· November, 2006

Stories about Development from November, 2006

Africa: are we failed states?

  30 November 2006

Enanga's Pov refutes the notion that Africa is a home to the greatest collection of failed states. She writes, “We should stop calling babies bad names because we cannot give them the time and freedom to grow.”

Pakistan, India: Governance in Azad Kashmir

  29 November 2006

The Glasshouse comments on the state of governance and lack of telecommunications in Azad (Free) Kashmir. “It was shortly after the earthquake that I learnt that the so-called president, prime minister and cabinet ministers of that benighted place were more or less permanently ensconced in Rawalpindi, only making infrequent trips...

Nigeria: putting the record straight

  29 November 2006

Grandiose Parlor responds to a blog post suggesting that Nigeria is skunk slime of Africa, “The writer displays a gross lack of knowledge, for he should have realized that while there are several bad elements among its nationals, Nigeria has contributed immensely to the socio-political, and economic growth of the...

Africa: technology conference '07

  29 November 2006

Tech4Africa '07 is gaining momentum, writes One Afrikan: “And so it begins…. We’ve started getting some really good feedback for the Tech 4 Africa conference (last check we were up to about 30 replies after a day or so of being up and emailing to an initial beta group for...

Malawi: Malawian windmill

  28 November 2006

Hactivate has a moving story about a windmill in Malawi, “The windmill stands on a tripod of wooden polls about five metres above the ground. It consists of locally-available materials and as far as he can remember his investments were K500 for two bearings, K500 for a bicycle dynamo, K400...

Africa: Africa's economies

  28 November 2006

Eliesmith writes about the 2006 African Development Indicator, “According to the report, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa have retained their dominant positions on the economies of sub-Saharan Africa. Both countries account for 55% of the GDP of the region.”

Voices from Central Asia and the Caucasus

  27 November 2006

Astana (Kazakhstan) – Waiting for a bus – photograph taken by Richard Messenger (Many more bus stops here) While we're waiting for the bus, why not check out some of this week's highlights from the Central Asian and Caucasian blogosphere, brought to you bi-weekly by neweurasia? Web 2.0 in Central...

Haiti & Debt Relief: Will Government Measure Up?

  27 November 2006

Jojo at Collectif Haiti de Provence posts a Radio Kiskeya article on the World Bank and IMF conditions for permanent debt relief for the country and writes (Fr): “The conditions for permanent debt relief are clear and precise and for once seem human … Can our compatriots once in power...

Flying Over the Iraqi Blogodrome

  26 November 2006

Literally this time. I am writing this as my flight to Dubai is actually flying over Iraqi airspace. First time ever. If I were to give a true summary of the Iraqi blogs these past weeks it would be one of sadness, death, and violence. But I am not going...

Africa: what China wants from Africa

  25 November 2006

Dr. George Ayittey‘s analysis of China's interest in Africa, “China’s increasing involvement in Africa should be viewed against this backdrop. Despite the euphonious verbiage about “cooperation”, “equal terms,” and “altruism,” the real intentions of China are threefold. The first is to gain access to Africa’s resources by signing with a...

Sudan: brain gain

  24 November 2006

Are you a Sudanese living abroad? Do you want to go home and serve your country? The UNDP has a special programme for you.

Malawi: redefining development

  24 November 2006

Afrika-Aphukira redefines development in Malawi, “Ten or so years ago I would have interpreted ‘development’ in a specific way: the sprouting of new, big and tall buildings, and new tarmac roads, in Malawi’s cities, towns and rural areas. In the last six or so years I have come to think...

Africa: making Africa stinking rich

  24 November 2006

Do you want to help Africa? Cherryflava writes, “Forget poverty, AIDS, TB, malaria and corruption and lets focus on making Africa stinking rich. Keep you charity money, we don't need a handout. But we do need your time and creative business ideas.”

Balkan Blog Roundup: Focus on the Positive

  23 November 2006

The Balkans need reconciliation, confidence and positivism to change and become the winning region of Europe with happier citizens. You can see that in the inspirational words from the Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian blogospheres. Toshiba posts some thoughts of the late Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic during his motivational meetings...