A little time spent in nature - from a forest to a city park - can help you feel calmer and happier. This write-in book is full of things to do both indoors and outdoors, wherever you live, to give you a moment of peace and connection with the natural world. Try growing a seed, pressing flowers, keeping a diary as if you're an ancient tree, and all sorts of other activities.

A systematic reassessment, by two leading figures in the field, of the paradigm of international development in both theory and practice. It offers an overview and critique of development theory and strategy, and a new framework for the analysis of global inequality, poverty and development in an era of globalization.

'Connecting ICTs to Development' highlights over fifteen years of IDRC-supported research in the field through its Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) program.

This charming collection of ballet stories has been specially selected and retold for younger children. A delightful way to discover five classic ballets: Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Coppelia, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker.

The history of development is one marked by insecurities, violence, and persistent conflict. It is not surprising, therefore, that development is now thought of as one of the central challenges of world politics. However, its complexities are often overlooked in scholarly analysis and among policy practitioners, who tend to adopt a technocratic approach to the crisis of development and violence. This book brings together a wide range of contributions aimed at investigating different aspects of the history of development and violence, and its implications for contemporary efforts to consolidate the development-security nexus. From environmental concerns, through vigilante citizenship, to the legacies of armed conflicts during and after decolonization, the different chapters reconstruct the contradictory history of development and critically engage contemporary responses and their implications for social and political analyses. In examining violence and insecurity in relation to core organising principles of world politics the contributors engage the problems associated with the nation state and the inter-state system and underlying assumptions of the promises of progress. The book offers a range of perspectives on the contradictions of development, and on how domination, violence and resistance have been conceived. At the same time it exemplifies the relevance of alternative methodological and conceptual approaches to contemporary challenges of development. This book was published as a special issue of Third World Quarterly.

This comprehensive study provides a perceptive portrait of workplace employment relations in Britain and France using comparable data from two large-scale surveys: the British Workplace Employment Relations Survey (WERS) and the French Enquete Relations Professionnelles et Negociations d'Entreprise (REPONSE). These extensive linked employer-employee surveys provide nationally-representative data on private sector employment relations in all but the smallest workplaces, and offer a unique opportunity to compare and contrast workplace employment relations under two very different employment regimes. An insightful read for all academics and students of employment, the findings also have implications for practitioners and policy-makers keen to identify and promote "best practice".

The history of development is one marked by insecurities, violence, and persistent conflict. It is not surprising, therefore, that development is now thought of as one of the central challenges of world politics. However, its complexities are often overlooked in scholarly analysis and among policy practitioners, who tend to adopt a technocratic approach to the crisis of development and violence. This book brings together a wide range of contributions aimed at investigating different aspects of the history of development and violence, and its implications for contemporary efforts to consolidate the development-security nexus. From environmental concerns, through vigilante citizenship, to the legacies of armed conflicts during and after decolonization, the different chapters reconstruct the contradictory history of development and critically engage contemporary responses and their implications for social and political analyses. In examining violence and insecurity in relation to core organising principles of world politics the contributors engage the problems associated with the nation state and the inter-state system and underlying assumptions of the promises of progress. The book offers a range of perspectives on the contradictions of development, and on how domination, violence and resistance have been conceived. At the same time it exemplifies the relevance of alternative methodological and conceptual approaches to contemporary challenges of development. This book was published as a special issue of Third World Quarterly.

'The Cuban people hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Africa. The Cuban internationalists have made a contribution to African independence, freedom, and justice, unparalleled for its principled and selfless character.' As Nelson Mandela states, Cuba was a key participant in the struggle for the independence of African countries during the Cold War and the definitive ousting of colonialism from the continent. Beyond the military interventions that played a decisive role in shaping African political history, there were many-sided engagements between the island and the continent. Cuba and Africa, 1959-1994 is the story of tens of thousands of individuals who crossed the Atlantic as doctors, scientists, soldiers, students and artists. Each chapter presents a case study - from Algeria to Angola, from Equatorial Guinea to the Congo - and shows how much of the encounter between Cuba and Africa took place in non-militaristic fields: humanitarian and medical, scientific and educational, cultural and artistic. The historical experience and the legacies documented in this book speak to the major ideologies that shaped the colonial and postcolonial world, including internationalism, developmentalism and South-South cooperation. Approaching African-Cuban relations from a multiplicity of angles, this collection will appeal to an equally wide range of readers, from scholars in black Atlantic studies to cultural theorists and general readers with an interest in contemporary African history.

The famous correspondences of the philosopher and scholar Peter Abelard and the Catholic nun Heloise are eloquent and shocking - their forbidden relationship serves as both a drama and history of Medieval society. Writing in the early 12th century, Abelard and Heloise first met when both were young. Attracted to one another almost immediately, the two struck up a relationship which blossomed when Abelard convinced Heloise's uncle, Fulbert, to allow him residence in exchange for free tutorship of the young Heloise. Their romance, illicit because they were not a consummated, married couple, continued until Heloise became pregnant with Abelard's child. The subsequent drama which ensued damaged Fulbert's reputation - as a respected canon in Parisian society, he was deeply angered by the pair's affinity. Eventually the two, feeling pressured by Fulbert's anger and the social stigma of the time, agreed to marry in a secret ceremony.

