KFPE-Newsmail

News & General Information

Christophe Merieux Prize 2010
Each year the Institut de France’s Christophe and Rodolphe Mérieux Foundation
awards a Scientific "Grand Prize" known as the “Christophe Mérieux Prize” to support
research into INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. This Prize is exclusively destined to researchers whose activity is (permanently) exerted in such countries.
Deadline: 4 December 2009
More information

Third Call for Proposals of the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS)
The SNIS welcomes interdisciplinary proposals from a wide range of academic disciplines, such as political science, economics, sociology, social and cultural anthropology, law, history, geography, environmental sciences, among others.
Pre-proposals must be submitted by 18 December 2009. All relevant information on the Call for Proposal's requirements as well as the on-line submission platform are available on the SNIS website - www.snis.ch.

New Funding Mechanism for Cooperation with India
The Swiss Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI), the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Indian Department of Science & Technology (DST) have initiated a pilot program to promote innovation in Switzerland and India: the «Indo Swiss PPP Pilot Programme». This new program provides financial support for market-oriented R&D projects involving Swiss and Indian academic and industrial partners. Deadline for submission of proposals is February 28, 2010. For any questions regarding this program or help with the identification of academic partners in Switzerland or India please contact barbara.baumann(at)epfl.ch or pramod.rastogi(at)epfl.ch.
Detailed information on this program: http://indo-swiss.epfl.ch/page36695.html

First Call for Joint Research Projects between Switzerland and Brazil
The Brazilian Swiss Cooperation is one of the 8 bilateral programs established after the definition of priority countries for bilateral science and technology cooperation by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) in their “message for the promotion of education, research and innovation 2008-2011”. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) is coordinating the cooperation programs with Chile and Brazil. This call is open to all Swiss researchers. The Deadline for submission is January 15 2010.
http://cooperation.epfl.ch/page71377.html

IntroNetworks for KFPE
IntroNetworks is a smart social network tested and promoted by KFPE, aimed at gathering together (all) Swiss researchers and practitioners interested in research partnerships with developing and transition countries and their colleagues from developing countries who already have research collaborations with Swiss partners. This community is a sort of ‘who’s who’ in the field of Swiss research partnerships with developing countries. IntroNetworks provides a shared place where researchers and practitioners can have an overview about Swiss research activities in developing countries, do networking, exchange information with their colleagues, search information about funding possibilities, ongoing projects and ideas for future projects, look for interested partners, and so on.

Accessing the network is very simple:
- connect to the URL: http://kfpe.intronetworks.com;
- click on “Sign Up”;
- create your account by filling in all the required information.

You will then be represented in the community by a colored pin (different colors mean different kinds of institutions), and will be able to see around you your colleagues: the closer your colleague’s pin is to yours, the more similar are his/her interests to yours. You will have the possibility to make smart searches in the network, finding people and institutions that do research in specific countries, about specific topics, looking for new or past projects, and so on.

If you have any question, problem, suggestion or remark, do not hesitate to contact Stefano Tardini (stefano.tardini@usi.ch). NewMinE (www.newmine.org) of the Università della Svizzera italiana is supporting and testing this tool for the KFPE.

Wie mit Rebellen verhandeln?
Nichtstaatliche bewaffnete Gruppen spielen in den meisten aktuellen Gewaltkonflikten eine Schlüsselrolle. Für Fachpersonen aus Wissenschaft, Diplomatie und Friedensförderung ist es deshalb wichtig, deren Beweggründe und Funktionieren zu verstehen. An der diesjährigen Jahreskonferenz von swisspeace diskutierten PraktikerInnen und Forschende über ihre Erfahrungen und Erkenntnisse im Umgang mit nichtstaatlichen bewaffneten Gruppen. Lesen Sie mehr dazu im Schwerpunktartikel des KOFF-Newsletters vom 1. Dezember. http://www.swisspeace.org

