The side session organized by SaciWATERs at the World Water Forum 5 called for generating visible demand for interdisciplinary studies on water in South Asia with a focus on creating a cadre of women water professionals to combat the ‘masculinity’ of current water sector

The side event titled Up-scaling IWRM Education in South Asia: Which boundaries to cross? was organized by SaciWATERs for the Crossing Boundaries Project in Feshane Lale Hall 5 at the World Water Forum 5, Istanbul, Turkey. The session evaluated the current status of water resources education, assess the demand for interdisciplinary water professionals and identify challenges, opportunities, and new initiatives in the realm of higher education for water resources in South Asia through the findings of the study titled “Strengthening IWRM Education in South Asia; Which Boundaries to Cross?”. Prof. S Janakarajan, President, SaciWATERs, welcomed the panel members and the session speakers and briefly described the purpose of the Crossing Boundaries Project, an endeavour of SaciWATERs with six partner institutions in four South Asian countries, to bring a paradigm shift in water resources management education in South Asia. Dr. Peter Mollinga, Convener, SaciWATERs, initiated the session by briefing the participants on the objectives of the study which was to review the progress of the Project’s initiative and to determine whether higher education system in South Asia was responding to the reforms generated by the Project.

Dr. Vishal Narain, Associate Professor, School of Public Policy and Governance, Management Development Institute (MDI), Delhi, further elaborated on the findings of the Study in North India by tracing the changing perceptions of IWRM among water professionals and emphasized the fact that though there is a demand for IWRM water professionals in the Government sector, a visible demand still needs to be created. Dr Nimal Gunawardena, Professor, Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and Steering Committee Member, Cap-Net, Sri lanka, followed with a brief presentation on the status of the IWRM Education Programme in the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Ms. Nazmun Naher Mita, South Asia Water (SAWA) Fellow, Masters in IWRM, Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh, shared her personal experience of being one of the first female students to take up the IWRM course in South Asia with the help of SAWA Fellowship provided by the Crossing Boundaries Project.

Following this, the three panelists, Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Chief, Sustainable Water Resources Development & Management Section, Division of Water Sciences, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO, Paris, France, Dr. Paul Taylor, Director, Cap-Net, Pretoria, South Africa, and Dr. Joke Muylwijk, Executive Director, Gender & Water Alliance, The Netherlands, provided their comments and insights on the study. Dr. Khan shared his vision of IWRM programme gaining a stronghold in the higher education sector. However he also expressed his disappointment in the Draft Istanbul Ministerial Statement of the World Water Forum 5, 2009 which he regretfully pointed out, focused on the technical aspect of water management ignoring the socio-cultural constraints of implementing a change. He emphasized the urgent need to press the interdisciplinary approach to water resources management. Dr. Paul Taylor, congratulated SaciWATERs and the partners of the Crossing Boundaries Project for the remarkable progress made in promoting IWRM Education in region and further emphasized the need for capacity building of higher level water professionals. Dr. Joke Muylwijk lauded the report but also pointed out the lack of comprehensive gender-segregated data. The participants of the session followed with various questions and comments on the issues of gender, capacity building of not only technocrats but also of social scientists and extending the programme to other countries of South Asia especially Pakistan.

The side session organized by SaciWATERs at the World Water Forum 5 called for generating visible demand for interdisciplinary studies on water in South Asia with a focus on creating a cadre of women water professionals to combat the ‘masculinity’ of current water sector

The side event titled Up-scaling IWRM Education in South Asia: Which boundaries to cross? was organized by SaciWATERs for the Crossing Boundaries Project in Feshane Lale Hall 5 at the World Water Forum 5, Istanbul, Turkey. The session evaluated the current status of water resources education, assess the demand for interdisciplinary water professionals and identify challenges, opportunities, and new initiatives in the realm of higher education for water resources in South Asia through the findings of the study titled “Strengthening IWRM Education in South Asia; Which Boundaries to Cross?”. Prof. S Janakarajan, President, SaciWATERs, welcomed the panel members and the session speakers and briefly described the purpose of the Crossing Boundaries Project, an endeavour of SaciWATERs with six partner institutions in four South Asian countries, to bring a paradigm shift in water resources management education in South Asia. Dr. Peter Mollinga, Convener, SaciWATERs, initiated the session by briefing the participants on the objectives of the study which was to review the progress of the Project’s initiative and to determine whether higher education system in South Asia was responding to the reforms generated by the Project.

Dr. Vishal Narain, Associate Professor, School of Public Policy and Governance, Management Development Institute (MDI), Delhi, further elaborated on the findings of the Study in North India by tracing the changing perceptions of IWRM among water professionals and emphasized the fact that though there is a demand for IWRM water professionals in the Government sector, a visible demand still needs to be created. Dr Nimal Gunawardena, Professor, Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and Steering Committee Member, Cap-Net, Sri lanka, followed with a brief presentation on the status of the IWRM Education Programme in the Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Ms. Nazmun Naher Mita, South Asia Water (SAWA) Fellow, Masters in IWRM, Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh, shared her personal experience of being one of the first female students to take up the IWRM course in South Asia with the help of SAWA Fellowship provided by the Crossing Boundaries Project.

