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Global ChallengesDevelopment & AidJuly 28, 2010 | Politics, Globalization, and the Food Crisis DiscourseBernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero: The globalization of food security discourse is a product of discursive processes. By putting together and analyzing the factors influencing the problem, such as politics, international relations, globalization, trade, and even culture, a new perspective can be gained. …More July 20, 2010 | Japanese Society and Politics: Unraveling an Unsolvable PuzzleKevin Calonne: The recent resignation of the Japanese Prime Minister demonstrates how little hope there is for dissolving the iron triangle and its stranglehold on Japanese politics. The Democratic Party of Japan must urgently deal with the overwhelming bureaucracy, if its government is to succeed. …More July 13, 2010 | Africa Needs an Online Index of Aid EffectivenessMemo 24: Greater transparency is crucial to improve foreign aid to Sub-Saharan Africa. An index of aid effectiveness should be put online, featuring details on aid expenditures and the outcomes of programs. Those programs that fail to produce results should get phased out. …More June 24, 2010 | The African Governance CrisisNikolina-Romana Milunovic: The reason for sub-Saharan Africa’s poor economic performance is the weak system of public administration. Through generalized and unfitting reform movements, the international community has strengthened the status quo of underdevelopment in African LDCs. …More June 15, 2010 | World Cup: Hope for South AfricaJordan Brown: If South Africa manages to host a smooth World Cup, the ripple effects could be very positive for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. A positive portrayal of South Africa in the world media would help attract tourists and foreign investment. South African prosperity would boost economic development in the region. …More June 10, 2010 | Afghanistan: Misreading the Fields - AgainOlga Kolesnichenko: The Afghan economy is failing. As the international community and NATO strive to rescue the country, they should focus on developing agriculture. Outlawing poppy will solve nothing. New plants need to be introduced in the country, perhaps even genetically modified plants. …More June 4, 2010 | Advocacy and Transparency as Levers for Aid EffectivenessClaudia Schwegmann: It is not the lack of knowledge that hampers development aid, but the structure of incentives within the aid system. Aid transparency and civil society engagement are key levers for addressing these problems and improving aid effectiveness. …More June 1, 2010 | End the Vulture Culture: An Empirical Analysis of the Issue FramingCatherine Mann: This dissertation was completed as part of an MSc in Global Governance and Ethics, and investigates the way that NGOs attempt to generate public support to create political pressure. …More May 20, 2010 | New Turks Are Needed to Achieve a New TurkeyHovsep Khurshudyan: The West should not lose the chance to get actively involved in helping to modernize the Turkish nation. Former Sovietologists can provide valuable insight in dealing with Turkey since its working mechanisms are similar to those of the former Soviet Union. …More May 11, 2010 | Haiti Needs a Legit ElectionHaiti was supposed to elect a new Parliament but the February earthquake rendered that impossible. ++Tomorrow the current Parliament will end and the country will enter a period of uncertainty, “with enormous obstacles to overcome for a transparent, …More April 27, 2010 | NATO Ministers Launch Afghan First PolicyNATO: The Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tallinn marked the launch of the NATO Afghan First Policy aimed at increasing NATO-ISAF’s support for the local economy in Afghanistan. The policy aims at facilitating the procurement of local goods and services through simplified bidding and contracting procedures in Afghanistan. This will allow qualified and certified Afghan firms to run as prime competitors for NATO-ISAF contracts. …More April 8, 2010 | How to Clog the Brain DrainG. Pascal Zachary: To stimulate growth and development in Africa, governments and international organizations to reverse the negative consequences of the “brain drain.” Aid donors should tap into the underutilized knowledge of Africans living outside of Africa when trying to craft aid plans. …More April 8, 2010 | The Political Obstacles to Poverty AlleviationTeddy Brett: Poor governance poses a huge obstacle for aid donors. Donor attempts to avoid getting involved in the political processes of recipient nations has prevented many aid programs from reaching their intended goals. …More April 7, 2010 | Need for a New Paris DeclarationCecilie Wathne: Any follow up to the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action