by Andrea Westall | Jan 20, 2016
This report summarises and updates the analysis and practical implications of previous FDSD work on the The Future of Democracy in the Face of Climate Change. It investigates the links between democracy and climate change, as well as the drivers of change that might...
by Andrea Westall | Oct 21, 2012
Halina Ward argues that a core challenge is to balance national strategic priority-setting with local community engagement. Using the example of on-shore windfarms, she sets out the questions that need answering: what processes of deliberation?, how far can local...
by Andrea Westall | Sep 21, 2012
This paper reviews the literature on the drivers of voluntary social and environmental standards-setting, their relationship with the multilateral trading system, the link with national public authorities, as well as suggesting implications for the roles of public...
by Andrea Westall | Mar 21, 2012
Halina Ward built on The Mandate of a UN High Commissioner for Future Generations to further outline powers and responsibilities, building on commitments that UN member states have already made; how the role might evolve over time; and where it could be sited. Annexes...
by Andrea Westall | Feb 21, 2012
Published by FDSD and the World Future Council, this paper was written to help UN member states and international organisations prepare for “Rio+20”, the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, suggesting specific powers and responsibilities. The authors...
by Andrea Westall | Jan 21, 2012
The Future of Democracy in the Face of Climate Change was a piece of research which ran from late 2009 to early 2012. It resulted in five reports which explore the question of: How might democracy and participatory decision-making have evolved to cope with the...
by Andrea Westall | Oct 21, 2011
Following the suggestions of Intergenerational Foundation’s report Hoarding of Housing: the intergenerational crisis in the housing market, Halina Ward argues that the UK Government has no consistent approach to future generations, and that ‘future generation’...
by Andrea Westall | Sep 21, 2011
On 9th September 2010, UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg called for a “horizon shift” to respond to a political culture and society which has become too short-term. Halina argues that, whilst the analysis is good, the proposed solutions – increased mobility...
by Andrea Westall | Sep 21, 2010
Halina Ward takes a critical look at ISO 26000, an international standard that aims to encourage organisations to be socially-responsible. She assesses the standard against democracy and sustainable development, making recommendations so that it could better enhance...
by Andrea Westall | May 21, 2010
Whilst there are examples of decision-making innovations that link communities and mainstream politics, Halina Ward asks what happens when community groups that self-organise on sustainable development choose not to engage with local government. Download The full...
by Andrea Westall | Apr 21, 2010
Report of an event held by FDSD, Schumacher College, Dartington Hall Trust, Salzburg Global Seminar and Goodenough College, on 19th and 20th April 2010 at Goodenough College, London The seminar focussed on: what innovations are needed in democracy and participatory...
by Andrea Westall | Oct 21, 2009
Leaders from UK NGOs met to explore insights into the relationship between democracy and sustainable development, ways forward, and whether and how NGOs should work together to get democracy working for environmental justice and sustainable development. The group, a...
by Andrea Westall | Oct 21, 2009
Halina Ward believes that the UK’s Sustainable Communities Act, 2007 takes a conservative approach to sustainable development, seeing economic, social and environmental issues separately, rather than creating an “integrated approach to decision-making”. Halina Ward...
by Andrea Westall | Aug 21, 2009
Halina Ward uses the example of eco-town proposals by the UK central government to illustrate the tensions between top-down sustainability planning and local needs. She argues for the development of processes that marry the two successfully, rather than allowing only...
by Andrea Westall | Aug 21, 2009
Halina Ward argues that online voting illustrates some of the problems with simple direct democracy, including an absence of informed and accountable processes. Her comments also draw on a talk by Liam Taylor of Climate Camp at a Compass conference session –...
by Andrea Westall | Jun 21, 2009
Halina Ward believes that if we take the concept of ‘one world’ thinking, developed by Peter Singer in One World: The ethics of globalisation, our democracies have not responded to the challenges of interconnectedness. While the tools of one world thinking are well...
