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

LINKING CIRCLES V:
Strengthening Partnerships in Philanthropy: Building Effective Grantmaking in Indigenous Communities
There has been so much interest in this year's annual conference, IFIP has now reached its participant limit for the May 16th meeting. We are still accepting registration for donors that want to partake in the May 16th dinner, May 17th meeting and closing reception. Please see updated Agenda.

Join us at the New York Hemsley Hotel on the evening of May 16th for 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 at the dinner.

IFIP has also invited The Descendance Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dance Theatre, an aboriginal dance company based in Australia, to perform after the Award Presentation. 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.

The cost for the May 16th dinner is $75 per person, the cost for the May 17th meeting is an additional $175. To RSVP email Evelyn Arce-White at evelyn@internationalfunders.org and ask for the registration form, last day is May 4th. All registered participants will need to bring confirmation letter along with ID to Ford Foundation. No registrations allowed at the door.

This event is being sponsored by: Aveda Corporation, W.K.Kelloggs Foundation, Seeds for Communities, Native Americans in Philanthropy, The Christensen Fund, Mitsubishi International Corporation Foundation Levi Strauss Foundation and New York Regional Association of Grantmakers.





REPORTS & ARTICLES


 United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Reports that give an overview of developments under the mandated areas of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues since its fourth session, as reflected in the contributions of the United Nations system and the activities of members of the Forum and its secretariat. It reviews the last four years of the Permanent Forum's recommendations and work, progress made on indigenous issues and priorities of the UN Permanent Forum. It captures the thinking of the Forum and how it sees itself moving forward as a body within the United Nations. Click here for the report.

Analysis of the Recommendations and state of implementation from the first three sessions of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and state of implementation. Click here for the report.


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Your Land, Your Future: Engaging Youth in Resource Development and Sustainability

“Your Land, Your Future” explores the environmental, economic, health, social and cultural impacts of the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project. A CD-ROM, other teaching materials and planned learning opportunities have been produced for the Grade 10 Northern Studies and Grade 11 Social Studies curricula in NWT high schools. The CD features a rap/hip-hop song about the pipeline choices confronting youth. A beta-version CD-ROM was first pilot-tested in Tulita and a territory-wide teachers’ in-service was held in October 2005, followed by classroom implementation. Click here for more info on the curriculum.


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The Death of the Forest: A report on Wuzhishan's and Green Rich's tree plantation activities in Cambodia
Expands Charitable Giving

This report examines these companies’ operations in Cambodia, the impacts observed to date on the local populations and the environment, and the associated human rights violations Proponents of industrial tree plantations argue that the plantations are “reforestation”, increasing the area of forest, providing jobs for local people, or reducing pressure on natural forests. During the 1990s, the government handed over approximately seven million hectares to logging companies. Although most of these concessions have now been revoked, logging continues, both legally and illegally. For more info on the book, please contact the WRM International Secretariat at bookswrm@wrm.org.uy.





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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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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Senior International Fellows Program
Deadline June 1, 2006

This program of the Centre on Philanthropy and Civil Society provides an opportunity for the professional development of third-sector practitioners from outside the United States who are decision-makers in their professions. The program is designed to help build third-sector capacity in the fellows’ home countries. For more information, click here.



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.
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 and Mitsubishi International Corporation Foundation. 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


AT COF: Celebrate Pittsburgh’s Jazz Heritage with GIA

May 6, 2006
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Dowe’s on 9th
121 9th Street
Pittsburgh, PA

Join Grantmakers in the Arts members, friends, and board members for a Jazz Celebration with music by Pittsburg’s Mission Statement at the landmark jazz club, Dowe’s on 9th. (Please invite your colleagues who will be attending the conference as well.)

RSVP to GIA at (206) 624-2312 or gia@giarts.org by Monday, May 1st.


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 AT COF Event: Honest Truth, Lessons Learned from
the Stories of People of Color in Philanthropy

May 7, 2006
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Join Ron, Joy and Robert at the Council of Foundation workshop. This work is supported by Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP), The National Network of Grantmakers (NNG), the Council on Foundations, Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF), Wellpoint and Universal Health Care of Connecticut.


