Global Peace Index and Sustainability
Source: Vision of Humanity/Economist Intelligence Unit/Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies
From introduction:
The Economist Intelligence Unit, in conjunction with an international team of academics and peace experts, has compiled an innovative new Global Peace Index (GPI), which ranks 120 nations according to their relative peacefulness. The Global Peace Index is composed of 24 indicators, ranging from a nation’s level of military expenditure to its relations with neighbouring countries and the level of respect for human rights. The index has been tested against a range of potential “drivers” or determinants of peace—including levels of democracy and transparency, education and material wellbeing. The team has used the latest available figures (mainly 2004-06) from a wide range of respected sources, including the International Institute of Strategic Studies, The World Bank, various UN offices and Peace Institutes and the Economist Intelligence Unit. The Global Peace Index is intended to contribute significantly to the public debate on peace.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
New Grants to Deal With Explosives Remnants of War and Landmines
New Grants to Deal With Explosives Remnants of War and Landmines
Source: U.S. Department of State
The United States has launched another effort to strengthen peace and post-conflict recovery. The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs has awarded a total of more than $2.2 million to twenty-three non-governmental organizations to clean up former battle areas – most of which are littered by landmines and explosive remnants of war left by other countries – teach mine risk education, assist mine survivors, and conduct related research. The U.S. is the global leader in efforts to save lives by confronting the dangers posed by persistent landmines and all explosive remnants of war, including unexploded cluster munitions.
These grants, described below, augment the Department’s projected FY 2007 budget of over $65.3 million for humanitarian mine action and small arms/light weapons abatement.
Source: U.S. Department of State
The United States has launched another effort to strengthen peace and post-conflict recovery. The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs has awarded a total of more than $2.2 million to twenty-three non-governmental organizations to clean up former battle areas – most of which are littered by landmines and explosive remnants of war left by other countries – teach mine risk education, assist mine survivors, and conduct related research. The U.S. is the global leader in efforts to save lives by confronting the dangers posed by persistent landmines and all explosive remnants of war, including unexploded cluster munitions.
These grants, described below, augment the Department’s projected FY 2007 budget of over $65.3 million for humanitarian mine action and small arms/light weapons abatement.
Adapting to Climate Change: What’s Needed in Poor Countries and Who Should Pay
Adapting to Climate Change: What’s Needed in Poor Countries and Who Should Pay
(PDF; 493 KB)
Source: Oxfam AmericaFrom press release:
Human-induced climate change is already causing harm to the world’s poorest people, who are the least responsible for emissions and least able to adapt to climatic shocks, according to a new report published today ahead of the G8 summit by international agency Oxfam. The agency called on G8 countries to urgently take action to keep global warming below 2° Celsius (3.6° Fahrenheit) and pledge to help poorest cope with the impacts.
“Poor countries should not have to pay for damage caused by the emissions of rich countries,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America. “As world leaders head to the G8 summit in Germany, they must be prepared to cut their emissions and to start helping poor countries to cope with the high costs of adaptation.”
The report, “Adapting to Climate Change: What’s Needed in Poor Countries and Who Should Pay,” estimates that poor countries will need around $50 billion a year to adapt to the harmful effects of climate change, a conservative estimate that will rise sharply if emissions are not cut drastically.
(PDF; 493 KB)
Source: Oxfam AmericaFrom press release:
Human-induced climate change is already causing harm to the world’s poorest people, who are the least responsible for emissions and least able to adapt to climatic shocks, according to a new report published today ahead of the G8 summit by international agency Oxfam. The agency called on G8 countries to urgently take action to keep global warming below 2° Celsius (3.6° Fahrenheit) and pledge to help poorest cope with the impacts.
“Poor countries should not have to pay for damage caused by the emissions of rich countries,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America. “As world leaders head to the G8 summit in Germany, they must be prepared to cut their emissions and to start helping poor countries to cope with the high costs of adaptation.”
The report, “Adapting to Climate Change: What’s Needed in Poor Countries and Who Should Pay,” estimates that poor countries will need around $50 billion a year to adapt to the harmful effects of climate change, a conservative estimate that will rise sharply if emissions are not cut drastically.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Fighting on Two Fronts: Secular Parties in the Arab World
Fighting on Two Fronts: Secular Parties in the Arab World
Source: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Without strong secular parties, political competition in the Arab world could be reduced to a dangerous head-on confrontation between Islamist parties and the incumbent governments. Yet secular parties—a broad term referring to organizations that do not embrace a political platform inspired by religious ideals—are clearly facing a crisis in the Arab world as they struggle for influence, relevance, and in some cases, survival.
