Links and Resources on Social and Economic Policy

This page provides external resources on Social and Economic Policy, including links to NGOs, government, directories and intergovernmental organizations concerned with social and economic policy.

The Bretton Woods Institutions and Other Governance Fora | Poverty and Development | World Food & Hunger | Financing for Development | International Trade and Development | Global Taxes | Global Injustice and Inequality | The Environment | Global Public Goods | Labor Rights and Labor Movements

The Bretton Woods Institutions and Other Governance Fora

General |World Bank | IMF | WTO | G7/G8/G20

General

WTO Glossary

This glossary on the official World Trade Organization website provides explanations for the most common terms and abbreviations in the field of international trade.

50 Years is Enough

50 Years Is Enough: U.S. Network for Global Economic Justice is a coalition of 205 grassroots, faith-based, policy, women's, social- and economic-justice, youth, solidarity, labor, and development organizations dedicated to the profound transformation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Bretton Woods Project

Nominated for an award as the "best argument ammunition sites" on the Bretton Woods Institutions, this critical website discusses topics such as Structural Adjustment Programs, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and the IMF/World Bank's international role.

Center of Concern

Center of Concern is a Washington DC institute that works on international development issues and has been critical of the Bretton Woods institutions. The site includes information on globalization and "rethinking Bretton Woods."

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)

Based in Minnesota, the IATP provides critical views of international trade policy, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and intellectual property rights, environmental issues and more, including analysis of the Bretton Woods institutions.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD]

An organization of the world's 27 richest countries. Based in Paris, OECD is best known for its publications and conferences. The site offers news releases, publication notices, event information, and more.

The World Bank

The World Bank's main website which includes a page on current "hot topics"in the Bank.

World Bank President

Following a heated debate, former US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz rose to head the World Bank in June 2005. This independent website covers the much-criticized selection process that led to his nomination.

The Bank Information Center (BIC)

BIC is an independent, non-profit, NGO that provides information and and well researched papers on the projects, policies and practices of the World Bank and other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). BIC advocates for greater transparency, accountability and citizen participation at the MDBs.

Development-GAP

The Development Group for Alternative Policies, often referred to as "D-GAP" has produced some of the best critical analysis of the Bretton Woods Institutions, particularly the World Bank.

International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)

An institution that arbitrates trade disputes between states and foreign investors. States that have signed the ICSID Convention cannot appeal the decisions made by this court, which is closely affiliated with the World Bank and is co-sponsored by International Chamber of Commerce and other business associations.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers

The World Bank and IMF use these policy reports submitted by governments as a basis for lending. PRSP are hailed as government-civil society collaborations outlining appropriate social-economic policy to fight poverty. Oddly enough, PRSP content resembles structural adjustment programs of international financial institutions.

PovertyNet Library

Poverty alleviation reports and papers.

World Development Reports

The World Development Reports provide information on international economics and development in the world. Every year the World Bank's president select a particular aspect of development on which the report focuses.

World Development Report 2000/2001: Attacking Poverty

This World Bank report gives an official view on poverty reduction. The US Treasury Department rejected the original draft by lead author Ravi Kanbur. Kanbur resigned, creating a censorship scandal that damaged the credibility of the report and cast a shadow over the Bank itself

The International Monetary Fund

International Monetary Fund [IMF]

IMF's main website.

IMF Data Mapper®

World economic data and onformation. See IMF tables, graphs, and subject info from country GDP to Balance of Payments accounts.

Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)

The executive board of the IMF established the IEO in 2001 to monitor the effectiveness of the Fund's policies through country evaluations, in order to enhance IMF credibility with the public.

The World Trade Organization

Investment Watch

This site monitors the Multilateral Investment Agreement, which aims to expand the mandate of the WTO to foreign investment, significantly reducing the abilities of poorer WTO members to manage foreign investments effectively.

News Bulletins

Link to a site of publications from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and other trade policy monitoring organizations, including a WTO News site.

Global Trade Watch

Public Citizen's site provides information on the organization's work to promote democracy by challenging corporate globalization.

G-8 Information Centre

A site based at the University of Toronto that post extensive information about the regular meetings of the leaders of the seven richest countries in the world -- meetings that now include Russia. Of particular interest is the Lyons Summit of June 1996 where there was a special meeting with the heads of the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO. Critics have been gathering in the G-8 cities to hold what is called "The Other Economic Summit" (TOES).

Harvard Center for International Development's Global Trade Negotiations Home Page

Extensive research materials and resources on global trade negotiations. Includes issue summaries, academic papers, government papers on trade policy, position papers from NGOs plus a comprehensive list of links to other trade resources.

ZNet Global Economics

A source for understanding global economics and trade issues, especially regarding the anti-WTO demonstrations in Seattle.

EU-China WTO Accession Negotiation

Following two days of negotiations in Brussels, EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy and Chinese Trade Minister Chi Guangsheng have now resolved the outstanding bilateral issues between the and China with a view to China's accession to the WTO.

WTO Watch

Group of Seven / Group of Eight / Group of Twenty

The G-8 Summit Online

Web site providing interactive dialogs with G8 ministers and on-site reporting during G8 meetings. Developed by eCollege.com and the G8 Research Group at the University of Toronto.

