Glossary

List of terms and definitions used on this website

Industrialised countries #1: Included among the industrialized countries, according to UN classification, are North America, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. These countries have an efficient economic system and therefore are characterized by a high per capita income and level of technology. While in the past the proportion of value added industry was of great importance to the gross national income, nowadays the most important thing is increasingly the share of the service sector.; Sources:
wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de
Developing countries #2: Developing countries have, in comparison with industrialized countries, a low level of economic development. The majority of the population in these countries leads life on the poverty line, per capita income and labour productivity are low, unemployment high, however. Another characteristic feature is a lack of infrastructure, a low level of education and the dominance of the primary sector (agriculture, livestock, fisheries) in total economic output.; Sources:
wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de
Global economy #3: The term world economy means international economic relations and connections that arise through international trade, as well as movements of capital and labour between economies. Detailed information can be found in the module global economy.; Sources:
wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de
Low wage countries #4: Multinational companies increasingly move their production to these countries. Low-wage countries are countries whose economic power is largely based on low-wage workers, in addition, these countries are characterized by low levels of education, high unemployment and a lack of social standards. Unions are usually prohibited in these countries, there is usually no right to strike and no environmental regulations.; Sources:
www.eiit.org
wigbit.voegb.at
Multinational Companies #5: Often abbreviated to multinationals, or also called global players. These are companies that are active beyond the borders of their headquarters’ countries, in the other countries and produce or invest there. Their financial strength may even surpass whole states, they control about one-third of world trade. Frequently, they are criticized for having an influence on political decisions due to their powerful position. It is possible that they affect, for example, measures for environmental or consumer protection.; Sources:
www.wiwiwiki.net
www.wikipedia.org
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) #6: The term non-governmental organization (NGO) normally refers to organisations that are neither a part of a government nor conventional for-profit businesses. Usually set up by ordinary citizens, NGOs may be funded by governments, foundations or businesses. Some avoid formal funding altogether and are run primarily by volunteers. NGOs are highly diverse group of organizations engaged with a wide range of activities, and take different forms in different parts of the world. Some may have charitable status, while others may be registered for tax exemption based on recognition of social purposes. Others may be fronts for political, religious or other interest groups.; Sources:
wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de/
www.wikipedia.org
Wealth gap #7: This term describes the fact that wealth is not distributed evenly: the rich are getting richer and the poor are therefore getting poorer. This may be the case both within a country and internationally. Material wealth is measured by gross domestic product (GDP) or per capita income. The inequality of income distribution in a country can be measured by the Gini coefficient.; Sources:
www.bpb.de
www.vimentis.ch/
The consumption of resources #8: Natural resources are usually divided into the categories of renewable and non-renewable. The latter limited in supply, however, the stock of renewable resources (e.g. fish, forests and water), if not overexploited, can regenerate. Non-renewable resources, are understood to include traditional fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas and mineral resources. The consumption of natural resources is increasingly accelerated and the resulting shortage can lead to conflict and unrest.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Liberalisation #9: Liberalisation in an economic context is understood to mean the exemption of foreign trade from any restrictions, so for example the reduction of tariffs, quantity restrictions or other trade limits and governmental regulations to regulate the market.; Sources:
wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de
World Trade Organisation (WTO) #10: The World Trade Organisation is an organisation of the United Nations, was founded in 1995 and has its headquarters in Geneva. In 2013 the WTO had 159 members (countries).This organisation creates the rules for global trade and economic relationships and acts as an intermediary in a dispute between two countries. The aim ofthe WTO is to remove trade barriers and open up the movement of goods, raw materials and services entirely.; Sources:
www.wto.org
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) #11: The IMF is an agency of the United Nations, was founded in 1994 and is based in Washington D.C. The voting rights of the 188 current memberstates arebased ontheirshare ofglobal capital. Theprimary missionof the IMFis to promoteinternational tradethrough intergovernmentalcooperation. The organizationcontrols monetary policy, removestrade restrictions andgrantsloans in cases of negative balances of payments.; Sources:
