Der folgende Blog Eintrag ist einerseits als Beitrag zur [Mehrblick Blogparade]

zum Thema „Besinnung auf echtes Unternehmertum“ gedacht, andererseits als Aufarbeitung des gestrigen Moduls 1: „Ökosoziale Marktwirtschaft – Konzept und Instrumente“ des Ökosozialen Studierendenforums.

In einem Weltcafé-Setting stellten wir uns die Frage, inwieweit Politik, Zivilgesellschaft und Unternehmen Beiträge zu einer nachhaltigen und ökosozialen Marktwirtschaft leisten können. Die Ergebnisse wurden auf Flipcharts festgehalten und sind weiter unten nachzulesen.

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By Alexandra Frischmann

The non-profit organization travel2change launched an idea challenge that invites travelers, organizations and localcommunities alike to submit innovative and sustainable project ideas. The goal is to foster responsible travel that can create a positive impact on local communities and offer support in a sustainable manner. The first challenge revolves around the themes of water and tourism.

Since its launch, over 200 initial members joined the online community and submitted around 45 innovative project proposals for the idea generation challenge. We have received many great projects linked to sport, education, health and environment. There is no limit to your creativity when it comes to linking water and travelling to create social change! We are entirely community driven and emphasize the interaction and collaboration of travelers and local communities to ensure that our initiatives have a sustainable impact. It is important for us to hear and respect all voices and work together towards common goals.

Travel2change believes that this is a great way to positively impact people’s lives. We are happy that thanks to our supporter Kuoni we are able to award our winning projects with a free trip and financial support to realize their ideas this summer 2011. The most valuable participant will also be able to join one of the winning projects to the project destination. The first challenge is open until 19 June 2011.

How can we travel to create a positive impact on the lives of local communities? Inspire with your idea at http://www.travel2change.org!

Let’s keep in touch:
info@travel2change.org
www.travel2change.org
facebook.com/travel2change
twitter.com/travel2change

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Introduction

Indian women nowadays face numerous constraints of suppression and inequalities which are to be addressed urgently. Child brides, widow immolation, illiteracy, dowry murders, rape or female fetus abortion are some of the religious and social practices that are still deeply embedded within the society. Yet, to get a broader understanding of these realities, the society should be clearly involved, its traditional structures and construction of gender identities which have to be regarded within the light of its mythological belief and religious norms that got formed by different influences throughout history and are reflected in manifold expressions of art, poetry, literature and film industries of modern India today.

Myths and religion are powerful linkages that keep social structures together. Throughout centuries different influences, cultural mingling and various impositions of laws and ideas led to the social constructions of the Indian society today. Although it is important to highlight and create awareness that the position of women has undergone many restrictions it should be acknowledged that a solely victimization is not in every case presenting a holistic picture of reality: the power of silent and active resistance may not be underestimated. In addition an ethnocentric definition of the terms ‘subordination’ and ‘discrimination’ might itself be a misleading bias and deserves critical discussion. Even though many Indian women still have little influence on their own destiny, a noteworthy change is the continuous increase in activism through movements which play a considerable role in empowering women and their role in different society contexts.

History

From Hindu Philosophy we learn that there has already been goddess worshiping in the ancient Vedic culture which dates back to 2000 years BC and is understood to constitute together with other cultural influences, the origins of Hinduism today. It is handed that in the Vedic civilization men and women were considered of equal status, a tradition which is represented in the belief that the male and the female part depend on each other and only together build the principle of life. Therefore the ‘ideal’ faith is the one of Ardhanareshwa, which implies the understanding that the creator of the world is half men and half women. Even though in the Rig Veda – a early collection of hymns and allusions- the female and male part are considered of the same value, their nature is already assigned with respective gender attributes: the male part is ascribed to the idea of the human self (purusha) while the female part is attributed to nature (prakriti).

After periods of worshipping and equality the decline of the female status in society is dated back to around 500 BC. With the breakdown of great Hindu kingdoms like the Maurya, growing social renewals led to further restrictions for women. While child marriage is dated back to the 6th century it was the medieval period that represents the lowest point of women’s position in Indian history. It was this time that child marriages, Sati and bans on widow remarriages became common practices in most Indian parts. Islamic conquering brought practices such as the purdah while in Rajasthan self immolation became a custom.

