Report says partnerships between government and businesses are 'most promising and most effective' option for African growth

Partnerships between governments and the private sector need to be supported and encouraged to speed up development in Africa, according to a report published on Thursday.

In its annual state of the continent report, the Africa Progress Panel says that partnerships for development "are among the most promising, and potentially most effective" options for African growth, noting that the private sector was playing an "increasingly important" role.

"We have come to the conclusion that all actors [governments, private sector, civil society and international community] can do more to facilitate the spread of successful partnership models across countries and sectors – and that doing so is in their own self-interest," says the Africa Progress Report 2011, launched at the World Economic Forum for Africa, being held in Cape Town this week.

The report adds that private sector partnerships were experiencing a "well deserved renaissance" – certainly the UK government sees the private sector as crucial to realising its development policies – but "we do not see effective partnerships in nearly enough sectors. Consequently, many opportunities to tackle problems and drive development are being missed."

African governments, the report says, bore the main responsibility for the continent's development and needed to work harder to create the right conditions and incentives for partnerships. But the report warns that too many companies were not adhering to the UN Global Compact when seeking to invest in the continent. The compact is a set of 10 guiding principles aimed at businesses wanting to work in developing countries. The principles cover human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption, and are voluntary.

The report urges businesses to modify their models so they target the poor or integrate local communities and producers into their value chains. Civil society groups too play a key role in developing partnerships, said the report, ensuring that deals are accountable. Civil society groups could also play a role in mediating or brokering partnerships.

However, while pressing the importance of partnerships, the report authors emphasise that they are not a "panacea for all of Africa's problems". Good governance and strong political leadership are the most important ingredients in African success. International donors also need to fulfil their financial commitments to the continent.

Launching the report, Kofi Annan, chairman of the panel, which also includes Graça Machel, president of the Foundation for Community Development, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian president, Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, and Tony Blair, the former UK prime minister, said: "We know of many partnerships in Africa that work and change people's lives, but not enough of them are replicated or brought to scale. This new report highlights the significant impact of successful partnerships and outlines tangible steps to strengthen, replicate and expand such models."

Looking back

Looking back over the year, the report notes that while Africa had been quick to recover from the economic crisis, and had huge potential for continued growth, "enormous risks" to progress remains, from the continuing financial downturn and insufficient economic diversification to the acceleration of climate change and environmental degradation. Too many countries are still too reliant on the extraction and export of unprocessed raw materials and need to find ways to add value to their goods through processing. Trade patterns skewed in favour of developed and emerging economies have resulted in little improvement in people's lives, says the report.

"The lack of economic diversification, in terms of both export products and destinations, explains the high volatility of African trade in recent years, and the strongly adverse impact of the global economic crisis through trade. It also explains why so little of the continent's high GDP growth translates into social development and tangible improves to people's lives," says the report.

On the issue of governance, the progress panel finds that nearly two-thirds of countries have seen deterioration in political participation, human rights and the rule of law over the past year, pointing to the crises in Ivory Coast and Libya as examples. The report notes the worrying trend of leaders clinging to power. "Six of the nine presidential elections held over the last year were won by the incumbents, some of whom have been in power for well over two decades," says the report. The trend looks set to continue, as only four of the 15 counties due to hold elections over the coming 12 months will not include the incumbent seeking re-election (excluding Egypt and Tunisia).

The report also notes that while many African countries have made progress in achieving the millennium development goals, inequality – within and across African societies – was increasing. The continent's strong economic growth "has not translated into widespread job creation and poverty reduction".

It adds that food prices are still having a major impact on many African states, saying that they were higher now than at any time since 1984.

In 2006, I created a project with a friend who had taught in Botswana. Called "Blogswana," the project was designed to teach students at the University of Botswana how to employ social media to tell their own stories. It was very popular - with Africans. All the funding sources, public and private, however, seemed to believe the same thing: Why fund tech when everyone knows Africans need industrial baby formula and fly whisks? Why teach social media when no one in the "Dark Continent" knows how to use a computer?

Well, the entire continent of Africa has begs to differ with that cartoonish picture. Having covered African technology extensively here, and having been invited to speak at the continent's largest digital technology conference, I wanted to find out what Africans themselves were doing in terms of utilizing the social web to short circuit the abiding desire of the West to draft Brad Pitt and Bono as the voices of Africa. I found the Kuyu Project.

Sponsor

I became aware of the Kenya-based Kuyu Project through one of my Twitter follows, Rassina Hassan, who works with the group. She introduced me to the Kuyu's Founder and Executive Director, Simeon Oriko.

Kuyu's focus is teaching high school students in Africa how to use social media to affect change in their communities. As they say in their mission statement:

"We deeply believe that by offering an open platform and teaching digital techniques we are fueling the dreams and aspirations of these young minds which might one day lead to the innovations and technologically driven solutions that will change Africa and the world."

One of their initiatives is StorySpaces, "a mobile and web based social media application aimed at enabling different communities to interact and participate in global conversations online." Their hope in building it is to allow users to transform their online conversations "into offline tangible actions that make an impact in the local community."

They're process of currently setting up a StorySpace for citizen journalists and hacktivists in Uganda "to respond to the escalating protests about food and fuel price increases in the country" and raising funds through IndieGoGo, a crowdsourcing funding tool.

I interviewed Oriko, a senior at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, via email about the project, its goals and the utility of the social web in an African context.

The ReadWriteWeb Interview: Simeon Oriko

I started The Kuyu Project in June 2010 after conducting a series of digital literacy camps in various high schools around the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton as the chairperson of the local computer science students association. The camps were mostly built around training the kids on how to use web based tools such as Google, Wikipedia and Wolfram Alpha for their education. As the camps grew bigger and became more popular, we increased the training and materials to include personal objectives and social change. The camps were primarily targeted at senior high school students.

What inspired its creation?

The inspiration came from the impact I saw in the youth I was teaching at the digital literacy camps. One girl in particular was inspired to use Google and later social networks on her mobile phone to seek out information to achieve her dream of becoming a pilot. For her and a number of other kids, they quickly learned the value of technology and using it as advantage to seek out new opportunities for effecting change in their communities as well as achieving their personal objectives.

Reflecting on this, it became clear to me that we could create a dynamic framework for scaling a youth initiative based on the learning value of technology to address the unique social, cultural and economic challenges that face our continent. I decided to use the interesting new realities the social web and mobile technology presented in Africa as the foundation to build our grassroots youth technology development project.

How important is digital literacy to the future of Africa's youth, its economy, etc?

Digital literacy helps create mind share, intellectual capital and capacity, as well as innovative solutions which will empower and include African youth in fully participating in the 21st century. It is also critical to the growth of knowledge societies and ecosystems in the rapidly changing technological landscape of Africa. Africans are already next generation web users accessing social networks and the mobile web through their phones. This remarkable social mobile revolution across the continent is creating explosive new opportunities ranging from politics, governance, entrepreneurship, commerce, banking, media and moving towards disrupting all other industries. We're seeing some of the adaptive issues that occur when youth aren't adequately prepared to enter a workforce, motivated to vote or start their own ventures which largely depend on their digital literacy and participatory skills. As evidenced in recent world changing events in Tunisia, Egypt and other parts of the continent, Africa is ripe for a transformational technological youth quake that extends beyond social media and mobile technology as revolution tools towards encompassing all other aspects of our lives.

How will your project help?

Primarily, the Kuyu project will create a digital literacy framework to build on:

• a. Greater visibility and multimedia opportunities for African youth who are under-represented and marginalized in their societies to share their unique stories and join the global conversation
• b. Upgrading the digital and creative skills of African youth to include mobile and cloud computing technology
• c. Mind share and dynamic participation in various situations concerning the current seismic social, economic and political changes occurring all over Africa
• d. Intellectual capital, creativity and the capacity for technology transfer skills among peers
• e. Scaling informative and tested solutions as a direct result of facilitating knowledge sharing, collaborative and collective problem solving
• f. Critical mass of stronger connected communities with a pool of champions growing solidly behind relevant causes and firmly dedicated towards advancing them.
• g. Accumulation of valuable resource base from tapping into the virtual and physical cognitive wealth of actively contributing communities sharing and applying ideas
• h. Viral network of talented African technologists and developers spreading digital literacy and innovation in an open crowd sourced platform

What other projects using, or about, digital tech, in Kenya, and in Africa in general, do you find interesting?

I'm biased toward mobile and social change projects. The ones I find interesting in this field include Voices of Africa, (specifically Haki Zetu and SPARC which is a solar powered Internet kiosk aimed at helping rural communities get digital connectivity as well as creating local economies) and Revoda, a social election monitoring tool.

What does the future hold for Kenya, and Africa in general?

I believe Africa's future greatly relies on technological advances and brain-gain currently driven by social media and mobile technology with increasingly-connected African youth and diaspora recreating and re-imagining its immense potential by deviating from existing story lines to establish a new powerful vision of change across the continent. Social technologies such as the one we're building at StorySpaces are radically changing the narrative and fueling the dreams and aspirations of young minds which might lead to the innovations and technologically driven solutions that will change and benefit Africa and the world.

Can you describe how you conduct your digital literacy campaigns and the scope of your digital literacy camps?

Our digital literacy campaign consists of conducting digital camps for our trainees to acquire relevant digital skills particularly in the areas of citizen media, hacktivism, youth empowerment, government transparency and accountability. Trainees will be specifically taught to share their acquired skills and join our Youth Mentorship Program designed to increase their teaching output to peers. This will ensure a wider reach for our project to gain and build a viral grassroots movement of digitally savvy youth starting in Kenya and scaling to the rest of their population in Africa.

To date we have trained high school students in the following schools in Kenya:

● Kapsabet Boys High School
● Kapsabet Girls High School
● Mwiruti Secondary School
● St. Joseph's Chepterit Girls Secondary School
● Chemundu High School
● Terige Boys High School
● Baraton Adventist Secondary School

The training camps at these schools have been conducted in partnership with the Baraton Information Technology Students Association, BITSA. This organization includes all the Information Science and Computing students at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.

We plan to expand our digital literacy camps to Uganda and Ghana in the next half of 2011 with a target goal of reaching out to another 2500 students.

How does StorySpaces work and where are you on the project?

StorySpaces was recently demoed at the Media 140 conference in Barcelona.

StorySpaces is envisioned as an open platform web and mobile based social network where youth can share stories and quickly see the important news and stories in their social network. StorySpaces is based on the idea that users relate better to experiences and identify with actions and want to participate rather than just consume information. This provides them with raw material as a foundation for transforming digital conversations into practical offline actions. In the social web it offers an alternative from the limits of Facebook and Twitter in documenting full length stories.

StorySpaces will hold a collection of multi-media story snippets composed of relevant topical themes that are easy to set up; youth, aspiring journalists, and other users can add a post (story) without having to set up a blog or worrying about those things that set barriers to entry of stories in other words, promoting transparency, security and ease-of-access.

StorySpaces can be used for all types of web and mobile blogging from modern storytelling and traditional storytelling techniques to citizen journalism. One of the ways we plan to use it for The Kuyu Project is to give youth a place to connect with others who are seeking to effect positive social change to find peers, mentors tapping into a resource base to guide them in their paths.

We are working on creating StorySpaces not only as a Web application but also for a variety of mobile handsets including iOS and Android. In addition SMS/MMS capabilities will be a part of the design. The mobile app will allow citizens to subscribe to news feeds from trusted sources and to search for news stories by keyword and download those stories. Some of the underlying problems with the current solutions is that while many are using blogging to take active roles in providing news about local communities, many see setting up a blog as too complicated. Additionally, social networking tools like Facebook have their own culture and meaning to youth, but are not specifically designed to encourage promoting stories of social good. While other tools such as Twitter offer microblogging, but not the opportunity for extended stories, StorySpaces is designed to give youth a place to connect with others who are seeking to effect positive social change and to find mentors to guide them in their paths.

How did you put your team together?

The team met on Twitter actually. I was connected with Deb Elzie (@debelzie) and she had a strong interest in the implementation of The Kuyu Project. When I shared with my vision with her and my desire to create a mobile and web application, she thought I should meet Victor Miclovich (@vicmiclovich) a talented programmer based in Uganda. We had a 7 hour Skype session one weekend and our core team was formed with Rassina Hassan (@rassina) joining us later. We are building a pan-African virtual startup with global ties and our team of 20+ smart volunteers continues to grow. The idea for StorySpaces was formed through collaboration. A majority of the team is based in Uganda and Kenya with a number of others in West Africa - Emeka Okoye (@EmekaOkoye) in Nigeria , Alfred Rowe (@Nukturnal) in Ghana - and in the United States. We all meet via Twitter or through our regular Skype group sessions and it has been a great experience so far, the entire team is very committed to seeing the project launch successfully.

What is your background?

My background in tech began as a child and picked up with the advent of mobile and social technologies. My interest in these fields led me to an early conceptualization of Mobile Cloud Computing and interest in ICT4D. I've since focused efforts on creating a mobile cloud computing platform and digital literacy initiatives.

I also have a strong attachment to the African tech industry. I've previously been a Microsoft Student Partner and also partnered with under sea fibre-optic organization, SEACOM on a number of projects.

I'm currently involved in the "Digital Natives With a Cause?" program which is a joint program by the Centre for Internet and Society, Bangalore, and Dutch development organization, HIVOS. My contribution to the program involves participation in a number of workshops that culminate in a book documenting the role of youth and technology in social transformation processes.

I'm also a member of the iHub, a tech incubator and innovation hub. In the coming months, I'll be interning with m:Lab, a consortia of four organizations that aims to facilitate demand-driven innovation by regional entrepreneurs, ensuring that breakthrough low-cost, high-value mobile solutions can be developed and scaled-up into sustainable businesses that address social needs.

***

Although Simeon and his crew are creative and motivated individuals, it hardly takes away from their uniqueness to point out that such young people are far from impossible to find in Africa. In fact, Africa, with its adventurous spirit and entrepreneurism, especially as regards the mobile web, is one of the most exciting areas of the world when it comes to new technology.

There are doubtless places on the continent that need help with food and clearly too many places that need health assistance, professionals and teaching, but there are also many places and tons of people like the Kuyu crew, people who are working hands-on to move their people and countries forward. They do not "deserve your help" as much as they should inspire your admiration.

Keep a weather eye on Tech Africa. These days, if you blink, you're liable to miss something cool.

Microsoft isn't exactly the most-loved company in the world, and part of that arguably has to do with its dominant position in the OS market. Its flagship product, Windows, has improved recently, but frustrations caused by its checkered past are, for some, hard to forget.

For years, many computer industry professionals have hoped that strong Windows alternatives would emerge. Much of this hope was based on the idea that highly-polished GUIs for Linux-based operating systems could offer consumers Windows-like experiences and give Microsoft a run for its money.

The most popular Linux-based desktop OS is Ubuntu. A fork of Debian Linux, Ubuntu's footprint has been grown thanks in large part to the financial support of South African internet entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth, who made his fortune when he sold his company Thawte to VeriSign in 1999.

Shuttleworth runs a company that provides commercial support for Ubuntu, and started a foundation that has provided more than $10m in funding for the project's development.

Yet despite the arguably impressive progress made with Ubuntu over the years, and its respectable usage numbers, Ubuntu is still little more than a grain of sand on a beach in the consumer OS market. But will that always be the case?

Last week, Ubuntu 11.04 was released. Its most notable characteristic: a beautiful new interface, dubbed 'Unity', which "mimics the clutter-free look of many mobile operating systems."

That's an important point. While Window's isn't going to be dethroned anytime soon, if ever at all, OSes like Ubuntu may have an opportunity to expand beyond micro-niche markets thanks to the proliferation of an app-centric world.

With more and more consumers using simple applications through their mobiles, and more sophisticated applications through their web browsers, OSes like Ubuntu, if positioned correctly, could appeal to a growing number of consumers who aren't really concerned with the fact that they can't use applications like Microsoft Office and Photoshop.

For business users, such applications are a necessity, but for mainstream consumers, Ubuntu not only offers the basics (Firefox, Acrobat Reader, etc.), but a growing number of popular applications, such as Skype, and homegrown alternatives that are polished enough for prime time.

Obviously, none of this alone will 'cut it'; Windows simply has too much inertia. But that doesn't mean that the Ubuntus of the world won't become more prominent. They will, because even if their penetration in the consumer OS market doesn't skyrocket, they, along with a resurgent Mac, will help keep Microsoft honest. And that's good for everybody.

On the 28th April we released the Rangers Build Customization Guide package to the BETA phase which signals that the team, increasing the range of reviewers to include the Visual Studio ALM MVPs. As shown by the following illustration we expand the circle of reviewers with every release to drive transparency and to ensure that we achieve a high quality and an acceptable feature set by the time we ship the Release to the community.

While the project is under development the circle contains the project team, which is made up of Rangers and stakeholders from Services, Product Group, MVPs and the community. The Alpha is shared with all the Visual Studio ALM Rangers which is around 200 pair of eyes, which is our first checkpoint to determine whether we are on the right track with the guidance and/or tooling. As mentioned above, the BETA is shared with all the Visual Studio ALM MVPs, primarily as a quality checkpoint and an awareness drive of what is imminent. The BETA also signals that the team believes that we are feature complete. If we would scratch the process a level deeper we would also find readability reviews, compliance reviews, technical reviews, signoff … but, we will not bore you with those details today.

As shown in the breakdown below, the BETA package contains guidance, hands-on labs, quick reference posters, sample templates and a batch of videos. The localization section is only interesting to MVPs or Rangers who plan to localize the guidance part for their region, as has been done for other projects. See Rangers Guidance Localizations … Sprechen Sie Deutsch? … ¿Habla Español? for examples on localization.

• Guidance
  +- Rangers Build Customization Guidance
• Hands-on Labs (HOL)
  +- HOL - Build and Deploy an ASP.NET web site
  +- HOL - Developing Custom Activities
  +- HOL - Setting Up and Using the BRDLite Template
  +- HOL - Working with Hyper-V
  +- HOL Package.zip
• Localization
  +- Illustrations
  +- MSBuild vs. Workflow Flowchart (16205)
• Quick Reference Posters
  +- Build Customization Quick Reference Guide - Build Infrastructure
  +- Build Customization Quick Reference Guide - Default Build Process
  +- Build Customization Quick Reference Guide - Teams and Personas
  +- Build Customization Quick Reference Guide - Upgrade Build Process
• Samples
  +- BRDLite1.0.xaml
  +- BuildDeployTest_Physical.xaml
  +- DefaultTemplateWithTargetMap.xaml
  +- DefaultTemplateWithTargetMap.xml
• Videos
  +- Video Build and Deploy 1 - Build and Local Deploy
  +- Video Build and Deploy 2 - Automate Build and Deploy to Integration
  +- Video Build and Deploy 3 - Automate Integration test
  +- Video Build and Deploy 4 - Manual deploy to Quality Assurance

If we take a quick peek into the Rangers Build Customization Guidance.docx  document and show the table of contents up to level 2, we see the following topics covered:

• Introduction
  • Overview
  • Visual Studio ALM Rangers
  • Codename “African Tawny Eagle” AHE
• Understanding the Personas
  • Customer Types
  • Personas
• Automating build and non-build scenarios in a Microsoft World
  • Build process template customization
  • Built-in Build Process Templates
  • Guidance on when to create MSBuild Projects/Tasks versus Windows Workflow/Workflow Activities
  • Build process template customization Checklist
  • Branching Process Templates
  • Map Team Foundation Build in Visual Studio Team System Extensibility Targets to Team Foundation Build in Visual Studio
  • Tracing Build Process Template and Custom Assembly Version
  • Managing Mega-Build Environment
• Empowering developers and build engineers with build activities
  • Introduction
  • Recommended Resources
  • Using Existing MSBuild tasks
  • Creating a Custom Activity
  • Storing Custom Activities in Team Foundation Server
  • Making a Custom Activity available in the Visual Studio toolbox
  • Testing and Debugging Custom Activities
  • Versioning Assemblies
  • Managing Virtual Machines
• Deployment of Applications and Data Stores
  • Deploy Environments
  • Database deployments
  • Create and configure an IIS Web Application
  • ASP.NET Web Application in Integration and QA Environments
  • Silverlight Applications
  • WCF REST Web Service
  • Running automated integration tests during build in the Integration Environment
  • Production Deployments
• Reference build template embracing the guidance (BRD Lite)
  • Introduction
  • Where do I start?
  • Features
  • Related Hands-on-Labs
• Frequently Asked Question
• • Software & Features
  • Setup and Configuration
  • Installation & Deployment

We expect to complete the BETA phase and the User Education (UE) readability review in 2-3 weeks. Watch this space for news on the imminent release.

A huge “Cowabunga” to the team, who has been becoming increasingly impatient as the final review weeks seem to drag out the project and everyone has been to told to “sit on their hands” and not touch the content anymore :)

Rosie, the African Tawny Eagle, at http://www.birdsofprey.co.za, for those wondering what ATE stands for.

April 12, 2011 marked the 150th anniversary of the assault on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, launching the United States into four years of bloody civil war. This year's anniversary has occasioned panels, debates, balls and a raft of commemorative activities. However, it has also presented challenges to educators and parents about how to teach children about this crucial but contentious time in ways that are both honest and sensitive. Of all the difficult issues surrounding the Civil War era, helping children understand slavery can be especially daunting.

Last month, residents in one Ohio community had a reminder of how difficult that challenge can be when school administrators in Gahanna, a small town near Columbus, apologized for a teacher who had her students pretend they were part of a slave auction. The fifth-grade social studies students were divided into "masters" and "slaves." Ten-year-old Nikko Burton, one of two black students in the class, told reporters he felt humiliated as other students looked in his mouth and felt his muscles to gauge his health and strength. Burton's mother, Aneka, called the lesson insensitive and racist.

And yet, this incident raises questions about how to talk to children about slavery in a constructive way that still helps them understand its horrors. Dr. Alicia Moore, an associate professor of education at Southwestern University, is uniquely positioned to address that question. In addition to being a teacher-educator, former K-12 teacher and school principal, Moore is co-editor of the Black History Bulletin, a journal published by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The Black History Bulletin is intended to serve primarily as a curricular resource for secondary school teachers. One of its most recent issues focused on African Americans and the Civil War.

BlogHer: At what age is it appropriate to begin talking to children about painful episodes in history such as slavery? How should parents approach the subject?

Moore: I believe that both parents and teachers can begin talking about “slavery,” at least from a conceptual standpoint, as early as prekindergarten -- and, before there is a backlash about what is and is not developmentally and/or age appropriate for young children, let me explain. There are three important points to consider when addressing the practicality of talking about the historical events of this nation with children of any age, especially a topic like slavery that is wrought with controversy regarding how to teach it, or whether it should be taught at all.

The first point to consider is why a topic such as slavery should be considered important for young children. There are several reasons why it is important, but I will only speak to two. One reason involves the work of dismantling the fall out of slavery that manifests itself in mis-education regarding who should and should not be valued in our society. If we consider the work of Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary, whose work explores Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, we may choose to take to heart her assertion that due to slavery, Americans of all races continue to be exposed to its injuries through a perpetual and systematic “hierarchy” of privilege based upon skin gradation -- a “the lighter the skin color, the better” mentality. With this in mind, I think that it is important that children first be taught that all people should be valued regardless of their differences. Later, it makes sense to discuss ways in which this valuing of all is antithetical to slavery’s tenets.

Another reason involves the fact that children should be presented with information that provides them with an understanding of the institution of slavery as it relates to history, both world and US. This information provides an opportunity to begin to understand the enslavement of Africans and their valiant fight for freedom in this country. As well, the history of slavery in this country is useful in helping students to recognize the true significance of events ranging from the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, to the election of the first African American president. As my 105-year-old father says, “You can’t truly understand where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.”

