Global Perspectives on the Middle East Imbroglio

The cover story of the August issue of Global Perspectives gives a rather skeptical prognosis for a new start of the Middle East Peace Process. Although the Obama Administration increased pressure on the Israeli Government, currently there seems to be little hope that it is going to negotiate the high threshold it built in order to accept a Palestinian State.

Also in this issue Thomas Hammarberg (Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe) writes about the value of budget analysis to assess government’s human rights commitment. In the European context budget analysis was so far successfully used to monitor gender mainstreaming. The key problem in all human rights work is a gap between the promises and the implementation. This gap can only be bridged when budgets themselves reflect the pledges made.

A summary of the UNDP Arab Development Report 2009 discusses a European Neighborhood Region which should be on the European foreign policy agenda. Citizens of the Arab region suffer under a lack of human security caused by regional conflicts, environmental problems, lacking rule of law, crime and health challenges. Further the region which faces rapid population growth has to deal with a high unemployment rate and permanent internal migration. Europe needs to assist the Arab countries in dealing with this enormous amount of problems in order to avoid negative effects like irregular migration and security risks.

Regarding the ongoing Climate Change Negotiations Ramesh Jaura describes the different positions during the latest informal talks from 10-14 August in Bonn. According to diplomat voices there still is too little progress to finally settle a global climate deal in Copenhagen this December.

With the UN Climate Change Summit on September 22 ahead Thalif Deen raises doubts on the usefulness of the UN summit culture. Since the Rio Summit in 1992 there have been dozens of summits and review summits on various themes, at best leading to political declarations which in the end often lacked funding for implementation. The journalist believes that the upcoming summit will also be nothing more than a talk-fest.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) joint production by IPS Inter Press Service Europe and the Global Cooperation Council, published by Globalom Media. The monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development are downloadable for free.

See also the Euforic newsfeeds on IPS Europe and the Middle East.

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives - Whither G8 and G5?

The July issue of Global Perspectives sums up the results of the G8 summit in L'Aquila and looks at the future of the global governance summit architecture.

According to some authors the G8 has still a potential as a political and security forum. Nonetheless it should seek to reform the international organizations to bring them in-line with the changed global power balance. According to the German Chancellor Merkel, quoted in a contribution, the G8 should be a body for discussion, consensus building and statements while the new G20 format should make decisions.

The Joint Political Declaration of the G8 stated that the Heiligendamm Process which aimed for structured dialogue between the G8 and the G5 (Brazil, South Africa, China, India, Mexico) should be re-phrased Heiligendamm-L'Aquila Process (HAP). It should continue substantive dialogue among the major economies and provide careful reflections on long-term questions regarding the G8-G20 constellation.

Possible themes for the HAP agenda could be freedom of investment to mutual benefit; the role of innovation and technology in the process of sustainable and socio-economic development; a strategic approach to development and its social dimension; assistance to vulnerable states; food security and reform of relevant organizations; and energy.

Also in this issue an opinion article by Thalif Deen who attacks the hypocrisy of the Western nations who compare their financial efforts to fight the global financial crisis with their aid commitments in order to reach the MDG targets.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) joint production by IPS Inter Press Service Europe and the Global Cooperation Council, published by Globalom Media. The monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development are downloadable for free.

See also the Euforic newsfeeds on IPS Europe and global governance

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives on the Long March to Copenhagen

Shortly after the Bonn Climate Talks the new issue of 'Global Perspectives' focuses on the outcomes of this latest session towards a Post-2012 Agreement on Climate Change.

According to observers, the negotiations are still far from the expected outcomes. While official delegates declared that progress was made during the Bonn meeting, NGOs and the majority of developing countries disapprove such claims. According to them the USA are blocking any progress especially regarding the emission reduction targets. At the same time European Union governments' commitments remain unimpressive.

"While the U.S. is holding climate negotiations hostage, Japan and the EU appear to feel comfortable hanging on to Washington's apron-strings" an observer noted.

Equally alarmingly is the fact that developed countries fail to commit substantial amounts of money and technology cooperation to enable developing countries to cope with the effects of climate change.

Senior Adviser to the UN Secretary General Nitin Desai considers it a progress that countries at this stage agreed what they disagree about. However the principle of 'Common but Differentiated Responsibility' which holds developed countries historically accountable for climate change must not be undermined. If the industrialized world met its commitments, countries like India and China would be willing to do more. However Japan, Canada and some European states do not even honor their Kyoto targets.

