Issues

The Africa Portal is contributing to the deepening of Africa’s knowledge and capacity in six critical issue areas—conflict resolution, energy, food security, health, migration, and climate change. This section presents documents and information available on the Africa Portal sorted by issue area.
Hits and Misses in Mozambique’s Climate Change Action Plans
Backgrounder
Jessica Blythe
May 4, 2012

The experience of creating a National Adaptation Programme of Action on climate change in Mozambique is illustrative of similar efforts across Africa. Jessica Blythe considers its strengths and shortcomings, and identifies lessons that can be applied to future adaptation actions.

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Support for 20 Graduate Students Will Enrich Policy-relevant Research on Africa
Article
Kevin Dias
April 27, 2012

Through short-term academic opportunities, the Africa Initiative is supporting 10 Africa-based and 10 Canada-based graduate students with over $200,000 in funding to facilitate research on critical issues facing Africa.

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Managing Climate Change Impacts on Waterborne Disease in Uganda
Backgrounder
Sherilee Harper
March 26, 2012

Unusual heavy rainfall and flooding in Uganda are a result of climate change and have led to outbreaks of waterborne diseases with dire consequences for the population. The existence of competing national priorities, however, means the fight against climate change is still in its nascent stages.

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Importance of Good Governance in Climate Change Policies
Research Paper
March 14, 2012

As Africa embarks on creating policies for combating climate change, good governance is a critical aspect that governments should think of incorporating into all aspects of combating the negative impact of changing weather patterns. This requires organizational and institutional capacities as well as coherent actions built on accountable, transparent and participatory systems of governance.

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Exploring Africa's Potential in the Carbon Market
Research Paper
January 5, 2012

To date, Africa’s share of the global carbon trading market has been minute. This collection of essays offers a critical review of the problems with the global carbon market, the challenges for Africa in this area, and suggests alternatives for African states to improve their climate change policy.

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Climate Change, Another Heavy Yoke on the Sahel
Report
December 19, 2011

A human security focused analysis is necessary when considering the effect of climate change on social conflict. This study looks at the impact of climate change on the already vulnerable Sahel region. The research shows that populations can be protected from climate change vulnerabilities through the proactive use of conflict resolution mechanisms. Most importantantly, the study raises the question: Can creating livelihood alternatives by international organizations address the challenges of climate change in the Sahel?

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