Details
Yet another empty promise.

This is how civil society organisations (CSOs) describe the recent pronouncement of the Burmese junta on holding a referendum on the draft constitution in May this year and an election in 2010.

Details

(continued from the article published in we! issue 1, February 2008)

The past week saw the impressive performance of Barack Obama who won majority of the votes in 11 consecutive primaries and caucuses. Obama is leading with 54 percent of votes over Hillary Clinton who obtained 48 percent. The two strong contenders of the Democratic party is headed to what is believed as a neck and neck race in two big states, Ohio and Texas.

Details
Social movements all over the world once more united in the observance of the World Social Forum (WSF), which culminated on 26, January 2008. This convergence was designed to strengthen the link between grassroots and national experience, on the one hand and regional and international advocacies and campaigns, on the other hand. Individuals, organisations, and networks organised fora, seminars, rallies and other actions in their respective countries.

Details
Several campaigns and calls to action are circulating online to petition the Kenyan government to ensure the safety of several human rights activists. These human rights defenders have received death threats by email, SMS and telephone calls because they had spoken publicly about the outcome of the December 2007 elections that led to rioting and mass violence.

Details
Kenyan women from various NGOs addressed the mediation team who are at the forefront of looking for solutions to the democratic crisis and violence sweeping through this East African nation. Ironically, these calls for peaceable solutions have also placed them in vulnerable positions, making them targets of more violence. Some have received death threats even for speaking out against the current escalation of violence in the cities and rural areas of Kenya.

Details

Nongovernment organisations, civil society, and social movements around the world are gearing up for the World Social Forum 2008 on 26 January. Declared the Global Day of Mobilisation and Action, WSF 2008 promises a reinvigorated fight against neo-liberalism, war, colonialism, racism and patriarchy. Find out how the world will celebrate this event.