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One day, hundreds of stories| Featuring TED Translator Nafissa Yakubova and TED Fellow Andriankoto Ratozamanana | Reportage

One year from today, on November 11, 2011 people all over the world will be brought together by film in the 11Eleven Project. Carly Goldstone reports.
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Image: Danielle Lauren via facebook.com

11Eleven project director, Danielle Lauren wants people to tell their stories through film.

How much do we really have in common and how could we possibly find out? Is there potential to generate one world voice?

It’s a big ask, but a band of determined people from around the planet are planning to give it a go. A year from now, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, of the 2011th year, those who have access to film, video, digital, phone, web camera or microphone will be encouraged to begin a universal narrative.

Danielle Lauren, a documentary filmmaker from Sydney, Australia, is the creator and director of the 11Eleven Project.

“[I'm] trying to bring the world together as one on this auspicious day.”

Individuals from 196 different countries, including Australia, Fiji, Thailand, Belarus, Spain and Nigeria, communicated to in over 2000 languages, will be invited to “capture a day in the life of their world.”

Participants will be able to upload their footage, audio or photographic material to the 11Eleven Project website which will be collated and turned into a variety of different projects, highlighting the 24 hours captured by the world.

Lauren also plans to make a two-hour feature length documentary, to explore human experiences, the similarities and polarity between people across the globe.

“This project will break boundaries between people and create a sense of one world. Let me see you as an equal and let me explore how you live your life, the good and the bad, and let me take some of that knowledge and translate it into my own life.”

Lauren devised the project to “illustrate the commonalities amongst all people and to witness the shared experience amongst every human being living on earth.”

The 11Eleven Project highlights the powerful role that an individual can play, day-to-day.

“The individual can make a difference in the world and the power of the collective can change the planet,” Lauren said.

Harinjaka Ratozamanana, a citizen journalist/blogger and 11ELEVEN project manager for Madagascar, is busy networking and helping produce films, pictures and stories for the project.

“With humility and modesty, I want to put Madagascar on the map through this historical and unique project.

“Sadly, the world of film in Madagascar is very poor, we have very few film production companies throughout the island,” he said.

Ratozamanana said he became involved in the project because he loves the idea of telling stories.

“Danielle Lauren gives us hope and the opportunity to be part of this international and meaningful project and help us show our smile in this time capsule.

“Often biodiversity and lemurs are in the spotlight, [I want to] focus on the Malagasy people and make them crucial actors and models in their unique and threatened environment,” said Ratozamanana.

“Malagasy people favour unity, solidarity and community life and their consequences such as hospitality, sharing and reconciliation. In fact, we believe that humanity is one.”

Nafissa Yakubova is originally from Kazakhstan and is now a medical student in the US.

She hopes to capture stories about minority village children on November 11 next year.

“I plan to use my camera and skills for those children who can’t afford to be involved in this worldwide project. I would love to capture their lives in a day.

“I’m very inspired by the idea of bringing people together, especially through art…[it] reminds us of the simplicity and beauty of being a human, and how we can come together.”

Yakubova said she was also extremely moved by the emphasis of telling stories in multiple languages.

However, Lauren said language barriers is currently one of the hurdles.

“Trying to find like-minded people to be ambassadors in their own countries and help promote and participate in the project, is the biggest challenge.”

Lauren is currently focused on ensuring areas with limited access to technology can still participate in the project.

“I want to make sure that people with limited access to technology get to participate and ensure that the global narrative is not an English narrative.”

As this is a non-profit project, Lauren says she will use the profits to provide money for charities that are helping to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Partners of the project include: Sydney International Film School; UC Santa Cruz, California; Florence Film School and University of the Philippines Film Institute.

 

via reportageonline.com

The best place for people to stay updated on 11/11/11 is via facebook

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TED Fellow Andriankoto via facebook.com

 

Filed under  //   Antananarivo   Madagascar   TED   TED Fellow   technology  

We plant trees for you and for our world - TH!NK ABOUT IT

We are the first generation that has the knowledge and means to collaborate globally to solve poverty while ensuring respect for the environment and the dignity for the people. Web is the ideal tool to cooperate together and solve the crises that the world is facing today.

During eight weeks, supporters of NGO Vakanala have conffirmed the power of social networks and its effectiveness in the fight against climate change, proving the importance of individual action and how individual actions when multiplied can make a difference to the planet.

