DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES, SOUTH-SOUTH SOLUTIONS

E-newsletter of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation in UNDP

.. April 2013
1) Online Education: A Boost to African Development
Education is recognized as a major catalyst for human development. During a high-level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (http:/www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/mdgoverview.html) in 2010, UNESCO the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization pointed out the necessity of making rapid gains in education if all the MDGs are to be achieved. The goals deadline is 2015 just two years away. Two of the eight goals are directly related to education systems. MDG2 focuses on boosting universal primary education by 2015, and MDG3 calls for the elimination of barriers to primary and secondary education for women and girls. UNESCO found that between 2000 and 2007, the share of total government education expenditure devoted to primary education across sub-Saharan Africa fell from 49 per cent to 44 per cent (Rawle, 2009). It also found total aid for education was on the decline and foreign aid for basic education began to stagnate in 2008. This contrasted, UNESCO stated, with the strong advances made over the past decade. Overall, in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, resources for education fell by US $4.6 billion a year on average in 2009 and 2010 (UNESCO, 2010). With funding for education dependent on fluctuating factors such as foreign aid, government budgets and the state of the global economy, alternatives are needed to retain the gains made in education and to improve them even further. Thankfully, one new innovative learning tool, dubbed massive open online courses (MOOCs) (http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massive_open_online_course), is about to have a major impact in Africa. Rapid improvements in access to the Internet in Africa means that online learning tools could be a growing solution to the education deficit. MOOCs mean people will have access to a global treasure trove of free online courses in science, technology, engineering and math. Many believe the leapfrog into digital education will do for education what mobile phones have done for African's ability to communicate and do business. These online courses vary in approach - some have set start and finish dates and can last from six to 10 weeks, while others are more loosely structured. But they all offer students the ability to learn from online video lectures and use online forums as a replacement for seminars, debates and questionasking. According to a recent paper by Harvard University Professor of International Development Calestous Juma, There is a real possibility for Africa to dramatically improve its teaching especially in science, technology, engineering, and math through the deployment of MOOCs. The diffuse nature of the Internet means many of the drivers behind promoting this trend in Africa will be found at the regional rather than the national level. The Internet helps remove the dependence on national governments and their education policies and funding or lack thereof to further education goals. This means the ability to make the most of the powerful new resource of MOOCs will be amplified by innovators within Africa, from entrepreneurs to information technology pioneers. Their solutions will help make it easier to access these learning resources. Subscribe Unsubscribe Contact Us

In this issue:
1) Online Education: A Boost to African Development 2) African Digital Laser Breakthrough Promises Future Innovation 3) Preserving Beekeeping Livelihoods in Morocco 4) A New African Beer Helps Smallholder Farmers 5) Boosting Tourism in India with Surfing Culture

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MOOCs are a variation on OpenCourseWare (http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenCourseWare)university courses, created for free distribution on the Internet. MOOCs bypass the hazard in the past of digital courses going missing or being mislaid: they are online and always available. Nobody can mislay the content by accident. The Khan Academy (khanacademy.org) is one of the best-known popular MOOCs pioneers. It was founded in the United States in 2008 by Salman Khan, who quit his job as a hedge fund manager to run the business full time. Khan is academically highly accomplished - he has three degrees from MIT and an MBA from Harvard University. The Khan Academy targets mainly secondary school students and claims to have 5.5 million unique users a month. It is run as a not-for-profit and receives donations to keep it going. It does this with a staff of just 37: proof of how much can be achieved when the power of the Internet is leveraged to pass on knowledge. The Khan Academy platform greets readers with questions such as What is the eccentricity of an ellipse? or What if theres a negative exponent? And if you do not know, you better get cracking doing their problem sets. Students can practice their math skills, answer other students questions or watch a video walk-through of the services on offer on the website. The main categories are math, science and economics, computer science, the humanities and help with preparing for various standardized tests such as the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). There are over 4,000 videos on offer on the website. Each video is a digestible chunk, approximately 10 minutes long, and especially purposed for viewing on the computer, the website states. "I teach the way that I wish I was taught. The lectures are coming from me, an actual human being who is fascinated by the world around him," states Khan. MOOCs offer not just course materials, videos, readings and problem sets but also discussion forums for the students, professors/teachers and tutorial assistants to build a community. This is considered an ideal model for reaching students over great distances and in remote regions. So-called open educational resources are used and often no fees or tuition are charged. The OpenCourseWare (OCW) (http:/ocw.mit.edu/index.htm)project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) seeks to publish all of our course materials online and make them widely available to everyone, according to Dick K.P. Yue, Professor at MITs School of Engineering. Through its website, it offers nearly all of MITs course content, a treasure trove from one of the top research universities in the world, a long-standing home for pioneers and innovators in science and technology. By way of the Internet, anybody anywhere in the world can access this resource. The most visited courses online as of February 2013 included undergraduate Introduction to Computer Science and Programming, Physics I: Classical Mechanics, Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science I, Principles of Microeconomics, Introduction to Algorithms, and Principles of Chemical Science. There are 2,150 courses and so far 125 million visitors to the website. Having access to the courses allows teachers to gain new insights into the subjects they teach and benefit from the impressive resources of MIT. MIT also sees it as a way to aid people to tackle the big development issues of our time, including climate change and health problems such as cancer. Other MOOCs providers include Peer-to-Peer University (https:/p2pu.org/en/)Udemy (udemy.com), Coursera (coursera.org), Udacity (udacity.com), and edX (edx.org), a not-for-profit partnership between Harvard and MIT to develop courses for interactive study on the Internet. In the United Kingdom, the Open University (open.ac.uk) and Futurelearn (http://futurelearn.com/) also offer online courses, as does Open2Study (http://www.open.edu.au/open2study) in Australia. Boosting access to MOOCs presents a great business opportunity for Africa's mobile phone entrepreneurs and its mushrooming information technology (IT) hubs (https://africahubs.crowdmap.com/). I view online learning as a rising tide that will lift all boats," Anant Agarwal, professor of electrical engineering and computer science at MIT and president of edX, told The Financial Times. "It will not only increase access, it will also improve the quality of education at all our universities." All of this matters because it means Africans will increasingly have the tools to participate in the global marketplace of ideas and products and services on a more level playing field. By far the biggest obstacle to competing is the lack of timely information and knowledge about what is happening in the global economy. It is a frequent complaint, from the farmer desperate for the latest news on market prices and trends and innovations, to the strivers in the growing megacities of the continent who have their sights set on global success.

LINKS: 1) African Unions High Level Panel on Science, Technology and Innovation. Website: http://belferinthenews.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/calestous-juma-to-co-chair-new-au-panel-onscience-technology-and-innovation/ Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering: The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering is a new global engineering prize that will reward and celebrate an individual (or up to three individuals) responsible for a ground-breaking innovation in engineering that has been of global benefit to humanity. Website: http://www.qeprize.org/ Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs: The Belfer Center is the hub of the Harvard Kennedy School's research, teaching, and training in international security affairs, environmental and resource issues, and science and technology policy. Website: http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/ A place to host MOOC news and information. Website: http://mooc.ca/ OpenCourseWare Consortium: The OpenCourseWare Consortium is a collaboration of higher education institutions and associated organizations from around the world creating a broad and deep body of open educational content using a shared model. Website: http://www.ocwconsortium.org/ Engineering the Future by Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development at Harvard Kennedy School. Website: http://www.technologyandpolicy.org/2013/03/18/engineering-thefuture/#.UUeWY1fm8g4 Hiobo MoPC: Joining the ongoing push to drive down the price of personal computers in Africa is the latest offering from Mauritian information technology company, Hiobo. Website: www.hiobo.com/mopc/ Udacity: Round the clock online mentoring service. Website: https://www.udacity.com/

