Progressio tells UN: 'We need a new vision of development'

A 'worrying' range of potential threats to sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and the livelihoods of the world’s poorest communities emerged at the recent meeting of signatories to UN’s Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), Progressio said in a briefing to MPs this week.

Senior church figures have spoken out against Robert Mugabe's re-election and urged the international community to do more to help the people of Zimbabwe in the aftermath of last Friday's vote.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, speaking on the BBC's flagship political programme The Andrew Marr Show, said he thought there was a "very good argument" for an international force to restore peace in Zimbabwe, providing action is carried out under the auspices of the United Nations.

The Rt Revd Crispian Hollis, Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth is among 12 British church leaders calling on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to "redouble" its efforts to ensure fair elections in Zimbabwe.

The National Justice and Peace Network Conference 2008 will take place at The Hayes Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire from 18 – 20 July.

The Greenbelt festival will take place over the bank holiday weekend of 22 – 25 August 2008 at Cheltenham Racecourse and Progressio will be in the G-Source so come along and join in the fun!

Sean McDonagh and Donal Dorr
In this Comment, Sean McDonagh and Donal Dorr argue that Terminator technology (the genetic modification of seeds so that they become sterile after the first planting) poses an unacceptable threat to poor and marginalised small-scale farmers and to the world’s environment, and is fundamentally wrong on moral and theological grounds.

Progressio
Changing lives: How Progressio development workers help change people’s lives. Plus articles on illegal logging in Ecuador, women’s roles in Somaliland and a question of faith in Yemen.

Mark Bradbury
Since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, the Republic of Somaliland has successfully managed a process of reconciliation, demobilisation and the restoration of law and order. This book - the most authoritative account to date of the birth and growth of Somaliland - explores why Somaliland has not followed Somalia into 'state collapse', and considers issues of post-conflict resolution and state-building that will be of relevance and interest to all concerned with peace and progress, not just in Africa but worldwide.