Small-scale farmers in China in the face of modernisation and globalisation

The development of China as a global economic power is one of the most dramatic stories of recent decades. China’s economy has been the fastest growing in the world since 1980. Rapid growth has occurred in all sectors, including agriculture, accompanied by rapid poverty reduction. In the past 30 years, based on China’s official povertyline, the absolute level of rural poverty fell from 260 million (36 per cent of rural population) in 1978 to 26.9 million (2.8 per cent of rural population) in...

Syria’s Electoral Reforms: Myths and Facts

The Syrian people need to reject the new constitution because it  comes from the point of lost political and moral legitimacy, it comes  under continuous violence, and it does not fit Syria's future.

Video: Global Learning Network at Work 3rd Meeting - Indonesia

"You are aware that The Global Learning Network of Hivos–IIED knowledge programme on ‘Small producers’ agency in globalised markets’ held its third and last meeting in Bandung between 13-17 February. It was hosted and organized by Dr. Ronnie S. Natawidjaja, Chairman, Master of Agricultural Economics Program Faculty of Agriculture Padjadjaran University (UNPAD). 16 learning network members from Africa, Latin America and Asia came together to share their insights, challenge each other and...

Agro-biodiversity @knowledged

Biodiversity is important for the resilience of our planet. Smallholders depend on biodiversity for their livelihoods and survival, and they are its main guardians. Farming practices which use and enhance this diversity are common, yet agriculture can also be the greatest destroyer of biodiversity. Can we add insights and evidence to the debates?This is the basis of a knowledge programme that has recently been started by Hivos and Oxfam Novib.It aims to develop concepts and ideas about agricu...

A New Quota System for Syria

The different quotas introduced in this analysis are meant to provide a  more stable, progressive, and efficient future for Syria.

Islamic thugs attack academic debate on liberal Islam - and university backs down

That Irshad Manji was denied permission to set foot for the second  time on the grounds of Gadjah Mada University (May 9, 2012) must make  us, especially those of us in academia, think again. There is no need to  hide the fact that the cancellation of this event was precipitated by  threats from some mass organizations, although it is not always clear  exactly who they are.  Doesn’t this make us think about the future of the academic environment here at Gadjah Ma...

The Relevance of a Presidential Electoral System in Syria

Based on the political needs of Syria, a Presidential system is still the best for the future of the country. That said, people’s demands can best be met with a customized Presidential system.

Fair ideas: Solutions for a sustainable planet

Hivos will co-host three sessions at Fair Ideas entitled:Changing mindsets: small-scale farmers in the globalised mindset, Agricultural biodiversity acknowledged and Financing Access to Energy. More information will be available soon at this site and the conference website.

An Anatomy of the Onset of Syria's Popular Uprising

The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs held a lecture series as part of the AUB Arab Uprisings Research Initiative that was launched under the aegis of the AUB Provost's office in December 2011. This open-ended, multi-sectoral initiative  harnesses  AUB's research, analysis and convening resources to engage   constructively with the historic changes taking place across the Arab World. The lecture entitled: "An Anatomy of the Onset of Syr...

Impunity, freedom of expression and social justice

There is an apparent low profile war going on against progressive circles in Honduras, and this edition of Envio magazine demands that the international community take notice. It reports on an international expert meeting in which Hivos teamed up with CEJIL, ERIC and Jueces por la Democracia to talk about impunity, freedom of expression and Justice. The goal of the event, held in october 2011, was to support Honduran human rights activism with reflextions and lessons from neighbouring countries.