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2) African Digital Laser Breakthrough Promises Future Innovation

For decades many African countries have experienced low investment in research and development (R&D) and scientific innovation. One of the few nations to benefit from a sophisticated university network and research and development sector was South Africa. It still ranks top on the continent for funding R&D and its high number of scientific journals. And it seems this support has paid off in a recent innovation. The worlds first digital laser designed and built in Africa has been developed by a team of physicists at the University of KwaZuluNatal in South Africa (http://www.ukzn.ac.za/), as reported in the MIT Technology Review (http://www.technologyreview.com/). This innovation joins a positive trend in Africa, where support to science, technology and R&D is rising albeit from a very low base. In 2010 UNESCO the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization found Africa was reversing decades of neglect in research and development. African countries were increasing investment in science and technology after realizing it will accelerate their connection with the global economy and help create better-quality jobs to tackle poverty. The UNESCO Science Report found Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa had adopted laws to support biotechnology research, for example. Since 2005, six new science academies have been established in Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. This compares to nine established between 1902 and 2004. The proportion of GDP (gross domestic product) devoted to R&D averages 0.3 per cent in Africa, according to UNESCO. South Africa continues to lead in R&D spending, raising its investment from 0.73 per cent of GDP in 2001 to 0.94 per cent in 2006. The country is home to 46 per cent of Africas scientific publications compared to 11.4 per cent in Nigeria and 6.6 per cent in Kenya (UNESCO). Experts say the digital laser developed in South Africa is a breakthrough that will open up ever-further innovations and business opportunities. So, what is a digital laser and what is the innovation? A laser is short form for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is a device that produces a concentrated light source. Unlike conventional light sources that emit a diffused, multispectral light, lasers allow for a monochromatic light beam to be concentrated on a small area. This can be used to cut an object precisely, or beamed over long distances without losing its strength. Lasers can create immense light, heat and power at close range and are regularly used in surgery and medical diagnosis. Conventional lasers require external devices to alter and bend the laser light beam. The digital laser allows the shape of the beam to be digitally altered internally at the touch of a computer keyboard and gives greater

immediate control. This means a plethora of new shapes can be formed with the laser beam, and this can have many practical applications. The digital laser augers in a new age of creativity with lasers and more spontaneity in how they are used. Rather than having to place a lens or mirror at the front of the casing to shape the laser beam, this innovation makes it possible to create any shape desired digitally by a computer. The research team has been able to create various complex shapes for the laser beams in experiments. One mooted use is to apply laser beams to manipulate microscopic objects - similar to the tractor beams seen in science fiction films such as "Star Trek". Few of us spend much time thinking about lasers, yet they are ubiquitous in the modern world and are found in many electronic products (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_laser_applications). They play a critical part in the modern worlds economy. Some common applications for lasers include laser light shows at music concerts, bar code readers at the grocery store, or laser pointers used during public presentations. Dentists also use them to speed the hardening of fillings. Not to exploit lasers as a technology in the modern world is equivalent to bypassing the silicon micro-chip that sits inside personal computers, electronic devices and mobile phones. LINKS: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) Digital laser: The research paper submitted by the team explaining the innovation. Website: http://arxiv.org/abs/1301.4760 3D Laser Hologram Kit: Now you can make your own holograms at home with the help of this innovative kit. Website: http://www.scientificsonline.com/hologram-kit.html Hands-On Science Kits and Demos. Website: http://ice.chem.wisc.edu/Catalog/SciKits.html Home kit for making a Laser Theatre. Website: http://www.scientificsonline.com/laser-theater.html Little Bits: littleBits is an open source library of electronic modules that snap together with magnets for prototyping, learning and fun. Website: http://littlebits.cc/ Consolidated Plan of Action for Africas Science and Technology adopted by African Minsters of Science and Technology in 2005. Website: http://www.nepad.org/humancapitaldevelopment/news/1581/advancing-science-and-technology-africa

3) Preserving Beekeeping Livelihoods in Morocco

The clever combining of tourism and long-standing beekeeping skills has revived a local craft and is also helping to preserve the ecology of Morocco. Beekeeping, or apiculture (http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beekeeping), has two clear benefits. Bee products, including honey, beeswax, propolis, pollen and royal jelly can be a valuable source of income. The other benefit is the critical role bees play in the ecology by pollinating flowers and plants as they go about their daily business. Bees are at risk around the world, as reports of the dying-off of bees from colony collapse disorder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_collapse_disorder) raise concerns about the impact on the earths ecology and plant life should bees disappear. North Africa and the Middle East are considered the cradle of beekeeping, with records showing beekeeping going back to 2400 BC in Egypt. According to A review of beekeeping in Arab countries by Moustafa H. Hussein, The total number of honey bee colonies in Arab countries is approximately 42 million, the total number of beekeepers is 321,700. In the paper The Future of Bees and Honey Production in Arab Countries by Moustafa A. EL -Shehawy, Egypt has the largest number of bee colonies in Arab countries (48 per cent), with Algeria in second place and Morocco with 9 per cent of the bee colonies. Support for beekeeping comes from the Arab Beekeepers Union (http://abu.saudibi.com/index.php?page_id=115), which was established in 1994 with the aim to improve the beekeeping profession all over the Arab World, according to its website, and the Arab Apicultural Congress, first launched in 1996. Beekeeping has significant potential for further development, many argue, and can be a great source of income and sustainable livelihoods for communities with a long history of beekeeping. In Morocco, one solution to preserve beekeeping as a skill and source of income is to turn beekeeping into a tourist destination and event, which has the dual aim of boosting a local food product and reviving a traditional craft and skill.

The Berber heartland of the Agadir region is an area with a reputation for beauty, filled with waterfalls and mountains - and plentiful flowers, which attract bees. As a result, the area is home to the proud local specialty of honey, as well as for its argan nuts and oil, almonds, palm, juniper and olive production. Now a "Honey Road" route for tourists, combined with community honey festivals, is helping preserve local skills and give a boost to this long-standing economic activity. Beekeeping is a centuries old skill for the Berber people of North Africa. Berbers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berber_people) are spread out across North Africa and were traditionally nomadic herders. Most now live in Morocco and Algeria, but Berbers can also be found in Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Mali and Niger. Starting at the beginning of May, a honey festival takes place in the Moroccan village of Imouzzer des Ida Outanane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imouzzer_Ida_Ou_Tanane), 60 kilometres from Agadir. The honey festival brings together the regions beekeepers. Tourists can sample honey and prizes are offered based on the quality of the product. It is part of the "Honey Road" route that tourists are encouraged to journey along. The villagers share responsibility for the care of the bees. Demonstrations take place showing the basics of honey production and the keeping of queen bees. A few kilometres away on the Honey Road is the village of Izourki Oufella, which produces honey perfumed with thyme and lavender. The Honey Road runs a triangular pattern south and west of Marrakech between Argana, Oued Tinkert, Asif Tamraght, Agadir and Imouzzer. Argana is reputed to have the largest and oldest collective beehive in the world (http://www.morocco.com/blog/tantalizing-tastes-of-the-honey-festival). Abdelhakim Sabri, owner of Auberge Zolado (aubergezolado.com) a hilltop hotel with a restaurant and spa is located in Agadir on the Honey Road. Sabri works to preserve local culture. "Rural beekeepers struggle, so were introducing visitors to apiculturists like Ahmed and Moroccos finest honey," he told High Life magazine. Ahmed is a Berber beekeeper. He builds cylindrical hives for the bees by rolling sheets of woven reed and then caking them in earth. When the earth has dried, the bees quickly make it their home. The region's honey is prized for its distinctive flavour, infused with the aroma of herbs such as thyme, or flowers such as lavender, orange blossom or cactus. A mixture is made of honey, argan oil and almonds and is usually given to couples on their honeymoon. "Different flowers bloom during different periods, so honey changes through the year," said Sabri. It sounds like the Honey Road is worth regular visits to sample the honey as it changes with the seasons! LINKS: 1) 2) 3) 4) A documentary on the Honey Route from Moroccos travel promotion agency. Website: http://www.visitmorocco.com/index.php/eng/content/view/full/3975 Apinews: Latest apiculture news. Website: http://www.apinews.com/en/ Saudi Beekeeping Industry: An association to coordinate efforts to promote and support apiculture. Website: http://www.saudibi.com/?page_id=115 Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects (LASI): The Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects (LASI) at the University of Sussex is the largest research group in the UK studying honey bees and other social insects. Website: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lasi/ Apimondia 2013: This years International Apicultural Congress will take place in Kiev, Ukraine from 29 September to 4 October 2013. Website: http://apimondia2013.org.ua/en/ International Bee Research Association: Founded in 1949, the International Bee Research Association (IBRA) is a not for profit organisation. It collects, collates and disseminates information on all species of bees. It is a publishing house, producing a varied and extensive selection of bee publications. Website: http://www.ibra.org.uk/