www.imf.org
Human Development Index (HDI) #12: The "Human Development Index" was created by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is mainly used to measure the level of development of individual countries. The HDI is composed of three parts: The life expectancy, the level of education, as measured by the expected and average duration of schooling in years and the standard of living, as measured by per capita income in real purchasing power (gross national income). The HDI is calculated so that it lies between 0 and 1 for all countries. Countries with low HDIs are therefore referred to as "poor" countries, those with high HDIs as "rich".; Sources:
www.bpb.de
World market price #13: The world market price is a term used in foreign trade and describes the price of a product on the global market. Amongst other things it is determined by the available supply, but is also influenced by speculation. World market prices have a direct influence on the competitiveness of a country or company. If a country restricts itself to the production of a few raw materials, like cotton or coffee, it becomes dependent on the world market price, particularly during a decline in prices.; Sources:
wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de
Brands #14: Brands are company trademarks which distinguish the goods or services of different providers from each other. They give the consumersan idea from which source these goods/services come. In advertising brands are associated with certain lifestyles and, as such, are used as a marketing tool. Often several brands belong to one company resulting in the illusion of a variety of companies although in the end the same company makes the profit. Examples are Milka, Nivea and Oral-B.; Sources:
www.patentamt.at
Free trade #15: Free trade is the term for international trade of goods and services without trade restrictions, without duties or restricted imports and exports. According to some economic theories, the process of exchange through free trade should lead to higher standards of living and wealth in national economies. Free trade is not necessarily the same as fair trade.; Sources:
www.bpb.de
Protectionism #16: Protectionism is the opposite of free trade and stems from the Latin word for "protection". Foreign suppliers are put at a disadvantage through the use of trade barriers in order to protect the domestic market. Barriers can be, for example, bans, duties, conditions on trade, subsidies, or restrictions on volume of imports.; Sources:
www.bpb.de
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) #17: The GDP is the most important figure which is used in the assessment of national economic performance. It includes the value of all goods which are produced in a national economy in a year. Disparities such as the ever-widening gap between rich and poor cannot be seen from this figure.; Sources:
www.bpb.de
Fair Trade #18: Fair trade is a supervised trade in which the producers are paid an agreed minimum price which is above the level of the world market price. Sustainable and respectful dealings with people and nature are the basic philosophy of fair trade. Long-term contracts, a ban on child labour, the absence of middlemen as well as the comprehensive protection of workers and supply of healthcare are its fundamental cornerstones. Along with the labelling initiative Transfair, there are trade organisations like the GEPA, which promote fairly traded products.; Sources:
www.fairtrade.net
Global Citizens #19: For global citizens, all people have equal rights and are equally valued members of a society which encompasses all of humankind. The principle of nation states and membership of a nation play lesser roles.; Sources:
www.duden.de
Development #20: Development is the process of developing or being developed.
Modernity #21: In economic terms “modernity“ encompasses industrialization (giving emphasis to industry instead of agriculture), urbanization (increasing number of people living in towns comparing to rural areas) and the increased use of technology within all sectors of economy. While for others it is associated with the eradication of cultural practices, the destruction of natural environments and a decline in the quality of life.
Poverty #22: Condition where people's basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter are not being met.
Donor #23: A person or institution who donates something, especially money to charity, or humanitarian or development initiatives.
Beneficiary #24: The persons and the communities that utilize the outputs of humanitarian and development initiatives.
Bottom billion #25: Paul Collier's bottom billion consists of 58 countries with a combined population of 980 million people (2006 estimate).
Paternalism #26: Behavior which expresses an attitude of superiority.
Relief (Humanitarian aid) #27: Action designed to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain and protect human dignity during and in the aftermath of emergencies. Urgent and temporary providing of “first aid” to decrease immediate suffering which might be caused by natural or man-made disaster. There is a need to stop a free fall, “stop bleeding” which is a purpose to provide relief. Key element of providing relief is to provide aid – many times material – which the beneficiary is not able to provide by himself/herself.
Rehabilitation #28: Action to restore former conditions (before crisis). Starts at the moment, when bleeding stops. This is already more about cooperation than aid.