On behalf of the local community, my team (Vakanala)  would like to thank all its fans for their support during the tournament "Humanity Calls". Indeed, the local community of Manambolo through the NGO Vakanala received 1,098 votes at the friendly competition for the environment sponsored by Ebay Green Team. Thank you very much!

This result gives us the 10th place
out of 145 participating non profit and has raised U.S. $ 2,351.73 equivalent to more than 5 million Malagasy Ariary.

That was possible with the great support of my fellow TED fellow, Tin Ho Chow and his team at Big New Ideas who worked on the design of Humanity Calls, a social giving platform that helps raise funds for nonprofits through an online tournament.

As we are pioneering the system of "Fundraising/voting" competition in Madagascar, we are also thankful for the advise and personal donation from my fellow TED fellows Darius Weems and Logan Smalley. Logan took time to share with me his experience and tips from DGW ( Darius Goes West). Their experience on "fundraising 2.0" helped us so much.

Photo: TED Fellow Darius Weems and Me at TED 2009

Thanks to all of you, more than 1,800 trees will be planted in the south part of Madagascar, for a total target of 10,000 trees for the year 2010. The use of these funds will be communicated transparently on Vakanala website. The first trees will be planted arround September, when the first rain drops.

Today I am thrilled to announce that Vakanala have been chosen to participate in the GlobalGiving  Green Open Challenge for July 2010.

 

Global Giving Green

Between July 5 to July 30, 2010, Vakanala will be working to raise a minimum of $4,000 from at least 50 donors to fund a plant nursery, which will guarantees the sustainability of our reforestation project in Manambolo. Check out our project design: http://goto.gg/5824

This amount will ensure a permanent spot on GlobalGiving’s website, which would allow us the opportunity to grow greatly and expand as an organization.

With all the economic sanctions that our country "Madagascar" is facing, especially from European Union, from African union and from US , plus the economic recession, we have planned to succeed our project with "crowd funding" approaches and mobilize resources outside institutions. We have also worked on the scales and will work from  small but sustainable developement project at the time.

How Can you help ?

We know that you can introduce us to a program or people that helps/ fund startup organisations or simply donate to us via our Global Giving web page.Your help is very much needed ... and will be appraeciated greatly. In addition the project that gets most support or from the most donors will win up to $ 10 000, so every donation counts! And I am counting on you all!

What is GlobalGiving?

The website Global Giving allows philanthropists to establish a direct contact with organizations in developing countries to effectively participate in their activities either through donations and / or expertise.

GlobalGiving is an organization that helps organizations like Vakanala to mobilize supports for their work in communities worldwide by offering a Web page and online tools to help them raise funds online.

About NGO VAKANALA

"Vakanala" means " Pearls of Forest" in Malagasy language.

Vakanala, is a nonprofit organization based in Antananarivo that has set a goal to preserve the many little fragments of primary forests of Madagascar with sustainable reforestation.

These fragments, the last remnants of natural forests which covered the Island before our era, are of paramount importance : it is first real sanctuary for the unique biodiversity of Madagascar, which is it last refuge, but it is also a natural resource vital to the survival of rural communities to which they provide many services, natural raw materials, natural storage of rainwater, soil fertility, fight against desertification, and many others.

Follow Vakanala on twitter @vakanala, join Vakanala Facebook Group or contact us by email. Thank you all for your continued support.

Filed under  //   Andriankoto   Environmental Concerns   Environmental Justice   Humanitycalls   Madagascar   TED 2009 Fellow   World Environment Action   World Environment Organization   crowdfunding   environment   think3   vakan'ala  

The power of one vote can change Madagascar into a bread basket and medicine cabinet to the world - TH!NK ABOUT IT

I love my home country Madagascar more than any other place in earth. It is the fourth-largest island in the world, and is home to 5% of the world’s plant and animal species, of which more than 80% of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

Every year in this Island country, two hundred acre of forest is lost because of slash-and-burn agriculture, logging, and the production of fuelwood and charcoal for cooking fires… and the damage on the environment is irreparable.

Vakan'ala, a non-profit organization based in Madagascar take actions using ICT tools and social media to raise awareness on this issue. The organisation is part of an amazing tournament, the first online social giving tournament to support an environmental cause sponsored by ebay and named ebay tournament for the environement.

After reading this note, in few clicks  you can help grow trees in Madagascar and make difference. Individuals like you and me - via Himanitycall.org - have the possibility to drive-up the tournament cash pool through contributions, vote and help engage others through your Facebook and Twitter page and help the only malagasy organisation at the tournament to win.

