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People In Need (Czech Republic)
Encyclopedia
People in Need is a Czech
nonprofit, non-governmental organization that implements humanitarian relief and long term development projects in crisis regions all over the world, while working to defend human rights and democratic freedom.
In the Czech Republic
and Slovakia
PIN runs social integration programs and is providing informative and educational activities. Certain significance is to promote democratic freedom and principles of human solidarity. Since its foundation in 1992 PIN has had a presence in almost 50 countries, and in 2010 alone, it has been active in 22 states. Currently PIN is one of the largest NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe.
People in Need is a member of Alliance 2015, Czech Forum for Development Cooperation (FoRS), EU Monitoring Centre (EUMC), Eurostep, CONCORD
and VOICE. The organization has access to limited continual funding. The vast majority of revenue comes from individual projects. Among its donors are the Czech government
, the Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission
, EuropeAid
, the United States Agency for International Development
, UN agencies, and people of the Czech Republic.
, a student activist during the Velvet Revolution
, and by Jaromír Štětina
, a war correspondent from conflict areas of former Soviet Union. The organization began its work as Nadace Lidových novin (The Lidové noviny
Foundation, in English Popular Newspapers) and changed its name two years later to Nadace Člověk v tísni při České televizi (The People in Need Foundation under the auspices of Czech Television
). In 1999 the organisation was given its current name, People in Need. Since 2009 Šimon Pánek is the director of PIN.
In order to deliver relief aid and development assistance, PIN cooperates on creating a tolerant, open society and mobilizes support of the public. Activities of PIN are most apparent during big humanitarian crisis like during
the floods in the Czech Republic in 2002
, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
(Czech people and companies were donating more than 130 million CZK) or the 2007 Greek forest fires
.
In Africa and Asia PIN implements development projects providing basic human needs and education. In several countries like Cuba, Belarus, Ukraine or Moldova opposition movements or individuals who advocate democratic and liberal rights are supported by PIN. In the Czech Republic the organisation concentrates on several issues like the assistance of local Roma (Gypsies) living on the edge of the society, the organization of cultural activities (most prominent is the One World Film Festival
), the distribution of information projects and the involvement in political activism.
In 2007 PIN established major projects in Afghanistan
(irrigation, local schools), Sri Lanka
(since the 2004 earthquake
), Pakistan
(reconstruction after the 2005 earthquake
in Pakistani part of Kashmir
), Angola
and Ethiopia
(construction of schools), Namibia
(help for people suffering HIV/AIDS), Romania
and Serbia
(endorse groups of ethnic Czechs settled there for generations) and several other countries.
In 2008 two missions were implemented by PIN in Burma (relief and recovery operations after cyclone Nargis) and the DR Congo (support for victims of rape and sexual violence). One year later in 2009 the organization was involved in providing assistance after the devastating floods in the Czech Republic.
Major sources of revenue are the Czech government and Czech municipalities, followed by donations of companies. Individual donations peaked in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
. PIN cooperates with ECHO, EuropeAid, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP
, IOM
and is registered in USAID as an international private voluntary organization.
, Asia
and Africa
. In 2010 it provided development aid in 19 countries worldwide. Regarding developing projects, the predominant aim of PIN is to ensure basic living needs like access to water, employment, education and health. Moreover, PIN maintains the creation of social programs as well as the development of local enterprises and backs the emergence of civil societies with democratic governance. All of these projects are implemented in a number of African countries (e.g. the DR of Congo, Ethiopia
and Angola
), in Asia
(e.g. in Afghanistan
and Cambodia
) and in Europe (e.g. Romania
). In early 2010, with a fund of more than 2 million Euros donated by the Czech companies and the general public, a humanitarian mission was set up in earthquake-affected Haiti
.
With its eleventh year in Afghanistan, PIN faces its biggest foreign mission while encompassing both a number of integrated projects and programs.
During its local work, 82 schools were either newly built or refurbished. Furthermore, conditions for 50.000 male and female students and teachers were improved, and agricultural secondary schools in 17 provinces were supported.
The Czech Republic
itself was affected by several recurring floods. When the floods hit the country in 1997, 2002, 2006, 2009 and 2010, PIN sustained victims with required material and financial assistance donated by private persons, companies and institutions.
