I need answers to this very important question!
What is good leadership? What does this mean in your part of the world?
What do you consider to be good leadership for building capacity in your
communities locally? What does good leadership mean at the global level in
dealing with the many challenges such as HIV/AIDS and poverty reduction?

For instance, Jane talks about good leadership regarding poverty
reduction: "Good leadership is also a prerequisite. A good leader who has
a heart for the people would work to better the lives of its citizens and
thus look for ways to improve the standard of living of the people."

I am researching what good leadership means to different people around the
world and I would like to hear from others on this forum.

Zimbabwe HIV infection rate drops
There has been a drop in the level of HIV/Aids infections in Zimbabwe,
one
of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to record such a decline.
The UN-commissioned survey says that over two years, the percentage of
those
infected between the ages of 15 and 49 fell by almost 5% to 20.1%.
The decline is attributed to changing sexual behaviour and condom use.
But some 3,000 Zimbabweans still die each week of Aids-related
illnesses,
the
state-run Herald newspaper reports.

"Girls are now delaying when it comes to starting sexual activity and
almost
everyone in the country has an understanding of what HIV is all about,"
Health Minister David Parirenyatwa is quoted by the paper as saying.
However, as a large number of people already have the virus, a drop in
infection rates will take a whole decade to translate into lower
mortality
rates.
Zimbabwe is one of the countries hardest hit by the HIV pandemic -
compounded
by a sharp fall in living standards and an economy that has collapsed.
UNAids defends the reliability of the new statistics as it says they
are
based on a variety of studies by different organisations that have all
reached
similar conclusions.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/4327696.stm

I was preparing to write on TakingITGlobal. But timwe is out.

CONFERENCE ON RACISM AND ABUSE


World Youth Empowerment Organization (W.Y.E.O) is
pleased to announce it's conference aimed at
eradicating the menace of abuse and racism, unfair
subjection of youths to risk of drug addiction,child
molestation and other negative impacts. We are
empowering women and youths in ways that will have
profound impact on our communities around the world.
We are the brighter future of tomorrow.

World Youth Empowerment Organization through it's
global network,youth development/empowerment,capacity
building, representation and advocacy,invites you to
it's international Conference tagged.
STOP RACISM AND ABUSE ON YOUTHS


This Conference is a segmental event which will take
place in United States of America (U.S.A) and
Netherlands (EUROPE) conference sections will include
an array of educational debate that will give
opportunities to participants to share their views and
diversify experiences with other participants from
around the globe.

Segment A.
From:22nd November 2005 ---- 25th November 2005
Venue: Dodd Hall 405 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles,
California CA 90045
U.S.A.

Segment B. From: 29th November 2005 ----2nd December
2005
Venue: Amsterdam Exhibition & Congress Centre
Europaplein 1078 GZ
Amsterdam
Netherlands.

Who Will Participate:-
Non-profit organizations,Youth associations and their
representatives, Women Organizations, decision makers
in the public sector,representatives of governmental
and non-governmental organizations (NGO'S),religion
organizations, social workers,coperate bodies that
share the same ideaology relating to
empowerment,racism,rape,abuse and individuals seeking
to enhance international support networks can also
apply.

Our Organization will provide an all round flight
ticket for U.S.A and Nethelands conference for every
participant, accomodation and feeding for all
participants in U.S.A shall also be provided.

Participants will only take care of their accomodation
and feeding expenses in Amsterdam Netherlands.

How To Register:- The easiest way to register is by
contacting our secretary through email:
secretary@worldyouthempowerment.org
Participants MUST be a group of 5-10 persons to
qualify for registration. Registrations will be
confirmed via a message to your designated e-mail
address after processing your profile. contact the
secretary for more
information.

Taree Robinson
(Pour la Publicité)


La CONFÉRENCE SUR LE RACISME ET
d'ABUSE
World l'organisation d'habilitation de la jeunesse
(W.Y.E.O) est heureuse de l'annoncer conférence visant
supprimer la menace de l'abus et du racisme, la
soumission injuste des jeunesses au risque de penchant
de drogue, la molestation d'enfant et d'autres impacts
négatifs. Nous autorisons des femmes et des jeunesses
des manières qui auront l'impact profond sur nos
communautés autour du monde.
Nous sommes le futur plus lumineux du demain.


