Stories about Economics & Business from May, 2012
Spain: The “Indignados” of the 15M
We share the stories of Karlos, Mari Ángeles, Miguel Ángel and Josep Maria, whom for various reasons, have joined the social movement 15M in Barcelona, Spain.
Angola: Angola's Sweet Success
Mark and Jana blogs about Angola's sweet success: “Around 70% of Biocom’s sugar cane is turned into sugar. The remaining 30% is used for ethanol and the production of electricity. Electric power is produced by burning sugar cane waste. The vapour released during the process is channelled into a high-pressure...
Vietnam: State of E-Commerce
Chip 2.0 writes about the slow development of e-commerce in Vietnam
Thailand: Minimum Wage and Cost of Living
Bangkok Pundit translates survey reports on the minimum wage and cost of living conditions in Thailand
Bermuda: Austerity Reasons
Two Bermudian blogs discuss government austerity measures, here and here.
Africa: Development or Democracy, Which Comes First?
The question of whether Africa needs to sacrifice democracy in order to focus on economic development has become the subject of much discussion online after the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi claimed at the World Economic Forum that there is no relationship between economic growth and democracy.
Kenya: To Pay or Not to #PayInterns?
Kenyan tweep @RobertAlai started a lively debate on Twitter on 14 May, 2012 about the need for companies to pay interns. He argued that using interns without pay is a form of exploitation. Tweeps have been using the hashtag #PayInterns to question the practice forcing some companies to clear their names on Twitter.
Spain: “Neighbor, Wake Up, Evictions at Your Doorstep!”
As part of the profound socioeconomic crisis, home foreclosures and evictions are rampant in Spain. Author Elena Arrontes covered the eviction of a Bangladeshi family from its home in the neighborhood of Lavapiés, Madrid. Neighbors and other members of the community immediately acted in solidarity with the family.
Spain: The First Anniversary of the Indignant Movement
The initiatives to commemorate the first anniversary of the 15-M (15 May) or Indignant Movement keep cropping up. The Catalan group Informatbcn interviewed several representatives of Attac Europe concerning this movement.
Spain: Many Reasons to Take to the Streets on 12M
On 15 May in Spain the first anniversary of the 15M will be commemorated. The events begin on 12 May (12M) in cities and neighborhoods. Spanish netizens have been anticipating the commemoration for days. The hashtags #YoVoy12M (I'm Going 12M) and #ALaPlaza (To The Square) have been TTs in Spain and throughout the world.
Kenya: Mark Kaigwa to Global Voices: “The East is Coming to Africa.”
At the 2012 edition of the Berlin re:publica conference, which took place from 2-4 May., Kenyan blogger and entrepreneur Mark Kaigwa was a featured speaker at a session entitled "Silicon Savanna, how African technologies are changing the world". Global Voices took this opportunity to catch up with Mark and discuss his positive outlook about Africa's future.
Ethiopia: The World Economic Forum in Africa 2012
Over 700 leaders from more than 70 countries are attending the World Economic Forum in Africa taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian from 9 - 11, 2012. The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world.
Europe: Economic Crisis Fuels Rise in Anti-Immigration Politics
The French presidential election may be over, but the fact that outgoing president Nicolas Sarkozy chose immigration as the core theme of his campaign is still the subject of much debate on the Web. Many netizens have wondered whether his choice to flirt with the far-right wing of his party helped temper his defeat or whether, on the contrary, it was one of the reasons his electorate deserted him.
Spain: #NoMoreEuros for Bankia
The web in Spain has been seething since it was reported that the government is preparing a plan to inject public money into Bankia, the fourth largest bank in the country and the most exposed to the real estate market. Since the crisis started in 2008, the government has supported Bankia with more than 33 billion euros. The current bail-out plan could be as much as 10 billion.
Bangladesh: Movie Theaters Are Dying
Movie theaters are dying in Bangladesh and shopping malls are taking their place. In the past decade hundreds of cinema halls have been closed down.
Africa: White-Collar Crime, a Danger also for African Countries
Honoré Kouassi wrote [fr] on the webpage of L'intelligent d'Abidjan: “African countries, particularly those of Sub-Saharan African, are not shielded from the financial crime that has developed over the past ten years in various forms. This crime is a danger, not only for the economic and financial system, but for...
Kenya: Chronicles of a Kenyan Farmer Online
E.K. Kamwenji is a Kenyan blogging farmer residing in Nyeri. He believes that farmers need to use new technologies for networking and marketing of farm produce. His blog, Chronicles of a Kenyan Farmer, was nominated in the Agriculture Category in this year's BAKE Blogger Awards.
Africa: Will Local Content Policies Help Avert the Oil Curse?
In recent years, major reserves of oil have been discovered at various locations across Africa. This 'black gold' may represent an opportunity for economic growth, but the fear shared by experts and Sub-Saharan Africa citizens is that the windfall may not benefit local populations at all.
Hungary: “Oligarch” is the New Buzzword of the Hungarian Net
József Ángyán, the former Hungarian State Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, resigned in January and since then has been trying to draw attention to the shady relations between the government and some Hungarian 'oligarchs'. It's a sensitive issue, and he is facing retaliation of the powers others had also tried to call into account.
Macedonia: Protest Announced in Support of Environmental Activist on Trial
Greenbox blog reported [mk] that the Green Coalition and NGO Lenka would hold a protest in front of Veles court on May 9, 2012, at 11:30 AM, before the start of the trial of the environmental activist Igor Smilev, who has been accused of endangering security & defamation by the...
Martinique: “Think Like A Man”, Just Not in France
The cancellation of the release of American movie “Think Like A Man” in movie theaters is being discussed by French of African descent. Read on to find out how an American movie finds a place in the French social debate.
