Recent research lead by a Melbourne research institute has found that people who carry a particular type of gene have natural resistance against typhoid fever. The Nossal Institute of Global Health at the University of Melbourne conducted the study in collaboration with the Genome Institute of Singapore and Oxford University Clinical Research Unites in Vietnam and Nepal. The research, which is the first large-scale one of its kind, investigated the human natural gene responses to typhoid and associated infectious diseases.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), in collaboration with NICTA (National ICT Australia) have announced the opening of a joint data analytics lab in Victoria. The lab will be based at RMIT University’s School of Computer Science & Information (CSIT) in Melbourne. NICTA is Australia’s largest ICT organisation, and its Machine Learning Research Group has been independently rated amongst the top five groups of its kind in the world. In a collaboration valued at over A$1 million, NICTA will combine its expertise with RMIT University’s CSIT, which is widely recognised as a leader in data and information management.

Melbourne has been recognised as the top Major City in Human Capital and Lifestyle, according to the fDi Intelligence Global Cities of The Future 14/15 study. Cities in the study were categorised according to population and, as a Major City, Melbourne was awarded the top position in cities with populations less than 10 million. As winner of the Human Capital and Lifestyle category, Melbourne scored high results in categories such as; literacy rate, education expenditure, health, quality of life, percentage of population as labour force, number of students and numerous other indicators.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 7:00pm
Location: West Hall
Organized By: Maize Pages Student Organizations

Join us in watching the bootlegged version of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Containing hilarious English subtitles translated poorly from Chinese.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 6:00pm
Location:
Organized By: University Career Center

Come to our information session and discover how at Macquarie, you’re empowered to shape a career that is fulfilling and creates value — whether that’s investing in essential infrastructure, driving technological innovation, giving back to our communities or expanding your expertise into new areas. Hear from our employees and alumni who will bepresenting and answering questions about Macquarie.We invite you to explore the upcoming internship for Summer 2026. All years and majors are welcome to attend -- it will be most valuable for students graduating inDecember 2026/Spring 2027 or later.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 4:00pm
Location: East Hall
Organized By: Representation Stability Seminar - Department of Mathematics

Draisma proved that infinite dimensional varieties of tensors, defined uniformly with respect to the base vector space, are topologically Noetherian up to the action of the general linear group.The infinite power Z^N of a finite dimensional variety Z is ring-theoretically Noetherian up to the action of the infinite symmetric group permuting the copies of Z. We show that infinite powers of infinite dimensional varieties of tensors are defined set-theoretically by the Sym x GL-orbits of finitely many equations. This talk will browse these results.
Joint work with Chiu, Draisma, Eggermont, and Farooq.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 4:00pm
Location:
Organized By: University Career Center

Take your coffee break with our recruitment team via live chat to learn about our positions at Miami-Dade County Public Schools!Join us every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month from 4-6pm! Be sure to register here: https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/miami_dade_county_public_schools/s/Xdbb3/0JBLr

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 4:00pm
Location: North Quad
Organized By: Figma Learning for User Experience (FLUX)

In this first workshop session, we learn the basics of colors and typography, and by the end you’ll have a useable fully functional styles set up in Figma that you can use in any project.

All FLUX workshops ensure you walk away with something you can use for your own projects.

———
FLUX stands for Figma Learning for User Experience. We are a group of students passionate about user experience design and Figma.

Our mission is to create events and activities that support the learning of Figma and UX for students of all levels of expertise and backgrounds across the University of Michigan.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 3:00pm
Location: Off Campus Location
Organized By: Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies

This presentation focuses on the importance of studying contemporary Gulf states. The definition of contemporary in this context considers the period starting from the early 1990s. The reason for this has to do with the collapse of the Soviet Union, regional changes like the invasion of Kuwait and its consequences, and the wider Middle Eastern regional consequences. The presentation also looks at the patterns that emerged in all Gulf states at the same time in different contexts: political, economic, and social.

