· March, 2009

Stories about Development from March, 2009

Barbados: Nature Sanctuary Issue

  20 March 2009

Barbados Free Press believes that the Prime Minister's “million-dollar support” for the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary “is a ploy…there is no dispute that the Thompson DLP Government intends to develop the lands around Graeme Hall.”

Hong Kong: Ng-hao big-naug or you are dead!

  19 March 2009

On Tuesday, March 18, a local police shot at a Nepali homeless man twice at close range and one of the bullets end up in the head, leading to the man's death. The police report soon after the shooting said that the police officer went to check out the hillside...

Bangladesh: Non-profit Wonder

  18 March 2009

“Have you ever heard of an international organization that self finances 80% of its work? Want to know how they do it?” Read BRAC Blog for details. Based in Bangladesh, BRAC is one of the world's largest non-governmental development organizations.

Global: Bubbles, Bailouts and Stimulus Plans

  18 March 2009

Identifying the economic woes of the United States is crucial. But we should also understand that other countries are also grappling with bankrupt companies and shrinking economies. Many countries are also implementing their own stimulus plans. What are some of the examples used by bloggers around the world when they discuss the bubble economies, bailout of banks and stimulus plans of their countries?

Israel: Renovations Transform Yaffo (Jaffa)

“Every few weeks I take a bike ride through Yaffo (or Jaffa or Yafa) Tel Aviv's much older and much neglected sister, to watch it is changing before my eyes,” writes Tel Aviv Rooftop. Visit the blog to see photos and read descriptions of the city's renovation.

Bermuda: Transparency Progress

  17 March 2009

Vexed Bermoothes says that the Attorney General's promise that the Bermudian public will have the opportunity to comment on a draft freedom of information law (which should allow for modifications before it goes to Parliament for debate) is “positive news.”

Brazil: Lula and Obama meet as economic crisis hits Brazil

  15 March 2009

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is the first Latin American leader to have met the US President Barack Obama. The meeting took place in Washington, this Saturday March 14. The leaders have talked about Global economic crisis, trade, environment, energy and biofuel technology, and building a more constructive relationship with neighboring countries. Meanwhile, the global crisis has begun to hit Brazil hard.

Guatemala: Opposition to Mining Operations

  15 March 2009

A recent BBC story reported on skin infections showing up in several indigenous communities in Guatemala. Many from the community and other activists are placing blame on an open-pit mining company for the health problems. These new findings are the latest in a series of arguments about the negative effects of mining. Bloggers have joined the online debate that say that mining is damaging and dangerous for local communities and the environment.

Jordan: Bloggers Come Together in Celebration

Jordanian bloggers came together to mark the second Blog About Jordan Day on March 12, an initiative started in 2008 by Qwaider. Jordanian and expat bloggers wrote about Jordan's perks and advantages, about its problems and future, and some were inspired to reflect on their personal attachment to the country.

Global recession and its discontents

  13 March 2009

Today the world seems flat. From Asia and Africa to Europe and the Americas, the people of the world are experiencing the traumatic effects of a global economic recession. This post is an attempt to describe the social impact of the great financial crisis as seen and felt by ordinary citizens around the world.

China: Green GDP suspended

  11 March 2009

Bullogger reposted a local news about the central government's decision to suspend the release of Green GDP index in China in order to stimulate the economy (zh).

Haiti: On the Agenda

  10 March 2009

“Countless visitors profess a desire to improve life for Haitians and to promote democracy but they seldom deliver. That does not excuse the Haitian authorities and Haiti's bourgeoisie class who have kept Haitians living in extreme poverty”: Still, Wadner Pierre wonders “what visitors to Haiti really want for Haitians.”

From Bangladesh with Love

  10 March 2009

BRAC Blog informs that BRAC, the largest non-profit (NGO) development organization in Bangladesh, has set up an office in Liberia and deployed its trained and experienced staffs to carry out development activities which includes helping rural farmers grow better crops to feed their families and sustain their livelihoods. It will...

Americas: Celebrating Women's Day

  10 March 2009

Bloggers from across Latin America also commemorated International Women's Day with posts about the day which is celebrated every March 8 throughout the world. Some also took the opportunity to reflect on some of the issues facing women, but also featured initiatives that are working to alleviate some of these problems.