Stories about Ideas from April, 2009
Martinique: Homage to Aimé Césaire
Today, Martinique celebrates its greatest personality, the self-entitled “Nègre Fondamental”: the late author and politican, Aimé Césaire. Montray Kréyol [Fr] publishes three posts about his life, accomplishments and homages paid to him.
Israel: Reflecting on Israeli-Palestinian Relations
The mood in the Israeli blogosphere is contemplative. Perhaps it is the conclusion of the Passover holiday that celebrates freedom from oppression or just that Israelis have had quiet time to spend with their families, but a number of posts about relationships between Israelis and Palestinians have recently dotted the blogosphere's landscape.
Taiwan: If You Lost Your Job…
What would you feel if you are fired, your small business goes bankrupt, or you simply cannot find any way to make a living? In this most disastrous moment of economic downturn, many Taiwanese are losing their jobs and helplessly waiting for for all the dreadful news to stop. Some begin to blame themselves for being unemployed.
Americas: Eye on the Summit
As the much-anticipated opening of the Fifth Summit of the Americas - which will see 34 Western Hemisphere leaders coming together to discuss issues related to human prosperity, environmental sustainability and energy security, not to mention the global financial crisis - fast approaches, regional bloggers continue to closely monitor developments.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Play Ball
“The ball is in Cuba’s court after Obama threw it yesterday, as he announced new flexibility in his policies toward Cuba”: From Havana, Generation Y says: “The game would become more dynamic if they let the Cuban people take hold of the erratic ball of change. Many would kick it...
Bahamas: Health Care Paradigm
Larry Smith, writing at Bahama Pundit, says that “the government will soon propose major medical reforms”, but notes: “The big challenge today is to find a sustainable solution…we will have to change our frame of reference from over-reliance on tertiary medicine, which focuses on expensive hospital care, to lower-cost preventive...
Barbados: HIV & Young People
Bajan Dream Diary takes a look at the HIV epidemic among Barbados’ youth.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Extending an Olive Branch?
The Obama administration yesterday announced some key changes to U.S. policy designed to "reach out to the Cuban people in support of their desire to freely determine their country’s future." While the policy shift allows for a lift on travel and remittance restrictions and paves the way for greater telecommunications links with the island, some bloggers are concerned that the measure has not gone far enough...
Americas: The 5th Summit Gets Underway
The Fifth Summit of the Americas, to be held in Port of Spain, the capital city of the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, from April 17-20, 2009, is already capturing intense regional and international interest. Regional bloggers weigh in.
The World According to Mom
What do blogging mothers around the world think are the five best things about being a mom? Global Voices has teamed up with Catherine Connors a.k.a. Her Bad Mother in Canada to ask this question and encourage mom-bloggers around the world to reach out and link to one another. So far, more than 85 bloggers in 26 countries have responded. But we're still looking for more.
Barbados: Paternity Laws
Do Barbados’ child support and paternity laws favour women? Bajan Dream Diary examines the evidence.
Egypt: Cleanliness Day on April 10
We have been paying close attention to the creative ways in which Egyptian bloggers and activists have been using online social networking to rally support for their causes and initiate social and political change. In this post, Marwa Rakha writes about a Facebook campaign by Mostafa Ahmed and more than 4,500 enthusiasts, who joined hands to mark Egypt's first Cleanliness Day on April 10.
Cuba, U.S.A.: “Economic Emigrants”
From Havana, Generation Y remembers “events such as the Mariel Boatlift”, adding: “Emigration happens more quietly now, in rocky coves where—in the early hours every morning—someone launches themselves into the sea, and in the consulates crammed with people looking for a visa.”
Caribbean: Easter Traditions
Bloggers from Trinidad and Tobago, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti and even from the diaspora discuss Caribbean Easter traditions.
Trinidad & Tobago: Mainstream Media
Keith in Trinidad has issues with the local mainstream media, saying: “‘Responsible journalism’ appears to have joined the ranks of ‘Police intelligence’ and ‘Honourable Member of Parliament'”.
Bahrain: Signs Of The Times?
In Bahrain, Weld El-ma6aba has noticed some signs he thinks are pretty unusual.
Egypt: April 18 Declared Anti-Harassment Day
A Facebook campaign calling for a silent demonstration on April 18 against the harassment of women and girls in Egypt is slowly gathering momentum. The call for allowing Egyptian women to move around in safety in their country, was sparked after blogger Asser Yasser's harassers were acquitted. Marwa Rakha reports on the campaign in this post.
Jordan: Community Work Changing Lives
In a heartwarming story from Jordan, Sha3teely blogs about his local community's efforts to help a visually impaired street vendor. Ebtihal Mahadeen brings us the story.
Brazil: Tips to face the crisis from a popcorn street seller
Many people would think that the popcorn street selling business has little room for innovation. A natural born Brazilian entrepreneur has been proving this line of thought wrong: check out his story to understand that it is possible to make any simple and small business attractive and rewarding, both moneywise and on a personal level too.
Palestine: Parallels with Native Americans
Samuel Nichols, an American who works with the Christian Peacemaker Teams in the West Bank, writes about the parallels he sees between the history of the Native Americans and the situation of the Palestinians.
Brunei: Creating Environmental Awareness
The Earth Hour event highlighted the need for continued awareness on the need to preserve the fragile environment. Many bloggers in Brunei supported the Earth Hour event. But there are also those who believe that it was an insufficient action to preserve the environment.