When the floods hit the Czech Republic, financial assistance was given to 1178 households in 62 villages. In addition, 1150 kits for disinfection, 3650 tools, 2,900 items of protective clothing and 2000 packages of insect repellent have been conveyed.
In summer 2006 the organization established a separate social integration department (in Czech: Programů sociální integrace, PSI). Aim of this department is to provide a comprehensive range of services for socially excluded individuals and families. Additionally, it is arranging advice to local councils (in towns and municipalities where most socially excluded populations are located).
Currently, 170 people are employed on the Social Integration Programs, including 130 social workers, counselors and educators on location in more than 60 cities and municipalities across the Czech Republic.
In 2004 PIN began to work in Roma (gypsy) settlements in the Slovak Republic. The organization seeks solutions to problems arising from extreme poverty, low level of education, unemployment and the apparently impenetrable barrier between Roma culture and mainstream society.
In Slovakia, assistance and counseling are provided in towns like Kezmarok, Roškovce, Spišský Hrhov, Krompachy, Hermanovce, Lipan, Zborov and Vranov nad Topľou, central Bratislava.
Social exclusion is closely linked to the problems of debt and the debt trap, which is associated with illegal loan-sharks and so-called quick loans offered by non-banking companies and even legitimate banking establishments. Hence, People in Need began negotiations with the Czech Banking Association in 2010, and reached an agreement regarding the elimination of unfair terms for credit agreements at all Czech banks.
and Ukraine. Burma continues to be a country of concern. In 1997, PIN was able to contact the politician and democratic activist Aung San Suu Kyi
, who consented to illustrate the problems of her country in the Czech Republic.
PIN’s primary focus is to support political prisoners (and their families), human rights defenders, and independent journalists. Therefore the organization encourages civil society initiatives. Families of political prisoners, from harshly repressive regimes such as Burma and Cuba, are provided with financial and humanitarian assistance as well as moral endorsement. A substantial part of the financial aid is provided from the "Friends of People in Need Fond".
The organization actively forwards its views on development in areas affected by war or human rights violation.
People in Need is also organizing the biggest human rights film festival in Europe, held in the Czech Republic, called One World
(Czech: Jeden Svět), which received honorable reference for its work on education of human rights by UNESCO in 2007. During the festival People in Need further presents the Homo Homini Award
to a person who conduced a significant contribution towards the protection of human rights and non-violent promotion of democracy.
People in Need focuses on appropriate information to the Czech public, the government and the media. Long and short-term campaigns are implemented in sort of film screenings, discursive evenings, creative competitions and trips for journalists who address specific issues such as development cooperation (Rozvojovka, Stop child labor).
Campaigns include public actions or projects involving the gathering of information and materials on the migration and foreigners living in the Czech Republic (Migration).
The organization publishes what is called the ‘Predator Index’, a ranking of companies that provide unguaranteed loans, with inappropriate terms and conditions for the debtor. The index is compiled on the basis of clarity of contract and conditions, the presence of default interest in excess of statutory regulations, the cost of a delayed payment in the form of penalties, the cost of the loan in the case of timely payment and the proper use of the arbitration clause.
and Ingushetia
. In 2005, the Russian Weekly Argumenty i Fakty
assigned the organization the support of Chechen separatists and terrorists PIN denied any involvement. In the same year Russia expelled the organization to work in the region. Two years later, in 2007, People in Need was allowed to come back and keep working in Chechnya and Ingushetia.
During a meeting of the ECOSOC
in 2006, the Cuban ambassador accused PIN of being financed by the US conspiring against the government of Cuba and keeping in contact with Cuban emigrants who have a so-called terrorist past. After the vote, PIN was not recommended for consultative status with the ECOSOC.
PIN was moreover criticized by some Czech journalists for expressing too much political concern: after the Kosovo war
, it supported Kosovar Albanians, but not the local Serbs. Similarly, after the South Ossetia war in 2008, relief from PIN was delivered only to Georgian civilians.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
nonprofit, non-governmental organization that implements humanitarian relief and long term development projects in crisis regions all over the world, while working to defend human rights and democratic freedom.
In the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
and Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
PIN runs social integration programs and is providing informative and educational activities. Certain significance is to promote democratic freedom and principles of human solidarity. Since its foundation in 1992 PIN has had a presence in almost 50 countries, and in 2010 alone, it has been active in 22 states. Currently PIN is one of the largest NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe.
