Analysis by Kanya D’Almeida

WASHINGTON, Nov 11, 2011 (IPS) – As shock waves from Greece’s economic crisis emanate across the Eurozone and the Occupy protests in the U.S. grow bolder in their critique of the dominant neoliberal system, it seems clear to many observers that the old hegemonic economic order is fading fast. Continue Reading

By Inés Benítez

One of many women in Kenya who are self-employed thanks to microloans from the Women’s Enterprise Fund. Credit:Miriam Gathigah/IPS

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By Marcela Valente

Toba women discuss gender-inclusive projects at a weekly meeting in Rosario. Credit:Marcela Valente/IPS

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By Daan Bauwens

Zambia has recently been categorised as a middle-income country, yet two-thirds of the country's population live on less than two dollars per day. Credit: Ephraim Nsingo/IPS

BRUSSELS, Oct 31, 2011 (IPS) – Last week the European Commission unveiled its ‘Agenda for Change’, a new policy framework outlining priorities for the European Union’s development aid and detailing the Commission’s renewed focus on economic growth as a means of poverty reduction, particularly in the world’s poorest countries. Continue Reading

By IPS Correspondents

Thousands of trade unionists march in Barcelona on Oct. 6. Credit:UGT de Catalunya

WASHINGTON, Oct 7, 2011 (IPS) – The modern English word “economy” is derived from the Greek “oikonomia”, meaning “household management”. Continue Reading

By Rosemary D’Amour

WASHINGTON, Sep 23, 2011 (IPS) – Civil society organisations weighed in Friday on the risks and necessities associated with results-driven aid, asking the key question when it comes to a development project: Results for whom? Donors, or the people on the ground? Continue Reading

By Rosemary D’Amour

WASHINGTON, Sep 17, 2011 (IPS) – Amid a global financial crisis that has shown little signs of reversing, next week’s fall meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank are crucial in setting the tone for rebounding world markets, to which leaders of the Bretton Woods institutions offered optimistic, yet ultimately vague, solutions in speeches this week. Continue Reading

By Peter Richards

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Sep 15, 2011 (IPS) – By the time Wang Qishan, China’s vice premier, arrived in Trinidad for the Third China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum earlier this week, Beijing had already ramped up its involvement with most countries in the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping. Continue Reading

Analysis by Daan Bauwens

BRUSSELS, Sep 10, 2011 (IPS) – The European Commission has decided to push for more ambitious reforms ahead of the aid effectiveness summit to be held in Busan later this year. The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, is looking for a common EU position that could save the EU 4 billion euros which can be spent on additional aid. Continue Reading

By Daan Bauwens

BRUSSELS, Sep 6, 2011 (IPS) – Development aid is ineffective mostly because it is tied to contracts worth billions of dollars awarded to firms in developed countries in a phenomenon called boomerang aid, a new study says.
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