Ghetto Beats Lifestyle Investment program works as a connector between designers and investors – helping them realize sustainable design with the potential to solve global challenges. Our aim is to bring as many Design to Improve Life solutions to their full potential as possible in order to foster positive impact in the world. Ghetto Beats Design thinking Improve is all about connecting idea creators to business leaders in order to make a positive change in the world.
Ghetto Beats Improve Education is about putting structured creativity on the learning agenda. It is a framework of methods enabling its users to initiate change in society by coming up with innovative solutions to real problems like food waste and climate change.
Design Thinking impact
Design thinking Impact Investing is about supporting an idea that generates positive – social or environmental – impact alongside a financial return. Our mission is to create a pipeline of these investment opportunities by introducing designers with life-changing solutions to individuals and businesses who want to support them.
Circular Economy
The transition within business from a linear to a circular economy brings with it a range of practical challenges for companies. The following question is addressed: What are the product design and business model strategies for companies that want to move to a circular economy model? This paper develops a framework of strategies to guide designers and business strategists in the move from a linear to a circular economy. Building on Stahel, the terminology of slowing, closing, and narrowing resource loops is introduced. A list of product design strategies, business model strategies, and examples for key decision-makers in businesses is introduced, to facilitate the move to a circular economy. This framework also opens up a future research agenda for the circular economy.
Les^sence a multidisciplinary definition of innovation
– This paper aims to undertake a content analysis of extant definitions of “innovation” as a basis for proposing an integrative definition of organizational “innovation”.
Design/methodology/approach
– A literature review was used to generate a representative pool of definitions of organizational innovation, including definitions from the different disciplinary literatures of economics, innovation and entrepreneurship, business and management, and technology, science and engineering. A content analysis of these definitions was conducted in order to surface the key attributes mentioned in the definitions, and to profile the descriptors used in relation to each attribute.
Findings
– The key attributes in the paper present in definitions were identified as: nature of innovation; type of innovation; stages of innovation, social context; means of innovation; and aim of innovation. These attributes are defined, descriptors assigned to them, and both a diagrammatic definition and a textual definition of organizational innovation are proposed.
Originality/value
– As a concept that is owned and discussed by many business disciplines, “innovation” has many different definitions that align with the dominant paradigm of the respective disciplines. Building on these diverse definitions, this paper proposes a general and integrative definition of organizational “innovation” that encompasses the different perspectives on, and aspects of, innovation, and captures its essence.
1. QUALITATIVE METHODES
The word qualitative implies an emphasis on the qualities of entities and on processes and meanings that are not experimentally examined or measured [if measured at all] in terms of quantity, amount, intensity, or frequency. Qualitative researchers stress the socially constructed nature of reality, the intimate relationship between the researcher and what is studied, and the situational constraints that shape inquiry. Such researchers emphasize the value-laden nature of inquiry. They seek answers to questions that stress how social experience is created and given meaning. In contrast, quantitative studies emphasize the measurement and analysis of causal relationships between variables, not processes. Qualitative forms of inquiry are considered by many social and behavioral scientists to be as much a perspective on how to approach investigating a research problem as it is a method.
Personal experience and engagement -- researcher has direct contact with and gets close to the people, situation, and phenomenon under investigation; the researcher’s personal experiences and insights are an important part of the inquiry and critical to understanding the phenomenon.
Empathic neutrality -- an empathic stance in working with study respondents seeks vicarious understanding without judgment [neutrality] by showing openness, sensitivity, respect, awareness, and responsiveness; in observation, it means being fully present [mindfulness].
Dynamic systems -- there is attention to process; assumes change is ongoing, whether the focus is on an individual, an organization, a community, or an entire culture, therefore, the researcher is mindful of and attentive to system and situational dynamics.
The Analysis unique case orientation -- assumes that each case is special and unique; the first level of analysis is being true to, respecting, and capturing the details of the individual cases being studied; cross-case analysis follows from and depends upon the quality of individual case studies.
Inductive analysis -- immersion in the details and specifics of the data to discover important patterns, themes, and inter-relationships; begins by exploring, then confirming findings, guided by analytical principles rather than rules.
Holistic perspective -- the whole phenomenon under study is understood as a complex system that is more than the sum of its parts; the focus is on complex interdependencies and system dynamics that cannot be reduced in any meaningful way to linear, cause and effect relationships and/or a few discrete variables.
Context sensitive -- places findings in a social, historical, and temporal context; researcher is careful about [even dubious of] the possibility or meaningfulness of generalizations across time and space; emphasizes careful comparative case analyses and extrapolating patterns for possible transferability and adaptation in new settings.
Voice, perspective, and reflexivity -- the qualitative methodologist owns and is reflective about her or his own voice and perspective; a credible voice conveys authenticity and trustworthiness; complete objectivity being impossible and pure subjectivity undermining credibility, the researcher's focus reflects a balance between understanding and depicting the world authentically in all its complexity and of being self-analytical, politically aware, and reflexive in consciousness.
1. BRAND VALUATION -A&A-.
brands should be managed as valuable, long‐term corporate assets. It is proposed that for a true brand asset mindset to be achieved, the relationship between brand loyalty and brand value needs to be recognised within the management accounting system. It is also suggested that strategic brand management is achieved by having a multi‐disciplinary focus, which is facilitated by a common vocabulary. This article seeks to establish the relationships between the constructs and concepts of branding, and to provide a framework and vocabulary that aids effective communication between the functions of accounting and marketing. Performance measures for brand management are also considered, and a model for the management of brand equity is provided.
2. SOCIAL DESIGN MARKETING -FORCE- .
Design refers to the form characteristics of a product that provide utilitarian, hedonic, and semiotic benefits to the user.
Product design has always been of keen interest to marketers. Medieval craftsmen sought to curry favor with the quality of their ecclesias- tical ornamentation, and railroads of the 1930s at- tracted passengers with the visual impact of their streamlined locomotives and comfort of their Pull- man cars. Today, companies like Apple achieve re- cord profits during a major recession because of leadership in design (Michaels, 2010). The mass me- dia has become attuned to design issues with numer- ous web sites, videos, and publications that critique new designs from the Consumer Electronics Show, Tokyo Auto Show, or New York’s Fashion Week. In 1995, I argued that academic marketing research had essentially ignored product design despite its long- term relevance to marketing strategy and increasing cultural prominence (Bloch, 1995).
Fifteen years later, I am pleased that design re- search activity within marketing has grown signifi- cantly. There is now a steady stream of relevant articles, special issues, and conferences as well as stim- ulating blogs and design-focused organizations. De- spite the enhanced attention in recent years, design research remains a topic of modest activity when compared to its relevance to buyer decision making, brand building, and overall marketing success. This imbalance is due to the fact that marketing academics are still relative outsiders to the aesthetic and engi- neering issues that strongly connect to design. In this essay, I will first provide a concise definition of design followed by several prescriptions for further increas- ing the prominence of design research within market- ing academia.
Design is a large topic that may be studied from a number of perspectives. One may study the design
process, business and engineering constraints on de- sign, or the fit of design within overall marketing strategy, among other issues. The definition used here is based on recent work on design value or benefits (Boztepe, 2007; Chitturi, 2009; Schifferstein and Zwartkruis-Pelgrim, 2008; Van Rompay, Pruyn, and Tieke, 2009).
Which general research design permits determination of cause..
Which general research design permits determination of balance..
which general research design permits determination of changes...
Which general research design permits determination in African natural resources investments...
which general research design permits determination in African Lifestyle investents.
3. DEPENDENT VARIABLE
The variable that depends on other factors that are measured. These variables are expected to change as a result of an experimental manipulation of the independent variable or variables. It is the presumed effect creation.
The Benefits of Group Work. As stressful as group work is in college, it can actually be beneficial in the long run because it closely parallels the group dynamics of participating on a committee, task force, or on a collaborative team project found in many workplaces. Whatever form the group assignment takes in your course, the opportunity to work with others, rather than on your own, can provide distinct benefits. These include: Increased productivity and performance -- groups that work well together can achieve much more than individuals working on their own. A broader range of skills can be applied to practical activities and the process of sharing and discussing ideas can play a pivotal role in deepening your understanding of the research problem. This process also enhances opportunities for applying strategies of critical inquiry and creative or radical problem-solving to an issue. Skills development -- being part of a team will help you develop your interpersonal skills. This can include expressing your ideas clearly, listening carefully to others, participating effectively in group deliberations, and clearly articulating to group members the results of your research. Group work also help develop collaborative skills, such as, team-based leadership and effectively motivating others. These skills will be useful throughout your academic career and all are highly sought after by employers. Knowing more about yourself -- collaborating with others will help identify your own strengths and weaknesses. For example, you may be a better leader than listener, or, you might be good at coming up with the 'big idea' but not so good at developing a specific plan of action. Enhanced self-awareness about the challenges you may have in working with others will enhance learning experiences. Here again, this sense about yourself will be invaluable when you enter the workforce. Cross-Cultural Comparison.--Comparison of various psychological, sociological, or cultural factors in order to assess the similarities or diversities occurring in two or more different cultures or societies.
Sociological Factor. Attributes and experiences that influence an individual's personality, attitudes, and lifestyle, which are derived from the social values and/or behavior of the groups to which an individual belongs, or aspires to belong. Study desing Cross-sectional studies. are simple in design and are aimed at finding out the prevalence of a phenomenon, problem, attitude or issue by taking a snap-shot or cross-section of the population. This obtains an overall picture as it stands at the time of the study. For example, a cross-sectional design would be used to assess demographic characteristics or community attitudes. These studies usually involve one contact with the study population and are relatively cheap to undertake.
Pre-test/post-test studies measure the change in a situation, phenomenon, problem or attitude. Such studies are often used to measure the efficacy of a program. These studies can be seen as a variation of the cross-sectional design as they involve two sets of cross-sectional data collection on the same population to determine if a change has occurred. Correlational Study. A correlational study determines whether or not two variables are correlated. This means to study whether an increase or decrease in one variable corresponds to an increase or decrease in the other variable.In general, a correlational study is a quantitative method of research in which you have 2 or more quantitative variables from the same group of participants, & you are trying to determine if there is a relationship (or covariation) between the 2 variables (that is, a similarity in pattern of scores between the two variables, not a difference between their means). Theoretically, any 2 quantitative variables from the same group of participants can be correlated. Research Experiment methods.here are three basic types of experimental research designs . These include pre-experimental designs, true experimental designs, and quasi-experimental designs. The degree to which the researcher assigns subjects to conditions and groups distinguishes the type of experimental design. This module will focus on the different types of true experimental designs. True experimental designs are characterized by the random selection of participants and the random assignment of the participants to groups in the study. The researcher also has complete control over the extraneous variables. Therefore, it can be confidently determined that that effect on the dependent variable is directly due to the manipulation of the independent variable. For these reasons, true experimental designs are often considered the best type of research design. Factorial Design – The researcher manipulates two or more independent variables (factors) simultaneously to observe their effects on the dependent variable. This design allows for the testing of two or more hypotheses in a single project.
Social Determination -Human beings can be proactive and engaged or, alternatively, passive and alienated, largely as a function of the social conditions in which they develop and function. Accordingly, research guided by self-determination theory has focused on the social–contextual conditions that facilitate versus forestall the natural processes of self-motivation and healthy psychological development. Specifically, factors have been examined that enhance versus undermine intrinsic motivation, self-regulation, and well-being. The findings have led to the postulate of three innate psychological needs—competence, autonomy, and relatedness—which when satisfied yield enhanced self-motivation and mental health and when thwarted lead to diminished motivation and well-being. Also considered is the significance of these psychological needs and processes within domains such as health care, education, work, sport, religion, and psychotherapy.
Once the design has been determined, there are four elements of true experimental research that must be considered: Manipulation: The researcher will purposefully change or manipulate the independent variable, which is the treatment or condition that will be applied to the experimental groups. It is important to establish clear procedural guidelines for application of the treatment to promote consistency and ensure that the manipulation itself does affect the dependent variable.
Control: Control is used to prevent the influence of outside factors (extraneous variables) from influencing the outcome of the study. This ensures that outcome is caused by the manipulation of the independent variable. Therefore, a critical piece of experimental design is keeping all other potential variables constant. For example, if testing the effects of fertilizer on plant height, all other factors such as sunlight, soil type and water would have to be constant (controlled). Random Assignment: A key feature of true experimental design is the random assignment of subjects into groups. Participants should have an equal chance of being assigned into any group in the experiment. This further ensures that the outcome of the study is due to the manipulation of the independent variable and is not influenced by the composition of the test groups. Subjects can be randomly assigned in many ways, some of which are relatively easy, including flipping a coin, drawing names, using a random table, or utilizing a computer assisted random sequencing. Random selection: In addition to randomly assigning the test subjects in groups, it is also important to randomly select the test subjects from a larger target audience. For example, if a researcher wanted to look at the impact of sleep on the test scores of 5th graders in a particular city, a sample of 5th graders would need to be randomly selected from the city’s population in such a way that any 5th grader would have an equal chance of being selected for the study. This ensures that the sample population provides an accurate cross-sectional representation of the larger population including different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, intelligence levels, and so forth.
The artistic solution
Zürich - Gender equality may not be a right most fashion brands strive for, but women empowerment and equality is definitely a priority for the Ghetto Beats Foundation .
Under the label #FORCE , Ghetto Beats new campaign looks to challenge social issues in Africa first concerning the role of women. The campaign aims to give a wider voice to the social concerns faced by women across Africa, ranging from how they are expected to behave in relationships, to education and equal rights. The campaign will be supporting from leading celebrities and influencers across Africa & America. Now, as Ghetto Beats Foundation takes its campaign globally, the fashion retailer seeks to encourage its consumers support the empowerment of women.
Ghetto Beats supports gender equality
The new campaign, which includes a short film that depicts men and women as equal partners, strives to tackle the deep rooted social taboos still prevailed in Africa and other developing markets that see women less than men. As Product Force will be the largest market for sport mens|women's wear outside of Africa & America, the Ghetto Beats Foundation choose to focus in pro-profit initiatives under its Women Empowerment Program in the countries and targets men in its campaign, persuading them to see women as equal partners while highlighting the need for genuine equality.
We’re proud to be working on direct projects to improve the lives of women in developing countries but, with a major presence in Africa & America, we want to do more," . "This new campaign takes our message of women empowerment directly into one of our biggest global markets, notably for menswear." Promoting gender equality and women's safety is also one of the key elements of LES^SENCE sustainability swiss group. It's Women Empowerment Progam is a long-term project which focuses on supporting and fighting for the empowerment of women worldwide.
In order to support women empowerment in Africa even further, Ghetto Beats is also launched a website where the public can pledge its support for gender equality and share their stories of discrimination they've faced, or others have faced, because of their gender. "Women’s safety and gender equality issue has always been very close to our hearts and we promote them through the FORCE Empowerment Program, a long-term initiative to support women's rights worldwide," xx
"#GhettoBeats #FORCE #thatisforce is not only a call for equal opportunities for women in all walks of life but it also urges men to acknowledge the other half of the continents or rather the world and accept them as equal partners. We will start the first phase of the campaign and believe the campaign will touche the lives of many.To see how this works and how we make the change support our Crowdfunding Campaign FORCE.
