Michael Porter: Disrupting the Status Quo: From Economic Growth to Social Progress

The centre is a joint initiative by the Latin America-based Avina Foundation, which promotes sustainable development in Latin America, and UNESCO (the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). The first training event to take place in Uruguay — chosen to run the initiative because of the interest shown by its government in tackling climate change and the progress in its climate-change adaptation plans — will consist of a symposium and workshop in October with senior representatives and decision-makers.

Sweden is ranked most socially advanced country – Britain ranked ahead of Germany, the United States and Japan in new Social Progress Index

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is accepting nominations for the CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN PRIZE until next April 15th 2013. The Prize, worth 250.000€, will be awarded to an individual or non profit organization, regardless of nationality, who has made a valuable impact and commitment to foster the universal values inherent to the human condition, respect for diversity and difference, a culture of tolerance and the conservation of the environment in man’s relationship with nature.

he history of the Brazilian Amazon has long been marked by deforestation and degradation. Until recently the situation has been considered out of control. Then, in 2004, the Brazilian government launched an ambitious program to combat deforestation. Public pressure—both national and international—was one of the reasons that motivated the government to act. Another reason was that in 2004, deforestation contributed to more than 55 percent of Brazil’s total greenhouse gas emissions, making Brazil the fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world.

The Programme Team, based in the British Embassy in Brasilia, is seeking project proposals for the Human Rights and Democracy Fund.