The resume of the International Conference on
"Vision of Bandung after 50 years - Facing New Challenges"
held in Cairo 1-3 March 2005,
at Pyramisa hotel

Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization was the creation of the Bandung spirit, a peoples movement of the Afro-Asian world. It was nothing but appropriate that after 50 years of this historic conference, time had come to take stock of the world situation to forge a stronger movement of the people, to meet new challenges.
The international conference held in Cairo on 1-3 March 2005 was the first of its kind. AAPSO has already taken initiative to convene the second such international conference in New Delhi, India, probably at the end of April 2005 with the All India Peace and Solidarity Organization. The Cairo conference was attended by 18 countries with 29 delegates and 18 embassies in Cairo sent their representatives. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry sent a representative who made a contribution highlighting the event. The local participants including the press took part in the conference.
The conference was conducted in seven sessions under different themes such as significant role of Bandung; the end of the bi-polar system and unilateralism; Palestine and Iraq; building strong solidarity movement; and revitalizing NAM and expected role of the UNO.
Very valuable and thought provoking papers were presented by experts both foreign and local which generated lively discussion. There were critical analysis of the whole concept including the failure and drawback of the Non-Aligned Movement. Speakers highlighted the importance of transparency, democracy, human rights and good governance as priority for sustainability of any movement. They pointed out the lack of these salient principles in most of the NAM countries which resulted in weakening the movement. There is a big gap between the rulers and the ruled which has to be bridged. Peoples aspiration need to be reflected by the government. The revitalization of NAM depend on how these issues are debated, and respected by the governments.
Dictatorship, family bandyism and one party rule are issues that affect the proper functioning of governments. They retard the development process. The last 50 years have provided enough time to take stock of the situation and correct our own mistakes. How many countries of the Non-Aligned Movement were able to adhere to the very principles of the Bandung -the "Dasa Sila Principles" (ten principles) enunciated in 1955 extending the Pancha Sila (five principles) signed between India and China in 1954?. These serious lapses have disrupted the unity not only among countries but also within the countries as we have seen in Asia and Africa during the last five decades.
The Cairo conference has made a good start and will continue in other regions. It is hoped that the unity which was forged in 1955 in Bandung could be revived and strengthened to face the new challenges of the Human Kind.

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Resolution on Nepal

The Conference held in Cairo by the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization from 1 - 3 March 2005 on "Vision of Bandung after 50 years - Facing New Challenges" expresses its deep concern at the abrogation of the Nepali constitution, the dissolution of Parliament and the violation of human and democratic rights of the people of Nepal. We were also shocked at the detention of two Nepali delegates at Kathmandu Airport who were coming to participate at this conference and therefore preventing them from attending this gathering.
The conference further demands that democracy should be restored in Nepal urgently, all political prisoners be released, human rights be restored, restriction on press be lifted and a date for parliamentary elections should be declared.
The conference further calls upon all progressive and democratic forces through out the world to raise their voices in support on the above demands.

AAPSO Permanent Secretariat

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Dr. Morad Ghaleb, President of Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization
Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak, Secretary-General

We would like to thank you for your condolences on the martyrdom of President Rafik Alhariry. Your sincere feelings are the best support to us in this difficult time.
We ask God to protect you
Thank you

Family of the martyr President
Rafik Baha Aldin Alhariry

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The Middle East and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization and the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs convened a meeting on "Freeing the Middle East Region of WMDs”, on Tuesday 15/3/2005 at the headquarters of AAPSO. The meeting discussed the adoption of the message prepared on this issue and conveyed to NGOs and Member States to NPT. Also, it discussed the future activities concerning this subject.
The following is the message about Freeing the Middle East Region of WMDs prepared by a number of experts on NPT to sign on it.

