Member Profile for ISS, The Hague/Rotterdam

The Netherlands and Colombia: A Blurry Alliance by Ana María Arbeláez Trujillo
The Netherlands may have found in Colombia a strategic partner to help expand its commercial activities, but Colombia’s complex social context needs to be carefully considered. Whether this alliance will benefit both countries, or will reinforce the dynamics of the longest conflict in Latin American history, will depend greatly on the Dutch stance towards very sensitive issues that affect the Colombian rural sector. The post The Netherlands and Colombia: A Blurry Alliance by Ana María Arbeláez Trujillo appeared first on The ISS Blog on Global Development and Social Justice.

To fight or to embrace? Divergent responses to the expansion of Southern China’s industrial tree plantation sector by Yunan Xu
The industrial tree plantation sector has been expanding rapidly and massively in Southern China, affecting the livelihoods of the local population residing in the region. But is change resisted or embraced? A recent study on the political economy of Southern China’s industrial tree plantation sector shows that differentiated positions of villagers in their communities lead to distinct political responses to the expansion of the sector. The post To fight or to embrace? Divergent responses to the expansion of Southern China’s industrial tree plantation sector by Yunan Xu appeared first on The ISS Blog on Global Development and Social Justice.

A zero-waste Philippines is possible by Froilan Grate and Jed Alegado
January is Zero Waste month in the Philippines, celebrating the month in which a law on waste management was signed in 2000. Since the law came into force, various cities and towns in the Philippines have shown leadership in implementing the law. But strong political will and robust policies are needed to ensure that government leaders and an engaged citizenry can transform the Philippines into a zero-waste country. The post A zero-waste Philippines is possible by Froilan Grate and Jed Alegado appeared first on The ISS Blog on Global Development and Social Justice.

Women’s Month 2019 | Sex selection: an ordinary or violent act? by Christo Gorpudolo
According to the United Nations Population Fund, there is a variation in the ratio of male to female birth—since the 1990s, 25% more male births than female have been recorded in different areas. Prenatal sex selection reflects a subtle act of violence rooted in social, political, economic, and cultural factors that re-enforces the persistent low economic status of women and value of girls in some communities. This could lead to an overall impact on the mental and physical health of women as well as the creation of a gender imbalance within the population. The post Women’s Month 2019 | Sex selection: an ordinary or violent act? by Christo Gorpudolo appeared first on The ISS Blog on Global Development and Social Justice.