Posts Tagged ‘IDEX NewsFlash’
IDEX Partner Biowatch's workshop brought together rural women farm workers to put together posters to march with on Dec 3rd's Global Day of Action
IDEX is joining social movements from across the globe in creating 1000′s of Durbans in conjunction with the social movement activities around the UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa.
Why? To demonstrate to governments around the world the people’s determination to prevent catastrophic climate change.
This year the Global Day of Action calling for a “1,000 Durbans” is being headed up by Desmond D’Sa, of IDEX partner South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, which will see a non-violent mass march in Durban calling for measures to halt climate change.
“World leaders are discussing the fate of our planet but they are far from reaching a solution to climate change. If they fail to make progress we will see drought and hunger blight our country and continent even further. We call on all South African’s to march with us this Saturday and remind our leaders they must come to a fair climate change deal that avoids runaway climate change.” - Desmond D’sa
Like many organizations around the US and the world, IDEX will be marking the Global Day of Action and supporting our South African partners through a series of activities to highlight grassroots communities concerns and making the local-global links around climate change work.
In Durban, staffer Katherine Zavala will be supporting partner activities and networking to promote climate justice solutions.
In the US, we will engage in activities that include:
- Occupy Oakland Event – Friday, December 2:
Join us at the Occupy Oakland General Assembly on at 6pm as we introduce a statement of solidarity with social movements in Durban. Email yeshica at idex.org for info.
- Oakland Urban Farm Event – Saturday, December 3:
We’ll be supporting a Bay Area ally organization as they demonstrate sustainable urban food-growing practices on their public land-based farm in an East Oakland community.
- Learning Call – Tuesday, December 6th:
At 9am (Pacific) and 7pm (South Africa), IDEX will be hosting Learning Call: Grassroots Leaders Live from South AfricaCivil Society’s Role in COP17 Climate Talks in Durban with our four partners organizing on climate justice issues at COP 17. This is a unique, firs- time effort to bring grassroots voices live and direct from one of these events. We are very excited about this first-time event! If you are interested, please call the office at 415-824-8284 for more information.
- COp17 Report Back – Later in January, date TBA:
We’ll be participating alongside Bay Area ally organizations about COP 17 and our partners’ grassroots solutions to climate change.
To read more about the 1000 Durbans Global Week of Action and to see other actions happening around the US, visit: www.grassrootsclimatesolutions.net.
In South Durban, host of COP 17, this year's UN climate talks, homes are located directly next to oil refineries and factories. The factories continue to offer no support to these families who are at risk because of their poor environmental practices.
- Written by Yeshica Weerasekera, Director, Program Partnerships
As the COP 17 UN Climate Talks kicked off this week, in Durban, South Africa, I’ve noticed a sudden and somewhat limited flurry of media interest.
With the world at great risk from the consequences of global warming, millions of people are rightly concerned about whose interests the UN negotiators will protect as they hash out a deal to address climate change.
Will they, as they have to date, focus on market interests, short-term costs and narrow, political expediency, or will they take the ethical higher ground and think of equitable solutions which protect vulnerable communities, the rights of nature and future generations?
I rarely hear the voices of the poor in the media, however, and the scale and impact of the environmental crises on their communities.
Africa Will be “Frying”
In each of the countries that IDEX works in, our partners remind us time and time again of the deepening impact of changing weather patterns and toxic pollution.
An agreement to limit global temperature to even the best-hoped for 2 degrees centigrade, for example, will mean a 4 degree change in Africa, the most vulnerable continent, and catastrophe for it’s people. Africa will be “frying” as African environmentalists lament.
An estimated 40,000 people from all around the world are arriving in Durban, South Africa this week for COP 17, the UN’s latest round of climate talks. Civil society organizations – including 4 IDEX Partners – are mobilizing from all over the world to put pressure from the outside on the government negotiators on the inside.
Katherine Zavala – IDEX’s Program Manager, Grassroots Alliances – is in South Africa on a site visit to our partners and to support their activities at COP 17. She reports from Durban.
What is COP17?