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A message to Non-Governmental Organizations and to the States Parties to the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) about the Dangers of the proliferation of Nuclear weapons and Freeing the Middle East Region of All Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Elimination Worldwide

Dear Friends,
The 2005 NPT Review Conference will be convened ten years after the Review Conference of 1995 which adopted by consensus a programme to observe and implement "principles and Objectives for Nuclear non-proliferation and Disarmament" and a "Resolution on the Middle East " to develop the region into a zone free from all weapon of mass destruction (WMD). It will be also convened after five years of the 2000 NPT Review Conference which agreed on “unequivocal undertaking" to implement 13 steps leading to the abolition of nuclear weapons and also confirmed the necessity of eliminating all WMD from the Middle East.
In reviewing, at present, the implementation of these agreements and their resolution, as well as, the state compliance to NPT. We conclude that the prospects of nuclear weapon proliferation and the possible production of new nukes and their use have increased very much. Also, attempts are underway to invalidate the final document of the 2000 Review Conference, mainly the steps towards the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Moreover, WMDs could be acquired by terrorist groups. This new threat has been used as a pretext to undertake military actions and invade other countries. The missile raid which destroyed a Sudanese Pharmaceutical factory and the invasion of Iraq, falsely undertaken in the name of war against terrorism and with utter disregard of international legality, are clear examples. Contrary to their alleged claims, these actions could lead to dramatic escalation of terrorism.
A balanced implementation of the NPT is a necessary condition to face up to these dangers. Proliferation of nuclear weapons and their possible acquisition by terrorists will continue unabated unless faithful efforts are undertaken to implement article VI of the NPT, which calls for nuclear disarmament.
Article IV of the NPT on "the inalienable right of all the parties to the treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes", including "the possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information" should be observed. This article has been an essential element of the bargain that led to the conclusion of the Treaty. Access to the technology and know how for the peaceful use of nuclear energy is vital for the economic development of all parties to the Treaty.
Some attempts are made by some nuclear- weapon States to use the UN Security Council as a legislative body in order to allow it to virtually amend Article X of the NPT on the withdrawal from the treaty. A special NPT amendment conference should be the only body which can amend the Treaty.
More efforts should be made by Parties to the NPT and the NGOs to ensure practical implementation of concrete steps towards the total and verifiable elimination of nuclear weapons. To this end, support for the Mayors' campaign seeking agreement on concrete steps by the year 2010 and their implementation by the year 2020 is very much needed.

Dear ...,
The international scene has changed since the end of the cold war. Nuclear deployment by nuclear weapon States, official and de facto, in the Middle East, South Asia and North East Asia has exacerbated major conflicts which, at present, may lead to nuclear confrontation. Among major steps to deal with this situation is the establishment of zones free of nuclear weapons, reduction of nuclear risks and the prevention of nuclear threats to the security of the countries and peoples of these regions.
Of great importance in this context, is the establishment of the Middle East zone Free of all WMDs. The US administration and other NATO member States pinpointed this region as the main source of terrorist groups and the possible acquisition by some of them of WMDs. They consider this development as the main threat, to their security and to world peace. We utterly refuse these claims because terrorism is a world phenomenon and is not confined to the Middle East. Delegates to the 2005 NPT Conference can put an end to these concerns by simply implementing the "Resolution on the Middle East" sponsored by US, UK and Russian Federation at the NPT 1995 conference which has dealt with WMDs as part of the package, which was unanimously approved by consensus.
The resolution calls for "the establishment of an effectively verifiable Middle East Free Zone of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and biological, and their delivery vehicles". Support for this resolution was confirmed by the 2000 NPT Conference which also called Israel to accede to NPT and place its nuclear activities under the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. All other States of the region, Arab and non-Arab, have already adhered to NPT.
Already, Egypt put forward an initiative to free the Middle East from all WMDs. President Mubarak of Egypt declared this initiative in April 1990 urging all countries of the region to make equal and reciprocal commitment in this regard. All Arab countries are committed to implement the initiative. They are negotiating a draft Treaty within the league of Arab States that will translate this initiative into a concrete text. The Arab Summit in Tunisia in May 2004 called for convening an international conference on a zone free of WMDs in the Middle East.
If we were to compare this positive Arab attitude to that of Israel we shall find that the later insists on maintaining hundreds of nuclear weapons in its arsenal.
Therefore, the NPT 2005 Review Conference is requested to monitor the implementation of the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East and the provisions pertinent to the Middle East in the final document of the 2000 Review Conference. An effective mechanism is needed and can be established by the 2005 conference to ensure their practical implementation together with other steps adopted for the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
There is another urgent matter. At present, intensive efforts are exerted to reach a peaceful settlement for the Arab-Israeli conflict. A settlement can not be achieved under the umbrella of Israeli nuclear weapons. Therefore, negotiations to free the region from WMDs should be part of the resolution of this conflict. This fact has been emphasized by the "High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Changes" appointed by the UN Secretary General. Its document states, "we recommend that negotiations to resolve general conflicts include confidence building measures and steps towards disarmament". It further "recommends that peace efforts in the Middle East and South Asia launch nuclear disarmament talks that could lead to the establishment of nuclear free zones in these regions".
A window of opportunity is available for the implementation of the "Resolution on the Middle East" adopted by your conference of 1995. It will bring to an end the concerns of the US administration and the European governments about the possible possession of WMDs by terrorist groups, and remove the pretext used by certain governments to launch wars. Contrary to these policies, the implementation of the resolution will enhance the process of durable peace in the region and contribute to the efforts for the elimination of all WMDs.
We hope every success to the 2005 conference

