Imagining alternative futures

John Magrath Agriculture, Climate Change, Food & livelihoods, Food security, Methodology, Participation and Leadership, Research, Youth

Programme Researcher, John Magrath, describes the process of applying ‘participatory scenario development’ to explore how Bangladesh might achieve zero hunger and zero carbon emissions by 2041. It is tempting to assume that the future will follow much the same trajectory as the past. Imagining alternative futures can be dismissed as dreaming, or science fiction. And if we do imagine the …

The intersection of inequality and climate change

Dustin Barter Climate Change, Food & livelihoods, Inequality

Dustin Barter reflects on the glaring contrast between his recent experience of the California wildfires, and the harsh realities of climate change for many. Both inequality and climate change are hot topics, gaining traction as the bleak effects set in, but the intersection of the two demands far more attention and action. If we want to get serious on climate …

Land is where it all begins

Barbara Codispoti Climate Change, Food & livelihoods, Gender, Land rights

When land rights are jeopardised, so are the livelihoods of the people who depend on it. As Oxfam launches a new land rights website, Barbara Codispoti highlights some of the key things we have learned. Land is so much more than just a means for production. Securing rights to land allows people greater political power, community representation, and economic security. …

Constant crisis: The new normal for market analysis?

Corrie Sissons Cash transfers, Climate Change, Food & livelihoods

Climate change and ongoing conflicts have made Pre-Crisis Market Analysis (PCMA) an essential feature of Oxfam’s humanitarian work. Corrie Sissons and Daniel Pasquini share how PCMA exercises have helped Oxfam to respond effectively in two very different contexts. One approach Oxfam frequently uses is mapping, analysing and understanding markets in emergencies.  Our experience working in humanitarian relief and development has …

Why is Oxfam campaigning against ALDI?

Rachel Wilshaw Food & livelihoods, Inequality, Private sector

When Oxfam scored major supermarkets according to their public policies and practices that prevent human suffering, ALDI came bottom. As part of our #BehindtheBarcodes campaign, Rachel Wilshaw explains why they ranked so low and what can be done to improve it.  Update Since Oxfam started campaigning against ALDI in October, the company has published a human rights policy, appointed a …

What more should supermarkets do to respect workers’ rights in their supply chain?

james Food & livelihoods, Inequality, Private sector

Recently Oxfam has been calling on supermarkets to end the human suffering in their supply chains for the Behind the Barcodes campaign. Here Rachel Wilshaw goes into more detail on the practical actions supermarkets can take and why it’s so important.  Oxfam’s Ripe for Change report highlights hunger and suffering amongst the people who grow and process our food. Across a …

How to end human suffering in supermarket supply chains

Tim Gore Food & livelihoods, Private sector

Last week Tim Gore introduced Oxfam’s new research and campaign focused on the problem of human suffering in food supply chains, here he outlines solutions. If problem analysis captures media headlines (like these ones from Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and the US last week) it is evidence of solutions and a sound theory of change that wins campaigns. Our research …

The human price of stocking supermarket shelves

Tim Gore Food & livelihoods, Private sector

The supermarket sector is ripe for change.  Tim Gore, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Research for Food Justice at Oxfam International, describes key findings from Oxfam’s research into the human suffering in supermarket supply chains.  Imagine a workplace where 90% of your colleagues can’t afford enough food for their families each month. Where you work so hard you can’t take a toilet …

Dear supermarkets, can we have food without human suffering please?

Rachel Wilshaw Food & livelihoods, Private sector

Too often the people who produce our food are living in poverty and going hungry themselves. Rachel Wilshaw shares the findings of our new report and explains why we are calling on consumers and UK supermarkets to act. The people producing our food are often going hungry themselves. This is the standout finding of an Oxfam report published today, Ripe …