COP17 is the 17th annual meeting where world governments get together to discuss and negotiate solutions to mitigate climate change. COP stands for Conference of Parties – the parties being the 195 nations that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The ultimate goal of the UNFCCC is to get nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions, so that these gases stabilize at a level that will prevent “dangerous” climate change.
Why COP 17 Matters for Grassroots Organizations
Many grassroots organizations were disappointed with the outcome of the last COP (COP16), held in Cancun, Mexico to the point where many feel (and rightly so) hopeless with this process and foresee governments once again prioritizing false market-based solutions to climate change.
But it is important to continue to mobilize and amplify the voices of grassroots organizations, especially those based in South Africa, as the COP17 lands on the African continent for the second time.
The People’s Space: IDEX’s South African Partners and Their Role in COP 17
Durban is home to two of IDEX South African Partners. One of them, South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), is actively convening and establishing the alternative civil society space (The People’s Space) during COP17.
This space will provide the base for organizations to network and share grassroots solutions to tackle climate change in real, practical ways to ensure their communities’ ability to cope with and adapt to climate change.
Four IDEX Partners in South Africa to Present Their Climate Justice Solutions
IDEX will be present at the civil society space, as an ally and supporter of four IDEX Partners and Grantees who will all be present this week organizing and networking to promote their climate justice solutions:
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
Goldcorp Mining Project in Guatemala Faces Cross Border Opposition – Upside Down World, April 6, 2010
Environmentalists from two countries are protesting mining activities that will pollute their water sources. The government has been criticized for being too lenient with corporations.
Mexico
Michelle Obama calls for US to lower demand for drugs from Mexico – CNN.com, April 15, 2010
The first lady believes the way to ease drug violence is to give people opportunities that steer them in a different direction. A future that includes education, decent work, and fair pay would allow people to make smarter choices.
India
Construction, at any cost – India Together, April 14, 2010
The Ministry of Environment is allowing further construction even though its own committee has advised against it. Political pressure is suspected.
Nepal
Reintegration Challenges for Maoist Female Ex-Combatants – IRIN News, April 14, 2010
Recently discharged female soldiers face a tricky challenge. Some are not willing to return to the traditional roles that await them. Others have been shunned from their former homes; most villagers are not ready to forget the death and destruction perpetrated by the Maoists.
South Africa
Drinking the Fog – IRIN News, April 13, 2010
This municipality’s success with harvesting water has inspired other drought-ravaged towns to do the same.
Zimbabwe
Worrying Rise in STIs Among Young People – All Africa, April 14, 2010
Zimbabwe’s youth face many challenges, including; lack of information, lack of access to services, sexual abuse, and early marriage. There is speculation that the too-narrow focus on HIV prevention has been detrimental to other programs.
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo Arrested – BBC News, Jan 26, 2010
The Guatemalan authorities have captured former President Alfonso Portillo, who is wanted in the US on money-laundering charges.
India
Fund crunch hits midday meal plan in Prakasam – Deccan Chronicle, Jan 25, 2010
Seven years ago the government started a meal plan for school children. The funding, however, isn’t enough to cover the costs and the program has been running on credit. The cooking agencies have been promised an infusion of funds.
Mexico
Wal-Mart Unveils Largest PV Installation in Latin America – Jan 20, 2009
More than 1000 panels will provide 20% of the energy used.
Nepal
Why are so many women killing themselves? – IRIN News, Jan 21, 2010
Suicide has slowly crept up the charts to become the number one cause of death amongst women. The complex issues surrounding this phenomenon have not been explored, and there seems to be no interest in funding such a study. Accidents are the second leading cause of death.
South Africa
A day in the life of a sex worker – IRIN News, Jan 22, 2010
Though illegal and dangerous, many women turn to prostitution because of lack of options. The women deal with rape, HIV and police taking their money. There is optimism about increased business during the World Cup, and worry about more competition.
Zimbabwe
Hope and crops scorched again – IRIN News, Jan 26, 2010
Continuing droughts are threatening the supply of one of Zimbabwe’s staple foods. It is estimated that about half of the maize will be lost this season. Relief agencies believe millions of Zimbabweans will require food aid once more.