Following this, the three panelists, Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Chief, Sustainable Water Resources Development & Management Section, Division of Water Sciences, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO, Paris, France, Dr. Paul Taylor, Director, Cap-Net, Pretoria, South Africa, and Dr. Joke Muylwijk, Executive Director, Gender & Water Alliance, The Netherlands, provided their comments and insights on the study. Dr. Khan shared his vision of IWRM programme gaining a stronghold in the higher education sector. However he also expressed his disappointment in the Draft Istanbul Ministerial Statement of the World Water Forum 5, 2009 which he regretfully pointed out, focused on the technical aspect of water management ignoring the socio-cultural constraints of implementing a change. He emphasized the urgent need to press the interdisciplinary approach to water resources management. Dr. Paul Taylor, congratulated SaciWATERs and the partners of the Crossing Boundaries Project for the remarkable progress made in promoting IWRM Education in region and further emphasized the need for capacity building of higher level water professionals. Dr. Joke Muylwijk lauded the report but also pointed out the lack of comprehensive gender-segregated data. The participants of the session followed with various questions and comments on the issues of gender, capacity building of not only technocrats but also of social scientists and extending the programme to other countries of South Asia especially Pakistan.


http://saciwaters.wordpress.com/

NB: directly adapted from (http://www.cipe.org/programs/women/essay.php)

Theme: Engaging Youth in Reform

The deadline for the 2009 competition is March 1, 2009!

Young people can be a powerful force for change! As future reformers, young people (18-30) have innovative ideas on how to solve the political, economic, and social problems facing their countries. However, they often lack the voice to bring these ideas to policymakers. Simply, young people are often regarded as recipients of reforms, not active participants in the reform process.

CIPE’s essay contest gives you the opportunity to share your ideas about citizenship, democratic and market-oriented reform, youth leadership, and the ways that your country can create avenues for youth to participate in the political and economic spheres. We encourage you to get thinking, get involved, and use your own experiences to develop concrete solutions to these development issues.

A $1,000 honorarium will be given for each winning essay.

ligibility
Open to students and young professionals aged 18-30. Special weight will be given to essays submitted by citizens of non-OECD countries.

Topic Categories

* Citizenship in a Democratic Society

What needs to be done to develop a sense of citizenship in young people and help them realize their role in a democratic society?
True reform occurs only when citizens actively participate in the governance process – it can’t be achieved by street protests alone. Young people are an integral part of society and their input and participation in their countries’ governance is necessary to effect political and economic reform. However, many lack the skills and opportunity to communicate with policymakers and get involved in their country’s development. Youth are often disengaged from the political process and rarely develop the sense of citizenship that is so crucial to building an inclusive, participatory democracy. To become active citizens in their countries, young people must have the skills to develop their ideas on reform and outlets to express those ideas in a constructive manner. What does citizenship mean to you? How are citizenship and good governance connected? How can your country engage and enable young people to participate constructively in the governance process? Be sure to begin your essay by describing the situation in your country.

* Educational Reform and Employment Opportunities

How can you reform your country’s education system so that graduates have the necessary skills for employment in the public and private sectors?
In many countries, the youth unemployment rate is very high. In some countries, this is caused by a lack of jobs. However, in many others, young people entering the workforce are not prepared for the jobs available – they lack the necessary skills and education. Unable to find good jobs, they face a difficult choice: remain unemployed or accept low-paying jobs with no opportunity for advancement. Improving the educational systems of many countries is a key step towards creating a generation of young people who possess the skills and knowledge to participate in the economy, locally and globally. What are the major employment problems young people face in your country? What can be done to give them the right skills and opportunities to enter the workforce? Who should taking the lead in doing so? Be sure to begin your essay by describing the situation in your country.

* Entrepreneurship and Leadership

What needs to be done in your country to provide youth with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs and/or leaders in their communities?
Young people can play a positive role in the political and economic spheres in their countries, on both local and national levels. Unfortunately they often lack access to the resources and groups that would help them get involved and have an impact. However, when provided with the opportunity and skills to become influential members of their communities, youth can accomplish their goals. What are the skills that young people need to acquire to start a successful business or civil society group? What are the major barriers that prevent them from opening a business or assuming a leadership position in your country? What programs or policies would give youth the skills to become active and influential members of society? Be sure to begin your essay by describing the situation in your country.