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4) A New African Beer Helps Smallholder Farmers

Africas growth in the past decade has held steady despite the trauma of the global economic crisis and the tumult of the "Arab Spring" in several countries of North Africa. African economies are growing because of a number of resilient trends. These include growing regional trade links, greater investment in infrastructure and the remarkable rise of China to become Africas number one trade partner, pushing the United States to second place (Technology + Policy). This has given birth to a growing consumer marketplace and consumer class some 300 million people earning about US $200 a month (Africa Rising). The continent as a whole now stands as the 10th largest economy in the world. How will Africans spend this new money in their pockets (or more than likely, on their mobile phones)? They could go for the big, famous global brands that they see advertised in magazines or on television. Or they could also spend it on local products and services that seem just as enticing and life-improving. Creating local African products and services with strong brands will have an important knock-on effect of creating new wealth and jobs within Africa. One new product being introduced to the West African country of Ghanas thirsty beer drinkers is the Eagle beer brand. But this is not just any beer made from the traditional ingredients of water, hops, malted barley and yeast (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer) - it is brewed from the root vegetable cassava. A staple of many African diets, cassava (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassava) is a starchy, tuberous root vegetable and a common crop across the continent. It is believed that 70 per cent of Ghanas farms are just 3 hectares in size or smaller. They grow many things, but cassava is the most common crop. Cassava soon spoils once it has been harvested and needs to be consumed quickly. Currently, too much of it goes to waste. In Ghana, according to The Guardian, there is an annual surplus of some 40 per cent of cassava produced. The Accra Brewery Limited (ABL) (http://www.sabmiller.com/index.asp?pageid=1156) decided to find a way to put the cassava from smallholder farms to good use and stop the waste. The brewery had observed the success of parent company SABMiller (http://www.sabmiller.com/index.asp?pageid=27) elsewhere in Africa, in turning cassava and the grain sorghum from smallholder farmers into beer. Farmers had directly benefited from the purchase of their surplus product. Eagle brand cassava beer is creating opportunities for business, consumers and smallholder farmers in Ghana. According to The Guardian, the company hopes to source cassava from 1,500 smallholders. By having a guaranteed purchase from the brewery on a regular basis, farmers are able to move beyond subsistence agriculture and turn themselves into functioning businesses. The spare income from selling the cassava also can be used to improve a farmers household access to he althcare and education. The Accra Brewery provides advice on agricultural techniques and growing a diverse range of crops, to ensure farmers are not dependent on a monocrop harvest. It also offers advice on business and developing commercial relationships. The Eagle brand cassava beer will be sold at a 30 per cent discount to low-income drinkers in order to lure them away from illicit and informal alcohol drinks of dubious quality. Professor Ethan Kapstein of business school INSEAD found that ABL and its water business Voltic (GH) Ltd. was a creator and supporter of high-quality jobs in Ghana and supported 17,600 jobs throughout the Ghanaian economy. Adjoba Kyiamah (http://www.sabmiller.com/index.asp?pageid=1766&blogid=172), corporate and legal affairs director at Accra Brewery, told The Guardian she believes Eagle brand beer will help create even more jobs, boost government revenues and expand consumer choice. This is an innovative first, as cassava beer had never been made before in Ghana on a commercial scale. This had not been possible in the past because of the challenge of collecting fresh cassava from farms widely spread out over a large territory. As well as spoiling quickly, Cassava is heavy, being mostly made up of water, and is difficult to transport over large distances. "Part of our strategy across Africa is to make high quality beer which is affordable for low-income consumers while simultaneously creating opportunities for smallholder farmers in our markets. The launch of Eagle in Ghana ticks both these boxes," said Mark Bowman, Managing Director of SABMiller Africa. "Eagle is aimed at attracting low-income consumers away from illicit alcohol. This is a virtuous circle: smallholder cassava farmers have a guaranteed market for their crop, which is then used to make consistently high quality, affordable beer for consumers; and the government realises increased revenues as people trade up into formal, taxable alcohol consumption."

ABL is using a mobile processing unit developed by DADTCO (Dutch Agricultural Development and Trading Company) Cassava Processing Ghana Ltd. It is designed to process the cassava on site, preserving the integrity of the starch. Eagle is sold in 375 millilitre bottles at a price 70 per cent lower than that charged for other lager beers. The use of local ingredients, and a reduced excise tax awarded to the brand because is it is boosting local agriculture, allows for the lower price. Production of cassava beer got its start first in Mozambique, with the launch of the Impala brand (http://www.sabmiller.com/index.asp?pageid=149&newsid=1748), the first commercial-scale cassava-based clear beer, in October 2011. LINKS: 1) Southern Innovator Magazine Issue 3: Agribusiness and Food Security. Packed with information, insights and business models to turn smallholder farmers into agribusinesses. Website: http://www.scribd.com/doc/106055665/Southern-Innovator-Magazine-Issue-3-Agribusiness-and-FoodSecurity Cassava can become Africa's new cash crop: Cassava is abundant in sub-Saharan Africa, and could be an ideal crop to improve food security for millions of people. Website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/globaldevelopment-professionals-network/2013/mar/28/cassava-food-security-sub-saharan-africa Cassava recipes from the BBC. Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/cassava

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5) Boosting Tourism in India with Surfing Culture

Tourism has experienced decades of growth and diversification and is now considered one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the world. According to the UNWTO the United Nations World Tourism Organization modern tourism is "a key driver for socio-economic progress." The scale of global tourism means it rivals other sectors, such as oil exports, food products and automobiles in terms of economic clout. With such an important role to play in global commerce, it has become a top income source for developing countries in the global South. International tourist arrivals grew by 4 per cent in 2012, reaching a record 1.035 billion worldwide (UNWTO). Emerging economies led the growth in tourism, with Asia and the Pacific showing the strongest gains. Tourism outpaced growth in the wider world economy in 2012, contributing US $2.1 trillion to global GDP and supporting 101 million jobs (WTTC). "2012 saw continued economic volatility around the globe, particularly in the Eurozone. Yet international tourism managed to stay on course" said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. "The sector has shown its capacity to adjust to the changing market conditions and, although at a slightly more modest rate, is expected to continue expanding in 2013. Tourism is thus one of the pillars that should be supported by governments around the world as part of the solution to stimulating economic growth." One country that has found tourism becoming a key contributor to its national income is India. The country's travel and tourism industry is now three times larger than its automotive manufacturing industry, and generates more jobs than chemical manufacturing, communications and the mining sector combined (World Travel and Tourism Council). Indian Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai called for the sector to create 25 million new jobs over the next five years and it is hoping to grow the market by 12 per cent by 2016 (The Economic Times). Travel and tourism now contributes 6.7 billion rupees (US $124 million) or 6.4 per cent - of the country's total GDP (gross domestic product). The sector supports 39 million jobs directly and indirectly. But competition for global tourist dollars is fierce. As more flight routes open up - Africa for example, is seeing new airlines and routes emerge every year a person looking for somewhere to holiday has an ever-growing range of options to choose from. Will it be Africa this year, or shall we go to Asia? One way to attract tourists and gain an extra edge in the global travel marketplace is to show imagination and innovation. Being different and novel can be the clincher for a tourist, especially one who is widely travelled and is searching for new experiences. In Southern India, the state of Kerala is well known for its ayurvedic medicine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda) and food tradition going back centuries, combined with its laid-back beach culture. It is a heady combination that successfully attracts many people, who come to relax and boost their health.

