Megan Rowling
Before joining AlertNet, Megan Rowling worked as a freelance print and television journalist in Britain, France and Japan. She has a strong interest in Central America, with a focus on issues surrounding development and trade. Her other pet topics are climate change and corporate responsibility. She's currently struggling to complete an MSc in development management!
Is there such a thing as a truly independent humanitarian?
By Megan Rowling
Most humanitarians view neutrality, impartiality and independence as the bedrock of what they do. But might it be more accurate to describe these values as the holy grail?
In recent years - especially since the United States launched its "war on terror" - there's been a growing feeling among some aid workers that humanitarian aid is being hijacked for political ends.
... Full article
By Megan Rowling
Most humanitarians view neutrality, impartiality and independence as the bedrock of what they do. But might it be more accurate to describe these values as the holy grail?
In recent years - especially since the United States launched its "war on terror" - there's been a growing feeling among some aid workers that humanitarian aid is being hijacked for political ends.
... Full article
Shady dealings in Congo's mining sector
By Megan Rowling
Mining contracts in Democratic Republic of Congo aren't exactly known for their transparency. Neither - as the events of the past few days have emphasised - is the process kickstarted in June to review the legality and fairness of those contracts.
Early this week, the share prices of some international mining companies with operations in Congo fell after the leak of a preliminary report from a government-appointed panel recommending that 61 contracts should be cancelled or renegotiated.
... Full article
By Megan Rowling
Mining contracts in Democratic Republic of Congo aren't exactly known for their transparency. Neither - as the events of the past few days have emphasised - is the process kickstarted in June to review the legality and fairness of those contracts.
Early this week, the share prices of some international mining companies with operations in Congo fell after the leak of a preliminary report from a government-appointed panel recommending that 61 contracts should be cancelled or renegotiated.
... Full article
Women say Darfur peace won't work without them
By Megan Rowling
The Darfur peace talks in Libya may have got off to a disappointing start with a boycott by key rebel factions. But activist Safaa Elagib Adam made sure she was there to push for better representation for women from the outset. As a veteran of the last round of talks in Abuja, the secretary general and gender adviser of the Khartoum-based Community Development Association knows she faces an uphill struggle. She was one of only four women representing civil society last weekend in Libya, and says there were no women on either the government or the rebel delegations. ... Full article
By Megan Rowling
The Darfur peace talks in Libya may have got off to a disappointing start with a boycott by key rebel factions. But activist Safaa Elagib Adam made sure she was there to push for better representation for women from the outset. As a veteran of the last round of talks in Abuja, the secretary general and gender adviser of the Khartoum-based Community Development Association knows she faces an uphill struggle. She was one of only four women representing civil society last weekend in Libya, and says there were no women on either the government or the rebel delegations. ... Full article
Can reporting on hunger move beyond 'emaciated baby chasing'?
By Megan Rowling
When you think of "African hunger", what comes to mind? Perhaps the first images broadcast on British television of the Ethiopian famine of the mid-1980s, filmed by cameraman Mohammed Amin and broadcast in a BBC report by Michael Buerk. Maybe the huge Live Aid pop concerts that followed, persuading millions of people to donate money. Or, if you're younger, it might be the severe food shortages in Niger in 2005, which affected at least 2.5 million people.
In recent decades, images of starving children have shocked rich countries into responding to food crises. Aid experts say progress has been made in preventing famine in South Asia. The Millennium Development Goals have mobilised international resources to reduce hunger, and food insecurity is declining in some parts of the world.
... Full article
By Megan Rowling
When you think of "African hunger", what comes to mind? Perhaps the first images broadcast on British television of the Ethiopian famine of the mid-1980s, filmed by cameraman Mohammed Amin and broadcast in a BBC report by Michael Buerk. Maybe the huge Live Aid pop concerts that followed, persuading millions of people to donate money. Or, if you're younger, it might be the severe food shortages in Niger in 2005, which affected at least 2.5 million people.
In recent decades, images of starving children have shocked rich countries into responding to food crises. Aid experts say progress has been made in preventing famine in South Asia. The Millennium Development Goals have mobilised international resources to reduce hunger, and food insecurity is declining in some parts of the world.
... Full article
Time to start talking about climate change and peace
By Megan Rowling
We've heard the warnings over and over. Global warming means the world is facing "a true planetary emergency" (ex-U.S. Vice-President Al Gore); in coming decades, environmental changes caused by global warming "are likely to become a major driver of war and conflict" (U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon); if greenhouse gas emissions go unchecked, "the effects will be catastrophic - on the level of nuclear war" (the International Institute for Strategic Studies).
When the U.N. Security Council debated climate change for the first time back in April, then British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett made a firm link with what she called "our collective security in a fragile and increasingly interdependent world".
... Full article
Next entries
By Megan Rowling
We've heard the warnings over and over. Global warming means the world is facing "a true planetary emergency" (ex-U.S. Vice-President Al Gore); in coming decades, environmental changes caused by global warming "are likely to become a major driver of war and conflict" (U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon); if greenhouse gas emissions go unchecked, "the effects will be catastrophic - on the level of nuclear war" (the International Institute for Strategic Studies).
When the U.N. Security Council debated climate change for the first time back in April, then British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett made a firm link with what she called "our collective security in a fragile and increasingly interdependent world".
... Full article