Mahjoob Zweiri is a professor of contemporary politics and Middle Eastern history with a focus on Iran and the Gulf region. He was the director of the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University from 2018 to 2024 and the head of the humanities department from 2011 to 2016. Before joining Qatar University in 2010, Zweiri was a senior researcher in Middle Eastern politics and Iran at the Center for Strategic Studies, University of Jordan. From March 2003 to December 2006, he was a research fellow and then director of the Centre for Iranian Studies in the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Durham University. Zweiri has more than 95 publications in the areas of Iran, contemporary Middle Eastern history and politics, Gulf studies, social sciences in universities of the future, and artificial intelligence’s role in social sciences. In addition to Arabic, he is fluent in Farsi and English. Zweiri is the founder and editor of the *Journal of Gulf Studies*, published by Intellect, and editor of the book series *Contemporary Gulf States*. Currently, he is a visiting professor at the University of Michigan.

Register and attend over Zoom: https://myumi.ch/pkJWz.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 1:00pm
Location:
Organized By: University Career Center

Are you looking for a summer job? Are you interested in working for one of the largest Federal Government Agencies? Well, look no further. The Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship (ICDF) Program is an opportunity for current college students attending an institution of higher education, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutes (MSIs) who are majoring in Intelligence and/or Cybersecurity-related areas of study. In this program, students may receive:• A paid fellowship• First-hand, practical experience in Intelligence and Cybersecurity disciplines• Participation in high-priority challenge projects• Training in core and technical competencies• Advice and support from mentors• Networking opportunities• Tuition assistance (if available) If you’re interested in learning more about the ICDFProgram, please join us for a recruitment roundtable on Thursday, November 14th at 1:00 pm EDT.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 1:00pm
Location: Off Campus Location
Organized By: School of Social Work

Perinatal mental health is gaining recognition as a key antecedent of adverse maternal and child outcomes as the United States experiences a maternal mortality and morbidity crisis. Recent policy efforts have attempted to mitigate adverse outcomes through legislation and extending access to care with postpartum coverage through Medicaid expansion. Even with progress, perinatal mental health policy continues to grapple with a basic truth: The United States lacks an overarching health care system capable of meeting the mental health care needs of perinatal people and their families. Moreover, the burden of undiagnosed and untreated perinatal mental health challenges remains greatest among racially minoritized populations, such as Black, Asian, and multiracial people. A broader understanding of perinatal mental health is needed, grounded in the tenets of reproductive justice. Drawing from the reproductive justice framework and the NAPSW code of ethics, this talk will articulate specific policies to meet perinatal mental health challenges and promote thriving for birthing people and their families.

Free and open to the public.
**Due to an overwhelming response, we are no longer offering Continuing Education credit to eligible attendees.** However, we are still accepting RSVPs! Those who RSVPd early on and indicated they were interested in receiving CE credit will still be allowed to fulfill the requirements for CE credit, but unfortunately, we cannot continue to offer this option to further RSVPs. We hope to receive your RSVP so that you can attend. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 1:00pm
Location:
Organized By: University Career Center

Fall Into A Classroom by Joining Beaufort County School District's Fall Virtual Hiring Event! The Recruiting Team for Beaufort County School District (BCSD) in South Carolina is seeking the best and brightest teachersfor a January 2024 start! Located south ofCharleston and north of Savannah, the Beaufort County School District isa diverse community encompassing Bluffton, Beaufort, and Hilton Head. If you like plentiful sunshine, intercoastal waterways and hundreds of miles of beaches, it might be just the place for you! We are hosting a hiring event for upcoming December graduates interested in a certified teaching position in January! We pride ourselves on creating an amazing environment for new college graduates to thrive from around the country! We are excited to announce that we offer the following life-changing perks! $51,816 First Year Tacher Salary | One of the Top Paying Districts in South CarolinaLocality Supplement of $1,500 each year (Only $750 for January – May)Comprehensive Induction and Mentoring Program of Support for Career GrowthCompetitive Benefits and Retirement PackageNo Cost & Anonymous Virtual Mental Health CounselingEducational Support for TeachersPrime Opportunities for Internal Career MobilityAn Abundance of Professional Development OpportunitiesBeautiful Location, Weather and LifestyleClose to Charleston (SC), Savannah (GA) and Jacksonville (FL) We would love to invite you to register to our virtual hiring event which we will hold on November 14th, from 1pm-5pm. To get started, complete an application via Frontline. Once you have completed your online application, you will be ableto select an interview time that works best for you via Calendly. If you are ready to learn more about our school district, check out our Back to School Video, highlighting some of our schools in the county.  Are you wondering what makes Beaufort County School District so special? Our amazing teachers have the answers! ????✨ Check out these inspiring stories from our educators, sharing why they chose to join BCSD and what makes our community the perfect place to grow, learn, and make a difference. ❤️???? ???? Watch their stories here and discover the heart and passion that drive our schools! #WhyBCSD #LiveWhereYouLoveLoveWhereYouWork We cannot wait to meet you! The Recruiting TeamBeaufort County School District (SC)bcsdrecruiters@beaufort.k12.sc.usOffice Number: 843-379-6920

