The Global Information Infrastructure Revisited

Ideally, the internet will eventually evolve into a global information infrastructure, which, by creating a global information marketplace, will narrow the poverty gap and eliminate many of the existing geographic barriers to prosperity and equality. On the other hand, there is a risk that the internet will concentrate economic activity among the richer countries and thus accentuate the existing divisions between North and South. Which of these scenarios is the more likely will depend to a large extent on whether developing countries are able to gain access to low-cost forms of information technology. Using numerous examples of such technology that already exist in the Third World, we conclude that there is in fact more scope for optimism regarding the Global Information Infrastructure than is commonly realised.     

Assessing the Impact of Leather Industries on Groundwater Quality of Vellore District in South India Using a Geochemical Mixing Model

Abstract

Deterioration of groundwater quality is one of the most critical issues in twenty-first century. The direct relations of water with all the living beings make it an extremely important commodity. Sources of pollution may be of natural or anthropogenic origin. Nowadays anthropogenic sources of pollution are much more than natural sources. India has 1083 tanneries, in which 577 are in Tamil Nadu which accounts for 44% of the total production of India. Vellore district has an indispensable place in the list. Over the 30–40?years groundwater around tanneries has become seriously polluted.     

The application of matrix organization concepts in managing pacification and rural development

For more than two decades matrix structures have been employed in both private and public organizations. One little known application of the matrix structure was undertaken during the Vietnam war to improve the pacification and rural development program after separate agencies working independently were found to be ineffective. Over a five-year period while the matrix organization was in being to interact with the South Vietnamese, much progress was made in pacification and rural development. While the final result of the Vietnam war negated all of the success attained in pacification and rural development, it is still worthwhile to look at the achievements of this matrix organization for lessons of the future.     

Ghana: A donor success story

Ghana's long engagement with the multilateral institutions has made the country a success although the downside is the continuing dependence on them. This article analyses the relationship and outlines Ghana's more recent democratic and economic gains following a period of near collapse.     

South Africa's political miracle: The international dimension

This article raises some important questions such as does Nepad have what it takes to create change and bring added value amid all the many other development initiatives? Is it sustainable? Does it have the credibility to fly?