Notable Government Documents

This “largest study ever made on homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe” based its findings on transcripts of interviews with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons; government statistics; and other data collected from 2004 to 2010. Subtopics include perceptions of LGBT persons; crimes committed against them; their access to health care, education, and employment; and relevant legislation. Thematic maps enable the reader to visualize key data. This publication brings intolerance to light but also shows how far the movement for LGBT rights in Europe has come. archive.equal-jus.eu/884

This manual—the work of dozens of experts in the field—provides the first European framework on effective drug abuse prevention. It outlines planning, implementation, and evaluation of prevention and aids the understanding of how people, interventions, organizations, and strategies contribute to positive outcomes. Though substance abuse-prevention professionals are the intended audience, anyone studying this phenomenon will want to consult this well-­documented source. With an attractive layout, clear prose, and a superb glossary.  www.emcdda.europa.eu/attachements.cfm/att_145539_EN_TD3111250ENC.pdf

More than one billion people worldwide suffer from malnutrition, and the challenge of providing access to food is becoming more daunting as the global population is expected to exceed the nine billion mark in 2050. Part 1 of this resource details the current knowledge of food insecurity and its causes, as well as the international community’s efforts to eradicate it. Part 2 identifies policies that will ameliorate the problem, with emphasis on proposals of the Food and Agriculture Organization. With appealing graphics, this title is intended for ­nonspecialists.  www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2307e/i2307e.pdf

The financial crisis of 2008 to 2009 spread like a contagion from the United States to the rest of the world and raised questions about how low- and middle-income countries could protect themselves from external shocks. The ten case studies here analyze precrisis growth, the effects of the crisis, and policy responses in Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Turkey, Vietnam, and Poland. The text, which is accompanied by more than 150 illustrations and 80 tables, is accessible to undergraduates. 

More than 40 percent of children in countries engaged in armed conflict are not in school. This report documents the effects of war on education and proposes a wide-ranging agenda for action. It contains 85 graphs, as well as many poignant and sometimes extraordinary photographs. With more than 90 pages of international education statistics.  unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001907/190743e.pdf

This collection of essays offers an assessment of where agriculture is headed and what must be done to meet the world’s food demands in the coming decades. It addresses issues such as the effects of using crops to produce biofuels instead of food, the impact of climate change on yields, and the inadequacy of investment in agricultural research and development. The clarity of the text makes this a useful source for both scholars and interested citizens.  www.fao.org/docrep/014/i2280e/i2280e.pdf

The authors present the results of the third annual public opinion survey concerning the Afghan National Police (ANP), and it is full of unexpected details. For instance, 30 percent of the 7000 Afghan interviewees reported that someone in their household had seen an ANP member use illicit drugs, and only 20 percent think the ANP is ready to operate without the support of international forces. On the positive side, 45 percent of respondents believe the performance of the ANP in their area has improved in the past year.  www.undp.org.af/Publications/KeyDocuments/2011/PPS-Eng%20Version-2011%20Final%20Lowest%20Res.pdf

In this massive volume, the world’s leading body on climate change assesses the technological development, costs, potential, and environmental and social effects of hydropower, bioenergy, and solar, geothermal, wind, and ocean energy. Each chapter includes a detailed table of contents, an executive summary, an extensive bibliography, and many color illustrations. Readers seeking in-depth knowledge of renewable energy technologies and related issues will find this work invaluable.  srren.ipcc-wg3.de/report

The authors examine gender inequality and the potential role of governments in ending it. While many countries have made dramatic progress in this area, others lag far behind. This title explores the causes of these disparities and makes specific policy recommendations. For the first time, the World Development Report is available as an iPad app that is attractive, easy to use, and free. It contains information not available in the print version and guides the user toward the most important content.  Full report: http://ow.ly/atJTB. Free iPad app.