Now, Kerala is offering a new dimension to this experience: surfing. Surfing is a water sport involving a person riding ocean waves (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfing), usually on a long board. India has enormous and mostly untapped potential as a surfing destination, with its hot weather and 7,000 kilometres of coastline. Soul and Surf (http://soulandsurf.com) in Golden Beach, Varkala is within walking distance of the Varkala Cliff tourist area and an hour away from the closest major airport, Trivandrum International Airport. The founders of Soul and Surf, Ed and Sofie Templeton, were captivated by "surfing warm, empty waves, eating wonderful fresh, cheap seafood, practicing yoga and receiving ayurvedic treatments", according to their website. "Enchanted by India's magical, spiritual atmosphere, the warmth of the local people and the raw natural beauty of the area," they set up a combined surfing and yoga retreat in 2010. They have become part of a growing surfing scene in Kerala, and an increasing awareness in the country that its long ocean coastline is perfect for water sports. As surfing grows in India, the owners wanted to create a business that supported the local area, particularly coastal fishing communities surrounding Varkala. They have also expanded to run a luxury surf and yoga retreat in Sri Lanka and guided trips to the Andaman Islands. Soul and Surf was inspired by the Surfing India Surf Ashram (surfingindia.net), a 12-hour trip up the coast from Surf and Soul in Karnataka. Their so-called "Surfing Swamis" have discovered the best places to surf in India and are spirited champions of the whole surfing lifestyle. A swami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami) is a Hindu male religious teacher. Surfing India promotes adventure sport in India and was started in 2004. At the time, surfing in India had a very low profile. Surfing India offers a sophisticated experience to travellers, including Wi-Fi Internet access, vegetarian food and all the equipment required. All the staff are volunteers and work for room and board. Profits are plowed back into keeping the surf ashram going and helping its activities, which include adventure tours, a surf camp, surf school, yoga retreat, body boarding, snorkelling and wakeboarding. The Surfing Swamis Foundation is a non-profit organization whose goal is to "teach surfing and environmental awareness to children, orphans, and handicapped persons of any age or gender." It also sponsors the All India Surf Team for boys and girls across India LINKS: 1) India Surf Festival: Taking place at the beginning of the year. Website: http://www.surfingindia.net/random-stuff/india-surf-festival-2013 A guide to the best places to surf in India. Website: http://www.surfingindia.net/india-surf-spots Surfing Federation of India. Website: http://www.surfingfederationofindia.org/ United Nations World Tourism Organization: The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Website: unwto.org

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WINDOW ON THE WORLD

Check out our website archive: southerninnovator.org
Southern Innovator (ISSN 2222-9280) magazines third issue is now online and print copies are available for distribution. The third issues theme is agribusiness and food security. View the issue online here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/106055665/Southern-Innovator-Magazine-Issue-3-Agribusiness-and-Food-Security.

Contact us about opportunities to sponsor this issue or any future issues and we can send you more information on how it works. Issue 4, on cities and urbanization, is complete and will be published soon. Please contact the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation if you would like a copy (copies) of Southern Innovator (http://ssc.undp.org/content/ssc.html). The covers for issues 2, 3 and 4 are below:

. Issue 2 on Youth and Entrepreneurship; Issue 3 on agribusiness and food security, is available. Issues 4 and 5 are also in the works for 2013. Follow us on Twitter @SouthSouth1 Issue 1 of Southern Innovator was called a terrific tour de force of what is interesting, cutting edge and relevant in the global mobile/ICT space... Also check out our South South Expo: 2012s Expo was held in Vienna, Austria: southsouthexpo.org

BOOKS
NEW: Human Development Report 2013: The Rise of the South. The 2013 Human Development Report
examines the profound shift in global dynamics driven by the fast-rising new powers of the developing world and its long-term implications for human development. Website: http://hdr.undp.org/en/mediacentre/humandevelopmentreportpresskits/2013report/

Human Development Reports, (1990-2013). Website: http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2011/ The New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation in Africa by Calestous Juma, Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Website: http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/20504/new_harvest.html

Innovative Africa: The New Face of Africa: Essays on the Rise of Africas Innovation Age by Will Mutua and
Mbwana Ally, Publisher: Afrinnovator. Website: http://book.afrinnovator.com/

The Coming Prosperity by Philip Auerswald, Publisher: Oxford University Press. Website: http://auerswald.org/ Need, Speed and Greed: How the New Rules of Innovation Can Transform Businesses, Propel Nations to Greatness, and Tame the Worlds Most Wicked Problems by Vijay Vaitheeswaran, Publisher: HarperBusiness.
Website: amazon.com

Living in the Endless City edited by Ricky Burdett and Deyan Sudjic, Publisher: Phaidon. The city is the subject of

the 21st century. All over the world, populations are shifting towards urban centres. Living in the Endless City depicts an authoritative survey of cities of today and the prospects for our urban future of tomorrow. 36 contributors from across Europe, South America, China, Africa and the U.S. set the agenda for the city - detailing its successes as well as its failures. Website: http://www.urban-age.net/publications/living-in-the-endless-city/

Consumptionomics: Asias Role in Reshaping Capitalism by Chandran Nair, Publisher: Infinite Ideas. Website:
amazon.com

World 3.0: Global Prosperity and How to Achieve It by Pankaj Ghemawa, Publisher: Harvard Business School
Press. Website: amazon.com

The End of Cheap China: Economic and Cultural Trends that will Disrupt the World by Shaun Rein, Publisher: John
Wiley and Sons. Website: amazon.com

Global Slump: The Economics and Politics of Crisis and Resistance by David McNally, Publisher: PM Press. Global

Slump analyzes the global financial meltdown as the first systemic crisis of the neoliberal stage of capitalism. It argues that far from having ended the crisis has ushered in a whole period of worldwide economic and political turbulence. In developing an account of the crisis as rooted in fundamental features of capitalism, Global Slump challenges the view that its source lies in financial deregulation. Website: https://secure.pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=271

Breakout Nations by Ruchir Sharma, Publisher: Penguin. Breakout Nations offers journeys through more than two
dozen of the most interesting economies in the emerging world. Website: http://breakoutnations.com/

Light Manufacturing in Africa by Hinh T. Dinh et al, Publisher: World Bank. This book examines how light

manufacturing can offer a viable solution for sub-Saharan Africas need for structural transformation and productive job creation, given its potential competitiveness based on low wage costs and an abundance of natural resources that supply raw materials needed for industries. Website: http://issuu.com/world.bank.publications/docs/9780821389614

Arrival City by Doug Saunders, Publisher: Pantheon. A third of humanity is on the move. Historys largest

migration is creating new urban spaces that are this centurys focal points of conflict and change centres of febrile settlement that will reshape our cities and reconfigure our economies. Website: http://arrivalcity.net/

