Wanted: Two Working Group Coordinators

The Connect U.S. Fund is looking for two full-time coordinators to manage its Fissile Materials and U.S. Climate Leadership Working Groups.

Ideal applicants will have one to two years’ experience in a similar role, and a background in the subject matter of the relevant working group.

Read the full job description and find application information on our website. Please circulate widely to qualified friends and colleagues.

Libya Intervention Represents R2P Milestone

by Francesco Femia

When explaining his decision to authorize a military intervention in Libya (which he actually did well before Monday’s speech), President Obama stated: “We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy.” There was history in that statement. It was the latest affirmation of a human rights movement that grew out of an unexpectedly violent decade.

President Obama with National Security Advisor Tom Donilon during a briefing on Libya aboard Air Force One
(Official White House Photo)

Following the brutal massacres committed in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda in the 1990s, the world asked itself — at what point is it our responsibility to stop the slaughter of innocent people? In response, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan asked a group of prominent human rights leaders to answer the question. The result, debuting publicly in 2001, revolutionized the concept of sovereignty by arguing that when governments fail in their responsibility to protect their populations from mass atrocities (regardless of whether it is unable or unwilling), that responsibility falls to the international community. This doctrine, dubbed the Responsibility to Protect (or R2P), was largely endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2005, pledging that the international community would act in such cases “through appropriate and necessary means.”

Continue reading here.

24th – 25th October 2011

Farnham Castle

Farnham

UK

Background

The Western world continues to face economic uncertainties whilst a number of Asian and other economies are growing significantly. There is a sense of the shifting of the global socio-economic power base from the West to the East. However, climate change, energy security, water scarcity, food crisis and resource shortages continue to pose challenges that companies will need to recognise and adapt to, if they are to survive and prosper in the future. At present opportunities to cut costs are top of the agenda, however opportunities for technological and product/service innovation still exist. The question is how we gear those opportunities to the design, development and commercialisation of more sustainable solutions. We now need to design and implement new systems to bring the low carbon, resource efficient technologies, products, services to the mainstream market. It is essential that better networks are established that link-up role players in the ‘sustainable innovation system’ to move ideas more effectively from the lab through R&D to customers. New sustainable business models need to be created and switched-on but there will be trade-offs. For example, the growing internet economy is providing considerable opportunities for more dematerialised and low carbon solutions but is using significant amounts of energy and materials – therefore, the relative environmental, social and benefits pluses and minuses of e-commerce still need to be better understood.

There is a strong feeling that discussion has now moved from ‘why to do’ sustainable innovation and design to ‘how to’ make it happen both at macro and micro levels! Sustainable Innovation 11 will address this paradigm shift with ‘state of the art’ visions, thinking, research and solutions.

Concept
Sustainable Innovation 11 will provide a platform to discuss the opportunities and challenges related to sustainable innovation, technology, product and service design and development. Sustainable Innovation 11 will include invited and refereed papers from academics, consultants, entrepreneurs, investors, technology providers, designers, sustainability, environment and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) managers as well as other business functions. The event will be a unique learning experience, networking space and will provide opportunities for blue-sky thinking. Delegates will come globally from large companies, entrepreneurs, as well as academia, government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The conference is supported by an international Advisory Board.

Conference topics

Sustainable Innovation 11 welcomes conceptual and research-based papers related to the ‘state of the art’ in sustainable innovation, technology, product and service design and development. Papers focused on sustainable innovation related to the following topics are welcomed:

· Radical Change

· Product-service systems (PSS)

· Market Transformation

· Sustainable technologies

· Sustainable Consumption & Production

· Supply chain management

· Low carbon economy

· Innovation processes

· Product policy

· Organisational dimensions

· Sustainable procurement

· Management systems

· New business models

· Tools & methodologies

· Collaborations and partnerships

· Case studies

Benefits

Sustainable Innovation 11 will provide a range of benefits to speakers and delegates:

· Unique: forum for new ideas and concepts

· Leading-edge: presentations from key international researchers, practioners and

policy-makers

· Content: new research, results and thinking

· Networking: opportunities to meet business, government and academia

· Track-record: over 1900 delegates from over 50 countries have attended previous conferences in the series

Submission details
Conference papers: please email, fax or post an abstract of 500 words describing your proposed paper by 31st March 2011. The abstract will then be sent to the Advisory Board for evaluation and authors will be given feedback by the end of April 2011. The highest rated abstracts will be invited to prepare a paper and present at the conference. Please only submit abstracts if you have budgets to attend the conference.