The second point to consider is what should be taught. We must realize that many events in US history are not pretty and there are countless things about slavery that we would all like to forget due to the painful images and emotions evoked while teaching and learning about it. Yet, leaving slavery out of our curriculum altogether is not a viable option. I believe that through omission, an implicit message is being sent that this troublesome portion of our nation’s history is not important and that old atrocities should be buried quietly with those who suffered through them. Moreover, omission does not provide our young people the option of using the mistakes of the past to continue to build a brighter future. Besides, these omissions silence the courageous efforts of those who, both black and white, fought against slavery and for human rights.

From an additional standpoint, author Beverly Tatum wrote about teaching children about slavery and shared that it is necessary to be open and honest about the racism of the past and the present while also providing “children (and adults) with a vision that change is possible.” With this in mind, I believe that it is also important to teach children about our journey as a nation from slavery to freedom, the heinous treatment endured by enslaved people, and the importance of becoming advocates and activists who work toward continued progress in race relations. Along with this knowledge about slavery, teachers should take care to share other facets commonly left out of textbooks that can expand the historical knowledge base of children. They should teach children about the work of abolitionists and historical accounts of the lives of slaves and slave owners. As well, they should teach about white allies who fought against the injustices of slavery and that many slaves were not passive victims as textbooks portray them; they protested their situations through courageous resistance.

The third point to consider is how slavery should be taught. Teaching about slavery, just as teaching about any controversial subject, should involve planning and preparation that focuses on the culture and climate of the classroom community and the use of common sense. One aspect to consider involves presenting prerequisite concepts, knowledge, and skills within the Social Studies that prepare students for the information. This entails a careful examination of what is developmentally and age appropriate when broaching the subject of slavery and involves an understanding of how to be responsive to, and sensitive of all children within the classroom community. And, finally, it involves prerequisite concepts that include friendship and conflict resolution in its simplest form. I think that by teaching children about these concepts, you are preparing them for the topic of slavery while building a classroom community where all children are poised to learn and grow together.

Children and adults may find the topic of slavery uncomfortable and teachers should take care to be sensitive to the childrens’ emotional needs, as well as their own. This means not intentionally engaging in activities that will either shame or demean African American children, or evoke feelings of shame or guilt for white children. Feelings should be talked about and the teacher should acknowledge that this is an important and intense topic that is sometimes difficult to discuss. However, I think that the biggest challenges arise when teachers are actually afraid to teach about the institution of slavery because of their own fears that they will “not do it right”. To prepare for teaching about slavery, teachers should make sure they have laid the foundation for teaching about this intense topic, they possess adequate background knowledge about slavery, and they have an adequate understanding of what is ethically right and wrong when planning activities to explore slavery. As well, school districts should provide professional development that focuses on providing teachers the knowledge and skills they need to teach about difficult topics while create a learning environment that is respectful and conducive to learning for all.

BlogHer: What are some effective strategies for teaching elementary school students about slavery?

Moore: You mentioned a recent story about an incident in which a teacher had students participate in an inappropriate role-playing activity to teach students about slavery. Along those same lines, in 2008, a story surfaced about a New York teacher who bound the hands and feet of two 13 year old African American female students and had them climb under a desk to simulate the cramped conditions found on slave ships to teach a lesson about slavery. Her actions were considered to be “misguided” and the teacher kept her job. In Norfolk, Va., this year (2010) a fourth-grade teacher separated black and mixed-race children from their white peers and staged a mock auction. This teacher’s actions were described as “well-intended” and though it was reported that “appropriate action” was being taken, I am sure that she will be allowed to keep her job, as well. These are only a few stories in which teachers took rather foolhardy routes to teach children about slavery. So, let’s just say that these teachers were merely “misguided” or “well-[intentioned]” and should be given the benefit of the doubt. What’s wrong with this picture? What is it that makes professionally educated teachers seek to teach lessons in slavery at the expense of their student’s emotional health and well-being? Before I reference effective strategies for teaching students about slavery, let me go on record as saying these instances clearly remind us of what not to do.

One effective strategy for teaching young children about slavery is through the use of literature to support lessons. Examples of appropriate books to be read to or shared with young children include Follow the Drinking Gourd by J. Winter (1988), Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson (1993), In the Time of the Drums by Kim L. Siegelson (1999), A Place Called Freedom by Scott Russell Sanders (1997), and Aunt Harriette’s Underground Railroad in the Sky by Faith Ringgold (1992). Another is class discussions that provide opportunities for students and their teacher(s) to discuss their feelings when talking about slavery. Additionally, author Beverly Tatum suggested a strategy that uses an open-ended format to allow teachers to acknowledge the possible discomfort of their students while affording them the same outlet. ( See Tatum's article: It’s Not So Black and White: Discussing racial issues can make students and teachers uncomfortable.)

BlogHer: Do you have any comments on the wisdom of staging a mock slave auction as a teaching tool?

Moore: Wisdom = understanding, knowledge and insight. There is no wisdom involved here. Don’t do it! We are all human and all make mistakes, but what would give a teacher the idea that this was an appropriate strategy to teach anything this controversial? How do you think that it is feasible for even one of your students to become the collateral damage of your lesson? I think what is even sadder is reading comments posted after stories of these disastrous activities and realizing that there are people who really think the actions of these teachers are, and I am paraphrasing, funny; appropriate; done, so get over it; a great way to get students engaged; and a good opportunity for learning soured by one whining parent and child; -- you fill in the blanks. My comment is, “Just don’t do it!”

BlogHer: In recent years, some school boards have tried to soften the language used to describe the experience of slavery in their curricula. Would you care to comment on this?

Moore: If you are referring to school boards in Louisiana and Texas having approved textbooks that refer to the Civil War as the "The War for Southern Independence" which was previously popular on the confederate side of the war, yes, I am familiar with the softened, if not inaccurate, language. I find that this reference to the Civil War seeks to use the other-side-of-the-coin assertion that attributes the cause of the war as being primarily over state's rights and taxation; yet, downplays the role of slavery. To this, I merely direct readers to the 1861 Texas Ordinance of Secession. If you are referring to the sanitization of Mark Twain’s classic, Huckleberry Finn, through a censored reprint that replaces the ‘N’ word with “slave” and “Injun” with “Indian”, I am also familiar; however, I have mixed emotions that vacillate between understanding the common consensus about the intent of the offensive language Twain used in his work and my own personal exasperation about the personal physical pain I feel each time I read or hear the ‘N’ word uttered. Either way, my thoughts are personal -- that whether written language is “softened” or not, it is the actions and words of people whose hearts are hardened, and who do not understand the complexities of the perpetuation of derisive terms and their impact on people. If you are not at risk of words damaging your psyche or the psyche of those you love, this will not make sense.

BlogHer: Talking about slavery and its role in American history can still create controversy and discomfort in some families and communities. Do you have thoughts about how educators and community leaders can foster constructive conversations about the lessons of our troubled history?

Moore: First of all, I have to remind myself that the institution of slavery endured 250 years and our country is only 234 years old. Slavery lasted longer than our country has been established!! Wow! What an opportunity for families, educators and communities and community leaders to talk openly and honestly about our nation’s history – an opportunity to proclaim, like the old Virginia Slims commercials, “We’ve come a long way, baby!” And, in the same breath, recoil and decree, “Yet, we have a long, long way to go!” 

When answering questions about constructive conversations and the subsequent discomfort when discussing difficult topics such as slavery, I often refer to Beverly Tatum’s work about seeking to come “to terms with past and present injustice” and the discomfort in doing so that “is often cause for anger and guilt, frustration and despair.” Let me read you what she wrote: “All children, regardless of color, need to find the hope in this history. We must not insensitively sanitize the pain of those caught in the bind of oppression. We need to celebrate the strength of the human spirit to go beyond the roles of victim and victimizer. In doing so, we may inspire one another to do likewise in the struggle against the contemporary injustices we face.” I think that constructive conversations can be fostered through actively talking about our history and seeking to continue to heal. In doing so, we can use the tribulations of the past to create triumphs for present and the future.

BlogHer: Is there anything more that parents and educators should know or think about with respect to this issue?

Moore: Yes. Do not conduct drive-by discussions about slavery, racism, or other controversial topics. Controversial topics, including slavery, can become easier with each conversation. Dialogue is imperative and provides an opportunity for inaccuracies, feelings of shame, guilt or other yet-unnamed emotions to surface, be discussed and for us all to find ways to heal. Conversely, when we seek to hide our history in the shadows of the past, the message is sent that we should all be afraid or ashamed. Thus, blacks may feel afraid or ashamed of connections to slaves and whites may feel the same about the possibility that their predecessors may have been slave owners. The truth is that we should not slavery reflect who we were from a shameful perspective, but who have become as a progressive, yet struggling country. We should seek to be free of the legacy of slavery as present-day shackle of hate and expand the limited scope of this part of our history as humans.

The best advice I can give is, do not think that by shielding our children from the past, we are creating some kind of futuristic, post racial, altered space that makes the legacy of slavery go away. Children deserve to learn about the history of this nation from knowledgeable parents and educators who have their best interest at heart and can help them to make sense of past hurts and show them how to make progress toward a better day.

Reference

• Teaching Young Children About Slavery Using Literature. Judith Y. Singer

Resources

• Slavery and the Making of America: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/
• Black History Bulletin: African Americans and the Civil War; Volume 73, No. 2 

Kim Pearson
BlogHer Contributing Editor|KimPearson.net|

BlogHer is non-partisan, but many of their bloggers are not.

Organization: Generation Rwanda

Location: New York City or Boston preferred, US

POSITION: Executive Director

LOCATION: Flexible (New York City or Boston preferred)

Generation Rwanda (GR) is dedicated to helping orphans and other socially vulnerable young people in Rwanda pursue a university education and ultimately become leaders in driving economic development and social reconciliation. We are looking for a visionary leader excited to build upon the success of a young organization and to help develop and implement a strategy for Generation Rwanda's next phase of growth.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for education and international development, with the desire to lead an organization that has the potential to have a long-term and positive impact on the world. The Executive Director will be a thought partner to the Board of Directors as GR addresses new strategic challenges: How do we take what is already the most selective and comprehensive university scholarship program in East Africa and make it even better? How can components of GR's program be used as a model to help Rwandan universities and other African universities improve their services to students? How and when do we introduce the GR model to another sub-Saharan African country where talented yet vulnerable young people need access to a university education in order to fulfill their potential?

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Founded in 2004, Generation Rwanda is dedicated to helping orphans and other socially vulnerable young people in Rwanda pursue a university education and ultimately become leaders in driving economic development and social reconciliation. Our scholarship and leadership education program provides comprehensive support - including tuition, housing, healthcare, and a wide range of supplemental training programs - that empowers our students to become Rwanda's next dynamic professionals and leaders in their fields. Currently, there are 175 students who receive our scholarships to attend universities in Rwanda; 37 alumni of our program are now university graduates. In the summer of 2010, we concluded our intensive student selection process by accepting 25 extremely talented and motivated new students into the program from an applicant pool of 1,500.

Every student accepted into Generation Rwanda's program has demonstrated academic talent and personal drive. The vast majority of our students are double-parent or single-parent orphans; all of our students come from vulnerable backgrounds. No other organization working in sub-Saharan Africa provides such a comprehensive university scholarship targeted to vulnerable populations. Our mission is premised on the belief that promoting access to higher education for motivated yet vulnerable young people supports Rwanda's efforts to harness its population's intellectual and entrepreneurial talent. These efforts will succeed only when all students who excel - including orphans and vulnerable youth - have the opportunity to obtain a university degree and become the people they aspire to be.

As the organization has grown, our students have begun to distinguish themselves both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to performing well academically, Generation Rwanda's students have gained a reputation within Rwanda for being among the country's most ambitious and creative young leaders. Generation Rwanda is also fortunate to have a talented staff as well as a dedicated Board of Directors whose members have significant experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. More information about the organization is available at www.generationrwanda.org.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

We are seeking an exceptional leader to serve in a position that combines strategy, fundraising, and management. The U.S. office that the Executive Director (ED) will oversee is responsible for the organization's fundraising and administrative functions. The ED will also provide oversight to the organization's office in Kigali, which conducts all programmatic activities in Rwanda. The primary responsibilities of the ED are as follows:

Fundraising & communications

• Develops and implements fundraising goals and strategies, including the identification, cultivation and solicitation of new potential funders.
• Personally solicits major individual, corporate and foundation gifts and significantly increases the number and level of those gifts.
• Designs and implements creative and comprehensive cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for all donors.
• Focuses on external marketing of GR in order to enhance the organization's visibility and recognition.
• Works closely with Board members on donor solicitation and the recruitment of new Board members.

Program development

• Ensures the high quality of Generation Rwanda's existing programs while identifying new possibilities for program growth.
• Works closely with the Rwanda-based team on all key programmatic initiatives (e.g., the annual student selection process).
• Represents the organization to various institutions in Rwanda, including universities, government entities, partner organizations, and employers of GR students.
• Develops strategy for the potential expansion of the organization both within Rwanda and into other countries.

Finance & human resources

• Creates and monitors the annual budget in conjunction with GR's Finance Committee. Works closely with GR's Treasurer on all day-to-day financial matters.
• Provides overall supervision of GR's other full-time staff members (seven in Rwanda and one in the U.S.) and ensures the success of GR's performance evaluation system.
• Oversees all efforts to recruit new staff members and volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Passion for education and international development
• Bachelor's degree
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Significant experience and success in fundraising or sales
• At least three years of managerial experience
• Ability to travel to Rwanda for 1-2 months over the course of the year
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Flexibility, patience, sense of humor and ability to take initiative

Preferred but not required

• Master's degree in a relevant field
• Experience in the education field
• Experience in developing countries

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter addressed to Oliver Rothschild, Co-Founder, to edsearch@generationrwanda.org. CVs without cover letters will not be considered. No phone calls or faxes, please. Applications will be accepted until April 24, 2011.

Read more...

Universities are starting to announce their tuition fees for students in 2012. How much are universities planning to charge?
• Get the data

Here is our list of universities and how much they intend to charge in tuition fees from next autumn.

A growing number plan to charge £9,000 per year – the maximum possible. This has raised fears that the government will have to claw back funds from universities – possibly by reducing the number of places on degree courses – if the majority of institutions charge the maximum.

The latest universities to announce their 2012 tuition fee plans are:

• Manchester Metropolitan University have announced plans for 75% of fees at £8000. They state that: "UK and EU undergraduates will be charged £8,000 for most first degree courses – equivalent to more than 75% of our courses. A small percentage of courses will be charged at £8,500.Approximately 20% will be charged at £9,000."

• Kingston University have set plans to charge £8,500 for the majority of its courses next year, although fees will be £9,000 for pharmacy and studio-based art and design degrees.

•University of East London, Queen Mary (University of London) and St. George's (University of London) have all declared £9000 tuition fees for undergraduate courses in 2012

• Roehampton University have proposed a variety of fees ranging from £7500- £8250. Students on most honours degree programmes will pay £7,900. For those studying on programmes that have higher costs or specialist provision, the charge will be £8,250. For students studying at Foundation Degree level the fee will be £7,500

• Teesside University announced £8500 fees for all full time degree programmes. The fee for full-time foundation degrees, full-time HNDs and any other full-time qualifications below degree level will fall at £6000

MPs voted in December to allow fees for UK students on undergraduate courses to rise from £3,350 a year to £6,000, and £9,000 in "exceptional cases."

But ministers assumed that universities would charge different levels of fees and that the average, across more than 130 institutions, would be £7,500.

The government pays students' tuition fees in the first instance. Graduates pay the government back when they are earning more than £21,000. If the average fee is higher than ministers anticipated, the government will end up paying more up front, and this may not be sustainable.

So far only a handful of institutions (announced so far) have published plans to charge less than the maximum. Liverpool Hope University has said it intends to charge below £9,000, but has not finalised its plans.

Vince Cable, Business Secretary, announced in Parliament:

the introduction of a fee cap of £6,000, rising to £9,000 in exceptional circumstances

Universities that charge more than £6,000 must set out targets to widen their pool of students beyond white, middle-class teenagers. These must be agreed by the government's access watchdog, the Office for Fair Access.

Universities and colleges have until Tuesday 19 April 2011 to submit their access agreements to Offa. They will then assess their agreements and announce all that have been approved by 11 July 2011 - so the fees below are the amount universities are intending to charge. These will be updated as further universities publish their plans.

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a group photograph with the BRICS leaders, on the sidelines of BRICS Summit, at Sanya, Hainan, China on April 14, 2011.

Following is the text of the Sanya Declaration issued by BRICS leaders after the 3rd BRICS Summit at Sanya, Hainan, China on April 14, 2011:

April 14, 2011
(BRICS Leaders Meeting, Sanya, Hainan, China, April 2011)

1. We, the Heads of State and Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, met in Sanya, Hainan, China for the BRICS Leaders Meeting on 14 April 2011.

2. The Heads of State and Government of Brazil, Russia, India and China welcome South Africa joining the BRICS and look forward to strengthening dialogue and cooperation with South Africa within the forum.

3. It is the overarching objective and strong shared desire for peace, security, development and cooperation that brought together BRICS countries with a total population of nearly 3 billion from different continents. BRICS aims at contributing significantly to the development of humanity and establishing a more equitable and fair world.

4. The 21st century should be marked by peace, harmony, cooperation and scientific development. Under the theme “Broad Vision, Shared Prosperity”, we conducted candid and in-depth discussions and reached broad consensus on strengthening BRICS cooperation as well as on promoting coordination on international and regional issues of common interest.

5. We affirm that the BRICS and other emerging countries have played an important role in contributing to world peace, security and stability, boosting global economic growth, enhancing multilateralism and promoting greater democracy in international relations.

6. In the economic, financial and development fields, BRICS serves as a major platform for dialogue and cooperation. We are determined to continue strengthening the BRICS partnership for common development and advance BRICS cooperation in a gradual and pragmatic manner, reflecting the principles of openness, solidarity and mutual assistance. We reiterate that such cooperation is inclusive and non-confrontational. We are open to increasing engagement and cooperation with non-BRICS countries, in particular emerging and developing countries, and relevant international and regional organizations.

7. We share the view that the world is undergoing far-reaching, complex and profound changes, marked by the strengthening of multipolarity, economic globalization and increasing interdependence. While facing the evolving global environment and a multitude of global threats and challenges, the international community should join hands to strengthen cooperation for common development. Based on universally recognized norms of international law and in a spirit of mutual respect and collective decision making, global economic governance should be strengthened, democracy in international relations should be promoted, and the voice of emerging and developing countries in international affairs should be enhanced.

8. We express our strong commitment to multilateral diplomacy with the United Nations playing the central role in dealing with global challenges and threats. In this respect, we reaffirm the need for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more effective, efficient and representative, so that it can deal with today’s global challenges more successfully. China and Russia reiterate the importance they attach to the status of India, Brazil and South Africa in international affairs, and understand and support their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN.

9. We underscore that the concurrent presence of all five BRICS countries in the Security Council during the year of 2011 is a valuable opportunity to work closely together on issues of peace and security, to strengthen multilateral approaches and to facilitate future coordination on issues under UN Security Council consideration. We are deeply concerned with the turbulence in the Middle East , the North African and West African regions and sincerely wish that the countries affected achieve peace, stability, prosperity and progress and enjoy their due standing and dignity in the world according to legitimate aspirations of their peoples. We share the principle that the use of force should be avoided. We maintain that the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of each nation should be respected.

10. We wish to continue our cooperation in the UN Security Council on Libya. We are of the view that all the parties should resolve their differences through peaceful means and dialogue in which the UN and regional organizations should as appropriate play their role. We also express support for the African Union High-Level Panel Initiative on Libya.

11. We reiterate our strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stress that there can be no justification, whatsoever, for any acts of terrorism. We believe that the United Nations has a central role in coordinating the international action against terrorism within the framework of the UN Charter and in accordance with principles and norms of the international law. In this context, we urge early conclusion of negotiations in the UN General Assembly of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and its adoption by all Member States. We are determined to strengthen our cooperation in countering this global threat. We express our commitment to cooperate for strengthening international information security. We will pay special attention to combat cybercrime.

12. We note that the world economy is gradually recovering from the financial crisis, but still faces uncertainties. Major economies should continue to enhance coordination of macro-economic policies and work together to achieve strong, sustainable and balanced growth.

13. We are committed to assure that the BRICS countries will continue to enjoy strong and sustained economic growth supported by our increased cooperation in economic, finance and trade matters, which will contribute to the long-term steady, sound and balanced growth of the world economy.

14. We support the Group of Twenty (G20) in playing a bigger role in global economic governance as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. We expect new positive outcomes in the fields of economy, finance, trade and development from the G20 Cannes Summit in 2011. We support the ongoing efforts of G20 members to stabilize international financial markets, achieve strong, sustainable and balanced growth and support the growth and development of the global economy. Russia offers to host the G20 Summit in 2013. Brazil, India, China and South Africa welcome and appreciate Russia’s offer.

15. We call for a quick achievement of the targets for the reform of the International Monetary Fund agreed to at previous G20 Summits and reiterate that the governing structure of the international financial institutions should reflect the changes in the world economy, increasing the voice and representation of emerging economies and developing countries.

16. Recognizing that the international financial crisis has exposed the inadequacies and deficiencies of the existing international monetary and financial system, we support the reform and improvement of the international monetary system, with a broad-based international reserve currency system providing stability and certainty. We welcome the current discussion about the role of the SDR in the existing international monetary system including the composition of SDR’s basket of currencies. We call for more attention to the risks of massive cross-border capital flows now faced by the emerging economies. We call for further international financial regulatory oversight and reform, strengthening policy coordination and financial regulation and supervision cooperation, and promoting the sound development of global financial markets and banking systems.

17. Excessive volatility in commodity prices, particularly those for food and energy, poses new risks for the ongoing recovery of the world economy. We support the international community in strengthening cooperation to ensure stability and strong development of physical market by reducing distortion and further regulate financial market. The international community should work together to increase production capacity, strengthen producer-consumer dialogue to balance supply and demand, and increase support to the developing countries in terms of funding and technologies. The regulation of the derivatives market for commodities should be accordingly strengthened to prevent activities capable of destabilizing markets. We also should address the problem of shortage of reliable and timely information on demand and supply at international, regional and national levels. The BRICS will carry out closer cooperation on food security.

18. We support the development and use of renewable energy resources. We recognize the important role of renewable energy as a means to address climate change. We are convinced of the importance of cooperation and information exchange in the field of development of renewable energy resources.

19. Nuclear energy will continue to be an important element in future energy mix of BRICS countries. International cooperation in the development of safe nuclear energy for peaceful purposes should proceed under conditions of strict observance of relevant safety standards and requirements concerning design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants.

20. Accelerating sustainable growth of developing countries is one of the major challenges for the world. We believe that growth and development are central to addressing poverty and to achieving the MDG goals. Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger is a moral, social, political and economic imperative of humankind and one of the greatest global challenges facing the world today, particularly in Least Developed Countries in Africa and elsewhere.

21. We call on the international community to actively implement the outcome document adopted by the High-level Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Millennium Development Goals held in September 2010 and achieve the objectives of the MDGs by 2015 as scheduled.

22. Climate change is one of the global threats challenging the livelihood of communities and countries. China, Brazil, Russia and India appreciate and support South Africa’s hosting of UNFCCC COP17/CMP7. We support the Cancun Agreements and are ready to make concerted efforts with the rest of the international community to bring a successful conclusion to the negotiations at the Durban Conference applying the mandate of the Bali Roadmap and in line with the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities. We commit ourselves to work towards a comprehensive, balanced and binding outcome to strengthen the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. The BRICS will intensify cooperation on the Durban conference. We will enhance our practical cooperation in adapting our economy and society to climate change.

23. Sustainable development, as illustrated by the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and multilateral environmental treaties, should be an important vehicle to advance economic growth. China, Russia, India and South Africa appreciate Brazil as the host of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development and look forward to working with Brazil to reach new political commitment and achieve positive and practical results in areas of economic growth, social development and environmental protection under the framework of sustainable development. Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa appreciate and support India’s hosting of the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Brazil, China and South Africa also appreciate and support the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to be held in October 2012.

