PROFILE
CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION
CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION ABOUT THE CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION
The Center for Democracy Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan organization. It was founded, May 1994, in Belgrade, as Democratic Center Foundation. According to the decision of the Assembly of Founding Members of September 27, 1997, and subsequent decision of the Ministry of Culture approving the founders’ decision, it was renamed as Center for Democracy Foundation. The Center for Democracy Foundation is recorded in the Foundations Register with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia on July 5, 1994, according to the Endowments, Funds and Foundations Law.
MISSION Center for Democracy Foundation contributes to the development of the civil society in Serbia and FR Yugoslavia through expert and educational programs by influencing the public opinion and by spreading democratic political culture, tolerance and dialogue, by promoting and protecting human rights and by contributing to the formation of politically and economically independent citizens.
VISIBILITY Center for Democracy Foundation wants to be recognized for the democratic principles which it supports, for the quality of its programs, its professional approach and good organization and efficiency in the programs performance as well as for its efforts to actively contribute to the formation of a viable NGO community in Serbia.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
ACTIVITIES
OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES Principle of legality and freedom The CDF activities are based on the internationally recognized standards of democracy and international instruments for protection of human and civil rights, principle of legality, principle of political and economic freedom and principle of social solidarity. Openness The CDF is open to new ideas and proposals from all those with whom it cooperates and comes into contact in order to be able to continuously develop its activities and accomplish its mission. Tolerance In its programs, the Center for Democracy Foundation acts in accordance with the principle of tolerance towards any expressed opinion, as well as towards every social activity except those violating laws and international standards of human and civil rights, civil society and economic freedom. Dialogue The Center for Democracy Foundation promotes peaceful resolution of social, political, economic and interethnic conflicts. Professionalism The CDF Programs are based on the expertise of prominent experts from various fields - lawyers, economists, media analysts, sociologists and others. The CDF makes constant effort to establish regular cooperation with university centers, institutes, scholars and other experts. Cooperation The Center for Democracy Foundation is convinced that its mission can be accomplished only through cooperation with other non-governmental organizations, citizens associations and university centers both in Serbia and FR Yugoslavia, as well as with similar organizations from abroad. Accountability The Center for Democracy Foundation is accountable to its members, founders, associates, sponsors and donors.
CDF STRATEGIC APPROACH (1994-1997) The Center for Democracy Foundation has performed projects which treat the following areas, all of which are considered as prerequisites for further democratization of Serbian society:
Also, the CDF has developed programs for the so called “social marginal groups” as refugees, women etc.
MAIN PROJECTS The main projects performed by the CDF, since its foundation, are: Revalorization of Privatized Firms Public discussion on new legal draft provisions for a retroactive reevaluation of the previously privatized firms (November 1994). Culture as Means of self-defense of Society and Individuals: Criminal Case Against the Accused General Trifunovic:
The discussion was published as a brochure. Democratic Processes and Ethnic Relations: International round table organized in June 1995, in cooperation with the Project on Ethnic Relations (Princeton, USA), International Network Europe and the Balkans (Bologna, Italy), and Soros Fund Yugoslavia (Belgrade). The objective of the conference was to examine the possibilities of peaceful resolution of conflicts between different ethnic groups in Serbia/FRY. It gathered the prominent domestic and foreign experts, representatives of different ethnic groups in Yugoslavia (Hungarians, Albanians, Muslims) and representatives of political parties and NGOs in Yugoslavia. What is to be done after the suspension of sanctions: Round Table organized in November 1995; a discussion among the economic and legal experts about the possibilities of reintegration of Yugoslav economic and legal system to European Union and world standards. Projects Report available at the CDF Office. Education for Democracy: Symposium on the school and university programs related to the development of democratic values and standards among young population (February 1996). Crisis of legal authority and possibilities of establishing state of law: Expert discussion on different aspects of crisis of legal authority and state of law in Serbia and FRY (April 1996). The Role of Electronic Media in the Development of Democratic Societies in Eastern Europe: International Round Table on the main problems in the process of developing free and responsible electronic media in post-communist countries (November 7-9, 1996); Legal Status of Refugees and the Process of Integration: Conference on legal problems the refugees are faced with both in the process of integration and the process of repatriation. Special attention was paid to the recently passed Law on Yugoslav Citizenship and the refugees property issues. At the end of the conference, participants adopted the Final Document on the measures which should be taken by international organizations, Yugoslav authorities, and domestic NGOs and the media in order to solve the most frequent legal problems of the refugees population on the territory of former Yugoslavia. Final Document (including Recommendations) available in the CDF Office. Media and Elections Workshop treating media coverage of the forthcoming electoral campaign in Serbia and FRY. (March 1997). Workshop report available at the CDF Office (includes Recommendations). The Role of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Eastern Europe Workshop on the status of small business in the successor states of former Yugoslavia; Based on the results of the workshop, a training program for domestic private entrepreneurs will be organized as a follow up activity. (September 1997)
