http://worldviewmission.nl/?page_id=2696
http://worldviewmission.nl/?page_id=6934
http://worldviewmission.nl/?page_id=5656
http://worldviewmission.nl/?page_id=10386
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Kofi Annan Newsletter September 2014
African Green Revolution Forum
From the 1st to the 4th of September 2014, Mr. Annan joined African and international leaders at the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to catalyze action for agricultural development in Africa in order to advance food and nutrition security, and ensure overall economic development and social stability.
At the Forum, the Kofi Annan Foundation, with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation convened a high-level session of representatives from many sectors, recognized for their commitment to agricultural development. The meeting focused on scaling-up investment in African agriculture and food systems with a particular focus on smallholder farmers, women and youth.
Mr. Annan was joined on stage by Dr. Pedro Sanchez and Minister Akin Adesina for a discussion on the successes and challenges of the “uniquely African Green Revolution,” and to identify the opportunities that lie ahead.
Photo credit: AGRA
follow us on Twitter | like us on Facebook | forward to a friend
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Tomorrow Tuesday Oct. 7th Deadline for Registration –
Invitation for Shared Societies Perspective in the Post-2015 Development
Agenda October 8th 1.15 pm to 2.30pm
Dear Colleagues,
The Permanent Mission of Italy and the Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations, the Club de Madrid and the Society for International Development, are pleased to share the invitation and the concept note for a policy dialogue on “Shared Societies Perspective in the Post-2015 Development Agenda”, which will be held at the United Nations, Conference Room 8 (GA building) on October 8th, 2014, starting from 1.15pm – 2.30pm.
During this Event, It will be presented Development 57.1 on ‘Shared Societies’, a special issue of SID’s quarterly journal, which has been produced in partnership with the Club de Madrid.
Please note, UN SECURITY informs that to access to conference room n. 8, (in the General Assembly Building) ALL PARTICIPANTS that do not hold a UN Ground pass must have a Special Entry Ticket (SET). Also NGOs and Civil Society that do not hold an annual UN pass need a SET in order to access the event.
SET tickets will be distributed on Wednesday October 8th, from 12.15 pm until 1.15 pm, at the entrance located on 46th street and First Avenue.
Please RSVP by Tuesday October 7th 2014 to the Permanent Mission of Italy to sec.italyun@esteri.it.
Thank you and best regards,
Angela Zarro
Programme Manager
Society for International Development
Invitation: http://www.sidint.net/docs/invitation.pdf
Concept note: http://www.sidint.net/docs/CdMeventFlyer.pdf
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From the UN SD Knowledge
Thema: SD in Action Newsletter – October 2014
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Countdown to zero-zero: join us at COP20
Keep up-to-date with the latest news and views from ODI: http://www.odi.org.uk/services
The information contained in this e-mail and any attachment(s) may be confidential. It is intended for the named addressee(s) only. If you are not the named addressee please notify the sender immediately and do not disclose, copy or distribute the contents to any other person other than the intended addressee(s).
The Overseas Development Institute is registered in England and Wales – Company No. 661818 – Charity No. 228248. Registered office address: 203 Blackfriars Road, London. SE1 8NJ
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Thema: Landscapes for a new climate and development agenda – – Youth Master Classes
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Post 2015 Report: Sign-on Letter to UN Secretary General on Access to Information, Free Expressions, Free Media, Protecting Civil Society
Dear Community of Educators,
This request for organizations to add their name to the signon letter to the Secretary General regarding access to information is an action of special interest to the UN SD Education Caucus. Bremley and I have endorsed the support from the Ed. Caucus and encourage your organization add their name to the letter.
If you would like to sign this, please send your organisation’s signature to Charlotte Gill <charlotte@article19.org> by Thursday, 25 September.
All the best,
Pam Puntenney and Bremley Lyngdoh
UN SD Education Caucus Co-Chairs
Dr. P. J. Puntenney
Environmental & Human Systems Management
1989 West Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48103 USA
E-mail: pjpunt@umich.edu
Cell: (734) 330-0238
Voice/Fax: (734) 994-3612
Subject: Signon letter to UNSG on access to info, media, civic space
To: Sustainable Development Announcement List <sdg@lists.iisd.ca>
Cc: Charlotte Gill <charlotte@article19.org>
Hi everyone,
We are continuing our campaign on promoting access to information, free expression, free media and protecting civil society in the Post 2015 agenda, with a letter to be sent to the UNSG on Right to Know Day (28 September) asking him to ensure they are included in his upcoming stocktaking report.
If you would like to sign this, please send your organisation’s signature to Charlotte Gill <charlotte@article19.org> by Thursday, 25 September.
Thanks,
Dave
Begin forwarded message:
Click here to view this message in a browser
SIGN ON ~ INTERNATIONAL: Right to Know Day – Urge UN to enshrine the importance of free expression in the Post-2015 Agenda
INTERNAL APPEAL – INTERNATIONAL
19 September 2014
SOURCE: ARTICLE 19
Dear IFEX members,
To acknowledge Right to Know Day on 28 September, ARTICLE 19 is asking you to sign a joint statement urging the Secretary General of the United Nations to highlight the importance of the right to information, free media, and the protection of civil society organisations’ ability to organise and engage.
At the end of this year, the UN Secretary General will publish a synthesis report of three global processes that have contributed to the establishment of the Post-2015 framework.
In the last months, IFEX members have actively advocated for the inclusion of access to information and independent media in the Agenda for the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, yet there is still work still to be done to ensure that this wording is included in the Agenda. As mentioned in a blog post by Charlotte Gill from ARTICLE 19, Right to Know Day coincides with the start of a year-long negotiation process to determine the Post-2015 agenda. States will be discussing the framework that will be the foundation for international policy commitments for the next fifteen years and more. They will decide on goals that will galvanise efforts to improve the daily lives of vulnerable and marginalised people, and set out targets that will focus the attention of donors striving for sustainable development.
Please note that the letter is totally embargoed until Right to Know Day, 28 September.
Best wishes,
Amy Jonhson and Marie-Hélène Ratel
IFEX Campaigns and Advocacy
The text of the joint statement ARTICLE 19 is asking you to sign follows:
28 September 2014
His Excellency Ban Ki-moon
Secretary General of the United Nations
United Nations Headquarters
New York, NY 10017
CC: Amina J. Mohammed, Assistant Secretary General
Dear Mr. Secretary General,
We write to you as a coalition of civil society organisations committed to sustainable development, to urge you to highlight the importance of the right to information, free media, and the protection of civil society organisations’ ability to organise and engage in your upcoming stocktaking report on the Sustainable Development Goals to the General Assembly.
We welcome your recent announcement on the creation of an Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development. However, as experts and practitioners in the field, we feel strongly that the data revolution cannot succeed without substantial improvement in the openness of governments to their people and an improved and enabling environment for civic space that allow individuals, civil society and communities to know, speak, engage and operate freely. To achieve this, the rights to freedom of information, free media, freedom of association, and freedom of peaceful assembly must be fully recognised and enabled.
The importance of these rights has been recognised in the Millennium Declaration, the Rio+ 20 declaration and numerous UN papers. These rights are also highlighted in the report of the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons and in the recommendations of the Open Working Group, both of which recommended that access to information and the
protection of fundamental freedoms be included as targets. However, even with the crucial role these rights play in development, they are largely unincorporated in currently agreed development mechanisms and were conspicuous by their absence in the Millennium Development Goals.
As you acknowledged in your “Freedom Lecture” speech last year at the University of Leiden, civil society is under increasing pressure: journalists and human rights defenders are imprisoned; internet and media outlets are shut down; and peaceful protests are banned. These issues need to be addressed as part of the SDGs or they will continue to hinder development progress and the data revolution will be restricted to the status quo of limited and unreliable information by the few, for the few, instead of access to information by everyone, for everyone, and the ability to act upon it.
Mr. Secretary General, today is globally recognised as “Right to Know Day”. Governments and civil society organisations around the world will celebrate the progress made so far to ensure everyone is empowered to have greater control over their lives by better knowing how governments operate. Please take the time today to ensure these rights are not forgotten in the SDGs.
Thank you for your consideration. If your office wishes to discuss this further, please contact us at….
Signed,
ARTICLE 19
[more signatures to follow]
For more information, contact:
ARTICLE 19
T +44 20 7324 2500 F +44 20 7490 0566
Email: info@article19.org
Free Word Centre
60 Farringdon Rd
London EC1R 3GA
https://www.article19.org/
Charlotte Gill, Campaigner, ARTICLE 19 (charlotte@article19.org)
The information contained in this internal appeal is the sole responsibility of ARTICLE 19. This material is not for broadcast or publication
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8th International World Environmental Education Congress Gothenburg, Sweden, June 29-July 2, 2015
http://weec2015.org Call for Abstract Submissions
About the WEEC 2015 Congress
The 8th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC2015), “PLANET & PEOPLE”, is an international congress addressing education for environment and sustainable development. The congress is directed towards everyone working on environmental and sustainability education in different contexts. The congress will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden between the 29th of June and 2nd of July 2015. The Centre for Environment and Sustainability will be hosting the conference together with the WEEC Permanent Secretariat. We are expecting around 1200 participants from a wide range of countries.
WEEC 2015 is an opportunity to learn more about the latest in environmental and sustainability education, to discuss with people from all over the world, to share your own work and to learn from others.
Invitation for Abstract Submissions:
The congress will discuss 11 themes, of which you can read more on the website: http://weec2015.org/congress-themes;
Abstracts written in English, Spanish or French, should be no longer than 3000 characters. The authors of the selected abstracts are invited to present their work through one of the following presentation formats:
· Oral
· Poster
· Workshop
· Roundtable
For further instructions, please consult the WEEC 2015 website http://weec2015.org/
The abstract submission will be open between September 15 and November 15, 2014. The abstract will be reviewed by the National Scientific Committee and the International Scientific Committee. The authors will get information of the acceptance status of their abstract(s) on February 15, 2015.
Accepted abstracts will be published in the Congress Abstract Book or/and made available on the website. To submit an abstract, please go to the congress website.
We look forward to seeing you in Gothenburg at WEEC 2015!
Sincerely,
Professor Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson National Program Chair, WEEC 2015,
Professor Arjen Wals International Program Chair, WEEC 2015
Should there be any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Centre for Environment and Sustainability (for content): Rebecka Hallén, rebecka.hallen@gu.se
Conference Secretariat (for practicalities): MCI Scandinavia, info@weec2015.org, +46(0)8-54651500
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landscapes approaches and 2014 Forum COP 20 Lima
From: Center for International Forestry Research
Subject: Landscapes news, landscapes approaches and 2014 Forum
Date: September 23, 2014 7:48:16 AM EDT
View it in your browser.
EVENT UPDATES
Dynamic landscapes, dynamic forum
It’s starting to happen. As populations grow and demand for land intensifies, policymakers, practitioners and scientists increasingly recognize that they must adopt integrated approaches if they are to achieve agricultural sustainability, climate change solutions and low-emissions development. People are working together across sectors, and success stories from landscapes around the world are emerging. The Global Landscapes Forum 2014 will propel this movement forward by bringing together 1500 participants from across disciplines, to exchange the facts, to identify the problems, share the stories and explore future solutions. Enter a dragon’s den, play with data tools in the Landscapes Laboratory, meet like-minded problem-solvers in thematic pavilions and realize that this year’s Forum will be as dynamic as a landscape.
Visit landscapes.org for regular updates:
- Sessions will be announced early October, click here for more
- Official Forum hashtag: #thinklandscape. Feeling social (media)? – connect with us by using the hashtag or tweeting to @GlobalLF
Maybe I would have liked to have been a forester. But who will listen to a forester? Pavan Sukhdev, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador
Do you agree? #thinklandscape with @PavanSukhdev
COMPETITION
Get (info) graphic about landscapes
Words often fail to capture the concept of the landscape, as the linearity of text gets in the way of describing complex interdependencies between elements and actors. To avoidgetting stuck on words, the Global Landscapes Forum is launching an infographics and design competition to gather creative ideas for visualizing landscape approaches. The competition is open to all, with cash prizes.
YOUTH SESSION
You have ideas for saving the world – but who will listen?
Young people have great ideas but can find it hard to be heard – yet grabbing someone’s attention fast is a skill anyone can learn, as Abby Waldorf from the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems explains in 5 tips for delivering a good pitch.
AGED 18–30? Learn more about pitching your ideas or facilitating discussions at the forestry, agriculture and climate change nexus by applying for the Global Landscapes Forum Youth Session and Master Classes.
MENTOR IN THE MAKING? If you are an experienced researcher, policymaker or practitioner and would like to work with young land-use professionals, you can join the Youth Session as a mentor. Contact Michelle Kovacevic for more information: m.kovacevic@cgiar.org
SUCCESS STORY
How to save the environment and alleviate poverty? Plant trees!
This is the unambiguous answer from UNEP’s Tim Christophersen. UNEP, a coordinating partner of the Global Landscapes Forum, and IUCN have set out to reforest 150 million hectares of land, an area roughly the size of half of India. As Christophersen explains, their approach to forest landscape restoration is gaining momentum, with success stories emerging.
GLOBAL LANDSCAPES
FAO films show where the landscape approach comes alive
From the vast forest areas in Russia’s far east to Tanzania’s rich biodiversity; from coastal areas in the Mediterranean to Vietnam’s timber industry – people around the globe are feeling the effects of a hotter climate and less predictable rainfall patterns. In search of integrated solutions, FAO, a coordinating partner of the Global Landscapes Forum, produced nine short films depicting real-world examples of resilient forest landscapes
H.E. Minister Manuel Pulgar-Vidal
Minister of Environment of Peru
H.E. Minister Juan Manuel Benites Ramos
Minister of Agriculture of Peru
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz
UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
Paul Polman
CEO of Unilever and Chairman of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Paula Caballero
Senior Director, Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice at the World Bank
Raj Patel
Best-selling writer, activist and academic
Daniel Nepstad
Executive Director of the International Program of the Amazon Environmental Research Institute
Mark Burrows
Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Global Investment Banking Credit Suisse
Pavan Sukhdev
CEO of Green Initiatives for a Smart Tomorrow (GIST) and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador
Andrew Steer
President and CEO of the World Resources Institute
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Social Good Summit – Join the conversation
Dear Community of Educators,
The Social Good Summit – a global conversation with United Nations leaders, experts, and advocates on the biggest issues of our time.
Watch the conversation today at socialgoodsummit.org, and join the discussion online using the hashtag #2030Now.
The summit kicks off at noon ET, and we have an exciting lineup of speakers for today including Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, and the heads of several UN agencies.
We hope you will join us!
The United Nations Foundation team
Dear ,
It’s not every day you get the chance to join a conversation with people from around the world. And when the conversation is about the greatest challenges of our time, it’s an even bigger opportunity.
On September 21-22 – as leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly – people from Jakarta to Johannesburg to New York will be joining the conversation through the 2014 Social Good Summit. Participants include heads of United Nations agencies, leaders of top non-governmental organizations, and celebrities such as Alicia Keys, Connie Britton, and Pharrell Williams.
Join the conversation – we want to hear from you.
Global problems can’t be solved by governments alone. That’s why entrepreneurs, experts, and advocates will come together at the Social Good Summit around the theme of “#2030NOW: Connecting for Good. Connecting for All.” Together, we’ll exchange ideas on how to use technology and new media to build a more equitable, peaceful, and prosperous world.
Our problems are complex, but our goal is simple: Collaborate to use the amazing capacity of technology to pave a path for a better world for all by 2030.
We hope you will get involved. Click here to find out how to attend an event or watch the livestream. And join the conversation online with the hashtag #2030NOW.
Let’s be part of this global conversation!
Aaron Sherinian
VP of Communications and Public Relations
United Nations Foundation
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Thema: GEF – US $3 billion for Climate Actions
Dear colleagues,
Today, during the UN Climate Summit in New York, the GEF CEO Ms. Naoko Ishii has announced that the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will support developing countries with over US$3 billion for financing actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change over the next four years.
Ms. ishii also announced three pilot innovative approaches, thorough which the GEF will provide dedicated financing for high-impact integrated programs for Sustainable Cities, Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa, and eliminating deforestation from commodity supply chains.
More information is available on the GEF website https://www.thegef.org/gef/node/10822
Regards,
Patrizia Cocca
GEF Communications Officer, pcocca@thegef.org
Stay Connected with the GEF
- www.facebook.com/thegef1
- www.twitter.com/theGEF
- www.youtube.com/GEFSecretariat
- www.flickr.com/theGEF
- www.thegef.org/gef/gefrss
- www.issuu.com/thegef
- www.linkedin.com/company/global-environment-facility
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Certification of Event Access MORNING AFTER
UPDATE: The Morning After: A civil society report back & security access
Dear all,
We’ve received a number of queries regarding access to the Church Center.
Kindly print out BOTH the event flyer as well as the Certification of Event Access (here attached). It is also advisable to bring a government-issued ID with you.
See you all!
tetet
Maria Theresa Nera-Lauron
Peoples’ Movement on Climate Change
IBON International
3F IBON Center, 114 Timog Avenue, Quezon City
Philippines
Tel. No. +632 9277060-62 / Skype: tetet.lauron / www.iboninternational.org
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Notes: UN Climate Week in NYCity – Web link for Tuesday
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Some of our UN SD Education Caucus members will be in NY next week attending the various Climate Week activities. To learn more about the events, visit http://www.climateweeknyc.org/
The Climate Change march on Sunday the 21st is drawing a lot of attention with similar marches being held in major cities such as London and New Deli, attracting major leaders such as Rachel Kyte, World Bank Group Vice President and special envoy on climate change/ The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and Jacob Scherr, Natural Resources Defense Council [NRDC Washington DC] – Director Global Strategy & Advocacy. Appended links provided by the Women’s Environment and Development Organization [WEDO NY headquarters] Climate Mobilization, <mobilize@wedo.org> And an announcement with specific details about the Climate March.
