A weekly summary of breaking news from countries IDEX works in: Guatemala, India, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Guatemala
What Price for Good Coffee? - Time Magazine, 09/25/09
Fair Trade model has been heralded as the defining success story in market-based economic solutions to poverty. Today, even the coffee retailer mega-giant Starbucks is on board with this trendy new concept. Although a fine concept, the current prices for fair trade today are still not enough to lift Guatemalan farmers across the poverty line.
India
India Lawsuits Used to Shrink India’s Maternal Deaths Today – Women’s ENews, 09/25/09
India currently has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world at 300 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. According to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, India had pledged to reduce maternal mortality down to 200 by 2007, and 109 by 2015, but such numbers are unrealistic. In an effort to combat maternal mortality from new angles, some Indian NGO’s are trying to file law suits if the state does not meet it’s promises articulated in the government’s National Rural Health Mission.
Mexico
Mexico's Slim, Grameen Bank Launch Microfinance Venture - Wall Street Journal, 9/25/09
The success of microfinance in Bangladesh and around the world has led Mexico billionaire Carlos Slim to adapt the idea in partnership with Muhammad Yunnus in Mexico. Mr. Slim is launching a microfinance company, and hopes to make more than 100,000 loans in the company’s first five years.
Nepal
World Bank announces $130 Million for Education in Nepal – AllHeadlineNews.com, 9/24/09
Nepal's School Sector Reform Program has just been approved this Wednesday, and is the main vehicle for the implementation of the Nepal government's National Program of Action. This program will cost roughly 2.6 billion dollars to implement over the next five years, and World Bank has just approved partly funding it with a grant of $130 million.
South Africa
South African Children push for better schools – NY Times, 9/24/09
In a march that mirrored yesterday’s University of California protest against fee hikes and staff layoffs, young South Africans came out in droves to demand better educational infrastructure. Currently, many schools are tattered, with few libraries. This is what the South African youth wish to change, and are protesting at the halls of government to make it happen.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe to import 350,000 tonnes of wheat – Reuters, 09/15/09
The Zimbabwean Government must import huge quantities of cereals in order to provide grains to its public. Cereal plantings in Zimbabwe have been on a downward trend due to financial shortfalls and fertilizer shortages. The government has launched a $200 million program to help farmers secure more seed and fertilizer.
Guatemala
What Price for Good Coffee? - Time Magazine, 09/25/09
Fair Trade model has been heralded as the defining success story in market-based economic solutions to poverty. Today, even the coffee retailer mega-giant Starbucks is on board with this trendy new concept. Although a fine concept, the current prices for fair trade today are still not enough to lift Guatemalan farmers across the poverty line.
India
India Lawsuits Used to Shrink India’s Maternal Deaths Today – Women’s ENews, 09/25/09
India currently has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world at 300 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. According to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, India had pledged to reduce maternal mortality down to 200 by 2007, and 109 by 2015, but such numbers are unrealistic. In an effort to combat maternal mortality from new angles, some Indian NGO’s are trying to file law suits if the state does not meet it’s promises articulated in the government’s National Rural Health Mission.
Mexico
Mexico's Slim, Grameen Bank Launch Microfinance Venture - Wall Street Journal, 9/25/09
The success of microfinance in Bangladesh and around the world has led Mexico billionaire Carlos Slim to adapt the idea in partnership with Muhammad Yunnus in Mexico. Mr. Slim is launching a microfinance company, and hopes to make more than 100,000 loans in the company’s first five years.
Nepal
World Bank announces $130 Million for Education in Nepal – AllHeadlineNews.com, 9/24/09
Nepal's School Sector Reform Program has just been approved this Wednesday, and is the main vehicle for the implementation of the Nepal government's National Program of Action. This program will cost roughly 2.6 billion dollars to implement over the next five years, and World Bank has just approved partly funding it with a grant of $130 million.
South Africa
South African Children push for better schools – NY Times, 9/24/09
In a march that mirrored yesterday’s University of California protest against fee hikes and staff layoffs, young South Africans came out in droves to demand better educational infrastructure. Currently, many schools are tattered, with few libraries. This is what the South African youth wish to change, and are protesting at the halls of government to make it happen.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe to import 350,000 tonnes of wheat – Reuters, 09/15/09
The Zimbabwean Government must import huge quantities of cereals in order to provide grains to its public. Cereal plantings in Zimbabwe have been on a downward trend due to financial shortfalls and fertilizer shortages. The government has launched a $200 million program to help farmers secure more seed and fertilizer.
Labels: Guatemala, IDEX NewsFlash, India, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, Zimbabwe
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