24. We underscore our firm commitment to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in the fields of social protection, decent work, gender equality, youth, and public health, including the fight against HIV /AIDS.

25. We support infrastructure development in Africa and its industrialization within framework of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

26. We have agreed to continue further expanding and deepening economic, trade and investment cooperation among our countries. We encourage all countries to refrain from resorting to protectionist measures. We welcome the outcomes of the meeting of BRICS Trade Ministers held in Sanya on 13 April 2011. Brazil, China, India and South Africa remain committed and call upon other members to support a strong, open, rule-based multilateral trading system embodied in the World Trade Organization and a successful, comprehensive and balanced conclusion of the Doha Development Round, built on the progress already made and consistent with its development mandate. Brazil, India, China and South Africa extend full support to an early accession of Russia to the World Trade Organization.

27. We reviewed the progress of the BRICS cooperation in various fields and share the view that such cooperation has been enriching and mutually beneficial and that there is a great scope for closer cooperation among the BRICS. We are focused on the consolidation of BRICS cooperation and the further development of its own agenda. We are determined to translate our political vision into concrete actions and endorse the attached Action Plan, which will serve as the foundation for future cooperation. We will review the implementation of the Action Plan during our next Leaders Meeting.

28. We intend to explore cooperation in the sphere of science, technology and innovation, including the peaceful use of space. We congratulate the Russian people and government upon the 50th anniversary of the flight of Yury Gagarin into the space, which ushered in a new era in development of science and technology.

29. We express our confidence in the success of the 2011 Universiade in Shenzhen, the 2013 Universiade in Kazan, the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympics Games in Sochi, the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 2016 Olympic and Paralympics Games in Rio de Janeiro and the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia.

30. We extend our deepest condolences to the people of Japan with the great loss of life following the disasters that struck the country. We will continue our practical support to Japan in overcoming consequences of these catastrophes.

31. The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa extend our warm appreciation to China for hosting the BRICS Leaders Meeting and the Hainan Provincial Government and Sanya Municipal Government and their people for their support to the Meeting.

32. Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa thank India for hosting the BRICS Leaders Meeting in 2012 and offer their full support.

Action Plan

We formulated the Action Plan, laying the foundation for the BRICS cooperation, with the purpose to strengthen BRICS cooperation and benefit our peoples.

I. Enhance existing cooperation programs

1. Hold the third Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in the latter half of 2011 in China.

2. Hold the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs during the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

3. Hold sherpas/sous-sherpas meeting in due time.

4. Representatives to international organizations based in New York and Geneva meet periodically in an informal manner.

5. Ministers of Finance and Governors of Central Banks meet under the G20 framework and during the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

6.Hold the Meeting of Agriculture Expert Working Group and the second Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture in 2011 in China, and cooperate in issues including establishment of BRICS System of Agricultural Information and holding a seminar on food security.

7.Hold the Meeting of the heads of the National Statistical Institutions in September 2011 in China.

8.Hold the second BRICS International Competition Conference in September 2011 in China, and explore the possibility of signing an Agreement on Cooperation between Antimonopoly Agencies.

9.Continue to hold the BRICS Think-tank Symposiums, and consider establishing a network of research centers of all BRICS countries.

10.Hold another Business Forum prior to the next BRICS Leaders Meeting.

11.Strengthen financial cooperation among the BRICS Development Banks.

12.Implement the Protocol of Intent among the BRIC Countriesf Supreme Courts.

13.Release the Joint Statistical Publication by BRICS Countries.

14.Continue to hold the Meeting of Cooperatives.

II. New areas of cooperation

1.Host the first BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum in 2011 in China.

2.Host the Meeting of Ministers of Health in 2011 in China.

3.Engage in joint research on economic and trade issues.

4.Update, as appropriate, the Bibliography on the BRICS countries.

III. New proposals to explore

1.Cooperate in the cultural field according to the agreement of the BRICS leaders.

2.Encourage cooperation in sports.

3.Explore the feasibility to cooperate in the field of green economy.

4.Hold a meeting of Senior Officials for discussing ways of promoting scientific, technological and innovation cooperation in BRICS format including by establishment a working group on cooperation in pharmaceutical industry.

5.Establish, at UNESCO, a BRICS-UNESCO Group, aiming at developing common strategies within the mandate of the Organization.

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Faith communities in the developing world must work alongside governments to help eradicate diseases such as malaria

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Author? The 61 states who signed the constitution of the World Health Organisation in July 1946. Not "spiritual" wellbeing, mind you. The WHO is intergovernmental.

Why not, is worth asking. True, intergovernmental organisations have to abide by the sensitivities of their member governments, and religion is sensitive. But the WHO says that on average about 40% of healthcare in Africa is carried out by faith communities. How they know, given that there are very few accurate statistics, virtually none for primary healthcare undertaken outside clinics and hospitals, is the puzzle inside a conundrum. Faith communities' contribution to health is hardly on the radar.

They began to get on the African map after the HIV/Aids pandemic took off in the early 1980s. The faith communities responded in a holistic way. They dealt with stigma, prevention, treatment and care of the dying, as well as care of orphans. But there was only one news story: condoms, or at least the condemnation of their use by Christian leaders, notably Catholic bishops and the pope.

Gender rarely came into it. Though it was clear that even when condoms were available, poorly educated women in Africa and other developing regions were unable to insist on men using them. And one of the most effective programmes reducing the incidence of the virus in Uganda had the simple message to men to reduce the number of their sexual partners. In the developing world they are not the magic bullet.

The Vatican and local bishops might be accused of inconsistency and undermining government health messaging. The Catholic church has traditionally proclaimed sexual intercourse was about the transmission of life and the expression of human love between spouses. But refusal to use a condom by an HIV/Aids-infected partner turned intercourse into the transmission of death – the opposite of a loving action. People were hearing one thing from the pulpit and seeing another on street billboards and from the ministry of health.

So religion at its most compassionate and effective got written out of the script or featured as the villain – that if it weren't for Rome, millions would be saved.

Meanwhile, Christian and Muslim health associations were promoting a growing professionalism in the delivery of healthcare. This meant that the health assets of African faith communities were often – but far from always – more impressive and better staffed and resourced than government ones. Even if not much used, their networks and structures were potential gifts to national inoculation programmes, and for the transmission of health messages to rural communities.

Today the eradication of malaria deaths is emerging as a test case for government and faith community collaboration. In many respects it builds on the HIV/Aids experience. Lessons have been learned. Governments need one-stop-shops for disbursement of funding; the Nigerian Interfaith Action Association (Nifaa), led by the Archbishop of Abuja and the Sultan of Sokoto, plays this role. In Mozambique, interfaith collaboration in health messaging focused on malaria prevention has shown how religious leaders can be health promoters. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation hopes to promote similar interfaith initiatives in Sierra Leone.

There is a magic bullet for malaria, or at least bullets: impregnated bed nets. But they are not much good if people don't know how to use them effectively to protect their children and, especially, pregnant women, the most vulnerable to infection. Spraying houses and removing stagnant water are allied strategies. But education on the causes and prevention of the disease is paramount. That is something the networks and leadership of faith communities may be particularly good at.

Halting and reversing the spread of malaria is a part of one of the millennium development goals. There is a good chance it will be achieved by 2015. But this achievement will not come cheap and is not assured.

World Malaria Day on 25 April is the annual highlight of the global campaign against malaria. Faith communities around the world can contribute to the work of co-religionists in the south in eliminating one of the most preventable diseases in the world that kills more than 750,000 people a year. And the only mass murderer in this story is the mosquito.

At noon on Sunday 17 April, Portobello will launch its second community-built skiff. Guest blogger Morag Edward tells us about the project that puts a seaside community, from 17 to 73 year-olds, in the same boat

This weekend, Rowporty's newly-built community rowing skiff will leave Joppa bandstand at noon, to be carried along the prom to Bath Street. The skiff will then be launched at 12.30pm after a short ceremony on the beach. Please come down to the beach and join us for this special event!

The new 22ft wooden racing skiff is in the boatshed, with locals hard at work finishing a gazillion small but essential tasks. The race is on – the boat has to be ready by Sunday 17 April's high tide.

This new breed of skiff is designed by Iain Oughtred, with the kit supplied by Alec Jordan boats as part of the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association founded to encourage community rowing and racing around the Scottish coastline and lochs.

For many people, on hearing of the project, the prospect of owning or building a boat went from fantasy to reality overnight. Nevertheless, I don't think anyone anticipated the explosion of popularity that has led to more than 50 skiff kits ordered in Scotland so far, as well as by numerous communities in the USA, Australia and Europe. This weekend alone sees the launch of three new skiffs: Loch Broom Sailing Club on Saturday 16; then ours here in Portobello at noon on Sunday 17; followed closely by South Queensferry from Hawes Pier later on the afternoon of the 17. Everyone is very welcome to join in and help celebrate.

Getting on board

This is specifically a community organisation, so costs are covered by fundraising, sponsorship and grants. It costs around £3,000 to build a skiff, from initial outlay for the kit to additional materials, so each group or school has had to fundraise pretty heavily before placing their order.

Finding a venue for building it, a trailer to transport the finished skiff, then somewhere near the water for storage, club floatation jackets, insurance and maintenance are all vital elements to consider before going ahead with this work.

However, unlike sailing or maintaining your own boat, for example, the only expense for an individual taking part in this rowing project is a yearly membership, and perhaps the purchase of the distinctive Portobello green 'Never mind the Rollocks' T-shirt. Everything else is provided by the club.
You don't need any rowing experience to join a crew, in fact you don't even need to row at all if you're the coxwain.

Not all rowers build, not all boat-builders row, and some members don't build or row, but everyone is welcome to come to meetings, to arrange for a trial trip, to stock and man the awesome cake stalls at the Regatta, help with fundraising paperwork and ceilidh planning, help with boat maintenance on land, learn to use the rescue power boat (never needed, but a necessary safety detail) or work on the history and memorabilia research - or just come along to watch the skiffs out at sea. You might be surprised to see where they appear!

There should be several other boats at Portobello on 17 to welcome the new skiff onto the water, including Icebreaker, Portobello's first community-built skiff which was completed last spring, and skiffs built by nearby coastal groups. There may also be a couple of the original coastal rowing boats, built in Dundee almost 100 years ago.

They arrived in Portobello last week after 20 years out of the water, kindly donated to us by the Broughty Ferry Rowing Club, who are closing their club now, sadly, though the premises will be kept in use by the Royal Tay Yacht Club. If the old Jolly boats are still seaworthy, they'll be out alongside the new skiffs on launch day.

Last year, the idea of spending a long winter in a cold shed learning to construct a clinker-built boat appealed to a surprisingly large number of people, myself included, so we started building this latest skiff in December under the supervision of Nick Savage. It's the second skiff that Rowporty has constructed in the last 18 months so this time round there was some experience in the techniques, but there were always basic tasks that anyone could do - as long as they could get through the snow to reach the boatshed in the first place.

Skiff flipping day was back in February, when the completion of the hull mean the skiff could be turned the right way up. Some members had been training at sea since 8am, but still popped along to the boatshed to celebrate this important day in the skiff-building calendar.

The Regatta

The moment a freshly-painted and newly-named skiff hits the water – and doesn't sink - is a huge achievement for those involved. All the Rowporty teams are eager to try out the new skiff, and with the increase in numbers of people taking turns to train in Icebreaker now, we really need this second skiff. There are no plans to start building a third, well, not at the moment anyway...

You might already be familiar with the sight of the sleek cream-and-green skiff 'Icebreaker', out on the water in all weathers. Icebreaker was completed and launched from Portobello beach last spring:

Icebreaker was finished just in time to train teams to compete in last July's Portobello Regatta, a historic event returning to these shores after a 40 year absence. Newly-built Scottish Coastal Rowing Project skiffs attended the event from all over Scotland, from Achiltibue, who brought 'Coigach Lass' all the way from the Coigach peninsula in the North West Highlands, to North Berwick and their skiff 'St Baldred' from the South, pictured below.

Also in attendance at Portobello Regatta were Port Seton with 'Boatie Rows', 'Unity' from Eyemouth, the prototype skiff itself from Anstruther, the Newhaven team who raced in Anstruther's skiff as they were still building theirs, plus a guest appearance from the non-competing Tollcross currach 'Mac Mhara Dhu'.

This year the number of competitors is set to be higher as so many more communities have built their own skiff – or, like Rowporty, added a second skiff to their collection. There are several racing teams now taking turns in Icebreaker to train for this season's Scottish Regattas: the under 18s; mixed ages; women 40+; men 40+; and the infamous mixed 55+.

At last year's Portobello regatta, our mixed 40+ and mixed open took two of the prizes after only three months of learning to row.

Portobello Sailing and Kayaking Club was founded in 2009 by Jonathan Bendit, and is based on the promenade at the boat yard and The Boat House cafe, 57 Bath Street. Some members of the club were inspired by the activities of the new Scottish Coastal Rowing Project, who had designed a skiff that was affordable and relatively easy for amateurs to build by themselves in under six months. These skiffs are light enough for the five-person crew to carry down to the water on foot, which is particularly important for an area such as Portobello that currently has no harbour, pier, boathouse or slipway to launch from.

How I got involved, and you can too

Following a trip to Anstruther harbour to try out the prototype skiff of the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project, the club members set up the Portobello Skiff Project, aka Rowporty. Use of a workshop-boatshed was generously donated, tools sourced, and construction began. Slowly, as word spread, boat club members, families, neighbours and friends got involved. I first read about the Coastal Rowing initiative on TalkPorty and fully intended to travel up to Anstruther to see the prototype skiff, but ill health meant that it would be a further six months before I was able to get out and about to see what was happening. By that time Portobello had already started to build its very own skiff!

Newcomers have been welcomed throughout the club's progress, and in return everyone has pulled together whether to raise funds, build the skiffs, learn to row them, race them, look after them or publicise the work and the opportunities.

I had no carpentry skills, and not much of a grip in my hands, so was reticent about sitting around the boatshed unable to do anything useful, but I needn't have worried - everyone is very friendly and encouraging.

One of my early tasks in there was painting the blades of four original 12ft long wooden oars which had been donated for use on Icebreaker. Each oar was far too heavy for me to lift, so I could only imagine how anyone rowed with them against the pressure of the waves. And I discovered that drying time for undercoat and topcoat is considerably longer than it says on the tin when working in a boatshed that is surrounded by snow.

Porty's golden era

The Portobello Skiff Project also studies the history of boat rowing and racing in Portobello, and a successful illustrated talk was given last year by Bob Jefferson with one of Rowporty's founders, Ali Grant.

In the early 20th century, rowing along this stretch of the Firth was extremely popular, and the races were taken very seriously. Early photographs and postcards show our stretch of coastline packed with rowing boats, pleasure boats, yachts, swimming and racing teams, all out on the water. Portobello was one of the most important tourism destinations in Scotland at this time, with the longest railway station platform in the country to accommodate the numbers of visitors. It didn't last.

Various things contributed to Portobello's fall from grace, from a change in public taste, to loss of huge attractions such as the Marine Gardens, a decline in water quality, many misguided planning decisions, a change in demographics, loss of the railway station, closure of the pottery industry, and the demolition of the famous pier itself. You can still see some of the foundation posts of the pier at the bottom of Bath Street during particularly low tides.

During Porty's golden era, the beach also featured several wooden jettys, belonging to private boat charters, which made boarding the rowing boats much easier. Pictured below, it's one of those mini jettys that I secretly covet; either a surviving original or a replica designed after studying the photos more carefully. I'm sure nothing can faze the woodworkers in Porty's hardware shop on the High Street.

In the past, Portobello was home to the Eastern Amateur Rowing Club and the Portobello Amateur Rowing Club. We've been fortunate enough to meet Bill and Derek Morrison, whose grandfather founded the Portobello Amateur Rowing Club in 1885. The Morrison brothers have generously donated a 1930s single-person rowing boat to Rowporty's collection. The brothers still have a Minute Book of Joint Regattas, currently being transcribed onto TalkPorty.

Also online, thanks to the work of local historian Rathbone, are some gems of boating history from The Scotsman Archives. Rathbone's past Portobello research has included the pier, Portobello Zoo (complete with The Scotsman's coverage of escaping lions), the Marine Gardens and the African Village, where the bus depot and car salesrooms now stand, and the open-air swimming pool where Sean Connery once worked as a lifeguard, but which is now five-a-side football pitches and modern housing.

Television crew jumps aboard

The skiff project has been gifted many other pieces of memorabilia from the old regattas and the early days of boat racing, including some of the original boats and oars. Recently we were offered an old Portobello Amateur Rowing Club racing trophy, currently in the hands of the Royal West of Scotland Club; which will be formally presented by the Royal West at the launch on the 17th so that we can re-instate it as a regatta prize in July. We are obviously hoping that they don't win it straight back again.

The longer we do this, the more often people approach us to share their own memories of Portobello beach, the sea, the boats and the races. If you'd like to share your own memories or records with these new generations of enthusiasts, please contact us on www.rowporty.org.uk

So far, Rowporty has been quite a low-key project, but this weekend we welcome a film crew from BBC Alba to follow us around on Sunday as the skiff leaves the boatshed, heads for Joppa, parades along the prom and down onto the beach to be named and launched. As yet there are no native Gaelic speakers amongst the skiffers and boat builders here, though there are some able to keep up with a simple conversation, and some who have been learning a few Gaelic phrases with which to welcome the Isle of Lewis film crew.

The visitors are making a documentary following the progress of their own village's skiff build up on Lewis and will be filming at the first regatta they compete in later this year, but they have an interest in the other types of communities taking part in the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project. Portobello is the only urban seaside in Scotland to be involved, so far, as well as one of the first to build a skiff, so they want to find out who we are, what we do, and why we do it. The people involved in Rowporty are from all walks of life and backgrounds, with ages ranging from 17 to 73. The Rowporty captain Andres Leslie is originally from Chile!

The longer days of spring mean the return of evening training, so you'll see Icebreaker – and its new sister skiff too – out on the water until dark some nights. The magical moments in a boat are when the sea is flat calm and glassy, there isn't a breath of wind, the air is still warm at dusk, and seals bob up to say hello. It's not too late to try out for a team so if you're interested please contact www.rowporty.org.uk for details.

Unfortunately there is still no beach pathway of any kind across the sand for rowers using wheelchairs or pushing prams, but Rowporty members have been very helpful with ingenious methods of sand transportation for the less mobile among us. The City of Edinburgh Council has claimed there is no funding or plans for beach alterations outwith the East coast development project that has been in the hands of a design team since 2009. There are, however, ongoing community plans to create something to enable access for all that doesn't involve bits of old carpet. Though personally I'm delighted to get to the water by any means available so have my own roll of spare carpet in the shed, just in case. It's simply a co-incidence that it's a red carpet – honestly!

The Portobello Regatta will be held on Portobello beach on Saturday 30th July and Sunday 31st July, with skiff races starting at noon. There will be entertainment and food stalls along the promenade too. For more information on the Portobello Sailing and Kayaking Club membership, boat storage facilities and classes for children and adults, please contact Sailporty.

About the blogger:

I moved to Portobello about seven years ago when I became too ill to stay in town. Where I was, the wheelchair couldn't manage the shockingly bad pavements (I'd already been tipped out onto my face once), the traffic fumes choked me, and I couldn't find any nearby accommodation on the ground floor so that I could stay in the area when I moved house. It was time for a new start – in Portobello.

I am grateful to Lesley Reid for making the whole thing possible, to my new neighbours for making me feel so welcome, and to TalkPorty for providing an online opportunity to get to know others in the village while I was mainly housebound. Whenever I was stuck in bed for weeks at a time, I left my windows wide open so I could still hear the waves. When I could get out, I sat on the prom looking out to sea, taking photos of Inchkeith Island and hatching plans to get out there. I couldn't actually reach the sea for a paddle, and I didn't have a boat or access to one, so couldn't get out onto the water, but I was near the sea and that made all the difference. Living next to Portobello beach helped me make the transition to a new life.

Morag Edward writes at www.velocity-m.blogspot.com.

• PharmAccess African Studies to Evaluate Resistance (PASER), Nigeria - PASER is managed by the PharmAccess Foundation and is the largest coordinated effort in sub-Saharan Africa to monitor HIV drug resistance. Six African countries hosting 15 clinics, laboratories and research institutions are joined in a unique collaborative network to collect data on (emerging) HIV drug resistance. Currently, over 3,000 adults who receive antiretroviral treatment are being monitored. With Heineken's funding Nigeria will now be added to this study, supporting the implementation of a monitoring program to assess the emergence of HIV drug resistance in both Nigerian adults and children who are receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.
• Bonnes Routes!, Democratic Republic of Congo - This programme will support two existing road wellness clinics in Lukala and Bukavu in Northern DRC. The clinics will provide curative and preventative health services to more than 25,000 employees of transportation companies and other community members each year. They will provide HIV prevention guidance and ultimately HIV treatment, as well as basic health care services. If successful, an expansion of the programme's scope will be considered.
• Project King's Hope, South Africa - This is an ongoing project run by the King's Hope Development Foundation. With the HAF funding, the foundation will be able to improve the accessibility of healthcare to HIV patients in the area of Olievenhoutbosch in the Gauteng Province, specifically palliative care.

• Dr. Hedia Belhadj, Director, Partnerships Department, UNAIDS
• Prof. Dr. Joep M.A. Lange, Department of Global Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development
• Ms. Morolake Odetoyinbo, Board Member, The Global Fund; CEO, Positive Action for Treatment Access
• Mr. Hugo Tempelman MD, MA, CEO Ndlovu Care Group, South Africa; visiting professor Utrecht University
• Dr. Marijke Wijnroks, AIDS Ambassador, The Dutch Government

• By 2020 a reduction of specific direct and indirect CO₂ emissions in breweries by at least 40% and a reduction in specific water consumption by at least 25%.
• To expand to €20 million the funding for the Heineken Africa Foundation.
• To expand the local sourcing of raw materials in Africa to 60% by 2020.
• The continuous reduction of the CO₂ footprint of our brands throughout the value chain.
• By 2015 ensuring that all markets have a partnership that help the company play its part in reducing alcohol abuse.
• By 2015 for every majority-owned business to have a sustainability plan and to report publicly on its progress and commitment.

• Location: Dupont Circle
• Compensation: $50,000 - $75,000
• This is at a non-profit organization.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

By: Cynthia Gordy

There's a new conversation bubbling up these days at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington, Delaware.

"We've been researching best practices, visiting other schools to learn about programs that have worked for them, and we are constantly talking about what's best for our students," says assistant principal Clifton Hayes. "Vice President Biden coming by last week to celebrate was just the icing on the cake."

It's been one year since Delaware, along with Tennessee, won the first round of the Obama administration's Race to the Top competitive grant program. Funded by the Recovery Act and designed to spur bold education reform, the program makes $4.35 billion available to all 50 states -- but only if they agree to certain guidelines for improving their education systems, such as raising academic standards and boosting support for the lowest-performing schools. Winners of the competition's second round, announced last August, include Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C.

"In each successive round, we've leveraged change across the country," President Obama said in a speech at the National Urban League conference last summer, extolling Race to the Top. "It's forced teachers and principals and officials and parents to forge agreements on tough and often uncomfortable issues -- to raise their sights and embrace education."

But the program has also been a lightning rod for controversy. Opponents see it as budgetary blackmail that forces states to change their education laws based on the administration's ideas -- and call the U.S. Education Department's jumble of reform strategies, like expanding the number of charter schools and merit pay for teachers, misguided at best. Race to the Top's structure as a competition, civil rights group further contend, stacks the deck against poor and minority students, who will be left at the bottom.

The criticism, however, doesn't faze Race to the Top's freshman class. One year into laying the groundwork for their winning plans, which launch fully this fall, education officials in Delaware and Tennessee profess excitement about potentially transforming their public schools.

