Today’s links-heavy quick hits from across Africa:
The United Nations Development Policy and Analysis Division’s World Economic and Social Survey (WESS) has devoted its entire 2009 edition to the issue of climate change. IRIN has a nice summary.
Treveor Manuel, South Africa’s former Finance Minister, who now carries the cryptic title of “Minister to the Presidency” has issued ambitious, and even radical, proposals for the government’s long-range economic planning. (You can download the green paper here.) The centerpiece of the new proposals is the establishment of a National Planning Commission that will “consist of about 20 experts – leaders in their fields drawn from outside the government – to focus on drawing up a national strategic plan.” Observers have taken to comparing the new plan with the New Deal of American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The analogy is imperfect, to be sure, but does indicate the scale of the proposals that might come forth if Manuel’s entire vision comes to pass.
Should the clunkers from the much-heralded “cash for clunkers programs” be going to African countries and elsewhere in the developing world? Some believe so.
The essential academic journals database JSTOR now provides free access to any academic and non-profit institution in Africa. This is, of course, wonderful news. (Hat Tip.)
Finally, the idea of “Charter Cities” is beginning to gain some traction with ramifications for Africa. The Boston Globe had an extensive feature on the concept this past weekend.