Augen Auf von Oomph!

Augen auf!

Eckstein, eckstein - alles muss versteckt sein

Wieder lieg ich auf der lauer
Denn wir spielen unser spiel
Wieder wart ich an der mauer
Wieder steh ich kurz vorm ziel

Und ich höre deinen atem
Und ich rieche deine angst
Ich kann nicht mehr länger warten
Denn ich weiss was du verlangst

Eckstein, eckstein - alles muss versteckt sein

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Augen auf - ich komme!
Zeig dich nicht!

Ständig ruf ich deinen namen
Ständig such ich dein gesicht
Wenn ich dich dann endlich habe
Spielen wir wahrheit oder pflicht

Eckstein, eckstein - alles muss versteckt sein

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Augen auf - ich komme!
Zeig dich nicht!

Versteck dich Eins, zwei, drei, vier, eckstein
Alles muss versteckt sein

Eckstein, eckstein - alles muss versteckt sein

Augen auf - ich komme...

Niemand von Oomph!

Niemand

Warte, dass die zeit verrint
Denn ich will dich wiedersehn
Warte, dass die nacht beginnt
Ich kann dir nicht widerstehn

Ich weiss du bist allein
Denn ich kann dich spürn
Uns kann nichts entzwein

Niemand ausser mir weiss was du fühlst
Ich lass dich nie mehr...
Niemand ausser mir weiss was du willst
Ich lass dich nie mehr...
Niemand ausser mir weiss wer du bist
Ich lass dich nie mehr gehen

Tauche in die sommernacht
Nehme deine fährte auf
Noch bevor der sturm erwacht
Nimmt das schicksal seinen lauf

Ich weiss du bist allein
Denn ich kann dich spürn
Uns kann nichts entzwein

Niemand ausser mir weiss was du fühlst
Ich lass dich nie mehr...
Niemand ausser mir weiss was du willst
Ich lass dich nie mehr...
Niemand ausser mir weiss wer du bist
Ich lass dich nie mehr gehen

Ich weiss du willst es auch
Endlich kannst du's spürn
Nichts hält mich jetzt noch auf

Niemand ausser mir weiss was du fühlst
Ich lass dich nie mehr...
Niemand ausser mir weiss was du willst
Ich lass dich nie mehr...
Niemand ausser mir weiss wer du bist
Ich lass dich nie mehr gehen

Supernova von Oomph!

Supernova

You're like a seraphim,
You're good to the bone
The slightest mending could not finely hone
You would not make it if you were on your own,
And this is why I'll never leave you alone

You can't start from
Where I end
You can't start from
Where I end

You walked into my trap
And I let it spring(follow me home)
Because someone should take you under his wing(follow me home)
You felt the cleansing of my pain-killing sting(follow me home)
Now if you need some more just give me a ring

You can't start from
Where I end
You can't start from
Where I end

Unite and take over - create a supernova
Unite and take over - create a supernova
Give it to me - Give it to me - Give it to me (Give in to me)

You can start from
Where I am
You can start fromWhere I am

Unite and take over - create a supernova
Unite and take over - create a supernova

Unite and take over - now I've got you deep inside me
Unite and take over - now I've got you deep inside my soul

Leaves'Eyes

Fratelli di Sangue

controlarms.org

Live Kristine & Atrocity al Gotik Treffen 2005

Liv Kristine & Atrocity al Gotik Trefferìn 2005!

Nicole Last

Nicole Last
meine super Brieffreundin!!!!!

Es gibt keine Wörter

Ich bin
Ich bin
Ich bin
Wir sind
Wir sind
Wir sind
Sie sind
Sie sind
Sie sind
Du bist
Sie ist

Briffreundin

23.08.2005

Claudia schreibt einen Brief für mich!

26.08.2005

Der Brief ist seher trauring!

Nicole Last Vati ist gestorben und das ist seher trauring!

28.08.2005

Ich will Nicole helfen aber gibt es keine Wörter!

Ich weiße nicht wenn Nicole unser Liebe lustige Freundin von Kugelschreiber wird zurückkehren! Ich hoffe von ja!

Liebe Nicole deinen Vater ist und wird sein immer mit dir!

Liebe Grüße Nicole,

Daeine Agnese

L'uomo Tigre Sigla Italiana

L'Uomo Tigre - Sigla Italiana

Tiger Man! Graurrr..

solitario nella notte va
se lo incontri gran paura fa
il suo volto ha la maschera
tigre, Tiger Man
tigre, Tiger Man
tigre, Tiger Man

Graurr...

misteriosa la sua identita'
e' un segreto che nessuno sa
chi nasconde quella maschera
tigre, Tiger Man
tigre, Tiger Man
tigre, Tiger Man

Graurr...

e' l'Uomo Tigre che lotta contro il male
combatte solo la malvagita'
non ha paura, si batte con furore
ed ogni incontro vincere lui sa

ma l'Uomo Tigre ha in fondo un grande cuore
combatte solo per la liberta'
difende i buoni, sa cos'e' l'amore
il nostro eroe mai si perdera'

ha tanti amici, e grande e' la bonta'
ma col nemico non ha pieta'

Tiger Man! Graurr...

tutti sanno che e' invincibile
lui sul ring e' formidabile
nella lotta e' temibile
il tigre, Tiger Man
tigre, Tiger Man
tigre, Tiger Man

Graurr...

nella Tana delle Tigri lui
di nascosto entra piano e poi
con sorpresa assale tutti
il tigre, Tiger Man
tigre, Tiger Man
tigre, Tiger Man

Graurr...

è l'Uomo Tigre che lotta contro il male
combatte solo la malvagità
non ha paura, si batte con furore
ed ogni incontro vincere lui sa

ma l'Uomo Tigre ha in fondo un grande cuore
combatte solo per la libertà
difende i buoni, sa cos'è l'amore
il nostro eroe mai si perderà

ha tanti amici, grande è la bontà
ma col nemico non ha pietà

ma l'Uomo Tigre lotta contro il male
combatte solo la malvagità
non ha paura, si batte con furore
ed ogni incontro vincere lui sa

ha tanti amici, e grande è la bontà
ma col nemico non ha pietà

Tiger Man! Graurr...

WELT JOUGEND TAG 2005 in KöLN

"Esistono oggi forme di volontariato di cui proprio la nostra società ha urgentemente bisogno. Non dobbiamo abbandonare gli anziani, i sofferenti, se pensiamo di vivere con la comunione di cristo vedremo dove e come saremo necessari.
Andiamo avanti con cristo e viviamo la nostra vita da veri lavoratori di Dio."
Dal discorso del Papa alla XXWJT in Köln
Anche se non dal vivo, grazie alla moderna tecnologia, ho partecipato alla GMG di Colonia. Giorno per giorno attraverso sat2000 ho vissuto l'atmosfera che si viveva a Colonia.
Le cose che più mi hanno emozionata:
L'apertura;
La festa degli Italyani;
L'arrvio del Santo Padre;
La Cattedrale di Colonia;
Gli incontri ecumenici del Santo Padre;
La Via Crucis;
La Veglia;
La Santa Messa di chiusura;
L'annucio ufficiale della prossima GMG da B16;
Aver conosciuto nuovi amici su Colonia 3d;
Il saluto di Francesco(ffr) alla radio;
Il saluto di Sere alla radio;
vedere tanti giovani felici!
Importante è stato il lavoro dello staf dei siti www.wjt2005.de e www.gmg2005.it , il lavoro di radio gmg, di colonia3d e di tutti i volntari e coloro che hanno permesso la riuscita di questo evento.
Sia Lodato DIO!!!!!

DANKE SCHöN!

DANKE!

Amici per la vita (2)

Locandina Ufficiale

Amici per la vita

Film con riconoscimento del Giffoni film festival!

COWBOYS & ANGELS
Ireland, 2003, 35mm, 1:1.85, 90’



Shane, 20 years old is desperately unhappy, he is stuck in an office job in the civil service. He’s a talented artist who longs to go to Art School. When he moves into an apartment in Limerick city with Vincent, a gay fashion student, things begin to look up. Vincent takes Shane under his wing, teaching him how to dress and style himself, and intensifying Shane’s longing to study art. When he meets and falls in love with Gemma, best friend of Vincent’s, something has to give. One day Shane stumbles across stash hidden in the corridor by Keith, a drug dealer who lives downstairs. Shane doesn’t steal the drug and Keith offers him to go on a drugs run to Dublin. Shane desperately needs money to finance his studies and to buy new clothes because he has given up, so he goes to Dublin. It will be a horrible experience, but when he gets back to Limerick he is a changed man, albeit a wealthier one. Within days Vincent has transformed him into one of the coolest cats in town. Unknown to Shane though, the cops have tailed him back from Dublin and are now watching his apartment.




