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"We have a collective responsibility towards the least privileged among us today and in the future around the world--and a moral imperative to ensure that the present is not the enemy of the future," UNDP director Helen Clark concludes.

The Human Development Index ranks countries based on development issues, progress and policies,the UNDP report explains. This year's study focuses on the connection between development, equity and environmental sustainability. The UNDP argues that global development will be unable to continue unless the world takes bold measures to battle inequality and environmental threats. Deforestation, soil erosion and rising food prices have disproportionally hit poor populations across the world, widening the gap between developed and underdeveloped countries.

Many disadvantaged people carry a double burden of deprivation. They are more vulnerable to the wider effects of environmental degradation, because of more severe stresses and fewer coping tools. They must also deal with threats to their immediate environment from indoor air pollution, dirty water and unimproved sanitation. Forecasts suggest that continuing failure to reduce the grave environmental risks and deepening social inequalities threatens to slow decades of sustained progress by the world’s poor majority—and even to reverse the global convergence in human development.


ECO-VILLAGE MODELS GAIN POPULARITY WORLDWIDE

In a time of uncertainty and unrest, our greatest challenge is to offer innovative solutions to global issues such as climate change, poverty alleviation, conflict resolution, environmental restoration and economic parity

Over the years, ERI has engaged in providing the foundation to do just that. We have presented at international conferences and forums on climate change, sustainable development and leadership to include community directed initiatives as they have shown to be the most successful and positive impact on local communities. Our recent efforts has been to integrate into the global development world of academics, local governments and NGOs education that is a holistic sustainable community design.  Our educational program is based on four core pillars: the social, worldview, ecological and economic dimensions of sustainability.  Models such as eco-villages and sustainable villages provide the experience and expertise needed to give practical application to this global education.   

Popularity for this form of development is rising.  ERI is ready to take on more programs - provide further educational projects - help design and implement new sustainable development initiatives - and bring together the best individuals who have the expertise and know how to make it happen.

Please join us or support us to bring about a brighter future for all!

Leadership for Sustainability: Africa and the World

Proudly Supporting Global Greens 2012

Earth Rights Institute (ERI) is looking for one or more enthusiastic, energetic and committed people to help with an exciting global project. In March 2012, the Global Greens will be holding the third Global Greens Congress (GG2012) in Dakar, Senegal. ERI is partnering with the Global Greens to support GG2012, particularly its themes of a Global Green New Deal, biodiversity, women, climate change and energy, economic justice and democracy. GG2012 brings together the world’s Green parties and political movements.  Participants from over 60 countries will map out action plans to make the world fairer, more peaceful and sustainable.

To apply, please email annie@earthrights.net outlining why you would be interested in this role and including a short CV plus the names and contact details of two people we can contact about your resume. You can also write to us about any questions.

Check out Global Greens Website

Eco-Health and Wellness Program for Kwara State, Nigeria

photo: Kaiama Health Care Providers

A Pilot Model for Kaiama and Baruteen District

ERI have been working as an NGO in Nigeria since 2004. Our director, Annie Goeke, has been recruited by Honorable Zakari Mohammed, a newly elected Federal House delegate, to further expand our work in the country to develop an Eco- Health and Wellness Campaign in the state of Kwara, southwestern region of Nigeria.

After visiting in August for a fact finding trip, ERI is ready to start the implementation process. Beginning this Fall 2011, ERI is recruiting teams of volunteers, student interns, medical workers, physicians, and others with expert knowledge in the areas of public health, sanitation, women’s education, youth, and community development to send to the state of Kwara. These volunteers and experts will participate in this campaign.

This program will initiate various programs addressing health, wellness, sanitation, and pollution, as well as empower young adults in becoming health and wellness advocates in their communities and provide ideas in economic capacity building projects addressing health and wellness.  The major diseases are malaria, typhoid, TB, HIV/AIDs, and arthritis.   

Partnerships are being formed with Nigerian academics,NGOs, relevant government agencies and local leaders.  Together, this community-based program will engage the local communities to bring about a brighter and healthier future.  

BEYOND FAIR TRADE (BFT) Initiative

Feasibility Study and International Forum, Senegal

For the past few months, ERI interns, Kayla Casavant and Hristo Maroko have been busy moving forward our BFT program.

Here is some of the latest information reported by HRISTO MAROKOV

ERI INTERN FROM UCLA - PROGRAM DIRECTOR SENEGAL FOR SUMMER 

With extensive assistance from the Senegalese Government – Agence
National des Eco-villages we developed this fair trade model. The
model includes four major operational cells: the producers of raw
materials, the cooperative (established around “green” storage
facility), the transformation groups, and the micro-finance
organization. They are to interact within the warehouse receipt system context. This is vastly popular agriculture warranty system used worldwide, which allows agriculture producers to eliminate to some extent the seasonal fluctuations of the crop prices. Mainly, it makes small producers to act as large producers allowing them to wait for better price on their production.  

The pilot cooperative is to be formed from interested parties
(producers and ANEV) around the new storage facility site at
Diamnadio. The Micro-credit Organization (MO) represents the link between the producer and the cooperative. The cooperative does not pay in cash the producer but issues a bond. Later, this bond is cashed by the producer at the Micro-credit organization. They are also the link between the women working on transforming the raw products. As to the transformation process, it will be funded by the MO and guaranteed with raw and processed production.
For rendering this entire model related products marketable, they are
to be “Eco-village” labeled. 

Why we can name it “Beyond Fair Trade”?
The “green” storage facilities, the inclusion of marginalized social
groups in the transformation groups along with the “green” packaging
of the processed products and the non-profit financial organization
participation is giving to the model the environmental and social
sustainability aspects.

The first step toward implementing this model would be extensive
research on the raw and transformed products with respect to each
village, as well as on on producers’ economic capabilities. We have
been working on questionnaires which will be soon available. 

 For further information:

Visit the Beyond Fair Trade - Senegal Website

and Earth Rights Intern in Senegal, Kayla's blog

EARTH RIGHTS  Advocacy and Policies 2010

Land Rights and other economic initiatives

Co-Director, Alanna Hartzok- Annual Report

 A primary mission of Earth Rights Institute is to promote policies and programs which further democratic rights to common heritage resources. Our Land Rights and Land Value Capture online course now has nearly 500 people enrolled from 76 countries. Modules include land rights and poverty, land prices and the law of rent, and the economics of war and peace. The course describes how the policy of land value capture or taxation is a key to new economics policy that addresses a number of issues including affordable housing for all, funding infrastructure, promoting land reform, and improving the environment, especially when combined with green taxes. Course graduates receive a certificate and are eligible to develop policy research and implementation projects in partnership with ERI.

  Our pilot implementation project was launched in Pretoria, South Africa, and was coordinated by Tunde Dairo. Eighty people enrolled for the online course and participants conducted research, as well, a public forum was held. The project was funded through a grant from the International Union for Land Value Taxation (IU), and helped us build a clear direction for future projects.

 In November we launched a project in Caracas, Venezuela, led by Dr. Quisia Gonzalez, a land and human rights professor at the Henry George School of Social Science. Our Caracas parnters, The Prout Research Institute was Quisia's host organization for the time she was there. Our funding partner organizations for this project are the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation and the IU. Before leaving for Caracas, Gonzalez and Alanna Hartzokwere interviewed on the Harold Channer  Show, which now can be viewed YouTube  

Click the link for more information or to enroll in the ERI LAND RIGHTS COURSE