The other big event that will heavily influence COP 20 in Lima and COP 21 in Paris, France occurs on Tuesday September 23rd, the UN Secretary-General’s High Level Climate Change Summit, only dignitaries, Prime Ministers, Presidents, etc., will take part in this key event and 38 selected members from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs, formally NGOs – non-governmetnal organizations).
Fumi and I will be following the live coverage through the UN’s web cast link, all proceedings will be broadcast live on http://webtv.un.org
For those of you that are free to listen, What are the priorities? What is the agenda? What are people saying about their commitment and the notion of partnerships to achieve a “Climate Agreement”? Where are the gaps? Who are the key actors?
Here is an YouTube briefing on priorities for the 69th Session of the General Assembly, http://webtv.un.org/topics-issues/un-secretary-general/watch/ban-ki-moon-priorities-for-the-69th-session-of-the-general-assembly-press-conference/3788272852001
Dr. P. J. Puntenney
Environmental & Human Systems Management
1989 West Liberty / Ann Arbor, MI 48103 USA
E-mail: pjpunt@umich.edu / Cell: (734) 330-0238 / Voice/Fax: (734) 994-3612
Good Evening Women for Climate Justice!
We are 10 days away from the day of the March! Can you believe it!? We have a few goodies and updates for everyone:
Social Media Resources
climatewomen.squarespace.com has been updated with social media resources for you including a guide, images, and facts! The guide has also been attached to this email.
Assembly Location (more details to come)
We are waiting to hear from the national team where exactly our contingent will meet but anticipate getting that to you by the weekend. We will also determine a time then as well. There have been some updates at peoplesclimate.orgregarding assembly blocs. check it out here.
Women’s Convergence on the 20th (more details to come)
We are planning a Convergence and speak-out on Saturday, September 20th prior to the March (details including time are pending). We plan to have speakers on gender-climate justice issues and audience interventions. There will also be an opportunity to makes signs and meet the all of the amazing partner organizations coming to the march under the Women’s Banner! You can see all of the women’s organizations here and you can add your org to the list by emailing mobilize@wedo.org.
Request for Press Release Contributions
We have created a Google document where you can contribute your favorite quotes and facts relating to gender justice, climate change, testimonials, or why your organization is marching. Please add to this document freely, we ask that you simply add your contributions at the end of the text. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AQ4E9mjn5TDScGrXS3bhBX8HyVqe8grs7lBu71CCoBw/edit?usp=sharing)
Dear Common Dreamer,
Only 100 hours remain until the People’s Climate March — the biggest climate march in history.
Don’t let this moment pass you by. The amazing organizing team putting together this event has made it easy to avoid having any regrets. Here are the things to remember:
1. You won’t be marching alone: There are hundreds of groups that have sprung up to support people coming to the march from all different walks of life. From impacted communities to poets to faith groups, you’ll be able to find your people there — click here to connect with a contingent to march with.
2. To help you get there: There are over 400 buses and trains heading to the march. Click here to find one.
3. Housing is available: New Yorkers, despite their reputation, are very nice, and are opening their homes and churches to folks like you coming to town for the march. Click here to find housing for the People’s Climate March. That said, many people are just coming for Sunday — so you may not need housing.
4. This isn’t a moment to miss: We don’t always know if a march is going to be seen – but this time is different. The UN climate summit 2 days after our march is going to be covered by every major news outlet in the world. And if we make this march bigger than any climate march ever before, we, the people demanding bold action from our world leaders, will be in every single one of those stories.
There you have it: people to march with, a way to get there, a place to stay, and a global audience tuning in.
All that’s missing is you, and your friends.
Don’t let the next 100 hours pass you by, only to regret not going. Make a plan to get there, and the Common Dreams news team will see you in the streets!
Sincerely,
Craig Brown
for the whole Common Dreams news team
P.S. If you’re already planning on going and are looking for some more details about what exactly the march is going to look like and what contingents you can be marching with, check out the march narrative and order here – it’s going to be amazing. And be sure to check the FAQ’s about the march.
Alt P.S. If you can’t make it, there are solidarity events happening all around the world. Already there are more than 1500 events in 130 countries – join one in your community or start your own
PCMWomenPressReleaseContributions / Frequently Asked Questions Table of Contents
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CLIMAT DIGEST SEPTEMBER 20-2014
THEMA climate-l digest: September 20
Subject: climate-l digest: September 20, 2014
CLIMATE-L Digest for Saturday, September 20, 2014.
1. MIT Climate CoLab voting period is now open!
2. New Report: Recognizing Community Land Rights Is a Cost-Effective Approach to Fight Poverty, Climate Change
3. Tuesday NYC event on Strategies to Diffuse Community Forest Management
4. New report — Financial Institutions Taking Action on Climate Change
5. September 21st: because tomorrow is today – on behalf of 49 Canadian Scholars
6. Announcing the 2014 Equator Prize Awards Ceremon
Subject: MIT Climate CoLab voting period is now open!
Want to help accelerate innovative climate change solutions?
You can. Since March 2014, thousands of people from around the world came together on MIT’s Climate CoLab to share and develop proposals with community projects, business ideas, technologies, political strategies and other ideas on what should be done to address global climate change. Entries were submitted in 18 different contest challenges, and international experts gave their feedback and selected 60 Finalists — now’s your chance to say which ones you think should be implemented.
Voting is now open!
From September 3 until September 30, 2014, you are invited to cast your vote for your favorite proposals. The most popular proposals in each contest will win the Popular Choice Award and, with the Judges Choice winners, will be invited to showcase their work with key implementers at our Crowds and Climate Conference on November 6 & 7 on the MIT campus. All winners will also get a chance to win the $10,000 Grand Prize!
How to Vote
Vote Now! See the complete list of Finalists or browse by contest
Voting is free and easy — all you need to do is login to the Climate CoLab website and select the “Vote for proposal” button on the proposal page. You are given one vote per contest, and may change your vote as many times as you wish until midnight EDT on September 30. (All voting is subject to the Climate CoLab’s Voting rules.)
Over 6,000 votes have already been cast! Submit yours today.
Laur Fisher
Climate CoLab
A project of the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence
Subject: New Report: Recognizing Community Land Rights Is a Cost-Effective Approach to Fight Poverty, Climate Change
*apologies for cross posting.
Securing-Indigenous-and-Communtiy-Lands_Final_Formatted
New Report: Recognizing Community Land Rights Is a Cost-Effective Approach to Fight Poverty, Climate Change
Subject: Tuesday NYC event on Strategies to Diffuse Community Forest Management
Dear Climate-L,
On behalf of the GEM Initiative, I would like to invite you to a roundtable discussion on strategies to diffuse community forestry on September 23, 2014 from 1-3pm.
The Governance, Environment and Markets (GEM) Initiative is based at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and led by Professor Ben Cashore. It aims to reorient environmental governance research and practice from short term and single intervention approaches towards durable “results based” problem solving that embraces, rather than bypasses, multi-level complexity.
Professor Cashore and GEM are engaged with the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA) to create a practitioners manual for policy diffusion as it relates to the promotion of community forestry for indigenous peoples and forest-dependent communities. We are very interested in assembling this group to brainstorm best practices and suggested approaches for policy diffusion.
Please find more information below, and we will also be circulating more materials prior to the conference to participants.
The event will be held on:
September 23rd at 1-3pm
Hotel Boutique at Grand Central
447 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10017
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Sarah Lupberger at sarah.lupberger@yale.edu or 312-493-8747. Please RSVP to Sarah by email.
We hope you can join us.
Best,
Sarah Lupberger
Master of Environmental Science Candidate, 2015
Research Assistant, GEM Initiative
Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies
cell: 312.493.8747 | skype: SLupberger | sarah.lupberger@yale.edu
Background information
An extensive transnational network of NGOs, IGOs, communities, governments, and market actors has emerged to nurture and disseminate innovative policy and governance interventions that aim to devolve authority over forests to Indigenous and local communities as part of a broader strategy to reverse patterns of tropical deforestation and reduce emissions from forest carbon. As a result of these efforts, important advances have been made in developing new tools, methodologies, and arrangements in pursuit of these interrelated objectives. In particular, experiences in Central and Latin America provide compelling evidence of the role that community forestry can play in promoting sustainable forest and land management.
In an project funded by the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA), Professor Ben Cashore and the GEM initiative have laid a conceptual and evidence base from which to develop insights and strategies for the diffusion of community forestry around the world, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
GEM sees a critical need to communicate and disseminate these insights as practical advice to guide practitioners working on the diffusion of community forestry within and across regions. Specifically, GEM is working with community forestry stakeholders in Mexico and Central America to develop a manual that aims to provide practical and accessible guidance to practitioners. A follow-on effort funded by CLUA engaged GEM in additional field research in Latin America to understand and assess the current strategies employed by practitioners in Mexico, Peru and Costa Rica.
Subject: New report — Financial Institutions Taking Action on Climate Change
Dear colleagues:
I am writing to inform you of a new report, “Financial Institutions Taking Action on Climate Change,” detailing examples of action being taken by investors that support a low carbon, climate resilient economy.
The report was drafted through a collaboration of six organizations: the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC), the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), Ceres’ Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), the Investor Group on Climate Change Australia/New Zealand (IGCC), the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).
While further policy action is required in order for low carbon investments to be brought to scale, these examples demonstrate that investors are already acting on climate change in a variety of ways. These activities include direct low carbon investments, the creation of low carbon funds, company engagement, and reducing exposure to fossil fuel and carbon intensive companies.
The report is available for free downloading at: http://investorsonclimatechange.org/
The direct link to the 36-page PDF is here: http://investorsonclimatechange.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/FinancialInstitutionsTakingActionOnClimateChange_Final.pdf
Kind regards,
Christopher N. Fox
Director, Special Projects
Ceres
99 Chauncy Street, 6th Fl. | Boston, MA 02111
Tel: 617-247-0700 x115
fox@ceres.org | www.ceres.org
Twitter: @ChristopherNFox @CeresNews
Subject: September 21st: because tomorrow is today – on behalf of 49 Canadian Scholars
September 21st: because tomorrow is today
On September 21st more than a thousand events are planned around the world to demand stronger action on climate change, echoing New York’s People Climate March. As Canadian researchers who study Climate Change and Sustainability, we strongly support this global mobilization.
Canada is running a sustainability deficit. Unlike budgetary deficits, it does not seem to preoccupy our politicians. Canada has repeatedly missed its own climate change emission reduction targets. Last January, Environment Canada acknowledged that Canada won’t meet its least ambitious target to date, proposed in 2009 as part of international climate negotiations coined the Copenhagen Accord.
Meanwhile, President Obama presented a Climate Action Plan indicating that, unlike Canada, the United States will meet their Copenhagen commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The US plan identifies carbon dioxide as a toxic substance akin to mercury. It highlights the health threats that “carbon pollution” poses and explains how the cost of adapting to climate change will soar unless we take rapid action now. Obama’s plan also emphasizes the positive legacies of confronting climate change including future job security, economic competitiveness, and overall well-being.
Tomorrow is today; we can no longer wait to take up the opportunity to change course and begin to act. Countries must phase out fossil fuels to transition towards cleaner energy sources thereby guaranteeing both human and environmental wellbeing. To help Canada face this challenge, we have joined forces as a multi-disciplinary group of environmental and sustainability scholars to bring to public attention evidence-based research useful for developing constructive, forward-looking proposals. Our initiative, the Sustainable Canada Dialogues, brings together 55+ researchers from a wide range of disciplines including: agriculture, ecology, economics, energy, forestry, mining, philosophy, physics, political science, resource management, sociology and transport.
Our hope is that bringing together the best solutions-based research in the country will highlight what is possible and encourage public engagement and ultimately political action. In the upcoming 2015 election, Canadians will have an opportunity to demand that politicians and parties protect Canada’s social well-being, economic competitiveness and extraordinary environmental assets by addressing climate change. Moving quickly and effectively on climate change will require a national conversation from all corners of society, a conversation we hope will benefit from evidence-based research on pathways forward.
Canada’s current inaction on sustainability hinders our ability to play a positive role in the negotiations leading to the Paris-Climate Conference where more than 190 countries will meet in December 2015 with the aim of producing a more ambitious global climate change agreement. World leaders will revisit existing emissions reduction targets, which even if met will lead to a warming 2oC higher than the critical temperature identified by scientists. We believe Canada should act as a leader rather than a laggard in this process.
Opportunities for leadership begin with the preparatory activities for the 2015 Paris-Climate Conference. On September 23rd the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, invites all Heads of State to a Climate Summit designed to generate momentum for acting on climate change. In response to this invitation, NGOs and environmental advocacy groups are mobilizing to participate in the People’s Climate March ( http://peoplesclimate.org/global/ ) next Sunday. In Canada, over 100 events are planned from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island.
The time has come to accelerate the transition towards a low carbon society ensuring that the next generation of Canadians can inherit a productive economy with high social well-being standards, live in sustainable cities and enjoy Canada’s unique wildlife, pristine lakes and ice capped mountains. For that world to be ours tomorrow, we must act today.
On behalf of the Sustainability Canada Dialogues,
Dr. Catherine Potvin, Professor, Department of Biology, McGill University and Canada Research Chair in Climate Change Mitigation and Tropical Forests; 1205 Dr Penfield, Montreal, H3R-2B7, Quebec; 514-398-3730 or 514-731-5125.
Dr. Chantelle Richmond, Western University
Dr. Fikret Berkes, University of Manitoba
Dr. Heather MacLean, University of Toronto
Dr. Mark Stoddart, Memorial University
Dr. Sally Aitken, University of British Columbia
Dr. Aerin Jacob, University of Victoria
Dr. Alison Kemper, Ryerson University
Dr. André Potvin, Université Laval
Dr. Andreas Heyland, University of Guelph
Dr. Ann Dale, Royal Roads University
Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo Willox, Cape Breton University
Dr. Brent Sinclair, Western University
Dr. Bruno Dyck, University of Manitoba
Dr. Bryson Brown, University of Lethbridge
Dr. Catherine Morency, Polytechnique Montréal
Dr. Christian Messier, Université de Québec en Outaouais
Dr. Ciara Raudsepp-Hearne
Dr. Claude Villeneuve, Université de Québec à Chicoutimi
Dr. Deborah De Lange, Ryerson University
M.Sc. Dominique Paquin, Ouranos
Dr. Elena Bennett, McGill University
Dr. George Hoberg, University of British Columbia
Dr. Howard Ramos, Dalhousie University
Dr. Ian Mauro, University of Winnipeg
Dr. Irene Henriques, York University
Dr. James Byrne, University of Lethbridge
Dr. Jennifer McKellar, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Dr. John Robinson, University of British Columbia
Dr. Joule Bergerson, University of Calgary
Dr. Ken Oakes, Cape Breton University
Dr. Lauchlan Fraser, Thompson Rivers University
Ms. Liat Margolis, University of Toronto
Dr. Louis Fortier, Université Laval
Dr. Magda Fusaro, Université de Québec à Montréal
Dr. Marc-André Villard, Université de Moncton
Dr. Marc Lucotte, Université de Québec à Montréal
Dr. Martin Mkandawire, Cape Breton University
Dr. Martin Entz, University of Manitoba
Dr. Matthew J. Hoffmann, University of Toronto
Dr. Meg Holden, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Natalie Slawinski, Memorial University
M.Sc. Nathalie Bleau, Ouranos
Dr. Nik Luka, McGill University
Dr. Normand Mousseau, Université de Montréal
Dr. Roxane Maranger, Université de Montréal
Dr. Sally Otto, University of British Columbia
Mr. Sébastien Jodoin, McGill University
Dr. Stéphane Godbout, Université Laval
Dr. Stephen Sheppard, University of British Columbia
Dr. Steven Bernstein, University of Toronto
Dr. Suzanne Simard, University of British Columbia
Dr. Tarah Wright, Dalhousie University
Subject: Announcing the 2014 Equator Prize Awards Ceremony
2014 Equator Prize Awards Ceremony
22 September 2014 | New York, United States of America
http://www.iisd.ca/equatorprize/2014/
The 2014 Equator Prize Awards Ceremony will take place on the evening of Monday, 22 September 2014, at Lincoln Center in New York, US. The event is intended to honor twenty-six leaders of local and indigenous communities around the world, whose work to protect environmental resources and sustainably manage natural ecosystems serve as an inspiration to all. Their efforts to address climate change head on and innovate new solutions have led these honorees to be chosen from out of 1,234 global nominations.
The 2014 Equator Prize Awards winners come from grassroots organizations from Nepal to Jamaica, Yemen to Benin, and work on issues such as equitable water distribution, environmental education, sustainable forest management, and wildlife conservation.
The Awards Ceremony will feature speeches from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Messenger for Peace Jane Goodall, U.S. Former Vice President Al Gore, and actor Alec Baldwin, among others, and musical performances by Feist, Bon Iver, and Jackson Browne.
IISD RS will be providing digital photographic coverage of this event. Kindly point your browser to http://www.iisd.ca/equatorprize/2014/ on Monday, 22 September 2014, for more information.
Funding for coverage of this event provided by UNDP.
Langston James “Kimo” Goree VI
Vice President, Reporting Services and United Nations Liaison
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) — United Nations Office
300 E 56th St. Apt. 11D – New York, NY 10022 USA
Direct Line: +1 973 273 5860 Plaxo public business card: http://kimogoree.myplaxo.com
Email: kimo@iisd.org Mobile phone: +12128107701 Skype: kimogoree Twitter: @kimogoree
Where: NYC through 30 September, 2-6 October Pyeongchang, 7 Bangkok, 8-12 cycling Joburg to Durban, 14-17 Pyeongchang
tomorrow is today -SCD open letter 16-09-014
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News Update
September 15, 2014
[News from KMP] Peasants and Scientists forged strong partnership towards genuine rural development
Peasants and Scientists forged strong partnership towards genuine rural development
On July 30 to August 1, 2014 the 2nd National Peasants-Scientists Conference (NPSC) with the theme “Forging Strong Partnership and Exchanges for the Advancement of a Farmer-led Agricultural Research and Practices towards Genuine Rural Development” was successfully held in Quezon City, Philippines. The NPSC aims to unite peasants and scientists to forge a strong partnership and exchanges to advance a farmer-led agricultural research and practices towards genuine rural development.
