Suchergebnisse

This volume reflects the work and findings of the ADB Working Group on Social Protection since 1998, in close consultation with the ADB's member countries and aid agencies. The contributors present the theoretical background and project options of the five core social protection topics: labor markets, social insurance, social assistance, micro and area-based schemes and child protection. Studies on three specific social protection interventions— pension, disaster preparedness and investment in child protection—were included to further document and enlighten the social protection debate. All of the studies were presented at the Asia and Pacific Forum on Poverty held in Manila in February 2001.

This volume reflects the work and findings of the ADB Working Group on Social Protection since 1998, in close consultation with the ADB's member countries and aid agencies. The contributors present the theoretical background and project options of the five core social protection topics: labor markets, social insurance, social assistance, micro and area-based schemes and child protection. Studies on three specific social protection interventions— pension, disaster preparedness and investment in child protection—were included to further document and enlighten the social protection debate. All of the studies were presented at the Asia and Pacific Forum on Poverty held in Manila in February 2001.

2017 saw more research programmes, new personnel, additional partners and outstanding visitors at RSIS. Almost every day, our School and scholars were featured in the media and public discourse, both at home and abroad. RSIS is the go-to place for academic and policy decision-makers. As our Dean reported, RSIS faculty and researchers are publishing more and our students are provided with an increasing array of learning and professional opportunities. We commenced the Science and Technology Studies Programme. We consolidated the National Security Studies Programme which was set up in 2016. We streamlined existing activities and created new avenues for more focussed coverage of non-traditional security and science and technology research. We appointed Dr Shashi Jayakumar as Executive Coordinator for Future Issues and Technology (FIT) to better manage cross-cutting issues and be future ready. (Shashi is concurrently the Head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security.) We reached out to other parts of NTU to explore and initiate more collaborative work. We convened the CSCAP Retreat, World Agricultural Forum, Regional Conference on International Humanitarian Law in Asia, US-ASEAN Conference on Legal Issues of Regional Importance, and several new workshops with various international bodies and think tanks from other countries. Our flagship programmes were reviewed and innovative ideas implemented. More importantly, the central services in RSIS were strengthened to cope with the increased mandate and staffing. The physical space constraint is being addressed creatively. We hope the refreshed RSIS website will inspire more connection and pride with the School's mission and vision going forward.

Vietnam's urban population doubled over the last 30 years (UN 2018) and since 2010, it has been growing at about 3 per cent per year, higher than the regional average of 2.5 per cent and close to China's rate of 3.1 per cent (OECD 2018). The UN projects Vietnam to be 50 per cent urban by 2039 and 60 per cent by 2050 (UN 2018). Urbanization has been driven by socio-economic reforms launched in the mid-1980s known as doi moi (literally "new change"), which have progressively liberalized the economy, personal mobility and employment. These reforms encouraged the subsequent physical expansion of existing urban areas and the creation of new urban-industrial areas in densely settled rural zones (World Bank 2011). Hanoi, Vietnam's capital and second largest city is the focus of this paper. Political leaders in Vietnam had resisted urbanization at least until the period of reform, but have since come to acknowledge that urban growth, industrialization and a shift away from agriculture will lead to increased wealth and opportunities for the Vietnamese people. This process presents challenges for the people, and institutions that must deal with these changes. Local authorities, for instance, need to meet rising demands for infrastructure, social services, housing, environmental controls and public amenities. The last two decades have seen the emergence of urban development initiatives that aim to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization. Each of the following sections describes existing conditions and proposed solutions in five areas of concern: heritage protection, parks and public space, transportation, housing and peri-urban and regional integration.

Vážení čtenáři,S potěšením vám oznamujeme, že po několika měsících intenzivní práce je první anglické číslo Envigogiky na světě – a může být vypuštěno do světa. Envigogika se od roku 2006 postupně stává důležitou platformou pro komunikaci a šíření znalostí v oblasti environmentálního vzdělávání či vzdělání pro udržitelný rozvoj. Dosud byly publikovány "anglické verze" časopisu formou přehledů anglických abstraktů, samozřejmě s několika výjimkami plně anglických textů.Nyní, v roce 2013, jsme pokročili zásadním způsobem kupředu – začínáme publikovat plně anglická čísla časopisu vedle čísel víceméně pouze českých (a slovenských). To je možné zaprvé díky stále vzrůstajícímu počtu autorů: učitelé různých stupňů, kteří se o naše témata zajímají, se jimi také stále více zabývají v praxi. Mají potřebu reflektovat svou činnost, sdělovat si navzájem své zkušenosti; někteří dokonce plánují svůj výzkum tak, aby se pak o jeho výsledky mohli podělit s našimi čtenáři – to vše samozřejmě podporuje rozvoj této oblasti. Naši autoři tak postupně vytvářejí společnou "zásobárnu vědění", a sdělují si informace potřebné pro spolupráci a společné aktivity. Za druhé, a zde je třeba vyjádřit opravdovou vděčnost, nám pomáhají také četní anonymní recenzenti. V procesu nezávislého posuzování (peer-review) na sebe berou část odpovědnosti za publikované články, a také díky jim pak vidíme, jak celková úroveň našich textů postupně roste. Ochota vést tuto (kritickou) diskusi, a vývoj média, kde probíhá, nám pak nyní umožnily vykročit na mezinárodní scénu.Toto první anglické číslo Envigogiky je zaměřeno na environmentální vzdělávání (EV), vzdělávání