Finding the Right Remedy

So far, both Delaware, which received $119 million for the next four years, and Tennessee, which was awarded $500 million, have improved their systems for monitoring academic achievement and graduation rates. Both states have also recruited and trained new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers, boosted their proficiency standards and changed how they evaluate teachers, tying a portion of each evaluation to student progress.

"Right now, 98 percent of teachers in Delaware are evaluated as satisfactory," says Paul Herdman, president and CEO of the Rodel Foundation of Delaware, a public-education nonprofit that helped with the state's Race to the Top proposal. Meanwhile, Delaware's overall graduation rate of 65 percent (it's just 50 percent for African-American males) is below the national average of 69 percent. "I don't believe there have been over 10 people in the last several years that have ever lost a job around teacher evaluation or poor performance," Herdman says.

That challenge -- what to do with ineffective teachers and principals in Delaware -- has also started to be tackled under Race to the Top. Last year, officials identified for overhauls -- which include eliminating some staff members -- four schools performing in the state's bottom 5 percent. Two of those schools serve predominantly black students in the heart of Wilmington. This year the state will name six more schools to overhaul. The numbers sound small but actually represent 5 percent of the 200 schools in Delaware, America's second-smallest state.

The first four schools that are designing turnaround plans, which roll out next school year, have required teachers and administrators to reinterview for their jobs. Two principals have already stepped down. Beyond staff evaluation, each school is partnering with consultants, hired using Race to the Top funds, to take on its own mixed bag of reforms, including performance pay for teachers, "attraction bonuses" of $5,000 to draw more effective teachers and other new programs that have worked at charter schools.

Tennessee has also confronted the challenge of reforming its lowest-performing schools, with about 190 targeted so far for interventions out of 1,693 total in the state. Chronically low-achieving schools, with low proficiency and graduation rates going back more than a decade, may be subject to takeover by the state this coming school year.

"For those schools, the state would create its own school district to either directly run, or use outside agencies like charter schools to help provide services," Rachel Woods, a spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Education, told The Root, adding that Tennessee has greatly expanded charter school options under Race to the Top.

The majority of low-performing schools identified in Tennessee thus far have developed their own turnaround strategies. Some opted to get rid of their entire faculties and have new administrators in place, while others picked from a range of tactics to suit their needs -- longer school days, for example, more days for teacher development, and bonuses for teachers and principals if they meet certain criteria.

Ken Foster, executive director of the Memphis Education Association, a union group for Memphis teachers, is not quite sold on the mix-and-match nature of individual school reforms. The Memphis school district, which has a student population that is 86 percent African American, is home to several of the targeted schools.

"We've only been doing this since August of last year, so it's too early to say whether or not any of these things will be successful," Foster told The Root, adding that the teachers union worked with the district on some of the policy changes. "The Race to the Top money was put out there to try experimental things, and Tennessee was willing to step out there and try them. I'm not convinced they will work, but maybe it's time to put it to rest whether they will or not."

Left at the Bottom

It is precisely the idea of Race to the Top as an "experiment" that has its critics calling foul. Last summer a coalition of advocacy groups, including the NAACP and the Schott Foundation for Public Education, released a report slamming the initiative.

"For far too long, communities of color have been testing grounds for unproven methods of educational change," said the report, which accused the Obama administration of promoting quick fixes instead of focusing on closing gaps in resources and alleviating poverty. "We therefore urge an end to the federal push to encourage states to adopt federally prescribed methodologies that have little or no evidentiary support -- for primary implementation only in low-income and high-minority communities."

Michael Holzman, a research consultant for the Schott Foundation, argues that a competition with winners and losers has no place in federal education funding. He explains that entering Race to the Top alone was expensive, with states hiring groups of consultants to build their proposals.

"By doing it as a competition, they ensured that poorer states that most needed the money didn't get it," he told The Root, pointing out that states with large communities of color, such as California, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, were overlooked. "If you look at the states that got the money, they were all states that were doing pretty well."

While Holzman agrees with the program's outlined priorities of teacher evaluation and improving the country's lowest-performing schools, he disagrees with many of the prescriptions. "The most egregious example is the push for charter schools," he said. "The research shows clearly that charter schools aren't any better than standard-issue public schools. But the federal government is saying, 'Here's this thing that we know isn't any better than public schools, and we're going to make you do it.' "

The Tennessee Department of Education's Woods counters the criticism by saying that her state has invested in high-quality charter school models, such as KIPP, that have already proved successful in certain parts of Tennessee. "I think our strategies are proven, but they're proven on a very small scale," she says. "You won't find whole states that have successfully moved from the bottom to the top in terms of national performance. But Tennessee has been low performing for a very long time, so this is an opportunity to try to make improvements in a quick period of time by implementing dramatic reforms."

Herdman, with the Rodel Foundation of Delaware, admits that there isn't a large body of research proving that his state's plan will be wholly successful. "But we do have a lot of evidence that shows the current strategy has not worked," he says. "We have a moral obligation to do something. There is a level of risk in this, but I think there's enough evidence to suggest that it's a risk worth taking."

The Difference a Year Makes

Casual observers may expect drastic improvements one year after the announcement of the first Race to the Top winners, but state officials insist that they have used the time to lay their foundation, with the real work getting started next school year.

"One thing that's changed is that we have realistic expectations," Daniel Cruce, chief of staff for the Delaware Department of Education, told The Root. "The kind of instant gratification that people want to see in one year is part of the problem. What they will see is that our schools have plans now that are unlike anything they've ever done before, and that's the way you build actual sustainable change."

That said, Delaware and Tennessee must still work under a tight timeline -- just three more years now -- to pull themselves out of their educational slump. Despite the many naysayers, controversy and endless questions, they remain optimistic that they can do it.

"There's a sense of urgency now," says Hayes from Wilmington's Howard High School of Technology, describing the new energy in his community. "And we actually have the resources needed to move forward. I feel really good about the direction in which we're headed."

Cynthia Gordy is the Washington reporter for The Root.

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EF Schumacher, the humane socialist economist known for his 1973 bestseller Small Is Beautiful, championed 'economics as if people mattered'. Forty years on, he's enjoying a revival, thanks, oddly enough, to David Cameron…

Once again, as the western world seems to teeter on the edge of catastrophe, mankind begins fearfully to wonder, "What on earth is to be done?" Practically speaking, the disasters in Japan and the revolutions in the Middle East demand an answer to an urgent, even desperate, question. Global warming may be high on the international agenda, but global capitalism still takes nuclear power and fossil fuels for granted.

One draft of an answer lies buried in the crumbling, saffron pages of the Observer's back numbers from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. As 2011 unfolds, their author, the economist EF Schumacher, looks set for rediscovery as a man with a plan whose hour has come. Here, for instance, is Schumacher on "the so-called peaceful use of atomic energy" – "There could be no clearer example of the prevailing dictatorship of economics… That nuclear fission represents an incredible, incomparable, and unique hazard for human life does not enter any calculation and is never mentioned."

To submit to the nuclear lobby, he continues, "is a transgression against life itself, a transgression infinitely more serious than any crime ever perpetrated by man. The idea that a civilisation could sustain itself on the basis of such a trangression is an ethical, spiritual, and metaphysical monstrosity." These brave, burning words could have been written last night. But who, exactly, was EF Schumacher?

To his family, he was "Pop". To friends he was "Fritz" and, occasionally, "James". To David Astor, editor of the Observer, he was "Professor". When he died in 1977, EF Schumacher was not only a secular guru to countless admirers, but also the author of Small Is Beautiful, a global bestseller subtitled "a study of economics as if people mattered".

Schumacher expressed the ideas of Small Is Beautiful in pithy soundbites: "Technology must be the servant of man, not its master"; "there is more to life than GDP"; "the world cannot rely on diminishing supplies of non-renewables"; and, most famous of all, his belief in "lots and lots of small autonomous units". For a moment, in the 1970s, these caught the wind of the zeitgeist.

"To very few people", declared the Times, "is it given to begin to change the direction of human thought. Dr Schumacher belongs to this intensely creative minority." Long before our current crisis, Schumacher and his ideas were attracting attention here in the UK. Several of the better themes of David Cameron's widely disputed "big society" are indistinguishable in their ambition from parts of Small is Beautiful. The prime minister, indeed, has long been interested in Schumacher's ideas. Almost immediately after becoming leader of the Conservative party, Cameron addressed the Soil Association, engaging with key aspects of the Small Is Beautiful message.

Schumacher always said that his arm would wither if he voted Conservative, but he turns out to be a natural godfather for the coalition. A very English German, and lifelong anti-Nazi, Schumacher once wrote "Be prepared to joke at every pain". Much of his life was devoted to reconciling the planet to intractable global issues through the application of a dissenting intelligence, good humour and lateral thought. "We always need both freedom and order," he once wrote, a sentiment dear to English hearts and minds.

Ernst Friedrich (Fritz) Schumacher was born on 16 August 1911, the son of a distinguished academic and professional family from Berlin. His sister Edith, who later married the atomic physicist Werner Heisenberg, said of her brother's uncanny perceptiveness, "He is like another Beethoven". On top of his innate gifts there was the legacy of strange and violent times in Germany. Schumacher's childhood was blighted by the first world war and the German economic collapse of 1923.

Schumacher left school and university on a lifelong quest for answers to the puzzles of existence. Although his education had given him "maps of life and knowledge ", he wrote, nothing he had been taught seemed to have any relevance or "importance to the conduct of my life". Already he was anticipating an engagement with the challenges of the 20th century. "I have a restless longing in me that cannot be fulfilled," he wrote to his sister. "Hopefully, in the future, but not yet."

Perhaps the present was too troubled. After winning a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford, making the friendships that would shape his career, and visiting the US, Schumacher returned to Berlin. Always a German patriot, like many young men of his generation, he had to navigate the rise of Hitler and National Socialism until the inner conflict became intolerable.

In 1936 he married Anna Maria ("Muschi") Petersen, and moved to England. Muschi was a loyal, long-suffering wife whose good nature perfectly complemented Schumacher's more cerebral serenity. "When you're with Muschi," said David Astor, "it's like warming your hands at the fire." She devoted herself to raising four children while her young husband embarked on his quest for answers.

Schumacher's move to England had provoked bitter family rows. In a conflict played out in countless middle-class German homes, Schumacher argued that fighting for the Fatherland meant fighting against a Germany in the grip of Nazism. By contrast, his brother-in-law, Heisenberg, chose a controversial path of co-existence that would reach a troubled conclusion in Copenhagen. Schumacher insisted that England was the only place from which to conduct this battle. To his friends, this was no surprise. As one put it, "Fritz was a German, but in his way he was also an Englishman."

Schumacher's belief in an English future was fulfilled, with a paradoxical twist, early in 1940. He was living comfortably with his family in Weybridge, working in the City, devoting himself to Muschi and the children, and developing "the possibility of an Anglo-German friendship". When Weybridge was declared part of an Enemy Protected Area, and he had to flee, his Oxford friend David Astor came to his rescue. Astor had begun to promote a European ideal through the pages of the Observer. He was also linked to Schumacher through the "Shanghai Club", which championed the leftward shift of British society during the war. A shifting constellation of the best and the brightest, its members included Barbara Ward, EH Carr, Sebastian Haffner (Raimund Pretzel), Isaac Deutscher, John Strachey and, most notably, George Orwell.

Clever editors recruit where they can, and instinctively. Astor found at the Shanghai Club, a Chinese restaurant in Soho, many of the writers and journalists who would soon become associated with the Observer. Coming to the aid of a refugee like Schumacher was part of Astor's extraordinary gift for private, creative sympathy. His family had an estate in Northamptonshire, with cottages to spare. In June 1940, the Schumacher family moved to Eydon (pronounced Eden) to begin a new life on the land. For a man used to bourgeois comforts, a farm labourer's cottage, with no gas or electricity and one cold tap, was a shock. Worse was to follow. The Battle of Britain was raging; a Nazi invasion threatened.

Across Britain, enemy nationals were being rounded up and interned, many of them on the Isle of Man. The official dragnet caught all sorts: German Jews, communists, Italian chefs, fervent Nazis, Oxbridge dons. The distinguished classicist Arnaldo Momigliano, faced with a choice of internment among Italians or Germans chose the former declaring that he would prefer to be a professor among a bunch of Italian waiters than an Italian waiter amongst a crowd of German professors.

Schumacher was comparatively lucky. When, shortly after moving to Eydon, the policeman's knock came at the cottage door, he was taken off to join about 1,400 prisoners under canvas in a hastily built camp on Prees Heath, on the Shropshire-Wales border, where every kind of refugee was herded together under chaotic conditions. His life would never be the same again.

Despite the degrading mix of misery and squalor at the camp, Schumacher remained impressively committed to his adopted country. "To leave England now would break my heart," he wrote to his wife. Soon, his instinctive optimism was focusing his attention on the future and – because he was never short of self-belief – his role in it. He began to recognise that internment was giving his life purpose. "I see my task more clearly than ever: Europe, a new Europe, coming from England." It was a paradoxical response to an episode that, to a lesser man, might have been alienating and oppressive.

His experience of Prees Heath, which actually lasted no more than a few months in 1940, shaped Schumacher's understanding of society. On this dreary stretch of common, the cerebral statistician was forced into a rapprochement with Schumacher the humane socialist. Many colleagues would later comment on his extraordinary concern for the well-being of the individual in society and his generous, inclusive nature.

Slowly, the internees began to establish discipline, routine and a measure of organisation. With such a disparate collection, it was not easy, but Schumacher's easygoing good humour was invaluable. "Give me an Italian communist any day," he would joke in later life, contrasting Italians and Viennese. Elected camp leader, he set about organising Prees Heath into a hygienic and humane regime. He wrote to his wife that his modus operandi was "based on kindness and persuasion... with so much misery about I am convinced it is the only method."

Here, for the first time, was the mixture of simple exposition and philanthropic self-improvement that would later underpin his approach to changing society. "I am learning a great deal," he told Muschi, "how to deal with many different types of men. It is a hard school but a good one, and I am making some progress." Schumacher's remarkable equanimity never left him. He had no animus towards his captors. "Whatever the British are doing to us now," he wrote, "so long as they win I will be satisfied."

Schumacher had always been a Marxist. Prees Heath, he discovered, was a microcosm of society: the oppression and exploitation of the imprisoned many by the privileged few. Schumacher had grown up part of an intellectual elite, detached from reality, and mixing through birth and intelligence with an aristocracy of Anglo-German academics and professionals. Camp changed his understanding and his perception of society for good. He would return to village life in Northamptonshire like a man released from a seminar on life itself, burning with new ideas.

Throughout the war, encouraged by Astor, who supplied him with books, Schumacher devoted himself to the all-consuming question of how to make the world a safer and better place. How could real peace be won and guaranteed? What should be the shape of the postwar world? What to do about Germany?

Back in Eydon, Schumacher had also to come to terms with life as an enemy alien. The villagers thought him a spy. Signs went up in the local shops – "No Germans" – and the Schumacher home was pelted with stones. Eventually, peace was restored, but only after a public meeting in the Eydon village hall at which Fritz and Muschi were allowed to explain themselves. Fritz the amateur German farm labourer became "James" the foreign eccentric who was reputed to take tea with Lord Keynes. All his life, he would revel in a maverick identity, the good German you couldn't pigeonhole.

Schumacher was now writing regularly for Astor's Observer which became a perfect platform for his ideas. JL Garvin, who had edited the paper from 1908, had been forced by ill-health to step down in a hurry. Astor, aged just 29, inheriting a situation of journalistic chaos, turned to his friends. Schumacher's English prose needed a lot of subbing, but his fresh and innovative ideas added a vital ingredient to the mix.

The war moved into its final phase. Schumacher began to play a pivotal role in shifting a resurgent Observer into advocating new social and economic international solutions to urgent post-war problems. Some of these would become the foundation of the postwar consensus on the mixed economy and the welfare state.

Schumacher's personal journey was erratic. His ideas were in flux. As he wrote to Astor, while still on the land: "My intense interest in socialism is a new departure… What my final opinion will be I don't know, but I am pretty sure that my nature does not allow me to embrace wholeheartedly as 'final' any political creed or system, any 'ism', or any panacea."

Never an extremist, Schumacher believed in the sovereignty of reason. His daughter Barbara recalls that, in his company, "you always felt that he was very wise. If you asked him something, he would stop and think before he gave you his answer. He would always turn any discussion round and look at it in a different way, but he was always very twinkly, with a wonderful sense of humour." His second wife, Verena, remembers that "he was the easiest man to live with, incredibly even-tempered, who believed that the first Christian duty was cheerfulness."

Nevertheless, Schumacher made the re-entry into academe with difficulty. "Give me farm labourers," he wrote, anticipating his later ideas. "They will talk more intelligently than this scum of the earth called Oxford postwar Reconstruction Planners." The loathing was mutual. One of his colleagues wrote, "I don't believe that man was born. I think he came out of a bottle." For his part, Schumacher later admitted that, in those days, "I was a very arrogant young whippersnapper."

Eventually Fritz Schumacher would morph into a snowy-haired, kindly and voluble uncle of bohemian manner. But, as the war came to an end, he was still a young man in a hurry. Schumacher's increasingly singular personal quest left its mark on his family. Barbara Schumacher, born in 1946, remembers being conscious that "my home life wasn't like other people's". Her "Pop" had become an ardent vegetable gardener, and would get up at six to work his plot before commuting to work. Her sister, Virginia, recalls the domestic ritual of bread-making, a habit she maintains to this day. Despite memories of their father's addiction to physical domestic labour, both women recall that "there was something soft about him. He had very well manicured hands, and was always beautifully turned out."

Schumacher was also mixing with the elite of the postwar Labour reconstruction: Hugh Gaitskell, Michael Foot, Hugh Dalton, Jennie Lee and Stafford Cripps. Barbara says that he made no effort to disguise his origins. As a recent "enemy alien" he might have been expected to lie low, but that was not in his nature. He always spoke out, attracting the attention of Sir William Beveridge, who became another patron.

Occasionally, Schumacher's presence in the higher reaches of government inspired bitter, anti-German attacks, but when he became a fully naturalised Briton in 1945, his place and his future seemed more secure. Even his youthful appearance was on his side. At 35, he still looked about 25 and he always disconcerted those who, on first meeting, were astonished by the contrast between his youth and experience.

He believed that there was a social, even moral, dimension to the crisis of resources he observed on an official visit to the shattered ruins of postwar Germany. The doctors, engineers and lawyers of Germany had not failed as experts but as people. In one of his earliest public lectures, given in March 1948, he described man's task as twofold, first "to fully develop oneself" and second, "to form one's relationship to other people – family, groups, one's countrymen, mankind – sensibly, ethically, or expressed quite simply, with joy."

It's a fair bet that no other government economist of these years was formulating a role for "joy" in social policy, but Schumacher was becoming a most unusual public intellectual. Now in his late 30s, he was asking the questions about the nature of existence he had first confronted on Prees Heath. What is the purpose of one's life? Are there any useful tools available to humanity beyond scientific fact and optimism ?

Once he joined the National Coal Board as economic adviser in 1950, he began to see the future more clearly. He would devote the rest of his life to environmental questions. For 20 years, the Coal Board gave him a niche from which to test these in the field of energy. "I am completely submerged in COAL," he told his wife. He and Muschi had moved to Caterham. Holcombe was a big, rambling house in four acres of garden in the Surrey green belt. The growing family of four had a vegetable patch, and Schumacher devoted himself to sustainability.

The relative affluence and stability of the 1950s gave Schumacher the opportunity to indulge his fascination with existential questions. In his drive better to understand the individual, he became obsessed with astrology, insisting on doing his children's horoscopes. Schumacher himself was a Leo, a king of the jungle, a leader and shaman. "The mysteries of life were what interested him," Barbara remembers. "He was on a lifelong quest for answers. I think he was always troubled by the German catastrophe." How was it possible that the Fatherland, the home of Beethoven, Kant, Goethe and Marx, could have fallen under the spell of the Nazis? "For me," says Barbara, "my father's greatness lies in having the courage to question all the certainties of life."

In 1955, immersed in the search for inner stillness, Schumacher took a three-month sabbatical in Burma, another turning point. Thereafter, he began to develop a Buddhist approach to economics. He had already reduced the problems of "nature's larder" (the earth's resources) to the single issue of energy. Now he began exploring what a "Buddhist economy" might mean. There should, he wrote, be a "distinction between renewable and non-renewable resources. A civilisation built of renewable resources is superior to one built on oil, coal, metal etc. The New Economics would be a veritable Statute of Limitation – and that means a Statute of Liberation." After his trip to Burma, there was in Schumacher's mind the slow fusion of an energy-centred economic system with Gandhian and Buddhist ideas of non-violence. In August 1960, these ideas found expression in an Observer article entitled "Non-violent economics".

It was a very difficult time. Muschi was terminally ill with cancer, and her husband found it hard to muster the psychological resources to cope with her loss. Eventually, he would marry Verena, his children's au pair, embark on a second family and focus his attention on questions of "Intermediate Technology", the application of technology from the developed world for daily use in the developing world, using local materials. Schumacher's interest in the needs and resources of the rural poor coincided with the Observer's now celebrated stand on African liberation. Astor and Schumacher, as editor and contributor, were now echoing each other's preoccupations about the future development of the planet.

The climax of these years occurred in August 1965, when the Observer ran a milestone Schumacher article about Intermediate Technology on the front of the Review. His focus on world poverty struck a chord that resonated with readers. The paper was swamped with letters which in turn led to the foundation in 1966 of the Intermediate Technology Development Group (now "Practical Action").

Once he had retired from the Coal Board in 1970, Schumacher found a liberation in a new way of life, undoubtedly inspired by marriage to a woman 30 years his junior. He began to take an interest in the practical application of his theories. Peter Segger, an influential champion of the organic food movement, who has devoted his life to Schumacher's ideas and now lives in deepest Wales, remembers his mentor's visit to his farm. "He was so warm, enthusiastic and generous. To a beginner like me, he was a huge inspiration. His book was seminal."

Segger believes that Schumacher's biggest achievement, as an outsider, was to articulate a dissenting view of society in which "you could start on whatever scale you chose". Verena concurs that her new husband was "very intellectual, but not frighteningly so. He was always utterly inclusive. It was his natural inclination to explain. He never made you ill at ease, but he did like to be provocative."

Increasingly, his provocations were international. As well as a punishing schedule of talks and meetings, Schumacher began to translate his lifelong struggle with the conundrum of existence into two books. The first, an unorthodox spiritual roadmap with the title A Guide for the Perplexed, was a summary of his quest for happiness. The second, initially titled "The Homecomers", and finally published in 1973 as Small Is Beautiful, would become the global bestseller that dominated his last years.

Small Is Beautiful was a word-of-mouth phenomenon. The book itself is an occasionally repetitive collection of essays and lectures written over many years, some of whose themes had first been tried out in the Observer. On publication, it secured few reviews, and sales were initially slow. Its readers, however, were devoted. Schumacher's ideas spread among a generation troubled by ecological "survival", and in search of a new blueprint for the future. Long before global warming dominated the environmental and political agenda, Schumacher's book sales went viral, partly propelled by the oil price rise of 1974, but more probably inspired by his message.

First, he argued that the "natural capital" of the earth's resources is irreplaceable. Global capitalism, squandering fossil fuels, threatens our civilisation. Squander "the capital represented by living nature" and you "threaten life itself". Second, to address the challenge of how to change man's relationship with the planet, society needs to mobilise a combination of "freedom and order", two apparently irreconcilable concepts. For Schumacher this meant "lots of small, autonomous units", committed to "the indivisibility of peace and also of ecology." Typically, Schumacher expressed his ideas in memorable phrases: "good husbandry will help people to help themselves".

Finally, asserting the four cardinal virtues given him by his new-found faith in Roman Catholicism, Schumacher declared that mankind's duty was both simple and disconcerting: "We can, each of us," he writes, "work to put our inner house in order." The guidance for this task, he concluded, should not come from the state, or from science and technology, but from humanity itself, "the traditional wisdom of mankind".