Mythology

An important part of India’s mythology is build by the Ramayana epic which dates back to 400 years BC and is said to have diversified up to 300 variations until today. It contemplates the story of Rama, an ideal man an heir to the throne of Ajodhya.
An interesting part of this mythology is the story of Sita, the wife of Rama (an incarnation of Vishnu a Hindu god) which followed her husband into exile and underwent a fire trial to prove her chastity. She survives the trial with no flames touching her. Sita, synonymous to “seed” in Sanskrit, is the daughter of mother earth and worshiped as goddess of fertility. The story shows that female worshipping as well as early gender constructions arise out of early myths: Sita is represented as a strong woman with ‘perfect female attributes’ (like in many other cultures equated with mother earth and fertility) and does not hold a subordinated position. Yet, as a woman she is already under the social obligation to prove herself in front of her people and to undergo respective trials.

Colonial Rule

Another important and radical influence on Indian society and the status of women was the rule of the British colonial emperors. History in these decades was written from a Eurocentric point of view and consequently led to judgments from outsiders positions, without taking into account the voices of its people. According to the historical accounts of colonial writings from the nineteenth century it was the British rule, its ideas and values that ‘enlightened’ the Indian society and therefore changed the role of women after many centuries of female status decline. Colonial writers together with Indian ‘enlightened’ historians were reviewing ancient Indian texts in order to rewrite history. It was acknowledged that there was ancient worshipping of women a long time ago, yet both colonial and Indian historian considered women as inheriting a subordinate role due to their biological attributes. Moreover ‘common’ female attributes such as ‘devoting and self sacrificing’ were claimed to exist in women behavior throughout history (Forbes 1996:1).

It is essential for the rethinking of colonial historical writing – especially in regard to gender matters- to realize that the power structures embedded in these contexts are manifold. Women were facing a subordinate role in relation to men but also in relation to the colonial system and very importantly its respective historical writing had shaped the way women were seen in the society and consequently influenced the way they regarded themselves. (Forbes 1996)

Homosexuality

The attention towards homosexuality in Indian society was undergoing similar influences. Even though in ancient India same-sex relationships were not only approved there are references in Indian texts that judge it in diverse ways ranging from critical to celebratory. In the course of this it is essential that in Hindu thought a men who has sexual intercourse with other men is not necessarily defined as gay with a respective social classification but could rather be married to women while relating towards men. It looks like the prevailing ideal was the idea of men and women living together in marriage also for reproduction purposes and in order to maintain the principle of life. In this sense sexuality could be divided from social gender structures allowing individuals to live their orientations within these structures. It was mainly the modern idea of romantic love that changed this view, imposing the concept of heterogeneity as the only form of relationship within the social establishment of marriage. The colonial rule not only changed way of looking at women but also the social behavior towards gay and lesbian relationships. In the Victorian age homosexuality became widely implied taboo and even criminalized – structures that deeply remained in the society until today.

Women’s Agency

Since women in South Asia are facing many inequalities and discriminating structures, their respective agency should given great attention. As a matter of fact there is female activism both public and private that should not be forgotten.

Private agency

The private sphere is often underestimated for giving women a space to fight domestic oppression; still many do succeed to rebel against their situation in silent but effective ways. There are a great number of cases that show how women escape the imposed social obedience through songs, memories, sabotage or cheating. Even though it is less overarching to the broad society, this private resistance still shows women’s capacity for resistance and should therefore not be underestimated.
Yet many social orders and restrictions are not directly addressed by silent disobedience leaving a broader efficiency to fight systematic gender inequalities untouched. (Jeffery 1998: 222)

Public agency and nationalism

There are many public activities that can be mentioned as women’s activism in India. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – affiliated women’s organization is an influential movement and political agency that is led by women . Together with the Rashtriya Parishad Sangh- affiliated Rashtra Sevika Samiti and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad affiliated Durga Vahini, these three women’s organizations form the main direction of Hindu women’s (nationalist) activism. Their agencies vary from direct involvement in politics to the education of girls and women towards a Hindu nationalist state and the fostering of Hindu solidarity through social services. (Basu 1998:168) “Women’s activism has not only found expression among the movement’s orators and spokespersons but has also taken hold at the grassroots level. In the early 1990s, thousands of women became skilled in organizing demonstrations, campaigning for elections, and using arms and ammunition.” (Basu 1998: 167)

