Both ENDS – INFO NEWSLETTER # 2/2001

 


The information in the info newsletters is based on data from Both ENDS’ database of donor- and organisation profiles. Maintenance of the database is part of Both ENDS’ ongoing service to environmental organisations in the South and CEE-countries.

 


 

Index

 

Introduction

African Capacity Building Foundation

Bank Information Center USA: Toolkits for Activists

Capacity.org

Center for Sustainable Human Rights Action

CGIAR

CIDA: Capacity Development - Occasional Series

CIVICUS

DelNet

Development Gateway: NGO Capacity Building

Environment Liaison Centre International

EUFORIC

ICRAF

Institute of Development Studies

International Forum on Capacity Building

Indonesia NGO's Network: Capacity Building

Inter Réseaux Developpement Rural

International IDEA's Work Capacity-Building Programme

INTRAC

International Union of Local Authorities

Milieukontakt Oost-Europa

NRM-Changelinks

PACT Building Capacity Worldwide

Projects in International Development and Training

Powerful Information

Regional Environmental Center for Central and  Eastern Europe

Rights & Democracy International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development

SDGateway

SIT: School for International Training

Toolkit

UNDP: Capacity Development Resource Book

United Nations Sustainable Development: Capacity Building

World Conservation Monitoring Center: Capacity Buiding Program

ZHABA Facilitator's Collective

 


Introduction

 

This edition of the info newsletter is dedicated to the services on the internet regarding capacity building and institutional strengthening for non-governmental organisations. Please note that the newsletter provides a selection without any claim to be complete.

 

Regarding capacity building (or capacity strengthening, or capacity increase) one finds a vast array of conceptual and operational definitions being used, each dependent on actor's particular understanding of what capacity is, and on how capacity is supposed to be built. There is no single definition of the concept of capacity and capacity building. It rather constitutes an approach, a way of thinking, to development.

 

Capacity building can be seen as a part of overall nation-building strategies (the macro-level) often with emphasis on democracy and good governance. Also it can be considered as the overall strengthening of individual organisations, sectors or functions (meso-level) focusing primarily on instrumental issues (such as the development of procedures, management training, organisational development, strategy formulation, etc.). And last but not least it can be viewed as human resource development e.g. of a particular local NGOs (the micro-level).

As a consequence, there are a multitude of projects and programmes in the name of capacity building based on quite different assumptions, contents, concepts, and expectations.

 

The following survey of internet sources in the field of capacity building reflects the situation as described above. To bring some order in the multitude of approaches, view-points and specialities the following survey is arranged in alphabetical order.

 

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African Capacity Building Foundation

 

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), based in Harare, Zimbabwe, is an independent, development funding institution, established in 1991, through three multilateral institutions (the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and United Nations Development Programme), African Governments and bilateral donors.

 

The mission of the Foundation is to be “ the leading African Institution in the building and strengthening of  human and institutional capacity in sub-Saharan Africa”.  Its aims to “ Mobilize and provide funding, intellectual, information and research support for the design and implementation of capacity building projects which meet the specific needs of African countries and ensure sustainable development and poverty reduction.”

 

Southampton Life Centre, 7th Floor, Cnr. Jason Moyo Avenue/Second Street
P.O.Box 1562, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263-4-738520, 790398/9, 700208 ; Fax: +263-4-702915
Email: root@acbf.co.zw  

 

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Bank Information Center USA: Toolkits for Activists

   

The Toolkits are a series of fact sheets that describe the structure, functions, policies and procedures of the World Bank Group and its affiliates. The Toolkits are intended to support NGOs, grassroots social movements and other civil society organizations in their efforts to monitor and influence World Bank-financed development projects and environmental and social policies. The Toolkits come in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Bahasa Indonesia.

 

733 15th Street NW Suite 1126, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel: +1-202-737.7752; Fax: +1-202-737.1155  

Email: info@bicusa.org

 

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Capacity.org

 

An initiative of the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM).

This website is a gateway to capacity building and is dedicated to advancing the policy and practice of capacity building in international development cooperation.

 

Every quarter a new issue is published which focuses on a particular theme, with an introduction, an annotated bibliography and a guest contribution. Other sections are updated regularly. Furthermore a review of news and events and of course related links and an full-text archive section.