must address the obstacles that prevent aid from being more effective. A new declaration should set tangible and measurable goals. Donors need to think outside of the box for new ways to improve aid. …More April 6, 2010 | Time for the US to Curb Aid to IsraelThe growing rift between the US and Israel has exposed diverging “goals, expectations, and national interests.” ++ The US gives billions of dollars annually to Israel in military aid. ++ The best thing for the allies would be to cut …More April 6, 2010 | Local Solutions to Africa's Aid ProblemsGregory Adams: As Obama has noted, Africa’s future is up to Africans. Many issues with foreign aid step from programs working independently of citizens. US Policy needs to support the African people. Donors should be working more directly with African governments and civil society. …More April 2, 2010 | Promoting Development Through an Exit StrategyMalcolm McPherson: Western funds have made African countries aid addicted. For African governments to take their development and future into their own hands, a ten-year aid exit strategy needs to be put in place. …More April 1, 2010 | Spotlight on TransparencyOwen Barder: The concept of natural selection should be applied to aid programs so that only the most effective ones continue to be used. An increase in transparency and information about aid programs will benefit both donors and recipients. The International Aid Transparency Initiative is an important step by donor governments. …More March 31, 2010 | Six Ways to Improve Aid EffectivenessLawrence Haddad: Fundamental issues need to be dealt with for aid to Africa to be improved. Donors need to address recipient accountability and allow for greater transparency. Western bodies should also better coordinate their efforts and talk more realistically about the successes and challenges of aid. …More March 31, 2010 | A New Course for Western Aid to AfricaEditorial Team: While Western governments and organizations have devoted billions of dollars toward Sub-Saharan Africa since de-colonization, chronic poverty and underdevelopment still plague the continent. How can Western aid be improved to give Africans the best chance to live up to their fullest potential? …More March 18, 2010 | German Aid Leaves Much to Be DesiredGermany has failed to keep its aid pledges to developing countries. ++ It has fallen short of both EU and UN aid requirements. ++ “In the international community, Germans are now seen as masters of the empty promise.” ++ Aid in Germany is no …More March 16, 2010 | Immigration Policy as a Development ToolThe sad truth of the matter is that global income distribution in the year 2010 looks not so very different from that under the Apartheid regime in South Africa. In spite of a myriad of development projects, there is still a great chasm …More March 12, 2010 | A Renewed Commitment to the MDGsMuch progress has been made in the last decade in the area of international development, yet right now the developed world needs to re-affirm and strengthen its commitment to the Millenium Development Goals. ++ With enough effort, millions of people …More February 19, 2010 | Soccer Star Pushes Countries to Meet MDG TargetsFrench soccer star and UN Goodwill Amb. Zinedine Zidane is trying to raise support and awareness of the MDGs. ++ The financial crisis has set back the efforts of Asian countries to meet MDG targets. ++ The Asian Development Bank …More January 26, 2010 | Tobin-Tax RevivalHaiti reminds us of our common responsibility to help poor countries in both short and long terms. ++ The climate crisis and the Millennium Development Goals push us to fulfill our duties. ++ The UK will do more by giving out 0.7% of its GDP in aid. Still new …More January 22, 2010 | World Hunger on the Rise, Says the UNWorld hunger and poverty have risen over the past decade as the wealth gap has widened due largely to the World Food Crisis of 2008 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2009. ++ Developing countries have tried to liberalize and globalize …More January 20, 2010 | The US Does Not Beat About the BushArmy, marine and government cabinets have all been requisitioned to ensure a quick response. ++ After the mismanagement of Katrina and a foreseeable mass movement of Haitian boats towards Florida, the US is pushing its “moral …More January 18, 2010 | Responding to HaitiThe dismal response by the EU to the crisis in Haiti shows the stark contrast between the “world superpower” and the United States. ++ Within hours of the earthquake, the US had already gotten the Port-au-Prince airport functioning and landed, among …More January 14, 2010 | Do the Benefits of Economic Growth Favor the Rich?Jay Thomas Chittooran: This paper focuses on the relationship between economic growth and income distribution. Previous attempts to study