CSDE-eNews Bulletin

July 1, 2008

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CSDE ANNOUNCEMENTS & SPOTLIGHTS: Do You Have NIH Support? CSDE Provides Assistance in Complying with New Public Access Law; CSDE Welcomes Matt Dunbar, GIS Specialist; Cynthia Long Leaving CSDE; Two New Staff Members Join CSDE's Computing Core
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES & NOTICES: NIH - NCMHD Comprehensive Centers for Excellence (P60); Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies 2 (CJ-DATS 2) (U01); NIH and ESRC (UK) Research Collaboration on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities/Inequalities
CALLS FOR PAPERS: Southern Demographic Association 2008; The Unintended Consequences of Tobacco Control Policies on Low Socioeconomic Status Women and Girls -- American Journal of Preventive Medicine; Special Issue of Population and Environment
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Two New Faculty Positions -- University of Texas Medical Branch; Director -- Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research; Global Service Delivery Director -- Population Services International
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES: Fred H. Bixby Fellowship Program
OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST: International Coalition of Cities Against Racism to be Launched at the Nantes World Forum on Human Rights

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CSDE ANNOUNCEMENTS & SPOTLIGHTS

Do You Have NIH Support? CSDE Provides Assistance in Complying with New Public Access Law

The NIH Public Access Policy requires peer-reviewed manuscripts that arise from NIH funding, and were accepted for publication after April 6, 2008, to be submitted to PubMed Central and be available to the public within 12 months of publication. In addition, anyone submitting an application, proposal, or progress report to NIH must include the PubMed Central Reference Numbers when citing applicable articles that arise from their NIH-funded research.

More information about the policy and a short description of how to comply is available here.
http://csde.washington.edu/services/information/nihPubAccessPolicy.shtml

Information Core staff will submit pertinent manuscripts written by CSDE affiliates, fellows, and staff to PubMed Central. Information on this service is here.
http://csde.washington.edu/services/information/pubMedManuSub.shtml

CSDE Welcomes Matt Dunbar, GIS Specialist

Please join us in welcoming Matt Dunbar to CSDE. Matt is a GIS Specialist providing support and training to research projects with spatial data. Matt has seven years of GIS project experience spanning the range from data acquisition to modeling and analysis, as well as web and hard-copy presentation. He has specific research experience in handheld GIS systems, time-series or change analysis, geographic visualization, remote sensing, open source web mapping, and population distribution modeling and analysis. Matt has an M.A. in Geography and will complete his PhD in Geography from the University of Kansas in December.

Please feel free to contact Matt to introduce yourself and your research to him. Look for his Introduction to GIS workshop this fall.

Cynthia Long Leaving CSDE

Cynthia Long has decided to leave the Information Core on July 24th to begin a freelance website service. During her two and a half years of outstanding service as CSDE's webmaster, she not only created CSDE's strikingly attractive and effective website, but also created more than a half dozen equally impressive sites for affiliates. We'll miss her excellent work and good humor.

Please join us in wishing her much success.

Two New Staff Members Join CSDE's Computing Core

The Computing Core is pleased to announce the addition of two new support staff.

Son Le, Systems Administrator, earned his BS in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Like many Seattle transplants, Son left a good job back East to join friends who previously moved to and raved about the Emerald City. Son, who also works in the Statistics Department, is at CSDE Monday and Tuesday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

Tim Sweany, Student Systems Administrator, has been accepted as an upperclassman in the Atmospheric Sciences program. He has a passionate interest in global warming, and is planning to join a NOAA research project as an intern in order to gain first-hand experience in strategies to address this challenging problem. Tim is at CSDE Monday-Friday, noon to 4:00pm.

When you're in the neighborhood, please stop by and welcome them aboard.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES & NOTICES

NIH - NCMHD Comprehensive Centers for Excellence (P60)

NCMHD Exploratory Centers of Excellence (P20)
Request For Applications (RFA) Number: RFA-MD-08-004

Purpose
This FOA issued by the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), National Institutes of Health solicits grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose to establish an Exploratory NCMHD Center of Excellence (COE) contributing to either the improvement of minority health, the elimination of health disparities, or both. To be eligible for the COE in this FOA, applicant institutions must have existing federal research support and/or research infrastructure as reflected in a level of NIH institutional funding of less than $80 million for the year 2007. An Exploratory NCMHD COE supported under this FOA must contain an Administrative core, a Research core, a Research Training/Education core, and a Community/Engagement core. Pilot research projects or feasibility projects/studies are not supported under this FOA.

