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    <title><![CDATA[Ontwikkelingsorganisatie Hivos]]>: <![CDATA[Hivos Knowledge Programme]]></title>
    <link>http://www.hivos.net</link>
    <description>Welcome to the website of the Hivos Knowledge Programme. The platform for knowledge development on issues imperative to the global development sector. The main themes are: Civil Society Building, Promoting Pluralism, Civil Society in West Asia, Small Producer Agency in the Globalized Market and Digital Natives with a Cause?</description>
    <language>eng-GB</language>
    
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			<title><![CDATA[Small-scale farmers in China in the face of modernisation and globalisation]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Small-Producer-Agency/Publications/Small-scale-farmers-in-China-in-the-face-of-modernisation-and-globalisation</link>
			<description><![CDATA[
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 2010 (NSBC, 2011). Moreover, the general welfare of most of the population has increased markedly. Many indicators of nutritional status have improved. In fact, by the middle of 2007, China had achieved many of its Millennium Development Goals.
China’s agricultural sector has changed dramatically since the late 1970s. It grew at about 5 per cent annually in the past three decades. While significantgrowth has occurred in almost all cropping sectors, the production of some crops has grown more rapidly (NSBC, 2011a). Hence, crop structure has been changing, diversifying out of staple grains into higher-valued crops (Huang et al., 2010). The same is occurring in terms of the shift out of cropping into livestock, aquaculture and off-farm employment (NSBC, 2011b).]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 May 2012 09:23:23 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Syria’s Electoral Reforms: Myths and Facts]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Civil-Society-in-West-Asia/Latest-News/Syria-s-Electoral-Reforms-Myths-and-Facts</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The Syrian people need to reject the new constitution because it &amp;nbsp;comes from the point of lost political and moral legitimacy, it comes &amp;nbsp;under continuous violence, and it does not fit Syria's future.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 10:50:34 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Video: Global Learning Network at Work 3rd Meeting - Indonesia]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Small-Producer-Agency/Publications/Video-Global-Learning-Network-at-Work-3rd-Meeting-Indonesia</link>
			<description><![CDATA[&amp;quot;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 test the assumptions made on issues that foster or impede the agency of small producers in the changing realities around them.As the saying goes 'a picture speaks a million words', we are happy to present a video of the various events that took place while the Learning Network met at Bandung. The video is deftly shot and crafted by Dr Ronnie S Natawidjaja's young team of students that followed the network members participating at the workshop in the university,&amp;nbsp; the field visits and highlights of various debates.Please follow the link to the video: http://vimeo.com/39274627
Hope you enjoy it and we would be happy receive your feedback if any. For those interested in the print version, a report would be made available soon.&amp;quot;  ]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 10:40:28 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Agro-biodiversity @knowledged ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Small-Producer-Agency/Publications/Agro-biodiversity-knowledged</link>
			<description><![CDATA[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 agricultural biodiversity, smallholder livelihoods and climate change, building on and adding value to existing resources, and also leading to change. This is a three-year programme that includes action research, network development and the establishment of a platform for public debates.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 10:16:45 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[A New Quota System for Syria]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Civil-Society-in-West-Asia/Latest-News/A-New-Quota-System-for-Syria</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The different quotas introduced in this analysis are meant to provide a &amp;nbsp;more stable, progressive, and efficient future for Syria.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 11:55:23 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[The Relevance of a Presidential Electoral System in Syria]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Civil-Society-in-West-Asia/Latest-News/The-Relevance-of-a-Presidential-Electoral-System-in-Syria</link>
			<description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Sun, 06 May 2012 14:24:25 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Fair ideas: Solutions for a sustainable planet]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Small-Producer-Agency/Events/Fair-ideas-Solutions-for-a-sustainable-planet</link>
			<description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 13:28:06 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[An Anatomy of the Onset of Syria's Popular Uprising]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Civil-Society-in-West-Asia/Latest-News/An-Anatomy-of-the-Onset-of-Syria-s-Popular-Uprising</link>
