ECONOMICS, ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY

Why Climate Moderates Must Win the Day

How the far right in the US is responding to the failed Copenhagen talks - and the role that moderates might now play.

ECONOMICS, CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP, ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH, FOOD SECURITY, SUSTAINABILITY

Chemicals Regulation and Real Science: The Troubling Case of BPA

Environmental NGO's shocked over US refusal to ban chemical BPA.

FINANCE & TRADE

Jagdish Bhagwati on NGOs and Fair Trade

In his recent World Affairs article, Fair Trade: Beware the Beguiling Phrase, Jagdish Bhagwati, professor of economics and law at Columbia University, comments on NGO campaigns and the ways in which they force their understanding of the “social good” onto consumers. 

ECONOMICS, CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP, FINANCE & TRADE

NGOs and Government Funding

Government funds transferred to civil society groups often lack transparency and accountability.

ECONOMICS, CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP, PROPERTY RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIETY & CULTURE

Where Are NGOs Concentrating Their Campaigning Resources?

In its latest quarterly report, Where Are NGOs Concentrating Their Campaigning Resources?, SigWatch catalogues NGO campaigns and priority issues, both globally and by region.

HUMAN RIGHTS, LAW & JUSTICE

Council of Europe and EU Treaty Negotiations Must Respect Sovereignty

Now that the Treaty of Lisbon has entered into force, the Council of Europe is encouraging the European Union (EU) to accede to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (the "Convention"). By doing so, the EU would subject itself to the authority of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Unless properly implemented with respect for the principle of subsidiarity, the EU's accession to the Convention could lead to a "United States of Europe" with many of the same federal and state constitutional conflicts that the United States of America has experienced and debated for decades.

ECONOMICS

World Economic Forum Promotes a Global Governance Agenda and Network

The WEF is in the process of transforming itself from an annual business forum into a year-round global governance think-tank and public policy organization.

ECONOMICS, FINANCE & TRADE

SEC Uses Disclosure Requirements to Promote Climate Change Agenda

SEC's interpretive release providing guidance on climate change matters, if followed, would force U.S. public companies to play an expensive guessing game on the possible physical, legal, regulatory, and financial effects of climate change on their business operations.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Italy Criticized at Universal Periodic Review

by Ken Wiltberger

Various aspects of Italy’s human rights record came under fire during Italy’s recent Universal Periodic Review session, held on February 9 in Geneva, Switzerland.

HUMAN RIGHTS

New United Nations Treaty Body Proposed

by Ken Wiltberger

Proposed international convention for the rights of older persons would place additional reporting requirements on already heavily-burdened States

HUMAN RIGHTS

SPECIAL REPORT: Ukraine and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

Report assesses the degree to which CEDAW, others are attempting to interfere with Ukraine's sovereign domestic policy-making abilities