Software engineering and civil engineering have little in common. But should software engineers be more like their civil counterparts? A panel of software development experts explores the issues.

A conversation that started at OOW16 grew into a community group focused on exploring and mastering how modern software architecture - including micro services and APIs - can serve the evolving needs of today's enterprises. Group members discuss the issues and technologies in this podcast.

Maurice Naftalin discusses his Raspberry Pi-powered virtual doorman and what scares him about IoT devices; Sean Phillips explains how JavaFx will help astronauts navigate the far reaches of the solar system.

Mark Heckler, Pratik Patel, Sean Phillips, Heather VanCura, and Johan Vos discuss how they got from their earliest coding experiments to stellar IT careers; Stephanie Xu shares a college student's perspective.

The first Oracle Developer Podcast for 2018 brings together a panel of experts whose specialties cover a broad spectrum, including cloud computing, big data, security, open source, agile, domain driven design, Pattern-Oriented Software Architecture, Internet of Things, and more. The thread that connects these five people is that they are part of the small army of experts that will be presenting at the 2018 Jfokus Developers Conference. February 5-7, 2018 in Stockholm.

In this freewheeling discussion the panelists talk about the trends and technologies that have captured their interest, the work that consumes most of their time, and the issues that concern them as IT professionals. Then, to wrap things up, you'll get a quick preview of their respective sessions at Jfokus.

• Jesse Anderson: Data Engineer, Creative Engineer and Managing Director of Big Data Institute.
• Benjamin Cabé: IoT Program Manager and an Evangelist with the  Eclipse Foundation.
• Kevlin Henney: Consultant, programmer, speaker, trainer, writer and owner of Curbralan.
• Siren Hofvander: Chief Security Officer with Min Doktor, a digital healthcare provider in Sweden.
• Dan Bergh Johnsson: Agile aficionado, Domain Driven Design enthusiast, and code quality craftsman with Omegapoint.

Click here for the complete program show notes, including additional content from the panelists.

There is little in our lives that does not rely on software. That has been the reality for quite some time, and it will be even more true as self-driving cars and similar technologies become an even greater part of our lives. But as our reliance on software grows, so does the potential for disaster as software becomes increasingly complex.

In September 2017 The Atlantic magazine featured “The Coming Software Apocalypse,” an article by James Somers, that offers a fascinating and sobering look at how rampant code complexity has caused massive failures in critical software systems, like the 2014 incident that left the entire state of Washington without 911 emergency call-in services until the problem was traced to software running on a server in Colorado.

One of the people interviewed in that Atlantic article was Chris Newcombe, an expert in dealing with software complexity. Chris, an architect on the Oracle Bare Metal infrastructure as a service team,  is one of the panelists for the discussion you are about to hear. Chris is joined by Java Champion and microservices expert Chris Richardson, Java Champion Adam Bein, and Oracle ACE Director and Developer Champion Lucas Jellema. The conversation focuses on what developers can do to combat complexity.

Andy Bell, Sander Rensen, Phil Wilkins, and Luis Weir are the authors of Implementing Oracle API Platform Cloud Service, now available from Packt Publishing, and as you'll hear in this podcast, they bring considerable insight and expertise to this discussion of what's happening in API management. The conversation goes beyond the current state of API management to delve into architectural implications, API design, and how working in SOA may have left you with some bad habits.

View the complete show notes.

Community Managers Javed Mohammed and Bob Rhubart co-host this DevOps State of Play.

What is the current state of play in DevOps? What forces are having the greatest impact on the evolution and adoption of DevOps? Is NoOps a valid prospect for the future? Those questions notwithstanding, one thing is certain: while everybody is talking about DevOps, getting from talk to action is proving to be a substantial hurdle for many organizations. This panel of experts has plenty to say about how to clear that hurdle.

View the complete show notes.

In August of 2018 we did a program entitled Developer Evolution: What’s Rocking Roles in IT. That program focused primarily on the forces that are reshaping the role of the software developer. In this program we shift the focus to the DBA -- the Database Administrator -- and the evolve-or-perish choices that face those in that role. Bringing their insight to the discussion is an international panel of experts who represent years of DBA experience, and some of the forces that are transforming that role.