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 1:00pm
Location:
Organized By: University Career Center

FALL into a career that changes lives!  Mark your calendar for the upcoming Virtual Hiring Event, become a teacher with Beaufort County School District, and start in January 2025!???? Why Join Beaufort County School District? ????Looking for a place where you can live where you love and love where you work? ???? Beaufort County School District is calling your name! Here’s why you should consider becoming part of our amazing team:✨ Locality Supplement - We value our educators and reward them for choosing to work in our beautiful community. ???? Affordable Afterschool Childcare - Peace of mind with affordable care for your little ones aged 5-12. ???? Two-Year Induction & Mentoring Program - We support our new teachers every step of the way. ????️ Prime Location - From the charm of Hilton Head Island to the vibrant communities of Bluffton and Beaufort, you’ll be working in some of the most desirable areas in the Lowcountry. ???? Close to Charleston & Savannah - Enjoy the perks of living near these historic cities. ???? Internal Career Mobility - Grow your career with us, and explore endless opportunities within the district. ???? Professional Development - We’re committed to your growth with ample opportunities to enhance your skills.Join us and make a difference in a place you’ll be proud to call home! ???? #BeaufortCountySchools #TeachingInParadise #CareerInEducation #JoinOurTeam

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 12:00pm
Location: Weiser Hall
Organized By: Center for Japanese Studies

Please note: This lecture will be held in person in room 1010 Weiser Hall and virtually via Zoom. This webinar is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Once you've registered, the joining information will be sent to your email. Register for the Zoom webinar at: https://myumi.ch/RmN4G

The Korean scholar-bureaucrats (yangban) have been drawing public attention among Japanese intellectuals since the beginning of the 20th century. This lecture reviews how Japanese magazines represented yangban, tracing how their image changed from the evil noblemen that kept Korean society stagnant to the graceful embodiers of vanishing authentic Korean culture. Both these images, and even the transition from one to the other, were driven by a Japanese version of orientalism.

Shimpei Cole Ota is a sociocultural anthropologist trained both in Seoul National University (ABD, 2003) and Osaka University (Ph.D., 2007). His basic question focuses on what brings drastic changes to societies and cultures, especially before and after modernization, liberalization, and globalization in South Korea and Korean America.

This lecture is made possible with the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant.

If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at umcjs@umich.edu. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 12:00pm
Location: Off Campus Location
Organized By: Disability Equity Office

Spend an hour or a few minutes with the accessibility specialists of ECRT's Disability Equity Office to ask any questions related to reasonable accommodations, the interactive process, general accessibility at U-M, and more! Break-out rooms will be available for those who wish to ask their questions privately. If you need accommodations to participate in this drop-in session, please email the ADA Coordinator at ADAcoordinator@umich.edu.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 11:00am
Location:
Organized By: University Career Center

