December: Between the 7th and the 12th of December 2006, at the City Montessori School of Lucknow (India), the 7th World Conference of the Head Justices took place, with delegates from more than 90 countries all over the world.

At the same time and place there was a symposium of the NGO representatives. The courses, either in plenary or workshops, dealt both with global problems and specific issues for different geographical areas. The result was an excellent opportunity to an intercultural dialogue.

Fur further information see here.

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September: participating at the Strengthening Bulgarian and Romanian Civil Society Organisations project, financed by the European Commission.

The project offered an opportunity for the Romanian and Bulgarian NGOs to get acquainted. But the whole project was more than just being together. The intensity of the well structured lectures (which covered two sessions paused only by meals and coffee breaks) was balanced by the attractive course pack and, most of all, by the extremely useful workshops. The days were “theme based”. The first day covered “Project Management” and ended with “CSO Fair”; the second dealt with “PR and Communication” and with the amazing trip in the wildness of the Danube’s Delta. Day three focused on “Advocacy and Lobby”, day four on “Fundraising” and the last day summarized through debates and feedback sessions. A huge event with 70 participants in which every moment was valued. (Daniela Magiaru).

April – September: implementing the Way to Europe. Youth Bridges for a Common Future project (BTD#100077).

Publication: way-to-europe.pdf

Way to Europe. Youth Bridges for a Common Future

Balkan Trust for Democracy Project # 100077

Between April – September 2006, Free Minds Association from Timisoara, in partnership with Charity Association Panonija Novi-Sad (Serbia) has been implemented the project named Way to Europe. Youth Bridges for a Common Future. Financed by Balkan Trust for Democracy (German Marshall Fund, Mott Foundation and USAID – United States’ Agency for International Development), the main goal of the project was to develop the cross-border co-operation in the row of young students, members of non-governamental organizations from the Romanian and Serbian side of Danube-Cris-Mures-Tisa Euroregion (DKMT).

During the five work sessions (three in Timisoara, one in Resita and one in Novi-Sad), the participants had the opportunity to familiarize with the main institutions, ideas and projects of the cross-border co-operation, looked at from a national, regional or euroregional perspective. The sessions also included special trainings concerning the management of non-governamental organizations – strategic management, planning, marketing and PR for NGO’s, fund-raising and project design.

CALENDAR OF THE EVENTS

Session 1 – Timisoara, 14.07.2006

Opportunities and challenges on the way to Europe

• Eugen Gherga, Intercultural Institute Timisoara, trainer on Youth and Education of the Council of Europe
• dr. Duško Radosavljević, professor, University of Novi-Sad, Sremska Kamenica
  Training: Andreea Firastraeru, Advocacy Academy Timisoara – Management of non-governmental organizations

Session 2 – Resita, 15.07.2006

Bilateral cooperation between Romania and Serbia: past, present and future

• Danica Stefanovic, executive president of Charity Association Panonija Novi-Sad, assistant provincial secretary for Education of Province of Vojvodina
• Horia Irimia, vice-president of County Council Caras-Severin

Training: Andreea Firastraeru, Advocacy Academy Timisoara – Strategic management and planning

Session 3 – Timisoara, 25.08.2006

Comparative presentation of Vojvodina and Region West of Romania (common features, distinctive traits). Positioning and specificities in comparative presentation

• Vladimir Kozbasic, assistant provincial secretary for Sport and Youth (Department for Youth) of Province of Vojvodina
• Mihai Luca, free-lance consultant, Timisoara

Training: Andreea Firastraeru, Advocacy Academy Timisoara – NGO marketing

Session 4 – Timisoara, 26.08.2006

Cross-border cooperation: ideas, institutions, projects. DKMT Euroregion

• Mihai Luca, free-lance consultant, Timisoara
• Snežana Babić-Kekez, advisor for High Education, Province of Vojvodina

Training: Andreea Firastraeru, Advocacy Academy Timisoara – NGO public-relations

Session 5 – Novi-Sad, 02.09.2006

Non-governmental, civic bridges. Collaboration programmes in the civic and youth sector

• Danica Stefanovic, executive president of Charity Association Panonija Novi-Sad, assistant provincial secretary for Education of Province of Vojvodina
• Eugen Gherga, Intercultural Institute Timisoara, trainer on Youth and Education of the Council of Europe

Training: Andreea Firastraeru, Advocacy Academy Timisoara – Fund-raising and project design

Photo Gallery

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