In recent years, health care in rural areas of the Philippines has undergone significant advancements, bridging the gap between urban and rural health care access. These developments have brought about positive changes, ensuring that residents in remote regions have access to quality health care services. Some key areas of advancement in rural health care in the Philippines include telemedicine services, health clinic mobility, infrastructure, the role of community health workers and health programs.
Telemedicine
One of the most notable advancements in rural health care is the implementation of telemedicine. The Philippines, where 52% of the population resides in rural areas, has become known as the “texting capital of the world.” This means that through the use of technology, health care professionals can remotely diagnose and treat patients in rural areas. This allows individuals to receive medical advice and consultations without the need for long and costly journeys to urban centers, while also allowing medical professionals who do live and work in rural areas to refer problematic cases to more equipped urban professionals.
Telemedicine increases access to health care in rural areas and engages rural communities with specialized health information. Furthermore, telemedicine allows general practitioners immediate access to expert consultations.
Mobile Health Units
To reach the most remote areas, mobile health units have been deployed. These units bring health care services directly to communities that lack access to medical facilities. Equipped with medical professionals and necessary equipment, these units provide vital services such as vaccinations, basic check-ups and health education programs.
For example, UNICEF organized mobile health clinics for the Odette typhoon-affected areas of the Philippines, such as Limasawa and Southern Leyte. Individuals within these areas received immediate access to free health care after the typhoon disrupted the usual health services within the community. These mobile health units have become a vital part of people’s lives.
The fact that these disadvantaged areas are already faced with disrupted health services, unsanitary conditions and a lack of access to basic necessities such as clean food and water only exacerbates the outbreak of disease, malnutrition and health concerns. This is why mobile health units are a crucial advancement of health care in the rural Philippines in order to provide immediate and more convenient health care to areas that need it most such as those living in poverty or those in areas affected by natural disasters.
Improved Infrastructure
In recent years, the Philippine government has made significant investments in improving health care infrastructure in rural areas. This includes the construction and renovation of health care facilities, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle various medical needs.
As of 2020, there were approximately 1,526 rural health units across the country, providing essential health care services to remote communities. Additionally, the government has also allocated funds for the construction and renovation of rural health centers, improving access to health care facilities for approximately 25 million people in rural areas. Upgrades in medical equipment, diagnostic tools and lavatory facilities have also been implemented, enhancing the quality of care provided in rural communities.
Community Health Workers
Community health workers play an important role in the primary health care workforce for many low-income countries in order to reach more rural and disadvantaged areas, and the Philippines was one of its earliest adopters, launching the Barangay Health Worker program in the early 1980s. Since then, the role of community health workers (CHWs) continues to be instrumental in delivering health care services to rural areas within the Philippines.
These dedicated individuals, often from the local community, receive training to provide basic health care services, health promotion and disease prevention. They serve as a vital link between the community and health care facilities, ensuring that health care is accessible and tailored to the specific needs of the rural population. The CHWs improve the impact of health care access in rural areas, as well as influence other community members to become part of the program to increase their own medical expertise and promote health awareness in rural communities.
Health Education and Awareness
Efforts to improve health care in rural areas go beyond physical infrastructure and services. Health education and awareness programs have been implemented to empower individuals with knowledge about preventative measures, proper nutrition and hygiene practices. These initiatives aim to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the prevalence of preventable diseases in rural communities.
The Department of Health in the Philippines provides diverse health programs to meet yearly national objectives. One organization named Child’s Hope aims to improve the health care of children living in poverty within the Philippines and aims to better the nutrition and health access for children living in the streets within remote areas, providing free mentoring and health care whilst encouraging children’s efforts in education in order to try and lift them out of poverty in later life.
The advancements in rural health care in the Philippines have made a significant impact on the lives of individuals residing in remote areas. Through the implementation of telemedicine, mobile health units, improved infrastructure, community health workers and health education programs, access to quality health care services has improved. These advancements are crucial steps towards ensuring that health care is accessible, equitable and of high quality for all Filipinos, bridging the gap in health care access in rural communities.
