"Marriage or Death!"

By Marten van den Berge. The time has come: Argentina is the first country in Latin America where at national level, marriage is permitted to non-heterosexual couples. They also have the opportunity to adopt children or to use artificial insemination. On July 15, following a 15 hour debating marathon of the Argentine Senate, the law was adopted by 33 votes to 27 votes against and 3 abstentions. There was a tense mood between the conservatives in alliance with the Catholic church and the pr...

Behind the Veil of Discourse

A few weeks into their field assignments, the ISS researchers have started to unpack their questions and issues, venturing into complexity beyond the veil of discourse.

Southern Perspectives on Civil Society Building

Civil Society Building continues to figure prominently in the development policy realm and so too does its northern bias, especially with regard to processes in Africa. Through the MA-research facility, the Hivos/ISS Civil Society Knowledge programme enables researchers and civil society organizations from the South to develop and share their views on key issues in the Civil Society Debate.

How Does Trade Policy Impacts Upon Citizens' Relationship with the State?

Together with Peter Newell and Marcelo Saguier, dr. Rosalba Icaza (ISS) explores how trade policy impacts upon citizens' relationship with the state, and the state's ability to realize particular rights.

Knowledge Programme Participates at Conference in Peru

LIMA, Peru – From 26 May until 28 May 2010 the ‘Encuentro de Saberes y Movimientos: Entre las Crisis y los Otros Mundos Posibles’ (ed.: “Meeting of Knowledges and Movements: between crisis and other possible worlds”) takes place in Lima, Peru. On these days national and international representatives of social movements, researchers, artists and development practitioners will take part in a critical dialogue over what role knowledge and social movements play in creating new opportunities for...

Struggle over "killer law" by the Women’s Movement in Nicaragua

In February 2010 Nicaragua made the international news headlines for refusing cancer-treatment to 27-year old pregnant “Amalia”. For Amalia, who is also mother of a 10-year old, the treatment would be potentially life-saving but the current Nicaraguan law is placing doctors at risk of prosecution in providing cancer treatment to Amalia as it may harm the fetus.

Video Changing perspectives in Latin America

Today, more than ever, after the food crisis of 2007 - 2008, governments and private sector are showing greater interest in agriculture and food supply for a fast growing and more urban world population. Today small scale farmers are facing great challenges. This video is a contribution for the debate by: IIED, Hivos and Mainumby.

Struggle over "killer law" by the Women’s Movement in Nicaragua

In February 2010 Nicaragua made the international news headlines for refusing cancer-treatment to 27-year old pregnant “Amalia”. For Amalia, who is also mother of a 10-year old, the treatment would be potentially life-saving but the current Nicaraguan law is placing doctors at risk of prosecution in providing cancer treatment to Amalia as it may harm the fetus.

Nicaragua in the Picture

On May 15th 2010 the Utrecht-Leon City Association has organised a Nicaraguan movie night. The event is screening seven short movies about Nicaragua, made by Nicaraguans. One of the movies is produced by our Knowledge Programme partners Cinco and Movimiento Autonomo de Mujeres in Nicaragua: "The Struggle of the Women's Rights Movement in Nicaragua 1998-2008". The 20-minute movie shows the history of the Nicaraguan women's movement, its strategies, a few of its successes and their c...

Sweet like Sugercane, Strong as Rum

The Peruvian government puts little effort to change the situation of gays, lesbians and transsexuals. Fortunately this group increasingly knows how to organize itself, and not only in Peru’s capital Lima. As far as the jungle and the Andes, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people (also known as LGBTs) organize themselves to fight for their rights. Below you can read notes drawn up by Marten van den Berge, a Dutch researcher who’s currently conducting research for Hivos and ISS in the...