Tanzania is often described as a development success story in Africa. It doesn’t look that way if you study the facts of life for the poor.
Gandhian values in the economic crisis
Our sense of values continues to rotate in the spin-dryer. On the same day that Gandhi’s spectacles sell for millions, the Bank of England decides that money is worthless.
Data collection problems in developing countries
William the Conqueror was a thousand years ahead of his time. As the lack of accurate data undermines the Millennium Development Goals, we can see how the Domesday Book was a model for development planning in its day.
The decadence of chewing gum removal
In Costa Rica, municipal authorities compete with each other to plant the most trees. UK cities seem to be more concerned about removal of chewing gum from the pavements. Does this reflect cultural diversity or just muddled priorities?
Searching for a new economic and social model
As the nationalisation of major banks looks increasingly likely, the World Social Forum is promoting a “new economic and social model”. It’s always informative to revisit Cuba when assessing the strengths and weaknesses of socialist ideals.
Mobile Revolutions in the Developing World
In the same week, OneWorld UK gave presentations at the World Economic Forum in Davos and in the state of Bauchi in northern Nigeria. Pioneering applications of mobile phone technology are the common factor.
The different definitions of decent work
We’re seeing a lot of headlines about global unemployment. But is it really “global” or just a measure of problems for the richer countries?
World poverty in Obama’s inauguration speech
Would global poverty feature in the new president’s inauguration speech? Yes it did, but let’s hope that Barack Obama adopts rather less biblical language when it comes to real policy.
Questioning the happy ending to Slumdog Millionaire
Setting the final scene of Slumdog Millionaire in Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus unwittingly links the film with the recent terrorism outrage. Can the “war on terror” hope to end as happily as the film?
Raising awareness of needs for safe sanitation
Rich countries continue to improve their standards in sanitation whilst billions lack even rudimentary facilities. All that poverty campaigners can do is try to raise awareness of the divide.