People in Need is a member of Alliance 2015, Czech Forum for Development Cooperation (FoRS), EU Monitoring Centre (EUMC), Eurostep, CONCORD
CONCORD
CONCORD is the European NGO confederation for Relief and Development. It was founded in 2003 and is the main NGO interlocutor with the EU institutions on development policy...
and VOICE. The organization has access to limited continual funding. The vast majority of revenue comes from individual projects. Among its donors are the Czech government
Politics of the Czech Republic
Politically, the Czech Republic is a multi-party parliamentary representative democratic republic. According to the Constitution of the Czech Republic, the President is the head of state while the Prime Minister is the head of government, exercising supreme executive power...
, the Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission
ECHO (European Commission)
The Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission , formerly known as the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office, is the European Commission's department for overseas humanitarian aid...
, EuropeAid
EuropeAid Development and Cooperation
The Development and Cooperation - EuropeAid Directorate General is one of the departments of the European Commission. EuropeAid operates under the authority of the European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs.- Background :...
, the United States Agency for International Development
United States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
, UN agencies, and people of the Czech Republic.
History
The organization was founded in 1992 by Šimon PánekŠimon Pánek
Šimon Pánek is a former Czech student activist during the Velvet Revolution in 1989 and today the executive director of the humanitarian organization People in Need , which he co-founded in 1992...
, a student activist during the Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
, and by Jaromír Štětina
Jaromír Štetina
Jaromír Štětina is Czech journalist, writer and politician. He is most known as war correspondent from conflict areas of former Soviet Union.Štětina studied University of Economics, Prague...
, a war correspondent from conflict areas of former Soviet Union. The organization began its work as Nadace Lidových novin (The Lidové noviny
Lidové noviny
Lidové noviny is a daily newspaper published in the Czech Republic. It is the oldest Czech daily. Its profile is nowadays a national news daily covering political, economic, cultural and scientific affairs, mostly with a centre-right, conservative view...
Foundation, in English Popular Newspapers) and changed its name two years later to Nadace Člověk v tísni při České televizi (The People in Need Foundation under the auspices of Czech Television
Czech television
Czech television may refer to:*Television in the Czech Republic*Česká televize...
). In 1999 the organisation was given its current name, People in Need. Since 2009 Šimon Pánek is the director of PIN.
In order to deliver relief aid and development assistance, PIN cooperates on creating a tolerant, open society and mobilizes support of the public. Activities of PIN are most apparent during big humanitarian crisis like during
the floods in the Czech Republic in 2002
2002 European floods
In August 2002 a 100-year flood caused by over a week of continuous heavy rains ravaged Europe, killing dozens, dispossessing thousands, and causing damage of billions of euros in the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Croatia....
, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
(Czech people and companies were donating more than 130 million CZK) or the 2007 Greek forest fires
2007 Greek forest fires
The 2007 Greek forest fires were a series of massive forest fires that broke out in several areas across Greece throughout the summer of 2007. The most destructive and lethal infernos broke out on August 23, expanded rapidly and raged out of control until August 27, until they were put out in early...
.
In Africa and Asia PIN implements development projects providing basic human needs and education. In several countries like Cuba, Belarus, Ukraine or Moldova opposition movements or individuals who advocate democratic and liberal rights are supported by PIN. In the Czech Republic the organisation concentrates on several issues like the assistance of local Roma (Gypsies) living on the edge of the society, the organization of cultural activities (most prominent is the One World Film Festival
One World Film Festival
One World is the biggest human rights film festival in the world, held annually in Prague and other cities of the Czech Republic. Established in 1999 by the Czech NGO People in Need, the presents over 100 documentary films during nine days in Spring from around the world...
), the distribution of information projects and the involvement in political activism.
In 2007 PIN established major projects in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
(irrigation, local schools), Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
(since the 2004 earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
), Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
(reconstruction after the 2005 earthquake
2005 Kashmir earthquake
The 2005 Kashmir earthquake was a major earthquake centered in Pakistan-administered Kashmir known as Azad Kashmir, near the city of Muzaffarabad, affecting Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It occurred at 08:52:37 Pakistan Standard Time on 8 October 2005...
in Pakistani part of Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
), Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
and Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
(construction of schools), Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
(help for people suffering HIV/AIDS), Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
and Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
(endorse groups of ethnic Czechs settled there for generations) and several other countries.
