Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 3:00pm
Location: Michigan Union
Organized By: Information and Technology Services (ITS)

Join us for some expert guidance on DIY troubleshooting. Our Tech Help expert will teach you how to recognize problems and how to find answers to some common technical issues. We will focus primarily on computer troubleshooting (Windows, Mac, and Linux), but techniques and approaches would also be applicable to other kinds of devices such as smartphones, smart watches, or gaming consoles.

BYOD: mobile computing device (optional)

Who: Open to all
When: Thursdays at 3 p.m. (lasting 20-30 minutes, with option for Q&A and personal consulting to follow)
Where: Michigan Union | Ground Floor

It would be great if you registered to let us know you’re coming, but drop-ins are also welcome!

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 12:30pm
Location: LSA Building
Organized By: Department of Sociology

Fall 2024 Semester Line-Up:

9/19: Lanora Johnson, "Car Accidents & Disability in Rural Kentucky"

10/3: Spencer Allen, "Disparities and Implications of Survey Measurement Error: NSF GRFP Proposal"

10/10: Jane Furey, "The Consequences of Racialized Education Careers"

10/31: Janet Wang, "Overqualification across the life course"

11/14: Davis Daumler, "Changing Marriage Patterns and the Shifting Foundation of Wealth"

11/21: Junchao Tang, "A Mirrored Equalizer? An Assessment of Boarding Institution and STS-based Achievement Gap"

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 10:00am
Location:
Organized By: Sessions @ Michigan

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 9:00am
Location: Taubman Health Sciences Library 2955 (OGPS conference room)
Organized By: Sessions @ Michigan

The "Engaged Mentoring" series is for faculty mentors of research trainees at any stage of training. This program is an evidence-based, interactive approach designed to elevate mentoring skills for engaging in productive, culturally responsive research mentoring relationships. The program aims to accelerate the process of becoming an effective research mentor by providing mentors with an intellectual framework, an opportunity to experiment with various methods, and a forum in which to solve mentoring dilemmas with the help of their peers. By the end of the program, mentors will have articulated their style and philosophy of mentoring and have a toolbox of strategies for approaching difficult mentoring situations. These skills will support the success of both mentors and mentees, and it is responsive to the NIGMS guidelines regarding the preparation of mentors involved in training grants.

The OGPS Engaged Mentoring Series, focuses on the five themes below (all within the context of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion). To learn more about the five themes, visit our Canvas Site:
1. Establishing Effective Mentoring/Mentee Relationships
2. Aligning Expectations Using Mentoring Plans
3. Managing Mental Health in the Mentoring Relationship
4. Approaching Difficult Conversations
5. Managing Tension and Conflict
The 5 themes are presented in two different formats:Option A: Two half-day Workshop series. Each session is 4hrs, and you must attend both sessions in order to receive a certificate of completion from OGPS.Option B: 1-day Retreat. The session is 8hrs, and you must attend the entire session to receive a certificate of completion from OGPS. 
We will continue to populate this site with more program offering dates throughout the year.

The Dog Show LIMITED EDITION CANVAS by Sally Caldwell Fisher is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to Limited Edition of 150 pcs

Data recording can help less experienced technicians troubleshoot refrigeration systems. 

The data is a day later than normal this week due to the US holiday on Monday.

The numbers via oilprice.com on Twitter:

--

Expectations I had seen centred on:

• Headline crude +0.1 mn barrels
• Distillates +0.2 mn bbls
• Gasoline +0.6 mn

---

This data point is from a privately-conducted survey by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

• It's a survey of oil storage facilities and companies
• The official report is due Wednesday morning US time.

The two reports are quite different.The official government data comes from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA)

• Its based on data from the Department of Energy and other government agencies
• Whereas information on total crude oil storage levels and variations from the previous week's levels are both provided by the API report, the EIA report also provides statistics on inputs and outputs from refineries, as well as other significant indicators of the status of the oil market, and storage levels for various grades of crude oil, such as light, medium, and heavy.
• the EIA report is held to be more accurate and comprehensive than the survey from the API

The October jobs report from Australia was not as strong as we have become accustomed to:

• Australian October unemployment rate 4.1% (vs. 4.1% expected)

It was not a poor report, just not another blockbuster!

