Amandla

http://www1.lanic.utexas.edu/

Started in 1992 and affiliated with the Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, the Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC) is designed to "facilitate access to Internet-based information to, from, or on Latin America." Their site was redesigned in the spring of 2008, and currently their various directories contain over 12,000 unique URLs for use by the general public. These links can be browsed by subject headings or by country, and visitors can look into more discrete topical headings like "food", "political science", and "social work". Along with these high-quality links, visitors can then click on over to their "Digital Initiatives" area. Here they will find digital collections that cover documents from the New Mexican Revolution and the full-text Fidel Castro Speech database. Visitors will also appreciate that many of the site's resources are available in Spanish and Portuguese. [KMG] Scout Report

When most people think of international peacekeeping work, they might immediately think of organizations like the United Nations or NATO. What they might not know is that in recent years the European Union (EU) has become a very active participant in operations in countries such as Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire. These efforts haven't escaped the attention of policy analysts and scholars at the RAND organization, and this report released in July 2008 takes a close look at this phenomenon. The 344-page report is divided into ten chapters, which include case studies of EU activities in Macedonia, the Solomon Islands, and a chapter of conclusions and final remarks. Additionally, the report also contains a detailed chapter of comparative analysis that looks into thematic areas such as the civilian police force in each country, the return of refugees post-conflict, and international combat-related deaths. [KMG] Scout Report

http://www.cfr.org/publication/by_type/daily_analysis.html

The Council on Foreign Relations produces an impressive array of background papers, online debates, op-ed pieces, and articles every year. International relations gurus, policy pundits, and members of the public benefit widely from these works, and those persons who haven't looked over the Council's "Daily Analysis" yet, may wish to do so now. Here visitors can read analytical briefs written by staff members on issues of the day, complete with links to "the news, analysis, commentary, and primary source materials that put the facts in context." The briefs are arranged chronologically, and recent pieces include "Is Brain Drain Good For Africa?", "China's Olympic Moment", and "Picking Presidents and Foreign Policy". These briefs are a great way to get acquainted with important news developments from around the world, and it's easy to see how educators might want to draw on the site as a resource for political science or international relations courses. [KMG] Scout Report

• elections;
• economy;
• security sector reform;
• rule of law; and
• public administration.

Pakistan's Political Crisis
URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/south_asia/2007/pakistan/

Description:
Collection of features, views, and analysis about the political situation in Pakistan, including President Pervez Musharraf's resignation in August 2008 and the December 2007 assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Includes a timeline, key facts about Pakistan, videos related to Musharraf's resignation, profiles of Musharraf and other key people in Pakistan, and more. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Annotation copyright LII.ORG 

ANU Contemporary China Centre
A specialist research centre of the Australian National University which focuses upon interdisciplinary social science research relating to the politics, economics, Anthropology and society of post 1949 China. Its website provides information on its aims and activities. It includes the full text of all George Ernest Morrison Lectures in Ethnology from 2001 onwards, plus tables of contents and abstracts from its leading scholarly publication The China Journal. Topics covered by the latter include: studies of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan since 1949 and analyses of political change in the Chinese communist party.
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/ccc/

Stanford China Program
The Stanford China Program is based in the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (Shorenstein APARC). Its aim is to coordinate interdisciplinary social science research about China at Stanford University. Its website provides information on itsaims, activities and research. It includes the full text of many working papers published since approximately 2002. There are abstracts of other journal articles and books. Topics covered include Chinese economic policy and growth, the cultural revolution, political, economic and social change in China, reforms within the Chinese political leadership and communist party.
http://chinaprogram.stanford.edu/

China news: The Times
This site is maintained by leading British daily newspaper The Times. It provides access to news headlines, comment and analysis from Times journalists, covering all aspects Chinese economics, politics and social change. It also includes photographs, video footage and blogs from reporters. Typical topics covered include the 2008 Beijing olympics and changes within the Chinese government and communist party. While the main emphasis is upon current news, some archived materials can also be accessed. Copyright and technical information is displayed on the website. Intute.ac.uk
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/china/

http://www.faculty.rsu.edu/~felwell/Theorists/Four/index.html

It's pretty hard to argue with Professor Frank W. Elwell's list of great social theorists, as he brings together Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim and other intellectual heavyweights on this site. The purpose of bringing together these luminaries and their writings is "to promote greater understanding of classical macro-social theory." A rather laudable cause indeed, and Professor Elwell has devoted sections to each of these authors, and several others, including Auguste Comte and W.E.B. Dubois. In each section, visitors can read selections from their major works and also click through to other relevant online resources. Finally, visitors can also learn about Professor Elwell's own scholarly endeavors, including his book "Macrosociology: Four Modern Theorists". Scout Report[KMG]

• Africa’s development needs and challenges within the present global, regional and national contexts;
• the main commitments made by African countries and the international community to address these challenges;
• recommendations that could positively impact the continent’s development.

