AIDemocracy.org | economic growth

The OECD Forum: better policies for better lives?

May 27, 2011 by Rachel Merker Leave a Comment

Yesterday, as the highly publicized 2011 G8 Summit got underway, another international dialogue was drawing to a close: the Opportunity for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Forum. The OECD, which to date consists of 34 member countries representing mainly developed and emerging economies, gathered in Paris, France from May 24-26th to commemorate its 50th anniversary as an economic organization that, “Promotes policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.” Primarily a body that collects and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Climate Change, Featured Less, Hunger Tagged With: Climate Change, economic growth, economy, fair trade, free trade, G20, G8, global development, Hunger, international financial architecture, new media, policy, sustainable development

8 Days Until Government Shutdown – Both Parties Refuse Another Short-Term Bill

April 1, 2011 by Mukul

With 8 days and counting until another potential government shutdown, Republicans and Democrats have once again begun negotiations on the federal budget for the remainder of 2011. This time however both parties have made it clear that no short-term spending bill will be passed. This means if no final compromise is made by April 8th, the government WILL shutdown. To bring everyone up to speed on the debate I’ve provided a list of the key players and their role in the ongoing budget battle… Tea Party – budget hard-liners. Yesterday held a rally … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Less, Hunger Tagged With: Barack Obama, Climate Change, Congress, economic growth, education, federal budget, Government, government shutdown, Joe Biden

Facing ‘difficulties’ after brutalizing a population? Obama and David Cameron could learn a lesson from their North African and Arab counterparts

March 18, 2011 by Gillian Rollason

After decades of brutalizing the population, political leaders shouldn’t be surprised to find their authority challenged by violent uprisings. But this plight is not only of political elites in North Africa and the Middle East - European and American leaders face serious dilemmas at the United Nations, after years of ignoring the human consequences of their foreign policy abroad. It is hardly surprising that Gaddafi is able to use mercenaries to suppress a popular uprising, despite outrage from the international community at the (continued) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Less, Security Tagged With: Africa, Barack Obama, Britain, capitalism, conflict, diplomacy, economic growth, economy, EU, globalization, Government, government shutdown, human rights, Human Rights and Social Justice, Libya, Middle East, Middle East Democracy, military, national security, NATO, North Africa, oil, poverty, social justice, United Nations, US foreign policy

Aid for AIDS* – Exporting health and expectations (* political revolution optional)

February 28, 2011 by Gillian Rollason

Protect human rights, empower women, create jobs, strengthen the economy, spread democracy, save children, pipe water, grow crops…the benefits of development are a shining torch that many in the international community use to guide their foreign and domestic policy (or so at least, they would have us believe). A few contentious issues arise when we ask ourselves in which direction we are supposed to be ‘developing’ and tensions run high when foreign powers are accused of buying political influence with aid or investment. America might be used to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Less, Hunger, Security, Sex and Justice Tagged With: activism, aid, capitalism, China, Climate Change, Cold War, economic growth, Egypt, foreign aid, globalization, HIV/AIDS, Human Rights and Social Justice, humanitarian aid, Libya, Middle East Democracy, national security, poverty, social justice, sustainable development, transnational corporations

Valentines Day 2011 – The Heartbreak Budget Battle Heats Up

February 18, 2011 by Mukul

This year Valentines Day in Washington is not about heart shaped candy and bouquets but rather fiscal budgets, continuing resolutions and the ongoing battle between the White House and Republican majority Congress over establishing a federal budget. Already half way through fiscal year 2011, neither side has been able to reach an agreement on government spending. As a result, the Federal government is on it's second continued resolution (a type of appropriations legislation used by congress if no formal budget has been signed by the end of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Less, Hunger Tagged With: Congress, economic growth, foreign aid, Obama

Republican Majority Taking Stance on Cutting Foreign Aide

February 3, 2011 by Mukul

The recent slew of political unrest throughout Middle Eastern countries like Yemen, Tunisia, Jordan and most notably Egypt, are great examples for understanding the unpredictable need of U.S. foreign assistance. While aid from the US creates economic growth, increases public health initiatives and ensures global security, aid is also commonly used as a tool for ensuring US interests are protected abroad. The United States has provided aid to countries in the Middle East for years, largely in the hopes of ensuring peace and security. This effort … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Less, Hunger Tagged With: democracy, economic growth, Egypt, foreign aid, Middle East, USAID

Lost in Translation

January 28, 2011 by Sara Hooker

There was a stats conversion problem I had to do today, changing miles per gallon into gallons per mile. Gallons per mile, the end result of the problem, which might seem unusual to US drivers is actually how the rest of the world views gas consumption. My textbook said it best: Americans think of it as: I’ve got 10 gallons in the tank. How far can I drive? Where as most of the world says: ‘I’ve got to go 100km, how much gas do you think I need’ This little math (or maths, if we are continuing with our global conversions) problem actually … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Less, Hunger Tagged With: activism, capitalism, economic growth, economy, Europe, financial crisis, Issue Analyst, policy, poverty, public opinion, United States, youth

Trade, Aid, Power and Samsung at Seoul- G20 meetings, 2010

November 22, 2010 by Priyanka Joseph

The G20 meetings are publicly recognized for being the arena of two repeating themes: citizen protest against unfair trade policies that affect communities across the world, and world leaders flexing their muscles to see who walks away as top dog. The G20 meeting in Seoul, South Korea was burdened with a third theme– that of finding solutions to the ongoing global economic crisis and the fast approaching threat of protectionism. Why is protectionism an issue? In the context of the US economy, it could mean lower foreign investment, which would lower … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Hunger Tagged With: economic growth, G20

The Pursuit of Foreign Assistance Reform Continues: A Case for Optimism

October 31, 2009 by Sarah Frazer

Post by Alex Simon, George Washington University When Lily first invited me to a discussion on foreign assistance reform on Capitol Hill, I must admit my expectations were low. Not only had I come to think of government approaches to global development as weakened by their bureaucratic processes and special interests, but looking briefly at the history of attempted foreign aid reform, there hasn’t been a lot of progress. To my surprise, the meeting, convened by House Foreign Affairs Committee Senior Staffer Diana Ohlbaum last Tuesday, was filled … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Hunger Tagged With: Cold War, economic growth, foreign aid, global development, USAID

Africa and the Global Economic Crisis: Challenges, Opportunities, and Next Steps

June 25, 2009 by Rachel Voss

Over the last eight months, many scholars have questioned whether Africa might escape the worst effects of the economic crisis. Some have hypothesized that the continent's limited involvement in the world economy and international financial system might insulate it from a crisis stemming from credit systems and lending markets. In March, AIDemocracy blogged about surprising economic growth in Africa thanks to heavy Chinese investment and trade (African Trade Booms as World Economy Collapses). New economic reports, however, suggest that the situation is a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Hunger Tagged With: China, economic growth, financial crisis, remittances, women