 

Since connectivity to Internet is limited in many countries in the South. A parallel newsletter, highlighting the major features of Capacity.org is published. The hard copy version is available for those who do not have internet access. It can be ordered via cb@ecdpm.org or: ECDPM, O.L.Vrouweplein 21, NL-6211 HE Maastricht, The Netherlands. Fax: +31-43-350.29.02

 

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Center for Sustainable Human Rights Action

 

CeSHRA, the Center for Sustainable Human Rights Action, believes that strong, healthy organizations are necessary for effective human rights monitoring, research, education and advocacy.. CeSHRA offers technical assistance, publications and training resources through their Institution-Building Resource Center. 

 

122 West 27th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA
Tel: +1-212-691.8020; Fax: +1-253-390.0781

Email: ceshra@ceshra.org

 

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CGIAR

The site is hosted by CGIAR but is maintained by The International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) which assists developing countries in improving the performance of their national agricultural research systems and organizations. 

 

Amongst others the site provides a list of key references on capacity development and evaluation, a list of useful definitions related to capacity development and evaluation, and links to sites containing information and contacts related to capacity development and evaluation, as well as workshop reports.

 

ISNAR/CGIAR

P.O. Box 93375, 2509 AJ The Hague, The Netherlands
Tel: +31-70-349.6100; Fax: +31-70-381.9677

Email: isnar@cgiar.org

 

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CIDA: Capacity Development - Occasional Series

The purpose of this series of papers is to contribute to shared learning within CIDA about capacity development. The overall emphasis in the series is on how capacity development can contribute to more effective development programming

 

200 Promenade du Portage, Hull, Quebec K1A 0G4, Canada
Tel: +1-819-997.5006; Fax: +1-819-953.6088

Email: info@acdi-cida.gc.ca  

 

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CIVICUS

 

CIVICUS is an international alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world. CIVICUS is developing a series of Toolkits which can be used by organizations to enhance, build, use, inform or educate their capacity. Only the Civicus Internet Toolkit is partly available. The others are still under construction.

 

919 18th Street, N.W. Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006, USA
Tel: +1-202-331.8518; Fax: +1-202-331.8774  

 

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DelNet

 

DelNet is a Programme of the International Training Centre of the ILO. The purpose of DeNet is to support local development and decentralization processes which are occurring in various parts of the world by promoting local capacity buiding through training, information, technical advice and networking. (In English, French, Spanish and Portuguese).

 

International Labour Office Communications and Files Section (DOSCOM)
4, route des Morillons, 1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland

Tel: +41-22-799.6111; Fax: +41-22-798.8685

Email: ilo@ilo.org

 

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Development Gateway: NGO Capacity Building

 

The NGO Capacity Building page is a resource for development NGOs seeking information on ways to enhance organizational performance and strengthen their capacity to deliver quality services. This site provides background information on the concept, as well as case studies, discussions, project profiles, event descriptions and more.

 

Development Gateway
Room I4-408, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA
Tel: +1-202-473.3502
Fax: +1-202-522.7479  

 

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Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI)

 

ELCI is an international non-governmental organisation with the aim of strengthening communication and co-operation between NGOs and civil society, providing liaison between NGOs and UNEP, building the capacities of environmental NGOs in developing countries, and encouraging the advisory role of NGOs through the international environmental conventions and organs of the United Nations.

 

P.O. Box 72461, Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254-2-576114/54; Fax: 254-2-562175

Email: info@elci.org  

 

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EUFORIC

 

This site provides direct links to a range of full text articles on capacity building (in English, French and German).

 

Cortenstraat 4, 6211 HT Maastricht, The Netherlands
Tel: +31-43-350.29.31/32; Fax: +31-43-325.63.92

Email: info@euforic.org

 

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ICRAF

 

The International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) aims to improve human welfare by alleviating poverty, improving food and nutritional security, and enhancing environmental resilience in the tropics. ICRAF conducts strategic and applied research, in partnership with national agricultural research systems, for more sustainable and productive land use. It has five research and development themes one of which is capacity and institutional strengthening through training and the dissemination of information.

 

The training and education aspect of ICRAF's activities is within the 'Training and Education' programme. The programme offers diverse training opportunities.


PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: +254-2-521.450 or +1-650-833.6645
Fax: +254-2-521.001 or +1-650-833.6646
email: ICRAF@cgiar.org

 

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Institute of Development Studies

 

IDS is an internationally-renowned centre for research and teaching on development, established in 1966. IDS also hosts many innovative information and knowledge management services.