POLITEA - School for Civil Society A one year project during which four courses will be organized for Yugoslav students. The objective of the project is to enlarge the understanding of the main values and mechanisms of a civil society among Yugoslav student population and to enable them to actively participate in social activities. Three courses have been organized during the period of July 1998 – April 1999, the fourth course is planned for November 1999 and as well as the previous courses it will take place on the lake of Palic, near Subotica in Vojvodina (see also: PROJECTS IN REALIZATION). Promoting Independence and Impartiality of Judges in FRY Two-weeks training session for Yugoslav judges to be organized with the International Commission of Judges (Canadian Section). The objective of the project is to empower the participants to directly implement the ratified international instruments in court trials and other legal actions with aim to provide efficient human rights protection. The recruitment process has already been concluded together with the Canadian delegation which visited Belgrade in January 1999. (The training program was scheduled for May 1999, and rescheduled for December 1999). Seminars on Local Government Open Government at the Local Level, Belgrade, December 12-14, 1997 Local Government and SMEs, Subotica, January 16-18, 1999 Three day seminar for local government officials Organized in cooperation with International Democratic Initiative, Alfred Mozer Foundation and other Dutch foundations. Church, State and Civil Society The project gathered prominent experts – philosophers, politicologists, politicians, representatives of numerous confessions from Serbia and Montenegro as well as from the newly established states on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, EU and USA. A competent, tolerant and open-minded discussion like the one initiated at the conference, and about the issues such as: Role of Church in a Democratic Society, Religious Identity, Role of Church in Education and its Impact on Moral Aspects of Social Development, etc. has had a significant so–cial impact and was covered extensively both in printed and electronic media. The Round Table has fully accomplished the main objectives which were: Creating possibilities for a confrontation of the different appro–aches to this complex social issue; Unfolding of these particular problems and encouraging an overall public discussion; Affirmation of the principle of tolerance (religious, ethnic, national and political) through a form of argument dialogue. First Forum of Yugoslav Non-Governmental Organizations – The main objectives of this massive (over 150 participants) three-day conference were: a) Analysis of the contemporary status and possibilities for NGO development in Yugoslavia; b) Improvements of the NGO legal status c) Determination of the predicaments for self sustainability of the NGOs; d) Encouragement of the cooperation between NGOs; d) Exploring the possibilities to establish the cooperation with state institutions. The project was realized in co-operation with the Center for Development of Non-Profit Sector (Belgrade) and Open University (Subotica) in June 1998.
PROJECTS IN REALIZATION: “NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS – SECTOR WITH A PERSPECTIVE”– This one-year project consists of a wide range of activities and particular programs aimed 1) to develop the existing NGOs in the Republic of Serbia and Monte Negro, 2) to promote formation of new NGOs, 3) to enlarge media coverage of the non-profit sector, 4) to establish relationship between non-profit and other sectors and institutions – local governments, political parties, government agencies and institutions and business and 5) to widely disseminate information on the Yugoslav non-profit sector abroad. The mentioned objectives will be reached through diversified programs designed for each of the objectives. These programs consists of various forms of activities: educational programs, seminars and expert discussions, consulting for NGOs, joint actions of NGOs in FR Yugoslavia, support to development of NGO networks, exchange of information, programs for media and in particular – programs of advocacy and lobbying for the non-profit sector. This is a joint project of CDF, Center for Development of Non-Profit Sector (Belgrade) and Open University (Subotica). “POLITEA – SCHOOL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY” – Is a one year project. Four courses will be organized during one year with four different groups of participants. Each course will last one week. It is planned that 60 participants attend each course. Participants at the course will be students from Serbia and Montenegro. This project aims to contribute to better understanding of the values of a civil society by enabling the students for active participation in building of a democratic, civil society in FR Yugoslavia. The methodology of the School is participants oriented. Therefore, the organizer intends to find the balance between theoretical and practical parts of the curriculum. By assembling students from various parts of FR Yugoslavia, including Kosovo, the Project’s expectations are both theoretical additions to their education and practical contribution for resolving inter-ethnic conflicts. The curriculum will be based on the following main issues, organized as modules: (1) Democracy and Civil society, (2) The Role of a Citizen in a Civil Society, (3) Human Rights, (4) Social conflicts and peaceful conflict resolution, (5) Rule of Law and Democratic Institutions. NOTE: The continuation of this particular project will be directed in accordance with the previously realized two summer courses in June 1997, in Pali} – near Subotica (report available at CDF office). PUBLICATIONS OF THE CDF:
COOPERATION
a) From Yugoslavia
b) From abroad
FUNDING The activities of the CDF are funded on a project basis through sponsorships and donations. The m1ain sponsors for the performed projects were: Soros Fund Yugoslavia (former), Fund for and Open Society, Canadian Embassy in Belgrade, CIDA, Project for Ethnic Relations, UNESCO, USAID-OTI Belgrade, Council of Europe, Know How Fund (Great Britain). ORGANIZATION The CDF was founded by 32 founders. Since its foundation, over fifty new co-founders were admitted by the Assembly of Founding Members. According to the CDF’ Bylaws, the Assembly of Founding Members elects the President, two Vice-Presidents, the Management Board and the Treasurer. The Management Board decides upon the project proposals and preparation of the projects, evaluates the projects and submits the proposal of the activity plan to the Assembly of Founding Members. MANAGEMENT BOARD The members of the Management Board elected at the last Assembly of Founding Members in December 1998, are:
CDF STAFF The Center for Democracy Foundation has a well organized Secretariat with four full time and three part time employed staff members and a number of volunteers assisting in the projects’ organization. The work of the Secretariat is run by the Secretary General of the CDF.
FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE CDF
Updated: Belgrade, September 1999 |
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