Another profound aspect of the political line that combines both women’s empowerment and nationalist ideas (in contrast to the fundamentalist Muslim movement) is the depiction of Muslim women inferiority in India, an idea that entails a general Hindu victimization in relation to Islamic influences. Since the influence of Islam is regarded to have enormously changed the position of Hindu women towards a lower position it is today blamed on Islam in general that India might be back warding in certain matters. While Hindu women stand for modernity and progress, the Islamic attitude towards women represents the opposite. To prove this position it is claimed by the BJP women’s organization that in ancient Vedic time the equality of men and women were represented through adhinarishvaka. Moreover it is said that before the Islamic conquering of India, women held equal economical, religious and social positions. This picturing of Muslim women shows parallel lines to the way Indian women were represented by colonial writers. (Basu 1998: 172f)

The Pink Saris

Sampat Pal leads the movement of the Pink Saris, a less politically but still publicly active intervention against women’s restrictions in the Indian society. After standing up from her own fate of childhood marriage and domestic violence, Sampat Pal became a leading figure for Hindu women facing the cruelties of domestic violence, sexual abuse, caste- discrimination or banishment for pre- married pregnancy. She became famous figure for giving a voice to the oppressed at a local level and standing up against male domination by publicly calling men into account for their action.

Conclusion

The discussion of women’s constraints and their respective agency in modern India is a very complex one including various influences from historical and cultural aspects to colonial rule. Moreover the topic has to be addressed along with the diversity and manifoldness of the Indian society. It is crucial to look at the beliefs, religion and ancient myths that manifests the society and holds structures together. The worship of goddesses attests that women in India once enjoyed great respect and equal status. Nevertheless women today rather advocate for being celebrated as human beings rather than goddesses and witches.
Today one must not forget the influences of modernization and political lines such as the BJP through which women increasingly organize, mobilize and raise their voice publicly. It is furthermore crucial to keep in mind that the discussion of the situation of women in India differs according to which women are regarded. The Indian society is much differentiated in its religious alignments and staggered by the cast system. Accordingly discriminations of e.g. untouchable women might differ from those of other casts such as the Brahmans. Moreover Hindu and Muslim women have to be regarded from a different angle because of their different customs and religious beliefs that shape their social organization.

Most likely rural and urban communities cannot be addressed in the same way. In addition it is a relative term who is oppressed and who is in the same time oppressing. Women are not only victims but sometimes actors themselves e.g. a women can be suppressed by her mother in law or damned by her own family for not agreeing with decisions imposed upon her.

Another important issue for changing women’s situation today concerns a general social and political agenda. If the status of women is to be changed on a broad ground, a respective social system has to be established in order to catch and support those women that do not want to live in the households of their husbands and thus economically depend on them. Consequently awareness raising, education and employment have to be generated by the state political program.

It is encouraging to see how women succeed to create awareness of their situation within a system that still widely denies a respective debate. Although there are many obstacles that may not be underestimated women have already reached far with active and passive, public and private resistance. Yet there is still a long way to go and further possibilities have to be provided. Women have to be onwards encouraged to stand up against inequalities and oppression. To create a space for active female empowering it is a necessity that concerns all of us, whether male or female.

Thereby not only the South Asian women and organizations are addressed. In times of globalization it is worldwide influences that create chances but also obstacles and generate a global scope of local agendas. Development, multinational corporation, economical liberalization and increasing influences of media and communication technologies imply both: the cross linkage of origins but also the global possibility for awareness and respective action.

by Rebekka Koelbl, INEX

Web Links on the topic

Women make movies. Trailer to the documentary Pink Saris

A documentary of Sampat Pal who leads the movement of the Pink Saris, a publicly active intervention against women’s restrictions in the Indian society.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJjdbfVii-Q&feature=player_embedded

Is Homosexuality a crime?

Ndtv- discussion on homosexuality debate in India. Guests:  Sujatha Rao, Director General, National AIDS Control Organization; Ashok Row Kavi, Chairperson Humsafar Trust; Fr John Edapilly, Dean of Studies NISCORT
www.ndtv.com/video/player/left-right-centre/homosexuality-debate-is-being-gay-a-crime/39969

Born to bondage

Documentary on women bondage in India
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tk0ACNMdeA&feature=player_embedded#

Women’s voice now. Whose honour?

