Stories about Development from September, 2011
Cuba: Headed for Technological Illiteracy?
Writing at Havana Times, Alfredo Fernandez suggests that “if it doesn’t allow free access to the Internet soon, Cuba will be a country of virtual illiterates in the next few years.”
Nigeria: Does Terrorism Pay Better Than Farming?
Activista Blogger, David Habba in Nigeria struck up conversation with a student from the University of Agriculture in Makurdi, who no longer feels financially motivated to enter the agricultural sector. “Someone must grow the food and who says it must be me?”
Serbia: Discussing Report on ICT Use by State Statistical Office
Slobodan Markovic has initiated [sr] a Twitter discussion (#ICTSrbija) about the report on the use of ICT issued by the State Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (noted in an earlier GVO article). A recap is available in English, Macedonian, and Albanian language.
CIVICUS: Reflections on the Power of Civil Society
For three days several civil society representatives met in Montreal for the CIVICUS World Assembly. The subjects were diverse: from civil movements, social equality, and the effects of new technologies, to climate justice. Here are some blog posts that covered the assembly.
India: Lessons Learnt On Managing Rural Development
Sparsh lists 10 lessons learnt during a post graduate study on rural management in the context of rural India.
Bhutan: Busy People Suck
D Stehle writes from the land of the highest gross national happiness that “busy people suck”.
Nepal: A Socially Connected Prime Minister
The new Nepali Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai is “definitely on the way to revolutionize the way government works” – thinks Nepali Blogger. He already has a blog and a Facebook account and now he is publicizing his email to get in touch with the general citizens.
Bhutan: How To Be A Good Citizen
Penstar posts an essay written by Thinley Samdrup, a Bhutanese student of class IX, who discusses how one can be a good citizen.
South Asia: Worst Cities In South Asia
South Asia Blog analyzes the Global Livability Report and its assumption of the worst cities in South Asia.
China: Chinese blaze new paths in Africa
Jing Gao from Ministry of Tofu translated a NetEase story feature on Chinese people working in Africa on Chinese invested construction projects.
Kenya: “One of Africa's Biggest Slums is My Home”
On the ActionAid blog Bollocks to Poverty, citizen journalist and Activista blogger Collins Odhiambo explains what it's like to come from one of Africa's largest slums, Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. “Just because I’m from Kibera doesn’t mean I’m lesser,” he writes.
Shenzhen population statistics, 1979 – 2011
Mary Ann O'Donnell created a chart of Shenzhen population statistics from 1979-2011, showing the dual citizenship structure – those who enjoy full citizen rights though household registration system and those who do not – in the city.
Azerbaijan: Caspian Dreaming…
Aaron in Azerbaijan posts a well-produced music video by two of his fellow Peace Corps Volunteers in the country, singing under the name of the Caspian Dreamers, ahead of next year's Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the capital, Baku. The blog says that while Azerbaijan faces some serious...
Ukraine: “The Book ‘Wot Yanukovyhc Rote'”
Vasyl Pawlowsky of uaMuzik, LEvko of Foreign Notes and Alexander Motyl of Ukraine's Orange Blues comment of Opportunity Ukraine, a new book that is said to have been written by President Victor Yanukovych.
Sri Lanka: Youth-Led Reconciliation
Dilinika Peiris discusses whether youth-led reconciliation could put Sri Lanka back on the map.
Venezuela: A Dairy Cooperative's Struggle for Food Sovereignty
“PROLESA is a small dairy cooperative in the Venezuelan state of Tachira. […] the main focus of the cooperative is to purchase milk from the local community for the production and distribution of cheese and yogurt”: Venezuelan Analysis shares a video where “cooperative members share the amazing stories of their...
Tajikistan: The country in its 20
Christian Bleuer is analyzing the newest history of Tajikistan – both its internal politics and its geopolitical stand – as this country marks the 20th anniversary of its independence.
East Timor urged not to borrow
Debt-free East Timor must resist the urge to borrow and avoid the curse of other developing nations whose huge foreign loans have stunted progress. This was the message of 117 organizations based in 28 countries and 20 groups in East Timor who signed a statement addressed to the government.
Mexico: The Importance of Literacy
Ismael Flores at Vivir México [es] blogs about the importance of literacy. He provides some historical background and looks at current challenges related to literacy in Mexico.
Burundi: The Challenges of Making a Living from Farming
Lwesso writes [fr] :” It is difficult nowadays to find people who can make a living from farming in Burundi. Farmers often lack the necessary capital to run their businesses and end up putting their lands up for lease.”
Peru Enacts Law Requiring Prior Consultation with Indigenous Peoples
The President of Peru, Ollanta Humala, enacted the long-awaited law requiring prior consultation with Indigenous Peoples [es], which is expected to contribute to investment and business development with the participation of the local population. Humala stated that this law does not imply immediate solutions, but that it will mark a...
