Looking back at the work histories of international humanitarian affairs, the organisation have initiated programmes that give opportunities to volunteers to experience life in the third world country, where poverty is abundant. To perform relief efforts that can alleviate poverty have then became the major aim and vision of the organisation. Poverty forms a huge part of the global community. It exists everywhere even Brunei. For now, the poverty line in Brunei is somewhat invisible. However, if one could take time to see Brunei from different angles, problems due to poverty do exist.
With His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei call for programmes that can alleviate poverty, hopefully the citizens of this country will be aware that poverty is a major problem that needs to be alleviated not neglected.
Disclaimer: The following article is taken from Brudirect.
Sultan's Call To End Poverty.
Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday stressed on the need of programmes aimed at alleviating poverty in order to help OIC members tackle the challenges.
His Majesty said this in a titah during close door deliberations at the 11t'' OIC summit in Dakar, Senegal.
The people of Brunei has been fully encouraged by the vision of the programmes in the 10-year OIC Action Plan towards a united ummah which is among the many complex challenges faced by Muslims in the 21" Century, said His Majesty, RTB reported.
This said His Majesty is a meaningful gift given by OIC towards the confidence of Muslims all over the world.
OIC is committed to do whatever it can towards strengthening this confidence in any practical way.
His Majesty in the titah also appreciated the United Nation's target Millennium Development Goals.
The efforts prove an important step for OIC and that member countries facing difficulties to achieve the aims of the UN Millennium Development Plans which must receive special consideration and at the same time the OIC continue working closely with the United Nations.
His Majesty also welcomed the initiative of the United Nation Secretary General to convene a high level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals at the end of this year. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Sultan's call to end poverty.
US Issues Report On Brunei Human Rights
Disclaimer: taken from brudirect.com
US Issues Report On Brunei Human Rights
By Narissa Noor & Azaraimy HH
Bandar Seri Begawan - The 31st edition of the US Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2007 gave a relatively positive overview of the human rights issues in the Sultanate.
The latest report highlighted the country's strong commitment to family values within the society, the high standard of living, government funding for children's welfare and providing children a healthy and nurturing environment.
Medical care for citizens is widely available, and education is free and compulsory.
It stated that Brunei had no record of its government or its agents committing arbitrary or unlawful killings, including politically-motivated disappearances or prisoner mistreatment, adding that prison conditions met international standards.
On corruption, the police force and the Internal Security Department (ISD) were found to be free of corruption practices.
The Human Rights Report reported on the release of five persons detained in 2004 under the ISA for involvement in a counterfeiting ring. Three other men were also released after serving one year in prison and fined $3,200 (B$5,000) under the Sedition Act for distributing via mobile telephone a satirical video clip depicting immediate members of the royal family.
With regard to fair public trials, it stated the courts appeared to act independently, and there were no known instances of government interference with the judiciary. Released annually by the US State Department, the 2007 report stated that there are no reports of political prisoners or detainees in the Sultanate.
The Borneo Bulletin, the report said, practised self-censorship in its choice of topics to avoid angering the government. However, letters to the editor often included comments critical of government handling of certain social, economic, and environmental issues.
The government, meanwhile, is said to respond to public opinion on topics concerning social or environmental problems and the delay of public services. Furthermore, foreign newspapers were routinely available, although the government must approve their distribution while Internet versions of foreign media were also routinely available.
On Internet freedom, the report highlighted that more than 19,000 households have Internet access and over 176,000 people (nearly half of the population) were Internet users.
With regard to freedom of religion, the report stated that the country's various religious groups coexisted peacefully. It also noted that the government allowed public lion dances to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.
The latest edition of the Country Reports includes more than 190 countries worldwide and is said to help foster discussion, promote advocacy, measure a country's progress and the improvements that can be made.
The US State Department submits the annual report to the US Congress to comply with the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trade Act of 1974.
Further in the report, it touched on political participation in which during the year the government held nationwide assemblies of the Mukim and Village Consultative Councils to address social issues at the grassroots level.
According to it, at the end of the year, the Brunei National Development Party (NDP) remained the only registered political party in Brunei.
In March the Brunei People's Awareness Party (PAKAR) lost its registration due to internal leadership disputes. In November the Brunei National Solidarity Party (PPKB), the oldest political party, was deregistered due to its failure to furnish annual reports to the Registrar of Societies.
NDP, as had the other parties prior to deregistration, pledged to support the monarch and the government.
