Stories about Development from May, 2016
The Threat That Was Cyclone Roanu, and the ‘Success’ That Was Bangladesh's Response
"Even 10 years ago, a cyclone such as Roanu would kill hundreds, devastate thousands of lives, look how [the] situation has change[d], how the death toll has dwindled..."
A Peruvian Amazon Community Is Putting Up a Fight Against the Expansion of Oil Palm
The legal case of Santa Clara Uchunya against the Pucallpa Plantations is emblematic because its outcome will have far-reaching consequences for the future of the region and its indigenous peoples.
The Arkana Alliance: An Organization that Builds Bridges with the Shipibo Communities of Ucayali in Peru

Meet the Arkana Alliance, an organization that is working in the Peruvian Amazon to empower the Shipibo people and help them preserve their environment.
Chiloé Fishermen to the World: ‘Communities Must Unite!’
Faced with environmental disaster in Chiloé, this group of small-scale fisherman organized and forced an industry and government to the negotiating table.
Creating a Space for Guinea's National Languages on the Internet

"We must not make anyone feel marginalised because they have little or no understanding of the French language."
Lower Castes in India Are Still Clearing Human Waste With Their Bare Hands, Despite Laws Against It
According to a recent report, many rural households in India continue to engage in manual scavenging, finding that it has less to do with poverty than with enduring caste-based discrimination.
Iran's Shrinking Lake Urmia Comes Under the Spotlight, Thanks to Hollywood's Leonardo DiCaprio
"I asked if they knew what disaster would befall us if the lake were to dry up. They said, if it goes dry, we'll just have to go somewhere else."
A New Dam in Portugal Is About to Destroy Parts of a World Heritage Wine Region
Opponents warn the dam will cause an ecological disaster, destroying rare ecosystems and farmlands important to the wine industry.
This New Data Set Is Poised to Revolutionize Climate Adaptation
By combining satellite and on-ground weather information, scientists are improving our ability to bring resilience to extreme weather for the world’s poorest people.
What Is #TheAfricaWeWant? One That's Prosperous, United and Fair, for Starters
"#TheAfricaWeWant is one of Solidarity & Sisterhood, Beauty & Brotherhood, Unity but not uniformity. Where multiplicity of voices strengthen"
One Woman's Experience Breaking India's Feminine Ideal—With a Mohawk
"I constantly had to explain myself to others. There were whispers, giggles and derogatory comments: 'She’s gone butch.'"