A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
The Best-Kept Secrets - the Military's - Danilo Valladares, IPS News, Feb 2, 2010
Government records regarding the more than 20,000 victims of the civil war will be declassified. The civil war was instigated by the CIA-organized dictatorship that began in 1954.
India
Social security system in India: an international comparative analysis - R.K. Jha & S. Bhattacharyya, Eldis,Munich Personal RePEc Archive, 2010
The comparison highlights how India's unique make-up leaves the country lacking when it comes to social security.
Mexico
Calderon Says Mexico Violence Stoked by U.S. Weapons - Patrick Harrington, Bloomberg News, Feb 2, 2010
Mexico is known for its violence and drug trafficking. President Calderon comments that Mexico is "right next to the biggest drug consumer in the world."
Nepal
Communities Take Up Cudgels for Forest Conservation - Damakant Jayshi, IPS News, Feb 2, 2010
Community forestry is taking an important role in halting deforestation. There are about 15,000 such groups in Nepal. They set aside what can be used and what should be conserved, and their efforts are showing results.
South Africa
Lack of staff to blame for beach pollution - Anel Lewis, IOL, Feb 2 2010
Raw sewage is being released into rivers. Who's to blame? An estimated 80 posts are vacant at the utilities office, which is especially surprising in a place where there's such a lack of jobs.
Zimbabwe
One Million Casualties of Land Reform - Ann Hellman, IPS News, Jan 25, 2010
Many farm workers originally supported the reform, having been assured that the land would be returned to the people. This has yet to happen, and in the meantime they're unemployed.
Guatemala
Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo Arrested - BBC News, Jan 26, 2010
The Guatemalan authorities have captured former President Alfonso Portillo, who is wanted in the US on money-laundering charges.
India
Fund crunch hits midday meal plan in Prakasam - Deccan Chronicle, Jan 25, 2010
Seven years ago the government started a meal plan for school children. The funding, however, isn't enough to cover the costs and the program has been running on credit. The cooking agencies have been promised an infusion of funds.
Mexico
Wal-Mart Unveils Largest PV Installation in Latin America - Jan 20, 2009
More than 1000 panels will provide 20% of the energy used.
Nepal
Why are so many women killing themselves? - IRIN News, Jan 21, 2010
Suicide has slowly crept up the charts to become the number one cause of death amongst women. The complex issues surrounding this phenomenon have not been explored, and there seems to be no interest in funding such a study. Accidents are the second leading cause of death.
South Africa
A day in the life of a sex worker - IRIN News, Jan 22, 2010
Though illegal and dangerous, many women turn to prostitution because of lack of options. The women deal with rape, HIV and police taking their money. There is optimism about increased business during the World Cup, and worry about more competition.
Zimbabwe
Hope and crops scorched again - IRIN News, Jan 26, 2010
Continuing droughts are threatening the supply of one of Zimbabwe’s staple foods. It is estimated that about half of the maize will be lost this season. Relief agencies believe millions of Zimbabweans will require food aid once more.
Guatemala
Assassinations Continue in Guatemala - by International Trade Union Confederation, Jan 19, 2010
Evelinda Ramírez Reyes, leader of the resistance front, was assassinated on January 13th while heading home after meeting with government officials regarding the restoration of Constitutional guarantees. The International Trade Union Confederation condemns the impunity and frequency with which social and trade union leaders are assassinated.
India
Lokayukta slams mining in Karnataka's forests - India Together, Jan 17 2010
The Karnataka Lokayukta was established in 1984 specifically for investigating questionable administrative actions. Their report denounces the illegal practices still in effect even when miners receive government approval. Over 1000 hectares of forests have been illegally lost to "encroachment."
Mexico
Journalist kidnapped in Sinaloa state was tortured and shot - Jan 6, 2010
The body of José Luis Romero was found two weeks after his kidnapping. Officials say it appears to be an organized crime killing. The Reporters Without Borders press freedom index ranks Mexico as 137th out of 175 countries.