Documentary about honor killing. Neha Sehgal and her students from the DAV College of Women in Yamunanagar confront the patriarchal establishment of a village.
www.womensvoicesnow.org/watchfilm/whose_honour/

BBC debate  2009

Debate tapping into female talent
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-9qg9IunRo

The mundane and the mythical

Documentary by Ms Ruma Ghosh. The film attempts to explore some of the fast disappearing traditions particular to Jhabua among one of the oldest and largest indigenous groups of India.
www.cultureunplugged.com/play/212/The-Mundane-And-The-Mythical

Theatre of the oppressed

The Theater of the oppressed shows a way of expressing urgent issues in public and make the civil society aware of women’s situations. It was originally designed by August Boal and is nowadays practiced in more than 70 countries.
www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/india-matters-theatre-of-the-oppressed/180776

Further Reading

Bangladesh praised for reducing acid attacks
www.womensenews.org/story/the-world/110127/bangladesh-praised-reducing-acid-attacks

India’s missing daughters
www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/63-years-on-indians-still-want-a-boy/188885

Story of a sweatshop buster in Bangladesh (by Mehru Jaffer)
www.southasia.oneworld.net/fromthegrassroots/story-of-a-sweatshop-buster-in-bangladesh/?searchterm

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Am Montag, 11. April 2011 veranstaltet das AFA-Eisenstadt um 18 Uhr im Café Maskaron im Schloss Esterhazy seine nächste Veranstaltung zum Thema Green Jobs unter dem Motto “Green Jobs: Nachhaltig oder nur ein guter Aufhänger?”

Vortragende werden hierbei unter anderem sein:

• Prof.(FH) DI. Dr Arne Ragossnig, Studiengangsleiter der Studiengänge Energie-und Umweltmanagement und Nachhaltige Energiesysteme und
• Mag. Christiane Brunner, Projektkoordinatorin für Erneuerbare Energie, Abgeordnete zum Nationalrat

Unter http://afa.at/v20110411green.jpg findet ihr die Einladungskarte.

Viel Spaß beim Gedankenaustausch!

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TOPIC. THE NEED OF MULTIDISCIPLINARITY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

A development policy which does not consider social, economic and environmental repercussions does not promote a better future but rather depredate it. Sustainable development implies manifold understandings due to its diverse aspects that generate different approaches and answers. The concept of sustainable development results from a growing awareness that environmental concerns and socio-economic issues are related with poverty and global disparity. Sustainable development should therefore be addressed in a holistic program in order to maintain a future sound humanity.

As a foundation and starting point such a program requires the right measurement and set of indicators. In order to address a profound change and promote sustainability that is locally practicable, organizations, decision makers and the civil society need respective indices. To measure and set up indicators is a challenge that has been approached in various ways with the result of drafting different Sustainable Development Indicator Sets (SDI). Hereby a profound method for setting up SDIs is needed, in order to address the fundamental policies and principles of Sustainable Development and to facilitate a respective development program. Thus indicators of the various aspects of development and methods of measurement are needed resulting in a broadly aligned, result oriented program towards Sustainable Development.

Health, prosperity and growth should be thought as a result of a sustainable development that looks at its future implications. Sustainable development unfolds in various fields – ecological, economical and social – that comprise economic growth, protection of the environment and social equity. The interdependence of these dimensions lies at the core of development and, consequently leads to the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach, meanwhile addressing the challenges of human development and well being.

Synonymously and due to its complexity sustainable development tangles various disciplines in such ways that implies pursuing a multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary approach and to foster a profound sustainability comprehension. This multilayered attitude provides a more profound understanding of the cross linked development aspects. This collaboration of disciplines helps – furthermore – in enhancing education and engagement of civil society.

The rigorous consequence of this mutual trust is that the development of humanity should be harmonized with nature protection. The most noteworthy characteristic of this approach is that it really promotes a holistic vision and connects to the various disciplines of science in order to explain the causes and suggest ways to achieve the socio-economic progress of the world.