Funding: there is no entry fee
Deadline: 27 February 2009 - before 16.00 h
Open to: the competition is open to anyone born after 17 May 1974, which can be proved with a photocopy of an identification document

The international competition for young designers on the topic “Climate Change” has the goal of raising and spreading awareness, through the medium of posters, of the environmental situation in which we find ourselves. The future depends on our common awareness and responsibility regarding what we can put right and how we must start to function in our relation to nature for a more promising future. It is vitally important to involve in this process young creative people who have a fresh and unique way of looking at these problems regarding our living environment.

The competition is open to anyone born after 17 May 1974, which can be proved with a photocopy of an identification document.

For works that have already been published, the minimum size is 420 x 600 mm, and the maximum size 700 x 1000 mm.

Original works must be 590 x 840 mm in size.

There are no restrictions regarding the number of works entered per designer.

Works may already be published or made especially for this festival. Posters must arrive undamaged with completed stickers in the upper right corner on the back.

Posters may not be backed or framed.
There is no entry fee.
Works will not be returned.

Poster must be in the ratio 1 : 1, and must be set to net format of the product.

Exhibited posters will be selected by a preliminary jury appointed by the event committee. The entrans will be notified of acceptance on the exhibition via our website. The winners will be awarded by the international jury.

The International Jury
• Mr. Dimitris Arvanitis, Greece
• Ms. Anette Lenz, France
• Mr. Piotr Młodozeniec, Poland
• Mr. Bruno Monguzzi, Switzerland
• Mr. Leonardo Sonnoli, Italy

The jury will adhere to criteria based on: creativity, originality, aesthetics, communicability and excellence of execution.

Awards
• 1st prize (1.000 eur)
• 2nd prize (700 eur)
• 3rd prize (350 eur)
• 3 distinctive merit awards
• 4 merit awards
• Prize of the City of Ljubljana

Copyrights
− All posters become part of the collection of visual communication of the Brumen Foundation; they will be displayed on the website of the festival, where they will be available to governmental and non-governmental institutions in Europe for a formal compensation (transmission costs).
− Information in the application form will be used in the catalogue.
− The organizer can use the posters for pedagogical, promotion and publishing purposes without special consent of the author.
− The organizer may reproduce and distribute the posters in the catalogue and in other printed media, on the internet and in any other electronic form.
− Your signature on the application form means that you fully agree with the terms of cooperation in the workshop.


Contact:
Fundacija Brumen / Poster Festival
Dolenjska 83
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Slovenija
tel: +386 51 371 233
fax: +386 1 42 725 93
info@posterfestival-ljubljana.si This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
posterfestival-ljubljana (http://www.posterfestival-ljubljana.si/)
Competition - Call for Entries
Entry Form

NB: directly adapted from http://www.mladiinfo.com/contests/595-ljubljana-poster-festival-09-brumen-foundation.html

1)
A lonely cold heart
a candle burns with desire
the space in between.

2)
My soul is whirling
drunkenness makes me fly high
your arms wide open.

Recently, my mom underwent mastectomy (a surgical term for removing one or both breasts for cancer). It was a shock to me when I found out about it. All along, I thought it was just plain lump in her breast. After all, the biopsy said it was benign. Her surgeon, who is the leading surgeon of our country, told her she had nothing to worry. Thing is, we have a history in our family. Two of my mom's sisters already had breast cancer, her youngest sister for 10 years and elder sister for 7 years. Both underwent mastectomy and are still living quite normally until today. So it was this reason why her doctors had to remove her left breast, just to make sure it would not spread.

During her operation, my sister began to panic and started to cry. She said, how come the operation took so long when the doctors said it would only take 4 hours. I didn't know what was happening in the operating room. I wasn't aware of mastectomy as part of the option. But I didn't want to cry. I didn't not want to panic. I had to remain still. I already prayed and I kept my faith all the time. My sister asked, what if something went wrong, how could she live without our mom? I dismissed that thought. Mom would be alright. Whatever happened there, I knew she'd survive it.

If it was hard for me and my sister to wait, it must be harder for our dad, who at the time was in Europe, working thousands of miles away as an engineer. Could he sleep well? Was he focused on his work? What was he thinking, same as my sister or me? Dad used to sweat the small stuff. I wondered how he was taking it. Mom and dad are so close and connected to each other, they feel each other when something is wrong with the other.

When hospital staff brought my mom in her room, I felt relieved. She just turned her head to me and my sister and then closed her eyes. She was still groggy. My sister began crying again and my aunt called me outside, she said she had something to say. This was the time she disclosed to me about mastectomy. A surge of fear and pain overtook me. I felt something was clutching my neck and I couldn't breathe. I was just quiet, nodded to my Aunt, and found myself walking endlessly round the hospital until I realized there was a place for me to go. I climbed the stairs to the 4th floor and knelt down in the chapel. I was face to face with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the loving mother who the world has come to know. Her face was still and her eyes were expressive, her arms were open, perhaps ready to catch me if ever I fell down. I began to cry. I remember praying or asking her, "Tell me, it's gonna be alright. You love me right? You love my mom and my family? Please, please send me your love." For one hour I was just talking to her. But the whole chapel fell silent and the only thing I could hear was my mind, the beat of my heart and the constant soft sobbing. After awhile, I found my feet again. I was ready to see my mom and my sister. They didn't need to see me crying.