Nepal
Despite fragility of Nepal's peace process, UN envoy voices cautious optimism - UN, Jan 15, 2010
Recent progress in Nepal's ongoing peace talks have people feeling optimistic, but the real test will be whether all parties follow through. Overall there is still a prevailing feeling of tension and mistrust amongst the three major parties.
South Africa
2010: South Africa's upside down world - Dale T. McKinley, Jan 14, 2010
An article questioning "the amount of work, money, media coverage and public propaganda expended in the last few years" over the upcoming World Cup. It critiques the government spending billions to cater to tourists while the country struggles along without adequate schools, food or shelter.
Zimbabwe
Talks Delayed Again As Zanu PF Negotiators Fail to Pitch - Tichaona Sibanda, Jan 18, 2010
The failure of Zimbabwe's three political parties to meet for discussions has the people restless. There is talk of a new election to resolve the apparent stalemate
Guatemala
Angels in Guatemala: Confronting a Legacy of Official Terror - by Susan Fitzpatrick-Behrens, Upside Down World, Jan 6, 2010
Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom publicly accepts a UN report that was originally rejected in 1999. The UN's Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH) condemned the genocide perpetrated against the Maya people. The President apologized during a "Day of Dignity for the Victims of the Internal Armed Conflict."
India
DISPLACED BY THE DAM: A lifetime's harvest - India Together, Jan 5, 2010
After a lifelong struggle to slowly accumulate and farm his piece of land, Sitaram Paditar will lose it all to a proposed 455-foot dam. He still doesn't understand why he will not receive compensation from the government, and has been fighting the proposal for decades.
Mexico
A Tough Year Ahead - by Emilio Godoy, IPS News, Jan 5, 2010
In an attempt to close the 23 billion dollar deficit, the government started the year off by increasing the cost of basic goods like sugar, bread, beans and fuel. The year 2009 is described as "disastrous," and 2010 is also expected to be rough on the Mexican people.
Nepal
Rehabilitation challenge for child soldiers - IRIN News, Jan 12, 2010
As part of the ongoing peace process in Nepal as many as 3,000 young soldiers have been discharged from the Maoist army. They have been offered four different rehabilitation options, including schooling and small business training.
South Africa
Parents rush to register children for school - by Latoya Newman, IOL News, Jan 12, 2010
The great school-year rush had many children wait listed. Officials are scrambling to make sure schools will be ready to run smoothly from the first day.
Zimbabwe
AfriForum fights for Zimbabwe farmers - IOL News, Jan 12, 2010
AfriForum, a civil rights movement, has launched the first legal step to try to stop the Zimbabwe government from the land grab that is chasing white farmers off the lands and homes. Farm invaders have continued to assault and prosecute farmers who resist giving up their land.
Have you ever been curious about joining a board? Want to get more involved with IDEX and other local non-profits? Then join us at Board Match this Tuesday, Jan 12.
The Board Match event is the best way to explore nonprofit board membership in the Bay Area. Over 100 Bay Area nonprofits are waiting to meet you from 4:30 – 7:30 pm at The Board Match on January 12, 2010 at Moscone Center South, Howard Street between Third and Fourth Streets in San Francisco.
Come talk to nonprofit leaders about serving on their organization’s board of directors. You can also attend a free orientation about nonprofit board service before or after The Board Match. Visit www.theboardmatch.org or call 415-982-8999 or 650-235-3550 for more information.
When: Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 12.30 p.m.
Where: IDEX, 827 Valencia Street, San Francisco CA 94110
RSVP: For questions and to RSVP, please contact Joanna Levitt by email joanna@accountabilityproject.org, or phhone (415) 659-0555.
Sao Sotheary, a human rights activist from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, currently serves at the Program Manager for the Community Empowerment and Legal Awareness program of Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia (BABSEA).
Sotheary is deeply committed to promoting housing and land rights, and challenging the exploding rates of illegal land-grabbing and forced evictions that are devastating so many communities across Cambodia. She also has significant experience in grassroots advocacy for women's rights, sexual health education, and domestic violence prevention. Sotheary believes that women's rights and well-being must be an integral part of the movement for land and housing rights, and for development justice.
