Climate Change is worsening world Hunger, says Irish Government

Article co-written by Irish Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore; Mary Robinson, president of the Mary Robinson Foundation Climate Justice; Ertharin Cousin, executive director of the World Food Programme; and Frank Rijsberman, the chief executive of CGIAR, a global agricultural research partnership – published first on Euractiv.

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The International Year of Quinoa – Every silver lining has a cloud.

2013 has been named the International Year of Quinoa. But as these articles demonstrate, there is a growing debate about whether the growing demand for this superfood is contributing to growing poverty in Bolivia and Peru. This article provides links to a large number of articles on the issue.

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Aid alone will not end Poverty – As we keep undermining its effectiveness

A new report highlights the EU’s track record in Development. Europe is a very big, and very good, aid donor. But is that enough?

“The big picture is fairly straightforward. Europe has generous and effective aid programmes, and makes a distinct contribution to global environmental challenges. But Europe’s policies on trade (especially agriculture), security and sharing technology have much less positive impact on development.”

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Aid Works – Some Examples

Some key illustrations of the successes being achieved, through development aid.

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Time to have your say: What World Do You Want?

A blog post outlining some of the many opportunities for ordinary people to have a say, and to contribute to a shared vision for a better future.

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“Rio +20″ fails to deliver for the Planet, for Poor People, or for Future Generations

An initial response to the draft Outcome Document, to be adopted at the “Rio +20″ summit. (Earlier post contains more analysis)

Dóchas today expressed disappointment with the draft Outcome Document that will be formally adopted by Heads of State and Governments at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development.
“The theme for this gigantic UN Summit was ‘The Future We Want’, and many organisations have argued that that future starts with the decisions to be taken here in Rio, during the 3 days of the Summit. But we have to conclude that Governments have largely failed to take ANY decisions”, said Hans Zomer, Director of Dóchas, and representing 49 Irish Development NGOs at the summit.

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Change is unavoidable, so we must choose the change we want

Ireland is in bad need for positive news. The weather is disappointing, and our football team has failed to lift the mood of a nation that is reeling from economic crisis as well as a sense of loss of independence and of identity. The financial crisis, which has left thousands of people across the country struggling to make ends meet, is compounded by a profound feeling of national self-doubt, as the “Celtic Tiger” has gone from a supposed model for other European countries to becoming the ultimate symbol of hubris and wastage.

Our Government and President have both been elected on a platform of change, and on the back of a promise to re-invent the Republic. And this is only right: It is very obvious that the way we did things in Ireland no longer provides a useful, or desirable, model for the future.

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What to Read – A “Rio+20” anthology

A short overview of key documents ahead of the “Rio+20″ summit on Sustainable Development

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Aid Myths Busted

A very good, and short, critique of commonly heard criticism of international development cooperation (or “overseas aid”)

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Why Ireland invests in overseas aid

Anyone wondering why Ireland continues to spend money on overseas aid, take your pick from these quotes from the last week: Speeches by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore

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