Signs of hope: A community managed climate adaptation initiative.
Apart from causing frequent droughts, global warming has resulted in unpredictable rainfall patterns, seasonal floods, food insecurity, diseases and conflicts around scarce resources.
Recurring droughts in arid and semi arid areas in the Horn of Africa have led to loss of livelihoods, lives and ets. Historically, relief food has been given as an emergency measure to keep people alive during drought. This is not sustainable; therefore Cordaid has developed the Drought Cycle Management (DCM) approach so as to enhance local people’s coping mechanisms and capacities. For more information about Cordaid and adaptation to climate change: http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/All/Research___Evaluations/index.aspx?mId=10553#downloads
Drought Cycle Management provides direction on how communities can adapt to their circumstances in the mitigation, preparedness, emergency aid and rehabilitation phase. It encourages the provision of water resources through innovative rainwater harvesting technologies, introduction of drought resistant animals, income and livelihood diversification, introducing new foods and cereal banks, amongst other options. Extensive capacity building in disaster risk reduction enables the communities to deal with the hazards, thus reducing their vulnerabilities. Undoubtedly, early preparation reduces vulnerability and loss of livelihoods.
In Kenya, these innovative programs have been piloted by ten organizations, in the last three years.
In these video’s, organizations tell the stories of the communities they serve and factors that have helped them cope. They want to share their experiences with others. These examples are not the only solutions, but can be an inspiration in the pursuit of better solutions to adapt to climate change and its effects.
Duration : 0:8:21
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Signs of hope: A community managed climate adaptation initiative.
Apart from causing frequent droughts, global warming has resulted in unpredictable rainfall patterns, seasonal floods, food insecurity, diseases and conflicts around scarce resources.
Recurring droughts in arid and semi arid areas in the Horn of Africa have led to loss of livelihoods, lives and ets. Historically, relief food has been given as an emergency measure to keep people alive during drought. This is not sustainable; therefore Cordaid has developed the Drought Cycle Management (DCM) approach so as to enhance local people’s coping mechanisms and capacities.
Drought Cycle Management provides direction on how communities can adapt to their circumstances in the mitigation, preparedness, emergency aid and rehabilitation phase. It encourages the provision of water resources through innovative rainwater harvesting technologies, introduction of drought resistant animals, income and livelihood diversification, introducing new foods and cereal banks, amongst other options. Extensive capacity building in disaster risk reduction enables the communities to deal with the hazards, thus reducing their vulnerabilities. Undoubtedly, early preparation reduces vulnerability and loss of livelihoods. For more information about Cordaid and adaptation to climate change, visit the website: http://www.cordaidpartners.com/English/All/Research___Evaluations/index.aspx?mId=10553#downloads
In Kenya, these innovative programs have been piloted by ten organizations, in the last three years.
In these video’s, organizations tell the stories of the communities they serve and factors that have helped them cope. They want to share their experiences with others. These examples are not the only solutions, but can be an inspiration in the pursuit of better solutions to adapt to climate change and its effects.
Duration : 0:7:54
Read the rest of this entry »
Apart from causing frequent droughts, global warming has resulted in unpredictable rainfall patterns, seasonal floods, food insecurity, diseases and conflicts around scarce resources.
Recurring droughts in arid and semi arid areas in the Horn of Africa have led to loss of livelihoods, lives and ets. Historically, relief food has been given as an emergency measure to keep people alive during drought. This is not sustainable; therefore Cordaid has developed the Drought Cycle Management (DCM) approach so as to enhance local people’s coping mechanisms and capacities. For more information about Cordaid and adaptation to climate change, visit the website: http://www.cordaidpartners.com/rooms/climate-change-adaptation-and-mitigation
Drought Cycle Management provides direction on how communities can adapt to their circumstances in the mitigation, preparedness, emergency aid and rehabilitation phase. It encourages the provision of water resources through innovative rainwater harvesting technologies, introduction of drought resistant animals, income and livelihood diversification, introducing new foods and cereal banks, amongst other options. Extensive capacity building in disaster risk reduction enables the communities to deal with the hazards, thus reducing their vulnerabilities. Undoubtedly, early preparation reduces vulnerability and loss of livelihoods.
In Kenya, these innovative programs have been piloted by ten organizations, in the last three years.
In these video’s, organizations tell the stories of the communities they serve and factors that have helped them cope. They want to share their experiences with others. These examples are not the only solutions, but can be an inspiration in the pursuit of better solutions to adapt to climate change and its effects.
