In 1995, the Linking Solidarity project was started, housed at Aim for human rights (formerly HOM). Since then, Linking Solidarity has played a catalyst or instrumental role in the further development and support of an internationally expanding network of organisations of families of disappeared persons. Since 2006, the project Linking Solidarity enters a new phase with the Linking Solidarity Programme 2006 - 2008. In the current three years the project is focusing on the development of stronger organisations of family members, stronger and new regional federations and effective cooperation between organisations of family members around the world.

The long-term objective of the programme is to contribute to the eradication of the phenomenon of enforced disappearance all over the world. For current victims and their families, the chief objective is to uncover the truth and to ensure justice. The Linking Solidarity programme contributes to these objectives by creating and strengthening solidarity and cooperation between organisations of families of disappeared persons worldwide.

Linking Solidarity is combating enforced disappearances by:

1. Establishing and developing networks;
2. Capacity enhancement;
3. Cooperating with local organisations.

Linking Solidarity facilitates the establishment of new networks. It also supports the further development of existing networks of organisations of families of disappeared persons. Networks play a crucial role in the fight against enforced disappearances because:

• networks serve to increase the exchange of information and ideas between interested parties.
• organisations or individuals working within a network are more influential when they approach policymakers;
• networks lead to more participation by organisations, and preclude hierarchical relationships;
• networks enable partner organisations to break through their isolation;
• the network can take action in many places at the same time, at the grassroots as well as at other levels;

Linking Solidarity has a long-standing history and experience in working in network environments. Inspired by FEDEFAM, the Latin American Federation of Associations of Relatives of Detained Disappeared, Linking Solidarity was present at the birth of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) in 1998. Linking Solidarity has recently supported the setup of the Euro Mediterranean Federation (FEDEM).
At present contacts are being made with organisations in other parts of world (the Balkans, Central Asia and the Middle East) to investigate the need for partnership there.

Linking Solidarity assists in enhancing the capacity of families' organisations and the networks in which they operate. In this way, Linking Solidarity encourages organisations to strengthen themselves to act in a more efficient and effective manner. Each year, capacity-building activities are organised, including training sessions, seminars and other forms of knowledge transfer at various levels. All activities are carefully prepared and designed to increase legal knowledge, improving organizational and management skills and dealing with the psycho-social consequences of disappearances.

Linking Solidarity facilitates the exchange of information, and organises shared activities in the growing worldwide network of organisations of families of disappeared persons.
Policy influence is often the objective of shared activities. Linking Solidarity then joins with family organisations and other human rights NGOs in order to form a united front in lobbying activities for better legal protection or policy measures against disappearances.

Linking Solidarity is devoted to facilitating contacts that enable the exchange of experiences and knowledge between families' organisations. Families' organizations can turn to Linking Solidarity to contact other organisations in their own country, their own region or in another part of the world. Linking Solidarity can also act as advisor or mediator of family organisations who seek support from other solidarity or financing organisations. Linking Solidarity regularly functions as an organizer or facilitator in training, workshops or seminars. Recent examples include:

• Legal assistance training for legal advisors to partner organisations in Latin America;
• Training on 'Lobbying skills and techniques for Asian organisations;
• Conference on psycho-social counselling for Asian organisations;
• Seminars in Africa to facilitate an exchange between NGOs and families' organisations, in order to build up expertise about disappearances in Africa and to develop the idea of a network to facilitate better cooperation between these organisations
• Exchange and exposure visit for the family member organisations from all over the world to the United Nations in Geneva.

For additional information on Linking Solidarity and its activities please contact Marjan Stoffers via +31 (30) 233 40 27 or e-mail.