Announcements
1st Young Academics Workshop: How is the EU Perceived in Asia
Learn more about the event here. You may likewise download the Application form
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Call for Papers for a Special Series on Africa, Agriculture,
Desertification, Drought, Land and Rural Development
The Natural Resources Forum, a quarterly journal issued by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and published by Blackwell, announces a call for papers for a special series over the 2007-2009 period on themes to be considered by the United Nations Commission of Sustainable Development in its 16 and 17th sessions:
- Africa
- Agriculture
- Desertification
- Drought
- Land
- Rural Development
The Natural Resources Forum focuses on inter-linked, multidisciplinary issues related to sustainable development, particularly in developing countries and countries in transition.
Researchers and practitioners interested in sending articles for this series are invited to first submit an abstract. Articles should be original in nature and between 6,000 and 8,000 words in length. Attached please find our author submission guidelines for your reference.
All papers are peer reviewed by experts in the fields concerned. Revisions may be requested before final acceptance.
Please forward your abstracts as soon as possible. Abstracts on the above issues will be accepted through 2009, however, articles for publishing in the November 2008 issue should be received no later than 30 June 2008. Questions, comments, and abstracts can be addressed to:
At this time, Natural Resources Forum is also inviting your views on the following question for the Viewpoints section of the November 2008 issue:
“Are women more severely affected by desertification, ...and if so, how?”
The Viewpoints section of the journal is a series of policy debates to help stimulate and advance the dialogue on critical issues related to sustainable development. The aim of Viewpoints is to offer a platform for academics, practitioners and experts to share their individual perspectives and to feature these perspectives alongside other thoughtful responses in the journal.
Each entry should be 200 words or less addressing the above question. When submitting a contribution, please also provide your name, title, affiliation and contact details.
Our Editorial team will work closely together with NRF’s Editorial Board Members and Advisors to select those contributions that address an important dimension of the debate. We encourage responses from different regional perspectives and from a broad range of disciplines, ensuring the right balance of perspectives.
The deadline for submission to the Viewpoints for the November 2008 issue is: 31 July, 2008. The Editorial team looks forward to receiving many contributions.
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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announces the launch of its Online Clearinghouse for National SCP Programmes as an important contribution to the UN Marrakech Process. Please tour the site at: http://www.unep.fr/pc/sustain/initiatives/actionplans/clearinghouse.asp
This online database provides information on approximately 30 existing national SCP programmes, initiatives in their final stages of development and UNEP demonstration projects. UNEP compiled this clearinghouse for participating countries to communicate knowledge regarding the development, implementation and monitoring of SCP programmes in an effort to foster their continual improvement.
The user-friendly platform is capable of searching diverse programme criteria including priority areas, type of programme, region and country name. Query results display a list of countries that meet the requested criteria as well as access to individual country pages that contain detailed national programme summaries with information on the status, vision, priorities and monitoring of the programmes. Relevant SCP documents are also available for download in many languages.
Everyone, especially all Marrakech Process participants, to utilise this valuable resource and welcome new and updated information from governments. The Clearinghouse forms part of the UK Government-funded project to develop Guidelines for National Programmes on SCP.
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SWITCH-Asia, Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production - Call for Proposals
The first Call for Proposals under the new EU-Asia Regional Environment Programme is now official. The programme is named "SWITCH-Asia, Promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production", and will be covering the period 2007-2010, with one deadline for submission of concept notes on 28 February 2008. Only successful concept notes will be invited to submit a full application form with deadline on 29 May. Project proposals must be submitted by a partnership consisting of minimum one Asian and one European non-for-profit organisation.
To get more information about the SWITCH-Asia Programme an Application Form and the Guidelines for Applicants can be downloaded from the following link under the heading "funding opportunities": http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm
Select the search type "region", select Asie, open, grants, and submit your query.
For further questions about SWITCH-Asia, please address the following e-mail address, where we will reply all incoming questions up to the first deadline:
europeaid-switch-asia@ec.europa.eu
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FINAL CALL FOR PAPERS (deadline 7 December)
Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP): Framework for Action
Conference of the EC funded SCORE! project
Mo 10th- Tue 11th March 2008, Brussels , Belgium (free of charge)
In 4 short weeks already 100 abstracts were submitted. Some asked us for more time or encountered problems with a weblink in the first call. We hence extended the abstract submission deadline until 7 December 2007 (no further delays granted!)