AUD/USD is not a lot changed. Earlier we had Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Bullock sounding not dovish:

• RBA Bullock says rates are restrictive enough, staying there until confident on inflation

• Fed will 'most likely' need more cuts but should 'proceed cautiously'
• If Fed cuts too far past neutral, inflation could re-acclerate
• Difficult to know how many Fed rate cuts may be needed, and how soon they need to happen
• Fed has made a great deal of progress in bringing inflation down
• Fed not quite back to price stability yet
• US economic activity is resilient
• Labor market cooling gradually but not weakening materially
• Sees upside risk to inflation, downside risk to employment, says financial conditions may pose biggest challenges for monetary policy
• If bond yields continue to rise, the Fed may need less-restrictive policy

Logan last spoke in late October and wasn't quite this hawkish. I think the Fed cuts in December but takes a pause after that and waits to see how things play out.

TASHKENT, 20 May 2015 – A two-day workshop on cyber and ICT security issues began in Tashkent today. The event brought together some 40 participants, including 10 international experts from Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Switzerland, UK, USA as well as representatives of the national parliament, judiciary, ministries for information technology, foreign affairs, academia and law enforcement agencies.

The event facilitated discussions among international and national experts on global, regional and bilateral efforts to enhance international Cyber Security. Best practice and lessons learned in investigations in the field of counter-narrative strategies to counter extremism online as well as countering the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes were also debated. Participants also discussed current threats in cybercrime, local legislations and strategies in use.

“Cybercrime is a new kind of threat that makes people vulnerable to cyber-criminals who can commit crimes against victims located thousands of kilometres away”, stated Deputy Head of Police Academy, Abror Otajonov, in his opening remarks. “This threat to our security can only be addressed by ensuring close international cooperation and adopting comprehensive national policies and developing relevant capacities”.

Ben Hiller, Cyber Security Officer of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, said: ”With its comprehensive and inclusive approach the OSCE represents a bridge between different national and international approaches to tackling cyber/ICT threats and allows various stakeholders dealing with different cyber threats to move forward in a complementary manner.“

This event was organized in co-operation with the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, as part of the multi-year support provided by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan to the National Police Academy to improve the staff training system. 

Related Stories

• OSCE promotes implementation of effective traffic safety measures in Uzbekistan
• OSCE Project Co-ordinator lights up central Tashkent with 20 solar-powered street lamps
• OSCE launches training seminar for Uzbek journalists on human trafficking

KHUJAND, Tajikistan, 13 July 2016 – A two-day workshop for civil society and police officers on improving the local referral mechanisms for the protection of domestic violence victims concluded today in Khujand.

The workshop brought together some 23 representatives of crisis centres, the police, state services for social protection and the Committee of Women and Family Affairs from the Sughd region of Tajikistan.

Participants exchanged good practices on inter-agency co-operation to assist victims of violence in the region, discuss current challenges and ways to improve the current mechanism of the multi-disciplinary approach.

“This is an opportunity for the OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centres from the regions to share the experiences and plans for further activities on strengthening women’s rights in the region,” said Viorelia Rusu, the OSCE Office’s Gender and Anti-Trafficking Officer.

Within separate sessions, participants from the crisis centres shared experiences related to the rehabilitation and protection of domestic violence victims, and police inspectors discussed the provisions of the updated Instructions on dealing with domestic violence cases. Police officers also received copies of the new Manual on Countering Domestic Violence, published by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

“We learned from similar meetings organized earlier in Khatlon region that such discussions, including on concrete cases, contribute to a better co-ordinated and victim-centered, multi-agency approach in protecting domestic victims at the local level, and it harmoniously compliments the Ministry’s plans on gender mainstreaming into police reform,” said Ali Bobonazarzoda, National Co-ordinator on Police Reform under the country’s Interior Ministry.