Schumacher enjoyed only a few years of recognition for his vision of a better, more holistic society. The non-stop schedule took its toll. In September 1977, he dropped dead on a train to Zurich. He was not yet 70.

The afterlife of a cult bestseller is always interesting. There was a memorial service in Westminster Cathedral, addressed by Yehudi Menuhin, followed by a lot of talk about "Schumacher centres". Different pressure groups found different messages in Small Is Beautiful. "It was a bit like the early church," says one observer. "Everyone thinking they have got hold of the truth, but each has got a different part."

The Soil Association, of which Schumacher had been president, received a direct legacy from its mentor in the shape of royalties from Small is Beautiful. Jonathan Dimbleby, another former president, is delighted to see his predecessor back in fashion. "Small Is Beautiful really does mean something now," he told the Observer last week. "Schumacher has become a man for our times. I believe we must go back to Schumacher to find a future that works."

Dimbleby is not alone. Long before the Arab revolutions threatened oil supplies or the Japanese tsunami wreaked its terrible nuclear aftermath, David Cameron and the coalition had begun to look at Schumacher's ideas. In 2005, Cameron addressed the Soil Association, the key pressure group for alternative agriculture on the importance of sustainable farming. Patrick Holden, director of the Sustainable Food Trust, says: "Cameron gets it. Food and water will be the big electoral issues of the 21st century."

Rohan Silva, senior policy adviser to the prime minister, places Schumacher in a tradition of 20th-century anti-utopian thought represented by Karl Popper and Isaiah Berlin. Speaking for himself recently in Downing Street, Silva explained the government's "emphasis on breaking up large-scale institutions into smaller elements. This," he continued, "is absolutely what we are seeking to prosecute." Repeating Schumacher, Silva said: "Smaller elements will enable people to choose a human scale – with an emphasis on the environment and well-being. There is more to progress than narrow economics, and more to life than GDP. We will be the first government to implement a measurement of well-being."

Celebrating the concept of "enoughness", Silva claimed that "the three pillars of the 'big society' are all consistent with Schumacher". These pillars are, first, the decentralisation of power; second, public service reform; and third, social community reform helping people to come together to work responsibly for the common good. We have, said Silva, "an urgent sense of needing to embrace enoughness".

When I challenged him to reconcile some of these ideas with the all-powerful vested interests of global capitalism, Silva smoothly responded that "this is one of the great challenges for this government". He quoted Cameron's desire to build "a contributor society rather than a consumer economy". So is Schumacher then a household god in Downing Street? Silva seems wary of becoming the prisoner of pressure group politics. "We talk about policy in practical terms," he replies carefully. "We try not to talk about philosophy, but we do like to really engage with as many thinkers as possible."

The spirit of Schumacher seems to be alive and well and at the centre of coalition thinking. From the window of my meeting with Silva there's a view of the No 10 garden. Will the PM follow Michelle Obama and introduce an allotment to Downing Street? Silva replies that there's not enough time in the day to go gardening, but asserts that "the prime minister is most comfortable digging his garden [in Witney, his constituency] and tending to his vegetables".

In Britain in 2011, the man of many names and more enthusiasms has coalesced into "Schumacher", the mirror in which those who want to grapple with ideas for a new and better future can find their reflection, and perhaps derive some comfort. The coalition will probably never completely embrace him explicitly. Privately, however, some of them will sign up to his ideas. Members of the cabinet from David Willetts to Jeremy Hunt, who may possibly keep a dog-eared copy of the paperback bestseller on the bedside table, are known to sympathise with Schumacher's basic message. This can be expressed in a simple, serene sentence: "Our task is to look at the world and see it whole."

Charter Cities in City Journal

21 December 2010 | City Journal | Cities from Scratch: A New Path for Development »

Francis Daniels on Charter Cities

14 November 2010 | next | Frankly Speaking: Charter Cities for Nigeria and Ghana »

MeetInnovators Interview

05 November 2010 | MeetInnovators | Adrian Bye talks to Paul about charter cities »

Interview with Paul in The Straits Times

1 September 2010 | The Straits Times | Don’t Knock Rules (pdf)

Edwin Heathcote on Visions of Future Cities

21 September 2010 | The Financial Times | Reality Intrudes into Visions of the Future City »

Readers of The Atlantic Respond to Charter Cities

14 September 2010 | The Atlantic | Letters to the Editor »

Parag Khanna on the New Urban Age

19 August 2010 | Foreign Policy | Beyond City Limits »

Paul Speaks with Leandra Peres of Valor Econômico

6 August 2010 | Valor Econômico | Por que ser pobre? »

Ashok Desai on Charter Cities

18 June 2010 | Businessworld | Learning to Govern »

Toronto Star Interview

18 June 2010 | thestar.com | G20: Can ‘Good’ Colonialism Eradicate Poverty »

Sebastian Mallaby on Charter Cities

08 June 2010 | The Atlantic | The Politically Incorrect Guide to Ending Poverty »

Center for the Study of African Economies Podcast

21 May 2010 | CSAE | Paul Romer on Charter Cities »

Interview in Development and Cooperation

20 May 2010 | D+C | Give Poor People a Choice »

Charter Cities in Handelsblatt

12 May 2010 | Handelsblatt | Der Stadtplaner als Welt-Retter »

Paul Romer at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation

6 May 2010 | Konrad Adenauer Stiftung | Konzept für eine moderne Entwicklungspolitik? »

Robin Young Interviews Paul for WBUR’s Here & Now

29 April 2010 | Here & Now | Charter Cities: Curing Poverty or Neo-Imperialism? »

Global Prosperity Wonkcast with Lawrence MacDonald

26 April 2010 | Center for Global Development | Bold New Idea for Charter Cities »

EconTalk with Russ Roberts

26 April 2010 | EconTalk | Romer on Charter Cities »

Charter Cities OpEd in The European

22 March 2010 | The European | Charter Cities und die Vorteile Globaler Migration »

Paul Romer on CBC Radio One — The Current

08 February 2010 | The Current | Part Three: Haiti Solutions – Charter Cities »

Charter Cities in Prospect Magazine

February 2010 | Prospect | For Richer, For Poorer »

Charter Cities in The Sunday Times

31 January 2010 | Times Online | Think Tank: Charter Cities are Way to Third World Prosperity »

Charter Cities in Spiegel Online

25 January 2010 | Spiegel Online | US-Ökonom empfiehlt Deutschland als Kolonialmacht »

Deutsche Welle Interviews Paul Romer

06 January 2010 | Deutsche Welle | Global Charter Cities Could Alter Our Development Strategies »

Archives

2009 Media

Scottish aid worker on shortlist of three for prize to recognise self sacrifice and charitable work

Linda Norgrove, the aid worker killed during a botched US rescue attempt in Afghanistan, has been nominated posthumously for a humanitarian award for her aid efforts in that country and elsewhere.

The 36-year-old, who was in Afghanistan with the US agency Development Alternatives, is among three nominees for the 2011 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, selected from suggestions put forward by the Scottish public.

The experienced aid worker was kidnapped by insurgents in Kunar province, in north-east Afghanistan, while researching agricultural projects.

Twelve days later, she was killed when US special forces troops attempted to rescue her. It was initially believed she had been killed by an explosive vest detonated by her captors, but it later emerged that she died from head and chest injuries caused by a fragmentation grenade thrown by one of the rescuers.

The foreign secretary, William Hague, told MPs one of the US troops threw the grenade into a gully from which the kidnappers were firing, not realising that Norgrove was there too.

Hague added that the rescue had been ordered due to fears that Norgrove's life was in grave danger. A US military investigation is under way.

Norgrove, from Lewis, in the Western Isles, had worked for the UN in Afghanistan for three years and spoke the local Dari language. Before that, she carried out research in Uganda and worked as a conservation expert in Peru.

Her parents have set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation to assist women and families in Afghanistan.

The Burns award recognises people or groups "who have saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service or hands-on charitable work".

Last year's winner was Habib Malik, the Scotland manager for the Disasters Emergency Committee charities' umbrella group. One previous nominee was the actor and Unicef ambassador Ewan McGregor, although he lost out to Jonathan Kaplan, a South African combat surgeon.

Norgrove was nominated by the Western Isles Scottish Nationalist MSP, Alasdair Allan, who said he was pleased at the "well deserved recognition for the remarkable contribution which Linda made to helping people in dangerous places around the world".

He added: "The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award recognises selfless work of just the kind that Linda championed and ultimately gave her life for.

"I am glad to see that Linda is on a shortlist of just three names for the award. This recognition also provided a welcome opportunity to highlight the work the Linda Norgrove Foundation is already doing in Afghanistan in Linda's memory."

Also nominated are Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, the founder of charity Mary's Meals, which provides school meals to children in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe, and Madhu Pandit Dasa, who set up the Akshaya Patra Foundation, another school meals programme.

The 2010 awards: The year's best quotes, salaries, transfers and leaders – plus Sepp's special secret

Man of the year

"My secret? People believe in me: they have seen how much I have done for football since 1975. Heads of state court me. You know, football has become a monster – but it's a positive monster!"

Best Sepp moment: 2009 - South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma, denies 16 counts of corruption, bribery, fraud and racketeering; all charges dropped.
2010 - Zuma praises Sepp as a "true inspiration".

2010's best FA official

• November: Croatia FA head Vlatko Markovic denies election fraud and says critics of his pledge never to allow a gay player to play for Croatia should back off. "You want to know how I feel about that? Write this down: I'm fucking sick of you reporters. Write it down."
December: Markovic re-elected for a fourth term.
• Plus: Indonesia FA head Nurdin Halid – jailed in 2008 for misappropriating an $18m cooking oil distribution fund, but now back in the job. Last week's highlight: paying a $250k bonus to players using cash from a cardboard box. "They deserved it!"

Best test

The Fit-and-Proper-Person Test – embraced everyone at Portsmouth: Sacha Gaydamak, son of a billionaire arms dealer; Ali al-Faraj, a Saudi billionaire with no money who put convicted fraudster Daniel Azougy in day-to-day charge; and Sulaiman al-Fahim, "close friend" of human-rights abuser and fraudster Thaksin Shinawatra, and of Piers Morgan.

Biggest hero

October: Peter Storrie's wife defending his salary as Portsmouth's chief executive (£600k basic, £500k bonus, plus a "football bonus" of £3k for a win, £1.5k for a draw): "The only thing Peter is guilty of is trying to be a hero. We've been living a nightmare."

Most giving

£20.6m: Commitment made by Coca-Cola to their World Cup clean water scheme for African children. Chief executive Muhtar Kent: "This is unprecedented. It will make a lasting impact."
£23.6m: Amount Kent paid himself in the past two years.

Best World Cup salary

£22,000: Sven's daily income as coach of Ivory Coast (23% of the population earning under 80p a day). "I don't think I am paid that well," said Sven. "But I'm happy."

Best economy drive

September: FA accounts showed £41m allocated for lower-level football development last year, but with "certain payments" to the Football Foundation grassroots charity deferred due to the economic slowdown.
£42.6m: The FA's wage bill.

Most convincing

June: David Cameron: "I keep saying we are all in this together, and that is particularly true when cheering on the England team. Come on England!"

Best transfer

11 August: Sotirios Kyrgiakos: "I am a player for AEK for the next four years: I'm not some type of tradeable product. I have shown to everybody that I honour my contracts."
20 August: Joins Liverpool.

Best votes of confidence

• 30 Sep: Milan Mandaric, Leicester: "We can't turn things upside down now, for goodness sake. Now is the time to show how united we are behind Paulo Sousa, not to listen to media speculation. It is as simple as that." 1 Oct: Sacks him.
• 26 Jan: Darragh MacAnthony on Peterborough manager Mark Cooper: "Nobody has given the bloke a chance. He has had to deal with one fiasco after another and deserves support. I'm not ready to throw the towel in." 1 Feb: throws towel in.
• Plus: one to watch – November: Karren Brady on Avram Grant: "Only weak-minded people press the panic button ... I can assure you there is no finger on the button."

Best leader

24 Sep: John Hughes, Hibs manager: "I've asked my players to show character – and I'll lead the fight. Bring it on. I love proving people wrong, I love a siege mentality, looking into the eye of the tiger. You need to stand up to adversity. Resign? Jesus Christ, we're only six games in – behave yourselves." 4 Oct: Resigns.

Most inevitable

Aug: Gigi Becali says new Steaua Bucharest coach Ilie Dumitrescu – his 12th in seven years after previous coaches were sacked for reasons including "being too Muslim" – is "wonderful ... He is doing this unpaid." Dumitrescu: "Money does not interest me. I just want respect."
Sept: Resigns.

Best newcomers

• Montpellier president Louis Nicollin on critics who said his team were joint top because it's a weak league. "I piss in their arse cracks. That's a good answer, don't you think? It's all scandalous talk."
• Plus: Timisoara's Marian Iancu – suspended by Romania's FA for baiting Universitatea Craiova coach Victor Piturca on live TV as a "homosexual satanist" after Piturca said Iancu was "bloated and stuffed with shit". Iancu: "The FA should be ashamed of themselves. It's a total lack of respect."

Best Joey Barton tribute

24 Feb: Laryea Kingston pledges to improve his behaviour at Hearts after being fined for a "team bus bust-up": "The manager is like a father to me. I will not let him down again. But it is not about words, it is about what I deliver on the pitch."
27 Feb: Kicks opponent in testicles after seven minutes of his next match. Sent off.

And finally: top models

• Amalia Granata, October, on ending her relationship with River Plate's Cristian Fabbiani. "At times it was annoying. His wife was so insecure."
• Larissa Riquelme, November, claiming official Paraguay team model status and doing a 3D photo-shoot: "Football has changed my life. I like being famous!"
• Plus Dallys Ferreira, April, on why footballers are a letdown. "I like to be dominated, but frankly, footballers are ninnies. They disappoint a girl like me."

Filed under: Music, News, Interviews, Celeb Updates

Today, black boy bands seem to be nearly extinct, but in the 1990s, Bad Boy's Grammy Award-winning group 112 topped the R&B charts with its love songs. Quiness Parker of the Atlanta-based quartet was known as the heartthrob of 112 and continues to keep his sexy figure by staying fit. He's currently focusing on recording his solo debut, 'Q Parker: The Manual,' despite the group's breakup.

Nowadays, Q (as he is known to many) tours the world with his band mate Michael Keith performing 112 hits. He's also just released a new calendar complete with workout tips and healthy facts.

BlackVoices.com got him to share his thoughts on the new Bad Boy, Diddy and why boy bands aren't doing so well. Here's 20 Questions with Q Parker.

BlackVoices.com: Why did you decide to show off your body for this calendar?
Q Parker: Anybody and everybody who knows me knows that from the beginning of 112 and our career, I've always been into athletics. Early on, it was instilled in us by Puffy that as R&B singers, you have to look the part, and I always took it upon myself to be the guy in the group who was the sex symbol. I'd always have to take my shirt off and show the abs and stuff like that (laughs).

BV: So, did you have the idea for the calendar or did someone suggest you do it?
QP: I've been doing a lot of research, and I've realized that, as African Americans, we already have adversities like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, so my whole frame of mind was let's all do something. Everybody can't have the luxury of a full gym and workout facilities. Recording artists are role models, so in that platform, I thought, 'What can I do to spread the word on being healthy, eating right, exercise as a part of your daily regime and water intake?'

BV: What's your workout?
QP: I work out five days a week even when I'm on the road. I travel with resistance bands and ab wheels, and I make sure no matter where I'm performing that the hotel has a nice gym or there is a nearby health facility where I can get a nice workout. I give myself Saturday and Sunday off, because just like any other thing your body needs rest. My workout consists of weight training, cardio, yoga and the most important part is the eating side of it. My diet consists of five healthy meals a day and a gallon of water a day.

BV: What's the biggest advice you would give to one of your fans trying to change their workout and eating habits?
QP: I hope people can be motivated through the calendar and get some words of inspiration to get up and do just a little bit. One of the facts that pops out is just water intake. We've been told all throughout our years that water is necessary for your body, and in my research and being serious about health and fitness, I've learned you have to drink a lot of water to stay nourished, hydrated and it's the best liquid you can put in your body. For singers, drinking cold water is better for burning more calories than room temperature water.

BV: Did 112 officially disband or are you all just take a break?
QP: Initially, the vision was to take a break from each other two years ago because after 16-plus years of being together, you mature. We all agreed we would take the time to explore everyone's individuality but at the same time knowing that there is a relevant brand I couldn't just sit back idle and allow the brand to be on the shelf. So, myself and Mike still tour as the representation of 112. Even though it's the two of us, everyone is equally talented.

BV: How different has it been with just one-half of 112 touring together?
QP: The obvious difference is Slim and Daron are not present. A lot of times when groups disband and are no longer together. The initial thought is, there is beef. Just for the record, there's no beef. We are just exploring our individuality. I will tell anybody, Slim has an album in stores still, go get it. Daron is doing his production and go support him.

BV: So there is no drama between you all?
QP: At the end of the day, we're all representing the brand, which is 112. Life without them has really given me time to focus on Q Parker and get my whole image and total package together so people can get to know who I am. For years, I'd just been one-fourth of a song, one-fourth of the video, one-fourth of the interview and the heartbeat of 112. Our records were bigger than the individuals, but now I'm letting people inside of who I am.

BV: Are you still planning to release a solo album?
QP: I'm working on a solo album, which should be out next summer called 'The Manual.' As a male solo artist who caters to women I just felt you needed someone to step up because a lot of the artists singing the records to women, it's almost like chivalry is dead and it's not. It's a how-to for women to realize how you are supposed to be treated and for the guys to know how to treat you. Intimacy isn't all about the intercourse. It's mental, too. It's not, "Let me just get it real quick, and I will holler at you later."

BV: Do you think you'll go to a major label with your solo album?
QP: In a perfect situation, I would love to remain independent but have major distribution. I am not particularly a fan of the 360 deals. I'm not a fan of going into the major system, unless the situation gives me the opportunity to do things the way I need to do it. I'm not closing any doors if it's the right situation.

BV: How has music changed since you all came onto the scene in the Bad Boy era?
QP: As a fan of R&B music, I've watched how it has just transformed. When we first came in, it was all about substance and timeless, classic music. I think it has become more so about the image and not the music. I'm a fan of autotune and like it when it's used properly as an enhancement, how it was intended. Somewhere we've lost the true meaning of R&B music. I think a lot of people are making music just for today. Our song 'Cupid' is 13 years old, and even if you hear it today it has the same feeling as 1997. Some of the records today, you can't play next year, they will be wack and outdated because lyrics are just about what's going on right now.

BV: What are your thoughts on R&B male groups today?
QP: I think that groups in general are becoming extinct. Artist development and A&R are no longer at the labels. There was something set in the foundation before they became big. 112 shared the same car and went to school together. We were friends and developed a brotherhood before the fame. In the day and age of reality TV, it's hard to sustain a group when you have one guy from Chicago, one from L.A. and one from Atlanta. They have individual personalities and don't really know each other so when adversity comes, they have nothing to fall back on because they were just put together.

BV: Are you talking about the MTV 'Making the Band' groups?
QP: No, but they would fall under that definition. Even some girl groups are put together that way. here is no longevity in it because no matter who you are adversity is going to come. If you don't have a strong foundation, you won't make it. What did they have one album?

BV: They had two albums.
QP: Did they? Okay, well, I stand corrected (laughs).

BV: Well, you're right they weren't together that long, but you think groups are really over?
QP: The longevity for the average artist is about five years. One to two albums or five years, whichever happens first. Dru Hill, Jagged Edge, 112, Boys II Men, Jodeci and New Edition, they were pretty much the last of the groups. For girls, Destiny's Child, 702, TLC. We were the last class of successful groups and there haven't been any set on that criteria since.

BV: In terms of Bad Boy and your old label home, do you think Diddy had a part in the demise of groups?
QP: I'm not going to necessarily say that it was Puff, because the one thing I can say about him is he's going to give you a great platform, promotions, marketing, radio, all of that. I think Bad Boy today is different from the Bad Boy days of 112.

BV: How so?
QP: The staffing is totally different, and I know during the time that 112, Faith, Total and Carl Thomas, the staff was the bomb and we worked with the best of the best. With expansion and the development of other labels, Puff wasn't able to maintain the team, and the artists started to be affected by that. I'm not sure who's over there now, but the groups haven't been as successful over there lately. Running a label is so much bigger than the guy at the helm, especially when you're trying to break a new artist.

BV: Are you a fan of Diddy Dirty Money?
QP: I ain't gonna lie. I love their records. I have my differences with Puff, but at the end of the day, he's a businessman. He's been able to sustain his career for years and years, and obviously he's doing something right. As a music lover, I get it. I think they have a nice little mix.

BV: What are your thoughts on K-Ci and Jo-Jo and their reality show?
QP: I've heard some things about the show, but I haven't seen it. I'm a believer in redemption, and I'm proud that they can admit their flaws. I don't know if I could do it publicly, but kudos to them a second time for not only being able to admit it, but trying to resurrect it on television. So, I applaud them as black men owning up to [it], especially those guys. They've influenced so many people. We auditioned singing a Boys II Men and a Jodeci and a Silk song.

BV: Do you look up to any group that broke up and might have gotten back together?
QP: The only group that I know that was able to separate, do solo records and still maintain was New Edition. If I had to pattern what 112 was going through, it would be New Edition. I believe talent-wise we are more than capable of doing it. There are some folks where you can see one or two guys in the forefront and doing successful solo careers, but I believe 112 can definitely do that and if we follow anybody it would be New Edition.

BV: Do you think all the four members of 112 will come back together? At one point Mike wasn't going to come back, then he did. And Slim wasn't going to come back. Could you get everyone back together?
QP: I think destiny and chemistry are undeniable. 112 and the four original members have something very special, and we've seen how special it is because of the response we continue to get after 16 years. I think 112 will do another record. I can't put a timetable on it, but I think there will be a reunion situation where we will perform together and do shows.

Q Parker's solo debut, 'The Manual,' is set for a spring 2011 release. His calendar is on sale now at www.QParkerFitnessCalendar.com.

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Leaders in Training: On campus at the African Leadership Academy, clockwise from top: South African Mcebo Maziya, Kamelia Lechani from Morocco, Malick Alexandre N Sarr of Senegal, and Mozambican Haider Emidio da Rocha Noor | Photograph by Neil Roberts

Entrepreneurship teacher Robert Bennin, a Ghanaian. | Photograph by Neil Roberts

A South African academy aims to teach the continent's brightest -- and fight widespread brain drain.

Laptop-aided discussion time in the library. | Photograph by Neil Roberts

Lennon Chimbumu is the kind of young adult every mom dreams of raising. Polite and well spoken, the Zimbabwean 20-year-old will probably major in computer science at Stanford, where he's a freshman. During his first few months in the U.S., he felt some culture shock, but the time was also revelatory. He listened to the Beatles for the first time, and his roommate introduced him to more modern bands, such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gorillaz. He's also been swept up by that most American of college experiences: football. "Sometimes I don't understand half the stuff that's happening on the field," he says, "but the feel of being in the stands is definitely exciting."

As he adjusts to life in the U.S., Chimbumu could also become a huge problem for Africa. Bright prospects like him rarely return once they leave, and brain drain has been an enormous challenge for African nations. So an innovative new boarding school in Johannesburg is trying to create some incentives to keep talent at home. The two-year African Leadership Academy program targets the continent's most talented young people, positions them to get top Western-college educations -- this fall, it sent its first graduating class abroad, including Chimbumu -- and then tries to make sure they come back.

The African Leadership Academy's formula for luring talent is actually quite simple. The school offers an education that prepares them for universities like Stanford, Oxford, and MIT, but the annual tuition and fees of $25,000 per student seem ridiculously out of reach for the vast majority of Africans. So the school provides significant aid in the form of forgivable loans. The catch: The loans are forgiven only if students return to Africa after the age of 25 and then work at least 10 years on the continent.

