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."