Key Dates
Release Date: May 29, 2008
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: July 1, 2008
Application Receipt Date: July 31, 2008
Peer Review Date(s): November-December 2008
Council Review Date: January 2009
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: April 2009
Additional Information To Be Available Date (Url Activation Date): Not applicable
Expiration Date: August 1, 2008

Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies 2 (CJ-DATS 2) (U01)

Request For Applications (RFA) Number: RFA-DA-09-006

Purpose
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) invites cooperative agreement applications to participate as Research Centers in the second phase of the national Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS 2). The goal of this cooperative research program is to develop and test systems-level models that integrate public health and public safety approaches for criminal justice-involved adults and adolescents with drug abuse and addictive disorders. Additional funds are being sought from other sources.

Key Dates
Release Date: June 24, 2008
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: July 28, 2008
Application Receipt Date: August 28, 2008
Peer Review Date: November 2008
Council Review Date: January 2009
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: April 2009
Additional Information To Be Available Date (Url Activation Date): Not applicable.
Expiration Date: August 29, 2008

NIH and ESRC (UK) Research Collaboration on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities/Inequalities

Economic and Social Research Council, UK (ESRC)

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health, USA (OBSSR/NIH)

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC-UK) and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH-USA) intend to enhance and expand cooperative efforts in health and the behavioral and social sciences. They anticipate employing such activities as workshops, thematic seminars, networking opportunities, coordinated scientific programs and research projects, and the joint support of collaborative research projects. They aim to encourage and facilitate the establishment of direct relationships between appropriate institutions and individuals in their two countries.

As a first step, the ESRC and the NIH will jointly support collaborative research on health disparities/inequalities in the United Kingdom and/or the United States involving collaborative UK-USA research teams. The research to be considered for joint support does not need to be comparative, but should have the potential for significantly advancing knowledge in the United States and the United Kingdom. Applications are to be submitted in response to the NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled Behavioral and Social Sciences Research on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities (PAR-07-379).

See the special Guidance to Applicants (below) for supplemental information regarding the scientific scope that complements Section I (Research Objectives) of PAR-07-379 and should be read in conjunction. The Research Focus provided in the Guidance to Applicants is not re-printed in the previously published PAR-07-379.

Note that the NIH will continue to accept applications focused on public health issues of the United States and other countries when appropriate and consistent with the terms of PAR-07-0379.)

The ESRC and the NIH anticipate supporting up to six awards, each of total costs (direct and indirect) not exceeding $250,000 per year for up to five years, subject to the availability of funds and receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. See the Guidance to Applicants for details.

Receipt Date for Applications
September 19, 2008

For Guidance to Applicants, click here.

Submission instructions are available at the ESRC HomePage

They will also be available on the OBSSR HomePage within the coming week or so.

Inquiries
Please direct questions regarding this initiative to:

Ronald P. Abeles
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31C, Rm. B1C19, MSC 2027
Bethesda, MD 20817-2027
USA

Phone: +1-301-496-7859
Fax: +1-301-435-8779
Email

Joy Todd
Research Directorate
Economic and Social Research Council
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon SN2 1UJ
United Kingdom

Phone: +44-(0)1793-413109
Fax: +44-(0)1793-413001
Email

CALLS FOR PAPERS

Southern Demographic Association 2008

You are invited to submit abstracts for papers and/or completed papers for the 2008 annual meeting of the Southern Demographic Association (SDA). You are also invited to suggest topics for panels and poster sessions (see below). This year's meeting will be October 30 through November 1 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, South Carolina. For emerging details, please check http://sda-demography.org/

This SDA web page includes a "forms" page for submitting your proposed session topics and paper abstracts.