– Ellis Nicoll
Photo: Flickr
NGOs Helping Women in Ethiopia
With the second largest population in Africa, the country is still feeling the effects of the initial conflict that began over two years ago. At least 5.1 million people were displaced in 12 months, which is “the most people internally displaced in any country in any single year.”
Two years on, in 2023, the U.N. requested $4 billion to provide aid to twenty million people still affected by the conflict, including more than four million internally displaced people.
The Impact of Conflict on Women
With such destructive conflict there always comes a surge in gender-based violence. In the last civil war, nearly 26,000 women and girls reported experiencing sexual violence. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic as well as powerful social stigma, the majority of cases are not reported meaning that this number is thought to be much higher.
With the absence of strong welfare services and the intense conflict in Ethiopia aggravating this need, many women rely on nonprofit organizations that are committed to helping women and girls affected by the violence.
Ethiopia Aid and AWSAD’s Safe Houses
Ethiopia Aid is dedicated to “breaking the cycle of poverty by enabling the poorest and most vulnerable to live with dignity,” as stated in their mission. Over 80% of the adults that they help are women, and their projects have aimed to tackle the lack of education for girls, poor menstrual health resources and female genital mutilation (FGM).
The organization’s current appeal is focused on ensuring the maternal health of the thousands of women who have been displaced by the conflict in Ethiopia and are living in crowded camps with too few resources.
The organization has partnered with The Association for Women’s Sanctuary (AWSAD) which provides nine safe houses for women and girls at risk of violence or who have fled and suffered traumatic experiences. These safe houses not only provide a space for women and their children to recover but allow them to socialize with others whilst also providing quality care, support services, therapy, basic literacy and numeracy classes and legal follow-up.
UN Women
U.N. Women have partnered with Norwegian Church Aid to address social attitudes and norms that contribute to gender-based violence. The initiative was started by Tegenie, a gender-based violence expert in 2021 after he saw the impacts of child marriage on his sisters. He explains how such violence “has spiked amid the brutal two-year conflict, drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, which have trapped women and girls in vulnerable conditions.”
To tackle this spike, the initiative aims to social norms at the roots by holding community conversations led by trained facilitators, where the ramifications of child marriage and violence against women are discussed. They have also made it their priority to rally community leaders who have a significant social influence, as well as faith leaders to ensure that they are not promoting harmful practices. By creating open conversations, Tegenie and his team hope to engage all members of the community with these issues, and insight meaningful, long-term social change.
Women for Women’s Conflict Response Fund
This organization’s Conflict Response Fund (CRF) worked with three other organizations: Agar Ethiopia Charitable Society, Association for Women’s Sanctuary and Development and Mums for Mums. Each works to support survivors of sexual violence as a result of war and the conflict in Ethiopia and has reached thousands of women, providing safe housing, psychological support and health care.
While there is no immediate end to the turbulence in Ethiopia in sight, these organizations and their dedicated members will continue working tirelessly to support the women affected and continue to have an immense impact on the lives of thousands.
– Maia Winter
Photo: Flickr
Competition Tackles Energy Poverty in Developing Countries
Competition Criteria
The EUSIC is open to anyone who resides in an EU member state. The competition highlights four main categories:
A creation with all four qualities has a higher chance of being recognized.
Energy Poverty in Developing Countries
In 2023, the European Social Innovation Competition is tackling energy poverty. There are now 15 finalists. The idea is to “Repower the EU” with affordable and sustainable innovations. Energy poverty refers to insufficient access to reliable and efficient energy sources or when one spends sufficient income on providing energy. In many developing countries, citizens lack access to affordable, safe energy to support themselves. A lack of energy can contribute to food insecurity, illness, an unsafe environment and a shortage of education opportunities. About 13% of the population has no access to electricity.
Energy poverty has improved in recent years compared to the early 2000s, but it still disproportionately affects developing countries. In 2022, the IEA predicted that the number of people living without electricity worldwide would rise by about 20 million. The pandemic severely set back the world in having sufficient energy. Social innovation is essential in solving energy poverty. This year’s creations include energy shares, social housing, energy poverty detection technology and many more brilliant ideas. The EUSIC highlights the importance of social innovation and the need for solutions to energy poverty.
