Collective for Research and
Training on
Development Action (CRTD.A)
Independent
Resource and Information Services (IRIS)
Development e-Brief
January17, 2005: Issue 20
IN THIS ISSUE:
NEWS
1.
Gender
2.
Machreq/Maghreb
REPORTS
& BOOKS & ARTICLES
1.
Development
2. ICT
3.
Machreq/Maghreb/(Lebanon)
4.
Youth and Children
5. Trade/Economics/Finance
OTHER
USEFUL LINKS
1.
NGOs
2.
Gender and Trade
3. ICT
1. GENDER:
Arab Women Demand Political Empowerment
The most contemporary social and political issues were addressed at the first
conference of the “Democratic Forum for Arab Women that was held in Yemen in
Dec. 2004.” “Political empowerment for women in the Arab states” was the
highest demand over all issues presented at the conference. “The forum also
expressed that amendments in the decision making, political rights and family
laws are crucial.”
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/gender/rc/ItemDetail.do~1028295?intcmp=700&itemId=1028295
Resources on MFA’s
Impact on Women
“Women working
worldwide: on January 1, 2005 the last of the MFA’s quotas on textile and
garment imports were scheduled to be dismantled.” In short, providing the US
and EU fair play; they have finally opened their markets to free trade in
garments. This is threatening women working in the industry in several
countries.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/businessenvironement/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027302%20?intcmp=700
2. MACHREQ/MAGHREB:
Doubling Aid to the Palestinians
“The United States and Arab countries
are considering increasing aid to the Palestinians on condition that they and
Israel takes certain steps toward reducing their conflict.” A four year package
of $6 billion to $8 billion would be forthcoming American and Palestinian
officials say.
www.developmentex.com/briefing/122304.html
Iraqi Bloggers, In
the News and Critiquing It
The three Fadil
brothers run an English Language blog, IraqtheModel.
(iraqthemodel.blogspot.com)
that is quite positive about what is happening in Iraq. They were recently in
the United States, seeking information about an
Arabic blogging tool (that an NGO…)
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027083?intcmp=700
1. DEVELOPMENT:
Culture and Public Action
Amartya Sen’s new book,
‘Culture and Public Action’ shows how culture, as an important part of people’s
capacity, effects development. “In understanding local attitudes and behavior
related to work, traditions of public participation, social support and
association can lead to more effective development.” ‘Taking culture
seriously’ is an important consideration in development.
www.comminit.com/materials/ma2004/materials-1408.html
Engaging Culture in
Development
“How does culture
effect development and how can it be constructively engaged?
Who wants to understand culture and why? Development practitioners are
increasingly asking these questions and recognizing that culture influences
development efforts in a variety of ways.” Edward Hall’s ‘Culture is
Communication and Communication is Culture’ poses and interesting analysis of
these questions.
www.comminit.com/experiences/pds122004/experiences-2847.html
2. ICT:
ICTs to Help Disadvantaged Groups Help Themselves
From the Executive Summary: “The
findings outlined in this report focus on disadvantaged groups within countries.
These groups represent communities that are least likely to have access to ICTs
and least likely to have the essential skills and knowledge required.”
topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027385?intcmp=700
3.
MACHREQ/MAGHREB/(Lebanon):
Corporate Governance in MENA
countries: Improving Transparency and Disclosure
“This publication is a
summary of the proceedings, presentations and discussions made at the second
MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Regional Corporate Governance Forum held in
June 2004 in Beirut, Lebanon. PDF, 129pp.”