L'organisation d'habilitation de la jeunesse du monde
par elle est réseau global, la jeunesse
development/empowerment, bâtiment de capacité,
représentation et la recommandation, vous invite à
elle est conférence internationale étiquetée.
ARRÊTEZ LE RACISME ET LE MALTRAITEZ SUR DES JEUNESSES

Cette conférence est un événement segmentaire qui
aura lieu aux Etats-Unis d'Amérique (Etats-Unis) et
les sections de conférence de Pays Bas (l'EUROPE)
incluront un choix de discussion éducative qui donnera
à des occasions aux participants à la part leurs avis
et diversifiera des expériences avec d'autres
participants de autour du globe.

Segment A. From:22nd Novembre 2005 Rendez-vous du 25
Novembre
2005 :
Avenue Los Angeles,
La Californie Ca 90045
Etats-Unis de Dodd Hall 405 Hilgard.

Segment B.
De : 29ème Rendez-vous de Novembre 2005 ----2nd
Décembre 2005 : Exposition d'Amsterdam et Centre de
Congrès
Europaplein 1078
Pays Bas de GZ
Amsterdam.
Netherlands.

Qui Participera : - Organisations à but non lucratif,
associations de la jeunesse et leurs représentants,
organismes de femmes, décideurs dans le secteur
public, représentants des organisations nonnes
gouvernemental gouvernementales et (NGO'S), organismes
de religion, ouvriers sociaux, les corps de coperate
qui partagent le même ideaology concernant
l'habilitation, le racisme, le viol, l'abus et les
individus cherchant à augmenter les réseaux
internationaux de soutien peut également s'appliquer.

Notre organisation fournira un tout le billet rond de
vol pour les Etats-Unis et la conférence de Nethelands
pour chaque participant, logement et alimentation pour
tous les participants aux Etats-Unis sera également
fournie.

Les participants prendront seulement soin de leur
commodité et dépenses d'alimentation dans des Pays Bas
d'Amsterdam Netherlands.

Comment S'enregistrer : -
La manière la plus facile de s'enregistrer est en
contactant notre secrétaire par l'email :
secretary@worldyouthempowerment.org Les participants
DOIVENT être un groupe de 5-10 personnes à qualifier
pour l'enregistrement.
Des enregistrements seront confirmés par
l'intermédiaire d'un message à votre adresse indiquée
de E-mail après traitement de votre contact de profil
le secrétaire pour plus d'information.

Taree Robinson
(Pour la Publicité)

CONFERENCE ON RACISM AND ABUSE


World Youth Empowerment Organization (W.Y.E.O) is
pleased to announce it's conference aimed at
eradicating the menace of abuse and racism, unfair
subjection of youths to risk of drug addiction,child
molestation and other negative impacts. We are
empowering women and youths in ways that will have
profound impact on our communities around the world.
We are the brighter future of tomorrow.

World Youth Empowerment Organization through it's
global network,youth development/empowerment,capacity
building, representation and advocacy,invites you to
it's international Conference tagged.
STOP RACISM AND ABUSE ON YOUTHS


This Conference is a segmental event which will take
place in United States of America (U.S.A) and
Netherlands (EUROPE) conference sections will include
an array of educational debate that will give
opportunities to participants to share their views and
diversify experiences with other participants from
around the globe.

Segment A.
From:22nd November 2005 ---- 25th November 2005
Venue: Dodd Hall 405 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles,
California CA 90045
U.S.A.

Segment B. From: 29th November 2005 ----2nd December
2005
Venue: Amsterdam Exhibition & Congress Centre
Europaplein 1078 GZ
Amsterdam
Netherlands.

Who Will Participate:-
Non-profit organizations,Youth associations and their
representatives, Women Organizations, decision makers
in the public sector,representatives of governmental
and non-governmental organizations (NGO'S),religion
organizations, social workers,coperate bodies that
share the same ideaology relating to
empowerment,racism,rape,abuse and individuals seeking
to enhance international support networks can also
apply.

Our Organization will provide an all round flight
ticket for U.S.A and Nethelands conference for every
participant, accomodation and feeding for all
participants in U.S.A shall also be provided.

Participants will only take care of their accomodation
and feeding expenses in Amsterdam Netherlands.

How To Register:- The easiest way to register is by
contacting our secretary through email:
secretary@worldyouthempowerment.org
Participants MUST be a group of 5-10 persons to
qualify for registration. Registrations will be
confirmed via a message to your designated e-mail
address after processing your profile. contact the
secretary for more
information.

