The week in review

Welcome to the Wikiprogress week in review, a round-up of media highlights from the busy and eventful week that was. Be sure to see the Wikiprogress Community Portal for all news items and blog posts from the progress community.

On governance

International Day of Democracy (UNDP 15.09.2011)

Thursday marked the International Day of Democracy, a UNDP initiative promoting inclusive and responsive governance, from elections to participation of women and the poor. Democracy is instrumental to empowering communities and nations around the world toward freedom and inclusion.

See more and contribute to the article on civic engagement

On happiness

Can we increase Gross National Happiness? (Project Syndicate Ethics of Life column 13.09.2011)

Peter Singer writes about highlights from the “Economic Development and Happiness” conference held in Bhutan’s capital last month. He raises an interesting issue about Gross National Happiness: saying that happiness is universally recognised as good, however problems arise when we try to agree on a definition and how to measure it.

See more and contribute to the article on happiness

On growth

As global population nears 7 billion, UN capitalizes on new opportunities (UN News Centre 14.09.2011)

The world’s population is forecast to top 7 billion next month; a global initiative ‘7 Billion Actions’ launched on Wednesday by the United Nations aims to bring together governments, businesses, the media and citizens to collectively address the challenges presented by population growth.

See more and contribute to the article on population

On gender

More not always better for Women (IPS 12.09.2011)

Candidate for Guatemalan vice president, Laura Reyes, speaks about the progress made for equal opportunities and the challenges that lie ahead. Guatemala is one of the most dangerous countries in the Americas for women; from 2000 to 2010 police records show more than 5200 gender-related murders of women.

See more on and contribute to the article on gender equality in Guatemala

In the Spotlight: Education 2011 – Statistics compared by country a round up of media coverage on the release of the OECD publication Education at a Glance 2011

That’s all from us this week. Be sure to tune in again same time next week for another round up of highlights from the week that was.

Yours in progress,

Philippa Lysaght