Ambassador Abd El Raaouf El Reedy
Chairman of Egyptian Council
for Foreign Affairs
Dr.Morad Ghaleb
President of Afro-Asian
Peoples’ Solidarity Organization

Signatures

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61 Session
of the Commission
on Human Rights

Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organization (AAPSO) attended this session which was held from 14 March to 22 April 2005 at Geneva with the following delegates:
- Ms. Hamsa Abd El-Hamid Genidy Mohamed
- Ms. Alia Abbas Abdul-Rida
- Ms. Asil Albayaty
- Mr. Tahir Naseem Manhas
- Mr. Zafar Iqbal Khan
- Mr. Shukat Hussain Baloch
- Mr. A.S. Kohli
- Mr. U.S. Sharma
- Mr. A.M. Ali

NGO Liaison Officer

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21 MARCH
International Day against
Racism and Racial Discrimination

The world cannot forget and recall the event of Sharpeville, South Africa, when on 21st of March 1960 the apartheid regime in South Africa resorted to inhuman atrocities and massacre of innocent people.
The Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organisation-AAPSO-strongly condemns this crime against humanity, since the remnants of the apartheid still haunt and manifest in different and subtle manners in numerous parts of the planet. AAPSO also is well aware of all efforts aimed at redressing past and present violations perpetrated in the name of racism and racial discrimination.
AAPSO is mindful of the importance of the challenges evoked at the World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination in Durban, South Africa in 2001 and is committed to continue to support its Programme of Action.
Disguised racist pretentions and behaviours often presented by hypocritical discourses on human rights, democracy or fight against terrorism had turned out to be contradicted by the very reality of facts: Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib, "axis of evils", double standards policy, the wall erected by Israel, Dalits and other minority groups in India and elsewhere, sexual abuses and exploitation, all are there to remind that racism manifests itself in more diverse and crafty forms.
Unfortunately, the international community appears to be impotent in tackling the issue, while poverty, illiteracy, famine and diseases are often associated with racist manifestations, intolerance, violations of human rights, human trafficking, and contribute to the persistence of racist attitude and practices.
The negative effects of globalization and their consequences need to be addressed and severely denounced for it widening the gap between the haves and the haves-not, the riches and the poors, the developed and the underdeveloped countries since it constitutes fertile and propitious ground for racist acts. Exacerbating violences fuelled by hatred has led to the recent outbursts of anti-Semitism, xenophobia, fascism and neo-Nazism.
The world should admit that racism is an international phenomenon having multiform, multifaceted and universal character and therefore requires intervention at the international level. Racism should be considered a crime and be treated as such. The perpetrators of racist acts should be severely punished and brought to justice.
AAPSO, in marking the anniversary of 21 MARCH, brings forth its contribution to the collective and international struggle which should be undertaken on two fronts, namely,
a) to eradicate the roots of racism and attack its manifestations and all its attributes;
b) to effectively express solidarity with the victims of racist acts who are exposed to humiliating, inhuman and degrading practices that contradict the principles of human rights, justice and progress, by supporting their struggle and extending necessary support.
In this context, AAPSO calls for the full implementation of the Programme of Action adopted at Durban. It also calls for the strengthening of the international solidarity against racist manifestations worldwide, as well as the reinforcement of the role and responsibility of the United Nations under all circumstances.
May 21 MARCH serve as a reviving memories of the international community in order to provide more strength and unity to the fight against racism and racial discrimination all over the world.