David Gleeson
David Gleeson hails from a family of cinema owners. He learnt his craft in a darkened theatre. One of Ireland’s hottest emerging filmmakers, David has written and directed several award winning short films. COWBOYS & ANGELS is his feature debut. David currently lives in Dublin, Ireland




Director's statement
“Although COWBOYS & ANGELS is set in Ireland and incorporates elements which are very specific to Irish culture, the mythic nature of the story and its universal theme of belonging and acceptance makes it relevant to everyone.It is not only a story about Shane Butler’s personal growth. It is also the story of a warm and touching friendship between two souls – Shane and Vincent. It is a film about young people for young people. It is an upbeat film with a cheerful, positive outlook. But there is a deeper level to all of this. A sense of poetic lyricism imbues Shane’s every action and adds a certain emotive quality to his journey”.


PREMIO ARCA ENEL
THE ARCA ENEL AWARD
34a Edizione/34th Edition
"Y Gen" Section

COWBOYS & ANGELS
Directed by David Gleeson(Irlanda / Ireland)
-
Motivazione:
Per aver raccontato in modo efficace il percorso di ricerca di identità che ogni giovane si ritrova ad affrontare. Per aver trattato tematiche a sfondo sociale con sottile ironia. Un film che ci ha coinvolti e nel quale come adolescenti ci siamo identificati e come lo stesso film dice: “Abbiamo trovato la nostra voce, insegnateci ad usarla!”

Reasons:
For having dealt in the best possible way the plea for identity that every young person has to live through. For having dealt with social themes in an ironic and subtle way. A film that caught our attention as teenagers and in which we all identified with and as the film itself says: “We have found our voice, teach us to use it!”

director David Gleeson
screenplay David Gleeson
director of photography Volker Tittel (BVK)
editor Andrew Bird
production designer Jim Furlong
costume designer Grania Preston
music Stephen McKeon
leading players Michael Legge (Shane Butler)Allen Leech (Vincent Cusack)Amy Shiels (Gemma)Frank Kelly (Jerry)David Murray (Keith)
produced by Nathalie Lichtenthaeler
production Wide Eye Films Ltd (Irl)/Peter Stockhaus Production
festival contact
world sales:

Media Luna Entertainment Hochstadenstrasse 1-3, D-50674 Köln Germany phone +49 2211392222 fax +49 2211392224
http://www.medialuna-entertainment.de/
info@medialuna-entertainment.de
Italian distribution

One -Way Ticket To Mombasa - Sognando Mombasa

Miglior Film / Best Film33a Edizione/33rd Edition
"Y Generation" Section

GRIFONE D’OROGOLDEN GRYPHON

ONE-WAY TICKET TO MOMBASA
Directed by Hannu Tuomainen(Finlandia / Finland)

La Vedova Bianca Afterhours lyrics

La Vedova Bianca Afterhours lyrics

Artist: Afterhours
Album: Ballate Per Piccole Iene
Year: 2005
Title: La Vedova Bianca

C'è qualcosa dentro di me
che ha sbagliato e non ha limiti
C'è qualcosa dentro di te
che ha sbagliato e ci rende simili
e un bacio è sporco lo sa
spogliarmi il cuore dagli incubi
un bacio è sporco lo sa
come un miliardo di uomini vieni a fare un giro dentro di me o questo fuoco si
consumerà da se
e se una vita finisce qua
quest'altra vita presto comincerà.
Nel tuo letto la novità
è fare a pezzi l'anima
ma la violenza della stabilità è un modo di morire a metà
e un bacio è sporco lo sa
spogliarmi il cuore dai demoni
e c'è qualcosa che è dentro di noi
che è sbagliato e ci rende simili
un bacio è sporco lo sa
come un milione di anime
e se una vita finisce qua
quast'altra vita presto comincerà
sò che puoi gettarmi via
ma ciò che vuoi lo voglio anche io
è troppo troppo presto ormai le tue labbra sono nude sai
che è solo il tempo a rivelare la stagione
vieni a fare un giro dentro di me o questo fuoco si
consumerà da se
un bacio è sporco lo sa
spogliarmi il cuore dagli incubi
un bacio è sporco lo sa
come un miliardo di uomini
un bacio è sporco lo sai
tu hai qualcosa dentro di te che hai sbagliato e ci rende simili
C'è qualcosa di nuovo per te
è sbagliato perchè nn ha limiti
e anche tu hai qualcosa per me
è sbagliato ma ci rende simili
è sbagliato ma ci rende simili
è sbaglaito ma ci rende simili.

(Grazie a Vi per questo testo)

DA: http://www.lyricsmania.com/

COLD BLACK DAYS

Cold Black Days

by ATROCITY from album "ATLANTIS" track. n. 8 (2004)

Get away and your life will be released

Give away all your dreams and all your sins

You are playing for forgiveness

You cry for help

When your life is over who can tell

You can't change anything

Your life is just a dream

Nothing real nothing more

Nothing left cause

These are cold black days and

You're fading away

Life cold dark nights

And you're longing for light

These are cold days

And you're running away

To be alive again

To be alive again

Look around emptiness and you are falling

Hear the sound the peal of bells is tolling

You remember sunny days these times are gone

All the lovely words are said and done

You can't change all the things

Your life is full of dreams

Nothing real nothing more

Nothing left cause

GIORNATA DI MERDA!

MA CHE GIORNATA DI MERDA!
NON PER BAGNARMI PRIMA DI PIOVERE, MA DALL'INIZIO SI è VISTO:
MA CHE GIORNATA DI MERDA!

Cast City Hunter

www.ai-lgbt.org

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

Yesterday was the "The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People".

I hope that this day is good for reflections about Human Rights and Indigenous People because they are not respected!

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Public StatementAI Index: POL 30/025/2005 (Public)News Service No: 211 9 August 2005

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People: Dispossessed and in Danger – Time to make the rights of indigenous peoples a reality

Despite some progress over the last decade, indigenous peoples around the world continue to live in hardship and danger due to the failure of states to uphold their fundamental human rights.

Indigenous peoples are being uprooted from their lands and communities as a consequence of discriminatory government policies, the impact of armed conflicts, and the actions of private economic interests

Cut off from resources and traditions vital to their welfare and survival, many indigenous peoples are unable to fully enjoy such human rights as the right to food, the right to health, the right to housing, or cultural rights. Instead they face marginalisation, poverty, disease and violence – in some instances extinction as a people.

With the disruption of traditional ways of life, indigenous women may face particular challenges, losing status in their own society or finding that frustration and strife in the community is mirrored by violence in the household. For the growing numbers of indigenous women who have migrated to urban settings or who live on land with a heavy military presence, racial and sexual discrimination in the larger society may lead to a heightened risk of violence and unequal access to the protection of the justice system.

In Brazil some indigenous peoples, such as the Macuxi in Raposa Serra do Sol in the state of Roraima, have had their ancestral land rights recognised by the Brazilian state after several decades of struggle. However, many indigenous peoples continue to be denied economic, social and cultural rights and face threats and violent attacks while these rights are not fully recognised. The Guarani-Kaiowá peoples, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, continue to be severely overcrowded in many of their reserves. In the course of their continued fight for their rights to ancestral lands, violent disputes often arise between members of the indigenous communities and the ranchers who have settled in the indigenous areas;

In Khagrachari District, Bangladesh on 26 August 2003, Bengali settlers reportedly sexually assaulted nine women and set on fire hundreds of tribal homes with impunity. Even after the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accords in late 1997, large-scale human rights abuses against indigenous people have continued with the apparent connivance of the army. On 24 July 2005 dozens of tribal villagers were subjected to severe beating and ill-treatment reportedly by the army personnel at Fakinala Nee Aung Karbari Para under Manikchari sub-district in Khagrachari;

Canadian government statistics show that young Indigenous women are five times more likely than all other women to die as a result of violence. Indigenous women’s organizations say that not enough is being done to address critical factors placing indigenous women at risk including economic marginalization and biases in the justice system;

In Kenya the Maasai are campaigning against decades of impunity for violations against them. In September 2004 police used tear gas to disperse members of the Maasai community who were demonstrating over land they lost in colonial times. Several protesters were arrested and one shot dead by police. British soldiers stationed in Kenya for training have been accused of many acts of rape and gang rape between 1965 and 2001;
Valentina Rosendo Cantú and Inés Fernández Ortega, members of the Tlapaneca indigenous community in Guerrero, Mexico, were reportedly raped by members of the army in February and March 2002 respectively. Four other indigenous women have also filed complaints of rape by soldiers in Guerrero in the last 10 years. However, none of these cases have been investigated effectively and those responsible have not been brought to justice. Instead, military investigators have attempted to disprove the rape allegations, placing the burden of proof on the victim, and flouted international standards. Valentina and Ines’ cases are also presently before the Inter American Commission on Human Rights awaiting the decision on admissibility.

