Stories about Development from April, 2006
Botswana: Nata Village blog
The Nata Village is an NGO blog on Nata, a village in Botswana where 37% of the population are HIV+. “This website is dedicated to the people of Nata who despite enormous losses and challenges still have the courage and determination to fight the ravages of this pandemic.” There are...
Tajikistan: Mosques & Computers
James of neweurasia writes about a foreign donor-funded computer training program to be run by a mosque in Tajikistan and says that if this is not an explicit strategy to bolster moderate Islam, perhaps it should be.
China's growth model a challenge to US influence
Many developing countries are now looking at China's model of state guided growth favourably compared to the US one of minimum intervention. Indonesian blogger Martin Manurang asks if the success of Chinese economic policies will help reduce American influence in the world.
Barbados, Cuba: The future of Cuba
Barbados Free Press believes that “Castro’s revolution will die with him”.
China: Race for oil
“[B]y 2020,” writes the China Confidential blogger-reporter, “the world's most populous nation will have to import 70 percent of its oil. Soaring demand for oil is certain to be accompanied by increased competition for secure oil supplies.” “China's biggest competitor for oil, of course, is the US,” the blogger adds.
Trinidad & Tobago: Lloyd Best
Visual artist Chris Cozier acknowledges the role played in his personal and intellectual development by Trinidadian thinker Lloyd Best.
Zimbabwe: Collasped Independence
Zimbabwean blog, This is Zimbabwe comments on this years Indpendence “celebrations” stating there is nothing to celebrate with high inflation, a collapsed health service and education system and high unemployment.
China: America's real threat
Intelligent Being blogger Chen Xuyu says that China, not the Muslim world, is what Bush should most be worried about right now: “Yes, China is the real threat to America, because the two countries’ approaches to handling affairs are too different; The Bush administration is bent on pushing democracy around...
Trinidad & Tobago: Why isn't modern technology more prevalent?
Taran Rampersad tries to answer the question: “Why isn't modern technology more prevalent in Trinidad & Tobago.”
Jamaica: Homophobia and defensiveness
Francis Wade offers a thoughtful response to TIME magazine's designating Jamaica “the most homophobic place on earth”. “We sound like some Chinese or Cubans when we argue that human rights issues are an internal matter, and that any outside comments are just “interference in our internal matters,” he says. “We...
Cuba: Festival of Poor Cinema
Malmi announces (es) the 4th International Festival of Poor Cinema, which takes place in Gibara, Cuba, from April 17-23, and discusses the festival's background and philosophy. “Those new technologies,” writes Malmi, “that widen the gap between rich and poor, when applied to the world of the image, allow for films...
Russia: VDNKh
Snowsquare.com posts pictures and text from the All-Russian Exhibition Center in Moscow, formerly known as VDNKh.
Traffic In Viet Nam
The traffic can be a nightmare for visitors to Viet Nam for the first time. Believe it or not, there are transport rules but people don't seem really interested in following them. Three or four people on one motor bike is a common sight, particularly with the young and young...
Belize: Oil
Simone Elgeln gives an update on Belize's recent oil discovery and the efforts being made by the company which made the find to act the responsible corporate citizen: “The government needed a miracle and hopefully they got it in the form of this black gold,” says Simone. “Of course, we're...
Korea: Free trade agreement
Talks over a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the United States and Korea are seen by many as an opportunity to further an anti-American agenda, writes Joshua from The Korea Liberator, possibly resulting in no FTA and an accelerated deterioration in the U.S.-Korean relations. He continues: “With key elections...
Hong Kong: Spending questioned
Nathan “n8ma” Madsen writes on his Xanga blog about the controversy surrounding Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer Donald Tsang's plans to relocate government headquarters into a new complex which will also house the Special Administrative Region's Legislative Council. “I wonder,” Nathan asks, “does Sir Donald want to relocate the HQ...
Angola: China moves in
Chippla writes on China's latest African destination – Angola. “Energy may be what China is really after but by building infrastructure and providing aid to Angola, it increases its relevance on a continent that is undoubtedly the least developed in the world.”
Garden Projects
Timbukutu Chronicle writes on the a group of projects called “Garden Africa”. The projects “promote practical solutions emphasising the importance of integrating traditional systems of land management and food production as a means of addressing vulnerability and stimulating localised economic development”
Africa: innovation in emergency care
Timbuktu Chronicles points to an innovative project tested in India that would provide a way of addressing “sustainable emergency care in the developing world.”
Ethiopia: Development contradictions
Concoction points to a BBC report which highlights the descrepancies between the Ethiopian government's version of development and that of villagers in the country.
African Diaspora: Forum on Euro-African Relations
Djibrilkeita announces (FR) an upcoming forum on European cooperation with Africa to take place in Paris April 9. Panelists will mostly discuss Rwanda and Ivory Coast.