View the complete show notes.

Can software save the world? In this program you’ll meet a group of people who believe the answer is a resounding yes, key members of a group of software developers and IT professionals behind For All a Beautiful Earth, a non-profit organization also known by the acronym FABE. The developers at FABE have produced a mobile app that allows you to set goals and manage activities for reducing your personal impact on the environment. Click play to learn more about FABE and its mission from key members of the team.

In a 5-month period beginning in late 2018, two Boeing 737 Max aircraft crashed in similar circumstances, killing 343 people. Investigators determined that in each case the crash was caused by problems with flight control software unique to that aircraft model. All 737 Max aircraft were subsequently grounded, where they remain, and the story remains in the news. This podcast, a rebroadcast of a show published on March 21, 2018, looks at the increasing complexity in software, and at what can be done to reduce that complexity and increase safety.

Community Managers Bob Rhubart and Javed Mohammed share the best of 25 years of Java.

May 23, 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the first appearance of the Java programming language, as designed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems. Despite the emergence of a number of competing languages over the years, Java, under Oracle’s stewardship since 2010, remains one of the most widely used languages in software development. It runs on 3 billion devices worldwide, and is used by more than 12 million developers.

In recognition of this milestone in Java’s evolution, we sought the insight of people who regularly work with Java. We wanted their perspectives on the significance of this anniversary, and on the intersection of Java and their lives, professional and otherwise. As you'll hear, for these people, Java is so much more than a technology.

Groundbreaker Podcast associate producer Javed Mohammed [@JavedMohammed] first encountered Dr. Hulme in January 2020 at Oracle OpenWorld Middle East in Dubai, where Dr. Hulme, a featured speaker, delivered a session on “AI and the Future of Business” as part of the Transformational Technologies track. ”I was so impressed with his vision and his unconventional thinking,” Javed says. This program, which features Javed’s conversation with Dr. Hulme, grew out of their meeting in Dubai.

Jim Grisanzio from the Oracle Developer Relations Team talks with Simerjeet Singh in this extensive conversation about how to deal with the massive change we are all experiencing in 2020. Simerjeet is a noted motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and performance coach in India, and he was the keynote speaker at last year's Oracle Groundbreakers Sangam 19 Conference in Hyderabad, which is the annual event from the All India Oracle User Group (AIOUG).

In December 2019 Simerjeet was the keynote speaker at the All India Oracle Users Group's annual conference, Sangam, in Hyderabad, India (photos). He spoke about thriving in a "VUCA World" -- Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous). See our interview here on YouTube right after his keynote. Our conversation in this podcast episode (video here) is a recent follow up to that initial meeting at Sangam 19. We talk about some of the challenges 2020 has brought into our lives and how developers and administrators can adapt and thrive when situations are totally out of control.

Managing massive change and thriving in the chaos of 2020

• https://www.oracle.com/news/connect/managing-massive-change-and-thriving-in-the-chaos-of-2020.html 
• https://youtu.be/0Ttpfeucyak 

Simerjeet on the Web

• https://twitter.com/SimerjeetSingh 
• https://www.simerjeetsingh.com/ 
• https://www.youtube.com/user/CuttingEdgeINDIA 

OGYatra 2020

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPIzp-E1msraCFAAY7aEVdRrhgCleboiN 

OGYatra 2019

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwfImoydiSstJGaogJFnda9oe3Tvnmc8K 

Sangam 19

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwfImoydiSsuUB94zfUNDluAnvwIEe_qI 

All India Oracle Users Group

• https://www.aioug.org/ 

Interview with Simerjeet at Sangam 19 in Hyderabad in December 2019

• https://youtu.be/BnbBk8O9C5w 

Jim Grisanzio on Building Communities

• https://youtu.be/gz7nMtWaUB0 

Podcast Host: Jim Grisanzio, Oracle Developer Relations
https://twitter.com/jimgris
https://developer.oracle.com/team/ 

Jim Grisanzio talks with Jeff Smith about some interesting features that have been emerging in the Oracle Database recently, such as an integrated development environment in the console for rapidly building RESTful Web Services. And many other tools for developers, of course.