The school's founders don't want to simply hold a debt over their students' heads. Through a curriculum focused primarily on African studies, leadership, and entrepreneurship, the academy tries to show students that, while there are clearly dire needs in Africa, there are also big opportunities. "They're not going to come back to Africa out of a sense of altruism," says cofounder Fred Swaniker, a Stanford Business School graduate who has lived in 10 African countries. "We need to match that passion and sense of giving back to Africa with raw opportunity so that they see it's in their best interest in every way to come back to Africa."

The students who make it through the African Leadership Academy's intense application process -- for the newest class, only 114 of the 2,300-plus applicants were admitted -- come from all across the continent; 36 countries are currently represented. Academic talent is a given. The students also typically show interest in addressing social needs within their communities. For instance, one student built a windmill to provide power to his village. Another organized an effort among kids in his refugee camp to raise money to run a school. Another is Gambia's most prominent AIDS activist.

"It's an amazing feeling when you're talking to a student and you can tell that this person is going to be the president of a country one day," says Swaniker. He himself became headmaster at age 18 of another school he and his mother started in Botswana. Still, he laughs, he probably wouldn't have made the cut into the African Leadership Academy.

The school, which costs about $6.5 million a year to run, is 88% donor-funded by contributors such as the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Bezos Family Foundation, and the MasterCard Foundation. The school's 75 faculty and staff come from more than a dozen countries. And students are deliberately paired with roommates from a different country or region -- so Chimbumu, for instance, roomed with students from England (occasionally, students come from outside of Africa) and Kenya. "It's giving them an understanding of the entire continent, not just their part of the continent," says interim principal Jenny Ketley, a veteran South African educator.

Classes, which are capped at about 15 students, emphasize discussion and interaction rather than lectures. As a kind of hands-on thesis, students are also required either to participate in running a business, such as the on-campus bank or an operation that supplies chickens and eggs for the school cafeteria, or to develop a long-term service project meant to continue even after their time at the academy is over. One such project focusing on impoverished informal settlements near Johannesburg has brought biodiesel energy to a school and helped residents raise money by creating and selling art made from recycled materials. Another project developed math DVDs for other schools serving underprivileged students in South Africa.

Leading a business or a service project is part of what Swaniker calls a "leadership-development ecosystem." "You can't teach leadership in a two-year program," says cofounder Chris Bradford, an American from Kalamazoo, Michigan. "But what you can do is create an environment in which leadership can be learned and in which students are prepared to continue to learn leadership throughout their lives."

The founders also hope that the networks the students establish at the school will serve as a support structure for them once they return to Africa as working professionals. The connections they will eventually make at university "really don't stretch that far into this continent, and I think that's a really frustrating experience for a lot of African students," says Bradford. "That contributes to brain drain."

School officials know some students may not come back -- it wouldn't take all that long for one to earn enough as a New York investment banker to pay off the loans -- but they're hopeful that the combination of leadership training and Africa-focused education will inspire the majority of the students to return.

Chimbumu, for one, is loving life in the U.S., but Africa's still on his mind. He's already considering adding a second major to his computer-science studies -- possibly in human development or public health, two fields that would prepare him to address the incapacitating effects of poverty back home. "I'm thinking about what I could do back in Zimbabwe to help the country," he says. "I think that's where I can make the most impact." And if he follows through on that, the African Leadership Academy will have done its job.

A version of this article appears in the December / January issue of Fast Company.

Below are last week's Tweets for CharityFocus. Spread the good!

Below are last week's Tweets for CharityFocus. Spread the good!

Political activities of foundation headed by Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi curtailed as it focuses on delivering aid

Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi, the Libyan leader's son and possible heir, has signalled a retreat from reformist and overtly political activities in a strategic shift by the charitable foundation he heads.

Gaddafi appears to have bowed to conservative critics, including his father, by implying that he will no longer be involved in promoting human rights and political change in the north African country.

Instead, said a statement by the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, it will focus on its "core charitable mission" of delivering aid and relief to sub-Saharan Africa.

In remarks that will raise eyebrows in the Arab world, the foundation also acknowledged "criticism by supporters of Israel" of activities including the controversial release last year of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the Libyan convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, and of efforts to send aid to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

Saif al-Islam, who holds no formal position in Libya but has been widely seen as a likely successor to his father, personally escorted Megrahi home to Tripoli after he was freed from a Scottish prison, triggering a furore that has yet to abate.

On Sunday the foundation issued its annual human rights report, noting "significant progress on some issues and new failures on others", but generally adopted a less critical tone of Libya's human rights record than in previous years.

"This is a big step and it shows that Saif's power is weakening," said Ashour Shamis, editor of the Akhbar Libya website. "He has differences with his father and brothers. He's saying that in future he will only deal with the outside world. The Gaddafi foundation was the vehicle he used to promote freedom of speech and develop civil society and human rights in Libya. Now's he's pulling out."

Earlier this month Saif al-Islam faced evidence of a backlash when the security authorities closed down al-Ghad news agency, part of a media group he founded. Journalists were arrested and then freed. Other privately owned media outlets have faced harassment and closures, prompting protests by Amnesty International and press freedom watchdogs.

Saif al-Islam, who has a doctorate from the London School of Economics and is a friend of Lord Mandelson, has been a key figure in Libya's gradual but bumpy rapprochement with western countries.

Board members "highlighted the importance of depoliticising the foundation", the statement said.

"The Gaddafi foundation received some negative criticism because of perceived political overtones after the incident involving the supply of humanitarian aid to the citizens of Gaza," said Richard Roberts, the British biochemist and Nobel laureate. "I am now extremely pleased to see that the foundation has decided to sharpen its focus by concentrating on humanitarian and philanthropic work and avoiding further political advocacy."

Giulio Andreotti, the former prime minister of Italy, and George Papandreou, the prime minister of Greece, are also foundation board members.

1. A reference letter from a teacher, counselor, or principal describing the service provided by the applicant regarding motivating their peers to go to college.
2. One page personal statement of career goals and specify why they want to go to college and what they hope to achieve.

The historic opportunity to end all deaths from malaria by 2015 is within our reach - and it is affordable - if we are committed to see the challenge through

Ten years ago, faced with nearly 1 million lives lost to malaria each year, 53 African heads of state came together in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, to declare the ambitious goal of halving the number of malaria-related deaths on the continent over the next decade.

Although the international community pledged its full support for this bold, but achievable goal, the necessary financing did not immediately materialise. Five years after the Abuja declaration came the shocking news that progress had been minimal, provoking condemnation and sharp editorials about "How not to roll back malaria".

As critics at the New York Times observed at the time: "We know what needs to be done to control malaria. What is lacking is the drive and resourcefulness to do it."

Indeed, an arsenal of potent technologies was at the ready. Insecticide-treated bednets had been shown to protect against malaria-carrying mosquitoes, which are active primarily at night. Indoor residual spraying with insecticides remained a safe and effective alternative. And a new generation of powerful drugs had been developed for the treatment of malaria. Despite this arsenal, the fight against malaria had stalled.

Against this backdrop, it is all the more remarkable that, at the end of 2010, the battle against malaria is viewed as a landmark success story in the making. While much hard work lies ahead, the number of malaria-related deaths is finally in decline. According to the World Health Organisation's World Malaria Report 2010, published this afternoon, malaria-related deaths have fallen from 985,000 in 2000 to 781,000 in 2009. In 11 African countries, the malaria burden has dropped by more than 50% over the same time period.

The explanation for the turnaround is threefold: the commitment of Africa's leaders, generous financial support from donor countries and institutions, and enlightened leadership and co-operation among the more than 500 partners that make up the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.

Since 2008, more than $5bn in new money has been provided for malaria control, primarily from the Global Fund to fight Aids, TB and malaria, the US, the UK, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Bank.

This support has contributed to a dramatic increase in the delivery of interventions, including insecticide-treated bednets. By early 2011, the total number of nets distributed in sub-Saharan Africa over the past three years will approach the initial target of 350 million needed to reach the goal of universal coverage declared by the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, in 2008. This achievement represents the largest scale-up of a malaria control intervention in Africa's history.

Over the past few years, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – which account for more than 40% of the malaria burden in Africa – have made tremendous strides in malaria control through large-scale distribution of bednets: 71 million in Nigeria, and 27 million in DRC. The impact of these recent efforts will protect nearly 200 million people and is expected to translate into a historic rate of decline in malaria-related deaths in future years.

Technologies are also getting better. With the advent of rapid, reliable and inexpensive diagnostic tests, the WHO now strongly recommends that all suspected malaria cases undergo diagnostic confirmation prior to treatment. Doing so improves the quality of care for individual patients, cuts down the overuse of drugs, protects their therapeutic life and allows for timely and accurate malaria surveillance. It is also a marker of success. As transmission declines, past assumptions that most African children with a fever have malaria no longer hold true.

Serious concerns

The development of parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs and mosquito resistance to insecticides are perennial threats; the development of new generations of these compounds is critical for sustained success. Ambitious communication and educational efforts are needed to carry the message of the importance of malaria prevention and treatment to the most isolated African villages. And the network of clinics and community health workers in rural areas must be greatly strengthened to provide ready access to rapid diagnosis and effective treatment.

Rwanda offers a glimpse of the benefits of a successful malaria control campaign, and the persistence that is needed if these gains are to be more than ephemeral. It has significantly scaled up malaria control interventions, including distributing 6.4 million nets in the last three years. Malaria inpatient cases and deaths fell by more than 50%. Despite these impressive gains, Rwanda noted an upsurge in cases beginning in 2009.

A new mosquito net campaign was launched in April 2010 to replace older nets, and this appears to have reduced malaria cases and deaths.

The crucial question is whether, in the face of challenging economic conditions, donor nations and institutions will stay the course – committing the nearly $2bn currently allocated to the malaria effort each year. The impact the investment in malaria control is having on reducing not only malaria deaths, but all child mortality indicates the positive ripple effect that ending malaria deaths can have. The model established with malaria not only addresses multiple millennium development goals, but also provides a blueprint that can be followed to confront similar global health challenges.

The historic opportunity to end all deaths from malaria by 2015 is within our reach – and it is affordable. If the effort succeeds, it will save millions of lives. If the international community does not stay the course, the human costs will be incalculable.

The Qatar Foundation Shirt sponsorship deal has been the most discussed news in past 48 hours in Barca fans circle. Eventhough there is a match against Real Sociedad tonight, but Barca fans looks like least bothered about it. Pep Guardiola yesterday during his pre match press cobference has defended the Qatar Foundation deal, actually Qatar Government as a whole. He said "Injustices exist all over the world, not only in Qatar. It is a Muslim country but is much more open than people think and it is a very safe country. It has a government that has given a lot of assistance everywhere and its people are well educated. When I was there, I was well received and I had a great experience. I can do everything that I would not have been able to do had it been a country that does not respect human rights.The people have all the freedom they can have in this world.Yes, the women there can choose to get a profession, and if the majority of them stay at home it’s because they choose to, due to their religion. As for the segregation between the sexes, that too is because they respect the teaching of their religion." Thanks for TotalBarca.com for translating this interview.

A simple re-look at the statement made by Guardiola shows that he is desperately defending the Kingdom. The big question is Why? Qatar is not the only Kingdom in the region which is in similiar situation. You can say same things about countries like Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran or even the more conservative Saudi Arabia. This raises the question about the recent coziness shown between FC Barcelona administartion and Qatar World cup bid team. FC Barcelona did come out in open as a big supporter for Qatar World Cup bid. So the big question arises, why we openly supported Qatar bid? Does it mean that we believed that Qatar had more credentials to host the world cup more than the likes of United States of America, Japan, South Korea and Australia. When Guardiola came out in open supporting the bid, everyone attributed it to his earlier association with country. Now it is becoming more clear taht we supported the bid so that this deal could go through without any problem.

If UNICEF can, Why couldn't Qatar Foundation?

This is a usual question that we see a lot in these days. We already have UNICEF logo on the shirt, why so much fuss about having another non-profit organisation's shirt. It rather strange to see people comparing UNICEF to Qatar Foundation. Just because an organisation defines itself as non-profit organisation, it makes it similiar to UNICEF? To undestand that we should look into the motto and work done by both these organisation. UNICEF was created to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. "Qatar Foundation is a private, chartered, non-profit organization in the state of Qatar, Founded in 1995 by decree of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. Qatar Foundation focuses on education, scientific research and community development. Under Qatar Foundation’s umbrella are Education City which has universities, academic and training programs, and Qatar Science & Technology Park which has more than 21 companies involved in scientific research and development. Chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation aims to enhance lives through community development initiatives including Doha Debates, Reach out To Asia and Al Jazeera Children's Channel. Joint venture partnerships in the areas of design, ICT, telecommunications, policy studies and event management contribute to fulfilling the objectives of the Qatar Foundation. From Wikipedia". I still cannot understand the audacity with which people go on comparing these two organisation. Its like comparing Mandela with Zuma, because both were South African presidents.

Qatar foundation website describes themselves as "Qatar Foundation is dedicated to building human capital in a part of the world where the need and potential for human development are considerable. Through its threefold mission of education, scientific research and community development, it is helping build a sustainable society where the sharing and creation of knowledge will enhance quality of life for all." Now comes the simple question. What does it actually means? We all ahve eduction and human resources development ministries in our respective nations. Don't you think the motto expressed by the Qatar foundation is similiar to theirs? Then why does the Kingdom of Qatar needs a foundation to look after thing which normally is the duty of their educational ministries. Partnership with foreign universities exist in every country and if you are going to potray those partnerships as charity, you better contact a psychiatrist. Qatar has been trying to re-align themselves as something similiar to what UAE has been doing. The eagerness to get the Asian games and now the subsequent successful bidding for 2022 world cup are all a brand building excercise for the Royal family. Qatar foundation for me looks like an extended PR arm of the kingdom and nothing more than that. So comparing themselves to UNICEF would like insulting the great insitution which have worked for children across the world for years.

If we want the money, For God sake just admit it

Barca Vice President, Javier Faux in the press conference emphasised on Qatar foundation being a non-profit organisation and that was the major factor which led to this deal becoming reality. Taking a dig on the previous regime, he also mentioned that the economic stability requires such a deal. Sandro Rosell came into power promising a great deal of transperency. But the only thing he meant by that looks like exposing Laporta. This deal was in the pipeline from the moment he started working and the support for Qatar 2022 was aresult of that. If we are going to have sponsors, then what is the problem in having a corporate house sponsoring? Every big corporate houses in the world have non-profit arm working for some kind of wlefare schemes. Why can't we then invite them for an open bid? What is the basic difference in money coming from the Royal Family of some country or from a big corporate house. In the future why can't we have the Bill gates foundation sponsoring us? These all are non-profit organisation, ain't they? Actually why this insistence of that the organisation has to be a non-profit organisation. Why can't we directly have a company like BWIN or Betfair sponsoring us. Betfair anyway is our official betting partner. So what is the big deal in this kind of unfair insitence when we have put the shirt for sale?

International Fans vs Catalan Fans

The international Barca fans, or in Sandro Rosell's way of describing "The Unwanted Posers" looks like is in total disagreement with this deal. That is in stark contrast with what the real fans(according to Rosell) from Catalan thinks. Going by MundoDeportivo.es' survey, more than 60% of the fans are in support of such a deal. Why is such a difference in opinion seen among two groups? The way FC Barcelona play football is one reason why most of the internation fans start liking the club, some likes the club because their favourite players are in the club. But what makes these guys love the club is the club's motto "Mes Que un Club" and the stories associated with them. So does selling the shirt makes the club less Mes Que un Club? No, but seeing every action through the view point of money does that. Giving up on a reverred tradition at the first signal of an exaggerated crisis does make the club less special. This is a club where the supporters marched on to the the pitch in defiance of the World Trade Organisation. Now there are rumours of the club looking for sponsor for everything owned by the club, the stadiums, the academies etc. Is these actions wrong? No absolutely no. But then why did the previous generation vigorously opposed it? May be they have no damn idea of modern economic management.

Whatever be the argument or counter argument, nothing is going to change now. The international fans can make how much noise they want, but the closed Catalan members of the club is not going to give a damn. And the truth is that it makes much economic sense to brush away these opposition. May be in the future, we will remember these times as when the clubs started to become "Just Another Club".

Ideas have consequences and ideas are precursors to actions. The idea-packed, sizzling debate on Africa between Bill Gates, co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Matt Ridley the author of new book, "The Rational Optimist,"  should be reviewed by any serious African politician, bureaucrat, or  any person who has interest in Africa. On the pages of America’s Wall Street Journal both men duke it out on how to contribute and accelerate Africa’s progress in 21st century. It was interesting to see that there are individuals that really care about the welfare and wellbeing of Africa, while many African leaders are busy abusing and looting the continent. Africa has made an enormous progress from being called the ‘Dark continent’ to an emerging democratic and enterprising landscape but her needs are numerous. A giant leap is what Africa needs to make a heightened quantifiable dent on poverty and to greatly ameliorate quality of life. The 21st century has been called the African century and she must take the bull by its horn to actualize it.

Africa has a bright economic outlook; free enterprise and democracy are taking hold in the continent. “Economic growth in Africa was expected to rise to 5% this year and could reach 7% in 2011, according to African Development Bank (AfDB) president Donald Kaberuka. Thus, as the global financial crisis abated and demand for commodities began to increase, Kaberuka said that Africa's economy was expected to grow between 4,5% and 5% this year, with the expansion likely to accelerate to 6,5% or 7% in 2011. South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya were highlighted as the three countries expected to help spur Africa's recovery on the back of improved global demand.” Nigeria, the second economy in Africa has the annual growth rate of 7.3% and expected to grow up to 10% in 2011.

On the pages of America's foremost newspaper on capitalism - The Wall Street Journal, Bill Gates and Matt Ridley showed genuine interest on how to improve Africa’s problems by either utilizing aid or unbridled capitalism. African problems at the dawn of 21st century stretch across the continent. The myriad problems stem from economic inadequacy of the second largest continent; ranging from AIDS to perennial poverty. Africa has great potential; Africa is natural resources-rich, the soil is fertile and the weather for the moment is terrific, the emergence of global warming notwithstanding.  But in spite of African natural and fledging human capital, together with the recent affirmative economic indices the continent has not realized her potential. In fact, Africa still has a long way before she will get to the promise land. Therefore this debate by these gentlemen is significant to Africa.

The essential thesis of Matt Ridley’s "The Rational Optimist,” on Africa is that "Aid doesn't work, hasn't worked and won't work,” and Africa needs trade and free enterprise.  While Bill Gates essentially maintains that for the moment Africa needs aid. Both men are essentially right – Africa needs both trade and aid.

Bill Gates commented in his piece that, “In discussing Africa, Mr. Ridley relies on critics who say, essentially, "Aid doesn't work, hasn't worked and won't work." He cites studies, for instance, that show a lack of short-term economic benefit from aid, but he ignores the fact that health improvements, driven by aid, have been a major factor in slowing population growth, which has proven, in turn, to be critical to long-term economic growth. I may be biased toward aid because I spend my money on it and meet with lots of people who are alive because of it, but even if that were not the case, I would not be persuaded by such incomplete analysis.”

The most important point to be made crystal clear is that aid does work when it is judiciously administered and free of governmental red tape. But the way aid is administered is quite troubling, because so many strings are attached to the western aid given to African countries. By giving the aid directly from government to government opens door to corruption and manipulation of the African governments. Western governments can learn a lot from Bill and Melinda foundation that gives targeted aid to institution that really needs it, thereby curtailing corruption and bureaucratic red tape.

But at same time aid has its limitation on moving Africa forward. Africa needs aid, trade and debt remission to move forward and to salvage poor-development stricken continent. Of the $44 billion of official development aid given to Africa in 2008, majority of aid went to the donors through compulsory trade, servicing of foreign debt and bureaucratic shenanigans.

Bill Gates has been a great helping hand to the continent and his presence has been felt. With Bill and Melinda foundation, millions of dollars has been given to institutions in Africa to improve health mostly in AIDS and malaria patients. As for Mitt Ridley his contribution to the African debate cannot be easily write-off or devalued for with his pen he has summoned serious philanthropists including Bill Gates to weigh-in on the best ways to help the suffering masses of Africa.

But in reality both of these gentlemen have good ideas and Africa cannot take one direction and forgo another. The continent problem is circumventing therefore its solution should be comprehensive. Africa needs trade, aid and big ideas. All these are consistent and are not mutually exclusive; they can all co-exist for greater good of Africa.

The one thing lacking in the debate is African participation. There are no African policymakers and bureaucrats participating on the pages of the Wall Street Journal. No matter how compassionate and passionate debates on Africa become, immediate stakeholders who are inhabitants must be involved. In the problems of their continent, Africans must take the lead. No amount of help from the outside will do the job Africans must do for themselves. That does not imply that Africa should be abandoned to do the job alone. Indeed, African friends including philanthropist Bill Gates should be acknowledged by Matt Ridley for his invaluable aid to Africa.

When Matt Ridley writes, “I am arguing that we should worry about real problems, including Africa's plight, but that we should do so in the knowledge that we have solved many such problems before and can do so again.”  Ridley is quite carried away by thinking “we” are the people to save Africa. Ridley must understand that every continent has its own problems and Africa has men and women who can solve her problems. The only thing Africa needs is a logical helping hand to correct present and past injustices. And Bill Gates is a true friend of Africa who understood that a healthy Africa is a precursor to a wealthy Africa.

The most important question is "What does Africa really need?" To answer the question, we must move beyond the limited scope of the discussion and expand the dialogue into the future of Africa.  Africans have intelligent men and women of goodwill that can work with Bill Gates and with Western governments to permanently improve African lots. Africa must take the lead by displaying intrinsic initiatives in order to move forward.Beyond aid and debt remission, what does Africa really needs?

Empowerment to Foster Freedom and Liberty:

Africans must live in the system of government that encourages freedom and justice. The respect for fundamental human rights must be instituted and adhered to; an environment that provides self-help, self-improvement and self-innovation must be encouraged. Only freedom can make these things possible and make free enterprise a reality, so that free people can create wealth and advance human dignity.

The West must encourage and support governance that accommodates checks and balances in Africa. This will in turn provide accountability and respect for the populace. What Africa needs mostly include elimination of dictators and socialist regimes, establishment of virile/free political platform and economy, rule of law and respect for individual rights. All these things do border on fundamental issues which foreign aid alone cannot redress. Until these issues are properly put right, the story of the optimum utilization of these billions of dollars from foreign aid will always remain a mirage.

Anti-corruption legislation:

The responsibility of fighting corruption is too complex and gigantic to be left for one party. Both Africa and West must partake in the fight against corruption. The West must enact banking laws that will fish out bankers that accept laundered money and tainted wealth from corrupt African leaders and bureaucrats. Ill-gotten wealth must be returned to Africa without much ado, while the culprits must be exposed and prosecuted.

The West must work together with African governments on the war against corruption and bribery. Corporations and Transnational companies operating in Africa must not induce politicians and bureaucrats by bribes in their quest for contracts.

“African Union estimates that the continent loses as much as $148 billion a year to corruption. This money is rarely invested in Africa but finds its way into the international banking system and often into western banks. The proceeds of corrupt practices in Africa, (which the African experts group recommended in 2002 should be classified as a ‘crime against humanity’ because of its impact on ordinary people), are often laundered and made respectable by some of the most well known banks in the City of London or the discreet personal bankers of Geneva and Zurich."

Elimination of wars and Promotion of Peace and conflict resolutions:

The West can work with African union in finding solutions to the cessation of conflicts and wars. Wars (especially internal strife) are ubiquitous in the continent. Some African governments and warmongers commit their resources to executing endless wars. The West must frown upon the sell of arms to these parties by checkmating their native’s arms industries.

