Connecting Communities - Sharing Knowledge - Building a Common Future
March 2006


LINKING CIRCLES V:
Strengthening Partnerships in Philanthropy: Building Effective Grantmaking in Indigenous Communities
Join us for this year's annual conference which will be held from May 16-17, 2006 in New York City and will coincide with the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issue. The Ford Foundation and the United Nations Headquarters will both serve as venues and provide the ideal background for this year’s theme, Strengthening Partnerships in Philanthropy: Building Effective Grantmaking in Indigenous Communities.

Linking Circles V will continue IFIP's efforts to improve funding opportunities for Indigenous projects and will feature examples of funders partnering to support locally driven community sustainability. The event will look at establishing and strengthening grantmaker networks, as well as partnerships with international organizations and Indigenous communities. We will also discuss successful strategies and effective grantmaking practices that have been implemented to support Indigenous communities. Some of the session topics that will be discussed at this year's conference include:
  • Advocating and Providing Services for Indigenous Communities
  • Partnerships Between Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Groups
  • Genetic Modification, Food Sovereignty, Traditional Knowledge and Critical Issues Facing Indigenous Peoples
  • Strategies and Opportunities to Advance Indigenous Rights
  • Protection of Indigenous Environments in the Amazon and more...
The Descendance Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dance Theatre, an aboriginal dance company based in Australia, will be performing on May 16th at this year's conference. Descendance has received international recognition including a first place in September 2004 at the first cultural style Olympics in Seoul, Korea, an event sponsored by UNESCO. More than 70 countries were represented and the demand for Descendance to perform has increased around the world, landing them a permanent contract with Disney World at the Epcot Center. As an incentive, IFIP is offering complimentary to early registrants their choice of either a music (CD) or video (DVD) performed by Descendance. Registrants can choose to receive The Descendance CD, Didjeridu Monde (traditional and contemporary music), or The Descendance DVD (100-minutes of performance that includes Aboriginal World Music and Dance Theatre). This complimentary CD/DVD offer is available to individuals that register before April 14.

Tentative Speakers include: Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, Chair UNPFII and Tebtebba Foundation of Philippines; Julia Greenberg, Director of International Program for America Jewish World Service, Ken Wilson Ph.D., Executive Director of The Christensen Fund, Trish Burrow, Director of The Foundation for Young Australians, Peter Kostishack, Co-Director, Amazon Alliance, Moi Enomenga (Huaorani), Vice President of the Huaorani Nation of Ecuador (ONHAE), Anna Kerttula, Circumpolar Conservation Union, Gregoria Flores, OFRANEH of Honduras, Osvaldo Munguía, Executive Director of Mopawi of Honduras and more.

Please join us, as space is limited, email IFIP if you are a donor and want to register.




REPORTS & ARTICLES

 Indigenous Peoples and Migration:
Challenges and Opportunities

In recent years, international attention to the link between migration and development has grown, reflecting an increasing recognition of the far-reaching development implications of migrant flows for both home and host communities. Migration, whether international or internal, presents both opportunities and challenges for migrants themselves, the communities from which they leave, those through which they may transit and those in which they ultimately settle.

Click here for the full report.


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Tsunami Response: A Human Rights Assessment

This report from ActionAid outlines how one year after the Tsunami, despite the tremendous efforts of local, national and international agencies, the rehabilitation and reconstruction process is fraught with difficulties.The report assesses the status of post-tsunami reconstruction and clearly highlights multiple human rights violations in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives. The authors argue for human rights standards in resettlement and reconstruction and non-discriminatory access to relief and rehabilitation. Available online here.


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International Community Foundation
Expands Charitable Giving

International Community Foundation (ICF) released Baja California Sur’s Community-Based Opportunities and Needs to expand charitable giving in the border state. The publication includes a synthesis of community needs and opportunities for giving and volunteering; chapters on areas such as education, health, community and economic development; public-sector funding gaps; and nonprofits that have completed ICF’s due diligence process. The foundation works to increase charitable giving and volunteerism across U.S. borders to benefit communities and local nonprofits, with an emphasis on Baja California. Read the full report.