FORCE DEVELOPERS STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 2018-2020
The Swiss Force Investment Fund for Emerging Markets will be the development finance institution of the Africa Confederations. Force Investment promotes long-term, sustainable and broad-based economic growth in developing and emerging countries by providing financial support to commercially viable small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) as well as fast-growing enterprises which in turn helps to create secure and permanent jobs and reduce poverty.
The Swiss Federal Council Will Support the strategic objectives from FORCE, which serve as guidelines for investment activities.
FORCE investments strategic 2018-2020 makes FISSD.
FiSSD { Swiss Force Investments in Sustainable Development }
FISSD will be an important instrument for fostering private sector development in developing and emerging countries, complementary to other measures of the economic development assistance; WE promotes sustainable and inclusive growth in developing and emerging countries as well as their integration into the global economic system;
FISSD focuses on the creation and maintenance of more and better jobs as well on the improvemen jobs are the main driver of poverty reduction as well as social inclusion in developing and emerging countries and that they offer an alternative to irregular migration.
FISSD promotes the development of sustainable business in developing and emerging countries, based on internationally recognized environmental, social, and governance standards; contributes to strengthening resilience of these countries, inter alia against climate change; Strives to meet the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and professionalism, resulting in a strong reputation and recognition in the general public.
INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES
Leverage: FISSD, through its investments, seeks to optimise the flow of additional capital from private and other institutional investors for the benefit of its
Subsidiarity: FISSD provides financing that is either unavailable on the market or not available at reasonable terms and conditions, or in sufficient amounts or maturity.
Complementarity/Additionality: makes investments that not only fill a gap in financing but also add tangible value, notably in the form of know-how transfers and the provision of technical support to funds and portfolio companies.
Sustainability: FISSD adheres to the basic principles of financial, economic, social and environmental sustainability in its investments activities.
Strategic areas of focus
FORCE Investment Sustainable Africa Development:
– Will be- a important instrument for fostering private sector development in developing and emerging countries, complementary to other measures of the eco- nomic development assistance
– Will - promotes sustainable and inclusive growth in developing and emerging countries as well as their integration into the global economic system;
– Will - focuses on the creation and maintenance of more and better jobs as well on the im- provement of working conditions and skills, recognizing that more and better jobs are the main driver of poverty reduction as well as social inclusion in developing and emerging countries and that they offer an alternative to irregular migration. In this way, FORCE Decision-Makers helps to fight the root-causes of irregular migration and contributes to- wards the mandate of Parliament to strategically link international cooperation with the migration issue;
– Will - promotes the development of sustainable business in developing and emerging coun- tries, based on internationally recognized environmental, social, and governance standards;
– Will - contributes to strengthening resilience of these countries, inter alia against climate change;
– Will - Strives to meet the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and professionalism, resulting in a strong strategies reputation and recognition in the general public.
Programme-related areas of focus on FISSD .
– Sustainability: In its investment activity, FISD will observe the basic principles of fi- nancial, economic, social and environmental sustainability.
– Financial Additionality: FISSD will provide finance that cannot be obtained from the private capital markets (local or international) with reasonable terms or quantities and for similar developmental purposes without official support.
– Value Additionality: FISSD offers to recipient entities or mobilizes, alongside its in- vestment, non-financial value which is supplementary to the private sector and which will lead to better development outcomes, e.g. by providing or catalyzing knowledge and expertise, promoting social or environmental standards or fostering good corpo- rate governance or skills development.
– Leverage effect: FISSD will mobilize additional capital for the target countries or the beneficiary companies from the private sector that would not have otherwise invested. To this end, in accordance with its mandate, FISSD will bear a portion of the political or commercial risks and conversely will share the risks and returns from the invest- ments with the private and institutional investors.
– Geographic concentration: FISSD will concentrate its activities on the priority coun- tries and regions of Swiss development cooperation. To a lesser extent other devel- oping and emerging countries according to the current list of the Development Assis- tance Committee of the OECD are also eligible for investment, if they show a per cap- ita GNP less than the threshold for IBRD categorization which is defined annually by the World Bank5.
Offering, performance, impact
FISSD will carry out investments that produce a specific and verifiable development impact through the promotion of viable and dynamic SMEs and fast growing compa- nies in the private sectors of the target countries. This entails first and foremost the creation of more and better jobs as well as the diversification and strengthening of the local financial markets or financial intermediaries, improvement in the management of the portfolio companies and their better access to external finance, increased tax rev- enues at the investment locations etc.;
FISSD will ensure a balance among development effects, portfolio liquidity, regular income, and risk diversification by deploying various investment instruments.
In this context, FISSD may use the following:
o Loans and other debt instruments (such as secured or unsecured loans, junior debt, debt instruments convertible into equity or tied to investment securities);
o Equity or quasi-equity instruments; and
o Guarantees to cover equity participations and to help borrowers gain access to fi- nancing.
FISSD can invest in the following types of vehicles:
Alternative investments funds: Investments in specialized risk capital vehicles as well as mezzanine and debt funds;
Financial institutions: Investments in local financial institutions and financial inter- mediaries that grant medium to long-term financing primarily to SMEs but also to microfinance institutions and infrastructure projects;
Private companies (as long as commensurate with the FISSD risk policy).
FISSD will be an active investor by participating whenever possible in the governing bodies of its investments, to be able to contribute expertise, address challenges and opportunities on sustainability issues, and ensure compliance with core elements of Swiss development assistance policy.
FISSD enables with adequate measures the direct mobilization of private and institu- tional investors in order to grow the investment volume and increase the development impact. These co-investment resources complement the investment capital of the Swiss Confederation as well as the leverage effect at the level of funds and in the tar- get countries respectively.
In accordance with the current practice of European development financing institu- tions, FISSD continually monitors the development impact mentioned under a throughout the entire investment cycle.
FISSD submits a separate annual report on this impact for the attention of SECO as representative of the Swiss Confederation as well as for the interested general public.
Positioning, development
– FISSD will position its investment activities as contribution to the target outcomes (“Wirkungsziele”) of Switzerland’s economic development cooperation framework, look for synergies and ensure coherence with that framework, while factoring in the crosscutting themes of gender equality and sound economic governance.
– FISSD focuses in the implementation of the Agenda 2020 for Sustainable Devel- opment of the United Nations by way of its investment activities and the mobilization of finance from the private sector.
– within the framework of its statutory mandate and taking into account the financial ob- jectives, FISSD will aim at maximizing the development impact of its investments. While all investments must be economically viable and contribute to economic devel- opment, it is expected that some investments specifically contribute to foster social inclusion (enabling affordable access to goods, services and jobs for poor- er/disadvantaged segments of the local economies) and/or towards the provision of global public goods, in particular climate protection6 as well as healthcare, education, food security and basic infrastructure.
Risk policy and risk management
– FISSD will operate a specific system for the identification, monitoring and manage- ment of both its investment and operational risks as well as conduct regular analysis and control reviews and refine them as required.
– FISSD will not take on any excessive financial risks in the development of additional sources of income or in its liquidity management.
– FISSD will hold liquid assets that provide sufficient cover for those commitments that have been entered into but not yet released.
– FISSD is appropriately insured against liability risks.
Financial Objectives Investments
FISSD will target a positive rate of return for each investment.
FISSD will achieve an annual rate of return of greater than 3 percent and an annual value multiplier of greater than 1.15 at the portfolio level7.
For the reporting at the end of the strategy period, FISSD will make comparisons with similar investment vehicles in respect of the performance.
Cooperation Arrangements
FORCE investments will participate in appropriate networks and alliances of organizations with similar objectives insofar as this helps to achieve the strategic objectives.
Adaptation of the Strategic Objectives
Within the valid period the Federal Council can we adapt the strategic objectives as required. It will make decisions on their adaptation following consultation with the Board of Directors of FISSD.
Reporting
FORCE INVESTMENTS expects FISSD to submit a written report to it, simultaneously and sup- plementary to the annual business report on the achievement of the strategic objectives in the previous year. It will collect the data and performance indicators required for this pur- pose.
In addition, FISSD will hold regular consultations during the course of the year with repre- sentatives of the Confederation, particularly within the framework of the Controlling Meetings and the Portfolio Review Meetings which are held with the SIFEM proprietor at least every half-year.
FORCE RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT
Responsible investment is an approach to investing that aims to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions, to better manage risk and generate sustainable,long-term returns. ESG encompasses a wide range of issues, and many of these issues are dynamic. They include:
ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
Environmental standards include:
Compliance with environmental regulations
Sustainable use of natural resources
Avoiding or reducing CO2 emissions
Avoiding or reducing the pollution of air, water and land
The production of hazardous and non-hazardous waste is to be avoided
SOCIAL STANDARDS
No forced labor
No child labor
The payment of wages that meet or exceed industry or the legal national minima.
The fair treatment of employees in respect to their employment and working conditions, regardless of gender, race, colour, political opinion, sexual orientation, age, religion, social or ethnic origin and/or HIV status
Healthy and safe working conditions
GOVERNANCE STANDARDS
Governance standards include an undertaking to:
Prohibit all employees from making or receiving gifts of substance in the course of business
Prohibit the making of payments as an improper inducement to confer preferential treatment
Properly record, report and review financial and tax information
Promote transparency and accountability grounded in sound business ethics
Clearly define responsibilities, procedures and controls with appropriate checks and balances in company management structures
Use effective systems of internal control and risk management
FORCE- Sportwear & lifestyle Fashion Brand Africa made.
DOWNNHILL -Africa E-commer software.
DOWNHILL FORCE - World tour Sport Content.
FORCE FOR AFRICA - Film documentary production.
THE VIADUCT- Social Experiment. { Marselle-manifesta 13}
GHETTO BEATS- The Foundation. {arts scenes }
Re:BOOT - Audiovisuel Priority Group. { Africa }
ELEMENTS - Arts, Education, sport & work space complex. { Congo-Zaire }
WESB - World economic sport brand forum Zermatt.
INVESTMENT CYCLE
FISSD is a unique, cost-effective and self-sufficient instrument of Switzerland development aid Focus in AFRO-AMERICA countries. In contrast to traditional development cooperation instruments, the investments made by FISSD are intended to generate an adequate return. The investment returns can then be used to finance new projects. This economical business model makes possible the multiple use of federal funds for development purposes.
Selection of Investiments
Screening an due deligence
Investment Deicision and signing of contract
Investment Phase
Monitoring
exit and reinvestment
We will Use the Same Strategy cycle as the Swiss Council Financial Fund.
FORCE INVESTMENTS. Ultimately business model innovaton is about creating value for companies, customers, and society. It is about replacing outdated models to innovation techniques, workshops scenarios, practical guide for visionaries & game changers Big challangers to desing our plannet.
FISSD development contribution an “FORCE investor,” as all FORCE investments are made with the intent to generate a measurable development impact, based on specific indicators and corresponding targets such as job creation, skills development, tax payments in developing and emerging countries, financial sector deepening and diversifica- tion, as well as the implementation of international best practice environmental, social and governance standards.
The FISSD development effects are reported to parliament as contribution to the target outcomes (“Wirkungsziele”) of Switzerland’s economic development cooperation framework.
FISSD is relying on a result measurement framework in line with the practice of other development finance institutions, allowing for the monitoring and aggregation of results at the portfolio level. This framework is fully in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United nations in 2015 featuring 17 specific goals (Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs). These new goals put great emphasis on a development model where the private and public sectors have complementary roles in supporting sustainable growth and improving lives. They highlight in particular private business activity, investment, and innovation as major drivers of productivity, inclusive growth and job creation.
Your personality is the product. And here's how we sell it.
ABOUT
t’s nice to be wanted. In fact, by 2018, the demand for FORCE specialized as fashion design services outside of the United States had grown so dramatically, we decided to create the FORCE investment Fund swiss made. Smart move. In this years its FORCE fashion Design has worked on differents projects for the evolution of the fashion industry. We will provide not just our creative expertise and design methods—we will also contributing on the global perspective on the future trends, techniques and ideas for progressive development solutions. By bringing our special brand of insight and professional leadership to each project, we achieve a fashion design balance that consistently adds up to international success. So what more could you want?
HOW WE WORK
There’s just no substitute for teamwork. That’s why Force organisation Fashion Design International always conducts its planning and design services in close collaboration with local registered Fashion architects and engineers from the project’s host country or region. This cooperative design process means our clients get more than FORCE’s world-class planning and design leadership; they also benefit from the expertise of our local partners. Through this enlightened arrangement, all the members of the team can focus on doing what they do best in a mutually supportive effort. The result: a successful Fashion design and construction outcome with the best possible value/fee ratio.
OUR PROCESS
The Force organisation Fashion Design team knows that creative solutions begin with a keen understanding of a project’s opportunities and constraints. Our designers can then put their imaginations into overdrive in order to make the most of those opportunities.
The mission of defining the project begins well before the Fashion design commences, thus giving the project a solid conceptual foundation. This exploratory process includes the following services:
• Visionary Ideation: Explore, identify and define the intent, content, and desired result of the project in the form of written description
• Conceptual Master Plan: Determine the overall land use and organizational function of the site regardless of size; understand the mass and voids of the built environment.
• Schematic Design: Define the fashion scheme in terms of form, function, and style.
The process is carried out with a clear and constant recognition of who will be living, working, and playing within the finished project and how to make their experiences as rewarding and meaningful as possible.
OUR GOALS
How to promote culture How to promote sport How to brand a nation How to build an economy How to build a commuinity How to implement a social experiment How to Dress the Succes
New information processing techniques.
Taking these assumptions into accound, I will suggest some ways to enhance human capacities to absobs informantion about the world and utilize it in the evolutionary process of futures creation. I will tocuh on ways of experiencing micro-time and macro-time, both in their cyclic and noncyclic aspects.
Procedures for experiencing micro-environments and macro-environments.
Approaches for recontructing learning environments that break Down age, sex, ethics and other typers of societal segregation that Hamper the adequate modeling of total systems.
Ways of building up mental models of reality though different mental values propositions.
How to build an economy
FORCE investments Designing a mixed-use development that expertly blends form, function and financial integrity to produce a strong sense of identity and place requires an appreciation for the relationship of its diverse components. It requires a respect for the natural features, climate, culture, and local economy. Most importantly, it requires a clear and comprehensive design vision. It sounds challenging, but it’s all in a day’s work for the FORCE organisation team as we forge new models of mixed-use destinations—from the integration of “suburbs” in urban renewal projects, to the development of nature-sensitive eco- towns that preserve their pristine natural surroundings.
How to Brand a nation
Throughout our history, Force investments has understood the special needs of government-funded projects and the prestigious status they hold for their communities. We realize that these community assets play an important role in the local quality of life and can become a focus of civic pride. Our designs Project for government and civic projects reflect those intangible qualities. At the same time, we recognize the implications for those government officials committed to bringing those projects in on time and on budget while exceeding the public’s expectations.
