Goldstein M.C., A History of Modern Tibet volume 3 : the storm clouds descend 1955-57

The keenly awaited third volume of Melvyn Goldstein’s ‘History of Modern Tibet’ comes as no disappointment to his loyal readers, and if anything surpasses the earlier volumes in its depth of research and insight. The preface explains that two volumes have become necessary to cover the period 1955-1959 due to the wealth of material available to the author, and his presentation is indeed illustrated with detailed citations from an impressive array of sources, notably internal CCP documents, the..

International copyright and the challenges of digital technology

PhDDigital technology is challenging traditional copyright principles. Despite suggestions from a number of commentators that copyright cannot survive the challenge, this thesis aims to demonstrate that copyright can evolve and adapt rather than face elimination. This hypothesis is tested and illustrated by means of an examination of law in conjunction with technology, and by means of concrete examples. Analysis of the author's position in the face of digital technology requires firstly, an investigation of the way in which the existence and exercise of the author's copyright itself is affected by such technology, and secondly, an examination of how the author's standing in relation to dissemination of works generally is concerned (e.g. as regards freedom of speech). It is with the first of these aspects that this thesis is mainly concerned, although, for the sake of a more comprehensive view, some considerations on the second aspect are also advanced. This thesis examines challenges raised in the copyright field by digital technology and the consequential problems in relation to classification of subject matter, identification of authors, fixation and reproduction, the criterion of originality, the meaning of publication, recognition of moral rights, recognition of economic rights, exceptions and limitations, liability of service providers, authenticity of works, infringement, feasibility of enforcement and conflict of laws. Broader issues relating to Government and private control of access to the new media are also analysed. The analysis is focused on copyright subsistence as well as infringement. Furthermore, both the legal and the technological aspects are considered (with the aid of a comprehensive glossary of technological terms). The approach is one of law and technology in equal measure. In the context of these problems there follows a critical examination and comparison of the main national systems, the main international instruments, and the main regional instruments. This systematic survey seeks to encapsulate the work of learned authors in a concise manner, leading to certain proposals. The approach is one of criticism and selection of feasible and practical solutions. Nearly all elements of the proposed solutions exist already, albeit in a fragmented way. These solutions are based on law and on technology, and are formulated to apply in both the analogue and digital worlds. The thesis concludes that for an effective solution of the problems raised by digital technology, an international standard for copyright protection must be adopted, one apposite for the digital world. The thesis puts forward detailed suggestions towards the adoption of an International Digital Copyright Protection System, in the form of definitional, obligational, conflict of laws and technological proposals, whose common denominator is the will to find new answers for the digital challenges. The definitional proposals will clarify conceptual questions arising from the digital revolution. The obligational proposals will regulate the issue of exemptions from liability and duties of Internet service providers. The conflict of laws proposals will address the problems arising in connection with jurisdiction and applicable law on the Internet. The technological proposals will give practical effect to the system by focusing on deterrence and tracing of copyright infringement

Research for development: evidence-based hilsa management improvements in Myanmar

The hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) fishery in Myanmar is of importance as it provides an income for around 1.6 million artisanal low-income fisher households and generated USD 237.32M in export earnings from 156,000 metric tons in 2021. Fisheries Performance Indicator assessments have shown that the fishery, both artisanal and industrial, is close to economic collapse. Research was undertaken to find ways to improve the management of the fishery including studies to establish the migration routes and spawning periodicity of hilsa in addition to socioeconomic assessments and business case valuations to recommend finance mechanisms for improved management and maintenance of the fishery. Results indicate that the closed season for hilsa fishing misses the main spawning period in September. In addition, the chemical analysis of hilsa otoliths shows the importance of upstream spawning grounds – some 800km from the sea. Recommendations were made, and enacted March 2022, regarding the need for a new September closed season in addition to no-take hilsa sanctuaries along the main migration routes. A value was placed on the hilsa fishery at close to USD800M per annum. A USD100M annual investment cost is suggested to ensure that the new and old closed seasons are respected by licensed and unlicensed fishers. This investment could be generated by recommended fiscal reforms to provide incentives for fishers to respect the new fishing restrictions. Transboundary fisheries management opportunities are being advanced by informal tripartite scientific collaboration between Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. Social aspects, involving fisheries co-management with artisanal fisher communities and local government authorities, need to be continued to demonstrate the benefits of improved fisheries management in terms of the expected sustainable yields and a move away from potential economic fishery collapse

A Disaggregated Analysis of Fish Demand in Myanmar

We estimate demand elasticities for fish in Myanmar by fish supply sources and household groups, using a multistage budgeting approach combined with quadratic almost ideal demand system (QUAIDS). Our findings show that fish demand from all supply sources and household groups has increased with income. A substantial share of increasing demand for all fish groups is likely to come from poor and rural households because the income elasticity of demand for all fish groups is higher for poor (0.40) and rural households (0.32) than for nonpoor (0.26) and urban households (0.29). Farmed-fish consumption is the most income-responsive in all household groups. Demand for fish tends to be less price elastic for poor households because fish is their cheapest animal protein source, and substitutes are limited. Effective management policies and new technologies are essential to sustain fish supply from capture fisheries and aquaculture to meet the increasing fish demand in Myanmar

FPIs Application in Liberia Fisheries

Fisheries development projects are undertaken ever year in recognition of the important role fisheries play in many coastal communities. The objectives vary, but typically go beyond a limited focus on fisheries management and the ecosystem. This makes it difficult to evaluate the contribution of a project, particularly in data poor environments such as most developing countries. This paper is based on recently published work in Marine Policy that used the Fisheries Performance Indicators (FPIs) to evaluate the impact of a World Bank development project in a Liberian coastal community. The FPIs are designed to capture economic and social performance of a fisheries system in addition to the management and environmental impacts. Improvements occurred in most ecological dimensions, and in many social and economic dimensions targeted by the project. These results will be discussed in addition to developments occurring after the paper was published

Productivity and profitability of small-scale tilapia aquaculture in Myanmar

To promote the sustainable development of aquaculture in Myanmar, WorldFish and its partners implemented the Scaling Systems and Partnerships for Accelerated Adoption of Improved Tilapia Strains (SPAITS) project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and commissioned by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit through the Fund International Agricultural Research. The goal was to increase the adoption of improved tilapia strains among poor fish producers and deliver improved productivity and profitability of small-scale aquaculture so that poor producers, particularly women, are able to exit poverty and natural resource systems are improved to sustain future fish production. The project’s purpose is to design systems that accelerate the dissemination and adoption of improved tilapia strains and aquaculture management practices developed by WorldFish, based on relevant gender-sensitive and contextual knowledge, that will enable poor small-scale fish farmers to have access to, adopt and benefit from improved strains of tilapia. As an activity of the project, this study focuses on assessing the performance of small-scale tilapia aquaculture operated by aquaculture households in Myanmar