Labor Contract Law of the People\u27s Republic of China - Unofficial English Translation

The Dong Bao Hua Legal Center at East China University of Politics and Law and Ashley Russell (M.R.P. Cornell University), with review and advice from Pan Shih-wei of Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, have produced an English translation of China\u27s recently passed Labor Contract Law. Our thanks to Dr. Michael H. Belzer, Wayne State University, for providing us with this copy

The New Zealand psychological society and the Treaty of Waitangi: Proposed implementation plan

In August 1993, the National Standing Committee on Bicultural Issues (NSCBI) was asked to prepare an implementation plan for the above Rule 3 for presentation to the Council of the New Zealand Psychological Society. This paper proposes a number of strategies whereby the Society might move towards attaining the goals of Rule 3. This paper has been prepared as a ‘proposed plan’ as the NSCBI believes that ongoing discussion and consultation is necessary to confirm specific directions proposed. In particular, the committee would like to gain feedback from Maori who attend the Hui for Maori in Psychology in February 1995, and from the Society membership generally

Water and Nutrition: Harmonizing actions for the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition and the United Nations Water Action Decade

Progress for both SDG 2 and SDG 6 has been unsatisfactory, with several indicators worsening over time, including an increase in the number of undernourished, overweight and obese people, as well as rapid increases in the number of people at risk of severe water shortages. This lack of progress is exacerbated by climate change and growing regional and global inequities in food and water security, including access to good quality diets, leading to increased violation of the human rights to water and food. Reversing these trends will require a much greater effort on the part of water, food security, and nutrition communities, including stronger performances by the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition and the United Nations International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development. To date, increased collaboration by these two landmark initiatives is lacking, as neither work program has systematically explored linkages or possibilities for joint interventions. Collaboration is especially imperative given the fundamental challenges that characterize the promotion of one priority over another. Without coordination across the water, food security, and nutrition communities, actions toward achieving SDG2 on zero hunger may contribute to further degradation of the world’s water resources and as such, further derail achievement of the UN Decade of Action on Water and SDG 6 on water and sanitation. Conversely, actions to enhance SDG 6 may well reduce progress on the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition and SDG 2. This paper reviews these challenges as part of a broader analysis of the complex web of pathways that link water, food security and nutrition outcomes. Climate change and the growing demand for water resources are also considered, given their central role in shaping future water and nutrition security. The main conclusions are presented as three recommendations focused on potential avenues to deal with the complexity of the water-nutrition nexus, and to optimize outcomes

Information Services in the CGIAR

Paper by the TAC Standing Committee for External Reviews, drawing on the consultant paper by John Woolston, and several inputs from the CGIAR Secretariat concerning the role of information in the CGIAR. It argues for the centers to play a role in the development and use of a more coherent global information system for research in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The NARS should in the long term be able to participate in such a system as full fledged actors. The paper urges the CGIAR to take the lead in organizing a conference on global information needs and opportunities.Agenda document, TAC 56

Crop Genetic Improvement and Agricultural Development

Provisional synthesis by Robert Evenson of the results of an assessment of the impact of the crop improvement work of the CGIAR centers. This study was done Evenson in collaboration with eight IARCs under the auspices of IAEG. There is a forward written on behalf of SPIA, successor organization to IAEG, by Hans Gregersen. A previous version of the provisional synthesis was discussed at the CGIAR meeting in October 1999, and this one was the subject of a seminar at the CGIAR Mid Term Meeting 2000. Future publication plans for the study included a book to be published by CAB International, and academic articles. These are discussed in the SPIntellectual Assets Report to ICW 2000.The study traced germplasm improvements in ten crops through their introduction by national agricultural research systems and adoption by farmers, to their ultimate impacts on agricultural productivity, economic growth, income of producers, and affordability of food for poor consumers.The analysis considered the nature and magnitude of outputs and their costs; the CGIAR contribution to released varieties; related production gains; and impacts on producers and consumers. A related issue was the effect of IARC programs on NARS and private sector investments

Evaluation of the Impact of Integrated Pest Management Research at the International Agricultural Research Centres

An evaluation of the impact of integrated pest management (IPM) research at IARCs commissioned by the Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (IAEG) and prepared by Hermann Waibel with Diemuth Pemsl of Hannover University. The study was completed in September 1999. The document also includes an excerpt from the summary of proceedings of the CGIAR 1999 Mid Term Meeting where the evaluation results were presented, and a foreword by IAEG Chairman Hans Gregersen.The study was based on analysis of existing documentation and findings. It considered centers' self-assessments of impact, the impressions of their clients and partners, the quantity and types of materials published, and the quality and validity of existing studies of rates of return. Dr. Waibel assessed the efficiency and effectiveness of IPM work at the centers, and linked those results to an overall assessment of impacts associated with IPM activities. He pointed out that the goal of IPM research should not be high returns to that component, but rather to optimize returns to the entire crop-management system.The study finds long term rates of return on investment in IPM to likely reside in the 15-40 percent range. It also notes that while the technological paradigm remains dominant at the centers, emphasis is shifting toward management, thus the social science aspect, and means to reduce the lag between research and adoption. Agenda document, CGIAR International Centers Week 1999

Environmental Impacts of the CGIAR: An Initial Assessment

Preliminary evaluation of the environmental impact of research undertaken by the CGIAR and its partners. The evaluation was conducted by a two member panel consisting of Michael Nelson and Mywish Maredia, and was completed in October 1999. The study was commissioned by the Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (IAEG) which became TAC's Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) before it was published. The document also contains an excerpt from the summary of proceedings of the CGIAR 1999 Mid Term Meeting where the evaluation results were presented, and a foreword by IAEG Chairman Hans Gregersen.This study may be considered the first phase of a longer term effort, and considers unplanned and unaccounted for environmental costs and benefits attributable to past research. It focuses on evaluating changes in the use, management and conservation of land resources, which the panel believed are likely have effects orders of magnitude greater than any other positive impacts of CGIAR research.Given the shortage of reliable data, the method used was analysis of different scenarios, rather than economic models. The authors concluded that a very large amount of land, in excess of that available, would have been required to equal the increased production of seven mandate crops and permanent pasture attributed to CGIAR research. The study concluded by listing issues for further empirical assessment, questions on next steps, and recommendations on further activity. In view of the large costs involved, it suggested that the CGIAR provide guidance on the depth and breadth of evaluation of environmental impact it desired