Amnesty International urges all states to work in close collaboration with Indigenous peoples to ensure that an effective system of protections is put in place at both the domestic and international levels. Critical measures requiring immediate action include:

Ensuring recognition of indigenous peoples’ land rights and protection of them through demarcation and fair resolution of outstanding disputes;

Adopting a strong United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that consolidates and builds on existing human rights standards;

Ratifying International Labour Organization Convention No.169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (1989) and implementing its provisions.

Background

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People was first observed on 9 August 1994, at the start of the First International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. A second decade began this year.

In July 2004, Amnesty International launched a global action calling for the timely adoption of a United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The draft UN Declaration provides for the recognition and protection of a wide range of rights crucial to the survival and well-being of Indigenous peoples as distinct cultures.

In international human rights instruments, the term “indigenous” generally refers to those distinctive cultural groups whose relationship with their land or territory predates colonization or the formation of the modern state and who maintain traditions and institutions unique to that place. In different national contexts, other terms may be used, including “aboriginal”, “native” or “tribal” peoples.

AI Index: POL 30/025/2005

9 August 2005

Copied by http://www.amnesty.org/

Anchored

Hello Kitty Goth

Doll

Arien

Devendra Banhart

Devendra Banhart

Good Mornig!

Guten Tag!

A new day! A new life day!A new day for read, love, listen music!

This is the magic sound,

Today I want only say: GUTEN TANG!

Today I want only say:Thank you God!

Birds Life International

Pete Morris/Birdquest
The Steller's Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus (Vulnerable) is declining because of habitat degradation and disturbance. Zoom In

Our Vision

Birds are beautiful, inspirational and international. Birds are excellent flagships and vital environmental indicators.
By focusing on birds, and the sites and habitats on which they depend, the BirdLife Partnership is working to improve the quality of life for birds, for other wildlife (biodiversity), and for people.
BirdLife's aims are to:
prevent the extinction of any bird species
maintain and where possible improve the conservation status of all bird species
conserve and where appropriate improve and enlarge sites and habitats important for birds
help, through birds, to conserve biodiversity and to improve the quality of people's lives
integrate bird conservation into sustaining people's livelihoods.

Why Conserve Birds?

The combined value of 17 different ecosystem services - such as pollination and water catchment - is estimated between US$16 and 54 trillion per year, around twice the entire world's Gross National Product. These services are not traded in markets and carry no price tags to alert society to changes in their supply or to deterioration of the ecosystems which generate them.
Biodiversity's genetic library accounts for about half of the annual increases in crop productivity and is also key to our capacity to repond to climate change, diseases and crop pests.
The annual world fisheries catch is worth more than US$50 billion and is a major source of animal protein. This is a resource that must be managed wisely.
A biodiverse environment is an invaluable source of new pharmaceuticals and other useful products. Of the 150 commonest prescription drugs used in the USA, 118 are based on compounds derived from natural sources.
About half of all plant species, including man food-producing crops, are pollinated by animals. In New Zealand the decline of native honeyeater species has led to declines in the native plants that rely upon them for pollination. In parts of the USA bee populations are now so depleted because of the modern agricultural practices that mobile beehvies are brought in to pollinate crops. This service is estimated to cost billions of dollars per year.

Societies value birds for economic, cultural, ethical and spiritual reasons

The world's commonest bird is the domestic chicken whose wild ancestors, the junglefowls of Asia, were domesticated around 5,000 years ago. The chicken's meat and eggs are an important source of protein for many people.
In parts of Africa a special relationship between birds and local tribesmen has developed. Honeyguides lead the tribesmen to the site of an active bees-nest. After the tribesman has opened the nest to obtain the honeycomb inside, a small piece is left as a reward for the bird. Over the centuries birds have inspired artists, and bird images are frequently used to adorn everyday objects like money and postage stamps.
Ever increasing numbers of people belong to bird societies. In the UK, more than one million people have joined the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) - more than the membership of the three largest UK political parties combined, and the number is continuing to rise. In New Zealand, 40,000 people are members of Forest and Bird (BirdLife in New Zealand) and in Malta, the membership of BirdLife Malta stands at more than 3,000, from a total population of 378,000.

Birds Life: The birdwatching industry is a growing economic force
Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Park in Victoria is Australia's third largest tourist destination, after the Great Barrier Reef and Ayer's Rock. In 1995, 1,000 local jobs were dependent on the tourist trade to the park which attracted more than half a million visitors who spent an estimated US$63 million.
Every year 6,000-8,000 people visit the nature reserve of Cousin Island managed by Nature Seychelles. This was once a loss-making coconut plantation, but tourism revenue now sustains the reserve (an internationally important site for seabirds and three globally threatened species) and the local community.
In South Africa, the annual expenditure by birdwatchers is around US$12-27 million, with the Boulders Bay Penguin colony alone worth around US$2.4 million.
In 1991, the birdwatching industry was worth US$5.2 billion in the USA and around 191,000 jobs were dependent upon it. Between the mid-1980s and the mid-1990s, birdwatching in the USA showed a 155% growth in numbers.
Conserving birds clearly has great economic benefits.

Birds are indicators of the state of the environment.
Studying birds tells us about the habitats on which we all depend. The dramatic decline in Eurasian Skylark numbers in western Europe is indicative of the relentless intensification of agricultural practices and the non-sustainability of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy.
In Costa Rica, lowland forest birds are extending their ranges up mountain slopes, apparently because the high-altitude cloud-forests are drying out as a result of global warming.
Common Whitethroat numbers in Europe fell sharply in the late 1960s. The cause was traced to the desertification of their wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa, a problem exacerbated as a result of overgrazing by livestock.
In the 1950s and 1960s, a huge drop in the numbers of Peregrines and other birds of prey raptors in Europe and the USA was linked to the build up of DDT in the food chain, traces of which were increasingly being found in people. Could population crashes of raptors in Asia and elsewhere be indicative of a similar poisoning of the environment?
In general, places that are rich in bird species are also rich for other forms of biodiversity. Birds can be used as good indicators of these important areas.

Conservation Goals

BirdLife focuses its effort around conservation goals for species, sites, habitats and people. All are vital elements of BirdLife's work.

Species
Take action for all globally threatened bird species.

Extinction is irreversible.

Since globally threatened species are in greatest danger of extinction, they are given highest priority by BirdLife.
Conserve, and where possible increase, the populations and natural ranges of declining wild bird species.

Declining species will become threatened if conservation action is not taken. Declining bird numbers or distributions reflect overall loss of biological diversity and strongly indicates unsustainable practices.
Maintain the populations and ranges of all naturally occurring wild bird species.All bird species are valuable in their own right and act as powerful symbols of the state of our environment.
Sites
Take action to conserve, and where appropriate restore, all sites of global, regional and national importance to birds.

Sites (Important Bird Areas) are units manageable for bird and biodiversity conservation and restoration.

Focussing on areas of global and national importance enables BirdLife to set priorities effectively.

Habitats

Take action to maintain, and where appropriate restore, the extent and quality of habitats important for birds.

Loss or deterioration of habitats, like forests, wetlands and oceanic island, has a negative effect on birds, biodiversity and people. Some human practices (for example agriculture, forestry, fisheries) change habitats and action to conserve birds at the habitat level is therefore most effective.

People
Strengthen and grow a network of people who value wild birds, biodiversity and the wider environment.

How people think and behave is the most powerful force affecting how we treat the environment; building a network of like-minded people brings direct benefits to birds and the people themselves.
Integrate bird conservation needs into wider natural resource management for the benefit of both people and biodiversity.

It is important to recognise that people control resources and they should be encouraged to manage these sustainably for their own benefit and for biodiversity.