One hundred forty two (142) participants from various parts of the country joined the conference sponsored by Resist Agrochemical TNCs (RESIST) with support from Action Solidarity Tiers Monde (ASTM) and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC).
The session started on July 30. Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano, national chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas or Peasant Movement of the Philippines (KMP) gave the welcome remarks. He traced the background of peasant-scientist cooperation going back to the First National Peasant-Scientist Conference held on September 2002. He said that science and technology should serve the people and not the few who rake in billions of profits at the expense of the people’s welfare and interests. He explained the need for a science and technology which is geared towards genuine agricultural development and farmer-led agricultural research that serves the objectives of genuine land reform and national industrialization programs.
Ms. Rosario Bella Guzman, Executive Editor of the IBON Foundation, talked on “Agrarian Reform and Corporate Agriculture.” She stressed how a handful of transnational corporations (TNCs) dominate the global food industry. She explained how corporate agriculture, through globalization, subverted agrarian reform. She closed with a challenge to the audience, “How do we fight it?”
Dr. Chito Medina of Farmer and Scientist for the Development of Agriculture (MASIPAG) discussed “Farmer-Led Agricultural Research and Practice towards Genuine Rural Development.” He presented a brief history of peasant-scientist partnership. Dr. Medina stressed that since 1986 MASIPAG has been practicing a “people-led research” wherein scientists are the ones who adapt to the concrete practices of farmers. Dr. Medina cited the gains of MASIPAG in empowering small Filipino farmers.
Ms. Finesa Cosico of Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (AGHAM) started her talk on “Food Security and Self-Sufficiency and Agricultural Modernization” by discussing the current state and trajectory of Philippine agriculture. She highlighted the dismal condition of Philippine agricultural technology and mechanization. Ms. Cosico ended her input with a hopeful discussion of the relation of agricultural modernization and overall national industrialization pointing out that the former is the only proper basis of any hope for the latter.
Ms. Estrella Catarata, Executive Director of the Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes (PNFSP) talked about “Addressing Climate Change through Community-Based Initiatives.” Ms. Catarata cited several anecdotes of personal experiences with farmers themselves as she explained the more widespread dangers of the change of cropping season, subsequent change in crops and cropping patterns, infestation of pests and diseases and reduced overall productivity of farmers in general. She discussed how farmers’ respond to these challenges.
Dr. Gene Nisperos, national vice-chairperson of the Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) started a brief comparison of two medicinal practices: traditional and western. This was followed by discussing familiar traditional medicinal concepts. Wittingly, Dr. Nisperos dispel the myth of any benefit that Golden Rice claims.
Lastly, Ka Paeng Mariano talked about “Advancing the Genuine Land Reform Movement.” Ka Paeng reiterated that the struggle of the peasantry for land is not only for social justice but also for economic development, and not only of the farmers but of the Filipino people. He enumerated some of the victories of the peasant movement all over the country, hailing various regional chapters of KMP and its affiliate organizations.
Simultaneous workshops
On July 31, simultaneous workshops were held on the following topics: (1) Farmer-led agricultural researches and practices towards genuine rural development; (2) Agricultural modernization to accelerate agricultural productivity geared towards national industrialization; (3) Climate change and agriculture adopting pro-people climate resilient varieties and agricultural program; (4) Indigenous and traditional community health practices; and (5)Advancing the genuine land reform movement.
The conference was so honoured to have Engineer Igmedio Tabianan and Prof. Edward Deveza who humbly shared their knowledge and experiences on peasants and scientists partnership. Engineer Tabianan, is an “Outstanding Agricultural Engineer for Agricultural and Rural Development” as proclaimed by the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE) last February 2014. Prof. Deveza, is a Physicist from the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City. He is also a scientist who gives assistance to farmers in matters about science and technology.
Rep. Fernando Hicap of the Anakpawis Partylist talked about “Advocacy Work towards Genuine Rural Development.” Rep. Hicap presented proposed bills for genuine rural development that Anakpawis Partylist sponsored and co-sponsored in the Congress such as the following: Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) or House Bill (HB) 252, Rice Industry Development Act (RIDA) or HB 4252, Accelerated Irrigation Act , GMO-Free Food and Agriculture Act and the Repeal Presidential Decree (PD) 1620. Cong. Hicap pointed out that the passage of these bills would require the highest political readiness which could only be achieved by strengthening people’s organizations.
The “Unity Statement of Peasants and Scientists in Forging a Strong Partnership towards Genuine Rural Development” was collectively approved by the participants. It states that the participants are forging a partnership towards: (1) Farmer-led research and development of appropriate and ecologically – sound technologies, farm mechanization and agricultural modernization geared towards the direction of national industrialization; (2) Propagation and replication of community–based initiatives to counter food insecurity problems and adapt to the effects of climate change; (3) Sustaining and intensifying the campaign among peasant organizations for the indispensable link of the struggle for Genuine Agrarian Reform and Sustainable Agriculture; and (4) Conscious consolidation and raising of economic gains into the level of political gains and political gains must also be translated into palpable economic victories. The unity statement also call on the Philippine government to address the foregoing issues by enacting pro-peasant bills, such as the GARB (Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill), RIDA (Rice Industry Development Act), Accelerated Irrigation Act, GMO-Free Agriculture Act and Repeal of Presidential Decree 1620 towards genuine rural development.
Randall Echanis, deputy secretary general of KMP and president of Anakpawis, delivered the closing remarks. He pointed out that it is necessary to link the struggle for genuine agrarian reform and sustainable agriculture to the struggle for national democracy.
Solidarity Action
On August 1, the NPSC ended with a solidarity action in front of the Department of Agriculture (DA) office in Quezon City. The group lamented the lack of support from the government to research and development. Mr. Antonio Flores, secretary general of KMP, stated that “Aquino has failed miserably in addressing the root causes of poverty in the rural areas, even in the advancement of science and technology for the people, and worse, he has proved once again his subservience to TNC, his true bosses.” #
The Resistance and Solidarity against Agrochemical TNCs (RESIST) is a broad alliance of Philippine-based farmers’ organizations, NGOs, scientists, environmentalists, health workers, academe, and concerned individuals that promote and advocate for natural and sustainable farming, and pushes for genuine agrarian reform as the foundation of food security and social justice. It opposes GMO, pesticides, agrochemical TNCs and the evil menace of globalization. RESIST was founded on September 2001 in Laguna, Philippines. The RESIST Coordinating Body composed of KMP, MASIPAG, PNFSP, HEAD, Wellspring of Science and Technology (SIBAT), Philippine Task Force for Indigenous People (TFIPs), AGHAM, Brotherhood of IRRI Support Services Group (BISSIG),Center for Environmental Concerns(CEC) and Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE), Email: sect_resist@yahoo.com Phone: +6322638961 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php
APC Secretariat
2nd Floor, 217-B Alley 1, Road 7
Project 6, Quezon City, Philippines 1100
Phone: +632-3793083
E-mail: apcsecretariat@asianpeasant.org
Skype: apc.secretariat
Web: www.asianpeasant.org
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Rurral dev NPSC Group pix pics Peasanst and scientists strengthen partnership_with pix
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News and stories on climate Science & Policy
Dear Colleagues,
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[NGO NEWS:] DESA NGO News – August 2014
DESA NGO News – 28 August 2014
Our monthly newsletter is currently available online in English, French and Spanish. You can also visit our website for up-to-date information in French, Spanish and Arabic.
NEWS
Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States
Governments, businesses and civil society organizations are preparing to galvanize action through new and innovative partnerships at the Third Conference on Small Island Developing States (http://www.sids2014.org), which will be held in Apia, Samoa, from 1-4 September. The conference will be an opportunity to highlight the significant vulnerabilities that islands face while also bringing to the spotlight the ways in which this group of countries is making progress addressing global issues such as climate change, access to sustainable energy and environmental degradation.
The Conference will also seek to be a platform to establish new, genuine and durable partnerships between small island developing states and the rest of the world on various issues including sustainable economic development, oceans, food security and waste management, sustainable tourism, disaster risk reduction, and health and non-communicable diseases, youth and women.
Registration deadline extended for the High-level meeting of the General Assembly on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Registration for accredited NGOs for the High-level meeting of the GA on the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the CRC (http://www.unicef.org/crc/
Registration is open to civil society organizations with ECOSOC status or those that are in a collaborative relationship with UNICEF. Kindly note that due to space constraints, a maximum of 3 representatives of each organization is permitted. Please register here: http://bit.ly/1vojfjN
EVENTS
27 – 29 August: 65th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference
A major civil society gathering at the UN, the Conference will provide an opportunity for civil society, international networks and activists to develop an “Action Agenda” to mobilize messaging, advocacy strategies, partnerships and accountability frameworks in the lead up to the launch of intergovernmental negotiations at the beginning of the 69th Session of the General Assembly for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, due to culminate at a summit in September 2015.
http://csonet.org/?page=view&
28 August – 4 September: UN Conference on Small Island Developing States, Apia, Samoa
The Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States will be held from 1 to 4 September 2014 in Apia, Samoa, to be preceded by activities related to the conference from 28 to 30 August 2014, also in Apia, Samoa. The conference will focus the world’s attention on a group of countries that remain a special case for sustainable development in view of their unique and particular vulnerabilities.
http://csonet.org/?page=view&
5 September: Panel Discussion – Child, Early and Forced Marriage Worldwide, including the Elaboration of the Post-2015 Development Agenda
In its resolution 68/148, the General Assembly decided to convene a panel discussion on child, early and forced marriage worldwide, including the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda. The panel discussion will build on the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on preventing and eliminating child, early and forced marriage, which was prepared pursuant to the Human Rights Council’s resolution 24/23, and the related summary report of the panel discussion convened by the Council on 23 June, 2014 during its twenty-sixth session. As is the usual case, ECOSOC accredited NGOs will be accommodated in the third floor gallery of the Trusteeship Council Chamber on a first-come basis.
http://csonet.org/index.php?
9 September: High-level forum on Culture of Peace
The one-day High-level Forum will take place on 9 September, 2014 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It will comprise of an opening segment and two multi-stakeholder interactive panels and a brief closing segment. The two panels will focus on: (1) the role and contributions of women and the young to the Culture of Peace; and (2) global citizenship as a pathway to the Culture of Peace.
http://csonet.org/?page=view&
10 September: Interactive Meeting with Civil Society for the High-level Stocktaking Event on the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Contributions to the Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report
This interactive meeting will provide civil society, including NGOs, the media, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders with the opportunity to reflect upon the various post-2015 development-related processes which have occurred during the current session of the General Assembly with a view to providing them with an opportunity to identify possible inputs to the Synthesis Report of the Secretary-General; to the work of the 69th session of the General Assembly; and to the elaboration of the Post-2015 Development Agenda itself.
http://csonet.org/index.php?
15 – 26 September: Committee on Enforced Disappearances, 7th Session
At its forthcoming 7th session in September 2014, the Committee on Enforced Disappearances will examine the efforts of Belgium and Paraguay to implement the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
http://csonet.org/index.php?
17 – 18 September: First Preparatory Committee of the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III)
The Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) and its preparatory process welcome the participation and contributions of all relevant stakeholders, including parliamentarians, civil society organizations, regional, local government and municipality representatives, professionals and researchers, academia, foundations, women and youth groups, trade unions, and the private sector, as well as organizations of the United Nations system and intergovernmental organizations.
http://csonet.org/index.php?
22 September: Special Session of the General Assembly on ICPD Beyond 2014
The Review will identify progress and achievements towards the goals set out in the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), when 179 governments committed to a 20-year Programme of Action of delivering human rights-based development. The ‘Beyond 2014’ Review process will engage world leaders from governments and civil society and create a renewed consensus and global commitment to create a more equal and more sustainable world.
http://csonet.org/?page=view&
22 – 23 September: World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
The high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly will meet on Monday, September 22 and Tuesday, September 23, 2014, in New York. http://csonet.org/?page=view&
20 October – 7 November: 59th Session – Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
The Committee will meet in Geneva and will examine the reports of the following countries during its 59th session: Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, China, Ghana, Guinea, Poland, Solomon Islands and Venezuela.
http://csonet.org/index.php?
10 – 13 November: Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction – Prepcom II
The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and its preparatory process welcome the participation and contributions of all relevant stakeholders, including parliaments, civil society, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, non-governmental organizations, national platforms for disaster risk reduction, focal points for the Hyogo Framework for Action, local government representatives, scientific institutions and the private sector, as well as organizations of the United Nations system and intergovernmental organizations.
http://csonet.org/index.php?
20 November: High-level meeting of the General Assembly on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. On this occasion, the General Assembly passed a resolution to organize a high-level meeting. This is a critical moment to take stock of progress, suggest ways to bridge implementation gaps and make a strong call for make the vision of the Convention a reality for all children, as well as to highlight innovative approaches that can transform the lives of children everywhere.
http://csonet.org/index.php?
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You have received this message because you have registered or accepted our invitation to receive e-mail from DESA NGO Branch. We are located at S-2586, UN Secretariat, New York, New York. Tel: 1-212-963-8652, Fax: 1-212-963-9248. Please DO NOT respond to this message for questions. If you have a question about your organization’s status, please see the links “At Your Service” above or the “Contact Us” at our website, http://csonet.org . We will respond within 48 hours to your query. At your service: in New York: Alberto Padova, Nahleen Ahmed, Diego Rumiany, Elena de Jesús, Maria Marchione-Novoa, Hanna Denekew, Erdwine Antoine, Irma Perez, and Carlos Gusukuma. In Geneva: Sandrine Burel, Ricardo Espinosa, Adriana Fuentes, Nathalie Dérudet.
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Fourth conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa
Africa can feed Africa now: translating climate knowledge into action
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New article on the ReliefWeb blog:
World Humanitarian Day 2014
Read the article on ReliefWeb:
http://reliefweb.int/blogpost/world-humanitarian-day-2014
Every year on 19 August, the global humanitarian community commemorates World Humanitarian Day. It is a day to recognize all humanitarian aid workers who face danger and adversity in order to help others. It also commemorates all people who have lost their lives in humanitarian service.
On 19 August 2003, 22 aid workers were killed in a bombing at the UN office in Baghdad.
This year’s commemoration of World Humanitarian Day is unfortunately as timely as ever, with more humanitarian workers kidnapped, seriously injured or killed than ever before. In 2013, more than 12 humanitarian workers were killed every month.
Hundreds of humanitarian organizations around the globe will be commemorating the day by raising public awareness of humanitarian assistance currently being provided worldwide.
This year, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) shines the spotlight on humanitarians around the world and profiles “Humanitarian Heroes” – aid workers from all walks of life, who are committed to making a difference. Find out more at www.worldhumanitarianday.org. The European Commission Humanitarian and Civil Protection department (ECHO) has developed a campaign to raise awareness for humanitarians who risk their lives daily, while saving those of others. Visit the ECHO website to find out more..
As a resource for the humanitarian community, ReliefWeb is committed to ensuring that aid workers have access to the most comprehensive information available, to be able to safely accomplish their objectives. We have developed a comprehensive list of resources on aid worker safety and security in our Safety and Security Topic page. You can also find training opportunities focusing on aid worker safety and security in ReliefWeb’s Training section. We hope that these resources are valuable to all #HumanitarianHeroes.
These are just a few of the campaigns being undertaken by the humanitarian community. To learn more about how World Humanitarian Day is commemorated around the world, be sure to check ReliefWeb’s coverage of World Humanitarian Day. For questions about this list, please contact:
feedback@reliefweb.int
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http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2014/sgsm15577.doc.htm
http://www.geef.nl/doel/worldviewmission/transparantie?
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Mr. Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information (DPI) http://www.un.org/en/hq/dpi/about.shtml
http://www.un.org/sg/management/senstaff_details.asp?smgID=169
http://www.un.org/en/hq/dpi/index.shtml
http://www.undg.org/content/about_the_undg/undg_members
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UN-DESA News August
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/newsletter/desanews/2014/08.html
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Climate – the movement to save the world
Dear friends, Scientists are screaming from the rooftops that climate change isn’t just a bit of warming and some more storms. No exaggeration, our actual *survival* is at risk — this is a fight to save the world.
Our biosphere is in a fragile balance. Warm it a bit, and feedback loops start to kick in. Warming melts the arctic ice that reflects sunlight, which means more sunlight absorbed, which means more warming, which melts more ice etc. etc. These feedback loops have begun, and they’re approaching ‘tipping points’ where they spin out of our control, threatening everything we love.
The UN understands this, and they’ve called an emergency summit of world leaders in New York to discuss action, even inviting our movement into the meeting! The problem is, our heads of state are politicians, not scientists, and they respond to public pressure. They see the polls, but they ask, “where are the protests?” Sept. 21st is our answer.
With thousands of organisations from unions to faith groups, and hundreds of thousands of people already signed up, we’re about to launch the biggest climate change mobilisation in history, with marches from New York to Paris to Rio. On September 21st, we need to shake the world. To get there, we need to mobilise thousands of organisers, saturate subways and airwaves with ads, and mount an effective media operation.
If 50,000 of us contribute just a small amount in the next 5 days, we can make it happen. It’s time to save the world, let’s launch the movement that can do it.
Click to pledge now. Avaaz will only process our pledges if we raise enough:
Click to pledge so our movement to save the world can hit the streets on September 21st:
YES, I’LL PLEDGE €32
To pledge an amount other than the ones listed above, click here.
This mobilisation has one goal: to show turnout. For a full 15 minutes, world leaders at the summit will have to sit and listen to our message, through images, videos, and more. The more of us hit the streets, the more powerful message we send to politicians that urgent action is their priority. New York is the focus, since that’s where the summit is, and a huge turnout in the United States (which has traditionally lagged on climate change) will be most politically powerful.