Also in this issue an opinion article by Andrew F. Cooper and Gregory Chin who comment on the prospects of the G20 as new global governance structure. They warn to overemphasize the Trans-Atlantic leadership of the US and the UK which they see as being outdated and not reflecting the emergence of new actors. They also stress the importance of the BRIC-Group (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as a new voice of the developing countries.

See as well an article by Julio Godoy who puts the finger on Western hypocrisy when welcoming the ICC warrant against Sudan's al-Bashir and criticizing Zimbabwe's Mugabe and at the same time keeping close relations with other dictators in Angola, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea or the Republic of Congo. In his opinion governments in Europe and North America remain silent due to their economic interests in these countries' natural resources.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) joint production by IPS Inter Press Service Europe and the Global Cooperation Council, published by Globalom Media. The monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development are downloadable for free.

See also the Euforic newsfeeds on IPS Europe, climate change and governance

by Martin Behrens

What our members are doing on climate change

Climate change is high on the international agenda these days. During the UN Climate Change Talks in Bonn (1 - 12 June) politicians, experts and activists aim to make progress in the preparation of a Post-2012 Climate Change Agreement. Obviously, the toughest task remains to find a compromise between industrialized countries, emerging economies and the developing world.

Within our diverse Euforic network several of our members are very active in the field of climate change. This is a good opportunity to present an overview of their activities.

Advocacy on climate change aims to influence the ongoing climate change negotiations on the regional and global level. Organisations involved wish to influence policy processes in a strategic way and make sure that the interests of the developing world are heard.






CIDSE is mainly engaged in the campaigning activities towards climate justice and a comprehensive new Climate Change Agreement. During the Bonn Climate Change Talks the network presents its report on the importance of adaptation technology for the Post-2012 Climate Agreement and - amongst other activities - organizes a video conference between Southern experts and conference participants on the issue of disaster risk reduction and adaptation.

APRODEVs Working Group on Climate Change and Concord are focusing on strategically influencing EU policies aiming to ensure that they are coherent with stated poverty eradication and development policies.

Research on climate change focuses on the impact of the phenomenon on the environment and livelihoods as well as on adaptation strategies to cope with these effects.





A research program of IDS is looking at cross-cutting issues between climate change and adaptation, policy, low carbon growth, building of networks and knowledge sharing as well as at training, teaching and mentoring. During the Bonn conference IDS organizes a panel discussion on 'Strengthening knowledge sharing on climate change adaptation in Africa'.

Also the Danish Development Research Network (DDRN) prioritizes climate change in its research. As well as the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) whose research activities focus on the issue of climate change from a number of different perspectives ranging from security and international politics to trade, development, and livelihood.

ISS looks at the effects of climate change on resources, the environment and livelihoods. And ODIs research is trying to identify how increasing knowledge of the science of climate change impacts can be used to understand potential implications for developing countries, particularly in social, economic and political terms. Secondly it looks at how to ensure that emerging climate change mitigation and adaptation policies work for the poor.

Training courses provide services for policy makers to increase their knowledge on climate change and the international policy processes and negotiations.




DIPLO, the training institute for diplomacy, recognizes the importance of climate change negotiations on the global and regional level and developed a training course for diplomats and government officials involved in climate change policy processes.

Latest news, research and policy documents on Climate Change and related topics are provided by several Euforic members:

• EADI - Information portal on climate change and energy
  
• ECDPM - Newsfeed on climate change and development
  
• IPS - News alert on climate change
  
• ILEIA - Dossier on climate change, rural development and agriculture
  

Policy perspectives are given by the public institutions among our membership.




FINNIDA focuses on the Clean Development Mechanism and its political dimension as well as on the nexus between gender and climate change.

The Annual General Meeting which Euforic organizes alongside the meeting of EADIs Information Management Working Group takes place in Copenhagen from the 10 - 12 June. The meeting will shed light on the challenges of climate change and communication. See Mike Shanahan (IIED) talk about this issue:

Click To Play

by Martin Behrens

See also Euforic newsfeeds on climate change; information/knowledge, and from the 2009 annual workshop

Global Perspectives on a Nuclear Free World, Human Rights and the Economic Crisis

In the light of the latest nuclear bomb test in North Korea the cover story of the latest issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' sums up the latest initiatives and developments on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Furthermore a report from the UN Human Rights Conference in Geneva and on the recent elections of the USA to the UN Human Rights Committee looks at the future role of the world power in this area. According to the author the US is committed to fight the dominance of human rights violators in the UN organ in the upcoming 3-years term.