			<description><![CDATA[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 &amp;nbsp;harnesses &amp;nbsp;AUB's research, analysis and convening resources to engage &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;constructively with the historic changes taking place across the Arab World. The lecture entitled: &amp;quot;An Anatomy of the Onset of Syria's Popular &amp;nbsp;Uprising&amp;quot; by Reinoud Leenders, Assistant Professor in Political &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Science, University of Amsterdam, Co-sponsored with CAMES and netherlands Instituut in Beiroet.Reinoud Leenders is Assistant &amp;nbsp;Professor in &amp;nbsp;Political Science at the University of Amsterdam. He &amp;nbsp;formerly was Middle &amp;nbsp;East analyst for the International Crisis Group &amp;nbsp;based in Beirut (2002-2005). He recently authored Spoils of Truce: Corruption and &amp;nbsp;Institution-Building in Post-War Lebanon (forthcoming &amp;nbsp;2012) and Comparing Authoritarianisms: Reconfiguring Power and Regime Resilience in Syria and Iran. With Steven Heydemann (eds.) (in print, &amp;nbsp;2012).]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:05:07 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Fill The Gap! ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Digital-Natives-with-a-Cause/Events/Fill-The-Gap!</link>
			<description><![CDATA['Mobile' is the buzz word in development: the key to smart &amp;nbsp;entrepreneurship, citizen participation, and even revolution! But what &amp;nbsp;has five years of experimenting with mobile devices actually brought &amp;nbsp;about? Which expectations have been met, which ones haven’t? And what &amp;nbsp;are the future prospects? On Friday the 20th of April, the 9th edition &amp;nbsp;of network event Fill the Gap! is entirely dedicated to this hype &amp;nbsp;surrounding mobile devices.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:13:08 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Rural youth today, farmers tomorrow?]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Small-Producer-Agency/News/Rural-youth-today-farmers-tomorrow</link>
			<description><![CDATA[A rising number of rural youth in developing and emerging economies are turning their back on small-scale agriculture. Limited access to markets, assets, finance and infrastructure in rural areas, coupled with perceived employment opportunities in urban areas increasingly makes cities the preferred choice in the search for a better life. Yet small-scale farming remains a key source of livelihood and employment and will be critical to future food security. Engaging rural youth in agriculture is key in an era of rapid rural change. But are today’s policies and institutions up to the task?]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:36:42 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Stories of Freedom]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Civil-Society-in-West-Asia/Latest-News/Stories-of-Freedom</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Read this interesting personal account of Amjad Baiazy, the Syrian human rights and civil society activist, who was imprisoned by the Syrian authorities on May 12, 2011 and released on June 30, 2011. While in prison, Amajd Baiazy engaged in discussions with inmates on the myths and realities surrounding the Syrian revolution. In this personal account and analysis, Amjad Baiazy addresses the topics of sectarianism, start of the revolution in Daraa, role of Islamists and ‘conspiracy theories’. &amp;nbsp;Amjad Baiazy is a human rights and civil society activist with special focus on the Middle East. Currently he works at Amnesty International in UK. He carries several degrees in business and innovation, arts, human rights, media and politics. He worked &amp;nbsp;as a project manager with Etana Press in Syria and as a researcher with think tanks in the UK and France focusing on socio-cultural and political topics. He is the founder of Arabesque society in London, focusing on dialogue on the Middle East, and works with NGOs around the world to promote peace and development.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:59:51 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[2012 Utrecht Summerschool Land Governance for Development ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Small-Producer-Agency/Events/2012-Utrecht-Summerschool-Land-Governance-for-Development</link>
			<description><![CDATA[In July 2012 LANDac organises the third Utrecht Summerschool Land Governance for Development. The two-week intensive course will introduce students to the multiple dimensions of land governance in Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond. Students will acquire the most up-to-date knowledge on new land pressures and learn how to place these in broader theoretical debates. In addition, they will learn about best practices in land governance from different contexts and on different levels: local, national and international.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:25:55 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Business Knowledge in Development ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Small-Producer-Agency/News/Business-Knowledge-in-Development</link>
			<description><![CDATA[
As follow up to the January 2012, seminar ”The state of the art on knowledge integration across boundaries”, a meeting on ‘Business knowledge in development’ will be held on Tuesday 3 April 2012 at Hivos in The Hague.At the seminar itself, we missed the participation of the private sector and identified the need for a deeper discussion on the role of business knowledge in development. Given the differing drives and incentives in terms of knowledge production and use of business and the domains of science, policy-making and practice, how can actors reach out and bridge these to achieve win-win situations? The meeting will consider possible processes of engagement, pitfalls and tensions, and potential new roles and tasks of different actors including government agencies. Dr Patricia Wagenmakers will be sharing the experiences of the Knowledge Unit of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (ELI).Linkingknowledgedomains&amp;nbsp; http://linkingknowledgedomains.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/business-knowledge-in-development/]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:28:26 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Vote for the Everyday Digital Native Video Contest! ]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Digital-Natives-with-a-Cause/News/Vote-for-the-Everyday-Digital-Native-Video-Contest!</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The Centre for Internet &amp;amp; Society and Hivos are super excited to present the final videos in the Everyday Digital Native Video Contest. We invite readers to vote for the TOP 5 Videos. The finalists will each win EUR500! Voting closes March 31, 2012. Check out the final videos here]]></description>