G-8 Information Centre

A site based at the University of Toronto that post extensive information about the regular meetings of the leaders of the seven richest countries in the world -- meetings that now include Russia (G8). Of particular interest is the Lyons Summit of June 1996 where there was a special meeting with the heads of the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO.

TOES/USA - "The Other Economic Summit"

An international nongovernmental forum for the presentation, discussion, and advocacy of the economic ideas and practices upon which a more just and sustainable society can be built. TOES' major ongoing activity is a yearly forum/exposition held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the G8

Poverty and Development

General | Health, Poverty, and Development | Economic Growth and the Quality of Life | Development, Democracy, and Human Rights

General

Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR)

One of the first organizations to challenge economic injustice as a violation of international human rights law, CESR believes that economic and social rights -- legally binding on all nations -- can provide a universally accepted framework for strengthening social justice activism.

Center for Global Development

An NGO conducting policy-oriented research and working with government officials and citizen groups to evaluate development issues and policies that affect poor countries.

Comparative Research Programme on Poverty (CROP)

Economic and Social Development at the UN

A gateway to a more thorough understanding about the various social and economic polies at the UN. Click here for a basic understanding of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Focus on the Global South

FOCUS is a program of progressive development policy research and practice, dedicated to regional and global policy analysis, micro-macro linking and advocacy work. FOCUS works with NGOs and people's organizations in Asia Pacific and other regions.

Gateway to Development Information

This site contains information and news on development and poverty research.

G-77

This site posts official speeches given and documents produced by the G-77. Although also not an "institution" in the same sense as the other entries in this section, the G-77 is a critically important policy making body representing the vast majority of developing countries.

Informal Credit Homepage (ICM)

This site provides in-depth and up-to-date information on micro-financing. There is an extensive section on the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh.

Institute of Development Studies

A development site in Britain at the University of Sussex, combining the Institute for Development Studies and the British Library for Development Studies. A large site with much to offer.

InterAction

The site of the American Council for Voluntary International Action, a coalition of over 150 US-based private and voluntary organizations working on development, relief, refugees, and public policy analysis.

International Development Research Centre

A respected Canadian institution posts broad resources on development at this site.

Jubilee South

The Millenium Project

In support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Mark Malloch Brown, have launched the Millennium Project to recommend the best strategies for achieving the MDGs.

The North-South Institute

A Canadian independent research institute that produces in depth reports and other publications on international development issues.

Oneworld.Net's Guide to Poverty

This site contains many links to articles and websites on poverty in developing nations.

Overseas Development Institute

An independent think-tank on UK international development and humanitarian issues.

Oxfam

This site privides links to stories of successful commodity cooperatives in poor countries, proving that fair trade gives world farmers the capital and market access necessary for creating businesses and improving their lives.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP)

Governments evaluate their macroeconomic, structural, and social policies to promote growth and reduce poverty every three years, and submit a PRSP to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The Fund and the Bank use the PRSP's as a basis for funding projects.

Rough Guide to PRSP

Bretton Woods Project provides a question and answer summary to Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, which are used by the World Bank and the IMF to evaluate government policies on growth and poverty before lending.

Save the Children (UK)

Save the Children works on poverty, discrimination and children's rights in many countries worldwide.

South Centre

The South Centre is an intergovernmental institution for developing countries that provides analysis of development problems and experience, as well as to provide intellectual and policy support required by developing countries for collective and individual action in the international arena.

Third World Network

TWN is an international network devoted to development and North - South issues. TWN publishes a number of journals and conducts important research on economic, social and environmental issues pertaining to the South. They also organize and participate in seminars and provide a platform representingly broadly Southern interests and perspectives at international fora such as the UN conferences and processes.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) 2000 Least Developed Countries Report

The United Nations Development Programme's Poverty Home Page

UNESCO's Poverty and Social Exclusion site

United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service site on Millennium Devlopment Goals

The United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (NGLS) is a inter-agency programme which aims at strengthening UN-NGO dialogue and cooperation in the fields of development education, information and policy advocacy on global sustainable development issues.

United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

UNRISD is an autonomous UN agency engaging in multidisciplinary research on the social dimensions of contemporary problems affecting development. Through its research, UNRISD stimulates dialogue and contributes to policy debates on key issues of social development within and outside the United Nations system.

Poverty and Development in Africa

African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)

This US sponsored trade and development act was signed into law on May 18, 2000. AGOA, a carrot-stick approach that offers finance and trade advantages for African countries only if they liberalize their economies, lift subsidies, buy certain materials exclusively from the US and US allies, and agree not to undermine US foreign policy.

Africa Recovery

Magazine devoted to African economic issues. Also contains many articles on trade and development.

NEPAD

NEPAD is an initiative by African leaders to increase capital flow into African economies by increasing transparency, improving the democratic "image" of governments, and liberalizing trade. In early 2003, several leaders refused to submit their governments to a previously agreed-upon "peer review," casting doubt on NEPAD's ability to rise above endemic government corruption.

Africa Links

IGC has a directory of websites with interesting information on Africa's human rights, politics,economic and development issues.

African Development Forum III

The forum was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopa, on 3-8 March 2002. It explored new methods of regional integration and development.