 

BLDS: online catalogue of Europe's largest library on international development

ELDIS:the gateway to development information

BRIDGE: information and analysis service on development and gender

ID21: research reporting service, summarising latest development research

The Global Development Network's online community linking local development research and policy

Livelihoods Connect: DFID's learning platform supporting the implementation of sustainable livelihoods approaches

The one stop information forum on microfinance - a collaboration between CGAP and ELDIS
Web site of the Globalisation and Poverty research programme.

IDS Participation Team Information Centre

 

Institute of Development Studies, c/o University of Sussex

Brighton BN1 9RE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1273-606.261; Fax: +44-1273-621.202/691.647

Email: ids@ids.ac.uk

 

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IFCB: International Forum on Capacity Building

 

The International Forum for Capacity Building is a global initiative launched by NGOs from Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America in an effort to focus on key future priorities of capacity building for Southern NGOs. It is a multistakeholder forum in which Southern NGOs engage Northern NGOs and donors in debate and innovation which shape conceptual approaches, policies and practices for future capacity building interventions.

The focus of the activities both at global and regional level consists of: documentation and dissemination, facilitation of national multistakeholder dialogues, support regional and global conferences on capacity building, and promote inter-regional exchange on the above-mentioned issues.

 

Focal Points:

Horn of Africa: Inter Africa Group, Ethiopia

Eastern and Southern Africa: MWENGO, Zimbabwe

Western and Central Africa: PAID, Burkina Faso

Latin America:

Asociación Latinoamericana de Organizaciones de Promoción (ALOP)

Apartado postal 265 1350, San José, Costa Rica
Tel: +506-283.2122; Fax: +506-283.5898

ABONG, Brazil

FUPROVI, Costa Rica

Asia/Pacific:

ANGOC, Philippines

PRIP Trust, Bangladesh

Global Secretariat: PRIA

42, Tughlakabad, Institutional Area, New Delhi 110062, India

Tel : +91-11-608.1908/9559; Fax: +91-11-608.0183

Email: info@pria.org

http://www.pria.org/cgi-bin/index.htm

 

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Indonesia NGO’s Network: Capacity Building

 

This site is maintained by PAKTA and has information on Indonesian NGO’s regarding capacity building in Bahasa Indonesia.

 

PAKTA

JL.K.H Mahmud III No.8, Perdatam Pancoran, Jakarta 12780, Indonesia
Tel: +62-21-79194607; Fax: +62-21-79195071
Email: pactia@rad.net.id & pakta@ngo.or.id  

 

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Inter Réseaux Développement Rural

Inter-Réseaux is specialised in international cooperation and rural development in the South. With a stress on bottom-up experiences. It provides good access to many capacity building francophone sites.

 

32 rue Le Peletier, 75009 Paris

Tel: +33-1-4246.5713; Fax: +33-1-4246.5424
Email: secretariat@inter-reseaux.org

 

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International Association of Facilitators

 

The IAF encourages and supports the formation of local groups of facilitators to network and provide professional development opportunities for their members. Regional groups from around the world are invited to become affiliated with the IAF to help promote the profession of facilitation. IAF members work and consult with public, private and non-governmental sectors in over twenty nations. They practice organizational and social change using group process methodologies.

 

7630 West 145th Street, Suite 202, St. Paul, MN 55124, USA

Tel: +1-952-891.3541; Fax: +1-952-891.1800

Email: office@iaf-world.org

 

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International IDEA's Work Capacity-Building Programme

 

International IDEA promotes and advances sustainable democracy world-wide. The Capacity-Building (CB) programme works towards attaining this objective on two levels:
In the first place it works within countries to facilitate dialogue on democratic reform and to enhance the capacity for democratic reform through domestic partners.

Secondly, the Institute assists other actors in the field of democratization to improve the quality of their democracy initiatives.

 

International IDEA produces a variety of publications, both print and electronic, each aimed at achieving particular objectives and each targeted at specific audiences.

 

International IDEA, Strömsborg, S-103 34 Stockholm, Sweden

Tel: +46-8-698.3700; Fax: +46-8-202.422
Email: info@idea.int

 

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INTRAC

 

INTRAC provides support to organisations involved in international development. Their goal is to improve the performance of NGOs by exploring relevant policy issues and by strengthening NGO management and organisational effectiveness.

