· October, 2009

Stories about Western Europe from October, 2009

France: Language Lessons in the Park

  27 October 2009

Sarah Hay blogs about the French lessons she gives to a group of young Afghan asylum seekers in a park in Paris. “They’re incredibly keen that I learn the Pashto for everything I teach them to the point of comical mishap, for example when I taught them the word metro…”

Germany and China: Berlin Twitter Wall

  27 October 2009

berlintwitterwall is a project organized by the city of Berlin to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of Berlin wall. The wall is now filled up with messages from Chinese twitterers against the Chinese Great Fire Wall which blocks Chinese Internet user from connecting with the outside world.

Tunisia: Al Jazeera and France

  26 October 2009

From Tunisia, Farhat Al Tunisi remarks [Ar]: “The similarity between the news on Tunisia that the occupying French media and Al Jazeera broadcast has reached a point which makes you think that our country is under French rule.”

Armenia: Twitter counters false media report

  25 October 2009

After a news item in the local press reported that a British MP had been appointed as rapporteur on Armenia and Turkey, Unzipped says that it used Twitter to check the accuracy of the story. Tweeting a question to the MP in question, it turned out that the report was...

Pregnancy and Prisons: Women's Health and Rights Behind Bars

  24 October 2009

It is still a struggle to ensure human rights for pregnant women worldwide, and it seems that in the process, pregnant women in prison are many times overlooked. What have been some of the steps made to ensure that they are also treated humanely, with respect to the life they carry?

GV Blogger Interview: Sylwia Presley

  24 October 2009

Sylwia Presley is a name which pops up regularly on Global Voices Online. Her interactions spark discussions and ignite new ideas which helps our community develop. Juan Arellano catches up with our Translation Manager for Global Voices Polska and learns more about her fascinating work on and offline.

Israel: Exploring Hebrew's Latin Roots

  16 October 2009

BaLashon (On the Tongue) explores the Hebrew term kalgas קלגס, meaning soldier. He discovers Latin roots: “Caliga- Roman sandals, secured with nails (which made quite a bit of noise)- were apparently frightening enough to give their name to the Roman soldiers.”

What future for ICT4D?

  12 October 2009

We know the capacity of mobile phones to affect human development. But that is last year's news. Some thinkers argue that we are on the verge of another round of technological changes that will force ICTs to evolve. What will ICTs for development look like in the next few years?

Azerbaijan: Tea

  11 October 2009

Now based in the U.K., Scary Azeri in Suburbs looks at one custom that both English and Azerbaijanis have in common — drinking tea. The blog says that enjoying the drink is an important tradition for both nations.