CIVNET is a worldwide online civic education community composed of civic educators (teachers, teacher trainers, curriculum designers, etc.), as well as scholars, policymakers, civic-minded journalists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other individuals promoting civic education all over the world. CIVNET is administered by CIVITAS International. For access to free civic education resources or to submit your own, register at www.civnet.org
	Thirteenth World Congress on Civic Education The Center for Civic Education is pleased to announce the thirteenth World Congress on Civic Education to be held in Cape Town, South Africa from May 27 – June 1, 2009. The World Congress in South Africa is co-hosted by the Centre for Community and Educational Development, in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Education. The theme for this year’s Congress will be “Civic Education: Reconciling our Past, Building a Democratic Future.” Read more. Further information relating to the conference can be found on the World Congress webpage.
	India: National Council of Educational Research and Training Introduces Human Rights Education in Schools Owing to the growing number of human rights abuses, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is planning to introduce human rights as an optional subject in schools in India. Read more
	Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy Holds First Democracy Camp Through a partnership with the University of Asia and the Pacific, the Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy (PCCED) held its first Democracy Camp for high school students from March 30–April 2, 2009. Forty-six student leaders from various schools in Metro Manila participated in lecture-discussions on various concepts related to Philippine democracy including the role of citizens, human rights, the rule of law, and people power. The youth also practiced critical leadership skills such as consensus building and problem solving. Read more.
	High School Students Voice Their World Views at the Maryland State Forum Maryland high school students convened at the Maryland Judiciary Education and Conference Center in Annapolis on March 30, 2009 to discuss global issues with Chief Judge Robert Mack Bell; Linda Funsch, Mount Saint Mary’s College, Helen Luce, Center for the Prevention of Injustice through Education; Jeff Marcus, United State Naval Academy, and other elected officials and civic leaders. Read more.
	Discussion Forum for the Thirteenth World Congress on Civic Education A forum has been created for all participants of the 2009 Thirteenth World Congress on Civic Education.  The forum contains important resources, information and documents necessary for the upcoming event. In the forum you will find a variety of information, including important conference documents, photographs, travel tips and tour options, South Africa reading lists, scholarly articles and a discussion forum.  Conference attendees are urged to visit the World Congress webpage and participate by adding resources and comments to the discussion forum. Follow the below links for specific information on the World Congress 2009: South Africa If you have any questions about using the forum please contact Alexandra Galico, Program Coordinator at galico@civiced.org.
	United States Citizenship Podcast: Resources for US Citizens Prepare for the USCIS Interview with the United States Citizenship Podcast which includes; practice interviews based on the N-400 application for Naturalization and the new 100 History and Government questions.  The blog, http://www.USCitizenPod.com, features mp3s, videos, news, and documents about Citizenship and the Naturalization process. Read more
	Sandra Day O'Connor's "Our Courts" Website Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is trying to reach people on the Web with "Our Courts", a new website stressing the need for civics in schools. Our Courts offers resources for teachers to bring civics back into the school curriculum. Read more. Visit: www.ourcourts.org
	New Publication: How All Teachers Can Support Citizenship and Human Rights Education: a framework for the development of competencies By Peter Brett, Pascale Mompoint-Gaillard, Maria Helena Salema Edited by Sarah Keating-Chetwynd A Council of Europe publication which sets out the core competences needed by teachers to put democratic citizenship and human rights into practice in the classroom, throughout the school and in the wider community. It is intended for all teachers - not only specialists but teachers in all subject areas - and teacher educators working in higher-education institutions or other settings, both in pre- and in-service training. Read more.
	A Blueprint for Democratic Citizenship Education in South African Public Schools: African teachers' perceptions of good citizenship An article published in the South African Journal of Education which addresses the issue of education for democratic citizenship in South Africa's public schools. The article summarises scholars' views on the attributes of a good citizen and the role of the school in this regard and reports on the  outcomes of a research project of African teachers' perceptions on the factors contributing to good citizenship. Read more.
	Children as Active Citizens: Commitments and Obligations for Children's Civil Rights and Civic Engagement in East Asia and the Pacific A publication by the Inter-Agency Working Group on Children's Participation (IAWGCP). The Inter-Agency Working Group on Children’s Participation is a consortium of Bangkok-based organizations dedicated to promoting and implementing the meaningful and ethical participation of children in decisions made to further their rights and welfare. The article is available by clicking here (pdf).
	Justice Goes to School Program Justice Goes to School is a civic education program that emphasizes knowledge of the Venezuelan Justice System, with the goal of deepening the value of justice as a primary instrument in the strengthening of the democratic political system. This program is a product of the partnership between the Justice Resource Center, New York City and Civitas Venezuela who have been partnered since 2002 through the Civitas International Exchange Program. Read more.
	Mershon Center for International Security Seeks Applications in Peace Studies The Mershon Center for International Security Studies at Ohio State University is seeking applicants for one of several possible positions open in the area of peace studies. Read more.
	IREX Small Grant Fund for Africa and Asia IREX will provide a select number of grants of up to US$10,000 to local private, nongovernmental institutions in Africa and Asia. Proposed project must focus on promoting professionalism and independence in media. Read more
	Do Something Grants for Community Development Projects Small grants available for sustainable community action projects, programs or organizations in the US and Canada. Read more.
	World Creative Youth Forum (WCYF) 2009 on Education for Sustainable Development The World Creative Youth Forum (WCYF) is a gathering of the youth with the objective to encourage the involvement of youth in peace and human rights; entrepreneurship; education and technology; and advocacy for sustainable development.  The event will be held in Manilla, Philippines 5-10 May, 2009. Read more.
	Training Course on Human Rights Education and Gender Based Violence The Human Rights Education Centre in collaboration with the Community Healing Network presents a course on Human Rights Education and Gender Based Violence, Pretoria, South Africa 22-26 May, 2009. Read more
	About CIVNET CIVNET is a worldwide online civic education community composed of civic educators (teachers, teacher trainers, curriculum designers, etc.), as well as scholars, policymakers, civic-minded journalists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other individuals promoting civic education all over the world. CIVNET is administered by CIVITAS International. For access to free civic education resources or to submit your own, register at www.civnet.org