The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has had "a major impact on the human rights situation in the country", with torture reported in government- as well as rebel- held areas, says, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson in a report.

UNICEF and the Rwandan ministries of Social Welfare and Public Works have undertaken a nationwide drive to sensitise decision makers and the public to the plight of the 7,000 children who are enduring a precarious existence on the nation's street, the UN Children's Fund in Kigali told IRIN on Monday.

Southern Hemisphere is currently offering an intensive training course in NEGOTIATION SKILLS. The course is aimed at those working in the development sectors, either based in government, non-government organisations, corporate sectors and practitioners.

Southern Hemisphere is currently offering an intensive training course in HUMAN RIGHTS INDICATORS. The course is aimed at those working in the development sectors, either based in government, non-government organisations, corporate sectors and practitioners.

Founded by five humanitarian organizations, The Hope for African Children Initiative was launched this week to help the 13 million orphaned African children and the millions more affected in some way by the AIDS crisis.

A major step forward in the protection of children from exploitation, trafficking and sexual abuse has just been achieved, UNICEF stated, welcoming the imminent entry into force of the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

The recent chilling incident of the killing of a school student by another, has again brought in focus, the alarming increase in violence in schools in South Africa. Administrators now hope to involve parents in counselling children.

One of the largest wilderness areas in South Africa will benefit from $US1 million in conservation funding, delegates to the 7th World Wilderness Congress in Port Elizabeth have heard.

A conference will be held in Mauritius on the 26th and 27th of November 2001 to launch a network on violence against women and girls within the SADC countries, including Madagascar and the Seychelles. It will take place during the 16 days of activism Against Gender Violence Campaign. On 25th of November, a radio talk will also be made concerning the history and aims of the 16 days of activism against gender violence.

Minister of State for Information and Publicity Jonathan Moyo has threatened to sue "The Financial Gazette" for publishing erroneous assertions, "The Herald" reported on 1 November 2001.

Fulltime/part-time interns and volunteers sought for the following programmes:
1. Civil Reparation for Human Rights Violations
2. Research on Universal Jurisdiction
3. Country Research on Reparation for Torture
4. Preparatory Commission for the International Criminal Court
5. REDRESS' casework programme

Starting date: ASAP (posting date 29.10.2001). Based in Berlin.

Annual prize of US$ 30,000 awarded to individuals who, at great personal risk, stand up to oppression in the nonviolent pursuit of respect for human rights.

Applicants for the Grants offered by the UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases must be nationals of, and employed in, the developing disease endemic countries. Grants are awarded for studies leading to a postgraduate degree or for acquiring specialized skills. Studies must be on one or more of the TDR target diseases (listed in details).

An international challenge competition providing seed capital to NGOs for innovation in local resource mobilisation offered by The Citizen Base Initiative, a programme of Ashoka, aims to spark, identify and support local resource mobilisation as an alternative to international fundraising.

Deposit tracking, loan tracking, and general ledger. Handles individual loans as well as group loans, used as Grameen Banking as well as Village Banking organisations and Credit Unions.

Information on grant application procedures, present and past grants, grantees and students, and research accomplishments from past and present grants by the FORUM.

Mandat International is a non-profit-making non-governmental organization which has as its principal missions to welcome and help non-governmental delegates (in particular those from developing countries) coming to Geneva to participate in international conferences. The themes of this conference will be: The themes to be covered will be: Information society, Civil society, International Organization cooperation, Health promotion, Environment, commerce and sustainable development, Indigenous women, Human rights and humanitarian law, The right of people to self-determination, Civil society, private sector cooperation, Peace and disarmament.