|
"From Land Mines to Copper Mines: Will Afghanistan's mineral wealth rescue the country from decades of instability and poverty? It just might -- and here's how", Michael Ross, Foreign Policy (15th June 2010): Geologists have discovered vast deposits of iron, copper, gold, and other minerals in Afghanistan, according to a front-page story in Monday's New York Times. Worth an estimated $1 trillion, these resources -- if exploited -- could fundamentally transform the country. Full Article
Interview with Paul Collier on the plunder of natural resources, "Sunday Show", CBC Radio 1 (30th May 2010): Listen to MP3
Testimony to the US Helsinki Commission, "The Link between Revenue Transparency and Human Rights", Anthony Richter (22nd April 2010) "Chairman, Members of the Commission, I thank you for the opportunity to talk to you about the link between natural resource revenue transparency and human rights. The Revenue Watch Institute is a non-profit policy institute and grantmaking organization that promotes the responsible management of oil, gas and mineral resources in resource-rich countries. We have been involved in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) since its inception and I am currently a member of its International Board......" Full Statement.
US Congressional Statement by Senator Cardin on Natural Resource Charter (20th April 2010): "Mr. President, I am pleased to report to you and my colleagues on the excellent work that is being done to help developing countries capitalize on their natural resource wealth. This unique initiative is called the Natural Resource Charter....." Full Statement.
Testimony to the US Helsinki Commission, US Congress, "The Resource Charter", Karin Lissakers (15th April 2010): "Chairman, Members of the Helsinki Commission,I thank you for the opportunity to talk to you about the Natural Resource Charter – an effort by an independent group of experts to create a road map for countries to manage their mineral resources for the long term economic benefit of their people...." Full statement
Testimony to the US Helsinki Commission, US Congress, "The Resource Charter", Joseph C. Bell (15th April 2010) "Mister Chairman, thank you for the invitation to speak to you about the Resource Charter. Natural resources -- oil, gas, minerals -- have been the source of many conflicts, much corruption, and on occasion great environmental damage. Even today resource competition is fueling conflict in the Eastern Congo, the Nigerian delta and elsewhere. But natural resources also provide an opportunity to support growth and rapid development as Botswana, Norway and indeed our own experience have shown...." Full Statement.
"Good Decisions Help Avoid Resource Curse", Paul Collier and Tony Venables, Financial Times Guest Column (29th March 2010):"The prospect of continuing high commodity prices is stimulating investment in resource discovery and development. Most of the locations that remain promising for exploration are in the world’s poorest countries. Until recently, they were neglected because the political context was judged to be too risky....." Full Article.
"Africa's Natural Resources on VOA's In Focus" (22nd Jan 2010): VOA's Ndimyake Mwakalyelye reports if Africa's rich natural resources are benefitting or hurting the continent. Click for Video.
World Bank Africa VP Calls for 'Creative Dissatisfaction' Campaign on Natural Resources", Ghana Business News (7th Oct 2009): "This was a lunchtime debate designed to induce a degree of indigestion! Participants at an annual meetings session hosted by Africa region VP Oby Ezekwisili faced the uncomfortable assertion that the majority of citizens in resource-rich African countries have seen little if any improvement as a result of decades of natural resource exploitation..." Full Article.
"Charter Could Change Natural Resource Use", The Independent, Uganda (29th May 2009): "The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group’s Chief Economist, Louis Kasekende,(left) has said that the Natural Resource Charter - a set of economic principles for governments and civil society organizations, detailing best approaches to managing opportunities created by natural resources for development - would help governments and societies rich in natural resources to manage such resources in a way that generates economic growth and promotes the people’s welfare." Full Article.
"International Agreement on Striking Gold", Oxford University Press Release (18th May 2009): "Oxford professors have helped to create an international agreement to help governments and societies in developing countries manage their natural resources more effectively. The Natural Resource Charter is a set of principles for governments and societies on how to use opportunities created by natural resources so that its citizens get the best value from them." Full Press Release.
"Ending the Resource Curse", Kandeh K. Yumkella, NY Times Opinion Editorial (18th May 2009):"The abundance of natural resources is often viewed as a “curse” rather than a “blessing.” They bring great benefits to those who import them, while the exporting country remains miles apart, in development terms. We can find striking examples of this on all continents....."Full Article
African Development Bank Pledges Support for Natural Resource Charter (15th May 2009): " The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group’s Chief Economist, Louis Kasekende, has said that the Natural Resource Charter - a set of economic principles for governments and civil society organizations, detailing best approaches to managing opportunities created by natural resources for development - would help governments and societies rich in natural resources to manage such resources in a way that generates economic growth and promotes the people’s welfare....." Full Article
"Africa Urged to Manage Resources", BBC Business News (15th May 2009): "Developing economies could better ride the current financial crisis with more effective maintenance of their natural resources, according to a new report. The report - by the Natural Resources Charter - comes at a time when the economic downturn has caused a dramatic fall in demand for metals...." Full Article.
"Comment rendre l’aide au développement plus efficace ?" Paul Collier, La Croix (Article in French) (26th Frb 2009): En mai, à Oslo, Paul Collier lancera avec un groupe d’universitaires renommés une « charte des ressources », boîte à idées pour aider de façon efficace au développement des pays pauvres, riches en ressources naturelles...." Full Article.
"Managing the Curse of Natural Resources: Charter Offers Guide for Politicians", Gwladys Fouche, The Guardian (9th Feb 2009): "A how-to guide for the political leaders of poor countries on how to manage natural resources was launched this week, aimed at ending the so-called "resource curse" plaguing the economic development of poor nations rich in oil, gas and other natural assets." Full Article.
Press release for the Charter Launch at the 10th Annual Global Development Conference (4th Feb, 2009): "New Charter to help oil-rich poor countries - launched today. The draft of a new Resource Charter was launched today for consultation at a conference of the Global Development Network in Kuwait. It creates a step-by-step guide for governments of resource-rich developing countries to help them make core decisions – beginning with the decision to extract natural resources like oil, gas or minerals, and ending with decisions about using the revenues they generate." Full Press Release.
Paul Collier, TED Talk (March 2008) Paul Collier discusses his book, The Bottom Billion, and how poor management of natural resource booms is liked to the entrenched poverty of billions. He suggests that one means to helping the 'bottom billion' people is to create international standards for best practice at each stage of decision making in the value chain. Collier ends his talk by emploring the audience to become ambassadors of the Natural Resource Charter. Click here for video.
For Media enquiries about the Natural Resource Charter please contact the Charter Coordinator, Verity Outram.
|