pro udržitelný rozvoj (VUR), či vytváření obecného povědomí o environmetálních problémech; týká se i jejich širšího kulturního kontextu a politických podmínek ve specificky českém prostředí. S ohledem na udržitelný rozvoj společnosti se soustavně zabýváme jeho bariérami – které brání hlubším změnám ve společenských zvyklostech a pravidlech, životním stylu, nebo eticky podložených přístupech a způsobech rozhodování; soustřeďujeme se na naši oblast expertizy, kde čerstvé myšlenky, metody výuky/učení, nové postupy hodnocení atd. mohou být inspirací pro kritický pohled na systém vzdělávání jako takový. Snažíme se stát součástí mezinárodního společenství EV i VUR, přičemž současně očekáváme jeho podporu; všechny zásadnější změny či inovace jsou totiž založeny na širších diskusích (v našem případě vedených v evropském měřítku), teoretických úvahách, sdílených strategiích a společných iniciativách. A také doufáme v podíl zahraničních kolegů (z dalších zemí střední a východní Evropy jakož i odjinud) na obsahu i přípravě dalších čísel Envigogiky.Během posledních týdnů jsme také usilovali o zlepšení formy časopisu, a tím i jeho postavení mezi časopisy v mezinárodním měřítku. Součástí tohoto vývoje bylo převedení celého obsahu Envigogiky z původního systému (Joomla) do nového, tzv. Open Journal System (OJS) [1] – "otevřeného" systému pro správu a publikování časopisů. Tento systém pomáhá v každé fázi publikačního procesu: od zasílání/přijímání příspěvků, přes recenzní řízení a publikační proces v elektronickém prostředí, až po indexování.Využití OJS znamená pro Envigogiku kvalitativní krok kupředu – nyní se metadata z jednotlivých článků okamžitě načtou do EndNote, Zotera a dalších systémů správy referencí; časopis je již v tuto chvíli indexoán v Google Scholaru, a v nejbližší budoucnosti jej plánujeme zařadit do dalších důležitých databází jako např. DOAJ atd. Ve spolupráci s vydavatelstvím Karolinum Univerzity Karlovy v Praze bude Envigogika také zařazena do databáze CrossRef a každý článek získá své jedinečné číslo DOI.V následujících letech tak bude připraveno několik anglických čísel časopisu, a ty ponesou v názvu pro snadnou orientaci označení "ENGLISH ISSUE". Na základě zkušeností z tohoto období se pak rozhodneme, zda ve vydávání na jedné straně čistě anglických, na straně druhé českých/slovenských čísel pokračovat, nebo zda se v budoucnu vrátíme k číslům dvojjazyčným, například tematicky zaměřeným.Ale nyní se můžete podívat do obsahu tohoto prvního anglického čísla Envigogiky: V textu Jana Činčery si můžete přečíst o hodnocení interaktivní výstavy určené pro středoškolské studenty, která se zaměřuje na globální problémy a zodpovědnost konzumentů. Autor, který sledoval její působení na třech školách, dochází k zajímavému závěru: i když byla výstava úspěšná z hlediska zaujetí studentů a napomohla zvýšení jejich povědomí o daných problémech, někteří studenti ji hodnotili jako manipulativní, zatímco v jiných vyvolala pocit bezmoci. V článku je navržena změna strategie výuky a provádění aktivit týkajících se globálních problémů. Vzdělávací aspekty kurzu Environmentální ekonomie a politiky vyučovaného na Vysoké škole ekonomické v Praze zkoumal Petr Šauer a Martin Zahradník. Výzkum se zaměřil na postoje studentů vůči životnímu prostředí a na jejich hodnocení různých částí kurzu; snažil se odpovědět na otázku, v čem byl pro studenty kurz přínosný, jaké preferovali informační zdroje a jakou roli v jejich přístupu ke studiu sehrál zájem o stav životního prostředí. Autoři dospěli k závěru, že environmentální ekonomii považují za užitečnou jak studenti klasifikovaní jako "environmentalisté", tak i "ne-environmentalisté" (či dokonce "anti- environmentalisté"). V závěru diskutují klíčové faktory pro udržení zájmu studentů a možnosti analýzy tzv. přístupů ke studiu (learning strategies). Mezigeneračními rozdíly v osobním vztahu k přírodě se zabývá Markéta Vacínová a Tomáš Matějček . Sledují žáky a jejich rodiče z hlediska jejich vztahu k přírodě a zjišťují určité rozdíly v jejich osobním přístupu: zatímco žáci dávají přednost "moderním" aktivitám, jejich rodiče praktikují spíše více "tradiční" činnosti. Článek Anny Poláškové poskytuje pohled na environmentální gramotnost a postoje mladých technicky orientovaných českých studentů na farmaceutické fakultě, kteří se připravují na profese mimo oblast ekologie. Autorka věří, že environmentální gramotnost a povědomí univerzitních studentů v technických oborech jsou velmi důležité, protože právě na úrovni manažerů a vedoucích pracovníků vznikají politiky, které jsou více, či méně, šetrné k životnímu prostředí. Zjišťuje převážně pozitivní vztah k ochraně přírody a vzdělávání u těchto více techniky orientovaných studentů a studentek; na druhé straně úroveň environmentálních znalostí získaných během středoškolského vzdělání hodnotí jako v mnoha případech nízkou.V rubrice Informace připomínají Andrew Barton a Jan Vávra konferenci "Naše společná přítomnost (Our Common Present) - Jaké jsou současné výzvy Střední Evropy?", která se konala 24. dubna 2013 se na Filozofické fakultě Univerzity Karlovy v Praze; představují hlavní přednášející, jejich příspěvky a závěry z konference. První z autorů píše též o mezinárodní konferenci "Transdisciplinární výzkum udržitelnosti v Evropě" (23.-24. května 2013, UK), kde byl diskutován tento hraniční prostor ve vědě a byla též formulována doporučení pro Evropskou komisi utvářející budoucí vědecké příležitosti v transdisciplinární oblasti.Přejeme vám inspirativní čteníZa redakci EnvigogikyV Praze 28.8.2013Zvláštní poděkování patří všem, kteří přispěli k procesu publikování na straně vydavatele, včetně Univerzity Karlovy, která bude zajišťovat archivaci Envigogiky a vydávání čísel DOI pro texty v dalších číslech. Redakční tým chce také poděkovat těm, kteří pro tento krok poskytli finanční podporu, zvláště projektu Mezioborová síť spolupráce pro policy development v oblasti udržitelného rozvoje (MOSUR) financovanému Evropským sociálním fondem (ESF OPVK), jehož prostřednictvím jsou vydávána čísla od roku 2011, a v jehož rámci bylo též zahájeno vydávání anglické verze časopisu.