Week in Review

Welcome to this Week in Review. Below is a selection of news articles and a video that caught our eye from our Media Review, Facebook and Twitter accounts.  We hope you enjoy the read. 

Can 'happiness economics' provide a new framework for development? (Guardian 03.09.2013)

Measuring wellbeing shows quality of life and helps explain its determinants. But can it be useful in post-MDGs policy? Christian Kroll’s new study reveals that three very important development goals, namely income, health and education, for people's life satisfaction varies significantly across nations.

Science Times Special Section: Learning What Works (New York Times)

A varied selection of informative articles on education.

Stats and the city (OECD Insights Blog 02.09.2013)

The Metropolitan Explorer is a nifty tool from the OECD that lets you explore statistics for 268 metropolitan areas in OECD countries.

Video

Salman Khan: Let's use video to reinvent education

10 commandments for new teachers (Guardian 03.09.2013)

From the power of Google to ditching the monotone, secondary teacher Lulu Kuper shares her proven tips on how NQTs can get the best from their students.

When life means school again (Education Today blog 02.09.2013)

Children are starting school at an ever younger age, OECD’s recent Education at a Glance 2013 shows that in 2011 on average over 84% of all four year-old children were enrolled in some form of formal education, which is 5% more than in 2005.

Wikigender’s online discussion on “How do discriminatory social norms relate to the gender dynamics of international migration?” is now open! We invite you to join the discussion, to read and leave your comment.  Here is the link: http://bit.ly/16TdlNJ and the hashtag used in Twitter is #migration. 

This month Wikiprogress and networks will focus on Education and Skill.

Wikiprogress Team

Week in Review

Happy Friday all!

I have put together an interesting and ‘stats-packed’ Week in Review for you this week, with highlights including: a new report on youth development in the U.S., progress on child mortality rates, an interesting take on the MDGs and a fond farewell to a Wiki team member.

New Report
One in Seven (Measure of America 14.09.2012)
A new report released by Measure of America this week has found that one in seven Americans are disconnected, (not in school and not working), thats 5.8 million young people in all.

On Progress
Dramatic reduction in global child mortality rate (UNICEF 13.09.2012)
Significant progress has been made on child mortality rates which have decreased by 41% since 1990. However 18,900 children under the age of 5 still die each day from preventable causes.
Read more and download the report: 2012 Child Mortality Estimates Report

On the MDGs
After the Millennium Development Goals (Project Syndicate)
Dani Rodrik, Professor of International Political Economy at Harvard, has comments on what he calls the MDG paradox; he contends that the MDGs were meant to be ‘a compact between the world’s rich and poor countries’, but of the eight goals, only the last one deals with global partnerships or what ‘rich countries can and should do.’

Number Crunch
Over the last 2 decades the number of deaths below the age of 5 have dropped from 12 million a year to 7 million. Source: UNICEF

And finally, we would like to say a fond farewell to our Wikichild consultant Hannah Chadwick. Hannah produced a series of thought-provoking blogs on child well-being and managed the child well-being portal on Wikiprogress. From all of us at the Wiki team, we wish you all the best!

Hope to see you all again next week.

Yours in Progress,
Philippa

Week in review

Hello,

A warm welcome to this week’s edition of the Week in Review. Highlights this week include inequality, data on women, governance and urbanisation in India and some interesting numbers of natural disasters.

On data
Women Can’t Count if They Aren’t Counted
Speaking at a conference late last month, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that global development is suffering from a lack of poor data on women; “human development lies in giving women a great job,” because “when the will of 3.5 billion women changes, so does everything else.”

On governance and population
How does India Govern it’s Cities? (LSE 22.08.2012)
If urban India were a country, it would be the fifth largest in the world in terms of population size.
Despite this huge urban population, 72 percent of Indians live in villages.
See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on progress in India

On equality
How Americans View Wealth and Inequality (BBC 24.08.2012)
Interesting article on a study undertaken in the U.S. that analyses the perceptions of wealth and inequality. The survey found that when respondents took a step back from their own state of being and looked at society in abstract terms, almost all called for a much more equal society.
See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on the Occupy Movement

Number crunch:
Since 1992, 1.3 million people have been killed & 4.4 billion have been affected by disasters caused by natural hazards.
Source: Managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change and adaptation

That’s all from me this week. Hope to see you again same time next week. You can stay up-to-date with all news and events in the progress community by following Wikiprogress on Twitter and liking it on Facebook.

Yours in Progress,

Philippa Lysaght

Week in Review

Hello, glad you could join us for the Wikiprogress week in review - a handful of headlines that have caught our eyes over the last week. You can find all news articles and blog posts on the progress community in the Wikiprogress Community Portal.

