The OECD Forum: better policies for better lives?
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...]
What do you want to see from the upcoming G8 Summit?
This week, the leaders of the world’s eight most powerful economies—known as the Group of 8 or G8—will meet in Deauville, France, for the 37th annual G8 Summit. The G8, which includes France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada, was initially formed in 1975 to respond to the worldwide recession created by the first oil crisis. Since then, the G8 Summit has been a forum for these nations to come together to address global economic issues. Over time, that discussion has evolved to include matters such as … [Read more...]
Whew! Last Minute Negotations Produce 2011 Budget
The smoke has finally cleared and the long contested battle to establish a federal budget for 2011 is over. With only hours to spare, government shutdown was avoided and a budget for the remainder of the year was passed. While staffers and federal workers are probably still recovering from a week of no sleep, lets take a minute to hash out what the new budget entails... Federal spending will reduce by $38 billion for the remainder of FY2011 The State Department took a massive hit of $8 billion, most of which comes from its … [Read more...]
Resource Scarce Refugees: A Gazan Case Study
In conflict areas with high refugee populations, environmental concerns are paramount. Such concentrated populations take their toll on environmental sustainability, requiring more resources than the land can offer; the increased environmental damage often spurs continued conflict. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has taken an enormous toll on environmental resources, in turn exacerbating the conflict itself. To better understand the implications of resource scarcity, this brief focuses on water as a dwindling commodity in the Gaza … [Read more...]
AIDemocracy’s Story of the Refugee Crisis
Here at AIDemocracy, we are always focusing on the interconnectedness of global issues and how everything has an impact on something else in some way, no matter how major or minor. In considering scenarios that could best depict this, we decided to create our "Refugee Crisis Story," which will pull together Global Peace and Security, development, health, and environment (as well as other major global issues) as a way for us to conceptualize the interrelatedness in a new way. So what are the major connectors that make the refugee crisis an … [Read more...]
Refugee Crisis Story
You’re woken up by your frantic mother telling you to pack you stuff, quick. “But I thought we were leaving next week.” “No, no we’re leaving now, pack your stuff lets go. Only the essentials, don’t waste your time getting everything.” You and your two sisters try to pack all you can but before you know it your mother is ushering you out the door. The sun isn’t even up, and as you walk down the street you grew up you realize with that you have not said goodbye to your friends and family. You wonder if you will ever see them … [Read more...]
On The Road Again…For A World Free of Nuclear Weapons: 5-K Peace Walk and Rally
On Saturday, April 30, the Utah Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (UCAN) has planned a peaceful walk and rally to commemorate the successful defeat 30 years ago of the MX Mobile Missile Project slated for the Great Basin and to lend support for ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). A peaceful 5-K walk will commence at Noon at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City (600 South 1300 East) where bells will be rung and statements read regarding the MX project and ratification of the CTBT. After visiting other churches … [Read more...]
Fatima’s Story in Pittsburgh: Report from an AIDemocracy Chapter Conference on Global Health Disparities
Last Friday and Saturday, the brand new chapter of Americans for Informed Democracy at the University of Pittsburgh held its inaugural event to kick off the launch of its chapter. Most people might think an inaugural event might be a film screening or an info. session to launch their chapter. However, the students at UPitt like to do it big...their inaugural event was an entire conference on global health as affected by development, environment and conflict! Heady stuff I know for a first event, but that's how our students like to do it. And I can say to … [Read more...]
8 Days Until Government Shutdown – Both Parties Refuse Another Short-Term Bill
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...]
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