this relationship have ignored, for the most part, government social spending aimed at the redistribution of wealth. …More December 21, 2009 | Now is the Time for PeaceUN resolutions, Geneva conventions, previous regional agreements, the Arab Peace Initiative, and official national policies are all being ignored to the detriment of those under siege in the Gaza strip. ++ The EU recently restated the requirements for …More December 3, 2009 | North Korea Going HungryNorth Korea needs to stop trying in vain to feed itself. ++ Given its population and agriculture, it is impossible to grow enough domestically. ++ Investing in industry would bring in foreign currencies with which foodstuffs could be imported. ++ …More December 2, 2009 | Falling Short on HIV/AIDSThe Obama administration is not the top of the class when it comes to the global fight against HIV/AIDS. ++ The international effort to curb new infections is working and people are living longer, healthier lives. ++ But AIDS continues to be the leading …More October 9, 2009 | Smallholders to Help Guarantee Food ProductionThe world population will reach nine billion by 2050. The international community will face a daunting task in sustaining such a corresponding rise in consumption. Indeed, it is estimated that the production of foodstuffs worldwide …More October 6, 2009 | Facts on Africa NeededThe launch of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance 2009 highlights the continued lack of comprehensive data with which to assess the continent. ++ Poverty data for large parts of Saharan Africa is non-existent or inadequate and consequently important …More September 14, 2009 | Performance Matters, Challenges for Democracy AssistanceMarc Saxer: Democracy assistance must seek to strengthen confidence in the ability to perform of the democratic model and step up its efforts to highlight, by discursive means, the long-term benefits of the democratic model. …More August 26, 2009 | Hillaryland Under an African SunHillary Clinton’s recent trip to Africa is a huge signal to the continent that it is a priority for US foreign policy. ++ The US Secretary of State has redefined Washington’s diplomacy given the verve with which she has approached the …More August 20, 2009 | Oil Is a Curse For Poor Countries“Poor but resource-rich countries tend to be underdeveloped not despite of their hydrocarbon and mineral riches but because of their resource wealth.” ++ Thus, oil, gold, diamonds and other natural resources make a country poorer. ++ …More July 7, 2009 | Obama: Hard on Israel, Soft on EgyptThe Obama administration’s sternness toward Israel seems over the top considering its friendliness towards Egypt. ++ Both countries receive some of the highest percentages of US Development Aid. ++ Israel “needs little reminder of the …More June 30, 2009 | Haroon Rashid, Independent Directorate of Local GovernanceHaroon Rashid graduated from Ohio University’s College of Communication with a master’s degree in media management. He is currently employed as a strategic communication manager at the Independent Directorate of …More June 29, 2009 | Strong UN Agreement on Crisis a Step ForwardA landmark agreement by all 192 UN states on the financial crisis last week was a small but important step forward as it acknowledges our global interdependence. ++ The UN said “we have allowed economic globalisation to outpace political …More June 22, 2009 | Stopping Rogue States will Take More Than Words“President Obama took office loudly promising to be the anti-George W. Bush of foreign policy,” but what he has received instead is “an education in the reality of global rogues, and how he responds has become a major test of his …More June 15, 2009 | US can no Longer Call All the ShotsThe meeting of the six-nation Shanghai Co-operation Organisation this week will discuss the creation of a new type of financial institution that will challenge the dominance of US-style free markets. ++ This is an opportunity for China, Russia …More June 13, 2009 | Climatic Factors Are Making Poverty Worse for Poor CountriesNikolina-Romana Milunovic: One reason why many least developed countries are locked in poverty is climate. Combined with other factors, climatic factors are resulting in a dramatic global injustice which is presently being ignored. …More June 10, 2009 | Pakistan: EU's Most Pressing Security ChallengeShaun R Gregory: Pakistan is one of the most complex and intractable security problems facing the international community. Its importance in relation to two of world’s most pressing security issues – Islamic terrorism and nuclear proliferation – is difficult to overstate, as are the catastrophic consequences, regionally and internationally, which would follow the collapse of the state. …More June 1, 2009 | Aid Should be Spent on Creating EU of AfricaIn order to