Join us to get to know our team and program! Talk with the Residency Program Directors and residents. Sign-up here! Please RSVP by November 5th. We will email you a link to join the virtual open house when the date gets closer. https://monument.health/careers/residencies/rapid-city-hospital-pharmacy-residency/recruiting-events/  Monument Health Rapid City Hospital (RCH) in Rapid City, South Dakota is recruiting three PGY1 pharmacy residents for the 2025-2026 residencyyear. The mission of the Monument Health Rapid City Hospital pharmacy residency program is to develop capable, confident, and independent pharmacists through impactful learning experiences led by preceptors that challenge, inspire, and support residents. For our PGY1 program, we offer experiences in both acute and ambulatory settings. Required rotations include orientation, ambulatory care, critical care, infectious disease, internal medicine, and pediatrics/neonatology and longitudinal drug information, HIV clinic, management, project, and staffing. Electives are available for ambulatory care cardiology, antimicrobial stewardship, cardiology (inpatient), emergency medicine, evening ICU, family medicine ambulatory care, home infusion/home care, internal medicine II, medication safety, nephrology, oncology, psychiatry, specialty pharmacy, and surgical ICU/OR. A teaching certificate as well as leadership certificate are offered. Our site offers PGY2 residency programs specializing in critical care and oncology. Our residency program offers:  Flexible & tailored program for each resident Solid foundation of corerotations & a wide variety of elective rotations Excellent preceptors Elective teaching certificate  Elective leadership certificate Four weeks of project time Opportunities for publication Competitive salary Multiple presentation opportunities Weekly residency meetings Resident-led penicillin skin testing service Private office space for residents Resident staffing every third weekend in both decentralized and centralized locations Financial support to attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, Midwest Pharmacy Residents Conference in Omaha, and SDSHP Annual Meeting as well as SDSHP Resident Conference. PGY2 residency programs in critical care and oncology For more information, please see our website at http://monument.health/pharmacyresidency orcontact Katie Hayes at khayes@monument.health.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 10:00am
Location: Off Campus Location
Organized By: LSA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Neurodiversity is the new hot topic in the realm of disability inclusion and accessibility—and with good reason. A significant percentage of people are now recognized as having neurotypes that are not well supported by societal norms and our collective understanding of how to communicate across and support neurodiversity is still developing. Fortunately researchers, educators, and advocates who identify as neurodivergent are contributing to a growing body of best practices.

Join the LSA Faculty & Staff Disability Navigators for this two-part workshop to learn about neurodiversity and how we can all start creating more neuroinclusive workplaces.

Participants will:
1. Understand what neurodiversity is and how the concept has evolved over time.
2. Reflect on the ways neurodiversity shapes our experiences, behaviors, aptitudes, and understanding of the world.
3. Gain insight into how contemporary work norms can exclude and create barriers for a range of neurotypes.
4. Explore neuroinclusive practices we can proactively integrate into our workplaces.
5. Become familiar with relevant resources for LSA employees.

Audience: This is a beginner-level workshop open to any LSA employee, including our student employees. LSA employees receive priority access, so while external guests are welcome to register they may be waitlisted and allocated spots as space allows.

Important note: Please do your best to register for and attend both parts 1 and 2 as the content builds on itself. This workshop will not be recorded.

Event Begins: Thursday, November 14, 2024 10:00am
Location: Off Campus Location
Organized By: Organizational Learning

Course details and registration are available on the Organizational Learning website.

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 internet studies scholar holds the David O. Sears Presidential Chair in Social Sciences.

City People by Sally Caldwell Fisher is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to pcs

Springfield Chamber Music Society in Light Air by Sally Caldwell Fisher is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to pcs

Life of Christ Nativity Sculpture by Master Peace Collection is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to Open Edition pcs

Distech Controls Inc., a supplier of building automation and energy management solutions, announced that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Acuity Brands Inc., a leading provider of intelligent lighting solutions.

GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Ainsworth Inc., a subsidiary of CEDA International Corp. Ainsworth is a Canadian provider of a range of technical services including mechanical maintenance, HVACR, electrical, and more.

GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. announced that it has completed the acquisition of Ainsworth Inc., a subsidiary of CEDA International Corp. The acquisition unites GDI’s cross-Canada commercial janitorial services platform with Ainsworth’s cross-Canada HVACR, mechanical, electrical, and technical services business.

The County of Bruce has selected Ecosystem as the winning bidder to provide integrated energy performance contracting (IEPC) services in four of the county’s buildings. The $3.4 million project is expected to generate annual energy savings of $273,288 and receive $251,800 in incentives.

GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. has announced the appointment of Stéphane Lavigne, CPA, as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Lavigne was most recently with IPL Inc., where he was executive vice president and CFO, and president and CEO following the sale of the company.

Posted by Brandon Z. on Nov 13

Wahl Instruments Inc. adds the HSI3000B to its line of Wahl Heat Spy Thermal Imaging Cameras.  This new thermal imaging camera for buildings “is the best equipped entry level device on the market – with the highest specification in its class."