Development cooperation (DC) #29: Development cooperation is a generic term for all measures and activities that are carried out by different actors to improve the lives of people in developing countries. The term development cooperation replaces the previously used term development aid, which is regarded as out of date due to its highly judgmental character.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) #30: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are the world's time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions-income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion-while promoting gender equality, education, and environmental sustainability. They are also basic human rights-the rights of each person on the planet to health, education, shelter, and security.; Sources:
www.unmillenniumproject.org
Conflict of rights #31: Clash between same or different human right/s, which is/are held by the same or different rights-holder/s. There is plenty of examples of that. If, for example, two persons are in danger of dying and just one of them can get medical treatment - right to life is in clash with right of others. Or clash of rights during the famine, when there is one full private corn-loft available and many starving people around - the right of owner of the corn-loft is in clash with rights of people around.; Sources:
law.unh.edu
Children rights #32: Children's rights are the human rights of children with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to minors, including their right to association with both parents, human identity as well as the basic needs for food, universal state-paid education, health care and criminal laws appropriate for the age and development of the child, equal protection of the child's civil rights, and freedom from discrimination on the basis of the child's race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, colour, ethnicity, or other characteristics.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Slavery #33: Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Human rights instruments #34: International human rights instruments are treaties and other international documents relevant to international human rights law and the protection of human rights in general. They can be classified into two categories: declarations, adopted by bodies such as the United Nations General Assembly, which are not legally binding although they may be politically so as soft law; and conventions, which are legally binding instruments concluded under international law. International treaties and even declarations can, over time, obtain the status of customary international law.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Human rights bodies #35: Human rights bodies are organisations or institutions created under the international human rights treaties, often mandated to monitor state parties' compliance with their treaty obligations.
Council of Europe #36: The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation. It was founded in 1949, has 47 member states with some 800 million citizens, and is an entirely separate body from the European Union (EU), which has 28 member states. Unlike the EU, the Council of Europe cannot make binding laws. The two do however share certain symbols such as the flag and the anthem.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights #37: The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent and impartial institution within the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, mandated to promote the awareness of and respect for human rights in member states.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Constitution #38: A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is. If often include commitment to human rights respecting.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
“Monster process” or show trial #39: The term show trial is a pejorative description of a type of highly public trial in which there is a strong connotation that the judicial authorities have already determined the guilt of the defendant. The actual trial has as its only goal to present the accusation and the verdict to the public as an impressive example and as a warning to other would-be dissidents or transgressors.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Democracy #40: Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally—either directly or indirectly through elected representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Indigenous peoples #41: Indigenous peoples are peoples defined in international or national legislation as having a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory, and their cultural or historical distinctiveness from other populations that are often politically dominant.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Human dignity #42: Dignity is a term used in moral, ethical, legal, and political discussions to signify that a being has an innate right to be valued and receive ethical treatment.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Labour rights #43: Labour law (also labor law or employment law) mediates the relationship between workers (employees), employers, trade unions and the government.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Collective rights #44: These human rights are those rights that go beyond the civil and social rights, based on the solidarity. They emphasise the collective rights of society or peoples, e.g. minorities.
Social rights, economic rights and cultural rights #45: This generation of rights reacted on the situation created by the industrial revolution - widespread poverty and rising inequality. These rights entitle individuals to obtain protection from the state, some other parties also interfere with these rights (e.g. private sector), they oblige governments to take such measures, which lead to improvement of overall social situation of the society as a whole.
Civil and political rights #46: These rights were designed to protect individual people against the state interference to their lives and so define relationship between the power and citizens.
Social and political activism #47: Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, or environmental change, or stasis. The term connotes a peaceful form of conflict. Various forms of activism range from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing businesses, rallies, street marches, strikes, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. Nowadays, social media are often playing important role in activism.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Pro bono publico #48: Pro bono publico is a Latin phrase for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in architecture, marketing, medicine, technology, and strategy consulting firms. Pro bono service, unlike traditional volunteerism, uses the specific skills of professionals to provide services to those who are unable to afford them.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Public defender of human rights (ombudsman) #49: An ombudsman or public advocate is usually appointed by the government or by parliament, but with a significant degree of independence, who is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or violation of rights.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
International court of justice #50: The International Court of Justice (French: Cour internationale de Justice; commonly referred to as the World Court or ICJ) is the primary judicial branch of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. Its main functions are to settle legal disputes submitted to it by states and to provide advisory opinions on legal questions submitted to it by duly authorized international branches, agencies, and the UN General Assembly.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
“Shadow” reports #51: “Shadow” reports are reports done by representatives of civil society, various non-governmental organisation, think-tanks or civil associations to supplement official reports of governments which often lack enough criticism. Examples of such organisations are for example Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and others.
