Cuba Seeks a Return of the Old Glamour

While Europe reels from a crisis that is annihilating small businesses, shaking up large ones, and catapulting huge numbers of people into poverty, Cuba, which for the last twenty years has made a specialty out of living in crisis, seems to be on the verge of putting itself back together and even reclaiming part of the faded glamour that was once its hallmark.

Communication Missing in the International Year of Cooperatives

Six months have passed since the beginning of the United Nations International Year of the Cooperatives (IYC). There can be no doubt it has fallen far short of its goal of calling the world's attention to this formidable instrument of social production.

Economic Sadism

Sadism? Yes, sadism. What other word is there for this complacency at the infliction of pain and humiliation on so many people?

What Can We Learn from Current Conflicts?

Conflict is a relation of incompatibility between parties and not an attribute of one party. Therefore the solution is a new relation. While conflict gives rise to the danger of violence, it also provides an opportunity to create new realities.

Behind Paraguay’s Presidential Ouster

When Paraguay’s President Fernando Lugo was impeached on June 22 in a lightening-quick legislative manoeuvre, the hemisphere was shocked, with some governments calling it a “parliamentary coup” and refusing to accept the vice president sworn in as the new president.

The G-20: Struggling to Remain Relevant

The seventh G-20 Summit at Los Cabos, Mexico, concluded on Jun. 19 with results that may seem encouraging in the short-term, but embedded with additional risks for the medium and longer-term.

Rio+20 and beyond: together for a sustainable future

As stated in the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and the 1992 Earth Summit, human beings are at the centre of sustainable development. However, even today, over 900 million people still suffer from hunger. Poor populations worldwide, especially in rural areas, are among those most vulnerable to the food, climate, financial, economic, social and energy crises and threats the world faces today.

The Errors of the Present Weigh Heavily on the Future.

The globalised world offers challenges as well as opportunities. This is not a criticism of globalisation; it simply means that while we take advantage of the opportunities it offers we must be sure to address the challenges it presents.

Nepal: Governing the Ungovernable

The people of Nepal are justifiably proud that their country was never colonised, even though most other countries in the region were under the British. The joke in Kathmandu is that the British in India took one look at the mountains to the north, and didn't bother conquering Nepal because they found it ungovernable. The Chinese, too, invaded Nepal in the 18th century but headed right back because it just seemed like too much trouble to stay.

Global Economy: Prospects Are Bleak Almost Everywhere

Global economic conditions continue to have a strong bearing on production, trade and investment in developing economies. In this respect the current landscape is not very encouraging. After three years of recovery the world economy still remains highly fragile. The short-term outlook predicts contraction in several advanced economies in Europe. Growth in others, including the U.S., is weak and erratic. But more importantly, medium term prospects are bleak almost everywhere.

The Goals of Rio+20

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development will be held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, from Jun. 20- 22, twenty years after the first great Earth Summit in 1992. Dubbed Rio+20, the conference will draw more than 80 heads of state. Discussion will focus on two main themes: the "green economy" in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and the institutional context of sustainable development. The People's Summit will be held parallel to the conference, bringing together social and ecological movements from around the world.

Rich nations should not backtrack at Rio+20 Summit

With only a few days to go before the start of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, there are disturbing signs that developed countries are attempting to backtrack from the commitments they made at the original Earth Summit of 1992 to assist the developing countries to move towards the path of sustainable development.

Rio+20 – a Call to Responsibility, a Call to Action

We are all going through a period of great confusion and uncertainty.

A Light Federation for Europe

A growing number of people are convinced that, in order for the monetary union to be saved, the European Union (EU), or eurozone, must have a ministry of the treasury or finance ­in other words, it must be able to tax and spend.

A better solution to the showdown with Iran

Conflict is a relation between parties with incompatible goals. It is not the property of one party. While it risks escalating into violence, it also offers an opportunity to create new realities.

Uneven struggle of poor peasants against giant multinational

The Bunong tribe of Cambodia, the Bagyeli people of Cameroon, and the villagers of Malen Chiefdom in Sierra Leone share a common struggle.

Spain: Chronicle of a Disaster Foretold

The nationalisation of Bankia, the fourth largest Spanish bank, and its parent company BFA, caused an uproar and focussed attention on the failure of the financial reforms passed by the government of Mariano Rajoy last February 3. The insufficiency of these reforms combined with investors' lack of confidence and the requirements of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Union (EU) forced the government on May 11 to decide on a new reform package intended to "definitively" provide solvency and credibility to the national financial system.

Overcoming Austerity

"The greatest strength of tyrants is the inaction of the people." Machiavelli

The Real Challenge for Rio+20

The month before the 2012 Olympics, another event will take place, which will deal with more urgent issues concerning the present and the future of the earth. Unfortunately, this event has been bypassed by the information superhighway.

Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink?

The deficit of fresh water is becoming increasingly severe and widespread. Unlike other resources, there is no substitute for water. Accessible supplies of fresh water are limited, and people's needs keeps rising.

The Real Challenge for Rio+20

The month before the 2012 Olympics, another event will take place, which will deal with more urgent issues concerning the present and the future of the earth. Unfortunately, this event has been bypassed by the information superhighway.