Number of researchers in developing countries is rising, according to UNESCO study, but women researchers still a minority
In five years (2002-07), the number of researchers in the world rose significantly, from 5.8 to 7.1 million. The greatest gain was made in developing countries: 2.7 million researchers were counted in 2007, versus 1.8 million five years earlier. These countries increased their global share of researchers from 30.3% in 2002 to 38.4%.
The biggest increase was seen in Asia, whose share went up from 35.7% in 2002 to 41.4%. China is mainly responsible for the gain, having gone from 14 to 20% in five years. The increase in Asia occurred at the expense of Europe and the Americas, whose shares went down respectively from 31.9 to 28.4% and from 28.1 to 25.8%.
more information

New issues of evidence for policy: decentralisation and climate change
Overcoming ambiguities in decentralisation is the title of the third policy brief issued by the NCCR North-South. It examines case studies in Latin America and South Asia, showing that decentralisation takes place in highly complex and diverse local contexts. The policy brief is available at: www.north-south.unibe.ch.
Evidence for policy no. 4 is entitled Natural resources: the climate change challenge, and will become available in the run-up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP 15 in Copenhagen.

Geoscience Meeting
At the 7th Swiss Geoscience Meeting in Neuchâtel on 20-21 November 2009, one session was devoted to research partnerships with developing countries. It focused on "Water and land resources in developing countries: towards innovative management and governance". The session was organised by the NCCR North-South, moderated by its director Hans Hurni, and included nine contributions from inside and outside the NCCR North-South. Themes covered were: bioenergy in Africa; water governance in the Middle East; natural resource conflicts; land management options; pasture management in Kyrgyzstan; groundwater in Tunisia; water-related ecosystem services in East Africa; monitoring water in Caribbean islands, and conservation planning in Tajikistan.

Courses

Master of Advanced Studies in Development & Cooperation 2010-12, NADEL, ETH Zürich
Das NADEL (Nachdiplomstudium für Entwicklungsländer) an der Die ETH Zürich bietet im kommenden Herbst erneut ihr Masterprogramm in Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit an. Dieses richtet sich an Hochschulabsolventinnen und -absolventen aller Fachrichtungen, die sich für eine berufliche Laufbahn in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit ausbilden möchten. Bewerbung 1. 1. - 28. 2. 2010 (Anmeldeschluss!)
http://www.nadel.ethz.ch/lehre/master/index

International Executive Master in Development Studies (IMAS)
2 août 2010 – 1 avril 2011; Le délai de candidature est le 31 janvier 2010
IMAS est un programme qui s’adresse aux professionnels travaillant dans le champ du développement socio-économique, que ce soit dans le secteur public ou le secteur privé. Ces professionnels viennent des quatre coins du monde.
Le IMAS est une formation continue universitaire en études du développement, partiellement décentralisée, concentrée sur neuf mois et divisée en trois séquences.
Il s’agit d’un programme qui renforce les capacités décisionnelles de professionnels du développement travaillant dans le secteur public et privé d’intérêt collectif. Il leur permet d'articuler des connaissances théoriques avec leur expérience professionnelle, tout en développant leur capacité d’analyse et de nouvelles attitudes indispensables pour assurer l’efficacité de leurs interventions. Le IMAS se concentre sur l'analyse de problématiques spécifiques de développement et sur le lien entre problèmes de proximité et globaux.
http://graduateinstitute.ch/executive/development-studies_fr.html

