Regional Geography
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Regional Geography
Global politics and foreign affairs from around the globe
Curated by Seth Dixon
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These 600-Year Old World Heritage Sites Might Be Rubble by August

These 600-Year Old World Heritage Sites Might Be Rubble by August | Regional Geography | Scoop.it

"An extremist group has seized the African city of Timbuktu, systematically destroying its monuments."  Recently, various groups have claimed the historic region in Mali, one group even declaring it a breakaway state, but currently the extremeist group Ansar Dine is in control and in the process of destroying some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites there.  They deem the shrines, mosques and early universities as sacrilegious and tourism to be "debauchery". 


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Mogadishu is losing 'Most Dangerous City' label

Mogadishu is losing 'Most Dangerous City' label | Regional Geography | Scoop.it
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Mogadishu is losing a label it never wanted in the first place: The World's Most Dangerous City.

 

In a place like Somalia, small incremental steps are a great achievement. 


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Wrong Climate for Damming Rivers

The "Wrong Climate for Damming Rivers," with Right Livelihood Award Winner Nnimmo Bassey, explores the impacts of climate change and hydropower on the world'...

 

This video is related to our topic as it shows how something like a dam, which one might think is a positive agent for change can have massive a negative impact upon the people in surrounding areas and the environment in general. Something such evaporation in the pooled water reducing available drinking water is something which is easy to misunderstand, but is a real threat in areas which have drinking water issues, such as Sub-Saharan Africa.. The damming of rivers also deprives down stream areas of the water they rely upon. This video is a good introduction to these kinds of ideas, and many others.


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Epidemiology and geography of Schistosoma mansoni in Uganda

Climate, terrain and sanitation all play a role in the distribution of this disease.  This is a link to a scholarly article that aims to use geography to inform preventative policies to create a healthier population.    

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Life inside the den of Somali pirates

Somali pirates seek haven in Eyl, the capital of Puntland, where support for piracy is widespread. But who exactly is benefitting from the million dollar ran...

 

What is life like in a village that is a haven for pirates?  The cultural, political and economic situation is dramatically different from where most of us live. 

Matt Mallinson's comment, October 31, 2012 12:16 PM
After watching this video it seems there is no quick end to all the piracy. They are much stronger because of the amount of guns they have, and all of them are very capable of using them.
Brett Sinica's curator insight, November 10, 2013 5:52 PM

It's sad to see the lifestyle in the areas plagued by pirates.  There are even videos of young kids being interviewed with questions such as "what do you want to be when you grow up?"  They respond with "a pirate".  The lifestyle is almost recognized as a rebellious hero in some aspects; you ride around on boats, with big guns, and get to do some very risky things to get rich and powerful.  Sounds like an interesting action movie, but in reality it is an extremely illegal and dangerous lifestyle.  These people put their lives on the line to not just be powerful or rich, but to survive.  In some cases it is a way out of the poverty and jobless way of life, yet when people need to survive, they can do some not-so-friendly things.

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Sudan 'bombs' southern refugees

Sudan 'bombs' southern refugees | Regional Geography | Scoop.it
South Sudanese officials condemn Sudan after an aerial bombardment of a refugee camp in their territory.
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Slavery: A Global Investigation

True Vision of London produced this 80-minute documentary, inspired by Free the Slaves President Kevin Bales' award-winning book Disposable People, exposes cases of slavery around the world.


Watch from 11:00 minute mark to 29:45 to see the impact that slavery has had of cocoa production in the Côte d'Ivoire and consequently, of global chocolate production.  To find some "fair trade" chocolate options, see : http://www.nonprofitcenterboston.org/site/c.ddKGIQNuEmG/b.2455919/k.7203/Events__Sweet_Success.htm or other fair trade goods try : www.deansbeans.com

Peter Siner's comment, November 16, 2011 10:04 PM
It's almost unbelievable how slavery is still such a prominent source of income for some people even in todays world. While Hershey may not "own" slaves they still influence the slave trade... youd think a multimillion dollar corporation would go out of their way to buy products from legitamit sources... then again i guess money is what talks in the the long run
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NYTimes Video: Apartheid Haunts South Africa's Schools

NYTimes Video: Apartheid Haunts South Africa's Schools | Regional Geography | Scoop.it
Celia Dugger reports from the Kwamfundo School near Cape Town on South Africa's struggling public education system.


This poignant clip shows that South Africa may be in a post-apartheid era, but most certainly not a post-racial era as schools are as deeply divided as ever. 

Adam Deneault's curator insight, December 14, 2015 6:28 PM

Watching this video makes me glad that I live where I do, it also makes me feel bad for those that are not as lucky as myself and other students of colleges and universities. these students in South Africa's schools are not getting a proper education, the teachers sometimes do not show up, so in some cases the students will assume position and teach those who do not understand the material. It is also sad to know that there are so many out there with great ambitions for their lives and because of their poor education and understanding of subjects, they are failing and might not be able to reach their goals for life. It is good to see though there is a teacher that gets the kids engaged everyday  as a morning warm up to sing. 