Lobbying and advocacy #52: Advocacy is a political process by an individual or group which aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions. Lobbying (often by lobby groups) is a form of advocacy where a direct approach is made to legislators on an issue which plays a significant role in modern politics.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Prejudice #53: Prejudices are illogical sentiments based on emotions, ignorance and fear of unknown, not allowing us to consider things rationally and clearly, often supporting hatred against various social or ethnic groups. Negative stereotypes.; Sources:
Critical thinking module
Critical thinking #54: Critical thinking is the ability to recognise poor arguments even when they support our own opinion.
Logical fallacy #55: A fallacy is an argument that uses poor reasoning. An argument can be fallacious whether or not its conclusion is true.
Argument #56: An argument is a sentence or series of sentences, assertions or assumptions, its aim is to explain, persuade or reason something. It contains premises and conclusion, while conclusion is founded on these premises.
Premises and conclusion #57: Premises are statements which reason the conclusion of an argument. Conclusion is a statement, which is founded on premises, which reason it logically.
Fact #58: A fact is information, which we can be verified and backed up by evidence. It can be also information, which is not based on evidence, but society accorded to that. For example, it is a fact that one centimetre consists of 10 millimetres or that Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia.
Hypothesis #59: A hypothesis is similar to assumption. It is scientifically founded, but not yet definitely proven assumption. We can find hypothesis in academic works very often.
Opinion #60: An opinion is a statement, which we consider to be true. It depends on our point of view, taste or personal experience.
Assumption #61: An assumption is a statement that can be either true or not. It is what we personally consider to be likely.
Statement #62: A statement offers objective information, but it does not try to persuade. It does not contain premises and conclusion.
Stereotypes #63: Stereotypes are long-term simplified pictures of other people, groups of people or activities. They are not negative, actually they help us as they help us to orientate in the world, e.g. when we see the person in white with stethoscope around the neck we know it is a doctor (and still, it could be an actor, could not it?)
Secondary and primary sources #64: Primary sources are original published sources, for example medical studies. Secondary source can be, for example, a report in newspaper which speaks about the medical study and interprets it to the audience by more common, understandable language. By interpretation, retelling, there is a space for inaccuracies. Reader should be aware and approach the information from secondary sources cautiously.
Empowerment #65: Such policies and strategies are meant to increase the level of autonomy and self-determination in the lives of people and communities. The aim is to make parties self-sufficient, responsible and determined. This can happen, for example, through counseling, education and training, but also through legal protection and support for the development of common organizational structures.; Sources:
www.bmz.de
www.partizipation.at
Pöppelmeier, Eike (2007): Sozialraumorientierung als Ansatz in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, Hamburg: Diplomica Verlag GmbH
Gini-Coefficient #66: The GINI-coefficient was developed by an Italian statistician called Corrando Gini and serves as a measure of distribution. It takes values ranging fro 0 to 1. A value of 0 means equal distribution, the higher the coefficient, the more unequal the distribution is. The GINI-coefficient is often used to describe the distribution of wealth and income in a country.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Least Developed Countries (LDC) #67: States which have a particularly low per capita income, poor health care, poor education of the population and a weak economic performance are called the least developed states by the United Nations. A total of 49 states whith approximately 12% of the world's population are counted among the poorest countries. These include 34 countries in Africa, 14 in Asia and the Pacific and Haiti in the Caribbean.; Sources:
http://www.unohrlls.org
www.wikipedia.org
Micro loans #68: Micro loans are loans that are taken out for only a small amount. Unlike traditional banks and financial institutions, micro-credit programs and institutions waive the common form of collateral and thus provide a way to raise capital for the poor. Since the 70s they have become increasingly important in the context of development cooperation. Micro loans are seen as an important tool for poverty reduction, but they are not a panacea for poverty. Mircro loans can even lead to debt and their allocation does not change economic macro-structures.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
http://www.uni-heidelberg.de
Official Development Assistance (ODA) #69: Services that the OECD countries (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which comprises most of the industrialized countries) provide to the economically developing countries either directly or through international organizations, are referred to as official development assistance. The benefits of these may be financial, technical or human resources. One goal of the United Nations is that the industrialized countries should provide 0.7% of their Gross National Income (GNI) as ODA.; Sources:
www.oecd-ilibrary.org
http://www.bpb.de;
www.wikipedia.org
Participation #70: Participatory development is defined as a process through which people are actively and substantially involved in all decisions that affect their lives. The involvement of stakeholders in decision-making and implementation processes is now seen as a fundamental component in development cooperation.; Sources:
www.partizipation.at
Welfare state #71: A name for states, which carry out a number of different actions, programs and policies that serve the social, material and cultural well-being of the population. The citizens should be protected, for example from the negative consequences of unemployment, sickness and accidents.; Sources:
www.bpb.de
www.socialinfo.ch
Asylum #72: According to article 14 of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights," everyone has the right to protection to look for (asylum) in another country, if pursuit in his own country is threatened based on race, religion, political opinion, of membership of a particular group, etc.
