Post Conference Workshop

1. Introduction and background

In August 2001, the United Nations will host the third World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in Durban, South Africa.

The conference is expected to attract some 12 000 delegates from UN member states, the UN Secretariat as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations from throughout the world. Issues under the spotlight, include xenophobia, ethnocentrism and related intolerances.

Delegates and commissions will attempt to review progress as well as to formulate concrete recommendations on ways to increase the activities and mechanisms of the UN through programmes aimed at combating racism and racial discrimination.

It is not insignificant that South Africa has been chosen to host this conference. Almost six years after our fledgling democracy was born racism and racial discrimination is still very much a part of our social, cultural and economic fabric. To move from a system that institutionalised racial discrimination to one that guarantees equality before the law, to all its citizens has not been an easy task and one that has been grossly underestimated in its magnitude. The Umtapo Centre and the Democracy Development Programme (DDP), feel that this task is the most crucial and pressing one.

Workshop Output

Building on the Durban Declaration that will be the output of the World Conference, the Umtapo – DDP workshop aims to take advantage of the expertise that we will have in the country at the time as well as that of other African countries, to initiate discussions and deliberations around creating an action plan with timeframes that will be driven by the various stakeholders. It is envisaged that a document will be produced that will add significant value to the Durban Declaration and will also highlight the specifics of the South African situation. The findings will be fed into the work programme currently being worked on by the National Preparatory Committee of South Africa, chaired by Mr.Sipho Pityana. The workshop will focus specifically on the following three aspects :

• Xenophobia
• Anti- Racism
• Peace

Commissions will be tasked with the explicit purpose of creating action plans around the major themes.

Objectives

To share ideas and experiences on Anti-Racism practices that will be brought to the conference from participants across the world.

To design a practical action programme on Anti-Racism and Peace, as a follow-up to the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR), that can be implemented at local, regional and international levels.

To consolidate a global civil society network of Anti-Racism activists.

3. Awards Evening

The highlight of the conference will be the presentation of the Steve Biko Award as well as the International Wolf Award (being conferred this year on Archbishop Desmond Tutu).

Aim

• To design a practical action programme on Anti-Racism and Peace as a follow-up to the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) that can be implemented at local, regional and international levels.

• To consolidate a global civil society network of anti-racism activists

Programme (1^st draft)

Awards Ceremony

2001 Steve Biko Award & Wolf Project Award

Guests of honour:
Elder William Commanda (Canada)
Don Mattera
Ms Ntsiki Biko

Appendix 2

Background of Organisations

The Democracy Development Programme (DDP)

Background

The Democracy Development Programme (DDP) was initiated in 1993 as a partner organisation of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF) has a long history of promoting democracy throughout the world. The Foundation derives its name from the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is the ideals permeated by the life and work of this great statesman that constitutes the guiding light, task and duty of the Foundation. The Foundation pursues exclusively and directly, non-profit making objectives in the interest of public good, in Germany and abroad. The Democracy Development Programme is based on these same principles.

1.1 Development Objective (Mission Statement)

The DDP is committed to the promotion of those values and institutions in keeping with an open civil and democratic society. The DDP believes that political power should be devolved to the lowest possible levels (community level). To this end the DDPP promotes a vigorous and enlightened civil society that is not dominated by the state and that includes a respect for minorities and divergent views.

1.2 Immediate Objectives

1. To provide capacity building workshops for the smaller parties, local government structures and communities in order to strengthen political participation and promote divergent views.
2. To provide capacity building programmes for the previously disadvantage groups (women, the rural poor and the marginalised youth) so that they are able to interact meaningfully with local government structures in order to increase political participation as well as to ensure effective service delivery.
3. To provide forums where controversial and vigorous political debate is encouraged.
4. To work together with other like-minded NGO’s and institutions in order to create more sustainable programmes that contribute to the effective fulfilling of our vision.
5. Providing political education and elaborating through ongoing action research, the provision of advice to the scientific foundations for political action.

2. The Target Population

The DDP advocates the belief that ALL aspects of civil society must be mobilised and empowered in order for democracy to be consolidated and enriched. As a result the DDP designs its programmes according to the needs of a cross section of civil society.

Amongst the groups that the DDP work with are:

• Political Parties
• Community and Civic Organisations
• Youth Organisations
• Students at Tertiary Institutions
• Women’s Groups
• Local Government Councillors
• Traditional Leaders
• Ward Committees

The organisation has since its inception become increasingly involved in promoting capacity building in the sphere of local government. Workshops, seminars and courses are held in order to ensure that local government structures are capacitated to ensure the upliftment and socio-economic development of the communities that they are meant to serve. Communities are also empowered through the capacitating of the ward committees that work directly with the councillors.

