http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/34935 2013-05-23T05:01:41Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/50057 Title: Conservation and sustainable development : linking practice and policy in Eastern Africa Authors: Davies, Jonathan Abstract: The links between policy and practice in natural resource management are often depicted as a cyclical and rational process. In reality, policymaking and implementation are often irrational, unpredictable and highly political. Many science and knowledge-based institutions undertake rigorous research with the aim of influencing policy, but often their influence is much less than intended. Understanding who influences policy at different levels, and how, is crucial to ensure that science is deployed most effectively so as to have an influence on conservation and natural resource management. Conservation and Sustainable Development presents a variety of innovative ways that have been used to influence policy processes, from community pressure groups through elected and unelected leaders, to scientific discourse at the levels of directors of economic planning and conservation. This book analyzes experi - ences from a variety of conservation interventions by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and other agencies, primarily in Eastern Africa, and challenges the notion of policymaking as a cyclical process. It elaborates on this theme and presents an array of examples of how communities have influenced government, through direct lobbying, influence of parlia mentarians, wielding of science and research, and inter-community dialogue, networking and solidarity. The authors present a framework for understanding and strategizing such work so that other institutions can identify where they can best add value. Description: Co-published with Routledge 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/47481 Title: Custodians of biodiversity : sharing access and benefits to genetic resources Editors: Ruiz, Manuel; Vernooy, Ronnie Abstract: Globally, local and indigenous approaches to conserving biodiversity, crop improvement, and managing precious natural resources are under threat. Many communities have to deal with “biopiracy,” for example. As well, existing laws are usually unsuitable for protecting indigenous and traditional knowledge and for recognizing collective rights, such as in cases of participatory plant breeding, where farmers, researchers and others join forces to improve existing crop varieties or develop new ones, based on shared knowledge and resources. This book addresses these issues. It outlines the national and international policy processes that are currently underway to protect local genetic resources and related traditional knowledge and the challenges these initiatives have faced. In particular these themes are addressed within the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The authors broaden the policy and legal debates beyond the sphere of policy experts to include the knowledge-holders themselves. These are the “custodians of biodiversity:” farmers, herders and fishers in local communities. Their experience in sharing access and benefits to genetic resources is shown to be crucial for the development of effective national and international agreements. The book presents and analyzes this experience, including case studies from China, Cuba, Honduras, Jordan, Nepal, Peru and Syria. Description: Co-published with Earthscan 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/44668 Title: Seeds and synergies : innovating rural development in China Editors: Yiching, Song; Vernooy, Ronnie Abstract: Farmers and researchers too often live and work in different realities. Researchers breed plant hybrids in the laboratory that are successful only under ideal conditions, requiring just the right inputs of water, fertilizer, and pesticides. For resource-poor farmers, however, such conditions simply don’t exist. As a result, they either obtain poor results from high-tech seeds or continue to do the best they can with local varieties. Seeds and Synergies reflects on the innovative efforts of a group of Chinese researchers and extension agents to connect scientists and farmers. Their action research has enabled indigenous women and men in local communities to improve maize varieties jointly with professional plant breeders. This has invigorated maize production, created new livelihoods, and strengthened organizational capacities. The research has also resulted in policy changes in plant breeding, in the conservation of agricultural biodiversity, in the protection of indigenous knowledge, in farmer organization, and in the provision of services, notably extension. This book will be of particular interest to rural development scholars, researchers, teachers and trainers, and field-level practitioners. Description: Co-published with Practical Action Publishing 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/44634 Title: Ressources minières en Afrique : quelle réglementation pour le développement? Authors: Belem, Gisèle; Mazalto, Marie; Sarrasin, Bruno; Akabzaa, Thomas Editors: Campbell, Bonnie Abstract: Le continent africain est riche en minerais indispensables aux économies occidentales. Et pourtant l’industrie minière contribue très peu au développement de l’Afrique. En analysant l’incidence de la Revue des industries extractives de 2003 sur un certain nombre de pays africains, les collaborateurs à cet ouvrage ont constaté qu’une dimension clé du problème réside dans les cadres réglementaires imposés aux pays africains par le Fonds monétaire international et la Banque mondiale. Ils visent à convaincre les universitaires, les gouvernements et l’industrie que la réglementation a besoin d’être réformée pour créer une industrie minière propice au développement social et économique et à la protection de l’environnement. Cet ouvrage adopte une approche pluridisciplinaire et fournit une perspective historique pour chaque pays, ce qui le rend idéal pour les étudiants dans le domaine du développement. Description: Co-publié avec les Presses de l'Université du Québec; Version anglaise dans la bibliothèque: Mining in Africa : regulation and development 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca:80/dspace/handle/10625/44114 Title: Valorizar el medio ambiente : economía para un futuro sostenible Authors: Glover, David Abstract: Una gran cantidad de personas en los países en desarrollo depende del medio ambiente natural para sus medios de vida, sea en tierras de cultivo o bosques, humedales o zonas costeras. Para estas personas, el medio ambiente es mucho más que una fuente de recreación, es la base de la economía. Pero carencias en el funcionamiento de los mercados, derechos de propiedad incompletos y políticas equivocadas pueden llevar a las personas a seguir comportamientos que son racionales en el corto plazo o desde un punto de vista individual, pero dañinos para el medio ambiente y las futuras generaciones. La economía tiene mucho para ofrecer en la comprensión y en la orientación de este comportamiento. También proporciona herramientas para los tomadores de decisiones enfrentados a opciones difíciles. ¿Cómo podemos comparar el valor de los beneficios ambientales con los costos de su preservación? ¿Cómo podemos evaluar los impactos de la intervención ambiental (o de la no intervención) sobre los pobres? ¿Cómo deberíamos repartir los costos de las mejoras? Este libro expone la forma cómo investigadores en cuatro de las redes regionales de economía ambiental del IDRC han tratado cuestiones como éstas en una gran variedad de situaciones en Asia, África y América Latina. Reúne las percepciones de más de 15 años de investigaciones y evalúa sus impactos sobre las políticas públicas y sobre la comunidad científica. Concluye con una mirada hacia el futuro de la economía ambiental en el mundo en desarrollo. Encontrará análisis, debate y casos específicos en el sitio web complementario www.idrc.ca/en_foco_medioambiente que viene con el libro, en CD. Description: Incluye 1 CD-ROM en sobre al final; El disco compacto incluye: estudios de casos; presentaciones de imágenes digitales; sitios web; recursos; Versión inglés en la biblioteca: Valuing the environment : economics for a sustainable future; Versión francés en la biblioteca: Valeur de l'environnement : faire appel à l'économie pour forger un avenir sous le signe de la durabilité 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z