Their News [Archives:2008/1219/Local News]

– CAC Bank at the Industrial Conference in Mukalla

Credit Agricultural Corporation Bank was an active sponsor and participant of the Industrial Conference held in Mukalla on 22 and 23 of this month. The conference which was under the title was organized by Hadramout Chamber f Commerce and the private sector and under the patronage of President Saleh.

Hafidh Fakher Muyad chair of the board attended the conference and provided a working paper on the role of banks in funding industry. Adel Al-Kahlani CAC Bank marketing director explained that the bank was a platinum sponsor of this conference because of its importance in opening corporation windows between Yemen and the rest of the world especially in the monetary sector which is important for supporting industry and attracting international investors.

The bank participated with a team of marketing experts as well as a section representing the bank and its services, and the various branches around the republics and in other countries.

– United Nations Democracy Fund invites civil society organizations to apply for funding

The United Nations Democracy Fund hereby invites civil society organizations to apply for funding for projects to promote democracy. Project proposals may be submitted on-line between 10 November 2007 and 31 December 2008 at www.un.org/democracyfund.

This is the third round of funding to be launched by UNDEF, which was established by the UN Secretary-General in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund. UNDEF funds projects that build and strengthen democratic institutions, promote human rights, and ensure the participation of all groups in democratic processes. Some 35 UN Member States, spanning all continents, have so far made voluntary contributions to UNDEF.

As with previous UNDEF rounds, the thematic categories for applications are:

– democratic dialogue and support for constitutional processes;

– civil society empowerment, including the empowerment of women;

– civic education and voter registration;

– citizen's access to information;

– participation rights and the rule of law in support of civil society;

– transparency and integrity.

Priority will be given to projects that enhance inclusiveness and gender equality.

Only on-line applications in either English or French will be accepted. The application procedure is described in the Project Proposal Guidelines available at www.un.org/democracyfund/XProjectProposalGuidelines.htm.

– Amateur photographers invited to submit works of the rainforest

Budding amateur environmental photographers have until February 28 to submit their work of the rainforest to The Prince's Rainforests Project (PRP) Award.

The award, a new initiative for the 2009 Sony World Photography Awards, joins together the need to better understand the importance of the rainforests to the global climate and to increase awareness of The Prince's Rainforests Project, a project that partners organizations and institutions with the Prince of Wales to improve the rainforest.

Photographers should send images which capture the essence of what the rainforest means to them.

A selection of the best images by amateur photographers will be displayed in Cannes during the Sony World Photography Awards in April 2009, and these images will be used by The Prince's Rainforests Project and Sony on various initiatives throughout the year to help communicate important messages.

For more information, go to http://prp.worldphotographyawards.org/home.asp.

– Scholarships opportunities for mid-career professionals

The government of Japan and the World Bank are offering scholarships to mid career professionals from developing countries.

This highly competitive program offers three study opportunities at the master's degree level: access to universities worldwide. Fields of study should be related to development. For 2009, the Scholarship team recommends programs at 36 universities. Access to 6 universities in Japan with development-related programs designed for international students. Classes are taught in English. And access to 10 universities worldwide for tailor-made academic programs in practical aspects of development policy making.

Opportunities are for mid-career professionals, from government / public service, private sector and civil society.

Selected candidates are expected to return to their home countries on completion of the programs.

More information available at world bank website.
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