Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy

2011-01-31T23:04:00.001-08:00

A Short Video Clip of the Fighting Outbreak in Myawaddy Resulted to Massive Influx of Burmese refugees at the Thai-Burma border

2010-11-25T03:41:00.000-08:00

Dear friends and comrades,

Please check out this 3 minute film on the recent upheaval along the Thai-Burma border that took place just recently. The video was produced by Timothy Syrota.

Video: http://www.timothysyrota.org/?page_id=447

Hope and Peace for the peoples of Burma!

Thank you and good luck!

In solidarity!
Anna Malindog

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Anna Malindog
Founder/Executive Director
Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)
Mobile No.: +66 (0) 84 330 8550 (Thailand)
Mobile No.: +63 920 2255 161 (Philippines)
Website: http://armalindog.blogspot.com

Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now!The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) welcomes the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and ....

2010-11-13T07:27:00.000-08:00

U Aung Myo Thein November 13 at 8:55pm Reply • Report
Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now!
Information Release
Date: 13 November 2010

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) welcomes the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and respects the importance of this moment, both for her, her family and for the people of Burma.

While the ending of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest is welcome, it is also fraught, as more than 2,200 other political prisoners continue to languish behind bars in Burma’s appalling prison system. It also comes just days after the first election in Burma in 20 years, an election plagued by human rights abuses, electoral fraud and armed conflict.

Unlike Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, the door to freedom will not be opened wide with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, indeed, it will not even be opened a crack.

Nelson Mandela’s release came to symbolise the hope that something had finally given way and a new future for South Africa beckoned. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi is greeted with jubilation, but also suspicion and resignation. People are tired of the junta and its manipulative tricks.

“In the absence of rule of law, with the lack of an impartial judiciary and with laws that criminalise basic civil and political rights, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will continue to face the threat of re-arrest” Bo Kyi, Joint Secretary of AAPP said.
Without the release of all political prisoners, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s release must be seen as a public relations stunt, a means for the military regime to show a more humane side in the face of mounting international and regional pressure.
“Unfortunately, this small act of ‘kindness’ will allay the conscience of those in the international community who supported the elections but her release must not be accepted as a sign of positive change,” Bo Kyi said.
If the regime was genuinely interested in change, it would have already released Aung San Suu Kyi and the many other political and ethnic leaders well before the elections, and allowed them to freely participate in the political process.

The release of Daw Suu must be unconditional. “She must be free to participate in politics, free to travel, free to associate and free to speak. Without these freedoms Daw Aung San Suu will not be truly free,” said Bo Kyi.

The elections held last Sunday will not shepherd in even a semblance of democracy. The same people, who in the past have committed grave human rights violations, will continue to do so in the future, but now protected indefinitely under a Constitution that enshrines impunity.

Some of those guilty of masterminding the 2003 Depayin massacre, an attempt on Daw Suu’s life, which left 70 of her supporters dead, will be ‘elected’ Members of Parliament.

“Depayin serves as a reminder of both her fragility and her bravery. Refusing to back down in the face of violent opposition, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s unwavering commitment to a peaceful and democratic Burma ensures her popularity and cements her position as the military junta’s single greatest threat,” Bo Kyi said.

# # #
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
More information:
Tate Naing (Secretary): +66 (0) 81 287 8751
Bo Kyi (Joint Secretary): +66 (0) 81 962 8713

KNU Statement Condemning Election-Related Violence in Burma’s Border Areas

2010-11-11T02:38:00.000-08:00

KNU Statement Condemning Election-Related Violence in Burma’s Border Areas
by Karen National Union on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 9:16pm
KNU Statement Condemning Election-Related Violence in Burma’s Border Areas
10th November 2010

We, the Karen National Union (KNU), strongly condemn recent attacks by Burma’s military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), on Myawaddy Town and several other locations in Burma’s border areas, where at least 3 civilians were killed, and more injured. These latest attacks are part of the SPDC’s systematic violence against Burma’s ethnic peoples.

The conflict in Myawaddy began on 7 November, the day of Burma’s first elections in 20years, when civilians complained of being threatened and intimidated to vote for the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), rather than the local Karen party which was their preference. Brigade-5 of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) led by Colonel Saw Lah Bwe – who refused to transform to the Border Guard Force under the control of SPDC Army – took control of Myawaddy to protect these people, without using weapons. Col Saw Lah Bwe had said that he expected the SPDC Army to enter into negotiation to resolve the situation.

However, on Monday, the 8th of November 2010, at 9 a.m., the SPDC Army responded with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades, despite the presence of many civilians in the town. As a result, more than 25,000 civilians fled across the border into Thailand. This is in addition to the estimated 500,000 people already displaced internally due to SPDC Army attacks. These attacks are all part of the SPDC’s policy of eliminating ethnic opposition, including ceasefire groups that have refused to be under its direct control as a Border Guard Force, as required by their 2008 Constitution.

The SPDC has accused the KNU of carrying out these attacks. However, the KNU and DKBA Brigade-5 share the same policy not to hurt civilians but to protect them. The KNU supports the DKBA’s actions as they were taken in resistance to the SPDC’s elections that do not represent any progress towards creating a democratic federal union in which the ethnic people’s fundamental human rights would be protected.
Instead, the regime’s elections have created more conflicts, instability and caused further suffering of our ethnic peoples.

We have repeatedly warned that these elections will not solve the human rights and humanitarian crises in Burma, but instead result in continued or increased repression and instability, and attacks on ethnic peoples will continue.
We, the KNU, earnestly urge the United Nations, the EU, and other international communities to reject the result of Burma’s sham elections and apply real pressure on the regime to stop the attacks on ethnic civilians, and follow the demands of the United Nations to engage with all stake holders in tripartite dialogue for the resolution of all political problems.

Supreme Headquarters
Karen national Union

Posted by:
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Anna Malindog
Founder/Executive Director
Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)
Mobile No.: +66 (0) 84 330 8550 (Thailand)
Mobile No.: +63 920 2255 161 (Philippines)
Website: http://armalindog.blogspot.com

G20: A Threat to Peoples’ Economic and Political Rights!

2010-11-10T05:36:00.001-08:00

8 November 2010

COLLECTIVE STATEMENT OF THE PEOPLES’ACTION ON THE G20-PHILIPPINES

G20: A Threat to Peoples’ Economic and Political Rights!

The G20 and its global economic agenda are an affront and a threat to people’s rights and welfare.

The detention and deportation of Filipino activists from Seoul and the harassment and intimidation of a number of other activists at the hands of Korean immigration authorities are manifestations of the undemocratic and anti-people nature of the G20 and further exposed the illegitimacy of this group of self-proclaimed caretakers of the global economy.

The protests and mobilizations in Korea of tens of thousands of people in clear defiance of the Korean governments security measures, is an indication of a clear disconnect between the agenda of the governments of the G20 countries and the interests and aspirations of their people.

The G20 Summit in Korea was supposed to address the issue of the growing gap between the rich and the poor in the wake of the global economic crisis. The G20’s prescriptions for economic recovery and development, however, anchored on the perpetuation of a flawed corporate driven, export-oriented development model would further exacerbate poverty and inequality and undermine social cohesion across the world.

The whole point of the Peoples Conference in Korea, and the reason why the deported Filipino activists came to Korea, is to articulate the peoples’ opposition and resistance to the G20 and to collectively discuss and put forward alternatives to the failed model of development that the G20 is so desperately trying to preserve.

We say NO to the G20 and the policies that continue to threaten jobs and peoples livelihoods, and erode workers’ rights and welfare;

We say NO to the G20 and policies that cause the expulsion and repatriation of migrants in the name of restrictive and Draconian migration policies and rules;

We say NO to the G20 and the policies that use women as safety nets in crisis, and is blind to the differential decision-making powers in the household and economy in general;

We speak out against the free trade agenda and the push of the G20 governments for more ambitious and comprehensive free trade agreements disguised as economic partnerships but are really instruments of economic domination and control by the rich over the poor within and across countries and regions;

We speak out against the development agenda of the G20 which threatens peoples’ right to food, destroys the environment, and perpetuates unequal access and control over natural resources in support of the profit-driven motives of corporations;

We say NO to the G20. It does not represent the interests of the peoples of the world and it cannot speak on our behalf.