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World Woman Day

Every year the world observes 8 March as Women Day. Regardless of race, ethnicity group or habits, women all over the world mark the day as a symbol of solidarity among peoples.
On that day we need to express our highest esteem to women for the tremendous effort they are making amid crucial international changes. Arab women, for example, are suffering from double discrimination, once on grounds of gender as a result of obsolete laws and societal norms, and the other as a result of the situation in the region involving tension and the Arab-Israeli conflict, foreign presence in the region, and the threat to launch pre-emptive wars on some Arab countries. As a result, the Arab countries are opting for programs and policies in favour of expenditure on armament more than on improving the societal institutional infrastructure concerned with improving the status of women and the prevailing conditions in society as a whole.
This year the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization is dedicating that day to the Iraqi women for their heroic role in liberating their homeland from colonialism and dictatorship in the past, and who are now valiantly carrying out their role for the formation of a new Iraqi government with strong institutions and with an agenda that has as first priority demanding the withdrawal of the occupation forces from their land within a time framework and completing the drafting of an Iraqi constitution that insures the rights of all Iraqis without discrimination on grounds of ethnicity or gender.
Within the framework of the convening of the Beijing women conference during that period, AAPSO calls on governments and governmental and non-governmental organizations to support women in their march as a partner to community development and to improve women's status where they are suffering from a flagrant violation and where the violation is expected to further increase with the deterioration of economic, political and social conditions in the world despite all the charters and conventions which provide for equality among humankind and insure their freedom, safety and dignity.

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World Water Day

Tuesday 22 March 2005 marks the World Day for Water, the United Nations proclaimed a very important theme this year: Water for Life. The Water for Life Decade (2005-2015) aims mainly at realizing the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) through providing safe water supply.
Millions of people around the world suffer severe shortage in water and sustain the dearth of potable water to meet their basic needs. Safe access to water is a prerequisite for combating poverty , preserving health , eliminating the waterborne diseases resulted from using non-potable water such as malaria and diarrhea, given the fact that more than 2 million people in the developing countries , mostly children, die due to such diseases.
Furthermore, women and girls are the most afflicted by the water shortage as they are responsible to bring water for their families and household usage from enormous distances and may have to travel 6 kilometers while carrying no less than 20 liters.
The need to proper use and preservation of water is crucial, taking into account the fact that fresh water resources are short-supply and the increasing demand on water as an inevitable corollary of the population growth by 2020, about 2.3 million people are expected to lack safe water.
The Organization calls upon the relevant authorities and governments to find means of maintaining; preventing pollution and ensuring the proper use of water, to attain sustainable environment and contribute in realizing the MDGs and disseminate awareness of the importance of preserving water to avoid consumer unsustainable methods.

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Report about AAPSO Permanent Secretariat during March, 2005

First: Activities prepared by AAPSO Permanent Secretariat:
1- International conference under the title of "Vision of Bandung after 50 years - Facing New Challenges", it discussed the following themes:
1. Significant role of Bandung.
2. The end of bi-polar system.
3. Unilateralism and its effect.
4. The environmental threat.
5. Deployment of nuclear weapons.
6. Building strong solidarity movement (strengthening and supporting AAPSO).
7. Revitalizing NAM.
8. The expected role of the UN organization.
1-3 / 3 / 2005, at Pyramisa hotel - Cairo

2- A solidarity celebration with the Iraqi woman under the title of "Memories of Iraq" on the occasion of International Woman Day.
2 / 3 / 2005, at Pyramisa hotel - Cairo

3- Joint meetings between the Permanent Secretariat of AAPSO and the Egyptian Committee for Solidarity.

