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Ecotourism in Bolivia
The Bolivian Jungle is fast becoming an eco-tourist hotspot. Yet despite the growing number of tourists arriving each day, its international tour operators who profit most, not the poor indigenous people who live there. Now, thanks to the efforts of an innovative project that is helping more than 100 indigenous groups in the Amazon basin increase their incomes while preserving their culture, indigenous entrepreneurs are taking a share of the tourism market. The Bolivian Jungle is fast becoming an eco-tourist hotspot. Yet despite the growing number of tourists arriving each day, its interna... more
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Fuel for Thought
Among human activities, agriculture is one of the largest producers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas 22 times more damaging to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Now an IFAD-supported project in Chinas Guangxi province is encouraging thousands of poor farmers to turn the methane produced on their farms into fuel for lighting and cooking, not only helping to improve local environmental conditions but also to help reduce poverty. Among human activities, agriculture is one of the largest producers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas 22 times more damaging to the ... more
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CARE rejects $46 million from the US, says American food aid hurts the poor
"An international aid group has turned away US$46 million (€34.32 million) in funding from the US government, arguing the way American food aid is distributed hurts poor farmers.
CARE said wheat donated by the US government and sold by charities to fund anti-poverty programs destroys local agriculture by dumping low priced crops on the market and local farmers cannot compete. Other experts said they share CARE's concerns, but say different kinds of help suit different situations.
"We are not against emergency food aid for things like drought and famine," CARE's Atlanta-based spokeswoman Alina Labrada, said Thursday, adding the process did not help those who consistently went hungry. "They are being hurt instead of helped by this mechanism"." "An international aid group has turned away US$46 million (€34.32 million) in funding from the US government, arguing the way Ame... more -
Aid agencies warn over Afghan violence
Aid agencies in Afghanistan have warned they may become unable to operate in parts of the country once seen as safe, because of the intensifying conflict.
A statement by 100 aid agencies pointed to a 50% increase in insurgent attacks compared to last year.
Aid agencies were increasingly becoming targets, they said.
Kabul blamed the rise in insurgent attacks on a truce between Pakistan's government and militants in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
In their statement, the aid agencies criticised the rising number of civilian deaths, which they said were caused mainly by insurgents but also by international forces' air strikes.
The Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (Acbar), an umbrella group of non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan, expressed its "grave concern about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the serious impact on civilians".
June saw more attacks on NGOs than in any month since the Taleban's overthrow in 2001 and some agencies have been forced to scale back operations, it said.
Nineteen aid workers have been killed so far this year - more than during the whole of 2007, said Acbar.
Some 2,500 people have been killed this year, up to 1,000 of them civilians, Acbar said.
About 260 civilians were killed in July alone, a higher number than any other month in the past six years, according to the NGOs. Aid agencies in Afghanistan have warned they may become unable to operate in parts of the country once seen as safe, because of the in... more -
WORLDwrite Newsreel: Who should we trust?
This is the second WORLDwrite newsreel. It examines the new vetting laws coming into force in August 2008, which may impact seriously on volunteering in the UK. Also, it introduces WORLDwrite's latest film Carry on up the NGO, soon to be released on DVD, and gives you a sneak preview of the film. This is the second WORLDwrite newsreel. It examines the new vetting laws coming into force in August 2008, which may impact seriously ... more
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Corruptababble
Is poverty caused by thieving politicians, third world gangsters and a global crime-wave? No, but our obsession with corruption in Africa is endemic. So say Brendon and Yolanda, two young South Africans who are sick of the finger pointing. This powerful documentary suggests it is time to ditch the corruptababble. Is poverty caused by thieving politicians, third world gangsters and a global crime-wave? No, but our obsession with corruption in Afr... more
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Zimbabwe: AIDS service NGOs allowed to resume operations
The Zimbabwe government has exempted AIDS relief organisations from a ban on NGOs operating in the country, but advocacy groups have reacted cautiously to the news.
Nicholas Goche, the social welfare minister who regulates NGO activity, said on 13 June that more than 400 organisations working in the HIV/AIDS sector would be allowed to resume operations - an about-turn on a blanket ban announced on 4 June.
