Trade : 14 developing countries meet DG, push e-commerce (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
In a coordinated effort with the World Trade Organization director-general Roberto Azevedo, 14 developing countries on Tuesday (14 February) called for urgent discussions on four issues concerning "electronic commerce and development", despite opposition from a majority of developing and least-developed countries, trade envoys told SUNS.

United Nations : Austerity-related labour reforms harmful to working people (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Geneva)
Austerity-related labour market reforms promoted by multilateral and regional financial institutions in many developed and developing countries have been shown to not help economies recover after crises, and have instead inflicted substantial harm on working people, which will be felt for many years.

Communications : ICT signals the cradle of radio's rebirth (PRIV)
(IPS, Nairobi)
Over the last few decades, radio has played an important role in the realm of development.

Brazil : Feminism helps villagers co-exist with drought in Northeast region (PRIV)
(IPS, Caraubas)
"The vegetable garden changed my life," said Rita Alexandre da Silva, in the village of Primeiro do Maio where 65 families have obtained land to grow crops since 1999, in this municipality in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, in Northeast Brazil.