Looking Toward the Future
The European Innovation Council will announce the competition’s three winners on November 14 at the EUSIC awards ceremony. The EUSIC demonstrates how social innovation can create a positive change. The ideas and innovations that come out of the competition showcase Europe’s intelligence and creativity. The world must nurture and support these innovators who want to make a difference in the world. There is so much to learn from these innovations and the minds behind them. They are building a more prosperous and sustainable future for Europe and the world. This year, the European Social Innovation Competition tackled energy poverty. The future is bright for this competition and the transformations it will continue to make.
– Madison Rogers
Photo: Flickr
Advancements in Rural Health Care in the Philippines
Telemedicine
One of the most notable advancements in rural health care is the implementation of telemedicine. The Philippines, where 52% of the population resides in rural areas, has become known as the “texting capital of the world.” This means that through the use of technology, health care professionals can remotely diagnose and treat patients in rural areas. This allows individuals to receive medical advice and consultations without the need for long and costly journeys to urban centers, while also allowing medical professionals who do live and work in rural areas to refer problematic cases to more equipped urban professionals.
Telemedicine increases access to health care in rural areas and engages rural communities with specialized health information. Furthermore, telemedicine allows general practitioners immediate access to expert consultations.
Mobile Health Units
To reach the most remote areas, mobile health units have been deployed. These units bring health care services directly to communities that lack access to medical facilities. Equipped with medical professionals and necessary equipment, these units provide vital services such as vaccinations, basic check-ups and health education programs.
For example, UNICEF organized mobile health clinics for the Odette typhoon-affected areas of the Philippines, such as Limasawa and Southern Leyte. Individuals within these areas received immediate access to free health care after the typhoon disrupted the usual health services within the community. These mobile health units have become a vital part of people’s lives.
The fact that these disadvantaged areas are already faced with disrupted health services, unsanitary conditions and a lack of access to basic necessities such as clean food and water only exacerbates the outbreak of disease, malnutrition and health concerns. This is why mobile health units are a crucial advancement of health care in the rural Philippines in order to provide immediate and more convenient health care to areas that need it most such as those living in poverty or those in areas affected by natural disasters.
Improved Infrastructure
In recent years, the Philippine government has made significant investments in improving health care infrastructure in rural areas. This includes the construction and renovation of health care facilities, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle various medical needs.
As of 2020, there were approximately 1,526 rural health units across the country, providing essential health care services to remote communities. Additionally, the government has also allocated funds for the construction and renovation of rural health centers, improving access to health care facilities for approximately 25 million people in rural areas. Upgrades in medical equipment, diagnostic tools and lavatory facilities have also been implemented, enhancing the quality of care provided in rural communities.
Community Health Workers
Community health workers play an important role in the primary health care workforce for many low-income countries in order to reach more rural and disadvantaged areas, and the Philippines was one of its earliest adopters, launching the Barangay Health Worker program in the early 1980s. Since then, the role of community health workers (CHWs) continues to be instrumental in delivering health care services to rural areas within the Philippines.
These dedicated individuals, often from the local community, receive training to provide basic health care services, health promotion and disease prevention. They serve as a vital link between the community and health care facilities, ensuring that health care is accessible and tailored to the specific needs of the rural population. The CHWs improve the impact of health care access in rural areas, as well as influence other community members to become part of the program to increase their own medical expertise and promote health awareness in rural communities.
Health Education and Awareness
Efforts to improve health care in rural areas go beyond physical infrastructure and services. Health education and awareness programs have been implemented to empower individuals with knowledge about preventative measures, proper nutrition and hygiene practices. These initiatives aim to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the prevalence of preventable diseases in rural communities.
The Department of Health in the Philippines provides diverse health programs to meet yearly national objectives. One organization named Child’s Hope aims to improve the health care of children living in poverty within the Philippines and aims to better the nutrition and health access for children living in the streets within remote areas, providing free mentoring and health care whilst encouraging children’s efforts in education in order to try and lift them out of poverty in later life.