Sotheary is an author, editor and lead community trainer for the recently published Cambodian Guide to Defending your Land & Housing Rights --a 3-volume book of curriculum designed for community-led workshops in areas threatened by eviction and displacement in the name of development. The Guide is a collaborative initiative of BABSEA, the Centre on Housing Rights & Evictions (COHRE), and San Francisco-based International Accountability Project (IAP).
Sotheary will speak about the current status of land rights and forced evictions in Cambodia, and her work in building a network of grassroots trainers mobilizing communities to hold on to their land and homes, and to demand development that upholds their fundamental human rights.
This is Sotheary's first trip to the United States, and she is particularly interested to meet colleagues from organizations here in the Bay Area that are addressing similar issues. Please RSVP if you are interested to attend, and feel free to pass this notice along to interested friends and colleagues. Thank you!
December 1, is World Aids Day and with GlobalGiving's matching grant program there has never been a better time to donate to IDEX partner, Positive Women's Network (PWN), in South Africa.
PWN provides HIV-positive women with: women-led support groups to address stigma; grief counseling; workshops on treatment literacy, reproductive health and nutrition; and opportunities for income-generating projects. These are women like Gladys, who turned to PWN for support and now looks to a brighter future.
PWN and their founder, Prudence Mabele, are featured in UNAIDS Outlook 2010. See the full presentation here.
Donate now to PWN via IDEX's funding partner GlobalGiving and take advantage of matching funds available. The matching challenge ends on Dec 1 so give now.
Guatemala
The Best-Kept Secrets - the Military's - Danilo Valladares, IPS News, Feb 2, 2010
Government records regarding the more than 20,000 victims of the civil war will be declassified. The civil war was instigated by the CIA-organized dictatorship that began in 1954.
India
Social security system in India: an international comparative analysis - R.K. Jha & S. Bhattacharyya, Eldis,Munich Personal RePEc Archive, 2010
The comparison highlights how India's unique make-up leaves the country lacking when it comes to social security.
Mexico
Calderon Says Mexico Violence Stoked by U.S. Weapons - Patrick Harrington, Bloomberg News, Feb 2, 2010
Mexico is known for its violence and drug trafficking. President Calderon comments that Mexico is "right next to the biggest drug consumer in the world."
Nepal
Communities Take Up Cudgels for Forest Conservation - Damakant Jayshi, IPS News, Feb 2, 2010
Community forestry is taking an important role in halting deforestation. There are about 15,000 such groups in Nepal. They set aside what can be used and what should be conserved, and their efforts are showing results.
South Africa
Lack of staff to blame for beach pollution - Anel Lewis, IOL, Feb 2 2010
Raw sewage is being released into rivers. Who's to blame? An estimated 80 posts are vacant at the utilities office, which is especially surprising in a place where there's such a lack of jobs.
Zimbabwe
One Million Casualties of Land Reform - Ann Hellman, IPS News, Jan 25, 2010
Many farm workers originally supported the reform, having been assured that the land would be returned to the people. This has yet to happen, and in the meantime they're unemployed.
Labels: Guatemala, India, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, Zimbabwe
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.Guatemala
Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo Arrested - BBC News, Jan 26, 2010
The Guatemalan authorities have captured former President Alfonso Portillo, who is wanted in the US on money-laundering charges.
India
Fund crunch hits midday meal plan in Prakasam - Deccan Chronicle, Jan 25, 2010
Seven years ago the government started a meal plan for school children. The funding, however, isn't enough to cover the costs and the program has been running on credit. The cooking agencies have been promised an infusion of funds.
Mexico
Wal-Mart Unveils Largest PV Installation in Latin America - Jan 20, 2009
More than 1000 panels will provide 20% of the energy used.
Nepal
Why are so many women killing themselves? - IRIN News, Jan 21, 2010
Suicide has slowly crept up the charts to become the number one cause of death amongst women. The complex issues surrounding this phenomenon have not been explored, and there seems to be no interest in funding such a study. Accidents are the second leading cause of death.
South Africa
A day in the life of a sex worker - IRIN News, Jan 22, 2010
Though illegal and dangerous, many women turn to prostitution because of lack of options. The women deal with rape, HIV and police taking their money. There is optimism about increased business during the World Cup, and worry about more competition.