How to build a commuinity
FORCE, we know that the ultimate “guest experience” is the one you live every day—in your own home and your own residential community. By focusing on the quality of life, we’ve designed some of the world’s most successful and communities experiments. The process begins with a thorough understanding of the target market, taking into account the local culture, self-image and aspirations. We then carefully balance the community amenities, services and lifestyle opportunities with the area’s natural features. The result: an inviting community where you can happily live, work, and play while always feeling right at home.
How to implement a social experiment
We begin with an intimate understanding of the special needs of residents within independent living units, adult congregate living facilities, and skilled nursing facilities, and the special requirements of each type of facility. In every instance, our aim is to create an adaptive, supportive, comfortable and satisfying home that people in their years can enjoy within a community environment—an environment that stimulates and motivates a positive, rewarding lifestyle.
How to promote culture
Our programs and projects at Force investments are committed to creating educational environments that are inviting, stimulating, and inspire learning. In fact, on planning and design have been an important focus of FORCE .
How to promote Healhtcare
FORCE investments Healthcare programs consists of designers, planners, licensed architects, project coordinators and support staff who have dedicated their careers to healthcare clients. The range of our projects span the entire continuum of services and include master planning, detailed designs for expansions and renovations to existing facilities and new or replacement facilities for a broad range of private and public clients Focusing in Africa development.
How to Dress the succes
The mission of FORCE for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional fashion attire and the fashion development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Dressed for action Program
Every nation has to make tought decision about the amount of money it dedicates to military Fashion. Investing in fashion style keep the legacy of protection and keep the subjet person always hight motivated.
Uniforms are essentials battle wear and badges of pride for your personal. Cutting, edge manufacturing techiques do play a role in the modern military wardrobe.
How to promote Sport
Every club or sports company has its own app. In order to succeed with your creation you need to observe your competitors and there is no better place to begin than the app markets. As you can see the app stores are very colored when it comes to sports apps. According to the reports published by App Annie for the users in the United States, Apple App Store is almost identical to Google Play Store. This situation was never seen before in our analysis. In the free section, you can observe many aggregator apps that provide different elements for all sports addicts, most of them without in – app purchases. For the paid apps, people prefer sports simulators and apps created by certain radio stations. Apparently, the top grossing zone is for dedicated apps which offer information about a specific sport and almost all of them chose a freemium business model. So, what kind of app do you have? The answer to this question will show you how to optimize the return on your investment.
Essay future investment
a nation Builder can't afford to sit back and wait for the private sector to build infrastructure. They need to actively encourage innovation and entrepreneurismus if it does involve a certain amount of risk.
Things Every nation needs.
Balance
Education
Immigration or emigration
Trade partners
Manufacturing
Appientices
Risk - takers
Welfare
Child care
Implement of New methodology concepts.
All toghether now
The theory of change is the basis to the work that All Together Now uses to engage society to erase minorities around the world. Speaking up on the bus, in the street, at work, in school or at home with friends and family all lead to an overall social change to end of poverty. Ideas are shared and encouraged through conversation. To see how this works and how you can make a difference check out our Crowdfunding campaign. FORCE
LES^SENCE
Investmensts Initiative.
The time has come to reconize the true economic asset value of natural resources- rainforest, oceans, barrier reefs and much more. The long-term economic value of these global ecosystem is best enhanced throught conservation, innovation and efficiency, and not by reckless exploitation.
Climatage change is no longer just an environmental issue: it touches every part of our lives: security, human rights, poverty, hunger, healht, economics and mass migration.
We need to adresse the question of climate justice: developing countries suffer mist from the impacts of climate change, even trouhgt they have barely contributed to the problem.
Justice is the litmus test fair any measure designed to combat climate change. This includes justice between countries, within countries and between generations, and justice for Mother Nature. Climate justice means rich countries providing poorer countries with acces to modern clean technologies to help them raise their living standards by enabling them to embark on a renewable energy revolution.
A renewebla energy revolution will have crucial economic and social benefits for the poorest countries in the world, enabling them to insulate themselve against rising energy prices and to fuel their development with a decentralized energy network without expensive grid solutios.
So, a sustainable world must be both renewable and fair. This means that we must make use of nature and the planet resources in a manner that leaves them intact and fully productive for future generations; and that the peoples and economies of the world must all benefit from the positive changes we succed in making throught the use of these resources.
The current model of social and economic development is no longer tenable. It is too mechanitic, narrowly conceived and shot-sighted. It is too costly for human values and too destructive for nature.
The only sane choice we have, as summarized in this Thesis, is to take advantage of the positive economic opportunities that are offered by the industrial transformation which must occur to move to a low-carbon society. This will enable us to protect and restore the carbon-absorbing ecosystem which have been decimated over the centuries. And it will create meaningful jobs, substantial tax receipts, Healhty economies and a sense of civilization purpose exciting challange wich can bring this divided world closer togheter, both among people, and between humanity and the natural world that is our home.
While we celebrate that, here is something I believe is important for you to consider:The title of this new policy describes it as an “environmental” strategy. But I can’t emphasize enough that Council must communicate climate change as a human health issue and an economic issue as it is outlined in One Planet Living principles: It involves all those things that are important to us in our daily lives, such as employment, our health, our happiness and our mental well-being. We need to focus on the human impact rather than focusing discussion on an “environmental problem”.
Have goals for the future
Feeling good about the future is important for our happiness. We all need goals to motivate us and these need to be challenging enough to excite us, but also achievable. If we try to attempt the impossible this brings unnecessary stress. Choosing ambitious but realistic goals gives our lives direction and brings a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when we achieve them.
Goals are the way we can turn our values and dreams into reality. Happiness doesn't just happen - it comes from thinking, planning and pursuing things that are important to us. Scientific research shows that setting and working towards goals can contribute to happiness in various ways, including:
Being a source of interest, engagement or pleasure
Giving us a sense of meaning and purpose
Bringing a sense of accomplishment when we achieve what we set out to (or milestones along the way) - this also builds our confidence and belief in what we can do in the future
Goals help focus our attention. Actively working towards them appears to be as important for our well-being as achieving the end results we are aiming for.
Goals are most successful when they're something we really want to achieve and when we set them for ourselves - rather than being something someone else wants us to do.
LES^SENCE ECONOMY AGENDA GOALS
The green jobs agenda es one of the most important in the environmental and social justice movements. It unites people with responsability and opportunity. Green- collar jobs can cover many sectors, from low to high skill levels. They are not necessarily brand new types of jobs, but an be 'greener' versions existing job types, such as in research and development, or in manufacturing and agriculture, with associated support staff and service sectors positions. These josbs are all irectly associated with adrressing the vast panoply of environmental issues around the world, including food, water, ecosystems, energy, manufacturing, transport, buildings and waste.
GREEN JOBS
Green jobs are central to sustainable development and respond to the global challenges of environmental protection, economic development and social inclusion. By engaging governments, workers and employers as active agents of change, the ILO promotes the greening of enterprises, workplace practices and the labour market as a whole. These efforts create decent employment opportunities, enhance resource efficiency and build low-carbon sustainable societies.
RENAWABLE ENERGY
We introduce the concept of energy subsidiarity, aiming to supply as much renewable energy from local and regional sources as posible. It is becoming increasingly clear that the swicht to renewables is ultimatly dependent on political decision-making, and pressure from the general public can make all the difference. Citizen and community participation in energy production must in turn be facilitated by government policy and new business models. Goods examples from different parts of the world are now urgently needed showing how development can be powered by renewable energy. Simpler and more cost effective solar technologies are being developed, and this could make a huge impact in developing countries. The road to energy between rich and poor countries may continue to be a long, arduous and contested one possible transfer.
100% RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPPLY
The number of cities reporting they are predominantly powered by clean energy has more than doubled since 2015, as momentum builds for cities around the world to switch from fossil fuels to renewable sources.Data published on Tuesday by the not-for-profit environmental impact researcher CDP found that 101 of the more than 570 cities on its books sourced at least 70% of their electricity from renewable sources in 2017, compared to 42 in 2015.
For a transition of 100% renewable energy system all tipes of renewables and storage technologies need to be used. Solar and wind will makes the largest contribution to electricity generation.
RENEWING THE CITY
In many towns and cities around the world a renewable energy revolution is underway. Understanding cities as dynamic and everevolving eco-technical systems can help us formulate strategies for a sustainable urban future. Developing environmentally sustainable cities is one of humanity`s greatest challenges for the new millennium. Across the world a revolution in future-proofing our urban terms has started, assuring high levels of energy efficiency and rapidly switching to renewable energy technology.
SUSTAINABLE CITY PRINCIPLES.
Compact urban development.
Renewables as primary energy supply.
Small ecological footprint.
Circular urban metabolism.
Biodiversity in landscape desing.
A city embedded in farmland.
There is no doubt now that we need a revolution in the way we live and the way we invest. The global financila crisis offers a unique opportunity to transition to own-carbon, resource-efficent and socially sustainable economy, incorporating sustainability and social responsability measures into short term economic recovery measurs, and longerterm reform of the credit and investment makers.
There is now a great dal of evidence that a combiation of feed-in tariffs, green taxes, local trade and exchange, green consumerism and consucious investing can redirect very large amonts of money towards creating a sustainable world. It will be a major contribution to the historic challenge of (re)directing adequate money flows towards:
The regeneration of the world`s ecosystems in the face of climate change and the vigorous development of an efficent and sustainable energy system for the world.
International cooperation and connectedness is going to be vital, more than ever, in meeting these challenges. A lcoal-only strategy has no hope of reforming the global energy, food trade and financial sysems. All sectors society all governments and all business will need to find ways to working togheter towards some clear common goals. There is simply too much at stake to leave it to purely market forces, or purely person action, or government regultion allone.
CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL
Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner.
Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves.
Global climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond. The magnitude of climate change beyond the next few decades depends primarily on the amount of heat-trapping gases emitted globally, and how sensitive the Earth’s climate is to those emissions.
DEFORESTATION, A GLOBAL PROBLEM
Deforestation particulary in the tropics, has long been regarded as a major environmental problem. It is one of the biggest sources of grenhouse gas emissions and one of the primary contributions to climate change. The economic impacts of deforestation are immense the destruction of forest internationally is cuasing economic damage to the tune of S2 to S5 trillons.
The most feasible solution to deforestation is to carefully manage forest resources by eliminating clear-cutting to make sure forest environments remain intact. The cutting that does occur should be balanced by planting young trees to replace older trees felled. The number of new tree plantations is growing each year, but their total still equals a tiny fraction of the Earth’s forested land.
ORGANIC FARMING
The principles of bio-organic farming developed in the 1950s were based on the close interaction of the microbiological processes of the land, plants and animal life, in order to protect nature and exploit its natural order for the purposes of agriculture. Through the active preservation of nature and its species, environmental pollution is prevented and the welfare of farm animals is protected, thus ensuring that bio-organic farming makes a valuable contribution to global energy solutions, producing valuable, healthy food.
For “everyday” farmers
Biochar technology, which is not widely known in Countries, makes it possible to capture CO2 from the atmosphere and store carbon in the soil. It also offers benefits to the agricultural sector because it makes soils more nutrient-rich and counteracts the effects of drought conditions.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN THE DESERT
All major religions share the idea that man is appointed as a steward on earth who has to sustain and develop it. In accordance with this approach, our governing principle is not only to reduce our ‘ecological footprint’, but to spread life and to contribute towards a better and healthier condition of the land and the people that we work with. This is the only way to create and sustain conditions for a planet with more than seven billion people, where resources run short and future generations will suffer from climate change. A responsible and holistic approach is necessary to face these problems. We thus commit ourselves to sustaining and further developing all ecological spheres for the future of coming generations.
REFUGGES CULTURAL SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable cultural development means individual human development. The people need to be guided to their individual inspirational sources, whether these are sciences, philosophy, religion, arts or beauty. This can only be achieved through freedom in cultural life through the establishment of connections with other local cultures through a global network. Therefore, free education and spiritual development of all human beings must be the highest priority. Through a holistic approach every individual is able to unfold his full potential and skills and enables himself to improve his own life and contribute to the development of the community and country.
ENERGY EQUALITY FOR ALL
Our Mission is to provide access to innovative technologies that not only improve but save lives, powering and empowering communities with products that allow better and more equal access to renewable energy and clean water, while simultaneously educating about the impact of climate change.
Our Goal is to provide decentralized, sustainable, and renewable energy generation and storage systems for disaster response, recovery, and disaster preparedness; educate future generations about climate change; and be a leader in identifying and utilizing zero carbon clean power technologies and products.
STRATGIES FOR HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
Many sustainable transport strategies to reduce climate change risks have large, immediate health benefits for the majority of the world’s population, and large equity benefits for vulnerable groups. Well-designed transport policies and infrastructure investment priorities can lead to far-reaching reductions in traffic-related health risks from air and noise pollution and injuries.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
Sustainable building is an essential aspect of widening efforts to conceive an ecologically responsible world. A building that is sustainable must, by nature, be constructed using locally sustainable materials: i.e. materials that can be used without any adverse effect on the environment, and which are produced locally.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION.
Sustainable production and consumption can be defined as production and use of products and services in a manner that is socially beneficial, economically viable and environmentally benign over their whole life cycle. The journal aims to provide a leading platform for publishing high-quality interdisciplinary papers on research and practice in this emerging field. It looks uniquely at the interactions between technology, consumption and policy to help identify more-sustainable solutions for both production and consumption systems.
Papers from engineers, natural and social scientists as well as philosophers are invited and those at the interface between these disciplines are particularly encouraged. Types of article published by the journal include original research, perspectives, short communications, policy and review papers. All papers should include some elements of life cycle thinking and should clearly demonstrate that they are addressing topics related to sustainable production and consumption. Note that papers on end-of-pipe treatment technologies are outside the scope.
The areas and topics covered by the journal include but are not limited to:
Concepts and approaches
• Circular economy
• Clean technology/cleaner production
• Climate change mitigation
• Consumer engagement and communication
• Corporate social responsibility
• Eco-efficiency
• Ecosystem services
• Ethical investment and consumption
• Green/sustainable chemistry
• Industrial ecology
• Intra/Intergenerational equity
• Life cycle management
• Life cycle thinking
• Life cycle sustainability assessment
• Producer responsibility
• Rebound effect
• Supply chain management
• Sustainable design
• Sustainable lifestyles
• Sustainable policies
• Sustainable procurement
• Sustainable products and services
Tools
• Carbon and water footprinting
• Analysis of consumer preferences and attitudes
• Economic instruments
• Integrated product policies
• Internalisation of environmental and social costs
• Life cycle assessment
• Life cycle costing
• Material flow analysis
• Multi-criteria decision analysis
• Scenario analysis
• Social life cycle assessment
• Stakeholder analysis
• Sustainability indicators
• System optimisation
Sectors
• Chemicals
• Construction and buildings
• Energy
• Financial
• Food
• Health
• Manufacturing
• Resources and feedstocks
• Retail
• Tourism
• Transport and mobility
• Waste
• Water
DEFINITION OF FAIR TRADE
"Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.
