What's new

The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) together with international and Bangladeshi labour rights groups and unions, has reached an agreement with the German-based retailer Tchibo on an ambitious safety programme in garment factories in Bangladesh. Earlier this year, PVH (owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger) committed to the programme.

How do local people already arm themselves against the consequences of climate change? And what can other local communities and policy makers learn from them? The Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD), a CSO from Vietnam and a partner of Both ENDS, produced an easy-to-read, practical guide to implementing various local adaptation measures.

Invitation
On the 27 September 2012, the negotiations for European Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries mark their 10 year anniversary. But it is not really a time for celebration. 10 years on, EPAs negotiations continue to be fraught with concerns that when it comes to supporting development efforts and promoting regional integration, the EPAs will do more harm than good. Please join us for a debate on: "EPA negotiations: 10 years is enough?" at the Residence Palace, Brussels, 27 September 2012 from 9:30 to 11:30 am.

With over 5100 big dams and hundreds more in the offing, India is in the forefront of global dam building. While impacts of dams on displacement, ecosystems, water security, etc., are well documented, their impacts of fisheries and livelihoods are yet to receive any attention. That is why the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) launched a report on Impacts of Dams on Riverine Fisheries in India.

The human right to water and sanitation is a topical theme. A workshop which was recently held on this right in Uganda, even got the attention of the Ugandan television. Tobias Schmitz, programme officer at Both ENDS and co-organizer of the workshop, was interviewed by them.

Last week the Hunger 4 Action Conference’ , the Second Global Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change took place in Hanoi. More than one hundred Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including Both ENDS, signed a letter in which they express their concern about the conference. Crucial topics would hardly be addressed, and the voice of small farmers, cattle-breeders and fishermen would not be heard while they are responsible for about 70 percent of global food production. The letter, which also contains suggestions about how it should be, was sent to the outgoing minister Maxime Verhagen, one of the organizers of the conference.

By supporting small grants funds in the Global South, Both ENDS effectively helps people and organisations in their peaceful struggles to keep the bond between them and nature alive. Alliance, the leading magazine for philanthropy and social investment worldwide, published an article on Both ENDS’ policy in its September edition.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award, internationally referred to as the 'regional Nobel Prize of Asia' is a recognition for people who fight against poverty and injustice in a sustainable way. One of the winners of this year is Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto of the Indonesian organization Telapak, with has been a partner of Both ENDS for years. Ruwindrijarto has been campaigning against illegal logging in Indonesia for years, despite threats and violence against him from the companies he fights against.