The two also talk about how much Jeff and his colleagues interact with the developer community, which is substantial. Jeff's been involved with database technology, developer communities, and enterprise customers for two decades now. He's has many fascinating stories to tell. 

• Jeff Smith, Distinguished Product Manager, Oracle Database

Podcast Host: Jim Grisanzio, Oracle Developer Relations
https://twitter.com/jimgris
https://developer.oracle.com/team/ 

Hackmakers: Part 2: Jim Grisanzio talks with Jason Lowe about his experiences participating at the Hackmakers World Innovation Day​ Hackathon in April 2021. Jason spoke about the people, skills, and software technologies that Oracle contributed to the event and some of history and upcoming hackathons as well. Developers and non-developers alike came together to work on projects to help support the people in need around the world -- and in the process they learned valuable new skills they can use in their careers. The experience was a continuum of learning for everyone.

Oracle and other organizations sponsored the event in collaboration with UNESCO and UNEP. The areas of focus for the projects included health, education, and work -- all based on the larger list of United Nations world development goals. 

Jason Lowe, Master Cloud Specialist Engineer, Oracle, @jlowe000

Podcast Host: Jim Grisanzio, Oracle Developer Relations
https://twitter.com/jimgris
https://developer.oracle.com/team/ 

Inspiring Builders: Part 2: Jim Grisanzio and Chris Bensen talk with Dale Dougherty from Make Magazine about the global phenomenon of Makers -- people who build with their bare hands and who give back to the community. This story is as old as it gets. We all have an inherent desire to build and collaborate and share, right?

Engaging Communities of Makers - People who Build with their Bare Hands (Video)

Dale Dougherty, Founder of Make Magazine
https://twitter.com/dalepd
https://twitter.com/make
https://twitter.com/makerfaire
https://makezine.com/
https://makerfaire.com/

Chris Bensen, Oracle Developer Relations
https://twitter.com/chrisbensen
YouTube: Chris Bensen: Inspiring Developers to Build Real Things
Building of Super Pi
Building the world’s largest Raspberry Pi cluster
The Seven Step Process to Creating an Amazing Demo
Starting a New Project — Pi Zero Custom Breadboard
Episode 1 - Custom Breadboard for Pi Zero

Podcast Host: Jim Grisanzio, Oracle Developer Relations
https://twitter.com/jimgris
https://developer.oracle.com/team/ 

Jim Grisanzio talks with Mia Urman, Oracle ACE Director and CEO of AuraPlayer, about her experiences at the recent ODTUG Kscope21 virtual conference and the upcoming OATUG's Ascend conference in Miami, Florida in August 2021. 

Mia Urman, Oracle ACE Director, CEO of AuraPlayer
https://twitter.com/miaurman

Video
YouTube | Twitter 

Here is an older conversation in December 2020 we had on YouTube: Oracle ACE Director Mia Urman on Moving Oracle Forms into the Next Generation | Sangam 20
https://youtu.be/YyOwLToptnM

Podcast Host: Jim Grisanzio, Oracle Developer Relations
https://twitter.com/jimgris
https://developer.oracle.com/team/ 

Here are some photos, stories, and lessons I've collected over the years building Open Source software development communities at Sun Microsystems, Oracle, and on my own. I like taking photos and I like talking to developers — it's how I learn. So in this comprehensive commentary I talk about pretty much everything I've learned during the previous 15 years or so doing community development. Everything I've learned I still use today.

You can follow along with the photos below or view the video. I gave an earlier version of this talk at the All India Oracle User Group's (AIOUG) virtual OG Yatra in 2020, and I've talked about bits and pieces of the content in many other presentations. That's why I wanted to bring it all together into a single narrative centered around some specific images and stories. Hope it hangs together. 