We call on the peoples of the world to come together against the G20 and to intensify the struggle for a better and more just and peaceful world.

Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
Aniban mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women – Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)
Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)
Focus on the Global South
Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
Jubilee South – APMDD
Kilusang Mangingisda
Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC-Friends of the Earth-Phils.)
Migrants Forum for Asia (MFA)
Task Force Food Sovereignty (TFFS)
World March of Women - Pilipinas
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ)
Action for Economic Reforms (AER)
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)
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Posted by:
Anna Malindog
Founder/Executive Director
Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)
Mobile No.: +66 (0) 84 330 8550 (Thailand)
Mobile No.: +63 920 2255 161 (Philippines)

Statement of Condemnation of the South Korean Government’s detention and deportation of 6 Filipino Activists by: Rep. Walden Bello, Akbayan

2010-11-10T04:51:00.001-08:00

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
7 November 2010

Statement of Condemnation of the South Korean Government’s detention and deportation of 6 Filipino Activists

by: Rep. Walden Bello, Akbayan (Citizens Action Party)

This representation condemns in the strongest terms the South Korean Government’s baseless decision to prohibit six Filipino activists, namely Josua Mata of Alliance of Progressive Labor, Joseph Purugganan of Focus on the Global South, Maria Lorena Macabuag of Migrant Forum Asia, musician/poet and Asian Public Intellectual Fellow Jess Santiago, Rogelio Soluta of the Kilusang Mayo Uno and Paul Quinto of Ibon Philippines, from entering South Korea and participating in the Seoul International People’s Conference organized by Put People First! Korean People’s G20 Response Action network.

Despite the fact that the said activists carried visas and other necessary documents to gain entry into South Korea, they were detained at the immigration office without any clear reason, and were refused the right to be represented by an officer from the Philippine Embassy in Korea. They had also been forcibly taken from the detention area to be deported back to the Philippines. Without providing any more reason for the detention and deportation, than saying the said activists were blacklisted, clearly, the government of South Korea’s use of force is unwarranted and excessive.

It is despicable for the South Korean government to bar Filipino civil society advocates from participating in the people’s summit on the G20. These activists came to South Korea with the intention of forwarding the real interest of the peoples from the developing world, interests that are often neglected in closed-door negotiations of the technocrats in the G20. More than the finance and banking officials at the G20 summit, these activists are the real representatives of the peoples of developing nations, the real representatives of the peoples from the grassroots whose lives and livelihood are most vulnerable to the G20’s economic decision-making. By suppressing the voices of the peoples from the global south, the South Korean government clearly proves that it does not represent the interests and welfare of the peoples of developing nations.

We cannot turn a blind eye to the South Korean government’s act of repression against Filipino nationals. This arbitrary act manifests a lack of respect for the Philippine government and the Filipino nation.

This representation thus urges the Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo to formally file a diplomatic protest against the South Korean government and demand an explanation for the use of unwarranted force against the six Filipino activists.

We also urge the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation to ban the entry of Korean citizens into the Philippines until the Korean government apologizes and allows the banned activists to enter Korea.

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Posted by:
Anna Malindog
Founder/Executive Director
Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)
Mobile No.: +66 (0) 84 330 8550 (Thailand)
Mobile No.: +63 920 2255 161 (Philippines)

Official Statement of PPDD: Light School Project

2010-03-08T21:46:00.000-08:00

09, March 2010

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Greetings!

I hope all of you are well upon receiving this. I would like to inform everyone that as of February 5, 2010, as the outcome of the meeting with people directly involved with Light School: “Alternative School for Marginalized, Displaced and Illegal Migrant Children at the Thai-Burma Border –Maesot” namely the community surrounding the school, the teachers and Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD) represented by myself, as a final decision, and as the result of all the discussions that took place in all issues vis-à-vis Light School Project and because of the interest itself of the teachers and the committee of the school to handle and to take care over the whole operations of Light School and the school as a whole by themselves, PPDD decided to donate the school to the kids, to the students of Light School who are the direct beneficiaries of the project and the very reason why the project has been put up and implemented in the very first place.

On this note, I would like to inform everyone that this is official as far as my organization is concern. We in PPDD on whatever grounds since February 5, 2010 are not anymore in whatsoever way connected or associated to the school and are not responsible for the school. As an organization, we already turned over the school to the people concern as mentioned above. We hope that this clear to everyone.

On behalf of PPDD I wish the people who took over the school good luck and I also personally hope that they will take care of the school and develop it far more than what my organization and I have done. Just to express my personal sentiment, personally, I invested my time and to a greater extent my personal resources for the school and even I sacrifice four (4) years of my life working for my organization without remuneration, totally and purely work in a voluntary basis and I never expected anything in return because I want to see the students of Light School be given the best possible education and school facilities that they can have. The work of my organization and myself speaks for itself. Light School, I am proud to say is one of the few migrant schools in Maesot that is well developed to a great extent. I, personally hope that the people running the school at the moment will maintain the school this way and will far improve the school and pursue the vision of the project and that is to give quality education to the students of Light School and take care of their welfare.

To those who have been instrumental and has been very supportive of Light School in different ways, I would like to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude and thanks to all of you. I through PPDD will never have done a good job with Light School without your support and encouragement. Thank you and I will always remember your kindness.

To everyone, I wish you all good luck in your endeavors. I wish you all the best in life and work. My apology as well for the late release of this official statement, I was kind of pre-occupied with lots of things and we waited for the right moment to release this official statement as well which is this month.

I will be keeping you all posted of the work of the organization and what its new initiatives and projects

Thank you again. Good day to all.

Sincerely yours,
Anna
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Anna Malindog
Founder/Executive Director
Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)

Hello everyone!!!…

2009-08-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

I am Florian Rohrmoser, I am 27 years old and I work for PPDD as a volunteer for one year now. After earning my Bachelor I started a Master Program in European Studies and International Relations in Istanbul, Turkey. As luck would have it, Anna Malindog, the head of PPDD had the same idea and so we traveled and studied together for a year in different countries in Europe. She offered me a job and that is how I been involved in Light School.

As I was not entirely sure of what to do after my studies, this opportunity came in the nick of time. This is my first experience working with grassroots people. I have to say, I never imagined it to be that affecting but also exciting and diversified. I was holding the position of Director of Light School. Part of my job is curriculum development, fundraising, school daily management and administration, and I also teach English in the school, the children on the one, the parents of the kids and the rest of the teachers on the other hand. The rest of my work varies from writing and responding to e-mails, going to meetings with other heads of different organizations and working on different projects of PPDD in various capacities. As far as the school is concern, it developed and improved so much in the last 10 months. So much has been done but still much can be done for the school.

Teaching is actually really great! Children here are different! They want to learn, they love going to school and they give teachers credit for what they do. Even if they do not have a high level of academic education they are very well educated when it comes to manners in social interaction. Like for example, if a teacher is tired and is resting, there will be at least 3 kids waving him/her air until he wakes up! Anyway they laugh a lot, they help each other - the bigger would take care of the smaller ones, family or friends. It is really great to experience all these since so many of these social graces seem to be disappearing more and more in the society where I am from.

My plan was not to stay in Thailand longer than 3 months but I decided to stay because I do not want to leave a project that is only half way done and more important I could not leave the kids right now that rely on us and need us to make a sustainable and helpful education possible for them and the coming generations! Besides, I m very glad to not have a 9-5 o’clock work, that would probably bore me to death. I really love this place and the work we do! Thanks Anna for the opportunity!!!....

