The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs withdrew organizational support for TFF for the year 2000, without prior consultation, motivation or documentation but with immediate effect. (Background)
We will apply again for the year 2001 and beyond. Swedish NGOs must apply to the Ministry for annual organizational grants by September 15. The Ministry usually decides who to support in November or early December.
Therefore, please sign this NOW so we can include YOUR signature together with all the support letters we already have received with our application. That is likely to exert maximum pressure on the Ministry.
Restore Support to TFF“I am familiar with one or more aspects of TFF’s work, either its PressInfos, its website, TFF WIRE, its member’s training and lecturing efforts or its work on the ground in ex-Yugoslavia, in the Caucasus or in Burundi. Preventive diplomacy, conflict-resolution, peacebuilding and reconciliation which are central in the foundation’s program have moved to the top of humankind’s agenda. Research, education and debate is vital for learning to handle conflicts well. It is my impression that TFF is an organization seriously devoted to make its contribution toward solving some of these problems.I believe it is important that truly independent organizations and experts exist; to do good work they must be secured some continuity. TFF has existed since 1985 and I have not observed that is has lost momentum or quality. The Swedish government’s organizational support to some 15 non-governmental organizations is unique; many would like to see other democratic countries set up similar support programs provided, of course, that no strings are attached. In this perspective I think it was unfortunate that the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs this year withdrew its support for TFF which has received it since 1991. I understand that such support which covers rent, paper, electricity, communication, copying, office equipment etc. is the nucleus which enable the foundation to invest all its energies in projects and field activities. TFF PressInfos have mentioned that the annual organizational grant amounts to a bit more than US$ 30.000. In the larger scheme of things this is a small sum. It is difficult to understand that the Swedish government could not find such a sum for someone like TFF. TFF also states that it is operating as a networking organization with no permanent salaried staff. Such idealism is rare today. It is worth supporting also because it means that the funds benefit concrete activities, not careers or bureaucracy. I sign this appeal with the understanding that I don’t have to agree with everything TFF does, publishes or stands for. I support it merely because TFF, as I know it, is needed as one among many independent voices. It merits continued support. I therefore strongly urge the Swedish government to restore the annual organizational grant to TFF from the year 2001, at least at the level it was.“ |