The FireBird Fury features 750 CFM of airflow for a safe temperature rise and maximum heat circulation. With its integrated 12” inlet and outlet duct connections and included remote thermostat, the Firebird Fury can effectively deliver heat and control temperature even into remote or inaccessible spaces.

11/18/2024 - 7:00 PM - Venue: City Council Chambers

11/17/2024 - 10:00 AM - Venue: SteamPlant Event Center

FLSmidth will be the largest customer of the new plant, which will serve as a comprehensive hub for the company’s warehousing and packaging needs, including dangerous-goods-certified solutions.

That makes it a congressional red sweep and the question now is just how much of a majority will they command in the House? The latest NYT projections here show Republicans do have the needed 218 seats claimed for a majority. However, there are still 9 seats yet to be called.

There are some seats such as Iowa 1 and California 45, which are toss ups, that could go to a recount and take a longer time to settle due to the current margins. For some context, here is a list of the more competitive districts as a reference.

But even if you give those two to the Democrats, Republicans will at least snag Alaska 1 to end with 219 seats. That is the bare minimum that they should win with when all is said and done.

Non policy-related comments.

The main objective of this OSCE project is to create evidence including in the context of conflict/crisis  to be used in the long term for improved programming and policy-making.

The contractor will be expected to undertake all aspects of work relating to the survey and additional qualitative research, including:

• pre-test/pilot study of the new conflict module;
• development of country/area specific research tools;
• qualitative key expert interviews and focus group discussions;
• interviewer selection (female interviewers only);
• interviewer training;
• random selection of respondents;
• questionnaire finalisation and translation of fieldwork and interviewer training materials;
• all fieldwork/data collection;
• data entry and processing;
• data analysis and drafting several thematic and regional reports.

The data will be collected through the use of structured, quantitative survey interviews and additional key expert interviews and focus group discussions. The survey interviews will be carried out face-to-face in each country/area by female interviewers who have completed in-depth, in-person training dedicated to the topic of the survey.

The interviews will be conducted using a standardised questionnaire already developed. Part of the contract will be testing revisions on this questionnaire and finalizing it.

The required net sample size is a minimum of 1500 women per country/area using a strict random (probability) sample.

The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring the quality, consistency and timeliness of work carried out in each country/area selected to take part in the study. The consistency of the methods and procedures applied in the various countries/areas and strict compliance with the detailed methodology of the survey needs to be ensured by the Contractor. The foreseen total duration of the assignment is 15 months.

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TASHKENT, 7 April 2016 – The implementation of traffic management and effective road safety measures were the focus of an OSCE-supported roundtable discussion for some 40 representatives of the Interior Ministry, Parliament, state agencies, media and civil society, and a two-day seminar for 25 traffic police officers, held in Tashkent from 5 to 7 April. 

The roundtable saw discussions focus on the measures Uzbekistan has been taking in implementing the state programme on traffic safety and ways to strengthen road traffic security. Three experts from Turkey and Serbia shared best practices on traffic management, public awareness campaigns and road safety measures implemented in their countries. Special emphasis was put on the importance of effective communication between different stakeholders with the overall aim of preventing traffic accidents and promoting good practices.

“It is important to maintain a constructive dialogue between different stakeholders involved in implementing newly-adopted regulations aimed at enhancing the efficiency of traffic-safety measures and raising awareness among the population about road-related risks,” said Nataša Rašić, Acting OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

Following the roundtable discussion, officers from the Interior Ministry’s Traffic Safety Police Department enhanced their knowledge during a seminar about best practices in enforcing traffic regulations. The experts from Turkey and Serbia provided a comprehensive overview of the road safety situation in their countries while highlighting the advantages of integrated road systems and new technologies in road safety, including the video control of roads.

The seminar’s participants also exchanged views on new methods of traffic police training and stressed the importance of improving driver education as well as the procedures for granting driver’s licences.

The events were organized in co-operation with the Interior Ministry as part of a joint project aimed at improving the efficiency of traffic safety measures in Uzbekistan.

