2009 Special Coverage · Global Voices

An end of year retrospective highlighting some of the most memorable Global Voices stories from 2009. Happy New Year!
Global Voices marks World Aids Day with our best posts on HIV/AIDS in world blogs. Join us for a virtual chat on December 3 to discuss how we can make a difference.
The United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP15) is taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark on December 7-18. All eyes are focused on the negotiators and activists that will help determine the future course of the world.
November 25 is the international day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. We (Global Voices!) invite you to join us by blogging about these issues in your own blog too.
After the presidential election on June 12, 2009 thousands of Iranian demonstrators took to the streets demanding an annulment. Although the government tried to block access to online social media, images and descriptions of events have flowed from citizens in Iran to the rest of the world.
For International Women's Day on March 8, Global Voices authors and editors trawled world blogs to write a series of posts on women's rights in recognition of the achievements of women across the globe.
Confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu, which was detected in Mexico in April 2009, have been found in a growing number of countries around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that this outbreak constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern.”
The June 28 arrest and expulsion of Honduran President José Manuel “Mel” Zelaya by the country's armed forces has caused deep rifts between Hondurans on whether it should be considered a military coup or not.
The world's largest democracy, India, goes to elections starting April 16, 2009. This is an important election for India, in the context of a series of terrorist attacks last year and a worldwide financial crisis that threatens to derail its strong economic growth.
On April 9, 2009 a court of appeals in Fiji declared that military ruler Commodore Voreqe Frank Bainimarama came to power illegally in December 2006. Judges asked the President to appoint a new government, but instead he nullified the constitution and re-appointed Bainimarama.
Citizens everywhere are using videos to help tell their stories in times of crisis, moments of beauty, or online campaigns to improve their lives. Check out our favorite 10 video posts of the past year.
Global Voices coverage of the global economic crisis is developed in partnership with True/Slant a brand new online magazine covering news and world affairs. The global blog roundups on this page highlight different aspects of the crisis.
Few artists have earned such worldwide fame and recognition as Michael Jackson. Global Voices authors look at the outpour of commentary from bloggers around the world.
President Barack Obama's first official visit to Sub-Saharan Africa in July 2009 sparked conversations across African blogospheres and online discussion forums. On July 11, he delivered a speech in the parliament of Ghana that was widely commented.
Who says bloggers aren't romantic? For Valentine's Day (Feb 14) netizens of the world, are typing, tweeting, social media kissing (#SMK) and sharing their feelings of friendship, love, and understanding. Alas, there is heartbreak too. In the battle against oppressors of love, and freedom of expression, Global Voices leads the way with a meme to “Teach someone you love to blog (or micro-blog!)“.
April 23 is UNESCO World Book Day – and just because the Global Voices team loves blogs, doesn’t mean we have forgotten book! In fact, because we think reading literature is such an enjoyable way to learn about another culture, we have a fun challenge for all Global Voices contributors and readers, and bloggers everywhere.
The first great natural disaster of 2009 in the Asia-Pacific region was the series of flooding disasters which struck Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines over several weeks. There is still no region-wide initiative to address the flooding problem and its aftermath.
After months of political tension between the current administration of president Marc Ravalomanana and the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, acts of violence and social unrest erupted in many Malagasy cities January 2009.