[CivilSoc] gpgNet.net: global public goods Network & Discussion Forum

[Vikas Nath]

Dear Colleagues at Civil-Soc,
I invite you to visit the new website of global public goods Network
(gpgNet) at http://www.gpgNet.net
gpgNet intends to serve researchers, policymakers, business and civil
society as a platform for information exchange and discussion on issues
concerning the theory, policy design and practice of providing global
public goods.
On gpgNet you will find references to research and studies, information
on forthcoming events as well as commentaries, policy
statements and media reports concerning global public goods issues.
I would like to invite your special attention to the discussion forum.
The inaugural and ongoing debate is on the topic of "What is Public?
What is Private?" Please join us for this debate and share with us -and
the  global public- your observations on this
topic. A complete background note to the discussion is available at
http://www.gpgnet.net/topic1.php
What is public and private has, in many cultures and countries, also
changed over time. For instance, women in many societies were in earlier
times not supposed to have a public role—and in some societies this is
still the case to some extent. But, increasingly, gender roles in the
private and public domain are becoming more similar, and men and women
now contribute to both spheres. Many goods and services have also been
moved along the private-public continuum. Take the example of television
signals. Some decades ago, all television content was public: available
to anyone with access to a television set. In the meantime, technologies
have become available which can limit access only to those who subscribe
to satellite or to cable services. Today, one may have to subscribe to a
provider of cable television in order to buy select content as a
"private good ".
We look forward to your contributions through the discussion forum. You
may subscribe to the discussion forum by sending a blank email to
subscribe-gpgnet-l at groups.undp.org
Your suggestions and feedback on the gpgNet website would be very much
appreciated, and can be sent to info at gpgnet.net
Yours sincerely,
Vikas Nath
gpgNet.net Manager
Policy Analyst, Office of Development Studies
United Nations Development Programme
336 East 45 Street
New York NY 10017 USA
Email: info at gpgnet.net
URL: http://www.undp.org/ods
Have a look at the website of global public goods Network (gpgNet) at
http://www.gpgNet.net