The advancements in rural health care in the Philippines have made a significant impact on the lives of individuals residing in remote areas. Through the implementation of telemedicine, mobile health units, improved infrastructure, community health workers and health education programs, access to quality health care services has improved. These advancements are crucial steps towards ensuring that health care is accessible, equitable and of high quality for all Filipinos, bridging the gap in health care access in rural communities.
– Ellis Nicoll
Photo: Flickr
Embracing High-Tech Agriculture in Vietnam
Sustainable Agriculture With VinEco
VinEco is a pioneer of sustainable agriculture in Vietnam. It owns 15 high-tech farms spreading over 3,000 hectares and aims to increase the quality and output of production through the application of advanced production technology such as Microgreen Production, Nutrient Film Technology (NFT), Drip Irrigation and Sprinkler Irrigation.
VinEco is working with Bayer, a global company delivering innovations in sustainable agriculture, to facilitate a knowledge transfer from the experts in VinEco and Bayer to farmers in local communities. The farmers receive training and support for using sustainable farming practices, resulting in better harvests through clean farming and allowing them to keep their jobs in the ever-changing landscape of the agricultural industry.
Smallholders dominate Vietnam’s agricultural industry and account for over 80% of its coffee exports. VinEco has a network of over 1,000 smallholder farmers, and providing them with technology and training to boost production can unlock opportunities in international markets and trading. By participating in international fairs, VinEco is sharing Vietnam’s agricultural products with the world and promoting local businesses. Embracing high-tech agriculture in Vietnam contributes to poverty reduction through the export of local products to Japanese, Korean and European markets.
Bac Ninh’s Agricultural Breakthrough
In Bac Ninh, a densely populated province, the use of high-tech agricultural production has expanded to account for 30% of total agricultural production value, with 100% of the province’s communes and districts applying advanced rural development standards. There are 72 high-tech cultivation facilities in Bac Ninh, covering a total area of 161.65 hectares, and 72 high-tech livestock farms with automated stalls and water suppliers. There are also 153 aquaculture farms that supply 400–500 tons of fish per year to the market, bringing in a revenue of VND 18–20 billion annually. By investing in synchronous mechanization, there has been an increase in productivity as well as the quality of products, resulting in high economic efficiency.
Bac Ninh’s efforts at sustainable economic development have not only contributed to poverty reduction by increasing economic value and efficiency for farmers, but have also attracted nearly 200 agricultural companies, such as Vietnam National Seed Group Joint Stock Company (VINASEED) and Orion Company. With farmers cooperating with companies to increase efficiency and innovations in production, Bac Ninh has established close links to giant firms and created more than 20 certified safe food and agricultural supply chains.
Rice Farming in the Mekong Delta
Much of Vietnam’s rice farms run along the Mekong Delta. The emergence of climate change, however, has started changing the waterscapes of the Mekong, leading to farmers looking for change in the water-intensive process of rice farming.
In one pilot project, university researchers from Tra Vinh University (TVU) have teamed up with local farmers in the Phu Can cooperative to implement the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technique, which allows farmers to reduce water consumption. Instead of continuously flooding fields for rice harvest, as farmers from the Mekong Delta have traditionally done, AWD allows farmers to flood and drain their fields in quick rotation, leaving the fields to dry for several days before flooding them again. To ensure farmers can monitor their fields to determine when they should reflood, TVU researchers have created an app that links to solar-powered sensors in AWD plots that record the underground water levels every five minutes.
Upon realizing that AWD not only uses up to 20% less water, but also costs less and consumes fewer resources, farmers in the Mekong Delta have started taking up AWD, recognizing the need for innovation and moving away from traditional methods. AWD also has environmental benefits — it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 30–50%, creating a more sustainable method of rice farming without negatively impacting productivity. In the face of climate change, these benefits are more important than ever for farmers to sustain their livelihoods.
