August 10, 2006
Visiting UN Mission perceives Strengths, Concerns, on Elections
Dhaka:A mission from the Electoral Assistance Division of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs visited Bangladesh from 18-27 June in order to assess the pre-election environment and evaluate how the United Nations may best contribute to elections in the country.
Members of the mission met with the Bangladesh Election Commission and its Secretariat, national and local government officials, political parties, civil society groups, media representatives and others. The mission was grateful for the warm welcome it received at all its meetings.
The mission observed that Bangladesh has had a well-established practice of elections, through which the people have been able to choose and change their governments relatively freely. The election system includes unique safeguards and protections and the electoral administration has repeatedly shown the capability to organize the vote effectively. All these factors can form the foundation for a sound democratic process.
At the same time, the mission was deeply troubled by the high level of political violence in Bangladesh. Constructive dialogue among the key political parties could help lessen tensions and build public confidence in all aspects of the election.
The mission recommended that several basic elements of a democratic election process should be seriously addressed in the weeks ahead:
• Ensuring public confidence in the Bangladesh Election Commission and all other constitutional and governmental authorities responsible for the elections;
• Creating a level playing field in which all candidates and parties can carry out their activities on a fair, equal and secure basis;
• Ensuring that the voter list is accurate and inclusive, in line with the principle of universal suffrage;
• Enabling civil society organizations and media to conduct election-related activities freely, safely and without interference.
The United Nations stands ready to continue to provide targeted assistance in support of Bangladesh’s democratic tradition, and to contribute to an election process that is peaceful, credible and accepted by the people of Bangladesh.
Posted by admin at 08:58 AM | Comments (0)
December 27, 2005
Development Agencies Launch Distance Learning in Somalia
The World Bank, the United Nations and the African Virtual University have teamed up to support distance learning using the Internet at six institutions in Somalia according to a report by the Voice of America news service.
The African Virtual University is developing learning material and making it available through interactive teaching to Somali students using the Internet. Additional material such as audio and videotapes are later shipped to the students by the U.N. Development Program (UNDP).
The Somalia distance-learning program was established at the cost of $100 million, a sum 10 times less than the amount required to set up conventional learning facilities in Somalia.
Posted by admin at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)
October 26, 2005
Developing nations dumping ground for worthless computers
A report by Basel Action Network, a Seattle based environmental organiztion, claims that much of the used computer equipment sent from the United States to developing nations for use in homes, schools, universities and businesses is often unusable or unrepairable, creating enormous environmental problems.
According to the report US corporations are avoidable recycling costs and making people believe that their used equipment is being placed for noble causes.
In various locations of Africa dumping of computer equipment caused uncontrolled release of components, including cancer-causing chemicals and substances that disrupt human hormonal and immune systems. A typical computer and monitor contain several pounds of lead, plus toxics like arsenic, mercury, copper and cadmium according to the report.
Posted by admin at 06:26 AM | Comments (0)
September 05, 2005
Indian experiencing massing jobs boom
India is experiencing unprecedented jobs boom accross almost all industry groups amid strong domestic economic growth (GDP growth averaging 6t.9%) combined with a vibrant service oriented export market.
The ICT sectors are leading this boom in job creation. The software industry alone is expected to create 120,000 new jobs. The business process outsourcing industry is expected to hire 150,000 people; more than 25,000 new sales, customer service and engineering jobs will arise in the telecom industry.
IT, IT enabled services and telecom are the top three areas where job creation is strongest. Software giants like IBM (nowadays jokingly referred to as Indian Business Machines), Infosys, Wipro and Tata Consultancy Services have projected that they’ll be hiring upward of 13,000 people each year.
In addition to technology related sectors, discount airlines, retail and financial services are demontrating growth.
Posted by admin at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2005
Apple pushes IPod as children's education tool
Building on current market momentum as the most popular portabe music player, Apple is expanding its reach to children's education. At http://www.apple.com/education/ipod/lessons Apple demonstrates how IPods can be used for providing audio tours of a Zoo, learn foreign languages and creating field trip reports.
Building on current market momentum as the most popular portabe music player, Apple is expanding its reach to children's education. At http://www.apple.com/education/ipod/lessons Apple demonstrates how IPods can be used for providing audio tours of a Zoo, learn foreign languages and creating field trip reports.
Posted by admin at 05:45 AM | Comments (0)