Presentations of research in both applied and academic sociology are welcome as are related topics in economics, sociology, geography, political science, public health, epidemiology, and psychology. Though SDA is known for regional emphases and membership, we encourage the membership and participation of individuals from any region of the country or world. The structure of presentations is flexible; potential contributors are encouraged to not only send abstracts for individual research papers, but also for complete sessions, thematic sessions, panel discussions, software demonstrations and more!

All paper and session submissions should be sent through the sda web site to receive proper consideration!

Please email Lynne Cossman, this year's program chairperson, if you have any questions regarding a potential submission. Presentations by (or co-authored with) students are especially welcome; they can offer a student a significant first professional meeting experience. SDA also awards cash prizes to the best undergraduate and to the best graduate student paper (see details below). Please send all proposals and abstracts by June 30, 2008, to the SDA 2008 submissions site http://sda-demography.org/SDA2008.php.

When submitting a paper, you will be asked for:
Your name
Name(s) of any co-authors or other presenters if you are proposing a session
Descriptions of paper(s) or poster(s)/topics of proposed session(s)
Institutional affiliation(s)
Complete contact information (email address, telephone number, fax number, and mailing address)

The Unintended Consequences of Tobacco Control Policies on Low Socioeconomic Status Women and Girls -- American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Background
The Tobacco Research Network on Disparities (TReND) (http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/tcrb/trend/index.html) is issuing an international call for papers addressing the unintended consequences of tobacco control policies on low socioeconomic status women and girls. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recognizes the increasing rates of tobacco use among women and girls and highlights the need for gender-specific tobacco control strategies. In the United States and other industrialized countries, women living in poverty, lacking a post-high school education, and/or those working in manual labor, blue-collar and service positions have higher rates of tobacco use and lower rates of quitting compared to their more advantaged counterparts. Furthermore, an increasing number of women and girls in low and middle income countries are exposed to secondhand smoke and are beginning to use tobacco products.

Strategies to reduce smoking among low socioeconomic status women and girls in low, middle, and high income countries are needed to reduce the burden of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality among women. Tobacco control policies are intended to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among all populations, but recent data indicate that there may be unintended consequences among low socioeconomic status women and girls. Unintended consequences may be harmful or helpful to the lives and livelihoods of low socioeconomic status women and girls, and tobacco control policies are being promoted globally without a good understanding of their differential effects.

Paper Topics
TReND is issuing a call for papers on the Unintended Consequences of Tobacco Control Policies on Low Socioeconomic Status Women and Girls. Topics may include but are not limited to examining the effects of policies on:

social acquisition of cigarettes • smuggling and illegal trade and sales

social networks and social support systems

social norms

culture

process of and determinants of quitting success

nutritional status

other health behaviors or conditions such as obesity, alcohol and other substance use

co-morbid conditions

job circumstances and occupational choices

violence against women and girls

home life and personal and community livelihood

economic decision-making

Original research papers, conceptual or theoretical papers, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews will be considered. We encourage the submission of papers that include qualitative and/or quantitative analyses by gender or sex, social/occupational class, race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and geographic location. We also welcome papers that address disabled, pregnant, immigrant, refugee, displaced, and incarcerated women and girls.

Instructions
Please submit a brief abstract for review by July 15, 2008 to Christen H. Osburn, M.B.A., Contractor, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., via email. The abstract should not exceed 300 words and should include the title, purpose, objectives, study design and methods.

Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified no later than July 21, 2008 and will be asked to submit a manuscript for peer review. Manuscript submissions are due September 2, 2008 to the guest editor, Roland S. Moore, Ph.D, via email.

The internal review team will provide feedback to the authors prior to the journal’s standard peer review process. Final papers are due on November 1, 2008 to Roland S. Moore., Ph.D.

For additional instructions and guidelines for paper formatting, please go to the journal website at: http://www.ajpm-online.net. If you have any questions regarding the special issue, please contact the guest editor, Roland S. Moore, Ph.D. via email.

Special Note: We are only accepting abstracts that clearly address the unintended consequences (these can be either harmful or helpful consequences) of tobacco control polices on the lives of low socioeconomic status women and/or girls (either within the United States or abroad).