Soon after meeting near the famed city of love, Paris, Heloiseand Abelard fall into a deep and passionate love. Abelard is a well-known man and famous teacher; his students are considered to be lucky to study with him. Heloise, however, surpasses his other students with her multi-linguicism and impressive scholarship. Whether it be fate or their mutual intelligence, Heloise and Abelard make a quick connection. Since Heloise is one of Abelard's pupils, the love quickly invites scandal. When Fulbert, Heloise's uncle and sole guardian, discovers their romance, he forbids it. The two lovers continue their affair in secret, but it becomes impossible to hide when Heloise gets pregnant. After the birth of their son, Heloise is sent away to live in a convent, and Abelard soon follows her suit, becoming a monk after a violent run-in with Fulbert and his friends. Each struggle with their own religious journey, one born from necessity and shelter, the other from devotion. Though apart, Heloise and Abelard try to stay in touch and sustain their love, despite the public scandal and unfavorable odds. Told through a series of letters, witness the intimacy of this 12th century romance. Filled with scandal, passion, and emotion, The Letters of Abelard and Heloise gives readers a personal view into the famed and real-life relationship of Abelard and Heloise. This classic romance has since inspired love stories, while Abelard and Heloise remain legends in French history, and fascinating characters of history. Heloise's embodiment of feminist values provide much needed representation in classic literature. With a brilliant new cover design and a readable font, The Letters of Abelard and Heloise not only tells the true and dramatic story of a forbidden romance, but also offers insight into Middle Age culture and religious life.

This is an innovative and insightful approach to the global politics of development. The authors challenge conventional perspectives of, and approaches to, development and offer alternative accounts of the politics of development from the perspective of non-state centred and non-state centric approaches. The authors offer critical reinterpretations of historical experiences of development processes and together with insightful analysis of contemporary development strategies this is a genuinely new perspective on the global politics of development. Moreover, in moving beyond more 'economistic' approaches to development this book seeks to uncover the complexity of development in ways that account for social relations of power and identity. The authors successfully demonstrate the transdisciplinary nature of the politics of development in their respective engagement with political theory, anthropological and sociological perspectives in ways that provide an overall integrated approach to the politics of recognition and redistribution in development. In contrast to globalisation calling into question the idea and practices of international development, this study situates the question of the politics of the 'international' within a broader historical context of global social relations of power and dispossession, and their impact on states, regions and cultures. In framing the project as whole through the concepts of recognition and redistribution, this is a genuine effort to 'rethink development'. It is timely in an era of global politics and globalisation wherein both issues of identity and struggles over development challenge us to re-rethink disciplinary boundaries.

This is an innovative and insightful approach to the global politics of development. The authors challenge conventional perspectives of, and approaches to, development and offer alternative accounts of the politics of development from the perspective of non-state centred and non-state centric approaches. The authors offer critical reinterpretations of historical experiences of development processes and together with insightful analysis of contemporary development strategies this is a genuinely new perspective on the global politics of development. Moreover, in moving beyond more 'economistic' approaches to development this book seeks to uncover the complexity of development in ways that account for social relations of power and identity. The authors successfully demonstrate the transdisciplinary nature of the politics of development in their respective engagement with political theory, anthropological and sociological perspectives in ways that provide an overall integrated approach to the politics of recognition and redistribution in development. In contrast to globalisation calling into question the idea and practices of international development, this study situates the question of the politics of the 'international' within a broader historical context of global social relations of power and dispossession, and their impact on states, regions and cultures. In framing the project as whole through the concepts of recognition and redistribution, this is a genuine effort to 'rethink development'. It is timely in an era of global politics and globalisation wherein both issues of identity and struggles over development challenge us to re-rethink disciplinary boundaries.

* Defines and develops a new set of variables to determine the best conditions for effective social innovation* Useful for governments, academic centers, foundations and entrepreneurs interested in measuring the potential of social innovation* Builds on social entrepreneurship research at ESADE Business School* Explores four inspiring casesThe world s social, ecological and economic problems are so complex and diverse that there will never be a one-size-fits-all model for social innovation. The very nature of social innovation as a new, better way of solving social problems means that it is not even in the interest of social innovation advocates to create tidy definitions, but rather to create environments that allow for the process of creative destruction with a social purpose to prosper.Inspired by a desire to deepen our understanding of the role of social innovation in addressing today s most pressing challenges, authors Heloise Buckland and David Murillo explore four inspiring cases and define a new set of variables to help better understand the conditions under which social innovation can be most effective. These variables can be helpful for investors, governments, academic centers, foundations and individual entrepreneurs interested in measuring the potential of any given social innovation to bring about the much-needed systemic change to solve today s complex challenges.This book builds on a track record of research and education in corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship at ESADE Business School s Institute of Social Innovation.Building on an understanding of the key characteristics and challenges faced by social entrepreneurs here authors undertake a deeper analysis of social innovation."

The charming world of Miss Maggie’s Kitchen brings a mixture of refined classic French style with a modern twist, for perfect, effortless entertaining.

Heloïse Brion’s early life was rhythmed by mealtimes―from her childhood in Florida, where her mother proudly upheld the tradition of the French family dinner, to summers spent in the Pyrenees where her grandmother cooked over a wood-fire oven. Her passion for food―always respectful of the seasons and the origins of her products―followed her back to France where she pursed a career in fashion.

What initially began as a whimsical pastime turned into Miss Maggie’s Kitchen, her brand that blends cooking, travel, and lifestyle in a perfect alchemy. Her innate talent for style and entertaining stems from her informal American approach to life mixed with her inherent French flair. Here, Brion shares more than eighty laid-back recipes for every occasion, including her beautiful table settings that are festive and welcoming. Her simple, authentic, and tasty cuisine includes sweet potato crostini, summer tomato pizza, veal stew, pistachio and clementine cake, and lavender lemonade. Brion’s husband, photographer Christophe Roué, captures the charm of Miss Maggie’s Kitchen where retro and modern culminate in the ultimate comfortable elegance.