Master of Science in Life Sciences at the Swiss College of Agriculture SHL:
In September 2009, 19 students began their studies in the newly created Master of Science in Life Sciences degree that the Swiss College of Agriculture SHL offers in collaboration with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZFH (School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Wädenswil), University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW (School of Life Sciences, Muttenz) and the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland HES-SO (sites at Fribourg, Lullier, Changins and Sion). The studies at SHL offer an extended education at tertiary level and provide insights into agricultural and forestry issues in developed, transition and developing countries. For their master thesis around 50% of the students embark on topics that relate to developing country contexts. The studies will qualify graduates to undertake scientific work at a university or research institution or to take a leadership position requiring a scientific background. The specialization in Applied Agricultural and Forestry Sciences offered at the Swiss College of Agriculture encompasses three major fields of study 1) Management of Value Chains in Agriculture and Forestry, 2) Sustainable Agricultural and Forestry Production Systems and 3) Agriculture and Forestry in Transition.
http://www.shl.bfh.ch/index.php?id=646&L=1

Events

Engineering for development
November 26, 14:30-17:00h. Public workshop of the North-South Centre of the ETH Zurich.
In the first part of the workshop Detlef Hanne will present the programmes of the Volkswagen Foundation in Africa and the Caucasus region. In the second part, the new strategy of the North-South Centre on “technology and infrastructure” will briefly be introduced, and potential future research activities in engineering for development be discussed.
http://www.northsouth.ethz.ch/news/future_events/A4_Flyer_VWStiftung.pdf

swissnexDay09: swissnex – showcasing Swiss excellence around the world
Tuesday, 10 December 2009, ZHAW, Technikumstrasse 71, Winterthur in collaboration with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences
At the swissnexDay09 the State Secratary of Education and Research (SER) would like to present the services swissnexes are offering now and in the future. Some of their clients will speak about their experiences. For those who want to learn more about swissnex this event is an unique chance. Target public for the swissnexDay are people from academia as well as from the business sector and from arts and culture with the wish to be more linked up internationally.
http://www.sbf.admin.ch/htm/aktuell/swissnexday_en.html

Buchvorstellung
Donnerstag 10. Dezember 2009 zwischen 11:00 und 13:00 Uhr bei swisspeace in Bern.
"Facing Global Environmental Change: Environmental, Human, Energy, Food, Health and Water Security Concepts" am ein. Mitherausgeber und Autoren stellen den umfangreichen Sicherheitsband vor. Laudatio und Apéro runden den Anlass ab. Das vollständige Programm finden Sie unter: www.swisspeace.ch

3rd KFH Information Day on Development and Cooperation
16 December 2009 at the College of Engineering and Architecture, Fribourg
3rd information day of the program 'Research Partnerships between Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences and Developing and Transition Countries'. Representatives of SNSF, SDC and KFPE as long as single researchers from Universities of Applied Sciences will present their views and their projects on Development and Cooperation issues. Free registration can be done by sending an e-mail to dc(at)supsi.ch
More information and programme

The International Scientific Conference on Technologies for Development.
8-10 February 2010 at EPF Lausanne (UNESCO Chair in 2010)
Registration - http://cooperation.epfl.ch/page71022.html and Call for Posters are online now! http://cooperation.epfl.ch/page71041.html

5th i-Rec Conference-Workshop on Participatory Design and Appropriate Technology for Post-Disaster Reconstruction, Ahmedabad, 15-20 July 2010
i-REC (http://www.grif.umontreal.ca/i-Rec.htm) is a web-based international network focused on the study of reconstruction after disasters. i-Rec deals with information exchange between its members in order to contribute with knowledge related to building activities in situations of crisis, particularly disasters in developing countries.
The 5th i-Rec Conference aims to provide a platform to share experience among academics, practitioners, government and civil society organizations and lessons learnt about various approaches of design and technology for long term disaster risk reduction.
http://www.i-rec2010.net

For further information please contact:
Dr. Jennifer Duyne Barenstein, member of the scientific committee (jennifer.duyne(at)supsi.ch)
World Habitat Research Centre, University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland
www.worldhabitat.supsi.ch

PUBLICATIONS

Cooperating for Success - Benefits of Research Partnerships with Developing Countries
This latest publication of the KFPE presents 12 successful projects. The 12 practical examples show the advantages of cross-border research – also for Switzerland. Moreover, they underscore the continually evolving challenges of such efforts.
This publication can be ordered free of charge from the KFPE (bilingual only: German-French) or downloaded (English or German-French) - and additional projects can be found in the Electronic Appendix.
http://www.kfpe.ch/key_activities/publications/success_stories/