AWARDS


 The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation
Global Youth Fellowships

Deadline: May 15, 2006

The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation announced its inaugural Global Youth Fellowships targeted to emerging, young Canadian leaders who demonstrate potential to enhance Canada’s role on the world stage. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants and 24 to 35 years of age with previous international work experience (paid or volunteer). Candidates also need to demonstrate sustained commitment to international issues through studies, career choices and volunteer activities. Successful candidates will receive a cash award of $20,000 each and other types of support. Nomination deadline is May 15, 2006. Click here to find out more.


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Fund for Wild Nature Invites Proposals

Deadline: April 28, 2006

The Fund for Wild Nature provides money for campaigns to save and restore native species and wild ecosystems, including actions to defend wilderness and biological diversity. The fund supports advocacy, litigation, public policy work, development of citizen science, and similar endeavors. The fund supports projects only in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Visit the Fund for Wild Nature Web site for complete grant guidelines at: http://fundwildnature.org.
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UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)

The United Nations (UN) launched the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to provide predictable and expedient funding for global humanitarian crises, including those receiving less media attention and international funding than other crises. CERF will jump-start life-saving relief operations during a crisis’ early days (within 72 hours) and also will give long-term support by providing up to $500 million through grants and loans to UN agencies. The fund depends on voluntary contributions from governments, the private sector and individuals. Click here to find out more.


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International Essay Competition 2006

Deadline: April 2, 2006

The World Bank and its partners invite you to participate in the International Essay Competition 2006 to share your experience and ideas on community work and participation in public life. Click here for more info.





UPCOMING CONFERENCES


 IFIP EVENTS
57th Annual Council on Foundations Conference

May 7-9, 2006
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, PA
www.cof.org

Effective and Innovative Strategies for
Increasing Indigenous Grantmaking
 Saturday May 6, 2006 4-6pm Room 324

Partnership and collaboration are essential for successful grantmaking to Indigenous communities. Join this session to explore ways international grantmakers can improve their grantmaking practice. Reviews of successful cases will provide tools to enhance collaborative potential and to structure and support interpersonal relationships between grantmaker and indigenous grantee. This session will also discuss International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) accomplishments and ways to become more involved with IFIP.
International Funders for Indigenous Peoples
Annual Awards Reception
Sunday May 7, 2006 6-7PM Room 323

Please join International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) Annual presentation of the IFIP Award, bestowed upon an individual that has demonstrated efforts to increase philanthropic support for Indigenous Peoples around the world. Last year, the very first recipient of this prestigious award was presented to Susan Berresford, President of the Ford Foundation, for her leadership in increasing a greater commitment from a philanthropic institution. We are all looking forward to honoring the next philanthropic leader to be announced soon. All are welcomed to attend and take part in this momentous event. Refreshments will be provided.
State of Fear, by Paco de Onis, Pamela Yates and
Peter Kinoy. Monday, May 8, 2006
3:00-5:00 pm

State of Fear, a 2006 Henry Hampton Award winner, is a gripping and beautifully crafted story about the creation of a terror state in Peru with lessons for a world grappling with the problem of stability in the face of terror. The feature-length documentary, by the celebrated filmmakers of When the Mountains Tremble, shows how the Shining Path guerilla movement led to military occupation and government corruption in the name of protection from terrorists. A film that makes powerful connections between international history, current affairs and our own. After the screening, discuss the film and the issues it raises with the filmmakers.This event is cosponsored by the Council on Foundations, Grantmakers in Film and Electronic Media, Hispanics in Philanthropy, International Funders for Indigenous People, National Network of Grantmakers and International Human Rights Funders Group. Click here for more on
the film.


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Linking Circles V: International Funders for
Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) Annual Meeting

Save the Date: May 16th and 17th, 2006
Ford Foundation in New York City.