La Lipu (2)

"Non possiamo fare a meno
della natura,
in nessun modo.
La nostra stessa salute dipende
dalla qualità dell'ambiente,
l'aria, l'acqua e il cibo
sono fondamentali per noi
come per tutti gli esseri viventi.
Per questo la LIPU ha deciso di
intervenire con forza per
progettare,
insieme a tutti coloro che la sostengono,
un futuro diverso
dove la natura recuperi il suo
ruolo insostituibile.
Lo scopo della nostra
associazione
è quello di realizzare azioni concrete
per difendere la natura selvatica
e tutte le creature
che vi abitano,
con particolare attenzione
nei confronti
degli uccelli
che fungono da ottimi
indicatori ambientali."

Cavalieri D'Italia

LA LIPU (LEGA ITALIANA PROTEZIONE UCCELLI)

http://www.lipu.it/


Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli Associazione per la conservazione della Natura attiva in Italia dal 1965
Ente Morale dal 1985 (Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica n 151 del 6.2.85 e pubblicato sulla Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 99 del 27.4.85)
Associazione di Volontariato (iscritta al Registro Regionale del Volontariato istituito ai sensi dell'art. 6 della legge 11 agosto 1991, n. 266, con decreto del 2 dicembre 1992 n. 855 del Presidente della Regione Emilia Romagna)
O.N.L.U.S. (Organizzazione non lucrativa di utilità sociale)D.l.gs del 4.12.97
Associazione di protezione Ambientale riconosciuta dal Ministero Ambiente ai sensi art.13 L. n. 349 deI 8.7.86
Ente in grado di svolgere ricerca scientifica, iscritta dal 9.12.97 all'anagrafe Nazionale delle Ricerche presso il Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica (codice = 219910PV)
NGO (Organizzazione Non Governativa)
Iscritta daI 23/03/98 al Registro Nazionale della Stampa (n. 416/81)


LA LIPU E' FATTA DI...
42.000 sostenitori,100 Sezioni locali, migliaia di Volontari, una rete di 58 Oasi e Centri Recupero visitati ogni anno da più di 200.000 persone, fanno della LIPU la principale associazione italiana per la protezione degli uccelli.


LA NOSTRA MISSIONE
Conservare la natura partendo proprio dalla protezione degli uccelli e dei loro habitat, educare i giovani al rispetto del mondo in cui viviamo, sensibilizzare l'opinione pubblica su temi importanti come la tutela dell'ambiente e l'attenzione alla salute, questi sono i principali obiettivi definiti dallo Statuto dell'associazione.


LE NOSTRE ATTIVITA'
Le attività della LIPU si possono dividere in 4 grandi aree:
Le strutture dedicate alla natura:La LIPU gestisce una rete di:45 Oasi - dove la natura è protetta9 Centri Recupero - dove gli uccelli e gli altri animali feriti vengono curati4 Centri Cicogna - per la reintroduzione della Cicogna bianca in Italia
I progetti di conservazione e di studio:La LIPU realizza:progetti sul campo - per la tutela di specie e habitat minacciatiprogetti di ricerca - per approfondire la conoscenza di particolari specie o per valutare l'impatto ambientale delle attività dell'uomo.servizi di consulenza per la gestione naturalistica del territorio
Le iniziative di educazione per diffondere una nuova etica ambientale:educazione ambientale nelle scuolecampagne di sensibilizzazione dell'opinione pubblica
Le attività di lobby e di vigilanza:promozione di leggi che tutelano la natura, in campo locale, nazionale e internazionalemonitoraggio del territorio grazie ad un servizio di Guardie volontarie - per controllare l'attività venatoria e combattere il bracconaggio


I NOSTRI TRAGUARDI
1965 Inizia la storia della LIPU, la prima Associazione che in Italia si occupa di protezione della natura.
1975 Viene realizzato il Centro Recupero Rapaci di Parma, il primo "ospedale" italiano per la fauna selvatica. Qui si curano gli uccelli feriti o in difficoltà, per poi liberarli nuovamente nel loro ambiente naturale. A questa struttura ne seguiranno altre, per arrivare a 9 Centri Recupero LIPU nel 2000 con 10.000 animali curati all'anno.
1977 Prima grande vittoria della LIPU: viene approvata la legge n. 968 sulla caccia per cui la fauna selvatica diventa patrimonio dello Stato e cessa la persecuzione legale dei rapaci. Due anni dopo la Comunità Europea emana una Direttiva per la protezione degli uccelli selvatici e dei loro ambienti.
1979 A Crava Morozzo, nella pianura cuneese, viene realizzata la prima Oasi LIPU: una zona umida di 300 ettari di primaria importanza per gli uccelli migratori e per quelli che vi nidificano.
1983 E' l'anno del Birdwatching: la LIPU lancia una grande campagna per diffondere la conoscenza degli uccelli e della natura attraverso corsi, raduni e viaggi.
1985 La LIPU viene riconosciuta dal Presidente della Repubblica Ente morale che persegue fini di pubblica utilità. Nello stesso anno Mario Pastore è nominato Presidente della LIPU; rimarrà in carica perseguendo con impegno gli obiettivi dell'Associazione fino al 1996, anno della sua improvvisa scomparsa.
1986 Al Centro Cicogne di Racconigi nasce il primo "cicognino", capostipite della lunga e prolifera dinastia LIPU: la Cicogna bianca torna così a nidificare in Italia. Nel 2000 i Centri Cicogne saranno quattro e il progetto LIPU avrà riportato questo magnifico migratore a nidificare in Italia.
1987 Nasce il settore educazione della LIPU, che tramite molteplici attività contribuisce a sviluppare nei bambini e nei ragazzi una cultura del rispetto e dell'amore per la natura e per il mondo circostante.
1991 Grazie anche al grande impegno della LIPU viene varata la Legge Quadro sui Parchi, che d'ora in poi sarà un punto di riferimento fondamentale per le aree protette italiane. L'anno successivo sarà la volta della nuova legge sulla caccia, n. 157, un altro passo importante a favore della fauna del nostro paese.
1992 Con le Campagne per la Marmotta, per Peppola e Fringuello e per gli uccelli migratori la LIPU raccoglie più di 300.000 firme e ottiene con successo la difesa
1993 Nasce BirdLife International, la più grande federazione di associazioni di protezione degli uccelli del mondo; la LIPU è orgogliosa di essere scelta come partner italiano.
1994 La LIPU realizza il primo Piano d'azione naturalistico per il Delta del Po, la più grande zona umida d'Italia.
1996Prende il via la campagna Rondini, un progetto pluriennale di conservazione e di sensibilizzazione per fronteggiare il drammatico calo di questa specie e promuovere un'agricoltura che rispetti maggiormente la natura e la salute dell'uomo.
1999"Un mondo senza uccelli non sarebbe la stessa cosa", questo lo slogan della Campagna istituzionale LIPU, realizzata dalla JWT di Roma, per sensibilizzare l'opinione pubblica sull'importanza degli uccelli e del loro ruolo nel mantenimento dell'equilibrio naturale.
2000 Continuano le attività di conservazione della natura e di protezione delle specie minacciate. La reintroduzione del Grifone in Sicilia e Sardegna è un esempio significativo. Sono 45 le Oasi LIPU sul territorio, luoghi dove la natura riesce a vivere protetta, gli animali trovano rifugio sicuro e l'uomo può apprezzare quanto sia gratificante mantenere l'equilibrio del nostro ambiente.

