By Darshni Nagaria, Sara Niner and Elena Mayer-Bestin* BANGKOK | 7 November 2024 (IDN) — The financing needs of entrepreneurs varies depending on business size, reason for starting a business and opportunities for enterprise growth. Typically, necessity-driven entrepreneurs start a business venture to support themselves and their families’ livelihoods when there is a lack of […]
Unusual Reasons Africa Wanted Trump to Win
By Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It. ABUJA | 7 November 2024 (IDN) — I understand wealthy US citizens and conservatives of the evangelical hue rooting for Donald Trump. The rich believe he would loosen regulations and protect them and […]
Sri Lanka: Daunting Foreign Policy Options for a New Administration — Part 1
By Dr Palitha Kohona Former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, and more recently, Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). COLOMBO, Sri Lanka | 6 November 2024 (IDN) — In the nineteenth century, the GREAT GAME was played by two global powers among the soaring peaks and stunning valleys of […]
COP16: A Disappointment, as Expected
By Anusa Karki and Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 6 November 2024 (IDN) — The recently concluded COP 16 on Biodiversity held in Cali, Colombia, (21 October to 1 November) was largely a disappointment. Unsurprisingly, it was largely expected to end up in this way. Yet, despite the gloom, in Cali, an important new conversation […]
The Search for Happiness
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 5 November 2024 (IDN) — Want to be happy? Even if Trump wins? Read on! Sigmund Freud, the great psychiatrist, said that people can never be fully happy. But most people are reasonably happy, according to numerous surveys. Even in the slums of Calcutta a majority are. Read “The […]
Re-evaluating the Milestones on Road to the Second World Social Summit
By Sweta C. Saxena* Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” — Nelson Mandela ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia | 5 November 2024 (IDN) — The year 2030 is a pivotal milestone. By then, not only should we have achieved all 17 Sustainable Development Goals but also 100 years will have passed since […]
India-China Historic Agreement Brings Hope for Global Harmony
By Bhikkhu Sanghasena* LEH, Ladakh, India | 4 November 2024 (IDN) — It is with immense joy and relief that we welcome the long-anticipated news: the two great nations of Asia—India and China—have finally reached an agreement on military disengagement along their disputed border. This significant announcement brings hope to all those who have been […]
US Congress Backs Diaspora-Driven Efforts for Tamil Self-Determination
By Shyamika Jayasundara-Smits* This article was originally published in East Asia Forum Quarterly. ROTTERDAM (IDN) — On 15 May 2024, US Congressman Wiley Nickel introduced House Resolution 1230, marking the latest congressional effort to address the long-standing grievances of the Tamil people. The resolution recognises the hundreds of thousands of lives lost during Sri Lanka’s […]
No Matter Who Wins US Presidential Election, Our Work Has Just Begun
By India Walton* BUFFALO, NEW YORK | 3 November 2024 (IDN) — Those of us who “enjoy” a particular type of pain, the kind reminiscent of warm needles being inserted into your cornea, have spent the past few months trying to understand the strategy of the Democratic Party. It has been frustrating to watch Vice […]
Improving Cities — from Space
By Ladislav Charouz and Kareff Rafisura* BANGKOK | 2 November 2024 (IDN) — Despite offering a range of opportunities, urbanisation poses a set of unique challenges to sustainable development. The rapid expansion of cities often results in the growth of informal settlements, with East and South-East Asia being home to 370 million people living in […]