[1] OJS je systém tzv. open source software vyvinutý v rámci projektu Public Knowledge Project (http://pkp.sfu.ca), který je financován kanadskou vládou, a který je poskytnut celosvětově všem časopisům – umožňuje jim publikovat formou, tzv. open access, tj. přístup k plným verzím článků není nijak omezen . V současné době jej využívá 12 000 vědeckých časopisů po celém světě. ; Dear readers,We are very pleased to announce that after several months of intense work the first fully English issue of the journal Envigogika is ready to be shared with the community of those interested in the field we strive to systematically cultivate! Envigogika has been an important communication and knowledge-sharing platform on educational topics regarding the environment and sustainability in the Czech- and Slovak-speaking professional community since 2006. English abstracts were previously included, but full texts were available predominantly in Czech and Slovak (with a few exceptions in English).Now, in 2013, the journal is taking a big leap forward by starting publication of additional issues in English alongside the Czech/Slovak issues. This is possible thanks to teachers at various educational levels in the Czech Republic involved in environmental education/ESD who are becoming more active and fostering a dialogue in this field that will support its ongoing development.The number of authors from different disciplinary backgrounds that publish their articles in Envigogika is growing, and some of them even plan their research with regard to our readership. We are happy that these authors thus contribute to a common pool of knowledge, share their experiences "from the field" and provide up-to-date information necessary for joint initiatives. We are also grateful to have numerous anonymous reviewers who are willing to undertake the difficult task of contributing to the quality of the published articles. Thus, we feel that the quality of our articles has been consistently improving since the journal's inception, which has also enabled us to step onto the international stage recently.This first English issue is primarily focused on the specific context of the Czech Republic: not only environmental education (EE) and education for sustainable development (ESD), but also awareness raising and the wider cultural context and political conditions necessary to achieve a transition towards sustainability. We are constantly challenging historically constructed and economically justified barriers to this development that also prevent deeper changes to habits, customs, lifestyles and ethical approaches; we concentrate on our field of expertise where fresh new ideas, teaching/learning methods, assessment techniques etc. could provide inspiration for and a critical view into the educational system per se. Thus, we are endeavouring to become a part of the international ESD community while also anticipating its support; any more profound innovation is based upon broader (in our case, European-wide) discussions, theoretical considerations, shared strategies, and joint initiatives. And we hope to involve colleagues from abroad (from other Central and East European countries, as well as further afield) in future English issues.During past few weeks, we have been working hard towards strengthening the position of the journal internationally and therefore, as part of further developments, we have transferred the content of Envigogika from the original Joomla system to the new Open Journal System (OJS) [1] – an open source journal management and publishing system. OJS assists with every stage of the refereed publishing process, from submissions through to online publication and indexing.For Envigogika, using OJS means a qualitative step forward – now you can immediately download metadata from articles to EndNote, Zotero and other reference management software, it is already indexed in Google Scholar and, in the near future, we plan to add it to other important databases such as DOAJ, etc. In cooperation with Charles University's publishing house Karolinum, Envigogika will also soon be included in the CrossRef database and each article will have a unique DOI.A number of English-only issues will be prepared in 2013 and 2014 and these will be marked "ENGLISH ISSUE" in the volume name for easy identification. Based on our experience from this period, we will decide whether to publish articles based on language (Czech/Slovak vs. English) or whether to produce bilingual (possibly thematic) issues in the future instead.But for now, in this first 2013 English-only issue, you can read about:1) An evaluation of an interactive exhibition for secondary education students, focusing on global problems and consumer responsibility by Jan Činčera. The author comes to an interesting conclusion: even if the exhibition was successful in terms of involving students and increasing their awareness of the problems, it was evaluated as being manipulative by some students while some of the others experienced a feeling of hopelessness. Modification of the exhibition and related activities is proposed in the article.2) Educational aspects of Environmental Economics – a course taught at the University of Economics in Prague for environmentally as well as non-environmentally oriented specialisations – are explored by Petr Šauer and Martin Zahradník. The focus of attention of their research is especially on what aspects of the course the students valued, what benefits they got from the course, how they managed the information resources and what role this played with regards to students' concern for environmental issues. The authors come to the conclusion that the students clustered as both 'environmentalists' and 'non-environmentalists' (or even 'anti-environmentalists') advocate environmental economics as a beneficial part of the curriculum.3) Intergenerational differences in personal relationships to nature are examined by Markéta Vacínová and Tomáš Matějček. They concentrate their research on pupils and their parents on selected aspects of their personal relationship to nature. They discover certain differences between these two groups of respondents in feeling a need to be in the countryside: while parents prefer more "classic" or "traditional" pursuits, the students practice mainly "modern" activities in the countryside.4) Anna Polášková's article offers an insight into the environmental literacy and attitudes of young technically-oriented Czech university students at a faculty of pharmacy in preparation for non-teaching and non-ecological professional careers. The author believes that environmental literacy and consciousness among university students in technical fields is very important, since it is usually among middle managers and executives with technical education that environmentally