Activities 2011
Workshop on Implementation of National Policy on Street Vendors
30-31 May 2011, Kolkata, West Bengal
The extent of implementation of the National Policy on Street Vendor varies not only from state to state but also from municipality to municipality. Understandably, the same is because the onus of implementation which rests with local level administration. The workshop aims at highlighting the concerns of vendors towards the same.
Securing Ratification of Core Labour Conventions
07 May 2011, New Delhi
India is yet to ratify four out of eight core conventions. The Government of India has, however, given indication of its willingness to ratify Conventions 87 and 98. The workshop, that will have participation of trade union leaders, will discuss the issue of ratification by the Government of India.
When Politicians Control Television, What Happens To Journalism?
08 April 2011, New Delhi
For reiterating ‘social responsibility’ of media, topical issues are taken up in panel discussions and media dialogues in collaboration with Foundation for Media Professionals. Issues taken up are titillating and of vital importance to the freedom of expression, integrity and vitality of media practitioners.
In this context topic for discussion “When Politicians Control Television, What Happens to Journalism” taken up on 08 April is very pertinent. TV news channels are being set up by politicians who have little interest in news in itself. They seek to misinform, not inform. Their aim is to influence policy and politics for personal gain. Should there be entry barriers? What safeguards should be taken against use of unaccounted cash? Do we need a regulator like UK's Offcom? Can viewers take informed decisions based on a cacophony of partisan views? These are some of the issues that are expected to be the focus of the discussion.
Promoting Women Participation in Decision Making
04-05 April 2011, Bhubneshwar, Orissa
Increasing number of women participation in labour market remain not fully reflected in their strength in unions, more so in union’s leadership. For over a decade ITF and FES, taking the case of transport sector, have organised workshops and seminar with women functionaries to generate awareness about their concerns and develop strategies to bring their representatives in mainstream leadership roles of trade unions. The seminar held on April 04-05 at Bhubneshwar in Orissa, debated on issues such as harassment at workplace; interpersonal relationship within trade unions; awareness about HIV and AIDS; etc. While concluding, the participants resolved to organise similar activities at their unit level. The seminar, further resolved to induct male counterpart in future activities of the ITF Women Committees activities.
Celebration of 100th years of "International Women’s Day"
08 March 2011, Anandpur, Rajasthan
World over, 08th March is celebrated as Women’s Day to mark the economic, social and political achievements of women. In India also, women's groups, NGOs as well governmental agencies organize events to showcase the progress of men and women towards gender equality. In keeping with this trend, SOHARD, one of FES's close partners, has been organizing mass meetings on this special day.
Each year, hundreds of women gather together in SOHARD complex to celebrate this occasion in a festive spirit. It is a totally voluntary event full of cultural activities, sharing of inspiring achievements and bohemian atmosphere. This year a FES delegation also participated in this event. Ms. Kristina Birke, Director, FES Regional Cooperation for Gender Equality Asia gave an inspiring speech on Moving towards Gender Equality in Asia.
Workshop on Enhancing Human Development Coverage: Skills in Reporting/Writing
05-06 March 2011, Mysore
This programme is part of an ongoing series of activities. For ensuring Media’s role in Development with a Human Face, several training programmes and workshops for journalists are organized. The main focus of such programmes is to impart training skills in reporting/writing on Human Development issues. Special emphasis is also laid on training on “grassroot Communication for Tribals/Dalits”.
Feature Series on "Employment as Empowerment:
Visibilizing Women at Work"
March – July 2011
In one of our earlier activities titled "Women in Public Sphere" an array of issues relating to women and work were highlighted and discussed. The present series will take up these very issues and will try to capture them through human interest features.
Some of the emergent issues that will be highlighted in this series include the twin deficits of capabilities and opportunities; Migration and women's employment; role of markets; Women in the informal sector; How women cope with unemployment; Basic facilities to support women’s employment: including transportation and toilets. These stories will be generated on a regular basis and projected through the Women’s Feature Service (WFS) website as well.
Lectures by Mr. Clemens Juergenmeyer in India on “Political Systems of India and Germany: A Comparison”
24 February 2011, Goa; 25 February 2011, Mumbai
This year a new initiative has been taken by FES India to promote understanding of the working of political systems in India and Germany. As part of this initiative, Prof. Clemens Juergenmeyer from the Arnold Bergstraesser Institut, Germany gave two lectures—one in International Centre Goa and the second in University of Mumbai. The premise of Prof. Juergenmeyer’s lectures is that the German and the Indian political systems have many similarities and also some striking differences as for example the voting model. Both in India and Germany the Constitution is supreme. The principles on which Constitutions of both countries are based are same, namely, democracy, federalism and social justice. The lectures were informative followed by a highly interactive session with the audience.
Exposure Visit for Understanding Politics – Local to National
31 January — 5 February 2011, New Delhi
In India Local bodies have been given various powers which should lead to decentralization to the third tier of governance under the 73rd and 74 Constitutional Amendment. The same Amendment gives 33% reservation to women in urban and rural local bodies. Unfortunately despite the Act, in practice still devolution of powers-specially financial powers- has not taken place. The Urban Research Centre (URC) in collaboration with FES has been involved in training of urban women councilors in Karnataka since 2005. As part of this process, an exposure visit to Delhi for 20 of these Councilors was organized from 31.01-07.02.2011. The objectives of the visit were to build linkages between local , state and national level politicians and administrators ; and to strengthen networking and advocacy efforts.
The programme gave an opportunity to the participants to interact with National nodal agencies like National Commission for Women, Members of Parliament and leaders and members of various political parties. The themes and topics which were discussed during the visit include Government Programmes and Schemes of relevance; Devolution of powers from Centre to States and local bodies; Policies concerning women's empowerment. The programme ended with a press conference held at Women's Press Corps.
The Challenge of Self-Organizing to Govern Commons in India
05 January 2011, New Delhi
The ongoing nature of economic development in India has caused concentration of wealth in few hands. It has also caused further marginalisation / exclusion of the majority resulting in benefits not reaching to all. The governance of common resources was at the focus of the Bharatram Memorial Lecture that was delivered by Noble Laureate Prof. [Ms] Elinor Ostrom on January 05 at the FICCI. The session was chaired by the Union Forest and Environment Minister, Mr. Jairam Ramesh. Prof. Ostrom, citing results of many initiatives that had involvement of community, said that the same had better probability of success to ensure sustainable development. In her speech she referred to her eight principles on “Common poor resource management” as also outcome of her research in India. The followup discussion session was chaired by the Deputy Chairperson of Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia. The Sri Ram Centre organised the memorial lecture with support from FICCI, FES and Planning Commission of the Government of India.