On my way back, I began texting my friends both global and local. I asked them to send me and my mom their love, prayers and healing positive energies. After a few minutes, my phone was filled with love and prayers from my friends. I saved them and thought of reading them one by one to my mom. That night, I didn't sleep. I was just beside her, holding her hands, sending positive energies. I said my prayers for her in all religious traditions I could think of: Tibetan, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Islam, Pagan or just anything that I learned from the heart. I called the Gods and Goddesses who I loved. I told them to help heal my mom quickly and to keep her safe and positive.

It only took my mom two days to put a smile on her face, even if her surgery was very painful. She said, "it's just a breast, I still have my life." On the third day, she woke up early, took a shower, put on her make-up and perfume and changed her hospital gown to a regular pair of pyjamas (easier for nursing staff to check her wounds); she was ready to receive visitors. My family and friends came flocking and although her eyes get teary once in awhile, it was easy for her to put her smile back. She said, at the operating room, she was singing "jingle bells" until anesthesia put her to sleep. I read to her all the messages my friends sent her and she was grateful.

Looking back, I remember that a few months ago, I read Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum, when Jacopo, one of the editors and main charcters, gets cancer. He talks about metastasis and how your cells turn against you. He says:

"And what are cells? For months, like devout rabbis, we uttered different combinations of the letters of the Book. GCC, CGC, GCG, CGG. What our lips said, our cells learned. What did my cells do? They invented a different Plan, and now they are proceeding on their own, creating a history, a unique, private history. My cells have learned that you can blaspheme by ana-grammatizing the Book, and all the books of
the world. And they have learned to do this now with my body. They invert, transpose, alternate, transform themselves into cells unheard of, new cells without meaning, or with meaning contrary to the right meaning. There must be a right meaning and a wrong meaning; otherwise you die. My cells joke, without faith, blindly." (Eco, 514)

My mom is fast recovering and her doctors are surprised and happy that she's healing faster than average women who have cancer, considering that mom is also diabetic and hypertensive. Mom can say to her cell which Jacopo thought it was only the cells who could do the talking, "...(M)ethistemi? It’s the same thing: I move, I transform, I transpose, I switch cliches, I take leave of my senses." (514) Yes, my mom's cells turned against her that's why she's left with one breast and her physical body altered. But when this happened to her, everything around her went on her side--love, love is on her side and that's everything she could ask for.

By Bruce Sterling EmailMarch 03, 2008 | 6:45:45 AM
"Some of the references might require a bit of explaining if you weren't in Iraq about then (2005) or part of the transportation reconstruction sector. But you shoud get the gist."
http://blog.wired.com/sterling/2008/03/why-did-the-ira.html

Why Did the Iraqi Chicken Cross the Road?

Coalition Provisional Authority: The fact that the Iraqi chicken crossed the road affirmatively demonstrates that decision-making authority has been transferred to the chicken well in advance of the scheduled June 30th transition of power. From now on the chicken is responsible for its own decisions. 



Halliburton: We were asked to help the chicken cross the road. Given the inherent risk of road crossing and the rarity of chickens, this operation will only cost the US government $326,004. 



Muqtada al-Sadr: The chicken was a tool of the evil Coalition and will be killed. 



US Army Military Police: We were directed to prepare the chicken to cross the road. As part of these preparations, individual soldiers ran over the chicken repeatedly and then plucked the chicken. We deeply regret the occurrence of any chicken rights violations.

Lyndie Edwards: The chicken was lead across the road on a leash by me, after we made it and all the other chickens form a naked pyramid. I only did this because all the other soldiers wanted me to and I'm a moron. It's really not my fault. Besides, I'm pregnant.



Peshmerga: The chicken crossed the road, and will continue to cross the road, to show its independence and to transport the weapons it needs to defend itself. However, in future, to avoid problems, the chicken will be called a duck, and will wear a plastic bill. 



1st Cav: The chicken was not authorized to cross the road without displaying two forms of picture identification. Thus, the chicken was appropriately detained and searched in accordance with current SOP's. We apologize for any embarrassment to the chicken. As a result of this unfortunate incident, the command has instituted a gender sensitivity training program and all future chicken searches will be conducted by female soldiers. 



Al Jazeera: The chicken was forced to cross the road multiple times at gunpoint by a large group of occupation soldiers, according to eye-witnesses. The chicken was then fired upon intentionally, in yet another example of the abuse of innocent Iraqi chickens. 