Taree Robinson
(Pour la Publicité)


La CONFÉRENCE SUR LE RACISME ET
d'ABUSE
World l'organisation d'habilitation de la jeunesse
(W.Y.E.O) est heureuse de l'annoncer conférence visant
supprimer la menace de l'abus et du racisme, la
soumission injuste des jeunesses au risque de penchant
de drogue, la molestation d'enfant et d'autres impacts
négatifs. Nous autorisons des femmes et des jeunesses
des manières qui auront l'impact profond sur nos
communautés autour du monde.
Nous sommes le futur plus lumineux du demain.


L'organisation d'habilitation de la jeunesse du monde
par elle est réseau global, la jeunesse
development/empowerment, bâtiment de capacité,
représentation et la recommandation, vous invite à
elle est conférence internationale étiquetée.
ARRÊTEZ LE RACISME ET LE MALTRAITEZ SUR DES JEUNESSES

Cette conférence est un événement segmentaire qui
aura lieu aux Etats-Unis d'Amérique (Etats-Unis) et
les sections de conférence de Pays Bas (l'EUROPE)
incluront un choix de discussion éducative qui donnera
à des occasions aux participants à la part leurs avis
et diversifiera des expériences avec d'autres
participants de autour du globe.

Segment A. From:22nd Novembre 2005 Rendez-vous du 25
Novembre
2005 :
Avenue Los Angeles,
La Californie Ca 90045
Etats-Unis de Dodd Hall 405 Hilgard.

Segment B.
De : 29ème Rendez-vous de Novembre 2005 ----2nd
Décembre 2005 : Exposition d'Amsterdam et Centre de
Congrès
Europaplein 1078
Pays Bas de GZ
Amsterdam.
Netherlands.

Qui Participera : - Organisations à but non lucratif,
associations de la jeunesse et leurs représentants,
organismes de femmes, décideurs dans le secteur
public, représentants des organisations nonnes
gouvernemental gouvernementales et (NGO'S), organismes
de religion, ouvriers sociaux, les corps de coperate
qui partagent le même ideaology concernant
l'habilitation, le racisme, le viol, l'abus et les
individus cherchant à augmenter les réseaux
internationaux de soutien peut également s'appliquer.

Notre organisation fournira un tout le billet rond de
vol pour les Etats-Unis et la conférence de Nethelands
pour chaque participant, logement et alimentation pour
tous les participants aux Etats-Unis sera également
fournie.

Les participants prendront seulement soin de leur
commodité et dépenses d'alimentation dans des Pays Bas
d'Amsterdam Netherlands.

Comment S'enregistrer : -
La manière la plus facile de s'enregistrer est en
contactant notre secrétaire par l'email :
secretary@worldyouthempowerment.org Les participants
DOIVENT être un groupe de 5-10 personnes à qualifier
pour l'enregistrement.
Des enregistrements seront confirmés par
l'intermédiaire d'un message à votre adresse indiquée
de E-mail après traitement de votre contact de profil
le secrétaire pour plus d'information.

Taree Robinson
(Pour la Publicité)

Three Colleges will benefit from a computer and Internet project agreement signed on 30 September between the Federal Government and Microsoft.

The schools are Federal Government Girls College, Owerri, Federal Government Girls College Bakori and Federal Government Academy, Suleija.

The project is being executed under the auspices of the e-learning scheme of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

Education Minister, Mrs Grace Obaji, who signed for Nigeria described it as ‘revolutionary’.

She also restated government’s intention to cooperate with Microsoft in the implementation of NEPAD’s e-schools laboratory project and challenged the company to prevent youths from gaining access to corrupting sites.

Microsoft’s Vice President for Africa, Mr Ali Faramawy said the deal was an indication of his company’s determination to partner with the Nigerian government to promote Information technology under NEPAD.

Vice President Atiku Abubakar on 22 February stated that African leaders have established an electronic-based Africa Commission (e-Africa Commission) to promote the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) initiatives of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

He disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the three-day Afrinet 2005 Summit in Abuja, which has as its theme, “Sustaining the Growth of ICT Access in Africa.”

Abubakar reiterated the role of ICT, especially the Internet, in advancing crucial areas like “health, education and research, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and software development, and governance,” and maintained that “it is, therefore, necessary to identify how we can fully utilise ICTs in our peculiar situation.”