friendly policies and strategies more or less begin. She found that positive relationships to environmental protection and education in this faculty prevailed; however, the level of environmental knowledge gained from their secondary education seemed to be low in most cases.5) Information texts: Andrew Barton and Jan Vávra report on the proceedings of an academic conference held in Prague in April 2013 called Our Common Present which focused on the array of current challenges facing Central Europe. In addition, Andrew Barton also writes about a workshop on Transdisciplinary Research on Sustainability held in Prague in May in collaboration with the Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems, UK.We wish you inspirational reading,The Envigogika editorial teamIn Prague on 28.8.2013With special thanks to those who contributed to the publication process on the part of publisher, including Charles University which has been supportive in the archiving of Envigogika and providing DOI for future issues. The editorial team would, moreover, like to thank all who made this important step possible with financial support obtained via the project Interdisciplinary Sustainable Development Network (MOSUR, OP VK) for all issues published since 2011, including the current English issue.[1] OJS is open source software development by the Public Knowledge Project (http://pkp.sfu.ca) funded by Canadian Government and made freely available to journals worldwide for the purpose of making open access publishing a viable option for more journals. About 12 000 titles of scientific journals are using this system worldwide.

Since the end of the 2000s, measures to protect marine biodiversity have been progressively implemented in the oceans leading to the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs). States have started to take on this final frontier and began to set up MPAs in their territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. A global maritime ecofrontier has opened up under the impetus of a group of stakeholders - the eco-conquerors - who are advocating the replacement of unsustainable ocean exploitation methods with more environmentally friendly ones. This thesis focuses on France, compared with South Africa. The originality of the analysis lies, on the one hand, in the comparison between these two States, and on the other hand, in an approach of the French policy as seen from the perspective of its overseas territories, considered as socio-economically and politically marginal. The work is based on several case studies: first, carried out in the Indian Ocean, in Mayotte (Mayotte Marine Natural Park [PNMM] and National Nature Reserve [RNN] of the M'bouzi islet) and in Reunion Island (Reunion Island Marine Nature Reserve [RNMR]), and second, in South Africa, in the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (TMNP MPA) around the Cape Peninsula and in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (iSWP) in KwaZulu Natal. These areas were complemented by an analysis of the Glorieuses Marine Natural Park (PNMG) and the French Southern Lands National Nature Reserve (RNN TAF).The thesis documents the way in which the maritime ecological front has opened up and has become sustainable at different scales and the role played by administrations, NGOs and scientist's mobilisation. It highlights the originality of the merritorialities, the political orientations chosen by the two States and the forms of national maritime ecofrontier development. A resistance movement born from the field has led to a "dotted line" maritime ecological front made up of reduced, shifting, unstable conservation merritories based on an incomplete and dissonant governmentality. The analysis highlights the importance of the postcolonial history of the studied territories in the way national policies have been negotiated by local actors - the eco-creators – in order to produce hybrid policies and to give birth to original competing conservation merritories. ; Les océans se couvrent progressivement, depuis la fin des années 2000, de dispositifs de protection de la biodiversité marine : les aires marines protégées (AMP). Les États se sont lancés à la conquête de cette ultime frontière et ont commencé à mettre en place des AMP dans leurs eaux territoriales et leur zone économique exclusive. On observe ainsi l'ouverture d'un front écologique maritime global sous l'impulsion d'un groupe d'acteur∙rices – les écoconquérant∙es – prônant le remplacement d'un mode d'exploitation non-durable des océans par des modalités plus respectueuses de l'environnement. Cette thèse s'intéresse à la France, mise en regard avec l'Afrique du Sud. L'originalité de l'analyse réside, d'une part, dans la comparaison entre ces deux États, et d'autre part, dans une approche de la politique française vue depuis ses outre-mer, territoires socio-économiquement et politiquement marginaux. Le travail prend appui sur plusieurs études de cas : d'une part dans l'océan Indien, à Mayotte (Parc naturel marin de Mayotte [PNMM] et Réserve naturelle nationale [RNN] de l'îlot M'bouzi) et à la Réunion (Réserve naturelle marine de La Réunion [RNMR]), d'autre part en Afrique du Sud, à la Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (TMNP MPA) autour de la Péninsule du Cap et dans l'iSimangaliso Wetland Park (iSWP) au KwaZulu Natal. Ces terrains ont été complétés par une analyse des cas du Parc naturel marin des Glorieuses (PNMG) et de la Réserve naturelle nationale des Terres australes françaises (RNN TAF).La thèse documente la manière dont s'est ouvert et se pérennise le front écologique maritime à différentes échelles et le rôle joué par la mobilisation des administrations, des ONG et des scientifiques. Il met en avant l'originalité des merritorialités, les orientations politiques choisies par les deux États et les formes de développement des fronts écologiques maritimes nationaux. Des résistances nées du terrain résulte un front écologique maritime « en pointillés » formé de merritoires de la conservation réduits, mouvants, instables et reposant sur une environnementalité incomplète et dissonante. L'analyse met en évidence l'importance de l'histoire postcoloniale des territoires étudiés dans la manière dont les politiques nationales ont été négociées par les acteur∙rices locaux∙ales – les écocréateur∙rices – pour produire des politiques hybrides et former des merritoires de la conservation concurrents et originaux.