Rebuilding after disasters. From Emergency to Sustainability. Edited by Gonzalo Lizarralde, Cassidy Johnson and Colin Davidson with a preface by Hernando de Soto. New York: Taylor and Frencis. 2009.
The book focuses on the role of the built environment in the re-establishment of lives and sustainable livelihoods after disasters. Various expert contributors, with long experience in the field, explain in this book the principal challenges facing professionals and practitioners in the building industry and also draw out the relations between the building industry and other areas of intervention, including humanitarian aid, medical assistance, and economic reconstruction. This book will be of great value to decision makers, students, and researchers in the fields of architecture, social sciences, engineering, planning, geography, and disaster recovery.
Jennifer Duyne Barenstein of the World Habitat Research Centre, University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (www.worldhabitat.supsi.ch) is one of the book’s contributors.

Water Law for the Twenty-first Century: National and International Aspects of Water Law Reforms in India
P. Cullet, A. Gowlland-Gualtieri, R. Madhav & U. Ramanathan eds, 352p, Abingdon: Routledge, 2009 - more information

Partenariats scientifiques avec l'Afrique - Réflexions critiques de Suisse et d'ailleurs
Yvan Droz et Anne Mayor (éd), 215 p, Editions Karthala, Paris
Ce recueil de textes explore le partenariat scientifique en sciences humaines. Notre intérêt s’est focalisé sur les liens entre l’Afrique subsaharienne et la Suisse. Critiques pour la plupart, ces
textes émanent de chercheurs africains et européens engagés dans la pratique de tels partenariats. Ils soulignent leurs contradictions, leurs travers et leurs difficultés. Ils proposent également – sans angélisme – quelques exemples de nouvelles pistes prometteuses.
Distribution en Suisse: yvan.droz(at)graduateinstitute.ch
more information