Fair and Balance Trade:

The West must encourage fair and equitable trade with Africa. The giving of aid must not be the only means to defeat poverty and alleviate quality of life in Africa. The promotion of trade can be possible when concessions are made to infant industries in Africa. The West can improve technological developments by investing in areas of science and technology that can sharpen the technical-know-how in the continent. The West must stand for fair trade at the World trade organization by conscientiously removing agricultural subsidies given to their own agricultural sectors that adversely affect the traffic of commodities from Africa. Only trade can be the panacea to poverty in Africa, this by and large booster a higher GDP and a decent standard of living.

Africa must embark on the area of trade specialization where she has the greatest comparative advantage. It seems that agriculture is the best possible for Africa. The Western World must take the initiative of reducing trade tariffs and removal of agricultural subsidies. By this, developing nations and poor countries especially in Africa can participate and compete favourably with the West. In practice, free trade must be made to work for every nation. World trade Organization must implement trade policies that are doable, workable and all-inclusive. Foreign aid is good and dandy, though on the contrary, history has always proven that aid has slightly or insignificantly improvement  on recipient nations nor ameliorate the well-beings of the fabric of the needy class at the long run. Foreign aid can be given via reduction in prices of medicine, pharmaceutical equipment and of essential commodities needed for survival in the less technological nations. We cannot downplay the role of foreign aid when fully utilized, when it goes to the required projects that ought to impact the needy positively. But Africa core need is beyond these immediate measures.

Africa needs and appreciates aid given to her but Africans most realize one thing, her destiny and future is in her hands.

Mr. Emeka Chiakwelu is the Principal Policy Strategist at Afripol. Africa Political & Economic Strategic Center (AFRIPOL) is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa.  www.afripol.org    info@afripol.org

Today as thousands march in Cancun for climate justice, Seattle-based AGRA Watch and La Via Campesina North America are joined by 60 organizations and 40 academics and scientists from around the world who call on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support real solutions to climate change, hunger and poverty.

In a letter to the Foundation, the signatories state their concern that the Foundation and its private sector partners are pushing to industrialize agriculture and commercialize genetically engineered crops in Africa at the expense of small farmers and the environment. Over one thousand individuals from more than 30 countries and 48 states in the US to date have also signed a separate online petition in support of the letter.

The letter to the Foundation condemns the industrial approach to agriculture and high-tech 'fixes' like genetic engineering because they undermine sustainable, resilient food systems that are controlled by local populations. Local systems actually mitigate climate change while the spread of industrial agriculture is one of the heaviest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and loss of plant biodiversity worldwide, thus directly fueling the climate crisis.

AGRA Watch and La Via Campesina North America are sending the letter to the Gates Foundation as thousands of peasant farmers, rural women and men, indigenous peoples, and activists from all sectors of society mobilize in Cancun to reject corporate-driven, market-based solutions to climate change being promoted at the UN climate negotiations. "Both the UN climate negotiators and the Gates Foundation must recognize that false solutions such as GMOs and agrofuels that threaten our biodiversity will further Africa's exploitation, not salvation. We need to see real solutions to reduce climate emissions instead of more pressure on Africa," explained Anne Maina of the African Biodiversity Network, currently present at the talks.

Signatories of the letter and social movements in Cancun assert that real solutions to hunger and climate change are rooted in food sovereignty, the right of peoples and communities to define and control their own food and agriculture systems. La Via Campesina affirms that, "We need millions of peasant communities and indigenous territories to feed humanity and cool the planet" and "thousands of peoples' solutions." Echoing this statement, the sign-on letter calls on the Foundation to redefine its funding priorities in favor of small-scale agroecological agriculture, citing the findings of the 2008 International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) report. The letter further advocates for an authentically participatory process that involves African farmers, farmer organizations, and civil society in decision-making from beginning to end, and urges the Foundation to restructure its grant-making to ensure transparency and accountability to farmers.

• added by: JanforGore  
• 3 comments

Friday, 29 August 2008, 18:11
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 TRIPOLI 000680
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR S, AF/SPG, NEA/MAG
EO 12958 DECL: 8/28/2018
TAGS OVIP, PGOV, PREL, PHUM, ECON, KDEM, PTER, KISL, AU, SU,
LY, AG, TS, MO
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR SECRETARY RICE'S VISIT TO LIBYA
CLASSIFIED BY: Chris Stevens, CDA, U.S. Embassy - Tripoli, Dept of State. REASON: 1.4 (b), (c), (d) 1. (C) Embassy Tripoli and the Government of Libya are looking forward to your historic visit to Tripoli September 5. Coming on the heels of NEA A/S Welch's successful finalization of a comprehensive claims settlement agreement in Tripoli August 14, the GOL views your visit as a signature event in its decade-long effort to achieve reintegration into the international community, and as a tangible benefit of its strategic decision in 2003 to abandon its WMD programs and renounce terrorism. Key issues for your visit include:

-- Internal political issues

-- Bilateral relations

-- Human rights

-- Counter-terrorism cooperation

-- Sub-Saharan Africa

-- Regional issues, including Iraq and Iran

-- Energy sector and commercial opportunities

INTERNAL POLITICAL ISSUES

2. (C) Your visit comes days after the 39th anniversary of the September 1, 1969 military coup that brought Muammar al-Qadhafi to power. It is expected that al-Qadhafi will outline in his Revolution Day speech how the GOL will implement dramatic government restructuring and privatization he advocated in a key address in March. Al-Qadhafi's plan could represent his most radical experiment in governance since the late 1970's. Ordinary Libyans are concerned about the rising costs of food, fuel and other staples; privatization would strike a direct blow at the tacit pact - oil revenue-financed, cradle-to-grave subsidies in exchange for political quiescence - that has underpinned the regime for decades. Drawing a line between reform and greater participation by Libyans in governance, Saif al-Islam al-Qadhafi, Muammar al-Qadhafi's son and heir apparent, called for a more robust civil society, judicial reform, greater press freedoms and respect for human rights in a major speech August 20. A new legal code, which would be the first major change to Libya's judicial system since the 1950's, is currently under review. Saif al-Islam implicitly criticized past decisions of his father's regime, claimed he had achieved much of his own reform agenda and said he would withdraw from politics to focus on civil society and development work. Expected to clarify government reform efforts and his own political future, Saif al-Islam's speech has instead confused Libyans, raising doubts about the long-term viability of the reform agenda and calling into question whether he is ready for a formal leadership role. The issue of who might succeed Muammar al-Qadhafi looms large. The conventional wisdom is that it is Saif al-Islam's job to lose; however, some observers interpreted the appointment of another son, Muatassim al-Qadhafi, to the newly-created position of National Security Adviser in early 2007 as a sign that Muammar al-Qadhafi was hedging his bet.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

3. (C) Your visit - the first by a U.S. Secretary of State since John Foster Dulles' trip in 1953 and the most recent Cabinet-level visit since then-Vice President Nixon was here in 1957 - is viewed as the key component of a "grand opening" in U.S.-Libyan bilateral relations, as compared to the "soft opening" between re-establishment of diplomatic ties and finalization of the claims agreement (i.e., 2004-2008). The GOL also wants to see a fully-accredited U.S. ambassador posted to Tripoli and full visa services at the Embassy. The fact that most Libyans must currently travel to Tunis to apply for non-immigrant visas (the Embassy's security posture/infrastructure have not permitted broader visa operations to date) is perceived as a slight. Anxious to avoid the public perception that U.S.-Libya ties are chiefly about counter-terrorism cooperation, prospective military-to-military ties and hydrocarbon resources, the GOL is keen to emphasize cooperation in education (it wants to send more students to study in the U.S.), science and technology and culture. The GOL wants to be able to purchase lethal military equipment and would like to sign a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement. Despite high-level rhetoric, limited GOL capacity will significantly constrain efforts to quickly expand bilateral cooperation and engagement in all these areas.

4. (C) Libyan reaction to news of the recently finalized

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U.S.-Libya claims settlement agreement has been a mixture of relief and high expectation. Coverage in state-owned media has been positive, but muted; we're told the GOL did not publicly trumpet the agreement to avoid questions about the deal's parameters (it has not publicized the agreed amount of compensation to be distributed by the humanitarian fund) and to avoid criticism that it capitulated to U.S. demands. A recent editorial in the "Ouea" newspaper, owned by Saif al-Islam al-Qadhafi, expressed cautious optimism that bilateral relations had turned a corner and welcomed U.S. assistance in education and technology transfers, but squarely blamed the U.S. for past contretemps and cautioned against U.S. "interference" in Libyan internal affairs. Libya has balanced re-engagement with us by actively pursuing closer ties with Russia. Then-president Putin visited in March and resolved a thorny Soviet-era debt issue that paved the way for lucrative commercial contracts; he is expected to send his deputy to attend the September 1 Revolution Day festivities. In recent remarks, Saif al-Islam al-Qadhafi described Russia as "a key strategic partner" and said the GOL would support Russia in its position on Georgia. Libya is conflicted about re-engagement with the U.S. Conservative regime elements are still wary that our ultimate goal is regime change, while ordinary Libyans are genuinely pleased that a key political irritant in the bilateral relationship has been resolved. Many hope that expanded political and economic engagement with the U.S. will help solidify recent Libyan economic reforms.

HUMAN RIGHTS & POLITICAL FREEDOMS

5. (S) There are high expectations in some quarters that the U.S. will pressure al-Qadhafi and the GOL more publicly and directly to urge greater respect for human rights and open further political space in what remains a closed, tightly-controlled society. A number of Libyans are disappointed that this did not occur immediately after relations were re-established in 2004. The GOL has expressed tepid interest in a high-level human rights dialogue; however, they have cautioned that they view discussion of individual cases as improper interference in their internal affairs. XXXXXXXXXXXX

6. (C) XXXXXXXXXXXX Absent a clear message that engagement on human rights will be a necessary adjunct of an expanded U.S.-Libya relationship, meaningful progress in this area is unlikely.

COUNTER-TERRORISM COOPERATION & EXTREMISM

7. (S) Libya has been a strong partner in the war against terrorism and cooperation in liaison channels is excellent. Muammar al-Qadhafi's criticism of Saudi Arabia for perceived support of Wahabi extremism, a source of continuing Libya-Saudi tension, reflects broader Libyan concern about the threat of extremism. Worried that fighters returning from Afghanistan and Iraq could destabilize the regime, the GOL has aggressively pursued operations to disrupt foreign fighter flows, including more stringent monitoring of air/land ports of entry, and blunt the ideological appeal of radical Islam. The Qadhafi

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Development Foundation brokered talks with imprisoned members of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) that led to the release earlier this year of about 130 former LIFG members. The GOL considers the program an important means to signal willingness to reconcile with former enemies, a significant feature of Libya's tribal culture. Libya cooperates with neighboring states in the Sahara and Sahel region to stem foreign fighter flows and travel of trans-national terrorists. Muammar al-Qadhafi recently brokered a widely-publicized agreement with Tuareg tribal leaders from Libya, Chad, Niger, Mali and Algeria in which they would abandon separatist aspirations and smuggling (of weapons and trans-national extremists) in exchange for development assistance and financial support. Libya also cooperates closely with Syria, particularly on foreign fighter flows. Syria has transferred over 100 Libyan foreign fighters to the GOL's custody over the past two years, including a tranche of 27 in late 2007. Our assessment is that the flow of foreign fighters from Libya to Iraq and the reverse flow of veterans to Libya has diminished due to the GOL's cooperation with other states and new procedures. Counter-terrorism cooperation is a key pillar of the U.S.-Libya bilateral relationship and a shared strategic interest.

SUB SAHARAN AFRICA

8. (C) Having largely abandoned pan-Arab leadership aspirations, the GOL places a heavy premium on maintaining its perceived role as a leading state in Africa. Libya spearheaded establishing the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD); the 10th anniversary of CEN-SAD's founding in September 1999 will occur shortly after your visit. Libya is deeply frustrated with its inability to deliver a sustainable peace between Chad and Sudan. Despite abortive UN/AU-led Darfur talks in Libya in October 2007 and the stillborn October 2007 Libya-brokered Chad cease-fire, the GOL remains actively involved in Chad-Sudan mediation efforts (it played a key role in re-establishing Chad-Sudan diplomatic relations in July 2008). But Libya recognizes it cannot broker peace unilaterally. The GOL views skeptically calls for an international observer force on the Chad-Sudan border under the March 2008 Dakar Accord and refers instead to the February 2006 Tripoli Accords (which also called for joint military observation of the Chad-Sudan border) and the October 2007 Sirte process as the platforms for a viable peace process. Hard experience - despite personal appeals by Muammar al-Qadhafi, the GOL failed to entice Darfur rebel leaders to attend the October 2007 Sirte conference - has prompted Libya to realize it is better positioned to pressure the regimes in Ndjamena and Khartoum than rebel movements. Libya believes the key to "fixing" Chad is to pressure Deby to address the deep, popular opposition to his government. The GOL has facilitated humanitarian relief through a key overland corridor running from Kufra, in southeast Libya, to Darfur. After years of failed unilateral intervention, Libya appears to appreciate UN/AU leadership of the Darfur political process and U.S. partnership in efforts to promote peace in and between Chad and Sudan. A visit by Special Envoy Williamson could help reinvigorate Libya's support for stalled international mediation efforts. On AFRICOM, the GOL has argued that any foreign military presence, regardless of mission, on the African continent would constitute unacceptable latter-day colonialism and would present an attractive target for al-Qaeda. AFRICOM's Deputy Commander visited Tripoli for low-key talks in January 2008 and General Ward plans to visit in October/November.

REGIONAL ISSUES

9. (S) Iraqi spokesman Ali Dabbagh recently met with Muammar al-Qadhafi, who expressed interest in pursuing closer relations with Iraq. It was agreed that a Libyan delegation would visit Iraq soon. Libyan-Iranian relations are complicated and increasingly contentious. Iranian First Vice President Davoudi, the highest ranking Iranian official to visit Tripoli in 25 years, signed a number of cooperation agreements during his January 2008 stop here as part of an apparent effort to garner support in the UNSC for heading off a third resolution on Iran's nuclear activity. Libya wanted Iran's help in smoothing over ties with Lebanon, which have been strained since the disappearance of Imam Musa Sadr during a 1978 visit to Tripoli. Iran's decision to demur appears to have factored into Libya's decision not to oppose a third UNSCR on Iran. Al-Qadhafi recently disparaged publicly Iran's nuclear aspirations, which prompted an angry rebuke in the Iranian press. Nonetheless, there are concerns about possible ties between state-owned Libyan banks and Iranian entities of particular concern. Ties with Syria are less contentious; Libya's new sovereign wealth fund announced last week that it had invested $200 million in a Syrian cement production venture. Claiming that it wants to

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emulate Dubai in its development approach, Libya has recently pursued closer ties with Arab Gulf states. A $500 million joint investment fund was announced during the August 2008 visit of Oman's Sultan Qaboos, his first since 1972. A number of similar investment projects have been established with the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain during a flurry of visits over the past year. Relations with Saudi Arabia remain strained.

ENERGY SECTOR & COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

10. (C) Libya's economy is almost entirely dependent on oil and gas. Libya has the largest proven oil reserves (43.6 billion barrels) and the third largest proven natural gas reserves (1.5 billion cubic meters) on the African continent. Libya currently produces about 1.7 million barrels/day of oil; only Angola and Nigeria produce more in Africa. Oil and gas infrastructure suffered during the sanctions period. The lifting of sanctions has opened the way for new exploration and improved production. New technology and refined management techniques introduced by international oil companies (IOC's) are a key part of Libya's plan to increase oil production to 3.0 million barrels/day by 2013. Most of Libya's oil and natural gas are exported to Europe - Italy, Germany, Spain and France are key customers. Major U.S. energy companies active in Libya include Amerada Hess, ConocoPhillips, Marathon, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Occidental. Joint ventures involving U.S. companies currently account for about 510,000 barrels/day of Libya's 1.7 million barrels/day production. A large number of small to mid-sized U.S. oil and gas services companies are also working in Libya.

11. (C) After years of isolation under sanctions and limited spending by the GOL, Libya is currently in the midst of an economic boom, partly driven by a desire to complete large-scale infrastructure projects as tangible symbols of the regime's achievements in advance of the 40th anniversary of al-Qadhafi's revolution on September 1, 2009. High oil prices have helped fuel the outlays. Western companies, eager to establish a position in what is expected to be a lucrative market, are arriving in sizeable numbers. A temporary pause prompted by adoption of the Lautenberg Amendment in January 2008 and concern about asset seizure is coming to an end on news of the comprehensive claims agreement. XXXXXXXXXXXX Despite great promise, Libya remains a challenging business and investment environment. Contradictory regulations, inefficient government bureaucracy, limited human capacity and rampant corruption (in 2007, Transparency International ranked Libya 133rd out of 180 countries in terms of being most corrupt) are significant challenges that could hamper greater investment.

AL-QADHAFI & HIS FOREIGN MINISTER

12. (C) Muammar al-Qadhafi is notoriously mercurial. He often avoids making eye contact during the initial portion of meetings, and there may be long, uncomfortable periods of silence. Alternatively, he can be an engaging and charming interlocutor, as he was during NEA A/S Welch's meeting on August 14. A self-styled intellectual and philosopher, he has been eagerly anticipating for several years the opportunity to share with you his views on global affairs. We've been told that issues he might raise include Sarkozy's Union for the Mediterranean proposal (which al-Qadhafi opposes), the Georgia conflict, illegal migration (Libya is a key transit country), Iran, Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict (including his "Isratine" one-state solution), and Africa. Intellectually curious and a voracious consumer of news - trusted advisers are tasked with summarizing in Arabic important books and articles printed in other languages, including your recent article in Foreign Affairs - al-Qadhafi will be well-informed and more inclined to focus on strategic views than pragmatic measures. Foreign Minister Abdulrahman Shalgham, whom you met in Washington, is also expected to meet with you during your visit STEVENS

Tuesday, 02 September 2008, 23:30
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 093970
SIPDIS
EO 12958 DECL: 09/02/2018
TAGS SENV, PREL, UNEP, WMO, KGHG, IR, ML, AR, MA, MO
SUBJECT: LIFELINES FOR IPCC WORKING GROUP ELECTION
Classified By: Classified by IO/DAS Gerald Anderson for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

1. (U) This is an action message. Please see paragraph 3.

2. (C) Summary. Missions should be prepared to assist the U.S. Delegation to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its efforts to secure a positive outcome to elections for working group co-chair positions at the IPCC Plenary being held in Geneva, August 31-September 4. USDEL is working actively to prevent the election of an Iranian scientist to the developing-nation co-chairmanship of Working Group Two, a position which would pair him with a U.S. scientist running unopposed for developed-nation co-chair of the same group. The focus of USG efforts is to support an alternate candidacy for the position, although the full slate of active candidates and their potential for election will not be known until the later stages of the plenary sessions. Curricula vitae of some of the leading candidates are at paras 6-10. End Summary.

3. (C) Action Request. Missions should assign a Point-of-Contact for this issue and provide phone and e-mail information to the US Mission to the UN in Geneva. USUN should appoint its own POC and relay contact information for all POCs to USDEL IPCC. In the event that USDEL requires assistance in working with counterpart delegations (e.g., coming to a consensus on a single strong alternate candidate to support), USDEL may contact Mission POCs directly, or via US Mission Geneva, to ask that Missions apprise host governments of the situation, with a view to arranging for instructions from capitals. Missions should do everything possible to assist USDEL if they receive such a request. Until such a call is received, however, Missions should take no action on this issue; USDEL will be interacting directly with host-country expert delegations in Geneva, and premature contacts/demarches with host country government officials in capitals, even to preview the background of the situation, could be highly counter-productive. Point of Contact for USDEL is OES/EGC,s Donna Lee XXXXXXXXXXXX.

4. (C) Background. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (http://www.ipcc.ch) is a highly influential body established by the World Meteological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to assess scientific issues related to climate change. This year, the U.S. has nominated Stanford Professor Christopher Field to the developed-country chair of IPCC Working Group Two, which assesses the vulnerability of socio-economic and natural systems to climate change and the options for adaptation. His nomination is unopposed. Iran, however, has nominated Dr. Mostafa Jafari to be the developing-country co-chair of the same working group. Jafari is a highly-qualified scientist with research ties to the UK and Japan, but he is also a senior Iranian government employee who has represented Iran in international negotiations. Co-chair appointments are for a minimum of four years, and require close collaboration and often travel to or extended residencies in each others, countries. Having U.S. and Iranian co-chairs would be problematic and potentially at odds with overall U.S. policy towards Iran, and would significantly complicate the U.S. commitment to funding the Working Group Two secretariat. U.S. withdrawal of its nominee, however, would effectively give Iran a veto over future U.S. nominees in UN bodies. Moreover, having a U.S. co-chair at the IPCC significantly bolsters U.S. interests on climate change, a key foreign policy issue.

5. (C) Background continued. Prior to arrival in Geneva, USDEL contacted IPCC Chairman Dr. Rajendra Pachauri (please protect), who agreed to work on this issue to avoid the potential for disruption to one the organization,s three core working groupsXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Next, USDEL contacted the Austrian delegate serving as EU representative on the nominating committee that manages the election process, who showed an understanding of U.S. equities. USDEL contacted the Malian and Argentinean delegations, who have nominated highly-qualified co-chair candidates (see below), and the German delegation, who have been interested in advancing the Malian for co-chair of Working Group Three, for which Germany has nominated an unopposed candidate as developed-country co-chair. The Malians subsequently told USDEL that their candidate, Dr. Yauba Sokona, prefers Working Group Two to Working Group Three. Also prior to arrival in Geneva, USDEL contacted the UK and Netherlands delegations, both of which we have worked closely with in the past. Based on experience at prior IPCC plenaries, events related to the Working Group elections will likely unfold unpredictably and rapidly, necessitating a rapid and flexible USG response.

6. (SBU) CV of Iranian candidate:

Mostafa Jafari

Personal Information: DPoB: 1956, Tehran

Education: -- Post doctorate research in Plant Ecophysiology Methodology in 1997 (Japan). -- Ph.D. in Plant Science (Ecology) in 1990 (UK). -- Short course in Agricultural Economy in 1983 (Tehran). -- B.Sc. in Forest and Range graduated in 1978 (Iran). -- Diploma in 1974 (Tehran).