INTRAC works in the areas of: civil society strenghtening, linking programmes (

aimed at strengthening the capacities of NGO Support Organisations), research, training (in project and programme management methods) and consultancy services on organisational and institutional development.
 
P.O. Box 563, Oxford OX2 6RZ, United Kingdom

Tel: +44-1865-201.851, Fax: +44-1865- 201852
Email: intrac@gn.apc.org

 

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IULA International Union of Local Authorities

 

IULA is dedicated to promote and unite democratic local government worldwide. Its goals are: To develop and maintain a strong democratic political organisation; To be the worldwide advocate and voice of democratic local government; To be the worldwide source of key information and intelligence regarding democratic local government; To be the worldwide source of learning, exchange and capacity building programmes for democratic local government.

 

IULA World Secretariat:
Laan Copes van Cattenburch 60A, 2585 GC The Hague;
P.O. BOX 9646, 2509 LP The Hague, The Netherlands
Tel: +31-70-3066066; Fax: +31-70-3500496
Email: iula@iula.org

 

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Milieukontakt Oost-Europa

Milieukontakt Oost-Europa cooperates with NGOs active on environmental topics in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Newly Independent States (NIS). They advise, train, connect and give support. Currently Milieukontakt Oost-Europa is active in 15 countries and maintains a network of over a thousand NGOs in east and west that operate on a local, national and international level.

 

P.O. Box 18185, 1001 ZB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tel: +31-20-639.2716; Fax: +31-20-639.1379

Email: info@milieukontakt.nl

 

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NRM-Changelinks

 

This site is an on-line resource guide for those seeking to improve the use of collaborative and learning-based approaches. It aims to provide a practical resource for those who work with communities to help them identify and adopt more sustainable natural resource management practices.

 

The site has links and on-site material about approaches, information and theory regarding capacity development with special attention for “social capital” (since the contemporary view of capacity-building goes beyond the conventional perception of training), collaborative planning and management, participatory monitoring and evaluation etc.

 

For more information and feedback please contact: nrm-changelinks@mail.com  

 

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PACT Building Capacity Worldwide

 

The mission of PACT is to help build strong communities worldwide by strengthening the capacity of grassroots organizations, coalitions and networks and by forging linkages among government, business and the citizen sectors to achieve social, economic and environmental justice.

Pact structures training programs, technical assistance and mentoring based on organizational capacity needs assessment findings that take local organizations to new levels of managerial and financial competence. Training of trainers is an integral and enduring component of the strategy and building the local human resource base their result.

 

Pact Publications
274 Madison Avenue, Suite 1304, New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel: +212-532.8516; Fax: +212-532.4554
Email: books@pactpub.org 

http://www.pactpub.com/capacity.html

 

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Projects in International Development and Traing (PIDT)

 

Projects in International Development and Training (PIDT) was establised by World Learning to manage U.S.-based and overseas development projects. Working in all regions of the world, PIDT specializes in developing the skills and potential of individuals and institutions. Building on World Learning's reputation as a leader in multicultural education and training, PIDT's activities have expanded to include: facilitating effective NGO management; democratic participation; education policy reform; sectoral development; journalism and media; and social advocacy.

In addition, World Learning administers several subgrant programs to afford institutions the funds and resources necessary to increase their effectiveness and impact.

 

1015 Fifteenth Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel: +1-202-408.5420  

 

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Powerfull Information

Powerful Information is an independent, non-profit group which supports local initiatives which promote sustainable development and strengthen civil society. They are working primarily in Central and Eastern Europe and West Africa with locally-based NGOs and key institutions involved in community development, public education and environmental regulation.

 

Their projects are concerned with organisational capacity-building, improving communication and the quality of information available, and raising public awareness of key environmental issues. This includes running training workshops and setting up local resource centres.

 

City Discovery Centre, Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes, MK13 9AP, United Kingdom
tel/fax: +44-1908-320033 

e-mail: admin@powerfulinformation.org

 

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Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe

 

Through REC’s capacity building program opportunities for the environmental activists are offered to expand their expertise and capacities to accelerate the environmental knowledge and progress in the region. The main aims are to increase the individual capacity of present and future environmental leaders and to support the development of institutions and programmes for environmental capacity building in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

 

For more information about the programme and activities of the REC please contact:

Capacity Building Program, The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
Ady Endre
út 9-11, 2000 Szentendre, Hungary
Tel: +36-26-504.000, Fax: +36-26-311.294
Email: N2N@rec.org

 

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Rights & Democracy International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development

 

Rights & Democracy is a Canadian institution which works with citizens' groups and governments in Canada and abroad to promote human and democratic rights.