November 2009
KFPE Newsmail
News & General Information Christophe Merieux Prize 2010 Each year the Institut de France’s Christophe and Rodolphe Mérieux Foundation awards a Scientific "Grand Prize" known as the “Christophe Mérieux Prize” to support research into INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. This Prize is exclusively destined to researchers whose activity is (permanently) exerted in such countries. Deadline: 4 December 2009 More information Third Call for Proposals of the Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS) The SNIS welcomes interdisciplinary proposals from a wide range of academic disciplines, such as political science, economics, sociology, social and cultural anthropology, law, history, geography, environmental sciences, among others. Pre-proposals must be submitted by 18 December 2009. All relevant information on the Call for Proposal's requirements as well as the on-line submission platform are available on the SNIS website - www.snis.ch. New Funding Mechanism for Cooperation with India The Swiss Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI), the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Indian Department of Science & Technology (DST) have initiated a pilot program to promote innovation in Switzerland and India: the «Indo Swiss PPP Pilot Programme». This new program provides financial support for market-oriented R&D projects involving Swiss and Indian academic and industrial partners. Deadline for submission of proposals is February 28, 2010. For any questions regarding this program or help with the identification of academic partners in Switzerland or India please contact barbara.baumann(at)epfl.ch or pramod.rastogi(at)epfl.ch. Detailed information on this program: http://indo-swiss.epfl.ch/page36695.html First Call for Joint Research Projects between Switzerland and Brazil The Brazilian Swiss Cooperation is one of the 8 bilateral programs established after the definition of priority countries for bilateral science and technology cooperation by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) in their “message for the promotion of education, research and innovation 2008-2011”. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) is coordinating the cooperation programs with Chile and Brazil. This call is open to all Swiss researchers. The Deadline for submission is January 15 2010. http://cooperation.epfl.ch/page71377.html IntroNetworks for KFPE IntroNetworks is a smart social network tested and promoted by KFPE, aimed at gathering together (all) Swiss researchers and practitioners interested in research partnerships with developing and transition countries and their colleagues from developing countries who already have research collaborations with Swiss partners. This community is a sort of ‘who’s who’ in the field of Swiss research partnerships with developing countries. IntroNetworks provides a shared place where researchers and practitioners can have an overview about Swiss research activities in developing countries, do networking, exchange information with their colleagues, search information about funding possibilities, ongoing projects and ideas for future projects, look for interested partners, and so on. Accessing the network is very simple: - connect to the URL: http://kfpe.intronetworks.com; - click on “Sign Up”; - create your account by filling in all the required information. You will then be represented in the community by a colored pin (different colors mean different kinds of institutions), and will be able to see around you your colleagues: the closer your colleague’s pin is to yours, the more similar are his/her interests to yours. You will have the possibility to make smart searches in the network, finding people and institutions that do research in specific countries, about specific topics, looking for new or past projects, and so on. If you have any question, problem, suggestion or remark, do not hesitate to contact Stefano Tardini (stefano.tardini@usi.ch). NewMinE (www.newmine.org) of the Università della Svizzera italiana is supporting and testing this tool for the KFPE. Wie mit Rebellen verhandeln? Nichtstaatliche bewaffnete Gruppen spielen in den meisten aktuellen Gewaltkonflikten eine Schlüsselrolle. Für Fachpersonen aus Wissenschaft, Diplomatie und Friedensförderung ist es deshalb wichtig, deren Beweggründe und Funktionieren zu verstehen. An der diesjährigen Jahreskonferenz von swisspeace diskutierten PraktikerInnen und Forschende über ihre Erfahrungen und Erkenntnisse im Umgang mit nichtstaatlichen bewaffneten Gruppen. Lesen Sie mehr dazu im Schwerpunktartikel des KOFF-Newsletters vom 1. Dezember. http://www.swisspeace.org Number of researchers in developing countries is rising, according to UNESCO study, but women researchers still a minority In five years (2002-07), the number of researchers in the world rose significantly, from 5.8 to 7.1 million. The greatest gain was made in developing countries: 2.7 million researchers were counted in 2007, versus 1.8 million five years earlier. These countries increased their global share of researchers from 30.3% in 2002 to 38.4%. The biggest increase was seen in Asia, whose share went up from 35.7% in 2002 to 41.4%. China is mainly responsible for the gain, having gone from 14 to 20% in five years. The increase in Asia