Podcast Host: Jim Grisanzio, Oracle Developer Relations

https://twitter.com/jimgris
https://developer.oracle.com/team/ 

Photos

https://jimgrisanzio.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/grisanzio-community-stories.pdf

Video

https://youtu.be/nzo0PYv4tUM

Article

https://jimgrisanzio.wordpress.com/building-communities/

All India Oracle User Group OGYatra 2020 Slides

https://jimgrisanzio.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/2020-grisanzio-ogyatra.pdf

All India Oracle User Group OGYatra 2020 Video

https://youtu.be/gz7nMtWaUB0

Oracle Developer Relations Social

https://twitter.com/jimgris

https://twitter.com/groundbreakers

https://twitter.com/oracleace

https://twitter.com/oracleugs

https://developer.oracle.com/

Red Bull Racing Honda and Oracle Team up on a Series of Machine Learning HOLs — First Lab for Beginners on Wednesday August 11 at 8 AM PST

Jim Grisanzio and Chris Bensen from Oracle Developer Relations preview the first in a series of unique hands-on labs. Starting on August 11 at 8 AM PST developers will have the opportunity to team up with Red Bull Racing Honda and Oracle in a hands-on lab that uses race data to teach machine learning. Video. 

Register for the lab here! Same link for on demand!

Podcast Host: Jim Grisanzio, Oracle Developer Relations
https://twitter.com/jimgris
https://developer.oracle.com/team/ 

Venkat Subramaniam previews his upcoming session at Oracle Developer Live Java Innovations — The Elegance of Pattern Matching in Modern Java. The conversation was recorded via Zoom on Tuesday February 15, 2022.

Venkat Subramaniam, Founder, Agile Developer

@venkat_s on Twitter https://twitter.com/venkat_s

Background on Pattern Marching

JEP 305: Pattern Matching for instanceof (Preview)
Pattern Matching with Gavin Bierman — Inside Java Podcast 17
Pattern Matching in Java 17 and Beyond

Java Development & Community

OpenJDK https://openjdk.java.net/
Inside Java https://inside.java/
Dev.Java https://dev.java/
@java Twitter https://twitter.com/java

Duke's Corner Podcast

Jim Grisanzio, Host, Java Developer Relations
@jimgris on Twitter https://twitter.com/jimgris

Java Champion Chandra Guntur previews his Birds-of-a-Feather session — Code Katas for Java — for the upcoming Oracle Developer Live Java Innovations conference on March 22nd and 24th. This conversation was recorded via Zoom on Thursday February 24, 2022.

Chandra Guntur, Distinguished Engineer, Technical Fellow, BNY Mellon 

• @cguntur on Twitter https://twitter.com/CGuntur

Java Development & Community

• OpenJDK https://openjdk.java.net/
• Inside Java https://inside.java/
• Dev.Java https://dev.java/
• @java Twitter https://twitter.com/java

Duke's Corner Podcast

• Jim Grisanzio, Host, Java Developer Relations
  @jimgris on Twitter https://twitter.com/jimgris

JavaOne 2022 Speaker Preview

In this conversation Oracle's Jim Grisanzio talks with Java developer and JavaOne 2022 speaker Mark Heckler from St. Louis. Missouri in the United States.

Mark is a software developer and developer advocate at Microsoft, a Java Champion, a conference speaker, and an author. Check out his book Spring Boot: Up and Running. In this conversation Mark previews his session at JavaOne — Das Boot: Diving into Debugging Spring Boot Applications. Mark also talks about the value of technical conferences and the community. 

JavaOne 2022 from October 17-20 in Las Vegas

• JavaOne 2022: Registration and Sessions
• JavaOne Update 1
• JavaOne Update 2

Mark Heckler, Principal Cloud Developer Advocate for Java/JVM Languages at Microsoft

• @mkheck

Java Development and Community

• OpenJDK
• Inside Java
• Dev.Java
• @java on Twitter
• Java on YouTube

Duke's Corner Podcast Host

• Jim Grisanzio, Oracle Java Developer Relations, @jimgris

Jim Grisanzio from Java Developer Relations talks with Francisco Isidro from the Federal University of ABC in Sao Paulo, Brazil about teach Java to computer science students. You can find Professor Isidro on Twitter @prof_isidro. You can find Jim @jimgris on Twitter.

