In The News

Indian Farmer Promotes “Magic Farming”

Amarnath Tewary July 29, 2013
The notion of harvesting tons of crops from soil, water, a handful of seeds and fertilizer has a magic quality to it – and an Indian farmer in Bihar has used magic shows to convince other farmers to turn to organic methods. An NGO program on organic farming in 2001 convinced Shreekant Kushwaha that organic farming produced higher yields more quickly, and he credits the methods for changing his...

The Detroit Syndrome

Sanjeev Sanyal July 25, 2013
Emerging economies are urbanizing at a brisk pace, and mid-level cities should take note of the lessons from the bankruptcy filing of what was once the fifth largest in the United States, suggests Sanjeev Sanyal, global strategist for Deutsche Bank. The internet and other technologies have spurred growth of urban centers, rather than diminished it as analysts once predicted. The young gravitate...

Pakistan’s Malala Problem: Teen Activist’s Global Celebrity Not Matched at Home

Omar Waraich July 19, 2013
A young Pakistani schoolgirl survived an assassination attempt and continues to speak out on free, compulsory education for all. In a speech at the United Nations, 16-year-old Malala Yousafzai argued that books and pens are the most powerful tools against illiteracy and terrorism, reports Omar Waraich for Time Magazine. A global audience cheered her message: “One child, one teacher, one book and...

Low Fertility Rates – Just a Phase?

Michael S. Teitelbaum, Jay Winter July 9, 2013
The phenomenon of women delaying childbirth and limiting family size to two children or less is gaining traction worldwide. Low fertility rates can deliver prosperity for individuals, but disrupt patterns of economic growth. Some countries compensate for low fertility rates with immigration, which brings its own set of worries. Changing population patterns influence the world in complex ways for...

Why China Loves to Build Copycat Towns

Ruth Morris July 8, 2013
Theme parks referencing other lands and time periods can inspire dreams of travel or satisfy the wanderlust in others who can’t afford to make the voyages. As countries develop and the middle class expands, tourism promoters strive to provide an array of destinations close to home. The United States in the 20th century gave visitors a taste of history with theme parks like Epcot in Florida or the...

The Power of Storytelling

Isabella Cota July 5, 2013
Radio – the voices and stories of individuals – wields influence over hearts, minds and community determination. One Central American NGO has found radio to be an excellent tool for spreading anti-trafficking messages throughout the region, reaching those who cannot afford computers and the internet – alerting listeners to the cruel and secretive crime. Thousands of people across Central America...

World Cup Benefits Outsiders, Say Brazil Protesters

James Montague July 4, 2013
Brazil has many soccer fans, but protesters are questioning the conventional wisdom that massive sporting events deliver widespread benefits for host nations. Instead, the ongoing Confederations Cup has set the stage for protests on Brazil’s cost of living, the poor quality of education and high transport costs. “The initial spark for the protests was a rise in bus fares in Sao Paulo,” reports...