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
Assassinations Continue in Guatemala – by International Trade Union Confederation, Jan 19, 2010
Evelinda Ramírez Reyes, leader of the resistance front, was assassinated on January 13th while heading home after meeting with government officials regarding the restoration of Constitutional guarantees. The International Trade Union Confederation condemns the impunity and frequency with which social and trade union leaders are assassinated.
India
Lokayukta slams mining in Karnataka’s forests – India Together, Jan 17 2010
The Karnataka Lokayukta was established in 1984 specifically for investigating questionable administrative actions. Their report denounces the illegal practices still in effect even when miners receive government approval. Over 1000 hectares of forests have been illegally lost to “encroachment.”
Mexico
Journalist kidnapped in Sinaloa state was tortured and shot – Jan 6, 2010
The body of José Luis Romero was found two weeks after his kidnapping. Officials say it appears to be an organized crime killing. The Reporters Without Borders press freedom index ranks Mexico as 137th out of 175 countries.
Nepal
Despite fragility of Nepal’s peace process, UN envoy voices cautious optimism – UN, Jan 15, 2010
Recent progress in Nepal’s ongoing peace talks have people feeling optimistic, but the real test will be whether all parties follow through. Overall there is still a prevailing feeling of tension and mistrust amongst the three major parties.
South Africa
2010: South Africa’s upside down world – Dale T. McKinley, Jan 14, 2010
An article questioning “the amount of work, money, media coverage and public propaganda expended in the last few years” over the upcoming World Cup. It critiques the government spending billions to cater to tourists while the country struggles along without adequate schools, food or shelter.
Zimbabwe
Talks Delayed Again As Zanu PF Negotiators Fail to Pitch – Tichaona Sibanda, Jan 18, 2010
The failure of Zimbabwe’s three political parties to meet for discussions has the people restless. There is talk of a new election to resolve the apparent stalemate
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
World Energy Research To Build Three Hydroelectric Projects – 11/06/09, Hydro World
The World Energy Research (WER) has made agreements with Guatemala for three hydroelectric projects. Guatemala has a large untapped energy resource base; only 7 percent of the country’s hydroelectric capacity has been tapped. The new projects will substantially increase that percentage. WER seek out energy projects with high returns and low environmental impacts: clean oil and natural gas, solar energy, wind energy and ocean turbines.
India
India Not Ready For Carbon Emission Targets – 11/06/09, Hindustan Times
One month before the Copenhagen climate change summit, India made clear that it is not ready to quantify its carbon emission targets but will explore that possibility. Developing countries, led by India, have consistently said that the money to tackle global warming must come from industrialized countries that have put all the extra greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Nepal
Meeting To Discuss the Threat From Global Warming – 11/02/09, Associated Press
Nepal’s Cabinet will hold a meeting to highlight the threat from global warming. Global warming is causing glaciers to melt in the Himalayas. Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, creating lakes whose walls could burst and flood villages. Melting ice and snow also make the routes for mountaineers less stable and more difficult to follow.
Mexico
Indigenous Farmers Take Over UN Office – 10/31/09, AFP
In the southern state of Chiapas, about 150 indigenous farmers took over a UN office to demand the release of 3 jailed leaders; they also sought refuge as internally displaced persons. The group, Emiliano Zapata Farmers’ Organization (OCEZ) is a land rights group inspired by the Mexican revolutionary Zapata. The 3 group leaders were charged with having ties with the Sinaloa drug cartel. The farmers accuse the government of Chiapas of seeking to criminalize their social struggle.
South Africa
Fight Against HIV To Be Intensified – 11/06/09, IOL
The Health Minister has urged people living with HIV and AIDS to work with the government to intensify the fight against the disease. The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) together with the government are committed to cut the rate of infections by 50 percent by year 2011 and ensure that 80 percent of people who need treatment will have access to it.
Zimbabwe
Harare Water Supply Faces Challenges – 11/06/09, All Africa News
A year after Harare mayor Masunda took office in 2008, the water crisis in the capital is still yet to be resolved. The water crisis was supposed to be one of the mayor’s priority tasks. Many areas of Harare still do not have a reliable supply of water. Harare requires 1,000 megaliters of water per day, but its combined output is 600 megaliters. Unfortunately, 40 percent of the water is lost to leaks.