The event is part of the annual activities of the Office’s Gender and Anti-Trafficking Unit aimed at strengthening the current local protection mechanisms for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.  

Related Stories

• OSCE Office in Tajikistan support Garm’s local authorities in strengthening referral mechanisms for protecting domestic violence victims
• OSCE Office in Tajikistan donates audio-visual material to enhance interactive teaching at Police Academy
• OSCE Office in Tajikistan’s training series highlights role of parents in the fight against terrorism

An OSCE Programme Office in Astana-supported workshop on international best practices in irregular migration management and readmission procedures for 10 Internal Affairs Ministry and National Security Committee officials started on 6 June 2016 in Astana.

The three-day event was organized by the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA) in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Latvia’s State Border Guard. It focused on national legislation and best international practices in dealing with vulnerable groups of migrants passing through borders.

An Office-supported legal analysis of readmission policies was presented along with a draft bylaw to participants who brainstormed ways to further develop the legal and institutional framework. Participants also engaged in an in-depth discussion on readmission as well as countering trafficking of human beings. As a result of the discussions, the participants developed a set of recommendations on amendments to relevant national legislation in line with international best practices.

The workshop is a part of the OSCE Programme Office’s activities related to enhancing the host country’s border security and efficient labour migration management practices.

DUSHANBE, 15 July 2016 – Twenty-four mid-rank officers from the Tajik Border Troops, the State Committee on National Security and Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs today completed a week-long OSCE workshop in Dushanbe on verifying the authenticity of security documents.

The workshop examined how documents are falsified, how passport booklets are constructed and produced, the processes behind producing paper for such documents, security features as well as the methods for verifying passports. Participants also improved their knowledge of technical devices and modern methods for verifying document authenticity, the types of light sources used during the verification, and in working with documents with plastic pages.

The workshop was delivered by two experts from Belarus. 

“The Office in Tajikistan continues supporting the capacity building of Tajik border and security agencies, including in the areas of contemporary approaches to identifying forged travel documents and in inter-agency co-ordination and co-operation in this area,” said Vyacheslav Abramets, Border Management Adviser at the OSCE Office. “The workshop was organized as part of this year’s activities by the OSCE Office and within the framework of the successful implementation of the Tajik National Border Management Strategy.”

The workshop follows the June 2016 handover by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan of a video-spectral comparator with informational-reference system, a spectral fluorescent microscope, compact devices for express authenticity verification, a spectral luminescent magnifier and a desktop computer set, to the Border Troops. The equipment was installed at the border checkpoint in the newly-constructed terminal of Dushanbe International Airport to enable the advanced authenticity verification of passports.

ISSYK-KUL, Kyrgyzstan, 8 July 2016 – A five-day training course supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek on a risk-oriented approach in supervising activities related to anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism concluded today in Bosteri village, in the Issyk-Kul region.

The aim of the workshop, which was organized by the State Financial Intelligence Service under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (SFIS) in partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was to update the relevant State agencies and financial institutions on the practical aspects of a risks-oriented approach in their work. Some 46 officials from law enforcement agencies, supervisory agencies and financial institutions took part.

“A risks-oriented approach is the process which allows the countries to identify, assess and understand risks to effectively combat money laundering and financing of terrorism,” said Nana Baramidze, Senior Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre. “The OSCE Centre in Bishkek fully supports the efforts of the Kyrgyz Government in its attempt to establish effective systems to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism.”

Chyngyz Kenenbayev, Head of the Organizational and Legal department of the SFIS, said: “We are holding this educational seminar to train representatives of national authorities and the private sector so that we can successfully pass the second round of the evaluation by the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG). In order to fulfil international obligations under the EAG, the Kyrgyz Republic is to conduct a mutual assessment of its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism system. From 28 November to 9 December 2016, a visiting mission of EAG evaluators will conduct this assessment within the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) initiative."

The training course, which was conducted by two IMF experts and three SFIS officials, was part of the OSCE assistance to the Kyrgyz Government in preparing for the second round of the FATF evaluation.