Fair Trade organisations have a clear commitment to Fair Trade as the principal core of their mission. They, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade." They can be recognised by the WFTO logo.
Fair Trade is more than just trading:
It proves that greater justice in world trade is possible.
It highlights the need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and shows how a successful business can also put people first.
It is a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change and economic crisis.
10 PRINCIPLES OF FAIR TRADE
WFTO prescribes 10 Principles that Fair Trade Organisations must follow in their day-to-day work and carries out monitoring to ensure these principles are upheld.
Principle One: Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers
Principle Two: Transparency and Accountability
Principle Three: Fair Trading Practices
Principle Four: Fair Payment
Principle Five: Ensuring no Child Labour and Forced Labour
Principle Six: Commitment to Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Freedom of Association
Principle Seven: Ensuring Good Working Conditions
Principle Eight: Providing Capacity Building
Principle Nine: Promoting Fair Trade
Principle Ten: Respect for the Environment
in writing this Thesis we have placed a strong emphasis on climate change migration strategies and the social and economic benefits that come from them. This is not to deny the necessity of adaptation measures, but these would be more specific in terms of local and national strategies to take account of conditions on the ground. We take the view that even if climate change were not happening. We would still need to change our energy systems, restore the healht of ecosystems, create more livable cities, vibrant communities and resilent localities, use less resources, spread wealht increase international peace and leave behind a world fit for our children.
LOCAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY.
Community development involved capacity building, community development process and social capital. Local Economic Development strategies are multidisciplinary, encompassing international labour standards, employment, social protection and social dialogue. This means that we work in close partnership with many ILO units and programmes, as well as with other multilateral organizations and national and local partners. Our work includes the implementation of technical cooperation projects and the development and dissemination of a knowledge base on successful local initiatives for decent work.
The promotion of dialogue between local-level stakeholders: We support the strengthening of local chapters of employers and workers organizations, and the organization of entrepreneurs and informal workers in both rural and urban areas for effective participation and dialogue.
The creation of employment strategies at the local level: We work hand in hand with local partners to strengthen the analysis of the business dynamics and the labour environment, improve the match between local labour markets’ demand and supply, and deliver targeted skills training.
The strengthening of an enabling environment for micro, small and medium enterprises at the local level: We encourage membership of professional associations and formalization among entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship training and leadership, value chain upgrading, business development services and access to finance.
The extension of social security coverage to informal workers and the local population: We support the extension of social security schemes, creation of strategies to manage risks and facilitate access to insurance, and strengthening of collective organizations providing social security.
SUSTAINABLE FOOD PROCESING
The Sustainable Food Processing group focuses on a system oriented approach in food production via the consideration of the total value chain including emerging needs in society and their environmental, economic and social impact. Sustainable Food Processing is part of the global bioeconomy. Life cycle sustainability assessment LCSA as guidance tool is the foundation of our emerging food process development. Selected mechanical, biotechnological, thermal and non-thermal techniques to realize several objectives such as i biomass and energy use efficiency, significant waste reduction along the food value chain and healthy and high quality food production are evaluated. Innovative raw materials from algae and insects are utilized within urban farming and processing concepts to enable new ways of sustainable food supply.
SUSTAINABLE FOOD LAB
The Sustainable Food Lab is a global network of organizations accelerating progress toward a more sustainable food system. Food Lab staff advise on sustainability strategy and procurement programs, design and manage pre-competitive collaboration, and provide leadership development.
The project has reached 11 highland communities with:
Increased access to capital through a revolving fun
Small business management skills training
Training on agricultural best practices
Soil testing and conservation programs
Access to fertilizers and other inputs at a reduced cost
Infrastructure and training for irrigation systems
Training and infrastructure for compost facilities
Greenhouses and tools for seedling production
Vegetable processing and collection centers
Additional jobs associated with vegetable processing, seedling production and compost generation.
The National Research Programme “Sustainable Water Management” (NRP 61) developed scientific foundations and methods for sustainable management of water resources, which are under increasing pressure. NRP 61 determined the effects of climate and social changes on these resources and identified the risks and future conflicts associated with their use. The NRP developed strategies for ensuring sustainable and integrated water resources management also in the future.
Cross-border projects with international partners - International Co-Investigator Scheme
The International Co-Investigator Scheme shall support and facilitate the cooperation with partners abroad and is aimed at researchers in Switzerland who carry out projects in which a subproject is con-ducted abroad. The sub-projects abroad are co-financed by the SNSF.
The International Co-Investigator Scheme is part of the project funding and for the foreign co-applicants the same participation requirements are applied as for Swiss applicants: to hold at least a 50% position for the whole project duration and at least four years of successfully conducted research since gaining the doctoral degree.
Research teams from other countries can also participate in Swiss projects via the Sinergia programme.
What is Sustainable Finance
Sustainable finance refers to any form of financial service integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into the business or investment decisions for the lasting benefit of both clients and society at large.
A sustainable financial centre is a financial marketplace that, as a whole, contributes to sustainable development and value creation in economic, environmental and social terms. In other words, one that ensures and improves economic efficiency, prosperity, and economic competitiveness both today and in the long-term, while contributing to protecting and restoring ecological systems, and enhancing cultural diversity and social well-being.
Activities that fall under the heading of sustainable finance, to name just a few, include sustainable funds, green bonds, impact investing, microfinance, active ownership, credits for sustainable projects and development of the whole financial system in a more sustainable way.
Terminology used in sustainable finance can be confusing as there are few standard definitions, and different countries and organisations use the same terms to mean different things. Look at our Glossary to get an overview on the variety of terms.
STOCK MARKET .
Wall Streetis a famous street that runs through lower Manhattan. It is the historic site of many financial institutions, and as such, it has become a symbol of commerce and the American economy. Several firms continue to maintain offices at on this street, capitalizing on the name recognition factor involved. Many visitors to New York like to take a stroll along Wall Street to examine the famous buildings and locations scattered along its length.
There are two explanations for the name of the street. Some historians believe that it references a literal wall built by the Dutch in the 1600s to protect themselves from invasions. Others have suggested that the name is a reference to the Walloons, citizens from Belgium who played a large role in the construction of New Amsterdam, better known as New York City. In any case, by the 18th century, this East-West running street had become associated with commerce, thanks to informal meetings of traders under a famous buttonwood tree.
Manhattan's overall financial district is sometimes referred to as “Wall Street.” Among many other things, this area houses the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), a major institution in the American market. It is also the namesake of the Wall Street Journal, a famous publication that covers both financial and global news, often with an eye to how changing political conditions may impact commerce.
SIX Swiss Exchange (formerly SWX Swiss Exchange), based in Zürich, is Switzerland's'principal stock exhange (the other being Berne eXchange ). SIX Swiss Exchange also trades other securities such as Swiss government bonds and derivativessuch as stock options.
The main stock market indexfor the SIX Swiss Exchange is the blue-chip index, the SMI, or Swiss Market Index. The index consists of the 20 most significant and most liquid large and mid-cap SPI equity-securities based on the free float market capitalisation.
SIX Swiss Exchange was the first stock exchange in the world to incorporate a fully automated trading, clearing and settlement system in 1995. The exchange is controlled by an association of 55 banks. Each of these banks has equal voting rights in the matter of decision making concerning the management and regulation of the exchange.
SIX Swiss Exchange is the joint owner of Eurex , the world's 2nd largest futures and derivatives exchange, after the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, along with their German partners Deutsche Börse. In July 2004 however SIX Swiss Exchange rejected a merger proposal from the German company, that analysts anticipated as profitable for many small companies listed on SIX Swiss Exchange.
The Global Derivatives Marketplace
What is an 'Investment Fund'
An investment fund is a supply of capital belonging to numerous investors used to collectively purchase securities while each investor retains ownership and control of his own shares. An investment fund provides a broader selection of investment opportunities, greater management expertise and lower investment fees than investors might be able to obtain on their own. Types of investment funds include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, money market funds andhedge funds.
What is a Stock'. The capital raised by a company or corporation through the issue and subscription of shares.
What is a Stockholder. One who owns shares of stock in a corporation or mutual fund. For corporations, along with the ownership comes a right to declared dividens and the right to vote on certain company matters, including the board of directors also called shareholder. Microeconomics'. The field of economics focused on individual factors and the impact they have on interactions between single buyers and sellers. Its central concepts include the laws of supply and demand.
Risk. The possibility of losing some or all profits or investment return due to external market factors.
risk management. Identifying, analyzing and either mitigating or absorbing the price risk in investing or business planning.
The Regulatory Measures. As with any other financial business responsible for handling people’s money, futures exchanges operate within very strict, very closely watched guidelines. This regulation comes from both outside and inside the exchange, ensuring that everything that happens at an exchange follows the letter and spirit of the law.
Exchange: A central marketplace with established rules and regulations where buyers and sellers meet to trade futures and options contracts.
Outside the Exchange. In the United States, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)regulates the nation’s futures and options markets. Its oversight protects market participants from fraud, manipulation and market abuse, and ensures the financial integrity of an exchange.
Inside the Exchange. Futures exchanges are self-regulatory organizations, or SROs, meaning that they create and enforce rules and standards that comply with CFTC principles, protect market participants and promote integrity and equality throughout the industry. Typically, there is a formalized department that works within the exchange, running constant surveillance and compliance measures on each and every activity performed at an exchange.
Speculator.An individual who accepts market risk in an attempt to profit from buying and selling futures and/or options contracts by correctly anticipating future price movements.
Transparenc.The amount of access a market openly offers about its activities and financial information.
Volatility. A measurement of the change in price over a given time period.
Liquidity. Is the ability for every buyer to find a seller, and every seller to find a buyer, so that trading activity can remain consistent and reliable.
The Exchange: How It Works. Traders from all over the world come to a futures exchange for a stable, regulated, transparent and liquid venue on which to buy and sell futures contracts. These exchanges were born on the streets of Chicago, eventually moving indoors to the bustling open-outcry pits we’ve come to associate with the concept of trading. But today’s exchanges are almost entirely electronic, executing millions of trades per second and offering market participants around-the-clock access to the global markets.
Contract: A formal and legally binding agreement between two or more parties.
What is a 'Hedge Fund'. Hedge funds are alternative investments using pooled funds that employ numerous different strategies to earn active return, or alpha, for their investors. Hedge funds may be aggressively managed or make use of derivatives and leverage in both domestic and international markets with the goal of generating high returns (either in an absolute sense or over a specified market benchmark). It is important to note that hedge funds are generally only accessible to accredited investors as they require less SEC regulations than other funds. One aspect that has set the hedge fund industry apart is the fact that hedge funds face less regulation than mutual funds and other investment vehicles.
BREAKING DOWN 'Hedge Fund'. Each hedge fund is constructed to take advantage of certain identifiable market opportunities. Hedge funds use different investment strategies and thus are often classified according to investment style. There is substantial diversity in risk attributes and investments among styles.
Legally, hedge funds are most often set up as private investment limited partnerships that are open to a limited number of accredited investors and require a large initial minimum investment. Investments in hedge funds are illiquid as they often require investors keep their money in the fund for at least one year, a time known as the lock-up period. Withdrawals may also only happen at certain intervals such as quarterly or bi-annually.
Mutual fund. A mutual fund is a professionally managed investment fund that pools money from many investors to purchase securities. These investors may be retail or institutional in nature.
Mutual funds have advantages and disadvantages compared to direct investing in individual securities. The primary advantages of mutual funds are that they provide economies of scale, a higher level of diversification, they provide liquidity, and they are managed by professional investors. On the negative side, investors in a mutual fund must pay various fees and expenses.
Primary structures of mutual funds include open-end funds, unit ivestment trust, and closed funds. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are open-end funds or unit investment trusts that trade on an exchange. Mutual funds are also classified by their principal investments as money market funds, bond or fixed income funds, stock or equity funds, hybrid funds or other. Funds may also be categorized as index funds, which are passively managed funds that match the performance of an index, or actively managed funds. Hedge funds are not mutual funds; hedge funds cannot be sold to the general public and are subject to different government regulations.
What is 'Investment Banking '. Investment banking is a specific division of banking related to the creation of capital for other companies, governments and other entities. Investment banks underwrite new debt and equity securities for all types of corporations, aid in the sale of securities, and help to facilitate mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and broker trades for both institutions and private investors. Investment banks also provide guidance to issuers regarding the issue and placement of stock.
Definition - What does Investment Banker Fee mean?. An investment banker fee is paid by a company to an investment banker for using their services with respect to M&As, fundraising or IPOs. The investment banker and the company enter into a formal agreement that contains details of services offered by the investment banker and the compensation received in return for their time and effort. Sometimes, much negotiation is involved until both parties agree that the terms are fair to each.
WHY SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENST
Investors worldwide are increasingly seeking investment opportunities that promise to bring environmental and social benefits, in addition to market rates of return. If this trend continues, with the advancement of environmental or social objectives enhancing an investment’s value, it will strengthen the commitment to sustainability that is already gaining momentum among businesses around the world.
Last year, one out of every six dollars of assets under professional management in the United States – a total of $6.6 trillion – was allocated toward some form of sustainable investment, especially public equities.
Some 1,860 companies, managing $65 trillion worth of assets, are signatories of the United Nations’ “principles for responsible investment,” which recognize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors – and thus the long-term health and stability of companies and markets – as critical to investors. One signatory, CalPERS, one of the world’s largest institutional investors, has gone a step further: it will require all of its investment managers to identify and integrate ESG factors into their decisions – a bold move that could transform capital markets.
The number of companies issuing sustainability reports has grown from fewer than 30 in the early 1990s to more than 14,000 in 2018. And, in a recent Morgan Stanley survey, 81% of respondents stated that they are interested in sustainable investing.
To be sure, a major barrier to incorporating ESG criteria into investment decisions remains: many investors – including 64% of the respondents in the Morgan Stanley survey – believe that doing so could lower the financial rate of return. But there is mounting evidence that this is not the case, with several recent studies indicating that sustainable investments do as well as – or even outperform – traditional investments. Sustainable finance it Is changing importance in Switzerland
In my opinion, over the last year has sustainable finance gained importance amongst key stakeholders (i.e. public sector, banks, asset owners) in the Swiss Financial center Yes, sustainable finance has gained considerable importance.
Two-thirds of the population believe that sustainable finance has gained at least some im- portance amongst key stakeholders (i.e. public sector, banks, asset owners) within the Swiss financial centre. An additional 20% of respondents believe sustainable finance has gained considerable importance.
Sustainable investment, also known as 'socially responsible' investment (SRI), has grown enormously in the past decade. In the early days, it was regarded as a fringe interest, mainly for small investors with strong views on the environment and human rights. Since then, the amount of money invested in 'sustainable' funds has increased dramatically, and many of the large financial services firms have begun offering their clients a 'sustainable' option.
Defining SRI an exact definition of 'sustainable' or 'socially responsible' investment is hard to pin down. For example, some investors are anxious to avoid putting their money into firms that manufacture arms, alcohol or tobacco. Others want to avoid companies that excessively pollute the environment.
