Maaike's+MUN+stuff

helloo



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14199986

SECOND QUARTER

Development in the DR Congo

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40290&Cr=human+development&Cr1=

The UN has recently made a new Human Development Index (HDI), ranking 187 countries by literacy, health care, education, and equality. Norway tops the list, whereas DR Congo is at the bottom. When adjusted for pay gap, many countries like the US fall places, showing the increase in gap between rich and poor. The same happens when adjusting for the education gap, in which case the Republic of Korea falls drastically due to the gap in education between generations. They also made a ranking based on gender inequality, in which the DR Congo also does not do very well, due to it being the "rape capital of the world". This report also highlights the regional causes for this gender disparity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15775445

There are elections being held in DR Congo.

With the elections on the way, an analyst considers whether it is fair to consider Congo a “failed state”. The people don't expect much from the elections, as they are mostly hungry, under-informed and poor. Also, there has been conflict in the Congo for a long time, at one time earning it the title of rape capital of the world.

There is a problem of corruption with local officials, as it shows one example where a miner has to bribe the pension officer to get his pension, as he mentions it is “barely enough to buy soap.” Starting a business also takes much longer in the Congo and it has one of the worst air safety records. Only Somalia, Chad and Sudan are considered worse in terms of “failed states”. It is also at the bottom of UNDP rankings.

The president is said to be more interested in regime consolidation than implementing a five-point development agenda. Critics are treated harshly, as portrayed by the incident of the president's brother ordering two traffic cops to be beat up after his car wasn't given priority. Journalists are also often beaten up, and human rights activists and journalists are also sometimes killed.

The analyst argues that “Congo bashing” is unfair. The past has to be remembered too. There is a divide in Congo about whether life was better under Belgian colonialism. Also, many of the resources in Congo are often trafficked to Uganda and Rwanda.

He also blames the international community, as they often implement contradicting plans in the Congo. Belgium argues for decentralisation, which the world bank blocks. Also, as it is under international trusteeship, important decisions are not taking by the Congolese, but by foreigners. Foreigners are also mostly in charge of things like development, not the Congolese government.

He finishes by saying that any change will come from the people, not from the government, as Congolese society is what is not dead.