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Facing the Global Warming Express Train
A Conversation with Peter Goldmark, Program Director, Environmental Defense

May 18, 2006
8:30 am to 10:30 am
NYRAG

The period of deepening environmental deterioration does not lie in the future. It has begun. We all - citizens, governments and foundations - face in common the imperative to respond constructively to this crisis of our times. This will require that we think for the first time within a global framework - and out toward time horizons extending several hundred years into the future. There is no other conceptual framework within which we can deal successfully with climate change and ensure the fertility of the oceans, the health of coral reefs, the preservation of potable freshwater, the survival of tropical forests and fauna. We must think more creatively about agricultural productivity, the disposal of toxic waste, the size of the human population upon this earth, energy generation and consumption, the needed shift away from carbon-based transportation systems - and more. RSVP: Carolyn Clark, Surdna Foundation, cclark@surdna.org or 212-557-0010.
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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


Spirituality and Conflict:
Applying Spiritual Principles to Transform Conflict

May 9, 2006
Pena Pachamama Restaurant
1630 Powell St.
San Francisco, CA

Please join Pachamama Alliance for an inspiring evening with Philip Hellmich, Senior Staff member from Search for Common Ground. In this presentation, Philip will explore the common principles between the world's great spiritual traditions and the emerging field of conflict transformation An introduction to The Pachamama Alliance will begin the evening at 6:30 pm, followed by a no host dinner and the evening's presentation. This month's venue is Pena Pachamama Restaurant, located at 1630 Powell St. in North Beach, San Francisco.


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INDIGENOUS MEETINGS
May 11-14, 2006
777 United Nations Plaza Building, 2nd Floor
New York City, New York
(Across from United Nations Headquarters. The entrance to the building is on 44th and 1st Streets.)

Regional Indigenous Women's Caucus Meetings
May 11, 2006
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
(lunch will be provided)

Space is being made available for Indigenous women to meet, prepare and strategize together from the different cultural/bio-regions represented (Africa; Asia; Central and South Americas and the Caribbean; the Arctic; Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus; the Pacific; and North America).

Global Indigenous Women's Caucus Meetings
May 12, 2006
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
(lunch will be provided)

Space is also being made available to bring together Indigenous women of all represented regions the world for preparatory meetings before the start of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Session 5, to strengthen solidarity, share knowledge, experiences and community issues, and hopefully, build a collective platform of action.

Global Indigenous People's Caucus Meetings
May 13 & 14, 2006
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
(lunch will be provided)

For more information on the preparatory meetings please contact: Kent Lebsock, Executive Director American Indian Law Alliance aila@ailanyc.org or Tia Oros Peters, Executive Director Seventh Generation Fund 707-825-7640 fax: 707-825-7639.


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The Fifth Session of the United Nations
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
"The Millennium Development Goals and Indigenous Peoples: Redefining the Millennium Development Goals."

May 15 - 26, 2006
United Nations Headquarters
New York City, New York

The Fifth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will have as its theme "The Millennium Development Goals and Indigenous Peoples: Redefining the Millennium Development Goals." The American Indian Law Alliance, Seventh Generation Fund, the United Methodist Office at the United Nations, Native Women's Association of Canada, and the United Methodist Church Native American Ministries is Sponsoring the following preparatory events for Indigenous Peoples prior to the official commencement of the Fifth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. To Register for the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, please click here.


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The Indigenous Women's Biodiversity Network

May 17, 2006
3:00 pm - 4:25 pm
United Nations
New York City, NY

The Indigenous Women's Biodiversity Network (IWBN) sponsored by the Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples will hold a side event Wednesday 17 May 2006 from 3:00 - 4:25 pm in Conference Room 2 at the United Nations. The IWBN will address the special theme of this year's Permanent Forum, the Millennium Development Goals. Interpretation in Spanish and French will be provided.


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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
Guidestar Goes International
After a decade of operating in the United States, GuideStar has launched in the United Kingdom and may also launch in India, South Africa, Hungary, Germany, Israel and Palestine. more

Quarter of Species Gone by 2050, Study Predicts
 Using several models that project habitat changes, migration capabilities of various species, and related extinctions in 25 "hotspots," scientists predict that a quarter of the world's plant and vertebrate animal species would face extinction by 2050. more

China Devastating Asia/Pacific's Rainforests
China's unsustainable demand for timber is causing widespread deforestation and environmental destruction beyond their own borders - particularly in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar and increasingly, Russia. more

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EMPLOYMENT
Americas Program Officer at American Jewish World Service.
AJWS is an independent not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 to help alleviate poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the world regardless of race, religion or nationality.
Apply by email to aestrella@ajws.org and indicate Americas Program Officer in the subject line, Please send a cover letter with a summary of your interest and qualifications for this position, Include your salary requirements, And your résumé. No Phone Calls Please. more

Environmental Grantmakers Association seeks Development and Membership Coordinator
Environmental Grantmakers Association (EGA) is a non-profit membership organization comprised of over 240 foundations across North America and overseas. EGA helps its members become more effective grantmakers through information sharing, networking, and collaboration building. Please send application package including resume, cover letter, grantwriting sample, and three references to oiyayi@ega.org.



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