In the original circular to civil society, Goche wrote: “It has come to my attention that a number of NGOs involved in humanitarian operations are breaching the terms and conditions [by engaging in political activities]. I hereby instruct all NGOs to suspend all field operations until further notice.” The Zimbabwe government has exempted AIDS relief organisations from a ban on NGOs operating in the country, but advocacy groups have r... more -
Common Purpose - Interview with Narayan Murthy (Part 2)
Narayan Murthy, the former head of InfoSys Technologies speaks with Common Purpose; he has been appreciated globally and has received many awards including:
- Officer of the Legion of Honour - Government of France
- Padma Vibushan - India's second highest civilian award.
Common Purpose is an educational organisation for improving Leadership in the workplace
and society. Narayan Murthy, the former head of InfoSys Technologies speaks with Common Purpose; he has been appreciated globally and has received ... more -
Common Purpose - Interview with Narayan Murthy (Part 1)
Narayan Murthy, the former head of InfoSys Technologies speaks with Common Purpose; he has been appreciated globally and has received many awards including:
- Officer of the Legion of Honour - Government of France
- Padma Vibushan - India's second highest civilian award.
Common Purpose is an educational organisation for improving Leadership in the workplace
and society. Narayan Murthy, the former head of InfoSys Technologies speaks with Common Purpose; he has been appreciated globally and has received ... more -
Julia Middleton - Beyond Authority (Meet The Author)
An Interview with Julia Middleton; Author of "Leading Beyond Authority" and Founder and Chief Executive at Common Purpose.
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UK charity demands Freedom of Movement for all
The out spoken not for profit WORLDwrite which makes Global Equality non- negotiable is joining magasine Spiked to promote a new campaign to Open the borders and is calling on Current viewers to support this timely quest. As the British government launches its draconian 'points system' to limit immigration and releases reports which question the economic benefit of letting people into the UK, WORLDwrite is releasing a new short film entiled The More the Merrior which champions unfetterred Freedom of Movement for all.
This new short film, interwoven with compelling archive, provides a timely case for unfettered freedom of movement for all across the globe. Too many people? Too many immigrants? For The More the Merrier the answer is a deafening no.
Evocative sea shanty songs take us to St Katharine Docks on the Thames and set the scene. This was a landing and departure point for immigrants settling in the UK and emigrants heading off to the New World. Immigration and emigration represent striving for a better world, yet from the 1905 aliens act onwards the UK began to shut its’ borders. The film suggests that while attitudes to immigration have been de-racialised there has been more closure than ever before and situates today’s anti immigrant sentiment within a culture of limits.
The film incorporates inspiring arguments from the Battle of Ideas immigration debate and features Bruno Waterfield Brussels correspondent for The Daily telegraph who argues “anti immigration sentiments represent a closure of the historical imagination” and quoting American writer P J O’Rourke he points that if the whole of the worlds’ population moved to one place they would cover a space the size of former Yugoslavia at the same density as Manhatten and he says “Manhatten is a pretty good place to live.” Philippe Legrain author of Immigrants Your Country Needs Them explains internal migration outstrips migration overseas today and this has “not for example caused China to collapse.” Legrain ridicules the ‘points system’ and argues immigration controls today represent a form of global apartheid. Illustrating these points Sadhavi Sharma a young Indian student obliged to go home, explains why she wants to stay and has more friends here than in Bombay.
WORLDwrite Director Ceri Dingle explains:
“This is a positive pro immigration film, not a tragic story, not an exceptional case but a fresh appraisal of the debate with a much needed historical perspective. Cutting through the depressing low expectations we have for what is possible today, the title of the film says it all.”
The More the Merrier will be launched along with a further short documentary Cash Back (available on Current ) highlighting the role of remittances (monies sent by migrants and diasporas back to countries of origin) at the new Vibe Lounge, Brick lane, London E1 on Sunday 20th April at 6pm. Speakers will include Philippe Legrain, (Author Immigrants their country needs you) Claire Fox (Director Institute of Ideas) and a representative of Open the Borders – a spiked-online campaign. The out spoken not for profit WORLDwrite which makes Global Equality non- negotiable is joining magasine Spiked to promote a new campa... more -
A World in Motion
Worlds in Motion seeks to represent the efforts of eight award winning social entrepreneurs from the UK. We examine the projects they are involved in, their inspiration &aims, hopes for the future.