Join us and other members of the philanthropic community on May 16th and May 17th at Ford Foundation where donors will have an opportunity to speak directly with "neutral" (non-grantee) representatives from Indigenous communities on specific concerns. We will look at ways in which philanthropists can partner to support locally-driven community development and will feature partnerships with donors, international organizations, and Indigenous communities.

For Registration Info: evelyn@internationalfunders.org





FOR FUNDERS ONLY


Jewish Funders Network

April 2–4, 2006
Denver, CO

The Jewish Funders Network will hold its annual international conference April 2–4 in Denver. The conference theme is Plug and Play Judaism: Identity and Community in the Global Era. Several hundred Jewish philanthropists from the United States, Canada, Israel, Europe, South America and Australia will discuss issues related to the future of Jewish identity and challenges and opportunities for grantmaking. Speakers include architect Daniel Libeskind; novelist Jonathan Safran Foer; chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat; former Israel Foreign Ministry Director-General Avi Gil; and “Kosher-Gospel” singer Joshua Nelson. Register or find out more here.


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The 5th Annual Global Philanthropy Forum

April 3-5, 2006
Washington DC

We will explore the power of individual social entrepreneurs bringing about positive change, and will consider how philanthropy can take us beyond policy to achieve societal goals. Please visit www.philanthropyforum.org/conference/2006 for updated speaker and conference program information.

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Grantmakers Without Borders 2006 Conference

June 8-10, 2006
San Mateo, CA

GwoB will hold its 6th annual conference in San Mateo, California, June 8-10, 2006. The conference will focus on Global Social Change Philanthropy, and is open to international participants (grantmakers as well as philanthropic support entities, including funder networks).

For more information and for the proposal guidelines contact John Harvey at john@gwob.net or +1 617.794.2253.
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Funder Convening on Globalization: Key Strategies, Success Stories, and Funder Challenges over the Long Haul

June 6 - 8, 2006
San Francisco Bay Area
(organized in conjunction with the
Grantmakers without Borders Conference June 8-10)

Please join us to analyze global trends and the evolving discourse around globalization, to share and celebrate civil society strategies working to bring about change in the fundamental nature, processes, and institutions of globalization, and to talk about how funders can use our resources individually and collectively to support efforts to effect positive change at home and abroad. Rather than a series of panels, this convening will consist of in-depth and fully participatory conversations around strategic themes, and it will set in place mechanisms for continuing to promote funder collaboration around key issues in the months and years to come.

This convening will be held in or near San Francisco beginning the evening of June 6 and ending with lunch on June 8. Funders are invited to stay on to participate in Grantmakers Without Borders's 6th Annual Conference on Social Change Philanthropy, beginning the evening of June 8 and ending June 10.

More information and registration materials for FNTG's convening will be available soon. In the meantime, please mark your calendars and plan to join us for these important discussions.

For more info email Mark Randazzo, email mark@fntg.org or visit the website.




OPEN TO ALL


Unite For Sight Conference
"Empowering Communities to Bridge Health Divides"

April 1 & 2, 2006
Linsly-Chittenden Hall
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

International Health Conference at Yale in April 2006 - More Than 75 Speakers! Who should attend? Anyone interested in eye care, medicine, health education, health promotion, public health, international health, international service, nonprofits, or microenterprise. The conference goal is to empower conference attendees to identify health needs and to develop solutions to improve access to care for the medically underserved.

Register online! Early Bird Registration Rate: $35 student/resident rate; $50 for all others *Rate increases after March 1. Complete conference schedule available here.


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Native Philanthropy Institute & Annual Meeting

April 10-11,2006
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
Prior Lake, Minnesota

Native Americans in Philanthropy invites you to The Native Philanthropy Institute which will build awareness and capacity for fund development and fundraising, marketing and communications, leadership development and skill-building for Native projects. Our goals are to provide the growing field of Tribal and Native philanthropy with tools for strategic grantmaking, while at the same time providing these foundations and other Native nonprofits tools to raise more funds - and together to "tell their story" more effectively - remaining grounded in their communities and strength of the cultures.

Deadline for registration is March 31st. REGISTER NOW! Contact Neely Snyder for details at nsnyder@nativephilanthropy.org. Download the Registration form.


