
Science and Development Network
News, views and information about science, technology and the developing world
Producing enough food for a rapidly growing population, and taking care of our planet are two of the world's biggest challenges.
Displaying 1-20 of 42 links
AGRA — a joint initiative of the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — aims to improve African agriculture through new technologies such as improved seeds and fertilisers, better cultivation practices and greater access to credit and marketing channels to help farmers sell their produce.
AGRA's initial investment — US$150m — will be used to develop stronger varieties of African crops, train African scientists and build distribution channels for agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilisers.
The AGRA website publishes information about the alliance's staff and activities and links to a selection of related documents, news and other information.
The Gates Foundation's nutrition programme aims to include essential vitamins and minerals in the diets of people in the developing world, and to guarantee proper nutrition under the age of two, including in the womb.
Progress sheets and a strategy overview on the organisation's nutrition program are available to download as well as press releases and information on grants given. The website also includes job listings, downloadable fact sheets, financial statements and annual reviews.
The foundation funds population-wide food fortification programmes and invests in research and development of diagnostic tools and biomarkers for identifying and measuring micronutrient deficiencies. It also funds research to examine how different nutritional interventions affect infection.
This website, from the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, provides information on the co-benefits of mitigating climate change. Issues covered include carbon storage, biodiversity, ecosystem services, protected areas and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD).
Chinadialogue is the world's first bilingual Chinese-English online magazine on environmental issues, with a special focus on
In June 2004, the Climate Change Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA), a consortium of large businesses and mostly US conservation NGOs, launched a certification system for global climate protection and biodiversity conservation projects around the world.
Under the scheme, projects that mitigate or adapt to climate change, such as forestry projects, or renewable energy plants, are given scores for their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity conservation, and benefits to local communities. Projects that score at least 50 per cent in each of these three components are eligible for a CCBA certificate.
The certification system, which was launched on 7 June, can work in both developing and developed countries and on projects with private investment, public investment or a combination of the two. CCBA’s founding organizations include the oil company BP and the conservation organisations The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International.
The Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF) was established in June 2008 to provide accessible funding for projects that avoid deforestation and contribute to poverty alleviation in the Congo Basin. This multi-donor fund is run by a governing council supported by a secretariat based at the African Development Bank. The website provides reasons for establishing the fund, its proposal process and an overview of projects that have received funding.
The Doyle Foundation has been established in honour of Dr John J Doyle, formerly Deputy Director General of the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (now part of the International Livestock Research Institute) in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr Doyle died in 1999 at the age of 55, after an outstanding career in international agricultural research and veterinary medicine.
The purpose of the foundation is to advocate and provide support for the role of science in international development, in keeping with Dr Doyle's wide interests and beliefs that science should be directed at solving clearly defined problems.
The Doyle Foundation was officially launched at the University of Glasgow Veterinary School on 30 June 2000.
The Doyle Foundation provides a forum for analysis and advocacy of the role of science in development with special regard to livestock health and the safe applications of modern biotechnology.
Emphasis is given to identifying the research needed to reduce the constraints on production of livestock, especially in Africa, and targeted broadly to livestock health and production and related fields. The Foundation achieves its aims through support for fellowships, sharing information and knowledge and related activities.
This website publishes the work of FHI 360, a development organisation with an evidence-based approach to improving lives by advancing integrated, locally driven science solutions. The organisation works in the fields of health, nutrition, education, economic development, civil society, environment and research. The website provides access to issues of their monthly newsletter Insight, and details of current and past projects. It also provides links to relevant publications and organisations.
The Food Security Network is an independent, non-profit coalition of people throughout the world dedicated to participating in an open, informed and impactful dialogue addressing solutions to global food security concerns through sustainable agricultural practices. The website includes regular updates and news stories, which are often pro-biotechnology.
FoodFirst opposes the use of genetic engineering in agriculture and food. It publishes briefings, position papers and opinion articles on genetically modified crop technology in relation to sustainable agriculture, hunger and poverty. Its website includes audio and video interviews with FoodFirst staff as well as photo galleries illustrating, among other topics, agriculture in developing countries.
The Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions is a charity that was founded in 1993 to promote India’s self reliance in primary health care and to help India’s traditional knowledge make a contribution to the world of medicine. It describes itself as an 'unconventional' educational institution that includes research into the conservation scientific analysis of medicinal plants.
FOEI disputes that genetically modified crops are safe and argues that genetic engineering is unsustainable. It claims to be the 'largest grassroots environmental network' in the world, with 1.5 million members. Its website on genetically modified organisms contains campaign materials and meeting reports on biosafety, hunger and food aid, contamination and corporate control. Group activity notices and a set of frequently asked questions are also provided.