Embracing Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam
With climate change affecting the landscapes of Vietnam, dense populations creating more demand for agricultural goods and natural disasters impacting the security of farmlands, there is a need to embrace sustainable agriculture in Vietnam to prevent farmers from losing their livelihoods. By adopting high-tech methods and innovations, farmers can increase productivity and generate more income, sustaining Vietnam’s status as an agricultural giant.
– Stephanie Chan
Photo: Flickr
How Nickelodeon is Helping Children Globally
Throughout the history of the popular children’s network, Nickelodeon, it has made multiple attempts to assist children around the world with various initiatives. One of these is its community outreach program called The Big Help, which originated in 1994. In 1997 alone, The Big Help reached 28 million children all around the world with the message of the importance of community service, thanks to the help of Nickelodeon tie-ins such as daily service messages and telethons related to the TV channel itself. This is in addition to the endorsements of many public figures of the time, such as basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, actress Whoopi Goldberg, former president Bill Clinton and former general Colin Powell.
Another initiative the TV station took was with their international program, Together For Good, which began operation in 2015. Its mission was to inspire and empower young viewers of Nickelodeon to get active in their communities and create positive changes in the world. Furthermore, the network thought that children have a voice and can contribute to the improvement of their communities, the creation of a more inclusive society and the impact of their future. Additionally, the program has been in partnership with various nonprofit organizations such as the African Wildlife Foundation, Plan International, Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef and Kids’ Rights, tackling such issues as ocean and wildlife conservation and gender equity. Here are more specifics regarding how Nickelodeon is helping children globally.
Our World
Nickelodeon is helping children through its newest initiative, established in 2023, which is called the Our World program. It has the purpose of digitally connecting children, parents and caregivers internationally to developmentally appropriate activities, as well as partner organizations with extra resources. The program emphasizes healthy youth development as a critical component of a successful childhood. This program aims to effect systemic change so that every child grows up believing they have the potential to make a difference in the world. It also assists children in gaining skills to deal with the fast-changing environment around them and fosters youth agency, with the hope of turning them into a coalition of community-led social innovators.
More about Nickelodeon’s Our World Program
Starting on July 21, the Our World program began an international-only campaign with its initial campaign partner, Plan International, across Nickelodeon platforms in 150 countries and territories. Plan International is one of the world’s largest and most established children’s development organizations. It has performed extensive, long-term child-centered work in communities throughout the world to break the cycle of poverty for millions of children and their families.
Together for Good’s Collaboration
In 2021 and through to today, Nickelodeon is helping children through Together for Good, a collaboration with a prominent global nonprofit organization called OneSight. OneSight has committed itself to providing eye care to 1.1 billion individuals who do not have access to it. It launched the Framing the Future campaign to educate kids and families on the significance of eye health, worldwide access to vision care and clean vision through original short-form and digital content.
The content aims to inspire action, empathy and advocacy by broadcasting in more than 67 million households in 69 areas across Australia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Latin America, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Additionally, through the campaign’s digital hub, eyes.nickelodeon.tv, children can take a pledge to protect their eyes from the sun and take breaks from devices and can receive the title Junior Glasses Champion for their commitment to advocating for healthy eyes and excellent vision.
President and Executive Director of OneSight, K-T Overbey, commented that their organization encourages children to care for their eyes and teach them about the significance of routine eye exams, saying that children can learn up to twice as much when they wear the proper glasses as the children often do not know they have a vision impairment.
Conclusion
To this day, Nickelodeon continues to help children through its international ventures to help people around the world, with no sign of stopping in sight.
– Deon Roberts
Photo: Flickr
How Tourism Is Helping To Empower the Women of South America
The Situation
Like most of the world, women in South America face many barriers to empowerment. According to a project that Wageningen University conducted, in general terms, Latin American societies follow the traditional doctrine of “hombre de la calle, mujer de la casa,” which means “the men in the street and the wife in the house.” Cultural norms, traditional community roles and caretaking of families often lead them to dependence on men in the family and often leave them unable to provide for their families in the ways they wish.
However, tourism provides new opportunities to empower women by normalizing their presence in new workplaces. Further, despite many of the industry’s female employees taking up low-income roles, the growth of sustainable tourism and “slow” tourism, whereby tourists are moving away from traditional mass tourist destinations to seek more authentic and local experiences, is giving women in South America employment on their terms.