A film about social entrepreneurs and the worlds they move in the work they do! This is the pilot to a bigger project go see and tell it as it is: http://www.channel4.com/fourdocs/film/film-detail.jsp?i... Worlds in Motion seeks to represent the efforts of eight award winning social entrepreneurs from the UK. We examine the projects they ... more -
Global Micro-Clinic Project
The Global Micro-Clinic Project works to empower people to prevent and manage diseases in impoverished and conflict-ridden areas of our world.
More info on this great nonprofit organization founded by Daniel Zoughbie can be found at:
http://microclinicproject.org/ The Global Micro-Clinic Project works to empower people to prevent and manage diseases in impoverished and conflict-ridden areas of ou... more -
YouTube - To Write Love on Her Arms - INTRO.
This organization has devoted itself to a cause known by most, yet neglected by many: Self-destruction habits in teens, as you will see it started small, and has now managed to grow and has gained the support of numerous bands (Paramore, Switchfoot, Thrice, Plain White Ts... just to mention some), it does have a religious edge, yet their motives are far and beyond religious spread. This is the story of Rene and how it all started. This organization has devoted itself to a cause known by most, yet neglected by many: Self-destruction habits in teens, as you will se... more
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Think BIG
Think BIG showcases Ghanaians with big aspirations and big plans. Flash hotels, fab homes and full-on modernity are where it?s at. The film turns the usual pity fest on its head and showcases Ghanaians who are making it. This short documentary shows that some development is happening - Africa is not one great morass of extreme poverty. Aspirant Ghanaians (not aid workers) are responsible for some good news and bold ideas, and backing their ambitions might do our peers more favours than either the pennies we pop in tins to make us feel better or the survival-only goals prioritised in the West. Tomato farmer Lawrence wants a factory; Kwame Agyapong is building a film school and has visions of tourist vistas on Ghana?s deserted beaches; Patricia Ocloo loves her new sofa and modern bathroom, and resents the idea that being better-off means you don?t care; Emmanuel Chance is expanding a luxury hotel. These people are eloquent, aspirant and ambitious for themselves and their peers. They want full-on modernity. As David Ampofo puts it, in a moving end to the film: "Oh that this country will really become great... we won?t be stuck in so much dependence, it makes me sick." Think BIG showcases Ghanaians with big aspirations and big plans. Flash hotels, fab homes and full-on modernity are where it?s at. The... more
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I'm a subsistence farmer, get me out of here!
This pod may disturb our romantic notions of rural life. In the West we love the countryside and 'getting away from it all' yet in Ghana, we learn that many would rather live in an urban shanty town than stay stuck in subsistence life in rural areas. Subsistence life means mud huts and mind-numbing toil. Helen wants a proper job, Cephus wants his kids to be doctors and lawyers. De Roy explains that at least in a shanty town people can have access to a clinic, menial work, electricity, drinkable water, paved roads and TVs. This pod may disturb our romantic notions of rural life. In the West we love the countryside and 'getting away from it all' ... more
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Cash Back
**This film is now the revised version of Cash Back that we have made based on some of the great comments and suggestions below**
Shot in Brick Lane in the heart of London's East End, this film reveals the extent of remittances.This is money sent by migrants and Diasporas to friends, families and villages in some of the world's poorest countries. They don't wear their heart on their sleeve or a wristband to show they care and they go on sending money when the shocking TV images have faded. Remittances outstrip aid and foreign direct investment for many developing countries. There are no strings attached and as the film suggests, remittances better represent the aspirations of our peers globally than much of contemporary charitable giving and celebrity pleading to buy a hoe or a goat. **This film is now the revised version of Cash Back that we have made based on some of the great comments and suggestions below** ... more -
Keeping Africa Small
NGOs mean well, but are they really welcome by the recipients of their charity?
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From Buddha to Jesus
A look at why some young Cambodians are turning to Jesus.
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