Zimbabwe
Hope and crops scorched again - IRIN News, Jan 26, 2010
Continuing droughts are threatening the supply of one of Zimbabwe’s staple foods. It is estimated that about half of the maize will be lost this season. Relief agencies believe millions of Zimbabweans will require food aid once more.
Labels: Guatemala, IDEX NewsFlash, India, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, Zimbabwe
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.Guatemala
Assassinations Continue in Guatemala - by International Trade Union Confederation, Jan 19, 2010
Evelinda Ramírez Reyes, leader of the resistance front, was assassinated on January 13th while heading home after meeting with government officials regarding the restoration of Constitutional guarantees. The International Trade Union Confederation condemns the impunity and frequency with which social and trade union leaders are assassinated.
India
Lokayukta slams mining in Karnataka's forests - India Together, Jan 17 2010
The Karnataka Lokayukta was established in 1984 specifically for investigating questionable administrative actions. Their report denounces the illegal practices still in effect even when miners receive government approval. Over 1000 hectares of forests have been illegally lost to "encroachment."
Mexico
Journalist kidnapped in Sinaloa state was tortured and shot - Jan 6, 2010
The body of José Luis Romero was found two weeks after his kidnapping. Officials say it appears to be an organized crime killing. The Reporters Without Borders press freedom index ranks Mexico as 137th out of 175 countries.
Nepal
Despite fragility of Nepal's peace process, UN envoy voices cautious optimism - UN, Jan 15, 2010
Recent progress in Nepal's ongoing peace talks have people feeling optimistic, but the real test will be whether all parties follow through. Overall there is still a prevailing feeling of tension and mistrust amongst the three major parties.
South Africa
2010: South Africa's upside down world - Dale T. McKinley, Jan 14, 2010
An article questioning "the amount of work, money, media coverage and public propaganda expended in the last few years" over the upcoming World Cup. It critiques the government spending billions to cater to tourists while the country struggles along without adequate schools, food or shelter.
Zimbabwe
Talks Delayed Again As Zanu PF Negotiators Fail to Pitch - Tichaona Sibanda, Jan 18, 2010
The failure of Zimbabwe's three political parties to meet for discussions has the people restless. There is talk of a new election to resolve the apparent stalemate
Labels: Guatemala, IDEX NewsFlash, India, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, Zimbabwe
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.Guatemala
Angels in Guatemala: Confronting a Legacy of Official Terror - by Susan Fitzpatrick-Behrens, Upside Down World, Jan 6, 2010
Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom publicly accepts a UN report that was originally rejected in 1999. The UN's Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH) condemned the genocide perpetrated against the Maya people. The President apologized during a "Day of Dignity for the Victims of the Internal Armed Conflict."
India
DISPLACED BY THE DAM: A lifetime's harvest - India Together, Jan 5, 2010
After a lifelong struggle to slowly accumulate and farm his piece of land, Sitaram Paditar will lose it all to a proposed 455-foot dam. He still doesn't understand why he will not receive compensation from the government, and has been fighting the proposal for decades.
Mexico
A Tough Year Ahead - by Emilio Godoy, IPS News, Jan 5, 2010
In an attempt to close the 23 billion dollar deficit, the government started the year off by increasing the cost of basic goods like sugar, bread, beans and fuel. The year 2009 is described as "disastrous," and 2010 is also expected to be rough on the Mexican people.
Nepal
Rehabilitation challenge for child soldiers - IRIN News, Jan 12, 2010
As part of the ongoing peace process in Nepal as many as 3,000 young soldiers have been discharged from the Maoist army. They have been offered four different rehabilitation options, including schooling and small business training.
South Africa
Parents rush to register children for school - by Latoya Newman, IOL News, Jan 12, 2010
The great school-year rush had many children wait listed. Officials are scrambling to make sure schools will be ready to run smoothly from the first day.
