US Senator attacks the system that sets minimum wage below a living wage, in effect welfare subsidising a corporation’s wage bill. It features Robert Reich, also seen in Income mobility or stickiness? (Horwitz, Reich and Pew).
2013 Jack Beale Lecture on the Global Environment (David Suzuki)
Dr David Suzuki presents the 2013 Jack Beale Lecture on the Global Environment, on the topic of Imagining a sustainable future: foresight over hindsight. In a wide-ranging talk the Canadian scientist and broadcaster discusses the environmental movement’s successes and failures, explores human evolution and the threats to our future, outlines the problems of a globalised economy, criticises the Australian government’s climate change policies, and points to a sustainable way forward.
Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement (Dr Ariyaratne)
The Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement is the largest people’s organization in Sri Lanka. Sarvodaya is Sanskrit for ‘Awakening of All’ and Shramadana means to donate effort. It began in one village and has grown to more than 15,000. Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, the founder-president of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement speaks about the ideologies behind the movement.
Farmers autonomy and winning the battle against poverty (Periyapatna Satheesh)
A very interesting interview (28 minutes) with Periyapatna V. Satheesh, director of the Deccan Development Society commenting on: Farmers autonomy, Defeating hunger, Food security, Hope for a better life, Desperation in search of better agricultural methods, Exhaustion of mother earth, Lost relations between crops and pests, Winning the battle against poverty…
Some of the footage is used in A new future for small farmers. Produced and directed by Paul Enkelaar, Jan Paul Smit and Manuel Reichert.
Misplaced euphoria over the revolutionary role of social media (Evgeny Morozov)
The meaning of Human Rights (Costas Douzinas)
China’s data on inequality unreliable (NTD)
The gap between rich and poor in China (measured as GINI coefficient) is reaching unacceptable levels (see also Wealth Gap Rising Sharply in China (LinkAsia)). But let’s not single out China. This is also happening in India, many OECD countries and globally, for example: The 99.99% versus the 0.01% (The Guardian).
Is this the future of ‘aid’? (Great scene from Time Bandits)
Michael Manley on Third World issues (Like It Is, 1977)
Interesting interview with Michael Manley (1924-1997), Jamaican politician who served three terms as prime minister of Jamaica (1972–1980 and 1989–1992) and a powerful champion of Third World issues. His defence of sovereignty for ex-colonial countries made him an outstanding figure in world politics. Interviewed by Gil Noble in 1977.
Arsenic Mitigation and Social Mobilisation in Bangladesh (AMRF)
This is a short 8-minutes version of a 60-minutes documentary Development in Bad Waters (AMRF). In Bangladesh, millions of rural poor are currently drinking water that is contaminated with high levels of arsenic. Although the problem was described as the worst mass poisoning in history, little has been achieved to resolve it. Among the few projects that are being implemented, even fewer have managed to reach the poor and to implement water supplies and health support provisions that last. The Arsenic Mitigation and Research Foundation has implemented an integrated and participatory program that links research with project activities in a manner that reflects the priorities of local communities.