Global Voices · Citizen media stories from 2009 November 09

9 November 2009

Daily archive · 11 posts

Stories from 9 November 2009

Video: The world commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall

Written by Juliana Rincón Parra · Western Europe, North America

Today is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a complex security structure that once divided East and West Berlin in Germany. Today we are showcasing some of the videos from throughout the globe that are being uploaded to commemorate this date and what it meant to barriers not only in Germany, but throughout the world.

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Colombia: Preserving Afro-Colombian Culture in San Basilio de Palenque

Written by Catalina Restrepo · Latin America

The descendants of escaped African slaves, who are now living in the village of San Basilio de Palenque in northern Colombia are working to preserve their cultural heritage through their oral and musical traditions.

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Russia: Bloggers Discuss 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Written by Alexey Sidorenko · Eastern & Central Europe

Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall just a handful of Russian bloggers mention what some call "the most important event in the history of the 20th century." Some use the date to remind readers about the current political situation, others practice their cynicism, but most ask themselves: "Why no one talks about this date? Why is it not publicly celebrated?"

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Featured Author: Maryna Reshetnyak

Written by David Sasaki · Eastern & Central Europe

As Global Voices Russian Language Health Editor, Maryna Reshetnyak spends most of her time covering the Kiev-based Rising Voices grantee project, The Drop-In Center. She also blogs on Global Voices about discussions in the Russian-language blogosphere related to health.

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Ukraine: Internet Offers Swine Flu Common Sense

Written by Maryna Reshetnyak · Ukraine

Inconsistency in health officials’ reports about the flu epidemic in Ukraine has led to rumors and gossip. The Internet has served as a medium for unbiased information about the epidemic, as well as professional advice on how to stay safe. .

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Angola: The high cost of living in Luanda

Written by Clara Onofre · Sub-Saharan Africa

The high cost of living in the country is paradoxical: Angola's high development indicators are not reflected in the finances of the majority of Angola's citizens and do not translate to quality of life for those less economically well off.

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Uganda & Kenya: In Search of e-Governance

Written by John Liebhardt · Sub-Saharan Africa

Good governance has been linked to gains in economic and human development. Governments have begun using technologies to offer more citizen services, expand transparency and make information more accessible. We look at how Kenya and Uganda use ICTs to create better governance.

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Southern Madagascar Hit Hard by Severe Drought and Toxic Spill

Written by Lova Rakotomalala · Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa

While the political direction of Madagascar remains mired in total uncertainty since the coup d'etat in March, in Addis Ababa, the international community is again trying to mediate an agreement...

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Cameroon: Bloggers discuss Paul Biya's 27 years in power

Written by George Esunge Fominyen · Sub-Saharan Africa

On 6th November 2009, President Paul Biya of the West African state of Cameroon celebrated his 27th anniversary in power by writing a letter to his citizens. The letter was issued to Cameroonians via daily newspapers in the country of nearly 20 million inhabitants. Cameroonian bloggers discuss his 27 years in power.

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Russia: Officer Exposes Police Corruption Using the Web

Written by Vadim Isakov · Russia

On November 6, a police officer at the Department of Internal Affairs in Novorossiysk used his personal Web site to address Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and talk about numerous problems police officers face in Russia.

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Updates from 9 November 2009

India

“In barring foreign journalists from going to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh to report the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama’s week-long visit to the northeastern State which China off and on claims as its own, has the Manmohan Singh government thumbed its nose at India’s great democratic traditions?” asks Sans Serif.

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Pakistan

Faisal Kapadia attended the Shanakht Festival in Karachi and writes: ‘I would recommend all of you to hurry and catch a glimpse of a side of us not often on show, plus its totally free folks!!”

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India

Nita J. Kulkarni at A Wide Angle View Of India raises a debate on whether a working couple should share the financial burden equally. She comments: “I believe that this issue of women being reluctant to share their income is more about personalities rather than anything else.”

• Rezwan