Stories about Development from November, 2013
Ukraine: Understanding the #Euromaidan Protests
It may seem to many that the #Euromaidan protests in Ukraine grew out of nowhere and overnight, but this is not the case. There is a long history behind the protests and the government's decision to back out of what was supposed to be a historical and significant move toward...
Reasons for Power Outages in Benin
Benin has suffered more power outages over the last few days with the national electric energy company (SEEB) denying all responsibility. Nigeria supplies a large quantity of Benin's power, even though it has difficulty providing its own citizens with electricity.
Scientists from Around the World Gather in Brazil
The World Science Forum (WSF) gathers hundreds of scientists from all around the world this week in Brazil, to discuss their role in the 21st century and to emphasize the importance of scientific advice in political and economical decisions. Brazil has hosted several events to discuss poverty eradication and sustainable...
Brazilian “Wikicity” Travels to the World Forum for Democracy
Known as “the capital of participatory democracy”, the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre will become subject for a lab in the World Forum for Democracy. Focus will be given to the case of PortoAlegre.cc, a project created at the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos) which is based on...
Video: Hong Kong Country Parks’ Naturescapes
To advocacy for the preservation of country parks, Francis So made a time lapse video on the landscapes of various country parks in Hong Kong.
Jamaica: Language & Development
Jamaica needs to be declared the bilingual state it is asap. Annie Paul thinks that “half of Jamaica’s problems stem from its linguistic identity crisis, insisting its mother tongue is English when a huge proportion of the population can only speak Patois.”
More Transparency Needed in Uranium Negotiation in Niger
Anne-Sophie Simpere reports that the Uranium exploitation contract between Niger and Areva, a french energy company, are set to be re-negotiated as it comes to an end as of December 2013. She writes [fr]: Il est incompréhensible que le Niger, 4ème producteur d’uranium au monde, et fournisseur stratégique d’Areva et...
VIDEO: “They work to die”, Mystery Disease Killing Central American Sugarcane Workers
Workers who cut sugarcane and other crops in the coastal lowlands of Central America are being hit by a mysterious disease: From Panama to southern Mexico, laborers are coming down with kidney failure at rates unseen virtually anywhere else in the world. Families and villages are being devastated by the...
Unemployment, Poverty and Brain Drain: Italy's Crisis Deepens
More than 4.1 million poverty-stricken Italians have received food through non-profit food parcels or free meals.
Massive Railway Project between Niamey and Cotonou Underway
A 1,500 km-long railway project between Niamey, the capital city of Niger and Cotonou, the capital city of Benin has been green lighted by the authorities of the two countries and construction will begin on March 2014 [fr]. Francois Ndiaye in Niamey unpacks the set up of the financial agreement [fr] that includes...
Bhutan's Hydroelectric Projects and a Kingfisher
The Bhutanese people are slowly beginning to realize that the hydropower projects will, over time, not only ruin our environment but will also be the cause of the loss of our nationhood. Yeshey Dorji, a photographer in Bhutan, visited Berti, Zhemgang, in search of the white-bellied herons that are under...
China to Ease One-child Policy
Off-beat China translated some Chinese netizens reactions to the loosening up one-child policy. The new “long-term balanced development of the population” approach will give more autonomy for city residents to have more than one child. However, many find the ease not really helpful. For example, one comment says: A second...
Rising Indonesian Economy Must Address Food Security Issue
John McCarthy and Zahari Zen urge the Indonesian government to implement ‘transformative policies’ to solve hunger and food insecurity in the country: The food produced is too expensive, leaving poor households vulnerable. Today, even in rural areas, the majority of people are net food buyers. This is why the poor...
Bangladesh’s Hijras Win Official Recognition as Separate Gender
The country's decision comes not long after Germany's announcement that it will begin to offer a third gender option on birth certificates.
Newfound Oil Met With Hope, Concern in Benin
The Benin government has announced the discovery of a source of oil in the Sèmè-Podji region. The find has pleased some, but others remain skeptical.
Ecuador: #Ruraleando, a Blog That Humanizes Medicine
#Ruraleando is Denisse Calle's blog, an Ecuadorian doctor who, thanks to the experiences of her year's rural placement, proposes solutions to the country's health system.
The FIRE Awards Winners for Internet Development in Africa
The FIRE programme awards, an initiative of AFRINIC, acknowledge the actors from the African region who strive to provide solutions to internet development for the African Continent. The 2013 FIRE Awards Winners are : Nikohapa Ventures Ltd for their customer engagement platform (Kenya) HSoft Africa, Ltd for an adapted mail-order pharmacy (Benin...
‘Women Should Be Submissive’, and Other Google Autocomplete Suggestions
Following UN Women's lead, Global Voices conducted its own experiments with Google's Autocomplete feature. The investigation revealed popular attitudes about women’s roles, sexuality, appearance and relationships with men.
PHOTOS: Snapshots of Life in a Manila Urban Poor Community
Despite the reported progress in the Philippines, Manila is still home to hundreds of thousands of informal settlers.