G8: oltre il coro di slogan è ora di cambiare politiche

G8: oltre il coro di slogan è ora di cambiare politiche(20 luglio 2005)
All'ombra dei tragici attentati di Londra, il G8 di Gleaneagles si è concluso con il consueto un coro di slogan circa gli "storici" risultati raggiunti in termini di aumento degli aiuti ai Paesi poveri. Noi di Medici Senza Frontiere non possiamo condividere l'entusiasmo: l'annunciata (e parziale) cancellazione del debito rischia di essere una pura operazione di facciata, mentre i 50 miliardi di dollari di aiuti aggiuntivi a partire dal 2010 (se mai si tradurranno in realtà) sono, almeno in parte, la replica di promesse già fatte in passato e non rappresentano vere risorse supplementari.
Il nostro non è uno scetticismo per partito preso: noi non pretendiamo per principio lo stanziamento di più soldi. Al contrario, da anni, chiediamo al G8 e alle altre istituzioni internazionali di non soffermarsi solo sulla quantità di aiuti che i Paesi ricchi sono disposti a erogare a quelli poveri. I soldi ovviamente servono, ma senza il ripensamento radicale di alcune dinamiche politico-economiche, non sarà mai possibile un'efficace lotta alle malattie che decimano la popolazione del Sud del mondo.
Alcuni esempi possono essere illuminanti:
La riflessione sulle politiche dei grandi donatori internazionali, infine, dovrebbe andare oltre la pur importante cancellazione del debito: le condizioni imposte dai finanziatori internazionali (Banca Mondiale, Fondo Monetario Internazionale, etc.) possono avere effetti deleteri per i Paesi poveri. A fronte dei prestiti Banca Mondiale e FMI impongono, infatti, alcune condizioni ai paesi poveri che ricevono gli aiuti, tra le quali, sempre più spesso, figura l'introduzione di un pagamento per i servizi sanitari pubblici. I primi studi di MSF sull'impatto dell'introduzione di servizi sanitari pubblici a pagamento in Paesi poverissimi come il Burundi o Haiti mostrano che l'obbligo di pagare per l'assistenza – anche quando le cifre ai nostri occhi sembrano basse – impedisce a larghe percentuali della popolazione dei paesi più poveri di accedere alle cure, e li condanna alla sofferenza e, troppo spesso, alla morte.
La ricerca medica: oggi la ricerca medica è quasi totalmente delegata alle industrie private. Queste grandi multinazionali necessariamente investono soprattutto nella ricerca sulle malattie che colpiscono i Paesi ricchi (cardiovascolari e tumori, ma anche obesità, impotenza e calvizie!). Le malattie dei più poveri non attirano investimenti perché, se anche si trovasse una cura, i malati non potrebbero pagarsela. L'esempio più eclatante è la totale assenza di farmaci pediatrici contro l'Aids. Oggi nei Paesi ricchi – grazie alle efficaci strategie di prevenzione - quasi nessun bambino contrae il virus. Nei Paesi poveri, invece, ci sono quasi 3 milioni di bambini malati di Aids: per loro non esistono farmaci ad hoc (facili da assumere e con dosaggi calibrati). I nostri medici incontrano enormi difficoltà quando cercano di curare i piccoli sieropositivi utilizzando medicinali pensati solo per gli adulti. La stessa cosa avviene per altre malattie che colpiscono milioni di persone nel Sud del mondo, ma che sono sconosciute o scomparse nei Paesi ricchi: leshamaniosi, Chagas, malattia del sonno o tubercolosi. Nessuna industria ha interesse a trovare cure migliori e più efficaci per queste malattie perché le popolazioni colpite sono troppo povere per pagarsi i farmaci. Una vera strategia di lotta alle epidemie nel Sud del mondo deve necessariamente elaborare nuovi strumenti per incentivare la ricerca sulle malattie dei più poveri, con un maggiore impegno delle istituzioni pubbliche.
I brevetti sui farmaci: Le politiche commerciali fissate dal WTO di fatto impongono una sorta di monopolio dei farmaci prodotti dalle multinazionali occidentali che – anche quando vengono venduti ai Paesi poveri a prezzo scontato - sono sempre molto più costosi di quanto potrebbero essere se ci fosse più concorrenza tra produttori. Anche in questo caso l'esempio più eclatante viene dalle terapie contro l'Aids. Fino al 2001 sul mercato esistevano solo farmaci occidentali che costavano – in tutto il mondo – circa 10mila $ l'anno per paziente. Dal 2001 sono comprasi i primi farmaci generici indiani, offerti nei Paesi poveri a un prezzo molto più basso. Oggi la terapia a base di farmaci generici indiani costa circa 200$ l'anno per paziente. La qualità di molti dei farmaci generici indiani è stata certificata dall'OMS, eppure ancora oggi i piani di aiuto tendono a privilegiare i farmaci delle multinazionali. Nel caso di aiuti bilaterali spesso i Governi occidentali offrono un sostegno economico ai governo africani per la lotta all'Aids a condizione che i soldi donati vengano spesi esclusivamente per l'acquisto di farmaci occidentali più costosi di quelli generici (è successo con il Piano di Bush per la lotta all'Aids lanciato nel 2003). Gli stessi accordi di libero scambio che gli USA stanno firmando con diversi Paesi (il Centro e il Sud America, la Tailandia, il Marocco) impongono il rispetto di rigide norme sui brevetti che di fatto impediscono ai Paesi poveri di acquistare i farmaci più economici presenti sul mercato internazionale e li obbligano ad acquistare solo i farmaci "made in USA".
Persino il Global Fund e l'OMS hanno opposto resistenze e in alcuni casi ancora privilegiano i farmaci occidentali anche se più costosi e non sempre disponibili in quantità sufficienti (è il caso dei nuovi farmaci contro la malaria). Il WTO ha imposto anche all'India di rispettare i brevetti sui farmaci: questo probabilmente farà sì che nel lungo periodo l'India non potrà più produrre farmaci economici e che i prezzi continueranno a salire. Gli slogan sensazionalistici davvero non convincono più nessuno, è ora di metterli da parte e discutere di politiche concrete.Stefano Savi Direttore MSF Italia(pubblicato su “Il Sole 24 Ore – Sanità” – 19 luglio 2005)
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Médecins Sans Frontières

Médecins Sans Frontières

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in more than 80 countries. In countries where health structures are insufficient or even non-existant, MSF collaborates with authorities such as the Ministry of Health to provide assistance. MSF works in rehabilitation of hospitals and dispensaries, vaccination programmes and water and sanitation projects. MSF also works in remote health care centres, slum areas and provides training of local personnel. All this is done with the objective of rebuilding health structures to acceptable levels.
Raising Awareness
In carrying out humanitarian assistance, MSF seeks also to raise awareness of crisis situations; MSF acts as a witness and will speak out, either in private or in public about the plight of populations in danger for whom MSF works. In doing so, MSF sets out to alleviate human suffering, to protect life and health and to restore and ensure respect for the human beings and their fundamental human rights.
Only a small percentage of the populations that find themselves in a situation of danger gain the attention of the media. MSF teams travel to places that many people have never heard of, to assist those who have fallen victim to natural or man-made disasters. MSF volunteers have a story to tell when they return from their missions, and they use their experiences to speak of what they have seen. For MSF, raising awareness for these populations and the situations they are in is an important task. Whenever possible, MSF volunteers give interviews and make presentations. MSF offices worldwide facilitate the organisation of gatherings, for individuals and groups who want to speak in their home communities. MSF also mounts exhibitions and, from time to time, releases publications, with the aim of raising awareness.
It is part of MSF's work to address any violations of basic human rights encountered by field teams, violations perpetrated or sustained by political actors. It does so by confronting the responsible actors themselves, by putting pressure on them through mobilisation of the international community and by issuing information publicly. In order to prevent compromise or manipulation of MSF's relief activities, MSF maintains neutrality and independance from individual governments. The organisation also tries to ensure that the majority of funds raised for its work comes directly from contributions from the general public. In this way, MSF guarantees equal access to its humanitarian assistance.
MSF has been setting up emergency medical aid missions around the world since 1971.

MSF has received the following international awards for their activities:
1999The Nobel Peace PrizeOslo, NorwaySeptember
1998The Conrad Hilton PrizeUnited States of America April 7,
1997Prix International - Primo LeviGenova, ItalyFebruary 15,
1997Prix International SebetiaterNaples, ItalyNovember 19,
1996Prix International pour la Paix et l'Action HumanitaireRome October
1996Prix Seoul pour la PaixSeoul, South KoreaNovember 11, 1996Prix DoronNovemer 19. 1997Indira Gandhi PrizeNew Delhi, IndiaMay
1996The Four Freedom AwardThe Franklin Eleanor Roosevelt Institute April
1993Prix pour la liberte de l'Esprit Prix SakharovEuropean Parliament EuropeenOctober
1993 Nansen MedalUnited Nations High Commission for RefugeesJuly
1992 Philadelphia Liberty MedalMay
1992 Prix Europeen des Droits de l'HommeCouncil of EuropeJune
1991Medal of Peace29th International Folklore Festival of LefkasMay
1991 Prix de la ConcordePrincipe de Asturiasù

