Development Blogs.com


Seen & Heard – What You Might Be Missing via Acumen Fund Blog September 4th, 2010 at 04:56

image Seen & Heard is a collection of recent headlines in the news about our world, our work, and the spaces and places in between. In each post we also share a list of job openings at Acumen Fund and in our sector. Seen & Heard appears twice a month on the blog. For those of you who like keeping a pulse on the latest news as it’s happening, please consider following us on Twitter ! Headlines The flood in Pakistan continues to be at the forefront of all our minds. Here are a few must-read articles sent around by the team: Jacqueline’s important letter to the New York Times about the need to focus on immediate relief now and politics later. Dispatches from Pakistan: Jacqueline tells stories from the ground in Pakistan where she’s currently traveling to bear witness...

links for 2010-09-03 via Our Word is Our Weapon September 4th, 2010 at 04:02

The right-wing cure for human misery: More pain - How the World Works - Salon.com Andrew Leonard joins the head-shaking at Robert Barro's latest helpful suggestion. (tags: free-marketeers macroeconomics) Measuring the output responses to fiscal policy | vox - Research-based policy analysis and commentary from leading economists Makes sense: "This column considers the influence of expectations, of variation in recessions and expansions, and of different components of government spending. It finds that the size of the multiplier varies considerably over the business cycle: between 0 and 0.5 in expansions and between 1 and 1.5 in recessions." (tags: macroeconomics) ScienceDirect - Journal of Urban Economics : The Holdout Problem and Urban Sprawl:...

Upcoming Events in Design and a Call for Reader Reports via Worldchanging: Bright Green September 4th, 2010 at 02:30

image There are three interesting conferences coming up in the design world this month (see below for details). If you are planning to go to any of these events (or even some others we haven't yet heard of), please consider submitting a "Reader Report." We'd love to get your 'inside scoop' and learn more about all of the cool, innovative projects and ideas likely to be presented at these conferences. Please email me at amanda@worldchanging.com if you'd like to contribute a report! ASLA Annual Meeting: Friday–Monday, September 10–13 in Washington, D.C. More than 6,000 landscape architecture professionals from across the U.S. and around the world will gather in Washington, D.C., September 10–13, to earn up to 21 professional development hours, to enjoy the fellowship of our...

Arctic Round-Up: New Sea Routes Opening Up, New Infrastructure Imagined, and Canada’s Taking Action via Worldchanging: Bright Green September 4th, 2010 at 00:30

image Melting and thinning ice in the Arctic has proceeded so rapidly that new sea routes are opening up, infrastructure is being imagined, and countries like Canada are working to assert their sovereignty in the north... Last year, Beluga Shipping became the first shipping company to transport goods through the 'Northeast Passage'; two ships, escorted by a pair of Russian icebreakers, traveled from South Korea to Siberia via the newly broken up NE passage. Now, the sea is ice-free enough in the summer that it is projected to become a regular shipping route as early as next year. As a mark of this change, the Northeast Passage has even been renamed the "Northern Sea Route." Charlie Jane Anders has the story at io9: "2010 Will Be Remembered as the Year the Arctic Ocean Became a Trade...

UNICEF and World Food Programme chiefs visit Pakistan’s flood-stricken Punjab province via UNICEF News September 2nd, 2010 at 01:00

GUJRAT, Pakistan, 2 September 2010 – In a show of support for the victims of flooding in Pakistan, UNICEF and World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Directors Anthony Lake and Josette Sheeran visited the agencies' humanitarian operations in the Muzzafargarh district of Punjab, one of the worst-affected provinces of the country....

On International Youth Day in Madagascar, film screening gives young people a forum via UNICEF News September 3rd, 2010 at 01:00

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, 2 September 2010 – A film set in Madagascar's arid south is helping young people develop life skills by sparking a debate on what it means to succeed in life....

Bob Watson warns on embedded carbon emissions via Press releases by RSS September 3rd, 2010 at 01:01

Prof. Bob Watson comments on embedded emissions....

Overhaul factory farming to protect farmers and consumers via Press releases by RSS September 3rd, 2010 at 01:01

Industrial farming causing food prices to...

The long-term impact of development interventions in rural Bangladesh via New at IFPRI September 3rd, 2010 at 22:01

image This series of notes summarizes findings of a project entitled “What development interventions work?” undertaken by researchers of the Chronic Poverty Research Centre, the International Food Policy Research Institute, and Data Analysis and Technical Assistance Ltd. Exploring the long-term impact of development interventions within life-history narratives in rural Bangladesh Related Datasets:  Chronic Poverty and Long Term Impact Study in Bangladesh PDF file:  ifpricprcnote_davis.pdf(268.2KB)...

