Publications 2012: The role of private partnerships in managing wicked problems in global agribusiness

The International Food and Agribusiness Management Review has published an on-line Special Issue on "Managing Wicked Problems in Agribusiness: the Role of Multi-Stakeholder Engagement in Value Creation". The problem of a wicked problem is not only that there is no shared view or agreement on the solution but first of all on what is the real problem. Lack of sustainability is a wicked problem par excellence. Multi-stakeholder initiatives and private partnerships are typically considered part of the solution to this wicked problem. But are they part of the solution or the problem? Please make up your mind by reading (one of) the following publications and other ones at https://www.ifama.org/publications/journal/vol15/V15IB.aspx?

1. Otto Hospes, Olga van der Valk and Jennie-Mheen-Sluijer (2012). Parallel Development of Five Partnerships to Promote Sustainable Soy in Brazil: Solution or Part of Wicked Problems? International Food and Agribusiness Management Review Volume 15, Special Issue B, pp. 29-52.

2. Domenico Dentoni, Otto Hospes and Ross Brent (2012). Editor's Introduction. Managing Wicked Problems in Agribusiness: The Role of Multi-Stakeholder Engagements in Value Creation. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review Volume 15, Special Issue B, pp.1-12.

Professional report 2012: Biofuel partnerships

Biofuel partnerships: from battleground to common ground? A joint publication (2012) of Cordaid, Cordaid partners and Wageningen University.

This document provides a unique and telling report of different experiences of partners of Cordaid with biofuel programs and how these programs effect smallholders' use of land and rights to land. The drawing of the report has been a true collaborative effort of Cordaid partners, Cordaid and Wageningen University. I had the privilege of acting as scientific co-ordinator of the writing process. Various sites provide links to the report, including those of Cordaid, SNV and FPP. Now also available in Spanish: Biocombustibles: ¿se puede llegar a un entendimiento en este campo de batalla? Check publications at http://www.cordaid.nl/nl.

Publications 2011: Global private partnerships and social inclusion

1. At www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpvUIOV4sXI, you can see the book announcement on Value Chains by professor Bert Helmsing and dr Sietze Vellema. After the introduction to the book, you can read my article, together with Joy Clancy, on social inclusion in value chains: Hospes, O. and Clancy, J. 2011. Unpacking the discourse on social inclusion. In: Helmsing, B. and Vellema, S. (eds). Value chains, inclusion and endogenous development: contrasting theories and realities. Routledge Press, pp. 23-41.

2. One of the articles in the first book on private food law edited by prof. Bernd van der Meulen is: Hospes, O. 2011. Private law making at the round table on sustainable palm oil. In: B.M.J. van der Meulen (eds.). Private food law. Wageningen Academic Press, pp. 187-201. The article can be downloaded from: http://www.wageningenacademic.com/_clientFiles/download/EIFL-06-e.pdf

3. A telling story (for Dutch readers only) on the love-hate affair of the Indonesian government with the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil, Hospes, O. 2011. Besturen tussen globale en nationale schaal: de casus van de Ronde Tafel over Duurzame Palmolie. Bestuurskunde(4): 38-46. In the forthcoming book (at Wiley Publishers) on scaling and governance, the tension between the RSPO and public authorities will be newly explored with the concept of scale frames.

Key course 2011: Why law and public power is intriguing

Check this interview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCYvoCYoRB4

Visiting professor 2011 at Nantes: Food for thought and thought for food

Food security for all is a desired, not yet existing situation. More than a billion people suffer from hunger in our world. Under the leadership of professor Francois Dutilleul of the University of Nantes, the LASCAUX research program questions what idea, frame or legality could best direct our efforts to establish food security for all: trade liberalisation, sustainable development, human rights or food sovereignty? Or is it that somehow these different ideas, or those who voice these ideas, can be linked to each other? There is more to explore. We not only need food for thought but also new thoughts for food. Join our efforts. Greetings from the green city of Nantes.