Category Archives: International Events

Any event that involves two or more nations.

IMF

Looks like a stalwart for backwards economic policy has decided to give in to some demands for democracy. The IMF is going to let almost-rich countries speak.

“The IMF has announced that it plans to boost the voting shares of big, rapidly growing developing countries, particularly China. And the IMF will organize multilateral consultations with top officials from large countries about how their economic policies affect each other and the world–going beyond traditional single-country consultations. The moves would boost the IMF’s legitimacy and relevance.”

World Bank Report Argues for Clean Energy

The World Bank published a report on Apr. 23 that hints to more money for clean, renewable energies in developing nations. The report is careful to not discuss what countries with no power should do, but looks at what countries that have a growing need for more power should do. And that’s no small task “According to the International Energy Agency, a total of US$8.1 trillion, or US$300 billion per year from 2003 to 2030 is needed if developing and transitional economies are to meet their energy needs.”

It’s quite a shift to see the World Bank support clean energy production given their history of energy funding.

International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day and in Toronto tonight their is a fundraising event happening.

“International Women’s Day is upon us and it is time to celebrate Women and ensure that all people are treated equally. Bring whatever donations you can as well, we’re trying to raise as many funds as possible.”

The details:
Amnesty International, Stop Violence Against Women Fundraiser
Wednesday, March 8, 2006 (7:30 PM)

Squirly’s
807 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario

Things are Technically Good

We write a lot about technology around here, so when I say that this post is the mother of all tech-related posts, that’s saying a lot. Usually we report on one positive technology at a time; this time, we’re reporting on dozens.

The Tech Museum Awards exist to recognize and celebrate technology that benefits humanity. Nominations for the 2006 awards are currently being accepted, but in the meantime, check out the 2005 laureates. Amongst them:

Enviro Options
Enviro Options developed the Enviro Loo to make inroads into the enormous backlog of the sanitation requirement of the entire human race. The design is an attempt to produce a sanitation system that can be mass-produced, relatively cheaply. The technology is simple. It requires no chemicals… It is powered by radiant heat absorbed from sunlight and wind power. It requires minimal maintenance. It will not pollute ground water, and is user friendly.

Malnutrition Matters
Malnutrition Matters designed the VitaGoat system to benefit people in villages and rural areas of developing countries, by providing sustainable employment on a micro-enterprise basis and improving nutrition… The VitaGoat enables quick preparation of protein-rich foods such as soymilk and tofu that are highly beneficial for protein-deficient diets and especially for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Responsible Care Global Charter

If there was a wine and cheese social for global charters, then the Responsible Care Global Charter would act distinctly different from the others. It would probably hang out by the punch bowl and make idle conversation, friendly but clearly not part of the crowd. Thats because the Responsible Care Global Charter contains several principles geared toward the long-term improvement of risk assessment, risk management, and information on products and their safe handling. In the area of social responsibility, the charter calls for increased dialogue with chemical industry stakeholders.

The global chemical association (ICCA) presented the RCGC at the recent United Nations’ International Conference on Chemicals Management in Dubai. The charter summarizes the new tenets of the global chemical industry’s Responsible Care initiative, which was launched in 1985 to promote continuous improvement in health, safety and environmental performance. Companies from 52 countries have committed themselves to Responsible Care via their national member associations, and recently Bayer and BASF signed the charter.