Untangling the ‘Environmentalist’s Paradox’: Is It All About Speed? via Worldchanging: Bright Green September 3rd, 2010 at 21:45

We need a better understanding of the 'environmentalist's paradox' - Why is human well-being improving globally when our environmental woes appear to be worsening all the time? by Leo Hickman We hear lots of concerned chatter these days – not least, here on this site - about peak oil, peak water, deforestation, resource depletion and the like, but a popular riposte offered by those doubting such concerns is something commonly referred to as the "Environmentalist's Paradox". The argument goes thus: "Why, despite resource depletion and the degradation of ecosystems, is average human well-being improving globally?" People such as Matt Ridley, author of the Rational Optimist, argue that environmentalists are needlessly downbeat about humanity's prospects. After all, we are a...

UNRISD Flagship Report: Combating Poverty and Inequality via UN Pulse | Alerts to Just Released UN Online Information - a DHLink Service September 3rd, 2010 at 22:16

The United Nations Research Institute for Social Development UNRSID has released a flagship document on combating Poverty and Inequality. The report is a major research initiative which aims to contribute to debates on new policy approaches to poverty-reduction within the context of a post......

How Do CIDA Matching Funds Work? via pwrdf.org: RSS Feed September 3rd, 2010 at 21:14

Canadians have been moved to respond generously to appeals for relief this year after a...

Does social capital build women’s assets? via New at IFPRI September 3rd, 2010 at 21:12

image This series of notes summarizes findings of a project entitled “What development interventions work?” undertaken by researchers of the Chronic Poverty Research Centre, the International Food Policy Research Institute, and Data Analysis and Technical Assistance Ltd. Does social capital build women’s assets? PDF file:  ifpricprcnote_kumarquisumbing1.pdf(264.5KB)...

How much universal pensions might cost in Latin America via General - all subjects September 3rd, 2010 at 16:46

Alleviating old age poverty requires a different approach from other age groups. This paper examines the impact on old age poverty and the fiscal cost...

Portugal Redux: Trade Winds and Sound Policies Push Portugal to the Renewable Energy Forefront via Worldchanging: Bright Green September 3rd, 2010 at 20:30

image Editor's Note: A couple weeks ago we posted a piece by Alex Aylett reporting on Portugal's impressive percentage of renewable electricity supply. Below, we revisit Portugal's renewable energy success and explore how their planning policies helped them make such impressive gains in renewable energy production with a repost from Worldwatch... by Alexander Ochs and Camille Serre Typically, the Scandinavian countries and Germany have set the example in the European renewables field. Yet lately, a Southern country - Portugal - has attracted attention after delivering its National Renewable Energy Action Plan to the European Commission this June. Portugal has made dramatic changes in its energy policy over the last five years under the government of Prime Minister José Sócrates. The...

KENYA: Monitoring Antiretroviral Intake Among Children via To 2015: Progress in Achieving the MDGs - INTER PRESS SERVICE September 3rd, 2010 at 12:30

When 11-year-old Ronald Gathece was placed on antiretrovirals (ARVs) after being diagnosed HIV-positive, medical staff did not monitor his reaction to the treatment. But the side effects had been so bad that the young boy had contemplated......

Ethiopia’s Experiment via Global Development: Views from the Center September 3rd, 2010 at 18:46

image By Arvind Subramanian - The ever-vigilant Chris Blattman drew attention yesterday to Ethiopia’s currency devaluation. What was surprising and interesting about this move is that the devaluation was not undertaken under the usual duress of “macroeconomic adjustment.” Typically, in Africa, macroeconomic and foreign exchange crises have been the trigger for devaluation. A devaluation helps because it increases exports and...

Crisis Commons, and the Challenges of Distributed Disaster Response via Worldchanging: Bright Green September 3rd, 2010 at 20:00

Heather Blanchard, Noel Dickover and Andrew Turner from Crisis Commons visited the Berkman Center Tuesday to discuss the rapidly growing technology and crisis response space. Crisis Commons, Andrew tells us, came in part from the recognition that the volunteers who respond to crises aren’t necessarily amateurs. They include first responders, doctors, CEOs...and lately, they include a lot of software developers. Recent technology “camps” – Transparency Camp, Government 2.0 Camp – sparked discussion about whether there should be a crisis response camp. Crisis Camp was born in May, 2009 with a two-day event in Washington DC which brought together a variety of civic hackers who wanted to share knowledge around crisis technology and response. The World Bank took notice and...

GLOBAL: Spotlight on violence against children via IRIN September 3rd, 2010 at 19:37

DAKAR, 3 September 2010 (IRIN) - After her first year in the job, the UN Special Representative on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, told IRIN her major achievement has been to bring violence against children out into the...

SOUTH AFRICA : Deportation of Zimbabweans to begin again via IRIN September 3rd, 2010 at 19:37

JOHANNESBURG, 3 September 2010 (IRIN) - South Africa will resume the deportation of undocumented Zimbabweans on 1 January 2011, ending its 17-month moratorium, the Cabinet announced on 1...