In a new Carnegie Paper, Fighting on Two Fronts: Secular Parties in the Arab World, Carnegie Endowment Senior Associates Marina Ottaway and Amr Hamzawy explore the uncertain future of secular parties across the Arab world by examining their role in Morocco, Egypt, Yemen, and Kuwait. The authors argue that secular parties need to reform their vision, message, and organization to be able to affect the political system in a meaningful way.
Source: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Without strong secular parties, political competition in the Arab world could be reduced to a dangerous head-on confrontation between Islamist parties and the incumbent governments. Yet secular parties—a broad term referring to organizations that do not embrace a political platform inspired by religious ideals—are clearly facing a crisis in the Arab world as they struggle for influence, relevance, and in some cases, survival.
In a new Carnegie Paper, Fighting on Two Fronts: Secular Parties in the Arab World, Carnegie Endowment Senior Associates Marina Ottaway and Amr Hamzawy explore the uncertain future of secular parties across the Arab world by examining their role in Morocco, Egypt, Yemen, and Kuwait. The authors argue that secular parties need to reform their vision, message, and organization to be able to affect the political system in a meaningful way.
Central Asia’s Energy Risks
Central Asia’s Energy Risks
Source: International Crisis Group
Oil and gas are proving as much a burden as a benefit to Central Asia. The three oil and gas producers in the region – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – are showing signs of the “resource curse” under which energy-rich nations fail to thrive or develop distorted, unstable economies. Geography and their history in the Soviet Union have bound them to Russia, through which most of their energy exports must be transported. Moscow is proving to be an unreliable partner for foreign consumers as it has been willing to cut off pipelines to apply commercial or political pressure. Low investment, corruption and gross mismanagement in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan may mean that their supplies run low before they can diversify their links to markets or their economies. Central Asia is likely to see energy create instability within the region; the chances are low that it will be a factor in improving European energy security any time soon.
Source: International Crisis Group
Oil and gas are proving as much a burden as a benefit to Central Asia. The three oil and gas producers in the region – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – are showing signs of the “resource curse” under which energy-rich nations fail to thrive or develop distorted, unstable economies. Geography and their history in the Soviet Union have bound them to Russia, through which most of their energy exports must be transported. Moscow is proving to be an unreliable partner for foreign consumers as it has been willing to cut off pipelines to apply commercial or political pressure. Low investment, corruption and gross mismanagement in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan may mean that their supplies run low before they can diversify their links to markets or their economies. Central Asia is likely to see energy create instability within the region; the chances are low that it will be a factor in improving European energy security any time soon.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
World Economic and Social Survey 2007: Development in an Ageing World
World Economic and Social Survey 2007: Development in an Ageing World
The World Economic and Social Survey 2007 analyses the challenges and opportunities associated with ageing populations and aims to facilitate discussions in furthering the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted by consensus by the Second World Assembly on Ageing on 12 April 2002. The Madrid Plan of Action focuses on three sets of priorities: older people and development; advancing health and well-being into old age; and enabling and supportive environments for older persons.
The Survey underscores the need to fully recognize and better harness the productive and social contributions to societies that older persons can make but are, in many instances, prevented from making. It also emphasizes what is among the most pressing of challenges: that arising from the prospect of a shrinking labour force that must support an increasingly larger older population. Moreover, changes in intergenerational relationships may affect the provision of care and income security for older persons, particularly in developing countries where family transfers often play a major role. Thus, societies must also cater for the particular needs of older populations in terms of the requisite health care, assistance in case of disabilities and appropriate living conditions.
Source: Economic and Social Council, UN
The World Economic and Social Survey 2007 analyses the challenges and opportunities associated with ageing populations and aims to facilitate discussions in furthering the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted by consensus by the Second World Assembly on Ageing on 12 April 2002. The Madrid Plan of Action focuses on three sets of priorities: older people and development; advancing health and well-being into old age; and enabling and supportive environments for older persons.
The Survey underscores the need to fully recognize and better harness the productive and social contributions to societies that older persons can make but are, in many instances, prevented from making. It also emphasizes what is among the most pressing of challenges: that arising from the prospect of a shrinking labour force that must support an increasingly larger older population. Moreover, changes in intergenerational relationships may affect the provision of care and income security for older persons, particularly in developing countries where family transfers often play a major role. Thus, societies must also cater for the particular needs of older populations in terms of the requisite health care, assistance in case of disabilities and appropriate living conditions.