Contact
For more information on Sustainable Innovation 11 please contact:
Martin Charter, Director,
The Centre for Sustainable Design,
University for the Creative Arts, UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 1252 892878
Fax: + 44 (0) 1252-892747
Email: rcarruthers.t1@ucreative.ac.uk
Website: www.cfsd.org.uk

CSR Asia is pleased to announce the launch of a new executive-style, professional Master’s degree in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Delivered in partnership with the School of Management of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand, this new degree, taught in intensive modules designed for working professionals, is the first of its kind in Asia.

The objective of the degree is to provide participants with professional competencies and skills in the fields of sustainable development and CSR. It is designed to help build the capacity necessary to ensure that the business sector is better prepared to manage global sustainability challenges responsibly and contribute to the achievement of targets such as the Millennium Development Goals in a dynamic, competitive business environment. The program is a timely initiative that will help meet the capacity gap within firms and other organizations to deliver on CSR programs that meet business needs for long-term competitiveness whilst contributing to sustainable development in the Asia Pacific region.

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MA in Economics for Transition Approved by the University of Plymouth

We are delighted that the University of Plymouth has approved our plans for an MA in Economics for Transition for intake from September 2011. With its full title, Economics for Transition: Achieving low carbon, high well-being, resilient economies, Schumacher College is the first in the world to offer such a postgraduate programme. It is being developed in association with nef (the new economics foundation) and the Transition Network and is offered through the Business School at the University of Plymouth.

The programme is designed to support a new generation of leaders and activists to create an economy fit for the challenges of the 21st century. It will be attractive to people at different stages in their life seeking to make a positive contribution to the economics of transition through enhancing their knowledge, acquiring practical skills for sustainable living, working and ecological citizenship, and sharing experiences with people from all over the world.

Application is now open for the MA in Economics for Transition. Click here for more information

About the Permaculture Credit Union
The mission of the Permaculture Credit Union is to pool the financial resources of people who believe in the ethics of Permaculture: care of the Earth, care of people, and reinvestment of surplus. The credit union is a 10 year old, innovative and growing financial institution dedicated to providing affordable financial services that advance sustainability.

Position Description
The CEO is responsible for the planning and oversight of all credit union activities in accordance with credit union regulations, polices and directives as established by the board of directors. Ensures financial stability and member satisfaction commensurate with the best interest of the members, the employees, and the credit union. Develops and maintains organizational structure and effective personnel. Represents the Credit Union to regulatory agencies, trade associations, community and civic organizations, members, and other financial institutions. Provides strategic direction, vision, leadership, and management in all functional areas.

Job is located in Santa Fe, NM

For complete position information, refer online at http://pcuonline.org. Please email your resume and letter of interest to applications@pcuonline.org before position closes January 31, 2011.

CDB list instructions http://www.runonthebank.net/cdblist.htm

ISSP is in search of a self-starting marketing manager to lead marketing efforts for the organization: to leverage social media, to deploy multiple marketing methods, and attract funding to ISSP. We need someone on a part-time basis to:

Promote the conference and help get sponsorships
Follow up on leads and invite them to join
Develop social media outlets and relationships with other associations to promote our events
Place ads in appropriate journals
Refine a media kit
Place some stories in high-profile journals
Find ways to encourage our members and board to do outreach and bring in new members
Build a practical marketing strategy
This is an opportunity to build your resume, grow the organization and develop a new position in the organization. ISSP is a great door-opener. If you believe in our mission and have some experience or interest in marketing, please contact Marsha Willard.