We Can Be Heroes: A Dispatch from Jacqueline in Pakistan via Acumen Fund Blog September 3rd, 2010 at 19:00

image Across Pakistan, uncommon heroes are arising in response to the worst natural devastation in the country’s history. One of them is Ali Siddiqui, head of the JS group, a financial services conglomerate employing 23,000 with stakes in companies in transportation, agriculture, energy and the like. Though only 33 years old, Ali is a man of vision, courage and great spirit. While too many complain that government isn’t providing services, he and his family and employees have just gotten on with the business of bringing their skills and resources to do what they can against the odds — which is ultimately what it takes to bring about change. Ali has mobilized the family’s companies owned by the JS Group to set up and run five camps serving more than 10,000...

Residential Solar, Investing in the Environment, and Cargo Bikes via Worldchanging: Bright Green September 3rd, 2010 at 19:30

Looking back one, two and five years ago today on Worldchanging: 2009 Solar Panels To Boost Property Prices Joe Romm argues that "as peak oil kicks in and the reality of human-caused climate change becomes painfully clear, energy efficiency, geothermal heat pumps, solar panels and the like will increasingly be seen as a desirable if not essential elements of a home, like an up-to-date kitchen, rather than just a cost...” 2009 If It Makes Money, It's Not a 'Cost'! A vintage Worldchanging essay where Alan AtKisson writes that when it comes to spending money on the environment, it's not a cost -- it's an investment... 2005 XAccess Jamais Cascio reports on the non-profit XAccess, which makes a cargo-bike add-on available at low or no cost to in the developing world... Other...

Egypt: Disclose Fate of ‘Disappeared’ Student via September 3rd, 2010 at 16:45

(Cairo) - Egyptian authorities should immediately disclose the fate and whereabouts of Mohamed Saad Tork, who disappeared in July 2009 with strong indications that he was being held by the authorities, and prosecute those responsible, Human Rights Watch said today. Tork's case highlights the continuing practice of enforced disappearances by Egypt's State Security Investigations agency. read...

Jordan: A Poetic Security Threat? via September 3rd, 2010 at 17:07

(New York) - Jordan's military prosecutor at the State Security Court should immediately order the release of Hatim al-Shuli, a university student, and rescind charges against him, Human Rights Watch said today. read...

SWAZILAND: Task-shifting could improve HIV treatment and prevention via IRIN September 3rd, 2010 at 17:36

MANZINI, 3 September 2010 (IRIN) - Swaziland has yet to act on a 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation to alleviate health worker shortages through task-shifting and according to the Ministry of Health, the failure to do so is compromising scale-up of the antiretroviral (ARV)...

New Title/New Issues of IMR, REMI, Third World Q., Trends in Org. Crime via Forced Migration Current Awareness Blog September 2nd, 2010 at 15:00

New Title:Oxford Monitor of Forced Migration [info]- A web site for this new electronic periodical is now available.New Issues:International Migration Review, vol. 44, no. 3 (Fall 2010) [contents]- Mix of articles.Revue Européenne des Migrations Internationales, vol. 26, no. 1 (2010) [contents]- Theme of this issue is "Les médias des minorités ethniques: Représenter l'identité collective sur la scène publique."Third World Quarterly, vol. 31, no. 5 (2010) [contents]- Mix of articles.Trends in Organized Crime, vol. 13, nos. 2/3 (Sept. 2010) [contents]- Includes three articles on human trafficking.Tagged...

When education is for sale via CIPE Development Blog September 3rd, 2010 at 16:46

image Photo: The Moscow Times Sometimes, the dangers of corruption seem abstract. So what if some company executive paid a bribe to get a procurement contract? So what if a politician gets a kickback? So what if a person paid a traffic cop to get on the way? There are daily reminders, however, that the costs of corruption are not always abstract. Consider the spread of fake diplomas in Russia, covered in detail in The Moscow Times op-ed. Seventy engineers working at a factory building famous SU fighter jets and a new executive jet bought their university engineering degrees. The best teacher in Russia in 2007 bought her diploma. The estimate is that in Russia between 30 – 50% of post-graduate degrees are purchased! So next time someone gets on a plane in Russia, they should wonder...

SOUTH AFRICA: Strike sends XDR-TB patients home via IRIN September 3rd, 2010 at 16:36

DURBAN, 3 September 2010 (IRIN) - Striking public health workers in South Africa have virtually shut down King George V Hospital, a referral facility in the port city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, which specializes in caring for and isolating patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extremely drug-resistant...

Climate Change and Gender Justice via General - all subjects September 3rd, 2010 at 11:29

Awareness of the complex and dynamic links between gender relations and climate change is growing fast in gender and development (GAD) circles and among...

Opportunities and Constraints in Agriculture: A gendered analysis of cocoa production in Southern Cameroon via General - all subjects September 3rd, 2010 at 11:42

Cocoa is one of Cameroon's most important agricultural commodities and exported cash crops, and women are particularly active in the sector. In...