China: And the End of Poverty in Africa Towards Mutual Benefit? by Penny Davis, Publisher: Diakonia and the
European Network on Debt and Development. Website: www.eurodad.org/uploadedFiles/Whats_New/Reports/Kinarapport_A4.pdf

State of the Field in Youth Enterprise, Employment, and Livelihoods Development Publisher: Making Cents

International. This practical resource features learning from over 80 leading organizations that are working around the world to increase and improve economic opportunities for young people. Topics include youth enterprise development; workforce development; youth-inclusive financial services; working with adolescent girls and young women; and monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment. Website: www.YouthEconomicOpportunities.org/media.asp

Vitamin Green: The Definitive Guide to the World of Contemporary Sustainable Design: Features 100 Innovative Projects from Around the World by editors of Phaidon Press, Publisher: Phaidon Press. Website:
http://uk.phaidon.com/store/architecture/vitamin-green-9780714862293/

Makers: The New Industrial Revolution by Chris Anderson, Publisher: Crown Business. Website: amazon.com World Economic Outlook, October 2012: Coping with High Debt and Sluggish Growth, Publisher: IMF. Website:
eurospangroup.com

Information Economy Report 2012: The Software Industry and Developing Countries, Publisher: United Nations
Publications. Website: eurospangroup.com

China and India: Towards Global Economic Supremacy? by Rita Dulci and Jose Miguel Andreu, Publisher:
Academic Foundation. Website: eurospanbookstore.com

Devaluing to Prosperity: Misaligned Currencies and Their Growth Consequences by Surjit S. Bhalla, Publisher:
Peterson Institute for International Economics. Website: eurospanbookstore.com

Chinas Silent Army by Juan Pablo Cardenal and Heriberto Araujo, Publisher: Allen Lane. Website: amazon.com Chinnovation: How Chinese Innovators are Changing the World by Yinglan Tan, Publisher: John Wiley & Sons.
Website: amazon.com

Chinas Uncertain Future by Jean-Luc Domenach, Publisher: Columbia University Press. Website: amazon.com Hello World: Where Design Meets Life by Alice Rawsthorn, Publisher: Hamish Hamilton. Website: amazon.com Urgent Architecture: 40 Sustainable Housing Solutions for a Changing World by Bridgette Meinhold, Publisher:
W.W. Norton & Co. Website: amazon.com amazon.com

When the Money Runs Out: The End of Western Affluance by Stephen D. King, Publisher: Yale Books. Website:

Papers and Reports

Clean Air Asia Study 2012: Website: http://cleanairinitiative.org/portal/node/11338 African Economic Outlook 2012: Promoting Youth Employment Publisher: Various. With almost 200 million
people aged between 15 and 24, Africa has the youngest population in the world. This number will double by 2045. Many jobs have been created over the last decade, but the pace needs to accelerate significantly to match the demand of Africa's next generations. Website: http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/

State of Chinas Cities: 2010/2011: Better City, Better Life Publisher: UNHABITAT.

Website: www.scribd.com/doc/39882697/State-of-China-s-Cities-Report-2010-2011

Still our Common Interest: Commission for Africa Report 2010 Publisher: Commission for Africa
Website: www.commissionforafrica.info/2010-report

The Implications of Chinas Ascendancy for Africa by Hany Besada, Publisher: The Centre for International

Governance Innovation. This paper examines the extent to which Chinas engagement with Africa has produced mutual benefits for both and whether Africa is reaping the necessary benefits required for poverty alleviation and economic development. Website: http://www.cigionline.com/sites/default/files/Paper_40-web.pdf

Global Economic Decoupling Alive and Well Emerging economies decouple from the US, come closer to Europe.
Website: http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article23670.html

Africa begins to make poverty history: US economists challenge conventional view that the continent is a basket case. Website: www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/mar/03/africa-makes-povery-history The Demise of the Rest: on How the BRICS Are Crumbling and Why Global Economic Convergence Is a Myth by
Ruchir Sharma, Publisher: Foreign Affairs. Website: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/138219/ruchirsharma/broken-brics Affairs. Website: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/138794/morris-rossabi/meteoric-mongolia

Meteoric Mongolia: Why Its Ascending So Fast And How It Might Fall by Morris Rossabi, Publisher: Foreign
Call for papers: Call for Papers for Special Issue titled "Global Crisis and Agrarian Transformation: What Future for Re-peasantization?, Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy". Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy invites articles for its Special Issue to be published in December 2013, on Global Crisis and Agrarian Transformation: What Future for Re-peasantization? The deadline for receipt of manuscripts is 10 June 2013. Email: agrariansouth@gmail.com

New Magazine
African Innovator Magazine has launched: AIM showcases innovative technology solutions to business challenges on the continent. Website: http://www.africaninnovatormagazine.com/

On the Web
Blogs and Websites Raspberry Pi: The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized computer that plugs into your TV and a keyboard. Its a capable little PC which can be used for many of the things that your desktop PC does, like spreadsheets, wordprocessing and games. It also plays high-definition video. Raspberry Pi want to see it being used by kids all over the world to learn programming. Website: raspberrypi.org African Robotics Network: The African Robotics Network (AFRON) is a community of institutions, organizations and individuals engaged in robotics in Africa. AFRON seeks to promote communication and collaborations that will enhance robotics-related education, research and industry on the continent. To achieve this, AFRON organizes projects, meetings and events in Africa at robotics and automation conferences abroad. Website: http://robotics-africa.org/ Polis: A collaborative blog about cities around the globe. Website: http://www.thepolisblog.org/2012/03/cocacola-in-africa.html mDirectory: The mDirectory is the most comprehensive database of information on mobile tech for social change on the Web: case studies, mobile tools, research, and how-to guides. Website: http://mobileactive.org/directory Global Development: Launched in September 2010, this website from the Guardian newspaper tracks progress on the MDGs, encourages debate on its blogs, offers a rich store of datasets from around the world, and features monthly podcasts and resources for schools Website: www.guardian.co.uk/global-development Latameconomy Website Launches Latameconomy.org is the latest evolution of the annual Latin American Economic Outlook report, essentially bringing its trusted, high quality content into the digital age. Its wide country coverage and methods of analysis are essential for anyone seeking to understand the economic, social and political developments of Latin American countries. Website: www.latameconomy.org/en/ International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs) International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs) is a pluralist network of progressive economists across the world, engaged in research, teaching and dissemination of critical analyses of economic policy and development. Website: www.networkideas.org/ OECD: Tackling the economic crisis website The global economic crisis is entering a new phase amid signs of a return to positive growth in many countries. But unemployment is likely to remain high and much still needs to be done to underpin a durable recovery. This

