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.
The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie
Syria has a thriving industry in the design and manufacture of imaginative women’s lingerie. A new book “The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie” reveals much about women’s freedom in the Arab world.
Christmas spirit defies collapse of western values
The values of Christmas hold fast amongst our floundering ideals for democracy and human rights.
Economic stimulus enough to end global hunger
ich governments are investing unimaginable sums to stimulate their own economies. These sums could have ended global hunger years ago.