rinoceros

Due South

2010-08-30T08:30:22Z

IIED (International Institute for Environment and Development) initiates a series of blogs exploring the impact of the recession on sustainable development in the South. Due South examines sustainable development through the overlapping lenses of the environment, economy and social justice. Its writers offer insights and opinions on a wealth of issues, from mining and small-scale agriculture to climate change adaptation; from the arms trade and deforestation to renewable energy for the (...) - 04. annuaire / annuaire, sustainable development, international trade, media, financial crisis, north-south relations

Formalizing Israel's Land Grab

Truthdig — 2010-08-30T08:28:54Z

Time is running out for Israel. And the Israeli government knows it. The Jewish Diaspora, especially the young, has a waning emotional and ideological investment in Israel. The demographic boom means that Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories will soon outnumber Jews. And Israel's increasing status as a pariah nation means that informal and eventually formal state sanctions against the country are probably inevitable. Desperate Israeli politicians, watching opposition to their (...) - 2. démocratie et gouvernance / article, Israel, Palestine, people's rights, access to land, discrimination, human rights violations

Make finance work for people and the planet

2010-08-30T08:27:54Z

Introduce a financial transaction tax for people and the planet now! A small change for the banks. A big difference for the world. Introduce the Robin Hood Tax now! http://www.makefinancework - 5. agir / agir, international tax law, redistribution of wealth, financial market

Pakistan Floods: Stand with the People!

Avaaz — 2010-08-30T08:26:15Z

A humanitarian catastrophe of terrifying proportions is unfolding in Pakistan, with a fifth of the country under water, and millions of people homeless and desperately needing assistance.

Some relief efforts are underway, but the international response to the mega-disaster has been irresponsibly slow and weak — the UN has urgently appealed for $460 million of vital aid, but just 60% has been committed. Relief workers warn that without an immediate increase in aid the death toll could sky-rocket.

With the expert advice of leading humanitarian NGOs on the ground, we'll offer donations to trusted local organizations, including: Hirrak Development Centre (HDC) and Participatory Welfare Services (PWS). With these partners on the ground our community will help provide much needed humanitarian aid. 100% of the funds raised will go directly to helping Pakistanis cope with this disaster and strengthen their local systems. Click below to make a contribution to the Pakistan disaster relief fund:

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Traditional Leaders in South Africa: Custom and Tradition in a Modern State?

South African Civil Society Information Service (SACSIS) — 2010-08-30T08:25:18Z

The recent announcement by President Zuma that certain traditional leadership positions would be not be continued when the incumbent leaders died was met by a remarkable lack of reaction and discussion in the media. Against the bigger picture this was a cosmetic change to traditional and customary practice in South Africa. Surely we must continue to ask whether traditional leadership per se is not an archaic concept in a modern democratic republic? What place do kings and queens, chiefs and other traditional leaders really have to play in a truly democratic dispensation?

These questions become especially relevant in light of moves toward the final scrapping of one of the cornerstones of the apartheid era, the 1951 Black Authorities Act (BAA), which used divide and rule principles to shatter traditional power structures. The Law, Race and Gender research unit at UCT has noted that the Communal Land Rights Act (CLARA) of 2004, the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act of 2003, and the Traditional Courts Bill, meant to replace the BAA, collectively perpetuate many apartheid instituted ‘traditions' and continue to marginalise women and rural communities where over one third of our people still live. Read more

8th Asia-Europe People's Forum

2010-08-27T14:09:34Z

In October 2010, heads of state and governments from across Asia and Europe will meet in Brussels for the eighth Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM-8) to discuss their future priorities and plans. While countries that comprise ASEM make up around 60 per cent of the world's population - the agenda of these bi-annual meetings is dominated by powerful economic and financial interests. With ASEM8 coming to the institutional heart of Europe and in the midst of overlapping and prolonged social, ecological and economic crises, ASEM8 provides a unique opportunity for citizens of Asia and Europe to assess the impact of current policies and to demand change.

The Asia Europe People's Forum (AEPF) began in 1996 in Bangkok, in parallel, and in response to the first ASEM summit which pushed for stronger regional blocs and the promotion of corporate power. AEPF is grounded in the common desire of people's organisations and social justice networks across Asia and Europe to open up new venues for dialogue, solidarity and action.

AEPF provides a space for citizens to share, strengthen struggles and develop recommendations, campaigns and alternatives for both regions. AEPF has actively engaged with ASEM, lobbying for the integration of people's rights into ASEM. AEPF has contributed to building stronger networks at national and regional levels and has implemented cross regional initiatives on peace and security, economic and social justice, democratisation and human rights.

http://www.aepf.info/

International study documents pesticide health harms

Choike, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) — 2010-08-27T14:08:42Z

A new study by Pesticide Action Network International (PAN) documents that hazardous pesticides are commonly used in unsafe situations around the world, and calls for assertive action by corporations, governments and international bodies to address pesticide hazards. The report release coincided with the Brussels meeting of CropLife, the global trade association for multinational pesticide corporations like Monsanto and Syngenta. Read (...) - 9. sciences citoyennes et technologies / article, agriculture, multinational corporation, public health, pesticide

Govt rejects environment clearance to Vedanta

InfoChange News & Features — 2010-08-26T12:44:09Z

In a setback to Vedanta Resources, the Indian government has rejected environment clearance to its $ 1.7 billion bauxite mining project in Orissa after accepting the recommendations of a key panel clearing such ventures

India's environment ministry has rejected Vedanta Resources Plc's proposal to mine bauxite in the eastern state of Orissa. Citing reasons for the denial of clearance, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said “there has been a very serious violation of the Environment Protection Act, Forest Conservation Act and Forest Rights Act”.

The government will issue a show-cause notice and take penal action against Vedanta for violating these laws, Ramesh said in New Delhi.

The decision came after the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) which submitted its report to Ramesh after reviewing suggestions given by the N C Saxena Panel seeking a ban on the mining project in Orissa's Niyamgiri hills in view of various violations at the site. “There have been no emotions and no politics and no prejudice involved in this report. I have taken this decision in a proper legal approach,” Ramesh said. Read more

Native People Demand Autonomy Over Territory

Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS) — 2010-08-24T15:14:43Z

In the view of governments, international bodies and some sectors of civil society participating in negotiations towards new global rules on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the REDD programme is the last chance to save tropical rainforests. But to the representatives of indigenous peoples who live in the forests in question, REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries) is just one of many superfluous mechanisms devised by governments and (...) - actualités / article, environmental protection, people's rights, climate change, governance, global governance, indigenous peoples, climate justice, land grabbing

U.N. Salutes Indigenous Filmmakers

Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS) — 2010-08-24T15:13:17Z

The United Nations celebrated the International Day of the World's Indigenous People this week by showcasing award- winning short films produced by indigenous filmmakers and reaffirming indigenous rights and cultural treasures.

The day was observed at the New York headquarters of the U.N. Monday, marking the midpoint of the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People.

As proclaimed by the General Assembly, the goal of the decade is the further strengthening of international cooperation to solve problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment and social and economic development.

This year's theme is indigenous filmmaking, which ties in with the theme of the current session of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), 'Development with Culture and Identity'.

Through the expressive medium of film, indigenous filmmakers opened the window into their lives for the wider audience.

"We're such a visual community today, people read about things but they forget. Film allows you to… almost delve into other people's world. It is a great way of communicating people's stories," Alex Zacarias, director of "Taíno Indians: Counted out of Existence", one of the four films screened on this special occasion, told IPS. Read more