Blue Papers™ and Lite Blue Papers™

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UNITED STATES INVOLVEMENT IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN AFRICA

By Simona Maria Ross

21 December 2012

The objective of this thesis is to discuss the impact of United States involvement in conflict resolution in Africa. The argument is that countries facing violent conflict benefit from U.S. involvement in conflict resolution. To evaluate this statement, the first section of this thesis examines the U.S. interest in engaging in conflicts in Africa and the significance of focusing on conflict resolution for Africa. Further sections explore different U.S. strategies to resolve conflict, as well as the outcomes of U.S. involvement and the consequences of non- involvement. The author concludes that the U.S. plays a crucial role in the peace building process, however, historical experiences have demonstrated that the United State’s primary strategy ought to be to function as an indirect mediator and facilitator. With the aim of achieving sustainable development the U.S. has to put emphasis on conflict prevention and ensure permanent peace and stability.

 

A SUSTAINABLE WORLD SYSTEM

By Simona Maria Ross

15 November 2012

Given Kote-Nikoi’s definition of sustainable development as “ a development process in which the elements of the development vector do not generally worsen over time, in which the natural physical- capital stock that enables the provision of those elements does not get degraded over time, and in which society’s cultural-capital serves to legitimates the non-degradation of the stock of natural physical-capital.”, I strongly doubt that a world system based on the orthodox economic theory can lead to sustainable development. Even so, our world system continues to be based on constant economic growth.

 

UN Mission in Liberia – A success?!?

By Simona Maria Ross

19 May 2012

The benefits and risks of UN integration for humanitarian assistance have been intensely debated for many years. Many humanitarian staff remains skeptical that UN integration can benefit humanitarian action. Others stress the need for enhanced coherence and highlight the positive experiences of UN integration. The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) is considered to be a success story.

 

Venezuela’s face has changed: pre-elections of hope

By Leonie Timmers

25 February 2012

On the 12th of February, more than 3 million people in Venezuela exercised their right to vote in order to choose an opposition candidate that will confront President Hugo Chavez in the presidential elections to be held on the 7th of October 2012. While these were only pre-elections, they were of great significance in a country in which for years it seemed that Chavez was unbeatable. The elections have made a smile reappear on the faces of many Venezuelans, because for a moment Venezuela caught a glimpse of an alternative future.

 

Arab Spring, Secularisation and the Way Forward

by Mark Somos and Ghanem Nuseibeh

3 May 2011

This paper discusses why Western intervention in the Arab World has largely failed to produce the desired results. Drawing lessons from long-term historical analysis, the paper makes recommendations on how Western countries can salvage their relationship with the Arab World.

 

Arab World unrest: Role of the social media, satellite TV and public diplomacy: Lite Blue Paper™

by Ghanem Nuseibeh, Ali Fisher, Lucian Hudson, Mark Somos and Mark Townsend

19 March 2011

The paper assesses the role of social media and conventional media in the Arab unrest and proposes a solution basis for governments and organizations.

 

Bahrain needs a home-grown think-tank for long-term stability: Lite Blue Paper™

by Ghanem Nuseibeh et al

6 March 2011

The paper discusses creating a home-grown think-tank in Bahrain, for long-term strategies built on collaborative approaches between the public, private sectors and civil society.

 

Role of Arabic Language TV Channels in the Arab World

on 2 January 2011

Excepts from paper

 

Restorative Justice: The Case for Wider Adoption

by Lucian J Hudson

3 December 2010

This paper discusses the issue of wider adoption of restorative justice in the UK. The paper is written in collaboration with Australia-based ProActive Resolutions, Inc.

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A summary of the Blue Paper can be found here.

Building Ethnic Minority Civil Society: Microgrant Giving and Other Tools

by Alan Anstead, Mark Napier et al

15 November 2010

This paper proposed an innovative way to help civil society organizations - particularly among ethnic minority communities - build their capability to advocate their interests (in partnership with other organisations), secure donor funding and implement successful projects that address the causes of poverty and inequality.