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The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the Supreme Court of Ukraine organized on 10 June 2016 in Kyiv a joint roundtable discussion on protection of property in times of conflict, bringing together over 60 representatives of Ukrainian legislative and executive powers, leading judicial and law schools, as well as judges and international and local experts.

The participants discussed the guarantees of exercising the right to property and the mechanisms of its protection under special circumstances, such as armed conflict, occupation, annexation of territories and anti-terrorist operations. They identified mechanisms of protection, which would be efficient in terms of practical implementation and useful for judicial practice, and produced recommendations to keep up with international standards in this field.

The participants shared visions about international standards and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law regarding the protection of the right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions, and reviewed the experience of other states which faced similar circumstances, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia and Moldova. They also discussed problems of the judicial settlement of disputes related to the protection of property rights of individuals and legal entities in the conflict zone.

The event is part of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s project on safeguarding human rights through courts, which is implemented with financial support from the Government of Canada. The project also addresses the problem of property rights protection through development and piloting specialized courses for judges on the application of the ECtHR case law in the context of Article 1 of Protocol 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights.

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KYIV, 15 July 2016 – The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine today opened a new sphere of project assistance to Ukraine – improving democratic control of defence and security sectors – with a presentation of international experience and best practices at a conference in Kyiv.

The event, co-organized with the Parliament and the Ministry of Defence, brought together more than 120 parliamentarians, military and civilian representatives of various ministries, experts, and civil society activists to learn about the basic principles in this area, as well as practical examples from other countries.

During the conference, the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security and the OSCE Security Sector Governance and Reform Guidelines were presented. Ukrainian translations of these documents can be found at www.osce.org/fsc/41355  and www.osce.org/uk/secretariat/253156, respectively.

The participants discussed in detail the national models of parliamentary and civic control over the defence sectors of Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, and Norway.

“The ability of Parliament, and of society at large, to exercise control over its security services is a true litmus test for democracy and rule of law,” said Jeffrey Erlich, Senior Project Officer at the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s Office. “Such oversight contributes to a much more effective security sector by rooting out corruption, and by strengthening the bond between society and the armed forces.”

Igor Dolgov, Deputy Minister of Defence, said: “For me there is no question of whether it is possible to simultaneously deal with current crisis and implement reforms in defense sectors, including strengthening mechanisms of democratic control over armed forces. It is needed and it is already happening.”

Until the end of the year, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator will provide expertise in developing a concept paper and implementation plan for democratic oversight; assist in promoting dialogue between the military, parliamentarians, experts and civic activists; and contribute to raising awareness among the public by publishing relevant online resources.  Further assistance efforts will continue after 2016.

In partnering with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of the Armed Forces (DCAF), the project will also draw on their expertise.

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VIENNA, 22 July 2016 - Violence against women and girls is one of the most serious and pervasive human rights violations. More needs to be done to eliminate this problem so that women can participate without barriers in all spheres of life, said participants of a high-level OSCE conference today in Vienna.

The conference, organized by the OSCE Gender Section and Germany’s 2016 OSCE Chairmanship, brought together representatives of governments of OSCE participating States, international organizations and civil society to discuss the progress, and to exchange good practices and lessons learned in the efforts to end violence against women..

“One in three women worldwide has experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, perpetrated by intimate partners, family members, acquaintances and strangers,” said OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, opening the conference. “While we should take note of past and current achievements and activities, we need to now translate our commitments into concrete action”.

 Ambassador Zannier referred to the 2004 OSCE Action Plan on the Promotion of Gender Equality and OSCE Ministerial Council Decisions of 2005 and 2014, which called on participating States to address gender-based violence through legislation, supporting victims’ access to justice, education of relevant institutions and ensuring that women and girls receive special consideration in terms of protection and assistance.

Baroness Joyce Anelay, the UK’s Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development was one of the prominent speakers of the event.

"The OSCE Action Plan on the Promotion of Gender Equality is clear that this agenda is essential to achieving comprehensive security across the OSCE region. We all have a responsibility to promote women's empowerment and their full political, social and economic participation," she said.

Baroness Anelay is also UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict. Earlier this week she addressed representatives of OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation at meetings of the Forum for Security Co-operation and the Permanent Council on the need to promote the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution.