Abstract submission deadlines and draft conference program:
http://www.score-network.org/score/score_module/index.php?cat_name=cat_t_sco_milestonedoc&mst_id=30
Submit 200 word abstracts strictly in the required format to: Sze Wah Wan at TNO, e-mail:
sze_wah.wan@tno.nl
Registration (free of charge) is already open! Go to http://www.score-network.org, click on 'register'
Background information to the conference
SCORE! (Sustainable Consumption Research Exchanges) is an EC-funded network project that supports the development of the UN's 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP). The mission of SCORE! is to organise a leading science network that provides input to this framework. SCORE runs between 2005 and 2008, consists of 28 institutions, and involves and structures a larger community of a few hundred professionals in the EU and beyond. SCORE�s Launch conference in 2006 attracted over 250 participants and about 150 abstracts. For the present conference, a group of scientists and NGO�s teamed up to develop and launch a �Framework of Action on SCP� for consideration of policy makers world wide. The conference also will mark the launch of the structure of the permanent SCORE spin off that has as mission to be the �Science dialogue� in support of the UN�s 10 Year Framework of Programs
The conference is supported by the EU�s 6th Framework Program and UNEP, and endorsed by the IHDP Industrial Transformation Program. VITO and TNO organise the event.
Conference concept
The conference will
- Launch a global Framework for Action on SCP co-developed by science and NGOs
- Provide an opportunity for presenting conceptual and case studies on SCP relevant for the further work in the UN�s 10 Year Framework of Programs
- Provide space for a dedicated session on the contribution of SCP to control Climate Change
- Consolidate the structure for a broad platform for presenting work of science and scientists that may be of direct relevance for the activities of the UN�s 10 Year Framework Task Forces
Conference topics
'Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP): Framework for Action' welcomes conceptual and research-based as well as case describing papers covering SCP in the context of a range of issues:
Actor perspectives
- Consumers: behaviour, education and lifestyles
- Business: eco-design, supply chains, marketing, sustainable business models
- Policy: instruments for stimulating SCP (GPP, labeling, other)
Regional perspectives
- Base of the Pyramid economies / Human development through the market
- Fast developing economy perspectives / Leapfrogging
Sector perspectives
- Mobility
- Agro-food
- Housing: activities in and around the house including energy use
- Tourism
- Sustainable Urban Development
Special topics
- SCP and innovation/ transitions: radical change, system innovation and paradigm shifts
- Quantitative impact of change to SCP (with a focus on benefits for climage change)
The session topics have been chosen in such a way that researchers can present work that may be of direct relevance to the activities of the SCORE! working groups or Marrakech Taskforces. For all sessions, SCORE! is in the process of making agreements with suitable journals on the publication of special issues based on the full papers presented on the conference, provided they are of sufficient quality and pass the regular review procedure for the journal.
Abstract submission details
Abstract submission deadlines and draft conference program:
http://www.score-network.org/score/score_module/index.php?cat_name=cat_t_sco_milestonedoc&mst_id=30
Submit 200 word abstracts strictly in the required format to: Sze Wah Wan at TNO, e-mail:
sze_wah.wan@tno.nl
Abstracts will be evaluated by the SCORE Advisory Board and Co-ordination team; authors will be given feedback by December 2007. If you cannot make this deadline, contact the project director or conference organiser below. Full papers available mid February will be part of formal Conference proceedings.
Conference location
The conference is held in Les Halles des Tanneurs, a refurbished tannery at 10 minutes walking of both Brussels South Railway station and the Brussels central market place, with a great 19th century atmosphere. Plenty of hotel accommodation is available nearby. See:
http://www.hallesdestanneurs.be/
Contact
For more information, please contact:
Arnold Tukker
Project Director: SCORE!
TNO
Netherlands
Tel: +31 15 2695450; Fax: 31 15 2 69 6840;
Email: arnold.tukker@tno.nl
Website: www.score-network.org
Theo Geerken
Conference Organiser/Director
VITO
Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol , Belgium
Tel: +32 14335947; Fax: +32 14321185
Email:theo.geerken@vito.be
Website: www.vito.be
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Communication of Your Efforts in a SCP Press Kit
Addressing Climate Change: A Sustainable Consumption and Production Toolkit
Dear SCP Stakeholder,
At the 3rd International Expert Meeting on Sustainable Consumption and Production in Stockholm, participants called for a communication strategy to raise the visibility of SCP and the Marrakech Process. UNEP and UNDESA are now in the process of developing and launching that communication strategy, one element of which is the preparation of �SCP Press Kits� that can be used at major global and regional meetings. The Press Kits will �tell the story� of SCP projects and programmes being implemented by all stakeholders and highlight their contributions for climate change mitigation (reduction of CO2 emissions). We would like to launch this SCP Press Kit at the Bali meeting on climate change (UNFCCC - COP13).
