Archive for March, 2007
Wednesday, March 14th, 2007
Below is a key exerpt from Luke Tarbi’s Jan 2007 Religion and Politics in Current “Fundamentalist” Movements
While it is a misrepresentation to portray the development of Islamic fundamentalism as solely a dependent variable resulting from lawlessness, poverty, and desperation, the fact is that elsewhere in the world a relationship appears to exist between the increase in jihadi Islamism and the correlating extent of socioeconomic deprivation of its adherents.
Thus, the failed state of Somalia is unique in its Islamic character, although it contains the typical indicators of jihadi Islamic development, it lacks any significant radical Islamic presence. Instead, the wide-ranging spectrum of fundamentalist movements within the country provides an ideal example of the finer nuances within fundamentalist Islam. A general review of the characteristics of modern fundamentalism will provide a guideline for which to view the numerous fundamentalist movements within Somalia. Following this, a detailed review of Islamic fundamentalism in Somalia specifically will demonstrate that though lawlessness, poverty, and desperation in Muslim majority states are typically indicators that the sustainable growth of jihadi Islamism is feasible, they in no way dictate or guarantee its future development.
For a complete Copy of Luke’s piece, please send an email request to Rich@NeutralDevelopment.com
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Wednesday, March 14th, 2007
Here are two examples of programs we find inspiring for their attention to local needs in approaching social and economical concerns.
The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State. Doug Suisman, Suisman Urban Design. Palestine.
A partnership of Suisman Urban Design and The RAND Corporation has produced a comprehensive physical plan for a transportation system connecting the West Bank with Gaza. Such a plan would be instituted to maintain peace after conflict ends.
The project won the American Institute of Architects National Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design for 2006.
“The Arc” is highly acclaimed by global press: In April of 2005, The Israel Policy Forum commented, “. . . the projects RAND envisions are absolutely essential if there is to be lasting peace.” In January 2006, This Week in Palestine noted, “The proposal is comprehensive and will induce major development and create economic viability.”
Doug Suisman’s plan is highlighted on his company’s website, www.suisman.com
Grameen Bank. Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Foundation. Bangladesh.
Created in 1976 by Muhammad Yunus, The Grameen Bank has provided loans for over five million clients in Bangladesh, 96 percent of whom are women. In addition to empowering women, the success—repayment rate is consistently above 98 percent—of The Grameen Bank is due to microlending.
Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his alleviation of poverty in Bangladesh through microloans. Beginning with one small village, Yunus’s work has been replicated in a global microcredit movement, in areas ranging from Chicago to South Africa.
Information on The Grameen Bank is available at www.grameenfoundation.org
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Monday, March 5th, 2007
Misdirected aid – monetary or otherwise – can actually have a negative net effect on regions to which they are directed. The most classic example would be recklessly donated and unchecked funds being embezzled by corrupt middlemen, only to end up in hands of oppressive politicians or warlords. It is imperative that funds raised in the name of economic development be spent responsibly and efficiently to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Currently, The Neutral Development Project is serving the greater good in a purely educational capacity. Ultimately, we plan to organize and execute our own series of projects in the Horn of Africa, but right now its members are developing their understanding of the region and administrative dynamics of aid in the Horn. We will continue to operate purely as a fundraiser until we are equipped to do more. While some of the money we recieve will go toward start-up costs, the vast majority will be directed to groups deemed by the Neutral Development Project – groups we’ve been researching extensively- as most in sync with our agenda (basic economic development).
We plan to raise money in all sorts of ways in the coming months, and we are in the process of planning our first fundraising benefit. The effort is being led by Katie Gagne, our head events coordinator. We intend to donate a significant portion of the funds we raise to majors like Oxfam, UNHCR, USAID, and like organizations with established operations in the Horn. More soon.
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