Ambassador Eberhard Pohl, Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council and representing Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship, said: “The protection of women and girls needs our special attention. Violence against women is not only a traumatizing experience for individuals; it has an adverse impact on the stability of societies as a whole. As the OSCE Chairmanship we call for the joint political will in the OSCE to speed up combating violence against women. It is a violation of human rights and all OSCE participating States have committed to ensuring human rights for all its inhabitants equally.”

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The first activities of an action plan to create a more gender-sensitive national parliament in Montenegro were drafted during a workshop in Podgorica on 18-19 April 2016 organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro in co-operation with the Parliamentary Committee for Gender Equality and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The event gathered 18 participants, including members of parliament and representatives of the parliamentary service, institutions and civil society, who, led by experts, drafted the first activities of the action plan. The plan covers six key areas: leadership and commitment, gender-balanced representation, gender-sensitive legislation and policy, parliamentary services and infrastructure, gender awareness in parliamentary culture, and parliament as a promoter of gender equality. Participants set the end of the year as the goal for finalizing and putting the plan up for adoption for the new convocation of the Parliament for the first quarter of 2017.

“The on-going gender mainstreaming of the Montenegrin Parliament is a significant step forward in translating our written pledges into actual reality,” said Dan Redford, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. “In particular, I am delighted to hear that the development of a roadmap and subsequent drafting of their action plan have been initiated by the parliament. This has to be the clearest indicator that its implementation has great chances of success and becoming ‘mainstream’ in the truest sense of the word.”

Nada Drobnjak, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Gender Equality highlighted the fact that the drafting of this important document and its subsequent adoption will make the Montenegrin Parliament a leader and pioneer in the region, and beyond.

In 2015, the Mission and ODIHR, in co-operation with the Committee for Gender Equality developed a roadmap towards a gender-sensitive parliament which served as the basis for the development of the action plan. The development and the adoption of the action plan is one of the measures initiated and included in the action plan for strengthening the legislative and oversight role of Montenegrin Parliament. 

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By OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier

Today we celebrate a significant milestone for Montenegro and its people. A decade ago, the country restored its independence. At the same time, Montenegro also joined the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which with 57 participating States is the largest regional security organization worldwide.

By becoming a full-fledged OSCE participating State, and by inviting an OSCE field mission into the country, Montenegro entrusted the OSCE with important responsibilities to assist the country’s development. Hand in hand with Montenegro’s young state institutions and civil society, we embarked on responding to the country’s evolving needs with great enthusiasm.

Evolving democracy

I am proud that we have been able to make a substantial contribution towards further advancing the country’s democratic reform process. Through the hard work and energies of our Montenegrin partners, we can now see that these efforts have borne results and delivered tangible benefits for Montenegrin citizens.

The responsibility displayed in overcoming the recent political crisis is important above all for the people of this country but it is also a positive signal that resonates in the wider region. Political leaders managed to bridge their differences by reaching a compromise that will serve the public interest. It showed us that a crisis can turn into an opportunity.

With strong leadership to success

Leadership, a long-term vision and willingness to compromise will all be greatly needed in the coming months to ensure full implementation of all adopted laws and agreements, thereby creating a level playing field for the parliamentary elections scheduled for this autumn. The elections will be an important test for the country. At present, the Mission to Montenegro is providing technical assistance to the State Election Commission, who will play a key role in the administration of the coming elections.

Public trust requires commitment

Full implementation of necessary laws is vital, particularly in countering transnational threats, strengthening the rule of law and protecting media freedoms. That is where the OSCE can help. We will continue providing assistance in the implementation of many aspects of the reform process in accordance with our mandate. The OSCE, as a strategic partner, can continue to assist Montenegro in developing strong and independent institutions that enjoy wide public trust. Key changes need time, dedication and commitment by all stakeholders.

Diversity and pluralism a key objective

Looking at the broader international context, we see mounting challenges and a complex security environment. Armed conflict is once again a reality on European soil. Unprecedented waves of refugees and migrants continue to test the unity of the international community, and extremist movements continue to promote radical ideologies that threaten dialogue and peaceful coexistence. In these challenging circumstances, building and empowering diverse and pluralistic communities is fundamental, as is the promotion of dialogue and tolerance.  

