Sustainable Development
Photo by Chris Kirchhoff
Introduction
The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) better known as the Brundtland Commission, defined sustainable development as:

“Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

While sustainable development has been widely accepted as the most appropriate development paradigm, there are still some difficulties with its implementation. Southern Africa is still faced with environmental challenges such as: climate variability and climate change, desertification and land degradation,  threats to freshwater resources and to biodiversity.

The  Sustainable Development Programme of the HBS in the region will work  in the areas of climate change and biopolitics. We will work to make policy-makers, decision-makers and other stakeholders realise that it is only when sustainable development principles are taken into account in regional policy and practice that the problems idenfied above will begin to be addressed.

For more information, please contact Sakhile Koketso, Sustainable Development Programme Manager: sakhile'at'boell.org.za

Climate Change
ANALYSIS
Climate Change and Democratisation: A complex relationship
July 29, 2010 - The paper examines whether democracy at the country level and global climate change matter for another. It raises the question of how to support democracy’s advance in the face of multiple challenges that include the adverse effects of global warming and extreme weather events merits much more attention than it has received so far. By Peter Burnell more»
ANALYSIS
Drowning Voices: The Climate Change Discourse in South Africa – May 20, 2010 - Significant attention has been given to improving our understanding of the real and imminent impacts of climate change. It is accepted that rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, changes in sea levels and changes in biodiversity will have significant consequences on the world economy, rural livelihoods and development in general. Africa in particular will be hardest hit by climate change yet its adaptive capacity remains low. By Masego Madzwamuse more»
STUDY
Gender and Climate Change in Southern Africa – April 14, 2010 - Although various studies have focused on climate change impacts and adaptation opportunities in Africa, few have focused on the household level and in particular on gender differentiated impacts of climate change. This study, commissioned by Heinrich Böll Stiftung, provides an analysis and summary of the findings of eight case studies carried out in four southern African countries. Furthermore, the study aims to identify various policies, programmes and activities that could address these issues. more»
OPPORTUNITIES
  • The Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southern Africa is looking for a Human Rights Programme Manager. The required qualifications, duties and tasks are laid out here.
  • The Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southern Africa is looking for interns for the second half of 2010. The requirements, duties and tasks are laid out here.
  • Apply for the International Short-Term Fellowship Programme 2010 of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. Deadline is the 31 July 2010. For more information click here.
Partners Sustainable Development
Heinrich Böll Foundation in Africa
Heinrich Böll Foundation Headquarters