NEWS AND EVENTS

1. The Guide Magazine
2. ACTADE Takes the Trade Debate to the rural Areas in Uganda 
3. Radio Programs using Local FM Stations 
4. Another Fund fails to fund CSOs on Trade Policy Research, analysis and advocacy 

1. The Guide Magazine
ACTADE has produced the 3rd Magazine – The Guide: The Trade and Economic Development Magazine. This magazine tries to bring out issue on trade and poverty – and trying to “Think Outside of the Box”. This magazine is downloadable from this website. We distribute our publications free of charge. We thank those who have supported us. In this world, there is no longer anyone who thinks that he or she can do it singly. We must work together to build this global village.

If you would like to support this activity please contact us at the address below. You can also fill in the form at “Support us” by clicking on Support us at the end of this page 

2. ACTADE Takes the Trade Debate to the rural Areas in Uganda 

There is limited information dissemination about the international trade debate to the people in rural areas. Most activities have been conducted in Kampala to the disadvantage of farmers, CBOs, CSOs and other stakeholders who work in the rural area. As a result, there is limited awareness by the farmers and CBOs on WTO outcomes, most recently the outcomes of the Hong Kong ministerial. As a result of lack information, farmers are less empowered to influence national trade policy processes yet the national and international trade issues such as those made by the WTO impact upon what they produce.

Purpose and Objectives: 

To enhance the capacity of rural Ugandans – CBOs, CSOs, farmers, artisans, media, district policy makers, Technical staff of Local government and academia to effectively influence national trade policies in response to the WTO outcomes. 

ACTADE has gone the rural areas and is discussing trade and poverty issues with farmers, artisans, CBOs, media, district policy makers and technical staff of Local government. These workshops are different from those held in the capital cities because these will target the ultimate victims of the decisions that are made in Geneva, Brussels, New York and Washington - farmers and producers. It will be a departure from what we in Uganda have been doing – i.e. of only holding workshops for people in capitals.

If you would like to support this activity please contact us at the address below. You can also fill in the form at “Support us” by clicking on Support us at the end of this page 

3. Radio Programs using Local FM Stations 

These “Call – in” interactive Radio Programs cover trade issues in local languages. The aim is to domesticate the trade debate – link to poverty reduction - and to reach ultimate victims of the decisions that are made in Geneva, Brussels, New York and Washington. Organization of these programs is being supported by ACTADE network in these regions, and our partnership with other stakeholders including CSOs working on Trade especially DENIVA and its members. 

These “Call – in” interactive Radio Programmes cover WTO trade issues in local languages. The issues, though complex, will be presented in a simplified manner that is easily be understood by the local people – linking the international trade debate to domestic circumstances. The aim is to democratize and domesticate the trade debate. We want to discuss the relationship between trade and poverty. How can Trade reduce poverty?

At ACTADE we support Wealth Creation not poverty Alleviation. People should be encouraged to pick the Fishing Hook not the Fish from the table.

If you would like to support this activity please contact us at the address below. You can also fill in the form at “Support us” by clicking on Support us at the end of this page 

4. Another Fund fails to fund CSOs on Trade Policy Research, analysis and advocacy 

CSO CAPACITY BUILDING FUND -PROGRAMME GRANTEES:

The civil society capacity Building Programme (CSCBP) of the EU recently announced over Ushs 5 Billion in Grants to Civil Society Organisations in Uganda but non – of the beneficiaries are on Trade Policy Research, analysis and advocacy! three (3) possible reasons why the EU Project did not support the CSOs on trade Research and Advocacy and these are:

1. The CSOs on trade, because they have not previously had ample support from development partners like those on governance and human rights, could not obtain the grants on a competitive basis.
2. The evaluation experts believe that trade work – policy analysis, capacity building for CSOs, farmers, etc and advocacy is the domain of government. May they doubt the relationship between trade policy, growth and poverty reduction? [Editor – At ACTADE we are not working to reduce poverty by our work but believe in Wealth Creation. Why not create wealth instead of reducing poverty!]
3. The EU is not interested in giving capacity to CSOs that will advocate against the EPAs. Upto now the talk is that the CSOs have vehemently pushing for the delay of the EPAs signing. [For more details on Delay the EPAs Campaign read our Issue No.3 April 2006 page 11]
4. There is that traditional belief among donors and development partners that Trade issues are usually left to government.
5. This is not the only development partners that has not funded trade policy research, analysis and advocacy CSOS. The DFiD CSO capacity Building fund and the DANIDA funds do not go to CSOs on Trade advocacy. No. They to Peace building, Conflict resolution, governance and environment.