Britain’s aid to India: explained
Should we continue giving aid to India? Photo by Emily Wight
.
The question of aid to India has been circulating around Britain recently.
In this article, Blog Officer Emily Wight puts forward the basic facts so that you can make up your own mind – does India still need help? And should that help come from a country steeped in its own economic crisis?
Andrew Mitchell at Cambridge University: Thursday 9th February 2012
Andrew Mitchell. Photo by DfID
.
Josh Dickens recaps the Secretary of State for International Development’s talk at Cambridge University last week. Josh is studying an MA in English at Cambridge and has a keen interest in current affairs and international development.
New media and development: changing discourse, thinking and action
Organisations such as DfID have their own blogs. Photo by DfID
.
Throughout the past few years, the media has been undergoing a digital revolution. Sam Hall – who has worked for the New Indian Express and the disaster relief charity Shelter Box - assesses the implications for the development sector.
DiA News Update – Development Education
.
Development in Action’s Research Officer Rachel Benson has put together the first of our blog postings on Development Education. On these news updates you can read about current news in the world of development education.
Read the rest of this entry »
The Kenya terrorism threat is not just for tourists
In light of the increasing terrorist threat from al-Shabab in Kenya, Emma Forrest assesses the dangers for Kenyans as well as British tourists and reflects on her time volunteering in the country.
Bringing transparency to the developing world
Photo by Pablo Manriquez
.
As the African Cup of Nations’ qualifying stages kick off, Rowan Emslie points towards corruption within FIFA and asks how realistic it is to expect greater transparency in all areas of development.
Under-reported: the story of Bhutan’s refugees
Mountains in Bhutan c. rajkumar1220
.
Charlotte Marshall, who taught Bhutanese refugees last year, reports on the global diaspora caused by the ethnic cleansing that took place in the country in the 1980s and 1990s. Charlotte is studying an MPhil in Development Studies at Cambridge University.
A Landmark Ceasefire
Karen children c. Benoit Mahe
.
To follow Aditi Gupta‘s recent post concerning the treatment of ethnic minorities in Burma, Alistair Walker examines the ceasefire between the Karen separatist movement and the Myanmar Government that took place last week. Alistair is studying an MA in Interactive Journalism at City University.
Cyclone Thane hits Pondicherry
An uprooted tree in Angalakkupam
.
Last month a cyclone hit South India and Pondicherry, where Development in Action’s partner organisation Sharana is, was badly affected. Blog Editor and DiA committee member Emily Wight reports on the effects. Emily spent five months volunteering in Pondicherry last year.
South Sudan: another Biafra?
Six months ago South Sudan was born – yet fighting in the region continues. Rowan Emslie explores the path of the world’s youngest country, drawing links with the Nigerian-Biafran war of the 1960s. Rowan is an intern at Article 19. His blog is rowanemslieintern.wordpress.com
Whatever happened to Band Aid?
Bob Geldof c. Erik Charlton
.
As we wrap up 2011 and enjoy the Christmas break, DiA blogger Lynsey Logan reflects on the Band Aid movement which fewer people talk about each year. Lynsey, a primary school teacher by day, is the founder of Schools in Motion, aimed at developing access to education for forgotten communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Burma’s forgotten people
Thein Sein addressing the General Assembly c. United Nations Photo
.
Earlier this month US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the President of Burma, Thein Sein, to discuss possibilities for democracy. But Burma’s treatment of its ethnic minorities has been somewhat overlooked, writes Aditi Gupta, a researcher for a documentary film company specialising in human rights.
The garment industry in Bangladesh – from a woman’s perspective
Women in a garment factory
.
Most of us are aware when we shop in Primark or H&M that the cheap clothes are made thanks to workers in developing countries on extremely low wages. But what repercussions has the burgeoning garment industry in Bangladesh had on people’s lives? Marie Pettersson, who is coming to the end of a three-month research project in Dhaka, writes about the role of a woman in such a profession, drawing from her own experiences visiting garment factories.
IVC Reflections
Our India Volunteer Co-ordinator (IVC) Joseph Bird reflects on his work and travels around India keeping up with DiA’s placements and finding links with other grassroots charities to extend the reach of DiA.
Egypt: a second revolution?
- Tahrir Square c.Ramy Raoof
.
The events in Egypt of the past six days have not failed to shock the western world and have prolonged our fascination with the Arab Spring. As the country goes ahead with its election next week in the wake of national protests met with military violence, Sophie Nodzenski considers whether the recent uprisings signify a second revolution for Egypt – or merely a continuation of the first.
Celebrities and Development: Should They Mix?
Kate And William on the UNICEF website
.
After the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pledged their support for UNICEF’s East Africa Appeal, Rowan Emslie considers the use of celebrity to further aid appeals. Rowan works on the Communications Team for Article 19, a press freedom organisation.
Renaming themselves, reclaiming identities: Indian girls no longer “Unwanted”
.
No longer "Unwanted": Indian girls are changing their names
Last week the Indian state of Maharashtra hosted a ceremony to re-name girls whose names meant ”Unwanted”. Aman Johal considers some of the problems Indian girls face and what this step means for a society in which gender plays such a significant role. Aman has just returned from a summer volunteering in Moldova.
Horn of Africa Famine: What About Nairobi?
Kibera slum (c. Heather Spurr)
.
Coverage of the crippling famine in the Horn of Africa is dwindling, and much of it is centered around Dadaab Refugee Camp in North Kenya. But this crisis will have knock-on effects all over East Africa. Heather Spurr, who has volunteered in Kibera slums in Nairobi and knows its inhabitants, predicts trouble in the area. Heather is a freelance journalist studying Newspaper Journalism MA at City University.
United Nations Day: Is the UN working?
c. United Nations
.
In another contribution to the DiA blog for United Nations Day tomorrow, Alistair Walker examines – and condemns – the role of the UN in today’s world. Alistair is a freelance journalist currently studying MA Interactive Journalism at City University, London. The views of this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect those of DiA.
United Nations Day: Genocide trials in Cambodia
Killing Fields (c. Associated Press)