Jim Grisanzio from Java Developer Relations talks with Sam Brannen, a Java engineer from Switzerland who loves math and puzzles and solving complex problems in code. He's passionate about his craft and he loves diving deep into the details. He works on the Spring Framework and JUnit 5. Get him on Twitter @sam_brannen and get Jim on Twitter @jimgris.

Jim Grisanzio from Java Developer Relations talks with Sharat Chander, Sr. Director, Java Product Management & Community Engagement, about the Java community. The conversation explores Shar's beautiful summary of his experiences with the Java community in 2023 that he published on Inside Java:

https://inside.java/2023/12/21/seasons-thanks/

Shar on Twitter: @Sharat_Chander
Jim on Twitter: @jimgris

Jim Grisanzio from Java Developer Relations talks with Bert Jan Schrijver from The Netherlands. Bert is a Java Champion, a leader of the Dutch Java User Group, and the CTO and co-founder of OpenValue that he started in 2017.

The conversation spans all of Bert's experiences as a software developer, including hacking and gaming as a six-year old, contributing to the computer lab fire in school, blowing out the family's phone bill with his first modem, getting an advanced CS education at university, engaging the Java community globally, and building his own software company. Bert also offers some interesting advice for how people can continue learning and growing and contributing to the community at Java events. He also details why Java is special and why developers embrace the technology: "Java is one of the only languages I know of that has been active and current for so long. And one of the keys is the marvel of engineering in the Java Virtual Machine." 

Bert: https://twitter.com/bjschrijver

Jim: https://twitter.com/jimgris 

The OSCE Mission to Moldova organized a summer school on 15-17 July 2016 for 25 lawyers from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River aimed at enhancing their ability to represent individuals who have been subject to discrimination. The summer school was held at Vadul-lui-Vodă, a town by the river.

Participants in the summer school studied various types and instances of discrimination, as well as the existing legal criteria for combating discriminatory actions and practices. In particular, the discussions focused on stereotypes and prejudices that can lead to the unequal treatment of people and looked at the latest trends in international case law addressing discrimination. Participants also had the opportunity to test their understanding of discrimination by taking part in mock scenarios involving gender, linguistic and ethnic bias and hate speech. 

“The problem of discrimination is very relevant in our current environment,” said Nicolae Radita of the Roma National Centre. “The summer school training has provided me with the tools to prevent and combat discrimination more effectively in my day-to-day work.”

Yan Feldman, Chairperson of Moldova’s Equality Council also participated in the summer school and updated participants on recent issues arising out of the Council’s work.

This event is part of a year-long OSCE project that aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences among lawyers from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River.

Related Stories

• Psychologists and professionals working with domestic violence victims trained at OSCE-supported events in Moldova on both banks
• Summer School to be held for lawyers from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River
• OSCE Mission to Moldova strengthens professional skills and civic engagement among young people from both banks

International standards and the national legal framework on freedom of religion or belief were the focus of two consecutive training events organized jointly by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) from 25 to 28 July 2016 in Bishkek.

The training for 25 prosecutors and 31 defence lawyers from all regions of Kyrgyzstan was provided in close co-operation with the Training Centre for Prosecutors under the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Training Centre for Lawyers. The course covered a wide variety of topics directly relevant to the work of the participants, including recent developments in Kyrgyzstan.

Drawing on the guidance of national and international experts, participants discussed the nature of the right to freedom of religion or belief, its interrelatedness with other human rights and fundamental freedoms, the nature, extent and impact of violations of freedom of religion or belief, and the duties of the state to respect, protect and fulfil this universal human right. Participants also took part in mock trials on cases involving interference with freedom of religion or belief, such as through the banning of religious clothing and discrimination against religious organizations. 

