Governance and Social Development Resource Centre
Document Library | Research Helpdesk | Email Bulletin | Topic Guides
Funded by the UK Department for International Development, the Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC) aims to help reduce poverty by informing policymaking and enhancing professional knowledge in relation to governance, conflict and social development.
Please note that the GSDRC no longer covers Aid Instruments & Effectiveness, HIV/AIDS or Security and Development. For information on HIV/AIDS, please visit the Health Resource Centre. For information on Security and Development, please visit the GFN-SSR.
Spotlight:
Violence, Identity and Poverty
How do we explain the cause of violence in the world today? This Journal of Peace Research article argues that approaches to explaining violence should avoid isolationist programmes that explain violence solely in terms of social inequality and deprivation, or in terms of identity and cultural factors. The coupling between cultural identities and poverty increases the significance of inequality and can contribute to violence.
Access the complete summary and full text
Research Assistant Opportunities
The University of Birmingham’s International Development Department is looking for freelance Research Assistants with excellent writing skills to produce policy-oriented summaries of new materials for online publication. This occasional work is to enhance the knowledge services provided by the Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC) and the Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR). Applicants will be graduates in relevant subject areas (e.g. development studies, security, political science, conflict issues, international relations). Deadline 10 December 2008.
Latest Document Summaries
Climate Change and Human Rights: A Rough Guide
Author: International Council on Human Rights Policy (2008)
Size:
127 pages
(620 KB)
How can human rights principles help to focus climate change policymaking? This report from the International Council on Human Rights Policy discusses the human rights impacts of climate change and maps research agendas. Climate change responses can be made more effective if policymakers include human rights thresholds (minimum acceptable levels of protection) when assessing future impacts of climate change and of adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Collective Report on Business and Human Rights
Author: Lillian Manzella, Nicholas Lusiani (2008)
Size:
107 pages
(836KB)
How do businesses abuse human rights, and what must be done to prevent such abuses? This report from the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights draws on case studies from around the world. It concludes that direct or indirect violation of all types of human rights by companies is widespread and occurs across many different political systems and industries. Effective redress and accountability procedures at national, regional and international levels are needed to ensure that businesses, governments and the international community meet their obligations in this area.
Latest Helpdesk Reports
Mapping Research on Migration: Please identify the key organisations working on migration and ...
M&E of Participation in Governance: Please identify toolkits, methodologies and indicators for ...
Climate Change and State Fragility: Please provide a literature review on the theme of climate ...
Election-related Conflict: Please identify literature and lessons learned on election-related ...
Poverty Reduction Actors in the MENA Region: Please identify literature on actors in poverty ...