On progress
The New Economics of Happiness (The Atlantic 23.05.2012)
This week the OECD released an updated version of the Better Life Index, an initiative that measures progress based on various components of well-being including income, housing and life satisfaction.
See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress media review of the Better Life Index update

On the GFC and well-being
Economic Crisis Has Lasting Effect on Wellbeing Worldwide (Gallup 25.05.2012)
Since the 2008 economic meltdown, Gallup’s well-being studies have shown that on average around 1 in 4 adults worldwide have consistently rated their lives are ‘thriving’. However, the percentage of people rating their lives as ‘suffering’ has increased and stayed relatively high.
See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on well-being

On urbanisation
The Path to Riches is Paved Through Cities (China Daily 25.05.2012)
China has 690 million urban dwellers, that’s 51.3% of China's total population. The recent urban transition has been referred to by Joseph Stiglitz as one of the two main forces shaping the world in the 21st century. In 2012, China’s urbanisation landmark will have even more significance for the global economy.
See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on urbanisation

On gender equality
While Men Go Drinking, Women Go Fishing (IPS 22.05.2012)
The decline in water levels as a result of climate change has created new opportunities for women living in Genda Village, Zambia. The decreased water levels of the local river has meant these women are now able to fish, something that was too dangerous previously.
See more and contribute to the Wikigender article on gender equality in Zambia

We hope you will tune in the same time next week. In the meantime, if anything interesting passes your desk that you would like to see in the next Wikiprogress week in review, please tweet it to us @Wikiprogress or post it on our Facebook page.



Yours in Progress,
Philippa Lysaght

Week in review

Hello, glad you could join us for the Wikiprogress week in review - a handful of headlines that have caught our eyes over the last week. You can find all news articles and blog posts on the progress community in the Wikiprogress Community Portal.    

In the spotlight

Putting Happiness on the Global Agenda

Next week, the United Nations will implement Resolution 65/309, adopted unanimously by the General Assembly in July 2011, placing “happiness” on the global agenda.

See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on happiness

On gender equality

Afghan Women Jailed for ‘Moral Crimes’ (Guardian 26.03.2012)

A report released by Human Rights Watch this week titled ‘I had to run away’ has found that almost half of all imprisoned Afghan women are being held for moral crimes including running away from home and adultery.

See more and contribute to the Wikigender article on Gender Equality in Afghanistan

On progress and the Arab Spring

Call for Educational Reform to Create Knowledge Society (IRIN 15.03.2012)

According to the recently released 2010-2011 Arab Knowledge Report, education must be the top priority for post-revolutionary reforms in the wake of the Arab Spring; in 2007 data shows that 29 percent of Arabs above the age of 15 were illiterate, compared to 16 percent globally.

See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on the Arab Spring

On progress

Ban Ki Moon calls for new measures of progress

In a message to the Global Human Development Forum, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for global action for social justice and environmental protection ahead of Rio+20.

 On Child Well-Being

More than a third of babies born in 2012 will live to 100 report predicts (The Guardian 26.03.2012)

In a report titled ‘What are the chances of surviving to age 100?’ the UK Office of National Statistics has predicted that 35% of this year’s 826,000 new babies could still be alive in 2112.

See more and contribute to the WikiChild media review 

We hope you will tune in the same time next week. In the meantime, if anything interesting passes your desk that you would like to see in the next Wikiprogress week in review, please tweet it to us @Wikiprogress or post it on our Facebook page.

Yours in Progress,

Philippa Lysaght

Week in review

Hello, glad you could join us for the Wikiprogress week in review - a handful of headlines that have caught our eyes over the last week. You can find all news articles and blog posts on the progress community in the Wikiprogress Community Portal.    

Happy International Women’s Day!

On Thursday the 8^th of March the world celebrated International Women’s Day with thousands of events highlighting the economic, political and social achievements of women. The theme for 2012 is connecting girls and inspiring futures. Our sister wiki, Wikigender, is one of the many ICT tools that are connecting girls and women across the globe and developing knowledge and understanding on key gender issues.

Read highlights from the Wikigender online discussion: How can access to ICTs promote opportunities for women and girls?

On Gallup well-being

Why College Towns Are Also the Happiest, Healthiest Towns (The Atlantic 06.03.2012)

College towns have toped the list of the latest Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index with relatively high incomes, levels of colleague graduates and a diverse range of workers- all of which are associated with happiness and well-being at the metro level.

See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on progress in the United States

On the environment

Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation (UNICEF/WHO 07.02.2012)

UNICEF and WHO have jointly released the 2012 update of the Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation report. The report has found that an estimated 780 million still lacked safe drinking water in 2010, and the world is unlikely to meet the MDG sanitation target. 

See highlights and download the report Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation

On data

G8 Digital Shoot (On Earth 22.02.2012)

Our data trails could prove to be a treasure trove of digital information; while alone this data might seem to be meaningless, this article argues that if it is properly minded it could provide invaluable insights into human behaviour.