4- Meeting about: Clearing the Middle East Area from Weapons of Mass Destruction.
15 / 3 / 2005, at AAPSO's headquarter.
Organized by: The Permanent Secretariat of AAPSO and the Egyptian Council of Foreign Affairs.

Statements issued by the Permanent Secretariat of AAPSO:
1- International Woman Day, on 7/3/2005
2- 21st of March, the International Day against Racism and Racial Discrimination, on 17/3/2005
3- International Water Day, on 23/3/2005

Second: Activities in which AAPSO Permanent Secretariat participated inside Egypt:
1- The second annual conference "the Political Thinking of Mahadeer Mohamed"
Organized by: Malaysian Studies Program - Cairo university.
10/3/2005, at faculty of Economics and Political Sciences.

2- Cairo third conference "International Abolition against American and Zionism occupation".
24-27/3/2005, at the Journalists Syndicate.

Third: Activities in which AAPSO Permanent Secretariat participated outside Egypt:
1- International Meeting on the Question of Palestine.
Organized by: UN Division for Palestinian Rights
3-9/3/2005 Geneva

2- A day of Consultations with Civil Society Organizations.
Organized by: UN Division for Palestinian Rights
10/3/2005 Geneva

3- 61st Session of the Commission on Human Rights.
Organized by: UN Commission on Human Rights
14/3 - 22/4/2005 Geneva

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Cairo
Arab Republic of Egypt
The Egyptian Solidarity Committee

The Egyptian Solidarity Committee cultural salon organized a meeting on 30/3/2005 at its headquarters to discuss the Meetings results of the Arab Summit Conference in Algeria.

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International Colloquium
40 years after the abduction and assassination of Mehdi Ben Barka
" From Tricontinental to Alter-globalization"
Paris, 29, 30 October 2005
Belfort, February 25, 2005

Mr.....

A few months ahead, October 29 2005 will mark the Fortieth Anniversary of the abduction and the disappearance of Mehdi Ben Barka, leader of the Moroccan opposition and President of the Preparatory Committee of the Tricontinental Conference which took place in Havana on January 1966.
Mehdi Ben Barka had played an essential role for the solidarity of the African, Asian and Latin American peoples. Through his activities, he heavily contributed to the development of the national liberation struggle for emancipation, social progress and democracy.
Forty years after his abduction and assassination, the holding in Paris of an international colloquium aimed at denouncing the political assassination, to evoke his thoughts and his action as well as to reaffirm the necessity of developing new forms of solidarity between peoples, remains the best tribute to be paid to the memory of a revolutionary militant as was Mehdi Ben Barka.
In order to give an international and moral significance to this commemoration that it should assume, we request, Mr......, your participation in the Sponsorship Committee together with other personalities whom we have approached and whose list of names is attached herewith.

Yours faithfully

For the organizers
Bachir Ben Barka
President of the Institute Mehdi Ben Barka

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Russian Afro-Asian Solidarity Organization

* Honorable Senator Mikhail Margelov
* President Russian Afro-Asian Solidarity Organization,
* Chairman, Committee for Foreign Affairs,
* Council of Federation, Moscow

Your Excellency,
On behalf of AAPSO Permanent Secretariat, we extend our sincere thanks for participating at the International Conference on “Vision of Bandung Fifty years-Facing New Challenges” held in Cairo 1-3 march 2005.
The presence of the delegation led by your Excellency was a great opportunity for our organization to exchange valuable information between our two movements and further consolidate our relation for more activities in the future.
We are given to understand that your annual conference will be held on the 30th March 2005. This would be a special occasion for your members to deliberate in detail the situation in the Russian Federation today in the light of the new developments in the world. We believe that this annual conference will be an opportunity to revive and further develop the historical role of the solidarity movement of Russia with a view of enhancing cooperation with AAPSO and its National Committees around the world.
Despite the gloomy atmosphere and environment of the present international situation, the Peace and Solidarity Movement is capable of meeting the challenges by building a strong peoples’ movement world wide. The time has come to assess our own historical role and find ways and means to provide a new dimension to the movement.
We do hope that your organization is fully alert to the new situation and successfully charter a policy in keeping with these challenges.
We wish your Excellency, the leadership and the members of the organization all success.