Economic Commission on Africa

ECA is the regional arm of the United Nations, mandated to support the economic and social development of its 53 member States, foster regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development.

Michigan State University Library

A website with very interesting policy resources on Africa.

Health, Poverty and Development

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation works to reduce inequalities in the US and on a global scale. As the largest transnationally operated charity in the world, the Gates Foundation has expanded its scope to address issues of global health and education.

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria

An international partnership that allocates funds to local, national, and global health organizations fighting the three diseases, giving priority to areas with the greatest burden of disease and minimal resources.

Second African Development Forum (ADF 2000) held on 3 - 7 December on 'AIDS: The Greatest Leadership Challenge', in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Conference proceedings, speeches, statements and remarks at the conference organized by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in conjunction with UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF, the World Bank and other partners, to serve as a launching pad for a renewed commitment to more concerted action against HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Shaan Online

IPS has launched Shaan online, an e-zine on Gender and Human Rights produced in cooperation with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). In this magazine women tell us, in their own words, how HIV/AIDS and the denial of their human rights have affected their lives.

UNAIDS website

Very comprehensive website with links to press releases, speeches, publications and conferences on AIDS. Also contains general information, publications and fact sheets.

UN Secretary-General Fighting HIV/AIDS

UN site of press releases and speeches on the Secretary-General's efforts in leading the fight against HIV/AIDS.

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development

This site discusses how health relates to the environment and socioeconomic status. The department proposes a multidisciplinary effort to address pressing health challenges.

World Bank HIV/AIDS Website

This website contains information on the Bank's policy and lending on AIDS, publications, news, etc.

World Health Organization

The UN designates health responsibilities to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO works on behalf of the member states of the UN.

Economic Growth and the Quality of Life

Development, Democracy and Human Rights

World Food & Hunger

Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is an international NGO committed to saving lives and reducing suffering that accompanies food and water insecurity throughout the world via a four-pronged approach to nutrition, water and sanitation, food security, and health programs.

Bread for the World

Bread for the World is a Christian nonpartisan citizens' movement, which seeks to help hungry people by lobbying US decision makers on legislation that addresses hunger in the US and around the world.

CARE

A leading humanitarian organization working to end global poverty, CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters.

Catholic Relief Service

Catholic Relief Services provides direct aid to the poor, and involves people in their own development, helping them to realize their potential.

Development Gateway's Food Security Pages

The Development Gateway is a web-based community for the exchange of knowledge and know-how in the field of economic development. The site includes links, news, and other resources on food security.

FIAN International

The FoodFirst Information & Action Network is an international human rights organisation that campaigns for the realisation of the right to adequate food, a human right contained in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

FAO is a specialized UN agency working to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - National Basic Food Prices Data and Analysis Tool

In response to the high food prices, the FAO have developed this interactive database, which shows the prices of staple foods on national markets in fifty five developing countries. The database gives prices in local currencies and measurements, as well as in dollars and standard weights. This interactive tool allows for price comparisons between domestic and international markets, as well as across different markets within one country and between countries.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) - Right to Food Portal

The FAO Right to Food Portal provides information, knowledge and training materials about the implementation of the right to food to contribute to food security and poverty alleviation.

Food First (The Institute for Food and Development Policy)

Food First is a nonprofit "peoples" think tank and education-for-action center. Its work highlights root causes and value-based solutions to hunger and poverty around the world, with a commitment to establishing food as a fundamental human right.

Freedom from Hunger

Freedom from Hunger is an international development organization that seeks to fight hunger with innovative self-help programs.

Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS)

GIEWS issues reports such as Food Outlook and Food Crops and Shortages, and provides early warnings of impending food crises in individual countries.

Hunger Notes

Hunger Notes is a program of the World Hunger Education Service, which seeks to inform the public and policymakers about the causes, extent, and efforts to end hunger and poverty in the United States and the world.

Hunger Relief Portal

The Hunger Relief Portal provides an overview and links to different hunger relief organizations supported by statistics on the world hunger situation.

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)

The IATP promotes resilient family farms, rural communities and ecosystems around the world through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy.

InterAction

InterAction is an alliance of US-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations that works to overcome poverty, exclusion and suffering by advancing social justice and basic dignity for all.

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

The mission of IFPRI is to identify and analyze policies for sustainably meeting the food needs of the developing world.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

The IFAD is a specialized UN agency mobilizing resources for programmes that alleviate rural poverty and improve nutrition in developing countries.

Marketshare Matrix

The Marketshare Matrix is a project that maps the global food system. The matrix provides country-specific data that answer important questions like; which companies process the bulk of US beef, where do corporations such as Nestle, Cargill, or Monsanto operate and who are the big soybean processors in Brazil?

Oxfam International

Oxfam International promotes sustainable development, and public awareness on social and economic justice issues.

The Permanent People's Tribunal on the Right to Food and the Rule of Law in Asia

The Permanent People's Tribunal on the Right to Food and the Rule of Law in Asia promotes food and water rights in Asia, through investigating situations where there are specific structural obstacles to satisfying people's food and water needs, and by suggesting ways to overcome these obstacles.

ReliefWeb

ReliefWeb provides detailed and comprehensive information on humanitarian emergencies and disasters. Launched in 1996, ReliefWeb is administered by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Right to Food

This site is dedicated to the mission of United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who was appointed by the UN Comission on Human Rights in 2002.

