All Publications http://www.oxfamamerica.org These are the search results for the query, showing results 401 to 415. Annual Report 2004 http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whoweare/financial-information/annual-reports/annual-report-2004 Oxfam America revenues for 2004 totaled just over $30 million. We thank the more than 170,000 donors who remain steadfastly committed to our mission, and we welcome the tens of thousands of new donors who contributed funds exceeding $30 million in response to the tsunami. Oxfam America revenues for 2004 totaled just over $30 million. We thank the more than 170,000 donors who remain steadfastly committed to our mission, and we welcome the tens of thousands of new donors who contributed funds exceeding $30 million in response to the tsunami.

In 2004, in addition to investing directly in our programs, we made strategic administrative investments to enhance our effectiveness, including improved financial management and staff development systems. We also established the Oxfam America Advocacy Fund to conduct advocacy activities that Oxfam America cannot pursue because of IRS limitations.

]]> No publisher mborum 2011-01-13T21:15:00Z Annual Report Congressional Testimony: The Implementation of DR-CAFTA http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/congressional-testimony-the-implementation-of-dr-cafta The rules set forth in the DR-CAFTA on agriculture, intellectual property, and investment add up to a bad deal for farmers, workers, and consumers in Central America and the Dominican Republic.  Rather than setting out provisions that will foster broad-based economic growth and sustainable development, DR-CAFTA will put millions of poor people at risk of losing their livelihood.  The US should do better if it wants to promote peace, political stability, and economic security in this region that has struggled with poverty and inequality, and the resulting instability, for so long.  Unfortunately, the DR-CAFTA is wrong way to achieve these goals, which is why Oxfam urges Congress to vote no.

]]> No publisher mborum Central America trade 2009-04-30T22:33:21Z Research Report The Coffee Crisis Continues http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/the-coffee-crisis-continues The new Oxfam report assesses the current state of the coffee crisis and calls on the US government to help coffee farmers take full advantage of improved market conditions. Though recent improvements in the international price of coffee provide some relief to small-scale coffee farmers and farm workers, the dynamics of the coffee market leave those at the bottom of the supply chain in a constant state of uncertainty. With a seat at the table in the International Coffee Organization and a commitment to further incorporate coffee-related programs into its development agenda, the US government has the opportunity to take a leadership role in addressing the continuing coffee crisis.

This report assesses the current state of the coffee crisis and calls on the US government to empower small-scale farmers and farm workers to take full advantage of the improved market conditions. With greater access to rural finance, technical assistance programs, and participation in international debate, small-scale, family farmers and farm workers will be less vulnerable to the boom and bust cycles of the market.

]]> No publisher mborum coffee trade 2009-05-27T23:04:31Z Research Report Kicking Down the Door http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/kicking-down-the-door The new Oxfam report highlights the inequities in global trade policies and calls for meaningful attention to development issues in ongoing trade negotiations. The US, along with other rich countries and international financial institutions, is pressuring developing countries to open their markets for rice and other basic foods, while maintaining heavy subsidies and protections for its own producers. From DR-CAFTA to the WTO negations, the US pushes a double-standard on developing countries. Forcing the opening of markets for rice and other basic commodities in developing countries can have disastrous effects on poor farmers.  But the US continues to forge ahead irrespective of the consequences for development.

]]> No publisher mborum trade 2009-05-27T23:05:57Z Briefing Paper OXFAMExchange Winter 2005 http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/winter-2005 Come Together: Building a movement to overcome poverty and change the world Hunger and poverty need more than quick fixes. While people need food, clothing and shelter to survive, they will never attain self-sufficiency and prosperity in an unjust society, no matter how much short-term aid is available.

For that reason Oxfam America's duty is clear: We and our project partners must help reform government policies, laws, and social injustices that deny people the right to live a decent life. We do this by providing funding, training, and the moral support people need to make real, substantive and transformative changes. The courageous and visionary people who do this work are setting out to build a movement for social justice—and Oxfam America is one of the few organizations to which they can turn for the help they need.

]]> No publisher mborum Darfur Horn of Africa Make Trade Fair Peru South America Sudan United States agriculture humanitarian relief indigenous people land minority rights trade workers' rights 2009-04-30T19:43:25Z Oxfam Exchange A Raw Deal for Rice Under DR-CAFTA http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/a-raw-deal-for-rice-under-dr-cafta No publisher mborum Caribbean Central America agriculture trade 2009-04-30T22:11:33Z Briefing Paper Finding the Moral Fiber http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/finding-the-moral-fiber In the briefing paper Finding the Moral Fiber: Why Reform Is Urgently Needed for a Fair Cotton Trade, Oxfam calls for a timetable for the elimination of all trade-distorting cotton subsidies. Cotton has been at the top of the WTO's agenda for the past two years. However, little has changed so far for small-scale cotton producers in West Africa, who will not survive another major slump in cotton prices. In July 2004, WTO members committed to ambitious and expeditious cotton subsidy reforms. To give African producers a chance, it is urgent to turn these commitments into action. Oxfam calls for the implementation of the Brazil-US cotton panel ruling and a timetable for the elimination of all trade-distorting cotton subsidies by the time of the Hong Kong WTO ministerial conference in December 2005.