A two-day workshop on  ways to improve the recording of hate crimes  was organized on 11 and 12 July in Prishtinë/Priština by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the Kosovo Police.

In addition to reinforcing their understanding of the OSCE’s approach to hate crime, workshop participants identified a series of additional improvements in the way local authorities monitor and record hate crimes. Participants also agreed to establish a permanent national mechanism to co-ordinate hate crime data collection.

"Police recording is the key point of entry for information about hate crimes into the criminal justice system. But, the police cannot operate alone," said Ales Giao Hanek, ODIHR Hate Crime Officer. "Co-ordination between all the agencies concerned is crucial, and political support will be required to make the changes identified and agreed upon by participants."

Workshop participants included Kosovo Police specialists responsible for recording and managing crime statistics from all eight policing districts. Police and Prosecution Service focal points on hate crimes took part, as well as representatives from the Kosovo Judicial Institute.

This workshop follows up on an event held in May 2015, which mapped hate crime data collection in Kosovo.

Related Stories

• OSCE/ODIHR final report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s postponed early parliamentary elections recommends continuing electoral reform process
• OSCE/ODIHR final report on early parliamentary elections in Serbia recommends comprehensive review of legislation and ensuring the level playing field for contestants
• OSCE/ODIHR event in Kyiv supports dialogue platform in Verkhovna Rada on parliamentary ethics

KHUJAND, Tajikistan, 13 July 2016 – A two-day workshop for civil society and police officers on improving the local referral mechanisms for the protection of domestic violence victims concluded today in Khujand.

The workshop brought together some 23 representatives of crisis centres, the police, state services for social protection and the Committee of Women and Family Affairs from the Sughd region of Tajikistan.

Participants exchanged good practices on inter-agency co-operation to assist victims of violence in the region, discuss current challenges and ways to improve the current mechanism of the multi-disciplinary approach.

“This is an opportunity for the OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centres from the regions to share the experiences and plans for further activities on strengthening women’s rights in the region,” said Viorelia Rusu, the OSCE Office’s Gender and Anti-Trafficking Officer.

Within separate sessions, participants from the crisis centres shared experiences related to the rehabilitation and protection of domestic violence victims, and police inspectors discussed the provisions of the updated Instructions on dealing with domestic violence cases. Police officers also received copies of the new Manual on Countering Domestic Violence, published by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

“We learned from similar meetings organized earlier in Khatlon region that such discussions, including on concrete cases, contribute to a better co-ordinated and victim-centered, multi-agency approach in protecting domestic victims at the local level, and it harmoniously compliments the Ministry’s plans on gender mainstreaming into police reform,” said Ali Bobonazarzoda, National Co-ordinator on Police Reform under the country’s Interior Ministry.

The event is part of the annual activities of the Office’s Gender and Anti-Trafficking Unit aimed at strengthening the current local protection mechanisms for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.  

Related Stories

• OSCE Office in Tajikistan support Garm’s local authorities in strengthening referral mechanisms for protecting domestic violence victims
• OSCE Office in Tajikistan donates audio-visual material to enhance interactive teaching at Police Academy
• OSCE Office in Tajikistan’s training series highlights role of parents in the fight against terrorism

DUSHANBE, 15 July 2016 – Twenty-four mid-rank officers from the Tajik Border Troops, the State Committee on National Security and Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs today completed a week-long OSCE workshop in Dushanbe on verifying the authenticity of security documents.

The workshop examined how documents are falsified, how passport booklets are constructed and produced, the processes behind producing paper for such documents, security features as well as the methods for verifying passports. Participants also improved their knowledge of technical devices and modern methods for verifying document authenticity, the types of light sources used during the verification, and in working with documents with plastic pages.

The workshop was delivered by two experts from Belarus. 