Internal migration #73: Migration within one’s own country. This can have at least as significant effect on one’s life as migration between the countries.
Third country nationals #74: Nationals of non-EU country, from the perspective of EU citizens.
Transnationalism #75: Describes a process of Migration: (Trans) migrant create their social space across national borders. Social and cultural orientation, etc. are not tied to one place, but may extend beyond national borders.
Diaspora #76: A community of the same ethnicity or nationality abroad. Cultivates the common culture or lifestyle in the same quarter. Members of a diasporic community can act in a transmigrational manner, but do not have to.
Advocacy #77: Advocacy can include many activities that a person or an organisation undertakes including media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research or conducting exit poll or the filing of an amicus brief. Lobbying (often by lobby groups) is a form of advocacy where a direct approach is made to legislators on an issue which plays a significant role in modern politics.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Activism #78: Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, or environmental change, or stasis. The term connotes a peaceful form of conflict.
Dissident #79: Is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine, policy, or institution.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Philantrophy #80: Means private initiatives, for public good, focusing on quality of life".
Community garden #81: Is a single piece of land gardened collectively by a group of people.
Nonprofit organisation #82: Uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals rather than distributing them as profit or dividends.
Foundation #83: Foundation is a legal categorization of nonprofit organisations that will typically either donate funds and support to other organisations, or provide the source of funding for its own charitable purposes. This type of non-profit organisation differs from a private foundation which is typically endowed by an individual or family.
The nonprofit sector #84: Is the sphere of social activity undertaken by organisations that are not for profit and non-governmental. This sector is also called the third sector, in reference to the public sector and the private sector. Civic sector or social sector are other terms for the sector, emphasizing its relationship to civil society.
Public participation #85: Public participation is a political principle or practice, and may also be recognised as a right (right to public participation). The terms public participation may be used interchangeably with the concept or practice of stakeholder engagement and/or popular participation.
Lobbying #86: Lobbying (also lobby) is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by many different types of people and organised groups, including individuals in the private sector, corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or advocacy groups (interest groups). Lobbying is making sure that others' interests are duly defended against others' corruption, or even simply making sure that minority interests are fairly defended against mere tyranny of the majority.
Civil society #87: The term civil society has a range of meanings in contemporary usage. It is sometimes considered to include the family and the private sphere, and referred to as the "third sector" of society, distinct from government and business.
Petition #88: Petition is a document addressed to some official and signed by numerous individuals. A petition may be oral rather than written, and in this era may be transmitted via the Internet.
Volunteering #89: Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life. In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect. There is no financial gain involved for the individual. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, socialization, and fun.
Direct action #90: Direct action occurs when a group of people take an action which is intended to reveal an existing problem, highlight an alternative, or demonstrate a possible solution to a social issue. This can include nonviolent and less often violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action participants. Examples of non-violent direct action (also known as nonviolent resistance or civil resistance) can include sit-ins, strikes, workplace occupations, hacktivism, etc., while violent direct action may include political violence, sabotage,property destruction, blockades, assaults, etc.
Demonstration #91: A demonstration or street protest is action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause; it normally consists of walking in a mass march formation and either beginning with or meeting at a designated endpoint, or rally, to hear speakers. Demonstrations are a form of activism, usually taking the form of a public gathering of people in a rally or walking in a march. Thus, the opinion is demonstrated to be significant by gathering in a crowd associated with that opinion. Demonstrations can be used to show a viewpoint (either positive or negative) regarding a public issue, especially relating to a perceived grievance or social injustice. A demonstration is usually considered more successful if more people participate. Topics of demonstrations often deal with political, economic, and social issues.