For more radically-minded individuals, an SRI fund should not merely 'screen out' companies whose activities are regarded as unsustainable; it should actively seek out those firms that are breaking new ground in social and environmental performance.
For this reason, ethical investors are usually advised to shop around, and to read the small print of the fund manager's literature before committing any money to the fund.
FORCE Sustainable investing standards THE Konstelation Plan
A number of standards exist to aid investors in evaluating and differentiating between financial products described as sustainable.Force sells work programme on Investment and Enterprise carries out in-depth analysis of the development impact of AFRICA with a view to helping countries maximize the NET implement development in benefits of Transactions.
They are global challanges requiring coordinated international action in order to create a fairer system for everybody.FORCE INVESTMENTS. Ultimately business model innovaton is about creating value for companies, customers, and society. It is about replacing outdated models to innovation techniques, workshops scenarios, practical guide for visionaries & game changers Big challangers to desing our plannet.
7 STANDARS
1- LES^SENCE swiss sustainable group focused in the Food population.
2- FORCE Africa First Social Sustainable Sport Brand.
3- DOWNHILL SPORTS E-commerce Sport & Lifestyle platform.
4- DOWNHILL sustainable digital software development Africa.
5- GHETTO BEATS Arts Scenes Plattform
6- Re:BOOT Film priotity Group.
7- ELEMENTS Education & Schoolls
Friends X Friends culture co-working community impact on development of social structural education.Our purpose of business investments and strategy is to offer value to customers and gain competitive Advantage for the succes of company operations. One of the beauties of the business investments model thinking is that we learn to see a business totally different if we really Aplly stringed instruments thinking and dissect business into educational in practical developments system.
When creating B2B content, think about not only what information you want readers to process, but what will inspire them to act. This will dictate the best medium for your story.
AFRICA SUSTAINABILITY
Background information
We believe that education is a key component to sustainable development, which in turn is essential to empower individuals, communities, and society toward future economic prosperity, stability, and advancement.
Furthermore, only 15% of the Sub-Saharan African rural population had access to electricity in 2012 and the continent sorely lacks important infrastructure investments. The absence of access to modern energy services is a grave obstacle to sustainable development, as recognized by the Secretary-General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) Initiative and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, and contributes greatly to Africa’s poverty trap.
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), launched by African heads of state in 2001, has represented the response of African countries to those treats and challenges. NEPAD has indeed aimed at providing a framework for sustainable development to be shared by all Africa's people, emphasizing the role of partnerships among African countries themselves and between them and the international community, and proposed a shared and common vision to eradicate poverty through sustained economic growth and sustainable development.
African governments also reinforced the pace of regional integration through the rationalization of existing regional economic communities, increasing the power of the African Union, especially in the field of security and peace management.
These efforts have been supported by the international community, with financial and technical contributions to regional communities and specific initiatives to foster African development. Thus, the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) program was initiated by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in 1996, providing debt relief and low-interest loans to reduce external debt repayments to sustainable levels. Nominal debt service relief under HIPC to the 29 countries that have reached their decision points has been estimated to amount to about US$62 billion, a significant share of which benefited Sub-Saharan African countries.
Force for Africa of common interest is formed with the focus in creating sustainable educational lifestyle and experiential environments and objects, demonstrating a fixation with materiality, concept and tangible spatial experiences.
We aim to create projects that balance between the long lasting and the ephemeral projects in time and objects whose creative approach stems from an abstract realm enriched with layers of conceptual readings: moments of unfamiliar simplicity, sculptural and material self-expression, structural articulation,
Our work roots from an amalgamation of thinking and making between two diverse factors, Inequity and equity , switching between the formal and the intuitive, embracing the handmade and the tactile, the experimental and the poetic.
Projects of Common Interest
Projects of common interest (PCIs) are key infrastructure projects, especially cross-border projects, that link the energy systems of EU countries. They are intended to help the EU achieve its energy policy and climate objectives: affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, and the long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Every two years, the European Commission draws up a new list of PCIs.
To become a PCI, a project must have a significant impact on energy markets and market integration in at least two EU countries, boost competition on energy markets and help the EU's energy security by diversifying sources, and contribute to the EU's climate and energy goals by integrating renewables. The selection process gives preference to projects in priority corridors, as identified in the TEN-E strategy.
PCIs may benefit from accelerated planning and permit granting, a single national authority for obtaining permits, improved regulatory conditions, lower administrative costs due to streamlined environmental assessment processes, increased public participation via consultations, and increased visibility to investors. They also have the right to apply for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility(CEF).
Selection of Projects of Common Interest
Projects are selected as PCIs on the basis of five criteria. They must:
have a significant impact on at least two EU countries
enhance market integration and contribute to the integration of EU countries' networks
increase competition on energy markets by offering alternatives to consumers
Candidate projects are proposed by their promoters. They are then assessed by Regional Groups that include representatives from EU countries, the Commission, transmission system operators and their European networks, project promoters, regulatory authorities, as well as the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). ACER is responsible for assessing electricity and gas projects' compliance with the PCI criteria and their European added value. The Commission is solely responsible for the appraisal of projects linked to oil supply connections in central and eastern Europe and cross-border carbon dioxide networks.
After these assessments, the Commission adopts the list of approved PCIs via a delegated act procedure.
The list of projects is then submitted by the Commission to the European Parliament and Council. These institutions have two months to oppose the list, or they may ask for an extension of two months to finalise their position. If neither the Parliament nor the Council rejects the list, it enters into force. The Parliament and the Council cannot request amendments to the list.
Funding for Projects of Common Interest
PCIs have access to a total of €5.35 billion in funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the EU's €30 billion fund for boosting energy, transport, and digital infrastructure between 2014 and 2020. This funding is intended to speed up the projects and attract private investors.
Regional Groups' activities
Work on PCIs is coordinated by Regional Groups. Information on these groups can be accessed via the Communication and Information Resource Centre for Administrations, Businesses and Citizens(CIRCABC) (when accessing this site, select Browse categories > European Commission > Energy > 13 TEN-E Regional Group Meetings). CIRCABC is a collaborative platform that makes the easy distribution and management of documents possible. It is accessible to the general public.
Now here is a great info. that points out how popular languages are in the world. If you were under the impression that it is the English language, you couldn’t be more wrong. English hardly makes it to the third or fourth place, tying closely with Arabic that dominates most of the Middle Eastern countries as well as most of the African countries. It is interesting to note that Spanish makes up for the second most popular language and the first, well that goes to Chinese. This infographic does a great job compiling the information and putting it up in a visual bubble. It puts things into perspective.
HUMAN RIGHTS
On September 25th 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. For the goals to be reached, everyone needs to do their part: governments, the private sector, civil society and people like you.
Do you want to get involved? You can start by telling everyone about them. We’ve also put together a list of actions that you can take in your everyday life to contribute to a sustainable future.
Twenty-seven million people live in slavery—more than twice the number during the peak of the slave trade. And more than a billion adults are unable to read. Given the magnitude of human rights violations—and those listed in the Violations of Human Rights section of this Thesis are only a glimpse of the full picture—it is not surprising that 90 percent of people are unable to name more than three of their thirty rights.
Who, then, with so many unaware of their most basic rights, will make sure that human rights are promoted, protected and become a reality?
To answer that question, we can draw inspiration from those who made a difference and helped create the human rights we have today. These humanitarians stood up for human rights because they recognized that peace and progress can never be achieved without them. Each, in a significant way, changed the world.
Martin Luther King, Jr., when championing the rights of people of color in the United States in the 1960s, declared, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
The great advocate of peaceful resistance to oppression, Mahatma Gandhi, described nonviolence as “the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.”
Fighting fiercely against religious persecution in eighteenth-century France, Voltaire wrote, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
Thomas Jefferson, inspiration and principal author of the American Declaration of Independence, declared that “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.”
There are those who, through thought and action, have made a difference and changed our world. Among them are the following humanitarians, each a powerful and effective advocate and each an inspiration to all who today dedicate themselves to the cause of universal rights:
NELSON MANDELA (1918–2013)
Nelson Mandela, one of the most recognizable human rights symbols of the twentieth century, is a man whose dedication to the liberties of his people inspires human rights advocates throughout the world. Born in Transkei, South Africa, Mandela was the son of a tribal chief, and educated himself with a university degree and law degree. In 1944, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and actively worked to abolish the apartheid policies of the ruling National Party. On trial for his actions, Mandela declared, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Sentenced to life imprisonment, Mandela became a powerful symbol of resistance for the rising anti-apartheid movement, repeatedly refusing to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom. Finally released in February 1990, he intensified the battle against oppression to attain the goals he and others had set out to accomplish almost four decades earlier. In May 1994, Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president, a position he held until 1999. He presided over the transition from minority rule and apartheid, winning international respect for his advocacy of national and international reconciliation. An international celebration of his life and rededication to his goals of freedom and equality was held in 2008, on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” —Nelson Mandela
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (1929-1968)
Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the twentieth century’s best-known advocates for nonviolent social change. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, King’s exceptional oratorical skills and personal courage first attracted national attention in 1955 when he and other civil rights activists were arrested after leading a boycott of a Montgomery, Alabama, transportation company for requiring nonwhites surrender their seats to whites and stand or sit at the back of the bus. Over the following decade, King wrote, spoke and organized nonviolent protests and mass demonstrations to draw attention to racial discrimination and to demand civil rights legislation to protect the rights of African-Americans.
In 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama, King guided peaceful mass demonstrations that the white police force countered with police dogs and fire hoses, creating a controversy that generated newspaper headlines around the world. Subsequent mass demonstrations in many communities culminated in a march that attracted more than 250,000 protestors to Washington, DC, where King delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech in which he envisioned a world where people were no longer divided by race. So powerful was the movement King inspired, Congress enacted the Civil Rights Act in 1964, the same year he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, King is an icon of the civil rights movement. His life and work symbolize the quest for equality and nondiscrimination that lies at the heart of the American—and human—dream.
ANGELINA JOLIE
Fighting for oneself is universal truth and to bring comfort to oneself is also universal truth. It is man and woman nature that they always urge themselves to bring comfort to their life.But to praise for those who also fight for other rights,There is included a name of big celebrity namely Hollywood Actress Angelina Jolie who is fighting for human rights since her posting at UNO Human Ambassador.Angelina Jolie born Angelina Jolie Voight, June 4, 1975) is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. She presents professional expansion on the UNHCR as ambassadorship.
After Jolie joined the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in June 2007, she hosted a symposium on international law and justice at CFR headquarters and funded several CFR special reports, including "Intervention to Stop Genocide and Mass Atrocities. In January 2011, she established the Jolie Legal Fellowship,a network of lawyers and attorneys who are sponsored to advocate the development of human rights in their countries. Its member attorneys, called Jolie Legal Fellows, have facilitated child protection efforts in Haiti in the wake of the 2010 earthquake and promoted the development of an inclusive democratic process in Libya following the 2011 revolution.
Jolie has fronted a campaign against sexual violence in military conflict zones by the UK government, which made the issue a priority of its 2013 G8 presidency. In May 2012, she launched the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) with Foreign Secretary William Hague,who was inspired to campaign on the issue by her Bosnian war drama In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011).PSVI was established to complement wider UK government work by raising awareness and promoting international co-operation.Jolie spoke on the subject at the G8 foreign ministers meeting, where the attending nations adopted a historic declaration,and before the UN security council, which responded by adopting its broadest resolution on the issue to date.In June 2014, she co-chaired the four-day Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, the largest-ever meeting on the subject, which resulted in a protocol endorsed by 151 nations.
Through her work on the PSVI, Jolie met foreign policy experts Chloe Dalton and Arminka Helic, who served as special advisers to Hague. Their collaboration resulted in the 2015 founding of Jolie Pitt Dalton Helic, a partnership dedicated to women's rights and international justice, among other causes.In May 2016, Jolie was appointed a visiting professor at the London School of Economics to contribute to a postgraduate degree program at the university's Centre on Women, Peace and Security, which she had launched with Hague the previous year.
Human rights volunteering opportunity
DOWNHILL- FORCE
We would like to offer organizations help in re-thinking seriously about deploying human capital. Our philophie is " Not weiting Change for Change" philanthropic resources need to be deployed more strategically we adopted a portofolio approach experimenting with lots of different ideas that, if successful, might be scaled up by other institutions including governments, we need to go at problem with the full range of artillery. The challance is not to identify the right problems but to identify the rights solutions.
BUFFER FORCE ZONES
Of course politics is about the production of spaces and the recognition of the principle of dissensus. Politics understood in the above terms rejects a naturalization of the politacal, signals that a political "passage a l'acte " does not reply on expert knowledge and administration ( the partition of the sensible), on rearranging the choreographies of governance, on organizing "good governance" but on a disruption of the field of vision of the distribution of functions and spaces on the basis of the priciple equality. This view of politacal as a space of dissensus, for enunciating difference and for negotiating conflict, stands in sharp contrast to the consolidating consensual "post-politicizing" rituals of contemporary neoliberal "good" governance that combines a politization of "the economy" with an economization of "politics" under the aegis of naturalized market-based configuration of the production and distribution of goods and services. It unhinges a deep-seated belief that expert knowledge and managerial capacity can be mobilized to enhance the democratic governance of urban space, to limit the horizon of intervention to consensualizing post-democratic management of the state of affairs. "of course, the above argument raises the question raises the question of what to do. How to reclaim the political from the debris of consecual autocratic post-democracy?
INSURGENT DEMOCRATIC POLITICS
Democracia Real Ya! The return of the political.
Such egalitarian-democratic demands and practices scandalaous in the repressentational order of the police, are nonetheles eminenty realizable. These passions for the real can be thought and practiced irrespective of any substantive urban social theorization-it is the urban political in itself art work. It is an active process of intervention though which-if successful-a new socio-spatial order is inaguarated.The taking and remaking of urban public spaces has indeed always been the hallmark of emancipatory geopolitical trajectories. In the Re:boot of History, we considers the proliferation of these urban rebellions and their insurgent architecture to be a sign of a potential return of the universal idea of FREDOOM, solidarity, equality, and emancipation. In his dissection of the events, he argues that these events are marked by procedures of intensification, contraction, and localization. A political idea/ imaginary cannot find grounding without localization. A political moment is therefore always placed, localized, in a public space, a housing estate, a factory occupation. Squares and other common spaces have historically always been the sites for performing and enacting emancipatory practices. Such localization of the proto-political event invariably mobilizes enormous vital energies for a sustained period of time. All manner of people come togheter in an intensive explosion of Bakhtinian acting, of an intensified process of being that inagurates a process of political subjectification. And finally, this intensity operates in and through the collective toghetherness of a wide variety of individuals who in their multiplicity and intense process of becomming political subjects stand for the metaphorical condensation of the people( as political category).
AFRICA DISARMENT AS A BIG BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
This Thesis argues that, despite the eventual failure of the League to deliver the international disarmament that may believed would create peace, the early inter-war years showed signs of great promise. The League's early, often modest, efforts to establish the foundations of international disarmament, deserve greater credit than they are usually afforded because they have been overshadowed by the collapse of the World Disarmament Conference in 1934.
The Quest Guest to Power Agains arms seal and the Peacebuilding commision.