Source: Economic and Social Council, UN
Evaluation Of Human Security: United Nations Development Programme Support To Conflict-Affected Countries
Evaluation Of Human Security: United Nations Development Programme Support To Conflict-Affected Countries
133 pages; PDF.
Nearly 33 million people around the world were rendered homeless last year due to violent conflicts. The many agencies of the UN system are actively engaged in supporting these communities to reclaim the right to live with dignity and security. Crisis prevention and recovery is a core practice area for UNDP, with activities in conflict-affected countries constituting nearly 40 percent of global expenditure in 2005. Given the significance of this work, the UNDP Executive Board requested the Evaluation Office to conduct an independent evaluation of UNDP assistance to conflict affected countries.
Source: United Nations Development Programme
133 pages; PDF.
Nearly 33 million people around the world were rendered homeless last year due to violent conflicts. The many agencies of the UN system are actively engaged in supporting these communities to reclaim the right to live with dignity and security. Crisis prevention and recovery is a core practice area for UNDP, with activities in conflict-affected countries constituting nearly 40 percent of global expenditure in 2005. Given the significance of this work, the UNDP Executive Board requested the Evaluation Office to conduct an independent evaluation of UNDP assistance to conflict affected countries.
Source: United Nations Development Programme
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
International Energy Outlook 2007
International Energy Outlook 2007
The International Energy Outlook 2007 (IEO2007) presents an assessment by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the outlook for international energy markets through 2030. U.S. projections appearing in IEO2007 are consistent with those published in EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2007 (AEO2007), which was prepared using the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS).
Source: Energy Information Administration
The International Energy Outlook 2007 (IEO2007) presents an assessment by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the outlook for international energy markets through 2030. U.S. projections appearing in IEO2007 are consistent with those published in EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2007 (AEO2007), which was prepared using the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS).
Source: Energy Information Administration
Monday, May 21, 2007
Global War on Terrorism: Reported Obligations for the Department of Defense
Global War on Terrorism: Reported Obligations for the Department of Defense
Since 2001, Congress has provided the Department of Defense (DOD) with hundreds of billions of dollars in supplemental and annual appropriations for military operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). DOD’s reported annual costs for GWOT have shown a steady increase from about $0.2 billion in fiscal year 2001 to about $98.4 billion in fiscal year 2006. So far in fiscal year 2007, Congress has provided DOD with $70 billion in annual appropriations for GWOT. To continue its GWOT operations, DOD has requested an additional $93.4 billion in supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2007 and $141.7 billion in appropriations for fiscal year 2008. The United States’ commitments to GWOT will likely involve the continued investment of significant resources, requiring decision makers to consider difficult trade-offs as the nation faces an increasing long-range fiscal challenge.
Source: GAO
Since 2001, Congress has provided the Department of Defense (DOD) with hundreds of billions of dollars in supplemental and annual appropriations for military operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). DOD’s reported annual costs for GWOT have shown a steady increase from about $0.2 billion in fiscal year 2001 to about $98.4 billion in fiscal year 2006. So far in fiscal year 2007, Congress has provided DOD with $70 billion in annual appropriations for GWOT. To continue its GWOT operations, DOD has requested an additional $93.4 billion in supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2007 and $141.7 billion in appropriations for fiscal year 2008. The United States’ commitments to GWOT will likely involve the continued investment of significant resources, requiring decision makers to consider difficult trade-offs as the nation faces an increasing long-range fiscal challenge.
Source: GAO
Friday, May 18, 2007
Accepting Realities in Iraq
Accepting Realities in Iraq
This new briefing paper by Chatham House assesses the political, security and economic prospects for Iraq in the coming year. The author, Gareth Stansfield, claims that there is not 'one' civil war, but many civil wars and insurgencies in the country and current realities have to be accepted if new strategies for solutions are to be found.
This new briefing paper by Chatham House assesses the political, security and economic prospects for Iraq in the coming year. The author, Gareth Stansfield, claims that there is not 'one' civil war, but many civil wars and insurgencies in the country and current realities have to be accepted if new strategies for solutions are to be found.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Energy Security in the UK
Energy Security in the UK
44 pages; PDF.
From the intro: The paper sets out developing energy policy in the UK and Europe, which is being driven by the need to secure energy supplies and deliver clean, affordable energy to combat climate change. It also considers the risks of dwindling reserves of oil, gas and coal which, environmental considerations notwithstanding, will continue to be burnt for many years.
Source: House of Commons Library, UK
44 pages; PDF.
From the intro: The paper sets out developing energy policy in the UK and Europe, which is being driven by the need to secure energy supplies and deliver clean, affordable energy to combat climate change. It also considers the risks of dwindling reserves of oil, gas and coal which, environmental considerations notwithstanding, will continue to be burnt for many years.