Soil erosion #92: On the one hand this can be caused naturally by flowing water and the wind, but on the other hand by people through plowing, overgrazing and deforestation. It is a kind of carrying off of the ground and can occur linearly or over whole surfaces. Due to it, valuable nutrients in the ground are lost, its fertility decreases and finally it can produce no more crops. It ranges from depletion through to a complete destruction of the soil.; Sources:
www.umweltlexikon-online.de
Global hectare #93: People need land, fishing grounds, forest and room to settle for food production, waste disposal, energy production, mining, living space and transport as well as the production of oxygen and to bind CO2. The global hectare is a unit of measurement for the average productivity of this space within a year. It quantifies the biological capacity of the planet.; Sources:
www.footprintnetwork.org
Intergenerational justice #94: The terms intergenerational and intragenerational justice are used mainly in the debate on sustainability. In this context they mean an ecologically sustainable relationship with the environment. While it deals primarily with justice between current and future generations, intragenerational justice concerns itself with justice between those currently alive.; Sources:
www.energie-fakten.de
Land Grabbing #95: Through the modern form of land acquisition governments or companies acquire large areas of agricultural land in foreign territories to grow export-quality agricultural products or biofuels. This approach is increasingly criticized because the products are not intended for direct food supply to the local population and the enormous water use has a negative impact on the surrounding areas. Positive effects for the majority of people in developing countries can only be achieved through consent and involvement of the local population.; Sources:
www.fian.at
Monoculture #96: Within agriculture, this means cultivation of only one particular plant. It is found mainly in rice, cotton and coffee growing. For entrepreneurs, a monoculture may be economically more advantageous than a mixed culture, as only a few specialized machines are needed and also seeds and fertilizers are cheaper in large quantities. Ecologically, however, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages: Beneficial organisms such as earthworms are displaced, the ground is put under strain by the lack of minerals it must therefore be fertilized frequently. In addition, the plants are more vulnerable to disease. The result is the additional use of pesticides, which in turn can lead to crop failure because increased consumption of these pesticides can lead to drug resistance.; Sources:
www.helpster.de
Food chain #97: The chain of eating and being eaten is called the food chain. At the beginning there are plants that can manufacture their own food through photosynthesis. These plants form the food for organisms that are in the next position. At the end of the food chain there are carnivorous and herbivorous animals and man. If, for example, the extinction of sharks occurred, the population of many sea creatures would shift out of balance, severe outbreaks would be the result, which in turn would hurt the entire ecosystem. Another problem is man-made pollutants (pesticides, fertilizers, gases, etc.), which are deposited in the soil, water and plants. They will eventually be passed through the food chain and ultimately find their way into people.; Sources:
www.umad.de
www.biologie-schule.de
www.sharksavers.org
Green electricity #98: Electrical energy which is produced using renewable energy sources is called ecological or green electricity. Among these sources are solar energy, wind energy, geothermal, biomass and biogas as well as small-scale hydroelectric energy. In contrast to nuclear power, coal, natural gas and oil, green electricity provides a sustainable energy supply. Electricity produced by burning waste and large-scale hydroelectric power are ecologically questionable and therefore do not fall under the term green electricity. In Austria Ökostrom AG und AAE Naturstrom provide electricity produced entirely from renewable energy sources.; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
Pesticide #99: In the area of crop protection, pesticide is a collective term for chemical substances that discourage pests, they inhibit their growth or kill them. They are used to enable intensive production and to increase yields. Pesticides bring the ecosystem out of balance and the residues of insecticides or anti-fungal agents ultimately harm human health. The pesticide glyphosate was detected in the urine of every other European average person and is suspected to disturb reproduction, embryonic and fetal development as well as to promote cancer in animals and humans. In the field of bio-production pesticide use is generally prohibited.; Sources:
derstandard.at
www.greenpeace.at
Virtual Water #100: The term was coined by John Anthony Allan from Britain and was first used in the 90s. In contrast to direct water use, this means water which is necessary for the production of a product (planting, harvesting, manufacturing, transport and preparation). A distinction is drawn between green virtual water (natural ground water and precipitation) and blue virtual water (artificial irrigation). The global water footprint is greatest in the production of food and other agricultural products.; Sources:
www.greenpeace.at
www.virtuelles-wasser.de
www.oeko-fair.de
The water cycle #101: The water cycle begins when the sun evaporates water from the ocean, land, lakes and rivers. The water thereby enters the atmosphere. Finally, in the form of rain, hail or snow, it comes back to the surface. Either the precipitation reaches the ground water in the soil, or it is passed on again by rivers into the lakes or the sea, where the water can eventually evaporate again. Due to air pollution there are harmful effects on the atmosphere that come about through the circulation of the water back to the earth. This acid rain causes significant damage to the environment itself (deforestation, ocean acidification, etc.).; Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
www.wikipedia.org
