1. PRGA Program wishes you happy holidays

A time of peace, a season of wonder and joy... We wish you all the best now and through the coming year.

Open e-card:
http://www.prgaprogram.org/Newsletter/Newsletter%202008/December/image/
Navidad%20PRGA%202008.jpg

2. Eliminating Gender Inequalities Reduces Poverty. How?

There are many ways in which gender inequalities are
present in society. Those inequalities, like any other, are intrinsically unfair and should be fought against. In this One Pager, we show how gender inequalities in the labour market determine poverty levels. We answer the following question: which aspect of gender inequalities should be considered priority in the design of public policies that seek to reduce gender inequalities and poverty?

3. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in an Era of Oil Scarcity - Lessons from Cuba

The author identifies the policies and practices required for such an achievement under conditions of petroleum-scarcity and in doing so, challenges the mainstream globalised and privatised food systems and food security strategies being driven through in both industrialized and more vulnerable developing regions. Paradoxically, the book dispels the myth that Cuba turned to organic farming nationwide, a myth founded on the success of Cuba's urban organic production systems which are what visitors to the country most commonly see.

4. Youth Employment – Key to Conflict Prevention, Poverty Reduction

Governments seek and often win power on campaign promises to create jobs and expand employment programs, especially those benefiting youth. Yet, the promise of jobs is more easily made than honored. Dire consequences have followed this failure of promises with youth taking up employment in the industries of crime and armed conflict.

5. Number of hungry people rises to 963 million

High food prices to blame – economic crisis could compound woes

Another 40 million people have been pushed into hunger this year primarily due to higher food prices, according to preliminary estimates published by FAO today. This brings the overall number of undernourished people in the world to 963 million, compared to 923 million in 2007 and the ongoing financial and economic crisis could tip even more people into hunger and poverty, FAO warned.

6. Innovation Asia-Pacific Symposium, 4-7 May 2009, Katmandu, Nepal

First Call for Contributions

An international symposium on agricultural innovation systems in Asia and the Pacific, focusing particularly on southern and eastern Asia, will be held on 4–7 May 2009 in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is being jointly organised by CIAT (International Centre for Tropical Agriculture)–Asia, ICIMOD (International Centre for integrated Mountain Development) and Prolinnova (Promoting Local Innovation in ecologically oriented agriculture and natural resource management) in collaboration with the Prolinnova-Nepal partners LI-BIRD (Local Initiatives for Biodiversity Research and Development) and Practical Action–Nepal.