INEX as a network for educational exchange addresses a multidisciplinary educational approach towards Sustainable Development by providing an exchange platform and network for various stakeholders such as Universities, research institutes and think tanks, companies from various industries, supranational organizations, ministries and NGOs. INEX operates on interdisciplinary and participatory approaches, with the integration of the educational setting, the contextual and social learning capacity being the key asset.

Find more on this topic at www.inex.org

by Rebekka Kölbl

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Starting Jan. 20, 45 social entrepreneurs will showcase their ventures  in an online platform called  the Unreasonable Finalist Marketplace (http://marketplace.unreasonableinstitute.org/).  For  50  days, people from around the world are invited to vote with their wallets on the most viable ventures. The first 25 of the 45 finalists to raise $8,000 in the Marketplace will earn access to the highly acclaimed six‐week mentorship program  at  the Unreasonable  Institute. At  the  Institute,  these  social  entrepreneurs undergo  rigorous  training sessions, including personal and entrepreneurial skill development, intensive workshops and hands‐on guidance from leading thought leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors.

The 45 finalists were selected  from more  than 300 applicants  in 60 countries. Each applicant had  to present a financially self‐sustaining venture that has the ability to scale to serve the needs of at least 1 million people and demonstrates customer validation through sales or pilots. The finalists this year include a Chinese engineer with a prototype  for waterless  composting  toilets;  a  2010 CNN Hero  from  Kenya who has distributed over  10,000 solar lanterns; and an American inventor with a water purification system that can roll up to the size of a ruler. “A huge part of being a  truly exceptional entrepreneur  is  to be able  to  rally excitement and  support  for  your idea,”  said  Daniel  Epstein,  founding  president  of  the  Unreasonable  Institute.  “The  Marketplace  tests  these entrepreneurs’ ability to do just that and, in the form of public support garnered, offers a real‐time measure of success.”

In order to enhance the challenge, the Unreasonable Institute has imposed contribution caps, starting with $10 in  week  one  and  increasing  incrementally.  In  addition  to  preventing  single  underwriters  from  providing  full funding,  the  caps  force  finalists  to  mobilize  the  support  of  hundreds  of  people  from  around  the  world, mandating creative marketing, effective storytelling and  the power of social media  to garner support  for  their ideas. In  2010,  the  inaugural  year  of  the  Unreasonable  Institute,  entrepreneurs  raised  over  $160,000  in  the Marketplace from nearly 3,000 supporters across 130 countries.

“We  believe  that  absolutely  everyone  can make  an  impact,  and  the Marketplace  is  a manifestation  of  that belief,” continued Epstein. “We encourage people  to visit  the Marketplace and  leave  their mark on  the world, whether it is through a Facebook post, watching a video or donating $10 to an entrepreneur whose idea struck a chord.”

Donors have an opportunity  to  test out  their own  social marketing  savvy  through a gaming element: a donor receives one point for every dollar contributed and two points for every dollar that is contributed as a result of sharing their vote via social media. Top point earners receive prize bundles from HP, which has come on board this  year  as  the  Unreasonable  Institute’s  first  corporate  partner  and  as  part  of  the  company’s  longstanding support  of  entrepreneurship.  In  addition  to  the  prizes,  HP  is  contributing  a  scholarship  fund  for  the entrepreneurs and providing technology through which the entrepreneurs can tell their stories and ideas.

”The 25 winning entrepreneurs become Unreasonable Fellows and, during the mentor program, will  learn from, work  alongside,  and  live with  60 mentors  from  a  range  of  industries including  venture  capital,  international development, social enterprise and marketing. Among the exceptional mentors and partners are Greg Miller, co‐founder  of  Google.org;  David  Bornstein,  author  of  “How  to  Change  the World:  Social  Entrepreneurs  and  the Power of New  Ideas”; Libby Cook, co‐founder of Wild Oats; Tom Reilly, head of TED Fellows; and Bob Pattillo, founder of Gray Ghost Capital and First Light Ventures. In addition, the entrepreneurs will have a chance to build relationships with  30  globally recognized  impact  investment  funds, such  as  Acumen  Fund,  Good  Capital  and Echoing  Green,  and pitch  prospective  investors.  Last  year,  60  percent  of  the  Unreasonable  Fellows  seeking funding received capital for their ventures shortly after the end of the Institute.