Nouri Abdul Razzak Dr. Morad Ghaleb
Secretary-General President

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Dear Friends

Dr. Morad Ghaleb,
Mr. Nouri Abdul Razzak
Many thanks for sending us a cheer telegram in our address. It was a great pleasure to receive your telegram.
We are sure that the movement of Solidarity and Peace will be return and became more active to protect the interests of people in Asia and Africa which are avoid sometimes by more stronger status.
We would very much like to express our appreciation for the friendly reception you gave our delegation in Cairo.
We would be very happy if you could pay us visit our country in May 2006 to present at the celebration of 50-th of anniversary of Russian Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization.

Sincerely yours,
Chairman of the Council of AAPSO
M. Margelov

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16th World Festival of Youth and Students (WFYS)

Dear Friends:
First of all we would like to send you warm greetings from the Headquarters of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) in Budapest, Hungary. This message has the aim to remind you for some important tasks and deadlines regarding the preparatory process of the Festival. We hope you have received all the information we have sent you after the meeting in Vietnam, on February.
We ask you to not forget your preparation and mobilization for the 3rd IPM (International Preparatory Meeting) of the 16th WFYS. The 3rd IPM is going to take place in Lisbon, capital city of Portugal from 22-25 April 2005. The deadline for confirmations is 8th of April, i.e., in 10 days time.
In case of visa difficulty or need arrangements you should contact the National Preparatory Committee (NPC) of Portugal immediately as it was mentioned in the information we have sent you.

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National Planning Institution
Invitation

Dr. Morad Ghaleb
We are delightful to invite you to the 8th Session of the Annual International Activities known as "Tuesday Seminars". It will take place on 29th March 2005 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Room of Dr. Ibrahim Helmy Abdul Rahman at the 7th floor of the Headquarters of the Institution in Madinat Nasser.
The subject of this session will be "The best utilization of the Egyptian Commercial Agreements" . Dr. Samiha Fawzy-the First Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade- will be the speaker at the seminar. Then, there will be a discussion.
We hope you would be able to participate.

Regards
Seminar Coordinator
Dr. Ashraf Al-Araby

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Center of the Contemporary Civilization Studies

Attention to the President of AAPSO.
The Contemporary Civilization Studies Center, Ain Shams University, invites you to participate at the Seminar on "The Present Status of the Contemporary Arab Civilization".
It will be convened at the conference room at the Faculty of Arts-Ain Shams University on Tuesday 5/4/2005 at 11:00 a.m.

With our best Regards
Prof. Mohamd Abdul Latif Haridy
General Manager of the Center
Dr. Ibrhim Galal
Secretary-General

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Dialogues of Civilization Programs

Dr. Morad Ghaleb
In connection to the interest of the Program of Civilization Dialogues to observe, evaluate efforts and experiences and to various methods of dialogues between civilizations and cultures, the program will convene a seminar on "Europe and the Management of Dialogues between Euro-Mediterranean Cultures: Towards Arab Vision to Activate Dialogues and support interests."
The seminar will be convened in April 10-12 , 2005 at the same time of inaugurating the headquarters of "Euro- Mediterranean Ana Linda Institution for Dialogues between Civilizations" in Alexandria.
We have the honour to invite you to participate at this seminar which will take place at room (5)- second floor at the Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences, Cairo University.

