All publications and documents

Traditional mountain societies are characterized by their close interconnection with nature and natural resources. They depend upon natural resources and biodiversity for their sustainable livelihood concerns. This linkage with nature and natural resources extends beyond the economic realm; social, cultural and spiritual dimensions also play a significant role. Traditional mountain…

On the invitation of the Mayor of Bonn, Ms. Bärbel Dieckmann, the Second World Forum of Mayors on Cities and Desertification took place in Bonn on June 11th and 12th, 1999. Desertification is assuming ever more threatening proportions worldwide; with a view to controlling and resolving the resulting problems, cities and municipal authorities are desperately looking for support on the basis of an…

At last a book that offers the English-speaking world a window into a startling body of theory and practice on building democratic forms of economic organization. It offers challenging and stimulating material for anyone interested in practical and large-scale democratic economic alternatives. A critical contribution at a time when civil society offers great potential for catalysing progressive…

Global risk potentials and their interplay with economic, social and ecological processes of change have emerged as a challenge to the international community. By presenting this report, the Council hopes to contribute constructively to an effective, efficient and objective management of the risks of global change. The approach taken by the Council is first to classify globally relevant risks and…

Human rights and human development share a common vision and a common purpose—to secure, for every human being, freedom, well-being and dignity. Divided by the cold war, the rights agenda and development agenda followed parallel tracks. Now converging, their distinct strategies and traditions can bring new strength to the struggle for human freedom. Human Development Report 2000 looks at human…

Desertification has occurred worldwide. The biophysical and socio-economic complexity of this phenomenon has challenged our ability to categorize, inventory, monitor and repair the condition of degraded lands. One of the most important distinctions to be made in relation to land degradation is between cultivated land used for annual crop production and `rangelands'. Grazing by free-roaming…