Medici Senza Frontiere

Medici Senza Frontiere - MSF è un’associazione internazionale privata nata per offrire soccorso sanitario alle popolazioni in pericolo e testimoniare delle violazioni dei diritti umani cui assiste durante le sue missioni.
MSF è indipendente e non è legata a partiti politici o a confessioni religiose, non ha scopo di lucro, agisce secondo l’universale etica medica senza discriminazione alcuna di razza, religione, sesso o opinioni.
MSF Italia è una Onlus (Organizzazione Non Lucrativa di Utilità Sociale): lo Statuto è stato adattato in data 14-6-1998 secondo i requisiti richiesti dalla legge del D.L. del 4-12-1997 n.460. MSF Italia è anche un'Organizzazione non governativa.
MSF ha inviato domanda di iscrizione alla lista delle Onlus italiane al Ministero delle Finanze, Direzione Regionale delle entrate, il 25-6-1998.
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MSF chiede che il diritto all'assistenza umanitaria sia rispettato e che le sia garantita piena libertà di svolgere le sue missioni.
Ogni anno si registrano 3.000 partenze di volontari appartenenti a 45 nazionalità diverse. MSF offre assistenza sanitaria in oltre 80 paesi. I volontari di MSF sono supportati dall'indispensabile contributo di 15.000 collaboratori locali.
MSF si mantiene con le donazioni di oltre due milioni di persone.
Nel 2003, il bilancio è stato di 381,9 milioni di euro.
L’Ufficio Internazionale è a Bruxelles; altre 18 sedi si trovano in Australia, Austria, Belgio, Canada, Danimarca, Francia, Germania, Giappone, Gran Bretagna, Hong Kong, Italia, Lussemburgo, Norvegia, Olanda, Spagna, Svezia, Svizzera, USA.
Le sedi nazionali reclutano i volontari, promuovono l’associazione, le campagne di stampa e di sensibilizzazione, fanno raccolta fondi contribuendo al finanziamento e allo svolgimento delle missioni.
La storia
Nel 1968 un gruppo di medici francesi della Croce Rossa Internazionale, colpiti dagli orrori della guerra del Biafra, e un secondo gruppo, intervenuto in Bangladesh dopo un maremoto, individuarono due obiettivi:
fornire un’assistenza sanitaria più qualificata e tempestiva;
sensibilizzare e informare non con i mezzi della politica o del giornalismo, ma con la forza dell’esperienza diretta.
All’intervento professionale univano un impegno civile e il 20 dicembre 1971 fondarono Médecins Sans Frontières - MSF.
Inizialmente MSF interveniva in situazioni di emergenza: guerre, catastrofi naturali, epidemie. Successivamente il raggio di azione si è allargato, e ora metà delle missioni si svolge in situazioni di stabilità; ad esempio, con l’obiettivo di prevenire epidemie o di garantire l’accesso a un sistema sanitario di base nei Paesi in Via di Sviluppo che ne sono privi.
Spesso l’azione di MSF si è scontrata con interessi politici locali. La prima volta è accaduto in Turchia, nel 1981, dove un medico e un’infermiera sono stati incarcerati per otto mesi.
Divulgare i problemi legati alla miseria, alle guerre, alla speculazione politica e finanziaria ai danni delle popolazioni più povere e dimenticate ha generato conflitti con istituzioni e centri di potere.
In Etiopia, nel 1985, aver denunciato il dirottamento dell’aiuto umanitario e la deportazione forzata della popolazione è costato a MSF l’espulsione dal paese.
A partire dagli anni Ottanta lavorare per MSF comincia a diventare pericoloso:
1981l’esercito sovietico bombarda alcuni ospedali afgani in cui opera MSF;
1989un missile abbatte un aereo di Aviation Sans Frontières e due volontari perdono la vita;
1990un logista viene ucciso in Afganistan;
1996alcuni volontari vengono rapiti in Cecenia e liberati solo dopo qualche settimana;
1997a Baidoa, in Somalia, un medico viene assassinato nell’ospedale dove stava lavorando;
1998MSF viene espulsa da Timor Est;
2000in Etiopia un’équipe di MSF viene attaccata: un volontario rimane ucciso;
MSF abbandona il progetto.
A partire dalla metà degli anni Ottanta, l’organizzazione incrementa il proprio sviluppo:
1988nasce l’Unità Europea d’Intervento di MSF, per coordinare l’azione di sei sezioni europee nelle operazioni d’urgenza;1989a Bruxelles viene aperto l’ufficio Internazionale di MSF;
1993nasce MSF Italia.
Negli anni Novanta giungono i più importanti riconoscimenti internazionali, tra cui il premio Nobel per la Pace nel 1999.

Peter Benenson Memorial

Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International, sadly passed away on 25 February 2005.
On Thursday 7 July 2005 was celebrated his extraordinary life and achievements, Amnesty International and Peter’s family did a special memorial service in the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London.

Peter Benenson : The man who decided it was time for a change

The man who decided it was time for a change

The man who lit the fuse of the human rights revolution died this week, having refused all honours and leaving behind him a world changed by the countless protests and petitions he championedPeter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International, was 83. He was born into a world without the United Nations. Not a single international human rights treaty was in existence. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights had yet to be written. There wasn’t a single one of today’s major human rights organizations on the political landscape. Civil society was yet to be born.Inordinately modest and self-effacing, the one-time lawyer who launched Amnesty International in 1961 would never claim credit for the sea-change of the last 40 years. He was offered knighthoods by almost every successive British Prime Minister but he never accepted.Each Prime Minister who wrote to him received a personal response from Benenson - who typed his own letters until late in life -- in which he would cite the current human rights violations Amnesty was confronting in the UK. He would suggest, without mincing his words, that if the government wished to take account of his work for human rights, what mattered was to redress those abuses.In comparison with the world into which he was born, Benenson left behind him one changed so fundamentally that it is hard to conceive of the scale of the transformation. Nearly a hundred human rights treaties and other legal instruments are now in force internationally. Over ninety percent of the world’s countries are now party to the most comprehensive of these, the twin international covenants on civil/political and economic/social rights. Almost all of those states have now formally given the right to their citizens to make international complaints.In addition to the human rights bodies of the United Nations, there are now regional intergovernmental bodies covering up to three-quarters of the world’s nations.Women’s rights, child rights, minority rights, workers’ rights, the rights of disabled persons - all of these have been codified and strengthened by successive declarations, conventions and acts of national legislation. Torturers have become international outlaws. As we enter the 21st Century, more than half the countries of the world have rejected the death penalty - either by abolishing it altogether or ceasing to carry out executions.However, the most extraordinary phenomenon - and the one on which Peter Benenson left his indelible mark - is the birth of what has come to be known globally as "civil society". Today there are well over a thousand domestic and regional organizations working to protect human rights. Among them, his brainchild Amnesty International, is one of the best known, with almost 2 million members, subscribers and supporters in more than 64 countries and territories.But to think of Peter Benenson merely as the founder of one organization (indeed he started several others) is to misread perhaps the single most distinctive political feature of the period from the end of the Second World War to the present: the emergence of organized, non-violent public opinion as an increasingly powerful force in domestic and international politics. Historians may locate its origins in any number of social changes following the war. But there is one event that will incontestably be told and retold in any social history of that period.It is the story of a man in a bowler hat reading his newspaper on the London underground in late 1960. He reads a small item about two Portuguese students being sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for raising their glasses in a toast to freedom. He is outraged, decides to go to the Portuguese embassy in London to make a personal protest and then changes his mind. Instead he gets off at Trafalgar Square station and makes his way to the church of St Martin’s-in-the-Fields. He goes in, sits down for three-quarters of an hour, and thinks.In his words, "I went in to see what could really be done effectively, to mobilize world opinion. It was necessary to think of a larger group which would harness the enthusiasm of people all over the world who were anxious to see a wider respect for human rights."That man was Peter Benenson, then a barrister in London. When he came outside into the square, he had his idea. Within months, he launched his Appeal for Amnesty with a front page article in The Observer newspaper.Nothing quite like it had ever been attempted on such a scale before. The response was overwhelming, as if people worldwide were waiting for exactly such a signal. Newspapers in over a dozen countries picked up the appeal. Over a thousand letters poured in within the first six months. And the post-bags of the world’s heads of state changed forever.Benenson’s idea was so simple, perhaps that’s why he remained so shy of personal publicity throughout his life. Termed "one of the larger lunacies of our time" by one of its critics, a network of letter writers was set up to bombard governments with individual appeals on behalf of prisoners jailed and ill-treated in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.In an age of self-aggrandisement, his modesty was almost hard to fathom. He never went forward to receive the numerous accolades showered upon Amnesty, known universally by its candle in barbed wire. His mind was always fixed on what had not been accomplished and the countless victims still to be rescued."The candle burns not for us," he declared, "but for all those whom we failed to rescue from prison, who were shot on the way to prison, who were tortured, who were kidnapped, who ‘disappeared’. That is what the candle is for."In later years, as Amnesty’s impact grew exponentially and went on to harness the power of the international news media, other groups began to adopt and adapt its methods in support of their causes. The extraordinary impact of the environmental movement twenty years later, the women’s rights movement and a host of other single-issue and coalition groups, working in their own countries or across national boundaries, can often be traced to the early examination they made of the methods Benenson’s organization was using.Today we take the power of charities, voluntary groups and people’s campaigns for granted. But before that day in Trafalgar Square - the day on which a single newspaper reader decided it was time for a change - that power had yet to shake the world. Nothing has ever been quite the same since. As he said in 1961, lighting the first Amnesty candle, "I’m reminded of the words of a 16th century man sentenced to death by burning: We have today lit such a candle as shall never be put out."--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Peter Benenson, 31 July 1921 - 25 February 2005, was the founder of Amnesty International
Richard Reoch, former head of public information at the organization’s International Secretariat, worked and travelled with Benenson in his later years