In 2008 two missions were implemented by PIN in Burma (relief and recovery operations after cyclone Nargis) and the DR Congo (support for victims of rape and sexual violence). One year later in 2009 the organization was involved in providing assistance after the devastating floods in the Czech Republic.
Major sources of revenue are the Czech government and Czech municipalities, followed by donations of companies. Individual donations peaked in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
. PIN cooperates with ECHO, EuropeAid, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP
World Food Programme
The World Food Programme is the food aid branch of the United Nations, and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger worldwide. WFP provides food, on average, to 90 million people per year, 58 million of whom are children...
, IOM
International Organization for Migration
The International Organization for Migration is an intergovernmental organization. It was initially established in 1951 as the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration to help resettle people displaced by World War II....
and is registered in USAID as an international private voluntary organization.
Structure of PIN
The work of People in Need focuses on four areas:- Relief and Development: provide assistance to victims of natural disasters and wars, plus work to decrease global poverty and support universal education.
- Social Integration Process: help prevent poverty and social exclusion in the Czech Republic.
- Informative and Educational Programs: extend Czech public knowledge of poverty, development cooperation, migration, human rights, reduction of natural prejudices, etc.
- Human Rights: advocate for dissidents, opposition activists and development of the civil society in countries controlled by authoritarian regimes.
Humanitarian and Development Aid
People in Need provides assistance to victims of humanitarian crises in more than 40 countries in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. In 2010 it provided development aid in 19 countries worldwide. Regarding developing projects, the predominant aim of PIN is to ensure basic living needs like access to water, employment, education and health. Moreover, PIN maintains the creation of social programs as well as the development of local enterprises and backs the emergence of civil societies with democratic governance. All of these projects are implemented in a number of African countries (e.g. the DR of Congo, Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
and Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
), in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
(e.g. in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
) and in Europe (e.g. Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
). In early 2010, with a fund of more than 2 million Euros donated by the Czech companies and the general public, a humanitarian mission was set up in earthquake-affected Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
.
With its eleventh year in Afghanistan, PIN faces its biggest foreign mission while encompassing both a number of integrated projects and programs.
During its local work, 82 schools were either newly built or refurbished. Furthermore, conditions for 50.000 male and female students and teachers were improved, and agricultural secondary schools in 17 provinces were supported.
The Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
itself was affected by several recurring floods. When the floods hit the country in 1997, 2002, 2006, 2009 and 2010, PIN sustained victims with required material and financial assistance donated by private persons, companies and institutions.
When the floods hit the Czech Republic, financial assistance was given to 1178 households in 62 villages. In addition, 1150 kits for disinfection, 3650 tools, 2,900 items of protective clothing and 2000 packages of insect repellent have been conveyed.
Social Integration Programs
Since 1999 PIN is regularly working to reduce poverty and social exclusion in the Czech Republic. It especially helps in poorer areas by providing social outreach projects, namely housing advice, advisory service for debtors, and limiting unemployment. In the following years, PIN has expanded its range of occupational and legal counseling as well as social service assistance, and is thus supplying children from poorer families by encouraging them to meaningful leisure time activities.In summer 2006 the organization established a separate social integration department (in Czech: Programů sociální integrace, PSI). Aim of this department is to provide a comprehensive range of services for socially excluded individuals and families. Additionally, it is arranging advice to local councils (in towns and municipalities where most socially excluded populations are located).
Currently, 170 people are employed on the Social Integration Programs, including 130 social workers, counselors and educators on location in more than 60 cities and municipalities across the Czech Republic.
In 2004 PIN began to work in Roma (gypsy) settlements in the Slovak Republic. The organization seeks solutions to problems arising from extreme poverty, low level of education, unemployment and the apparently impenetrable barrier between Roma culture and mainstream society.
In Slovakia, assistance and counseling are provided in towns like Kezmarok, Roškovce, Spišský Hrhov, Krompachy, Hermanovce, Lipan, Zborov and Vranov nad Topľou, central Bratislava.
Social exclusion is closely linked to the problems of debt and the debt trap, which is associated with illegal loan-sharks and so-called quick loans offered by non-banking companies and even legitimate banking establishments. Hence, People in Need began negotiations with the Czech Banking Association in 2010, and reached an agreement regarding the elimination of unfair terms for credit agreements at all Czech banks.