The modernization of agriculture is under scrutiny. It is currently debated within the growing concept and practice of agroecology that applies ecological fundaments to the design and the management of sustainable agroecosystems. In matter of ecologization of agriculture, agroecological transition may be considered as a privileged pathway. It relies on two main forms: the weak (that intends to reduce the use of chemicals by alternative practices such as their substitution by biological inputs) versus strong modernization of agriculture (based on the valorization of biodiversity providing ecosystemic services). In this article, through an analysis of the technological innovations used for the enhancement of mycorrhiza (symbiotic interactions between plants and soil microorganisms) as an illustration of the implementation of the agroecological transition in France, we wonder in what extent a strong modernization of agriculture is likely to occur.This paper shows how the conceptual framework of socio-technical regime is useful to analyze the dynamics of the agroecological transition. Our demonstration relies on an empirical material (survey of the main actors of the mycorrhiza supply chain) that permits to understand how is structured the dominant system and how it impedes the development of the alternative niche. We then give some prerequisites in terms of public action to define in what extent the niche can be supported and can compete the current system.

The modernization of agriculture is under scrutiny. It is currently debated within the growing concept and practice of agroecology that applies ecological fundaments to the design and the management of sustainable agroecosystems. In matter of ecologization of agriculture, agroecological transition may be considered as a privileged pathway. It relies on two main forms: the weak (that intends to reduce the use of chemicals by alternative practices such as their substitution by biological inputs) versus strong modernization of agriculture (based on the valorization of biodiversity providing ecosystemic services). In this article, through an analysis of the technological innovations used for the enhancement of mycorrhiza (symbiotic interactions between plants and soil microorganisms) as an illustration of the implementation of the agroecological transition in France, we wonder in what extent a strong modernization of agriculture is likely to occur.This paper shows how the conceptual framework of socio-technical regime is useful to analyze the dynamics of the agroecological transition. Our demonstration relies on an empirical material (survey of the main actors of the mycorrhiza supply chain) that permits to understand how is structured the dominant system and how it impedes the development of the alternative niche. We then give some prerequisites in terms of public action to define in what extent the niche can be supported and can compete the current system.

ADB's strategic objective and priorities. The CPS has four strategic pillars: (i) accelerate competitiveness and economic diversification; (ii) strengthen human capital and lifelong learning; (iii) foster green, sustainable, and inclusive development; and (iv) improve governance. The CPS will deliver on these priorities by (i) offering policy advice; (ii) supporting reforms; (iii) strengthening institutions, including for social and environment safeguards; (iv) sourcing public and private sector finance and expertise, and (v) promoting gender equality. ADB will continue to pioneer the use of technology, including digital solutions, throughout its operations. In terms of priorities, the CPS redirects ADB-led investments toward energy infrastructure, while continuing to focus on agriculture and natural resources, human capital, and urban development. This focus corresponds to four of the seven operational priorities (OPs) of ADB's Strategy 2030.4 To support the government's vision of integrating into the global digital economy and benefiting from the fourth industrial revolution, the CPS mainstreams use of information technology including for better targeting of government programs toward underserved people. The CPS also includes a multi-media communication strategy to share ADB's deep operational experience and country knowledge.

