Welcome to the website of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung - India office
Introducation
The face of the India programme was carved out of its concern for various forms of prejudice, discrimination, exclusion, and violence amplified especially between diverse ethnic, communal and religious groups within India; the South Asian contours of globalization; the neglect of environmental concerns given the increasing pace of climate change; and the challenges to India’s democracy that lacks truly an emancipatory and participatory component.

Imperative to all programmes and projects of the Foundation is a commitment to gender justice and equality. Gender democracy is an overarching and crosscutting issue being mainstreamed in all activities and approaches.

National conferences and political campaigns on many critical issues, as well as active engagement with the international community on Global and South Asian experiences of democracy and inclusion have been key tools of political education to face political challenges. HBF India’s encouragement of new forms of civil society assertions has been significant in this light.

Our overall approach is to (a) generate opportunities of sharing, analysing and learning among formations of civil society (b) engaging in independent and critical analysis of societal trends and issues (c) enabling dialogue across varied perspectives, sectors and institutions of the concerned stakeholders.

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Democracy and Conflict Resolution
Article
INDIA: Peace in Kashmir
August 31, 2010 -

India is facing the ongoing deterioration of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, especially the repeated outbreaks of violence between the civil population and the security forces. Criticising both the Indian and Pakistani governments’ performances, Mr Sachar gives a number of suggestions how to start a new direction in conflict resolution.

By Justice Rajindar Sachar more»
Interview
There is a lack of will to confront the Maoist challenge holistically. – July 29, 2010 - An Interview with Ajay K. Mehra – an expert on Maoist politics in India and Honorary Director of Centre for Public Affairs – on the roots of the Maoist revolutionary violence in India, the approach of the Government of India and the affected state governments and the Nexus between Maoists and mainstream politicians. Prof. Ajay K. Mehra more»
Interview
The Rebels mirror India’s failings as a Nation. – July 29, 2010 - An Interview with Sudeep Chakravarti - journalist and well known expert on the Indian Maoists – about the current stage of the conflict, the role played by media and business as well as its implications on the Indian state and society. Sudeep Chakravarti more»
Publication
Emerging Trends in Indian Politics The 15th General Election. – This volume is the outcome of a study organised jointly by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung (HBS) India and the Centre for Public Affairs (CPA) before the 15th general elections to the Lok Sabha. The project attempted to gauge the emerging political trends that may influence the politics of the country. Ajay K. Mehra more»
Gender and Trade
Workshop
South Asia Regional Workshop on Global Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Women A Human Rights Perspective.
August 25, 2010 - PWESCR in partnership with UNIFEM and Heinrich Böll Foundation has hosted a two day South Asian Regional Workshop. The workshop is intended to enable experts in developing policy and advocacy tools to address the negative impact of the financial and economic crisis from a gender and human rights perspective.
more»
Interview
Level of awareness about GM foods is low in the country. – July 19, 2010 - On the introduction of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in India, Dr Sahai has been asking for greater technical competence, transparency and public participation in the regulatory process dealing with GM crops. more»
Trade and Investment Policy Paper #6
Free Trade Agreements Versus Bilateral Treaties – August 4, 2010 - The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the changes that are taking place in the international normative framework on investment through surveying the European Union and United States’ Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with developing countries. more»
ARTICLE
The Current Economic and Financial Crisis: a Gender Perspective. – August 4, 2010 - This paper shows how the mortage debacle in the US affected not only the world economy, but also, and most seriously women and the poor. By Rania Antonopoulos, Levy Institute more»
Climate & Energy
Myth of nuclear power - a guide.
August 9, 2010 - The myth of nuclear power keeps persevering. Therefore the Heinrich Böll Foundation has commissioned renowned international nuclear experts to deliver detailed facts central to the myths of nuclear energy. This overview provides the public with a current, facts rich and nuclear-critical know-how. more»
Publication
Distributed Renewable Energy Projects in Rural Areas of India - A guide to Implementation. –

The need for renewable energy resources is real and pressing today simply because our current dependence on conventional petro -based fuels and energy sources cannot be sustained. Electrification Scheme over the past two decades there remains a lot of work that needs to be done. The numbers of villages which still don’t have access to electricity continue to be very high and in a number of these village the grid reaching them may still be some years away.

more»
Research Study
An India That Can Say Yes: a Climate-Responsible Development Agenda for Copenhagen and Beyond – March 1, 2010 - The book analysis at environmental policy framing approaches within India, its priorities, challenges and opportunities. The climate change as an issue have been looked through in detail from all aspects like equity, poverty, diplomacy, policy framework, etc… The COP in Copenhagen was an important milestone in International climate Negotiations and weighing all the aspects of taking a decision, the author has proposed a way forward more»
Blog-Symbol
Publication
HALF LIFE: Radioactive Waste in India – Nuclear Energy generation is slated to rise in the coming decades from the present 3 percent to upto 20 percent in the energy mix of India. With climate change concerns, nuclear energy is now being brought back and reconsidered as 'clean' and 'zero cost' energy. The amount of waste created will increase manifold. more»
International Politics
Article
Shanthie Mariet D'Souza: Afghanistan - Deminting a General's COIN
July 5, 2010 - President Obama’s dismissal of General McChrystal has laid to rest doubts on the continuity of US strategy, but victory still seems a distant prospect. Shanthie Mariet D'Souza more»
Conference
An Assembly Towards a Union of South Asian Peoples. – Geopolitically South Asia has never been a coherent region. South Asia is suffering from numerous conflicts leading to political and economic instability. The regional organisations like SAARC have failed to meet people's expectation. This conference identified relevant issues and suggested future course of action and made a pledge to enhance regional cooperation not only in economic matters but also towards building a unique South Asian Identity above national considerations. more»