2009-08-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

Our heartfelt thanks…

2009-08-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

In behalf of the staff and the whole organization, and in my capacity being the Executive Director of PPDD and personally, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Oliver for all the help, support and his valuable service extended to Light School. Oliver is a German friend of Light School and the brother of the Director of Light School - Florian. He worked with the school for over two months. He managed the construction projects at the school and he himself actually did some construction work while directing and guiding the local carpenters. He was such a great help and a genuine person with a heart for people especially for the children. It was both an honor and my pleasure to have met him and to have him with us even for a short period of time. Without any doubt, we will never forget him and the kindness he extended to the kids at the school and to the school as a whole. He will always be remembered as the smiley, hardworking, easy going, funny and gentle German friend of Light School who will always be loved and cherished by all the kids and staff of school and by all of us.

To you Oliver, I personally thank you and in my own humble ways I want to say that I admire your dedication and the commitment in helping the kids and the school without expecting anything in return at all and without any agenda – a character I might say I always admire in just few people I have met in this world. I would never expect that I can return the favor you have extended to the school, and I don’t want to do so because if I would try to return whatever you have done for the school in whatever ways, then everything you have done for the school will lost its meanings and depth. Though you stayed and worked with us shortly, without your knowing, you showed and give the people at Light School a perspective that people from other parts of the world, far from where they are and far from the circumstances they actually have can genuinely empathize and can show true kindness and extend genuine concern to them and this thought is priceless and more lasting than any other thing in this world. With this, I say thank you for being such an inspiration to the people of Light School and even to me. We wish you all the best in life and hopefully we will see you in the near future. We will never forget your kindness!

We would like also to say thank you to Misu Na, our Korean volunteer who worked with us for almost 10 months. She taught the kindergarten pupils at Light School. Aside from teaching, she also helped PPDD and the school in many ways. We especially want to thank her for the personal funds she extended for the construction of the play ground. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to May 18 Foundation – a partner organization which is the mother organization of Misu for giving us the opportunity to have Misu as an intern in PPDD. To Misu and to May 18 Foundation, thank you for all the help and support.

Yours sincerely,
Anna Malindog
Founder/Executive Director
Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD)

2009-08-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

Living Values Education Program (LVEP) Training Workshop at Light School

2009-08-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

LVEP Experiences at "Light School", Mae Sot
By: Dr.Patcharaporn Panyawuthikrai (Apple)
8 July, 2009

It is my first time to see the real life of “illegal” people, both adults and children from Burma that are actually living, studying and working in Thailand. They are unofficial refugees from Burma that are living in makeshift villages on the Thai/Burmese border in Mae Sot. There is almost no support for the refugees. The UN's ability to provide support is limited because they have not officially defined the conflict in Burma as war. Thailand also prefers not to recognize refugees, and our policy has been, at best, tolerance. Thai government prefers not to risk acknowledging the refugees because of the potential financial cost. It seems that our policy is to have little interest in stirring things up with our neighbor and confronting to the neighborhood country. As a result, refugees are forced to fend for themselves.

Our first Living Values Education, Thailand Project with a new coordinator, “Ms.Prapa Shiva” was in June, 2009. An American volunteer for the Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD), a non-profit organization that operates and supports the “Light School” in a Burmese migrant village in Mae Sot, had e-mailed to Ms.Prapa in early June after getting the assignment from Ms.Anna Malindog, the PPDD founder, to create a course of values for migrant kids. This school caters to 136 migrant kids from Burma from different ethnic backgrounds. PPDD offers them almost everything for free since their parents and family cannot afford anything at all. It actually provides them with meals, health and medical assistance, and anything related to their educational and psycho-social needs as kids. There are 60 boarding kids and most of these kids come from inside Burma. Their parents sent them to the school to study and for them to have better chances of being away from conflict and also to have educational opportunities. As seen, PPDD staffs try to provide them for almost everything they need to have comfort at the school.

Few weeks later, 3 volunteers from Bangkok, 3 from Chiengmai, 1 from Lampang and a New Zealand trainer “Ms.Trish” from Vietnam had met and ran out three-day LVEP workshop for 8 Burmese teachers. With 3 languages: English-Burmese-Thai communication, the workshop was a fun and challenging time to participate in processes and discussions designed to bring clarity on Living Values concept and its benefit. Talking with Burmese teachers after sessions, they reflected that it was their great time to discover their own values, experience in real peace, and exercise with LVEP techniques and activities to integrate the learning into their daily life and for students in the school.

I would like to conclude that outcomes of this valuable three-day workshop include:
• Clarify values in one’s life.
• Create structures and practices to live one’s values in an easy and effortless way.
• Learn to create relationships – personal, professional and with family that are based on alignment with one’s values.
• Learn “how to” teach values within one’s relationships.
• Learn “how to” create value based conversations to resolve conflict.
• Experience the connection between values based living and creation of one’s dreams in life.
• Gain clarity as to areas of one’s life that support one’s values.
• Become aware of where shifts may be desired to live aligned with one’s values.
It is my great experience to work cooperatively with non-profit organization in the limited support area to serve the needs of the migrants, and encourage them a sense of personal values, worth, responsibility, and peace in lives. Moreover, we are a part of the Thai/Burmese border school team to enlighten the migrant kids and unofficial refugees to the opportunity and obligation of sharing equally all the benefits and warmth of community life in Thailand.

2009-08-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

2008-05-05T08:21:00.001-07:00

A Call to Action: Burma URGENTLY Needs Humanitarian Aid

The worst humanitarian crisis ever in Burma's recent history, in the form of a mega powerful cyclone, has struck already poor and debilitating people under a despotic military regime into an utter devastation.

(See photos on http://burmadigest. info/2008/ 05/05/photo- burma-devastated -by-storm/ to get a sense of how massive the devastation is)

The ruling military generals who never care about the sufferings of their own people is in no way ready to tackle such a massive humanitarian disaster. Even if they do care, the current crisis is clearly beyond their capabilities to deal with by themselves alone.

In fact, Burma, as a country which is downright poor but usually tranquil and safe from natural disasters, is never really prepared for such super disasters which came out of the blue and hit hard and destroyed the three quarter of the entire southern half of the country.

Estimates said hundreds to thousands of people are already dead. The death toll is likely to climb as the authorities make contact with hard-hit islands and villages in remote areas.

Three out of every four homes in Irrawaddy delta region are totally destroyed. Hundreds of thousands to millions of people are homeless, and those who still have a home no longer have roofs above their heads because all the roofs have been blown away by the storm.

Many towns and villages are still under water. Many roads and rails are either flooded or blocked by storm debris. Many bridges have collapsed.

People all across these vast storm-devastated areas are trying to survive with no electricity (which is off and on even at the best of times) and no clean water. Petrol stations are also running out of supply. Many shops and food stores are destroyed. Many hospitals and clinics are also destroyed. People are now with no electricity, no petrol, no water, no food and no medical supplies.

The flood waters have brought in and are spreading water-born infectious diseases while hospitals are either destroyed or with scant medical supplies.

The people are saying that they have never seen anything like this massive disaster ever before.

With so many roads still blocked or flooded, and with all phone-lines cut-down by fallen trees, the government cannot even yet get the exact estimates of how massive the devastation is.

Humanitarian aid organization, such as the Red Cross, who are already on the ground have started their relief operations, but rescue workers have yet to reach some of the worst-hit areas of the country.

Military government has declared five regions in Southern Burma as disaster zones. And the UN and international aid agencies meet on Monday (05.05.2008) morning in Bangkok, Thailand, to co-ordinate their rescue and relief efforts. And Thai government has already sent a plane load of food and supplies to Rangoon.