Further a report of the Commission on Climate Change and Development, chaired by the Swedish Development Minister Gunilla Carlsson, urges donors to honor their commitment to climate change adaptation in developing countries and demands an additional 1.2 billion US-$ to support the most vulnerable that already suffer from the effects of climate change.

The recent report on the African Economic Outlook says that although the Financial Crisis has dramatic effects on Africa, the continent is better prepared than 10 years ago.

"...we should not despair." says Kasekende (chief economist of the African
Development Bank), "The decade of reform has introduced efficiency in macroeconomic management and made African economies more competitive. Countries should therefore desist from implementing policies that restrain further integration of the continent into the global trading and financial environment."

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) joint production by IPS Inter Press Service Europe and the Global Cooperation Council, published by Globalom Media. The monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development are downloadable for free.

See also the Euforic newsfeeds on IPS Europe, security, human rights, climate change, and the financial crisis

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives on the G20: Trillions for Whom?

The cover story of the latest issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' looks at the commitments of the London G20 summit to overcome the economic and financial crisis.

Andrew F Cooper (Waterloo University) underlines the symbolic function of the G20 meeting sending out the message that the seriousness of the financial and economic breakdown is recognized by important leaders across the North-South divide. Nonetheless he reminds us that the group is still criticized for its imbalanced composition with too many European members and only one African participant. Furthermore the new G20 questions the leading role of the G8. The next G8 summit will take place in July hosted by Italy. During this meeting also the so called G5 (China, Brazil, India, South Africa, Mexico) will meet a whole day with G8 countries. It remains to be seen which model will be more effective to solve the global policy challenges ahead.

During the G20 meeting 1.1 trillion dollars were promised to tackle the economic and financial crisis. Sanjay Suri (IPS London) doubts that this will actually help to improve the current economic situation. According to him financial stimuli provided in the US or the UK had no effect at all on market figures or for confidence building. Sanjay Suri claims that the main problem is that governments themselves lost credibility meaning that their promises are trusted no more. The Financial Times Index showed even a slightly negative reaction after more than a trillion US dollar was promised at the summit. Keeping in mind that much lower commitments during the 2005 Geneagles summit to help developing countries where not met, there can be serious doubts about the reliability of the new promises.

Furthermore in this issue a report from the Climate negotiations which took place in Bonn to prepare for the upcoming Copenhagen summit in December 2009.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) joint production by IPS Inter Press Service Europe and the Global Cooperation Council, published by Globalom Media. The monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development are dowloadable for free.

See also the Euforic newsfeeds on IPS Europe and on the financial crisis

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives on the ICC and Sudan

The cover story of the latest issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' sheds light on discussions around the International Criminal Court's warrant to arrest Sudan's President al-Bashir.

The president is accused of masterminding mass murder and crimes against humanity in the crisis region of Darfur. Since Sudan is not a member of the ICC treaty, the case was brought to the Court by the UN Security Council.

The controversial arrest warrant, while supported by the international human rights community, caused wide criticism in developing countries as well as among experts on Sudan. According to them, the Sudanese President is the only one holding the fragile peace process in Sudan especially in the Southern provinces together. His arrest would therefore destabilize a country that plans to hold elections in February 2010.

The African Union is going to investigate the case itself before it wants to take a position. Nonetheless, some of the 30 African signatories to the ICC charter have threatened to withdraw their membership if the al-Bashir Case is not withdrawn. They accuse the ICC of only investigating crimes in weaker countries while shying away from crimes committed by Western powers. In fact, all 13 warrants issued by the ICC deal with crimes in Africa. All but the Sudan case were referred to the ICC by African countries themselves.

The Sudanese government reacted by expelling humanitarian organisations from the country, accusing them of espionage. According to the UN, this will leave 1.1 million people, especially in the western region of Dafur, without food, 1.5 million without health care and more than a million without drinking water.

