News and Analysis
A New Era of World Hunger? - The Global Food Crisis Analyzed
This paper discusses the main causes of the steep run-up in global food prices and the resulting spread of hunger to nearly a billion people worldwide. Authors James A. Paul and Katarina Wahlberg conclude that biofuels and the agro-industrial approach to food production are the main culprits of the food crisis.
The paper looks at a wide range of factors endangering nutrition for all, including population growth, unsustainable consumption, international trade policy and climate change. The authors argue for effective and generous short-term aid as well as longer-term transformation of the agricultural system to make it more justly distributive, resilient, and sustainable for the future.
A New Era of World Hunger - Report
Source: Global Policy Forum/Friedrich Ebert Foundation
UN General Assembly Responds the the Global Financial Crisis
October 2008
In his opening remarks, the President of the General Assembly, Miguel D'Escoto, stated the the international community must fundamentally reform the global financial system and help restore the trust lost as a result of the greed and corruption that caused the current economic crisis and untold suffering around the world. Mr. D’Escoto also asserted that the international community has the responsibility and the opportunity to identify longer-term measures that go beyond protection of banks, stabilization of credit markets and reassurances for big investors.
“The stakes are too high for half-measures and quick fixes put together behind closed doors,” he added.
The President noted that the global financial system does not reflect the global and interdependent nature of the world’s economies and told United Nations Member States that a solution to the crisis must involve all countries in a democratic process.
“We must take advantage of the unique forum provided by the United Nations to build agreement on the new financial architecture required by the international community,” said Mr. D’Escoto.
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The MDG Project in Crisis "Midpoint Review and Prospects for the Future"
Jens Martens and Tobias Debiel point out that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are much less ambitious than previous international development goals.
Even so, the UN, World Bank and NGOs agree that most countries will not achieve most of the MDGs on time. The authors further argue that the MDGs fail to deal with the structural root causes of poverty, such as unequal distribution of wealth, land and political power, as well as unfair global trade rules.(Institue for Developmet and Peace)
The MDG Project in Crisis - Report
Source: Global Policy Forum
The Current Global Financial and Economic Crisis - What Can be Done?
The global financial and economic system is in crisis. Existing economic policies and institutions have overseen an economic system scarred by high levels of poverty and inequality, which is contributing to an environmental catastrophe.
Blind faith in the virtues of markets, and inadequate public control, regulation and accountability of finance are at the heart of the financial crisis. Before the financial crisis, people across the world and in Britain were already suffering from the effects of rising food prices, inadequate essential services and the threat of climate chaos.
There can be no return to business as usual. Fundamental change is needed.
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Financing for Development Conference in Doha
General Assembly resolution 62/187 mandates the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to "assess progress made, reaffirm goals and commitments, share best practices and lessons learned and identify obstacles and constraints encountered, actions and initiatives to overcome them and important measures for further implementation, as well as new challenges and emerging issues."
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