Usually, the ruling military generals in Burma are very paranoid about foreign intervention in domestic affairs. And, on the other hand, the international organizations who very well know about the generals' habit of mis-use of public funds, corruption, bribery and ineptitude have some mistrust on the generals. And because of the generals' notoriety for brutality and human rights abuses, international governments are usually reluctant to be seen as giving a helping hand to the generals. And many influential political dissidents in exile, who want to see the military regime choked under international sanctions, are not usually keen on international aid to Burma.

But with millions of people in an absolute crisis under an unprecedented immense devastation and disaster, ALL parties need to work together for an effective and immediate delivery of the required relief operation of an enormous scale.
BURMA URGENTLY NEEDS INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AIDS, NEEDS IT NOW, AND NEEDS IT IMMEDIATELY!

15 March 2008 PPDD Light School: Alternative School for Burmese Stateless and Displaced Children at the Thai-Burma border Commencing and Celebrating i

2008-04-04T15:10:00.001-07:00

March 2008 PPDD Capacity Building Project: Social/Family Development and Human Rights Training with Light School Community….

2008-04-04T14:42:00.001-07:00

Burmese Art Collection of Saw Kennedy: Looking through the Plight and Struggles of Burmese People towards Freedom, Justice and Democracy

2008-04-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

Burmese Art Collection of Saw Kennedy: Looking through the Plight and Struggles of Burmese People towards Freedom, Justice and Democracy

2008-04-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Eugene Leader….making a difference in lives of Burmese Stateless Children in Thailand and China – Burma border…

2008-04-04T10:52:00.002-07:00

2008-04-04T10:52:00.001-07:00

My name is Eugene Leader. I was born in Moscow, Russia in 1983 and moved to Boston, USA in 1993. I discovered poker during college and stunned my family with my decision to take a break from school with only a year to go in order to see the world and to play poker professionally. My work is unique in many ways. I have a lot of free time and since most of my play is through the Internet, I am never committed to staying in one place. Another unique aspect of playing poker professionally is that is provides no benefit to society. This has bothered me for a while and has led to my involvement in wanting to help others in need. In summer and fall of 2006 I tried to sponsor and build a small, family-style orphanage four hours north of Kiev, Ukraine. After three months of running into disappointing dead ends which resulted from dealing with corrupt government and religious officials, I gave up on the idea.

In fall of 2007 I stumbled upon, and eventually joined, the PPDD during my two month trip to the Thai-Burma border city of Mae Sod. I began as a volunteer English and Music (recorder) teacher at nearby schools and discovered PPDD and Light School when I heard that it was in need of a second building and so I decided to help out. I was also immediately impressed with the unique atmosphere and global curriculum of the school and I said to myself that I wanted to contribute to either expanding it further, or to the creation of other schools like it. I was also surprised to find out that my favorite bar in the area, Thaimes Bar, was actually a non-profit bar. It was founded by the PPDD at the same time as the Light School in order to support its operating costs. Soon after, Anna Malindog, the Executive Director, a Filipino human right activist flew in from Istanbul Turkey and from Europe from her post graduate studies and we discovered that she and I shared many common view points and interests. I was overly excited when she and the others offered me to join the PPDD organization.

Soon my first big project with the PPDD will begin. The construction of the new “sister school” of the existing Light school will begin in this May and I am heading over to Southeast Asia in late April so that I can help with its development. I am currently in the process of doing fund raising for the school here in Boston. On top of the great feeling that comes with knowing that I am helping out with a great cause, I really like living in the remote parts of Asia and getting “away from it all”. I also like adventure and I am expecting many incredible experiences from my second trip. I am extremely excited. I will be able to get more and more involved in similar projects after I finish up my last year for my accounting degree in the upcoming school year.

Welcome New Staff: Manila, Training Coordinator and Fundraiser

2008-03-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

Dale Bromley

Training Coordinator and

Fundraising Co-coordinator

PPDD Maesot, Thailand Office

My name is Dale Bromley. I am 25 years of age from Adelaide, South Australia. From a young age I have always been curious as to what lay beyond our shores. My journey to date has seen me through Latin America, Western Europe and parts of Asia where I have dabbled in volunteer work, studied various cultures, language and their political history etc. I am currently working in Mae Sot, Thailand with PPDD. This is my second time here on the Thai-Burma border, I am completely taken with the current political, ethnic status of Myanmar and I am thus here to put in my efforts/knowledge into what I hope will see these children, their families, communities and their teachers have the chance to grow a life that I feel all should be entitled to.

My main objective over the coming year will be to train the teachers and the parents in community development and human rights, and to fundraise for PPDD’s various projects that spread through South East Asia. With the help of Anna, Win, our other PPDD staff and many member organizations I trust that we can grow this vision, continue to raise the benchmark for all the less fortunate. My previous studies/positions over recent years have included landscaping, hospitality, sports massage, anatomy and physiology and some other holistic approaches to health, well being…

There is absolutely paramount to be learnt from these people. I am more than excited about my coming year here with PPDD and I am certain that my services shall be received with open arms just as I will embrace my learning’s and experiences.

2008-03-14T15:41:00.001-07:00

Welcome New Staff: Manila, Philippines, Office Coordinator

2008-03-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

Camila Fassarella
Coordinator
Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy
Manila, Philippines Branch Office

Hi my name is Camilla Fassarella and I am currently the volunteer staff coordinator of the Manila Office of PPDD. I graduated with a Bachelor Degree in International Relations from FASM - Faculdade Santa Marcelina (São Paulo, Brazil) in 2006. I have been interested in Human Rights since before college, my main goal was to be able to help people.

I participated as volunteer on UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Brazil) in 2004 and carried a research on international trade on BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) throughout college years. I also participated as delegate on MUN (Model United Nations, São Paulo) representing Nigeria.

This is my first experience as a volunteer in Southeast Asia. I am excited about the opportunity given and immensely interested in learning more every day and also be able to give what I've learned so far.

2008-03-14T15:35:00.000-07:00

A Partnership Founded and Built upon a Worthy Cause…

2008-02-10T08:25:00.000-08:00

Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD) and May 18 Foundation Changing and Empowering Peoples and Communities: A Partnership in Responding to the Needs and Giving Burmese Stateless and Displaced Children a Chance to Learn and Develop Themselves

2008-02-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

2008-02-10T07:01:00.001-08:00

2008-02-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Situational Analysis: The Plight of Burmese Children

Working for Burma, a country bleeding and suffering from the claws of the “Burmese Army, the Tatmadaw” – is quite a challenging experience for me. In as far the country is concern, it is indeed facing acute cases of not only political and economic crises but much more it is confronting social unrest like the massive deterioration of the country’s social and moral fibers being exemplified by the massive and extensive cases of human rights violations committed against the civilian population of the country. Human rights violations and abuses are but common undertakings in Burma. They are too common that they already become part and parcel of the daily life of the peoples of Burma.
Burma as a country has been in constant conflict since independence from Britain in 1948. Internal civil war and poor governance has brought about widespread poverty, poor health care, low educational standards and systematic human rights abuses. Children, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, have been disproportionately affected by all these factors. Children in Burma are increasingly vulnerable to different kinds of exploitations. These include forced labor, trafficking, portering, recruiting child soldiers, imprisoning children in labor and military camps, and sex assaults against children.
Widespread poverty has also led to a growing number of children from Burma being trafficked into prostitution and street begging. In the face of extreme economic hardship, some parents sell their children, because they believe that the child will have a better life elsewhere, or because they are desperate for the small amount of money paid by the trafficker.
“I have seen these horrible scenarios when I was traveling around the country during the last 6 years of working on Burma issues”.
As a consequence, children and their parents bearing with them feelings of frustrations and desperation would run and cross different border areas of Burma and in most cases large number would end up in the Thai-Burma border since Thailand is the primary destination for these people. The moment these people reach the Thai border they are often not accepted as refugees. Automatically they become illegal migrants/displaced or stateless beings. The children suffer similar fate with that of their parents. They become illegal people without any status or security whatsoever. There are children born at the border areas who cannot be registered anywhere and consequently are said to be illegal and stateless beings not recognized by any state, not having citizenship in any country and are not protected by any laws at all. Adding to the bleak and dismal condition of the children at the border areas like Mae Sot is the fact that they don’t have any access to good and quality education that will help develop them to become mature and responsible individuals.