Small donations from 50,000 of us in the next 5 days will allow us to:
- purchase hundreds of radio and subway ads in New York and key cities to drive turnout
- recruit hundreds of organisers to engage thousands of volunteers and hundreds of thousands of marchers
- mount a serious media operation and engage celebrities to ensure the march gets covered
- create big and bold stunts to create buzz in the media
- bring ‘climate survivors’ and spokespeople from vulnerable communities to provide the media with powerful voices from the front lines of climate devastation
- build an offline network of organisers, volunteers and allies that will deepen and strengthen all of our campaigning for years to come
We have 5 weeks left and not one day to lose to go as big as possible. Click to pledge now and Avaaz will only process the pledge if we raise enough:
To pledge an amount other than the ones listed above, click here.
Climate change threatens all of us. And in that way, it brings all of us together in a shared cause. Our obstacles are not just the short-sightedness of profit-hungry oil companies and the politicians they buy, but also our own willingness and choice to hope, and to act, before it’s too late. Let’s make that choice right now, and from it, build a movement to save the world.
With hope,
Ricken, Mia, Antonia, Emily, Ari, Nic, Alice, Emma and the whole Avaaz team.
MORE INFORMATION:
Climate change is upon us and we must act (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/18/climate-change-global-warning-calamity-floods-observer-editorial
Climate Summit 2014: Catalyzing Action (United Nations)
http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/
World must end ‘dirty’ fuel use – UN (BBC)
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-27008352
Exclusive: Billionaires secretly fund attacks on climate science (The Independent)
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/exclusive-billionaires-secretly-fund-attacks-on-climate-science-8466312.html
Climate change is here, action needed now, says new White House report (CNN)
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/06/politics/white-house-climate-energy/
Avaaz.org is a 38-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people shape global decision-making. (“Avaaz” means “voice” or “song” in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz’s biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
You are getting this message because you signed “Community Petitions Site” on 2014-02-14 using the email address worldview.mission@gmail.com.
To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. To change your email address, language settings, or other personal information, contact us, or simply go here to unsubscribe.
To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact or call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US).
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TODAY’S TOP STORY
JICA withdraws staff over Ebola fears, experimental drug ‘ethical’ to test
After USAID, another top donor like Japan has reconsidered the risk of its own staff working on the ground to contain the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Experts now hope an experimental drug will aid efforts to contain the disease. READ MORE
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Global Footprint Network Updates: Swaying the Supreme Court of Canada for First Nations; “Good” Countries Revealed
Click to view this email in a browser
https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_anholt_which_country_does_the_most_good_for_the_world
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IUCN: Climate Statement to World Leaders – Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
Français plus bas | Español más abajo
To: IUCN Members; IUCN National and Regional Committees; IUCN Commission members; IUCN Councillors; Former IUCN Councillors; IUCN Secretariat:
Dear colleagues,
IUCN has been an active participant in the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), launched by the Secretary General of the United Nations in 2012.
The SDSN has prepared a statement to world leaders on the serious risks posed by climate change.
By clicking here you can add your name alongside many of the world’s leading scientists and climate experts to an urgent message to world leaders.
The letter can be accessed in English, French and Spanish.
With regards,
Julia Marton-Lefèvre
IUCN Director General
—— Français——
Aux: Membres de l’UICN ; Comités nationaux et régionaux de l’UICN ; membres des Commissions de l’UICN ; Conseillers de l’UICN ; anciens Conseillers de l’UICN ; Sécretariat de l’UICN :
Chers collègues,
L’UICN a participé activement au Sustainable Development Solutions Network – SDSN (« Réseau de solutions au développement durable »), lancé par le Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies en 2012.
Le SDSN a préparé une déclaration pour les dirigeants mondiaux sur les risques graves posés par le changement climatique.
En cliquant ici, vous pouvez ajouter votre nom, à côté de ceux de nombreux grands scientifiques et experts du climat du monde entier, sur un message urgent aux dirigeants mondiaux.
La lettre est disponible en anglais, français et espagnol.
Meilleures salutations,
Julia Marton-Lefèvre
Directrice générale de l’UICN
——Español——
Para: Miembros de la UICN; Comités Nacionales y Regionales de la UICN; miembros de las Comisiones de la UICN; Consejeros de la UICN; ex-Consejeros de la UICN; Secretaría de la UICN.
Queridos colegas:
La UICN ha sido un participante activo en la Red de Soluciones para el Desarrollo Sostenible. (Sustainable Development Solutions Network – SDSN), puesta en marcha por el Secretario General de la ONU en 2012.
La SDSN ha preparado un comunicado a los líderes mundiales sobre los graves riesgos a los que nos enfrenta el cambio climático.
Al hacer clic aquí usted puede añadir su nombre a los de muchos de los principales científicos y expertos mundiales en cambio climático con un mensaje urgente a los líderes mundiales.
El mensaje está disponible en Inglés, Francés y Español.
Con un cordial saludo,
Julia Marton-Lefèvre
Directora General de la UICN
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FW: new list 17 Goal titles
Last goal
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and the global partnership for SD.
Celine
Celine Paramunda UN Representative Medical Mission Sisters (NGO Accredited to ECOSOC,DPI,UNFCCC) 8400 Pine Road Philadelphia,PA 19111 Tel:215 742 6100 Ext.180 215 722 0403 (R) www.mms-un.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBvZsW5UjMM
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GPF-Newsletter Global Policy Forum
Privatization of Global Governance: Corporate Influence at the UN
Dear colleagues,
GPF Briefing 1: Privatizing Global Governance: Corporate Influence at the United Nations Global Policy Forum has undertaken significant research to track and chart the increasing power and influence of corporations in global governance settings, particularly the UN. We are pleased to share with you our new Briefing on Corporate Influence (attached), which includes main messages and recommendations.
Sign up to join the Global Policy Forum listserv.
Best,
Kathryn (Katie) Tobin Global Policy Forum kathryntobin@globalpolicy.org www.globalpolicy.org
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6th BRICS Summit – Fotaleza Declaration and Action Plan
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
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No Sustainable Development Goals without Sustainable Development Budgets [New GPF Report]
Dear colleagues,
Global Policy Forum is pleased to share our new report, No Sustainable Development Goals without Sustainable Development Budgets.
As the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals finishes its last session this week as a key input into the post-2015 sustainable development agenda, this report examines the primary responsibility of governments in implementing the new agenda, including through fiscal policies and the allocation of public resources. Governments will have to formulate Sustainable Development Budgets in order to implement Sustainable Development Goals, facing the challenge of interdependencies between environmental and social policy goals. A consistent integration of different perspectives in budget policy and analysis will be needed to implement SDGs and avoid unwanted side-effects. The new GPF publication describes possible entry points for shaping fiscal policy in accordance with sustainability criteria and shows how to use them in order to achieve environmental-social budgets. It uses the budget cycle as a tool in identifying such entry points, from the drafting of the budget to policy implementation and monitoring of the results. Download the guide here
Thank you for reading. To sign up for the Global Policy Forum listserv, please click here. Best regards,Kathryn (Katie) Tobin kathryntobin@globalpolicy.org www.globalpolicy.org @globalpolicy @uncharteredKT
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Announcement: The Thousand Names of Gaia colloquium – September
Dear Community of Educators,
I believe many of you will be interested in this: Eduardo Viveiros de Castro and others are putting together a colloquium on The Thousand Names of Gaia, to take place in Rio de Janeiro in September. A short video interview with Clive Hamilton has just been uploaded to the website of the event: https://
Best,
Renzo Taddei
Center for Research on Environmental Decisions, Columbia University
Graduate Program in Social Sciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo
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News letter climate-l digest: July 01, 2014
Subject: UN-REDD Programme July 2014 Newsletter is out
Dear Colleagues,
In the July 2014 issue of the UN-REDD Programme Newsletter, we share highlights of the Programme’s participation in the inaugural, United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA), and the celebrations to launch Community-Based REDD+. Also read more on the Programme’s work in Forest Monitoring, Gender and Safeguards and as well as REDD+ updates from Panama, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Zambia.
For regular news and information updates from the UN-REDD Programme, follow us on Twitter, read opinion articles from leading REDD+ experts on our blog, and connect with us on our Facebook page
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Subject: FW: New CARE case study synthesis paper!- Community Based Adaptation in Practice
Dear climate-l readers,
We have just launched a new CARE practitioner paper:
“Community-Based Adaptation in Practice” – A global overview of CARE’s practice of Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) to climate change; including 16 different case study examples from Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
This paper is available now on the CARE climate change website- http://www.careclimatechange.org/files/CBA_in_Practice.pdf and the CARE International UK ‘Programme Insights’ website- http://insights.careinternational.org.uk/publications/community-based-adaptation-in-practice-global-overview.
Please feel free to share it and if you are interested in finding out more, please get in touch with the coordinating author Sally King, sking@careclimatechange.org
Best regards
Sven Harmeling
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Subject: WORLD OCEAN RADIO: A monthly summary
The following World Ocean Radio broadcasts from the month of June can be found online at the following links:
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Wyo. state education board halts work on new science standards
Web Version NASBE State Ed SmartBrief
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AIPP Weekly Updates on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues in Asia ( 21-30 June 2014)
“An Organization of Indigenous Peoples’ Movement in Asia” View this email in your browser
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
Research and Communication Development Programme
www.aippnet.org, www.ccmin.aippnet.org, www.iphrdefenders.net, www.iva.aippnet.org
Our mailing address is:
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact
108, Moo 5, T. Sanpranate, A. Sansai,
Chiang Mai, 50210
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Check out this video to learn more about the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions, who the researchers are, and the fascinating issues they study.
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GlacierHub – New Climate Change Website
My new website www.glacierhub.org
Ben Orlove
School of International and Public Affairs
Columbia University MC 3323
420 West 118th Street, room 833
New York, NY 10027
Master’s Program in Climate and Society
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“Silver Buckshot”: Alternative Paths to Cut GHG Emissions
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
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Governments review science base for achievement of global biodiversity targets
Hours to save elephants
Dear friends,
Poachers just shot one of the world’s largest elephants, Satao, then
hacked his 100 pound tusks out of his face with a machete. At the current rate of killing, elephants may be extinct in 15 years, but this week if we act now we have an amazing chance to crack down on the illegal trade that fuels the slaughter.
Each day, 50 regal elephants are butchered just to make dinky ivory trinkets! The main culprit for this carnage is Thailand — the fastest growing market for unregulated ivory. And tomorrow the international body created to protect endangered species has a chance to sanction Thailand until it cracks down on the elephant killers. Experts fear Thai leaders are mounting a propaganda campaign to dodge penalties, but it just takes Europe and the US to ignore their noise and spearhead action to end the slaughter.
Let’s give key European delegates, and the US, the global call they need to tune out Thailand and bravely lead the world to save the elephants. A final decision could be made tomorrow, so we have no time to lose — sign the petition, then send a message to the EU Environment Commissioner:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/hours_to_save_elephants/?bSPCVgb&v=41982
20,000 African elephants are killed every year, and the number of ivory products on sale in Bangkok trebled in the last twelve months. Government representatives to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) have the responsibility to keep the world’s rarest plants and animals alive, and when sanctions were applied to Thailand twenty years ago, it forced the country to pass critical wildlife protection laws.
Thailand says it’s hard to distinguish legal ivory from Thai elephants from smuggled African ivory, and that it has adopted an action plan to stop the ivory trade. But 20 years of delays and a recent military coup tell a different story. If we reach out to the ministers who set the position, we can get the votes needed to prevent Thailand exporting items like aquarium fish and exotic flowers.
Right now CITES representatives are considering whether to sanction Thailand for its failure to stem the ivory trade. Let’s make a call directly to key delegates and the EU Environment Commissioner now to ensure they make the right decision. Add your voice, then share widely:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/hours_to_save_elephants/?bSPCVgb&v=41982
Last year, the Avaaz community helped force Thailand to agree to ban the domestic ivory trade. But Thailand’s new military government has done little to show it will fulfil this promise or restrict this bloody business. Let’s show the strength of our community by issuing an enormous call to protect the lives of one of the world’s most precious species.
With hope,
Alex, Danny, Alice, Nick, Lisa, Emma and the rest of the Avaaz team
MORE INFORMATION:
World famous elephant ‘Satao’ killed by poachers in Kenya (Forbes)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2014/06/15/world-famous-elephant-satao-killed-by-poachers-in-kenya/
The ivory highway (Men’s Journal)
http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/print-view/the-ivory-highway-20140213
Legal reform must shut down Thailand’s ivory trade (WWF)
http://wwf.panda.org/?209665/Legal-reform-must-shut-down-Thailands-ivory-trade
Elephant population too small to supply huge local ivory market (Bangkok Post)
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/418534/thai-elephant-population-too-small-to-supply-huge-local-ivory-market
Major increase in Thai ivory market shows need for action at wildlife trade meeting (World Wildlife Fund)
http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?224690/Major-increase-in-Thai-ivory-market-shows-need-for-action-at-wildlife-trade-meeting
African elephants could go extinct by 2030, but in days, a body in charge of protecting endangered species could slap sanctions on Thailand, the key blood ivory market. Let’s race to put key representatives on the spot to save the elephants — add your voice now: 
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Victory for Victims of corporate human rights violations despite EU and US opposition. 20 to 14
Victory for Victims of corporate human rights violations despite EU and US opposition. 20 to 14. #bindingstandardspic.twitter.com/Sam9GMCGDK
Twitter / TreatyAlliance: Victory for Victims of corporate …
Twitter / TreatyAlliance: Victory for Victims of corpora…
Victory for Victims of corporate human rights violations despite EU and US opposition. 20 to 14. #bindingstandardspic.twitter.com/Sam9GMCGDK
Norma Maldonado
Asociacion Raxch’ och’ Oxlaju Aj (Tierra Verde 13 Aj) AROAJ
Guatemala
VENTANA SOBRE LOS CICLOS
La gente, hecha de maiz, hace el maiz. La gente, creada de la carne y los colores del maiz, cava una cuna para el maiz y lo cubre de buena tierra y lo limpia de malas hierbas y lo riega y le habla palabras que lo quieren. Y cuando el maiz esta crecido, la gente de maiz lo muele sobre la piedra y lo alza y lo aplaude y lo acuesta al amor del fuego y se lo come, para que en la gente de maiz siga el maiz caminando sin morir sobre la tierra. Eduardo Galeano
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Climate Justice – U.S
Stephenson, Wen, 2014 (June3), “Welcome to West Port Arthur, Texas, Ground Zero in the Fight for Climate Justice,” The Nation 298 (26):16, 19-20, 22-25.
If you live in a toxic environment like this, surrounded by refineries, you’re probably not thinking about some future apocalypse. You’re living in one.
This article appeared in the June 23-30, 2014 edition of The Nation.
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Subject: [BHRH] Breaking news from UN Human Rights Council: Treaty Process Approved on Business and Human Rights
Colleagues,
Today, the UN Human Rights Council voted in favor of a resolution sponsored by Ecuador and South Africa calling for the development of an inter-governmental process to develop the form and content of a potential treaty on business and human rights. The attached shows the votes by country. Note that the resolution is tailored at transnational corporations, therefore limiting the scope of it’s application. The tabled resolution is available here: http://www.business-
The vote was 20 in favor, 14 no and 13 abstentions.
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Subject: TWN Info Service on UN Sust Dev.: Experts debate globalisation and inequality
TWN Info Service on UN Sustainable Development (Jun14/03) 26 June 2014 Third World Network www.twn.my
Experts debate globalisation and inequality Published in SUNS #7831 dated 26 June 2014
Geneva, 25 Jun (Kanaga Raja) — Political will and political power and sustainable policies at national level as well as national policy space and fair international trade, money and finance systems are essential to tackle poverty and inequality, according to experts at an eminent panel discussion at the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) last week.
The experts on the panel were discussing best policy practices for tackling poverty and inequality on the road to achieving sustainable development.
The discussion took place in a round-table session on 19 June, during UNCTAD’s two-day Public Symposium (18-19 June), which this year coincided with UNCTAD’s own fiftieth anniversary celebrations.
Among the discussants were Mr Rubens Ricupero, a former UNCTAD Secretary-General; Mr Martin Khor, the Executive Director of the South Centre; Ms Deborah James, Director of International Programmes at the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR); Mr Roberto Bissio, Global Coordinator of the Social Watch Network; and Mr Zhongxiu Zhao, Vice-President of the University of International Business and Economics.
The session was moderated by Mr Shawn Donnan, World Trade Editor of the Financial Times, who began by saying that what is being dealt with is a really fundamental and huge subject, which is globalisation and inequality.
What is being talked about is a huge problem at an important moment, he reiterated, pointing for instance to what he called ‘the fragile middle’ — about 2.8 billion people in the world living on between $2 and $10 a day, who are technically above the poverty line but who are still struggling in the world today.
Referring to the issue of inequality and poverty reduction, Rubens Ricupero was of the view that everybody agrees that Latin America, in general, and Brazil in particular have been moving in the right direction, and in the opposite direction of many countries including developing countries that have seen inequality worsening and poverty coming back again, sometimes in force.
He underlined the fact that in order to fight poverty and reduce inequality, the first condition is political power and political will. Western societies only got rid of the most extreme forms of poverty when they decided that it was their utmost priority to do so, he said.
“And that is what we have been seeing in inequality in the current debate … We all know that in the US, for instance, it is politics; it was the political choices made by the group that captured power” that explained this unfortunate evolution.
They decided to make the country safer for the very rich and tougher for the very poor, said Ricupero, noting that this is a political problem that has to be settled at the political level.
In Latin America, and particularly in Brazil, he said, “perhaps we have too much of political power, too much of political will. Is it possible to say that we could have too much of a good thing? Indeed it is. In our case (in Brazil), there was, after the military withdrew, a sort of new social compact to finally address a centuries-old history of slavery, of inequality, [and] of extreme poverty.”
And Brazil did it in a very short time, he said, and in about 20 years, more than 50 million people were lifted up from the most abject forms of poverty.
While inequality is still a problem, Brazil is moving in a determined way to reduce it, Ricupero underlined, noting that Brazil is one of the few countries in the world where inequality is actually falling.
But as always, the problem now is “to ask ourselves whether it will be sustainable in the middle and long term”, he remarked, stressing that his main message is that in order to make the fight against poverty and inequality sustainable, “we have to balance political will with a good mix of sound policies.”