Blackwater: We cannot confirm any involvement in the chicken-road-crossing incident. 



Translators: Chicken he cross street because bad she tangle regulation. Future chicken table against my request. 



U.S. Marine Corps: The chicken is dead.

CAOA Joint Venture (a reconstruction contractor): We would be willing to allow the chicken to cross the road, as long as we are allowed to evaluate the relevant transportation infrastructure and get 3 competent and graded bids. Given the overhead rate of 23% and forward depreciation…

Donald Rumsfeld: There are known chickens and unknown chickens. Did the chicken intend to cross the road? Heavens, yes! Was it her intention to cross it in the manner that she did cross it? Perhaps not. 



Scott McLellan: As I said before, what the president said earlier about the chicken incident is still operative. If I receive further information I will of course be glad to share it with you. 



John Ashcroft: The chicken was possessed by Satan and deserved everything that happened to him. National security prohibits me from saying more. 



Condoleezza Rice: No one could have possibly foreseen that chicken would try to cross that road to get to that side. 



John Kerry: While I cannot say that I do not fully support the president's actions in the chicken-road incident, it is certainly not my intention to state that, in conjunction with our long-time friends and allies, I would not have done it better. Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it!

Dick Cheney: The press is using the chicken incident to divert attention from the fact that Saddam had nuclear weapons and was going to use them on us. AAAAGH, my heart!!! Lay off or I'll shoot you in the face.



Colin Powell: These satellite photos conclusively show that there was, indeed, a road there. That the chicken had the intention of crossing this road is made clear from this recording made the night before in the chicken coop... Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

PRESIDENT BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.



HANS BLIX: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.



RALPH NADER: The chicken's habitat on the other side of the road had been polluted by unchecked industrial greed. The chicken did not reach the unspoiled habitat on the other side of the road because it was crushed by the wheels of a gas-guzzling SUV.



BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken? Does the chicken have any distinguishing characteristics?



PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.



ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain. Alone.

RUSH LIMBAUGH: I don't know why the chicken crossed the road, but I'll bet it was getting a government grant to cross the road, and I'll bet that somebody out there is already forming a support group to help chickens with crossing-the-road syndrome. Can you believe this?!? How much more of this can real Americans take? Chickens crossing the road paid for by their tax dollars. And when I say tax dollars, I'm talking about your money, money the government took from you to build a road for chickens to cross. Where is my OxyContin? I'll bet Michael J. Fox is swaying and exaggerating the entire thing just to get some sympathy.



GRANDPA: In my day, we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.



OPRAH WINFREY & Sally Jesse Raphael: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heartwarming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.



JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together-in peace.



ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.



KARL MARX: It was an historic inevitability.



CAPTAIN KIRK: To boldly go where no chicken has ever gone before.



SIGMUND FREUD: The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken
crossed the road reveals your underlying sexual insecurity.



BILL GATES: I have just rolled out eChicken2003, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet explorer is an integral part of eChicken.



ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?



THE BIBLE: And God came down from heaven, and he said unto the chicken THOU SHALT CROSS THE ROAD. And the chicken didst cross the road, and there was much rejoicing.



SANDERS: Did I miss one?

Navy: The chicken upon crossing the road was painted and lashed to the curb.
 


Baghdad Bob (the Iraqi Information Minister under Saddam): The chicken never crossed the road! He is safe in Baghdad, miles from the marauding vehicles of the infidel! THERE IS NO ROAD!


USAF: "As you can see here in the target video, the bomb was locked onto the chicken...and there it goes...the chicken is still moving...still moving...and unfortunately passed out of the parameters of the guidance system so that the bomb completely missed it and hit the weasel instead. Gotta admit though, it's impressive footage..."

MOHAMMED ALDOURI (Iraqi ambassador) 
The chicken did not cross the road. This is a complete fabrication. We don't even have a chicken.

SADDAM HUSSEIN
This was an unprovoked act of rebellion and we were quite justified in dropping 50 tons of nerve gas on it.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question.

RONALD REAGAN
What chicken?

FOX MULDER 
You saw it cross the road with your own eyes! How many more chickens have to cross before you believe it?

AL GORE 
I invented the chicken. I invented the road. Therefore, the chicken crossing the road represented the application of these two different functions of government in a new, reinvented way designed to bring greater services to the American people.

MARTHA STEWART 
No one called to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the farmer's market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

JERRY FALWELL 
Because the chicken was gay! Isn't it obvious? Can't you people see the plain truth in front of your face? The chicken was going to the "other side." That's what they call it -- the other side. Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And, if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media whitewashes with seemingly harmless phrases like "the other side."

DR. SEUSS 
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road; but why it crossed, I've not been told!

JACQUES CHIRAC 
We will veto any resolution regarding non-compliance of the chicken whether is has or has not crossed the road!