He went on to explain that the Commission will:

• Provide a submarine fibre optic cable to link East African countries
• Provide broadband fibre optic links from landlocked countries to submarine cable landing stations to connect all 54 African countries, and with the rest of the world
• Provide an overlay satellite network to connect outlying areas where NEPAD projects require telecommunications links
• Develop a rationalised system of terrestrial fibre optic cables that provide an economical, yet robust, network
• Establish an e-learning project in association with African Virtual University, which would result in the transformation of all primary and secondary schools in Africa into e-schools by 2015.

An e-school initiative, Abubakar noted, would produce generations of Africans that are well attuned to the demands of the global information society.

He commended African leaders for recognising the importance of a good information and communication infrastructure, without which Africa would be marginalised in the global socioeconomic arena.

Abuja, Africa’s freshest capital city, has added another landmark, President Olusegun Obasanjo on 1 October performed the foundation stone laying ceremony of a National Cultural Centre located in the Central Business District of the City.

President Obasanjo described the complex as an architectural masterpiece and world-class monument to excellence.

The Cultural centre is a multi-functional facility housing a library, museum, auditorium, mediatheque, botanical garden, aquarium, fitness centre, hotel, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and office accommodation.

It is being funded through public-private sector partnership and is expected to be completed slightly over two years.

President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday 2 April 2004 proclaimed the National Mosque and the Christian Ecumenical Centre, both in Abuja, as national monuments.

On a visit to the mosque, the president said that both centers of worship belong to all Nigerians and must therefore be well maintained.

He, however, said that government’s involvement in their maintenance must be “cautious, balanced and sustainable.”

He suggested the establishment of trust funds to ensure regular maintenance and promised to personally lead the fund raising programme for the repairs and maintenance of the mosque and the completion of the Ecumenical Centre.

He urged the followers of both religions and foreign friends to respond positively.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido thanked the President for his visit, which “demonstrates the spirit of religious tolerance, cooperation and peaceful coexistence in the country.”

He also thanked the President for proclaiming the National Mosque and Ecumenical Centre National Monuments.

Also on hand to welcome the President at the mosque were the Emirs of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari, Emir Of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo, House Speaker Aminu Masari, Chief Justice Muhammadu Uwais and several first class emirs.

As Nigeria marks the 45th anniversary of her independence from colonial rule, President Obasanjo has sent out a message of compassion and optimism, reassuring on his administration’s resolve to forge a new nation that celebrates excellence.

In a nationwide broadcast to mark the occasion, President Obasanjo expressed gratitude to God and full appreciation of the resilience, patriotism, and commitment of the Nigerian people while noting that over the years, the country has passed through lots of contradictions, challenges, conflicts, and temptations.

He observed that in spite of betrayed trust, mortgaged opportunities, dashed hopes and compromised steady steps to progress, the nation have emerged from all these tribulations stronger, more united, more focused, and more committed to repositioning our country for peace, stability, security, growth, sustainable development and democracy.

The President expressed condolence to the families of those who tragically died in the process and to their respective organizations, the Vanguard Newspapers and the Civil Liberties Organisation noting that, democracy admits of dissent, protest, marches, rallies and demonstrations and commended the Labour, Civil Society organisations and law enforcement agents over the conduct of the recent marches noting that it is a welcome development and it is an indication that our democracy is maturing.

He stated that he is running a "listening and caring government" while acknowledging that the reform process has precipitated pains in some constituencies he however urged Nigerians to think positive and be long-term in their thinking adding that the reforms are meant to strengthen the foundations of our economy and society, create jobs, wealth, enhance productivity, efficient management of resources and socio-economic progress. They are not designed to punish any individual or group.

Other highlights of the broadcast include:

Government’s determination to continue its policy of zero tolerance for all vices in a bid towards laying a solid moral foundation for the nation.

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is being re-engineered and repositioned to provide all necessary support with a focus on diversification, new technology, new production techniques, intensive export drive, and increased presence in foreign markets for our homemade products.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulation Agency (PPPRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other stakeholders have been directed to work out a Modular Mechanism that will maintain current prices at the pumps till the end of 2006.

Discussions are on with organised Labour on ways to help cushion the pains of Nigerians.

Nigeria's image is on the rise, which has made her a preferred investor destination.

The President emphasised that government is committed to bequeathing to Nigerians, a nation where no one is oppressed and where opportunities abound for our people to reach the highest points of their creative and productive abilities.