“The Office in Tajikistan continues supporting the capacity building of Tajik border and security agencies, including in the areas of contemporary approaches to identifying forged travel documents and in inter-agency co-ordination and co-operation in this area,” said Vyacheslav Abramets, Border Management Adviser at the OSCE Office. “The workshop was organized as part of this year’s activities by the OSCE Office and within the framework of the successful implementation of the Tajik National Border Management Strategy.”

The workshop follows the June 2016 handover by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan of a video-spectral comparator with informational-reference system, a spectral fluorescent microscope, compact devices for express authenticity verification, a spectral luminescent magnifier and a desktop computer set, to the Border Troops. The equipment was installed at the border checkpoint in the newly-constructed terminal of Dushanbe International Airport to enable the advanced authenticity verification of passports.

Related Stories

• OSCE trains Tajikistan’s relevant agencies on combating the illicit cultural property trade and smuggling of historical artefacts
• OSCE Office in Tajikistan donates audio-visual material to enhance interactive teaching at Police Academy
• OSCE Office in Tajikistan support Garm’s local authorities in strengthening referral mechanisms for protecting domestic violence victims

A two-day workshop on  ways to improve the recording of hate crimes  was organized on 11 and 12 July in Prishtinë/Priština by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the Kosovo Police.

In addition to reinforcing their understanding of the OSCE’s approach to hate crime, workshop participants identified a series of additional improvements in the way local authorities monitor and record hate crimes. Participants also agreed to establish a permanent national mechanism to co-ordinate hate crime data collection.

"Police recording is the key point of entry for information about hate crimes into the criminal justice system. But, the police cannot operate alone," said Ales Giao Hanek, ODIHR Hate Crime Officer. "Co-ordination between all the agencies concerned is crucial, and political support will be required to make the changes identified and agreed upon by participants."

Workshop participants included Kosovo Police specialists responsible for recording and managing crime statistics from all eight policing districts. Police and Prosecution Service focal points on hate crimes took part, as well as representatives from the Kosovo Judicial Institute.

This workshop follows up on an event held in May 2015, which mapped hate crime data collection in Kosovo.

Related Stories

• Police, prosecutors confront hate crime against people with disabilities at OSCE/ODIHR workshop in Croatia
• OSCE/ODIHR event at European Parliament highlights role of civil society coalitions in responding to anti-Semitism, discrimination and intolerance
• OSCE/ODIHR delivers workshop on understanding and countering hate crime for civil society organizations in Romania

The OSCE Mission to Skopje organized a workshop on 23 June 2016 for 35 police managers from the Sector of Internal Affairs on identification, prevention and investigation of hate crimes.

The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of police officers to identify hate crimes and provide responses in line with democratic policing principles and international human rights standards. 

This workshop complemented other previous and ongoing activities of the Mission in this area which are implemented in co-operation with national authorities.

The event was the first in a series of eight workshops which will be held in each sector for internal affairs in the country.

Related Stories

• OSCE Mission to Skopje organizes two-day workshop on multi-ethnic policing
• OSCE Mission to Skopje organizes workshop for national Police Union on countering gender-based discrimination
• OSCE Mission to Skopje supports roundtable discussion on the role of women in creating safer communities

The OSCE Mission to Skopje on 28 June 2016 launched a two-day workshop for 22 members of the Police Union on countering gender-based discrimination with the aim of advancing the position of women in police services and increasing gender sensitivity among police officers.

The workshop focused on areas of gender-based discrimination in employment, education, health and family, explaining what gender inequality is and how it is addressed in international and domestic legislation and in practice.

Participants will learn how to identify harassment and sexual harassment as forms of discrimination, as well as workplace bullying. The legal protection, prevention and measures against such bullying will be illustrated through real cases.

This workshop is part of the Mission’s programme to support the democratization of the Police and is in line with the Mission’s efforts to encourage gender equality in all segments of society.

