In The News

French NGOs Push to Save African Chicken Farmers from Europe

October 18, 2004
According to a French non-governmental organization, the developed European poultry industry sells cheap produce to African countries, undercutting domestic markets. Industry leaders within Europe claim that African nations have the option of creating import taxes, and that cheap produce is a boon to countries with weak purchasing power. The French group, however, says that imposing tariffs is...

Akayev: We Do Democracy the Kyrgyz Way

Erdin Beshimov October 18, 2004
The path of many Central Asian states from crumbling Soviet control to democracy has been littered with problems. Though nominally democratic, governments have maintained tight control over their states, leading to a growing number of human rights violations against political dissidents throughout the region. Nevertheless, Central Asian officials like Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev, respond to...

Scientists Herald Malaria Breakthrough

Sarah Boseley October 15, 2004
Each year, according to estimates from the World Health Organization, 300 to 500 million cases of malaria occur, and more than one million people die of the disease. Recent clinical trials in Mozambique indicate that a vaccine for malaria may be on the horizon. Human trials have shown that the vaccine protected some infants from the disease altogether and reduced the severity of malaria in...

Globalization and the Political Future of Nigeria

Sam Ejike Okoye October 15, 2004
Although some may doubt the impact of globalization on the African continent, the recent surge of world oil prices to their highest recorded levels, triggered by the threat of strike in Nigeria may dispel the myth. If levels remain above US$50 per barrel through the coming winter, a worldwide recession is not out of the question, the article says. Today's economic, scientific, environmental...

Globalization: Custom-Made in China

Fan Gang October 15, 2004
The rapid pace of China’s economic growth has been remarkable, but the country’s success did not magically result from opening to the world, writes economist Fan Gang. China’s experience shows that countries must plot their own individualized paths towards market liberalization. Early in its development, China protected its infant industries from the rigors of global competition – thus allowing...

Making Innocents Pay for Other's Sins

October 6, 2004
The continually fragile security situation in Iraq has bred a climate of fear for most foreigners present there. Soldiers, journalists, and independent civilian workers have all been the victims of kidnappings by insurgent groups in Iraq. Some of the kidnapped make it back to their countries or families, but many abductions have ended in execution, complete with grisly recordings. In light of the...

Making Globalization Work for All

Jeffrey D. Sachs October 2, 2004
When world leaders met at the UN’s Millennium Assembly four years ago, they laid out ambitious proposals to alleviate global poverty, hunger, disease, and illiteracy. Yet in spite of a rhetorical commitment to development, says economist Jeffrey Sachs, rich nations like the US have been unwilling to commit the necessary aid. Much of the developing world is experiencing rising poverty and needs...