new book announcement

Evaluating Transnational NGOs: Legitimacy, Accountability, Representation
Edited by Jens Steffek and Kristina Hahn
Palgrave Macmillan

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have come to play a key role in global and European governance. With this new influence and visibility many have begun to worry about their legitimacy and accountability. Critics question the representativeness of NGOs, the democratic quality of their internal procedures, and their accountability to the wider public. This

"Initiating and organising an international conference is like starting up a new enterprise, knowing beforehand that its life span is limited. Such an enterprise usually requires starting capital to pay the initial costs. Insurance to cover possible risks due to reduced attendance may also be needed.

The Pre-financing and Guarantee Fund (VGF) was set up by the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) and the Dutch Convention Industry Association VNC, in co-operation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, to meet these needs.

The Problem with the Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom Hierarchy

David Weinberger

The data-information-knowledge-wisdom  hierarchy seemed like a really great idea when it was first proposed. But its rapid acceptance was in fact a sign of how worried we were about the real value of the information systems we had built at such great expense. What looks like a logical progression is actually a desperate cry for help.

KölnKongress is reporting positive results for the 2009 financial year:
not only the number of events on the premises of KölnKongress increased compared with the previous year, but also the number of visitors  exceeded the one million mark.

Cruise ships still find a Haitian berth

Luxury liners are still docking at private beaches near Haiti's devastated earthquake zone for holidaymakers to enjoy the water

"Handbook on Third Sector European Policy: Multi-level Processes and OrganizedCivil Society" has now been published by Edward Elgar in the UK and most of the rest of the world. (It will be published in the US in February. 2010)

This volume is the culmination of seven years of research  by the Third Sector European Policy (TSEP)

http://www.kent.ac.uk/tsep/

The International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR) is pleased to announce the ISTR Emerging Scholar Dissertation Award. This award is presented biennially for a PhD dissertation completed or defended in the two calendar years (July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009) preceding the award.

UK transport secretary Lord Adonis defends high-speed rail plan.  Government's aim for 250mph train network to replace short-haul flights was condemned as 'insane' by Ryanair boss.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/05/high-speed-rail-airline-flights

IATA Press Release No55