Special Issue of Population and Environment

"Population and Climate Change"
Guest Editor: Fred Meyerson, University of Rhode Island

Population and demographic patterns are linked to many aspects of climate science and policy, including greenhouse gas emissions trends, mitigation opportunities, and adaptation strategies. Population growth and changes in geographic, age, income, economic and consumption distribution are critical influences on climate. In addition, increasing demands for food, fuel, forest cover, and other land uses affect policy options available for the reduction and mitigation of emissions. However, scientific understanding of these associations remains underdeveloped.

For this special issue, we seek a range of papers that examine the linkages between human population and climate change at various scales (global, regional, national, household) and lead to improved understanding and theory. We encourage contributions based on quantitative as well as qualitative data, including projection-based papers, as well as those that focus on population policy and analysis.

Population and Environment publishes research articles (both full-length and research briefs), commentary and reviews related to the reciprocal links between population, natural resources, and the natural environment, with the purpose of deepening scientific and policy dialogue in this often complex area. The coverage is multidisciplinary, spanning a range of social, policy, life, and natural sciences. Work at all scales, local to global, is presented as are both theoretical and empirical contributions.

Please submit a letter of interest, including a 1-paragph overview of topic of inquiry by August 1st to Fred Meyerson via email. Earlier inquiries are welcome. Completed manuscripts are due September 15, 2008 and should be formatted in accordance with Population and Environment guidelines available in the journal, or at www.springer.com.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Two New Faculty Positions -- University of Texas Medical Branch

University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) announces two new faculty positions of interest to demographers and population scientists.

1) The University of Texas Medical Branch, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health - Assistant or Associate Professor - Faculty Position

The University of Texas Medical Branch's Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health in Galveston, Texas, is seeking faculty for their Research Program on Aging of Hispanics and Latin America. This is a tenure-track or tenured position. Candidates should have a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline such as demography, sociology, epidemiology, economics, psychology or anthropology. Experience in population-based or community-based research is desirable, as well as an interest to pursue an agenda of funded research. Fluency in Spanish and professional familiarity with the Latin American context and culture are highly desirable. Participation in graduate teaching and student supervision is expected.

The faculty member will be an active research fellow of the Sealy Center on Aging and the WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center on Aging and Health. UTMB has multiple resources and collaborative opportunities on campus, and in addition, is forming alliances with social scientists with population aging research interests under a Texas-wide initiative. The Galveston and Houston area offers recreational, cultural and educational opportunities in a pleasant and affordable environment. The position offers a competitive salary and full benefits. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Send a letter of interest, CV, and the names of three references to:

Rebeca Wong, PhD
Search Committee Chair
Sealy Center on Aging
301 University Blvd
Jennie Sealy, Room 3.232
Galveston, TX 77555
Fax: 409-772-8931
Email

The University of Texas Medical Branch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution which proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

2) University of Texas Medical Branch, Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics - Assistant or Associate Professor - Faculty Position

The University of Texas Medical Branch, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics in Galveston, Texas, is seeking faculty to join their active well funded interdisciplinary group of researchers conducting aging-related research. This is a tenure-track position.

Candidates should have a doctoral degree in a discipline related to demography such as sociology or epidemiology. Experience in population-based or community-based research is desirable, as well as an interest to pursue an agenda of funded research in health and aging. The individual would be expected to spend at least 80 percent of time in research and the remaining in graduate teaching and student supervision, including mentoring geriatric fellows in their research. Strong quantitative and research methods skills are required. Knowledge of innovative areas of demography such as spatial analysis, use of biomarkers in population studies, or network analysis for health is desirable. A joint appointment with the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health is possible. The individual would have access to multiple resources and collaborative opportunities on campus, including a strong research program on Hispanic and minority aging, a multidisciplinary Sealy Center on Aging, and a WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center on Aging and Health. In addition, other alliances with social scientists with population aging research interests under Texas-wide initiatives are forming.

The Galveston and Houston area offers recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities in a pleasant and affordable environment. The position offers a competitive salary and full benefits. Applications will be considered immediately and until the position is filled.

Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. UTMB is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please contact Dr. Rebeca Wong or Dr. Jean Freeman for questions or additional information about the position.

