Stories about Development from July, 2012
Philippines: New Mining Policy Stirs Debate
Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino's new Executive Order 79 on mining has drawn criticism from environmentalists, church people, peasant groups, and various other sectors. The Philippines has one of the largest mineral deposits in the world
Nepal: Lumbini Impressions – An Opportunity Lost
Ujjwal Acharya opines that “a little more focus on development of Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha) could bring fortunes to Nepal in religious tourism and important history to the insight of...
Laos: Environmental Impact of Xayaburi Dam
Kirk Herbertson explains the environmental impact as construction of the controversial Xayaburi Dam along Mekong River in Laos begins.
Nigeria: Rediscovering the ‘Osun-Oshogbo’ Sacred Groove
Train locals on the use of social media tools and they will tell their own stories, posits a Nigerian documentary producer Immanuel Afolabi while talking about his journey to the Osogbo Sacred Groove and the role of social media in reviving dying or invisible African religious practices.
Bangladesh: Revenue Collection – A Success Story
J Rahman at Mukti depicts that the revenue growth of the Bangladesh government is on the rise due to the steps taken by the National Board of Revenue.
Bangladesh: Growing Internet Trends
Nazimuddaula Milon posts an unique insight into how users within Bangladesh and abroad use the internet.
Malawi: Joyce Banda's 100 Days in Office Amidst Controversy
Malawian President Joyce Banda became Africa's second female head of state after Liberia's President following the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika. How has she performed after 100 days in office?
Egypt: Cairo's Urban Future
Cairo from Below has recently launched an urban competition as part of an international initiative entitled Our Urban Futures, in which participants should send their proposals about their vision for...
Nigeria: Fury as Lagos State Government Demolishes #Makoko Slum
What is the reason behind the ruckus that has vibrated over the Nigerian social media platforms following the demolition of Makoko slum in Lagos? After all the hallmark of ‘development’ lies in substituting such 'ugly' urban spaces with more dignified habitable conditions. Our Nigerian author, Nwachukwu Egbunike, explains.
Montenegro: “Foursquare For Development” Project
UNDP's Voices From Eurasia blog announces and explains the “Foursquare for Development” project, whose goal is to create Foursquare tourist routes in northern Montenegro.
Madagascar: Will Air France Jet Purchases Really Help Air Madagascar?
The year 2011 saw Air Madagascar being banned from flying to European destinations due to the airline failing to comply with security regulations. The transition government had been celebrating the purchase of two Air France Airbus A340s with great fanfare, yet multiple questions have been since been raised over the purchase.
Chile: Citizen Campaign Seeks to Eliminate Tax on Books
A citizen campaign to remove the value added tax ("IVA" for its initials in Spanish) on books in Chile has sparked an online debate. Netizens are sharing their views in favor and against the campaign through blogs, and on Twitter they are discussing the issue with the hashtag #LibrosSinIVA.
Bulgaria: Budget Expenses in Open Access
On July 3, the Bulgarian government voted [bg] for a national roadmap compliant with the Open Government Partnership Initiative requirements. As an integral part of this action plan, the Ministry...
Angola, China: Netizens Discuss New Development Ghost Town
The government of Angola hired a Chinese company to build 750 expensive apartments in Kalimba, about 30km outside the capital Luanda. Despite rich natural resources, many people in Angola live in abject poverty and cannot afford these apartments. Will Kalimba become Africa's biggest ghost town?
Foreign Migrant Workers in China
French photographer Benoit Cezard has taken a series of photos in which Caucasians pose as migrant workers, such as such as street vendors and sanitation workers in China. Jing Gao...
China: Cement Cones to Drive Away Homeless People
China Hush translates a local investigative report about the design of cement cones under the highway bridges in Guangzhou. It is obvious that the purpose of the cones is to...
Chile: Homeless in Santiago
In Santiago, Chile, as in many other cities around the world, winter can be a deadly season for the homeless. Through photography, Demotix contributor Alejandro Rustom exposes the reality of the homeless in the Chilean capital and highlights how a group of citizens are trying to help.
Global: The World Talks Back to Nick Kristof
New York Times journalist Nick Kristof has found himself in a bit of hot water with the global blogosphere after two recent articles on Iran and Africa.
China: How Myanmar's Opening Up Differs
Just back from the Myanmar Investment Summit in Yangon, as the country continues rapid opening to foreign capital, China Law Blog‘s Steve Dickinson contrasts Myanmar's economic globalization efforts with China's...
Chinese Investment: Boon or Bane for Southeast Asia?
The emergence of China as a global economic powerhouse is bringing tremendous benefits to its cash-strapped neighbors in Southeast Asia. But some of its investments have been mired in various controversies involving land disputes, village displacements, environment destruction, and corruption.