PPDD and May 18 Foundation Responding to the Challenge: Alternative Education for Burmese Stateless Children:

My organization Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD), a regional organization working for unprivileged and marginalized groups and communities in South East Asia and in Asia Pacific at large carrying the objective of supporting grassroots people in their struggle for equality, freedom, democracy and development, with the utmost financial and moral support coming from May 18 foundation since 2005 initiated a project which to a greater degree tries to fill in the gap of the lack of educational opportunities of these stateless children from Burma. It established the “Light School: “Alternative Education and Community Development for Displaced and Stateless Children” along the Burmese border, Mae Sot” which aims to provide basic education, safer conditions, child friendly environment, critical and analytical teaching methods for displaced and stateless children.

In as far as the project is concern so far PPDD was able to build two (2) school buildings and the school is in operation for over 10 months and it is catering to 120 stateless children from Burma. The school currently has five (5) teachers and one (1) cook and one (1) project coordinator. In as far as the project is concern it thus far has its own humble success and it continuously faces challenges especially with regards to funding/financing the whole project. However, PPDD is not alone in overcoming such a challenge. It has its partner organizations and individual supporters who are continuously helping it achieves it goals and objectives for the school. And one of the closest partners of PPDD is May 18 Foundation. The foundation since the formative years of PPDD has been very supportive. It had extended funds to PPDD for its organizational development for two (2) years (2005 -2007) and currently is extending financial support to Light School for two (2) more years (January 2008 – December 2009).

Under the current grant, the Foundation supports for the following project deliverables;

• Provision of School Materials and Facilities and Salary to the Teachers and Personnel of the School. The school currently has one (1) project coordinator; one (1) cook and five (5) teachers, two (2) of them are teaching kindergarten pupils, one (1) is teaching grade 1 pupils, one (1) teaching grade 2 pupils and one (1) teaching both grade 3 and 4 pupils. The teachers are currently catering to a total of 120 children.

• The conduct of training-workshops on community development and organizing, basic human rights education especially on child rights and basic education on how to conserve and preserve the environment and economic training for the parents of the children with possible income-generating projects.

• Expansion of the school operation to higher grade level and continuous community development and organizing and human rights education of the community – this phase basically concerns itself on the expansion both of the school building, facilities and grade levels. Light School will upgrade its grade levels in the next three (3) years to grade 6 and post 10 grade levels. On the other hand, side by side with the school expansion, PPDD will continuously implement its community development project like i.e. micro-financing/credit. PPDD will also continuously conduct training-workshops on human rights, leadership and democracy and basic political concepts for the community and for the parents of the children.

Indeed, May 18 Foundation is part and parcel of the humble successes and achievements my organization had achieved in a short period of time. And each day we look forward to a more “fruitful and meaningful partnership” with the foundation in “changing and empowering peoples and communities” in the areas and places we are working now and will be working in the near future.

Laughing for Life Circus made January 25, 2008 for Light School Kids such a happy, fun, enjoyable and a memorable day….

2008-02-05T07:13:00.000-08:00

2008-02-05T07:12:00.000-08:00

Laughing for Life Circus - a group of French people bearing with them the philosophy of simplicity, a mission possible: bring some laughter and joy everywhere they go! They want to help ensure that children in disadvantaged environments also get their play needs met-- that's why they call it Laughing for Life. Laughter and Play are absolutely essential for children!

In behalf of PPDD partners and staffs, the Executive Director of PPDD wants to say THANK YOU Laughing for Life circus you made the LS kids so much happy!!!!

WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!

Online Petition - Join and Support the Petition: Save the National Human Rights Commission of South Korea (NHRCK)

2008-01-25T05:19:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information that the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) is in danger of loosing its independence, through a draft by the Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) on 16 January 2008 placing the commission under the control of the incoming president. On January 25, the draft will be considered at the Government Administration Committee, National Assembly.

Your urgent intervention is needed to save its independence. DETAILED INFORMATION: The Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) was formed after Mr. Lee Myung-bak was elected as the President of Republic of Korea in December 2007. They have now produced a draft concerning the reorganization of the government institutions which recommends that the NHRCK is to be under the direct control of the Office of the President.

The PTC headed by Ms. Lee Kyung-sook made three reasons for the transition. The reasons are

1) There are a large number of committees within the government and they impede the responsible administration and prevent speedy decision making;
2) The current status of the NHRCK, which does not belong to any government institution either the administration, legislation or judicature violates the principle of separation of the three powers stipulated by Korean Constitution;
3) The NHRCK has to transit in order to normalize its status which has been too much high.

According to the information received, however, the opinion that any government organization except the Constitutional institution has to belong to administration, legislation or judicature from the PTC is baseless. In order for the opinion to valid, the Act on the NHRCK which is legal basis of its establishment should have been 'unconstitutional' or there should have been a flaw at the time of the legislation. In fact it fulfils article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which stipulates "Recognizing the inviolable fundamental rights that an individual has, the state has accountabilities to ensure them" After this recommendation, Ms. Louise Arbour, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights immediately wrote a statement to the chairperson of the PTC, asking her to reconsider the plan.

The NHRCK also made a statement to express its deep concern about the threat to its independence. On January 18, the PTC asked the Government Administration Committee, National Assembly to consider the draft and the Government Administration Committee is scheduled to consider it on January 25. There is a strong possibility of the draft being passed at the National Assembly on January 28.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The NHRCK was established in 25 November 2001 after several discussions by various sectors in Korea over a three year period. While the military government followed by the Japanese colonial had ruled the society for several years, the prosecution, as an investigating agency, had played a leading role in violating human rights and the judicature had not fulfilled its role as a last resort to protect and promote the human rights of the people in the country. With the acknowledgment of this situation, people participating in the discussion of the establishment of the NHRCK had agreed to guarantee its independence from any government powers.

The act on the National Human Rights Commission also provides the authority of the NHRCK to monitor the human rights violation by the law enforcement agencies. There is no exception to this by the administration or the President. However if the NHRCK is to be under the direct control of the President, there is the possibility of the pursuit of political decisions of the President. The debate on its independence originally comes from the "Paris Principles", which was adopted by General Assembly resolution 48/134 on December 1993. There is no doubt that independence is the cornerstone of its effectiveness and its very existence.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please join the signature campaign to save the NHRCK from the threats to its independence. Please also indicate your organization's name or private. Your signature petition will be directly delivered to the Parliament Members of the Republic of Korea.

Thank you.
Urgent Appeals ProgrammeAsian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME
Urgent Appeal General: AHRC-UAG-002-2008
19 January 2008

Statement of Prof. Jose Maria Sison: Three Governments Persist in Persecuting Me!!!

2008-01-25T05:01:00.000-08:00

Three Governments Persist in Persecuting Me

By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chief Political Consultant
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

In quick response to the announcement of the Dutch prosecutor that the preliminary investigation against me would be extended to the middle of this year, I expressed confidence that the charge would be dropped or if not that I would certainly win the case in court. I cited as basis of confidence the decisions of the District Court of The Hague on 13 September 2007, the Court of Appeal on 3 October 2007 and the examining judge on 21 November 2007.

But my colleagues and friends have called my attention to the fact that the US, Dutch and Manila governments persist in persecuting me. They have therefore urged me to underscore this fact and to show that the persecution has been cumulative and has become nastier from period to period, despite the significant court decisions that I have won. So far the best summary of my persecution in The Netherlands is the Updated Chronology of Persecution of Prof. Jose Maria Sison issued by the International DEFEND Committee on 5 October 2007.