Source: House of Commons Library, UK
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Key Facts on Corporate Foundations
Key Facts on Corporate Foundations
7 pages; PDF.
Among the key findings:
*Corporate foundations accounted for 11% of all foundation giving, but that figure nearly doubles to more than 20% when combined with giving by corporate operating foundations.
* Close to three-fifths of corporate foundations surveyed expect to increase giving in 2007, surpassing the share that anticipated higher levels of giving last year.
* Among funding priorities, corporate foundations targeted a total of nearly half of their giving to education (25%) and public affairs/social benefit (22%), including support for community development, federated funds and other philanthropy, public affairs, and civil rights.
Source: Foundation Center
7 pages; PDF.
Among the key findings:
*Corporate foundations accounted for 11% of all foundation giving, but that figure nearly doubles to more than 20% when combined with giving by corporate operating foundations.
* Close to three-fifths of corporate foundations surveyed expect to increase giving in 2007, surpassing the share that anticipated higher levels of giving last year.
* Among funding priorities, corporate foundations targeted a total of nearly half of their giving to education (25%) and public affairs/social benefit (22%), including support for community development, federated funds and other philanthropy, public affairs, and civil rights.
Source: Foundation Center
The Challenge of Economic Reform in the Arab World: Toward More Productive Economies
The Challenge of Economic Reform in the Arab World: Toward More Productive Economies
By Sufyan Alissa
Publisher: Carnegie Endowment
Carnegie Paper, May 2007
A new study by the Carnegie Endowment finds that previous attempts at economic reform have not alleviated the economic problems of Arab countries, failing to dismantle state-dominated economies with high restrictions on private investments. Arab countries represent only 4 percent of world trade and have the highest unemployment rate in the world at 12.2 percent. The per capita GDP in these nations has fallen in recent decades and public debt has hit a critical level in several countries.
In this Carnegie Paper from Carnegie’s Middle East Center, The Challenge of Economic Reform in the Arab World, Sufyan Alissa examines the major factors responsible for hindering meaningful economic reform in the Arab world. Governments and established elites have little incentive to create reforms that could threaten their economic and political interests. Furthermore, governments and institutions in the Arab world have limited capacity to plan, implement and manage reform programs, and have little agreement on what true reform would entail
Alissa argues that, in economic terms, there are two types of states in the Middle East and North Africa—those that are highly dependent on oil, and those that depend on foreign aid, international loans, and remittances from expatriate workers. Both have used these highly volatile revenue sources to temporarily alleviate economic pressures, preserve dominant elite privileges, and buy loyalty to the state—all at the cost of sustainable, long-term reform.
In order to achieve genuine reform, governments must move beyond economies dominated by the public sector and support economic models driven by the private sector as the main source of growth and income.
“A consensus is forming among international financial institutions, economics and aid practitioners that lack of progress in improving governance lies at the very heart of most of the challenges currently impeding economic transformation in the Arab world,” says Alissa.
By Sufyan Alissa
Publisher: Carnegie Endowment
Carnegie Paper, May 2007
A new study by the Carnegie Endowment finds that previous attempts at economic reform have not alleviated the economic problems of Arab countries, failing to dismantle state-dominated economies with high restrictions on private investments. Arab countries represent only 4 percent of world trade and have the highest unemployment rate in the world at 12.2 percent. The per capita GDP in these nations has fallen in recent decades and public debt has hit a critical level in several countries.
In this Carnegie Paper from Carnegie’s Middle East Center, The Challenge of Economic Reform in the Arab World, Sufyan Alissa examines the major factors responsible for hindering meaningful economic reform in the Arab world. Governments and established elites have little incentive to create reforms that could threaten their economic and political interests. Furthermore, governments and institutions in the Arab world have limited capacity to plan, implement and manage reform programs, and have little agreement on what true reform would entail
Alissa argues that, in economic terms, there are two types of states in the Middle East and North Africa—those that are highly dependent on oil, and those that depend on foreign aid, international loans, and remittances from expatriate workers. Both have used these highly volatile revenue sources to temporarily alleviate economic pressures, preserve dominant elite privileges, and buy loyalty to the state—all at the cost of sustainable, long-term reform.
In order to achieve genuine reform, governments must move beyond economies dominated by the public sector and support economic models driven by the private sector as the main source of growth and income.
“A consensus is forming among international financial institutions, economics and aid practitioners that lack of progress in improving governance lies at the very heart of most of the challenges currently impeding economic transformation in the Arab world,” says Alissa.
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