Send a letter of interest, CV, and the names of three references to:
Melissa York
Internal Medicine- Geriatrics
Mail Route 0460
301 University Blvd
Galveston, TX 77555-0460
Email

Director -- Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research

POSITION: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking exceptional candidates for the challenging position of Director, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR). The Director, who also functions as the NIH Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, serves as the NIH focal point for establishing agency-wide policies and goals in behavioral and social sciences research, coordinates the activities undertaken in the performance of this research, and provides advice and staff support to the NIH Director, Deputy Director, and Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives within the Office of the Director.

The position functions as a liaison between the NIH and the extramural behavioral and biomedical research communities; and with other Federal agencies, academic and scientific societies, national voluntary health agencies, the media, and the general public on matters pertaining to behavioral and social sciences research. Specifically, the Director is responsible for: (1) advising the NIH Director and other key officials on matters relating to research on the role of behavioral and social factors in the promotion of health and prevention of disease; (2) fostering research projects in the behavioral and social sciences conducted or supported by the NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs); and (3) working collaboratively with the ICs to develop new research and training programs in the behavioral and social sciences. The Director, OBSSR, manages a staff, demonstrating commitment to work force diversity enhancement. The OBSSR employs approximately 14 full time positions: 9 scientific staff, 2 program analysts, 1 communications specialist, and 2 support staff, and has a FY 2009 estimated budget of more than $26M.

CHALLENGE: As the world's largest medical research facility, NIH consists of 27 ICs including the Clinical Center (an on-site research hospital), the Fogarty International Center, and the National Library of Medicine. NIH's national program of health research and research training is currently funded at $29 billion for FY 2008. NIH has over 18,000 employees. The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research opened July 1, 1995, with a mandate from Congress to serve as the focal point for the advancement of behavioral and social sciences research across all of the NIH ICs. The vision of OBSSR is to bring together the biomedical, behavioral, social, and public health science research communities to work more collaboratively to solve the most pressing population health challenges faced by our society. Four core elements of OBSSR's vision are: 1) supporting and facilitating the next generation of basic behavioral and social science research; 2) facilitating interdisciplinary, collaborative research; 3) stimulating systems thinking and modeling approaches to research that integrates multiple levels of analysis - from cells to society; and 4) identifying key problems in health where scientists, practitioners and decision makers can work together to accelerate translation, implementation, dissemination, and adoption of behavioral and social science research findings. More information can be found in OBSSR's strategic prospectus at http://www.thehillgroup.com/OBSSR_Prospectus.pdf.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Applicants must possess a Ph.D., M.D., or comparable doctorate degree in the health sciences field plus senior-level scientific experience and knowledge of research programs in one or more scientific areas related to behavioral and social sciences research. They should be known and respected within their profession as individuals of scientific prominence, with a distinguished record of research accomplishments and expertise in policy development regarding behavioral and social sciences research. Candidates should have demonstrated leadership and broad vision in the behavioral and social sciences research arena involving dealings with outside groups; serving as spokesperson; planning, program assessment, and analysis of program objectives; resolution of operational problems and issues; and the ability to manage financial and human resources including building, motivating, and maintaining a culturally diverse staff.

SALARY/BENEFITS: The Director, OBSSR, will be appointed at a salary commensurate with his/her qualifications. Full Federal benefits will be provided including leave, health and life insurance, long-term care insurance, retirement, and savings plan (401k equivalent).

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must submit a current CV and bibliography electronically to Ms. Regina Reiter (301- 402-1130). In addition, applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare a supplemental narrative statement that addresses the qualifications requirements, and to provide the names, titles, and telephone numbers of 4-5 references.

Information on the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research is located at its website.

Applications must be received by close of business August 15, 2008.

The NIH encourages the application and nomination of qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure: The National Institutes of Health inspires public confidence in our science by maintaining high ethical principles. NIH employees are subject to Federal government-wide regulations and statutes as well as agency-specific regulations described at the NIH Ethics website. We encourage you to review this information. The position requires the incumbent to complete a public financial disclosure report prior to the effective date of the appointment.

Selection for this position will be based solely on merit, with no discrimination for non-merit reasons such as race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, or membership or non-membership in an employee organization.

Reasonable Accommodation: NIH provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Global Service Delivery Director -- Population Services International

Washington, DC

Department
Reproductive Health Deparment

Description
PSI seeks entrepreneurial, results-driven candidates for the position of Global Service Delivery Director. The Global Service Delivery Director will be responsible for providing expertise in franchising of health services to PSI programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The position is based in Washington DC and reports to the Director for the Reproductive Health Department.