occurred at the expense of Europe and the Americas, whose shares went down respectively from 31.9 to 28.4% and from 28.1 to 25.8%. more information New issues of evidence for policy: decentralisation and climate change Overcoming ambiguities in decentralisation is the title of the third policy brief issued by the NCCR North-South. It examines case studies in Latin America and South Asia, showing that decentralisation takes place in highly complex and diverse local contexts. The policy brief is available at: www.north-south.unibe.ch. Evidence for policy no. 4 is entitled Natural resources: the climate change challenge, and will become available in the run-up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP 15 in Copenhagen. Geoscience Meeting At the 7th Swiss Geoscience Meeting in Neuchâtel on 20-21 November 2009, one session was devoted to research partnerships with developing countries. It focused on "Water and land resources in developing countries: towards innovative management and governance". The session was organised by the NCCR North-South, moderated by its director Hans Hurni, and included nine contributions from inside and outside the NCCR North-South. Themes covered were: bioenergy in Africa; water governance in the Middle East; natural resource conflicts; land management options; pasture management in Kyrgyzstan; groundwater in Tunisia; water-related ecosystem services in East Africa; monitoring water in Caribbean islands, and conservation planning in Tajikistan. Courses Master of Advanced Studies in Development & Cooperation 2010-12, NADEL, ETH Zürich Das NADEL (Nachdiplomstudium für Entwicklungsländer) an der Die ETH Zürich bietet im kommenden Herbst erneut ihr Masterprogramm in Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit an. Dieses richtet sich an Hochschulabsolventinnen und -absolventen aller Fachrichtungen, die sich für eine berufliche Laufbahn in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit ausbilden möchten. Bewerbung 1. 1. - 28. 2. 2010 (Anmeldeschluss!) http://www.nadel.ethz.ch/lehre/master/index International Executive Master in Development Studies (IMAS) 2 août 2010 – 1 avril 2011; Le délai de candidature est le 31 janvier 2010 IMAS est un programme qui s’adresse aux professionnels travaillant dans le champ du développement socio-économique, que ce soit dans le secteur public ou le secteur privé. Ces professionnels viennent des quatre coins du monde. Le IMAS est une formation continue universitaire en études du développement, partiellement décentralisée, concentrée sur neuf mois et divisée en trois séquences. Il s’agit d’un programme qui renforce les capacités décisionnelles de professionnels du développement travaillant dans le secteur public et privé d’intérêt collectif. Il leur permet d'articuler des connaissances théoriques avec leur expérience professionnelle, tout en développant leur capacité d’analyse et de nouvelles attitudes indispensables pour assurer l’efficacité de leurs interventions. Le IMAS se concentre sur l'analyse de problématiques spécifiques de développement et sur le lien entre problèmes de proximité et globaux. http://graduateinstitute.ch/executive/development-studies_fr.html Master of Science in Life Sciences at the Swiss College of Agriculture SHL: In September 2009, 19 students began their studies in the newly created Master of Science in Life Sciences degree that the Swiss College of Agriculture SHL offers in collaboration with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZFH (School of Life Sciences and Facility Management, Wädenswil), University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW (School of Life Sciences, Muttenz) and the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland HES-SO (sites at Fribourg, Lullier, Changins and Sion). The studies at SHL offer an extended education at tertiary level and provide insights into agricultural and forestry issues in developed, transition and developing countries. For their master thesis around 50% of the students embark on topics that relate to developing country contexts. The studies will qualify graduates to undertake scientific work at a university or research institution or to take a leadership position requiring a scientific background. The specialization in Applied Agricultural and Forestry Sciences offered at the Swiss College of Agriculture encompasses three major fields of study 1) Management of Value Chains in Agriculture and Forestry, 2) Sustainable Agricultural and Forestry Production Systems and 3) Agriculture and Forestry in Transition. http://www.shl.bfh.ch/index.php?id=646&L=1 Events Engineering for development November 26, 14:30-17:00h. Public workshop of the North-South Centre of the ETH Zurich. In the first part of the workshop Detlef Hanne will present the programmes of the Volkswagen Foundation in Africa and the Caucasus region. In the second part, the new strategy of the North-South Centre on “technology and infrastructure” will briefly be introduced, and potential future research activities in engineering for development be discussed. http://www.northsouth.ethz.ch/news/future_events/A4_Flyer_VWStiftung.pdf swissnexDay09: swissnex – showcasing Swiss excellence around the world Tuesday, 10 December 2009, ZHAW, Technikumstrasse 71, Winterthur in collaboration with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences At the swissnexDay09 the State Secratary of Education and Research (SER) would like to present the services swissnexes are offering now and in the future. Some of their clients will speak about their experiences. For those who want to learn more about swissnex this event is an unique chance. Target public for the swissnexDay are people from academia as well as from the business sector and from arts and culture with the wish to be more linked up internationally. http://www.sbf.admin.ch/htm/aktuell/swissnexday_en.html Buchvorstellung Donnerstag 10. Dezember 2009 zwischen 11:00 und 13:00 Uhr bei swisspeace in Bern. "Facing Global Environmental Change: Environmental, Human, Energy, Food, Health and Water Security Concepts" am ein. Mitherausgeber und Autoren stellen den umfangreichen Sicherheitsband vor. Laudatio und Apéro runden den Anlass ab. Das vollständige Programm finden Sie unter: www.swisspeace.ch 3rd KFH Information Day on Development and Cooperation 16 December 2009 at the College of Engineering and Architecture, Fribourg 3rd information day of the program 'Research Partnerships between Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences and Developing and Transition Countries'. Representatives of SNSF, SDC and KFPE as long as single researchers from Universities of Applied Sciences will present their views and their projects on Development and Cooperation issues. Free registration can be done by sending an e-mail to dc(at)supsi.ch More information and programme The International Scientific Conference on Technologies for Development. 8-10 February 2010 at EPF Lausanne (UNESCO Chair in 2010) Registration - http://cooperation.epfl.ch/page71022.html and Call for Posters are online now! http://cooperation.epfl.ch/page71041.html 5th i-Rec Conference-Workshop on Participatory Design and Appropriate Technology for Post-Disaster Reconstruction, Ahmedabad, 15-20 July 2010 i-REC (http://www.grif.umontreal.ca/i-Rec.htm) is a web-based international network focused on the study of reconstruction after disasters. i-Rec deals with information exchange between its members in order to contribute with knowledge related to building activities in situations of crisis, particularly disasters in developing countries. The 5th i-Rec Conference aims to provide a platform to share experience among academics, practitioners, government and civil society organizations and lessons learnt about various approaches of design and technology for long term disaster risk reduction. http://www.i-rec2010.net For further information please contact: Dr. Jennifer Duyne Barenstein, member of the scientific committee (jennifer.duyne(at)supsi.ch) World Habitat Research Centre, University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland www.worldhabitat.supsi.ch PUBLICATIONS Cooperating for Success - Benefits of Research Partnerships with Developing Countries This latest publication of the KFPE presents 12 successful projects. The 12 practical examples show the advantages of cross-border research – also for Switzerland. Moreover, they underscore the continually evolving challenges of such efforts. This publication can be ordered free of charge from the KFPE (bilingual only: German-French) or downloaded (English or German-French) - and additional projects can be found in the Electronic Appendix. http://www.kfpe.ch/key_activities/publications/success_stories/ Rebuilding after disasters. From Emergency to Sustainability. Edited by Gonzalo Lizarralde, Cassidy Johnson and Colin Davidson with a preface by Hernando de Soto. New York: Taylor and Frencis. 2009. The book focuses on the role of the built environment in the re-establishment of lives and sustainable livelihoods after disasters. Various expert contributors, with long experience in the field, explain in this book the principal challenges facing professionals and practitioners in the building industry and also draw out the relations between the building industry and other areas of intervention, including humanitarian aid, medical assistance, and economic reconstruction. This book will be of great value to decision makers, students, and researchers in the fields of architecture, social sciences, engineering, planning, geography, and disaster recovery. Jennifer Duyne Barenstein of the World Habitat Research Centre, University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (www.worldhabitat.supsi.ch) is one of the book’s contributors. Water Law for the Twenty-first Century: National and International Aspects of Water Law Reforms in India P. Cullet, A. Gowlland-Gualtieri, R. Madhav & U. Ramanathan eds, 352p, Abingdon: Routledge, 2009 - more information Partenariats scientifiques avec l'Afrique - Réflexions critiques de Suisse et d'ailleurs Yvan Droz et Anne Mayor (éd), 215 p, Editions Karthala, Paris Ce recueil de textes explore le partenariat scientifique en sciences humaines. Notre intérêt s’est focalisé sur les liens entre l’Afrique subsaharienne et la Suisse. Critiques pour la plupart, ces textes émanent de chercheurs africains et européens engagés dans la pratique de tels partenariats. Ils soulignent leurs contradictions, leurs travers et leurs difficultés. Ils proposent également – sans angélisme – quelques exemples de nouvelles pistes prometteuses. Distribution en Suisse: yvan.droz(at)graduateinstitute.ch more information