Bolivia’s first indigenous president, Evo Morales, has announced that he aims to reform the way that the government deals with the indigenous population.
“From 500 years of resistance we pass to another 500 years in power. We’re going to put an end to injustice, to inequality.” Morales said.
According to CBC.ca “Tens of thousands of Bolivians – led by Indians in traditional garb – gathered in a square outside the legislature, cheering and chanting “Evo, Evo.””
Thanks, Justin!
Jim Shultz, from The Democracy Center brought good news today.
“This morning, the Bechtel Corporation will sign an agreement dropping its $50 million legal case against the people of Cochabamba (Bolivia) for kicking Bechtel out in the 2000 water revolt†said Shultz. “Instead of the fortune it demanded, Bechtel will fly home with a token settlement of two shiny Bolivian coins worth a total of thirty cents. One of the biggest, most powerful corporations on Earth has been defeated by an army of concerned citizens all over the world.â€
Good for the people of Bolivia!!
For more information on this, check out democracyctr.org and boliviasoberana.org (in Spanish). For more information on privatization of water around the world, go to waternotforsale.org
Software for Starving Students is a collection of open source software one can download for free. It includes an office suite, firefox, and its own user-friendly interface.
From the site:
We created the SSS CD because we love open source software and want to help make it more accessible to students all around the world. Although all students need good software to be successful, many have a hard time getting it on student budgets. We empathize with them because we’ve felt that pinch ourselves. This software enables students to achieve more for less, and that inspires us. People all over the world are using free software to make their lives better.
Necessity is proclaimed to be the mother of invention, and in quake-hit Pakistan, necessity also seems to advance human rights. Women in Pakistan have traditionally been granted few freedoms, but the recent surge of NGOs and the need for money have both provided women with chances to work – something unimaginable a few years ago.
It’s comforting to see that even if disaster good things can happen.
From the article:
Rights workers say there has been a big change in attitudes towards women and work.
“It is a sudden and vast change,” said Raja Nawaz, project coordinator with the International Human Rights Observer organisation.
“Before this disaster, it was very difficult to get females to work in the private sector or in the NGO sector. It’s astonishing that women have started working outside their homes.”
People in the Democratic Republic of Congo have voted for a new constitution in a recent referendum. The post-war constitution paves the way for national elections next year.
This is a big step for a nation that is plagued by violence and high in mineral resources. Next year’s elections would be the first free elections in forty years.