]]> No publisher mborum trade 2009-05-27T23:07:45Z Briefing Paper OXFAMExchange Fall 2004 http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/fall-2004 Troubled Waters: Focus on Oxfam's water and sanitation work Today, more than one billion people worldwide lack access to a safe water supply—and that number is growing rapidly. This is an issue that concerns all of us, for we all rely on water to stay alive. But it is an issue of particular immediacy for those who live and work in rural areas, where water is used not just for drinking and sanitation, but also for irrigating fields, putting fish on the table, and generating income. When water supplies are threatened, rural communities are often the most affected—and have the most to lose.

From flooding in Haiti to drought in Ethiopia, water has long been central to Oxfam's work. Our emergency water systems are a hallmark of our agency. And our efforts to help communities access water for farming and fishing enable people to realize security.

But in recent decades, some extraordinary water pressures have emerged, as water resources are being swallowed up by dams, mining, and other commercial projects. The result is that, for the villages along the rivers, in the watersheds, and on the floodplains of East Asia being swamped or dried up by dams…for the indigenous people and farmers of South America whose rivers, lakes, and wells have been destroyed by mining…water is quickly becoming a major issue—and a major issue for Oxfam.

]]> No publisher mborum Horn of Africa Caribbean Chad Sudan Darfur water Ethiopia humanitarian relief Haiti Iraq 2009-04-30T19:55:30Z Oxfam Exchange Cuba: Weathering the Storm http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/weathering-the-storm Lessons in risk reduction by Martha Thompson with Izaskun Gaviria

Cuba is a case study in successful disaster risk reduction. At the national level, Cuba's disaster legislation, public education on disasters, meteorological research, early warning system, effective communication system for emergencies, comprehensive emergency plan, and Civil Defense structure are important resources in avoiding disaster. At the local level, high levels of literacy, developed infrastructure in rural areas and access to reliable health care are crucial for national efforts in disaster mitigation, preparation and response. Weathering the Storm: Lessons in Risk Reduction from Cuba presents a comprehensive overview of the Cuban model of risk reduction in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, and explores what may be adapted from this model in other countries. The report focuses on specific recommendations for Central America.

]]> No publisher mborum Caribbean Cuba disaster risk reduction humanitarian relief natural disaster 2009-06-30T22:13:33Z Research Report OXFAMExchange Spring 2004 http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/spring-2004 Engendering an Equitable Society: Focus on Women's Rights When it comes to fostering lasting change, investing in women makes a lot of sense.

In any society, developing or not, women are likely to be poorer, less educated, and less empowered than men. Oxfam recognizes women should be valued equally and enabled to reach their potential. What’s more, research has shown that when women earn income, they are more likely than men to spend it on family welfare. And when women are educated, they make decisions that benefit their families and influence their communities.

In the pages that follow, you'll read about how Oxfam is targeting the laws in Mozambique and the gender violence in El Salvador that severely disadvantage women. You'll also learn how Oxfam is equipping women to mediate peace in West Africa and to grow the income of their families. In every case, when it comes to empowering women, men are an equal part of the equation. Oxfam is striving to shape societies that not only permit women to be contributors, but societies that recognize that if they don't seize upon what women can offer, they are failing to leverage one of their most valuable assets.

]]> No publisher rbaker human rights Caribbean equality for women Southern Africa Central America violence Central and East Africa community finance El Salvador Senegal Mozambique humanitarian relief West Africa Mali Haiti peace and security women 2009-04-30T20:06:03Z Oxfam Exchange Afghanistan Education Report Card http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/afghanistan-education-report-card As the new school year begins in Afghanistan, The Human Rights Research and Advocacy Consortium (HRRAC) released Report Card: Progress on Compulsory Education. The new report urges policymakers to work harder to address urgent and long term education needs in the country. Oxfam International is one of the Consortium members.

The report card (for grades 1-9) recognizes that Afghanistan has made progress in enrollment, but finds key gaps in school completion rates, policy management, quality of education and available resources.

  • Despite the increase in school enrollment, more than half of Afghanistan's children don't attend primary school. Less than 34% of those enrolled are girls.

  • Drop-out rates are high, particularly among girls. Of those attending primary school, only 9% go on to secondary school.

  • Female teachers are scarce. In one province there is one female teacher for every 152 male teachers. Increasing the number of female teachers is essential to increase the enrollment of girls.