Wild Women Expeditions
Wild Women Expeditions offers guided tours of the famous four-day hike on the Inca trail that takes visitors through ancient Aztec sites. The organization hires female guides and porters, traditionally male-dominated roles, to take tourists along the pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.
Moreover, in the Andes, women of the Quechua community have benefited from tourism. Here, the women weave garments using traditional techniques. Visiting tourists watch the women weave, learn about their culture and purchase products. Increased tourism to the area has broadened the market for selling these textiles, increasing the income of the community, which has previously struggled in poverty. In the wake of increased tourism, a cooperative called “Awamaki” originated to empower indigenous women. It helped them manage their finances and improve their sales skills.
The UN World Tourism Board (UNWTO)
In 2022, the UN World Tourism Board (UNWTO) improved its commitment to women working in the industry by factoring them into guidelines for sustainable tourism. These guidelines include a section on gender equality and women’s empowerment. As governments across the continent follow these recommendations, it is hoped that the principles of female empowerment are included in their approaches to sustainable development. Zurab Pololikashvili, the UNWTO Secretary-General, stated, “These new guidelines will help both governments and businesses harness the sector’s power as a driver of women’s empowerment as the world opens up again.”
How Tourism is Beneficial to Women of South America
The benefits of tourism for the women of South America are two-fold: it creates jobs and fixed incomes for women while simultaneously preserving the cultural heritage and promoting the economic development of their communities. They allow women to gain income and preserve their culture, heritage and community while improving the economic development of rural areas.
To ensure a bright future for the people and environment of South America, it is important organizations such as the aforementioned continue to be supported by sustainable tourism in their areas. By continuing to break the glass ceiling for women’s employment in the tourist industry, the support of these organizations ensures that women’s empowerment continues to be promoted in South America’s tourism industry.
– Lucy Wing
Photo: Flickr
Access To Water in Iran
The Conflict
The source of discrepancies lies in the river Helmand, flowing from the Afghan mountains into Iranian Balochistan. Since 1973, the Helmand River Water Treaty has regulated the amount of water that flows into Iran. Tensions still persisted, however, and after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, they surged once again. Afghanistan allegedly breached the 1973 treaty by repeatedly withholding more water than stipulated. Most recently, in May 2023, one of these clashes threatened to escalate into a full-blown war after a deadly encounter in Milak-Zaranj.
The Iranian population has been hit hard by the Afghan retention of water. Droughts in Iran have had a steady intensification pattern for the past 40 years, and this only rubs salt in the wound. The region has suffered from desertification and, with one of its primary water sources compromised, access to irrigation water could be at high risk. This issue extends to the entire nation, as Iranian water consumption per capita is significantly above its yield of renewable water sources. High consumption paired with low availability threatens to worsen access to water in Iran, with large parts of its population suffering from water insecurity.
What the Government Is Doing
With regard to the Helmand River, Iran has urged its neighbor to abide by the 1973 treaty and fulfill its obligations in international law. Nevertheless, it has also adopted a conciliatory tone to avoid the risk of escalation. An open war over water still seems unlikely, but should environmental patterns persist, it would be naïve to discard this possibility.
As for the water provision for its population, the Iranian government heavily subsidizes water prices to make it affordable to its population. While effective in achieving its goal in the short run, this policy has increased water consumption in the country. Moreover, the government’s focus on food self-reliance through subsidies has further strained water consumption in agriculture. All in all, this subsidy policy has exacerbated the country’s drought problem.
To address these issues, there have been several studies on Iranian soil to tackle these unwanted consequences and to identify more water-efficient farming methods. So far, these investigations have yielded mixed results, but even if they managed to improve efficiency, the population needs more to reduce water consumption and make access to water in Iran sustainable in time.
What Is the Role of NGOs?
Access to water in Iran is a hot topic among international NGOs. Notably, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has taken measures to alleviate the effects of drought in the region, targeting to provide aid to 916,200 people during the 2021-2022 drought season. Furthermore, there have also been efforts by Relief International to address the economic effects of droughts and help 30,000 people in need gain access to water, education and financial aid.
