If you have a relevant resource (books, papers, bulletins, etc.) you would like to see announced in this section, please forward a copy or review by the BRIDGES staff to Sarah Mohan.
ICTSD Resource
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES, TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. By Thomas Lines (International Institute on Environment and Development (IIED) and ICTSD, December 2005). The crisis in agricultural commodities is closely linked to issues of poverty and environmental degradation. Dealing with entrenched rural poverty and major impacts from agriculture on ecosystem viability requires a new look at how commodity markets succeed or fail. There is a need for better understanding of how commodity markets work and how policy makers and businesses can intervene to introduce fairness, justice and sustainability into these markets. This challenging context provides the background for this book, which brings together an edited selection of papers prepared for two strategic dialogues on commodities, trade and sustainable development, jointly convened by IIED and the ICTSD.
Other Resources
US VS. EU: AN EXAMINATION OF THE TRADE ISSUES SURROUNDING GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD. By the Pew Initiative on Food Biotechnology, December 2005. The Pew Initiative on Food and Technology has released an updated brief on the United States (U.S.)-European Union (EU) trade dispute over genetically modified crops. Several updates include the new EU laws on approval of GM crops, labeling, and traceability. The new issue brief provides an overview of the history of the dispute; and estimates of the impacts that the EU de facto moratorium on GM crop approvals has had on U.S. trade, among others.
THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF NANO-SCALE TECHNOLOGIES ON COMMODITY MARKETS: THE IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMODITY DEPENDENT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. By the ETC Group (South Centre, November 2005). This report by the ETC Group, presented at a South Centre meeting in advance of the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference, examines the potential impacts of nanotechnology on the agricultural and mining sectors of commodity dependent developing countries. Case studies on rubber, textiles, platinum and copper provide early examples of how economies and workers in the global South could be affected by nanotech’s emerging research and development and products. The report concludes that "history shows that there will be a push to replace commodities such as rubber, cotton and strategic minerals with cheaper raw materials that can be sourced or manufactured by new processes closer to home. Nanotech’s new designer materials could topple commodity markets, disrupt trade and eliminate jobs."
GENETIC RESOURCE POLICIES: WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY WORTH TO FARMERS? By Melinda Smale and Amanda King (International Food Policy Research Institute, 2005). This volume contains the third of a series of IFPRI briefs on genetic resource policies. The first set, published in January 2003 and containing Briefs 1 through 6, focuses on intellectual property rights issues, the second set, published in December 2003 and containing Briefs 7 through 12, focused on issues related to ex situ genebanks and their collections, and this third set sheds light on questions regarding who maintains diversity, where it is maintained, and how farmers value this diversity as societies and economies change.
STATE OF THE WORLD 2006 - SPECIAL FOCUS: CHINA AND INDIA. Worldwatch Institute, January 2006. This year, Worldwatch Institute’s annual State of the World report provides a special focus on China and India, examining the global impact as these two nations join the United States and Europe as major consumers of resources and polluters of local and global ecosystems. The report explains the critical need for both countries to "leapfrog" the technologies, policies, and even the cultures that now prevail in many western countries for the sake of global sustainability — and reports on some of the strategies that China and India are starting to implement. To access this paper, visit
WHO BENEFITS FROM GM CROPS? MONSANTO AND THE CORPORATE-DRIVEN GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROP REVOLUTION. Friends of the Earth International, January 2006. This report analyses the way in which GM crops have been introduced between 1996 and 2005. It describes how the rapid penetration of GM crops in a limited number of countries has largely been the result of the aggressive strategies of the biotech industry, particularly pushed by top GM crop leader Monsanto, rather than the consequence of the benefits derived from the use of this technology. The authors argue that the biotech industry and industry-sponsored organisations have lauded the benefits that have accompanied the introduction of GM crops while conveniently ignoring the negative impacts and other problems.
SUSTAINABLE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. By Stephan Moll, Mette Skovgaard and Philipp Schepelmann (European Environmental Agency, January 2006). This report focuses on our ability to continue to provide for our needs by drawing on the natural Introductionworld. Given the broad coverage of the term ‘natural resources’, a decision was made at the outset to focus the analysis on a selection of natural resources: fisheries, forestry, water, fossil fuels, metals and construction minerals, and land use. The factors behind this choice included ensuring a mix of renewable and non-renewable resources, the policy relevance and political importance of the resources and the ability to illustrate the various policy approaches.
THE TYRANNY OF FREE TRADE: WASTED NATURAL WEALTH AND LOST LIVELIHOODS. By Friends of the Earth International, December 2005. This paper looks at interactions between trade, natural resources and livelihoods in subjects such as fisheries, seeds, water, indigenous rights, minerals, desertification and energy. To access this paper, visit
VACANCIES
HEAD OF MARKETS AND ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE, WWF. Successful candidates will be responsible for developing and managing a team of 6-8 policy experts who work with lead actors — progressive business, civil society and government bodies in key countries across the world — to change the way markets work. A minimum of 5 to 7 years experience of working in a complex multi-functional structure and good understanding of managing budgets and financial planning are key requirements for this role, as is the ability to think strategically to drive the team forward and make an immediate impact. The closing date for this vacancy is 31 January 2006. For further information email recruitment@wwf.org.uk quoting job code HDIST.
TRANSGENIC CASSAVA FOR AFRICA PROJECT DIRECTOR, DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER. Key responsibilities of the Project Director would include responsiblity for overall leadership of the project, in partnership with a Scientific Director; coordination, planning and implementation activities within a Product Development Team and supervising and managing a Project Representative based in Africa. Requirements for candidates include an advanced degree in agriculture, plant science, or related domain; at least five years experience in the development and commercialisation of transgenic crop products and familiarity with biotechnological methods and at least three years experience in regulatory affairs for transgenic crops. The closing date for this position is 1 March 2006.