Prof. Saif Eldin Abd El- Falatah
The Executive-Coordinator of the Program
Prof. Nadia Moahmoud Mostafa
Director of Political Studies and Research Center and the Supervisor
of the Program

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The Society for International African-Arabic Studies
(Pan-African Pagwash)

Dear Dr.Morad Ghaleb
I would like to invite you to the Annual Conference cosponsored with the African Center at Cairo University on "Internationalization of Arab and African Crisis -The negative and positive aspects." The Conference will take place in April 20th, 2005 at 9:00 a.m.
A prominent thinkers and experts on Arab, African and International Affairs will participate as well as others who will enrich the discussion.
In the last years, you were contributing our activities. Thus, we hope you will be able to participate at this conference .

Best Regards
Prof. Essam el Din Galal
President.

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Arab Program for Human Rights Activists

Dr. Fakhry Labib
The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists has the honour to invite you to participate at its 8th celebration ceremony on the occasion of Human Rights Day on March 15th 2005 at Flamingo Hotel in Zamalek (2 Algazeera Alwosta st. Abou Elfedah). This ceremony will start from 5 to 7 p.m. after the salon on" Human Rights through Arab Election" which will be organized at the same day.
During the salon, human rights activists and strugglers will be awarded the year's Activists Prize.
The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists is used to organize this ceremony for 8 years. This year the celebration organizing committee decided to give this year's prize to Saudian Reform Activists and their Lawyers. They are Dr. Matrok ElFaleh, Dr. Abd El Hamid and the Poet Ali Aldemny, and Abd ElRahman Ellahm. Mr. Abd El-Hady Alkhawaja will be also awarded like them for their continuous contributions and great roles dedicated for defending democracy in spite of gross violations committed against them.
The ceremony will be end with an art nights.

Hajaj Nael
The Executive Director.
Note: The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists will organize two events in Flamingo Hotel, the Activists Salon (9:00-4:30) and the 2nd celebration ceremony (5:00-7:00).

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Association for Health
And Environmental Development

Miss Hamsa Abd El-Hamid

The Millennium Summit held by the United Nations in September 2000, has witnessed the adoption of the Millennium Declaration by many governments and States' Presidents, including Egypt, in which some of the qualitative and quantitative objectives should be achieved by the year 2015, in certain main development areas. These aims known as "Millennium Development Goals" which are known as:
Decreasing poverty and hunger levels to the half by the year 2015;
Giving full opportunities for basic education for both boys and girls;
Strengthening woman, and canceling all forms of discrimination between gender;
Decreasing death rate for children under 5 years below 30%;
Decreasing death rate for mothers by three-quarters;
Limiting the spread of HIV/Aids, malaria, virus C and other diseases;
Guaranteeing the achievement of constant environment;
Attaining international partnership in the development process.

In order to communicate with implementation of these goals and to provide a national vision on the role of Egyptian NGOs in implementing the MDGs, the Association for Health and Environmental Development cosponsored with the Arab NGO Network for Development are honored to invite you to attend a workshop on "The Role of NGOs in the Following-up of the Implementation of the Millennium Goals".
The workshop will be organized on 5th-6th April 2005 at Air Defence House in AlBassant Hall. The Opening Session will start at 9:30 a.m..

Thanking you in Advance

Iman Hassan
Executive Director.

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The Arab Organization for Management Development

Miss Hamsa Abd EL-Hamid
We would like to invite you to participate at the seminar on "the Strategic Management for Educational Institution" followed by a workshop on "the Use of Statistical Measures and Indicators in the Planning for Educational and Learning Strategies". In June 26th -30th at Alexandria.
The seminar aims at the acknowledgement of the appropriate educational policies for solving educational problems. This will be achieved through a clear vision for educational objectives based on defining the main challenges facing education in the Arab World, and on the benefits of information technology and communications. They also based on exploring the future of education and on the aimed programs for developments.
As the organization expresses its interest on education it would be great if you can present a research on this topic or to contribute the discussions afterwards.

With our best regards,

Prof. Basman Faisal Mahjoub
The Organization Counsellor.