Prospects for the Future
Access to water in Iran is a growing issue and, as such, its government should start to pursue policies to address it more actively. Water importation or more water-efficient methods are examples of policies that, while politically improbable, could help lift some of the pressure off the population’s shoulders.
– Daniel Pereda
Photo: Flickr
How China Helped More Than 800 Million People Out of Poverty
1. Open Door Policy
China was one of the poorest countries in the world in 1978, with a GDP of $156 and home to 40% of the world’s population living in extreme poverty. Compared to neighboring Asian economies, China appeared vulnerable as the communist regime had failed to generate economic growth. Recognizing the risk to the communist party if China could not raise its people out of poverty, Deng Xiapoing committed to improving the living standards of the Chinese people through economic growth.
The Open Door Policy actively introduced foreign capital and technology to China as foreign investments were made into multiple zones such as the special economic zones, peninsula open zones, open border cities, high-tech industry development zones, etc. These zones sparked substantial foreign investment while China continued to promote its socialist market economy concept, whereby state-owned businesses and privately-owned businesses could co-exist.
Implementing The Open Door policy allowed China to use its huge labor resources and land to move away from the damage of the Cultural Revolution and towards rapid economic growth. Within 10 years, China’s GDP per capita had grown to $284, and within 20, it reached $829. The progressive industrialization of China created more and better jobs, as the laborers who were no longer needed in agriculture moved to the consumer goods and services sectors, initiating global investments while providing further job opportunities.
2. Agricultural Reform
During Mao’s time in power, collective farming had been enforced on the rural population. This enforcement meant pooling farms from hundreds of families together to create one large farm. The upper and middle-class farmers had to give up possession of their land to the state, decreasing their morale. In contrast, the lower-class farmers lost motivation to work in the large, impersonal collectives where it was practically impossible to monitor the work individuals completed.
Although some farmers favored collective farming, by 1979, Xiaoping’s de-collectivization effort to incentivize more production and increase economic prosperity for rural workers began spreading across China. Farmers had their land restored to them or were assigned contracts to work on certain areas of land, needing to produce a specified grain quota for the state at a low fixed price of rent. After delivering this grain, farmers were free to consume, trade or sell on the open market and grow whatever they wanted. To further encourage production in rural China, the purchase price for compulsory grain deliveries to the state increased by 20% while the price for excess grain increased by 50%. Overall, increased state prices and the opening of free markets resulted in a substantial rise in food production and average rural family incomes.
3. Targeted Poverty Reduction
As part of the anti-poverty campaign established at the end of 2012 and headed by President Xi Jinping, China made Targeted Poverty Reduction efforts. Jinping believed, “The CPC cadres should pay inspection tours to identify the truly poor. Poverty reduction must reach intended hands or those who truly need it, and poverty must be eradicated completely.”
In January 2014, the guideline on Promoting Poverty Reduction in Rural Areas with Innovative Policies was released, detailing targeted poverty relief across China. The CPC collected and used data to identify the most poverty-stricken areas and their requirements. Hard infrastructure, such as electricity access, water supply, roads and railways, were upgraded, boosting agricultural productivity, raising people’s standards of living and connecting villages to cities.
The effective irrigated area now covers more than 5.35 million hectares, water supply capacity increased by 18.1 billion cubic meters, and more than 98% of poor villages gained access to 4G and optical fiber technology. Soft infrastructure such as health care, education and social security also improved. For example, 108,000 rural schools were renovated to support compulsory education. At the same time, 98% of hospitals in poor countries have a minimum of one competent hospital that can treat 90% of diseases treated at similar hospitals.
China’s dedication to eradicating extreme poverty through government reforms is a remarkable feat that has provided a blueprint for tackling poverty globally. Through economic growth, agricultural prosperity and targeted efforts such as improved infrastructure in the poorest areas, China has demonstrated it is possible to lift millions of people, 40% of the world’s extreme poor, out of poverty in only four decades.