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2006 International Indigenous Business and
Entrepreneurship Conference

June 19-22, 2006
Sandia Casino & Resort
Albuquerque, NM

The International Indigenous Business and Entrepreneurship Conference and Expo will bring together international and domestic academics and indigenous entrepreneurs and policy-makers participants who are interested and/or involved in Indigenous business and entrepreneurship. See website http://iibec.mgt.unm.edu/default.asp.

For more info contact Jaye Francis, Conference Coordinator Ph: (505) 277-8889, Fax: (505) 277-9868 or at iibec@mgt.unm.edu.

Download the Registration Form.


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Indigenous Environmental Network
14th Annual Protecting Mother Earth Conference

July 6-9, 2006
Veterans Memorial (Pow-Wow and Camp) Grounds
Cass Lake, Minnesota

Hosted by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Division of Resources
Management Plenary Sessions on: Sacredness of Water, Toxics & Environmental Health, Energy & Climate Justice, Forests, with workshops and Native youth leadership activities Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe 4th of July Traditional Pow-Wow, July 1-4, 2006, Veterans Memorial Grounds – Come early, camp and Pow-Wow!

For more info contact the IEN Bemidji Office, Tel: (218) 751-4967,
Fax: (218) 751-0561 or Email: simone@ienearth.org.
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WINHEC 2006 Conference

August 7-9 2006
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
Cloquet, Minnesota

World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium would like to invite you to register for their annual conference.

Click here for more info.
Click here for the registration form.

Become an Esteemed, Sustaining or Individual Member. Download our New membership form,
click here.
Looking for ways to help your grantees become successful grantseekers?
Order copies of the "Indigenous Peoples Funding and Resource Guide." IFIP Members receive a 30% discount.

click here.
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IN THE NEWS
Convention on Biological Diversity
Activists Disagree on Economic Aspects of Benefit-Sharing
CURITIBA, Brazil, Access to genetic resources and the equitable distribution of the benefits derived from their use are the most controversial issues being discussed in Brazil by the 3,600 delegates from 173 countries attending the largest conference ever on biological diversity. more
Bolivia's Morales, Rice Discuss Coca Policy
 Bolivia's new president, Evo Morales, discussed his country's fight against illegal drugs on Saturday with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and then gave her a guitar decorated with coca leaves. more
World Bank Admits to Failures in Protecting Congo's Rainforests - Official 'watchdog' to Investigate
 World Bank reveals that it has failed to ensure proper protection of the environment and local peoples in its programmes to 'develop' the vast rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are the second largest on Earth after the Amazon. more
Fourth World Water Forum: Final Declaration Holds Diluted View of Water as a "Right"
The assertion that access to water is a human right was not included in the ministerial declaration adopted at the Fourth World Water Forum, which ended in Mexico on 22 March 2006, World Water Day. For more information, please click here.
Indigenous Declaration at 4th World Water Forum more
Ecuador’s President Declares a State of Emergency
 Led by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), Ecuador’s national indigenous umbrella group, the movement has paralyzed commerce and transit in five provinces with marches, road closures, and occupations of critical infrastructure. more

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EMPLOYMENT

 The Roots of Change Fund seeks Executive Director (San Francisco, CA)
The Roots of Change Fund is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization in supporting California’s transition to sustainable food and farming systems that support healthy communities. The position requires a creative, dynamic and seasoned leader. Please email cover letter and resume to Nicole Mason and visit their website for more information. Applications are due by April 10, 2006.

Worldwide Initiative for Grantmaker Support (WINGS) seeks Executive Director (Manila, Philippines)
WINGS is a worldwide network of 120 grantmaker associations and support organizations. As the senior staff person, the Executive Director will promote the vision and mission of WINGS, assist the Coordinating Committee in its leadership and planning roles, secure funds for all WINGS work, and implement WINGS activities and programs. The Executive Director will represent a small secretariat in Manila. For more information, please visit the website or send inquiries to: mbaino@cfc-fcc.ca



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