In Brazil’s case, for instance, he said there was ‘some exaggeration’ in terms of cash transfers, in terms of direct cash payments to families. In the last twelve years, it is estimated that a staggering 84% of the increase in public cost and expenditure went into cash transfers, he added.
The consequence of this is that “we have very little money left for infrastructure. There has been an enormous boom in consumption and credit – those are good things, but there has been a clear sacrifice in savings and investment, with the economy coming to a halt,” he said, adding that this means that in the long-term it will no longer be sustainable in terms of the progress that has been achieved so far.
According to Ricupero, in the very long-term, what (Nobel laureate) Paul Krugman has said and is often quoted, is true — ‘productivity may not be the only thing, but it’s almost the only thing’ and that at some point ‘we have to invest in human capital, on education and on the capacity to make people more productive with less cash transfers by governments.’
Ricupero emphasised that one of the useful points of this discussion would be to try to come up with ideas that would make the fight against poverty and inequality a long-term sustainable goal.
Martin Khor, the Executive Director of the South Centre, pointed out that there is acute poverty due to natural disasters, civil wars and so on, and that these kinds of causes require humanitarian assistance, but there isn’t enough of that.
“Secondly, we have in many countries poverty which in the past was due to low commodity prices. This led some countries into external debt crises,” he said.
According to Khor, the solutions offered by the international financial institutions were often the wrong ones, with the wrong conditionalities. And this led these countries into two or three lost decades because they continued to be in poverty, especially if one compares them to developing countries that did not suffer a debt crisis and did not go through structural adjustment policies.
When he is often asked why East Asia did better than Africa, Khor said, “I tell my African friends (that) it’s not due to more corruption in Africa or more tyranny in Africa – we have this all over the world – it’s due to the fact that we (East Asia) didn’t fall into the wrong policies of the IMF and World Bank and we were able to institute a lot of policies which they (Africa) were not allowed to do.”
So, on the global transformation side, if countries fall into debt, they need to have debt relief upfront or an international debt resolution mechanism. There is also need for reforms of the international debt system as well as reforms in the conditionalities of loans.
Today, said Khor, the big debate is also on the conditionality of loans to the European countries who have gone to the IMF or the European Central Bank.
But on the larger issue of (moving) from poverty to sustained development, Khor said that at the national level one could have short-term and quite successful policy of cash injection to the poor. And this is now being carried out by an increasing number of countries led by Brazil with its Zero Hunger programme and so on.
Citing what Ricupero had said earlier about cash transfers, Khor asserted that this may not be financially sustainable unless one has sustained economic growth, especially (contributing) to government revenues that can then sustain a social programme.
Referring to sustainable development strategies and policies, he asked firstly, how to obtain more revenues from existing commodities, including minerals. “I think this is a very important area.”
Khor posed several other questions: How to have better benefit-sharing with the TNCs that extract the natural resources? How to keep the commodity prices up rather than down, because it is the low commodity prices that have led many developing countries into poverty and which also led to the formation of UNCTAD itself? How to diversify away from commodities or among commodities and add value to the commodities through processing and manufacturing?
He recalled one incident, whereby, “I remember the Minister of Commodities in Malaysia telling me that if we (Malaysia) exported one cubic metre of raw wood versus the same cubic metre converted into furniture, we would get seven times more revenue (from furniture) – more value-added – and that is why we went into furniture export.”
The role of the State is very important in the provision of loans and subsidies, and in infrastructure, as well as active promotion of commodity-diversification and upgrading into manufactures, said Khor.
He also pointed to the need for a stable currency, saying that unstable currencies led to crisis in many developing countries, and this requires a reform in the international monetary and financial system, which has not come about yet.
This is the global transformation that is needed, stressed Khor, adding that capital flows will also need to be stable. There can’t be huge inflows and outflows of capital which makes it very difficult for a country to remain stable in terms of its real economy.
There is need for policy space to be able to carry out all these strategies, he said, further underlining the need to have the correct trade rules.
“We have rules in the WTO in relation to subsidies, TRIMs [trade-related investment measures] and so on that make it difficult, or even impossible, for many developing countries to institute the kind of policies that successful developed countries, or successful developing countries, were able to have in the pre-subsidy agreement and the pre-TRIMs agreement period.”
Khor said: “We need developed countries to cooperate by not instituting policies that are detrimental to developing countries, for example, high agricultural subsidies which enable them to export food at very cheap prices to developing countries, which because of lowered tariffs due to structural adjustment, force these poor developing countries to import food, which is less efficient (and) therefore displacing their more efficient farmers.”
There is also need to re-examine the free trade agreements that ask developing countries to lower their tariffs to zero for almost all products even as agricultural subsidies remain in the developed countries, and this will make it very difficult for them to escape from poverty and into sustained development.
There is need to look at investment rules that many countries are now finding to be a real burden because it constrains their ability to have regulations, and the fact that they could be brought to court in a very unfair arbitration system.
“We need to have environmental policies that are sound or rather development policies that are environmentally sound, otherwise the base for future development is gone. And we need to have a development agenda post-2015 that has the right Sustainable Development Goals but also go beyond the goals and targets framework,” Khor concluded.
Zhao, the Vice-President of the University of International Business and Economics, highlighted China’s past experiences in using trade to promote development and to reduce poverty in the country. He pointed out that trade absorbed over 100 million people from the rural areas and that this process is still continuing.
Roberto Bissio, the Global Coordinator of Social Watch, talked about best practices relating to poverty and inequality in his country Uruguay.
He said that after the financial crisis of 2002 with the terrible impact that it had, Uruguay was in a situation not very different from that of Greece or Spain today. But from 2005 onwards, cash transfer programmes were immediately started by the government to address the issue of poverty.
However, they were conceived as an emergency measure much like humanitarian assistance, and what was done was to institute mandatory collective bargaining, which resulted in the doubling of unions, which in turn resulted in the salaries of workers growing in real terms, thus recovering buying power.
In addition, he said, the minimum wage was doubled and all workers, including domestic and rural workers, were formalised. Maternity and paternity leave, universal health insurance and income tax were also introduced.
On top of that, a non-economic agenda of more rights was undertaken, said Bissio, such as women having the right to decide on the number of children they want to have, people having the right to marry whomever they wish to marry, the right to chose one’s gender, etc.
All these policies led to poverty reduction and less inequality, and investments grew in enormous proportions, contrary to theories on the need to constrain workers’ rights and so on in order to attract investment. In fact, there was growth in both national and foreign investment.
However, said Bissio, inequality between countries is a more complicated issue, because it does not depend on a country’s internal policies.
In an apparent reference to a recent decision by the US Supreme Court to reject an appeal by Argentina and thus allowing to stand a lower-court decision concerning its foreign debt, Bissio said: “We are facing a situation in the world today where sovereign country decisions about, for example, your own debt are taken by the Supreme Court of the US.”
“And we would like to avoid the Supreme Court of the US judging over Argentina’s foreign debt in a way that will lead the country to default, most likely, although they are desperately trying not to,” he said, cautioning that this will also pull Uruguay ‘down the drain’.
Pointing out that many other Latin American economies will also suffer as a result of this decision, he noted that even the IMF is now saying that debt restructuring cannot be done anymore if such a stand is taken.
He recalled that at the UNCTAD-XI Conference in Sao Paulo in 2004, Ricupero had warned developing countries against joining the path of financial liberalisation.
According to Bissio, Ricupero had said at that time that ‘this is like joining the Mafia – you are attracted by a lot of promises and all the benefits that you are going to get in terms of money, power, women, whatever but after a while you realise that maybe it was not a good decision, (and) you cannot send a resignation letter.’
And that is what is happening to many countries now which are bound by Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) etc, said Bissio, adding that UNCTAD and the international system need to start thinking of an international witness protection programme for countries that want to get out of this system, as well as for countries that now want to revise their BITs.
Deborah James of CEPR said that a lot of the strategies that the US actually employed in its development when it was looking at a per capita income of $5,000, has been made unavailable now for developing countries, and “we feel that this is one of the roots of the current inequality between countries.”
Referring to the issue of services, she was of the view that everyone would agree that for poverty reduction, there is a pretty well-established global consensus about achieving universal access to essential public services such as healthcare, education, and access to water and sustainable energy.
Unfortunately, she said, both in the GATS and the proposed TISA (Trade in Services Agreement), this would really restrict a lot of the policy space, particularly around regulation of public services guarantees as well as access to foreign companies coming in to provide those services.
According to James, some of the best practices that were used by the current industrialised countries such as the strategic deployment of tariffs on certain industries to promote their development are restricted by the current global trade rules.
This obviously needs to be changed if countries are going to have the policy space to act on industrial policy and create jobs, she further said, adding that in terms of IP (intellectual property) rules, there is an actual overvaluing of certain types of labour such as intellectual labour and an undervaluing of other types of labour, such as people working in manufacturing plants.
She also referred to central bank policy, which she said has been most destructive in the last five years.
She said: “We have seen a situation where in the global economic crisis, the mandate of the European Central Bank has been exclusively focused on inflation and prices and has not taken its mandate on jobs and growth seriously. And because of that, we have tens of millions of people in Europe who are out of work and we have the depression of global aggregate demand as a result, that affects everybody around the world.” +
United Nations: EU aims to scuttle treaty on human rights abuses
New York, 24 Jun (IPS/Thalif Deen) — When the United Nations began negotiating a Code of Conduct for Transnational Corporations (TNCs) back in the 1970s, the proposal never got off the ground because of vigorous opposition both from the powerful business community and its Western allies.
But a move to resurrect this proposal – through the creation of a new international legally-binding treaty to hold TNCs accountable for human rights abuses – has been gathering momentum at the current session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, which concludes Friday.
Still, it has triggered the same political replay of the 1970s: strong opposition from business interests and Western nations, this time specifically the 28-member European Union (EU).
Jens Martens, director of the Global Policy Forum Europe, told IPS there is a heated debate in the UNHRC about establishing an intergovernmental working group to negotiate the proposed legally binding instrument on TNCs.
“So, the current discussion is not about the substance of a code of conduct or treaty but on the process,” he added.
There are currently two draft resolutions tabled at the UNHRC session in Geneva: one sponsored by Ecuador and South Africa asking the UNHRC to establish an intergovernmental working group: a proposal supported by developing nations of the Group of 77 (G77) and a coalition of more than 500 non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
A second draft resolution, sponsored by Norway, Russia, Argentina and Ghana, supports the existing working group on business and human rights and asks for extending its mandate by another three years: a draft also supported, among others, by the United States and the EU.
Martens, who co-authored a recent study on “Corporate Influence on the Business and Human Rights Agenda of the United Nations,” said “corporate actors have been extremely successful in implementing public relations strategies that have helped to present business enterprises as good corporate citizens.”
He said they have also given the impression of “seeking dialogue with governments, the United Nations and decent concerned stakeholders, and able to implement environment, social and human rights standards through voluntary Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.”
Martens said the UN’s much-ballyhooed Global Compact and the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights became prime examples of an allegedly pragmatic approach based on consensus, dialogue and partnership with the corporate sector in contrast to regulatory approaches to hold corporations accountable.
Alberto Villarreal, trade and investment campaigner at Friends of the Earth Uruguay, told IPS that by recognising environmental activism in all its expressions as a legitimate defence of human rights, “we can contribute to the struggle of environmental rights defenders and keep them safe.”
The London-based Global Exchange, an international human rights organisation, has put out a list of the “top 10 corporate criminals”, accusing them of being complicit in violations of human rights and the environment.
The companies identified include Shell/Royal Dutch Petroleum, Nike, Blackwater International, Syngenta, Barrick Gold and Nestle.
The charges include unlivable working conditions for factory workers, lack of worker’s rights, pollution, child labour, toxic dumping, unfair labour practices, discrimination, and destruction of indigenous lands for mining and oil exploration.
Anne van Schaik, accountable finance campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe, said many countries support tabling a resolution for a binding treaty, but the EU has warned that if it gets adopted it will refuse to discuss it.
“The EU is therefore effectively boycotting the UNHRC and standing up for corporate interests instead of human rights,” she added.
Asked if there would be a decision at the current UNHRC session, Schaik told IPS, “We are unsure if this issue will be resolved on Friday.”
She said the EU’s “very obstructive approach” means it will not participate in the intergovernmental process of creating a treaty if the resolution is in fact adopted, “thereby effectively undermining the democratic decision- making process at the United Nations.”
Schaik said the Norwegian resolution states that there should be a discussion on the issue of access to remedy, judicial and non-judicial, for victims of business-related human rights abuses on the agenda of the Forum of Businesses and Human Rights.
Effectively that means that at this week’s session, there will be a discussion, but there are no consequences or follow-up plans for what happens after that, she added.
Schaik said Ecuador proposes to “establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group with the mandate to elaborate an international legally binding instrument on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with respect to human rights.”
This means there will be a new instrument which will state obligations for transnational companies, which is obviously much more far reaching than a discussion at a forum at the United Nations, she said.
The study on the human rights treaty, co-authored by Martens, focuses specifically on the responses by TNCs and their leading interest groups to the various UN initiatives, specifies the key actors and their objectives. It also highlights the interplay between business demands and the evolution of the regulatory debates at the United Nations.
The study provides an indication of the degree of influence that corporate actors exert and their ability, in cooperation with some powerful UN member states, to prevent international binding rules for TNCs at the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders has urged the UNHRC to promote the adoption of clear and binding rules on online surveillance and censorship. “Businesses sell technology to authoritarian regimes that allows them to carry out large-scale online surveillance of their population,” the group said.
In a statement released this week, the Paris-based organisation said this technology has been, and still is, used in Libya, Egypt, Morocco and Ethiopia to arrest, imprison and torture. The companies that provide this technology cannot claim to be unaware of this, it added. +
Paul Quintos IBON International 3rd Flr., IBON Center 114 Timog Avenue, Quezon City 1103 Philippines Telefax:+63 2 9276981 Skype ID: paul.quintos Websites: iboninternational.org peoplesgoals.org
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TWN Info Service on UN Sust Dev.: EU aims to scuttle treaty on human rights abuses
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For Immediate Release — Indonesia Peoples Tribunal: human rights violations in garment industry ‘systemic
Press Release
‘People Tribunal’ Indonesia:
human rights violations in garment industry ‘systemic
Contact Person: Emelia Yanti (081387696731)
‘People Tribunal’ Indonesia: struggle for decent wage and working conditions for garment industry workers, hear cases of alleged human rights violation against the workers of subcontracting companies for global brands such as Adidas, Nike, H&M, Walmart, and GAP.
Accompanied by workers’ advocate, expert witness from various countries and more than a hundred workers from West Java, Banten and Jakarta, five workers delivered testimonies related to their cases.
The five cases that regarded as cases that reflecting the working conditions in subcontracting companies are; (1) Kokom Komawalati represent 1300 unilaterally dismissed workers on July 2012 by PT Panarub Dwikarya Benoa, subcontracting company of Adidas. (2) Sakhroji represent 700 illegally contracted workers by PT Rismar Daewoo Apparel, subcontracting company of H&M. (3) Suparmi, represent 700 dismissed workers by excuse of bankruptcy and redeployment of PT Crystal Garmen, subcontracting company of Walmart. (4) Herdiyansyah represent 700 workers those forced to become contracted workers by PT Olympic Internasional, subcontracting company of GAP. (5) Muhtarim, represent 4800 workers in PT Asia Dwimitra Industri, subcontracting company of Nike.
In front of representative of brand companies H&M and Adidas, judges from three different continents had examined and inspected cases that disclosed by workers.
On his advocacy, workers’ advocate Johanes Gea said, “The violation of workers’ basic right is the violation of human right, and also the violation of law. Just in one case, various violations of workers basic had revealed. Government was neglectful and let these violations continuously occur.”
Responding the testimony on the case of working contract violation and gender discrimination in Rismar Daewoo Apparel, representative of H&M said, “We admit that there are problems occur. We will open a dialogue about the violations, define fair wage, and fulfill the basic rights of workers.”
A day before, Sakhroji represent 700 subcontracting company workers for H&M, PT Rismar Daewoo Apparel, disclosed that pregnancy was prohibited, core production workers unlawfully contracted, workers whose refuse the unlawful contract were unilaterally dismissed. “By now, my case was on process in the court,” Sakhroji explained.
Meanwhile, representative of Adidas, Adelina Simanjuntak, equivocated that she was lack of information as she attended People Tribunal, so she can’t give any satisfying explanation and answer related to the case of Adidas’s subcontracting company. “We have so many cases, which one do we talk about?” Regarding cases in Adidas’s subcontracting companies, Adelina said, “We already withdrew our order from PDB (Panarub Dwikarya Benoa).”
Adelina’s statement provoked the ire of the workers—most of them women. Several workers expressing their ire by hold up a poster written “Adidas Liar”.
PDB case is about allegation on violating freedom of association and unpaid wage, which is ended by unilaterally dismissal of 1300 workers, on 12 Juli 2012.
People Tribunal is a free and independent court with moral credibility. In Indonesia, People Tribunal was the fourth performance, after was held in India, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. This notion was organized by Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA).
AFWA was formed on 2006, involved 71 trade unions, labor activist organization, and consumer group from 17 countries in Asia, Europe, and North America. AFWA is workers’ movement concern on the struggle for freedom of association and negotiate, abolishment of short-term working contract, decent wage, and equal rights.
In Indonesia, AFWA consist of GSBI (Gabungan Serikat Buruh Independen), FSBI (Federasi Serikat Buruh Indonesia), SBSI 92 (Serikat Buruh Sejahtera Indonesia 1992), SPN (Serikat Pekerja Nasional), LIPS (Lembaga Informasi Perburuhan Sedane), and TURC (Trade Union Rights Center).
Jakarta, 19 Juni 2014
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Africa Adaptation Newsletter- 6th issue
The Africa Adaptation Knowledge Network (AAKNet) is pleased to present the 6th Issue of the Africa Adaptation Newsletter.
This newsletter offers a comprehensive overview of the latest adaptation practices, policy issues, amongst many in Africa and beyond.