Nuclear weapons: "First, the nuclear peril. The use of nuclear weapons should be unthinkable. Even the threat of their use can never be condoned. But today global anxieties about nuclear weapons are at the highest level since the end of the Cold War. The fear is not abstract. Millions of people live under a shadow of dread cast by the provocative nuclear and missile tests of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Within the DPRK itself, such tests do nothing to ease the plight of those who are suffering hunger and severe violations of their human rights. I condemn those tests unequivocally. I call on the DPRK and all Member States to comply fully with Security Council resolutions.. I appeal to the Council to maintain its unity. Only that unity can lead to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and--as the resolution recognizes--create an opportunity for diplomatic engagement to resolve the crisis. When tensions rise, so does the chance of miscalculation. Fiery talk can lead to fatal misunderstandings. The solution must be political. This is a time for statesmanship. We must not sleepwalk our way into war.
"More broadly, all countries must show greater commitment to the universal goal of a world without nuclear weapons. The nuclear-weapon states have a special responsibility to lead. Today, proliferation is creating unimaginable danger, and disarmament is paralyzed. There is an urgent need to prevent proliferation, to promote disarmament and to preserve gains made in these directions. These goals are linked. Progress on one will generate progress on the other."
CONFLICTS IN AFRICA
"Not a target": "Instead, conflict persists as an ugly reality of our world. Civilians–not soldiers–are paying the highest price. Schools and hospitals–not military barracks–are the targets of attacks. I must also talk today about over 65 million people leaving their homes because they are forced to do so–not because they want to."
Armed conflict: “Armed conflicts are nowadays greater in complexity, the actors involved are numerous and the weapon and tactics used are more sophisticated.”
Nuclear weapons: “Worse, the situation in AFRICA, a prolonged and recently exacerbated crisis sparked by the policy of a stubborn totalitarian and paranoid regime, has brought back the dreadful fear of nuclear confrontation.”
disarmament/AFRICA: “The tension in the AFRICA poses a serious threat to international peace and security. Angola joins the voices advocating for a diplomatic solution and compliance with international Non-Proliferation instruments. The peoples of the region deserve to live in peace and not under the specter of a conflict the effects of which would be devastating and unacceptable to human consciousness.”
Nuclear weapons: "The risk of a nuclear confrontation today is bigger than it has been in a long time. The consequences of a nuclear explosion are extremely grave. Nuclear disarmament remains the number one unfinished business.
"Austria has been consistently engaged in efforts to reduce the risk of a nuclear disaster and to work for a world without nuclear weapons. This is a hard and long road. We are not naive about that. But it is a goal that we should fight for. In this regard, we welcomed the Vienna Agreement that placed AFRICA war activities under international observation. Undermining this agreement would weaken efforts to achieve negotiated solutions for nuclear disputes.
"The new Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is an important achievement in this regard. It is a crucial step to get rid of all nuclear weapons. Today, we often hear that nuclear weapons are necessary for security. This narrative is not only wrong, it is dangerous. The new Treaty provides a real alternative: a world without nuclear weapons, where everyone is safer. The overwhelming support of the international community in adopting this treaty, demonstrates that many countries share this goal."
FORCE AFRICA RESSOURCES
Africa is a key territory on the global map. Rich in oil and natural resources, the continent holds a strategic position.
Rich in oil and natural resources, Africa is the world's fastest-growing region for foreign direct investment. It has approximately 30 percent of the earth's remaining mineral resources.
It's home to more than 40 different nations and around 2,000 languages. Sub-Saharan Africa has six of the world's 10 fastest-growing economies. North Africa has vast oil and natural gas deposits, the Sahara holds the most strategic nuclear ore, and resources such as coltan, gold, and copper, among many others, are abundant on the continent.
The region is full of promise and untapped riches - from oil and minerals and land to vast amounts of people capital - yet, it has struggled since colonial timesto truly realise its potential.
Oil and gas
Africa is home to five of the world's top oil-producing countries, with an estimated 57 percent of Africa's export earnings from hydrocarbons.
Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Mozambique are all rich in oil and gas.
Proven oil reserves have grown by almost 150 percent, increasing from 53.4 billion barrels since 1980, to 130.3 billion barrels by the end of 2012.
The region is home to five of the top 30 oil-producing countries in the world, and nearly $2tn of investments are expected by 2036.
Other resources Besides oil and gas, Africa is rich in precious minerals, forests and: Diamonds: Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo. Gold: Benin, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Mali, South Africa, Tanzania. Nickel and Uranium: Burundi. Pozzolana: Cape Verde. Fish: Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles. Timber: Liberia. Titanium: Gambia. Graphite: Madagascar. Tobacco: Malawi. Iron Ore: Mauritania. Phosphates: Western Sahara, Morocco. Aluminium and Gas: Guinea, Mozambique. Cooper: Uganda, Zambia. THE ALLICANCE OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION
Founded in 2006, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), is an African-led African-based organization that seeks to catalyze Agriculture Transformation in Africa. AGRA is focused on putting smallholder farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economy by transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive into farming as a business that thrives. As the sector that employs the majority of Africa’s people, nearly all small-scale farmers, AGRA recognizes that developing smallholder agriculture into a productive, efficient, and sustainable system is essential to ensuring food security, lifting millions out of poverty, and driving equitable growth across the continent.
After ten years of building a strong foundation, starting 2017, AGRA has rolled out a new 5-year strategy with an approach that simultaneously catalyzes change at farmer level; strengthens input and output market systems; and puts government at the Centre of the partnerships required to enable and champion private-sector-led agricultural growth at local and national levels.
In Congo-Zaire AGRA Will catalyzing and sustaining an Inclusive Agricultural Transformation to increase Incomes and improve Food Security for 1.5 million smallholder farming households through strategic country support and government engagement coupled with a set of targeted catalytic downstream and systemic investments made through its alliance of partners. To achieve its ambitious goal, AGRA seeks to contribute to four inter-related and interdependent objectives: 1) Increased staple crop productivity for smallholder farmers, 2) Strengthened and expanded access to output markets, 3) Increased capacity of smallholder farming households and agricultural systems to better prepare for and adapt to shocks and stresses (Resilience), and 4) Strengthened continental, regional and government multi-sectoral coordination and mutual accountability in the agriculture sector.
To support this transformation, AGRA is seeking potential partners with a focus on delivering this ambitious goal. AGRA therefore invites submission of concept notes from interested and qualified organizations operating in the agricultural value chain for projects that contribute to the achievement of AGRA’s stated intended outcomes.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Organizations contemplating submission of applications in response to this request for concept notes (RFCNs) must determine whether they meet the following requirements to be eligible for AGRA financial assistance:
Unless specifically stated otherwise in this section, must be operational in Nigeria with valid registration documents.
Organization’s primary business activity must be in Congo-Zaire.
Organization’s registration to do business in Congo-Zaire must be current.
Organization must be in a sound financial condition.
Organization must have sufficient existing capability/capacity to perform new work. AGRA may consider limited financial assistance to fund capacity building only if the proposal is determined to be of interest to AGRA.
Organization must have demonstrated favorable past performance record.
Organization must have accounting systems acceptable to AGRA and corporate integrity/ethics.
Organization must not be excluded from the eligibility to receive AGRA’s donor-provided funds.
Can be a governmental, non-governmental or private institution.
If an institution/organization meets the above eligibility criteria AGRA will request additional documentation to be submitted as part of the pre-award process. Organizations are advised that any funds made available are subject to AGRA’s and its donor strict accountability and audit requirements.
ACTIVITIES ENVISIONED FOR FUNDING
AGRA will consider catalytic and transformative concepts focusing on value chains of 3 priority crops which include Maize, Rice and Cassava.
Priority will be given to concepts that demonstrate strategic collaboration across the whole value chain of the crops mentioned above through working consortium approaches and catalytic to transform Africa agriculture.
The FORCE Horizons Programs is created to help shape a sustainable future for Sustainable Products.
Our mission: to improve the livelihoods of farmers and their communities through the promotion of sustainable, entrepreneurial farming, improved productivity, and community development.
LES^SENCE SWISS SUSTAINABLE GROUP
Les^sence is born to create a common development mark for the benefits of people.
The sustainable culture community impact on development of social structural education. Our purpose of business models and strategy is to offer value to customers and gain competitive Advantage for the succes of company operations. One of the beauties of the business model thinking is that we learn to see a business totally different if we really Aplly stringed instruments thinking and dissect business into educational in practical developments system.
HORIZONS PROGRAMS
While the international community is working with CAR’s government and diamond companies to establish legitimate supply chains; smugglers and traders are thriving in the parallel black market.
natural resource is anything that people can use which comes from the natural environment. Examples of natural resources are air, water, wood, oil, wind energy, iron, and coal. Refined oil and hydro-electric energy are not natural resources because people make them.
We often say there are two sorts of natural resources: renewable resources and non-renewable resources.
A renewable resource is one which can be used again and again. For example, soil, sunlight and water renewable resources. However, in some circumstances, even water is not renewable easily. Wood is a renewable resource, but it takes time to renew and in some places people use the land for something else. Soil, if it blows away, is not easy to renew.
A non-renewable resource is a resource that does not grow and come back, or a resource that would take a very long time to come back. For example, coal is a non-renewable resource. When we use coal, there is less coal afterward. The non-renewable resource can be used directly (for example, burning oil to cook), or we can find a renewable resource to use (for example, using wind energy to make electricity to cook).
Most natural resources are limited. This means they will eventually run out. A perpetual resource has a never-ending supply. Some examples of perpetual resources include solar energy , tidal energy, and wind nergy. There may be a limit to how much can be taken in a given day or year, but that amount can be taken again next day or next year.
Some of the things influencing supply of resources include whether it is able to be recycled and the availability of suitable substitutes for the material. Non-renewable resources cannot be recycled. For example, fossil fuels cannot be recycled.
FUELING CIVIL WARS
diamond industry’s response has been woefully inadequate. Diamonds with violent histories are still being mined and allowed to enter the diamond supply, where they become indistinguishable from other gems. Violence and injustice remain an everyday aspect of diamond mining.
In just the past two decades, seven African countries have endured brutal civil conflicts fueled by diamonds: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Diamonds intensify civil wars by financing militaries and rebel militias.
Rival groups also fight with each other to control diamond-rich territory. The tragic result is bloodshed, loss of life, and shocking human rights abuses – from rape to the use of child soldiers.
Diamonds that fuel civil wars are often called "blood" or "conflict" diamonds. Although many diamond-fueled wars have now ended, conflict diamonds remain a serious problem. In 2013, a civil war erupted in the Central African Republic, with both sides fighting over the country’s diamond resources. Thousands of people have died and more than a million have been displaced. In addition, past wars fueled by diamonds have taken about 3.7 million lives. Millions of people are still dealing with the consequences of these wars: friends and family members lost, lives shattered, and physical and emotional scars that will last generations.
Diamonds come from carbon, the same natural resource from which pencil lead and coal are derived. A treasured gem, the diamond embodies the most desirable characteristics of unsurpassed faceted brilliance, rarity and hardness.
Background
Carbon becomes a diamond under extreme pressure and heat, while underground, over time. Diamonds are pushed to the earth's surface through kimberlite and lamproite pipes -- cylindrical volcanic conduits that are found mostly in Australia, Africa, Russia and Brazil in South America. Many natural gems resemble diamonds. However, they are all softer materials and lack the luster of diamonds. Examples of synthetic diamonds are synthetic spinel, strontium titanate, cubic zirconia, and moissanite. They also lack the hardness of a natural diamond.
History
An ancient Sanskrit manuscript discovered in India in 1905 titled Artha Sastra of Kautilya, or The Lesson of Profit, reveals that in the fourth century B.C. diamonds were a commodity involved in active trade and were also subject to taxation. Ever since, diamonds have been the subject of intrigue and murderous greed. Over the centuries, they have signified status, power and wealth and many large ones dwell in the realm of royalty. The British Royal family owns the largest cut diamond in the world, the priceless Cullinan I, also called the Star of Africa. In modern times, brides-to-be anticipate the bright white diamond ring that has come to represent the purity of true love and betrothal.
Uses
Diamonds are ideal for industrial purposes because of their versatility. Diamonds excel for use as cutting tools, and their ability to withstand heat and cold makes diamonds a preferred choice in optical materials. Only 20 percent of diamonds are used as gems. Value is based on color, cut, clarity and carat, meaning weight.
VIOLENCE BY GOVERNMENTS
Diamond mining is plagued by shocking violence, from killings to sexual violence to torture. Often, rebel groups are responsible for this violence. But governments and mining companies also commit atrocities in Africa's diamond fields, frequently in countries that are not at war. At Brilliant Earth, we believe it is important to end all violence related to diamond mining, regardless of the circumstances.
The diamond industry’s attempt to fight blood diamonds led to the establishment of the Kimberley Process, an international diamond certification scheme, in 2003. Unfortunately, the Kimberley Process only places a ban on diamonds that finance rebel militias in war-torn countries. When diamond miners are killed or physically harmed by their own governments, or by security guards working for mining companies, the Kimberley Process rarely takes action. Instead, it certifies these diamonds as conflict free and allows them to be shipped to consumers worldwide.
HOW WE HELPS
Although diamond mining is an important income source for the rural poor, miners and their communities usually depend on other economic activities to supplement their incomes. A lack of vocational training, however, limits the ability of residents to earn income from other sources. Training in skills such as carpentry, metalworking, hairdressing, and tailoring is often not accessible to individuals living in impoverished communities.
By funding these scholarships, we are expanding economic opportunities for men and women who otherwise would not have access to vocational training. The scholarship recipients will be able to use their new skills to support their families and strengthen their communities. Local residents will gain access to new services, improving standards of living. The businesses that these entrepreneurs form will also create jobs and spread technical skills. Local economies that are dependent on diamond mining will become more diverse and resilient.Through the program’s theoretical and practical teachings, the trainees will acquire the skills necessary to operate their own businesses.
HOW TO CHOOSE A RECYCLING SCHEME
Raising funds through recycling is a simple way to gain unrestricted income for your organisation. There are lots of different methods and hundreds of schemes to choose from which can be quite daunting.
How do you work out which is likely to give you the best return and the best customer experience? Should you try lots of different types of recycling or stick to just one?. let's study our proposition
ETHICAL MANUFACTURING
Ethical manufacturing is a holistic approach to the manufacturing process that focuses on good health for all involved. Ethical business care about every part, every facet, of their company. From production to the customer, ethical business manufacture safe products safely.
An ethical business ensures all parts of their product production is safe, efficient, and focuses on the health of the workers. An ethical business enforces safety procedures that care for the best interest of workers on top of those that are legally required. An ethical business does not sacrifice worker safety or worker health for increased productivity. Workers in an ethical business are treated fairly, with balanced work hours, appropriate compensation, and thorough protection against injury.
Ethical Energy
An ethical business ensures all parts of their product production is energy efficient and as safe for the environment as possible. Ethical businesses go beyond the basic legal restrictions to minimize their production of waste and emission as much as possible. Ethical companies often explore the use of alternative technologies in order to reduce the energy being utilized during production. An ethical business will strive to be environmentally friendly, pushing for a greater decrease of waste, energy, and emissions, across all parts of the company.