Tributes paid to Peter Benenson

Tributes paid to Peter Benenson

"Today, we pause to honour the contribution of a human rights lawyer and activist whose life and vision is worthy not only of remembrance, but also of study and emulation by all who seek to advance the cause of human dignity. Touched by the persecution of two students who dared to raise a toast to freedom, Peter Benenson did not merely lament the injustice that offended him. He chose to act. He created a new calculus of human rights activism, combining the power of knowledge, the fuel of empathy, the vigilance of civil society and the moral authority of human rights to produce a force that would give pause to the dictator and hope to the prisoner."As we seek to confront today’s myriad assaults on human rights, we must recognize the lesson of Peter Benenson as one of both responsibility and hope. The responsibility to defend those who are abused or threatened, and the hope that, when we do, abuse and threat cannot long prevail. The best tribute we can pay to Peter Benenson is to work every day to follow his example."
Kofi A. Annan -- Secretary General, United Nations"The world owes a very great debt of thanks to Peter Benenson. He has been proof that one person can truly make a difference. In establishing Amnesty International, he harnessed the power of individuals to bring justice and freedom to millions of people. "He did so, not by making speeches in lofty halls or parliaments, but by listening. Listening to the cries of those who have been forgotten, the prisoner, the abused, the victim and the survivor; and then acting. Shouting from the rooftops that the abuse of the rights of one individual is the concern and responsibility of all. His vision launched a revolution in human rights activism."Tragically, the work he began is not over. In a world in which governments are betraying the promise of human rights and armed groups are committing horrendous abuses, Peter's call for solidarity with those who are suffering is more important than ever. He was undaunted by opposition and attempts by the powerful to undermine his work. He faced enormous challenges and refused to be overcome by them. As we honour him and his legacy, let us continue what he began with the same selfless courage and tenacity. "We are our brother's and sister's keeper and history will judge us if we fail that charge."
Desmond M Tutu -- Archbishop Emeritus of Capetown, South Africa"Peter Benenson was a great champion of human rights and freedom. As someone who has suffered human rights abuses, I cannot find sufficient words to convey the immense contribution by Peter and Amnesty International."
Anwar Ibrahim -- Former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and former prisoner of conscience"I don’t recall precisely when I first heard the name of Peter Benenson or the name of Amnesty International and I don’t even recall when I first heard about its activity. All I know is that we, on the other side of the Iron Curtain, had countless reasons to take an interest in its work, and so I imagine it must have been right at the beginning of the nineteen-sixties. However, I vividly remember what it meant for those of us who were persecuted for our stand on civil rights when someone abroad showed an interest in our fate, when open-minded people expressed solidarity and when our situation was taken up with the Communist regime. "Such expressions of interest, particularly when they coincided with international talks or meetings that were important to the Communist regime, were a great source of annoyance, discomfort and inconvenience for it. I remember that the concentrated attention and constant publicity given to the violation of human rights and the concern expressed about the fate of others frequently prevented prosecution or the imposition of severe penalties. Subsequently, when I held high public office, I also tried all the time to emphasise and assert my personal experience."And I continue to do so. A whole number of organisations were created in the second half of the twentieth century to assist victims of persecution or imprisonment, and of all of them, Amnesty International in particular enjoys enormous trust. From my own experience, I can say that its voice is listened to almost everywhere, even where it is not acknowledged. That prestige is due to its thousands of selfless assistants and above all to its founder."I think the best tribute to Peter Benenson is to carry his work forward, and continue to show concern for the fate of other people throughout the globe. Dear Peter, we have a sense of shared responsibility for this world in the same way that you had a sense of shared responsibility for us."
Václav Havel -- Playwright, former prisoner of conscience and former President of Czechoslovakia"All prisoners of conscience in Seoul Dentention House share our sense of bereavement and pay homage to Peter Benenson’s devotion to human rights. He will be in our hearts forever as a never failing candle. "
Letter from group of prisoners of conscience and other prisoners in Seoul Detention Centre, South KoreaFurther information :Peter Benenson Memorial

PETER BENENSON: Biography

PETER BENENSON

Born 31 July 1921

Background information on the founder of Amnesty International

Countless people facing persecution have reason to thank British lawyer Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International. It was his inspiration in the1960s that launched a worldwide citizens’ movement to expose and confront government injustice.His flair for controversy emerged early on, when his complaint to the school headmaster about the poor quality of the school’s food prompted a letter to his mother warning of her son's "revolutionary tendencies". At age 16, he launched his first campaign: to get school support for the Spanish Relief Committee which was helping orphans in the Spanish civil war. He himself "adopted" one of the babies, helping to pay for its support.He then turned his attention to the plight of Jews who were fleeing Hitler’s Germany. Despite some opposition, he got his school friends and their families to raise £4,000 to bring two young German Jews to Britain, probably saving their lives. He studied for a wartime degree in history for one year, at Balliol College, Oxford University, where he is now an Honorary Fellow, in recognition of his founding of Amnesty International. Benenson joined the British army, where he worked in the Ministry of Information press office. He then joined Bletchley, the centre famous for code breaking. He left the forces to become a practicing lawyer, taking his bar exams after the war was over. He also joined the Labour Party, becoming a leading member of the Society of Labour Lawyers.In the early 1950s, the Trades Union Congress sent him to Spain to observe trials of trade unionists. Benenson was appalled by what he saw and drew up a list of complaints with which he confronted the trial judge. The trials ended with acquittals, a rarity in fascist Spain.It was through such activities that he began to acquire an international reputation. In Cyprus he helped and advised Greek Cypriot lawyers whose clients had fallen foul of their British rulers. He persuaded Labour, Liberal and Conservative lawyers to send observers to Hungary during the 1956 uprising and ensuing trials, and South Africa where a major "treason trial" was due to take place. The relative success of these schemes led to the formation of the organization "Justice", a UK-based legal and human rights organization.It was this constant activity that laid the groundwork for his main endeavor, the 1961 launching of Amnesty International. Benenson was outraged after reading a news item about the arrest and imprisonment of two students in a Portuguese café who had raised their glasses in a toast to liberty.With the publication of a front page appeal in The Observer newspaper entitled "The Forgotten Prisoners", Amnesty International was born. The term "prisoner of conscience" soon became common currency and the movement’s logo, a candle surrounded by barbed wire, a worldwide symbol of hope and freedom.For the first few years Mr Benenson worked tirelessly for the new, burgeoning movement, supplying much of the vital financial resources, going on research missions to various countries, and playing a part in all areas of the organization."At that time we were still putting our toes in the water and learning as we went on," Mr Benenson later reflected. "We tried every technique of publicity and we were very grateful to the widespread help of journalists and television crews throughout the world who not only sent us information about the names of prisoners but also, whenever they could, gave space to stories about prisoners. It's the publicity function of Amnesty that I think has made its name so widely known, not only to readers in the world, but to governments -- and that’s what matters."Peter Benenson never gave up campaigning for a better world. He founded a society for people with coeliac disease -- a condition from which he suffered himself. In the 1980s he became the chair of the newly created Association of Christians Against Torture, and in the early 1990s he organized help for the orphans of Ceaucescu’s Romania.His passion was never far below the surface. At a ceremony outside the church of St. Martin’s in the Fields in London on the 25th anniversary of Amnesty International. He lit a symbolic candle near the spot where he first had the idea of an international human rights campaign. With the words which have since found themselves on posters, T-shirts and postcards in dozens of languages all over the world, he said:"The candle burns not for us, but for all those whom we failed to rescue from prisons, who were shot on the way to prison, who were tortured, who were kidnapped, who ‘disappeared’. That’s what the candle is for."
Public Document****************************************For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org/For latest human rights news view http://news.amnesty.org/