Duration : 0:8:45
Read the rest of this entry »
Hernan Cortes de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marques del Valle de Oaxaca (Spanish pronunciation: [?r?nan kor?t?s]; 1485December 2, 1547) was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the King of Castile, in the early 16th century. Cortes was part of the generation of Spanish colonizers that began the first phase of the Spanish colonization of the Americas.
Born in Medellin, Extremadura, Spain, to a family of lesser nobility, Cortes chose to pursue a livelihood in the New World. He went to Hispaniola and later to Cuba, where he received an encomienda and, for a short time, became alcalde (magistrate) of the second Spanish town founded on the island. In 1519, he was elected captain of the third expedition to the mainland, an expedition which he partly funded. His enmity with the governor of Cuba, Diego Velazquez de Cuellar, resulted in the later recalling the expedition at the last moment, an order which Cortes ignored. Arriving on the continent, Cortes executed a successful strategy of allying with some indigenous peoples against others. He also used a native woman, Dona Marina, as interpreter; she would later bear Cortes a son. When the Governor of Cuba sent emissaries to arrest Cortes, he fought them and won, using the extra troops as reinforcements. Cortes wrote letters directly to the king asking to be acknowledged for his successes instead of punished for mutiny. After he overthrew the Aztec empire, Cortes was awarded the title of Marques del Valle de Oaxaca, while the more prestigious title of Viceroy was given to a high-ranking nobleman, Antonio de Mendoza. Cortes returned to Spain in 1541 where he died peacefully but embittered.
Because of the controversial undertakings of Cortes and the scarcity of reliable sources of information about him, it has become difficult to ert anything definitive about his personality and motivations. Early lionizing of the conquistadors did not encourage deep examination of Cortes. Later reconsideration of the conquistadors’ character in the context of modern anti-colonial sentiment and greatly expanded concern for human rights, as typified by the Black Legend, also did little to expand our understanding of Cortes as an individual. As a result of these historical trends, descriptions of Cortes tend to be simplistic, and either ing or idealizing.
Duration : 0:8:31
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Hernan Cortes de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marques del Valle de Oaxaca (Spanish pronunciation: [?r?nan kor?t?s]; 1485December 2, 1547) was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the King of Castile, in the early 16th century. Cortes was part of the generation of Spanish colonizers that began the first phase of the Spanish colonization of the Americas.
Born in Medellin, Extremadura, Spain, to a family of lesser nobility, Cortes chose to pursue a livelihood in the New World. He went to Hispaniola and later to Cuba, where he received an encomienda and, for a short time, became alcalde (magistrate) of the second Spanish town founded on the island. In 1519, he was elected captain of the third expedition to the mainland, an expedition which he partly funded. His enmity with the governor of Cuba, Diego Velazquez de Cuellar, resulted in the later recalling the expedition at the last moment, an order which Cortes ignored. Arriving on the continent, Cortes executed a successful strategy of allying with some indigenous peoples against others. He also used a native woman, Dona Marina, as interpreter; she would later bear Cortes a son. When the Governor of Cuba sent emissaries to arrest Cortes, he fought them and won, using the extra troops as reinforcements. Cortes wrote letters directly to the king asking to be acknowledged for his successes instead of punished for mutiny. After he overthrew the Aztec empire, Cortes was awarded the title of Marques del Valle de Oaxaca, while the more prestigious title of Viceroy was given to a high-ranking nobleman, Antonio de Mendoza. Cortes returned to Spain in 1541 where he died peacefully but embittered.
Because of the controversial undertakings of Cortes and the scarcity of reliable sources of information about him, it has become difficult to ert anything definitive about his personality and motivations. Early lionizing of the conquistadors did not encourage deep examination of Cortes. Later reconsideration of the conquistadors’ character in the context of modern anti-colonial sentiment and greatly expanded concern for human rights, as typified by the Black Legend, also did little to expand our understanding of Cortes as an individual. As a result of these historical trends, descriptions of Cortes tend to be simplistic, and either ing or idealizing.
Duration : 0:9:49
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Hernan Cortes de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marques del Valle de Oaxaca (Spanish pronunciation: [?r?nan kor?t?s]; 1485December 2, 1547) was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the King of Castile, in the early 16th century. Cortes was part of the generation of Spanish colonizers that began the first phase of the Spanish colonization of the Americas.