Save the Children - International

Save the Children is the world's largest independent organization for children. It works with emergency relief as well as long-term development.

The Secretary General's High-Level Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis

This special task force was created by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in April 2008 and is composed of the heads of UN specialized agencies, funds and programs, the Bretton Woods institutions and parts of the UN Secretariat. It aims primarily to promote a unified response to the global food crisis.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food

The UN Commission on Human Rights appointed the UN's Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food Olivier de Schutter in March 2008. De Schutter thus proceeds Jean Zeigler who had been holding this mandate since September 2000. The Special Rapporteur works to ensure that governments are meeting their obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the right to food of all people.

La Via Campesina

This international movement of peasants, small- and medium-sized producers, landless, rural women, indigenous people, rural youth and agricultural workers works to promote food sovereignty and sustainable agricultural production based on small and medium-sized producers.

World Food Programme

The food aid arm of the UN pursues the goal of eradicating global hunger and poverty. It provides food to meet emergency needs and to support economic and social development.

World Hunger Year (WHY)

WHY attacks the root causes of hunger and poverty by promoting effective and innovative community-based solutions that create self-reliance, economic justice and food security.

World Vision

World Vision International is a Christian relief and development organization. It works with emergency relief, education, health care, economic development and promotion of justice.

Financing for Development

International Aid | Debt Relief

International Aid

Accessible Information on Development Activities (AIDA)

The Accessible Information on Development Activities is an online directory where governments and aid agencies can find information on international development projects and activities. The Development Gateway Foundation, conceived by former World Bank President James Wolfensohn and initially developed by the World Bank, manages the directory.

Central Emergency Response Fund

Homepage of the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund, set up to provide "additional" and "more predictable and timely" funding to humanitarian disasters.

Millennium Challenge Account (2003)

President Bush announced MCA policy to increase foreign aid to poor countries that promise to liberalize economic conditions and welcome private enterprise. If passed by Congress, the MCA will be administered by a "Government Corporation", which consists of US officials appointed by the President. (US State Department)

Debt Relief

Center for International Development at Harvard University (CID)

A web site with a number of papers and relevant statistics on HIPCs, and the debate over debt cancellation.

DebtChannel.org

DebtChannel.org is a web portal, which brings together news and research on the debt issue.

Debt Relief News Page

The Guardian has set up this web page with a number of links and regular updates on the campaign to relieve the poorest countries debts.

Joint BIS-IMF-OECD-World Bank Statistics on External Debt

A large database of official records of external debt, jointly run by the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Jubilee Research

Jubilee Research is an international movement calling for the cancellation of unpayable debt of the world's poorest countries under a fair and transparent process.

One World.net Debt Campaign

One World.net is part of a campaign to cancel third world debt by the end of 2000. They have created this site to post articles, hold online discussions and generally track events related to the process.

Oxfam

Oxfam is a leader in the development and relief community. This site is maintained by its largest national headquarters, located in Oxford, England. It also includes the work of the new Oxfam International, which has offices in both Oxford and Washington DC. OI works on UN reform, international debt and the role of the Bretton Woods Institutions.

International Trade and Development

Business and Government Alliances on Trade and Finance | UNCTAD | Transnational Corporations

Business and Government Alliances on Trade and Finance

UNCTAD

Transnational Corporations

Business and Government Alliances on Trade and Finance

This page links to websites of business and government alliances.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

As a partner of Amnesty International and academic institutions, this non-profit organization provides an online library composed of links to a wide range of materials published by companies, NGOs, governments, intergovernmental organizations, journalists, and academics on corporate misconduct, as well as "best practices" by companies.

Business for Social Responsibility

This is an organization with a membership made up of corporations like K-Mart, Reebok and Starbucks. It seeks to promote 'ethical social behavior' in the business community and includes a large resource center.

Corporate Accountability Project

A project of the ACTION Center (Activists' Center for Training In Organizing and Networking) which includes extensive information and resources on how to research individual corporations.

The Corporate Library

Offers information on companies, CEO contracts, bankruptcies, mergers and corporate governance

CorpWatch

Both a website and a text-based electronic conference, designed to provide activists, journalists, and policy makers with information and analysis on the social, ecological and economic impacts of transnational corporations. A project of the Institute for Global Communications (IGC) and the Transnational Resource and Action Center (TRAC).

Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index

For all those wanting to invest responsibly check out this site. Dow Jones has created a sustainable development index and as more investors monitor corporations' commitment to the environment and human rights, socially conscious investment funds are performing well.

Focus on the Corporation

Link to Russell Mokhiber's and Robert Weissman's articles on corporations and analysis of corporate power.

LobbyWatch

LobbyWatch maintains a listing of the corporate and political affiliations of prominent lobbyists, PR firms, front groups, political networks and industry-friendly scientists. It tracks their works and viewpoints along with their financial obligations.

Marketshare Matrix

MisFortune500

MisFortune500 is a resource page that exposes how corporate activities violate women's human rights, workers' rights and the environment, highlighting what women worldwide are doing about it.

The Multinational Monitor

Hosts about 30 US anti-corporate NGOs.

PBS's Media Giants Site

Details the complex web of business relationships that now defines America's media and popular culture.