The issue also has an article on the Palestine Conflict. Baher Kamal argues that even if the Palestine State would be founded according to US and European wishes, it would cause new conflicts since their idea of Palestine is what the author calls a 'Cheese State'. The holes comprise Israeli settlements in the West Bank as well as other pieces of the West Bank and Gaza seenby Israel as necessary to its security, including water resources and fertile land.

Referring to the state security doctrines of some Arab countries and Israel, which depend on foreign enemies to ensure internal coherence, Baher Kamal doubts a fast solution of the conflict.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) joint production by IPS Inter Press Service Europe and the Global Cooperation Council, published by Globalom Media. The monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development are dowloadable for free.

See also the Euforic newsfeed on IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives on current climate, economic and security crises

The February 2009 issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' provides a first analysis on the newly established International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The agency, which currently has 76 member states from industrialized and developing countries, representing 2,5 billion people, aims to accelerate and coordinate the introduction of renewable energy production. It wants to offer member states practical advice to reach their individual renewable energy targets.

On environmental policy, Yvo de Boer (Executive Secretary, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) looks ahead to the upcoming Copenhagen summit in December 2009.

Regarding the global financial crisis, Inge Kaul (Herti School of Governance) calls for support to an appeal by a group of economists aiming to enhance coordination among the Euro-zone economies in the light of the global financial crisis. The journalist Eric Walberg looks at new ideas and solutions for the financial and economic breakdown. He also comments on the push to more global financial regulation in Europe and the US to tackle the crisis.

On the security crisis in Gaza, Baher Kamal Youssef presents his views on the background of the Gaza War and the involvement of the different interest groups. Gunilla Carlsson (Swedish Development Minister) and Karen Abu Zayd (UNRWA) call on us not to forget the children suffering under the ongoing conflict in Gaza; they offer a 10-step programme to overcome the humanitarian crisis.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) joint production by IPS Inter Press Service Europe and the Global Cooperation Council, published by Globalom Media. The monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development are dowloadable for free.

See also the Euforic newsfeed on IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives on what 2009 will bring us

The first issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' in 2009 reviews thepast year and looks at the challenges ahead.

Jeffrey Laurenti (Century Foundation) shows us his personal collection of good and bad events for world development in 2008, while philosopher Daisaku Ikeda reflects on 60 years of the International Declaration of Human Rights which was celebrated in December.

Assessing the achievements of last year but also looking at the challenges ahead, several articles deal with the international talks on climate change. Besides some insights from the Poznan Summit they look at the prospects for the upcoming conference in Copenhaagen.

A report by the Global Perspective Monitoring Unit shows the outlook for poverty alleviation in 2009. According to a World Bank Report, rapid growth will allow developing countries as a group to reach the MDG goal to halve poverty by 2015, despite the current financial crisis. However the Sub-Saharan African Region is predicted, notwithstanding gradual progress, to not to reach the target.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) publication by IPS Europe. It releases monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development and is dowloadable for free.

See also the Euforic newsfeed on IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives on what the financial crisis means for the poor

The December 2008 issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' looks at the consequences of the global financial crisis for the poor.

Prof Zhang Zhongxiang's analysis shows three main effects of the financial crisis in Africa. Obviously, the crisis will have a negative effect on the direct foreign investment rate in African countries. Secondly, Prof. Zhang expects a decrease in raw material exports and low revenue in the tourism sector. Last but not least the remittances from the African diaspora, sometimes as important in quantity as donor development assistance, will be lower.

Nonetheless the author points at the positive action of the African Regional Blocks and the African Union to deal with the financial crisis which would lead to deeper regional integration and, by consequence, strengthen Africa's economic position in the world.

This issue of the magazine contains also several articles that give regional perspectives on the finanical crisis from Asian and African countries.

Another report deals with the impact of the crisis on big NGOs. A mixed picture is presented with more dramatic losses in fundraising by the US NGO sector and a so far unpredictable situation in Europe.

Furthermore in this issue an editorial by Ramesh Jaura who sheds a critical light on the involvement of the European Investment Bank in Africa.

An essay by Daisaku Ikeda (Soka Gakkai International) pleading for a stronger role of the world youth in the UN institutional framework.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) publication by IPS Europe. It releases monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development and is dowloadable for free.

See also the Euforic newsfeed on IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives on the financial crisis

The November 2008 issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' focuses on the global financial crisis.