It focuses on four themes: democratic development and justice, women's rights, indigenous peoples' rights, and globalization and human rights.

 

Rights & Democracy's work emphasizes advocacy and capacity building. It provides political, financial and technical support to many frontline human rights groups, indigenous peoples' groups, women’s groups, and democratic movements around the world. It advocates policy changes in national and international institutions, and strengthens the capacity of its partners to do the same.

 

1001 de Maisonneuve Blvd. East, Suite 1100, Montreal, Quebec H2L 4P9, Canada
Tel: +1-514-283.6073; Fax: +1-514-283.3792
Email: ichrdd@ichrdd.ca

 

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SDGateway

The Education and Capacity Building section of the SDGateway presents examples of education and capacity building initiatives in both the developed and developing world. It also contains articles on institution building.

 

Sustainable Development Communications Network (SDCN)

c/o International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
161 Portage Ave. E., 6th Fl., Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0Y4, Canada
Tel: +1-204-958.7700; Fax: +1-204-958.7710
Email: info@sdcn.org

 

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SIT: School for International Training

 

SIT helps students and working professionals develop cross-cultural competence and global leadership capabilities. Their extensive list of Policy Advocacy documents is very helpful.

 

Kipling Road, P.O. Box 676, Brattleboro, Vermont USA 05302-0676
Tel: +1-802-257-7751; Fax: +1-802-258.3248

Email: info@sit.edu

 

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TOOLKIT

This toolkit is a joint initiative of three Dutch organisations; the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG), development organisation Novib and The Habitat Platform. The toolkit offers information on tools which promote citizen participation in local governance. Over hundred of cases are described and analysed.

 

In Analysis the lessons are summarised which one can learn from the cases on this site about how to make participation in local governance work. In the Toolkit itself one can search through over hundred of participation cases. The site also presents articles and links for further reference.

 

Email: toolkit@novib.nl

 

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UNDP: Capacity Development Resource Book

 

A comprehensive site by UNDP which provides a full text guide to capacity building in both html and pdf formats in English, French and Spanish. Though made in the middle nineties it is still an useful resource.  

 

United Nations Sustainable Development: Capacity Building

 

This site provides a search listing of capacity building topics, with a primary focus on work done within the UN organisations.

 

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World Conservation Monitoring Center: Capacity Building Programme

This site outlines WCMC’s capacity building programme to provide services that empower institutions and individuals to assess their own information needs; to set their own priorities; and to build their own information systems.

 

WCMC has developed a series of hard copy and electronic documents to support others in the development of their own information systems.

 

Information Office, WCMC, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL,

Tel: +44-1223-277.722 or +44-1223-277.314; Fax: +44-1223-277.136
Email: info@wcmc.org.uk  

 

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ZHABA Facilitators Collective

 

ZHABA is a collective of facilitators that cooperates with citizens initiatives to increase the effectiveness of their work. They provide workshops, materials etc. etc.

 

The services of Zhaba comprise: community action planning, project management, organisation models, fundraising, effective meetings, decision-making, delegating and working with volunteers,

working with local authorities, lobbying, networking, gender relations, intercultural communication,

motivation and burn-out prevention, media work, information management, interpersonal and organisational communication, electronic communication, Informational and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for campaigning, and everything else you need for successful campaigning and organising for a better world.

 

PF. 701/178, H-1399 Budapest, Hungary
Tel:/fax: +420-312-693.612

Email: zhaba@ecn.cz

 

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Disclaimer: Both ENDS does not invite reliance upon, nor accept responsibility for, the information it provides. Both ENDS makes every effort to provide a high quality service. However Both ENDS does not give any guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up-to-date nature of the information provided. Both ENDS always welcomes feedback on the information it provides; please mail your comment and/or corrections to hk@bothends.org

All information in this publication has been gathered from public sources, if however organisations have objections against publication in the information newsletter please notify the editor.

 


Ó Both ENDS (October 2001)