The DDP regularly hosts political forums to which a cross-section of civil society is invited. Prominent speakers from different political spheres are invited to address the audience on current political issues and debates. The audience is encouraged to interact both with the speaker and fellow participants in order to promote an enlightened and vibrant civil society.

3.2 Women’s Empowerment Programme (WEP)

This programme was launched in order to further capacitate women for greater involvement in the political arenas well as to discuss critical issues affecting the rights of women under our present Constitution. The Forum serves both an advocacy and lobbying function, as well as providing capacity building programmes to cater for the specific needs that are identified.

4. Area of Operation

The DDP has up to recently operate predominantly in KwaZulu Natal, but in keeping with our vision, has now evolved a more national focus. In 2001 the DDP has started full-scale activities in the Northern Province and has established an office there.

5.1 Pan-African Civic Educators Network (PACE-NET)

PACE-NET was formed in 1996, by 30 NGO’s representing 12 African countries working in the field of civic education. PACE-NET aims to provide an effective African civic education network to share resources and expertise in order to in-root a democratic culture for sustainable democratic practice in Africa.

SANGOCO was launched in 1995 with a focus on funding and organisational issues facing NGO’s in South Africa. Comprising a wide cross-section of NGO’s, the coalition is a powerful lobbying body.

Emphasising the invaluable role of civil society in decision-making and development, CIVICUS is a global body that aims to realise this role. The DDP is involved in the Africa chapter if the organisation.

Umtapo Centre

Background and Structure of Organisation

The Umtapo Centre was established in 1986 in response to a growing concern at the dearth of critical and innovative civil society initiatives in South Africa that was rooted within the ranks of the oppressed. Its goal was to contribute in a constructive and meaningful way to the empowerment of black people and the expansion of a self-reliant ethos in a country where the greatest majority of its people suffered serious deprivations, oppression and exploitation.

Most of the projects of Umtapo Centre have been ongoing projects which were initiated in 1987 when the organisation was registered as an association not for gain.

Adult literacy and youth leadership training were direct outcomes of Umtapo’s initial experience in para-legal advice work and replaced the advice desk which gave rise to an independent general worker’s union. The Centre’s critical involvement in literacy in the early 90’s saw it establish links throughout the continent as well as in countries such as India, Australia and New Zealand. It also played a crucial role in the formation and initial functioning of the South African Association for Literacy and Adult Education.

Empowerment of women, promotion of peace, antiracism, economic justice are a central focus of Umtapo’s mission and currently constitute the major component of the organisation’s work.

Through its public conferences, seminars and workshops since 1988, the Umtapo Centre has established an extensive network of contact across the globe. These forums have proven invaluable, not only for critical and constructive discourse across political and ideological divides, but also for providing a yardstick for Umtapo’s ongoing assessment of its won role as a civil society organisation with a holistic vision.

While the Umtapo Centre office is based in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, its programmes are national and regional in scope. From 1997 to 1999, the Umtapo was the African Regional Convenor of CIVICUS, the world alliance for civil society participation. Currently the Centre is a member of the International Peace Bureau and the International Council for Adult Education.

The Centre which is affiliated to a number of international bodies, consists of an advisory group of prominent Patrons (including Archbishop Tutu), the governing Board of Directors, a small secretariat and project committees made up of volunteers.

The Umtapo Centre is an Independent organisation committed to the holistic and participatory development of a society characterised by social and economic justice founded on a value system rooted in the positive and humane elements of indigenous culture and knowledge.

The Umtapo Centre will work in partnership with other civil society organisations who share its vision and support for an alternate development paradigm – a paradigm which is people-oriented, a paradigm which is guided by ethical values and principles.

Overall Objectives

• To promote and inculcate an understanding of peace, anti-racism and democratic processes and practices among the broadest range of people.
• To engage in activities that will contribute to the struggle for economic justice.
• To serve as a forum for divergent points of view, encouraging a climate of tolerance and dialogue.
• To improve the leadership skills and capacities of people at all levels of civil society and government, particularly women and youth.
• To encourage networking and partnership-building within civil society and between civil society and a democratic state.

In pursuance of its mission, the programmatic work of Umtapo comprises :

Training
Community Outreach
Production of Materials
Advocacy and Lobbying

Furthermore, networking and partnership occurs at local, regional and global levels.

Application form and Conditions

Contact Information

For any other queries, please contact either:

Umtapo Centre
Mr D Soliar or Ms A Naicker
Tel : 031 x 3053506 or Fax : 031 x 3014030
e-mail : umtapo@netactive.co.za

DDP
Dr R A Naidu or Mrs R Suliman
Tel : 031 x 3049305 or Fax : 031 x 3062261
e-mail : ddp2@iafrica.com