Stories about Development from March, 2008
Burkina Faso: Meningitis, mask dances and a special horse festival
Burkina Faso is the diamond stud near the middle of Africa’s meningitis belt, stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia, containing a population of roughly 300 people. The region’s dusty winds and relatively cool nights from December to June decreases peoples’ immunity to respiratory problems. This, along with the area’s high population density adds up to make bacterial meningitis “hyperendemic” to this area.
Armenia: Volunteerism
My Stay in Armenia recounts a recent visit to a school where the International Red Cross educated children on humanitarian work and volunteerism. The blog says that the latter in particular remains something “foreign” for most people in the country.
Bahamas: Creation Station
“There are none so blind as those who do not see,” writes Nicolette Bethel, as she blogs about Bahamian creativity.
Afghanistan: Women's Day in the Unrest Country
March the Eighth was the International Women's Day, a global celebration of the unsung heroes who make society function. Afghan bloggers noted it was happening, but placed the long struggle for women's rights in a rather historical context. Mohammed Khairy laments, In my country, Afghanistan, women are always marching and...
Hungary: Budapest Airport
Pestiside writes on what it takes to reach Budapest Airport.
Czech Republic: Book on Prague's City Government
Dr. Sean's Diary reviews Martin Horak’s Governing the Post-Communist City, a “study of city government in Prague in the decade following the collapse of communism.”
Tanzania: To quit or not to quit?
Pernille is a well-known blogger from Denmark. She entered the African blogosphere scene when she started working in Uganda and blogging at “I've Left Copenhagen for Uganda”. She is now lives in Tanzania and blogs under a new name, Louder than Swahili. Last week she decided to put her blog on stand-by following comments she received via email, SMS, and phone calls, which made her uncomfortable.
Cuba: No Restrictions?
Child of the Revolution is hesitant to regard the news that “Cubans will be able to buy a range of electronic consumer goods without restrictions” as a sign of political development.
China: Nansha Oil Refinery Campus
Buchong visited the planned construction site of an giant oil refinery campus at Nansha, a river mouth peninsular at Zhujiang delta [zh]. The villagers are looking forwarded for the construction, however, the project would result in serious air and water pollution affecting nearby districts, in particular residents in Macau, Hong...
Tajikistan: Hunger to Replace Cold and Darkness
Tajikistan is a small country with big problems. The nation, particularly the rural population, is still suffering from energy crisis, but yet another crisis is going to embrace it very soon. This time it's about food. Neweurasia reports that Barki Tojik – the country's electricity monopolist – promises to solve...
China: Whose Congress?
"I come to understand ---- when a worker from the bottom of the society presents himself before the public as a delegate, he will involuntarily turn into a decoration instead of a grassroot as he used to be. If such political shows continue, then even if all the delegates were commons, it could do no help." -----Whose congress is People's Congress of China?
Africa: Role of African languages in development
What is the role of African languages in development?: “I've been e-mailing some non-governmental organizations involved in African development about the role of African languages in their work. This is an exploratory research on a small scale that hopefully will help further research in related areas.”
Zimbabwe: Landlord's rules
These are landlord's rules in Zimbabwe: “Rule number 6 reads, “Never do laundry in the tub. Use the outside sink. Hang clothes with pegs, never without. Use the line near the mango tree.” The rules also stipulate that the tenant uses tissue paper only and not newspapers. In addition to...
Video HUB: Protecting women activists’ rights around the world
Witness' The HUB Beta brings us three videos recorded at the "Human Rights for Women; Human Rights for All" event, where 3 strong women who defend other women´s rights speak about the International Campaign on Women Human Rights Defenders.
Russia: Relations With Germany; Arms Sales
Siberian Light writes about the future of the Russian-German relationship – and about an apparent competition between Russia and the United States in the arms supply market.
Ukraine: Investment Summit
Moscow Rules blogs the 4th Ukrainian Investment Summit – here and here.
Azerbaijan: Disneyland
As if plans to construct a hotel bearing an uncanny resemblance to the Death Star weren't enough, Carpetblogger reports that rumors are circulating in Baku that the Azerbaijani capital is now negotiating to host a Disneyland. The blog takes an irreverent look at some of the attractions a localized theme...
Armenia: Economic Fallout
The Armenian Economist examines the possible economic impact of post-election unrest in Armenia. The blog likens the situation to that following the disputed 1996 presidential election and says that depreciation of the dram might occur.
Hong Kong: Old District
Chow and suedevil took a video showing the culture and landscape of Kwun Tong old district in Hong Kong. The district would be redeveloped into a shopping mall campus in a few years.
Arabeyes: Rising Cost of Living
Prices of commodities ranging from grocery to building material and rent are going up, up, up and being the true mirrors of their societies, bloggers from Yemen, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar are speaking up.
Rwanda: Buying your stolen rear-view mirror
Is your rear view mirror stolen? What if you buy it back?: “So how does one handle the rear view mirror situation in Kigali? Well first, I ask the owner of the restaurant to ask his cooks whether they can’t buy the mirrors straight back from the thieves at a...