You are invited to submit summaries of projects and programmes that you are implementing that are helping to shrink carbon footprints, promoting resource efficiency and reducing waste flows. Attached you will find an outline of the Press Kit so you can see where your contribution might be included
The objective of the Press Kit is to present stories that can be picked up by the media. As such, we would prefer stories that are told in a journalistic style. The summaries should be no longer than two (2) pages and should include information along the following lines:
- What is the SCP problem being addressed
- A description of the activities undertaken, with a special focus on something innovative
- What are the contributions to climate change mitigation?
- Impacts and results to date or expected
- Relevant data, figures, charts and photos that help tell the story, highlighting the SCP contribution to mitigating climate change
We would appreciate receiving all submissions by 26 October. Please send it to:
Ms. Rui Zhang, UNDESA at zhang5@un.org
Thanks for your help in this effort. We look forward to hearing your story!
UNDESA and UNEP
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September 7- October 12 Online Courses
- GSLL 1501 - Approaches to Community Development
- GSLL 1506 - Micro-enterprise Development
- GSLL 1507 - Community Capacity Building
- GSLL 1509 - Political Empowerment and Community Development
- GSLL 1510 - Community-based Mapping PARTICIPATORY PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ON-CAMPUS TRAINING
January 6 through 17, 2008
Colorado State University Oval
Registration for Our January 6, 2008 Participatory Practices for Sustainable Development on-campus, two-week training program will begin Monday, September 3
These are the issues
- Sustainable Development
- Participatory Learning and Action
- Community Empowerment and Mobilization
- Strategic Planning
- Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Alternative Technologies
- Community-based Mapping
- Meeting people with diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences
f you are seeking solutions for sustainable development and cultural and environmental preservation, you do not want to miss this opportunity.
For complete PPSD training program details, or to register for the Winter program beginning Monday, January 6, 2008, contact the IISD Training Coordinator,
(970) 491-5754
(800) 648-8043
sgale@engr.colostate.edu
$1450
Discounts are available to organization- sponsored groups and individuals, and to community leaders within indigenous populations. Learn More
Online Sustainable Community Development Certificate Program:
Fall-I session start date has been changed to Friday, September 7. Registration ends officially this coming Monday, September 3, at 11:59 p.m
Course descriptions for this session:
GSLL 1501 APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY-BASED DEVELOPMENT
This course provides a framework for community development based on a participatory, bottom-up, multi-sector model. Various approaches have been used in community development with varying degrees of success. One approach, that has consistently demonstrated effectiveness, is the Village Earth model based on participatory practices. Through personal and structural empowerment, the objectives of economic well-being, environmental sustainability, and socio-cultural vitalization can be met. By looking at an overview of the entire development process and using case studies, this course will prepare participants to work in the field of community development and illuminate how all of the development efforts fit together to support the overall goal of sustainability
GSLL 1506 Micro-enterprise Development
Micro-enterprise and micro-finance development have emerged as major strategies that offer a path out of poverty for many in developing countries. While micro-finance as a means to empower the poorest of the poor has been quite successful in many countries, there is a growing concern that micro-enterprise development programs are not successful to the desired extent due to the lack of systematic management input into these enterprises. This course will lay the foundation on microfinance fundamentals and methodologies and go on to cover strategic business planning techniques that, when applied to micro-enterprises, can ensure their long-term sustainability. The course will also expose the attendees to a wide range of published material available on the subject and connect them to a network of useful resources.
GSLL 1507 COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING
Community capacity is the "interaction of human capital, organizational resources, and social capital existing within a given community that can be leveraged to solve collective problems and improve and maintain the well-being of that community" (Chaskin 2001). This course will explore the concept and basic assumptions of community capacity building while also focusing on the practical methods that can be used in community capacity building efforts. This course will be highly interactive and will emphasize the sharing of experiences, ideas, and insights from course participants. Participants will be encouraged to ground the ideas discussed in this course by applying them to their own communities or community development projects.
GSLL 1509 POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
This course will look at some of the political aspects to bottom-up approaches and village-based development initiatives. Specifically, we will look at the concept of political empowerment of community-based organizations (CBOs) in development. How do communities interact with local, regional, and national governments? It is important to note that in this course we take a rather broad look at political empowerment, not only studying community relations with government entities, but we include relations with other "governance organizations," which may consist of large development practitioner organizations, international donor organizations, and other entities that may play an important role in linking communities to resources. Because we believe it is impossible to create one model that will give communities all the answers to issues of political empowerment, we will take a case-study approach, in which we will look at different examples of how communities have been both successful and unsuccessful in their dealings with governance organizations. We will also look at some of the important theoretical concepts that provide a framework for better understanding how communities become politically empowered.
