Stories about Governance from November, 2013
Economic Challenges For The New Nepali Government
Economic blogger Chandan Sapkota lists major economic issues the newly elected Constituent Assembly members will be facing as they commence their work.
A Durian Village In Sri Lanka
In Southern parts of Sri Lanka the cultivation of Durian, regarded by many in southeast Asia as the “king of fruits”, is becoming popular as it has export demands. The Sri Lanka Ministry of Agriculture has taken steps to commercially cultivate Durian, reports Ajith Parakum Jayasinghe. A 30-acre Durian village...
#Euromaidan: How Ukraine Came to Be Rocked by Protests
As Ukraine enters its second week of mass protests sparked by the government scrapping an EU integration agreement, Tetyana Bohdanova takes a look at the first week through social media.
Keeping up with the 2013 World Forum for Democracy
The second World Forum for Democracy is currently taking place in Strasbourg, France. The motto of this year conference is “Connecting Institutions and Citizens in the Digital Age”. Follow the four themes and the 21 workshops of the conference with the hashtag #CoE_WFD.
A Bird's-Eye View of Russian Corruption
Blogger Alexey Navalny has launched a new attack against five prominent Russian politicians, accusing them bribe-taking and failing to declare vast property holdings that include opulent mansions located outside Moscow.
Thailand Catching Fire as Anti-Government Protests Intensify
More than 100,000 anti-government protesters have stormed the streets of Bangkok in the past three days. Tensions rose when protesters occupied several government buildings
Machismo and Old Prejudices Keep Mexican Rape Victims Silent
One woman is raped every four minutes in Mexico. This crime, like violence in the country, has become more brutal in recent years. Fundación MEPI reports.
Indonesia-Australia Diplomatic Tension Escalates Over Wiretapping
A diplomatic row erupted between Australia and Indonesia after a document leaked by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed that Australia has been conducting spying operations against some Indonesian leaders
Uncertainty And Hope During Elections in Nepal
Nepal's elections to choose a new Constituent Assembly were finally held on 19 November 2013. The new assembly will be tasked with drafting Nepal's much awaited Constitution.
South Africa Doesn't Want You to See the President's Lavish House
The South African government has used $20 million to upgrade President Jacob Zuma's private residence. Government ministers have warned that anyone publishing photos of the home will be arrested.
Pakistan Government Blames Social Media for Fanning Sectarian Clashes
Following a deadly sectarian clash in Rawalpindi city, manipulated photos of the event quickly spread on social media, inspiring false 'revenge' attacks in different parts of Pakistan, according to authorities.
VIDEO: Authorities Destroy Mosques in Angola
The destruction of at least 11 mosques in the last two months in Angola is provoking reactions of outrage online. According to Voz da América [pt], Angolan authorities state that the reason for the destruction is illegal construction. Other reports add that the process of legalization of Islam and other religions in the country...
Iran: Jailed Blogger Needs Urgent Medical Care
Jailed blogger,Hossein Ronaghi Maleki needs urgent medical care.He was sentenced to 15 years of prison. Laleh tweeted Jailed activist Hossein Ronaghi in very poor health w/ swollen kidneys-(one non-functioning), bladder & prostate disease #Iran #Iranelection — Lalehلاله (@Lalehsr) November 25, 2013
Interactive Map of #Euromaidan Protests in Support Ukraine's EU Integration
A Lviv-based Facebook user, Bogdan Tsap, has set up an interactive map of pro-EU Association Agreement protests in Ukraine. On his Facebook wall, Bogdan described [uk] his creation: Створив інтерактивну карту #Євромайдан з усіма містами які брали участь. Будь ласка поширте та давайте знати що упустив [I] set up an...
Scientists from Around the World Gather in Brazil
The World Science Forum (WSF) gathers hundreds of scientists from all around the world this week in Brazil, to discuss their role in the 21st century and to emphasize the importance of scientific advice in political and economical decisions. Brazil has hosted several events to discuss poverty eradication and sustainable...
Is South Korea Encouraging Portal Sites to Self-Censor?
The South Korean government has announced plans to allow large portal sites to censor or delete user comments that are deemed libelous or slanderous.
Brazilian “Wikicity” Travels to the World Forum for Democracy
Known as “the capital of participatory democracy”, the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre will become subject for a lab in the World Forum for Democracy. Focus will be given to the case of PortoAlegre.cc, a project created at the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos) which is based on...
VIDEO: Fighting Pakistan's YouTube Ban, One Hug at a Time
A YouTube mascot roams Karachi in protest of Pakistan's ban of the video-sharing website in a recently released clip. "If you want me back, hug me," the mascot says.
More Transparency Needed in Uranium Negotiation in Niger
Anne-Sophie Simpere reports that the Uranium exploitation contract between Niger and Areva, a french energy company, are set to be re-negotiated as it comes to an end as of December 2013. She writes [fr]: Il est incompréhensible que le Niger, 4ème producteur d’uranium au monde, et fournisseur stratégique d’Areva et...
Ukraine Suspends EU Deal, Protesters Fill Kyiv's Independence Square
On the eve of their Orange Revolution anniversary, Ukrainian citizens take to the streets to protest a suspended EU deal that would help their country grow closer to the West.
Japan's Open Data Policy Still Needs Work
Even though the Japanese government is working toward advancing its open data policy, the country has a ways to go, ranking 30th out of 70 countries, according to an index compiled by Open Knowledge Foundation. Masahiko Shoji of Open Knowledge Foundation Japan writes: 日本は、政府支出、企業登記情報、交通時刻表、立法の分野で低い評価を受けました。また、どの項目もオープンライセンスの採用については「Yes」の評価を得ませんでした。これらの課題は６月に発表されたG8諸国における速報の時点と同じであり、日本の取り組みが大きくが進んでいないことを表しています。 Japan's open data on government spending, company register,...