This report describes trends in the beef industry in the Monsoonal North. It aims to provide the region's natural resource management (NRM) groups with an understanding of how best to support the industry, undertake the changes required to improve its environmental sustainability and economic viability, and to provide it with resilience in the face of increasing development pressures and climate change. This report charts the industry's history and development; describes its current condition and the pressures and drivers it is experiencing; and explores how these are likely to change in the near future. The region: The Monsoonal North covers 20% of Australia's land surface across the tropical savannas. It shares a monsoonal climate, extensive intact ecological systems, generally poor soils and limited development. Its river systems carry nearly half of the runoff. The region has a large Indigenous population; most land is either under Indigenous ownership or subject to Native Title; and the highest proportion of Indigenous people live in the region's north and north-west. The region also faces a number of shared issues, particularly the challenges of intensifying climatic extremes and pressure to exploit Asia's growing demand for agricultural produce, which is placing pressure on land and water resources. The industry: Cattle production is northern Australia's most important agricultural industry. Two-thirds of the Monsoonal North is currently used for extensive cattle grazing. Through most of the region, cattle are grazed at low stocking rates on native pastures, with introduced pasture species being restricted in extent. Most enterprises breed animals for the low-value live export trade or for fattening and finishing on better pastures or in feedlots. Cattle numbers in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia have doubled since 1965, and fluctuated with changes in demand and climatic conditions. In 2009, the Monsoonal North held around 5.7 million head of cattle. High export demand from Asia and drought destocking has seen the region's cattle numbers fall and prices rise through 2014-15. In the longer-term, continued growth in global demand, a reduced Australian dollar and high global prices, and improved incomes are forecast for Australian beef producers. Since 2009, each of the three northern governments have released policy documents that included targets to increase the herd size by between 1 and 5%, with the greatest planned increases on Aboriginal land in the Kimberley. Between 2009 and 2014, the Northern Territory herd grew by more than the projected 5% increase. Herd size in Queensland has recently diminished because of drought, and the current government's stance on herd-building is unclear. Nevertheless, long-term growth is expected to increase the northern Australian herd by a further 80% by 2050. Recent growth in the northern cattle herd has been achieved through intensification (spreading grazing pressure using water points and fencing) and development of underutilised properties, notably on Indigenous lands. Indigenous pastoralism is growing rapidly, with developments in all parts of the sector from cattle breeding to slaughter. Markets: Most beef grown in northern Australia is sent to Asia, with Indonesia being the largest buyer of live cattle. Despite a long-established framework for assuring animal health and welfare within Australia, widely-publicised animal mistreatment in Indonesia resulted in the temporary closure of the live-export market in 2011 until animal welfare could be assured throughout the supply chain. This closure demonstrated how dependence on a single market exposed the northern beef industry to market volatility. Bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations by the federal government are now progressively broadening market access, with agreements favouring Australian beef now in place or close to finalisation with most significant beef markets. Enterprises: Cattle enterprises in the Monsoonal North have been struggling because, in real terms, cattle prices have declined, while input costs have remained stable. In addition, escalating land prices through the 1990s and 2000s encouraged many land owners to increase their mortgages to levels that became unsustainable once land prices fell. This has implications for environmental management. In comparison to pastoralists in a good financial position, those in debt have less resilience to cope with drought; are less likely to adopt practice improvements needed for improving enterprise viability and environmental conditions; and are more likely to suffer adverse health effects. Many enterprises, especially those with small herds, derive more income from off-farm work than they earn from cattle operations. While large cattle enterprises allow economies of scale, increasing cattle herd size seems less important to profitability than does improving herd performance. Performance: Except on Mitchell Grass pastures and small areas of intensively managed pastures, cattle performance in the Monsoonal North is substandard when compared to the rest of the country, and is affected by poor quality pasture quality. Breeding performance is typically poor; with low pregnancy rates; high foetal and calf death rates; and many cows are lost. However, the achievements of the top 25% of the industry indicate there is great potential to improve performance on the remaining properties. Health and well-being: Pastoral production is a stressful occupation, involving financial insecurity and isolation; and pastoralists have high rates of injury, disease, accident and suicide. Recent years have brought additional challenges associated with falling land prices, market instability and drought. In the Burdekin Dry Tropics, proposed coal mining is increasing stress levels for many pastoralists. Supply and demand: Domestic demand for beef in Australia stagnated because per capita beef consumption has fallen, but global demand is escalating with population growth and economic development. Demand for beef is expected to keep increasing until at least 2050, with greatest growth occurring in China. Australia was the world's top beef exporter until 2003. Only Brazil and India currently export more beef than Australia does. Australia's disease-free status gives it access to markets that are closed to these exporters. Australia's dominance of the live-export trade to Indonesia also helps provide a disease free buffer to its north. Australian beef producers are disadvantaged by protectionist measures employed by both beef importing countries and exporting countries. The Australian Government has been engaging in international trade agreements that will overcome some of these barriers and increase market access. Market requirements and consumer preference: A high percentage of Brahman genes in the herd makes northern cattle attractive for slaughter and feedlots in tropical countries. However, slow growth rates and long transport distances mean most beef is sold in the low end of the market. Ethical, health and environmental concerns have contributed to the decline in domestic meat consumption, and are influencing consumer preferences in global markets. These concerns are driving practice improvement throughout the Australian beef supply chain. Challenges: Industry viability is constrained by lack of infrastructure, including feedlots, intensive fattening pastures, saleyards and meatworks, inactive ports and