– Alice Isola
Photo: Unsplash
Google Leads the Digital Charge With Tech Jobs for 20,000 Nigerians
On June 26, 2023, Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, announced plans to create 1 million tech jobs. Media outlets did not see fit to report this development, presumably because brazen government targets are neither uncommon nor guaranteed to come to pass.
Fast forward to August 2023, and global tech giant Google has joined the digital charge. Committed to Shettima’s vision, Google’s Director for West Africa, Olumide Balogu, pledged to equip 20,000 Nigerian women and young people with digital skills on behalf of the U.S. firm. A $1.6 million payment is also set to go directly to the Nigerian government to help make Shettima’s vision a reality.
A Step in the Right Direction
There are a plethora of potential advantages of the scheme, ranging from enriching individual lives to boosting Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to promoting a global economy.
A Realistic Project?
At this stage, no clear timeframe has been laid out by either Google or Nigerian officials for the scaling up of tech jobs in the region. Such uncertainty runs the risk of bold targets never coming to fruition. For a developing nation like Nigeria, a burgeoning technology sector would transform lives. It is important that Nigerians do not fall victim to false or propagandist promises.
Looking Forward
With Google at the helm and a Nigerian government committed to development, the partnership has the promise to not only grow the digital sector but transform Nigerian life prospects. At present, the World Bank estimates place as many as four in 10 Nigerians below the poverty line. It may transpire that most of these individuals are not funneled into tech jobs, or reached at all by the scheme. However, a collaboration with Google sets the cogs in motion for changing the narrative — one citizen at a time.
– Imogen Townsend
Photo: Unsplash
Mental Health Challenges and Solutions in Dominica
The topics of mental health challenges and solutions in Dominica are gaining increasing attention. Dominica faces various hurdles and triumphs when tackling these issues. From understanding the current state of mental health in the island nation to exploring international medical treatment options, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive look at the situation at hand.
Understanding the State of Mental Health in Dominica
Mental health challenges in Dominica currently stem from multiple issues. The most prominent issues are limited resources, a shortage of mental health professionals, and a deep-seated societal stigma surrounding mental illness. These challenges hinder the provision of adequate mental health care on the island. They also leave many individuals struggling with mental health difficulties because the island lacks proper support.
Highlighting the Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health
Dominica’s tropical climate often leads to natural disasters, such as hurricanes. These traumatic events disrupt lives and can significantly impact the mental health of the populace. Navigating the psychological aftermath of surviving such events requires specialized care and support. Unfortunately, the island’s already strained mental health care infrastructure can rarely provide adequate assistance for these needs.
Promoting Local Initiatives and Strategies
Despite these challenges, local initiatives and strategies are working to improve mental health care in Dominica. Local organizations, community-based programs, and government policies are making concerted efforts to address and tackle the nation’s mental health concerns. These initiatives provide valuable resources, like training and support, to ensure better mental health services. They also work to break down societal stigmas surrounding mental health.
For example, one of the leading non-governmental organizations that provides mental health services is the International Medical Corps. This organization has partnered with IsraAid and the Dominican Psychological Society to provide trained mental health support for several localities.
Exploring International Medical Treatment Options
According to the National Library of Medicine, a regional study found that estimated figures of 1.6 psychiatrists, 2.7 psychiatric nurses, and 1.9 social workers per 100,000 created an incredibly limited amount of psychiatric resources compared to the same medical services available to those who use immigrant and non-immigrant visas to travel for medical treatment in Europe and the U.S.
Mental health challenges and solutions in Dominica are multifaceted, spanning local and international spheres. They are deeply impacted by societal and climatic factors. By fostering a better understanding of the unique challenges at hand and encouraging local initiatives, people can aim to support the amelioration of the mental health landscape on the island.
It is also important to recognize that seeking international treatment options might provide the most viable solution for some people. As the global mental health community continues to push its efforts, it is crucial to maintain an ongoing conversation about mental health in Dominica and support the healthcare professionals, policymakers, and individuals working to make vital changes.
– Kelly Schoessling
Photo: Flickr