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Note: The full-length Blue Paper can be obtained by emailing Ghanem Nuseibeh gn@cstoneglobal.com

Respectful Work Places: Practical Steps to a Big Society / booklet format

by Lucian J. Hudson

14 October 2010

Writing in collaboration with ProActive ReSolutions, Australia and using practical examples, Lucian Hudson, world-authority on collaboration and partnership, discusses bullying, discrimination, harassment, abuse and assault, which are proving damaging to individuals, teams and organizations. In exploring what respect means in practice, the paper helps to give concrete shape to the vision of a Big Society.

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Risk evaluation for the GCC property market

by Ghanem Nuseibeh and Charles Cardozo

5 September 2010

Cornerstone Global Associates and Radley and Associates have teamed up to create a bespoke evaluation model that offers property portfolio managers, investors and planning authorities in the GCC powerful tools that enable more effective and informed risk management of real-estate investments. This is based on a recognition that linear cash-flow models are often misleading and that in order to understand the risks posed by property investments, cash-flow models that take into account the complex relationships and macro-economic data are needed. Read More...


A new public service paradigm: innovation through citizen-centred collaboration 

by Lucian Hudson, Mark Napier, Alex Plant et al

9 July 2010

Initial interest in the new Coalition Government focused on whether the political coalition will last, and how the Cabinet works together to pursue a joint programme. The size of the reduction of the structural deficit has since dominated the headlines. But missing in the analysis of both developments – the political and the economic- is an understanding of the social dynamics that ensure that the UK achieves innovation on an unprecedented scale by tapping the forces of collaboration between government, business and civil society. Read More..

Monitoring social media and networks: identifying keys to unlock collaboration and innovation 

by Ali Fisher

1 July 2010

Successful use of social media in corporate strategies requires effective monitoring. Dr Fisher discusses how collaboration and innovation can ensure the effective monitoring of social media in an organization's communications strategy and how this can in turn lead to the optimized use of social media. Read More...

Adapting the Canadian experience to help resolve the UK’s problems 

by David Cook et al

29 June, 2010

As Britain prepares to tackle and confront the realities created by the recession, the Canadian solution used in the 1990’s to address Canada’s difficulties is being cited as one appropriate for the UK. Cornerstone’s team, which includes experts in both the UK and Canada, warn that while the Canadian model is worthy of thorough consideration, a “copy-and-paste” approach could be counter-productive. There are lessons to be learnt from Canada, but the model itself cannot be imported. The UK needs a British solution with adaptation of some of the Canadian strategic mechanisms. Cornerstone Global Associates can help to design strategies and approaches that draw on the Canadian experience but are crafted to the circumstances of Britain today.  Read more...

BEYOND BAILOUTS: Innovating Tools to Counter Financial Threats

by Jordan MacLeod et al

29 March, 2010

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, economic recovery on the whole remains fragile and uncertain. Rising debt levels in the developed world, among other factors, has brought increasing likelihood of a double dip recession. The occurence of a double dip would in all probability result in increasing defaults by national and regional governments, political unrest and a resumption of uncertainty in world markets. Central banks have diminished resources and tools to counter potential risks and threats with even moderate degrees of probability, let alone worst case scenarios. Now is the time for the extensive research and development of innovative and novel financial tools to add to the central bank toolbox. This paper discusses the potential for one such tool to help counter a double dip and actualize the equivalence of negative rates when called for by economic conditions and financial models. Read more...

YEMEN: Holistic Strategies for Solving Emerging Problems

by Ghanem Nuseibeh et al

20 January, 2010

Yemen is facing multiple difficulties that threaten the stability of the country and the entire Gulf region. The collapse of the Yemeni state could lead to  the country being used as the training ground and operations centre for Al Qaeda. This has both regional and international implications. In order to avoid a catastrophic collapse, a holistic long-term solution is needed that acknowledges the military, economic, social, regional and governance challenges. Partial solutions to the problem could be counter-productive. The proposed January 2010 London conference about Yemen should be used as an opportunity to address the situation in a concerted, holistic manner.  Read more...