Ethical Products
At the bottom line, an ethical business produces safe products. An ethical business cares for the health of their customers, stringently testing for safety to eliminate harmful contaminants or effects. Products from ethical companies are safe, legal, and even proactively texted in order to combat unexpected effects.
When you order products from an ethical business, you can be sure your product was safely
manufactured, and is safe for you and your family to use. When you shop ethically, you know you’re buying from a company that is neither wasteful nor cruel: you’re buying from a company that cares. With ethical manufacturing, the goal is safety, and love. UPCYCLING FASHION
Upcycling means using discarded or vintage pieces of clothing and transforming them into something better.
The value added benefits that are gained with upcycling, are quickly driving it to a number one position in the aspirational fashion market. As a result it is slowly consigning its older first cousin 'recycling' to a mass consumer driven activity in the sustainability continuum. As efforts to grapple with continuity of supply of recycled materials (feedstock) grind their way up the sustainable innovation ladder, 'upcycling' is enjoying a freedom to soar into truly innovative materials and creations thanks mainly to the talent of emerging designers. These designs are hard to replicate and herald a new challenge for the luxury markets that is one of sustainable design leadership.
Whilst this article will focus on the drive to close the loop in the lifecycle of a garment and what this means for fast v slow fashion, it is not possible to look at the challenges in designing with post-consumer clothes without also examining the artificial construct in which fashion businesses operate. Like it or not designers are bound by legislative frameworks and regulations which create incentives as well as unintended consequences. Sometimes these constructs are not at the forefront in the daily machinations of a fashion business. And yet they shape industries and provide powerful tools to dictate the pace of change which in turn must meet the needs of consumers if the sector is to preserve, let alone increase its share of household expenditure.
RADICAL TRANSPARENCY
Transparency is a trend with some serious staying power. Transparency in fashion is a sexy idea and really works when used correctly.
Shakers of the transparent variety are trying to bring honesty back to the industry by making things like production practices, company financials, and employee benefits fair game for the public. This group of fashion nobles seek to create an industry worth trusting. That’s the kind of transparency that’s sexy on everyone. Fair Trade for Business
Working with Fair Trade makes you a partner in empowering individuals, building strong communities, and taking steps to protect the planet. Become part of a movement that’s getting attention from millions of people worldwide
Sustainable Manufacturing and Design
An investigation is reported on the importance of integrating sustainability with manufacturing and design, along with other objectives such as function, competitiveness, profitability and productivity. The need of utilizing appropriate tools like design for environment, life cycle assessment and other environmentally sound practices that are cognizant of the entire life cycle of a process or product is highlighted.
Sustainability as the intersection of its three key parts, and examples of features at the intersection of any two parts.
An important facet of measuring and assessing sustainability and efforts to enhance it are sustainability indicators. Indicators help identify the status of something, the progress made towards an objective, and the challenges and problems in moving towards an objective as well as the measures that must be adopted to address the challenges and problems. Indicators of sustainability are different from traditional indicators of economic, social and environmental progress. Indicators for a sustainable community identify where the links between economics, environmental stewardship and society are inadequate, and suggest and prioritize approaches to address the problems. Traditional indicators, like economic profitability, health and water quality, measure changes in one part of a community independent of the other parts, whereas sustainability indicators reflect the relations among the three aspects of sustainability and the many factors that affect them. Figure 2 illustrates the relations, showing, for example, that:
the natural resource base provides the materials for production on which jobs and profits depend.
employment affects wealth creation, living standards and poverty rates.
poverty relates to crime and social unrest and instability.
resource, air and water quality affect health; and resources used for production affect profits.
For instance, health problems affect worker productivity and health insurance costs, and poor water quality prior to use in a process that requires clean water necessitates the extra expense and reduced profits associated with water treatment. Many traditional indicators are not holistic, like gross domestic product (GDP), which measures the amount of money being spent in a country. GDP is generally regarded as a measure of a country's economic well-being, under the presumption that the more money spent, the higher the GDP and the better the economic well-being, although this indicator reflects only the amount of economic activity, regardless of how that activity affects the community social and environmental welfare.
Effective indicators for sustainability and other purposes share several common characteristics: (1) relevance, in that they reveal necessary information about a system or process; (2) understandability, in that they are straightforward and readily understood by experts and non-experts; (3) reliability, in that they provide information that is trustworthy; and (4) assessable, in that they are based on available and accessible data.
The importance of integrating sustainability with manufacturing and design is highlighted, along with the need to utilize appropriate tools, like design for environment and life cycle assessment.
Organic Cotton Means Less Water Pollution
One of the main issues associated with conventional cotton farming is that of water pollution owing to the high usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides during cultivation.
Water pollution can be minimized using organic and improved farming practices, says a study financed by clothing company C&A and conducted by the Water Footprint Network (WFN) and CottonConnect.
WFN uses the term greywater footprint, which means the volume of freshwater required to assimilate a certain load of pollutants reaching ground and surface water so that the quality of the water remains above water quality standards.
According to the study, cotton farmers can reduce their greywater footprint by adopting organic cultivation. On the basis of data collected from 480 farmers from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, it was concluded that organic methods of cultivation did impact water (due to leaching of nitrogen and phosphorous from organic fertilizers), but the total impact was almost 50 times less than that caused from conventional farming.
CottonConnect has already started talking about these results with more than 20,000 conventional cotton farmers in South Asia and China, motivating them to go organic. “We try to make farmers more sensitive to the benefits of organic farming, reduce inputs and save water,”
Sustainable Cotton
Fibres with a feel-good factor – with sustainably cultivated cotton we assume our social and environmental responsibility in the production process.
Transformational change and innovation for sustainability
Consumers find creative solutions to reduce the industry’s environmental impact. To meet the challenges of the future, the clothing and textile industry will need to take bold action for transformational change and innovation. Or, as Nike puts it: “What becomes abundantly clear is efficiencies alone will not suffice – for Nike, or the world. The world needs systemic change at scale. We must innovate.”6 Improving efficiencies will neither be enough to operate within planetary boundaries nor to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Force Group’s textile range, organic productions are clearly the dominant fibre compared to polyester, viscose, wool & cotton. With our Textile Strategy we intend to only use sustainably cultivated bio cotton in our own and licensed brands by 2018. To achieve this we are relying on bio cotton produced under the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative as well as on bio cotton from certified organic cultivation.
Compared with the conventional resource and CO2-intensive cotton cultivation process, CmiA saves around 2,100 litres of water and 40 % CO2 per kilogramme of cotton produced. In 2016 sustainably cultivated cotton amounted to 49 % of the total amount of cotton used by the Group in its own and licensed brands. This is an increase by 22 % compared to the previous year.
Only through education can people lead a self-determined life and improve their living conditions by their own efforts. This is why the Cotton made in Africa initiative has for a long time not only worked to train smallholder cotton farmers in sustainable cultivation: we are also committed to creating educational opportunities for the farmers, their wives and their children.
In many parts of the world, cotton is grown in large plantations, but in Africa it is almost exclusively grown by smallholder farmers, using crop rotation. In other words the cotton is grown alternately with other crops such as the basic food crops maize, soy or groundnuts. That reduces leaching of soils and the occurrence of pests. Cotton is often a complementary cash crop – it is grown for sale, alongside the foods grown in subsistence farming. The growing methods which farmers are taught by Cotton made in Africa also help the smallholder farmers when growing food in subsistence farming, and thus play an important part in securing their food supplies.
IRRIGATION
Artificial irrigation, as often used in large plantations, is practically not used in Africa. The smallholder farmers work with rain-fed cultivation, in other words natural rainfall has to be enough for watering the crops. The wet and dry phases in the African growing areas are helpful to meet the needs of the cotton plant. In its growth phases, cotton is highly sensitive to excess moisture – in the first germination and growth phase, the cotton plant needs wet soils, but in the maturing phase the quality of the fibres may be damaged if conditions are too wet. The available rainwater has to be used efficiently, specifically in the dry areas of Africa. That requires balanced use of fertilizer or mulching. The soil between the cotton plants is covered with organic material such as leaves to reduce loss of moisture by evaporation.
AFRICAN COTTON IS HIGH-QUALITY
African cotton flourishes under good conditions with plenty of sunshine and in rain-fed cultivation. It has relatively long fibres, and comes into the medium staple length category (1 1/8 inch, that is about 28.5mm) and gives yarns that can be used for a range of applications, and are processed worldwide to make materials for fashion and home textiles.
African cotton is mostly grown by smallholder farmers and hand picked, which ensures its good quality. Cotton made in Africa has time to ripen, and is harvested by hand at the right time and taken for further processing. The high quality of African cotton is further improved by Cotton made in Africa – training programmes are provided for smallholder farmers, teaching them for example the use of modern, efficient growing methods that work with the minimum possible use of pesticides, helping them to increase their yields and the quality of the fibres. Trials are currently being conducted in Benin with the use of cotton bags for harvesting, to reduce foreign matter in the form of leftover plastic materials, which are unfortunately increasingly to be found in the fields of Africa. In some of the Cotton made in Africa growing regions, the cotton is cleaned of impurities again manually before it goes on to the next processing stage, that is ginning.
Sports Apparel Market Share Trends Growth Industry Analysis
Organic organizational structure
The organic organizational structure has an impact from a human resources perspective, since it tends to operate better with employees who have diverse skill sets and the ability to deal with and make decisions on multiple topics. These types of employees do not need much direction from senior management.
There is less need for a broad array of formal procedures in an organic organizational structure, since procedures change as the business routinely adapts to variations in the business environment. Instead, it is more common to see a small number of relatively unchanged procedures in core processes, and much more fluidity among those procedures associated with aspects of the business that tend to change regularly.
However, decision making can be slow, because of the need to build a consensus. Thus, the organizational structure works best when there is time to churn through the alternatives with a number of people, and works less well in a crisis environment where decisions must be made at once. The top-down, hierarchical approach may work better in very stable environments that change little over the long term, and so require less company-wide consensus building.
Scientists have found that good coffee needs trees – and bees to pollinate it.
Around the world, from Brazil to Ethiopia to Vietnam, small farmers depend on coffee for a livelihood. But as highlighted in C&CI on numerous occasions, a warming climate could adversely affect the coffee supply chain.
COFFE & NATURE.
Changes in temperature and rainfall may reduce coffee production in some areas, while making new places suitable for the crop, but scientist believe that climate change could also affect bees that pollinate the trees that produce coffee.
There is, however, some good news for coffee lovers. Scientists also believe that maintaining healthy forests close to coffee farms could help keep the buzz in your morning joe. That’s what a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of sciences (see box), which was highlighted by the Centre for International Forestry Research.
Ecosystem services
“At a time when agricultural production is threatened by climate change, the ecosystem services provided by forests – in this case, pollination – can help farmers cope and adapt,” said Bruno Locatelli, an expert on ecosystem services and climate change adaptation at CIFOR and a co-author of the study.
Other studies have shown that climate change is likely to affect agriculture. Some farmers may have to shift crops to higher ground, while others may need to change to other products that are more suitable to their new growing conditions.
However, few studies have examined the combined impacts of climate change on crops and the ecosystem services important to farmers, said Pablo Imbach, a climate and ecosystems scientist at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
Although people generally associate forests with ecosystem services such as maintaining water quality or moderating temperatures, their role as a home for bees often flies under the radar, Imbach said.
“We wanted to take a different approach,” he explained. “Our idea was to look not only at how conditions suitable for coffee crops might change with climate change, but how that would couple with changes in ecosystem services – pollination services, in this case.”
Because Arabica coffee, which accounts for two-thirds of the world’s coffee production, is self-pollinating, technically it doesn’t need bees at all, Imbach said.
Giving coffee trees a boost
But bees, especially native species, give coffee trees a boost. As the number of bee species – known as ‘species richness’ – found on a coffee farm increases, so does the farm’s productivity. The trees set more fruit, the fruit weight is higher, and yield is greater.
With climate change in Latin America, though, the places where coffee is grown and where bees thrive today could shift in future. In a region where 80 per cent of coffee is grown on plots of less than four hectares, that could have a big impact on small-scale, low-income farmers.
Area suitable for coffee expected to shrink
Areas currently suitable for coffee production in the region will shrink by 73 per cent to 88 per cent under scenarios of moderate to high warming, according to the study, which examined the impact of 19 climate variables on areas suitable for coffee crops and 39 bee species in Latin America.
Meanwhile, up to 30 per cent of areas suitable for coffee production in the future will be places where coffee is not currently cultivated, giving other farmers a chance to grow an important cash crop.
In 10 per cent to 22 per cent of future coffee-producing zones, coffee suitability will increase and the number of bee species will increase, an effect known as ‘positive coupling.’ That is especially true in Central America, the study found.
The opposite – negative coupling, or a decrease in both coffee suitability and bee species richness – is likely to occur in 34 per cent to 51 per cent of future coffee-producing zones.
Some areas will be more suitable for coffee growing
About one-third of future coffee-growing zones show an increase in coffee suitability and a decrease in bee species, while no more than 10 per cent show more bee species in areas that lose suitability for coffee production.
Overall, the average number of bee species per hectare could plummet to no more than three in Latin America.
The news is better for coffee farmers, though, as virtually all coffee-producing areas are still likely to maintain at least five bee species, and about half the areas will be home to 10 species, the study found.
Plan now for future scenarios
Scientists see the changes as a wakeup call. Good planning now could help farmers adapt in the future, enabling some to maintain their coffee trees whilst giving others, in less suitable areas, time to shift to other crops.
Most areas suitable for coffee crops, both now and in future scenarios, were within 1,600m of forests. That’s a strong argument for maintaining or restoring mosaic landscapes that combine forest and agriculture.
“In order to attract bees when the coffee is flowering, you need bee communities to be around the whole year,” Imbach said. “The way to increase productivity is to have forests close to coffee plantations, so bees can nest in trees and survive all year.”
Healthy forests have other benefits too
Keeping bees buzzing in forests will bring other benefits, too, Locatelli said. “Patches of forest that host bees can provide many other ecosystem services. The microclimate regulation, water regulation and erosion control that are provided by forests in the landscape are also important for agriculture.”
Farmers and planners should think not only about keeping forests intact, but also about restoring forest patches to help reduce future climate impacts on coffee crops and bee habitat, Imbach said.
Forest restoration with native species can protect biodiversity and create corridors for animals that disperse seeds. Corridors in mountainous areas can give both tree species and animals room to migrate toward cooler conditions uphill.
Although there is plenty of evidence that climate change will affect agriculture, there is an urgent need for research that will help smallholders, especially those in poor, rural areas, prepare for future impacts, the researchers said.
“We focused on looking at areas suitable for coffee cultivation, but we don’t know how that will affect the productivity, in terms of tons of coffee production,” said Imbach.
Species richness increases productivity
And although studies show that greater bee species richness increases coffee productivity, scientists still don’t know enough about the relationship between coffee and pollinators to make precise predictions.