Amnesty International

http://www.amnesty.org/

http://www.amnesty.it/

About Amnesty International
AI’s Secretary General Irene Khan meets Afghan refugees in Pakistan on International Human Rights Day 2001© J.L.Bulcao (Amnesty International / Gamma)
Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights. AI’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.In pursuit of this vision, AI’s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.AI is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support or oppose the views of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the impartial protection of human rights.AI has a varied network of members and supporters around the world. At the latest count, there were more than 1.8 million members, supporters and subscribers in over 150 countries and territories in every region of the world. Although they come from many different backgrounds and have widely different political and religious beliefs, they are united by a determination to work for a world where everyone enjoys human rights.AI is a democratic, self-governing movement. Major policy decisions are taken by an International Council made up of representatives from all national sections.AI’s national sections and local volunteer groups are primarily responsible for funding the movement. No funds are sought or accepted from governments for AI’s work investigating and campaigning against human rights violations.

À propos d'AI
Des membres d’AI en Afrique du Sud© Private
Amnesty International (AI) est un mouvement mondial composé de bénévoles qui œuvrent pour le respect des droits de l’être humain. L’organisation est indépendante de tout gouvernement, de toute tendance politique et de toute croyance religieuse. Elle ne soutient ni ne rejette aucun gouvernement ni système politique, pas plus qu’elle ne défend ni ne repousse les convictions des victimes dont elle tente de défendre les droits. Sa seule et unique préoccupation est de contribuer impartialement à la protection des droits humains.
Amnesty International a la vision d’un monde dans lequel toute personne jouirait de l’ensemble des droits inscrits dans la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme et les autres normes internationales relatives aux droits humains.
Amnesty International mène de front recherche et action ; elle fait campagne pour prévenir et faire cesser les graves atteintes aux droits à l’intégrité physique et mentale, à la liberté de conscience et d’expression et à la protection contre toute discrimination. Dans ce contexte, l’organisation :
cherche à obtenir la libération de tous les prisonniers d’opinion, c’est-à-dire des personnes détenues du fait de leurs convictions politiques ou religieuses ou pour toute autre raison de conscience ou du fait de leur origine ethnique, de leur sexe, de leur couleur de peau, de leur langue, de leur nationalité ou de leur origine sociale, de leur situation économique, de leur naissance ou de toute autre situation, et qui n’ont pas usé de violence ni préconisé son usage ;
œuvre pour que tous les prisonniers politiques bénéficient d’un procès équitable dans un délai raisonnable ;
s’oppose sans réserve à la peine de mort, à la torture et aux autres peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants ;
fait campagne pour mettre fin aux assassinats politiques et aux « disparitions » ;
appelle les gouvernements à ne pas commettre d’homicides illégaux au cours des conflits armés ;
demande aux groupes politiques armés de mettre fin aux exactions telles que la détention de prisonniers d’opinion, la prise d’otages, les actes de torture et les homicides illégaux ;
s’oppose aux atteintes aux droits humains perpétrées par des agents non gouvernementaux lorsque l’État a failli à son obligation de fournir une protection efficace ;
fait campagne pour que les auteurs présumés d’atteintes aux droits humains soient déférés à la justice ;
cherche à venir en aide aux personnes en quête d’asile qui risquent d’être renvoyées dans un pays où elles pourraient voir leurs droits fondamentaux gravement bafoués ;
s’oppose à certaines graves atteintes aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels.Amnesty International cherche également à :
coopérer avec d’autres organisations non gouvernementales, les Nations unies et des organisations intergouvernementales régionales ;
veiller au contrôle des transferts internationaux dans les domaines militaire, de sécurité ou de police, dans le souci de prévenir les atteintes aux droits humains ;
organiser des programmes d’éducation et de sensibilisation aux droits humains.Amnesty International est un mouvement démocratique et autonome, qui compte plus d’un million huit-cent mille membres et de sympathisants dans plus de 150 pays et territoires. Son financement est essentiellement assuré par les cotisations de ses membres et par les dons de ses sympathisants du monde entier.

Chi siamo?
Amnesty International è un’organizzazione non governativa indipendente, una comunità globale di difensori dei diritti umani, fondata nel 1961 dall’avvocato inglese Peter Benenson, che lanciò una campagna per l’amnistia dei prigionieri di coscienza. Conta attualmente quasi due milioni di soci, sostenitori e donatori in più di 140 paesi. La Sezione Italiana di Amnesty, costituitasi nel 1975, conta oltre 80.000 soci.La visione di Amnesty International è quella di un mondo dove i diritti sanciti dalla Dichiarazione universale dei diritti umani e dagli altri documenti sulla protezione internazionale siano riconosciuti, garantiti e tutelati. Amnesty svolge ricerche e azioni per prevenire e far cessare gravi abusi dei diritti all’integrità fisica e mentale, alla libertà di coscienza e di espressione e alla libertà dalla discriminazione. Amnesty, inoltre, denuncia gli abusi commessi dai gruppi di opposizione, assiste i richiedenti asilo politico, sostiene la responsabilità sociale delle imprese e si batte per un trattato internazionale sul commercio di armi."Aprite il vostro giornale ogni giorno della settimana e troverete la notizia che da qualche parte del mondo qualcuno viene imprigionato, torturato o ucciso perché le sue opinioni o la sua religione sono inaccettabili per il governo. […] Il lettore del giornale sente un nauseante senso di impotenza. Ma se questi sentimenti di disgusto ovunque nel mondo potessero essere uniti in un’azione comune qualcosa di efficace potrebbe essere fatto."(Peter Benenson, 28 maggio 1961, The Observer)

Action Aid International

http://www.actionaid.org/
http://www.azioneaiuto.it/site/box.jsp
ActionAid International è un'organizzazione internazionale indipendente impegnata nella lotta alle cause della povertà e dell'esclusione sociale. Da oltre 30 anni siamo a fianco delle comunità del Sud del mondo per garantire loro migliori condizioni di vita e il rispetto dei diritti fondamentali.
In ItaliaAAI è presente dal 1989: è una ONLUS (Organizzazione Non Lucrativa di Utilità Sociale) riconosciuta come ente morale ed è accreditata presso il Ministero degli Affari Esteri come ONG (Organizzazione Non Governativa).Nel mondoAAI è una coalizione unica sulla scena internazionale che ha la sua sede principale in Sud Africa, a Johannesburg e affiliati nazionali nel Nord e nel Sud del Mondo. Il nostro impegno parla di azione: globale e locale. Avviciniamo migliaia di persone, mobilitiamo energie, rafforziamo un movimento in grado di sconfiggere povertà e discriminazione. Sviluppiamo i nostri progetti tenendo conto delle esigenze e priorità delle comunità locali. Rappresentiamo la loro voce presso i governi e le istituzioni per chiedere un cambiamento delle politiche sociali ed economiche, affinché siano rimosse le cause profonde della povertà.Il nostro lavoro sul campo coinvolge più di 13 milioni di persone attraverso 800 progetti sviluppati con 2000 organizzazioni locali in più di 40 paesi dell'Africa, America Latina e Asia.

We are an international development agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide. Formed in 1972, for over 30 years we have been growing and expanding to where we are today - helping over 13 million of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged people in 42 countries worldwide. In all of our country programmes we work with local partners to make the most of their knowledge and experience. In December 2003 we established a new head office in Johannesburg, South Africa, and began the process of making all our country programmes equal partners with an equal say on how we operate. We work with local partners to fight poverty and injustice worldwide, reaching over 13 million of the poorest and most vulnerable people over the last year alone, helping them fight for and gain their rights to food, shelter, work, education, healthcare and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Our partners range from small community support groups to national alliances and international networks seeking education for all, trade justice and action against HIV/AIDS. Our work with these national and international campaign networks highlights the issues that affect poor people and influences the way governments and international institutions think. We have a unique vision and direction. We don't impose solutions, but work with communities over many years to strengthen their own efforts to throw off poverty. We constantly seek new solutions and ask ourselves how we can make the greatest impact with our resources. We make the most of our skills and abilities by working at many levels - local, national, regional and international.