http://auto.search.msn.com/response.asp?MT=topics.developmentgateway.org/businessenvironment/rc/ItemDetail.do~1028042%3Fintcmp%3d700&srch=5&prov=&utf8
Information Communication Technology: Trends and Policies in the Maghreb
“This paper is an
analysis of the fears and challenges facing the introduction and application of
ICTs in the MENA region particularly the Maghreb countries, (Algeria, Morocco
and Tunisia).” It examines the conditions and requirements which made it
possible for ICTs to successfully work in the region.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027515?intcmps=700
Policies for Skill
Formation and Unemployment Reduction
“As a part of ESCWA
efforts a study was conducted on ‘The Economic and
Social Vision and the Impact of
Monetary Policies in Lebanon.’ This study presents a preliminary framework to
deal with social policies so as to assist policy makers in Lebanon to develop
a social vision that is of great importance in promoting economic and social
development.” http://www.escwa.org.lb/
3. YOUTH & CHILDREN:
Afghanistan: UNICEF Helps Demobilize 4,000 Child Soldiers
It is quite surprising
how many child soldiers are still in Afghanistan; UNICEF is trying to change
that now: “4,000 children from 15 Afghan provinces were demobilized under
UNICEF’s Child Soldiers Demobilization and Reintegration Program.” The results
have been very successful and promising.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/youth/rc/ItemDetail.do~1026793?intcmp=700
4. TRADE/ECONOMICS/FINANCE:
Knowledge to Raise Incomes
“Poor people can turn
their knowledge into higher incomes by using modern methods to protect and
market it, says a new World Bank study. Until now, the perspective has been
largely defined as protecting knowledge overwhelmingly owned by developed
countries, through the WTO Agreement on the Trade Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights, or TRIPS. However, a new series of case studies
compiled in the Bank study, titled “Poor People’s Knowledge: Promoting
Intellectual Property in Developing Countries,” explores the ground that TRIPS
left uncharted by highlighting knowledge that poor communities have available
and use for development and productivity.”
http://publications.worldbank.org/ecommerce/
Road to Ruin: Afghanistan’s
Booming Opium Industry (Center for International Cooperation)
“This paper authored by Barry Rubin
(October 2004) examines the historical context of Afghanistan’s opium industry,
its current nature, and the past missteps of the United States and the rest of
the international community in addressing the narcotics threat.”
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/businessenvironment/rc/ItemDetail.do~1026646?intcmp=700
World Trade Agreements
Threaten Cultural Diversity
“The Power of Culture
Website reports that trade agreements made by the World Trade Organization,
including the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) are oriented toward
liberalization of the global market, including the cultural sector of the
market.”
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/businessenvironment/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027028?intcmp=700
1. NGOs:
Independent Women’s Foundation:
Women, Iraq and Democracy
In promoting women’s
empowerment the Independent Women’s Foundation view the election in Iraq, which
is scheduled for January 30, 2005 as an opportunity for women to become
politically involved. “Not only is it crucial that women actively vote it is
also crucial that they run for office.” The foundation promotes women’s
involvement in the political process as a way to be active citizens of a new
socio-political state structure.
http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=topics.gateway.org%2Fgender%2Frc%2FItemDetail.do%7E1027796%3Fintcmp%3D700&FORM=DNSERR
Private Sector Starts Up Jerusalem’s Economy
“StartUp Jerusalem, an organization
that aims at creating an economic future for Jerusalem, launched a
comprehensive plan for transforming the city into a major international center
for industry in the health and life sciences. “http://topics.developmentgateway.org/businessenvironment/rc/ItemDetail.do~1028084?intcmp=700
2. GENDER & TRADE:
Multimedia Gender Training Kit
“This gender training
kit gives you an opportunity to upgrade your knowledge and skills in the crucial
area of gender and development. If you are already engaged in gender training
or want to be a good trainer you can sign up.”http://topics.developmentgateway.org/elearning/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027303?intcmp=%20700
1. ICT:
Briefing Kit on
E-Commerce for Micro and Small Enterprises in Africa
Find out about ICT use by MSEs,
includes: definitions, benefits, constraints,
trends and websites.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027220?intcmp=700
ICT4E Program: Research on Programs
and Practices for ICTs in Education by School Net Africa
“SchoolNet Africa is
currently researching the value of programs and practices aimed at informing and
improving school networking practice in Africa.”
topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027616?intcmp=700
Development e-Brief
Information Sources
Development e-Brief receives and comprises of material from various sources for its publication. Should you wish to refer to these sources/ sites directly, the list includes publications from: AVIVA , www.aviva.org , AWID: www.awid.org , Democracy Digest: www.freedomhouse.org , Development Gateway: www.developmentgatway.org , Dignity: www.dignity.org , e-Civicus: www.civicus.org , Eldis: www.eldis.org , ESCWA: www.escwa.org.lb , GDB: www.developmentex.com , Global Knowledge Partnership: www.globalknowledge.org , IGTN: www.IGTN.org , ILO: www.ilo.org One World: www.oneworld.net , Siyanda: www.siyanda.org , The Daily Star: www.dailystar.com.lb , The Drum Beat: www.comminit.com , The Soul Beat: www.comminit.com , The World Bank: www.worldbank.org , UNDP: www.undp.org , Wicejilist: www.wicej.addr.com , WLP: www.learningpartnership.org
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