achieve the best returns for donor taxpayers and aid recipients, African aid should focus on infrastructure, regional integration, education and health. ++ Regional integration would help African countries compete in the …More May 28, 2009 | Don't Isolate Zimbabwe, They Need Our HelpThe transition in Zimbabwe to a unity government has not been smooth. ++ Western governments have remained “standoffish” despite the progress made by the new government, such as lowering inflation. ++ Human Rights Watch argue that …More May 13, 2009 | European Union and Global Governance: an EvaluationRudi Guraziu: The EU ought to play a greater role in global governance. But in order to achieve that it needs to devise functional institutions for global governance – in effect getting everyone ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’ …More May 8, 2009 | Africa Must Break Free of Aid ShacklesEntrepreneurship, not aid, is the best way for poor nations to end poverty and improve development. ++ Aid engenders poverty, instability and reliance. ++ Help is welcome, but rich nations must have “a head for poor countries, not just a …More May 6, 2009 | Stability in North Africa: Appearances Can Be DeceivingUnlike May 5, 2009 | Dr. Marina Ottaway, Carnegie Endowment for International PeaceBefore joining the Carnegie Endowment, Dr. Ottaway carried out research in Africa and in the Middle East for many years and taught at the University of Addis Ababa, the University of Zambia, the American University …More May 4, 2009 | The Global Disease Challenge: Vote HereEditorial Team: As Swine Flu captures the headlines, it emphasizes the threat posed by global diseases, and the concerted policy action they require. We are inviting you to vote for what you consider the most pressing disease. …More April 28, 2009 | Crisis Threatens Political Progress in UkraineThe causes of the protracted economic and political crisis in Ukraine go deeper than most analysts admit. ++ Ukraine’s government, in the face of economic crisis, is paralyzed. ++ Democratic progress of the Orange Revolution is …More April 27, 2009 | Improved Pandemic Response Does Not Ensure SafetyHealth bureaus and the WHO have swung into action to deal with the Mexican swine flu outbreak. ++ The public health community has learnt to cope with pandemics after an ill-handled outbreak in 1976 and recent avian flu threats. ++ …More April 16, 2009 | Make Institutions Stronger to Stabilize South East AsiaThe unconstitutional rule of Commodore Bainimarama in Fiji and the mayhem in Thailand reinforced the fragility of democracy in South East Asia.++ The problem of young democracies is a lack of restraining institutions to ensure …More April 15, 2009 | Protectionism Is Not the AnswerGovernments must cooperate to stimulate their economies and resist protectionism in response to the economic crisis. ++ Protectionism is short-sighted and could destroy the positive aspects of economic globalization which have encouraged …More April 14, 2009 | US Must Have Less Power Over the IMFWhile the recent pledge by the G20 to increase the resources of the IMF is welcome, the organisation desperately needs to restructure and reform if it is going to play an effective role in solving this current economic crisis. ++ Countries …More April 10, 2009 | Help Africa to Continue Its DevelopmentThe economic crisis threatens to undo the progress made across Africa. ++ It has been achieved as a result of stronger leadership, more accountable governments and effective development aid. ++ Funds from the IMF and World Bank are still …More March 30, 2009 | Global Development Still on Top of Transatlantic AgendaMarie Grunert: The US and the EU have strengthened their commitment towards global development. Instead of a pretext to concentrate solely on the domestic scene and resort to protectionism, the economic crisis ought to be used as an opportunity to re-define the development strategies in light of the new challenges. …More March 27, 2009 | Politicians Open Your Eyes!The economic crisis has hit the world as a surprise but was it truly unexpected? Krugman, Economic Nobel Prize Winner in 2008, had issued warnings since 2000 on the fragility of ultraliberalism. ++ Yet, when it comes to hearing pessimistic predictions …More March 20, 2009 | The Pope Causes Controversy with Latest CommentsHalf of the world has condemned the Pope’s words on his African trip stating that condoms not only fail to resolve the AIDS problem but aggravate it. ++ This goes beyond the classical position of the church. ++ By proclaiming that …More March 4, 2009 | UN Minimum Standards are Key to Global Governance ProcessesJörg Gundelfinger: In 2020 global governance will be increasingly non-institutionally driven and most actors in these processes will act for their own benefit. This is problematic and cannot solve the