On transparency in the country, the report affirmed that during the year the Legislative Council approved, and the government published, a summary of the fiscal year government budget.
On the treatment of women in the country, it stated that in 2007 there were 111 reported cases of domestic violence against women, resulting in 10 convictions and 101 ongoing investigations.
Education, meanwhile, is free, said the report. It added that education is compulsory, and universal for the first 12 years, after which it is still free but no longer compulsory.
The report said that in January, Brunei became a member of the International Labour Organisation.
Brunei's law prohibits forced or compulsory labour, said the report, and this included child labour. There were no reports of violations of child labour laws.
There is however some isolated reports of non-payment of wages and little or no time-off for some foreign domestic workers, the report said. During the year, the Labour Department recorded 26 complaints by domestic helpers and 108 complaints by corporate/garment workers against employers who failed to pay salaries.
Sixteen of the complaints by domestic workers and 60 of the complaints by corporate/garment workers were resolved, largely by employer compensation payments. Eighteen complainants withdrew their complaints, while the remaining cases were still under investigation. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
We Bruneians are blessed but let us not narrow our vision just to our country and forget the pains of the other citizens of the world.
8th March Meeting Report
On this 23rd of March 2008, the Brunei Humanitarian Affairs committees and volunteers will journey to Bangar, Temburong to commence the following programs.
a) Helping the affected schools in Temburong
- Volunteers will help remove furniture and valuables from Sekolah Bokok (as the school will be demolished soon).
- Building a landscape at Sultan Rendah Sultan Hassan and if possible, Sekolah Rendah Puni and Sekolah Persediaan Arab.
Our main aim is to bring cheer to the children, especially to those who have been badly affected by the flood and also, those who have been separated from their old friends.
To do this, we are planning on:
- holding interactive games with the children (probably providing winners with gifts if possible)
- help redecorate their classrooms, especially kindergarten classrooms, the library or if there are any reading rooms (by paintings etc)
- donating books for their library
- help in landscaping and as well setting up a 'pondok' for them to sit and play in
Volunteers will be divided fairly between Sekolah Rendah Sultan Hassan and Sekolah Rendah Puni as former Bokok students are separated into these two schools. While Sekolah Rendah Bokok will be done as a whole.
b) Following activities will proceed if our budget permits. This include
- Rebuilding Projek Kampong Belais - pondok memancing (fishing area). This spot of attraction is quite a loss for the villagers as it was hit for tourists visiting Temburong and even the locals living nearby. Our job therefore is to help reconstruct, remodel and repaint the area. Yet, for this we require a big sum of money to buy the materials such as plank woods, painting materials, roofs etc
- educate and give ideas to the locals on how to start a business especially for the victims who have faced financial loss
- helping victims who are still in need
We might have to stay either for 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights, depending on the amount of work that we have to do. Committees will have to contribute $20 while public volunteers $10. These fund will go to our voluntary aid expenses.
Registration for public volunteers is still welcome by the 23rd. For further info and inquiries please contact us.
*There will be subject to change
Our Background
"This conference (Asia-Pacific Humanitarian Affairs Conference 10-15 December 2007) have opened my eyes, my heart and my mind to be involved in humanitarian projects and giving aid to the poor."
Those were the words of Ak Hj Ahmad Fadillah bin Pg Hj Sellahuddin, a local student who took the initiative to set up the first Humanitarian Affairs Support Group in Brunei Darussalam. First established on the 24th of January 2008, this group, supervised by International Humanitarian Affairs, aims to empower the local youths by encouraging them to be involved in voluntary activities and youth programmes particularly those that seek to alleviate poverty and eradicate child exploitation.
The group’s vision is not only to provide an opportunity for youths to engage in humanitarian services but also to strengthen their awareness on the diverse cultures around. In addition, we hope to develop a lifelong commitment to helping others by participating in relief efforts to benefit impoverished communities throughout the world.
There are currently six active members temporarily holding the committee positions and all meet up regularly for weekly meetings that are usually held on Thursday nights or Friday afternoons.
- Chief – Ak Hj Ahamd Fadillah bin Pg Hj Sallehuddin
- Vice Chief – Nurul Adibah bte Hamdani
- Secretary – Nur Atiqah bte Raduan
- Secretary 2 – Hjh Hanisah Azah bte Hj Abu Bakar
- Treasurer – Dk Nurahlina bte Pg Hj Alli
- Treasurer 2 – Nurhadina bte Hj Husli