There is a Controversial list about the importance of casting a vote. I simply believe on today amazing possibility for a solitary vote from every one of us  to change the world and improve lives of millions people in Madagascar by simply planting trees.

The UNEP (UNEP) in partnership with Treehugger ask bloggers to write a blog post about"'The importance of individual action to celebrate World Environment Day, and how individual actions when multiplied can make a difference to the planet" Please vote for Vakan'Ala in the eBay Tournament for the Environment, share this link --> http://bit.ly/cNFYnU #HumanityCalls, because that is something every one of us can do.

This year 2010, International year of Biodiversity, the online community from around the world can join force and help Vakan’ala  to preserve the remaining fragment of primary forest in Madagascar and what they contain. Vakan'Ala can restore missing forest and endemic tree species while taking into consideration the needs of Malagasy rural people leaving near primary forest with less than 1 dollar a day.

 

It's sounds like a dream but you have the power to make it real if you give your vote to Vakan'ala

Malagasy blogger Andriankoto Ratozamanana decided he needed to do more than type to improve the standard of living and reforest in Madagascar. He is part of http://www.vakanala.org team, an NGO which contributes to harnessing natural resources of the planet and ameliorating exploited habitats.

 

 

Filed under  //   Andriankoto   Environmental Concerns   Madagascar   TED 2009 Fellow   World Environment Action   World Environment Organization   vakan'ala  

It's Christmas, offer a tree to our Planet

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It’s been almost a year since Madagascar was turned upside down by political turmoil. Please, forget the kids' movies  with crazy penguins and lions for a minute, the situation is particularly worrying in here.

Presently Madagascar is  sitting without any legitimate government and on the verge of anargie !!! This is the Africa that we are trying to change.Criminal politicians and Criminal gangs are stripping our poorly-protected country and it's peoples.

According to a Mail & Guardian Online report, 'Timber traders in Madagascar have effectively bought the right to pillage the country's protected forest area with impunity. They are extracting up to $800 000 a day worth of timber,' said Reiner Tegtmeyer of Global Witness. Some reports announce a figure of $460 000 a day.

In the other side, farmers reaction is immediate: loggin but also Slash and burn agriculture ...

To get an idea of the phenomenon, my friends and I developed a system based on Google Earth 3D map plug-in, which lets you see the fire overnight. Fires are detected by NASA satellite, so it's fairly accurate.

What we can do is to replant the trees and restart again and again ... with more attention on the human need (reforestation for food, reforestation for energy ...)

I want to share a small organisation that we have started named VAKANALA (NPO). Vakanala aim to act for nature and contribute on the reforestation and the conservation of the planet .

Earth's Christmas is one of the vakanala project.

Earth's Christmas

The idea is simple: When you buy your Christmas tree, please consider Madagascar. with a small contribution of $1,  we plant a tree for you and you are offering a tree to the world.

May be a "classic idea" for you but IMPORTANT for the planet.

The tree (for this project) will be planted in the south-west Madagascar; to restore the cleared space between forest fragments of virgin forest still exists.

Halting forest degradation and forest restoration are on the agenda in Copenhagen. We also need to protect our intact ecosystems, which is by far the least expensive of all the solutions  for climate change.

Bellow is the design of the project (fr)

Our ultimate goal is to preserve the most valuable ecosystem in the world and what they contain, restore missing forest tree species endemic to the region, and also restore ecologically (through the trees that produce organic fertilizer ) specific areas included in the future complex forest for agriculture.

We have created earthschristmas.org  to receive the beautiful gift you will give to our planet. Please also look at our Earth's Christmas Facebook Application to Get trees planted in honors of your Facebook friends. On this application, a Google Maps can show you where the trees will be planted and we will us this technology to monitor your gift as the trees grow.

We have a few hands and we can plant trees for all "flying" TED conferences Attendees and all Technology Entertainment and Design lovers who mind their CO2 footprint.

