Global Envision | The Confluence of Global Markets and Poverty Alleviation

Cambodia depends heavily on water for the growth of rice which is one of the country's main exports. Photo: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/fredalix/1813179188/">Fredalix (flickr)</a>

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In Search of Water

Why would two countries with the same average rainfall have varying amounts of accessible water?

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There is a scene in the movie Jurassic Park where skeptical scientists are about to take their first ride through the dinosaur-inhabited theme park. Back in the control room, the park's skeptical chief engineer (played by Samuel L.

The Chinese government wants to boost rural consumerism by offering rebates on home appliances. Photo: Cassandra Nelson/Mercy Corps

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China's Rural Stimulus Plan

As China rings in the Year of the Ox, its government is encouraging rural residents to splurge — on TVs, washing machines, refrigerators and personal computers — through a new subsidy program aimed to boost domestic dem

Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hdptcar/2497649932/">hdptcar (flickr)</a>

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Can The Economic Crisis Be Good For Africa?

It’s not easy to find something good to say about the global economic downturn, but a former World Bank economist claims that there is a possible bright spot.

Protesters clash with police. Photo: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/pallih/3214370117/">pallih (flickr)</a>

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Adding 'The Next Iceland' to Our Vocabulary

Is it possible for an entire country to actually go bankrupt?

Moving day. Photo: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/rooreynolds/286201368/">Roo Reynolds (flickr)</a>

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Move on in!

USA Today reports that more families are moving in together as they try and tough out the housing crisis.

The majority of Chaves' supporters live in and around Caracas, Venezuela's capital city. Photo: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/lo_/106227683/">subcomananta (flickr)</a>

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Has Hugo Chavez helped the poor?

President Hugo Chavez is a divisive character — on the international stage and within Venezuela. After 10 years in power Venezuelans and the world are reviewing his record and asking themselves, what has Chavez done for Venezuela? What has he done for the poor?

A Tajik woman and child. According to the BBC, selling babies on the black market is common in Tajikistan. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/herwigphoto/427828751/">Lambro (flickr)</a>

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Tajikistan's Baby Black Market

Cash for babies is becoming more common-place than you might expect in Tajikistan, according to the BBC.

The Super MoneyMaker Pressure Pump by KickStart can irrigate up to 2 acres of land. Photo: <a href="http://www.kickstart.org/products/super-moneymaker/">KickStart</a>

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Real Good, Not Feel Good

What does someone in poverty need most?

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Corruption Plagues the Poor

The "cancer of corruption" is rampant in poor countries and needs to become a social priority, development economist Ajit Mishra writes in Forbes.

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Mining in Ecuador: Investment or Exploitation?

Despite ongoing protests by environmental and indigenous rights groups, Ecuadorean lawmakers approved a mining bill earlier this week to permit large-scale projects tapping the country’s gold, silver and copper deposits.

Paul Polak leads a talk on affordable technology design for developing areas <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/poptech2006/2966654473/">KrisKrug (flickr)</a>

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Seeing the Poor as Customers

"Most of us look at the 1 billion men, women and children in the world who live on less than a dollar a day and see poor people," writes BusinessWeek. "But Paul Polak sees market failure."

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A Billion for a Billion

Keeping with a UN target of committing 0.7 percent of national income to alleviating poverty and hunger, Jose Luis Rodriquez Zapatero the prime minister of Spain has pledged 1 billion euros to strengthen food security around the world.