Blog.
Child Soldiers
“Should child soldiers be prosecuted for their crimes?” “In modern day warfare, children, both girls and boys, are increasingly becoming the subject of military recruitment, targeted attacks, and sexual violence. The diversity of armed groups and the widespread and easy availability of small arms and light weapons have led to
Welcome to the world, citizen No. 7 billion!
A few weeks ago we were treated to a letter by the The Irish Times’ new editor, Kevin O’Sullivan, welcoming the soon-to-take place birth of the 7 billionth person into our ‘work in progress’ unequal world. Cross-posted below in full, we think it is well worth a read. If you
Updated Hunger Section
The new and updated Hunger section is now online! Take a look.
Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation is a hugely contentious issue worldwide. According to a report published by the WHO, UNESCO, UNIFEM and others, FGM is practiced in 28 African countries, in parts of Asia and the Middle East. However, it is increasingly found in Europe, Canada, the US, Australia and Asia –
Two Reports: one message – the more we grow together, the more we grow apart
2011 saw the publication of two reports on international ‘risk’; one published early in the year by the Risks Report Network of the World Economic Forum (the Global Risks Report 2011) and the second the World Risk Report 2011 from the Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft (Alliance Development Works – a coalition
The “Girl Effect” and women’s rights
The “Girl Effect” and women’s rights Whether you agree with it or not the “girl effect” has become something of a phenomenon and popular catchphrase among international economic development projects since the Nike Foundation launched the initiative in 2008. ‘You start the girl effect’, the website proclaims, with the girl
The poor continue to give and the rich continue to receive – the case of Item 18(b)
In a world of obscene inequality we like to think things are getting better and, in some areas, things are indeed improving – literacy, girl’s education, vaccines, ARVs etc. But when it comes to the basics – power and money, same old, same old – the poor lose, the rich
Worst countries for sick children
A new report – health workers index – published by UK NGO Save the Children lists those countries worldwide in which it is most dangerous to be a sick child. No great surprises in the results; at the bottom lie Chad, Somalia, LAO PDR, Ethiopia and, unforgivably Nigeria. At the
The Food Vendor
Check out the “The Food Vendor,” a story illustrating staple foods around the world and the issues of rising food prices as experienced by the poor. This film focusses on Nepa. Also, check out some of the other really interesting short films by IRIN.

Cartoon satire of ‘development’
What is ‘development’? What is done in the name of development? Who ‘does’ development and who is it done to? These are just some of the questions explored in a cartoon book launched earlier this year in India by the charity Survival: the movement for tribal peoples. The cartoon book