Related Stories

• OSCE Mission to Skopje organizes two-day workshop on multi-ethnic policing
• OSCE Mission to Skopje organises workshop on hate crime for police managers
• OSCE Mission to Skopje supports roundtable discussion on the role of women in creating safer communities

Fifty-two representatives of Local Crime Prevention Centres (LCPCs) in Kyrgyztsan, including members of the courts of Aksakals (local elders), women and youth councils completed a two-day workshop supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek  on 7July 2016 in Osh, with the aim of enhancing interactions between the police, civil organizations and the public.

Participants improved their practical skills on analyzing security situations and applying problem-solving methods, and in strengthening effective communication with the police and other stakeholders. LCPC members learned about the development and implementation of crime prevention projects and programmes. Participants also revised the normative-legal documents that regulate LCPCs and crime prevention activities.

“Preserving public order and preventing crime is the shared responsibility of the police, local self-government bodies, and local communities,” said Pavel Khalashnyuk, acting Head of Police Affairs at the OSCE Centre. “This training course seeks to strengthen this collective, consultative approach and the LCPCs’ capacity to foster community engagement in crime prevention and to strengthen the effectiveness of the partnership with police in addressing community security concerns.”

The workshop was conducted at the Community Policing Training Centre by a local expert and trainers from the Main Directorate for Public Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and of the Ministry’s Academy.

Related Stories

• OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports newly established working group on police reform
• OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports summer school on topical issues of police reform
• OSCE Centre in Bishkek enhances police investigators’ skills in crime investigation techniques

The OSCE Mission to Skopje, in co-operation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, organized a two-day workshop in Ohrid on policing in a multi-ethnic society on 11 and 12 July 2016. Some forty police officers of different ethnicities working in Ohrid and Bitola police stations attended the event and exchanged information and experiences related to multi-ethnic policing.

The workshop also served as a platform for generating ideas on future measures to foster effective functioning of ethnically mixed police units and ensure the acceptance and equal treatment of police officers coming from smaller communities.

The workshop is one of the ways the Mission is supporting efforts to strengthen police capacities and build trust across multi-ethnic communities. 

Related Stories

• OSCE Mission to Skopje organizes workshop for national Police Union on countering gender-based discrimination
• OSCE Mission to Skopje organises workshop on hate crime for police managers
• OSCE Mission to Skopje supports roundtable discussion on the role of women in creating safer communities

TBILISI, 27 May 2016 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus Kristian Vigenin (MP, Bulgaria), today concluded a two-day visit to Georgia.

The Special Representative met with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament David Usupashvili, and Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, as well as Members of the OSCE PA delegation and representatives of various political forces in the country. Vigenin also participated in events commemorating the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Georgia’s independence.

“In just 25 years, Georgia has achieved a great deal, and I look forward to seeing what further progress the next 25 years will bring,” said the Special Representative. He noted that the upcoming OSCE PA's 25th Annual Session to be held in Tbilisi, 1-5 July, is an opportune moment for Georgia to demonstrate its achievements to hundreds of parliamentarians from across the OSCE region.

“With parliamentary elections later this year, this is a sensitive period. Following incidents of violence against opposition leaders a few days ago during the local by-elections, a thorough and transparent investigation is necessary. While it is the government’s responsibility to hold those responsible accountable, I also call on all political forces to act with restraint in the coming months so that the October elections can take place in a calm and peaceful environment,” said the Special Representative, encouraging all efforts aimed at consolidating democratic progress.

Interlocutors welcomed OSCE observation of the parliamentary elections, expected on 8 October.
Vigenin discussed a range of security challenges faced by Georgia, and visited the Administrative Boundary Line in Khurvaleti, where the de facto authorities of South Ossetia have erected barbed wire fences dividing the village.

“The recent killing of a Georgian citizen in Khurcha, at the Administrative Boundary Line, is a reminder of the significant security challenges Georgia continues to face. I condemn this shooting unconditionally, and expect that those responsible will be brought to justice,” said Vigenin.

Reports indicate that on 19 May at the Khurcha-Nabakevi crossing point on the Administrative Boundary Line, armed men crossed from the Abkhaz side of the bridge and carried out the fatal shooting.