As soon as I left the Philippines for a world lecture tour on 31 August 1986, the Philippine military launched a campaign of vilification against me. It succeeded in pressuring the Aquino regime to cancel my Philippine passport in September 1988 in an attempt to force my return to the Philippines and make possible my arrest on the false charge of subversion. But I applied for political asylum in The Netherlands in October 1988.

Since then for propaganda purposes, the Philippine military had fabricated so many false charges against me. Only the 1988 charge of subversion was filed in court. The charge of multiple murder in the Plaza Miranda bombing was never filed beyond the level of the city prosecutors of Manila. Upon the order of the US, the Philippine government intervened in my asylum case and fed the false charges to the Dutch government which gave credence to these and used them as basis for rejecting my application for asylum.

Notwithstanding the decision of the Dutch justice ministry to deny me asylum, the Dutch Council of State recognized me as a political refugee under Article 1 A of the Refugee Convention and as someone protected by Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights in 1992 and 1995. Thus I continue to stay in The Netherlands. The subversion charge against me was nullified by the Pasay city court in 1992 and the charge of murder was dismissed by the Manila city prosecutors in 1994. The Philippine secretary of justice certified that there was no pending criminal charge against me in 1998.

But the Dutch government has continued to go by the fiction that I am not qualified to be granted asylum and residence. It has prevented me from professional employment and reduced me to receiving measly social benefits. It seemed like I would remain a “tolerated alien”, without getting any further assaults from the Dutch authorities. But came 12 August 2002, when the US government designated me as a “terrorist”, the Dutch government followed suit within 24 hours without any judicial basis and subjected me to punitive measures, including the freezing of bank account, termination of social benefits, public naming and shaming as “terrorist”, restrictions on travel and so on.

It looked like the US, Dutch and Manila governments were satisfied and would not do any worse against me because they were already severely punishing me under the terms of “terrorist” blacklisting without the trouble of having me convicted in any court of law. It also seemed that the three governments would be restrained by the resounding legal victories that I won, such as the Philippine Supreme Court's nullification of the charge of rebellion against me and 50 others and the European Court of First Instance's annulment of the “terrorist' blacklisting of me by the Council of the European Union on 2 July and 11 July 2007, respectively.

But the malicious obsession of the US, Dutch and Manila governments to persecute me is persistent and boundless. It would seem as if my court victories were not deterrents but spurs on these governments to become more brutal and vicious. They wanted to arrest, imprison and humiliate me on the trumped up charge of inciting murder. They wanted to put me indefinitely in solitary confinement as Marcos did under his fascist dictatorship. They succeeded for 17 days, until the District Court of The Hague decided to release me.

But do I really find complete comfort in the fact that the District Court of The Hague, the Court of Appeal and the examining judge have successively ruled in my favor and described the evidence against me as insufficient and lacking in merit for continuing the preliminary investigation? No. The prosecutor does not conceal her arrogance, meanness and viciousness. She glowers in judgment over two courts and the examining judge and seems to flaunt that she has special orders from higher authorities. She actually threatens to expand the charges and the punitive laws against me and others who have been victimized since the sweeping police raids on 28 August 2007.

Definitely, I continue to be subjected to escalating levels of persecution. So are the members, consultants and staffers of the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines who still need to recover all the things arbitrarily seized from them. We have competent lawyers. But we are confronted with the brute force of state power. And we need the firm solidarity and active support of the people of the world so that our rights are protected and so that we can continue with the Filipino people's struggle for national liberation, democracy and a just peace. ###

2008 January 11: Light School Kids having fun with a French Clown

2008-01-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

PPDD Staffs having fun with Special Kids from Mae Tao School

2008-01-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

PPDD Outreach Activity: Celebrating Christmas with Special Kids from Mae Tao School
Maesot, Thailand
December 25, 2007

2008-01-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

2008-01-05T20:28:00.001-08:00

Light School Parents Livelihood Cooperative Association
Economic Training Closing Party
26 December 2007
Maesot, Thailand

Economic Training Closing Ceremony & Party

2008-01-05T20:23:00.000-08:00

Light School Christmas Party!!!!

2008-01-05T20:17:00.001-08:00

2008-01-05T20:08:00.000-08:00

Arts Works of Light School Kids..

2007-12-15T23:35:00.001-08:00

Community Organizing and Development & Economic Training for Light School Kids’ Parents – on-going

2007-12-15T23:31:00.001-08:00

Human Rights, Child Rights, Leadership and Project Management Training for LS Teachers – on-going

2007-12-15T23:29:00.001-08:00

Light School Kids and Teachers in their New School Uniforms…

2007-12-15T23:25:00.000-08:00

Light School Kids participating in Sport Fest Competition together with other migrant schools in Maesot Thailand…

2007-12-15T23:12:00.001-08:00

PPDD Executive Director met CAP and CAMP (Child Assistance for Mobilization and Participation) Youth…

2007-11-30T01:06:00.001-08:00

PPDD Executive Director met CAP and CAMP (Child Assistance for Mobilization and Participation) Youth…

2007-11-30T00:39:00.001-08:00

PPDD Executive Director attending the CAP (Children/Youth Peace Builders) Regional Meeting in Cambodia {November 23 – 30, 2007}

2007-11-30T00:12:00.000-08:00

PPDD Up-coming Alternative School Projects for Stateless, Displaced and Discriminated Children..

2007-11-26T12:17:00.000-08:00

Up - coming China-Burma Alternative School for Displaced and Stateless Children.

Up-coming Alternative School Project in Cotabato Mindanao area of the Philippines for displaced children because of the arm conflict going on there with Muslim insurgent groups and the armed forces of the Philippine government.

Another Alternative School for Displaced Children Victims of Discriminations, and Conflict in one of the states in India in cooperation with a partner human rights activist and his team is under planning and discussion as well right now. The name of the school is ASHRAM.

PPDD is officially a member of CAP (Children/Youth Peace Builders) International….

2007-11-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD) is a member of CAP (Children/Youth as Peace Builders) International. Children/Youth as Peace-builders is an international federation of young people and organizations dedicated to the rights of children and youth living in conflict and post-conflict situations and their participation in peace-building to restore homes, families and countries.
It is committed to the reordering of our societies and the development of peaceful relationships amongst people. It wants to live in a world where human rights are respected while recognizing that each culture will have ways of putting these rights into practice. It realizes that conflict is a part of human life but insists that violence increases rather than resolves problems.

It is working for a world that invites the participation of all citizens, including children and youth. Education should be available for all people through formal school systems as well as learning about the ways and values of our cultures.
It wants a world where play, romance and enjoyment of our traditions are cherished parts of daily life. It is working to create a world filled with possibilities.

CAP Main Programs:

1. Combating Gender Violence
2. Public Education and Advocacy Work
3. Community Work
4. Promotion and Protection of Young People’s Rights
5. Reconciliation

CAP has programs in Colombia, northern Uganda, Cambodia, Burma-Thailand and links with organizations in Angola and the Philippines. We are in the process of developing new programs in Central America and South Asia.
CAP works with a variety of organizations: youth only groups, international organizations, national agencies and community groups. A main requirement is that a group must support strong involvement of young people in the defining of issues, the development of strategies to address these problems and the implementation of activities.

CAP is organized regionally with programs in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. Local/country organizations are part of a regional structure. This regional structure has been designed so that groups in the same region can share information; learn about the regional dynamics influencing today’s civil wars; participate in joint skills training activities and exchange perspectives on peace-building issues.

PPDD Director joined CAP Youth Peace Builders from Uganda, Colombia and Cambodia in Bogota Colombia on Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Gathering of

2007-11-26T10:57:00.001-08:00

PPDD Light School New School Building Under Construction…

2007-11-26T10:55:00.000-08:00

A new school building for Light School: Alternative School for Stateless, Migrant and Displaced Children from Burma is under construction. This will serve for the purpose of expanding the school facilities and space to accommodate more children which is expected to increase in terms of number by next school year (2008 – 2009).

