7 December 2009

Stories from 7 December 2009

Madagascar's forests decimated for $460,000 a day

  7 December 2009

As the world's nations gather in Copenhagen for the UN Convention on Climate Change, Madagascar, having already lost 90% of its original forest, faces continued threats from black market logging, threatening to destroy what is left of one of the world's most diverse ecosystems.

St. Lucia: Going Digital

  7 December 2009

“Under the prevailing economic situation, the region’s bookstores and publishers have little choice but to try and control their costs as best they can in order to survive”: St. Lucia's Caribbean Book Blog examines the impact of the digital revolution on the region.

Barbados: Tourism Weak?

  7 December 2009

As Barbados approaches Tourism Week, Living in Barbados notices that “many people seem confused about what is happening to this sector, which is a main earner of foreign exchange and provider of jobs in the economy.”

Bermuda: Of Leglisation and Violence

  7 December 2009

Bermudian bloggers discuss the issue of retroactivity as it applies to the proposed Public Access to Information legislation, while Catch a fire hopes that public response to “a new community focused action group to combat the downward spiral of violence” will be as good as it has been for PATI.

Jamaica: Climate Awareness

  7 December 2009

“IT'S no secret that we could treat our island and its environment a little better, not least in terms of energy consumption”: Letter From Jamaica is heartened by the fact that the island “is becoming more sensitive to the issue.”

Namibia: One woman's story

  7 December 2009

Watch a video of a woman's story related to forced sterilisation case going on in Namibia: “Have a look at this story, by Esther Sheehama. Esther’s story is an example of the kinds of stories we are hearing from many women, and highlights why we are fighting forced sterilisation.”

Azerbaijan: Culinary Blogging

  7 December 2009

Leyla's Room interviews Farida Sadikhova Buyuran, the blogger behind AZ Cookbook. Posting recipes, backgrounds and photographs of traditional Azeri cuisine, as well as other dishes, the interview details Farida's passion for food and cooking and says a book is on the horizon.

Kenya: Bloggers discuss Kenyan explosive drama, Shuga

  7 December 2009

Staying alive campaign being the world largest youth focused HIV prevention campaign content together with MTV bring an explosive drama for the world AIDS Day Shuga . Shuga slides away from the ordinary comfort zone and portrays life of six college students living the life on the first lane: alcohol, sex, love and money and focuses on how the youth put themselves and others at risk of contracting HIV.

China: Young people and housing

  7 December 2009

China Hush puts together an interesting discussion related with the property bubble in China. The focus of the debate is on whether people below 30 should be able to buy a home.

ICT4D for Women: Opportunities and Risks

  7 December 2009

Mobile phones present opportunities for development as well as risks for further abuse and marginalization of women. Gender awareness is crucial when it comes to using ICT for development.