RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES A PLAN OF ACTION TO PUT
THE ORGANIZATION BACK ON TRACK

MONTREAL, Oct. 28 /CNW Telbec/ - Meeting in Beloeil, Québec, on October 25 and 26, members of the Board of Directors of Rights & Democracy supported the multi-stage action plan proposed by the President in order to resolve the internal problems that led to last winter's crisis, and also to put the organization back on track. The Council also approved seven intervention projects that will enable Rights & Democracy to expand its field work in various parts of the world, such as Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Malawi, Nepal, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco and Jordan. The Board of Directors meeting was preceded by two days of deliberations in which members of the Board and the new management team considered all possible scenarios and strategies for implementing decisions designed to establish a new balance in the institution's dual mission of promoting democratic development and human rights

"The action plan developed over the past six months is the concrete result of a process of analyzing studies commissioned by the Board on various aspects of management of the programs implemented by the organization during the last fiscal year. While the reports prepared by the external consultants who conducted these studies have greatly increased our overhead, albeit distributed over two fiscal years, there is no doubt that these studies were needed to address certain longstanding governance problems. The launch of seven new approved projects, in conjunction with the implementation of remedial measures contained in the action plan which was endorsed by the Board, will enable us to turn the page on the recent past and look to the future with optimism. The Board's decisions send a signal of confidence to all those working within the organization, and offer an assurance of future success," noted Rights & Democracy President Gérard Latulippe.

The action plan, which has several components, will be implemented gradually over the coming months. In this context, management intends to give priority to human resources management by mobilizing the staff around Rights & Democracy's concrete achievements, valuing experience gained in the field, and setting clear goals in terms of results for each of its programs. Strict rules will be laid out in the areas of financial resources and project management in order to maximize the impact and results of our field programs. In addition, Rights & Democracy will endeavour to diversify its sources of funding, while maintaining the most complete independence in its strategic choices and the accomplishment of its mission.

"Rights & Democracy is at a turning point in its history. The events of recent months have enabled us to learn from the past. We must now turn to the future in a world that is more than ever in need of democratic benchmarks. The Board of Directors and the new management team have equipped themselves to re-orient the organization in all facets of its functioning, restore a calm working atmosphere that is conducive to accomplishing our mission, and implement measures to gauge the effectiveness of our initiatives and weigh their results. I will ensure that members of the management team, in consultation with the Board of Directors and in collaboration with all staff members who will be consulted throughout the process, energetically embrace the task of restoring to Rights & Democracy the reputation it has earned for itself in Canada and worldwide over the past 22 years," Mr. Latulippe concluded.

ABOUT RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY

Rights & Democracy is a non-partisan, independent Canadian institution created by an Act of Parliament in 1988 to promote democratic development and to advocate for and defend 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 programs to strengthen democratic institutions and human rights, primarily in developing countries.

For further information:

Source:	Rights and Democracy
Information:	Stéphane Bourgon Senior Director, Communications, Government Affairs and Strategic Planning Office : [phone] Mobile : [phone]