Reblogged from Caucasus Elections Watch: Political activism in Azerbaijan continues to search for ways of expressing itself in an environment that whilst not being totalitarian, leaves little space for the expression of dissent. For many years street protests were the way that Azerbaijanis vented their political opinions. But opportunities for that have become increasingly limited, … Continue reading »
An Explanation (Reflections from Armenia)
Reporting from Armenia: Artur Papyan I owe an explanation to the readers of my blog. I haven’t posted for quite a while. The reason – well, it’s complicated. Lack of time is the main reason. I feel I’ve got too much to do at work and I keep adding on responsibilities and taking volunteer tasks, so I’m usually … Continue reading »
Zamfara Lead Poisoning; hundreds of children await treatment
Reporting from Nigeria: Mercy Abang Six months on from an International Lead Poisoning Conference, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) / Doctors Without Borders warns that time is running out to solve the Zamfara crisis. In a progress report, the medical humanitarian organisation which has been treating lead poisoned children since the start of the crisis, finds … Continue reading »
Activists Warn of Poaching in Khosrov Forest State Preserve
Reporting from Armenia: Artur Papyan Armenia — Environmental activist Mariam Sukhudian holds up the torn head of a bezoar goat, Khosrov reserve, 18Sep2012 Environmental activists Mariam Sukhudian and Yeghia Nersissian are blowing the whistle They have visited the “Kaqavaberd” area of Khosrov Forest State Preserve and discovered remnants of endangered animals around what seems to be festive bonfires of … Continue reading »
On Western Style Democracy and Drug Enforcement
Reporting from Ecuador: Gustavo Dominguez The United States has devoted significant resources to two strategies abroad that have failed to succeed. One is intertwined through most headlines in the international news today, the promotion of Western style democracy. The second, while different in content, is similar in the imposition of a dominant ideology abroad that has … Continue reading »
La vida no vale nada (Life is worthless)
Reporting from Mexico: Roberto Carlos Gutiérrez Martínez First I must say that it a pleasure to be part of this project, and to be able to present a local perspective from Mexico and Latin America on issues with global reach and significance. That said, I must confess that this first note was not an easy endeavor. Over … Continue reading »
Armenians Say Safarov Extradition, Pardon and Glorification ‘Wrong’, ‘Immoral’
Reporting from Armenia: Artur Papyan Residents of Yerevan approached by RFE/RL’s Armenian Service and asked to share their thoughts on the recent extradition by Hungary of Ramil Safarov, a convicted axe-killer of Armenian army officer Gurgen Margarian, and his subsequent pardon in Azerbaijan by President Ilham Aliyev, spoke angrily about the development, calling it wrong … Continue reading »
Brain Drain in Nigeria
Reporting from Nigeria: Emeka Nweze This entry pertains to the brain drain phenomenon that is crippling Nigeria. I would like to begin by apologizing for the long bout of silence. It is poor taste to for anyone discuss in purple passages his or her jeremiads so I’ll leave it at that and transition into the topic … Continue reading »
This ship is sinking, yes – so what do we do?
Reporting from Nigeria: Mercy Abang An address given by Chude Jideonwo, executive director of The Future Project at The Future Awards 2012, Port Harcourt, Rivers It occurred to me for the first time as I sat in the car’s front seat and felt my father’s cold corpse in the back seat in May 2007. The nurses … Continue reading »
USAID Estimates Less Than 20% of Armenian NGO’s Active
Reporting from Armenia: Artur Papyan US Ambassador John Heffern mentinoed in a recent videoblog, that according to a USAID survey, the Civil Society in Armenia is “the second strongest anywhere among the republics of the former Soviet Union.” I asked the Ambassador for details on Twitter and was kindly provided with a link to a … Continue reading »