A weekly summary of breaking news from countries IDEX works in: Guatemala, India, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Guatemala
What Price for Good Coffee? – Time Magazine, 09/25/09
Fair Trade model has been heralded as the defining success story in market-based economic solutions to poverty. Today, even the coffee retailer mega-giant Starbucks is on board with this trendy new concept. Although a fine concept, the current prices for fair trade today are still not enough to lift Guatemalan farmers across the poverty line.
India
India Lawsuits Used to Shrink India’s Maternal Deaths Today – Women’s ENews, 09/25/09
India currently has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world at 300 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. According to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, India had pledged to reduce maternal mortality down to 200 by 2007, and 109 by 2015, but such numbers are unrealistic. In an effort to combat maternal mortality from new angles, some Indian NGO’s are trying to file law suits if the state does not meet it’s promises articulated in the government’s National Rural Health Mission.
Mexico
Mexico’s Slim, Grameen Bank Launch Microfinance Venture – Wall Street Journal, 9/25/09
The success of microfinance in Bangladesh and around the world has led Mexico billionaire Carlos Slim to adapt the idea in partnership with Muhammad Yunnus in Mexico. Mr. Slim is launching a microfinance company, and hopes to make more than 100,000 loans in the company’s first five years.
Nepal
World Bank announces $130 Million for Education in Nepal – AllHeadlineNews.com, 9/24/09
Nepal’s School Sector Reform Program has just been approved this Wednesday, and is the main vehicle for the implementation of the Nepal government’s National Program of Action. This program will cost roughly 2.6 billion dollars to implement over the next five years, and World Bank has just approved partly funding it with a grant of $130 million.
South Africa
South African Children push for better schools – NY Times, 9/24/09
In a march that mirrored yesterday’s University of California protest against fee hikes and staff layoffs, young South Africans came out in droves to demand better educational infrastructure. Currently, many schools are tattered, with few libraries. This is what the South African youth wish to change, and are protesting at the halls of government to make it happen.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe to import 350,000 tonnes of wheat – Reuters, 09/15/09
The Zimbabwean Government must import huge quantities of cereals in order to provide grains to its public. Cereal plantings in Zimbabwe have been on a downward trend due to financial shortfalls and fertilizer shortages. The government has launched a $200 million program to help farmers secure more seed and fertilizer.
Guatemala
Hunger and Nutritional Crisis,9/09/09, BBC News
Guatemala has declared a “state of public calamity” over a dire hunger and nutritional crisis. In a national address, Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom said Guatemala has suffered from climate change and the global economic meltdown. According to UNICEF, almost half of Guatemala’s children suffer from extreme malnutrition. At least 25 children died this year from malnutrition. An estimated 54,000 families are suffering food shortages due to a failure of their corn and beans crops.
India
Women Enjoy the Absence of Men on Trains, 9/15/09, New York
The absence of men on commuter trains has given women peace. Some men pinch, grope, and stare at women on trains, or shout insults and catcalls. Over the last decade, millions of women have integrated into the work force. The women’s commute to work have not been pleasant. The persistent problems of taunting and harassment have led the government to remove men from trains. Eight women-only commuter trains have been introduced in India’s four largest cities.
Mexico
Worst Drought in Six Decades, 9/12/09, New York Times
This year, the first three months of the rainy season were dry. Mexico’s rainy season typically begins in June and lasts for four months. The severe drought has affected forty percent of the farmland, causing shortages in the harvests of corn, beans, wheat and sorghum. Now that the rainy season finally started, the daily downpours of rain have flooded parts of Mexico City.
Nepal
Protests Escalating, 9/17/09, The Economist
Political protests have been escalating and threatening the fragile peace that has prevailed since the end of the Maoists ten-year insurgency in 2006. The Prime Minister, who is a Maoist leader, recently resigned. His resignation led the protest to escalate. The former Prime Minister took his Maoist party into opposition and hope to lead the government again.
