Dynamics between Indigenous Rights and Environmental Governance: Preliminary analysis and focus on impact of climate change governance through REDD+
This essay discusses the question of the complex relationship between international environmental governance, sometimes referred to as “earth system governance”, and indigenous rights (section I). The two sets of norms, instruments and institutions are theoretically envisioned as complementary since they both incorporate the notion of the importance of protection of the environment and its natural resources. Emphasis has been progressively put on the natural symbiosis and correlation between sustainable development purposes and indigenous self-determination and preservation of their identities. Forests peoples’ specific connections with their lands and thorough knowledge of their natural environment are undoubtedly acknowledged and highlighted.
It has been chosen to focus on the interplay of indigenous rights and climate change governance embodied in the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and its corollary the REDD+ mechanism (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) and the potential opportunity and/or harm it represent for indigenous communities and their rights (section II); before attempting to reach some conclusion (section III).
Ending ‘Doormat Politics’ In Somalia
Somalia has been making political and economic progress recently, with an age of peace and prosperity seemingly on the horizon. What is necessary now, according to the author, is for the Somali people to put aside the division and depression left over from years of traumatic conflict and insecurity and embrace the future.
Embezzlement of Public Funds: A Crime against Humanity in Cameroon
Joseph Agbor Effim studies embezzlement in Cameroon, arguing that the consequent suffering experienced by Cameroonians that follows renders it tantamount to a crime against humanity.
Ecuador and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Ecuador has long championed the struggle against colonialism and criticized exploitative neoliberal policies in Latin America, however, the government’s continued support of resource extraction on Indigenous lands have led them to repress legitimate protest movements, and to violate key legal documents including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the country’s own constitution.
Disunity in Palestine: Its History and Implications for the Peace Process
Mahmoud Abdou explores the history and implications of political disunity among Palestinian leadership, arguing that a united Palestine is an essential step toward peace for everyone in the region.
X-Rated Reading: Literary Censorship in Iran
Literary censorship directly affects many aspects of media, in many countries of the world. This essay explores the ways in which the Islamic Republic of Iran has silenced national and international artists, thus banning their literary creativity. Chapters of contempt and scripts of scandal are classified as those that deviate from Iran’s much respected social, political and religious traditions. Hindering the free flow of imagination, of readers and writers alike, literature is kept hidden from the masses, in the name of maintaining Iran’s conformist state.
A Victory for Democracy: Bolivia
The Bolivian President has promoted a true transition: A constitutional reform, which introduces elements of direct democracy and allows for the postulation of independent candidates in municipal elections, the systematic depolitization of public posts, the ratification of reasonable and realistic agreements (which reconstructs the confidence in negotiation), the rejection to the old practice of “buying” leaders, the revision and reformulation of the Hydrocarbon Law.
Going back
This is part II of an interview with Yassir Kori relates his flight from Sudan that finally brought him to safety in the United States. Kori walked across Sudan and Ethiopia for over a month, working along the way to finance his trip as he tried to escape from a government that wanted to kill him.
A Long Walk
This is part I of an interview with Yassir Kori relates his flight from Sudan that finally brought him to safety in the United States. Kori walked across Sudan and Ethiopia for over a month, working along the way to finance his trip as he tried to escape from a government that wanted to kill him.
A New Look at Economic Development
Considering the most recent developments in Western societies, there is a growing consciousness that a deep change is needed in the type of economic development as well as the social values that are currently pursued.
The International Scope Review was created at the end of 1998 to bring an answer to this situation. In 2002, The Social Capital Foundation was created to support and manage the Review and to set up other types of actions likely to make the public aware of alternative approaches. This article discusses the underpinning theory and practice of the Foundation.