Robert Zoellick (World Bank) warns that we need to pay close attention to emerging economic powers. These new actors in the global economy have shown their economic success but are suspicious regarding the world finance and governance institutions. They want to have a say in any upcoming global finance structure reforms. 

He calls for a new Multilateral System that "will need to be a flexible network, not a fixed nor unitary system. It needs to maximize the strengths of interconnecting and overlapping actors and institutions, public and private."

The German Minister responsible for Development Cooperation, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul argues that market-radical ideologies have failed. Developing countries do not need deregulation of their financial markets, since their governance structures are too weak and financial resources are too marginal. However the financial crisis will not stop at national borders;  thus Wieczorek-Zeul calls for international regulations which could be installed at the upcoming Doha Round in December.

The South Centre calls for a revision of the 'Finance for Development' concept proposed by the World Bank and IMF. An article by Ramesh Jaura (IPS) describes the lines of action proposed by the South Centre to revamp the global financial architecture:

1. Inclusive process to develop new representative architecture
2. Correct regulatory deficit of global finance
3. Reforms should be part of IMF reform agenda
4. Adopt a coordinated global macroeconomic policy
5. Create an international debt court
6. Stronger reliance on regional institutions and active cooperation with developing countries

David Cronin (IPS) criticizes the recent EC proposal against illegal timber as toothless. The proposal suggests that companies demand guarantees that their timber is from legal resources,  but environmental organizations claim concrete steps are needed to criminalize illegal timber and severely control voluntary certifications. The EU Commissioner Dimas replies that the EU relies on its member states to impose harsh penalties against trade in illegal timber.

Also in this issue an interview on the current state of South America, with former Portuguese President Mario Soares and a report from the IUCNs' world conservation congress which took place in Barcelona.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) publication by IPS Europe. It releases monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development and is available for free download.

See also Euforic newsfeed on IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives on the bumpy road to Accra

The August 2008 issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' focuses on the process towards the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF3).

The HLF3 aims to review the Paris Declaration which was signed to improve ways that donors and recipients work together to speed up progress toward the MDGs.

Civil society organisations fear that donors will bediverted from their promises. According to an article by David Cronin (IPS Europe) mechanisms to measure implementation, like a clear time frame, are missing, which makes it hard to hold signatories accountable.

Ramesh Jaura (IPS Europe) reports from the UN Development Cooperation Forum which took place on 30 June - 1 July 2008 in New York. As a main input for Accra, the forum discussed questions of conditionality and capital flight to developing countries.

Also in this issue are three opinion articles looking at the global food crisis (Jacques Diouf, FAO), the post-oil age (Ignacy Sachs, School of Advanced Studies in Social Science) and the importance of dialogue in global governance (Daisaku Ikeda – Soka Gakkai International).

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) publication by IPS Europe. It releases monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development and is available for free download.

See also Euforic newsfeed on IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global perspectives on global development summits

The July 2008 issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' focuses on the recent G8 summit in Japan.

Ramesh Jaura (IPS) looks back to the 1981 Cancun Summit on international cooperation and development which brought together many state representatives from North and South. The summit provided an impulse for future discussions on agriculture, energy, raw materials, trade, development and financial policy.

During the recent G8 summit in Japan, climate was added to this list. According to Mr. Jaura, the summit was correctly criticized for not taking concrete decisions. But documents emerging from the summit, including the Interim Report on the Heiligendamm Process, give hope for more cooperative North-South relations.

In an opinion article, Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner of Human Rights at the Council of Europe, calls for revisions to international policy on terrorism. The author stresses the importance of human rights protection and recommends a report by the Committee on the Administration of Justice which looks on lessons learned in Northern Ireland's fight against terrorism.

Thalif Deen (IPS New York) presents new numbers on the telecommunication market in Africa. With a rise from 16 Million to 250 Million mobile phone users from 2000 to 2007, Africa has the highest growth rates of the world. Less inspiring is the number of internet users, with 4 out of 100 Africans connected, and less than 1% with broadband connections.

Also in this issue is an interview Jon Lidén (GTZ) who speaks about the future challenges for the 'Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria' and the new engagement of the German government , and an interview with Simon Maxwell (ODI) on European aid targets and the MDG agenda.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) publication by IPS Europe. It releases monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development and is available for free download.