Interested in big data? Tweet us your ideas @Wikiprogress #BigData

On graffiti in Kenya

Nairobi’s graffiti revolution (VOH 07.03.2012)

In the lead up to the general election, anonymous street artists in Kenya have taken to the walls to protest against corrupt politicians and to encourage residents to choose leaders who put the nations’ interests before their own agenda.

See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on civic engagement

Report release:

Life Beyond Growth: Alternatives and Complements to GDP-Measured Growth as a Framing Concept for Social Progress, Institute for Studies in Happiness, Economy, and Society

We hope you will tune in the same time next week. In the meantime, if anything interesting passes your desk that you would like to see in the next Wikiprogress week in review, please tweet it to us @Wikiprogress or post it on our Facebook page.

Yours in Progress,

Philippa Lysaght

The week in review

Hello, glad you could join us for the Wikiprogress week in review - a handful of headlines that have caught our eyes over the last week. You can find all news articles and blog posts on the progress community in the  Wikiprogress Community Portal .    

On child well-being

State of the World’s Children 2012 (UNICEF 29.02.2012)

UNICEF’s flagship report, the State of the World’s Children 2012, was released this week with a focus on children in the urban world.  See highlights (embed video)

Download the full report: State of the World’s Children 2012

On governance

Democracy correlated with economic growth?‎ (Economic Times 28.02.2012)

As 2012 prepares for numerous presidential elections around the globe, the Economic times asks: what role does democracy play in bringing growth and prosperity?

See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on the Human Development Index

Gallup wellbeing results

Hawaii Still No. 1 in Wellbeing, West Virginia Stuck in Last (Gallup 27.02.2012)

The Gallup Healthyways Wellbeing Index has found that residents in Hawaii maintain the highest wellbeing score for the third year running; while residents in West Virginia have recorded the lowest wellbeing score of 62.3 only slight higher than 2010 score of 61.7.

See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on human well-being

On gender equality

The 56th UN Commission on the Status of Women

The United Nations 56th session of the  Commission on the Status of Women  (CSW) is running from 27 February until 9 March 2012. This year’s priority theme is on the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges.

See a round up of media coverage in the Wikigender spotlight on The 56th UN Commission on the Status of Women

On measuring progress

A summary report from the Asian Confrence on Measuring and Fostering the Progress of Societies held in December last year has been released. Downlod the report and read about key highlights from the conference.

Spotlight

China 2030 Building a Modern, Harmonious, and Creative High-Income Society

Report released this week by the World Bank and the Development Research Center of China’s State Council has suggested a new development strategy for China to balance governance, market, private sector and society to 2030.

See more and download the full report and read the key findings in the Wikiprogres article on China 2030 Building a Modern, Harmonious, and Creative High-Income Society

We hope you will tune in the same time next week. In the meantime, if anything interesting passes your desk that you would like to see in the next Wikiprogress week in review, please tweet it to us  @Wikiprogress  or post it on our  Facebook page .

Yours in Progress,

Philippa Lysaght

The week in review

Hello, glad you could join us for the Wikiprogress week in review - a handful of headlines that have caught our eyes over the last week. You can find all news articles and blog posts on the progress community in the Wikiprogress Community Portal    

Beyond the Arab Spring

UNDP report calls for economic reform post-Spring Arab world

The UNDP’s second Arab Development Challenges report has warned that democracy is not enough. The report emphasises that if region's economic woes aren't competently dealt with, desired democratic transition in the Arab world will fail.

See more and contribute to the Wikiprogress article on the Arab Spring

On youth unemployment

This short video shows youth unemployment rates in the UK and highlights an innovative approach taken by the National Statistics Office.

On gender equality

How gender values point the way  for a more effective UN

Growing lists of U.N. Security Council Resolutions acknowledge the marginalisation of women in peace negotiations, humanitarian planning and reconstruction. President of the Global Vision Institute calls on the U.N to make better use of resources and argues that gender equality can forge a stronger and more balanced configurations for peace.

See more and contribute to the Wikigender article on the role of women in conflict resolution and peace building

On progress

Beyond GDP (Earth Debates 22.02.2012)

This week, Earth Debates hosted an online forum and asked Beyond GDP- how can we measure progress? The panel of experts included Andrew Simms of the new economics foundation, Emiliy Benson of the Green Economy Coalition and Hannah Ryder senior UK government economist.

In the Spotlight: Forget GDP, the real question is: are you happy?

We hope you will tune in the same time next week. In the meantime, if anything interesting passes your desk that you would like to see in the next Wikiprogress week in review, please tweet it to us @Wikiprogress or post it on our Facebook page.

Yours in Progress,

Philippa Lysaght