Transnationale

Activist and Research Organization which collects and freely distributes detailed commercial, financial, social and ecological information on over 3000 transnational corporations through their Site, information available in French, English and Spanish.

Transnationals & Bribery/Corruption

Site of Transparency International in Berlin, leader in the worldwide effort to stem bribery and corruption by transnational corporations. Some major countries still allow TNC's to deduct bribes from their income tax as a "business expense."

Transparency International

The United Nations and Business

UN website on the organization's relationships with business.

UN Draft Norms of Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights

The World Business Organization

The official site for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

Znet Global Economics

A source for understanding global economics and trade issues, particularly in preparation for ongoing demonstrations about economic justice.

Global Taxes

Currency Transaction Taxes

ATTAC

ATTAC (Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions for the Aid of Citizens) was founded in France in June 1998 by a group of citizens, associations, trade unions, and newspapers. The international network consists of independent national and local groups in over 30 countries.

Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)

The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) was established to promote democratic debate on important economic and social issues that affect people's lives.

CTT Campaigns

This website managed by members of the Network Institute for Global Democratization (NIGD) and ATTAC Japan, came about as a result of discussions at the European Social Forum in London in November 2004. It was launched in connection with the seminar on The Currency Transactions tax - A Necessity Against Neoliberalism" at the World Social Forum, Porto Alegre in January 2005.

Currency Transaction Tax

This website, a project of the Halifax Initiative, provides comprehensive information on the currency transaction tax ranging from research and policy papers to media coverage and governmental responses.

Halifax Initiative

A coalition of Canadian NGOs who advocate the fundamental reform of the international financial institutions, and lobby for the imposition of a Tobin tax.

International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity (CIDSE)

CIDSE is an international coalition of 14 Catholic development organisations. Among other things, CIDSE is working on the issue of a currency transaction tax.

Stamp Out Poverty

Stamp Out Poverty is a UK network of charities, faith groups and trade unions campaigning for additional sources of development finance, especially the currency transaction tax.

Tobin Tax Initiative

This project is a collaboration of a number of movements and initiatives who are in favor of currency exchange taxes.

World Economy, Ecology and Development (WEED)

WEED works on global economic development and environmental issues including global taxes.

World Parliamentarians Call for Tobin Tax

The World Parliamentarians Call for Tobin Tax was launched in April 2000 to call on parliamentarians all over the world to support the Tobin tax.

Economic Growth and the Quality of Life

The UNDP Human Development Report 2000 online

Oxfam

Visible Hands: Taking Responsibility for Social Development

This report from the UN Research Institute for Social Development asserts that neoliberal approaches to growth have gone too far, with the result that social development concerns have been neglected.

The World Bank's Comprehensive Development Framework

The World Bank's Social Development Update

Energy Taxes

Center for Economic Justice

This site advocating a "Green Tax Shift" to greater environmental taxation includes both policy papers and links to various other organizations.

Environmental Tax Program

The Environmental Tax Program fosters public discussion on environmental tax reform on the local, national and international levels.

Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (USA)

ME3 aims to restructure Minnesota's tax system so that it is based in part on environmental taxes. Its web site includes an extensive set of resources on ecological tax reform, not only in Minnesota but around the world.

Redefining Progress

A US public policy organization; its web site contained detailed policy papers on environmental tax reform.

Transport and Environment

Transport and Environment is Europe's principal environmental organisation campaigning on sustainable transport.

Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy

The Wuppertal Bulletin on Ecological Tax Reform reports on studies on Ecological Tax Reform and political processes worldwide.

Alternative Finance and Global Taxes (including the Tobin Tax)

Prohibition on United Nations Taxation Act of 1999 (January 6, 1999)

The US Congress threatens the UN that the US will stop paying its dues if the UN discusses any form of global taxation!

P Arestis and M. Sawyer, "How Many Cheers for the Tobin Tax?" Cambridge Journal of Economics, Volume 21, Issue 6: November 1997.

Harlan Cleveland, Hazel Henderson & Inge Kaul, The United Nations: Policy and Financing Alternatives, Washington, Global Commission to Fund the United Nations, 1996.

Hans D'Orville and Dragoljub Najman, "A new system to finance the United Nations," Security Dialogue, vol. 25, no. 2 (June, 1994)

David Felix, "The Tobin Tax Proposal: background, issues and prospects," New York, UNDP Policy Paper, 1995.

Mahbub ul Haq, Inge Kaul and Isabelle Grunberg, (eds.), The Tobin Tax: Coping with Financial Volatility, New York, Oxford University Press, 1996.

Alan F. Kay and Hazel Henderson, "UNSIA Progress Report -- from concept to organization and test cases," Internal Paper, Global Commission to Fund the United Nations, August 24, 1995.

Ruben P. Mendez, "Financing the United Nations and the International Public Sector: Problems and Reform," Global Governance, 3 (1997), 283-310.

Ruben P. Mendez, "Paying for Peace and Development," Foreign Policy, Number 100 (Fall, 1995), pp. 19-31.

Ruben P. Mendez, "Harnessing the global currency market for the global common good," Choices, vol. 4, no. 1 (1995).