website will track the recovery. Website: http://www.oecd.org/document/24/0,3343,en_2649_201185_41707672_1_1_1_1,00.html The Global Urbanist: News and analysis of cities around the world: planning, governance, economy, communities, environment, international. Website: www.globalurbanist.com ICT Update: A bimonthly printed bulletin, a web magazine, and an accompanying email newsletter that explores innovative uses of information technology in agriculture and rural development in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Website: http://ictupdate.cta.int/en/Regulars/Perspectives/%28issue%29/56 Youth-Inclusive Financial Services (YFS-Link) Program: The first space for financial services providers (FSPs) and youth-service organizations (YSOs) to gather, learn and share about youth-inclusive financial services. Website: yfslink.org Triple Crisis Blog: Global Perspectives on Finance, Development and Environment Website: http://triplecrisis.com/ Full Disclosure: The Aid Transparency Blog: A Devex blog, written by members of the international community. Website: www.devex.com/en/blogs/full-disclosure Africa Portal: An online knowledge resource offering researchers and opinion leaders a forum to share their insights on Africa and publish their work on pressing areas of concern to policymakers and the public. It aims to fill the gap in accessibility to research and information on policy issues on the continent. Website: africaportal.org African Economic Outlook: A unique online tool that puts rigorous economic data, information and research on Africa at your fingertips. A few clicks gives access to comprehensive analyses of African economies, placed in their social and political contexts. This is the only place where African countries are examined through a common analytical framework, allowing you to compare economic prospects at the regional, sub-regional and country levels. Website: africaneconomicoutlook.org/en Africa Renewal: The Africa Renewal information programme, produced by the Africa Section of the United Nations Department of Public Information, provides up-to-date information and analysis of the major economic and development challenges facing Africa today. Website: www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/ Timbuktu Chronicles: A blog by Emeka Okafor : a view of Africa and Africans with a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, practical remedies and other self-sustaining activities. Website: http://timbuktuchronicles.blogspot.com/ AfriGadget: AfriGadget is a must-read for African invention junkies. They are always on the look out for ingenious innovation that is new or a repurposing of existing technology in a new way, interesting in the sense that the story captures the imagination of others, inspiring others to see solutions in uncommon ways, practical ideas that solve problems in a demonstrable way, and entrepreneurs who are inventing new products or solutions. Website: www.afrigadget.com Interesting Blogger Emeka Okafor, Timbuktu Chronicles: Emeka Okafor is an entrepreneur and venture catalyst who lives in New York City. He is the curator of Maker Faire Africa. He was the director for TED Global 2007 that took place in Arusha, Tanzania. In addition he is a member of the TED fellowship team. His interests include sustainable technologies in the developing world and paradigm-breaking technologies in general. His blog, Timbuktu Chronicles, seeks to spur dialogue in areas of entrepreneurship, technology and the scientific method as it impacts Africa. Website: http://timbuktuchronicles.blogspot.co.uk/

Notable Websites African Brains: The Home of Intelligent Networking: African Brains - for forward thinking, intelligent Africans to network and propose new ideas and technologies to the world. Website: www.africanbrains.net Arab Brains: The Home of Intelligent Networking: Arab Brains has been established to connect innovative Arabs across the Arab World and beyond. Website: http://arabbrains.com/ Social Media Africa Entrepreneurship Platform: This ground breaking initiative is created as a forum to showcase innovative ideas and businesses from Africa that have the ability to scale internationally, driving job creation and sustainable economic development between Africa and the Americas. Website: www.sacca.biz AfriGadget on Facebook: Solving everyday problems with African ingenuity: Website: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2402629579

Start-up Funding Hubs! They are sprouting up all over the place and now there is a map showing where they are in Africa. Website: https://africahubs.crowdmap.com/# And there are 18 in Latin America too. Website: http://thenextweb.com/la/2012/08/11/18-latin-american-techhubs-know/ The SEED Initiative Hosted by the UN Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the SEED Initiative is a global partnership for action on the Green Economy. The annual SEED Awards help to develop the most promising social and environmental start-ups in emerging economies and developing countries. Website: http://unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=2647&ArticleID=8798&l=en The Pioneers of Prosperity Grant and Award This competition is a partnership between the OTF Group and the John F. Templeton Foundation of the United States, and promotes companies in East Africa by identifying local role models that act as examples of sustainable businesses in their country/region. It is open to businesses from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda. Five pioneers will receive US $50,000 to re-invest in their business. It is open to for-profit businesses that provide high wages to their workers and that operate in sustainable ways. Website: http://pioneersofprosperity.org/index.php Oxford Said Business School Youth Business Development Competition Open to youth between 16 and 21 across the world, the competition is run by students at Oxford University to promote social enterprise. A prize fund of 2,000 in seed capital is up for grabs. It calls itself the worlds first global youth development competition. Website: www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/oba/se/ybd

Challenge
InnoCentive (www.innocentive.com/) is a challenge to the worlds inventors to find solutions to real scientific and technological problems affecting the poor and vulnerable. It is an open marketplace where anybody with a problem can post it, and rewards for effective solutions stretch up to US $100,000. They use rigorous intellectual property protection so ideas are not stolen without credit being given to the inventor. Website: www.rockfound.org/about_us/news/2007/0720first_seeker.shtml Rwanda Innovation Endowment Fund (RIEF): Rwanda Research Innovation Endowment Fund (RIEF) was established and is managed by the Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) in partnership with UNECA (SRO-EA & ISTD) under One UN Rwanda. The objective of this Fund is to stimulate economic transformation through R&D in innovative market-oriented products and processes in priority areas of the economy, thereby increasing prosperity and the competitiveness of the Rwandan economy. The orientation can be either for economic growth, social development or combination of the two. Website: http://www.mineduc.gov.rw/spip.php?article21 The Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA): The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) are delighted to announce the call for applications for the 2013 Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA). Too often, innovators and entrepreneurs are not highly profiled on the African development agenda. It is IPAs mission to elevate attention around innovative work and help support the vision of entrepreneurs. The prize honours and encourages innovative achievements that contribute towards the development of new products, increased efficiency or cost savings in Africa. The prize also promotes the efforts of young African men and women pursuing science, technology and engineering careers as well as business opportunities that aim to contribute to sustainable development in Africa. Website: http://innovationprizeforafrica.org/

Video
Forum for the Future: Compelling animated videos exploring the hard choices of an urbanizing world and the need to promote sustainable development and environmental harmony. Website: http://www.youtube.com/user/forumforthefuture96

EVENTS
Have an event you would like the South-South community to know about? Then send details to developmentchallenges@googlemail.com.

2013 May
Arab Education Summit Amman, Jordon (6-8 May 2013) The Arab Education Summit is a landmark event bringing together captains of industry and government leaders to ensure the world-class delivery of education, science and technology across the Middle East and North Africa. Website: http://arabbrains.com/aes/register/ Potential and Limits of Social and Solidarity Economy Geneva, Switzerland (6-8 May 2013) UNRISD is holding an international conference from 6 to 8 May in Geneva. The conference, co-organized with ILO and UN-NGLS, aims to raise the visibility of debates about Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) within the United Nations system and beyond, and contribute to thinking in international policy circles about a post-2015 development agenda. Website: www.unrisd.org World Summit on the Information Society Forum 2013 Geneva, Switzerland (13-17 May 2013) The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2013 will be jointly organized by UNESCO, ITU, UNCTAD and UNDP in Geneva, Switzerland, from 13 to 17 May 2013. The Forum provides structured opportunities to network, learn and participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations on WSIS implementation Website: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-projectactivities/unesco-and-wsis/homepage/ The Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Geneva, Switzerland (19-23 May 2013) The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is a biennial forum for information exchange, discussion of latest development and knowledge and partnership building across sectors, with the goal to improve implementation of disaster risk reduction through better communication and coordination amongst stakeholders. It is for government representatives, NGOs, scientists, practitioners, and UN organizations to share experiences and formulate strategic guidance and advice for the implementation of the HFA. Website: http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/2013/ Global Services Forum: Beijing Summit Beijing, China (28-29 May 2013) The Global Services Forum is open to all players in the services sector, including governments, the business world and academia. Website: http://unctad.org/en/conferences/gsf/2013/Pages/info.aspx

June
Chinas New Future: Fortune Global Forum Chengdu, China (6-8 June 2013) Since 1995, the Global Forum has convened the heads of global businessthe chairmen, presidents, and CEOs of the worlds largest companieson the dynamic frontiers of international commerce. In 2013 the Global Forum will return to China for the 4th time, convening in Chengdu, an energetic growing city in southwestern China that is both a symbol and the reality of the 21st century global economy. China is at a key inflection point, changing dynamically, and the Fortune Global Forum is the highest-level place for multinational CEOsand the heads of Chinas most important companies to gain visibility into the emerging new trends, and meet the people that are shaping Chinas New Future. It represents an unparalleled opportunity to build the key relationships and obtain insights that are vital to positioning multinational companies for long-term success, in China and on a global basis. Participation in the Fortune Global Forum is by invitation only, and is attended by the CEOs of the Fortune Global 500 companies, along with the most important leaders from China and other nations. Website: http://www.fortuneconferences.com/global-forum-2013/ Future of Mobile San Francisco, USA (10-11 June 2013) The MIT Technology Review Mobile Summit examines the benefits, risks and opportunities we are seeing in mobile, and introduces attendees to the disruptive business and technology leaders in the field.

