The global resource grab

TNI fellows meeting 2011

30 June 2011

Jun Borras

Maryann Manahan, Yao Graham

Worsening climate change and the emergence of new economic powers is leading to a renewed scramble for resources, with negative consequences for many impoverished communities.

In June 2011, TNI brought together its Fellows and other activists and engaged academics to discuss critical global issues including the Arab Spring, the global resource grab and the 'Green economy.'

	Africa is subject to a new scramble for resources by former colonial powers and new emerging economies, with few benefits for the majority of Africans, says Yao Graham of the Third World Network. >Watch video interview

	The latest research on landgrabbing exposes the myth of 'reserve agricultural land' and highlights the new economic players behind the latest wave of dispossession across the South. >Watch video interview

	With hedge funds making bids for melting glaciers, there is a danger at a time of multiple crises of a renewed push for commodification of water that will affect those who can't pay. >Watch video presentations

Thanks to Broker Online for the interviews

About the authors

Jun Borras

Saturnino 'Jun' M Borras Jr. is a political activist and academic who has been deeply involved in rural social movements in the Philippines and internationally since the early 1980s. Borras was part of the core organising team that established the international peasant movement La Via Campesina and has written extensively on land issues and agrarian movements. Jun is also Adjunct Professor, COHD at China Agricultural University, Beijing; a Fellow for Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy in California and Coordinator for Initiatives in Critical Agrarian Studies (ICAS).

Recent publications from Water Justice

Remunicipalisation After decades of failed water privatisation, cities like Paris are starting to bring water back into public hands. Download this free 'must-read' book for policy makers and activists looking to democratise water services.	Privatising Europe This working paper and infographic provide an overview of a great ‘fire sale’ of public services and national assets across Europe that is providing profits for a few transnational companies but is often fiercely opposed by its citizens.
Strengthening public water in Africa While both North–South partnerships and SouthSouth Partnerships have strengths and limitations, linking these in networked models is an effective way to mobilise expertise and funding and achieve success.	Agricultural Innovation: Sustaining what agriculture? For what European bio-economy? The Europe 2020 strategy's promotion of resource-efficient technologies and market incentives as the solution for sustainable agriculture is contradicted by experience where techno-fixes and market pressures have increased overall demand on resources.