The Special Representative’s visit to Georgia follows meetings earlier this week in Armenia. He continues his travels with a visit to Azerbaijan today where high-level meetings are expected.

Vigenin was appointed Special Representative by OSCE PA President Ilkka Kanerva in February 2016. In his mandate, he is tasked with promoting dialogue in all segments of society, in particular at the parliamentary level, in order to encourage reconciliation and rehabilitation with regard to the protracted conflicts in the region.
This week’s visit is his first visit to the region as Special Representative.

Vigenin is a former Foreign Minister of Bulgaria and currently serves as Deputy Head of the OSCE PA’s Bulgarian Delegation.

To watch a recent interview in which he discusses his priorities as Special Representative, please click here. 

For photos of Vigenin's visit to the region, click here.

Related Stories

• OSCE PA human rights committee Chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor follows up on developments in Turkey
• Assembly’s work on migration presented to OSCE ambassadors by Ad Hoc Committee Chair Lombardi at special Permanent Council
• OSCE PA human rights committee Chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor deplores the killing of journalist Pavel Sheremet, calls for exhaustive investigation

Building capacities of Ukrainian gender equality advisors was the focus of the workshop Mainstreaming Gender into Communication, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Equal Opportunities Caucus of the Parliament of Ukraine in Lviv, western Ukraine, on 24 June 2016.

Twenty-five participants from government and civil society, representing seven regions of Ukraine, had the opportunity to learn about effective ways to include a gender perspective into their internal and external communication.

Oksana Yurynets, a Member of Ukrainian Parliament and the Equal Opportunities Caucus, said: "The workshop focused on enhancing the abilities of regional state-administration gender advisors to communicate clear, strong messages to general public. Such communication helps to create an environment where dialogue about gender equality is possible. Working on these issues is very important for Ukraine as a country where equality remains a strategic target."

Kateryna Ryabiko, Project Co-ordinator at ODIHR, said that in accordance with the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, ODIHR is tasked to promote equality between women and men throughout the OSCE area, including through education in gender awareness. "Promoting gender mainstreaming is essential to recognizing gender equality as a vital element of democratization of society."

Participants also discussed findings of the recent report by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women that urged Ukraine to intensify its efforts to overcome persistent stereotypes that are discriminatory against women and to improve national capacity for promoting gender equality.

The event was organized as part of ODIHR’s project on “Strengthening dialogue among civil society and with key government stakeholders in Ukraine on human dimension issues”. It was launched in April 2015 with the aim of enhancing effective mechanisms for dialogue to address key human rights issues in Ukraine, in line with OSCE commitments and international standards.

Related Stories

• OSCE/ODIHR event in Kyiv supports dialogue platform in Verkhovna Rada on parliamentary ethics
• Political party legislation in Ukraine, focus of OSCE/ODIHR expert workshop
• OSCE workshop in Kosovo focuses on improving the recording of hate crimes

Reforming political party legislation in Ukraine was the focus of an expert workshop in Kyiv on 6 and 7 July 2016, jointly organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the Ukrainian civil society organizations Agency for Legislative Initiatives (ALI) and the Civil Network "OPORA". The event was hosted by the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

More than 80 experts, including representatives of the Ukrainian parliament, government, academia and civil society organizations, discussed trends and challenges in political party regulation, highlighting good practices and lessons learned over the past two decades, and contextualizing the reforms and challenges of the Ukrainian legislative framework in broader regional and international experience.

"Political parties are facing significant challenges in their ability to represent citizens and promote political participation across OSCE participating States," said Marcin Walecki, Head of ODIHR Democratization Department. "Transparency in party procedures and financing sources, their level of inclusiveness towards under-represented groups, and their ability to use new media to promote communication and accountability are all indispensable elements to ensure political pluralism and a vigorous democracy."

Sergii Leshchenko, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, said: "Political parties in Ukraine suffer from low levels of trust, affecting the legitimacy of the entire institutional framework. Following last year’s workshop, this meeting represents an opportunity to continue the discussion with international and local experts on the political party legislation implemented in Ukraine and opportunities for reform."