GSLL 1510 COMMUNITY BASED MAPPING
Mapping can be a powerful tool for communities to use to better manage their resources, plan for the future, record and utilizing local knowledge, raise awareness about areas of concern in their environmental and social landscape, and communicate their priorities and concerns to external agencies or government officials. This course will explore theories, ethics, applications, and methods of community-based mapping and its role in participatory learning and action as well as larger processes of integrated community-based development. This course, while drawing on many of the recent case studies, academic writings, and reports from the field, will be highly interactive and will emphasize the sharing of experiences, ideas, and insights from course participants
For the full schedule of all 2007 online courses, please visit the IISD website at www.colostate.edu/Orgs/IISD
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- Call for Papers for a Special Series on Agriculture, Rural Development,
Land, Drought, Desertification and Africa
The Natural Resources Forum, a quarterly journal issued by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and published by Blackwell, announces a call for papers for a special series over the 2007-2009 period on themes to be considered by the United Nations Commission of Sustainable Development in its 16 and 17th sessions:
- Africa
- Agriculture
- Rural Development
- Land
- Drought
- Desertification
The Natural Resources Forum focuses on inter-linked, multidisciplinary issues related to sustainable development, particularly in developing countries and countries in transition.
Researchers and practitioners interested in sending articles for this series are invited to first submit an abstract. Articles should be original in nature and between 6,000 and 8,000 words in length. All papers are peer reviewed by experts in the fields concerned. Revisions may be requested before final acceptance.
Questions, comments, and abstracts can be addressed to:
Hiroko Morita-Lou
National Resources Forum
e-mail:NRFORUM@un.org
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- Invitation to contribute to Viewpoints
The Natural Resources Forum is inviting your views
on the following question for the Viewpoints section of the February
2008 issue:
“Are poverty
and land degradation inevitable in desert-prone areas?”
The Viewpoints section of the journal is a series of policy debates to help stimulate and advance the dialogue on critical issues related to sustainable development. The aim of Viewpoints is to offer a platform for academics, practitioners and experts to share their individual perspectives and to feature these perspectives alongside other thoughtful responses in the journal
Each entry should be 200 words or less addressing the above question. When submitting a contribution, please also provide your name, title, affiliation and contact details
Our Editorial team will work closely together with NRF�s Editorial Board Members and Advisors to select those contributions that address an important dimension of the debate. We encourage responses from different regional perspectives and from a broad range of disciplines, ensuring the right balance of perspectives.
The deadline for submission to the Viewpoints for the February 2008 issue is: September 30, 2007. The Editorial team looks forward to receiving many contributions.
Hiro Morita-Lou
Editor-in-Chief
Natural Resources Forum
Division for Sustainable Development
UN/DESA
Two UN Plaza, DC2-2264
New York, NY 10017
Fax: 212-963-1267; Tel: 212-963-8813
Website: http://un.org/esa/sustdev/publications/nat_res_forum.htm
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- We are soliciting papers for the 13th Annual Fuels
& Lubes Asia Conference which will be held in Bangkok,
Thailand, on March 7-9, 2007. The theme of next year's conference is
"Meeting OEM Requirements Beyond 2010".
Please submit a
500-word abstract with the author's biodata by October 2, 2006. Your
proposal will be reviewed by the F&L Asia Conference Advisory
Board. You will be notified if your proposal has been accepted for oral
presentation no later than October 31. Full paper/Powerpoint
presentation must be submitted by December 29, 2006.
Visit
our website to view the list of sample topics.
Vicky Villena-Denton
Editor-in-chief & Publisher
http://www.flasia.info
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- “The Unfolding Gene Revolution”Book Cover Design Contest
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- We still have two weeks left to accept
applications for the 5th International Human Dimensions Workshop,
Institutional Dimensions of Global Environmental Change: Water, Trade,
and the Environment, to be held in October 2006 in Chiang Mai,
Thailand. Please see attached document for more information, including
qualifications, deadlines and the application form. We encourage
applications from all young scientists who are interested. Deadline is
February 15th, and all applications should be sent in electronic format
to mullin.ihdp@uni-bonn.de, copied to thiem.ihdp@uni-bonn.d
For more detials, pls check out: 5th_IDHW_Announcement_FINAL.pdf
Conference: Environmental Management
Accounting and Cleaner Production
Conference:
Introducing Community Forestry
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