In a debate that may lead to confrontation between Egypt and eastern Africa nations over the River Nile, Kenya's members of parliament have voiced concern over the legality of an international treaty that bars the three countries from using water from Lake Victoria for irrigation.

Should farming be allowed in Zimbabwe’s wetlands? The wetlands - or vleis - are used by smallholders for dry season vegetable production and economic returns are high. Colonial administrators cited the risk of environmental degradation to prevent farmers from using the vleis. Today, the government and scientists disagree on the desirability of maintaining the unpopular, and increasingly flouted, prohibition on their use.

Why do local structures set up by external NGOs to co-manage environmental projects invariably fail? Can local farmers, herders, hunters, gatherers, transhumants and fishermen learn to cooperate? What can be done to help local stakeholders draw up sustainable collective rules for resource management? Are traditional social structures anachronistic or can they meet new challenges?

Sandton Crown Plaza, Johannesburg, South Africa
Call for abstracts deadline: 28 November 2001

Officials from over 100 governments concerned with reducing the risks of chemical use, particularly in developing countries, have been meeting in Rome this week to prepare for the entry into force of a global treaty to govern these risks.