Governance and Social Development Resource Centre

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The Governance and Social Development Resource Centre (GSDRC) provides cutting-edge knowledge services on demand and online. It aims to help reduce poverty by informing policy and practice in relation to governance, conflict and social development. The GSDRC is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Spotlight: New Issues Paper on Social Movements

This paper from the GSDRC assesses the available literature on social movements in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. It examines who becomes involved in collective action and why, the barriers to mobilisation and, where social movements do emerge, how these are able to sustain mobilisation and broaden their membership base to reflect the interests of the wider community. Evidence from this review suggests the importance of considering the interplay of movement activity and state stability, and of taking into account existing state-society relationships. Donors could focus on creating a supportive environment for social movements.

Latest Document Summaries

Key Text Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change: What Scope for Environmental Services?

Author: Sheila Wertz-Kanounnikoff et al. (2011)
Size: 30 pages (333 kB)

This article analyses the opportunities and constraints of payments for environmental services (PES) as an instrument for ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA). It finds that PES is not suitable for all environmental services and country contexts, but can be a promising adaptation policy instrument where certain preconditions are met and synergies prevail.


Key Text Globalization's Impact on Gender Equality: What's happened and what's needed

Author: World Bank (2011)
Size: 26 pages (1.05 MB)

What impact has globalisation had on gender equality? This study examines the impacts of economic integration, technical change and access to information on gender inequality. It argues that not everyone is benefiting from globalisation. Women, for whom existing constraints are most binding, are often left behind. While the forces unleashed by globalisation have lifted some of the barriers to greater gender equality, public action is needed to lift these further. In particular, public policy needs to address gender gaps in endowments, agency, and access to economic opportunities.