Emissions trading #102: Emission trading sees the distribution of an agreed number of certificates which correspond to a certain amount of greenhouse gases. A state which emits more, must buy certificates, a country which emits less can sell its excess certificates. The difference should be noted between the trading of emissions between countries set out in the Kyoto protocol and the EU’s internal emissions trading between companies. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without setting solid boundaries. However, in practice it is very difficult to implement water tight emissions checks.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
http://www.bpb.de
http://oe1.orf.at
http://www.wikipedia.org
Fossil Fuels #103: Examples of these are coal, oil, natural gas and peat. They have formed over millions of years from the products of the decomposition of dead animals and cover the majority of the first world’s power demand. Fossil fuels do not regenerate and are therefore a limited energy source. The burning of fossil fuels to generate energy is the main cause of human-produced carbon dioxide.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
http://www.bpb.de
http://oe1.orf.at
http://www.wikipedia.org
Tipping-points #104: This means phenomena which, from a particular point on, would cause climate change to become self-reinforcing, if we do not manage to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thereby slow temperature increase. For example, the lower the icebergs of Greenland become, the quicker they melt. When ice melts, less sunlight is reflected and the earth warms up even more. Vast amounts of methane are bound up in the permafrost soils of the Taiga and Tundra. If these thaw out, the climate warming gases will escape and the earth will heat up more.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
http://www.bpb.de
http://oe1.orf.at
http://www.wikipedia.org
Kyoto-Protocol #105: The Kyoto Protocol, named after the site of the Kyoto conference in Japan, was agreed in 1997, came into effect in 2005 and obliges the countries taking part to reduce their annual greenhouse gas emissions. The individual countries have varying requirements which are mainly dependent on their economic development. The effect of this protocol is, however, contentious as there are no sanctions and the USA, one of the main producers of greenhouse gas emissions has refused to ratify it so far.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
http://www.bpb.de
http://oe1.orf.at
http://www.wikipedia.org
Growing countries #106: There are no generally accepted, measurable and valid norms for when a country is to be seen as a growing country. Often, however, the term is used for developing countries which are industrializing. Social development indicators lag behind the economic ones. Brasil, China and India are often termed growing countries.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
http://www.bpb.de
http://oe1.orf.at
http://www.wikipedia.org
Greenhouse effect #107: Through the natural greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide and other gases prevent the solar radiation which reaches the earth from radiating back into space completely. This effect is called the greenhouse effect as the glass of a greenhouse acts in exactly the same way. This phenomenon makes life on earth possible as without it, it would be far too cold. This effect is by additional, man-made greenhouse gas emissions and the average temperature of the earth is increasing.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
http://www.bpb.de
http://oe1.orf.at
http://www.wikipedia.org
Greenhouse gas emissions #108: This means the release of gases which trap the reflected solar radiation and so keep the heat close to the earth’s surface. There are 30 greenhouse gases, the most important of which are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. On the one hand these gases trap heat energy with differing efficiencies, on the other hand they remain in the atmosphere for differing lengths of time.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
http://www.bpb.de
http://oe1.orf.at
http://www.wikipedia.org
Environmental refugees #109: People are deemed to be environmental refugees if they are forced to leave their homes as a result of climatic changes or natural catastrophes. The term was coined in a report by the UN-environmental program in 1985. Although, the number of environmental refugees is increasing, the Geneva convention does not (yet) recognize environmental destruction as a reason for flight.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
www.bpb.de
oe1.orf.at
www.wikipedia.org
Global climate committee #110: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – IPCC, also called the global climate committee, was founded in 1988 by the Environmental program of the UN (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The main role of the IPCC is to assess the risks of global warming and to work on strategies for avoiding and dealing with it as well as presenting these strategies to decision makers. The five assessment report is expected in 2014.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
http://www.bpb.de
http://oe1.orf.at
http://www.wikipedia.org
2-Degree-Target #111: The 2 degree target was formulated at the 2009 Copenhagen climate conference and says that long term global warming must be restricted to two degrees Celsius above the pre-industrialisation average.; Sources:
Latif, Mojib (2007): Bringen wir das Klima aus dem Takt? Hintergründe und Prognosen. Frankfurt/M.: Fischer Taschenbuch
Omphalius, Ruth/Azakli, Monika (2008):Klimawandel. Würzburg: Arena Verlag GmbH
Schüppel, Katrin (2007): Klimawandel und Klimaschutz. Informationen, Hintergründe, Diskussionsanregungen. Mülheim an der Ruhr: Verlag an der Ruhr
http://www.bpb.de
http://oe1.orf.at
http://www.wikipedia.org
Majority world #112: The term proposed to avoid "black & white" terminology framing development terminology implying the kind of competition of the development. Terms ‘majority world’ and ‘minority world’ do not refer to any norm to which all countries are moving. They refer just to very real power imbalances that exist in this world between countries and within countries. The reality is, the majority of the world’s people (the ‘majority world’) do not have, or have limited, access to the world’s resources. And vice versa.