Born in Medellin, Extremadura, Spain, to a family of lesser nobility, Cortes chose to pursue a livelihood in the New World. He went to Hispaniola and later to Cuba, where he received an encomienda and, for a short time, became alcalde (magistrate) of the second Spanish town founded on the island. In 1519, he was elected captain of the third expedition to the mainland, an expedition which he partly funded. His enmity with the governor of Cuba, Diego Velazquez de Cuellar, resulted in the later recalling the expedition at the last moment, an order which Cortes ignored. Arriving on the continent, Cortes executed a successful strategy of allying with some indigenous peoples against others. He also used a native woman, Dona Marina, as interpreter; she would later bear Cortes a son. When the Governor of Cuba sent emissaries to arrest Cortes, he fought them and won, using the extra troops as reinforcements. Cortes wrote letters directly to the king asking to be acknowledged for his successes instead of punished for mutiny. After he overthrew the Aztec empire, Cortes was awarded the title of Marques del Valle de Oaxaca, while the more prestigious title of Viceroy was given to a high-ranking nobleman, Antonio de Mendoza. Cortes returned to Spain in 1541 where he died peacefully but embittered.
Because of the controversial undertakings of Cortes and the scarcity of reliable sources of information about him, it has become difficult to ert anything definitive about his personality and motivations. Early lionizing of the conquistadors did not encourage deep examination of Cortes. Later reconsideration of the conquistadors’ character in the context of modern anti-colonial sentiment and greatly expanded concern for human rights, as typified by the Black Legend, also did little to expand our understanding of Cortes as an individual. As a result of these historical trends, descriptions of Cortes tend to be simplistic, and either ing or idealizing.
Duration : 0:9:30
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On Saturday the 1st of March 2008, at the 30th Anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, 35 Christian Ministers from the 100 Revs group joined the parade to say sorry to the GLBT community. Many more would have marched, but once denominational heads discovered who had put their names to the apology, their livelihoods were threatened. Despite this pressure from conservative Christian ecclesiastical hierarchies and the attacks and accusations from Christian right wing groups, many well meaning Christian leaders were brave and honest enough to say ‘ our attitude has been unchristian, we have behaved poorly and we are sorry”. Interview by Anthony Venn-Brown, with Rev Mike Hercock and James, one of the 100 Revs, before the parade. Read the background to the story at http://alifeofunlearning.blogspot.com/2008/02/crack-in-wall.html
Duration : 0:6:19
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Deriving from the Sansakrit language, the word “Songkran” means to pass or to move into. In this context, the meaning implies to the passing and the moving of the sun, the moon and the other planets into one of the zodiacal orbit. And the Grand Songkran Festival which falls on the Aries indicates the new era of the Thai New Year. Owing to the ancient Indian belief, the Grand Songkran Festival is most appropriate to be the Thai New Year due to the timing of the best season which is known as the spring of India which comes right after the cold season of winter. Also, there are other aspects supporting this belief such as the blooming flowers, the fresh atmosphere of the nature and the livelihood of all the living creatures.
With the great influence from the Indians, the Songkran Festival portrays the typical ways of life of the Thais which involve the agricultural aspects. Free from their regular routine work, the Thai citizens will find time to perform their annual rites of showing respect to their ancestors. The highlight of the festival will include the younger Thais paying respect to their elders by sprinkling their hands with scented water. And in order to welcome the New Year, the celebration will include the delighted colourful local entertainment which, in fact, suitably unite the mutual relationship between members of the family, the society, the nature and surrounding. Therefore, this Songkran Festival has proved to be the most important and grandest festival of the year. Moreover, our neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos have also organised this type of festival.
Since the old days during the Sukhothai period, the Songkran Festival had been practised both in the royal court palace and among the ordinary citizens. However, the size of the celebration had not been as elaborated as of today. Back in those days, civil servants and other government officials would pay homage to the king, and would drink the oath of allegiance to the king or the government, while the king would provide annual salary to all officials. Later on in Ayutthaya period, the festival had been expanded by including the bathing of the Buddha image. Also, the festivities would include the forming of sand pagodas and entertaining celebrations. In the Rattanakosin period, the rituals had been conducted in the similar pattern as those during the Ayutthaya period.
Duration : 0:9:51
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The story of a successful LifeNets livelihood development grant that has helped Bilton and Miriam Salawila who live in the Ndirande District of Blantyre develop a music school, music studio and tailor shop.
Duration : 0:2:11
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Although there appears to be an enduring concern with Indias poor within the policy circle and in public discourse, is this debate leading to new and innovative ideas on how to pull millions of Indians out of grinding poverty? What is the way forward? Should the emphasis be on skills development, agricultural development, microfinance, market access etc? What other models of rural development do we need to examine?
Moderator: Anand Shah, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Indicorps
Panel:
• Manoj ar, CEO, Naandi Foundation
• Adarsh ar, Executive Director, All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare ociation
• Yashashree Gurjar, Group Head, Corporate Social Responsibility, Avantha Group
• Abhijit Banerjee, Foundation International Professor of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
Duration : 0:9:31
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