· May, 2012

Stories about Development from May, 2012

Africa: Young Farmers Idea Contest

  31 May 2012

Through the Young Farmers Idea Contest, the African diaspora and volunteers alike are invited to share their ideas on new ways to engage youths in sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 18 through educational projects, community-building initiatives, and social programs, all centered around agriculture and farming.

Bangladesh: Questions Over Indian ‘Tourism City’ Investment Proposal

  31 May 2012

The story of a 10 Billion Taka (US$120 million) investment in Bangladesh has made it into the country's headlines, following a visit by Subrata Roy Sahara, chairman of Sahara India Pariwar, one of India's largest business conglomerates. The group are planning to develop a 40 square kilometre housing project situated approximately 50 kilometres from Bangladesh's capital Dhaka.

Philippines: Budget Transparency Portal

  29 May 2012

The Philippine government has recently launched the Budget ng Bayan website to promote transparency and good governance in the country. Budget documents and state expenditures are uploaded in the site.

Myanmar: Power Shortage Protests Spread

  25 May 2012

Power blackouts in several Myanmar towns triggered peaceful protests in the country. Several protesters were detained but it didn't stop the gathering of ordinary residents and consumers who are angry over the electricity shortage. The protesters also want the government to explain why it continues to sell power supply to China despite the electricity shortage in the country

Mali: Protests Call for National Unity in Gao and Timbuktu

  22 May 2012

Following protests in Timbuktu in April 2012, citizens of the city of Gao have taken to the streets to protest about the demands and orders imposed by the Islamic groups currently occupying northern Mali. Malian bloggers and their readers react to the protests as well as to the current situation in Northern Mali.

Peru: How the Achuar People are Saving their Territory from Oil Companies

  22 May 2012

The movie Chumpi & The Waterfall follows the life of young Chumpi and his community, the Achuar people who live in the Amazon Rainforest in the border between Peru and Ecuador. In the movie, subtitled in English, the Achuar show the richness of their daily life and also the steps they are taking to protect their ancestral lands from Oil Companies.

Dominican Republic: Juan Bosch and the Elections

  21 May 2012

Journalist Nelson del Castillo analyzes the political significance of Juan Bosch [es] -the Dominican politician, writer, essayist, historian and educator- on occasion of the national presidential elections held yesterday, May 20, 2012.

Ethiopia: G8 Summit Casts Fresh Light on Ethiopia

  18 May 2012

Netizens have stepped up their effort to draw attention to Ethiopia’s independent media situation as the G8 Summit approaches. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and three other African heads of state are expected to attend. The upcoming G8 Summit in the United States will be held at Camp David in Maryland from 18-19 May, 2012.

Togo : Presidential Patrimony versus University Facilities

  17 May 2012

Commenting on the declaration of assets of the new French President Francois Hollande, Jeogo  wrote [fr]: “What is certain is that the patrimony of Francois Hollande (..) is no match for the patrimony of the “big shots “of the Togolese Republic (..) yet the crowded university is still without air-conditioned computer rooms; one room...

Lesotho: Touching Tiny Lives

  17 May 2012

Touching Tiny Lives works to mitigate the effect of HIV/AIDS on the most vulnerable infants and children under age five by supporting their health, nutritional, developmental, and emotional needs in Lesotho.

Angola: Angola's Sweet Success

  16 May 2012

Mark and Jana blogs about Angola's sweet success: “Around 70% of Biocom’s sugar cane is turned into sugar. The remaining 30% is used for ethanol and the production of electricity. Electric power is produced by burning sugar cane waste. The vapour released during the process is channelled into a high-pressure...