South Africa
Socio-Economic Development Focused on Elites, 9/17/09, Pambazuka
The models for socio-economic development in Southern Africa are elite oriented. This elite focused model in inadequate and a new approach is needed if the interests of the mass are to be served. A development model that is people-centered is a component to policy making.
Reemergence of Traditional Protesting, 9/06/09 New York Times
The protests in South Africa most often call for the burning of tires, the barricading of streets and the throwing of rocks. The forceful protests are a reaction to the dissatisfaction of South Africa’s new president, Jacob Zuma. Water, electricity and unemployment are areas that have not seen any improvement.
Zimbabwe
Last White Farmers Face Invasion, 9/17/09, The Economist
President Robert Mugabe is still set on chasing out the last white farmers. Over the past decade, 4,000 white owners of the most productive farms have been forced out along with their 320,000 black workers. Two-thirds of the seized land has been given to 140,000 black families, but the rest has gone to Mugabe’s family and friends. This has caused agriculture output to slump. Zimbabwe used to be one of Africa’s biggest food exporters, now it one of the main food aid recipients.
Guatemala
Mines Bring no Benefit to Local People – July 24, 2009, Upside Down World
A new draft law concerning mining in Guatemala continues to favor foreign mining companies despite the nation’s adoption of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 169 in Indigenous and Tribal Peoples. The draft law provides tax breaks to mining companies and does not outline regulatory protections on the use of water or against adverse effects on the environment. Local outrage and demonstrations have risen against the draft law and local organizations call for stricter regulations although Congress lacks political interest in discussing the mining issue.
Forced Displacement of Local Populations – July 8, 2009, Grassroots International
The National Peasant and Indigenous Coordination (CONIC) created this video to illustrate the increases in forced displacement due to the expansion of agr0-fuel plantations in Guatemala. The numbers of evictions in Guatemala has grown at alarming rates.
India
Teachers Against 377, July 19, 2009, Posted by: *Nivedita Menon
University teachers, researches and academics are showing their support of a Delhi High Court judgment which aims to “decriminalize consensual sex among adults” as well as “challenge the legitimacy of ‘religious leaders’ to speak for the whole of society.” More than 180 signatories issued a statement that the criminalization of sexual preference is a violation of their right to freedom of discrimination.
Nepal
Nepal to Save Royal Massacre Home – July 23, 2009, BBC News
The Nepalese Government is planning to restore the house where King Birendra and his family were shot and killed by Prince Dipendra in 2005. It is believed that massacre was a significant event in Nepalese history that lead to Gyanendra giving himself absolute power.
South Africa
Zuma vows help for South African Townships – July 24, 2009, BBC News
Amidst the worst recession in 17 years, President Zuma promises to provide better basic services, such as water and electricity, in an attempt to end township protests. More than 200 people have been arrested in the recent protests. Zuma, who maintains that he values the peoples constitutional right to freedom of assembly argues that there is no justification for violence. However, increasing job losses (in the middle of winter) finds many unable to pay their bills and nowhere to turn.
South Africa Council Workers Strike Threatens Basic Services, July 24, 2009, Reuters
And:
South Africa’s Economy Faces Wave of Wage Strikes
A series of potential and actual strikes throughout South Africa’s major industrial sectors are expected to “threaten” public services. The sectors affected by the strikes are the nation’s most prominent industries and many are necessary for providing basic services including: gold, platinum, coal, municipal workers, chemical, pharmaceutical, rail, communications, doctors, petroleum and more. The Johannesburg council will attempt to minimize the disruption of services but strikes and protests may become more widespread.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Children Turn to Sex Trade – July 24, 2009, BBC News
A video produced by the BBC provides a shocking look into the lives of children in Zimbabwe who turn to prostitution in order to survive. As the number of orphaned children increases they must learn to look after themselves in addition to the surviving members of the family.
Women’s Empowerment
DAC guiding Principles for Aid Effectiveness, July 2009, Eldis.org
The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness cites that development goals “will not be possible without progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment”. Good practice principles and frameworks are provided to promote gender equality as a “priority development issue”.
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