Global South Development Magazine

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is not officially at war, but for decades the ordinary Congolese haven't experienced an essence of peace either. After years of bloodshed and devastation, the DRC is staggering towards normalcy, but after brief intervals the country finds itself rebound into violent conflicts again and again.

"We never resorted to extremist tactics like kidnapping and killing innocent civilians; we had a very strict code of conduct that never allowed us to descend to the barbarity of the other side", says José Manuel Ramos-Horta, a freedom fighter, Timor-Leste's ex-president and a Nobel laureate.

The golden age of aid seems to be in jeopardy; perhaps what is needed is a revolution in the system of aid delivery. And what better country  to look to for revolutionary inspiration than Cuba?By taking a leaf out of Cuba’s book, the focus of the Western aid system could be shifted towards sustainability.

By Cucu Wesseh Aid being tied to the purchase of goods and services to the donor country increases overall costs by 25%. Moreover, most donors channel aid through NGOs from within their own countries. This has major consequences in ensuring sustainable development in the global South.

Janakpur Handicraft Centre supports economically backward women in Nepal by giving them training, employment and other opportunities to get empowered.

By Jasen Mphepo In Zimbabwe, a campaign initiated by the government and other development players for male circumcision has taken center stage in developing a mechanism to support the already existing strategies such as promoting condom use, promoting voluntary counseling and testing, abstinence and being faithful to one faithful partner. Male circumcision is not only good for HIV prevention but it also prevents from many other bacteria transmitting into women, experts say.

By Aparna Patankar "Strong education systems are the foundations upon which we can build the structures and programs to eradicate poverty"

In DR Congo people say that mineral greed is not restricted only among the neighboring countries, even the UN peacekeepers who were sent there to bring order and peace seem to be eying the country's minerals.