Contact us through our email: contact@vakanala.org

Visit our web sites (fr) www.vakanala.org | www.earthschristmas.org | http://apps.facebook.com/earthschristmas/ |www.fire.vakanala.org

Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/vakanala

 

We wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year :)

Photo courtesy: TED 2009 Fellow Andriankoto Ratozamanana - Reforestation Activist | anti-deforestation crusader | Madagascar

Filed under  //   Africa   Andriankoto   Madagascar   TED 2009 Fellow   cop15   environment   green   reforesation  

TED Fellow Andriankoto : Challenges of using technology to cover the Gabon elections | CPJ.org

Libreville

Mobile phone add in Libreville _ featuring the Singer Magic System

Gabon’s bloggers struggle to take hold

It’s been a couple of weeks since I left Gabon, and a month since elections to pick a successor to Omar Bongo, who ruled Africa’s fourth-largest oil producer for 41 years. There are unresolved questions about the ballot count and the number of people killed in post-election violence. 

Riot police confront journalists in Libreville during an August opposition protest. (Andriankoto Ratozamanana)
Riot police confront journalists in Libreville during an August opposition protest. (Andriankoto Ratozamanana)
Until this summer, I did not know much about Gabon, except for a random tidbit—that the nation of 1.4 million had a GDP matching Portugal. Things changed after July 3 when Lova Rakotomalala and I, both bloggers from Madagascar, received an e-mail from Alice Backer, a former French editor of Global Voices Lingua, about covering Gabon’s presidential elections scheduled for August 30.

 

I accepted because I need fresh air. After all, as a citizen blogger of Global Voices teny Malagasy, I had already experienced covering the bitter political crisis tearing apart my Indian Ocean island of Madagascar. With crisis reporting platform Foko-ushahidi, which allowed ordinary citizens to send testimonies via SMS, real-time reporting on Twitter, and local Web sites such as Topmada, Lova, myself and other citizen journalists helped cover all sides of the unfolding crisis. Citizen media reports were even quoted by international media as the Malagasy media was divided into partisan political positions.

Gabon, on the other hand, is not known as a “wired” country in tech speak. Less than 6 percent of the population has access to the Internet, according to InternetWorldStats. While intense public outcry opposed our former president’s closure of rival’s TV station and eventually led to his toppling from power, government censorship of media appeared to be the accepted norm in Gabon for many years, according to press freedom organizations.

Nevertheless, as I left the winter-season cool temperatures of Madagascar for the hot and humid air of Gabon’s seaside capital of Libreville, just above the Equator, I knew the elections would be historic, if not for the unprecedented role of new media technologies.

Twenty-three candidates were contesting the elections, many with appealing campaign Web sites such as Ali9, Mamboundou, AndreMbaObame or Moubamba. Candidates were also aggressively campaigning on social networking sites. One of the candidates for instance, Franco-Gabonese journalist Bruno Ben Moumbamba, was among the most active on Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and Twitter. Ali Ben Bongo, the ruling party candidate, even distinguished his campaign by sending on two separate occasions a personal SMS message to the customers of Gabon’s three main mobile carriers, Zain, Libertis, and Moov.

In the many bars (commonly called “makis”) of downtown Libreville’s Louis district, people discussed everything around the local beer “Regab” and braised fish dishes. With Bongo’s monopoly of state media, most local radio stations oriented toward religious and entertainment programming, and a handful of partisan TV stations controlled by the elite in politics, business, and the clergy, most Gabonese turned to international media for objective news. Unfortunately, the print and broadcast media’s coverage of the elections was limited by censorship, intimidation, and violence against reporters.

When I arrived in Libreville, I quickly detected that people were reluctant to freely express their views in public to someone they do not know. Even the barber I went to for a haircut politely declined to share his views on the elections, when I put the question to him as the TV in his salon was blaring Africa 24’s coverage of the polls. Bizarre.

At first, many young people I met did not seem very interested in the Internet. In fact, the most educated told me they used the Web exclusively to check e-mail and visit chat or dating sites. Others appeared motivated by the idea of blogging, but wanted to be paid to do it. Nevertheless, with help, a few people took their first steps in using the Web as social media, and a handful of new citizen voices slowly emerged. Journalist and activist Gaston Asséko shared his experience on voting day on YouTube. Roger Edima Mavoungou Wilson, a communications professional, started a blog and is actively tweeting. Régis Ngoma, a local comedian, even started a YouTube channel with videos satirizing the elections.

Regardless, there were many difficulties in my reporting. I remember being unable to text after the mobile companies suspended SMS service during the elections. As a result, a crisis reporting platform deployed by a Gabonese diaspora movement based in France called The Guardian Angels of Gabon on Ushahidi never took off. Nevertheless, social media facilitated the flow of information between the Gabonese diaspora and those living home. “#Gabon” even jumped to the top tag on francophone Twitter following the announcement of elections results, according to Twirus.