“In using topical case studies, the participants were able to apply the knowledge they had acquired in a practical ‘courtroom’ environment and improve their legal skills in analysing freedom of religion or belief cases and advancing cogent and structured arguments,” said Mark Hill, one of the participating international experts and a senior barrister from the United Kingdom.

Dilnoza Satarova, Associate Officer on Freedom of Religion or Belief at ODIHR, said: “ODIHR welcomes co-operation with the Training Centre for Prosecutors of Kyrgyzstan and the Training Centre for Lawyers in organizing this course. Such capacity-building activities are key to advancing freedom of religion or belief for all, and ODIHR stands ready to support similar initiatives in Kyrgyzstan in the future.”

The two events are part of a series of training events for lawyers, prosecutors and judges on a variety of human rights-related issues conducted as part of the OHCHR project “Peace and Reconciliation through strengthening the rule of law and protection of human rights”, which is funded by the Peacebuilding Fund. 

Related Stories

• OSCE/ODIHR final report on early parliamentary elections in Serbia recommends comprehensive review of legislation and ensuring the level playing field for contestants
• OSCE workshop in Kosovo focuses on improving the recording of hate crimes
• OSCE/ODIHR Director Link welcomes Kyrgyzstan’s review of Askarov’s case, calls on Kyrgyz authorities to implement UN Human Rights Committee decision

The OSCE Programme Office in Astana concluded a series of two-day training seminars for some 100 members of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) against Torture on 2 August 2016 in Aktobe, Western Kazakhstan.

From May to August 2016, participants were trained in Pavlodar, Almaty, Astana and Aktobe on practical aspects of the NPM’s implementation.

The training seminars aimed at increasing the transparency and effectiveness of the Mechanism in monitoring, reporting and conducting preventive visits at detention facilities. National experts discussed with the NPM members the working procedures and methodology, challenges in fulfilling human rights obligations and ethical aspects in line with national and international anti-torture standards. Special emphasis was placed on the necessary co-operation between NPM and the law-enforcement sector.

The set of seminars was organized in partnership with the Ombudsman’s Office of Kazakhstan and the Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and is part of the Office’s long-standing commitment to reinforce the NPM and promote the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture.

Related Stories

• OSCE promotes ‘green’ women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas of Kazakhstan
• OSCE supports water co-operation in southern Kazakhstan
• OSCE Programme Office concludes series of training seminars on National Preventive Mechanism Implementation in Kazakhstan

WARSAW / BUCHAREST, 2 August 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Ambassador Mihnea Constantinescu, Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), called today for greater efforts to protect endangered memorial sites related to the Roma and Sinti genocide during World War II.

Speaking on the occasion of the commemoration of the liquidation of the “Gypsy family camp” at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1944, when the close to 3,000 remaining Roma and Sinti in the camp were murdered, they stressed that states have to do more to demonstrate their sincere and strong commitment to education about and remembrance of the genocide.

“Positively, we have seen increasing attention in recent years on the part of OSCE participating States to commemorate the Roma and Sinti genocide, and to educate people about this horrible event. This practice and these experiences should be widely shared and replicated,” Director Link said. “Promoting understanding of the Holocaust and its effect on different communities can help to create empathy and promote equality and non-discrimination for all.”

“Accurate and ethical education about the Holocaust includes the respectful and dignified preservation of memorial sites,” said Ambassador Constantinescu. “States have to take resolute action to protect endangered memorial sites and continue to do more to commemorate the Roma and Sinti victims. The history of these endangered sites should be included as part of broader efforts to educate about the consequences of indifference to racism.”

They called on governments to ensure that endangered memorial sites for Roma and Sinti victims are preserved and protected, to include this history as an integral part of civic and human rights education in their countries. They stressed that current developments, including a disturbing rise in xenophobic public rhetoric and racism, mean it is even more essential to build strong alliances among different communities.