Promotion of Human Rights
Major part of the work of PIN is to advocate dissidents, opposition activists and the development of a civil society in countries controlled by authoritarian regimes. In regard to its experience with communist regimes, PIN implements its programs in Cuba, Belarus, Moldova, RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Ukraine. Burma continues to be a country of concern. In 1997, PIN was able to contact the politician and democratic activist Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi, AC is a Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, her National League for Democracy party won 59% of the national votes and 81% of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained...
, who consented to illustrate the problems of her country in the Czech Republic.
PIN’s primary focus is to support political prisoners (and their families), human rights defenders, and independent journalists. Therefore the organization encourages civil society initiatives. Families of political prisoners, from harshly repressive regimes such as Burma and Cuba, are provided with financial and humanitarian assistance as well as moral endorsement. A substantial part of the financial aid is provided from the "Friends of People in Need Fond".
The organization actively forwards its views on development in areas affected by war or human rights violation.
People in Need is also organizing the biggest human rights film festival in Europe, held in the Czech Republic, called One World
One World Film Festival
One World is the biggest human rights film festival in the world, held annually in Prague and other cities of the Czech Republic. Established in 1999 by the Czech NGO People in Need, the presents over 100 documentary films during nine days in Spring from around the world...
(Czech: Jeden Svět), which received honorable reference for its work on education of human rights by UNESCO in 2007. During the festival People in Need further presents the Homo Homini Award
Homo Homini Award
The Homo Homini Award is given annually by the Czech human rights organization People in Need to "an individual in recognition of a dedication to the promotion of human rights, democracy and non-violent solutions to political conflicts"...
to a person who conduced a significant contribution towards the protection of human rights and non-violent promotion of democracy.
Winners of the Homo Homini Award
Past winners of the award include the following:- 1994: Sergei KovalevSergei KovalevSergei Kovalev is a Russian human rights activist and politician and a former Soviet dissident and political prisoner.- Early career and arrest :...
- 1997: Szeto WahSzeto WahSzeto Wah was a politician of the pan-democracy camp of Hong Kong. He was formerly the chairman of The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China and a member of the Legislative Council from 1985 to 1997 and 1998 to 2004.Although the Hong Kong government prior to as...
- 1998: Ibrahim RugovaIbrahim RugovaIbrahim Rugova was an Albanian politician who was the first President of Kosovo and of its leading political party, the Democratic League of Kosovo ....
- 1999: Oswaldo Payá SardiñasOswaldo PayáOswaldo Payá Sardiñas is a political activist in Cuba and is considered that country's most prominent political dissident. He received the Sakharov Prize in 2002...
- 2000: Min Ko NaingMin Ko NaingPaw Oo Tun is the President of Universities Student Union of Burma and a leading democracy activist and dissident. He has spent the majority of the last 22 years imprisoned by the state for his opposition activities.-Biography:...
- 2001: Zackie AchmatZackie AchmatZackie Achmat is a South African activist, most widely known as founder and chairman of the Treatment Action Campaign and for his work on the behalf of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa.-Early life:...
- 2002: Thích Huyền Quang, Thích Quảng Độ and Nguyen Van Ly
- 2003: Nataša KandićNataša KandicNataša Kandić is a Serbian human rights activist and the founder and executive director of Humanitarian Law Center , an organisation campaigning for human rights and reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia.- Work :After finishing her studies in Sociology, Nataša Kandić became...
- 2004: Gheorghe BriceagGheorghe BriceagGheorghe Briceag was a Moldovan human rights activist notable for his opposition to Soviet rule. In the 1940s, Briceag was given a ten-year sentence in the gulag for distributing anti-communist flyers; he was forced to work in coal mines for the length of his sentence. His prisoner number was "P169"...
- 2005: Ales Bialatski and the Belarussian organisation Viasna
- 2006: Svetlana GannushkinaSvetlana GannushkinaSvetlana Gannushkina is human rights activist in Russia, who was reported to have been a contender for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. According to Amnesty International, she is a member of the Council for the Development of Civil Society Institutions and Human Rights under the President of Russia...
- 2007: Su Su NwaySu Su NwaySu Su Nway , is a democracy activist, political prisoner, and member of the National League for Democracy . In 2005, she became the first Burmese national to successfully sue local government officials under a 1999 law forced labour....