Martin Kemp's curator insight, December 17, 2015 3:06 PM

what i dont understand is how south africa can be on such an upward trend which motivation and nationalism but the rest of africa just refuses to get on the same track. the success of south africa and their constantly improving country should be motivation and a model for the rest of the continent.

Kelvis Hernandez's curator insight, December 14, 2018 11:36 AM
It is so amazing to see students fighting to achieve in a struggling system. This video was talking about a struggling high school in South Africa, but that is honestly for far from what you see in the inner cities in the U.S. either. Everywhere more students are standing up and are bringing hope for a better future. These students in South Africa will grow up and, despite all the obstacles, they will do better. 
 
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FARM-Africa Cassava project

A short film showing the work of FARM-Africa's Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF) in Uganda. The National Farmers Union (NFU) is working with FARM...

 

The Green Revolution is (belatedly) impacting Africa.  Notice the cultural environment within which agriculture takes place here. 

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AfriGadget

AfriGadget | Regional Geography | Scoop.it

One of the coolest websites ever..."solving eveyday problems with African ingenuity." While the developed world lives in a commercial, disposable societies, Africans often need to maximize the useablity of all objects.  The solutions they come up show all in not doom and gloom in Africa.  

Cam E's curator insight, March 18, 2014 12:31 PM

This is some really cool stuff! This is a good showcase of human ingenuity. We have no need to create our own helicopters here in the United States in our backyards, but this shows that with the technical know-how, a lot of savings money, and raw supplies, it's entirely possible for anyone to build one. The impressiveness in this article lies in the ability for these individuals to make something extremely complex on their own rather than rely on pre-built, expensive models.

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BBC: Can industrialised farming make Africa feed the world?

BBC: Can industrialised farming make Africa feed the world? | Regional Geography | Scoop.it
Fergal Keane travels to Zambia to see firsthand the effects of large-scale commercial farming on crop yields and the local population, and to examine claims that it offers not only the hope of solving Africa's food shortages, but those of the rest...
MBrunelle's comment December 8, 2011 1:38 PM
What is happening here is really critical to so many people. It is a wonder that things like this are happening in the world today, I wonder how much longer until it affects the U.S.
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African Land Fertile Ground For Crops And Investors

Some accuse companies buying up land in Africa of dispossessing native farmers and using up scarce resources. But the Rei do Agro farm tries to be a good neighbor in Mozambique while banking on soybean profits.

 

Globalization is arriving to the African continent in full force. 

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Shell Oil - The Awful Truth

This satire provide a critique of the political, economic and environmental actions of Shell oil in the Niger Delta region.  The biting commentary highlights the obvious lies that have been told by Shell over the years while their company has been ravaging the Niger Delta. 


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Violence rages in Sudan-South Sudan conflict

Violence rages in Sudan-South Sudan conflict | Regional Geography | Scoop.it
Fighting continues along the border of Sudan and South Sudan this week. President Salva Kiir of South Sudan said the latest attacks amounted to a declaration of war after more bombs were dropped on his country. 

 

This is a poignant photoessay from the Boston Globe. 

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Healthcare Problems in Developing Countries

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In Uganda, Kony Is Not the Only Problem

In Uganda, Kony Is Not the Only Problem | Regional Geography | Scoop.it

While the evil methods of men like Mr. Kony are easily understood by millions, the politics so crucial to sustaining their brutal campaigns are harder to grasp. Mr. Kony sees himself as a liberator and he’s always had allies in unlikely places.

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Sudan’s hidden victims: an international test

A neglected humanitarian disaster is unfolding in the Sudanese border region of Southern Kordofan. The tens of thousands bombed, displaced, blockaded and starved need the world’s attention, says Gerry Simpson.


Via Amarji
kmendez's comment November 22, 2011 9:18 PM
This is about a family that is suffering in a cave they fled to after the Antonovs bombing, to protect their children, and now theres no food or help for them and the children getting sick. They are in need of immediate help especially since humanitarian agencies willing to help are being denied.
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Awaiting Tomorrow - People Living with HIV/AIDS in Africa

From http://www.witness.org | "Awaiting Tomorrow" tells the story people living with HIV/AIDS in the war-torn Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo...


A chilling glimpse into the struggle of Africans with AIDS/HIV without sufficient medical care.  

kmendez's comment November 22, 2011 8:50 PM
i think this video is very important to aware people of the lack of medical attention these people of congo have. she also made a point that the government isn't doing much, that if they would she could be an example of getting the word out that they too can get help and medical support for the disease.
Maegan Connor's curator insight, December 17, 2013 8:36 PM

This video is so sad because HIV/AIDS  in the DRC and other African countries is definitely preventable and treatable but due to the immense amounts of poverty and the lack of information about contraceptives and protection, millions are infected every year.

The man featured in this video mentions that the government does nothing to help fund medical centers or any other assistance and it is truly shameful.