We invite you to download the 5th issue athttp://aaknet.org/index.php/component/k2/item/150-aaknet-newsletter-issue-6
PDF linkhttp://aaknet.org/index.php/component/k2/item/download/85_76fecab43fb3973eb4ab4ed33501112e
Also visit our interactive website www.aaknet.org
Best regards
Richard Munang, PhD ● Africa Regional Climate Change Coordinator● Regional Office for Africa (ROA)- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) ●
●www.unep.org ● www.aaknet.org●www.foodsec.aaknet.org●Twitter: @mtingem
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Stop state-sponsored landgrabbing in Palawan, says NFFSM team
News Release June 24, 2014
Stop state-sponsored landgrabbing in Palawan, says NFFSM team
Coron, Philippines — The Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) is calling the Philippine government to stop state-sponsored landgrabbing in Palawan covering 40,000 hectares of agricultural land. The APC joined eight other organizations in the National Fact Finding and Solidarity Mission (NFFSM) held from 14th to 19th of June 2014 organized by the Katipunan ng Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan or the Federation of Farmers’ Organizations in Southern Tagalog (KASAMA-TK) and Anakpawis Partylist or Toiling Masses Partylist-Southern Tagalog (Anakpawis-TK) in the disputed Yulo King Ranch (YKR) in Coron and Busuanga in Palawan. The KASAMA-TK is the regional chapter of the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas or Peasant Movement of the Philippines (KMP).
The mission aims to consolidate narratives of residents from affected barangays (villages) to understand the history of the disputed land, know the plight and demands of the affected residents and formulate actions that will support and strengthen their rights to food, land and a dignified livelihood.
The YKR, also known as Busuanga Pasture Reserve (BPR), which covers 39,238.93 hectares, is believed to be the largest agrarian anomaly in the country, where 22,268 hectares are in Coron (or 32% of Coron’s total land area) and the remaining 16,970.53 hectares are in Busuanga (covering 43% of Busuanga’s total land area).
In 1975, former president Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1387, declaring YKR as pasture reserve. Marcos, through his cronies Luis Yulo and Peter Sabido, acquired the disputed land using public funds. Residents interviewed claimed that the “King” in YKR referred to Marcos.
Despite the heavy rains during the mission, the NFFSM team conducted interviews among the residents at eight villages namely, Decalachao, Guadalupe, San Jose, San Nicolas in Coron and Quezon, New Busuanga, Cheey and Sto. Nino in Busuanga.
Of the 40,000 has. involved, 12,817 has. is categorized as Alienable and Disposable Lands where 2,441 has. is privated or titled and the remaining 10,376 has. is public land. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 1,575 has of titled lands has been distributed under Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and the remaining 866.5 has. had not been distributed. The 15,389.03 has. is reserved as Public Forest and the remaining 11,032.28 has. is Unclassified Public Forest.
The APC said that as early as 1930s, there were already ten to 15 farming families who were tilling in the disputed land. In fact, they interviewed one of the original residents who narrated that they were relatively self-sufficient at that time. However, the Philippine Constabulary displaced affected residents and they (farmers} were so afraid because it was Martial Law then.
The original settlers such as the Tagbanua, Calamianes and Cuyonin were all the more displaced due to the landgrabbing.
But most of the residents of affected communities, especially those who have been tilling the land before YKR came, returned to the disputed land due to the lack of livelihood in the resettlement areas, where lands are hardly suitable for agriculture. They also cited that they have decided to return and till the lands again as YKR has left it idle
The mission team concluded that this is a state-sponsored massive landgrabbing case against the people of Coron and Busuanga. From Marcos’ Presidential Decree No. 27 to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), which was first implemented under President Corazon Aquino, the affected residents in Coron and Busuanga remained landless and poor.
The mission is calling for the passage of House Bill 252 or Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) sponsored by Anakpawis at the House of Reprsentatives. GARB seeks to break landlord control and monopoly of lands through the nationalization and free distribution of lands to landless farmers. ##
– APC Secretariat 2nd Floor, 217-B Alley 1, Road 7 Project 6, Quezon City, Philippines 1100 Phone: +632-3793083 E-mail: apcsecretariat@asianpeasant.
Voorbeeld van bijlage coron – Fact Finding and Solidarity Mission and People-FINAL.pdf weergeven
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SOUTHNEWS
http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=fa9cf38799136b5660f367ba6&id=8aad556d91&e=1e33eb2f1a
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Join the Days of Actiofor Development Justice!
On July 21st, farmers, workers, indigenous peoples, migrants, women, youth, and other groups from over 14 countries will kick-off the Days of Action for Development Justice with simultaneous events including teach-ins; public forums; media briefings; and the global launch of the video-graphic “The Road to Development Justice”.
Please see attached announcement.
– Paul Quintos IBON International 3rd Flr., IBON Center 114 Timog Avenue, Quezon City 1103 Philippines Telefax: +63 2 9276981 Skype ID: paul.quintos Websites: iboninternational.org peoplesgoals.org
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NEW CARE Blog: Climate change must be part of new global development goals
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Right Now We ‘Grossly Underestimate’ Economic Damage From Climate Change, New Paper Says
Dear friends,
Manu Shrivastava
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2014 Call for Applications for Funding Launched
APN UPDATES
please visit: http://www.apn-gcr.org/?p=7529
Special invitation to Cambodian, Sri Lankan and Thai proponents
In addition to welcoming proposals from all APN member and approved countries, the APN particularly encourages Cambodian, Sri Lankan and Thai researchers presently working in their respective home countries to apply for funding under the CAPaBLE and CAF calls, because of potential co-financing opportunities provided by these countries.
Closing date The deadline for the submission of summary proposals for CAPaBLE and expressions of interest for CAF is on 3 August 2014.
For complete information about the 2014 annual calls, please visit: http://www.apn-gcr.org/?p=7529
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SouthNews:NAM Ministerial Conference in Algiers – Report, Comment
SOUTHNEWS
No. 53, 16 June 2014 View this email in your browser
SOUTHNEWS is a service of the South Centre to provide information and news on topical issues from a South perspective. Visit the South Centre’s website: www.southcentre.int.
Algiers Ministerial conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) reviews existing, new and emerging challenges to the developing world
http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=fa9cf38799136b5660f367ba6&id=30e7bb96fd&e=1e33eb2f1a
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Welcome to our May Newsletter!
Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s May Newsletter is out!
SDSN Leadership Council Meeting in Beijing
On May 15-16, 2014, the SDSN Leadership Council convened in Beijing at the invitation of Tsinghua University. The meeting focused on the SDSN contribution to the post-2015 processes and the preparations of the 2015 climate conference in Paris, building the national and regional networks, and expanding the online education initiatives. Presentations from the meeting are available here.
SDSN China At the invitation of Chen Jining, President of Tsinghua University, a second meeting was held to prepare the launch of the China SDSN scheduled for November 2014 and to review lessons from National and Regional SDSNs in other parts of the world. Senior representatives from universities and research institutions joined the meeting: the China Academy of Social Sciences, Development Research Council, Beijing Normal, Nankai, Peking, Shandong, Tongji, Tsinghua, and the Columbia Global Centers | East Asia. The China Business Council on Sustainable Development also participated.
Leadership Council Side Events
Beijing Health Forum –
On May 13, 2013, the SDSN in collaboration with Peking University, WHO China, and the Columbia Global Centers | East Asia held a health forum at Peking University focusing on the challenges of expanding and financing quality health coverage in China. Keynote presentations were made by former Chinese Minister of Health Chen Zhu and Jeffrey Sachs. Redefining the Role of Business for Sustainable Development –
On May 14, 2014, the WBCSD, the CBCSD, and the SDSN convened a meeting in Beijing to discuss how Chinese business can contribute to sustainable development. The groups agreed to work closely with the China SDSN and to organize periodic meetings to discuss long-term pathways to sustainable development in China. A first meeting will be convened in late 2014 to discuss deep decarbonization pathways for China with business leaders.
Pathways to Sustainable Agriculture in China – On May 14, 2014, the SDSN in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, and the China Agricultural University (CAU), held a meeting in Beijing, China, to discuss opportunities for collaboration. Meeting participants agreed to develop a national pathway for sustainable agricultural intensification in China under the umbrella of the SDSN.
Sustainable Urbanization in China – On May 14, 2014, the SDSN in partnership with Columbia Global Centers | East Asia, UN Habitat, and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) hosted an expert roundtable, entitled “Learning Lessons From Sustainable Urbanization in China and Encouraging Progress through Sustainable Development Goals.” A detailed event report including presentations can be viewed here.
Good Governance of Extractive and Land Resources – On May 14, 2014, the SDSN co-hosted a workshop in Beijing on sustainable development and extractive industries with the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The goal of the workshop was to explore ways of enhancing the developmental impact of natural resources, particularly in Africa. A detailed event report including presentations can be viewed here.
The Challenges of Social Inclusion – On May 17, 2014, the SDSN, in partnership with Beijing Normal University, hosted an expert roundtable entitled “The Challenges of Social Inclusion.” The meeting explored lessons from China’s experiences of reducing inequality and social exclusion. A detailed event report including presentations can be viewed here.
Laurence Tubiana Nominated as France’s Special Representative for COP21
The French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has nominated Laurence Tubiana, Co-Chair of the SDSN Leadership Council, as Special Representative for the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP-21). The announcement (in French) is available here.
Revised Working Draft of Indicators Report Released
SDSN has released a revised working draft of the report “Indicators for Sustainable Development Goals”, which can be viewed here. Additionally, synthesis and full database of all comments received from the 6-week public consultation can be found here. These indicators have been incorporated into our new, detailed pages on SDSN’s proposed goals and targets.
SDSN Side Event for Open Working Group Side: Examining the Evidence Base for the 16 OWG Focus Areas
On May 5, 2014, SDSN, in partnership with the Governments of Bhutan, Colombia, Denmark, Rwanda, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland, hosted a side event at the Open Working Group (OWG) to discuss the evidence base for the 16 focus areas. The presentations and supplementary notes are available here.
Potential for Regional Use of East Africa’s Natural Gas
The Sustainable Engineering Lab (SEL) at the Earth Institute has released an SDSN Briefing Paper on “Potential for Regional Use of East Africa’s Natural Gas”.
2nd Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development Practice
The Global Association of Master’s in Development Practice Programs (MDP), in collaboration with the SDSN, will hold the 2nd Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development Practice (ICSDP) on September 17-18, 2014, at Columbia University in New York City. Proposals are welcome across 12 SDSN thematic areas and must be submitted via the form on the conference website by May 30, 2014. For questions please write to ICSDP@globalmdp.org.
Read the full newsletter on our website!
Ibrahim SIDIBE
Coordinator of the Initiative for Agricultural and Rural de Development in Mali (ARD)
Country Representative Young Professionals’ Platform for Agricultural Research for Development in Mali (YPARD)
BP-E: 4630 Bamako, Mali
Kalaban coura Ext South Street 325 Door 69
Phone: (00223) 20284223
Mobile: (00223) 76312529
Skype: sidhibe
E-mail: ibrahimsidhibe@gmail.com
Site: www.ypard.net
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International Prayer Alert – Iraq
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Artists And Climate Change
Hello everyone,
My partner Joan Sullivan and I run a blog called Artists And Climate Change
<http://
to some of you. The blog features artists from all disciplines, and from all
regions of the world, whose work addresses issues related to climate change.
Our goal is to show that artists can bring much value to the conversation
about climate change and communicate the extent and complexity of the
problem in ways that science alone cannot.
You can follow us by clicking the Follow button on the bottom left corner of
the Home page. We’re also on Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/
<https://twitter.com/
Thank you,
Chantal Bilodeau
Playwright & Translator
www.cbilodeau.com
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Human Right to Water and Sanitation for immediate sign on
Dear All,
Please support sign-on request below calling for inclusion of Right to water in the SDGs…
-paul
Dear Friends,
As many of you are aware, we have been campaigning to ensure that the human right to water and sanitation is included within the Sustainable Development Goals framework. Unfortunately the “zero draft” document which was released this week did not contain any reference to the human right to water and sanitation.
The SDG process will determine the official international development agenda for the next 15 years. Given that the Millennium Development Goal process failed drastically in the area of sanitation and given MDG targets on drinking water failed to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, it is vital that the same mistakes not be repeated within the SDG process.
Furthermore, we feel that the Human Right to Water and Sanitation will be an important tool in our struggle to prevent the SDG agenda from being co-opted to promote greater corporate access to water resources and services.
Please join us in our call by:
1. Signing your organization’s formal title, contact, country, and if applicable, major group or other stakeholder constituency (e.g., Farmers, Indigenous Peoples, Youth, etc.) onto the letter by June 11th at SDGrighttowater@gmail.com
2. Circulating the letter within your networks to sign on at SDGrighttowater@gmail.com
3. Forwarding a copy of the letter to the ambassador representing your country at the UN (see attached contact list).
4. Tweeting the need for #owg12 to explicitly name the right to water and sanitation in the #SDGs including #SDGH20
In solidarity, Aine O’Connor on behalf of The Mining Working Group at the UN and Blue Planet Project
Aine O’Connor, RSM, Ph.D. Mercy Global Action Coordinator at the UN Sisters of Mercy Mercy International Association 777 UN Plaza, 6H, NY, NY 10017
– Paul Quintos IBON International 3rd Flr., IBON Center 114 Timog Avenue, Quezon City 1103 Philippines Telefax: +63 2 9276981
Skype ID: paul.quintos Websites: iboninternational.org peoplesgoals.org
– You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Campaign for People’s Goals for Sustainable Development” group.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group
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Re: Sign on to say no to GM eucalyptus trees in Brazil! (by June 15
(Sign on before 15 June!)
A letter has been issued by Brazilian and Latin American organizations (including CEPEDES; Terra de Direitos and the Latin American Network against Plantations) to CTNBio to urge them to deny this approval. As the Brazilian Open Letter (attached below) explains, if approved, use of GE eucalyptus trees will aggravate the already well-known negative impacts that non-GE industrial eucalyptus tree plantations already pose to communities´ livelihoods.
We ask your organization to sign on to the statement below in support of this Brazilian letter, which will be sent to CTNBio, the Brazilian governmental institution in charge of authorizing the release of GMOs. Their letter expresses deep concern and urges the CTNBio not to authorize the commercial release of GE eucalyptus by Suzano/FuturaGene.
To sign on in support of this letter protesting the legalization of genetically engineered trees, please send us your name, organization and country to the following address global…@gmavt.net <javascript:location.href=> before June 15th.
Thank you,
The Campaign to STOP GE Trees including Biofuelwatch, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, Global Justice Ecology Project, Indigenous Environmental Network, World Rainforest Movement
Statement in Support of the “Open Letter to CTNBio”:
The Campaign to Stop GE Trees, an international coalition of 248 groups from 49 countries, founded in 2004, supports a global ban on commercial deregulation of genetically engineered trees (also known as genetically modified trees) based on serious concerns about their impacts on biodiversity and human rights. The Campaign supports the position expressed herein, in solidarity with Brazilian and Latin American groups, calling upon CTNBio to pay heed to public resistance to GE trees and reject Futuragene’s request for commercial approval of GE trees.
The Campaign is joined by the undersigned organizations from around the world that endorse the call for a global ban on the release of genetically engineered trees into the environment, as well as those scientists and organizations that are calling for a moratorium on the release of GE trees until they are proven to have no damaging social or ecological impacts. As no such proof of safety currently exists, but there is significant evidence to the contrary, the release of GE trees must be stopped.
It is, for example, well-documented that increasing the growth rates of plantation trees (as Suzano has done with their GE eucalyptus trees) results in the rapid expansion of plantations, not the opposite. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization between the years 1990 and 2010, the average yield of wood from plantations doubled, yet the amount of land occupied by those plantations increased over 60% from 97 million to 153 million hectares.
[http://www.fao.org/docrep/013
Additionally, in 2008, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, to which Brazil is a signatory, called for the application of the Precautionary Approach regarding GE trees, and a comprehensive and transparent assessment of their long-term social and ecological risks prior to any open release into the environment. If CTN Bio approves the commercialization of the GE eucalyptus in question, this decision would directly contravene decision IX/5(1) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
The decision IX/5 (1) of the UN CBD Conference of the Partiesfrom 2008 states <http://www.cbd.int/decision/c
The Conference of the Parties, Urges Parties to:
(r) Reaffirm the need to take a precautionary approach when addressing the issue of genetically modified trees;
(s) Authorize the release of genetically modified trees only after completion of studies in containment, including in greenhouse and confined field trials, in accordance with national legislation where existent, addressing long–term effects as well as thorough, comprehensive, science-based and transparent risk assessments to avoid possible negative environmental impacts on forest biological diversity; [1]/
(t) Also consider the potential socio-economic impacts of genetically modified trees as well as their potential impact on the livelihoods of indigenous and local communities;
(u) Acknowledge the entitlement of Parties, in accordance with their domestic legislation, to suspend the release of genetically modified trees, in particular where risk assessment so advises or where adequate capacities to undertake such assessment is not available;
(v) Further engage to develop risk-assessment criteria specifically for genetically modified trees;
(w) Note the results of the Norway – Canada Workshops on Risk Assessment for emerging applications for Living Modified Organisms (UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/4/INF/13)
(x) Welcome the decision of the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol to establish an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Risk Assessment and Risk Management that is also mandated to address the issue of genetically modified trees;
(y) Collaborate with relevant organizations on guidance for risk assessment of genetically modified trees and guidance addressing potential negative and positive environmental and socio – economic impacts on the conservation and sustainable use of forest biodiversity associated with the use of genetically modified trees;
(z) Provide the available information and the scientific evidence regarding the overall effects of genetically modified trees on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity to the Executive Secretary for dissemination through the clearing-house mechanism;
[1]/ Where applicable, risks such as cross-pollination and spreading of seeds should be specifically addressed.
We therefore support the call to CTNBio and the Brazilian government made by Brazilian and Latin American groups to reject the application of Futuragene to commercially plant genetically engineered eucalyptus trees.
