work in the NED Washington D.C. They will organize and lead a series of online discussions and information-sharing sessions on key democracy issues. The issues will be identified in consultation with the Secretariat and Leadership Board. The fellows will also make at least one formal presentation of their work (open to the public or geared to a more select audience) majorly focused on the fellow’s online discussion topics.

The fellows will receive a monthly stipend towards living expenses, basic health insurance and roundtrip travel from and to Washington D.C. Additionally; the fellows will be provided well equipped office with internet and email access, and a limited budget for fellowship-related long-distance phone calls.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants can be from anywhere in the world maximum 30 years of age.
Applicants must demonstrate strong interest in democratic activism and in the advancement of democracy in their respective communities, as well as worldwide.
A working knowledge of English is mandatory.

Application materials include – completed application form that includes personal information, project proposal, curriculum vitae/resume and two letters of recommendation. Deadline for letter of recommendation submission is also the same as deadline for application. All these materials must be submitted via email.

For more information, please visit Hurford Youth Fellows Program.

South Africa Educational Grants for Women Students in Select Universities in South Africa

Deadline: 15 August 2014

The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) invites applications from the women students enrolled at the following four universities in South Africa – The University of Witwatersrand, University Stellenbosch, University of Pretoria and University of Capetown.

The MMMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public charity that awards educational grants to outstanding women from developing countries. The grant aims to help further the women’s education and strengthen their leadership skills to improve the lives of women and children in developing countries.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must be the Women from developing countries who are currently studying in South Africa at one of the following universities- The University of Witwatersrand, University Stellenbosch, University of Pretoria and University of Capetown.
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment and record of service to women and/or children in the developing world.
Applicants must plan to return to a developing country about two years after completing use of the MMMF grant.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need and satisfactory academic performance where she is registered.
Applicant must be at least 25 years of age by the deadline.
Applicants must not be an immediate or extended family member of any World Bank Group, IMF or Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) staff member or his/her spouse.
Applicant must not have received a MMMF grant in any prior year.

Application must be accompanied with copy of the applicant’s passport picture page, a copy of South Africa visa/study permit, copy of official transcripts from current university, official confirmation of registration in the academic institution (one of the four universities mentioned above) for current semester, and two recommendation forms (one from the professor of present institution and another from former professor/supervisor from applicant’s country or elsewhere).

Note: To apply, one must register.

For more information, please visit South Africa Grants.