“In the information age, women face the challenge of developing and systematizing their own knowledge, but also of ensuring that it is employed in their benefit.” - WomenAction 2000
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What is Ideaccess? Mandate Where we work About Us Objectives Ideaccess E-Library Order a Print Resource Ideaccess Translators The Resource Selection Committee Libraries and Publishers Links Contact Us To Read is to empower To Empower is to write To Write is to influence To Influence is to change To Change is to Live Jane Evershed (South African artist) Feminist Poet, Artist, Activist www.evershed.com	Two Afghan girls check out books on display at a local book fair Kabul, 2005   Mandate IDEACCESS is about making ideas accessible to people through access to information For civil society to counter extremism, insecurity and conflict, societies must have the tools to build a culture of peace. For human beings to be active agents in building free, equitable, secure societies, they must have access to ideas and innovations, as well as to the conditions whereby they can develop their own ideas, questions and criticisms to change the world in which they live. This is the premise from which Ideaccess aims to make valuable social justice-centred resources available to citizens, activists, women’s rights defenders and organized groups by providing professional translations of needed resources into local languages in the Middle East and Central Asia. Ideaccess also actively distributes such resources and facilitates the establishment of Community-Based Libraries (CBLs) where such resources can be accessed easily at the community level. A well-developed programme tying together translation, printing, distribution and accessibility makes Ideaccess a unique network linking activists, students and social movements across communities and borders in the Middle East and Central Asia. Together, the CBLs form a web bridging together those using the materials Ideaccess makes available to them and providing a space for the exchange of ideas, advice and support for each others’ social justice efforts.   Where we work About Us Ideaccess has four main functions: Translations Distribution of print and electronic resources Establishment and operation of Community-Based Libraries (CBLs) Facilitating a network of activists in the Middle East and Central Asia Ideaccess translates and distributes social justice related books and texts on the following topics: Human Rights Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Civil Society activism Political Development, participation and citizenship Peacebuilding and conflict Law and justice Human security and development Curricula, training manuals, educational tools and pedagogy Skills development in key areas such as fundraising, capacity-building, administration of human rights organizations, communications, etc. Social sciences Ideaccess is a joint project of the Syria-based Etana Press and the Canada-based Right & Democracy (the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development). Etana Press: www.thara-sy.com Etana Press (EP) is a Damascus-based publishing house with a specific interest in publishing materials and organizing activities focused on increasing civic awareness in Syrian society, particularly among youth. In order to accomplish this, EP seeks to harness and utilize the power of both traditional and electronic media. Etana Press also caters to the needs of visiting journalists and academics, providing assistance in arranging reservations, interviews, access and permits for equipment, and providing interpreters and guides. Our clients include the BBC, The Times of London, Washington Post, New York Times, Chicago Tribune and DeutscheWelle. More important, however, is EP’s dedication to combining theory and practice, social activism and civil awareness, a fact that is reflected in its continued commitment to involvement in various social activities around the country. Indeed, over the last two years, EP has been involved in organizing a number of exhibitions, activities and a seminar on 'WOMEN and SOCIETY' aimed at highlighting various social problems (the handicapped, violence against women, child poverty, etc.), and proposing appropriate solutions. Etana Press seeks to demonstrate through its example that any agency, company, or institution, be it public or private, can work to help develop society and address its vital problems, and that social activism is not only the prerogative of officially declared NGOs, or exclusively a concern of the government. Rights & Democracy: www.dd-rd.ca Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development) is a Canadian institution with an international mandate. It is an independent organization, which promotes, advocates and defends the democratic and human rights set out in the International Bill of Human Rights. In cooperation with civil society and governments in Canada and abroad, Rights & Democracy initiates and supports programmes to strengthen laws and democratic institutions, principally in developing countries. Objectives For human beings to realize their full potential and to contribute to building more free, more secure societies, they must have access to the means to do so. Similarly, for women to impact this process and contribute to defining the meaning of their political, social, cultural and religious environments, obtaining access to the necessary resources becomes a primary need. Ideaccess therefore aims to meet the following objectives: The growth of a vibrant civil society in the Middle East and Central Asia, where women are equal agents in this process Promoting books and learning among all citizens, especially girls and young women Engaging communities in the struggle for human rights, gender equality, education, and political awareness and participation within all strata of society Encouraging critical thinking, questioning of the status quo, and innovations and ideas among all citizens wishing to partake in civil society Raising awareness of universal human rights standards among the general population of Middle Eastern and Central Asian societies Providing support and solidarity to social justice activists working amidst challenging contexts Providing a forum for the exchange of information between societies facing similar political constraints to the realization of universal human rights and gender equality Brochures Ideaccess English Brochure Ideaccess Farsi Brochure Ideaccess French Brochure Ideaccess Russian Brochure Ideaccess Arabic Brochure