· February, 2011

Stories about Development from February, 2011

Africa: Let's Talk About African Governments

  28 February 2011

lgazissax discusses African governments: “The uprisings in northern Africa and the Middle East had gotten me wondering about certain things I’d read about problems of African government in general, and I wanted to see how they played out in different countries.”

India: Are You A Toybanker Yet?

  25 February 2011

Toybank is a bank with Toy Deposits and Joy Dividends, an idea which comes with a vision of reaching out to needy children through fun and play, using toys. Debolina Raja Gupta interviews Sweta Chari, the CEO of the Toybank project, to learn more.

Yemen: “Our blood is not cheap” (Videos)

  25 February 2011

Tens of thousands of protesters across Yemen rallied for and against President Ali Abdullah Saleh after Friday prayers. Two protesters were shot dead in Yemen's second-largest city Aden on Friday, February 25, in what appears to be confrontations between anti-Saleh groups and police. At least 34 others have been wounded, mostly by live gunfire.

Chile: Electronic Textbooks for Schoolchildren?

  24 February 2011

The school year is starting in Chile, and Enzo Abbagliati in Cadaunadas wonders, “why aren't textbooks in Chile digital?” after he spent almost $300 USD in textbooks for his son. He presents possible advantages to giving schoolchildren electronic textbooks they could read on a tablet or e-reader.

Bhutan: Tax Or No Tax For Development

  24 February 2011

The idea of citizens contributing towards this in the form of taxes is still a new/alien concept in Bhutan. The Bhutanese twitter-sphere broke the news of the verdict in favor of the Opposition who protested against the legality of imposing vehicle tax in the country.

Caucasus: Peace Village

  24 February 2011

Tamada Tales, a EurasiaNet blog, comments on plans by an Armenian peace activist to establish a peace building center in a village situated close to the intersection of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Noting that Armenians and Azerbaijanis are “implacable foes,” the blog notes that Georgia has often proven itself to...

Mexico: Achievements and Challenges for Artisan Women

  23 February 2011

Adele Hammond writes about artisan women in a village outside Oaxaca: “[…] the women we work with are committed to creating better lives for themselves and their children, despite the challenges of sometimes not having enough to eat or sufficient money to pay for their children’s needs. The BEST part...

Iraqis Calling for Change

  22 February 2011

Uprisings and demonstrations are currently occurring all over the Arab world. In Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Bahrain and other Arab countries, people are arranging to protest; some are looking to topple their existing regimes, some are willing to simply fix them. Iraq is no different, and its people are calling for change.

Angola: Mass Evictions Displace Thousands

  22 February 2011

A large-scale demolition in Lubango carried out by the government of Angola, has already left in its wake over 5,000 displaced people in the southwest of the country. Upon reconstructing this puzzle from blogs, the image that persists of the social consequences of the demolitions is tragic.

Russia: Recreating a Traditional Village Hospital

RuNet Echo  16 February 2011

Mikhail Shlyapnikov (LJ user michael-077) writes in detail (RUS) about plans to set up a communal village hospital – old-style, but functional – in Kolionovo, Moscow region: “This, perhaps, is a rare case in contemporary history of rural Russia when, contrary to the general tendency, a village hospital is not...

Caucasus: The Vagina Monologues

  16 February 2011

Georgia On My Mind provides its readers with a comprehensive review of The Vagina Monologues held earlier this week in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. Controversial as it was bound to be in a region more renowned for its patriarchal values, the event, which included performances from women from Armenia, Azerbaijan,...

Bangladesh: Widespread Protests Force Government To Back Down On Airport Project

  15 February 2011

A recent venture by the Bangladesh government to takeover 25000acres of wetlands (Arial Beel) 60km South of the capital city of Dhaka, for a proposed International airport and satellite city led to protests and violence in the area. Netizens too, reacted strongly to the government debating the need for a new airport and the government was forced to back down on the airport project.

Colombia: A “dry canal” to rival the Panama Canal?

  14 February 2011

Bloggings by boz reports: “Colombian President Santos told FT there is a ‘real proposal… quite advanced’ for a rail link connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through Colombia, serving as a “dry canal” to rival Panama's.” He adds: “For Colombia, it's a fantastic opportunity that comes only because it has...

Senegal: Book for Africa Partnership

  14 February 2011

Peace Corps/Senegal is partnering with Books for Africa to bring textbooks and reading materials to schools and community libraries throughout the country. Volunteers in about 35 communities are working with teachers and village leaders to open libraries and reading spaces…”

Bangladesh: Proposed International Airport Stumbles Over Environment Controversy

  13 February 2011

A recent venture by the Bangladesh government to takeover 25000 acres of wetlands (Arial Beel) 60km South of the capital city of Dhaka, for a proposed International airport and satellite city led to protests and violence in the area. Netizens too, reacted strongly to the government proposal citing the environmental impact and damage to the livelihoods.