Doubts persist over the results of the presidential elections and with a recount of the votes in progress, journalists are still under pressure. Just last weekend, local caricaturist and blogger Patrick Essono was detained for drawing a cartoon of two policemen. A day before, the editor of state daily L’Union, Albert Yangari, was detained for questioning after publishing interviews with residents of Port-Gentil that suggested more people had been killed in post-election violence than reported by the government. This week, there were reports that the house of Jonas Moulenda, the journalist who carried out the interviews, was searched by security agents, and that he has received death threats.

Andriankoto Harinajaka Ratozamanana, is TED 2009 Fellow

he is co-founder of the Foko Blog Club, which trains Malagasy citizens in citizen journalism. He blogs on Posterous

There is always something new out of Africa - Pliny the Elder (A.D.23-79)

 

Filed under  //   Africa   Andriankoto   Madagascar   TED   TED Fellow   activism   gabon   technology  

TED fellow hosted by Majora Carter @ ECO HEROES - Sundance Channel - Digital short

Former blogger Andriankoto Ratozamanana decided he needed to do more than type to improve the standard of living and reforest in Madagascar. He cofounded MEGASEEDS Inc, which contributes to harnessing natural resources of the planet and ameliorating exploited habitats.

Free | www.sundancechannel.com">Sundance Channel Length : 01:33 Posted : 5/1/2009

Majora Carter is the host of Sundance Channel’s Eco-Heroes, she is  an American environmental advocate and artist. She is president of The Majora Carter Group, LLC, a green collar economic consulting firm. She is a MacArthur "Genius" Fellow, one of Newsweek’s “25 To Watch,” and one of Essence Magazine’s “25 most Influential African Americans.” Majora serves on the boards of Ceres, SJF, and the Wilderness Society.

Majora Carter is also as good as Steve Jobs when she speaks. She gave this compelling talk at the TED 2006 Conference, aptly titled “Majora’s tale of urban renewal” - by greening the ghetto, one of my favorite TEDtalk. She detailed her fight for environmental justice in the South Bronx - and showed how minority neighborhood suffer most from flawed urban policy.

Since 2007 Majora Carter has appeared on The Green, a television segment dedicated to the environment, shown on the Sundance Channel.The first season consisted of a series of 90 second op-eds shot in studio. The second season consisted of a series of short interview pieces with people who are taking uncommon approaches to environmental problems.

I had chance to appear on Majora's TV show as guest . She is loads of inspiration for me to reach out and teach others about the value of our unique Environment. 

I still have a long way to go before I can attain my dream but I am already thankful to  TED for enlighten me and connecting me with wonderful people.

 

 

Filed under  //   Agribusiness   Andriankoto   EcoHero Sundance Channel   Environmental Concerns   Environmental Justice   Madagascar   Majora carter   Ratozamanana   TED 2009 Long Beach   TED Fellow   Tedtalk   environment   megaseeds   ted2009  

The frog kingdom ! 200 new amphibian species discovered in Madagascar | Mail Online

Scientists in Madagascar have discovered about 200 new species of frogs.

If the finds are extended to a global scale, it practically doubles the number of amphibian species worldwide, the researchers claim.

The team says the discoveries suggest that the natural riches of the island, located off the southeastern coast of Africa, have been significantly underestimated and fuel concerns that its unique wildlife is under threat.



Filed under  //   Africa   Madagascar   Science   biodivesity   biology  

TEDx Antananarivo :"Creating value from eco-business models."

MEGASEEDS™ seeks to be one of the leaders in social enterprise in Madagascar. Composed by young Malagasy social entrepreneurs, MEGASEEDS™ wants to expand its new vision, based on how we have a unique way of adding value to our products. With MEGASEEDS™, we wish to develop a new agribusiness model that benefits all parties because it is aimed to be lucrative, sustainable and environmentally friendly.

One TEDx with Two TED fellows:

Our guest speaker For this first TEDx in Madagascar was Dr. Sheila Ochugboju. Dr. Sheila is a TED fellow like Andriankoto Ratozamanana, Co-founder and CEO of MEGASEEDS Inc. Both are passionate about changing Africa. She will be working soon for the African Technology and Policy Studies (ATPS) network and will coordinate research and communication in science and technology innovations across 23 countries. Her wish is that Madagascar through MEGASEEDS™ joins the network of ATPS as the first private sector business to open the 24th national chapter in Africa.