major problems of our world. We need the UN to control global governance concerning power imbalances. …More February 27, 2009 | Bronze Heads Stolen, Along with Natural ResourcesVictor Hugo condemned the sacking of the Old Summer Palace by British and French forces in 1860. ++ For Pierre Berge to use something that does not belong to him as a bargaining chip over human rights is absurd. ++ The bronze …More February 24, 2009 | When Hollywood Raises Awareness“Slumdog Millionaire” won eight Oscars on Sunday night but its greatest success is raising awareness about the poverty and disease which characterize Mumbai slums and kill faster than AIDS. ++ In recent years community projects have …More February 23, 2009 | Say No to False Democracy, Latin AmericaHugo Chavez continues to “demolish the democratic institutions” that enabled Venezuela its relative successes over the past 40 years. ++ Most worrying is his endorsement of the crippling view that reform and so-called …More February 23, 2009 | Europe and Iraq: A Re-ConnectMarkus Drake: Europe has spent the time since it was split into “old” and “new” Europe avoiding engagement with Iraq, ignoring its large interests in the country and in the region. This, according to a new publication by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, must change. For reasons of moral obligation, if nothing else. …More February 19, 2009 | Better Than the Middle Class Hiding the Money AwayPushing through a horrible stimulus package quickly was necessary, otherwise it would have been too late. ++ It may be too late for the economy, but at least money goes to the poor, who will spend it quickly on necessities. ++ …More January 22, 2009 | "Middle Powers" Must Make Mugabe GoThe EU and US are engaging in robust diplomacy to isolate Mugabe and alleviate the horrific humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe. ++ Australian PM Kevin Rudd, on the other hand, has failed to honor his country’s strong record in …More January 14, 2009 | US - China Bilateral Relation; Force For Peace?The bilateral relation between the two states, fostered 30 years ago, is strengthened as it evolves to cover an increasing range of issues - from the war on terror to climate change - and to produce a global impact. ++ This …More January 9, 2009 | Food Crisis Disappears, but Only From NewspapersA key topic a few months ago, the food crisis has now disappeared from the headlines. ++ Unfortunately this does not mean that the situation has improved; on the contrary, the financial crisis is likely to bring a series of …More January 9, 2009 | End Isolationist Refugee Policy of JapanJapan adds itself to less than 20 developed countries open to refugees under resettlement programs. ++ Since 1981 Japan has accepted 451 refugees. ++ Over the next 3 years, 30 refugees per year will be accepted from Burma into camps in …More January 9, 2009 | Internet Becomes Anti-corruption Tool in ChinaLast year Chinese officials held a record number of press conferences. ++ For the first time Chinese president Hu Jintao joined a chat on a news portal. ++ Vice mayor Li Ou hosts one of the most popular Chinese blogs. ++ This, along …More January 8, 2009 | Zimbabwe, a Country Murdered by Its LeaderCholera re-entered the stage in Zimbabwe in August, since killing 1600 people and sickening 33 000. ++ Alarming is the fact that this is only one of the country’s long list of flaws; every sector of civil society is near to …More January 7, 2009 | Greater Role for the State in the 21st CenturyThe financial crisis has proven that there is still a major role for the state to play in our global era. ++ New challenges, such as intense capital transactions, have increased pressure on the state and require it to complement its …More January 6, 2009 | Youth, Crime, and the State in Central AmericaPeter Peetz: The nature of youth violence in Central America is deeply connected to social perceptions and societal constructs. El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica provide three examples of how State reaction to youth violence is influenced by the public discourse. …More December 19, 2008 | "Justice in Reverse in China"This week marks 30 years since China put into place measures to increase economic and political freedoms. ++ The latter have not been realized. ++ On the contrary, China’s judicial system in the years since has been “corrupt and …More December 16, 2008 | Pakistan Should Save its Economy By Giving Up BombKazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine and South Africa all voluntarily gave up nuclear stockpiles. ++ Pakistan should do the same. ++ The US should offer the Pakistani government the $100bn it has asked for over a 10 year period, along …More December 15, 2008 | Education is the Hope of Afghanistan
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