IN THIS ISSUE:
NEWS
1. Gender
2. Machreq/Maghreb
REPORTS & BOOKS & ARTICLES
1. Development
2. ICT
3. Machreq/Maghreb/(Lebanon)
4. Youth and Children
5. Trade/Economics/Finance
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
1. NGOs
2. Gender and Trade
3. ICT

NEWS
1. GENDER:
Arab Women Demand Political Empowerment: The most contemporary social and political issues were addressed at the first conference of the “Democratic Forum for Arab Women that was held in Yemen in Dec. 2004.” “Political empowerment for women in the Arab states” was the highest demand over all issues presented at the conference. “The forum also expressed that amendments in the decision making, political rights and family laws are crucial.”
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/gender/rc/ItemDetail.do~1028295?int...

Resources on MFA’s Impact on Women
“Women working worldwide: on January 1, 2005 the last of the MFA’s quotas on textile and garment imports were scheduled to be dismantled.” In short, providing the US and EU fair play; they have finally opened their markets to free trade in garments. This is threatening women working in the industry in several countries.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/businessenvironement/rc/ItemDetail....

2. MACHREQ/MAGHREB:
Doubling Aid to the Palestinians
“The United States and Arab countries are considering increasing aid to the Palestinians on condition that they and Israel takes certain steps toward reducing their conflict.” A four year package of $6 billion to $8 billion would be forthcoming American and Palestinian officials say. www.developmentex.com/briefing/122304.html

Iraqi Bloggers, In the News and Critiquing It
The three Fadil brothers run an English Language blog, IraqtheModel (http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com) that is quite positive about what is happening in Iraq. They were recently in the United States, seeking information about an Arabic blogging tool (that an NGO…) http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027083?intcmp...

REPORTS & BOOKS & ARTICLES
1. DEVELOPMENT:
Culture and Public Action
Amartya Sen’s new book, ‘Culture and Public Action’ shows how culture, as an important part of people’s capacity, effects development. “In understanding local attitudes and behavior related to work, traditions of public participation, social support and association can lead to more effective development.” ‘Taking culture seriously’ is an important consideration in development. www.comminit.com/materials/ma2004/materials-1408.html

Engaging Culture in Development
“How does culture effect development and how can it be constructively engaged?
Who wants to understand culture and why? Development practitioners are increasingly asking these questions and recognizing that culture influences development efforts in a variety of ways.” Edward Hall’s ‘Culture is Communication and Communication is Culture’ poses and interesting analysis of these questions.
www.comminit.com/experiences/pds122004/experiences-2847.html

2. ICT:
ICTs to Help Disadvantaged Groups Help Themselves
From the Executive Summary: “The findings outlined in this report focus on disadvantaged groups within countries. These groups represent communities that are least likely to have access to ICTs and least likely to have the essential skills and knowledge required.”
topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027385?intcmp=700

3. MACHREQ/MAGHREB/(Lebanon):
Corporate Governance in MENA countries: Improving Transparency and Disclosure
“This publication is a summary of the proceedings, presentations and discussions made at the second MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Regional Corporate Governance Forum held in June 2004 in Beirut, Lebanon. PDF, 129pp.”
http://auto.search.msn.com/response.asp?MT=topics.developmentgateway.org...

Information Communication Technology: Trends and Policies in the Maghreb
“This paper is an analysis of the fears and challenges facing the introduction and application of ICTs in the MENA region particularly the Maghreb countries, (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia).” It examines the conditions and requirements which made it possible for ICTs to successfully work in the region.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027515?intcmp...

Policies for Skill Formation and Unemployment Reduction
“As a part of ESCWA efforts a study was conducted on ‘The Economic and Social Vision and the Impact of Monetary Policies in Lebanon.’ This study presents a preliminary framework to deal with social policies so as to assist policy makers in Lebanon to develop a social vision that is of great importance in promoting economic and social development.” http://www.escwa.org.lb/

3. YOUTH & CHILDREN:
Afghanistan: UNICEF Helps Demobilize 4,000 Child Soldiers
It is quite surprising how many child soldiers are still in Afghanistan; UNICEF is trying to change that now: “4,000 children from 15 Afghan provinces were demobilized under UNICEF’s Child Soldiers Demobilization and Reintegration Program.” The results have been very successful and promising.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/youth/rc/ItemDetail.do~1026793?intc...

4. TRADE/ECONOMICS/FINANCE:
Knowledge to Raise Incomes
“Poor people can turn their knowledge into higher incomes by using modern methods to protect and market it, says a new World Bank study. Until now, the perspective has been largely defined as protecting knowledge overwhelmingly owned by developed countries, through the WTO Agreement on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, or TRIPS. However, a new series of case studies compiled in the Bank study, titled “Poor People’s Knowledge: Promoting Intellectual Property in Developing Countries,” explores the ground that TRIPS left uncharted by highlighting knowledge that poor communities have available and use for development and productivity.” http://publications.worldbank.org/ecommerce/

Road to Ruin: Afghanistan’s Booming Opium Industry (Center for International Cooperation)
“This paper authored by Barry Rubin (October 2004) examines the historical context of Afghanistan’s opium industry, its current nature, and the past missteps of the United States and the rest of the international community in addressing the narcotics threat.”
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/businessenvironment/rc/ItemDetail.d...

World Trade Agreements Threaten Cultural Diversity
“The Power of Culture Website reports that trade agreements made by the World Trade Organization, including the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) are oriented toward liberalization of the global market, including the cultural sector of the market.”
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/businessenvironment/rc/ItemDetail.d...

OTHER USEFUL LINKS
1. NGOs:
Independent Women’s Foundation: Women, Iraq and Democracy
In promoting women’s empowerment the Independent Women’s Foundation view the election in Iraq, which is scheduled for January 30, 2005 as an opportunity for women to become politically involved. “Not only is it crucial that women actively vote it is also crucial that they run for office.” The foundation promotes women’s involvement in the political process as a way to be active citizens of a new socio-political state structure.
http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=topics.gateway.org%2Fgender%2Frc%2F...

Private Sector Starts Up Jerusalem’s Economy
“StartUp Jerusalem, an organization that aims at creating an economic future for Jerusalem, launched a comprehensive plan for transforming the city into a major international center for industry in the health and life sciences. “http://topics.developmentgateway.org/businessenvironment/rc/ItemDetail.do~1028084?intcmp=700

2. GENDER & TRADE:
Multimedia Gender Training Kit
“This gender training kit gives you an opportunity to upgrade your knowledge and skills in the crucial area of gender and development. If you are already engaged in gender training or want to be a good trainer you can sign up.”http://topics.developmentgateway.org/elearning/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027303?intcmp=%20700

3. ICT:
Briefing Kit on E-Commerce for Micro and Small Enterprises in Africa
Find out about ICT use by MSEs, includes: definitions, benefits, constraints, trends and websites.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027220?intcmp...

ICT4E Program: Research on Programs and Practices for ICTs in Education by School Net Africa
“SchoolNet Africa is currently researching the value of programs and practices aimed at informing and improving school networking practice in Africa.”
topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1027616?intcmp=700