In aid dependent countries, reforms frequently take place in the form of paradigmatic shifts, largely influenced by changes in donor policies. Problems of implementation,however, are often not properly addressed and remain largely unaffected by new reforms. The distance between proclaimed objectives and actual achievements is therefore dramatically wide. The main point of this article has been to investigate the role of domestic research in such a system of policymaking.

Dr. Kari Telle is a Social Anthropologist who has worked extensively on issues related to socio-religious change in Indonesia. Telle will work on the new Politics of Faith programme where she will study religious mobilization and the politics of 'security' in post-Suharto Indonesia.

Peace Agreements can contain two kinds of provisions; "backward looking" provisions to secure an end to the violence and "forward looking provisions for longterm recovery. What is the importance of including forward- looking provisions with regards to economic recovery and institution building?

What are the challenges on issues related to corruption and other illegal causes of unfair competition?

Dr. Luka Biong Deng gives a talk on the challenges facing the new state of South Sudan, in a presentation of his current work on the so-called ...

There is political will to strengthen the tax system in Angola. If properly designed and implemented, the new tax system can improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the public sector. One of the main challenges, however, will be to convince the citizens of Angola about the value of paying taxes. This will require not only reforms, but a major cultural shift.

This collection critically revisits the concept of the 'two-state solution' and maps the effects of local and global political changes on both Palestinian people and politics.

Lise Rakner has been appointed professor in Comparative Politics at the University of Bergen. She is the first female professor at the Institute.

In Africa, policies are easily pronounced but difficult to implement. The links between policy and policy research are very tenuous. Professor David Olusanya Ajakaiye exlores why.

The Karrayu in the Upper Awash Valley are nomadic pastoralists with a traditional migratory pastoral mode of existence. Expanding and 'disempowering' development interventions in the form of large-scale agricultural enterprises and conservation schemes, threaten the Karrayu's traditional way of living.

Who owns the planet's natural wealth found under water, below ground, and in the air? How do we reconcile our use of these assets with that of future generations?

Read the public address of Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit on his return from the official visit to the United States of America.

China's role in Angola is particularly massive and major loans have been provided for Angola's reconstruction in exchange for access to Angola's oil. Corkin explores the role of the Angolan government in the evolvement of Chinese-Angolan relations.

Driven by solidarity and national pride, the Lotus Revolution pulled order out of chaos. By now the military chiefs know that citizens who took control of their lives and future will know how to do to it again.

On June 5th, a new Peruvian president will be elected in a runoff between Ollanta Humala and Keiko Fujimori. The two candidates, for different reasons, raises concerns writes Camila Gianella.

Our faith drives us. We do our work with respect and humility. Our aim is to facilitate the distribution of food for every Egyptian who needs it, without discrimination between women or men, Muslim or Christian."

Economic compensation to families who let their children go to school is the best way to reduce child labour.

A recent U4-workshop in Liberia has clarified obstacles and strengthened the cooperation on anti-corruption between donors, local and central authorities in Liberia. This paves the way for better donor support and government action, says U4-adviser Jesper Johnsøn.

Norway has invested more money in the forest protection programme REDD+ than any other donor country. Corruption concerns have been widely raised when it comes to REDD+. Will Norwegian investments be in vain?

Five research projects from CMI were granted funding from the Research Council of Norway last week.