Ruben P. Mendez, "Financial Reform for the International Public Sector," Paper presented at the Wilton Park Conference, June, 1994.

Ruben P. Mendez, International Public Finance, New York, Oxford University Press, 1992.

Dragoljub Najman and Hans D'Orville, Towards a New Multilateralism: Funding Global Priorities, Paris/New York, Independent Commission on Population and Quality of Life, 1995.

Sherle R. Schwenninger, "How to Save the World: The Case for a Global Flat Tax" The Nation, May 13, 1996.

Parthasarathi Shome, "Global Incentive Policies: the case for environmental taxes," UNDP/Office of Development Studies Discussion Paper, 1996.

J. G. Smith, "Commentary: Exchange Rate Instability and the Tobin Tax," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Volume 21, Issue 6: November 1997.

Environmental Taxes/Subsidies (including carbon taxes)

William Cline, The Economics of Global Warming, (Washington DC: IIE, 1991).

Antonia Cornwell, Environmental Taxes and Economic Welfare : Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions, New Horizons in Environmental Economics Series, Cheltenham, UK, 1997.

Andre de Moor and Peter Calamai, Subsidizing Unsustainable Development: Undermining the Earth with Public Funds(Earth Council Institute of Canada, 1997).

Henry Lee (ed.), Shaping National Responses to Climate Change(Washington DC: Island Press, 1995).

Richard D. Morgenstern, "Environmental Taxes: Is There a Double Dividend?" in Environment, 38:3, April 1996.

Frank Muller, "Mitigating Climate Change: The Case for Energy Taxes" Environment 38:2; March 1996.

OECD, Environmental Taxes and Green Tax Reform(Paris: OECD, 1997).

OECD, Subsidies and the Environment: Exploring the Linkages(Paris: OECD, 1996).

James Poterba and Dornbusch (eds.) Global Warming: Economic Policy Responses(Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1991).

David Malin Roodman, Getting the Signals Right: Tax Reform to Protect the Environment and the Economy, Worldwatch Paper 134 (Washington, DC: WorldWatch Institute, May 1997).

David Malin Roodman, Paying the Piper: Subsidies, Politics, and the Environment, Worldwatch Paper 133 (Washington, DC: WorldWatch Institute, December 1996)

Selected UN Documents

10 June 1996 - "New and Innovative Ideas for Generating Funds" (E/1996/CRP.1)(16 pages)ECOSOC paper summarizing major proposals and giving documentary references.

April 1996 - report of debate at the Commission on Sustainable Development

Global Injustice and Inequality

Inequality of Wealth and Income Distribution | Gender and Inequality

Inequality of Wealth and Income Distribution

Inequality.org

Inequality.org seeks to illuminate the causes and consequences of the growing inequality of wealth, income, power and opportunity in the US and to move this critical national problem onto the front burner of US politics and public discourse.

"Measuring Well-Being"

Site devoted to the examination of how continual economic expansion as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) may not lead to long-term well-being. It discusses alternative means of measuring our success by looking at environmental and social factors as well as monetary ones. Links to site on the campaign to pass a Canadian "7th Generation Bill" promoting sustainability.

United for a Fair Economy

United for a Fair Economy, an organization based in Boston, MA, focuses on US economic issues. Their web site, "Share the Wealth," provides statistics, action campaigns and popular education resources.

University of Texas Inequality Project

The UT Inequality Project analyzes data from the US, OECD and UNIDO to demonstrate inequality in wages and earnings and changes in inequality through time. The site provides maps and data for many countries, including up-to-date monthly information on the US, Canada, and Mexico.

World Income Inequality Database (WIID)

Developed over the period 1997-99, the WIID provides information on income inequalities at both cross-country and time series levels. It presents data on changes in income inequality over the period 1950-98, with a particular focus on the period since 1980 for 149 countries. It will be continuously updated.

Gender and Inequality

MisFortune500

MisFortune500 is a resource page that exposes how corporate activities violate women's human rights, workers' rights and the environment, highlighting what women worldwide are doing about it.

Women's Enews

A non-profit independent news service covering women's issues.

WomenWatch

Use the UN Internet gateway on women to find information about the Beijing +5 Conference and other UN events, documents, news and regional resources on women issues.

Beijing +5

The UN's "Women 2000" (Beijing +5) Conference was held June 5-9, 2000 in New York to review progress since the Nairobi Conference (1985) and the Beijing Conference (1995).

CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women)

Adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, it is often described as an international bill of rights for women. The Convention defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

CSW (Commission on the Status of Women)

Commission on the Status of Women prepares recommendations and reports to the Economic and Social Council on promoting women's rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational fields.

DAW (UN Division for the Advancement of Women)

As part of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, DAW acts as a focal point for coordination and mainstreaming of gender issues in the UN system. It has been the Secretariat of the four UN world conferences on women and Special Session of the General Assembly "Women 2000" (Beijing+5), and is responsible for servicing CSW and CEDAW.

Global Alliance for Women's Health

The Global Alliance for Women's Health is committed to advancing women's health in all stages of life and at all policy levels through health promotion, education, advocacy and program implementation.

International Women's Tribune Center

Information about the IWTC and its activities at Beijing. An important organization representing women's rights at the UN, with headquarters in New York.