Website: http://www.technologyreview.com/summit/mobile/ Digital Horizons: People, Prosperity, Power Stockholm, Sweden (12-13 June 2013) Technology is going to change everything, again. Digitalisation has already transformed our lives but a new wave of innovation is coming that will reshape the way we live, work and consume, redefining social systems, industrial competitiveness and democracy pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible. At Digital Horizons, we will explore the opportunities, challenges and threats in our digital future, focusing on current trends and their impact in 5, 15 and 30 years. How will technology change the way that companies compete and consumers behave? What needs to happen for Northern Europe, a hub of innovation in the past, to ensure that digitalisation supports growth, transparency and competition? Our summit will gather leading innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, futurists and policymakers to discuss the digital future. Website: http://cemea.economistconferences.com/event/digital-horizons-0 The New York Forum: Africa 2013 Libreville, Gabon (14-16 June 2013) The inaugural New York Forum Africa was about recognizing Africas economic achievements and understanding the opportunities for business and investors. The New York Forum Africa 2013 will focus on the hard work necessary to make these opportunities a reality: How do we implement an action plan? What are the concrete next steps? Website: http://www.ny-forum-africa.com/en/home 2013 Public Symposium: New Economic Approaches for a Coherent Post-2015 Agenda Geneva, Switzerland (24-25 June 2013) The Public Symposium is the annual outreach event of UNCTAD where government officials, civil society representatives, academics, the private sector and other interested observers come together to engage in an open and interactive dialogue on key trade and development issues. Website: http://unctad.org/en/conferences/publicsymposium/2013/Pages/home.aspx

July
Launch of the Economic Development in Africa Report 2013 (11 July 2013) Intra-African trade: unleashing private-sector dynamism is the theme of the Economic Development in Africa Report 2013. The report focuses on how to strengthen the private sector and reap developmental gains, as intraAfrica trade is vital for helping the continents nations build their productive capacities and enhance entrepreneurship. Website: http://unctad.org/en/Pages/MeetingDetails.aspx?meetingid=298

August
Have an event you would like the South-South community to know about? Then send details to developmentchallenges@googlemail.com.

September
Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference 2013 Washington, D.C., USA (10-12 September 2013) Purpose: Increase economic opportunities for 1.8 billion youth. The conference goal is to strengthen the impact, scale, and sustainability of youth economic opportunity programming. Be part of this premier learning event. Join leading practitioners, funders, private sector companies, researchers, educators, advocates, youth leaders and government representatives working to increase economic opportunities for young people, together with those working in the related areas of education, financial services, and health. The 2013 event will contain two Spotlights: "Opportunities for Rural Youth" focuses on how to support youth in rural areas. "Power of Technology" showcases how to utilize technology in your programming. Website: http://www.youtheconomicopportunities.org/conference/register Launch of the Trade and Development Report 2013 (12 September 2013) Winds of change in the world economy: Rethinking development strategies is the title of the Trade and Development Report 2013. The study will contend that to achieve durable and inclusive growth, developing and transition economies will need to move towards a new form of development, away from seeking net-export advantages on the back of global imbalances and towards a concentration on strengthening domestic demand and on expanding regional and South-South economic linkages. Website: http://unctad.org/en/Pages/MeetingDetails.aspx?meetingid=299 Medicine 2.0'13 6th World Congress on Social Media, Mobile Apps, and Internet/Web 2.0 in Health and Medicine

London, UK (23-24 September 2013) This year hosted in London, will once again be very international and contain a unique mix of traditional academic/research, practice and business presentations, keynote presentations, and panel discussions to discuss emerging technologies in health and medicine, with an emphasis on Internet-based, social media, and mobile technologies. Website: http://bit.ly/X7ZXxj

October
7th ECOWAS Trade Fair Accra, Ghana (24 October to 4 November 2013) The regional fair, which is now a biennial event, was instituted to boost intra-community trade which presently hovers between 11 and 15 percent, and thereby contributing to the improved implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS). It will also contribute to empowering local producers and stimulating the regional economy. Website: http://www.ecowas.int/

November
Launch of the Least Developed Countries Report 2013 (20 November 2013) The UNCTAD Least Developed Countries Report 2013 will focus on the theme of Growth with employment for inclusive and sustainable development. The report, noting that 130 million people will enter the labour force in LDCs by 2020, reviews past LDC trends relating to economic growth and employment and recommends policy steps to accelerate job creation. Website: http://unctad.org/en/Pages/MeetingDetails.aspx?meetingid=300

December
Launch of the Information Economy Report 2013 (3 December 2013) Website: http://unctad.org/en/Pages/MeetingDetails.aspx?meetingid=301

AWARDS AND FUNDING

The EU Contest for Young Scientists The European Union (EU) Contest for Young Scientists, an initiative of the European Commission, was set up to promote the ideals of co-operation and interchange between young scientists. Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/youngscientists/index_en.cfm?pg=history 2013 Innovation Prize for Africa The second round of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA), which aims to reward innovation across Africa in key sectors of interest, has been launched. The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) expect the prize to promote among young African men and women in the pursuit of science, technology and engineering careers and business applications. The aims are to: - Mobilize leaders from all sectors to fuel African innovation; - Promote innovation across Africa in key sectors of interest through the competition; - Promote science, technology and engineering as rewarding, exciting and noble career options among the youth in Africa by profiling success applicants; and - Encourage entrepreneurs, innovators, funding bodies and business development service providers to exchange ideas and explore innovative business opportunities. Website: innovationPrizeForArica.org World Summit Youth Award The international contest for young people using the Internet and mobiles to take action on the UN Millennium Development Goals. Website: www.youthaward.org Grand Challenges Canada: Request for Proposals Grand Challenges Canada is pleased to announce a new initiative in its Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health grand challenge. Its called Saving Brains. Its goal is to unlock potential in children and dramatically transform

