Stories about Development from February, 2014
Macedonians Prepare to March Against Poverty in Skopje
Macedonia, the most miserable country on earth according to The Economist, will unite in the fight against poverty on March 1, 2014 in Skopje.
Saving Primate Lemurs
A group of researchers from Madagascar, Canada, UK and USA published a detailed report in Science that alerts on the possible extinctions of 90% of the known lemurs of Madagascar following the prolonged political crisis in the country. One of the researcher, Christoph Schwitzer, explains to the Scientific American the dire consequences...
One Third of Pregnancies Are Unintended in Burkina Faso
Social Researchers at L’Institut supérieur des sciences de la population (High Institute of Population Science) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso published a report entitled “Grossesses non désirées et avortements au Burkina : causes et conséquences” (The causes and consequences of Unintended Pregnancies and Abortions in Burkina Faso). The report highlights a few...
Lahore Brigade Working To Solve Civic Problems
The first meetup of the Lahore Brigade members took place on Sunday, 23 February, in Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The brigade consists of civic hackers – software developers, designers, urban mappers who will be working to solve civic problems in Pakistan. Code for Pakistan and Technology for People...
First Open Heart Surgery in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
The health international network La Chaîne de l’Espoir (The Link of Hope) reports that 7 Congolese children in critical conditions benefited from open heart surgeries [fr] on February 14 in Brazzaville, Congo. With the help of the Congo Assistance Fundation as well, Prince Béni and Maya, both suffering from cardiomyopathy were...
Hong Kong Protesters Target Shopping Mainland Chinese Tourists
Though the huge number of tourists has contributed to economic growth, it has generated a number of social problems.
Toilets Should Not Be Emptied by Humans Say Indian Sanitation Laws
Despite the Indian government's stringent anti-manual scavenging law, the practice continues to flourish in pockets of India. A group of bloggers go on a field visit to find out more.
Adapting to Extreme Climate Change in Mali and Madagascar
Climate change has already had a dramatic impact on the economy of two downtrodden countries
The Millenium Development Goal for Safe Water Is Still Beyond Reach for Many African Countries
Virgil HOUESSOU, a Benin-based reporter for the African association for clean water, is pessimistic about the Millenium Development Goal with respect to safe water. He writes on the collective blog Wash Journalists [fr]: A quelques mois de l’échéance de la réalisation des OMD [Objectifs du millénaire pour le développement], beaucoup de défis...
One Nepalese Doctor's Hunger Strike Wins Action From Officials
Dr. Govinda KC, a senior orthopedic surgeon of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Nepal, who has earned the nickname Crusader KC, ended his fourth fast-unto-death on 15 February 2014.
What Guinea Needs Now is Peace and Stability
Serge Lamah reports on his blog[fr] that Oyé Guilavogui, the communication minister has pointed out the pressing needs for Guinea today : Vous vous rappelez, en 2011, les avions en direction de Conakry ne désemplissaient pas. Les hôtels étaient pleins à tout moment, aujourd’hui, allez-y, il y a de la place...
International Open Data Day Set for February 22
Bloggers, hackers and others interested in Open Data and Transparency will gather for the International Open Data Day on February 22. Find out how you can get involved.
Remembering Dr Alison Jolly, Lemurs of Madagascar Expert
After leading a distinguished career as a primatologist at the Berenty Reserve of Madagascar, Dr. Alison Jolly has died at home in Lewes, East Sussex, aged 76. Dr. Jolly, a PhD researcher from Yale, made her name as the first scientist to do an in-depth account of the behaviour of the ring-tailed lemur, L. catta, beginning...
INFOGRAPHIC: Pursuit of Happiness in Africa
The Afrographique blog mapped the happiness index for the African continent. Topping the ranking are Angola and Mauritius who hold the same happiness index as Albania and Russia, respectively. In related news, the Pharell’ single “Happy” has been used by dancers around the world to celebrate the new year 2014....
Why are Rice Farmers Protesting in Thailand?
Rice farmers have organized several protests in Thailand's capital after the government failed to pay them under the rice subsidy program. The opposition has expressed support to the farmers.
An Info-Activism Tool-Kit on Women's Rights Campaigning
The Women's Rights Campaigning: Info-Activism Toolkit by Tactical Technology Collective is a new guide for women's rights activists, advocates, NGOs and community based organizations who want to use technology tools and practices in their campaigning. This has been developed in collaboration with advocacy organizations from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Kenya and...
Tanqeed's Bi-Weekly List of Recommended Readings On Pakistan
Tanqeed, a quarterly magazine on politics and culture on Tumblr, is an experiment in critical reflection on Pakistan. It is a blogzine, a scrapbook and a reporters’ notebook. This year, Tanqeed is accepting recommendations of lectures, essays, articles, videos on a range of subjects including politics, culture and society from...
India's Solar Vision Promises Clean Energy And Happy Farmers
The Indian government is aiming to replace 26 million diesel-powered groundwater pumps with more efficient solar-powered irrigation models. The country also plans to build the world's largest solar power plant.
Public Buses Return To Cambodia’s Capital
Phnom Penh is embarking on a one-month bus trial to convince motorbike-riding residents to use public buses. The last time buses were deployed in the capital was in 2001
Why Young Chinese Flock to First Tier Cities?
Offbeat China explains why young Chinese want to migrate to first tier cities in spite of the polluted environment and expensive property price.
Legalizing And Regulating The Sex workers in Sri Lanka
Shilpa Samaratunge, a development worker, discusses in Groundviews about the problems surrounding the sex workers in Sri Lanka. Instead of abolishing and criminalizing them, which is the path Sri Lanka currently is on, she suggests to legalize the profession and impose regulation and provide health-services for the sex workers.
