ARGENTINA: Civil Society Wants Transparency – For Itself as Well

Non-governmental organisations have won prestige and credibility revealing injustice and corruption in business and government. But who oversees the watchdogs? Who holds them accountable for how they use their funds, how they operate, and the results achieved through their work?

Q&A: “We’re Living in a World of Global Economic Apartheid”

Less than a fortnight remains before the seventh annual World Assembly of CIVICUS - the World Alliance for Citizen Participation. This Johannesburg-based body brings together non-governmental organisations from across the spectrum to strengthen civil society, notably where its activities are under threat.

DEVELOPMENT-INDIA: NGOs Balk at Tighter Gov’t Controls

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in India are up in arms against moves by the federal government to regulate the flow of foreign funds into their coffers through a new bill that would amend existing law governing contributions from abroad.

DEVELOPMENT: Global Campaign Calls for Tackling the Roots of Poverty

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) made a commitment in Uruguay Saturday to extend their campaign until 2015, and to emphasise the structural causes that determine that over one billion people in the world are living in extreme poverty.

DEVELOPMENT: Fight Against Poverty – a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Combating poverty is more like a long distance race than a sprint, and in the past two years progress has been made that would have been unthinkable decades ago. But much remains to be done, say activists from all over the world who have gathered together in the Uruguayan capital.

REFUGEES-IRAQ: The Hidden Face of the War

The United Nations was able, at least for a few hours, to draw public attention away from the bombings and attacks that have become routine in Iraq and direct it towards another, equally painful, aspect of the conflict - the humanitarian crisis suffered by nearly four million refugees and internally displaced persons.

U.S./CHINA: Cooperation or Conflict?

The United States government should put greater time and effort into creating an "affirmative agenda" of cooperation on security, trade, finance and human rights with China, says a report released Tuesday in Washington.

SOUTH ASIA: Regional Cooperation Finally in Sight

South Asia, home to more than one-sixth of humanity, and situated at the junction of three important sub-regions of the Asian continent, has made cautious moves towards mutual cooperation and greater integration.

DEVELOPMENT-AUSTRALIA: ‘Overseas Aid Too Self-Serving’

Most Australians wants overseas aid to directly target poverty alleviation and sustainable development, but a majority of federal politicians favour pursuing the country's national and commercial interests through the aid programme.

POLITICS-ST. LUCIA: Is it China or Taiwan?

Mere minutes after the United Workers Party (UWP) won last December's general elections in St. Lucia, its leader, the 82-year-old John Compton, made it clear that the new administration would not break off diplomatic relations with China in favour of a return to Taiwan, as had been the case when the St. Lucia Labour Party was swept into power in 1997.

NICARAGUA: Sandinistas Wage a New War – Against Hunger

With the support of international cooperation, the Nicaraguan government is preparing to launch an all-out offensive against hunger, as part of an ambitious plan to help the rural poor achieve food sufficiency.

POLITICS: The Talking Cure

From human rights to climate change and HIV/AIDS, the many challenges the world is facing call not only for technical solutions, but also for greater human interaction.

KYRGYZSTAN: Exporting the Tulip Revolution

Two years ago, the 'Tulip Revolution' pushed Kyrgyzstan off the path of dictatorship. The subsequent direction the small Central Asian country has taken, and whether the revolution can serve as a model for the region, remain controversial.

EUROPE-LATIN AMERICA: NGO Umbrellas Leap Regional Borders

In an unprecedented meeting in the Chilean capital, some 20 umbrella groups of non-governmental organisations from Latin America and Europe began to outline a common agenda, with an initial focus on development financing.

IRAN/SOUTH ASIA: US Frown Turns Gas Pipeline Into Pipe Dream

A grandiose project to construct a pipeline to transport natural gas from Iran to India through Pakistan at a cost of seven billion US dollars is in jeopardy on account of stiff opposition from Washington and wrangling among the three regional partners.

FINANCE: Study Urges Regional Approach to Development

The World Bank, which lends billions of dollars for development projects in poor nations, should put more funding into multi-country initiatives such as roads and joint electric grids, which have shown greater benefits to borrowing nations, according to the Bank's internal monitor.

SRI LANKA: Civilians – Real Losers in the Civil War

As fighting between Tamil rebels and Sri Lankan forces escalate into open war the losers are civilians, particularly some 200,000 refugees cramped into camps set up in eastern Batticaloa district.

NORTH KOREA: ‘Back at Square One on Nuclear Issue’

Is the Korean peninsula really heading for de-nuclearisation after last month's surprising deal? Experts like Han Sung-Joo, former South Korean foreign minister, remain sceptical and say it is ''unlikely that the North Korean regime will ever give up its nuclear weapons''.

AFRICA-EUROPE: Goodbye Rhetoric, Hello Political Dialogue

In recent years the ties between the European Union and Africa have produced good results in terms of aid, but there has been a serious lack of political dialogue. Now Portugal, with its extensive experience in Africa and the support of the 27 EU leaders, is planning to change this.

EL SALVADOR: Biogas – Killing Two Birds with One Stone

He used to make land mines to stem the advance of the army during El Salvador's 1980-1992 civil war. But today, former guerrilla fighter Félix Vásquez uses his know-how to transform cow manure into biogas.

BRAZIL-US: Social Activist Declined Invitation to Meet Bush

Rodrigo Baggio, founder of one of the best social inclusion projects in Brazil, which has spread to eight other countries, turned down an invitation to meet President George W. Bush during his recent visit to Sao Paulo.