The Workshop also addressed the issue of inclusiveness in political parties, looking into the promotion of women and persons with disabilities in policies and party structures.

In a video message from Judith E. Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights in the United States’ State Department, said: "Participating States should support political participation of persons with disabilities in political parties across the OSCE region."

Following the workshop, 20 Ukrainian journalists, media and civil society representatives will participate in a one-day training event on Money in Politics, offering a general overview of the issue of political party and campaign financing, and focusing on the findings of the workshop and detailed aspects of the political party legislation adopted in Ukraine.

The workshop and the subsequent training workshop were organized within the framework of ODIHR’s project on "Strengthening dialogue among civil society and with key government stakeholders in Ukraine".

Related Stories

• OSCE/ODIHR event in Kyiv supports dialogue platform in Verkhovna Rada on parliamentary ethics
• OSCE workshop in Kosovo focuses on improving the recording of hate crimes
• OSCE/ODIHR final report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s postponed early parliamentary elections recommends continuing electoral reform process

Hi Tec Stinger Men's Comfortable Waterproof Shoes $39.95 + Shipping @ Brand House Direct

$39.95 + shipping when you apply coupon code: STING at checkout

I got a notification form dekudeals and I think its a great deal https://www.dekudeals.com/items/mortal-kombat11-ultimate

Ryan Reynolds feels the Academy did Eddie Murphy a disservice by not awarding him Oscars for his roles in these comedies (and he's right to say it).

Batman's absence in The Penguin might seem like a glaring issue, but producer Matt Reeves has a pretty logical explanation for why he doesn't show up.

"The Cher Show" takes a novel approach to breaking down the life of Cher, and in many ways succeeds. It's at the Dr. Phillips Center.

Consider refinancing private student loans if you can get a rate at least half a percentage point lower. If you have federal loans, think twice.

Comments

There's more to the Snipping Tool than meets the eye.

See if your password is on the list of shame.

"Daily Show" host Jordan Klepper roasted Trump's new cabinet picks during Tuesday's monologue.

Save up to 49% on Lego sets at Walmart's early Black Friday sale.

As of Nov. 13, a decent selection of 2-in-1 laptops are discounted ahead of Black Friday 2024. Check out our favorite deals across a variety of top brands.

How I stopped worrying and learned to leave social media: Why focusing on self-care is what we need to move forward after 2024.

Instagram – When you take a screenshot of a photo from the app, users will get a prompt encouraging them to use the share function. 

Google Fonts - Different emoticons are shown when no fonts are found.

/via Thomas Park

Crazy Egg - Subscribe button shows progress of form submission.

/via Ethan Thompson

Reconstrucción del cruel asesinato de la joven palestina Ayah a manos de su fanático tío en lo que se llama "crimen de honor" y que puede provocar un cambio de ley ante una práctica camuflada en el silencio.

MTV España emitirá, desde el próximo 28 de abril, el programa 'Gamers', un programa con formato reality show que mostrará la vida de los integrantes de G2 Vodafone, uno de los mejores equipos nacionales de League of Legends.

¿Recuerdan? Photoshop no inventó la mentira. Mucho antes de que el mundo estuviera al alcance del dedo índice, antes de que la herramienta informática de famoso nombre permitiera convertir en oro todo lo que toca, la mentira fotográfica ya existía.

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains major spoilers from the Season 1 finale and Season 2 premiere of “Bad Sisters,” now streaming on Apple TV+. “Bad Sisters” was never supposed to return for a second season. The Sharon Horgan-penned thriller, an adaptation of a Belgian limited series about a group of sisters who attempt to murder […]

Come down to The Tech Show at Singapore Expo and compete in an eSports extravaganza! #thetechshow #techshowportal2024

Bonk coin continued its upsurge this week and reached $0.000034. It is the highest level in the past five months The victory of Donald Trump in the US Assembly election created a positive trend in the crypto market. All the cryptos including the meme coins benefited from this upsurge caused due to this positive trend. [...]