HRRAC recommends that international donors honor their commitments to provide sufficient and long-term funding for Afghanistan and ensure adequate steps are taken to increase the enrollment of girls and improve the quality of education.

The Human Rights Research and Advocacy Consortium is a group of Afghan and international organizations working in the fields of humanitarian relief, reconstruction, human and women's rights, peace promotion, research, and advocacy. It was established in early 2003 to engage in proactive research and advocacy on human rights issues over a sustained period.

Consortium Members
Afghan organizations
Afghan Development Association
Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission
Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (advisory organization)
Agency for Rehabilitation and Energy-conservation in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (advisory organization)
Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance
Cooperation for Peace and Unity

International organizations
Oxfam International
Mercy Corps
Ockenden International
CARE International
Rights and Democracy
Save the Children Federation, Inc.

]]> No publisher mborum Afghanistan Central and South Asia education 2009-04-30T22:07:41Z Research Report Like Machines in the Fields http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/like-machines-in-the-fields-workers-without-rights-in-american-agriculture Workers without rights in American agriculture "The right to a just wage, the right to work free of forced labor, the right to organize... are routinely violated when it comes to farmworkers in the United States."
—Lucas Benítez, winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights award for 2003.

In the United States nearly two million farmworkers, mainly immigrants, toil without rights, earn sub-living wages and exist in dehumanizing conditions. In the fields of Florida, California, North Carolina and other states, one million farmers earn less than $7,500 per year. To earn $50 a day a tomato farmworker must pick nearly two tons of tomatoes. The reason? The supply-chain model of global economics has tightened profit margins. In 1990 growers received 41 percent of the retail prices of tomatoes; by 2000 they were receiving barely 25 percent. Value is passed up the chain, while workers at the bottom pay the price.

]]> No publisher mborum 2009-06-08T16:20:28Z Research Report OXFAMExchange Winter 2004 http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/winter-2004 The Market for Justice: Focus on Corporate Responsibility The heart of Oxfam's mission will always reside in the remote pockets of the world where poverty persists. But today, Oxfam is making the connection between the coffee farmer in Guatemala who can't feed his children and the companies that profit from his crop. Or the dollar menu at your local fast food chain and the farmworker held in captivity. Or the gold ring on your finger and the mountains of toxic waste poisoning the Peruvian highlands.

This is not just about finger-pointing. True, corporations are often part of the problem. But as one of the most powerful sectors in our society, they are also a critical part of the solution. Oxfam is engaging some of the nation's largest corporations to take a hard look at their business models—to recognize the ways they are reinforcing poverty and the chance they have to make a world of difference.

]]> No publisher mborum 2009-04-30T19:49:32Z Oxfam Exchange Dirty Metals http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/dirty-metals Mining, Communities, and the Environment The purpose of this report is to show you how much metal there is in your life—from the gold in your jewelry to the aluminum in your automobile—and to explain how it was produced. If you live in the United States, your annual consumption of "newly-mined" minerals (as opposed to those produced from recycling) comes to 21 metric tons*—just over 57 kilos a day. This report will show you what lies behind that stupendous lode of copper and tantalum, gold and platinum. We'll explain how the mining of these and other metals damages landscapes, pollutes water, and poisons people. We'll show you why modern, industrial mining is one of the world’s most destructive industries. And finally, we'll show you what we as consumers and concerned citizens can do to clean it up.

]]> No publisher mborum oil, gas and mining natural resources 2009-05-27T23:58:16Z Research Report Tarnished Legacy http://www.oxfamamerica.org/publications/tarnished-legacy-a-social-and-environmental-analysis-of-malis-syama-goldmine A Social and Environmental Analysis of Mali's Syama Goldmine In Mali, gold recalls the greatness of the Malian empires, and evokes images of the Trans-Saharan salt and gold trade, of Islamic scholars and the ancient cities of Timbuktu and Djenné. Yet at the same time, a popular Bamanankan saying warns, "Sanu ko balaw ka ca": gold mining stirs problems.

In modern day Mali, it remains to be seen which of these images most accurately depicts reality. Gold production is growing quickly in Mali, which is now the third largest gold producer in Africa (after South Africa and Ghana). Gold has replaced cotton as Mali's leading export and has been promoted by the Bretton Woods Institutions as a key driver of Mali's national development. The Syama goldmine discussed in this report was the first large mine constructed during Mali's current gold boom. In a country ranked 164 out of 172 on the Human Development Index and with 90.6 percent of the population living on less than $2 per day, it is hard not to see the allure of gold's earning power.

This study, drawing on the lessons learned from Syama, examines the contribution of Mali's gold industry and its potential as a tool for development and poverty reduction. It presents data on a range of impacts (direct and indirect, positive and negative), tied to the operation and closing of the Syama gold mine.

]]> No publisher mborum oil, gas and mining natural resources West Africa Mali 2009-06-30T22:16:14Z Research Report