2007-11-26T10:49:00.001-08:00

PPDD membership in CLAN (Children’s Legal Advocacy and Development)………

2007-11-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD) is a member of Children’s Legal Advocacy Network (CLAN). CLAN was a brainchild of CLRDC (Children’s Legal Rights Development Center). The network was conceptualized for the following reasons;

One, as the name of the network suggests, it will officially involve in legislative lobbying and advocacy both internationally and locally.

Two, there is not yet children's network in the Philippines that focus specifically on legislative lobbying of children's issues and concerns.

Three, to enhance each other members' strength and support all the advocacy work of the members more specifically in their networking and fundraising opportunities, sourcing training materials and spokesperson or even trainer on children issues and concerns.

Four, to monitor government's compliance and state obligations with respect to programs and policies on children's concerns.

Lastly, to serve as a watchdog of government's implementations of policies, including the use of the mechanisms of justice to promote children's rights and welfare.

The following are the member organization of CLAN:

1. Albert Schweitzer Association-Philippines [ASAP] - they focus on youth offenders
2. International Justice Mission [IJM] - they focus on child trafficking
3. Legal Aid Center for Human Rights [LACHR]), - a group of lawyers that focus on children in armed conflict.
4. Save the Children-Sweden {based here in the Philippines]
5. KNK - also focuses on children in conflict with the law
6. KKPC - a Peoples' Organization with 20 strong PO members from different grassroots communities
7. KPML - a nationwide PO which focuses on child labor and the internal displacements of communities in the urban poor, they are an umbrella org of different grassroots communities
8. Children's Rights Action Watch - focuses on research and documentation and lobbying
9. Third World Movement Against the Exploitation of Women - focuses on sexually abused girl-children
10. Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD) – focuses on children advocacy and legal rights in conflict and post-conflict areas/countries
11. Alliance International - a group of French missionaries that helps children in conflict with the law)
12. Children’s Legal Rights Development Center (CLRDC)

For the 2007 – 2010, the members of the network unanimously agreed for the legislative lobbying on “Corporal Punishment as a form of Violence against Children”. This issue was strongly pushed by Save the Children as they have complete research, data and statistics of children who died and parents and teachers who were imprisoned for beating children to death. They have complete interviews and data of cases of children beating. For this Congress, CLAN will conduct series of campaign to pass a law on Anti-Corporal Punishment of Children. However, other issues of children such that of issue in Burma is also included in other campaign strategies of CLAN.

The Convener of CLAN is CLRDC, the Secretariat is LACHR. The group’s first major activity tomorrow was a forum in the community of Barangay Tatalon, Quezon, City, Manila Philippines. The forum is entitled "Corporal Punishment as a Form of Violence against Children”. CLAN also formed committees such as

1. Legal Research Committee
2. Campaign and Education Committee
3. Fundraising Committee

PPDD is part of the Campaign and Education Committee for international and local advocacy and campaigning on children’s issues.

2007-11-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

2007 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School Participants Statement on Current Burma Crisis from Participants

2007-10-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

We, participants of 2007 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School, would like to convey our sympathy, solidarity and support to all Burmese people around the world who courageously and tirelessly stand up for peace and freedom in their country.
The current situation in Burma is a consequence of long-term suppression against its citizens by the military government, especially in terms of economic hardship and violations of basic human rights. Needless to say that this critical moment can lead to either ground-breaking step to people’s democracy or increasing violence and suppression in Burma. The international community should not be passive and indifferent rather should be more proactive and must have a consolidated reaction in determining and maneuvering a more humane condition in Burma.

We strongly condemn the acts of atrocity initiated by the state security forces against unarmed civilian demonstrations. We would like to call on the military junta to refrain from all violent repression against any protesters, arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, torture and extra-judicial killings. The military junta must expeditiously resume its national reconciliation talks with the Burmese opposition and democratic forces.

We would also like to urge the ASEAN-member governments to exercise leverage beyond the concept of non-interference, sovereignty, internal affairs, and specifically economic benefits or trade-offs.

Long Live Democracy and Freedom for the Burmese people!!!!

Latest with PPDD: Co-founding the Asian Human Rights Academy (AHRA)

2007-10-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

PPDD and CLRDC (Children’s Legal Rights Development Center together with 3 other Asian based regional organizations are convening to establish the Asian Human Rights Academy (AHRA) to promote human rights and democracy in Asia. AHRA will basically offer program courses on human rights and democracy to meet the needs of inter alia, legal practitioners, counselors working in international relief agencies, government and non-government organizations and students involved in human rights and democratic initiatives in Asia and in other parts of the world. The Academy is planned to be held annually in any countries in Asia. The working objectives of the academy is primarily to expand and deepen the knowledge and understanding on how international human rights tribunal operates and respond to address issues brought to them. It also aims to provide deeper understanding of the different human rights instruments and how these instruments are being amplified in the actual case laws decided by human rights tribunal and the domestic legal system. The academy shall likewise teach the course in the context of Asian political, cultural, economic and human rights situation. The founding members of the academy are currently on the process of conceptualizing and developing the framework and mechanisms how the academy will operate. It is being planned that the first academy will be held in the Philippines somewhat around 2nd week of July until 1st week of August of 2008. The founding members of the academy will definitely be posting additional and relevant information regarding the academy as it develops further.

AHRA Leading Proponents…..

2007-10-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

The two (2) leading proponents of the Asian Human Rights Academy (AHRA) – Executive Director of Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy (PPDD) and Executive Director of Children’s Legal Rights Development Center (CLRDC)

2007-10-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Peoples Partner for Development and Democracy Executive Director Participated in the 2007 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School (GHRFS)

2007-10-20T07:15:00.000-07:00

The Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School was organized by the May 18 Memorial Foundation a non-profit organization established in 1994 which aims to commemorate and continue the spirit of struggle and solidarity of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. The foundation aims to help facilitate the peaceful reunification of Korea and to work towards peace and human rights throughout the world. One of the most cherished programs of the foundation is the HR Folk School which basically strives to contribute to the development of democracy and human rights throughout Asia by hosting human rights and democratic activists all over Asia who have been working for human rights and peace in their own countries.

2007-10-20T07:12:00.001-07:00

PPDD participating in the Folk School….

2007-10-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

PPDD Executive Director was one of those fortunate Asian activists chosen to participate in the 2007 GAHRFS. There were 22 participants representing at least 15 countries. In as far as the folk school was concerned the participants had the chance to learn about and experience the history and process of the development of human rights and the struggle towards democracy in South Korea. This was so far a very inspiring and touching experience for everyone who was part of the said program. Another enriching experience was the country presentations of the participants on different human rights issues and concerns. The different lectures given by distinguished professors from different parts of Asia on Asian democracy and human rights and social movements were quite really interesting and very informative.

2007-10-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

Solidarity fun among Asian HR activists……..

2007-10-20T07:05:00.001-07:00

The Winning Piece……

2007-10-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

PPDD Executive Director and PPDD as an organization together together with two other organizations represented by colleagues from India and Mongolia were chosen and had been given the “best presentation award” during the closing ceremony of the folk school in view of its creative, unique and very comprehensive way of presenting human rights issues common among countries like Mongolia, India and Southeast Asia especially the Mekong region and that are issues related to Business and Human Rights i.e. mining, logging, and gas exploration and other related issues which causing massive human rights abuses. These HR activists composed a song in two hours time complete with melody discussing these issues with a power point presentation visually showing the message of the song. They also performed their composition in front of the judges and other participants which ended with huge applause and praise.

Here is the winning piece…..

The struggles of our people ……….

We come from different nations
Mongolia, India and the Philippines
But our problems are the same
Land confiscation! Displaced people!
Environmental destruction, child labor and militarization
Who’s to blame? Who’s to blame?