Membership in Professional Organizations: -- Japanese Forestry Society -- The British Grassland Society -- The British Ecological Society -- International Union of Forestry research Organization -- Asia-Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions -- New York Academy of Science -- The International Association for Ecology

Professional Responsibilities: -- Starting to work as chief of Agricultural committee in 1979 (Tehran). -- Member of Scientific Staff since 1990. -- Lecturer in Universities (Ecophysiology, Ecology, Range Rehabilitation, Plant Geography) and advisor of several postgraduate students in different universities. -- Head of High Council for Forest, Range and Soil in Forest and Range Organization (highest technical body in FRO) 1990-1993 (consideration and approval of more than 200 silviculture projects with cooperation of council members). -- Director General of Studies and Coordinating Office in Forest and Range Organization 1991-1994. -- Head of Coordinating Council for Forest, Range and Watershed Management, 1992 (nominated by Minister). -- Member of Agricultural Commission of National Research Council of I.R. Iran, 1992-1995 and 1995-1998 (nominated by First Deputy of President). -- Director (President) of Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands, I.R. Iran, from 1992 to Nov. 1997. (with 600 staff including 250 scientific researcher and 900 research projects, publishing 200 books in this period) -- Full authority representative of Minister and Member of Iranian National Sustainable Development Committee, 1993-1998. -- Chief, Sustainable Development Committee of Ministry, 1995-1998. -- Member of Expert and Academic Advisory Commission and Chief of Environmental Committee in Planning and Budget Organization, 1997-1998. -- Chief, Expert Committee of Forests and Rangelands (Agricultural Commission of National Research Council of I.R. Iran), 1997-1998. -- Advisor to the Minister, 1997-1998. -- Permanent Representative of I.R. Iran to FAO office, Rome, June 1998- March 2003. -- Advisor to the Deputy Minister and Head of FRWO, and National Forest Focal Point, from March 2003.to Oct. 2005 -- Head of TP Secretariat of Low Forest Cover Countries (LFCCs, International Intergovernmental Organization), Since, March 2003. -- International Affair Advisor to the Deputy Minister and Head of IRIMO, and Director of First Vice President Office of WMO, Since August 2004. http://www.weather.ir/farsi/about/IPCC/irani. asp -- Head of High Council for Forest, Range and Soil in Forest, Range and Watershed management Organization (highest technical body in FRWO) from Oct. 2005 to July 2006, (considering and approve of main Silvicultural project in FRWO with cooperation of council members). -- Scientific member of Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands,

Major Publications: Publication of 63 articles including five books and two university textbooks, including: -- Jafari, M. (1997a), The Present Status of Forestry Research in I.R. Iran, in Four Articles on Forests, Technical Publication No. 176-1997, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, pp 121. -- Jafari, M. (1997b), Present Status of Afforestation Research in I.R. Iran, in Four Articles on Forests, Technical Publication No. 176-1997, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, pp 121. -- Jafari, M. (2006), An Overview On Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) with An Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation, ISBN: 964-6931-80-4, Pouneh Publisher, Tehran, Iran, pp 170. -- Jafari M. (2007a), Review on needfulness for plant ecophysiological study and investigation on climate change,s effects on forest, rangeland and desert ecosystems, presented in Workshop: Climate Change in South-Eastern European Countries: Causes, Impacts, Solutions, 26- 27 March 2007, Orangerie, Burggarten, Graz, Austria. -- Jafari M. (2007b), Climate Change and IPCC Assessments (Abstract of Keynote Lecture of the Symposium), in The Final Report of ICCAP, The Research Project on the Impact of Climate Changes on Agricultural Production System in Arid Areas, March 2007, ICCAP Publication 10-Japan, ISBN 4902325-09-8, pp 315-317. -- Cruz, R.V., M. Jafari, et al, 2007: Asia. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 469-506. -- Falkenmark M., C. M. Finlayson and L. J. Gordon (Coordinating lead authors), 2007, Agriculture, water, and ecosystems: avoiding the costs of going too far" Chapter 6, in book entitled "Water for Food, Water for Life" published by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), UK. (M. Jafari, Reviewer of chapter six).

Research projects: Managing director of research project in RIFR entitled: &Investigation; on Climate Change Effects on Forest Ecosystems in Gilan and Mazandaran Provinces with Emphasize of Wood Dendrology Studies8

Language knowledge: Persian, English (fluent); Italian, Arabic, French.

International negotiations: -- UNCED (Rio de Janeiro) Conference on Climate Change http://unfccc.int/cop4/resource/docs/1998/sbi /inf02.pdf http://unfccc.int/cop4/resource/docs/1998/sbi /inf02.htm -- Kyoto Protocol, Leading Author (LA) of Fourth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (AR4 of IPCC WG II / Chapter 10 Asia ) 2004-2007) http://www.gtp89.dial.pipex.com/10.pdf -- Biological Diversity, Combat Desertification, Forestry negotiations, IPF, IFF, UNFF, http://www.iisd.ca/forestry/unff/unff3/2june. html http://www.iisd.ca/download/pdf/sd/sdvol101nu m1e.pdf http://www.iisd.ca/forestry/unff/unff5/may17. html http://www.iisd.ca/forestry/unff/unff5/may25. html -- 10th World Forestry Congress, Paris (vice president of WFC X, chairman of two technical working groups); -- 12th World Forestry Congress, Quebec (vice president of WFC XII, chairman of two technical working groups and one open forum), http://www.iisd.ca/sd/wfc12/sdvol10num8e.html -- Head of Intergovernmental Organization (IGO) of Tehran Process Secretariat for Low Forest Cover Countries (TPS for LFCCs, International IGO) since 2003 (ftp:// ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/meeting/007/j2042E/j20 42E00.pdf)

7. (SBU) Biographic Summary of Malian candidate:

Youba Sokona Executive Secretary, Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION:

Dr. Youba Sokona has been Executive Secretary of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) since June 2004. OSS is an independent international organization based in Tunisia, comprised of 22 African and European countries, regional and international organizations, and representatives of civil society organizations. The Executive Secretary directs program operations and implements the decisions taken by the Executive Board and General Assembly.

Throughout his career, Dr Sokona has served in various advisory capacities to African governments and organisations. He has published several books and articles on the issues of energy, environment and development with a focus on Africa. Prior to his appointment to OSS he was:

Coordinator, Energy Programme, and Executive Secretary for International Relations, Environement and Developpement du Tiers Monde (ENDA-TM), based in Dakar, Senegal (1982)2003); and

Professor, &Ecole; Nationale d,Ingenieurs de Bamako8 (National Engineering School, Bamako, Mali).

Dr. Sokona has participated in many international events on climate change, desertification, and biodiversity. He is often invited by African governments and international organisations, such as the World Bank, UNDP, UNEP, UNCCD, etc., to be a member of steering committees, to conduct programme evaluations, to chair high-level sessions in international conferences, and to contribute scientific and policy papers.

He took part in the international negotiations and follow-up events to the Rio process and the three UN environmental conventions on Climate Change, Desertification, and Biodiversity.

AWARDS, BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS:

Member, Technical Advisory Group of the joint UNDP/World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistant Program (present);

Board Member, International Institute for Environment and Development (present); and

Board Member, Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (present).

EDUCATION:

University of Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris (PhD, Engineering and Earth Sciences)

Ecole Nationale Superieure des Mines de Paris

Ecole Nationale d,Ingenieurs de Bamako (Mali)

8. (SBU) CV of Argentinean candidate:

Vicente Ricardo Barros

A PhD in Meteorological Science, Dr. Barros is a Chief Researcher at the Conicet and Climatology Professor at the University of Buenos Aires, School of Natural Sciences, where he heads the Masters program in Environmental Science. He has written more than one hundred papers on climatic problems, half of which have been published in international scientific magazines. He took part in drafting a chapter of the Third Report of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climatic Change in 2001.

Education:

1961-65 University of Buenos Aires (UBA): Licenciado in Meteorological Sciences

1969-71 The University of Michigan: Master of Science in Meteorology:

1972-73 UBA: Doctor in Meteorological Sciences

Management Position:

Faculty of Sciences (UBA) Director of the Masters program in Environmental Sciences (since 1999)

Scientific position:

National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) Senior scientist; and Department of Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences (DAOS) of the UBAx

Teaching position:

University of Buenos Aires; Full Professor in Climatology (since 1987)

Past management positions:

1989-92 Member of the Directory of the National Commission of Environmental Policies

1991-92 National Report to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and Environment, Rio de Janeiro 1992, 579 pp. 1991. Coordinator

1993-97 Director of the Department of Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences (UBA)

1994-02 Member of the Directive Council of the Faculty of Sciences (UBA)

1996-97 National Director of the Project: Greenhouse gasses emissions inventory and Climate Change Studies on Vulnerability and Mitigation. GEF-UNDP- SECYT

1997-98 President of the Commission of the Exact and non Biological Natural Sciences segment of the National plan on Science and Technology 1999-2001

1999 Technical Director of the Emission target study of greenhouse gases. EPA- UNDP

1999 Revision of the First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

Books:

El Cambio Climtico Global 2004. Ed, Libros del Zorzal, Buenos Aires 172 pp. Segunda edicion en 2006. Traducido al Checo y Publicado en 2006 por Mlada Fronta con el titulo Globalni zmena klimatu

El Cambio Climtico en el Ro de la Plata. 2005. Eds. V. Barros, A. Menendez and G, Nagy. CIMA. Buenos Aires

El Cambio Climtico en la Cuenca del Plata. 2006. Eds. V. Barros, R. Clarke and P. Silva Dias. CIMA. Buenos Aires.

Climate Change and Adaptation, Eds, Neil Leary, James Adejuwon, Vicente Barros, Ian Burton and Rodel Lasco, Earthscan Publishers, London 2007 Coordinator

Activities as an international expert:

1983 Project on basic information to develop wind energy in Uruguay. UNDP/WMO

1987 Planning of the wind energy use in Cuba. UNDP/WMO

1987-91 Project on wind energy in the Energy Department of Uruguay. UNDP/UNIDO

Activities in international organizations

1997-00 Member of the Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate del Global Climate Observing System. WMO-UNEP

1999-00 Contributing author to the chapter on Detection and attribution of climate change of the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

2001-03 Member of the panel on the Plata basin of VAMOS (CLIVAR)

Journal reviewer activities:

Acta Oceanografica (Argentina), Atmosfera (Mexico), Climate Research (Germany), Geoacta (Argentina), Geofisica Internacional (Mexico),Geophysical Research Letters (USA), Int. Journal of Climatology (United Kingdom), J. Climate (USA), J. Geophysical Research (USA), Meteorologica (Argentina), Magazine of the Academy of Sciences (Brazil), Revista Geofisica (IPGH), Journal of Hydrometeotology (USA), Journal of Arid Environments (Holanda), REGA (Brasil-Argentina)

Publications In Refereed Journals:

Climate variability over subtropical South America and the South American Monsoon: A Review 2003: V. Barros, M. Doyle, M. Gonzalez, I. Camilloni, R. Bejaran and R. Caffera. Meteorologica, 27, 34-58

Extreme discharge events in the Paran River and their climate forcing 2003:. I. Camilloni and V. Barros J. of Hydrology, 278, 94-106

Implications of a Dynamic Target of Greenhouse Gases Emission Reduction: the Case of Argentina 2002. Environmental and Development Economics, July 2002. Barros, V. and M. Conte Grand

Differences in the El Nio response over the Southern Hemisphere 2003. J. Climate.17, 1741-1753. Vera C., Silvestri, V. Barros and A. Carril.

Impact of Global Change on the Coastal Areas of the Rio de la Plata. AIACC Notes. Junio 2003.Vo 2, .9-12. Barros, V., Camilloni, I. and A. Menendez

La temperatura del Atlntico Sur y la diferencia de caudales del Rio Parana durante los eventos El Nio 1982-83 y 1997-98. 2004. Revista Brasileira de Meteorologia I. Camilloni y V. Barros.

The major discharge events in the Paraguay River; Magnitudes, source regions and climate forcings. J Hydrometeorology 2004 Vol 5, 1061-1070.. V. Barros, L Chamorro, G. Coronel and J. Baez

An Observed Trend in Central South American Precipitation 2004. J. Climate. 17: 4357-4367 B. Liebmann, Vera, C. Carvalho, L., Camilloni, I., Barros, V., Hoerling, M y Allured, D. A.

Observed trends in indices of daily temperature extremes in South America 1960-2000 2005. J. Climate, 18, 5011-5023. Vincent, L.A., T.C. Peterson, V.R. Barros, et al

Trends in total and extreme South American precipitation 1960-2000 and links with sea surface temperature 2006. J. Climate, 19, 1490-1512. Haylock M. R., Barros V. R., et al

Seasonal-to-decadal predictability and prediction of South American climate 2006. J. Climate, 19, 5988)6004. P. Nobre, J. Marengo, I. F. A. Cavalcanti, G. Obregon, V. Barros, I. Camilloni, N. Campos and A. G. Ferreira

How does Soil Moisture Influence the Early Stages of the South American Monsoon? 2008 J. Climate. 21. 185-213. E. Collini, E. Berbery, V. Barros and, M. Pyle.

Precipitation trends in southeastern South America: relationship with ENSO phases and the low-level circulation. 2008. Theoretical and Appl. Climatology. In press. V. Barros, M. Doyle and I. Camilloni.

Land use impact on the Uruguay River discharge 2008 Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 35, LXXXXX, Doi:10.1029/2008GL033707. Aceptado. R. Saurral, V. Barros, and D. Lettenmaier

Proceedings of congresses, workshops and other scientific meetings:

Interanual variability of the South Atlantic High and rainfall in southeastern South America during summer months. I. Camilloni, M. Doyle y V. Barros. CLIVAR. 2004

Climate change in the environmental agenda for Argentina V. Barros, H. Carlino, and Daniel Perczyk. Second AIACC Regional Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean. Buenos Aires, 24-27 Agosto 2004.

Climate scenarios for the 21st century: influence on the discharges of the Plata basin I. Camilloni, R. Saurral, R. Mezhe and V. Barros. Fourth international workshop on development and management of dams in the Plata basin; Salto Grande, Noviembre 2005

Extreme Precipitations in Argentina, Trends and Climate Change. M. Re, R. Saurral and V. Barros. Fourth International Workshop on Development and Management of Dams in the Plata Basin; Salto Grande, November 2005.

Seasonal dependence of surface-atmosphere interactions for subtropical South America. Collini, E. A.; Berbery, E. H.; Barros, V. . 8th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography. Abril 2006, Foz de Iguazu. Proceedings pag. 999.

Sea-level pressure patterns in South America and the adjacent oceans in the IPCC AR4 models. Di Luca, A.; Camilloni, I.; Barros, V. 8th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography. Abril 2006, Foz de Iguazu. Proceedings pag. 235.

Precipitation trends in southeastern South America: relationship with ENSO phases. Doyle, M.; Barros, V. 8th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography. Abril 2006, Foz de Iguazu. Proceedings pag. 1513

Assessing long-term discharges of the Plata River Saurral, R.; Mezher, R.; Barros, V. 8th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography. Abril 2006, Foz de Iguazu. Proceedings pag. 821.

Extreme precipitations in Argentina Re, M.; Saurral, R.; Barros, V. 8th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography. Abril 2006, Foz de Iguazu. Proceedings pag. 1575.

Other reports:

Planning:

- Implementacion de modelos matematicos para el pronostico del tiempo. 1972. SMN. Lichtenstein, E, C.Martinez, V. Barros, W. Vargas, H. Hordij y H. Ciapessoni. - Coordinacion de la presentacion del proyecto de desarrollo del CENPAT al Banco interamericano de Desarrollo. CONICET 1978. Barros, V. y J. Vercino

National policies:

- National Report to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and Environment, Rio de Janeiro, 1992. 579 pp. 1991 (in Spanish). - Background Report for the First National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1997 (in Spanish).

- Greenhouse gasses emissions inventory and Climate Change Studies on Vulnerability and Mitigation. In Argentina, SECYT 1998, 5 volumes (in Spanish). - Background report for the Revision of the First National Communication to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Secretary of Sustainable Development and Environment, 1999, 104 pp (in Spanish). - Inventory of Greenhouse gasses of the Argentine Republic, year 1997. Secretary of Sustainable Development and Environment, 1999, 150 pp (in Spanish).

Conferences:

Since 1969, more than 100 conferences to scientific, diplomatic and business communities and for the public. In 1991 and 1992, numerous conferences about the Argentine Report to the Conference of United Nations on Environment and Sustainable Development of 1992. Similarly in 1997 and 1998 on climate change and the First Argentine Communication to the Framework Convention on Climate Change and on its revision in 1999.

9. (SBU) CV of Moroccan candidate:

Abdalah Mokssit

Head of the National Center on Climate and Meteorological Research (Direction Meteorologie Nationale), Casablanca.

Civil Engineer in Meteorology Specialization in Global Circulation Modelling

Areas of expertise: -- Numerical weather Prediction -- Climate variability -- Climate Rediction -- Climate Change dtection and attribution

Major Research Projects: -- Climatology: Dryness studies in Morocco and the world. -- Climate Change: Co-Chair of the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection CLL/WMO. -- Climate application impact studies: Climate change and water resource management in Morocco -- Climate change and agriculture in the Tadla region of Morocco

Speaks and writes Arabic, French and English fluently

Major Publications: -- H C Upadhayaya and A. Mokssit: Adiabatic on linear normal mode initialization for a grid point Global model; Processings of Indian Academy of Sciences, volume 100 Number 1, Mars 1991; model. Proceedings of Indian Academy of Sciences volume 100 Number 1 Mars 1991; -- Mokssit et R. Gnaoui: realisation d'un outil d'anlyse de Protocole Atlas 400; Mmoire de trvaux de fin d'etudes realise chez Transpac, juin 1987; -- Mokssit: Outil pour la reussi te du Management par Projets; Memoire realise dans le cadre du cycle superieur de management du ministre de l'equipement , juin 1997; -- Mokssit et al: Le point sur la secheresse au Maroc; dition du Ministere des travaux publics; 1996; -- Mokssit et al: La prevision a longue echeance au Maroc; Workshop on Long Range Forecasting; Nairobi 1998; -- Mokssit et al: Les changements Climatiques et Ressources en eau; etude realisee dans le cadre du projet Maghrebin (RAB/ G94 finance par le PNUD) sur les changements climatiques;

-- Mokssit et al: Changements climatiques et ressources en eau dans le bassin versant de l'OURGHA; -- Mokssit: la secheresse dans le climat Marocain; Atelier sur la prevention et la gestion des situations de scheresse dans les pays du Maghreb, Juin 1996; -- Mokssit: Numerical Simulation of Devastating Meteorological Situations; INM/WMO Symposium on Cycllones and Hasardous weather in Mediterranean, Avril 1997; -- Mokssit; Development of priority Climate Indices for Africa; paru dans regional Climate Studies/ Mediterranean Climate, February 2001; -- A. Dave Easterling, A. Mokssit et AL: Workshop Report on Climate Change Indices; BAMS (Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society); -- Mokssit: Chapter 4 on Drought ( au niveau mondial), 7 eme revue de l'OMM sur le Climat Mondial; -- Mokssit: On climate change Extreme Indices; 7eme revue de l'OMM sur le Climat Mondial; -- F.Zwiers, H. Cattle, T.C. Peterson and A. Mokssit: Detecting climate: WMO bulletin Volume 52, No 3, July 2003

10. (SBU) Biographic Summary of Maldivan candidate:

Amjad Abdulla

Amjad Abdulla is the Director General at the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water of Maldives and has been working in the Ministry since 1990 in various positions. He is the national focal point for the National Adaptation Programme of Action for Climate Change. He is the lead negotiator from the Maldives to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Mr. Abdulla was a member of National Commission for the Protection of the Environment (NCPE) from 2003 to 2006 and is also a member of a number of task forces and committees appointed by the President to develop the strategic plans and policies on environment and development. He has worked nationally and internationally as a freelance consultant on various environmental projects. He has also coordinated and managed several donor assisted projects at the Ministry.

Mr. Abdulla is also author and contributing author to several reports of high national significance: Maldives National Adaptation Programme of Action on Climate Change; First National Communication of Maldives to UNFCCC; Third Environment Action Plan; National Sustainable Development Strategy. He has also written and published several reports and research papers relating to environmental planning and the economic vulnerability of Small Island States. He is also has experience in planning and designing of several coastal developments, including, harbours, jetties, breakwater and other shore protection measures for several islands in the Maldives.

Mr. Abdulla has the distinction of having represented the Maldives at a number of international conferences including the negotiation to review the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and the Mauritius International meeting in 2005. He has also represented Maldives at the UNFCCC negotiations. Mr. Abdulla was the Vice-Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) under UNFCCC from December 2004 to December 2006 and chaired the 22nd and 23rd Session of the SBSTA. He is also a member of the Enforcement Branch of the Kyoto compliance committee and an alternate member of the Adaptation Fund Board under UNFCC. He is also the current chair of the LDC group for climate negotiations under UNFCCC.

Mr. Abdulla possesses an honours degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Brighton, UK and a MSc, in Environmental Science, Policy and Planning from the University of Bath, UK. His professional areas of interest include environmental economics, environmental planning, sustainable development and climate change. RICE

• a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
• enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college or university with a hospitality management program as an incoming college freshman, first year freshman or community college transfer;
• pursuing or planning to pursue an undergraduate degree within the hospitality management, hotel management, culinary or food and beverage field; and
• possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.

As a part of the program, Marriott International managers and executives from the hotels and corporate offices will provide career guidance, mentoring, development and internship opportunities to scholarship recipients.

• Stephen Breedon - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Kimberly Charles - Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI
• Jasmine Hurt - Johnson & Wales University, Miami, FL
• Tayler Moore - Kendall College, Chicago, IL
• Tarnequa Smith - University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
• Leslie Duran - Boston University, Boston, MA
• Mario Gonzalez - Johnson & Wales University, Denver, CO
• Santiago Lara-Cervantes - Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte, NC
• Christina Mandel - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Maria Mercado - University of Nevada - Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
• Adrian Vivas - University of Houston - University Park, Houston, TX

Do you love the fact that you buy Fairtrade products and campaign for trade justice whenever possible to help support farmers, workers, their families and communities in developing countries. Well, then you could qualify for the Fairtrade Foundation’s competition to find the biggest Fairtrade show off’s in the UK as part of next year’s Fairtrade Fortnight (28 February – 13 March 2011) themed Show Off Your Label.

Fairtrade Fortnight is the Fairtrade Foundation’s annual awareness raising campaign to promote the difference that Fairtrade makes to millions of people in developing countries. It is also when businesses, Fairtrade supporters and stakeholders such as NGO’s, come together to organise thousands of events around the country to get people buying and understanding the impact of Fairtrade, and, the global need for fairer trade. The Fairtrade Foundation and 100% Fairtrade companies like Café Direct, Divine and Liberation, also bring Fairtrade producers over to tour the country and meet campaign groups, schools and faith groups. Producers coming over this year include a banana farmer from the Windward Islands, a small-holder coffee farmer from Tanzania and a cotton farmer from India.

To help kick start events, the Fairtrade Foundation has once again produced an ideas-packed Fortnight Action Guide to inspire and enthuse people. The guide and website contain ideas on everything from extreme labelling activities; Fairtrade bake-offs to show off both your culinary skills and showcase Fairtrade products; creating your own pop-up restaurant in your own home with creative sample menus; to using Fairtrade cotton bunting, available free of charge, to decorate events. In fact, the main campaign focus in 2011 will be on Fairtrade cotton which is currently celebrating its fifth anniversary, with people being asked to help break the world record for the longest length of cotton bunting.

More than 10 million West African people rely on cotton for a living but because of unfair trade practices are still living in poverty. Even though one in four people say they have bought Fairtrade certified cotton products in the UK, still less than 1% of cotton fashion on the high street carries the FAIRTADE Mark. Fairtrade cotton guarantees a Fairtrade minimum price as well as a Fairtrade premium for investment in social development projects such as water, education and healthcare.

With most West African cotton farmers earning less than $1 a day and subsidies paid to European and North American cotton farmers depressing world prices, it’s becoming practically impossible for small-scale farmers in West Africa to compete. Next year is a crucial opportunity for Fairtrade campaigners to make a noise about the situation at the tenth anniversary of the WTO Doha Development Round.

The Show Off Your Label theme was inspired by Fairtrade campaigners who each year love showing off their passion for Fairtrade, with ingenious events combining fun with a serious message. Over the years, there have been all sort of exhibitionist antics – from human Fairtrade tea-bags to a Fairtrade banana world record eating events.

“In today’s world, many people see labels as a way of defining themselves. Choosing products with the FAIRTRADE Mark too says a lot about a person’s lifestyle and values,” says Barbara Crowther, Director of Policy and Communications at the Fairtrade Foundation.

In addition to Action Guides, a range of promotional materials such as posters and banners with catching slogans like Parade your Fairtrade peppercorns, Laud your Fairtrade lemons, Shout about their Fairtrade Socks, are available for events in canteens and offices. ‘Showing off’ will give people the opportunity to share their enthusiasm for Fairtrade and Fairtrade products and to tell the story of the people behind the products.

The FAIRTRADE Mark is the only label which gives groups of farmers and producers the means to improve their livelihoods through the guaranteed minimum price and premium for social, environmental and business projects. Around 7.5 million people (farmers, workers, their families and communities) – across 58 developing countries in the developing world benefit from the international Fairtrade system.
The number of Fairtrade towns now stands at 500. There is also a growing international movement of Fairtrade Towns in 18 countries; around 6,000 Fairtrade Faith groups; almost 5,000 registered schools in the Fairtrade Schools Scheme; and 127 Fairtrade universities and colleges.

Source: Fairtrade Foundation

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