Signed:
The Campaign to STOP GE Trees (International)
Global Justice Ecology Project (US)
EcoNexus (Europe, UK)
Indigenous Environmental Network (North America)
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (Canada)
Biofuelwatch (US, UK)
World Rainforest Movement
Brazilian OPEN LETTER TO BE SENT TO CTNBio
OPEN LETTER TO BE SENT TO CTNBio
To: Brazilian National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio)
We, the undersigned, have been informed that FuturaGene, a biotechnology firm wholly owned by the pulp and paper company Suzano, has submitted a request for commercial planting of its yield enhanced genetically modified eucalyptus trees.
Suzano/FuturaGene, as well as other companies like Fibria (ex-Aracruz) and ArborGen, have been conducting research and field experiments on GM Trees for years.
Suzano/FuturaGene´s interest has been to increase the productivity of their tree plantations. They argue that their new GM tree will result in a 20% increase in productivity and by doing so will increase “competitiveness and environmental and socio-economic gains through higher productivity using less land and therefore overall lower chemical inputs and lowered carbon release, as well as making land available for food production or conservation and enhancing the income of outgrowers.” (1) These myths do not stand up to real facts and are addressed below.
GM TREES WILL ADD TO THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY INDUSTRIAL TREE PLANTATIONS, NOT REDUCE THEM
The use of faster growing GM trees in industrial plantations will exacerbate the already well-known negative social and environmental impacts caused by industrial tree plantations while introducing yet further impacts and knock-on effects due to the additional risks inherent to genetic engineering.
Industrial tree plantation companies have long promised that gains in productivity would lead to less land use. This is a myth. In Brazil, for example, where the productivity of monoculture tree plantations per hectare increased from 27 m3/ha/year in the 1980s to 44 m3/ha/year currently, the area covered by plantations has increased from about 4 million hectares at the end of the 1980s to more than 7.2 million hectares today. Historically, there is thus no evidence that in Brazil, increases in productivity led to less land being occupied by industrial tree plantations. A newly formed association, Indústria Brasileira de Árvores (Ibá), representing the Brazilian industrial tree plantation industry states that they intend to double the area of industrial tree plantations to 14 million hectares by 2020.
SUZANO SEEKS TO EXPLOIT NEW MARKETS FOR PLANTATION TREES
Suzano recently opened a new pulp mill in the state of Maranhão with an 1.5 million tons/year capacity. Huge areas of land covered with tree monocultures will be needed to fulfill Suzano’s wood demand for pulp, as well as for an added demand, in particular its plans to explore new uses of its wood with a project in the same state to produce and export wood pellets for energy production, to cofire with coal in the UK. The use of biomass for industrial scale energy production remains highly controversial, and its negative social, environmental and climate impacts have been documented widely. Both the pulp and wood pellet projects aim solely at profiting from new market opportunities, which is the mission of Suzano.
BRAZILIAN PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT WOULD PAY THE COSTS
While profits from this expansion accrue to Suzano shareholders, the social, ecological and economic costs as well as increased risk to regional food sovereignty and health will be borne by the Brazilian public, and local communities surrounded by plantations in particular. Many and serious conflicts over access to land already exist, and living conditions of communities surrounded by Suzano’s operations have deteriorated to the point that communities are now struggling to guarantee their food sovereignty and are increasingly at risk of losing their territories (2) .
GM CROPS LEAD TO INCREASED APPLICATIONS OF AGROTOXINS
Further, there is no plausible reason to expect that the use of “chemical inputs”, including agrotoxins, will decrease as a result of planting GM trees. On the contrary, it will increase with the increasing occupation of land which is planned to take place and the intensification of growing cycles and the ensuing nutrient depletion of soil and land. Brazil, sadly, is already the world’s leading consumer of agrotoxins, causing injury to hundreds if not thousands of victims per year, putting further strain on already insufficient public health provision. Industrial tree monocultures, lacking biodiversity, and promoted at very large scale, will augment the application of agrotoxins by huge amounts. The argument used by the GM technology lobby that the introduction of GM crops—such as soy and maize—results in less use of pesticides and fertilizers has already been proven to be false. In countries including Brazil, Argentina, and the United States – front-runners in GM soy & maize production—research has shown not a decrease, but rather an alarming increase in the use of agrotoxins (3).
DAMAGING SOIL AND WATER SUPPLIES
Genetically modifying trees to make them grow faster, while planting them on a continuously expanding portion of the land in ever larger industrial tree plantations, will only lead to further depletion of soil nutrients and fresh water. This is especially true for eucalyptus trees, already notorious for their voracious water consumption, which has been shown to result in the overall drying out of surrounding soils, springs and waterways. Communities living around non-GM tree plantations within and outside of Brazil have already widely reported water shortage and soil depletion. The introduction of faster growing GM Trees will only further aggravate this situation.
UNEXPECTED NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GM CROPS COULD BE EVEN WORSE IN GM TREES
Serious uncertainties exist with respect to the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of genetically engineered trees. Unexpected effects have already been reported for GM food crops, including for example the proliferation of herbicide resistant weeds, the emergence of secondary pests decimating crops, altered fertility such as higher rates of outcrossing, as well as increased allergenicity. Given the long and often complex life-cycle of trees and their interaction with biodiversity, predicting the outcomes and impacts of GM trees is practically impossible. While eucalyptus is non-native to Brazil, it is widely planted, and contamination of non-GM eucalyptus trees by GM eucalyptus is another serious risk, although FuturaGene, paradoxically, welcomes it (4). Will it alter invasiveness, attract new pests, weaken or deter predators? Such questions have neither been asked nor are there data to provide answers. The catalog of risks is high.
Based on the history of industrial tree plantations and the introduction of GM crops in general, we object to and deny industry’s claim that society as a whole would benefit from the commercial release and planting of GM trees. Existing evidence points squarely into the opposite direction. The only benefit we see from this new high-risk technology with unknown future impact (and possible associated incalculable cost) is that of increased profits to Suzano’s shareholders.
WE URGE NOT TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMERCIAL RELEASE OF GM TREES For the aforementioned reasons, scientists, lawyers and organizations around the world are calling for a global moratorium on the commercial release of genetically modified trees, due to their unknown but potentially severe social and ecological impacts and incalculable economic risks, which would overwhelmingly accrue to the public.
Therefore, the undersigned organizations and people wish to express their deep concern and urge the CTNBio not to authorize the commercial release of yield enhanced GE eucalyptus by Suzano/FuturaGene or by any other company that also has, or will present in future, a request for such a release.
Signatures follow
Notes 1- See FuturaGene web site at http://www.futuragene.com
2 – http://wrm.org.uy/pt/livros-e-
3 – See http://www.gmwatch.org/files/G
4 – See http://www.theguardian.com/env
– http://www.wrm.org.uy
– Anne Petermann
(Sign on before 15 June!)
Dear friends,
FuturaGene, a biotechnology firm owned by Brazilian pulp and paper company Suzano, has requested authorization from the Brazilian Biosafety Commission (CTNBio) for the commercial release of its genetically engineered eucalyptus trees in Brazil.
A letter has been issued by Brazilian and Latin American organizations (including CEPEDES; Terra de Direitos and the Latin American Network against Plantations) to CTNBio to urge them to deny this approval. As the Brazilian Open Letter (attached below) explains, if approved, use of GE eucalyptus trees will aggravate the already well-known negative impacts that non-GE industrial eucalyptus tree plantations already pose to communities´ livelihoods.
We ask your organization to sign on to the statement below in support of this Brazilian letter, which will be sent to CTNBio, the Brazilian governmental institution in charge of authorizing the release of GMOs. Their letter expresses deep concern and urges the CTNBio not to authorize the commercial release of GE eucalyptus by Suzano/FuturaGene.
To sign on in support of this letter protesting the legalization of genetically engineered trees, please send us your name, organization and country to the following address globalecology@gmavt.net <javascript:location.href=> before June 15th.
The Campaign to STOP GE Trees including Biofuelwatch, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, Global Justice Ecology Project, Indigenous Environmental Network, World Rainforest Movement
Statement in Support of the “Open Letter to CTNBio”:
The Campaign to Stop GE Trees, an international coalition of 248 groups from 49 countries, founded in 2004, supports a global ban on commercial deregulation of genetically engineered trees (also known as genetically modified trees) based on serious concerns about their impacts on biodiversity and human rights. The Campaign supports the position expressed herein, in solidarity with Brazilian and Latin American groups, calling upon CTNBio to pay heed to public resistance to GE trees and reject Futuragene’s request for commercial approval of GE trees.
The Campaign is joined by the undersigned organizations from around the world that endorse the call for a global ban on the release of genetically engineered trees into the environment, as well as those scientists and organizations that are calling for a moratorium on the release of GE trees until they are proven to have no damaging social or ecological impacts. As no such proof of safety currently exists, but there is significant evidence to the contrary, the release of GE trees must be stopped.
It is, for example, well-documented that increasing the growth rates of plantation trees (as Suzano has done with their GE eucalyptus trees) results in the rapid expansion of plantations, not the opposite. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization between the years 1990 and 2010, the average yield of wood from plantations doubled, yet the amount of land occupied by those plantations increased over 60% from 97 million to 153 million hectares.
[http://www.fao.org/docrep/
Additionally, in 2008, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, to which Brazil is a signatory, called for the application of the Precautionary Approach regarding GE trees, and a comprehensive and transparent assessment of their long-term social and ecological risks prior to any open release into the environment. If CTN Bio approves the commercialization of the GE eucalyptus in question, this decision would directly contravene decision IX/5(1) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
The decision IX/5 (1) of the UN CBD Conference of the Partiesfrom 2008 states <http://www.cbd.int/decision/
The Conference of the Parties, Urges Parties to:
(r) Reaffirm the need to take a precautionary approach when addressing the issue of genetically modified trees;
(s) Authorize the release of genetically modified trees only after completion of studies in containment, including in greenhouse and confined field trials, in accordance with national legislation where existent, addressing long–term effects as well as thorough, comprehensive, science-based and transparent risk assessments to avoid possible negative environmental impacts on forest biological diversity; [1]/
(t) Also consider the potential socio-economic impacts of genetically modified trees as well as their potential impact on the livelihoods of indigenous and local communities;
(u) Acknowledge the entitlement of Parties, in accordance with their domestic legislation, to suspend the release of genetically modified trees, in particular where risk assessment so advises or where adequate capacities to undertake such assessment is not available;
(v) Further engage to develop risk-assessment criteria specifically for genetically modified trees;
(w) Note the results of the Norway – Canada Workshops on Risk Assessment for emerging applications for Living Modified Organisms (UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/4/INF/13)
(x) Welcome the decision of the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol to establish an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Risk Assessment and Risk Management that is also mandated to address the issue of genetically modified trees;
(y) Collaborate with relevant organizations on guidance for risk assessment of genetically modified trees and guidance addressing potential negative and positive environmental and socio – economic impacts on the conservation and sustainable use of forest biodiversity associated with the use of genetically modified trees;
(z) Provide the available information and the scientific evidence regarding the overall effects of genetically modified trees on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity to the Executive Secretary for dissemination through the clearing-house mechanism;
[1]/ Where applicable, risks such as cross-pollination and spreading of seeds should be specifically addressed.
We therefore support the call to CTNBio and the Brazilian government made by Brazilian and Latin American groups to reject the application of Futuragene to commercially plant genetically engineered eucalyptus trees.
Signed:
The Campaign to STOP GE Trees (International)
Global Justice Ecology Project (US)
EcoNexus (Europe, UK)
Indigenous Environmental Network (North America)
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (Canada)
Biofuelwatch (US, UK)
World Rainforest Movement
Brazilian OPEN LETTER TO BE SENT TO CTNBio
OPEN LETTER TO BE SENT TO CTNBio
To: Brazilian National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio)
We, the undersigned, have been informed that FuturaGene, a biotechnology firm wholly owned by the pulp and paper company Suzano, has submitted a request for commercial planting of its yield enhanced genetically modified eucalyptus trees.
Suzano/FuturaGene, as well as other companies like Fibria (ex-Aracruz) and ArborGen, have been conducting research and field experiments on GM Trees for years.
Suzano/FuturaGene´s interest has been to increase the productivity of their tree plantations. They argue that their new GM tree will result in a 20% increase in productivity and by doing so will increase “competitiveness and environmental and socio-economic gains through higher productivity using less land and therefore overall lower chemical inputs and lowered carbon release, as well as making land available for food production or conservation and enhancing the income of outgrowers.” (1) These myths do not stand up to real facts and are addressed below.
GM TREES WILL ADD TO THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY INDUSTRIAL TREE PLANTATIONS, NOT REDUCE THEM
The use of faster growing GM trees in industrial plantations will exacerbate the already well-known negative social and environmental impacts caused by industrial tree plantations while introducing yet further impacts and knock-on effects due to the additional risks inherent to genetic engineering.
Industrial tree plantation companies have long promised that gains in productivity would lead to less land use. This is a myth. In Brazil, for example, where the productivity of monoculture tree plantations per hectare increased from 27 m3/ha/year in the 1980s to 44 m3/ha/year currently, the area covered by plantations has increased from about 4 million hectares at the end of the 1980s to more than 7.2 million hectares today. Historically, there is thus no evidence that in Brazil, increases in productivity led to less land being occupied by industrial tree plantations. A newly formed association, Indústria Brasileira de Árvores (Ibá), representing the Brazilian industrial tree plantation industry states that they intend to double the area of industrial tree plantations to 14 million hectares by 2020.
SUZANO SEEKS TO EXPLOIT NEW MARKETS FOR PLANTATION TREES
Suzano recently opened a new pulp mill in the state of Maranhão with an 1.5 million tons/year capacity. Huge areas of land covered with tree monocultures will be needed to fulfill Suzano’s wood demand for pulp, as well as for an added demand, in particular its plans to explore new uses of its wood with a project in the same state to produce and export wood pellets for energy production, to cofire with coal in the UK. The use of biomass for industrial scale energy production remains highly controversial, and its negative social, environmental and climate impacts have been documented widely. Both the pulp and wood pellet projects aim solely at profiting from new market opportunities, which is the mission of Suzano.
BRAZILIAN PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT WOULD PAY THE COSTS
While profits from this expansion accrue to Suzano shareholders, the social, ecological and economic costs as well as increased risk to regional food sovereignty and health will be borne by the Brazilian public, and local communities surrounded by plantations in particular. Many and serious conflicts over access to land already exist, and living conditions of communities surrounded by Suzano’s operations have deteriorated to the point that communities are now struggling to guarantee their food sovereignty and are increasingly at risk of losing their territories (2) .
GM CROPS LEAD TO INCREASED APPLICATIONS OF AGROTOXINS
Further, there is no plausible reason to expect that the use of “chemical inputs”, including agrotoxins, will decrease as a result of planting GM trees. On the contrary, it will increase with the increasing occupation of land which is planned to take place and the intensification of growing cycles and the ensuing nutrient depletion of soil and land. Brazil, sadly, is already the world’s leading consumer of agrotoxins, causing injury to hundreds if not thousands of victims per year, putting further strain on already insufficient public health provision. Industrial tree monocultures, lacking biodiversity, and promoted at very large scale, will augment the application of agrotoxins by huge amounts. The argument used by the GM technology lobby that the introduction of GM crops—such as soy and maize—results in less use of pesticides and fertilizers has already been proven to be false. In countries including Brazil, Argentina, and the United States – front-runners in GM soy & maize production—research has shown not a decrease, but rather an alarming increase in the use of agrotoxins (3).
DAMAGING SOIL AND WATER SUPPLIES
Genetically modifying trees to make them grow faster, while planting them on a continuously expanding portion of the land in ever larger industrial tree plantations, will only lead to further depletion of soil nutrients and fresh water. This is especially true for eucalyptus trees, already notorious for their voracious water consumption, which has been shown to result in the overall drying out of surrounding soils, springs and waterways. Communities living around non-GM tree plantations within and outside of Brazil have already widely reported water shortage and soil depletion. The introduction of faster growing GM Trees will only further aggravate this situation.
UNEXPECTED NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GM CROPS COULD BE EVEN WORSE IN GM TREES
Serious uncertainties exist with respect to the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of genetically engineered trees. Unexpected effects have already been reported for GM food crops, including for example the proliferation of herbicide resistant weeds, the emergence of secondary pests decimating crops, altered fertility such as higher rates of outcrossing, as well as increased allergenicity. Given the long and often complex life-cycle of trees and their interaction with biodiversity, predicting the outcomes and impacts of GM trees is practically impossible. While eucalyptus is non-native to Brazil, it is widely planted, and contamination of non-GM eucalyptus trees by GM eucalyptus is another serious risk, although FuturaGene, paradoxically, welcomes it (4). Will it alter invasiveness, attract new pests, weaken or deter predators? Such questions have neither been asked nor are there data to provide answers. The catalog of risks is high.
Based on the history of industrial tree plantations and the introduction of GM crops in general, we object to and deny industry’s claim that society as a whole would benefit from the commercial release and planting of GM trees. Existing evidence points squarely into the opposite direction. The only benefit we see from this new high-risk technology with unknown future impact (and possible associated incalculable cost) is that of increased profits to Suzano’s shareholders.
WE URGE NOT TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMERCIAL RELEASE OF GM TREES For the aforementioned reasons, scientists, lawyers and organizations around the world are calling for a global moratorium on the commercial release of genetically modified trees, due to their unknown but potentially severe social and ecological impacts and incalculable economic risks, which would overwhelmingly accrue to the public.
Therefore, the undersigned organizations and people wish to express their deep concern and urge the CTNBio not to authorize the commercial release of yield enhanced GE eucalyptus by Suzano/FuturaGene or by any other company that also has, or will present in future, a request for such a release.