Responsibilities

Oversee the implementation of franchised family health services;

Provide technical training and support for new and existing health franchises;

Oversee service delivery of medical IUD's and implants;

Determine quality control protocols to oversee administration and monitoring of health service delivery;

Determine business protocols to ensure best practices for operations and finance;

Oversee communications to include branding and advertising;

Promote franchised services by developing a marketing plan to meet organizational objectives; and

Monitor external relations as needed with donor, government, NGO, and commercial entities.

Experience

At least 10 years experience working in international development;

Minimum five years work experience in a developing country;

Experience in managing international health and/or family planning programs;

Franchising experience with health focus preferred;

Knowledge of international development and reproductive health issues;

Familiarity with the international donor community;

Fluency in English with French and/or Spanish preferred;

Relevant post-graduate degree (MBA, MIA, MPH, etc.); and

Willingness to travel significantly (up to 50% during first year).

The successful candidate will be a creative, innovative and strategic thinker, and will have: excellent communication, analytical, organizational, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills; a strong interest in private sector approaches to development; and proven ability to produce results.

Open until filled.

To apply for this online, click here.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Fred H. Bixby Fellowship Program

The deadline for applications is 15 January 2009. Inquiries will be answered beginning in August 2008.

The Population Council offers a fellowship program to expand training opportunities for population specialists and biomedical researchers. This fellowship is geared toward those in the early stages of their careers, and to those with a demonstrated commitment to remaining in their home countries to build capacity in local institutions, or returning home after working/studying abroad. The Council's Fred H. Bixby Fellowship Program is a ten-year program that began in January 2007. The program is highly competitive and will offer a limited number of fellowships each year. The Fred H. Bixby fellowships will allow citizens of developing countries to work with experienced mentors in the Council's network of offices. Fellows will work on projects in the following program areas:

HIV and AIDS

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Reproductive Health

For more details, click here.

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

International Coalition of Cities Against Racism to be Launched at the Nantes World Forum on Human Rights

UNESCO will launch an international coalition of cities against racism and discrimination at the 3rd World Forum on Human Rights in Nantes (France) which will take place from 30 June to 3 July. The agreement on the coalition will be signed on 30 June, during the Forum’s opening ceremony, by Pierre Sané, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, and representatives of the 6 regional coalitions of cities against racism and discrimination.

The international coalition will bring together the world’s regional coalitions launched by UNESCO since 2004. Considering cities as places where people from various backgrounds come together, and local authorities as privileged actors to fight racism and discrimination, the Organization called on municipalities in each region to create networks of cities interested in sharing experiences to improve their policies to fight discrimination and promote diversity, mutual respect and dialogue. Each regional coalition implements its own ten-point action plan - covering areas of competence of city authorities such as education, housing, employment and cultural activities - to tackle discrimination specific to its region. In addition, the international coalition will invite outside municipalities to benefit from its platform.

On 30 June, UNESCO will organize a round table with representatives from the regional coalitions in Africa (City of Durban, South Africa), the Arab region (City of Casablanca, Morocco), Asia and the Pacific (City of Suva, Fiji), North America (City of Toronto, Canada) Europe (City of Nuremberg, Germany) and Latin America and the Caribbean (City of Montevideo, Uruguay). They will discuss regional challenges cities have to address when they deal with racism and discrimination, concrete municipal action to implement the regional Action Plans, and obstacles they face during the process.

Initiated in 2004 by UNESCO, the World Forum on Human Rights brought together 1200 participants from 70 countries in 2006. This year’s edition will be dedicated to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It will offer an opportunity for all human rights actors - political leaders, academics and international experts, representatives of international organisations and civil society - to examine issues linked to the current status of the Declaration, the place of human rights within the context of globalization as well as citizen intervention in the human rights issue. Some 3300 participants from 80 countries are expected.

Organised by the permanent international secretariat Human Rights and Local Governments, the third forum will take place at the International Convention Centre of Nantes Métropole.

More information can be found on www.unesco.org/shs/citiesagainstracism.