Countries are being delayed in the HIPC initiative by conditionalities that are not relevant to debt relief, including overly stringent fiscal criteria and the requirement to privatise large swathes of the economy, according to a report from the New Economics Foundation intended to shadow the official World Bank and IMF annual HIPC Status of Implementation Report. The report says debt sustainability should be defined according to whether or not countries will be left with sufficient resources to meet the Millennium Development Goals after debt relief.

The Community Agency for Social Enquiry, a leading South African research NGO, invites applications for our 2004 Internship Programme. The Programme is a six-month internship aimed at young graduates who are planning a career in research and are committed to development in South Africa.

The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum, which represent 18,000 publications in 100 countries, has written to the Mauritania authorities protesting the seizure of the print-runs of four weekly newspapers. According to reports, during the week of 12 to 18 October, the government banned or seized the print-runs of four weekly newspapers: Le Calame; Le Journal du Jeudi; Le Sahara; and Essahiva.

Organised by the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA), the African Virtual Open Initiatives and Resources (AVOIR) project at the University of the Western Cape and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the conference will address the challenges and opportunities of the creation and use of free / open source software and open content and their development potential for Africa. The conference has both strategic and practical objectives, bringing together participants from government, education, business and civil society together with the developer community.

The recent report by human rights advocacy group Amnesty International that Rwanda still has troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was "based on unfounded allegations, speculation and innuendo", the Rwandan Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Monday. "We categorically reject insinuations by Amnesty International, some NGOs and journalists that we still have forces in the South and North Kivu and even in Ituri region," the ministry said.

The national university of Niger has reopened after two weeks of official closure following student demonstrations earlier this month. Officials said on Monday that classes were due to resume this week. The government unexpectedly closed Abdou Moumouni national university in the capital, Niamey, on 13 October following two days of anti-government demonstrations on 8 and 9 October.

Angola made one of its biggest peacetime strides on Monday as education experts set the wheels in motion to train 29,000 new teachers, with the aim of getting one million children back into the classroom.

What has freedom brought? It is almost 10 years since apartheid ended and government has published its draft review of its first decade in power to hold up a mirror to its own performance. Its reflection of the freedom years reveals a chequered pattern - good in parts; patchy in others. There are more poor households than there were in 1994 when the African National Congress (ANC) was voted in. Then, 28 percent of all households lived in poverty; that figure has now grown to over one in three households.

The Funding Site provides a searchable online database of prospective donors and a comprehensive range of information, training, advertising and marketing services to the South African non-profit and Development Community. It also aims to provide a comprehensive educational, networking and marketing opportunity for non-profits so that they are able to expand and prosper in all areas.

The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) is accepting applications for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award for 2004. The award is given annually to a public library or similar organisation outside the United States that has shown a commitment to offering to the public free access to information technology through an existing innovative program. The award includes a grant of up to $1 million. The application can be downloaded on the CLIR Web site http://www.clir.org./fellowships/gates/gates.html.

The Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) is seeking a dynamic Burundi Radio Producer with extensive experience in community radio.

The Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) provides a specialised news and information service designed to enhance the capacity of the international community to understand, respond to and avert humanitarian emergencies. In 2002, IRIN launched its Radio project, designed to strengthen universal access to impartial news and information, especially among conflict-affected and other vulnerable populations, through a cooperative partnership with community radio stations.

Mango’s 2004 Programme of Finance Training is now available and can be viewed in full on our website at: http://www.mango.org.uk/training/calendar.asp. The 2004 programme, delivered at regional locations around the world, includes a range of one to 10-day practical courses tailored to the needs of programme and finance staff in the NGO sector. Full course details and calendar are available from our website or by contacting Barbara Johnstone at [email protected].

We are an established NGO, with the aims of reconciliation and comunity development through a range of grassroots projects including the Tsebong Community library, computer training courses for the disadvantaged, the Iphediseng women's sewing project, art programmes and the Interactive Themba Theatre group who are pioneering HIV/AIDs education through drama. We are looking for a part time administrator to start at the end of November. Ideally you are a mature person with initiative, fluent English and a minimum of one African language ( preferably Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho). You will also have at least 3 years' previous experience in an office environment, with a good working knowledge of Word, Excel and email with proven skills in book-keeping as your role will be to deliver the day to day administration of the office at the Centre and its various projects. The salary we can offer is from R2750pm for 3 days a week. Please send your cv & letter of application/phone number, with current salary and references by fax to 011 477 3490, email [email][email protected] or post PO Box 468 Westhoven 2142 Jo’burg by NOON Wednesday 29th Oct. Interviews will be at the Centre on Friday 31st Oct.

The Internet Nonprofit Centre is the home of the Nonprofit FAQ. The FAQ is based on "frequently asked questions" – and their answers – drawn from the 'Nonprofit' email discussion forum on fundraising.

An "E-Donor Bill of Rights" is being created to address concerns and challenges arising from Internet charitable giving. The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is working with other philanthropic organisations as well as online service providers to ensure that online donors have greater confidence in the nonprofit organisations and causes they are asked to support.

Tuition centres have become the rage in Zambia. The centres offer what would appear to be dream schools. Small classes with individual attention from teachers, concentration on weak subjects and to top it all British accredited examinations: O level and A level.

Even if the HIV-Aids pandemic is brought under control over the next few years, orphan numbers will continue to grow for at least two more decades, says Unicef.

Child rights groups are increasingly alarmed at attempts by Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya to fast-track the Children's Bill ahead of next year's election. The Children's Bill - meant to replace the Child Care Act of 1983 - is a holistic approach to the rights of all children. Among other things it would have put in place a new child-friendly court system.

Despite the much-touted existence of free primary school education which was introduced by the ruling United Democratic Front party in 1994, some primary schools in the country are said to be demanding that students pay K15 each every month to cater for water bills and watchmen’s salaries. It has been alleged that due to government’s failure to meet the costs the students are being asked to pay, according to The Chronicle newspaper.