Signatures follow
Notes 1- See FuturaGene web site at http://www.futuragene.com
2 – http://wrm.org.uy/pt/livros-e-
3 – See http://www.gmwatch.org/files/
4 – See http://www.theguardian.com/
– http://www.wrm.org.uy
– Anne Petermann
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UNISDR Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Guayaquil, Ecuador | Video: WAGUCHA in Honduras | Analucy Bengochea on Building Resilient Cities in Central America | Relinda Sosa in El País Newspaper
Having trouble viewing this email? http://www.huairou.org
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Global Warming Melting Ice Sheets Rising ocean weaters
Rise of Oceans Due to Melting Antarctic Ice Sheet Is ‘Unstoppable’
The Atlantic Wire
An ‘unstoppable,’ cataclysmic glacier meltdown is already underway
The Verge
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UN: Evidence shows both sides committed war crimes in CAR
World Association of NGOs (WANGO) NGO News April 2014
WANGO — A Global Association of NGOs Serving Humanity
WANGO NGO News & Notices
Empowering Families: A Pathway to Development, DOHA call to action Chairman, Mr Taj Hamad was one of the panelistsGo>>>
THE UN and International News ECOSOC spring meeting was held in New York April 14 and 15, with the theme Coherence, coordination and cooperation in the context of financing for sustainable development and the post-2015 development agenda Experts from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization and from the United Nations discussed such topics as sustainable development, the world economic situation and prospects and more.Go>>>
NGO Resources
This link will give you information on different organizations that donate books and computers to non profits and NGOs
http://www.fundsforngos.org/
Corporate Social Responsibility in Africa
African Regional Coordinator of WANGO, Mohammed Bougei Attah, was recently interviewed for CSR21, the London based initiative for Land Citizenship. In the interview Mr Attah spoke about international partnerships between NGOs, the private sector and communities and their relevance to development, the recent financial crises increasing the need for private sector to relate to communities, the work of WANGO and many other topics.
To hear the interview click here: http://www.csr21.org/news/
To find out more about CSR21: Go>>>
Joint Event of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council The role of partnerships in the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, was held 9 and 10 of April, 2014
http://www.un.org/en/ga/
UN Secretary-General Message, World Autism Awareness Day, 2014 The seventh annual World Autism Awareness Day was April 2, 2014 and this year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon got a little help with delivering his official message. Click here to see the delightful video: Go>>>
|
“If we share caring, lightheartedness and love, we will create abundance and joy for each other and then this moment will have been worthwhile ” Deepak Chopra |
Contact Us: WANGO 200 White Plains Road, First Floor Tarrytown, NY 10591 USA 914 631-8990 For the NGO NewsContributor Guidelines, >>> |
All material and information, which appears on the NGO News, is presented for informational purposes only. WANGO andNGO News present all data as is, without any warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, and is not liable for any loss or damage caused by a user’s reliance on any of the information obtained through the NGO News. For corrections or clarification, email:publications@wango.org. |
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UNDP Newsletter Volume 2
Dear UNDP colleagues and friends,
It is with great pleasure that we hereby present you with the second edition of the UNDP Curaçao newsletter: Kòrsou Kapasitá: inkluí hende i inspirá mente!
Please see attached document.
Additionally check out our teaser for Curaçao Speaks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Also check our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/
Enjoy reading!
Sincerely,
Raynel Martis MSc
Communication Specialist
UNDP Project Kòrsou Kapasitá: inkluí hende i inspirá mente
(Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening for Curacao)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
M : +599 9 525 9317
S : RaynelMartis
E-mail : raynel.martis@
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This Fifth-Grader Raised $200,000 to Clean Up the Gulf Oil Spill by Selling Watercolors
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Urbanizing Asia; Thailand’s Open Government Trend; Justice in Indonesia; ADB VP on Rising Inequality
viewing this: Click here to view it online.
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
This poll is being conducted by Initiative for Equality (IfE) to help choose priorities for setting up platforms for collaboration towards the goals of the Equity Treaty. The Equity Treaty (written by civil society groups in 2012) contains a shared set of ideas, principles and goals concerning equality within and between societies, and 15 commitments for global action. You can see and sign the Equity Treaty on our website.
The Equity Action Collaborative is IfE’s project to foster global collaboration towards these goals and commitments. We intend to form Action Groups to focus on one or more specific issues derived from the Equity Treaty, and then to provide platforms and tools for cooperation. These Action Groups will allow independent organizations to share information, develop strategies, coordinate action, and facilitate global collaboration towards greater equality. You can read more about the Equity Action Collaborative here: https://
This poll is the first step in forming the Action Groups. While all the issues listed in this poll are important, we need your help in choosing which issues are most in need of platforms for coordinated global collaboration at this time. The poll will be open through 23 May. Please take 5 minutes to give us your input here: https://www.
We look forward to hearing from you!
With warm regards,
Deb
(Ms.) Deborah S. Rogers, PhD President, IfE (Initiative for Equality) Email: deborah.rogers@
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Environmental News: Media Center
NRDC, Black Rock and FTSE Jumpstart Mainstream Climate-Conscious Investing
Dear Community of Educators,
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Thanks for joining Access’ Movement for Global Digital Freedom! Right now, the fight for internet freedom and digital rights is taking place on many fronts, from Egypt to Australia, from Vietnam to Pakistan.
Together we can make a difference to ensure that all people have open and secure access to the internet. If you would like to support our vital work, please donate here: https://donate.accessnow.org/
Please let your friends know about us by sending them this link: http://www.accessnow.org/
With hope, The Access Team
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Dear Community of Educators,
The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability Monday, and it makes for overwhelming reading; climate change is already affecting the food supply, will only get worse, and the poor will suffer the most. Intended to represent global scientific consensus, the report is big news worldwide. Richard Tol, now a professor at the University of Sussex and a professor of the Economics of Climate Change, Institute for
Environmental Studies and Department of Spatial Economics, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, has told Reuters that he disagreed with some findings of the summary issued in Japan today.
• ”The drafts became too alarmist,” he said but he acknowledged some other authors “strongly disagree with me.” See, http://www.finfacts.ie/
E-mail: pjpunt@umich.edu Cell: (734) 330-0238 Voice/Fax: (734) 994-3612
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Powerful new NY Times article on climate in/justice
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The LDCs call for the inaugural meeting of the ‘year of ambition’ to be placed on a very high stand
http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=84285436aa6613a4dc8c2d737&id=2037c4b597&e=57d8ea3878
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http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/warsaw_nov_2013/application/pdf/cop19cmp9_overview_schedule.pdf
http://www.wedo.org/wp-content/uploads/Short-info-flyer-WMG_FES-event5.pdf
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Date: Thursday, 9 January 2014, 1:00-2:50 PM
Venue: German House, 871 UN Plaza (1st Ave at 49th St) Organized by: the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with the support of the German Mission to the
UN RSVP: wi-4-vn@newy.auswaertiges-
***********
Jim Sniffen Programme Officer UN Environment Programme
New York tel: +1-212-963-8094 sniffenj
at un.org/jsniffen88 at gmail.
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TBL Group Conferences www.tbligroup.com – www.tbliconference.com
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World Association of NGOs (WANGO) NGO News http://www.wango.org/about.aspx
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UN Site event Access to information EN US UN site event Invitation-WV-UNFPA-Social Accountability-Dec2013
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http://sexualrightsinitiative.com/universal-periodic-review/upr-toolkit/
http://www.itcilo.org/en/the-centre/about-us/job-opportunities/?set_language=en
http://www2.smartbrief.com/servlet/encodeServlet?issueid=CEEBB152-F8A5-4E6D-B7FB-82AAC25E3E65&sid=46001adc-4290-4fa3-9e2c-7f77ea0d3b37 WAY PDF BULLETIN OCTOBER 2013
Headquarters 49 Berkeley Square Mayfair, London W1J 5AZ T
+44 (0) 20 34900899 M +44 (0) 7711378992
valentina@
Attachment(s) from Paul Shaw 1 of 1 File(s)
- http://www.unep.org/civil-society/
- http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2013EO370002/abstract
- http://dialogueslive.kofiannanfoundation.org/
- http://www.eco-gstm.org/
tamraraven/ - …. http://youtu.be/
wz8craTfLz0 - http://www.ids.ac.uk/news/uk-government-must-help-ensure-coherent-and-ambitious-vision-for-development-post-2015
- Voices Rissen UN 448 EDU PDF 448
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image002.jpeg 122 kB Weergeven Delen Downloaden 
448.pdf 2178 kB Weergeven Downloaden
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Meaningfulworld UN Int Day of Peace 21 Sept 2013.pdf 186 kB Weergeven Downloaden |
International Women’s Earth and Climate Summit, September 20th-23rd.:http://www.iweci.org/
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- www.eco-gstm.org/tamraraven/ TWEET @tamraraven
Job Announcement: EECapacity Program Coordinator Cornell University seeks an individual to assist in the planning, delivery, and development of the Expanding Capacity in Environmental Education Project funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Education.
This project is EPA’s National Environmental Education Training Program and is housed at Cornell University. For more information about the position and to apply online visit: https://cornellu.taleo.net/
For more information about EECapacity visit: http://www.eecapacity.net/
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Worldview Mission (WM) Netherlands/EU 2015-Post Development Agenda Involvement (PDF
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Terms of reference – Youth Coordinator- UN Millenium Campaign.pdf 459 kB UN Terms of reference – Youth Coordinator- UN Millenium Campaign PDF |
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African Perceptions of Chinese businesses operating in Africa.
Please find attached French, English and Portugu
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UNICEF KENYA
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
TRAINING OF TRAINERS https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JNrVpQTia7frGZY-cqAe0wYcfMrVQW5fnD01uyM-9xI/edit
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Young migrants, between opportunities and risks
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http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=84285436aa6613a4dc8c2d737&id=14f0c183a2&e=57d8ea3878
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AFRICAN SUMMIT http://africansummit.org/ http://africansummit.org/new-speaker-page/
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Post 2015 Agenda on Population and Youth Employment Conference
Dear all,
http://fcj.org.cv/index.php/
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- http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2011/summary/
- Global Fund for Women share this video “Ready to Change the World?”
- http://www.globalfundforwomen.
org/take-action/share-this- video?utm_source=housefile& utm_medium=email&utm_campaign= Email
- UN INTERNATIONAL DAYS
- http://www.un.org/en/events/
observances/days.shtml - http://www.iisd.ca/post2015/water/hlcw/
- WATER Netherlands POST 2015 AGENDA PDF
- Worldview Mission (WM) Netherlands/EU 2015-Post Development Agenda Involvement (PDF
- Worldview Mission MY World Results Report of BALI final PDF
- UN RIO+20 Questionnaire Post 2015 Rio-Edu Caucus Outcome PDF
- http://unfccc.int/2860.php
- UN FCCC TEC BULLETIN UN FRAMEWORK CLIMATE CHANGE PDF
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2013/mar/27/post-2015-agenda-coherent-global-framework
- http://uncsd.iisd.org/news/unga-holds-third-informal-consultation-on-hlpf/
- http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/policy/untaskteam_undf/glob_dev_rep_2013.pdf
- UN Globe Dev Rep 2013 PDF
- http://www.unep.org/documents.multilingual/default.asp?documentid=78&articleid=1163
- http://www.iisd.ca/csd/unece/65s/
- Final PDF MY World Newsletter Issue 2
- http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/policy/untaskteam_undf/them_tp2.shtml
- http://www.escuelapnud.org/en/
- The 4th University Scholars Leadership Symposium which will be in Manila, Philippines this August 1 to 7, 2013.
(The USLS is one of the 3 Youth in Action Programs endorsed by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York.)
Attached the event materials (Application Form, Poster, Rates).
For further information, the brochure can be accessed here: http://tiny.cc/
- http://www.universityscholars.org.uk/
- Innovate your future :
- Show your support on Thunderclap: https://www.thunderclap.it/
InnovateYourFutureShare your ideas on ECOSOC’s Facebook Forum: http://bit.ly/ InnovateYourFutureFollow @UNECOSOC and #InnovateYourFuture on Twitter - http://www.un.org/en/
development/desa/newsletter/ desanews/dialogue/2013/04/ index.html#6653
- EU THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS 14-13_doc
- http://worldviewmission.nl/?page_id=42
- WM SL REPORT JOINED SUMMIT MARCH 2013, 19-21th PDF
- WM SL March 19-21 Africa Youth Development Declaration 2013 PDF
- WM SL March 2013 PDF Progr Summit Ad Momoia NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT
- http://uncsd.iisd.org/news/world-bank-establishes-post-2015-mdg-working-group-appoints-special-envoy/
- http://www.unicef.org/
adolescence/index_67966.html# sthash.Hgccw1CU.dpuf - http://ccetyw.cyponline.org
- http://www.stakeholderforum.org/sf/index.php/news/510
- Edu StakeHolders Forum full briefing note Governing for the Future – HLPF
- http://webtv.un.org/search?term=2013-02-28
- http://worldviewmission.nl/?page_id=91
- http://climate-l.iisd.org/daily-feed/2013-02-27/
- UN My World (1 ) How…. to give a heads up on MY World website going live
- UN My World (2) A Global survey for citizens
- WM PDF Doha Cop 18 South Centre Bulletin
- WM SL March 2013 Progr Summit Ad Momoia NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT
- http://www.post2015hlp.org/
- http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/newsletter/desanews/2013/03/index.html
- http://song.unwomen.org/
- HLP POST 2015 FINAL REPORT MONROVIA-LIBERIA Communique-1-feb-2013
- http://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/topics/millennium-development-goals-mdgs/
- http://www.worldwewant2015.org/en/openhome
- http://www.worldwewant2015.org/node/287225
- http://www.post2015hlp.org/outreach/
- MyWorld-SocialMediaPack-English-Finalrev1 (2)
- http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/newsletter/desanews/2013/03/index.html
- http://www.smartbrief.com/servlet/wireless?issueid=84FBC1AE-333D-4A6E-A327-95D4FD676357&sid=2a61fa9c%2d82b5%2d473c%2db6cb%2d8e25b41c03fb
- http://www.unicef.org/
southafrica/resources_9001. html -
http://www.oneyoungworld.com/
- Post 2015 ENG_-OPEN-CALL-FOR-CSO-APPLICATION-FOR-HLP-BALI-MEETING1
- http://www.unwater.org/watercooperation2013/celebrations_wwdnetherlands.html
- http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/water_cooperation_2013/index.shtml
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The formal Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers Holland Co-founder of The Earth Charter UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Afican Union: Application Dead line!!! Dec 15th, 2012 APPLICATION FORM FOR ELECTION INTO THE ECOSOCC GENERAL ASSEMBLY http://www.au.int/en/content/application-form-election-ecosocc-general-assembly http://www.kenyayouthnetwork.blogspot.nl/ http://www.unicef.org/policyanalysis/index_67742.html http://www.unhabitat.org/list.
- UNICEF YOUTH EDU 2012.03.22 INFORME PARTICIPACION ADOLESCENTE version final_con fotos_ ENGLISH AMO GH
- Worldview Mission, Participates UN 7th Annual Youth Ambassadors Assembly at UN, NY
- http://www.worldwewant2015.org/Post2015HLP
- Post 2015- Guidelines for Country’s Consultations
- http://www.worldwewant2015.org/
- http://www.worldwewant2015.org/en/openhome
- UN Events: http://www.undppc.org.fj/pages.cfm/events/
- WM – EU : Mr. WORKU, APPLICATION, UNAOC ViennaYouth
- WM – EU : Mr. WORKU, UNAO Vienna Youth Event Guidelines, FINAL
- The New York Global Young Leaders Summit International MUN
New York, 26th to 29th March 2013 REGISTRATION DEADLINE:15 JANUARY 2013 http://www.newyorkmun.org/styled-22/index.html
- WM AFRICA: http://one.org/africaaward , http://www.au.int , http://www.unric.org/en/
Earth Charter – For a Better World – Video 2012
- Please join! OCT 29th-30th 2012, Africa Works! The 21st Century Trends (HOLLAND-ZEIST)http://www.africaworks.nl / http://www.fmo.nl/
- UN World Hunger Map
- Current World Population: http://www.un.org/en/events/unday/2011/
- http://www.womendeliver.org/ (CONFERENCE 2013)
- http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=7cb693b1ff74930e9a30de788&id=2cc6807670&e=bd24d65e07
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Registration for the Youth Assembly at the UN New York, YA+11B to be held on January 29 to February 1, 2013 is now OPEN.
————————————————————————————————- “Get It Done”: Urging Climate Justice, Youth Delegate Anjali Appadurai Mic-Checks UN Summit
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- http://www.wfuna.org/
- http://www.qatar-in-brussels.org/travelling-to-and-finding-accommodation-in-brussels/
- http://www.un.org/en/peacebuilding/
- WM Ghana ECOWAS CSO FORUM PROGRAM INFORMATION SHEET
- WM Ghana INV LETTER 2 ECOWAS CSO CONSULTATIVE FORUM 26TH OCT 2012
- http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/videos/mdg-countdown-2012
- http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/10/20121014112448139460.html
- WM SL Application Youth Summit Sierra Leone _application_form
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The fifty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 4 to 15 March 2013 http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/57sess.htm
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The 2013 Call for Africa-India Fellowship Programme http://www.au.int/en/dp/hrst/
————————————————————————————————- 1. New York Global Young Leaders Summit INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS
New York, 26 – 29 March 2013
http://www.newyorkmun.org/slideshow/page21.html
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African Union
———————————————————————————————— Deadline to apply: 20 December 2012
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THE WORLD WE WANT IN 2015
UK Beyond2015 Bulletin 3_Updated TURKEY: 2015 WORLD WE WANT UGLA_Habitat_Video_Basin Bülteni TURKEY: 2015 WORLD WE WANT IYLA_Habitat_Video Press Release
————————————————————————————————- Sidewalk University Gives the Gift of Sight to Children Trip in Antigua and Barbuda : Press Release
————————————————————————————————- Netherlands Water Parnership – Waterproof and Waterproof –
————————————————————————————————-https://sites.google.com/site/youthmdgambassadors/ 
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Risk management – Principles and guidelines ISO 31000:2009 provides principles
http://www.theirm.org/publications/documents/rm_standard_nl_15.11.04.pdf
http://www.theirm.org/publications/PUstandard.html
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*Worldview Mission is Standing Up ,* Taking Action* , **Making Noise for the UN MDG’s !!!**