In The News

Dagnachew Teklu September 7, 2005
Brain drain may claim yet another victim in Africa—the continental airline industry. A recent conference held by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) emphasized the degree to which the loss of highly trained pilots, mechanics and other workers is taking a serious toll on the industry. African air companies invest heavily in education and training for employees, only to see their workforce...
Sharon LaFraniere August 25, 2005
In areas where electricity and indoor plumbing are rarities, a surprising trend is taking shape. Despite infrastructure shortcomings and widespread poverty, Africa is now the world's fastest-growing market for cellphones. Mobile technology is drastically changing business and daily life – speeding up communication and allowing for previously impossible interactions – in rural areas where...
Mary Robinson August 23, 2005
Since the July G-8 summit and Live 8 concerts, the topic of African development has received unusual public attention. While the conversations have focused primarily on aid and debt relief, according to Mary Robinson, one topic has received inadequate treatment in international policy circles: free trade. Recalling her travels to cotton producer Mali and sugar producer Mozambique, Robinson...
August 17, 2005
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the African continent hosts the world's most mobile population. Due to adverse conditions, citizens of countries will flee, at least temporarily, often taking with them skills that are greatly needed back home. This phenomenon, sometimes called "brain drain" – coupled with shortages in crucial fields, including...
Desha Girod August 11, 2005
As the G-8 unveiled an ambitious plan to lift Africa from the mire of debt and double foreign aid, a debate concerning the efficacy of aid has re-emerged. Many critics contend that additional aid money will merely benefit the corrupt leaders of a troubled continent, rather than support the reforms those nations sorely need. Desha Girod counters that, in certain circumstances, aid can be highly...
Scott Kilman August 5, 2005
Jim Butler, deputy undersecretary at the US Department of Agriculture, was greeted with fanfare when he visited Mali, pledging US support to help increase the productivity of cotton farming there. The United States has recently taken an interest in "helping" West African cotton farmers produce more effectively, but the motivation may be more just benevolence. As developing nations...
Dennis Lim August 3, 2005
Darwin's Nightmare, Hubert Sauper's new documentary released in the United States this week, chronicles an evolutionary and globalization-related predicament. Decades ago, the Nile perch was introduced to the waters of Lake Victoria in Tanzania, with the aim of replenishing over-fished waters. In the years since, the six-foot fish have proved a lucrative export for Tanzania, but a...