Her experience at the GWIIN helped identifying innovative ways of getting ideas to market.

Two films was projected as part of the event.


In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED - like experience.

At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers
combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event.
The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events including this event, is self-organized.

Filed under  //   Agribusiness   Andriankoto   Antananarivo   Madagascar   Megaseeds   Pictures   Sheila   TED   TED Fellows   TEDx   ted2009  

The Story of a Scent : Africa’s Babies...

From TEDAfrica (2007) to TED Long Beach (2009)
Two TED Fellows in Madagascar

>>> Getting the Dream to Market...

Andriankoto @ sheila

Madagascar has a robust and expanding domestic market and a modest share of the global market for aromatic and medicinal plants AMP. The domestic market is on a growth trend because of combined government and civil society efforts to mainstream traditional and herbal medicine.

With exports of $4 million, Madagascar is not among the top ten exporting nations, but it follows very closely. However, these exports are not insignificant at the national level.


IMG_1577

Moreover, the global market is expanding by an estimated 10-15 percent per year, and Madagascar has potential competitive advantage for some specific (e.g., endemic, scarce) plant products. 


Global markets in the aromatic, cosmetic and health care sectors demand steady supplies of new and innovative scents and medicinal products. 
The perfume industry continually searches for “new” scents that can be introduced as new seasonal lines. Increasingly, these products must also be certified organic, fair trade or sustainably produced.


Madagascar presently exports five key products in this area. Three are relatively scarce essential oils: ylang ylang, niaouli, and ravintsara.


The other two are spices: cinnamon (some bark is also distilled into essential oil) and clove (used
mostly in Indonesia in cigarettes). The potential for growth lies in organic aromatic essential oils—not only ylang
ylang, niaouli, ravintsara and cinnamon, but also from new, endemic or “exotic” plants. 


THE DREAM OF PARFUM TED CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF WE CONTINUE TO DREAM TOGETHER...


IMG_1578

Filed under  //   Africa   Agribusiness   Andriankoto   Madagascar   Megaseeds   Perfume TED   Sheila   TED   TED Fellows   reforestation   ted2009  

The Story of a Scent : TED 2009 ends The Journey to Madagascar begins...

Thursday Night, 5th Feb – Pine Avenue TED Block Party 8: 38pm


Sitting at the table for dinner at the Block Party, Adriankoto could hardly eat, he was really nervous, change is comming in his home country Madagascar, a big presentation to partners at Megaseeds  his Japanese TEDsters friends.

Sheila’s thinking about the book at bedtime, a gift from Adriankoto “A Guide to The Health Benefits of the Essential  Oils of Madagascar: The Healing Trail: Essential oils of  Madagascar” by Georges Halpern, MD, Ph.D, a Professor of University of California at Davis.

So many omens.......science, Japanese (she speaks Japanese) and Africa...what is the Universe saying?....


Some Facts


Lumur park


•    Madagascar  is one of the world’s poorest countries economically and one of its richest in biodiversity.
•    Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island, covering an area of 592,000 km2.
•    It contains at least 13,000 plant species, of which more than 80 percent are endemic and 3,500 are reported to have medicinal properties.

•    With a per capita GDP of  U.S. $809, Madagascar ranks 146 of 177 countries on the Human Development Index.
•    Seventy-four percent of its population lives in rural areas, and 78 percent of the rural population lives in poverty.

•   Agriculture accounts for the largest share of GDP  (35 percent); economic growth has accelerated over past four years (5.2 percent in 2004), as the government shifted from socialist to private sector- led growth policies.
•    Political strife associated with this transition set back the country, as key road infrastructure was destroyed.
•    Madagascar’s rural economy is based upon subsistence-oriented agriculture. Much of this agriculture is slash-and-burn (tavy), which has been a principal cause of forest cover and biodiversity loss.
•    The challenges of improving standards of living among the rural poor and conserving biodiversity are interlinked in Madagascar, and a key issue is how to increase rural incomes and reduce the need for tavy.
•    This proposed enterprise will highlight the interlinked challenges of biodiversity conservation and rural poverty reduction by promoting alternatives to tavy along two of the country’s forest corridors: Zahamena-Mantadia and Ranamofana-Andringitra- Ivohibe.

Sheila @ TED


dream

Filed under  //   Africa   Agribusiness   Andriankoto   Madagascar   Megaseeds   Perfume TED   Sheila   TED   TED Fellows   TEDmoments   reforestation