How can we make our democracy truly representative? Can participation be institutionalized? And who does the Maracanã stadium belong to?

So far, kindergartens and shootouts have by and large been completely unrelated issues in my world. Not anymore. Now, for the past days, every morning around 7.30, I have slowed down and scouted cautiously: Does anyone seem tense, watchful? Are there any police troops in a state of mobilization hiding somewhere close? Are there any heavy fireworks all of a sudden, alerts of that something is about to happen?

The European Union needs to develop a coherent strategy and invest in tackling corruption outside its own neighbourhood.

To launch the new programme Politics of Faith, CMI is currently seeking a Programme Director for a period of 3 years with a possible 2-year extension, and a Post-Doc Researcher for a period of 3 years. The Programme Director will lead and develop the new research programme. The post-doc researcher will work with his/her own research project and develop the programme together with the Director.

Geir O. Pedersen will in light of his own experiences as a diplomat and as previous Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Lebanon, reflect on the relevance of knowledge and research for Norwegian foreign policy.

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?

IKV Pax Christi launches its third CPA alert at a decisive moment in the history of Sudan. As we await the official result of South Sudan's referendum on self-determination, it is clear that an overwhelming majority of southerners have voted in favour of independence. But the people of the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile do not have the right to determine their own political future.

While the Angolan president José Eduardo Dos Santos may be grooming his son to follow him as president, political opponents of his regime have been eliminated. This year he has spent long periods of time abroad. Meanwhile, the social crisis in the country increases in scope. The opposition is organising their strengths. Even in the president's own ranks, there are murmurs of discontent. Has Dos Santos gone too far?

An increasing number of poor women in Namibian shantytowns form their own households and female social networks. Men are not part of their family coping strategies.

The streets, shops, metros and buses are congested like a school of mackerel in syrup by people out spending their December wages. It is high-volume Christmas preparations.

Afghan women's rights activists are caught in a squeeze between the expectations of Western donors, demands from Islamists and their own ambitions. Advocates fear rejection of all attempts to promote women's rights and are forced to make compromises.

East Africa is the global oil and gas industry's hottest frontier. Several west and central African states have already experienced petroleum booms of their own. What can East Africa learn from their experiences?

Ethiopian women are flocking to the labour market making money of their own. Does this mean that there will be more gender equality? With a grant from the Research Council of Norway's scheme for Young Talented Researchers, CMI’s Lovise Aalen will lead a new project studying the impact of economic growth on the lives of women in developmental states.

Youth unemployment is a growing challenge in many countries. It causes frustrations, social problems, growth in unwanted migration, and victimization ...

This project will seek to better understand how women’s life opportunities are gendered. Particular attention will be given to women’s ...

This project will initially take a broad approach to the issues of rural and urban poverty and social stratification – with the argument ...

While the number of women holding parliamentary seats is slowly growing globally from 10% in 1995 to 17% in 2009, Africa is on the ‘fast ...

This 3-year interdisciplinary project (2014-2016) - comprising sociology, political science and social anthropology - intends to contribute ...

What is the Everyday Maneuvers project? Military-civilian relationships go to the heart of a nation''s culture and politics. In most countries ...

Nahr el-Bared talks back On 20th May 2007, fighting broke out between the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and a new militia group calling itself ...