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++++TCSF English Newsletter No. 7++++ February 2007

Viva! Africa: People’s Network across the Continents
Published by TICAD Civil Society Forum (TCSF)
　　　　　　　　　　　http://ticad-csf.net/eng/e-index.htm
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Dear colleagues,
Our English newsletter contains information about TCSF’s
activities and Japanese aid support toward Africa. We hope
to strengthen our network with you by sharing information.

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1. Activities of TCSF
Working Groups
- TCSF White Paper Working Group
- Partnership Seminar Working Group
- Alert Working Group
- TCSF Research Centre

2. Feature Stories
- "Rethinking Poverty: Learning from African NGOs"
- World Social Forum (WSF) in Nairobi

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[1] Activities of Working Groups
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*TCSF White Paper Working Group*
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We have been preparing for the second issue of the TCSF White Paper.

We invited two members from the Ethiopian and the Senegalese NGOs,
who had conducted the NGO evaluation survey on Japanese ODA in
their respective countries, to discuss the TCSF White Paper draft.
The discussion also covered the third issue of the white paper and
the collaboration between them and TCSF.

Public response to the second issue was collected from Japanese
NGOs, researchers and other concerned parties. Based on the
comments received, the draft white paper will be updated and is
planned to be published in late March 2007.

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*Partnership Seminar Working Group*
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Japan and Africa Civil Society Partnership Seminar in Malawi

The Partnership Seminar in collaboration with MEJN was successfully
carried out in Malawi, on 9 January, 2007. Through JICA's TV meeting
system, the Japanese members were able to also participate in the
seminar.

There were 47 participants. In Malawi, 20 Local NGOs, 4 Malawian
government officials, 4 journalists, 3 JICA Malawi officials, and 4 TCSF
members took part in the seminar. In Japan, 2 officials of Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, 1 from JICA, 9 TCSF members participated.

Active discussion was made on several issues. Mr. Mavuto Bamusi, the
Chairperson from MEJN evaluates, "this seminar was very successful,
as there had been no previous opportunity for NGO and Japanese
officials concerning ODA, to talk to each other on an equal level in the
past. It was an ideal time for us to discuss 2008 TICAD-VI and G8 with
Japanese parties directly.

From this experience, we may consider to establish a Forum."

This seminar achieved three objectives: (1) To make the participants in
Malawi understand TCSF, TICAD, Japan's ODA and JICA activities in
further depth. (2) To create mutual understanding between Malawi civil
society and Japanese officials on ODA. (3) To build a network between
them. We have to continue to keep and strengthen this network toward
TICAD-VI.

The report of the seminar will be finalized in February.

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*Alert Working Group*
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Please visit our new English blog site "Africa Alert
Blog," which is updated frequently.
(http://blog.livedoor.jp/ticad_csf_english/)

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*TCSF Research Centre*
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TCSF organized a workshop on Africa-China Relationship on 17th
November 2006. The lecturer was Mr. Katuya Mochizuki, Senior Researcher
of Inter-disciplinary Studies Center at JETRO. He has an extensive
knowledge of Nigeria-China relation, and has carried out a survey on
China-Africa Cooperation Forum in November 2006.

The Government of China has strengthened its political and economic
commitments toward Africa since 2000, and the China-Africa Cooperation
Forum was organized in October 2000, the Chinese Government has
emphasized this deepening partnership for the future.

According to the lecturer, "Shanghai dwellers" are running
consumer-related businesses in Nigeria, dealing in everyday goods
such as traditional clothes at low prices This has had serious repercussions
on the Nigerian domestic economy. On the other hand, China contributed
to the rapid development in telecommunication and energy in the country.
The Nigerian government is therefore willing to promote this strategic
cooperation with China.

During the discussion, some participants expressed their concerns that
China supports "problematic" countries according to the criteria of good
governance. Mr. Mochizuki described that China extensively uses strong
diplomatic strategy toward African countries with Chinese leaders and top
ranking officials eagerly visiting many African countries. He pointed out that
China does not seem to make any exceptions in their African partners .

Mr. Mochizuki concluded that the Government of China uses
propaganda in support of Africa. During the November Forum, even the
local media heavily broadcasted China-Africa Cooperation Forum in China.

While Government of Japan as an ordinary donor, uses the word,
“assistance” policy, China uses “cooperation and friendship”
policy. TCSF needs to keep an eye on Chinese diplomacy.

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[2] Feature Stories
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*"Rethinking Poverty: Learning from African NGOs"*
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On 9 and 10 December 2006, a seminar for NGO staffs and a symposium
titled "Rethinking Poverty: Learning from African NGOs" were held in
Tokyo, with African NGO members as main speakers and Japanese
NGOs staffs, scholars and the Dean of African Diplomatic Corps as panelists.
The events were organized by Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affaires and
TCSF, playing a supportive role.

The main speakers were Mr. Mamadou Ndiaye, Programme Coordinator of
Enda-graf Sahel, Senegal and Mr. Leulseged Asfaw, Head of Delegated
Resources Management Department, Christian Relief & Development
Association (CRDA), Ethiopia.

Through the seminar for Japanese NGO's staffs, the participants learned
about the current poverty situation in Africa and the struggles of local NGOs
to prompt further development. They then discussed the possible cooperation
between Japanese and African NGOs, and what Japanese NGOs can do for
the eradication of poverty.

The symposium was organized on the following day with 130 participants.
Such a large participation indicates a strong interest in Africa amongst
Japanese citizens particularly in poverty and activities of African
NGOs. The symposium discussed on-the-ground activities by local
NGOs and the possible actions that Japanese government and civil society
can undertake for poverty eradication.

We are convinced that these events are important steps to strengthening
the Africa-Japan cooperation, between the public and civil organizations and
amongst the civil society.

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*World Social Forum (WSF) in Nairobi *
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TCSF participated in the World Social Forum (WSF) in Nairobi and held a
3 hour seminar on 23rd of January. The seminar aimed to discuss possible
cooperation between Japanese, African and international NGOs for the 2008
TICAD-IV and G8 Summit in Japan.
Approximately 40 members of African and Japanese civil societies
participated in the seminar.

The seminar was chaired by Dr. Funada Classen, Vice President of TCSF.
The presenters were Mrs. Rose Wanjru (Action Aid International
Kenya) Mrs. Semira Alhadi (CRDA, Ethiopia), Mr. Hiroaki Nagaoka (Can Do),
and Mr. Shunpei Kambe (Africa Kambe Shumpei Fellowship). The African
presenters shared their evaluations of Japanese aid to
their respective countries, and Japanese presenters then explained their
activities and their views on Japanese ODA and on African NGOs.

After the presentations, the participants discussed possible ways of
creating effective networks between African and Japanese civil societies
towards 2008 events. The TCSF's proposal of establishment of "Civic
Commission for Africa" was positively accepted, and the participants
agreed to realize this concept.

Unfortunately, the venue of the seminar lacked necessary facilities such
as microphones and lighting. However, this did not deter the interests
of the participants as most stayed to exchange ideas when the seminar
finally ended at 8 pm. We are grateful for their enthusiasm and
feel encouraged to move forward in creating a strong tie with African
civil society.

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*TCSF operates an English mailing list to facilitate communication
between TCSF and African CSOs, and among African CSOs. If your
address is not on our list and you wish to join, please contact TCSF.
news@ticad-csf.net
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TICST Civil Society Forum (TCSF)
http://ticad-csf.net/eng/e-index.htm
news@ticad-csf.net
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