Roger Lewins

The International Seed Treaty came into force in 2004 was the culmination of over 20 years of negotiation. The need for a treaty arose out of a growing awareness that crucial plant genetic resources are being irretrievably lost. This book describes the complex process by which a wide range of parties worked to shape the negotiations and conclude the resulting Treaty. With a focus on how the diverse array of actors were able to work together in new ways despite their radically differing interests, this study provides vital lessons for governments, international agencies and NGOs on successful international treaty negotiation. Negotiating the Seed Treaty will be of interest to all readers concerned with international agricultural policy, genetic resource diversity and multilateral policy process.

Describes the work of Practical Action in introducing consensus-based planning approaches in villages that are poor even by Bangladesh standards, where 90 per cent of people live under the poverty line and over 60 per cent are illiterate. These methods work on raising the voice and confidence of the poor at the local level within their communities, and the results have been spectacular: opening up new income generation and resource management and influencing opportunities for marginalized communities in flood-prone areas. Highly useful in countries that reject the role of NGOs in governance or human rights, and in planning for disasters and humanitarian interventions. Essential reading for programme staff of national and international NGOs, governance and rural development advisors in the national and multilateral agencies, Ministry officials, and researchers and students in universities and development institutes.