AEGIS PSD (a security contractor): The chicken attempted to cross the road we were using. And after the chicken ignored numerous warning shots, we shot the chicken's car up and set the video record of the incident to an Elvis tune. That's what is now on the internet…

NSA: Of course we monitored the Chicken's conversations on the XXXXXX with XXXX, XXXXX and XXXXXX, using our national technical assets XXXXXXX and XXXXXX in XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, XXXXX, and XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX despite the laws forbidding such spying without a warrant. President Bush said XXXXXXX and that's good enough for us! (redacted, for reasons of National Security)

Colonel Stevens (BAF commander): Denied, denied, denied. The chicken may not cross the road. Because I said so and that is that.

Diligence Middle East (another security contractor) You fooking C#nt! Get your feathered arse across the road or I'll choke the life out of you.

Controlled Risks (yet another security contractor) Chicken? Is this another way to refer to our esteemed Filipina housemaids?

Average Iraqi security guy. Chicken on the road? Let me get my flip flops…

FOX NEWS (Fair and Balanced): And Fox News' exclusive reporting has determined that the Islamofascist liberal terrorist chickens in Iraq have crossed the road. Loyal and patriotic Americans (Republicans All) have been "staying the course" to allow the president (God bless him) to announce MISSION ACCOMPLISHED at will. In other news, cut and run "pro death" antichristian Democrats have introduced a new death tax bill to steal money from hard working deceased Americans.

Average Afghan: They have chickens? Truly they have all the blessings of Allah…

I still can't believe it ...I just can't ... Abid, one of the few who really inspired me and became a very good friend. An amazing guy , a bundle of energy, spontaneous, fun, always making others around him smile ...
I can't believe that he was kidnapped and murdered in Parwan, Afghanistan.
http://profiles.takingitglobal.org/Abid-Akmal

Abid was a true Afghan, a true pathan who believed in a merciful God and who believed in his people and so he stayed back in his country and worked to bring peace and safety back to his beloved land.

My heart goes out to his family . I pray they get the strength to carry on.

I have Abid's number but I dont have the courage to call knowing that he won't be there on the other end to receive my call ... He has touched our lives in such beautiful ways...its hard to hold back tears now ...when I was in Delhi there was a part of me which was very sad ...and it was Abid who healed that part ...He gave me hope and taught me to look at life from a whole new point of view...I truly respect and love him for being such a good friend...

His zest for life was so infectious that he made everyone around him happy. No one can take his place !

I know we have to gain strength from his life and stand up against all who took him away from us... and let's promise each other never to stop fighting against those evil elements.

Let us all do our bit to bring peace and safety back to Afghanistan...

Love & peace

I hear a lot of cases about sexual abuse on children and young people. Often, it happens in their own homes where their own father, male relatives or other close friends who the children trust are the ones who betray them. I don't understand, how a father or an uncle or a grandfather could ever do that to his own. Is it a mental illness? While I do not believe in capital punishment, when I hear of such crimes like child molestations or sexual abuse, I cannot help myself but think that the best punishment for them is to show everything that they did to those children, picture by picture, frame by frame, until the fang of their guilt devour them. Like a month ago, there was this young girl who was burned alive after she was sexually molested. These kinds of evil, I cannot take. I cannot make peace with these things, not when children are involved.

For children who are made prostitutes by their own parents, or relatives, there's no forgiveness. It's the responsibility of the parents to provide a good life for their children. If they cannot, they should not be allowed to have children in the first place (this may sound a violation of human rights, especially freedom of choice but really, what rights do they have to sell their children?!) Even if the parents are poor, they should be the one to make every legal means possible to at least feed their children, or clothed them or give them shelter. I know a lot of poor families and the parents do their best, work almost 24/7 just to make sure that their children eat 3x/day, or that they have blankets to keep them warm. But of course, we are responsible for them as well. For allowing it to happen. For making them poorer, more envious. For allowing child prostitution businesses to prosper. For keeping our mouth shut when we know that the kid next door is being molested and made prositute by his or her parents.


For some people, prostitution is an opportunity to live, or to survive rather. For those who are 18 and above, it's become a personal choice, not that they have other choices. I'm sure, if there's a better job out there and if they have the skill, prostitution would not have been included in their choice of work. Like, the other night, I was watching on a local network the "local bills" that our councilors passed. One of them was talking about prostituttions. He said that "it is very alarming that when the sun sets, prostitutes are on queue" on this particular avenue, and "these prostitutes are very young like 14-16 years old." He added, "these young women are not native of this town, they've come from other poor provinces. We therefore think that we should set a raid, and take all the prostitutes." One chauvinist councilor in a malicious tone said, "I'll go with you", and all other chauvinist councilors, as if in unison, reiterated, "me, too", and they all laughed. Bastards! They wanted to go there not because they want to save these young women but because they want to see a spectacle, being surrounded by half-naked women, would have been a taste of ectasy. If they trully want to be of help, they would have a ready-made alternative for these young women. They would have planned it really well, like send them to school after the Department of Social Welfare and Development officers have counselled them. But no, they just wanted to "catch" these young women as if they were the criminals. Like most raids, these women would be put to jail, subject to more molestations and sexual abuses by God-knows-who. And what about those people who made profits out of these poor young women? Nothing. They just enjoy their profit, relocate and look for another opportunity to lure poor young women to their bait. Our local government, obviously is oblivious of women's rights, of gender sensitivity. They make local bills that are trully nonsensical. They don't even read, I'm sure, that's why they are so dense. Again, it's our fault for voting these people. Well, I didn't vote for them but the rest of local city populace did.