ADB, MNCs, and the World Bank
You come to our lands
You take away our lands
You set-up factories
Extract our natural resources
Exploit our people and violate our rights

You destroy our environment
You bribe the authorities to suppress us
And when we resist, the police and the military take our lives

Chorus 2x:

It’s our place!
It’s our rights!
It’s our people!
It’s our homelands!
We will fight for our rights!

Fresh air and nature… that’s our rights!
Water, air, rivers and forests… that’s our rights!
So go back
Give us back our lands
Give us back our freedom
Give us back our lives
We will not give up
We will not give up our rights
We will stand and fight

(Repeat chorus 2x)

2007-10-20T05:30:00.000-07:00

SOLIDARITY WORK: PPDD joined the Free JOMA Protest Action in The Hague, Netherlands last August 2007

2007-10-20T05:23:00.001-07:00

OUTREACH: PPDD Executive Director attended the International Human Rights Academy (IHRA) in Utrecht, Netherlands

2007-10-20T05:17:00.000-07:00

PPDD as an organization represented by its Executive Director was given the opportunity to be part of one of the most prestigious Human Rights programs – the Human Rights Academy (IHRA) which was co-organized by 4 well known universities i.e. the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM) of Utrecht University, the Human Rights Center of Ghent University, the Washington College of Law of American University and the University of the Western Cape. This year the academy took place in Utrecht in Netherlands. It was held in between August 19 and September 1, 2007. It was a two week crash course program on International Law, International Human Rights Laws and Conventions and International Humanitarian Laws. The Academy is designed to provide high quality legal education in comparative international human rights and in humanitarian law, with an emphasis on the practical aspects in various fields. In as far the academy was concerned, so far it was academically rewarding. The following were the course taught in the Academy

2007-10-20T05:15:00.001-07:00

Greetings from PPDD Australian Volunteer for Light School…….

2007-10-20T05:12:00.001-07:00

Hello, my name is Dale Bromley. I am 25 years of age from Adelaide, South Australia.
From a young age I have always been curious as to what lays beyond our own shores.
At the age of 19 I moved interstate which I felt was the basis/starting point of what could be a wondrous journey. Indeed I would have to say that its still early stages…
My journey to date has seen me through Latin America, Western Europe and parts of Asia where I have dabbled in volunteer work, studied various cultures, language, their political history etc. I am currently working in Mae Sot, Thailand for a new school by the name of ‘Light School’. This is my second time here on the Thai-Burma border, I am completely taken with the current political, ethnic status of Myanmar and am thus here to put in my efforts/knowledge into what I hope will see these children and their teachers have the chance to grow a life that I feel all should be entitled to. My main objective is to teach the teachers themselves English from there ideally they can move toward passing it onto the children themselves.

My previous studies/positions have included landscaping, hospitality, sports massage, anatomy and physiology and some other holistic approaches to health, well being…
Different fields, although teaching these people I must say is as comfortable as I have ever been with my work/studies in previous years, stages of my life. There is absolutely paramount to be learned from these people, I would not like to take anything away from this. I feel we do although have maybe more legs to stand on, on an educational level, just one of many things we have to share with/offer the less fortunate…

I am more than excited about my coming months here at ‘Light School’ and am certain that my services shall be received with open arms as i will embrace their presence, teachings....

2007-10-20T03:43:00.001-07:00

Light School and Local Community Up-coming Activities…

2007-10-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

2007 October: Training Workshops and Awareness Raising for Light school teachers on the following topics;

Human Rights
Human Rights and Environment
Conflict Resolutions and Transformations
Child Rights

2007 November: Training Workshops for Light School Teachers on the following topics;

Team-building
Leadership
Management
Community organizing and development

2007 November: Training Workshops and Awareness Raising for the parents of the Light school students on the following topics;

Human Rights
Human Rights and Environment
Conflict Resolutions and Transformations
Child Rights

2007 December: Economic Training Workshop on Micro-Finance and Micro-Credit for both Parents of the Light School pupils and the teachers.

2007 December: Teachers’ Training on Curriculum Development

2008 May: Summer Art Classes for the students of Light School

IT A LONG WAY TO GO FOR LIGHT SCHOOL…. Support PPDD in its Light School Project!

2007-10-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Promising Light School …

2007-10-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

Students are doing an excellent academic performance. All grade levels generally speaking are progressing in each of the subjects offered by the school. The kids of Light School are not only academically oriented but they do have some fun and physical exercises and recreational classes. Every afternoon after classes, teachers and pupils play football, running and jumping and other kinds of games. The health of the children, the teachers and other staffs of Light School is generally fine. The school serves meals for children. The school makes it sure that these meals are nutritious and balance food for the well nourishments of the pupils in Light School. The school built a new toilet to accommodate the growing number of children coming to Light School.

The teachers of Light School for over 6 months of being together developed a sense of camaraderie, friendship and care for the school and their students. They have a harmonious relationship as colleagues and workers and they live together in the school since they are being provided by PPDD with quarters/rooms and place to live inside the school compound. They are happy being at the school and are really committed in their work. Each teacher has his/her own responsibilities to observe and the head master supervises and is ensuring that these responsibilities are fulfilled in lieu of the daily operations of the school. Currently, they are learning English to develop themselves further. Every Friday, the teachers attends teaching workshop together with other teachers from other school on topics regarding how to be effective in teaching.

The parents of the children are very happy that their children have access to education. They believe that education is important for their children to have a better life in the future. They believe that knowledge is power.

2007-10-19T08:21:00.001-07:00

The Light School Project…

2007-10-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

The Light school started operating in September 2006 with two teachers, and 40 students. The students are ranging form kindergarten (4 years old) untill fourth grade (13 years old), most children of working age were out of school. The school project is now in operations for over 9 months (2007) now and it is catering to 120 stateless children from Burma. The school currently has six (6) teachers and one cook since it offers free meals to children and the grade level has been expanded to grade V.

PPDD in the near future envisions the school to provide not only normal and basic/primary education to these children but also to educate the children and their parents on basic human rights and child rights issues and environmental issues in a child and parent friendly manner. It aspires as well to work on legal issues concerning stateless children’s status of which it aims to provide some sort of mechanisms on how these children be given legal status or recognition or citizenship for that matter in other countries other than their own or even in their own country itself.

The project is entitled “LGIHT SCHOOL: Alternative Education and Community Development for Displaced Children”. The objectives and end goals of the project are to provide for basic education, safer conditions, child friendly environment and critical and analytical teaching methods for displaced and stateless children in the Thai-Burma border area. The project consists of five (5) phases.

Phase 1: Building of the new school and the provision of necessary educational and teaching materials and facilities

Phase 2: Opening of the school, education of local youth and guidance for teachers and the school, and implementation of certain alternative teaching methods

Phase 3: Active involvement of the community, awareness-raising on human rights, community education, introducing community development activities and projects will facilitate improvement of local conditions and reduce child labor in the area

Phase 4: Legal Assistance to Stateless Children

Phase 5: Expansion of the school operation to higher grade level and continued community development and organizing and human rights education of the community

Progressive Development of Light School…

2007-10-19T08:15:00.001-07:00

2007-10-19T08:12:00.001-07:00

The Birth of Light School….

2007-10-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Light School…school for stateless and displaced children

2007-10-19T07:47:00.001-07:00

PPDD Outreach: December 2006 Christmas Party with Internally Displaced People (IDP) and Migrant Schools at the Thai-Burma border

2007-10-19T05:35:00.000-07:00

My Dream Day....Anna Malindog

2007-03-06T23:53:00.000-08:00

Everyday is a hectic day.
So many things to do and many poeple to see
Some days are exciting, some days are tiring
Some days are good and other days just fine
But the most important is everyday is fun

I guess every one has their dream day
But for me, a dream day is a day I smiled at someone
A day I shared what I have with people
A day I learned something new
A day of fun just going through my schedules and work
and chats with people I am surrounded with
And a day that inspires me to wait for the next day to come!