Contents: Preface The United Nations Convention to combat desertification in global sustainable development governance, Pierre Marc Johnson, Karel Mayrand, and Marc Paquin The scientific basis: links between land degradation, drought and desertification, Stefanie M Herrmann and Charles F. Hutchinson Examining the links between poverty and land degradation: from blaming the poor towards recognising the rights of the poor, Sally-Anne Way Desertification and migration, Michelle Leighton Negotiating desertification, Adil Najam The United Nations and the fight against desertification: what role for the UNCCD Secretariat?, Steffen Bauer Civil society's role in negotiating and implementing the UNCCD, Friederike Knabe Promoting good governance through the implementation of the UNCCD, Lene Poulsen and Masse Lo The global mechanism and UNCCD financing: constraints and opportunities, Francois Falloux, Suzanne Tressler, and Karel Mayrand Decentralisation and sustainable resources management in West Africa: a line of action for revisiting national action programmes, Richard Pearce Knowledge and the UNCCD: The community exchange and training programme, Noel Oettle Agriculture, trade, and desertification: implications for UNCCD, Karel Mayrand and Marc Paquin Conclusion: the UNCCD at a crossroad, Pierre Marc Johnson, Karel Mayrand, and Marc Paquin Appendix: United Nations convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa Bibliography Index.