The report of the Security Council mission to Djibouti (on Somalia), the Sudan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Côte d'Ivoire, 31 May to 10 June 2008, has been issued (S/2008/460). The report summarizes the discussions held in each country and presents the findings and recommendations of the mission. Annexes include the terms of reference and composition of the mission. A full list of the Security Council missions since 1993 is available in the UN-I-QUE database.

UN Pulse Permanent link 

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued the State of Asia-Pacific’s Children 2008 (full text, pdf, 3.35 MB). According to the UNICEF press release, the report finds that while child survival in Asia and the Pacific has improved considerably, deepening economic disparities have meant that the region’s poor are often unable to access proper health care. Global achievement of the health related Millenium Development Goals depends largely on India’s success and on China accelerating progress. Learn more from the UN News Story.

UN Pulse Permanent link 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched Priority Interventions: HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in the health sector at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City (full text, pdf, 1.81 MB). The package of priority interventions is designed to help low- and middle-income countries move towards universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support. Learn more from the UN news story, or the WHO press release.

UN Pulse Permanent Link 

The Executive summary of the evaluation of the role and contribution of UNDP in the environment and energy has been issued in advance of the forthcoming session of the Executive Board of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) (DP/2008/46). The report argues that environment and energy are central to the core UNDP mission of poverty reduction, and makes recommendations about how to improve the UNDP programming.

Isandla Institute, a dynamic organisation based in Cape Town, promotes integrated, equitable and sustainable urban development. We engage in cutting edge research, knowledge sharing, development of alternative frameworks and methodologies, and advocacy to support urban development and transformation. We seek to fill the following position:

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Conceptualise, coordinate and conduct research on local government, land and spatial planning
• Design and implement advocacy work to influence policy and planning at local, provincial and national level
• Organise, coordinate and facilitate public events (e.g. roundtable discussions, seminars)
• Write relevant publications and articles
• Presentations at seminars, conferences, etc.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (local, provincial, national)

We are looking for a dynamic person with experience and strong skills in project management, research and facilitation. The person we are looking for will be able to think strategically, conduct relatively high level interactions with government and civil society, and package information for different purposes and different audiences. Knowledge of ublic policy and policy development is essential. An understanding of issues related to ocal government, land and/or spatial planning will be most valuable.

The successful candidate is likely to have a post-graduate degree in Geography, Planning Law, Development Studies or Social Sciences. To be considered for this position, you need to be a South African citizen or hold permanent residence.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Opportunities for flexible working
arrangements are negotiable.

All applications must include a letter indicating how you qualify for the position, current salary details, a detailed curriculum vitae which includes a list of publications, and three contactable references. Applications should be sent to admin@isandla.org.za by Friday 22 August 2008.

Isandla Institute is committed to equity in its employment practices. It is our intention to appoint individuals with the aim of meeting our equity objectives.

The Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR), Cape Town, South Africa, invites you and members of your organisation to the seminar

“The international Criminal Court: Is Africa just a guinea-pig?”

CHAIR and SPEAKER:               Ms Yasmin Sooka

(Executive Director, Foundation for Human Rights, Johannesburg)

SPEAKERS:                               Professor Vincent Nmehielle,

(School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and former Principal Defender of the Special Court for Sierra Leone)

Dr Charles Villa-Vicencio

(Former Executive Director, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, Cape Town)

DATE:                                       Monday 18 August 2008

TIME:                                       17H30 to 19H30

VENUE:                                     Centre for the Book, 62 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town

RSVP:                                      Lavenia Benjamin

TEL:                                          (021) 689 1005

E-MAIL:                                   lavenia@ccr.uct.ac.za

Website:                                  http://ccrweb.ccr.uct.ac.za/

All welcome and entry is free.