These challenges show how volatile stability can be and how crises can escalate into violent conflict. Particularly in times of growing tensions, they also underscore the importance of the OSCE’s unique role as a platform for dialogue and as a driver for joint action.

Regional security – Montenegrin security

Only last year, the OSCE marked the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which is the foundation of our security order and the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security. It is thanks to this heritage that the OSCE Mission to Montenegro has become engaged in many diverse activities, from destroying heavy weapons and unsafe and obsolete military ammunition to supporting the rule of law, democratic policing and good governance, or enhancing environmental awareness and security.

We are pleased with what the OSCE has accomplished not only in Montenegro, but across the Western Balkans. The Organization has played an important role in post-conflict rehabilitation, promoting human rights and building democratic institutions. We have not acted alone but in co-operation with our national and international partners. We believe that strong partnerships offer the best guarantee for broad participation, effectiveness and our joint success.

Legitimate aspirations of today – concrete realities of tomorrow

We commend Montenegro’s achievements, its commitment to further democratic progress, and its role as a recognized factor for stability in the region. Working closely with the Montenegrin authorities and citizens, the OSCE will further develop its role as a partner that is responsive to the country’s evolving strategic priorities. We stand ready to support Montenegro as it continues to progress along the path of reform, where the legitimate aspirations of today can become the concrete realities of tomorrow. 

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DUSHANBE, 8 June 2016 – A one-year learning course on Border Security and Management for Senior Leadership (BSMSL) was launched with an introductory meeting that took place in Dushanbe from 6-8 June.

The course was designed and developed by the OSCE Border Management Staff College and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), and aims to enhance the knowledge, competencies and leadership potential of mid- to senior-level professionals working in the area of border security and management.

Twenty-four participants from Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Ukraine will participate in the course, providing a comprehensive insight into the contemporary security environment, leadership and management competencies as well as mechanisms to prevent and combat existing and emerging security threats and challenges.

The course programme is divided in three modules that involve participants in fact-finding, analyzing, decision-making, and management activities. Its format provides an opportunity to draw from various international best practices and expertise, putting emphasis on co-operation between operational and academic approaches and encouraging peer-learning.

Each module is presented through a variety of training and learning methods, including e-learning, face-to-face study, follow-on discussions and follow-up activities, group exercises, and study visits.

“Borders exist to unite people and not to divide them. This course is one of the college’s long-term initiatives aiming to promote and implement the concept of open but secure borders. With the knowledge obtained here participants will not only be able to enhance their professional skills but also be capable to develop and provide analysis and recommendations to improve capacities and the situation at borders,” said Ambassador Marcel Pesko, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, while addressing the BSMSL participants.

Andrus Oovel, Head of the DCAF Border Security Programme added: “This course is a combination of social, political and security science, covering a wide range of academic disciplines on global governance and security, humanities, law, criminal justice and studies which include leadership and management for strategic and operational planning in managing migration, border security, and trade facilitation.”

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 22 June 2016 – An OSCE-supported train-the-trainer regional course on document security for some 20 border guards from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The three-day event is organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA).

Experts from Latvia and Slovakia will share best practices in international document security, including the identification of falsified travel documents, document control, the use of paper and polymer substrates in document security, conventional printing techniques, photo protection, secondary verification, and profiling techniques to identify potential criminals during the border crossing check-up procedure. The participants will also have an opportunity to work with genuine and falsified travel documents from different countries in order to utilize the new methods learned in the course.

“In order to protect a country’s borders, it is crucial to know what verification methods are used in all travel documents and the common features of forged documents,” said Colin McCullough, Political Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. “This is best done through consistent familiarization on relevant technology and regular exchange of information and experience with other relevant authorities,”

Gunta Laganovska, a trainer at the seminar and Chief of the Expert Service, Central Department of the State Border Service for the Republic of Latvia, said: “International co-operation between border services is a crucial part of a system to prevent illegal migration. The exchange of information and experience in identifying forged documents enables the growth of the professionalism of all participants in this seminar. The train-the-trainers approach allows for the possibility to transfer new skills to a large number of border guards where they work.”

The seminar is part of the Office’s long-standing efforts to promote the OSCE border security concept and counter transnational crime in the host country.