Zimbabwe
AfriForum fights for Zimbabwe farmers - IOL News, Jan 12, 2010
AfriForum, a civil rights movement, has launched the first legal step to try to stop the Zimbabwe government from the land grab that is chasing white farmers off the lands and homes. Farm invaders have continued to assault and prosecute farmers who resist giving up their land.
Labels: Guatemala, India, Mexico, Nepal, Newsflash, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Have you ever been curious about joining a board? Want to get more involved with IDEX and other local non-profits? Then join us at Board Match this Tuesday, Jan 12.The Board Match event is the best way to explore nonprofit board membership in the Bay Area. Over 100 Bay Area nonprofits are waiting to meet you from 4:30 – 7:30 pm at The Board Match on January 12, 2010 at Moscone Center South, Howard Street between Third and Fourth Streets in San Francisco.
Come talk to nonprofit leaders about serving on their organization’s board of directors. You can also attend a free orientation about nonprofit board service before or after The Board Match. Visit www.theboardmatch.org or call 415-982-8999 or 650-235-3550 for more information.
Labels: Board Match, Volunteer
Join us for a Brownbag Lunch and Presentation by Cambodian Land Rights Activist, Sao Sotheary. Co-hosted by the International Accountability Project (IAP) & IDEX (International Development Exchange).When: Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 12.30 p.m.
Where: IDEX, 827 Valencia Street, San Francisco CA 94110
RSVP: For questions and to RSVP, please contact Joanna Levitt by email joanna@accountabilityproject.org, or phhone (415) 659-0555.
Sao Sotheary, a human rights activist from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, currently serves at the Program Manager for the Community Empowerment and Legal Awareness program of Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia (BABSEA).
Sotheary is deeply committed to promoting housing and land rights, and challenging the exploding rates of illegal land-grabbing and forced evictions that are devastating so many communities across Cambodia. She also has significant experience in grassroots advocacy for women's rights, sexual health education, and domestic violence prevention. Sotheary believes that women's rights and well-being must be an integral part of the movement for land and housing rights, and for development justice.
Sotheary is an author, editor and lead community trainer for the recently published Cambodian Guide to Defending your Land & Housing Rights --a 3-volume book of curriculum designed for community-led workshops in areas threatened by eviction and displacement in the name of development. The Guide is a collaborative initiative of BABSEA, the Centre on Housing Rights & Evictions (COHRE), and San Francisco-based International Accountability Project (IAP).
Sotheary will speak about the current status of land rights and forced evictions in Cambodia, and her work in building a network of grassroots trainers mobilizing communities to hold on to their land and homes, and to demand development that upholds their fundamental human rights.
This is Sotheary's first trip to the United States, and she is particularly interested to meet colleagues from organizations here in the Bay Area that are addressing similar issues. Please RSVP if you are interested to attend, and feel free to pass this notice along to interested friends and colleagues. Thank you!
Labels: Cambodia, Events, Land rights
December 1, is World Aids Day and with GlobalGiving's matching grant program there has never been a better time to donate to IDEX partner, Positive Women's Network (PWN), in South Africa.PWN provides HIV-positive women with: women-led support groups to address stigma; grief counseling; workshops on treatment literacy, reproductive health and nutrition; and opportunities for income-generating projects. These are women like Gladys, who turned to PWN for support and now looks to a brighter future.
PWN and their founder, Prudence Mabele, are featured in UNAIDS Outlook 2010. See the full presentation here.
Donate now to PWN via IDEX's funding partner GlobalGiving and take advantage of matching funds available. The matching challenge ends on Dec 1 so give now.
Labels: AIDS, PWN, South Africa
Blog Archive
Blogs We Like
- America’s Mexico Blog
- Change.org – Global Health
- Change.org – Social Entrepreneurship
- Change.org – Women’s Rights
- Change.org – Global Warming
- Change.org – Sustainable Food
- Civil Eats Food Access
- GlobalGiving
- Good Magazine
- Guatemala Solidarity Network
- Mexico Today
- Mimundo.org
- Need Humanitarian Magazine
- Our World 2.0
- Raj Patel’s Blog
- Sokanwele Zimbabwe
- Women’s Net Blog – South Africa
- Zimbabwe Women’s Voices