See also Euforic newsfeed on IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives focus on Japan-Africa Relations

The June issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' focuses on the recent Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

According to Ramesh Jaura (IPS), who reported from the conference, Japan's priorities in Africa are to boost economic growth, ensure human security and give attention to environmental and climate issues.

Civil society organisations criticized the weak participation of NGOs in this African-Japanese dialogue. It was the first time in a 15 years long history that a Civil Society Forum took place during the conference. However only a few NGO representatives were allowed to contribute directly to panel discussions.

Furthermore, Japanese civil society criticized the government's focus on economic growth by provision of new loans instead of explicitly targeting the MDGs. NGO's called on the government to assume leadership in the light of the upcoming G8 summit in July.

In an opinion article Mario Lubetkin (IPS) talks about the role of the media in global discussions on climate change:

“That which has been achieved is without doubt attributable to the members of the scientific community who, cast at the beginning in the undesirable role of prophets of calamity, were able to explain, convince, and orient the public and the media in particular.”

However he calls on the international media to assume a proactive role in the fight against climate change. For developing countries, the media should explain the connection between environmental sustainability and the fight against poverty and hunger.

Also in this issue is an article by Els Hortensisu (ICCO) on progress in women's rights protection in Latin America and an article by Thalif Deen (IPS) on the UN Food Summit in Rome.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) publication by IPS Europe. It releases monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development and is available for free download.

See also Euforic newsfeed on IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives: Focus on Latin America

The May issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' focuses on political changes in Latin America and other questions of global development.

The magazine includes an analysis of the left turn in Latin and Central American politics and challenges to the continent, including drugs, crime and the pressing social problems. Short articles deal with the situation in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras.

In an opinion article Ramesh Jaura (IPS Europe) writes about the international food crisis.

"[H]unger 'revolts' have surprised many. Yet, they are not like a bolt from the blue. They are man made, a consequence, among others, of the neglect and underinvestment that the agricultural and rural sector have suffered over the past 20 years."

Only 4 percent of ODA is committed to agriculture in developing countries despite the fact that 75 percent of the world's poor live in rural areas. The author calls for a long-term strategy to address the crisis, which should include an increase in ecosystems productivity and pro-poor policies of climate change adaption which counts agriculture as a priority.

Inge Kaul (Herti School of Governance) asks why there are no concrete political responses , including practical actions, to deal with challenging issues of climate change and energy supply.

According to her analysis , foreign and security policy was not adapted to globalisation and still reflects the political logic of nation states with relatively closed borders. Kaul demands a paradigm change in international cooperation which accepts the interdependence of the world state system. The G-8 system and its "5 nation outreach programme" is not sufficient to solve pressing problems. Kaul proposes the foundation of a new leadership forum and the development of a new UN 3.0 system which expands the new norm of the 'responsibility to protect' for the environment.

An interview with Ernest Corea, former chair of the Commonwealth Select Committee on Communications and Development, examines the need for a South-South News Agency. Corea complains that Northern Agencies:

"[...] are conflict-oriented. They also neglect trends in developing countries, as opposed to 'breaking news', and they are not committed to enabling Southern countries to understand each other better and learn from each other's experience."

Corea names the IPS as a good example of a South-oriented service which could be further developed into a great South-South project.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) publication by IPS Europe. It releases monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development and is available for free download.

See also Euforic newsfeeds on Latin America and from IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global Perspectives focus on gender

The April issue of the magazine 'Global Perspectives' focuses on Gender Equality: Pretentions and realities.

In the cover story, Helke Nasdala demonstrates that the UN money spent on gender equality, i.e. for UNIFEM, is still dramatically low compared to other UN programs and to the costs caused by gender inequality each year.

David Cronin (IPS Brussels) criticizes the EU for neglecting gender issues within the EU-ACP trade negotiations. Furthermore he demands a stronger engagement in the area of reproductive health in developing countries.

On the EPA trade talks, Glenys Kinnock (MEP) blames the European Commission for missing the development dimension within the EU-ACP trade negotiations:

"European Commission (EC) negotiators approached the talks on EPAs as if they were conventional free-trade area negotiations focused on market opening, rather than tools for development"

She calls foradjustments within the existing EPAs and a stronger consideration of development aspects in the future.