Sarah Ann Glesenkamp's curator insight, September 16, 2014 12:17 PM

Unit 2

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AIDS/HIV Video: Development and Disease

Justine Ojambo, co-founder of the SLF-funded project PEFO in Uganda, talks about losing his mother to AIDS and PEFO's work to support children orphaned by AI...

 

AIDS/HIV video in Africa.  So many show Africans as passive victims of global and environmental forces beyond their control, this one is of empowered and inspiring people seeking to change the world.  For more inspiration AIDS/HIVS videos from Africa, see: http://stephenlewisfoundation.org/news-resources/multimedia/video-clips

Peter Siner's comment, November 16, 2011 10:08 PM
it seems as though there is little we can do to help help end this horrible plague in africa besides donate money or food , relgion is such a huge factor in their decision making process
Crissy Borton's curator insight, December 11, 2012 9:31 PM

One thing that stuck out to me in this video is when he spoke about the making sure the children’s basic needs are met so they can concentrate on school. That is such a problem in our education system today that people don’t wish to address. I wonder how our education system would be if we made sure our children also had their basic needs met.

Jacob Crowell's curator insight, December 16, 2014 8:11 AM

Ojambo has founded a project that addresses the extremely sad issue of orphans who have lost their parents to AIDS. These children need help because they do not have parents to support them, leaving them with their Grandparents who struggle to support these children. This video made me think of AIDS in Africa in a different way. When I thought of AIDS in Africa, I always focused on how many people were dying and how tragic that was. I seldom thought of the people they were leaving behind and what their death would mean to those still living.

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Taking Root The Vision of Wangari Maathai

Taking Root tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement ...

 

Community, agriculture, gender, politics and the environment...it's all here in this inspiring clip.  

Jacob Crowell's curator insight, December 13, 2014 11:31 AM

Maathai is an incredible woman. Her efforts are improving the environment and agriculture in Africa. Another interesting note on her story is that she partnered with a Norwegian group to start the greenbelt movement, showing how globalization can also apply to shared efforts to do good.

Edgar Manasseh Jr.'s curator insight, March 19, 2015 1:56 PM

This is an incredible peace of Wangari Maathai, who is from the same country i am from Kenya, and she had a powerful movement from a simple act of planting trees in hope of helping her environment, and women was looked at as a fool and looked down upon, she is an icon and vision able leader amongst most Kenyan women today. She created a path for most of the young girls and had her clear message was to protect your environment, create paths and a future for yourself, she is an icon and her movement will continue to impact not only my life but others globally.

Joshua Mason's curator insight, March 31, 2015 8:22 PM

Land is a pretty valuable thing. As are civil rights. When a women, a gender traditionally looked upon as inferior in Kenya, takes a bunch of other women and starts a movement to plant trees so they could better the lives of all in the country, she tends to be looked down upon by the government. Maathai even attracted the attention of the Kenyan President who dismissed her as just some women. Her tree planting initiative eventually lead to nationwide movements that lead to demise of that very president that dismissed her movement as a waste of time and effort.

 

When we watched this clip in class, I was amazed by not only her bravery to stand up to such a ruler but by her devotion to something so simple as wanting to plant trees so the people of Kenya had food to eat and fuel to cook with.

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China's farming history misapplied in Africa

China's farming history misapplied in Africa | Regional Geography | Scoop.it
Sub-Saharan Africa is being sold misguided agricultural policies based on hybrid seeds and chemical inputs.

 

Written by Bill Moseley, a geography professor from Macalester College, this is a fantastic example of the importance of not simply using a mass-produced "one-size-fits-all" approach to economic develop and agricultural policies throughout the world.  (Not so) Surprisingly, geography, place and local context matter. 

Cam E's curator insight, March 18, 2014 12:38 PM

This is a big deal for me, as I'm always interesting looking into the far future for humanity as a whole. It's very important that a mistake is not made with the vast agricultural power that lays in the soil of Africa. Experiments with hybrid seeds and new technologies can yield a higher production, but at a cost we are not yet fully aware of. Many years down the line it's unclear as to what the result of this sort of farming will be, and I believe the last thing we want to do is to put all our eggs in one basket with this situation, as it could yield a worst case scenario where most of earth's farmland becomes useless for the purposes of growing due to an unforeseen long-term consequence of artificial seeds and the like. We should pursue technology with all haste and push forward without fear, but we need a reliable backup in case things go wrong.

 

Wyatt Fratnz's curator insight, March 19, 2015 10:22 PM

This article first tells us about the different regions in Africa agriculturally, dealing with famine, economic, and distributive conflicts. It then tells a story about the famine killing 36 million in Chins, and how they would strategically select crops from the West in attempt to produce another "Green Revolution". Experts are saying that Sub-Saharan Africa should follow in their footsteps, but the two nations have many social, economic, and especially agricultural differences.

 

This write-up says a lot about how nations react to situations such as famine, and the distribution of goods aside that. Different nations have different abilities agriculturally and use these toward their peoples and social crisis's.