poor quality roads, all of which combine to make freight expensive, pushing up input costs. Considerable advances have been made in alleviating these constraints by building meatworks in Darwin, Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. However, lack of competition through the supply chain may be depressing returns at the farm gate. The ports of Darwin and Townsville are operating at record capacity, but some northern ports with export facilities (Port Hedland, Weipa, Mourilyan and Mackay) have not operated for several years. Water for cattle operations and irrigated crops may be at risk if extraction for these and other activities is not sustainably allocated. While broadscale irrigated cropping is likely to be restricted to a small proportion of the region, its requirements for water resources and fertile soil may deprive the pastoral industry of some of its most productive pasture land. Extraction for mining and irrigated agriculture is of particular concern. This has become a contentious issue with several coal projects in Queensland's Galilee Basin. Mining also has the potential to disrupt pastoral operations by removing land from production for both mineral extraction and infrastructure. Again, this is a significant issue in Queensland, where several landholders will be affected by the rail corridor servicing mines in the Galilee Basin. The disruption caused by mining poses a risk, not only to the financial viability of pastoral enterprises, but also to the health and welfare of pastoralists and their families. If well managed, however, mining and agricultural development can also have co-benefits, improving regional economies and providing employment and infrastructure. Weeds, fire, pest animals, disease and cattle theft all impose financial burdens on northern pastoral operations. Production losses caused by weeds have been estimated at costing the industry around $1,000 million/year; pest animals: ca $36 million/year; disease and parasites: ca $390 million; and cattle theft between $1.5 and $2 million a year in Queensland alone. No industry-wide estimates are available for impacts of fire, cyclones or other natural disasters. Conversely, pastoral managers perform important roles in control of weeds, fire, pest animals and diseases that would not be undertaken if no one was living on the lands they manage. Climatic and seasonal conditions are also serious constraints, particularly in inland Queensland, where periods of drought of two or more years are not uncommon. Conversely, extended periods of above average rainfall may encourage pastoralists to stock land beyond its long-term carrying capacity, and develop unrealistic impressions of what average conditions are. This could be an issue in the Kimberley if the elevated rainfall of the last few decades is not sustained. Climate change is already being felt in the region. Temperature have risen by up to 1.0°C since 1910, with further increases of up to 5°C expected by the end of the century. Droughts, cyclones, wildfires and flooding rains are likely to intensify over the next few decades, and continue to intensify until at least the end of the century. Carbon dioxide enrichment may increase forage production, but reduce its quality and stimulate woody thickening, as woody plants are favoured over tropical grasses. In most climate change scenarios, whether rainfall remains roughly the same or decreases, pasture growth and safe stocking rates in the Monsoonal North are expected to decrease, with the worst scenarios predicting decreases in pasture growth and safe stocking rates of between 50% and 60%. Climate change will also have adverse impacts on each stage of the supply chain, with effects ranging from increasingly uncomfortable work conditions to increased frequency of flood and cyclone damage to infrastructure. Policy environment: Many organisations have an influence on the direction of the pastoral industry. Individually, or as part of cross jurisdictional alliances, national, state and territory governments promote industry sustainability and herd-building. The preferred approach is to improve trade relations; simplify regulation; invest in roads; and provide a conducive business environment to attract infrastructure investment. The Developing Northern Australian White Paper and the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper further these objectives. Under Australian national legislation, the Red Meat Advisory Council was established to represent the interests of beef and other meat producers, and is reported to by various state farming organisations that work closely with the industry as advocates and information and extension providers. Research and marketing is largely driven by Meat and Livestock Australia (informed on northern issues by the North Australia Beef Research Council) and extension is delivered by state agencies, state farming organisations and NRM groups. The emphasis of both research and extension is on practice improvement, rather than herd building. The Australian Government funded Indigenous Land Corporation is also playing a pivotal role in the northern grazing industry by assisting Indigenous people acquire, develop and manage pastoral properties. Finally, the policies and assessments made by financial institutions can both determine the level of debt that a pastoral enterprise can acquire and the cost of repayment, and influence whether developments seeking external funding are seen as viable. The Australian Government is committed to climate change action by virtue of signing international agreements. Its commitments to reduce emissions will help moderate the long-term impacts of climate change. Both the Western Australian and Northern Territory Governments have also made climate change commitments and the Queensland Government is currently revitalising its climate change agenda. Regulatory environment: Legislation and regulation govern much activity on pastoral properties, most of which are pastoral leases coexisting with Native Title. This type of land tenure allows pastoralists to undertake most activities that can be justified as core business to a pastoral operation, including pastoral-related activities that reduce carbon footprints. Diversification into other activities requires the consent of Native Title holders, which is usually negotiated through Indigenous Land Use and Access Agreements. Pastoralists have the right to water stock and clear vegetation for pastoral uses, but conditions vary between jurisdictions and water use for agricultural development requires a permit. There is a lack of clarity about whether permits can be granted for non-pastoral uses (including diversification into broadacre cropping) in Western Australia and Queensland. Pastoral leases also come with a range of legislated responsibilities. Leaseholders in each jurisdiction are to manage weeds, pest animals and diseases and to report notifiable cattle diseases to the relevant authority. They must use National Livestock Identification Scheme tags to ensure their cattle can be traced through the supply chain, and adhere to animal health and welfare standards. In addition, as employers, pastoral operators must follow conditions laid down by Fairwork Australia. Graziers in the Burdekin catchment are required to manage their properties to minimise reef pollution. The rights of miners to access land and water override those of pastoral leaseholders. While legislation facilitating exploitation