An analysis of the situation in Chad asserts that, contrary to the common media coverage, the security situation has not improved since February 2008 when rebel groups tried a coup d'état against President Déby. The author doubts if the EU peacekeeping force EUFOR has the capacity and the impartiality to handle the situation. The article calls for a stronger participation of all EU member states, disarmament, and a focus on dialogue with all actors.

The issue also has an interview with Eckhard Deutscher, the new Chairman of OECD-DAC, on the role of China in Africa, and the international aid effectiveness and finance for development agendas. Ramesh Jaura also has an article based on an interview with Ethiopia's President Girma about the past and future of his country.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) publication by IPS Europe. It releases monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development and is available for free download.

See also Euforic newsfeeds on Aid Effectiveness, EU-ACP relations and from IPS Europe.

by Martin Behrens

Global governance between utopia and reality

The magazine 'Global Perspectives' published its March issue under the headline: Global Governance between Utopia and Reality. It was inspired by the conferences series “Global Resource Management: A challenge for peace, development and environment” organized by the German Development and Peace Foundation (SEF).

James M. Boughton (IMF) and Colin I. Bradford (Brookings Institution) look at the current global governance system, concuding that it is outdated, since it does not represent the real global power situation, and is fragmented and too specialized which lead to lack of effectiveness and spatial thinking.

“what we have today is a multiplicity of independent actors, both public and private, each pursuing its own objectives and priorities, with its own clientele and constituency, with its own technical language and organizational culture, with its own mandate and specialized focus” they go on concluding that “[s]pecialized technical expertise by itself is unlikely to be fully effective if it is not guided by a global and holistic vision.”

According to the authors a transition of the global system towards reformed institutions and new governance mechanisms is needed to respond effectively to urgent global challenges.

Carin Smaller (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Switzerland) agues for the same cause looking at the global free trade agenda. In her opinion the current system is neglecting the people:

“the negotiators in Geneva continue to produce text for new trade rules that do not support a model of development that most people are asking for”.

She advocates closer cooperation between the Bretton Woods institutions and the UN to give considerations to the complexity of trade and development.

Joyce Aryee (Ghana Chamber of Mines) looks at the marginalized role of Africa in resource governance despite its rich natural resources. She refuses Western explanations that corrupt regimes and war-lords are abusing African assets, because it ignores the role of the West in maintaining African conflicts and supporting corrupt leaders.

Global Perspectives is a bi-lingual (English/German) publication by IPS Europe. It releases monthly editions on various themes of international cooperation and development and is available for free download.

See also Euforic newsfeeds governance and from IPS Europe.

Voices of the South on Globalization - Migration

The flows of remittances by migrants worldwide -- both recorded and unrecorded -- have become more than twice as large as the official aid received by developing countries and the greatest source of external financing for many of them.

Migrant persons are increasingly considered a driving force in the eradication of poverty and the promotion of sustainable household and community development.

At the global level, the 191 million migrants sent a total of 232 billion dollars in remittances during 2005; 54 billion dollars were sent to Latin America and the Caribbean.

The August 2007 issue of Voices of the South on Globalization on 'Migration - Benefits and Bane' can be downloaded in PDF:

Full issue

REMITTANCES IN FOCUS

DEVELOPMENT TO CENTRE-STAGE IN MIGRATION DEBATE

ROBUST REMITTANCES GROWTH HELPS BANGLADESH

REMITTANCES TO GHANA SWELL TO 4.3 BILLION DOLLARS

MIGRATION COULD YIELD A 'TRIPLE WIN'

YOUNG FOREIGN WORKERS SHORE UP PENSION SYSTEMS IN EUROPE

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Voices of the South on Globalization is published by IPS Europe

Afghanistan - Falling apart?

The deep crisis situation unfolding in Afganistan is the focus of a debate organised by IPS Europe on May 8 in the European Parliament (Room A5G2, Spinelli Building, Brussels).

Pasqualina Napoletano, Vice-Chairwoman, Socialist Group in the European Parliament, and Ramesh Jaura, European Director, IPS-Inter Press Service, will introduce the issue and set the tone for the discussions: What to do? And what role can Europe play in this situation? To what extend the lack of an information and communication strategy is at stake? Among others, Nick Grono (International Crisis Group) and Ricardo Grassi (IPS-Inter Press Service) will provide some perspectives on these issues, offering insights and food for thought for the debate.

For more information, read the invite.