Whatever happened to Band Aid?
Bob Geldof c. Erik Charlton
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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.
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Burma’s forgotten people
Thein Sein addressing the General Assembly c. United Nations Photo
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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.
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The garment industry in Bangladesh – from a woman’s perspective
Women in a garment factory
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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Renaming themselves, reclaiming identities: Indian girls no longer “Unwanted”
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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)
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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
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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)
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To mark United Nations Day tomorrow, Tom Goodenough assesses the UN’s involvement in the trials of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Tom is a freelance journalist currently studying MA Newspaper Journalism at City University.
Fall of a(nother) tyrant
In the aftermath of Muammar Gadaffi’s death, Josephine Forster considers a disturbing pre-occupation with the gory details of death. Josephine is a freelance journalist studying MA Newspaper Journalism at City University.
World Sight Day: The Fight for Sight
World Sight Day - c.Orbis Flying Eye Hospital
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An estimated 284 million people the world over are visually impaired. In order to mark Thursday’s World Sight Day 2011, Sarah Marsh looks at the danger that sight-related diseases pose to some of the world’s poorest people. Sarah is a freelance writer currently studying MA Newspaper Journalism at City University.
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Why Aid India?
Freelance writer Kevin Perry considers the coalition’s controversial decision to safeguard funding for international development amidst cuts to the rest of the public sector. Having volunteered for a year in Orissa, India, with VSO, he examines the question of why India, with the world’s second fastest growing economy, really needs overseas aid. More of Kevin Perry’s work can be found at www.kevinegperry.com.
Joe’s Journeys
DiA’s India Volunteer Coordinator, Joe Bird, reflects on a summer of content, as he shares his experiences working in India in this blog post. His account includes trips to Udaipur, Pune and Pondicherry, where he visited DiA’s summer volunteers – all of whom have recently completed successful placements at their respective organisations.
Shifting Power with the UK Youth Climate Movement
As the world’s fight against climate change lies at “tipping point,” Sophie Wainwright discusses how Powershift 2011, the UK’s largest youth event on climate change, aims to empower and inspire young people to take positive action and encourage collective environmental ownership thus working towards a cleaner and sustainable future.
The Girl Effect
DiA blogger Lynsey Logan discusses the visions and efforts of The Girl Effect – an empowerment campaign which recognises the important role six hundred million adolescent girls in the developing world could play in ending global poverty.
Empowering Women
DiA writer Emily Wight reflects on the impact women empowerment initiatives – focused on increasing participation in the workplace – can have on developing not only the economic structure, but also the social dynamics of communities across South Asia. Emily has firsthand experience of working on women empowerment projects, as a five month DiA volunteer based in Pondicherry.
DiA Summer Volunteer Orientation: A Storming Success
