In the 1990s globalization was the buzzword; it promises to become ever more important in the first decade of the 21st century. One view suggest that globalization can be dated back to the beginning of the 1980s, while a second view holds that globalization has a long history that can be traced to the 19th century, if not before. This work offers a categorization of types and stages of globalization that existed before the late 20th century. It also emphasizes the fact that globalization has non-Western as well as Western origins. The contributors bring their expertise to bear on themes that give prominence to China, South Asia, Africa and the world of Islam, as well as to Europe and the United States, and span three centuries. ISBN: 0712677402, 2002, Pimlico.

Funding proposals submitted to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have exceeded the resources available for this year, the Fund's spokeswoman told PlusNews this week.

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is an annual global event led by Youth Service America with the Global Youth Action Network as its key partner, together with a consortium of 32 International Organizations and well over 100 National Coordinating Committees. The goals of GYSD are to:
*Highlight the ways that young people improve their communities through service 365 days a year
*Recruit the next generation of volunteers
*Promote the benefits of youth service around the world.

This e-conference will contribute to the global debate on CSR, and develop an agenda for future leaders by providing an opportunity for young people to express their view on the role of various stakeholders in promoting CSR. Each week, a new topic for discussion will be introduced. Each topic will be moderated by young people from developed, developing, and transition economies.

This article from the Rural Development Services Network spells out the political tensions around the Civil Society WSSD Forum....

In an UN International Forum on Finance for Development anticipatory meeting in Monterrey, Mexico, anti-globalisation groups have rejected America's $5-billion aid commitment by scornfully referring to it as ''crumbs''.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a new initiative to combat the epidemics that kill six million people each year, announced the appointment of an international panel of experts that will review all grant proposals and make recommendations to the Board for funding.

The Health GAP Coalition has said dozens of potential recipient countries caved in to donor pressure and the likelihood of low funds by pre-emptively weakening project proposals they submitted last week to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The case for increased funding can only be made by bolder and more comprehensive proposals, the coalition said. Calling on the Global Fund to post country proposals on its Web site as a matter of transparency and good governance, the coalition announced that, in the meantime, the proposals will be posted on the Website Access Project for the Global Fund, based at Harvard University's Center for International Development.

Two years ago, as the world's population surpassed the high mark of 6 billion, scientists were sounding alarm bells over unchecked population growth, especially in the developing world. But now there is a growing consensus among demographers over a new forecast: Before the century ends, the number of humans likely will start to shrink, reckons James Chamie, director of the United Nation's population division.

This Paper is a response to the recommendation of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee in its report on Sierra Leone (HC116-I) that in respect of mercenary activities, the Government publish a Green Paper outlining options for the control of private military companies which operate out of the UK, its dependencies and the British Islands.

Scientific American - "Slavery still flourishes underground in many parts of the world. This case study presents the perspectives of West African social scientists, diplomats, activists and escaped slaves in Gabon. Of particular interest is the Gabonese effort to rehabilitate and repatriate those children who have the luck and courage to escape their bondage."

The Tech Museum of Innovation, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is now seeking nominations for its 2002 global awards. The program draws international attention to individuals, for-profit companies, and public and not-for-profit organizations that are using technology to improve the quality of life around the world in five universal categories: Education, Equality, Economic Development, Environment, and Health. Nominations are welcome from all sources, including self-nominations. Individuals, for-profit companies, and public or non-profit organizations are eligible. The simple nomination form can be filled out online.

An interesting article at CNET details the planned implemtentation of a supercomputing grid in India. India is a developing country, but this has not stopped it's rapid progress in the world of ICTs. It is on the way to becoming a serious contender in the digital world.

A collective of computer experts is working to enhance the privacy of non-governmental organizations around the world.

China, Brazil, India, and nine other of the world's most biodiverse countries signed an alliance Monday to fight biopiracy and press for rules protecting their people's rights to genetic resources found on their land. The declaration — also signed by representatives of Indonesia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Peru, Venezuela, and South Africa — echoed complaints long voiced by Indians and environmentalists: that wealthy nations are "prospecting" for species in order to patent or sell them without offering concessions or benefits for local people.

The Netherlands has pledged US $100 million to an international trust fund for the Great Lakes region in Africa, the Royal Netherlands Embassy in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, announced on Friday.

The Bush administration yesterday at a hearing on Capitol Hill defended its contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, saying that the United States was the first nation to contribute to the fund and has so far made the largest contribution. But senators and AIDS activists urged the government to provide more resources, AP/Newsday reports.

As most of you know, the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance involved nine days of intensive and frequently difficult negotiation. Even after the Conference, there was a difference of views or perceptions that principally concerned the placement of several paragraphs in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and which delayed the issuance of the report of the Conference. Nevertheless, despite all of the obstacles that had to be overcome, the Conference was ultimately successful in negotiating a Declaration and Programme of Action by consensus. The report of the Conference was issued and is now before you.

Mike Moore, director-general of the World Trade Organisation, has urged developing countries to support proposals for WTO rules on competition and investment, telling them it is in their own economic interest. It is unusual for a WTO director-general to take a public position on such politically contentious questions. But Mr Moore says in an article in the Financial Times that an agreement on new WTO rules would benefit developing countries by helping them attract foreign direct investment, attack hardcore cartels, tackle corrupt procurement practices and lower export costs.

South Africa's fight against AIDS has be promised a lifeline after EU has approved of a R515-million in aid to be allocated to the Department of Health to strengthen primary health care and fight against AIDS.