Stories about Governance from June, 2011
Iran: Paris Flashmob Marks Two Years Since Election
On June 12, 2011, to mark two years since Iran's disputed election, United4Iran and Move4Iran coordinated a flash mob in a Paris metro station to draw attention to ongoing human rights abuses in Iran.
Bangladesh: Energy Politics and Selling Out National Interest
Last week police brutally cracked down on the members of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports who were rallying against a recent production sharing contract between the Bangladesh government and US energy giant ConocoPhillips for deep sea gas exploration. Netizens react.
Puerto Rico: C-Sections Too Prevalent
“48% of Our births are by cesarean section, the highest rate in the world”: Gil the Jenius says that “Our future children–and their mothers–absolutely deserve that We strive for their greatest welfare, rather than settling to merely serve the system.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Warner's Resignation
Jumbie's Watch and Plain Talk share their thoughts on Jack Warner's resignation from FIFA.
Sri Lanka: The Effectiveness Of Fertilizer Subsidy
Serendipity questions the effectiveness Sri Lankan Government's subsidy program worth 500 million Sri Lankan Rupees for importing fertilizers.
Venezuela's Prison Crisis Continues
The crisis at El Rodeo prison in Venezuela continues. Bloggings by boz updates readers on the situation and comments on the government's strategy.
Kenya: Should Use of Indigenous Language be Banned in Public Offices?
Moreen asks readers if the use of indigenous language should be banned in public offices in Kenya: “Work place diversity is a complex issue when you consider issues of the gender, age, education, background, ethnic group, language adds another layer to the complexity. What has your experience of use of...
Kazakhstan: Fighting Internet Piracy
Kazakhstan is undergoing a new scandalous development with regards the Internet – this time about regulation of copyright online. On 29 April, 2011, a special roundtable that brought together lawyers, industry representatives and state bodies took place, where the “three strikes method” of fighting piracy was presented.
North Korea: Women Forced into Prostitution
A Seoul-based aid organization, Good Friends, released an English version of its weekly report. According to North Korean defectors’ testimonies, not a few North Korean women are forced into prostitution in order to make ends meet.
North Korea's Meth Export
Chinese authorities recently conducted a crackdown on drug in Chinese region bordering North Korea. Although it’s hard to trace the origin of methamphetamine, residents and experts believe that much of the meth consumed in the region is manufactured in North Korea. Robert Neff wrote about it in the Marmot's Hole...
Colombia: Satisfaction and Scepticism for the Victims’ Law
On June 10 the Victims' and Land Restitution Law in Colombia was approved. The law seeks to make amends with victims of violence and displacement. Some netizens have expressed their satisfaction with the law, while others show scepticism towards the measure.
Bermuda: Responding to Corruption
“Corruption happens in every country around the world,” says Politics.bm, adding: “What shows your character and values is how you respond to it, not how you respond to those who want to root it out.”
Georgia: Government 2.0
With 621,640 Facebook users in the country, Georgia boasts the largest penetration for the social networking site in the region. Naturally, government agencies and officials are now starting to reach out to citizens online.
Argentina: Demonstrations in the Borda Psychiatric Hospital
Medical staff and associations rallied in the beginning of June to protest against the deterioration of housing conditions in the Hospital Borda, one the most notable psychiatric hospitals in Argentina, which has had no gas since mid April of this year. The hospital's existence had been questioned by a 2008 plan launched by Buenos Aires' mayor, Mauricio Macri.
Venezuela: Arguments For and Against the Smoking Ban
It is no secret that smokers and non-smokers argue over issues regarding health, air and the freedom of choice. However, many people have used different modes of citizen media to comment, protest and debate the reasons behind the Venezuelan government's recent introduction of a new anti-tobacco law, which had been repealed in February.
Bulgaria: Soviet Army Monument “Keeps Pace With Time”
Bulgarian blogger Peio Popov posted photos [bg] of the Soviet Army monument in Sofia, parts of which have been “updated” by unknown street artists to resemble heroes of American comic books, as well as Santa Claus and Ronald McDonald. Bulgarian newspaper Sega (“Now”) reports [bg] that Sofia city authorities are...
Bahamas: On Fixing the Education System
“When a process in the market fails to provide the results people want, they scream for government intervention, yet when a government service fails, people call for more government”: Rick Lowe at Weblog Bahamas thinks that a critical part of the problem with the country's education system is “because of...
Ecuador: Project Aims to Bring More Green to Guayaquil
In El Ecuador de Hoy [es] Guillermo Sornoza praises a project called ‘Guayaquil Ecológico’ [Ecological Guayaquil] which aims to bring more green spaces to the city in the form of picnic areas, parks, bicycle paths, etc.
Zimbabwe: A Golf Day For Members of Parliament
Is Wednesday a gold day for Zimbabwe's parliamentarians?: “Sadly, there were only three Ministers in the House during the session, namely; Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara, the Minister of Finance Hon. Tendai Biti and the Minister of Public Works Hon. Joel Gabbuza. As a result, all questions with written...
Puerto Rico: Disappointment, Frustration, and Laughs Over Obama's Visit
On Tuesday June 14, 2011, United States President Barack Obama visited Puerto Rico. It was the first official visit of a US president since John F. Kennedy visited Puerto Rico in 1961. Obama and his brief four hours in the island have been the center of public discussion, online and offline.
Taiwan: Saving Siraya
From the blog: “Saving Siraya is a blog dedicated to the protection of a Taiwanese indigenous tribe that is not officially recognized by the government and therefore denied of basic human rights. Due to the demands of Zhong Xing University and the Taiwanese national government, starting JUNE 29th, 2011 Siraya...