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The Arab Organization
For Human Rights

The Organization renews its appeal to the Saudian Authority
to Free the Detaineed Reform Callers and Demands
for a Just and Public trial to them

The Arab Organization for Human Rights follows with concern the continuos detention to the national reform callers by Saudian Authority. Dr. Matrouk Al Faleh, Dr. Abd El-Hamid, and the poet Ali Aldemeny are detained for more than a year when they presented a reform plea based on a national vision of reform last March 2004.
What worries the organization more was the detonation of Mr. Mohamed Mehana Alfateh, the cousin of Dr. Matrouk AlFateh, and the decision issued by the court two days ago which postponed the trial till 23rd April under the excuse of collecting more evidence for the third time.
All these procedures reflect the intention of the Saudian Authority to continue the detention of these accusers since last November. Also, the Saudian Authority imprisoned some relatives and press representatives as to forbidden the media from covering the details of the trial.
The organization condemns the violations committed against the reform callers, their lawyers and relatives. Moreover, the organization reassures its completely support to free them and their insists on their rights for a just and a public trial.

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UN HABITAT

United Nations Human Settlements Programme

President, Dr. Morad Ghaleb
Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization

Dear Sir,

I am pleased to invite you to the Twentieth Session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, which will be held from 4 to 8 April 2005 at the headquarters of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Nairobi, Kenya.
Arrangements for other meetings and events which may be held parallel to the formal session of the Governing Council will be communicated to you in due course. In the meantime, UN-HABITAT would welcome your active and effective participation in work of the Governing Council and would be grateful if the names of the representatives of your organization who will attend the session could be communicated to UN-HABITAT.
I look forward to meeting and welcoming you to the UN-HABITAT headquarters in Nairobi.

Yours sincerely

Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka
Executive Director

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United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

Mr. Nouri Abdel Razzak
Secretary-General
Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity

Dear Mr. Razzak,
I am pleased to inform you that your organization is invited to participate in the Eleventh United nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 18 to 25 April 2005.
The overall theme of the Eleventh Congress is “Synergies and responses: strategic alliances in crime prevention and criminal justice”. The most recent reports of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which is the preparatory body of the congress are available on the UNODC.
Further information on the basic documentation and other relevant arrangements for the Congress will be posted in the UNODC webpage.

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UNESCO
Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology

Sir,
UNESCO, in cooperation with the Government of Thailand, will organize the 4th Session of the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) in Bangkok from 23 to 25 March 2005.
The meeting in Bangkok will give UNESCO an excellent opportunity to discuss the ethical issues concerning science and technology in the Asia and Pacific region as well as to disseminate the debate, to establish a network of experts and to set up a platform for future activities in the whole region. During the event, sessions and round tables on relevant themes such as Good Governance of Science and Technology, Benefit Sharing and International Cooperation in Research, Ethical Aspects of Research with Animals, Human Rights, Science and Ethics, Ethical Use of GMO and Ethics, Technological Innovation and Emerging Technologies will be organized.
A Youth Forum is also planned to involve young researchers or representatives of youth organizations in the work of COMEST. Finally, a Regional Ministerial Meeting on Ethics of Science and Technology will also take place in order to assure visibility and political support to the debate of this matter in the region.
On behalf of the Director General, I have the pleasure to invite your Organization to send observers to the Fourth Ordinary Session of COMEST as well as to the parallel events.

Yours sincerely,
Pierre Sane

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International Meeting
On Question of Palestine

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People will convene a United Nations International Meeting on the Question of Palestine on 8 and 9 March 2005 at the United Nations Office at Geneva.

The theme of the Meeting is Implementing the ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory -- The role of governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society.

The Meeting will focus on the significance of the Advisory Opinion, the responsibility of governments and intergovernmental organizations, as well as the role of parliaments and civil society in advocating adherence to international law. Experts will provide a legal analysis of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling and discuss the response by the parties and the international community. The holding of this event is mandated by General Assembly resolutions 59/28 and 59/29 of 1 December 2004. Invited to the Meeting will be eminent personalities, internationally renowned experts, including Israelis and Palestinians, representatives of United Nations Members and observers, parliamentarians, representatives of the United Nations System and other intergovernmental organizations, the academic community, representatives of civil society organizations, as well as the media.

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