In 2003, with the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, the OSCE participating States committed themselves to strengthen education about the Roma and Sinti genocide. Through its Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, ODIHR promotes knowledge about and recognition of the plight of Roma and Sinti during the Holocaust to counter present-day discrimination and racism, and to promote tolerance. According to ODIHR’s recent publication Teaching about and Commemorating the Roma and Sinti Genocide: Practices within the OSCE Area, seven OSCE participating States officially commemorate the Roma and Sinti genocide on 2 August, while a larger number of states commemorate the Roma and Sinti victims on the International Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance is an inter-governmental organization and the foremost international network of political leaders and professionals advancing and shaping Holocaust education, remembrance and research. Its 31 member countries are committed to the tenets of the Stockholm Declaration. The IHRA Committee on the Genocide of the Roma aims to increase the commitment of IHRA Member Countries to educate, research and commemorate the genocide of the Roma.

Related Stories

• After violent attempted coup, Turkish authorities must strengthen, not weaken, rule of law and independence of judiciary, says ODIHR Director Link
• OSCE workshop in Kosovo focuses on improving the recording of hate crimes
• OSCE/ODIHR Director Link welcomes Kyrgyzstan’s review of Askarov’s case, calls on Kyrgyz authorities to implement UN Human Rights Committee decision

WARSAW, 6 August 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today criticized the call by the Prosecutor General of Tajikistan for the reintroduction of the death penalty, and expressed concern over recent discussions related to removing the bans on capital punishment in some other OSCE participating States.

“Countries in the OSCE have committed themselves to consider the complete abolition of capital punishment, not to reconsider that abolition,” the ODIHR Director said. “Yesterday’s call by the Prosecutor General in Tajikistan for the reintroduction of capital punishment in that country is completely out of place in a region where most of the countries recognize the inherently cruel, inhuman and degrading nature of a punishment that fails to act as a deterrent and makes any miscarriage of justice irreversible.”

Tajikistan’s Prosecutor-General, Yusuf Rahmon, told a press conference yesterday that perpetrators of premeditated murder, terrorists and traitors must be punished by death. His words followed similar statements by other leaders, among them President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and President Viktor Orban of Hungary, suggesting that the reinstitution of the death penalty should be opened for discussion.

Tajikistan suspended the application of the death penalty in 2004, while Turkey and Hungary completely abolished capital punishment, in 2004 and 1990, respectively.

“Rather than reversing its course, it is my hope that Tajikistan will take further steps toward the complete abolition of the death penalty,” he said. “It is also my hope that Turkey, remains with the vast majority of the OSCE participating States and will continue to  act as a strong advocate for the global abolition, as it has in recent years.”

Related Stories

• OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for parliamentary elections in Belarus
• ODIHR Director Link and IHRA Chair Constantinescu, on day to commemorate genocide against Roma and Sinti, say greater efforts needed to protect endangered memorial sites and ensure dignity of victims
• ODIHR trains prosecutors and lawyers in Kyrgyzstan on international standards regarding freedom of religion or belief

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the International Renaissance Foundation supported a training session for eight board members of the Association of Legal Clinics in Ukraine on strategic planning, which was held in Bucha, Ukraine, on 30-31 May 2016.

The participants conducted brainstorming sessions on formulating the mission statement, main areas of practice, institutional development of the organization as well as an strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of organizational capacity, and prepared a strategic plan for 2016-2018. They also learned about the best practices of organizational and institutional development from national and international experts.

Katarzyna Furman, board member of the European Network for Clinical Legal Education, and Filip Czernicki, board member of the Polish Legal Clinics Foundation, shared their experience of management standards and methods of improving efficiency.

The event was organized as part of the OSCE project aimed at supporting reform and development of legal education in Ukraine. The Project Co-ordinator also developed the first manual clinical legal education in Ukraine, which was an important component of quality and practice-oriented legal education.

Related Stories

• OSCE launches first distance human rights course in Ukraine for judges
• OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine trains social entrepreneurs on social media marketing
• OSCE supports Ukrainian legal education practitioners in developing human rights-oriented approaches to their work