lives in the developing world. The money to fund this program comes from the Development Innovation Fund. In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada committed $225 million CAD over five years to the Development Innovation Fund, to support the best minds in the world in a collaborative search for solutions to global health challenges. For the Request for Proposals: Website: http://www.grandchallenges.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Request_for_ProposalsSaving_Brains_EN.pdf Zayad Future Energy Prize The world is in desperate need of innovative solutions to create a new, sustainable energy future. No one knows who or where the next great energy solution will come from. Solutions and technologies that could change the world are being developed globally, and the $2.2 million Zayed Future Energy Prize, managed by Masdar in Abu Dhabi, recognizes and rewards innovation, leadership, and long-term vision in renewable energy and sustainability. Website: www.zayedfutureenergyprize.com/ Philips Liveable Cities Award Philips is looking for individuals and community or non-government organizations and businesses with ideas for simple solutions that will improve peoples health and well -being in a city to enter the Philips Liveable Cities Award. To help translate these ideas into reality, three Award grants totalling 125,000 are on the line. One overall winning idea from any of the three categories outlined below will receive a grant of 75,000, while the two additional ideas will receive grants of 25,000. Website: http://www.because.philips.com/livable-cities-award/about-the-award Piramal Foundation in India Has established a US $25,000 prize for ideas that help advance full access to effective public health care in India. The Piramal Prize is a $25,000 Social Entrepreneurship Competition focused on democratizing health care in India that seeks to encourage and support bold entrepreneurial ideas which can profoundly impact access to higher standards of health for Indias rural and marginalized urban communities. The award recognizes high-impact, scalable business models and innovative solutions that directly or indirectly address Indias health-care crisis. Website: www.piramalprize.org Special Award for South-South Transfer The aim of the award is to identify, provide visibility, and honour those who have successfully shared their projects and approaches internationally, thereby increasing the impact of the initiative. The winning practice receives US $15,000 to further transfer the awarded practice to other communities in developing countries. Website: www.southsouthexpo.org South-South Experience Exchange Facility Supported by Mexico, China, India, Denmark, Spain, The Netherlands, and the U.K. and now Colombia, the SouthSouth Experience Exchange Facility is a multi-donor trust fund that promotes the idea that developing countries can learn from the successes of other developing countries in overcoming similar challenges. In the past 12 months, the trust has given out 35 grants to countries for learning activities ranging from working with at risk youth in the Caribbean to outsourcing IT services in Africa. Website: www.southsouthcases.info African Writers Fund Together with the Ford Foundation, the Fund supports the work of independent creative writers living on the continent. The Fund recognizes the vital role that poets and novelists play in Africa by anticipating and reflecting the cultural, economic and political forces that continuously shape and reshape societies. Website: http://www.trustafrica.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=90&lang=fr Joint NAM S&T Centre - ICCS Fellowship Programme Centre for Science and Technology of the Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre) and International Center for Chemical Sciences (ICCS), (H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research), University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan Click here for more information or contact: namstct@vsnl.com, namstct@bol.net.in, apknam@gmail.com PhD Plant Breeding Scholarships at the University of Ghana The University of Ghana (www.ug.edu.gh) has been awarded a project support grant by the Alliance for a Green Revolution (www.agra-alliance.org) in Africa (a joint venture between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, for the establishment of a West African Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI). This is available to scientists working at NARIs, universities and international centres in West Africa. Women scientists are especially encouraged to apply for a fellowship under this programme. Website: www.acci.org.za/Default.asp?nav=Home&idno=10 Genesis: Indias Premier Social Entrepreneurship Competition Is a social entrepreneurship competition aiming to bring together social entrepreneurs, students, NGOs, innovators, incubators, corporations and financiers and encourage them to come up with innovative ideas which are socially relevant and feasible. Website: http://genesis.iitm.ac.in/

Jobs and Careers

Weitzeneggers International Development Job Market Website: www.weitzenegger.de/new/jobmarket.php Global Knowledge Initiative The Global Knowledge Initiative seeks to build global knowledge partnerships between individuals and institutions of higher education and research. It seeks to help partners access the global knowledge, technology, and human resources needed to sustain growth and achieve prosperity for all." Website: www.globalknowledgeinitiative.org/ ExportHelp - Promoting and supporting access to the European market The European Commission runs a database for the explicit support of market players in developing countries who want to bring their products to the EU market. The database gives an overview on the EUs preferential trade regimes established for developing countries as well as lists all tariffs, taxes and other requirements for goods imported into the EU. Website: http://exporthelp.europa.eu Development Executive Group Devex Networking Website Over 90,000 global experts can network and connect and learn about more than 47,000 registered projects. Website: www.devex.org Website Offers Career Advice to Young Africans Set up by the Commonwealth Secretariat, Africancareerguidance.com is aimed at providing career guidance to African youth and helping them to link with prospective employers. AfricaRecruit is a human resources organization that provides skills training for African professionals in the Diaspora and on the continent. The website has an inbuilt email subscriber list for all its users and offers a searchable database of career profiles for job seekers and prospective employers. It also offers skills and interest assessments and advice on CV and rsum preparation. It provides tips about interviewing techniques, as well as information on internship and volunteer opportunities, and entrepreneurial skills. Website: www.africacareerguidance.com African Diaspora Skills Database This database was compiled to provide an overview of qualified African Diaspora professionals with varied areas of expertise and experience. The African Diaspora contributes substantially to the social, economic and political development of Africa, and this database is set up to further mobilize this considerable potential. Website: www.diaspora-centre.org/NEWSLETTER/Database Aid Workers Network (AWN) Aid Workers Network (AWN) is an online platform for aid, relief and development workers to ask and answer questions of each other, and to exchange resources and information. AWN is registered in the United Kingdom as a charity. You will find discussions about a range of questions and issues on the AWN forum from aid, relief and development workers all over the world and representing a variety of fields, with new threads or responses posted daily. The forum is a great way to get in contact with other aid and development workers in your geographic area or working in a similar area of work. Website: www.aidworkers.net Bizzlounge Bizzlounge is where people committed to ethical behaviour meet, who want to establish and maintain business contacts in an exclusive and relaxed environment. Website: http://bizzlounge.com Business Action for Africa Business Action for Africa is a network of businesses and business organizations working collectively to accelerate growth and poverty reduction in Africa. Website: http://businessactionforafrica.blogspot.com Business Fights Poverty Business Fights Poverty is a professional network for all those passionate about fighting world poverty through the power of good business. Website: http://businessfightspoverty.ning.com Business in Development Network (BiD) The BiD Network Foundation runs the BiD Challenge to contribute to sustainable economic development by stimulating entrepreneurship in developing countries. Website: www.bidnetwork.org Zunia By Development Exchange, it offers news, publications and networking opportunities with the worlds development community. Website: www.zunia.org

Catalogue of Poverty Networks UNDP is organizing an online catalogue of Poverty Networks as a means to facilitate access to knowledge and sharing this to a wider audience in 189 countries. Poverty Networks are web-based platforms that provide space for sharing and disseminating development-related information and initiatives. Below you will find information on IPCs collaborating networks, which help foster dialogue between researchers, policymakers, civil society and multilateral organizations. Website: www.undp-povertycentre.org/povnet.do Connections for Development (CfD) CfD is a UK, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) led, membership based organization committed to ensuring that UK BME communities, and the organizations they are involved in, are supported in the process of shaping and delivering policy and projects that affect their countries of origin or interest collectively ''our world. Website: www.cfdnetwork.co.uk Development Crossing Development Crossing was set up in 2006 by a small group of friends with diverse backgrounds ranging from business consulting to international development. In a world where the environment, corporate responsibility, and sustainable development are becoming increasingly intertwined, our goal was to create a site where individuals that shared our passion could keep up-to-date with relevant happenings in the world and connect with like-minded individuals. The idea behind Development Crossing is to provide a social network that brings together people from a variety of sectors, countries and professions to discuss corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. Website: www.developmentcrossing.com DevelopmentAid.org The one-stop-information-shop for the developmental sector, DevelopmentAid.org is a membership organization that brings together information for developmental professionals, NGOs, consultancy firms and donors. Website: www.developmentaid.org dgCommunities on the Development Gateway (Zunia.org) Zunia.org, a free online service by the Development Gateway Foundation is devoted to knowledge-sharing and collaboration for people working to reduce poverty in the developing world. Website: http://topics.developmentgateway.org Diaspora African Forum This Forum exists ''to invite and encourage the full participation of Africans in the Diaspora in the building of the African Union, in its capacity as an important part of the Continent''. We will provide the vital linkage for Diaspora Africans to become involved in Africa's development as well as reap the fruits of African unity. Website: www.diasporaafricanforum.org Business Planet: a new data map on Entrepreneurship Business Planet, an interactive Google map, now includes data on new business creation around the world. Measures of entrepreneurial activity are based on the number of total and newly registered corporations. Click on colour markers to learn more about each country. Website: http://rru.worldbank.org/businessplanet/default.aspx?pid=8