Minority world #113: The term proposed to avoid "black & white" terminology framing development terminology implying the kind of competition of the development. Terms ‘majority world’ and ‘minority world’ do not refer to any norm to which all countries are moving. They refer just to very real power imbalances that exist in this world between countries and within countries. The reality is, the majority of the world’s people (the ‘majority world’) do not have, or have limited, access to the world’s resources. And vice versa.
Minorities #114: Ethnic, national, religious, linguistic, cultural and other groups who are smaller in number than the rest of the population and who may wish to maintain and develop their identity.; Sources:
http://www.minorityrights.org/566/who-are-minorities/who-are-minorities.html
Gender equality #115: Gender equality means a situation in which someone´s Sex, or if someone performs "male" (a policeman) or "female" (nurse) work, has absolutely no impact on his / her life situation – similarly to how the colour of our eyes has no impact on our income, status, education and prestige. It refers to the view that men and women should receive equal treatment, and should not be discriminated against based on gender, unless there is a sound biological reason for different treatment.; Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_equality
Watchdog #116: A person or organization that works to stop people from doing illegal things in a particular area of business or society. It can be for example watchdog organisation watching the government and trying to reveal corruption, such as Transparency International or local organisations of this kind, as well as this can be watchdog journalists, too.; Sources:
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/watchdog
Social media #117: Social media is the social interaction among people in which they create, share or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks.; Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media
Peer reviewed periodical #118: Periodical consisting of scholarly works (such as a papers or a research proposals) which were checked by a group of experts in the same field to make sure they meet the necessary standards before the periodical would be published or accepted.; Sources:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peer%20review
Reporting genres #119: Reporting genres should briefly, factualy and exactly describe current or unknown event. It should inform fair-mindedly, without including own opinions or attitudes.
Publicist genres #120: Publicist genres are looking for the interconnections, it brings arguments, makes conclusions and judgements. Opinion of the author or media as such is essential.
New social movements #121: New social movements (NSMs) are focused at social or cultural concerns rather than at economic or political considerations. The NSMs consist of informal, loosely organised social network of supporters and non-members, coming from middle rather than lower class as it was common with social movements in industrial economy during the modernisation. The primary difference from the previous social movements is in their goals, as the new movements focus not on issues of materialistic qualities such as economic wellbeing, but on issues related to human rights (such as gay rights or pacifism). NSMs are normally centered on a single issue, or a limited range of issues which are related to a broader theme, such as the environment.; Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_social_movements
https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/social-change-21/social-movements-140/new-social-movements-774-3153/
Anti-apartheid #122: Anti-apartheid was a internal resistance to the apartheid system in South Africa. One of the representatives of anti-apartheid was once dissident, later president of South Africa Nelson Mandela.
Tax assignation #123: Tax assignation is the system allowing individual taxpayers to decide which NGO would receive some portion (usually 1 or 2 percents) of their taxes. There are differences in various countries, in some of them only physical persons can assignate their taxes to NGOs, in other countries also corporate sector can do so.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature #124: The International Union for Conservation of Nature founded in 1948 in Switzerland. It is an international organisation dedicated to finding "pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges". The organisation publishes the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which assesses the conservation status of species. It supports scientific research, manages field projects globally and brings governments, non-government organisations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy. It is the world's oldest and largest global environmental network, it has more than 1,000 government and NGO member organisations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.; Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Union_for_Conservation_of_Nature