I just love everything that he writes.

When I first read "The Island of the Day Before", I was like, "Omigod! That's exactly how I imagined things when I was a young HS student, creating my own theories about getting old or younger the moment one crosses the latitudes" But of course, his was more intellectual in a sense. It was like reading what I had in mind.

Anyway, my latest addiction is his Foucault's Pendulum. I read it before and reading it again after 3 years of keeping from the shelf. Now, I understand it more clearly. I really believe that his works are the work of not just a creative writer but a genius, somebody who can infuse history, myth, science, religion and creative writing in one. I mean, there are other writers who write beautifully but not with intellectual magnitude like him. Eco does not only entertain but informs very well. I have to read the "Name of the Rose" soon. I have some of his books in my library and this month til next month, he will be my "author of the month". I wish I could see him in person! Maybe that chance meeting will spark some inspiration in my own writing. Maybe.

Funny, I've been directed to the Middle Ages era in all the books I've recently bought, especially the ones connected to the Templars. Maybe, it's the kind of topic that's been read many many times and it's no longer a hot topic. I really don't mind having that kind of information: myth, stories, legends of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. I just enjoy reading.

Since my visit to Mexico, I had this dream of learning the Spanish language whole-heartedly. Although I took Basic Spanish a few years back, I only remembered a few phrases. The Filipino language has similarity in the Spanish language, as a matter of fact, there are so many Filipino words that are derived from Spanish. For this reason, I was able to, more or less, bargain some items in the flea market in Mexico. People thought I was Mexican. As my teacher would say, "you were Mexican, the Wise Woman of Mexico, Was it Mayan?". But when I went to Spain, it was totally different. The Spanish was harder to understand probably because they spoke quite fast and kind of slang.

Anyway, I recently visited a bookstore and bought 5 Spanish grammar books. From beginner's to intermediate, from conversational to basic form, and of course, a writing worksheet! Everyday, I try to read 1-5pages a day just to familiarize with terms and construction. I am preparing myself so that when I study the language formally, I won't start from scratch. I feel, I'm destined to go back to Spain (or I dream of going back to Spain, anyway) so I have to learn their language better.

Next time, when I'm good with Spanish, I will have to go back to my French school and relearn the language. Yes, I did study French for the simple reason: to be able to pronounce French food especially pastries properly. Hahaha. I just love French pastries and cakes. Yummy!

Next will be Italian. I like their accent, almost like singing; very romantic.

Next next will be German.

Then the classical languages (Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Eyptian...) I'll just stop on my death bed, well, maybe not. Who knows, I might be chanting a Tibetan prayer to hasten my "transformation".

Also posted at: http://abc4all.net/essay.htm

The training is in a beautiful villa called Villa Boccella which is 45 minutes away from the town of Lucca. Our villa is at the foot of the mountain and we are surrounded by trees, flowers, herbs and vineyards. Everytime the sun rises, it shines through my window and it is just so lovely. Our food is strictly vegetarian but once in awhile we go out of the villa and eat at the nearby restaurants. The food is just so good, you woudn't even ask for fish or chicken or meat. The water tastes so good since Tuscan water is fresh.

The training is composed of of 24 particapants across the globe, alot of them are Americans, Irish, British and Australians (age17-35). And due to economic circumstance and language barrier, there are only 4 from Asia (Me, 2 Vietnamese, and 1 Nepalese) and 1 from Africa. We are divided into 4
teams, and all of us have a chance to be the "leader". On the first day, even without knowing each other that much we have learned to trust each other, especially within the team. Each task requires different leadership style and the more you participate the more you know which style fits you. We manage to resolve conflicts, use our own voice, and use dialogues to get to the bottom of things. nothing in the course is not known to us. However, the training reminds us of what we value, what we love and the kind of philosophy we embrace in relation to giving service to other people and the community. Questions like, how do we become aware of our surrounding if we are not even aware of our self? How do we maintain trust and partnership, when competition is the name of the game?