How can you take part and make a change?

‐ Visit the Marketplace at http://marketplace.unreasonableinstitute.org/
‐ Read the stories of the entrepreneurs and learn about their ventures
‐ Donate to the ventures that get you most excited
‐ Share  your  vote  via  the  email,  Twitter  (use  #givewings)  and  Facebook  links  from  the  entrepreneur’s profile page

###

About Unreasonable Institute

Unreasonable Institute is a mentor‐intensive accelerator for startup entrepreneurs hungry to tackle the world’s greatest social and environmental problems. Founded in 2010, the Unreasonable Institute annually unites 25 high‐impact entrepreneurs from around the world in Boulder, Colo. for six weeks. During that time, the entrepreneurs live and work with 60 world‐class mentors, pitch their ventures to hundreds of investors in San Francisco and Boulder, obtain legal advice and design consulting, form relationships with up to 30 impact investment funds, and prepare to launch financially self‐sustaining, globally scalable ventures that can serve the needs of at least 1 million people.

Contact

Teju Ravilochan
Unreasonable Institute, Co‐Founder
teju@unreasonableinstitute.org

http://unreasonableinstitute.org

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1st CANADA – EUROPE GREEN BUILDING FORUM
Marriott Vienna Hotel, 1010 Vienna, Parkring 12A
February 16, 2011

08:30 – 09:00 Registration opens

09:00 – 09:10 Welcome Address – H.E. John Barrett, Ambassador of Canada to Austria

09:10 – 09:20 Opening Remarks – Nicole Mothes, Trade Commissioner – Canadian Embassy of Canada in Austria

09:20 – 09:45 Canadian Trade Commissioners in Europe – Our service for you!
• Thorsten Henke – Berlin, Germany
• Patrizia Giuliotti – Rome, Italy
• Capparuccini Gianna – Berne, Switzerland
• Trottier Dennis – Paris, France
• Gawron Ewa – Warsaw, Poland

09:45 – 10:45 Green Building Innovation: Bridging Canada and Europe – Thomas Mueller, President – Canada Green Building Council

10:45 – 11:10 Coffee Break and Tour of Exhibition

11:10 – 11:25 Building a whole Sustainable Community – aspern Vienna’s Urban Lakeside –Claudia Nutz, Member of Management Board – Wien 3420 AG

11:25 – 11:40 Future Building Solutions in Europe – Richard Sickinger, Programme Director Future Building Solutions – Danube University Krems

11:40 – 12:00 Austria-Passive-House for Olympic Winter Games 2010 in Whistler – A Successful Technology Corporation between Austria and Canada – Erich Reiner, CEO – Ingenieurbüro Holzwirtschaft und Bauphysik

12:00 – 12:20 How Québec is changing its Wood Culture – François Tanguay, Director – Quebec Wood Coalition

12:20 – 13:20 Lunch Break and Tour of Exhibition

13:20 – 13:35 Energy Efficiency- a Chance for Prefabrication – Robert Schild, Member of the Austria Pre-Manufactured Housing Association

13:35 – 13:50 A Canadian Research Network to Increase the Use of Wood in Mid-Rise Building Construction – Ying Hei Chui – University of New Brunswick

13:50 – 14:05 “Passive Houses” for Active Students – Günther Jedliczka, CEO – Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education & Research

14:05 – 14:20 How Sustainable Design Reflects our Corporate Culture – Gerald Hanisch, CEO – Rubblemaster GmbH

14:20 – 14:35 We Connect Your Ideas with Connectors for Buildings – Friedrich Knapp, CEO – Knapp GmbH

14:35 – 15:10 Coffee Break and Tour of Exhibition

15:10 – 15:50 Do’s and Don’ts – Doing Transatlantic Business: Tax and Legal Aspects – Franz Heidinger, Attorney – Alix-Frank Rechtsanwälte GmbH; Lee Stratton – Gardiner Roberts LLP; Martina
Heidinger – SOT Süd-Ost Treuhand GmbH

15:50 – 16:10 Doing Business in Canada – Tax Aspects – Johannes Mörtl, Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Vienna

16:10 – 17:00 Panel Discussion/Opportunities for Europe and Canada
• Thomas Mueller – Canada Green Building Coucil
• Richard Sickinger – Danube University Krems
• Ying Hei Chui – University of New Brunswick
• Roland Rossi – Canadian Embassy of Canada in Austria