, Phyu Phyu ThinPhyu Phyu ThinPhyu Phyu Thin is a Burmese HIV/AIDS activist and supporter of the National League for Democracy. On May 21, 2007, Phyu Phyu Thin was arrested by police in Yangon for organizing a prayer rally to call for the release of detained National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi...
, and Nilar TheinNilar TheinNilar Thein is a Burmese democracy activist and political prisoner currently held at Thayet prison in Burma's Magway Region. Amnesty International considers her a prisoner of conscience.-8888 uprising and subsequent arrests:Nilar Thein is from Yangon, Burma... - 2008: Liu XiaoboLiu XiaoboLiu Xiaobo is a Chinese literary critic, writer, professor, and human rights activist who called for political reforms and the end of communist single-party rule in China...
- 2009: Majid TavakoliMajid TavakoliMajid Tavakoli is a prominent student leader and political prisoner in Iran. He is a member of the Islamic Students' Association at Tehran's Amirkabir University of Technology, where he studied shipbuilding...
and Abdollah MomeniAbdollah MomeniAbdollah Momeni is an Iranian student leader and pro-democracy activist. He became involved in the movement in the July 1999 protests, when large numbers of students across the country protested the abolition of pro-reform newspaper Salam... - 2010: Azimzhan AskarovAzimzhan AskarovAzimzhan Askarov is an ethnically Uzbek Kyrgyzstani political activist who founded the group Vozduh in 2002 to investigate police brutality...
Education and Outreach
Educational programs are focused on students and teachers of Czech primary and secondary schools, universities and other professional groups (such as employees at employment centers or the police). However, educational programs are implemented through presentation of documentary films accompanied by conversations (e.g. One World at schools), an information service about intercultural education and global development (variations program) for teachers, as well as the promotion of ties between institutions and NGOs working in the field of social exclusion (Social Integration Programs).People in Need focuses on appropriate information to the Czech public, the government and the media. Long and short-term campaigns are implemented in sort of film screenings, discursive evenings, creative competitions and trips for journalists who address specific issues such as development cooperation (Rozvojovka, Stop child labor).
Campaigns include public actions or projects involving the gathering of information and materials on the migration and foreigners living in the Czech Republic (Migration).
The organization publishes what is called the ‘Predator Index’, a ranking of companies that provide unguaranteed loans, with inappropriate terms and conditions for the debtor. The index is compiled on the basis of clarity of contract and conditions, the presence of default interest in excess of statutory regulations, the cost of a delayed payment in the form of penalties, the cost of the loan in the case of timely payment and the proper use of the arbitration clause.
Criticism
Since the end of the 1990s, People in Need maintained several projects in ChechnyaChechnya
The Chechen Republic , commonly referred to as Chechnya , also spelled Chechnia or Chechenia, sometimes referred to as Ichkeria , is a federal subject of Russia . It is located in the southeastern part of Europe in the Northern Caucasus mountains. The capital of the republic is the city of Grozny...
and Ingushetia
Ingushetia
The Republic of Ingushetia is a federal subject of Russia , located in the North Caucasus region with its capital at Magas. In terms of area, the republic is the smallest of Russia's federal subjects except for the two federal cities, Moscow and Saint Petersburg...
. In 2005, the Russian Weekly Argumenty i Fakty
Argumenty i fakty
Argumenty i Fakty is a weekly newspaper based in Moscow and a publishing house in Russia and worldwide. As of 2008, it is owned by Promsvyazbank and the newspaper is edited by Nikolay Zyatkov.- History :...
assigned the organization the support of Chechen separatists and terrorists PIN denied any involvement. In the same year Russia expelled the organization to work in the region. Two years later, in 2007, People in Need was allowed to come back and keep working in Chechnya and Ingushetia.
During a meeting of the ECOSOC
United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
in 2006, the Cuban ambassador accused PIN of being financed by the US conspiring against the government of Cuba and keeping in contact with Cuban emigrants who have a so-called terrorist past. After the vote, PIN was not recommended for consultative status with the ECOSOC.
PIN was moreover criticized by some Czech journalists for expressing too much political concern: after the Kosovo war
1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia
The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia was NATO's military operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. The strikes lasted from March 24, 1999 to June 10, 1999...
, it supported Kosovar Albanians, but not the local Serbs. Similarly, after the South Ossetia war in 2008, relief from PIN was delivered only to Georgian civilians.