UNIFEM (UN Development Fund for Women)

Promotes women's empowerment and gender equality primarily at the country level. It works to ensure the participation of women in all levels of development planning and practice, and acts as a catalyst.

UNFPA (UN Population Fund)

The UN Population Fund focuses on reproductive health, population and development strategies and other gender issues.

UNDP- GIDP (UN Development Programme- Gender in Development Programme)

The Gender in Development Programme supports UNDP's gender equality program and promotes the empowerment of women.

INSTRAW (International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women)

Assists, through research and training, the advancement of women. Makes women's contribution to development more visible.

WHRNet (Women's Human Rights Net)

A collaborative Information & Communication Technology (ICT) project developed by an international coalition of women's organizations.

WILPF (Women's International League for Peace and Freedom)

WILPF works to achieve world disarmament, full rights for women, racial and economic justice, an end to all forms of violence, and to establish those political, social, and psychological conditions which can assure peace, freedom, and justice for all.

WEDO (Women's Environment and Development Organization)

WEDO is an international advocacy organization that seeks to increase the power of women worldwide as policymakers at all levels and to achieve economic and social justice, a healthy and peaceful planet, and human rights for all.

Women's Net

A major network based at the Institute for Global Communication in San Francisco. This net includes much information about the Women's Conference at Beijing and some sites of major women's organizations working at the UN. See below.

WomenWatch - Link to UN Programs on Women

Links to all the UN's programs and activities on women, including the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the UN Development Fund for Women (INSTRAW).

Statistics and Indicators

Informative data from Women Watch, a section of the UN web site. Provides indictors of women's education, literacy, unemployment, income and economic activity, and political participation around the world. Also view data on women and employment at the UN.

The Environment

Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC Group)

ETC Group is an international NGO dedicated to the conservation and sustainable improvement of agricultural biodiversity, and to the socially responsible development of technologies useful to rural societies. The site includes information on biopiracy, and papers and publications from ETC Group. (English, Spanish)

Cartagena Protocal on Biosafety

A UN treaty to protect biodiversity against the risk of genetically modified organisms, requiring that traders clearly label GMO products when exporting to those countries partied to the Protocal.

Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

CIEL is a public interest, not-for-profit environmental law firm that promotes the development of international and comparative environmental law, policy, and management around the world.

Earth Council Alliance

Founded by Maurice Strong, the controversial leading figure of the 1992 Rio Conference, the Earth Council Alliance promotes sustainable development by facilitating cooperation and communication among environmental advocacy groups.

Earth Island Institute

EII, founded in 1982 by environmentalist David Brower, fosters environmental efforts by providing organizational support in developing projects for the conservation, preservation, and restoration of the global environment.

Earth Negotiations Bulletin

Published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). Earth Negotiations Bulletin provides summaries of environment and development negotiations. It demonstrates the partnerships between governments and NGOs in facilitating negotiations; contributes to transparency in international negotiations; disseminates information on the activities of governments, NGOs and the United Nations at international meetings.

The Ecologist

Journal published in England. Covers worldwide environmental issues and conducts campaigns.

The Environment Directory

The largest exclusively environmental organization directory on the Web, with thousands of sites from over one hundred countries.

Envirolink

An online environmental community with regular news stories on environmental issues.

Environmental Defense

EDF posts information on recycling, global warming and ocean ecosystems, as well as texts from its membership publication "EDF Letter." EDF is more market-oriented and corporate-friendly than many environmental organizations. It has produced important studies and has taken the lead in big international issues like global warming and ozone depletion.

Environmental Security Database

Maintained by the Peace & Conflict Studies Program at the University of Toronto, this database has potential as a powerful research tool for those studying the relationships between environmental stress and violent conflict in developing countries. The database contains information on (but not the text of) over 20,000 items, including books, journal articles, papers, and newspaper clippings.

Friends of the Earth International

A federation of autonomous environmental organisations from more than 50 countries. Conducts campaigns on urgent environmental and social issues, while simultaneously catalysing a shift toward sustainable societies.

Friends of the Earth USA

Site by the United States branch of FOE, posting information about economics and politics of the environment. Includes action alerts and basic information about FOE's programs on trade & the environment, multilateral development bank reform, water quality, rivers, ozone and more. FOE seeks to cut US federal spending in programs that damage the environment.

Global Environmental Information Center (GEIC)

GEIC was established in October 1996 by the UN University and Japan Environment Agency. Its aim is to provide information to small civil groups and individuals. In its project section, it promotes non-governmental inputs in global and national processes, currently focusing on climate change.

Greenpeace

An international organization for environmental activism, respected for taking on even the toughest and most "political" issues, such as nuclear testing. This site provides information on Greenpeace's latest campaigns and position papers, which often have an impact on global debates about environmental policy.

International Rivers Network

An organization that links human rights and environmental protection. The site provides information on IRN's work to protect rivers and stop river-damaging projects such as large dams. It includes criticism of UNDP for its support for dam-building. There is also an excellent section on international finance.

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

170 participants from 60 countries attended the Preparatory Conference for the Foundation of an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hosted by the German government in Berlin from 9-11 April, 2008. Participants discussed the possible objectives, activities, organization and finance of an IRENA.