Master of Ceremony: Mag. Florian Rudig – ROODIXX

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Die Auszeichnung honoriert die herausragenden Bemühungen zur Stärkung des Umweltschutzes und der Nachhaltigkeit im Bereich der Abfallwirtschaft. “Ich freue mich extrem über diese hohe Auszeichnung, wir haben uns gegen Städte wie Kopenhagen, Berlin, Malmö, München, Singapur, Vancouver und Zürich durchgesetzt und der Preis ist einmal mehr ein Beweis dafür, dass die tägliche Arbeit für Umweltschutz und Lebensqualität in Wien nicht nur von den Wienerinnen und Wienern positiv bewertet wird, sondern auch international Beachtung findet”, freut sich Umweltstadträtin Ulli Sima.

Vergeben wird die Auszeichnung von den internationalen Abfallwirtschafts-Organisationen “WTERT und SUR”. Eine hochkarätige Jury, bestehend aus 20 internationalen Experten im Bereich der Abfallwirtschaft – Wissenschaftler, Ingenieure aus dem Beirat von WTERT und der University of Columbia, New York, – evaluierten die Bestrebungen der einzelnen Städte, den Gedanken der Nachhaltigkeit besonders wirkungsvoll zu transportieren bzw. die Abfallwirtschaft danach effektiv auszurichten. Der Preis richtete sich weltweit an alle Metropolen mit mehr als 250.000 EinwohnerInnen. Zur Beurteilung wurden Daten über Abfallproduktion, Quoten im Bereich der stofflichen Verwertung, der Kompostierung, die energetischer Nutzung von Abfällen sowie die thermische Behandlung,Vergärung, Deponiegasverstromung herangezogen.

More Information (in German): http://wenigermist.natuerlichwien.at/wien-als-nachhaltigste-stadt-der-welt-ausgezeichnet/

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Im Rahmen der letzten Veranstaltung des diesjährigen Wintersemesters widmet sich Prof. Dr. Ulrich Brand (Vortragender und Mitgestalter der INEX Sustainability Challenge 2010) von der Universität Wien folgendem Thema:

Eine mutige Politik für eine nachhaltige Zukunft

Staatliche und internationale Politiken in Richtung Nachhaltigkeit sind entweder stockend oder finden gar nicht statt. Was sind die Ursachen dafür? Sind es der fehlende politische Wille, die Uneinsichtigkeit der Menschen, ökonomische Interessen? Prof. Brand wird in seinem Vortrag Auswege aufzeigen und erklären, warum wir einen anderen Begriff von Politik brauchen.

Im Rahmen der Vortragsreihe treffen die ExpertInnen im Anschluss an ihren Vortrag auf DiskussionspartnerInnen aus der Praxis. Diese ergänzen die Inhalte der Referate um Perspektiven aus ihrer beruflichen Erfahrung und setzten sich kritisch mit der jeweiligen Thematik auseinander. Im Anschluss daran stellen sich die beiden DiskutantInnen wie bisher den Fragen des Publikums.

Diskussionspartnerin von Prof. Brand wird Corinna Milborn, die stellvertretende Chefredakteurin von NEWS, sein.

WANN: 13. Jänner 2011, 18-20 Uhr

WO: Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Theatersaal (Sonnenfelsgasse 19, 1010 Wien)

ACHTUNG! Bitte melden Sie sich bis 11. Jänner unter: www.umweltbundesamt.at/mutzurnachhaltigkeit für die Veranstaltung an.

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Many people still think that economic growth leads to human development. On the occasion of the 20th issue of the HDI by the UN Development Program economists Gray Molina and Mark Purser analyzed data from 1970 to 2005 from 111 countries with the result that there is no connection between economic growth and human well-being.

The method used compared the income component of the HDI (which is GDP per capita) with the non-income components of life expectancy, school enrollment ratio and literacy. The analysis showed that these two factors are not correlated. Instead, the non-income components are influenced by the role of women in the countries’ societies. Especiallyeducation and participation of women in the business world play an important role.

In conclusion, Molinar and Purser pointed out that decisions concerning fertility and female schooling play a crucial role in human development.

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