Brazil

Hong Kong and other Chinese cities are driving an economic explosion that's blessing the world as a whole - but threatening many Westerners. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95572727@N00/953669278/">Trey Ratcliff (Flickr)</a>

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Does the economic growth of poor countries terrify Westerners?

A Vancouver Sun story published Sunday offers a fascinating way of thinking about the scale of China's economic explosion:

Global corporations and NGOs made commitments towards environmental protection and poverty reduction at the Rio+20 conference. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cgiarclimate/7415461108/sizes/m/in/photostream/">CGIAR Climate (flickr)</a>

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Who failed in Rio? The public sector, not the private

Government negotiations largely failed at the Rio+20 UN conference on sustainable development last month. But private sector players led the way with strong commitments for the immediate future.

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Who makes up the global middle class? Economists aren’t sure

We know that economists don’t always agree on the best path to prosperity.

"Dirty growth" isn't sustainable, but some argue that poor countries shouldn't worry about that if it helps bring their citizens out of poverty. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/enil/473878538/sizes/z/in/photostream/">Mr enil</a>

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What is 'sustainable development'? A few words from the experts

With the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development on the horizon next month, several development experts are offering up their opinions on what "sustainability" actually means.

Eating well isn't only good for you, it's good for the economy, too. Photo: Edgar Putul/Mercy Corps Guatemala

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The world's cheapest path to wealth: Well-fed kids

In a time of global economic crisis, the world is exploring every possible hindrance to economic growth: debt, unemployment, inflation... malnutrition?

A new interactive map shows relative potential for wealth creation through cash transfers. Image: <a href="http://newamericafoundation.github.com/gssp/maps/payment.html#">New America Foundation</a>

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New map shows where cash transfers work - and where they don’t

Moving money is easier in some places than in others. This map shows where cash transfers work best as an antipoverty tool.

Smarter Cities may boost efficiency but can it solve real issues? Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/michigancommunities/5142987040/sizes/o/in/photostream/">Michigan Municipal League (Flickr)</a>

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Rio, the world's first iCity?

This article was republished by The Christian Science Monitor

Running a city? Yeah, there’s an app for that.

Mercy Corps made cutting down trees for cooking fuel more sustainable through a reforestation project in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Photo: JGrant for Mercy Corps.

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Payment for protection: an innovative program boosts incomes and saves trees

A new program in Brazil is turning tragedy on its head by paying the poor to preserve their natural surroundings.

Could an open source philosophy be the evolution of policy creation? Photo:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanpalmero/4278466639/sizes/m/in/photostream/">Nan Palermo (Flickr)</a>

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Steal this policy! Why the public sector should learn to share

Hey Germany, let’s have coffee. The simple act of sharing best policy practices could help resuscitate the global economy. So why aren’t we doing it?

Young Portuguese congregate in a park in Lisbon. Photo: Erik Mandell for MercyCorps

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As Portugal eyes Brazil's wealth, will the colonial winds reverse?

Amid its ongoing financial crisis, Portugal’s prime minister has a surprising message for his country’s struggling residents: leave.

It’s just one example of Portugal looking to emerging markets for relief as power dynamics of international economic relationships change.

57 million women give birth each year without the help of a trained professional. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7203470@N03/2366525625/">hugrakka(Flicker)</a>

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Birth kits: An immediate solution to lowering maternal deaths

Bringing one life into the world shouldn't mean sacrificing another. While the developing world scrambles to secure funding for midwifery services, there's a cheap, short-term solution: birth kits.

A foreign domestic worker looks after her elderly client. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wongjunhao/5427024831/">Jerry Wong (flickr)</a>

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China's rise, the hidden mom economy, and soda-bottle light bulbs: our top 5 stories of 2011

From low-tech light bulbs in the Philippines to microfinance in Nicaragua, our team of young writers covered lots of ground this year.

Critics say developed countries have broken promises for international aid. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dfid/5491899695/">UK Department for International Development (flickr)</a>

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As international aid patterns shift, microfinance picks up the slack

With cause for concern about the future of international aid amid the financial crisis faced by rich countries, some developing nations find microfinance playing an increasing role in fueling local growth.

An informal worker sells mobile phones from a street stand. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blyth/152662056/sizes/m/in/photostream/">MikeBlyth (Flickr)</a>

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‘Economy of resourcefulness’ breeds prosperity worldwide: informal economy goes global

A man selling toys on Sao Paulo’s streets, a woman grilling fish in crowded markets of Lagos and a handbag maker in Guangzhou might not seem to have much in common. But they are all part of the global informal economy, now estimated to be worth about $10 trillion a year.

Much needed food aid being distributed in Sukkur, Pakistan. Photo: <a href= "http://www.flickr.com/photos/14214150@N02/4973650367/"> Rob Holden, UK Department for International Development (Flickr)</a>

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The politics of hunger: Good governance effective at fighting malnutrition

Malnutrition, which prevents children from reaching their physical and intellectual potential, is falling. The most significant cause? It's becoming a politically important issue in its own right.