Stories about Development from March, 2011
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Towards Partition
At OpenDemocracy.net, Bedrudin Brljavac writes about the situation in Bosnia & Herzegovina: “Fifteen years since the end of the war, ethno-nationalist leaders continue to pursue political agendas leading to the...
Bulgaria: Protest Against Belene Nuclear Power Plant
Komitata and Simo Ivanov wrote in Bulgarian and in English, respectively, about their participation in the protest against continuing the construction of Belene Nuclear Power Plant that took place in...
Azerbaijan: BBC Azeri & the potential of social media in the South Caucasus
whatwaswritten, Stealing news from Azerbaijan since 2011, translates and summarizes part of what was the last traditional radio broadcast from the Azerbaijani service of the BBC. As a result of...
Haiti: Not Like Japan
Toussaint on Haiti has been avoiding news of the Japan earthquake for fear of “triggering sad memories”, noting that stories of recovery there “really b[ring] home…the dysfunction that exists in...
Bermuda: Development vs. Conservation
“Can we please stop pretending that that the Tucker’s Point SDO is about saving tourism? It’s about developing real estate”: Vexed Bermoothes says that “there has been a drought of...
Puerto Rico: 2010 Census figures
Doctoral student and blogger Deepak Lamba-Nieves is starting to analyze the latest release of 2010 Census figures for Puerto Rico: “Although the main story has been the population loss registered...
Ecuador: Investigation Around Newborn Deaths Continues
According to Ecuador's latest census, more than 14 million people live in the country, but there is still no consensus on the national infant mortality rate. Recent incidents have called attention to health care practices in neonatal units in Ecuadorian hospitals, triggering an investigation around newborn deaths in the country.
Should Indonesia Abandon its Nuclear Plans?
Indonesia’s plan to build its first nuclear plant in the next decade has been shelved indefinitely because of the nuclear disaster in Japan. Bloggers are joining the debate on whether Indonesia should pursue its nuclear dreams.
Indonesia: Geothermal power potential
Blogger Multibrand hopes that Indonesia would maximize its geothermal power potential since it has 40 percent of the world's geothermal reserves.
Haiti: Developing Aid
“The agenda of development aid should not be set by people so far removed from the uncertainty of life that has dominated human existence for the majority of time”: Throwing...
Bolivia: Bike Path Project in El Alto is Rejected
Blogger Mario R. Duran in Palabras Libres [es] regrets a decision by the Municipal Council of El Alto, La Paz to reject funding from the World Bank to build a...
Barbados, Bermuda: Cost of Development
“As Barbados citizens question the government’s decision to allow development at Cove Bay, our friends to the north in Bermuda are rising against a similar decision by their government to...
Morocco: The Winds of Change
For the past month, Moroccans have taken to the streets to call for a reform of the constitution and for the establishment of a democratic parliamentary system. On March 20, 2011, the peaceful protests, which took place in cities both large and small, continued, inspiring bloggers in Morocco and the Diaspora to share their thoughts.
Nigeria's Golden Opportunity for a Social Revolution Through the Ballot Box
Oluniyi D. Ajao speaks with ‘Gbenga Sesan about his involvements with several non-partisan initiatives around the forth-coming 2011 Nigeria General Elections and the role of social media in the general elections. ‘Gbenga runs a social enterprise called Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, which connects Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities.
Ecuador: New Developments and Cyber-Activism in Chevron Case
On February 14, 2011, an Ecuadorian judge ruled that oil company Chevron had to pay US$9.5 million in environmental damages. Almost a month later, Chevron has appealed the sentence; citizens and activists are sharing information and taking part in online campaigns for this case.
Malaysia: People’s Solidarity Suspension Bridge
Ipoh Echo writes about the 43-metre ‘People’s Solidarity Suspension Bridge’ which was built in a remote Malaysian town without government funding.
Tanzania: Getting honest about rural water supply
Tanzanians must get honest about rural water supply: “It's Maji [Water] Week, so a good time for some more analysis of key water supply issues. Several times this blog has...
El Salvador: Investing in Agriculture
Locavore del Mundo reports that El Salvador is investing “on developing productive and profitable agriculture in the northern parts of the country” through funding from the Milllennium Challenge Corporation.
Saudi Arabia: King Promises Saudis More Money
More money was promised to Saudis today, following an address by King Abdulla to the nation. In a short address, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanked clerics, writers and the Ministry of Interior for their efforts in defending the kingdom. Announcements and decrees then followed that billions would be dished out on Saudis.
Bangladeshi Workers Evacuated From Libya Faces Uncertain Future
Tasfiyah Jalil at BRAC Blog reports about the plights of the Bangladeshi workers evacuated from Libya, who had supposedly escaped death and endured weeks of near-starvation and now find themselves...
Brazil: Great Fishing Against Belo Monte Dam
Traditional populations of the Brazilian Amazon forest ran the “Great Fishing Action” from March 11 to March 14. The campaign, which urged against the Belo Monte Dam while calling for...