Nov
25

“Tire makers, NGOs battle for voice in natural rubber sustainability platform”

Tirebuisness.com posted the above titled article, which reads as follows:

LONDON — Tire manufacturers and non-government organizations are locked in a tug-of-war over the governance structure of the newly formed Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR).

The ‘independent platform’ was launched Oct. 25 by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Tire Industry Project to drive up the socio-economic and environmental performance of the NR value-chain.

Its formation was led by a working group of TIP member companies: Bridgestone Corp., Continental A.G., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Goodyear, Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., Kumho Tire Co. Inc., Group Michelin, Pirelli & C. S.p.A., Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. and Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.

Nov
12

“Egypt to amend controversial NGO law”

News24 posted the above-titled article, which reads as follows:

“Egypt plans to amend a controversial law passed last year that places tight controls on non-governmental organisations, the prime minister’s office said on Wednesday.

Ratified in May 2017 by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the law has sparked fears of an intensified crackdown on civil society.

Since Sisi took power in 2014, rights groups have regularly accused his government of human rights violations and over the repression of dissidents.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli’s office said a ministerial committee would be formed to help “achieve the aspirations of civil society”.

Nov
05

“PODCAST: Are Development NGOs Fit for Purpose?”

The UN Dispatch posted a podcast with the above-quoted title.  Its introduction reads as follows:

“My guest today, Nicola Banks, is a lecturer in global urbanism and urban development at the University of Manchester. She has conducted some pioneering research on the role of the NGO sector in global development.

Some of her findings — including that development NGOs be more politically engaged — are being adopted and tested by some major aid agencies. Dr. Banks is also undertaking an ambitious project, along with Professor Dan Brockington of the University of Sheffield, of mapping the UK’s NGO sector and we discuss some of her findings from that study.