The third-annual “Week of Non-Profit Organizations” starts on the sidewalk by the Anděl metro station (Prague 5). From 12th October to 17th October 2009, non-governmental organizations, which are located or work in Prague 5, will present their work and explain to people how they can join or support them between 10:00-17:00. This includes dozens of organizations which help people not only in the Czech Republic, but also around the world. This year the presentation of non-governmental organizations is overseen by Jiří Janeček, Prague social sphere councilman and Milan Jančík, mayor of Prague 5. SIMI will present its work on the morning of Tuesday 13th October- come and see us! We look forward to seeing you there!

On 2nd October people around the word celebrate the International Day of Non-Violence, thus observing the symbolic anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. And at the same time, it is the start of the World March for Peace and Non-Violence.

The humanistic movement already traditionally arranges a Student conference on the Theme of Non-Violence on this day, which takes place in the afternoon at the Resslova elementary school in Prague. This event will include workshops and a showing of the documentary Active Non-Violence. Additional student conferences take place in České Budějovice and Pardubice.

Later that evening the celebration culminates with the event Light the future at Palackého náměstí in Prague. Here dozens of flying lanterns are lighten at 19:00, which carry our written wishes, messages or other tidings up to heaven. The release of the flying lanterns offers an effective, non-traditional spectacle, an atmosphere full of recorded music, and a fire show is prepared as well.

A group of twelve non-governmental organizations engaged with migration and working with foreigners today sent a statement to the PM of the Czech Republic Jan Fischer, Minister of the Interior Martin Pecina, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Petr Šimerka, Minister for Human Rights Michael Kocáb and Chairman of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions Milan Štěch. It requests a promise to solve the worsening situation of the many foreigners who are illegally exploited by sinister labor intermediaries, often with the quiet agreement of the responsible agencies. It is not only the experience of non-profit organizations, but also verification by the media that shows that in many cases the exploitation and enslavement of foreigners is out of the control of the state. The statement also contains a strong appeal for the government to also propose a solution to the current and, according to the authors of the statement, critical situation. More informations can be found there (only in Czech).

This year the Association for Integration and Migration entered the competition “Be Seen,” organized by o.s. Agnes. The purpose of the competition is to increase the level of PR and communication of non-profit organizations, or according to the organizers “the ability to appropriately, sensitively and understandably present the activities of the organization, and significantly support the fulfillment of its message and the long-term quality and stability of its activities.” You can now vote by SMS for the Internet site of your favorite non-profit, i.e. for us for example :-)

Further information about the competition is found here, you can vote for us here (contestant number: 57).

Thank you in advance for your vote!

A Sudanese fahter and his son are in difficult health and financial situation. The son seriously injured his head when he was a little boy. Since the time he has suffered from psychoorganic syndrome.