Marsha Willard

Executive Director

ISSP

mwillard@sustainabilityprofessionals.org

Please forward or post this email to those who might be interested.
Thank you!

Quick Links…

Our Website

Please apply by April 10, 2011

2011 Summer Internship Program for

Graduate Students in Economics

Internship Program
As part of its mission to support better applied economics research and to involve economists more actively in environmental policy, E3 places economics graduate students in internships with environmental organizations during the summer months.

E3 Network’s internship program offers economics graduate students the opportunity to work directly with environmental organizations. Graduate students gain real world insights into environmental protection and explore possible avenues for their research and professional development. Organizations benefit from the expertise and training of these junior economists. Recent interns have been placed with the Natural Resources Defense Council, Union of Concerned Scientists, International Rivers Network, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Conservation Strategy Fund, Marine Conservation Biology Institute, Clean Air-Cool Planet, Forest Guild, New Voice of Business, Center for Environment and Population, Stockholm Environment Institute, Global Development and Environment Institute, and The Trust for Public Land.

Interns will be placed with an environmental organization for 8 weeks and will be paid a stipend of $5000. E3 prioritizes graduate students who are dedicated to applied economics research and who support E3’s commitment to social justice. Applicants must be willing to relocate to accommodate their NGO placement

The deadline for applications for summer 2011 is February 21. To apply, please email the following information to Kristen Sheeran, Director, by the deadline.

1.  Curriculum vita
2.  One letter of reference
3.  A three-page statement of your research interests and how they reflect a commitment to applied research with a social equity focus

320 EAST 43RD STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10017

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

PRI Analyst and Administrator

The FORD FOUNDATION is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than half a century it has worked with visionary people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

The PRI Analyst and Administrator assists the Program Investment Officer and the PRI Grants Administration staff in the coordination and management of the Program Related Investment Fund, a fund of below-market rate investments that are made to strengthen the work of the Foundation’s grantees and provide risk-capital for cutting-edge initiatives.

The Analyst is responsible for ongoing database management of the PRI Fund, including the PRI Database and Quickbooks. Duties include, but are not limited to: entering all PRI’s, preparing all invoices, managing payment and disbursement information, and overseeing legal requests. The Analyst also is responsible for conducting quarterly/annual financial analysis of investee organizations and working with staff to address credit issues. S/he also serves as a liaison with Financial Services, Grants Administrators and Program Staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree (finance or accounting preferred) or equivalent combination of experience and education.
Database management experience.
Financial statement analysis experience.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and function independently.
Strong organizational skills.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Detail oriented with analytical skills.
Team player.
Knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access and Quickbooks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of nonprofit accounting; bookkeeping; master’s degree (finance or business preferred).

Grade: 128-Exempt

Salary: is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.

To apply for employment, please visit www.fordfoundation.org/employment to submit your cover letter, resume including salary information.

Excellent benefits include Foundation-paid comprehensive medical and dental insurance, retirement plan, generous vacation, and tuition reimbursement.

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at The Ford Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

Announcement closing: 4/5/2011

CDB list instructions http://www.runonthebank.net/cdblist.htm

Global Challenges Facing Humanity
Climate change threatens the well-being of all humans, especially the poor, who have contributed the least to global warming. They are the most vulnerable to climate change’s impacts because they depend on agriculture and fisheries, and they lack financial and technological resources to cope. By 2015 climate change is expected to reduce wheat yields by 30% and rice yields by 15% and to increase their prices by 194% and 121% respectively. The synergy between economic growth and technological innovation has been the most significant engine of change for the last 200 years, but unless we improve our economic, environmental, and social behaviors, the next 100 years could be disastrous. Climate change adaptation and mitigation policies should be integrated into an overall sustainable development strategy. Without sustainable growth, billions more people will be condemned to poverty, and much of civilization could collapse, which is unnecessary since we know enough already to tackle climate change while increasing economic growth.

Click here to read more.