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

Composed by scientists from UN agencies, NGOs, and the private sector, this work program evaluates the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being. It also provides options for responding to those changes. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan launched the program in June 2001 in order to provide decisions makers and the public with scientific information on environmental change.

National Audubon Society

The Audubon Society is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of ecosystems, with a special focus on birds. Its website provides information on scientific, educational, and advocacy programs.

Natural Resources Defense Council

The website of a major US organization featuring in-depth information on a range of issues from global warming to nuclear arms. It also offers a search directory, a newsletter, and a magazine.

One Planet Many People

This Atlas of the Changing Environment provides visual evidence of global environmental changes through satellite imagery, comparing images of the past few decades with contemporary ones. The Atlas is a publication of the United Nations Environment Program.

Pew Center on Global Climate Change

This non-profit organization releases information about climate change. Multinational companies sit on the Center's Business Environmental Leadership Council. Ironically, the Pew Charitable Trust, based on stock in the Sun Oil Company, funds the research.

Rainforest Action Network (RAN)

The Rainforest Action Network uses market activism to promote protection of endangered forests, human rights, and sustainable finance. The website offers information on RAN campaigns and how to get involved.

RealClimate

A site by working climate scientists aiming to provide the scientific context, without political bias, that is sometimes missing in mainstream discussions on climate change.

Rocky Mountain Institute

A leader in the field of energy, RMI leader Amory Lovins coined the term "negawats" to help persuade energy companies that they could make more profits by producing less energy. RMI does a lot of corporate consulting and (unlike many other environmental groups) it believes in market approaches to energy sustainability. The site contains a variety of interesting information and analysis.

Sierra Club

An influential grassroots organization which promotes environmental education, exploration, and conservation. The website offers information on a range of issues from responsible trade to climate trade.

Sustainable Energy and Economy Network

SEEN works with international citizens groups on environment, human rights and development issues such as climate change and economic inequality. The website focuses on the link between these issues and global security.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Link to the UNFCCC site.

UN Site on Sustainable Development

United Nations System-Wide Web Site on National Implementation of the Rio Commitments.

UNEP Geneva Executive Center/Environment Secretariats

Links to all of the United Nations Environment Programme Secretariats that are located in Geneva, Switzerland, including those for biodiversity, the ozone, and climate change. These provide basic information for the general public as well as more technical documents that may be of interest to experts.

Union of Concerned Scientists

A non-profit alliance of scientists and citizens. The site addresses a range of topics, mostly on the environment, including energy, resource use, transportation, biodiversity, climate change and ozone depletion.

World Conservation Union (IUCN)

A conservation network based in Gland, Switzerland that brings together states, non-governmental organizations, and scientists from around the world.

World Economy, Ecology and Development Organization (WEED)

A German research group that is a leader in global environmental and governance issues.

World Resources Institute

The World Resources Institute is an environmental think tank focusing on the development of practical ways to protect the Earth. The website includes the annual World Resources report, as well as links and information on a variety of environmental issues.

World Watch Institute (WWI)

WWI conducts extensive research projects focusing on how global economics and governmental policies affect environmental health and sustainability. Its State of the World annual is justly famous as an overview of big picture environmental issues.

World Wildlife Fund

One of the world's largest environmental organizations, with international headquarters in Switzerland. The site posts information about the protection of the environment and focuses on a range of environmental issues, including climate change, deforestation, and sustainability.

Global Public Goods

Labor Rights and Labor Movements

European Trade Union Confederation

The site of the Brussels-based ETUC, founded in 1973, uniting 58 national trade union centers in 28 countries and 14 European federations, with a total of 53 million members.

Global Trade Unions on the Internet

A listing of links to labor sites worldwide.

International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

The site of the largest of the international confederations.

ICEM - International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Union

Founded in November 1995, this is one of the most recent trade union federations to come out of the merger movement. It joins 20 million members worldwide.

International Labour Organization

One of the oldest international organizations, the ILO site posts information about work on labor rights worldwide.

International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF)

The International Labor Rights Fund, founded in 1986, is a nonprofit action and advocacy organization that uses new and creative means to encourage enforcement of international labor rights.

Fair Labor Association (FLA)

A network of universities and citizen activist groups, working in affiliation with major companies. FLA independently investigates compliance with its labor standards, in an effort to push companies toward social responsibility.

Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN)

A Canadian organization that promotes transparency for organizations and businesses in order to raise public awareness and further corporate responsibility for workers worldwide.

Cyber Picket Line

One of the best and most complete directories of trade unions worldwide.

LaborNet at the Institute for Global Communication

Posts news, information and resources (including many links) for a democratic labor movement.

Public Services International

A site by the 20 million strong union of public workers. Particuarly interesting on this site is the paper called "Public Sector Alternative Strategy" (download version).

Public Services International Research Unit

This site is a resource for, and financed by, the international trade union movement. The main focus is the provision of information on multinational companies involved in privatisation. Company information is based on the PSIRU/PSI database with files on over 2,000 companies. The site is organised by sector as well as by company.

United Electrical Workers' International Solidarity Page

One of the more progressive unions in the United States posts material on its partnership with the FAT (Frente Autentico del Trabajo) of Mexico.

Wagenet Wesite

Links to academic works on issues relating to work and the global economy. Note: Some of the pages on this website are protected and require a password.