http://www.search4dev.nlOnline library for Dutch development cooperationenwww.kit.nldpcmedewerkers-uba@uva.nldpcmedewerkers-uba@uva.nlWed, 22 May 2013 23:10:52 CEST/d/dprn/graphics/bbhead.gifhttp://www.search4dev.nlhttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/443303http://www.search4dev.nl/record/443303FGG - Fair, green and global alliancehttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/441766http://www.search4dev.nl/record/441766With the arrival of the Rutte II cabinet, a wish of the members of the Fair, Green and Global Alliance (FGG) has come true; trade and global development are under the supervision of the same minister. Policy coherence in rich countries is the key to sustainable and equitable development. To actually help strengthen Trade and Aid , the Minister will be engaged in a balancing act for the next four years.In Balancing Trade and Aid, the members of the FGG Alliance have formulated a number of recommendations to Minister Ploumen, based on their years of experience in the field of policy coherence and international trade.FGG - Fair, green and global alliancehttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/422841http://www.search4dev.nl/record/422841This report presents the findings of an investigation into child labour in shoe production chains of international brands which was commissioned by the ‘Stop Child Labour – School is the best place to work’ campaign and written by the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO). This investigation consists of a literature study, policy research including a questionnaire sent out to shoe companies and field research in India, one of the world’s most important shoe producing countries.F. RijkseB. SlobS. van der WalA. ten Katehttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/422840http://www.search4dev.nl/record/422840In this report the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) and the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) present their findings on the labour conditions in the South Indian garment and textile industry. In Tamil Nadu young women workers continue to suffer exploitative working conditions while making garments for Western brands. Thousands of girls work under recruitment and employment schemes that amount to bonded labour. 'Maid in India' features case studies of four large Tamil Nadubased garment manufacturers that produce for the European and US markets. This report aims to provide relevant stakeholders manufacturers, brands, multi-stakeholders initiatives, governments and others with input to enable and motivate further action. On the basis of the field research and analysis of promises and actual steps taken by the industry and other relevant actors, conclusions are formulated, as well as practical recommendations.G. OonkP. OvereemM. PeepercampM. Theuwshttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/422839http://www.search4dev.nl/record/422839In this information sheet for responsible investors, SOMO outlines the priorities from an NGO perspective on the issue of conflict minerals. In particular, we will focus on the need for the European Commission to develop legislation to curb the mineral trade that contributes to armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and elsewhere. Responsible investors can play a decisive role in encouraging law-makers to take concrete measures by making their opinions known.SOMOhttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/422835http://www.search4dev.nl/record/422835This report details the functioning of the coal supply chain and provides a thorough overview of all publicly available information on the origin of coal used in Dutch power plants. The report identifies critical gaps in public knowledge resulting from the lack of transparency provided by electricity companies operating in the Netherlands and analyses whether the degree of transparency provided by electricity companies is in line with international standards.J. Wilde-RamsingT. SteinwegK. RaczF. Scheelehttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/422834http://www.search4dev.nl/record/422834The rationale for civil society organisations (CSOs) to engage in multi- stakeholder initiatives is to influence corporate activities to move in a more sustainable direction. Over the past 15 years, CSOs, which include non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trade unions, have been involved in many different initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. This guidebook takes stock of the experiences they have gained and identifies lessons they have learned in the process. The aim is to strengthen the influence of CSOs in multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs). This guide is intended for professionals working for CSOs and participating in MSIs. It provides strategic perspectives for action and highlights critical issues to address when participating in MSIs. It is based on extensive research and experience gathered by SOMO over the years.M. van Huijsteehttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/400950http://www.search4dev.nl/record/400950The new report Fixing Global Finance - A Developing Country Perspective on Global Financial Reforms by Kavaljit Singh (published by Madhyam and supported by SOMO) provides interesting analyses and important recommendations on global and regional financial reforms from a developing country perspective. Singh, an Indian expert on financial markets and financial crises, not only looks at the negative impact the financial crisis has had on developing countries and the poor world-wide. He also highlights the interdependent and global nature of the problem by which the current financial and economic reform agenda of the European Union (EU) will have important impacts on developing countries. This briefing highlights those recommendations from the report that should be taken into account by policy makers when they decide on particular EU financial reform laws.SOMOhttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/400653http://www.search4dev.nl/record/400653This report provides interesting analyses and important recommendations on global and regional financial reforms from a developing country perspective. Singh, an Indian expert on financial markets and financial crises, not only looks at the negative impact the financial crisis has had on developing countries and the poor world-wide. He also highlights the interdependent and global nature of the problem by which the current financial and economic reform agenda of the European Union (EU) will have important impacts on developing countries.K. Singhhttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/400203http://www.search4dev.nl/record/400203Buchanan Renewables (BR) established its operations in Liberia in 2006, a time when the country was just recovering from its devastating civil war, and when a new energy strategy based on the use of biomass as an important energy source had been developed in Europe. While the company actively promoted its business model of producing biomass from old unproductive rubber trees as a sustainable one, it also received criticism due to the fact that smallholder rubber farmers were not benefitting as much as they had expected. This research aims to assess how a number of stakeholders have been affected by the practices of BR, and to what extent these practices reflect the socially and environmentally sustainable public image of the company. The report evaluates four different issues related to BRs activities: 1) The regulatory framework for BRs operations in Liberia; 2) the impacts on smallholder rubber farmers; 3) the impacts on the Liberian charcoal market; and 4) tax avoidance through its corporate structure.T. SteinwegK. RaczA. BrownellF. Colee