July 29, 2010 - Jens Siegert, head of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Moscow, states in a commentary article that a verdict of "not guilty" in the Khodorkovsky-Lebedev trial may show a sign of political weakness on behalf of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, while a "guilty" verdict could end all hope for a thorough modernization of Russia. By Jens Siegert more»

Iranian LGBT-Activist: "Sexual discrimination and homophobia doesn’t have any geographical boundaries" – May 18, 2010 - Arsham Parsi is an Iranian LGBT Human Rights activist who lives in exile in Canada. He is the founder and head of the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR), an advocacy group on behalf of LGBTs fleeing Iran. We had the chance to speak to Arsham Parsi during his visit to Berlin in early May. more»

Sudan – No Easy Ways Ahead – As the six-year transitional period defined in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement draws to a close, Sudan is sliding into another crisis. The Heinrich Böll Foundation, which has been working both with civil society partners in Sudan and on Sudan-related issues in the German context for several years, has put together this publication in order to reflect on such scenarios. With contributions by Alex de Waal, Atta El-Battahani, Marina Peter, John Yoh, Roland Marchal, and Peter Schumann. more»

Gender Politics Makes a Difference - Experiences of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Across the World – December 28, 2009 - Politics can only succeed when it is inclusive of all genders. Gender justice is an ambitious goal, one that the Heinrich Böll Foundation is pursuing together with many different allies worldwide. This publication gives an overview of their work. more»

Roadmap to 1325 – December 28, 2009 - The UN resolution 1325 It could be a milestone for gender-equitable security policy. This volume contributes to filling the gap in knowledge about approaches both to gender-sensitive peace and security policy. Edited by the Gunda-Werner-Institut. more»

Pakistan - Reality, Denial and the Complexity of its State – December 28, 2009 - This publication is designed to provide a differentiated view of Pakistan’s complex political processes and social challenges to a broad international audience. Authors from a variety of disciplines present their analyses of Pakistan’s deficits and shortcomings, as well as their ideas and visions for a more democratic and peaceful future. more»

July 19, 2010 - Amidst allegations of rampant human rights abuses at the Chiadzwa diamond fields and reports of diamond smuggling the KPCS has failed to take decisive action. Claude Kabemba sheds light on the reasons for the KPCS’ inability to act and concludes that a failure in Zimbabwe will send a negative signal about the relevance of the KPCS and capacity for self-regulation of the diamond industry as a whole. By Claude Kabemba more»

Caught between a rock and hard place – July 1, 2010 - Saliem Fakir draws balance over of South Africas economic policy of the last 15 years and derives from it recommendations for a future political agenda. Saliem Fakir more»

From Money to Metals – Despite the current financial "crisis" investors are pouring money into mining companies and projects, with potentially negative consequences for thousands of communities around the world. Launched in 2008, and now available as a regularly-updated data base, "From Money to Metals" is a vital resource to discover who is funding what, and where, in one of the most potentially destructive of all global industries. By Nostromo Research, 2009. more»

July 6, 2010 - The final document of the 2010 NPT Review Conference includes reference to the convening of a conference in 2012 to discuss the idea of a Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free-Zone (WMDFZ) for the Middle East. By Emily B. Landau more»

Pakistan's Energy Future: What Role for Chinese Nuclear Reactors? – June 25, 2010 - Pakistan is looking to solve its energy supply crisis by importing nuclear reactors from China. However, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which China is a member, forbids transfer of any kind of nuclear technology to non-signatories of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty like Pakistan. Pervez Hoodbhoy more»

Views by Thai NGOs on the Political Situation in Thailand – June 2, 2010 - The conflict in Thailand between "Red Shirts" protesters and the government turned violent in May with over 80 people killed. The Thai NGO networks "Coordination Network of NGOs" and the "Anti Civil War Network" condemn the violence and propose solutions to the conflict. By Wanun Permpibul and Jost Pachaly more»

An Inch Closer to a World without Nuclear Weapons – April 21, 2010 - The treaty signed by Presidents Obama and Medvedev last week brings us closer to fulfilling the vision of a world without nuclear weapons, but only by mere inches. A Czech Perspective on the Impact of New START on the Global Non-Proliferation Debate. By Šádí Shanaáh more»

The New Israeli Residence Order for the West Bank – April 20, 2010 - On the occasion of the new Israeli residence order for the West Bank, Bernd Asbach interviewed Issam Nassar, co-founder of the "Institute for Jerusalem Studies" from Jerusalem. By Bernd Asbach more»

July 29, 2010 - The myth of nuclear power keeps persevering. Therefore the Heinrich Böll Foundation has commissioned renowned international nuclear experts to deliver detailed facts central to the myths of nuclear energy. This overview provides the public with a current, facts rich and nuclear-critical know-how.
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Conference Summary: The Great Transformation - Greening the Economy – July 5, 2010 -

This conference report summarizes the key debates of the two-day conference "The Great Transformation - Greening the Economy". Additionally audio recordings of all sessions are available as well as video recordings of several key notes.

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The Great Transformation – Greening the Economy – May 20, 2010 - The international conference deals with the political framework, regulatory instruments, as well as leading technologies, key projects and new alliances for the economic-ecologic turnaround. On May, 28-29 a live-stream will be available. more»

Böll.Thema Number 1/2010 - Going Green – April 27, 2010 - No doubt, Copenhagen was a major setback. Although much remains to be done, the great transformation is on its way: within the energy sector, in construction, in industry – and in Europe, the US, and China alike. To be sure, political decisions will be a major factor in how swiftly and powerfully change will occur. Yet, the future is not the exclusive domain of governments. All of us can be and will have to become actors in an ecological turnaround. more»

A Bright Future for Solar Energy in China – May 17, 2010 - Dynamic growth due to the global fight against climate change has made China the world's number one producer of solar cells. 98 per centof all solar cells were exported. Not even 1 per cent was used in China itself. But Wang Sicheng of the Energy Research Institute is convinced that the focus of the Chinese solar energy industry will gradually shift from foreign to domestic markets. By Sun Xiaohua more»

Gender and Climate Change in Southern Africa – Although various studies have focused on climate change impacts and adaptation opportunities in Africa, few have focused on the household level and in particular on gender differentiated impacts of climate change. This study, commissioned by Heinrich Böll Stiftung, provides an analysis and summary of the findings of eight case studies carried out in four southern African countries. Furthermore, the study aims to identify various policies, programmes and activities that could address these issues. more»

Awareness of the commons requires a fundamental shift in thinking about the foundations of society. It means using, sharing, and multiplying our common wealth in a free and self-determined way. Our society needs a great debate and a worldwide movement for the commons. Now!
By Yochai Benkler more»

Lawrence Lessig on Copyright Wars – Prof. Lawrence Lessig spoke at the Heinrich Böll Foundation's "Spielstand Spezial" event on Copyright Wars. Enjoyment and Discomfort in a Digital Culture. more»