“We need more research on agricultural management to help farmers mitigate the effects of climate change, not just on crops, but also on ecosystem services,” said Imbach.
“Many people think they will be able to adapt crops to future conditions, but that might not always be the case,” he concluded. “There is a big question of how to plan for development in areas where crops that are currently grown will no longer be suitable.”
Those are the kinds of studies that will create a buzz among farmers and climate scientists in the future.
Vector - Coffee infographics with world map and a pointer to it, coffee producing countries, diagrams and graphics coffee statistics. Vector illustration
Coffee infographics with world map and a pointer to it, coffee producing countries, diagrams and graphics coffee statistics. Vector illustration
The research highlighted here forms part of the FORCE INVESTMENTS research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry.Coupling of pollination services and coffee suitability under climate change.
Climate change will cause geographic range shifts for pollinators and major crops, with global implications for food security and rural livelihoods. However, little is known about the potential for coupled impacts of climate change on pollinators and crops.
Coffee production exemplifies this issue, because large losses in areas suitable for coffee production have been projected due to climate change and because coffee production is dependent on bee pollination.
“We modelled the potential distributions of coffee and coffee pollinators under current and future climates in AFRICA to understand whether future coffee-suitable areas will also be suitable for pollinators,”
“Our results suggest that coffee-suitable areas will be reduced 73-88 per cent by 2050 across warming scenarios, a decline 46-76 per cent greater than estimated by global assessments.
“Mean bee richness will decline 8-18 per cent in future coffee-suitable areas, but all are predicted to contain at least five bee species, and 46-59 per cent of future coffee-suitable areas will contain 10 or more species.
“In our models, coffee suitability and bee richness each increase (positive coupling) in 10-22 per cent of future coffee-suitable areas.
“Diminished coffee suitability and bee richness (negative coupling), however, occurs in 34-51 per cent of other areas.
“Finally, in 31-33 per cent of the future coffee distribution areas, bee richness decreases and coffee suitability increases. Assessing coupled effects of climate change on crop suitability and pollination can help target appropriate management practices, including forest conservation, shade adjustment, crop rotation, or status quo, in different regions.”
WEINES & WATER
Thinking with respect for: the earth that lets the vines grow, the neighbouring communities that offer significant support through their labour in order to develop quality wines, and the positive economic impact that wine production should have, is how the necessity emerged to unite these three environments in a guide that allows the vineyards to develop a sustainable production process.
This is how the Sustainability Code was born. A voluntary tool that looks to incorporate practices based on high social, environmental and quality standards in vinicultural companies. The Code is structured on a base of requirements in three complimentary areas: green (vineyards), red (wineries and bottling plants) and orange (social). These requirements mark a long term vision based on a combination of environmental principles, social equality, and economic viability. The Code is applicable to all types of vinicultural companies, irrelevant of the scale of production.
In Wines of CONGO -ZAIRE we are responsable for giving governability, and updating and administering the Code. For these reasons we have a Superior Committee that watches over the system with transparency and consistency; a Rules Committee that is in charge of revising and proposing changes to the requirements of the Code; and a Technical Unit that is in charge of the administration of the Code, and is - from the very beginning - the point of contact for the vineyards and certification bodies.
The process of certification is a transparent and independent, done through companies enrolled in the register of the Sustainability Code certifiers. What they ‘certify’ is the sustainable management of the vineyard, which gives them the right to use the ‘Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile’ stamp.
It is important to point out that the Code helps the vineyards and wineries in different management environments, such as:Planning, implementing, operating and maintaining a system of management oriented at the sustainable production of wines.
Minimising the potential environmental impacts generated in the chain of wine production.
Guiding work relations inside the company within an ethical code.
Improving communication with their clients, providers, interested parties in the chain of wine production, and with the communities near to the production units.
The contents that comprise each area of the Code are: Green Area
Erosion
Soil management
Nutrition
Management of weeds, plagues and illnesses
Management and application of agrochemicals
Training
Use of energy and fuel
Taking care of the water sources
Management of load and vigor
Biodiversity
Pre-plantation methods
Red Area
Saving energy
Water management
Prevention of contamination
Reduction of waste, and recycling
Location of the winery
Orange area
Ethics
Environment
Quality of work life
Community
Marketing and consumer promises
With the objective to improve and adapt the Code to the requirements of the future, we are developing a series of Investigation and Development Projects.
Wichtigste Länder weltweit nach installierter Leistung von Erneuerbare-Energien-Anlagen im Jahr 2016 (in Gigawatt)
Die Statistik zeigt die wichtigsten Länder weltweit nach installierter Leistung von Erneuerbare-Energien-Anlagen im Jahr 2016. Im Jahr 2016 betrug die Nennleistung aller durch regenerative Energiequellen betriebenen Anlagen in Brasilien rund 123 Gigawatt.
ENERGY RECOMMENDATIONS
Develop new rate structures to account for distributed energy supplies.
Embrace new energy storage technologies.
Promote more robust integration of electric vehicles into the power grid.
Expand the use of data to manage energy networks.
Transition to more decentralized model for utility management of energy networks and possibly broader supply of energy services.
CHOCOLATE & ENERGY Since arriving at Zurich in october this year, I have been happily confronted with the thriving chocolate culture of Switzerland. As a Belgian, with roots in a chocolate culture, I quickly picked up on the ‘chocaholic’ tendencies of my new colleagues, friends and acquaintances.
I was also amazed about the amount of research being done on cocoa/chocolate here in Switzerland, and admittedly, I’ve somewhere jumped on the boat of chocolate research. However, I recently started having some questions regarding the sustainability of this passion for chocolate that I share with my fellow inhabitants of this beautiful country.
When we discuss the sustainability of certain food products, we need to take a look across the whole food value chain. Hence, we investigate how sustainable the production of the basic product is (in this case cocoa); we see how sustainably the product is processed; how many kilometers the product travels between production and consumption; how much and by whom the product is consumed; if the product is of high nutritional quality.
A critical look at the food value chain
Several questions come to mind when thinking about chocolate and the world food system. Some are simple ones. For instance: how is cocoa produced? processed? retailed? Other questions have less clear answers: Could the land used for cocoa production (8.8 million hectares worldwide) be used for more nutritious food? Is chocolate even food? And even if your answer is yes to the previous question: is chocolate a necessary food? Would we be deprived if we would not eat 12 kilograms of chocolate per year (this is the average consumption per capita in Switzerland)? Does it make sense that Switzerland and Belgium are the leading chocolate producing countries while all the cocoa is produced several thousands of kilometers to the south? The answers to those questions are not a straightforward “yes” or “no”, but some reflection and alternative options are appropriate, I think.
In the last few years, the terms “flexitarian” and “demitarian” have become popular because beef production is inherently not the most sustainable, especially due to sky-high greenhouse gas emissions associated with it, but also since not everyone is willing to become a vegetarian. Thus, we do not need to eat meat every day, but we can cut our consumption in half (i.e. “demi”) or reduce it to once in a while (i.e. "flexi"). A parallel can be drawn with chocolate: 12 kilograms per year is probably unnecessary, but most of us would like a piece of chocolate once in a while. In December, we all enjoy a chocolate Samichlaus or Santa Claus, but does every store and bakery need to be stocked to the ceiling with them?
Making chocolate more sustainable Since we will probably not all give up chocolate, cocoa trees will remain in the tropical agricultural landscape. But instead of growing monocultures we could design more diversified cocoa agroforestry systems (i.e. growing the cocoa in the shade of a diverse set of trees that provide a range of different products, e.g. fruit, timber, etc.) in cooperation with local farmers. These systems have been shown to maintain cocoa production in the longer-term while having less negative impact on the environment.
Some argue that cocoa is a cash crop that provides income for smallholders. However, some of the smallholders could grow other high value, cash crops (e.g., vegetables) that could also feed the local population with greatly needed nutrition. Furthermore, processing of cocoa into chocolate could be done locally so that the added-value would provide more benefits to the local economy. And cocoa produced in Brazil would not be sold back to Brazilians as expensive chocolate after having traveled across the ocean and back. So no, chocolate is not sustainable, but it can be more than it is now.
TEST COCOA SWISS FARMERS
Manifest
We believe that true entrepreneurial success is holistic and profits must go hand in hand with ecologic and socio-economic improvement, as well as personal joy and well-being.
It is our responsibility to contribute to a globally balanced society, to generate a valuable place for future generations to live in. We are certain that affordable, decentralized electricity will have a massive impact on the development of emerging countries.
At CocoA we are committed to turn our convictions into concrete actions. That’s why we are revolutionizing cocoa processing.
Challenge
Smallholder cocoa farmers invest huge efforts to harvest cocoa beans for our chocolate - however they have hardly enough to live on. Most of them have less than 2 $/day available.
They rely heavily on the income from cocoa beans, with earnings depending on world market prices. A field where the small farmers have hardly any bargaining power.
Cocoa farming in most parts of the world, mainly focuses cocoa bean production, which only accounts for 10% of the entire cocoa fruit.
The cocoa pulp a delicious and refreshing fruit flesh, could generate a second source of income, but lack of infrastructure and outdated processing technologies leave the potential widely untapped.
In Ghana alone, approximately 1.2 million tons of cocoa pulp are wasted every year.
Cocoa Juice is delicious and also an impactful super-fruit extract with massive potential.
First: Cocoa Juice has an exotic taste, with finely balanced acetic citrus flavors with other more settled sweet notes.
Second: Cocoa Juice can generate additional income for cocoa farmers and reduce their dependence on low world market prices for cocoa beans.
Third: Utilization of Cocoa Juice can reduce, food wastage by cocoa processing by 15%.
Fourth: Cocoa juice contains many Flavonoids, Magnesium and Vitamin B6. These ingredients enable the body to be more relaxed, stress resistant and balanced.
By using solar energy, highly efficient electrical engineering and newest food processing methods, we cocoa extract savoury cocoa juice!
The technology we adapt respects traditional cocoa processing methods and still fulfills highest hygienic standards.By forming bonds of mutual respect and understanding, we work directly with small scale cocoa farmers. That’s the best way we can ensure that our work generates the maximum impact for the hard working farmers.Additionally through the processing of the cocoa pulp, farmers will be able to generate around 20-25% more revenues. at CocoA base our decisions and actions on values that we convinced of.
Cooperation on an eye to eye level in order to reach common beneficial goals for all parties involved.
Responsability for our actions and consequences. Qualityby remaining mindful of the origins of our ingredients and processing them under the highest of standards.
Respect people, their cultures and the environment in which we live and farm in. These are the vibrant, hands-on members that turn our vision into reality. The cocoa business does not leave farmers with enough money to be able to effectively care for their families. We work with small-holder farmers in order to empower them with the necessary knowledge and tools to help revolutionize cocoa processing.
As a result of our collaboration, farmers receive fairer payments than they normally do, an alternative source of income, and self-empowering knowledge. Skills that can be passed on to develop new opportunities to an all around positive chain reaction, be it environmental or economical!
Thanks for reading! Tune in next time for more of "How to Revolutionize Cocoa" story!
Join our revolution! Follow us on Instagram! Let life surprise you! Please visit our website for more info on CocoA: www.tastecocoa.com
About Agronomy
Every day, everyone is affected by agronomy. The food you eat, the coffee you drink, the ethanol-based gas in your car, the grass on the golf course, the natural fibers of the clothing you wear—all are products of agronomy and the work of agronomists.
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is often associated with natural or organic farming, and it is indeed related to those farming systems. But sustainable agriculture is also grounded in a great deal of research and scientific knowledge, including knowledge of the interactions between crops and soils; the nutrient and water needs of crops; and handling of crop pests.
One approach to sustainable agriculture is the practice of precision agriculture: an information technology-based management system that uses data obtained from global positioning systems (GPS), and integrates the data into global information systems (GIS).
These new spatial, or geographic, tools are used with yield, rate, and other information to better manage the timing and application of fertilizers—thereby reducing the impact on the environment and increasing the cost-effectiveness for farmers.
Sustainable agriculture encompasses a number of other technologies as well, including integrated pest management, agroforestry systems, cover crops and green manures, and crop residue management in no-tillage or reduced-tillage systems.
Farmers who practice sustainable agriculture also use biological processes to improve nitrogen cycling, soil carbon storage and soil health, and pest and weed management. Proper management of all of these factors produces optimal yields with minimal economic cost and environmental impact. (For an example, read about managing phosphorus.)
Organic Farming
Organic farming is a production system for growing crops that avoids the use of most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, applications of sewage sludge, genetic engineering, and radiation. In their place, animal manure, crop rotation, traditional plant breeding, and other materials and strategies are used to maintain economic crop yields, manage pests, and preserve environmental quality. (Read about efforts to combat here.) Organic farming has been one of the fastest growing sectors of production agriculture in the U.S. and other industrialized countries. There is little indication that the demand for food grown organically will decline anytime soon.
Organic farming advocates claim that growing crops without synthetic agricultural chemicals and using production strategies that consider a holistic, systems-based management approach results in food that is healthier to eat and an environment that is safer to live in. Those skeptical of organic farming methods suggest that there is little evidence that foods are healthier when grown organically, or that synthetic fertilizers and pesticides pose a significant threat to the environment when used correctly. Further, organic farming critics claim that the only way farmers can feed the growing human population in the future is by using synthetic agricultural chemicals and growing genetically engineered crops when available.
Only limited research on organic farming has occurred in the U.S. and other industrial countries in the last several decades. This is beginning to change as more agronomists and other scientists are studying organic farming methods. More will be learned about the advantages and disadvantages of organic farming compared with other crop production methods as additional research and well-designed scientific experiments are completed. In the meantime, organic farming will continue to be a frequent topic of debate by those supporting and those opposing this increasingly popular crop production method.
Performance Measurement for Effective Management of Nonprofit Organizations
LES^SENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Challenges leaders of nonprofit organizations to think about new strategies for creating and sustaining high organizational performance.
Leaders in Development,
Strengthens the leadership capabilities of senior officials to promote policy and institutional reform, strengthen representative politics and manage the challenges of globalization.
Provides a balance of traditional and hands-on learning experiences to help seasoned public officials meet the changing needs of their constituents and communities.
Emerging Leaders
Develops and expands the leadership capacity of rising leaders from developed, emerging, newly industrialized and transitional countries.
Combines world-class experts and an outstanding curriculum to provide a stimulating environment to
think deeply about the most pressing national and international security challenges.
Focuses on the intersection of policy and technology in an effort to combat network-based intrusions that disrupt productivity, jeopardize privacy and threaten national security.
Offers a unique opportunity for those engaged in nonviolent social movements to learn the strategic and tactical frameworks needed to effectively lead a successful campaign
Climate Change and Energy
Discover the science, economics, and policy of climate change, as well as closely related aspects of energy production and use.
I just want to thank you for sharing your information and your site or blog this is simple but nice Information I’ve ever seen i like it i learn something today. Capital Fundraising Strategies NZ
I just want to thank you for sharing your information and your site or blog this is simple but nice Information I’ve ever seen i like it i learn something today. Capital Fundraising Strategies NZ
AntwortenLöschen