Small-scale farmers in China in the face of modernisation and globalisation

The development of China as a global economic power is one of the most dramatic stories of recent decades. China’s economy has been the fastest growing in the world since 1980. Rapid growth has occurred in all sectors, including agriculture, accompanied by rapid poverty reduction. In the past 30 years, based on China’s official povertyline, the absolute level of rural poverty fell from 260 million (36 per cent of rural population) in 1978 to 26.9 million (2.8 per cent of rural population) in...

Video: Global Learning Network at Work 3rd Meeting - Indonesia

"You are aware that The Global Learning Network of Hivos–IIED knowledge programme on ‘Small producers’ agency in globalised markets’ held its third and last meeting in Bandung between 13-17 February. It was hosted and organized by Dr. Ronnie S. Natawidjaja, Chairman, Master of Agricultural Economics Program Faculty of Agriculture Padjadjaran University (UNPAD). 16 learning network members from Africa, Latin America and Asia came together to share their insights, challenge each other and...

Promoting pluralism? Diminish the donor dependency!

Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im, human rights activist and researcher on Islam and secularism, has been fighting for decades to promote the acceptance of human rights in Muslim countries. Foreign donors can only play a limited role, he thinks.

Civic Pluralism

 There are many ways to think and talk about pluralism. ‘Civic pluralism’ may be helpful to find practical solution to approaching diversity in society. Within the Indonesian Promoting Pluralism Knowledge Programme this concept will be further explored by the academic partners and civil society organisations. This has to result in improved strategies and activities to deal with diversity in society, in such a way that it is conducive to development.

Pluralism mapped in Indonesia

The study by Zainal Bagir (Centre for Religious and Cross-cultural Studies, Yogyakarta) provides a portrait of Indonesian Muslims in terms of their views and attitudes towards the 'other'. It also analyses the discourse of pluralism by the supporters and opponents of the idea. Lastly it reviews governmental policies with regard to religion, especially the freedom of religion.This mapping is expected to be the ground to build knowledge about pluralism in Indonesia further as well as guide us i...