This collection of essays critically interrogates the internal dimensions of the identity and citizenship crises at the root of the political crises of states in West Africa, and considers the steps that have been taken thus far to address them. It show the progressive alienation of ordinary people from the state, coupled with factors of historical identity and post-colonial citizenship are at the heart of the political crisis and conflicts in the region; and argues that these matters must be addressed if West African states are to achieve democratic nationhood.

Micro-finance programmes not only give women and men access to savings and credit, but reach millions of people worldwide bringing them together regularly in organised groups. Although no 'magic bullet', they are potentially a very significant contribution to gender equality and women's empowerment, as well as pro-poor development and civil society strengthening. Through their contribution to women's ability to earn an income these programmes have potential to initiate a series of 'virtuous spirals' of economic empowerment, increased well-being for women and their families and wider social and political empowerment.

Governance concerns in Ethiopia have led the British government to cancel its budget support to the Ethiopian government. Development Minister Hilary Benn announced in Addis Ababa that Britain will cut all of its aid to Ethiopia's government. This amounts to more than 50 million pounds sterling Britain will now redirect through other development financing channels such as humanitarian agencies.

This manual aims to help readers to design, revise, and implement project selection processes in North-South research partnership (NSRP) programmes. In particular, it addresses the complex challenge of dealing with the multiple objectives of NSRP programmes: scientific quality, development relevance, and adherence to partnership principles.

This Humanitarian Action Report 2006 is UNICEF's appeal for children and women in 29 emergencies around the world. In 2005, a series of natural disasters and continuing humanitarian crises around the world have affected the lives and well-being of millions of children.

On the 10th Anniversary of the UN Fourth World Conference on Women and the founding of the World Trade Organization, the International Gender and Trade Network (IGTN) chose to focus on the impact of trade liberalization on women’s economic security as its contribution to the Beijing +10 review because trade liberalization is a leading force for global economic integration. Since 1995, there is evidence that economic and political forces have been responsible for measures and policies, which run counter to the commitments made by governments for implementing the Beijing Platform for Action.

Ecological Internet has launched a new rainforest portal dedicated to the protection of the world's remaining tropical rainforests and the rights of their inhabitants. The new site is the latest in a long list of highly successful environmental portal offerings by Ecological Internet. The portal provides unprecedented rainforest action, news, search and analysis capabilities.

At least US$232 billion will be sent back home globally by around 200 million migrants to their families in 2005, three times official development aid (US$78.6 billion dollars). Moreover, migration and remittance experts argue that the unofficial transfers could be as large as formal flows. What impact is this having on poverty reduction?

The aim of the Global Directory of Human Rights Educators is to provide a resource for individuals, communities and organisations that are looking for assistance with their activities or want to exchange information. Through the directory one can identify trainers or curriculum developers, explore potential partnerships, or share your interest in certain thematic areas. Currently almost 600 educators from over 50 countries have registered in the directory. In order to protect the privacy of those listed the directory is password protected and will only be accessible to those who have registered.

Kisumu is on the threshold of another new beginning. Kenya's lakeside town has many things going for it lately. After celebrating its centennial a few years ago, it recently achieved another first after the United Nations declared it the world's first Millennium City. It was in 1901 that the building of the Kenya Uganda Railway was concluded at Winam Gulf aka Kavirondo Gulf, that the foundation of the town was laid.

Uganda's Global Fund probe was dismayed by revelations that the country's health ministers borrowed sh7m from the Global Fund for malaria to campaign for last year's referendum on change of political systems. The chairman, Justice James Ogoola, condemned the "borrowing," calling it an act of depriving malaria patients of their aid to the benefit of a partisan political activity. The commission was hearing evidence from the project manager of the Malaria Control Programme under the health ministry.

Plans to send a large contingent of Kenyan campaigners to the African leg of the World Social Forum (WSF) may be undermined by a lack of funding. Since this year's event was brought to Africa, many Kenyans thought they would take advantage of the proximity to attend. But this hope has waned and the number of those expected to attend has dropped due to inadequate resources, including a prohibitive airfare. It's cheaper to fly to Europe, than to Mali, from Kenya.
* Related Link
See http://sa.indymedia.org/features/wsfmali2006/ for the latest news from Bamako.

Simon Maxwell's recent posting in the ODI weblog contends that the WTO is certainly complicated, and not just because of the profusion of acronyms and the arcane detail of trade policy. The real complexity lies in the way many different issues are brought to the table, with the idea that losses in one area may be offset by gains in another. He argues that there were some obvious examples in Hong Kong - the best known being the EU demanding better access to developing country markets for its manufactures and services in countries like Brazil, as a quid pro quo for reduction in its agricultural subsidies and for further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The Council on Library & Information Resources seeks applications from Public Libraries outside the United States for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award for 2006. Each year, the programme presents an award of up to $1 million to a public library or similar organisation outside the US with an innovative programme offering the public free access to information technology.

Talks at the recently concluded World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong will not lessen poverty in developing countries because no decisive position was taken to tackle protectionism and dumping. This is according to a statement by the Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiation Institute (SEATINI), an African civil society organisation initiative to strengthen Africa's capacity to take a more effective part in the emerging global trading system and to effectively manage the process of globalisation.

March 14, 2006 is the 9th annual International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life! This is a time to join together in solidarity to protest destructive river development and celebrate successes over the last year. It is also a time to fight for social justice and the rights of communities to have a say in decisions affecting their lives and livelihoods. We invite you to participate in this year’s Day of Action by planning an action or event to celebrate rivers, water and life. Take a stand this March 14th for healthy rivers and thriving communities! Organize an action, a celebration, or a community fair. Choose whatever topic and form of action you like, and focus on whatever works within your own context. Just get involved and get active.

China is willing to negotiate Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with African countries and African regional organizations when conditions are ripe, according to China’s African Policy Paper issued Thursday (January 12) in Beijing. The paper, the first of its kind issued by the Chinese government, said the Chinese government encourages and supports Chinese enterprises’ investment and business in Africa. African countries are welcome to make investment in China and the two sides should work together to create a favorable environment for investment and cooperation and protect the legitimate rights and interests of investors from both sides, the paper said.

The United Nations General Assembly January 11 resumed closed-door talks on setting up the new UN Human Rights Council to replace the Commission on Human Rights, as called for by leaders meeting at the 2005 World Summit last September. The creation of a new Council is widely seen as an opportunity to open a new chapter in the UN’s human rights work, which, though comprehensive and respected, suffered from the tainted reputation of the Commission.

Based on a review from 45 major economies, a report is released naming the Top 10 Mobile Multimedia Nations. The report looks at the relationship between mobile multimedia and the factors that may impact the propensity to use it and includes several statistical tables that feature the latest available indicators on the mobile sector, according to PR Newswire.

The US Population Reference Bureau has produced a CDROM, in English and French, featuring a collection of data and research on female genital mutilation/cutting from a variety of sources. Funded by USAID, this resource is a direct response to existing information gaps. Single copies of the CDROM are available free of charge.