of mineral and gas and fuel resources purports to safeguard other interests (notably environmental matters and water access), few mining proposals have been rejected because of environmental or pastoral concerns. Practice improvement: Much effort has been invested in identifying the best practices to improve the profitability and environmental sustainability of the northern beef industry. Key areas of knowledge advancement include: • Improving land condition • Improving diet through exotic pastures and supplementary feeding, especially at finishing • Improving reproductive performance by culling non-productive animals, vaccinating against reproductive diseases and improving diet quality • Increasing liveweight gain through early weaning and improving diet quality • Spreading grazing pressure by increasing fencing and water points. Improvements to herd management are largely compatible with practice change required for reducing adverse impacts on biodiversity, carbon footprints and Great Barrier Reef water quality. Improved animal performance increases animal growth rates (meaning fewer animals are required to produce the same volume of meat), and therefore also reduces the methane emissions generated. Good herd performance in rangelands is also dependent on moderate stocking rates to maximise forage quality, especially by improving the cover of productive perennial grasses. Improved ground cover also reduces soil loss (when cover is at least 50%) and gully formation (when at least 75%). Resilience to climate change will be built by undertaking the practice improvements identified to improve pastoral productivity and land condition. Of particular importance is the ability to adjust stocking rates in relation to seasonal conditions. At the industry level, decision support, including improved access to climatic information, is required to assist pastoralists make the best decisions for their circumstances. Diversification: Another approach to increasing enterprise resilience is diversification. Options being canvased include small-scale irrigation of pasture crops for finishing cattle on the property, grain and oil seed crops, biodiversity conservation and carbon abatement. Conservation efforts on some properties attracted subsidies in return for entering into conservation agreements. Biodiversity offsets may widen opportunities for on-property conservation, particularly in Queensland, where a formalised offset scheme is being developed. A small number of pastoral properties in the region are also receiving funding for fire management to reduce carbon emissions. A range of other emission reduction opportunities are at various stages of development, including reducing emissions from pastoral operations through improved herd management and adjusting cattle diets and storing carbon in soil or vegetation. Natural resource management implications: As practices to improve performance are adopted and/or diversification options are pursued, careful management will be required to avoid potential adverse environmental impacts. Best-bet options for improving environmental outcomes along with pastoral productivity include: • Avoiding the use of "transformer" grasses (with high biomass and fuel loads), or at least ensuring they do not escape from improved pasture plantings • Protecting areas of high biodiversity values when increasing extent and/or intensity of grazing, in particular protecting biodiversity values on riparian corridors when planning irrigated cropping projects • Ensuring wet season supplementary feeding does not weaken native perennial grasses • Ensuring early dry season burning does not lead to vegetation thickening and biodiversity decline. The NRM implications of the current trajectory of the pastoral industry are mixed. Herd building will put more pressure on the natural environment. However, performance improvement has many benefits by reducing the number of hooves and mouths required to produce a kilogram of meat. If well managed, mosaic agriculture can contribute to herd performance while taking pressure off pastures and the natural environment during the wet season, but managed poorly could result in further degradation of alluvial environments and over stocking of adjacent areas. The environmental footprint of diversification into agriculture would similarly need to be managed carefully. However, increasing income from various forms of ecosystem service delivery, particularly on lands that are marginal for grazing, would be a boon to both pastoral enterprises and the environment. Central to all this change are the pastoralists themselves. And with all that is required from them and all the stresses and strains they already have to bear, many will be in no position to take up improved practices, let alone participate in conservation activities. Pathways out of debt must be found before resilience in the face of change can be achieved, and pastoralists must be supported in the adoption of new practices, rather than have it mandated.

The Tajikistan country operations business plan (COBP), 2021–2023 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is consistent with the strategic priorities set out in ADB's Strategy 2030 and takes into account the transition to the country partnership strategy for Tajikistan, 2021–2025. The COBP also supports the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the Period up to 2030. In particular, ADB will help the government achieve its strategic priorities of energy security and efficient use of energy; improved communications and repositioning as a transit country; food security; and the creation of jobs through improved human capital and increased private investment towards economic diversification and competitiveness. ADB will respond by continuing its support for (i) structural reforms through policy-based lending (PBL), (ii) private sector participation in skills development, and (iii) investment in infrastructure rehabilitation. ADB will also support other complementary initiatives in regional cooperation, governance, urban development, health and education, climate change resilience, food security, tourism development, the environment, and gender mainstreaming.

The Tajikistan country operations business plan (COBP), 2020–2022 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is aligned with the country partnership strategy for Tajikistan, 2016–2020.1 The country partnership strategy aims to support sustained and inclusive growth that is less susceptible to external shocks, and create higher-paying jobs. The COBP also supports the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the Period up to 2030. In particular, ADB will help the government achieve its strategic priorities of energy security and efficient use of energy; improved communications and repositioning as a transit country; food security, nutrition, and improved public access to quality food; and the creation of jobs through increased private investment, economic diversification, and competitiveness. ADB will respond by continuing its support for (i) structural reforms through policy-based lending (PBL), (ii) private sector participation in skills development, and (iii) investment in infrastructure rehabilitation. ADB will also support other complementary initiatives in regional cooperation, governance, urban development, health and education, climate change resilience, food security, tourism development, the environment, and gender mainstreaming.