We are also lucky to visit Siena and learn how this city was built by visionaries of that timeand how this town became prosperous and pro-people. The lecturer is also a volunteer and is so passionate in sharing her knowledge with us. She is not even an Italian but through her self-discovery and self-study, she's been invited to lecture in different conferences and trainings in Europe. So I believe that in order to become an effective leader, it is not only limited to doing something outside but also one must work within. As leaders, we have to make ourselves a good "educator" to also inspire others.

In the training we also have "moments of silence" or others call it "meditation" and just listen to what the Universe is telling us, so to speak. It gives us a sense of stillness which makes us see, hear and
understand more.

Each of us also have personal mentor from the Lucca Trainers/Coaches to guide us in our current or future projects. All of the trainers are volunteers too, who of course, have been under the Lucca trainings. A lot of the trainers are Educators, Businessmen and Lawyers who are also traveling alot to reach the places and people who are often neglected. They also use their "miles" to sponsor trainees in the training, which a friend told me about. I'm sure, in the nearest future, when I'm able to sponsor others, one of the training grounds will be Lucca Leadership.

Anyway, here is the link to the organization: www.luccaleadership.org I will try to make a video presentation of our training to post on our yfci or abc4all web. But it may take a little more time.

I found this site, which is worth the share.

Note: Directly adapted from the website: www.justicemakers.net

Important Dates:
August 14th: Application Window Closes
August 21st: Semi-Finalists Announced
Setptember 8th: Public Rating & Judging Begins
September 24th: Public Rating & Judging Ends
October 12th: Winners Announced

2008 Competition RegistrationJusticeMakers is hosting a global competition for innovations that end torture, abuse, and arbitrary detainment. The competition will award $5,000 to the eight best proposals for concrete, achievable action.

Participation is free, and open to anyone with an idea and a familiarity with his or her country's criminal justice system. Don't miss out!

For registration, please go to their website and inquire.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Food for thought or food for survival? ... though the creation of thought is definitely dependent and influenced by the presence /absence / quantity or quality of food .

The first half of my day was spent casually going about my reading and other mundane chores and anticipating the culinary delights that I might be savouring in the evening.
So much was the anticipation that I and my friend practically starved ourselves thinking about the treat..."we better prepare ourselves ...adjust the space in our tummies... make way for the excess calories that were going to be added in the evening"...

Ah ...well the wait for the food stretched so much that sitting in the restaurant we could think of nothing but food....food that was travelling from the kitchen to the tables with eagerly awaiting palates, ready to gobbled, munched or chewed carefully( depending upon on the time-lapse between their previous bite).

For a moment we looked at each other, sparks flying????
...ummm no ...
we just couldn't take our mind off food...we just smiled .... " Ohh I wish the order comes or I swear I am going to snatch that next plate that passes by me! " screamed my "on-the-verge-of-a-major-social-breakdown" friend.

We tried to shift our gaze to a particular loud table where a few drunkorexic two-pot screamer kids were practising the art of "Yo/hey-man-ing" [screaming the words "Yo/hey-man" accompanied by the hip-hop hand gesture (
it is the arm bent at around a 90 degree angle out from the body and being moved up and down :)) or as a 'disillusioned-with-rap' guy describes "making a pouty-kinda face and waving their arm in the air like they're swatting flies")......

no it doesn't work!!!!....
the aroma of freshly baked cakes with pinguedinous layers just filled my senses immediately reminding me that our order had still not arrived...
I looked at my companion who had turned atrabilious for the lack of food and summoned up the greatest gravitas that I could accomodate on my face in that situation and enquired about our order to which I got a polite but firm reply that "'it's almost ready ma'am".

This is actually an invitation to those who are interested in writing and who need a nurturing space and a pleasurable time to do so. The facilitators are the same facilitators who taught me the feminine face of meditation :) Anyway, you don't have to be a pro, if you are interested in writing or if you just want to give it a shot, here goes:

WRITING RETREAT July 10 – 14, 200

International Women’s Partnership for Peace and Justice (IWP) announces a 5 day writing retreat for aspiring and seasoned writers. The retreat will provide a quiet, peaceful and supportive environment to create the time and space needed for contemplative and creative writing or journaling.

The retreat will be largely self-facilitated, and the majority of each day will be time for writing. Meals, optional daily meditation and yoga, and group check-ins will be communal. Participants may decide on creating more group time; the schedule will be flexible and emergent.



The retreat will be housed at the training and retreat center of IWP in a village in northern Thailand. Participants will be housed in double/triple accommodation in our earthen guesthouse. Participation is limited to 15 people.

There are no formal course fees given the self facilitated nature of the retreat. Fees for food, accommodation, and venue are on a sliding scale of 650-900 baht per day; thus for the 5 day retreat, the scale is 3250 baht – 4500 baht, based on your ability to pay.

Please contact Ginger at ginger@womenforpeaceandjustice.org for more information or to register for retreat.

(directly adapted from the web at www.womenforpeaceandjustice.org)