			<pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:15:40 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Kony2012: the dilemma of mobilising for aid]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/The-Changing-Face-of-Citizen-Action/News/Kony2012-the-dilemma-of-mobilising-for-aid</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Focused on the challenges of declining funds and public skepticism at home, development organisations tend to pay more attention to ´what works´ to convince donors and journalists, rather than finding out first what resonates with the people they mean to help. What kind of success is a film which its intended ´beneficiaries´ would rather do without?]]></description>
			<pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:57:15 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[Nairobi graffiti mobilizes Kenyans for change – or not…]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Promoting-Pluralism/News/Nairobi-graffiti-mobilizes-Kenyans-for-change-or-not</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Kenyans these days wake up to biting graffiti about the country’s corrupt politicians. Largely anonymous artists are calling on the people to use their vote in the next elections to bring about change. Kenyans talk about it, on the street, on the internet, radio and on TV. But Kenyans always talk, talk, talk. &amp;nbsp;Will the citizen led “WanjikũRevolution” (through the ballot) finally challenge ‘The Way Things Have Always Been Done Around Here’?]]></description>
			<pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:40:16 +0200</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[KONY2012 The real story]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/The-Changing-Face-of-Citizen-Action/News/KONY2012-The-real-story</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Well it's become the fastest viral video of all time: 100 Million views &amp;nbsp;in just 6 days and counting. The film &amp;quot;Kony 2012&amp;quot; hopes to kick-start a &amp;nbsp;worldwide campaign to capture Joseph Kony -- one of Africa's most &amp;nbsp;notorious warlords.For its fans the campaign is an unparalleled &amp;nbsp;example of the internet's &amp;nbsp; power as a force for good. For its critics &amp;nbsp;the film glosses over &amp;nbsp; complex realities in the region and pushes for an &amp;nbsp;imperialist agenda in &amp;nbsp; central Africa. But among all the hype, what is &amp;nbsp;really going on?]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:30:20 +0100</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[New research may hold key to Indonesia’s church-building controversy]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Promoting-Pluralism/News/New-research-may-hold-key-to-Indonesia-s-church-building-controversy</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The &amp;nbsp;tensions around of Yasmin Church in Bogor are troubling, but not representative of the status of churches across the country. Research by the Pluralism Knowledge Programme illustrates what is needed to overcome religious tensions in communities.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:23:28 +0100</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[New Publication: Small-scale farming - Youth in an era of rapid rural change]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Small-Producer-Agency/News/New-Publication-Small-scale-farming-Youth-in-an-era-of-rapid-rural-change</link>
			<description><![CDATA[This is the second in a series of papers from the Knowledge Programme Small Producer Agency in the Globalised Market. The paper focuses on developing and emerging economy regions of the &amp;nbsp;world, &amp;nbsp;providing an overview of trends in small-scale farming and &amp;nbsp;agrifood &amp;nbsp;markets, demographic changes and trends in employment – &amp;nbsp;particularly &amp;nbsp;that of youth.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:52:29 +0100</pubDate>                                                           
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			<title><![CDATA[A Greener and more Inclusive Agriculture Sector]]></title>
			<link>http://www.hivos.net/Hivos-Knowledge-Programme/Themes/Small-Producer-Agency/Publications/A-Greener-and-more-Inclusive-Agriculture-Sector</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Starting this week Dutch Prime Minister Rutte and the governing parties are engaged in a new round of discussions on how to reduce the budget deficit to an acceptable level. The economic crisis is hitting the Netherlands hard and the politicians aim to cut back on a wide range of programs and services, including development aid. Unfortunately there is no sign of interest to not only reduce expenditures but to also look at possible solutions that take sustainability as a starting point. Why not use the crisis to change Dutch policies and ensure that we respect the planetary boundaries and include people’s well being all over the world?]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:05:25 +0100</pubDate>                                                           
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