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Assignment 2: Applying the UN blueprint for development to one hypothetical case
When the armed struggle to overthrow the government of the west African state of Niger failed, the rebels created their own Islamic State of Southern Sahara in the north, in 2000. This is a small state, the size of Cyprus, inhabited by five million people, nearly all Moslems. Had it not been for the support of the United States and the oil rich Islamic States of the Gulf, this territory could not have been independent let alone to join the UN.
The reward for the military, economic and diplomatic support given to the rebels during their struggle became obvious in 2001 when the authorities of Southern Sahara signed development cooperation agreements with their previous supporters. This is why Starbucks, Pepsi Cola, McDonald and King Burger now well established in nearly all the towns of this new state and why American oil corporations are now pumping one million barrel of oil daily from this country. The Gulf states are pleased by the Sharia Law used in this new state ensuring the place of women in the private sphere, and by the vast land concessions given to the members of the royal families. While the development strategies of the state are praised by the United States and the Gulf states, the local people and most human rights organizations remain highly critical.
During 2006 this new state was shaken by widespread protest demonstrations denouncing the corrupt practices of the rulers, the refusal to commit to civilian rule and opposing the irresponsible behavior of the external economic actors. The oil corporations were blamed for polluting the environment and undermining the health of the local population in the region they operate. As evidence for this, thousands of pictures were produced showing aborted fetus and deformed babies. The beverage companies were accused of profiting by at the expense of the health of the young generation as clearly shown by the growing obesity. McDonald and King Burger chains were blamed for selling pig meat disguised as cow meat. The refusal of these corporations to be transparent when it comes to showing how they are operating was perceived as a sign of arrogance and irresponsibility.
Much more worrisome to the authorities was the widespread protests of the labour unions and women organizations. The latter demanded changes to the use of the Sharia Law. In particular, they opposed the restrictions placed on their participation in decision-making processes and in commerce activities and new school curriculum used to prepare young girls for their roles in the families. Labor unions criticized the methods used by the Middle Eastern plantation owners to rely on illegal migrant workers when there are so many unemployed citizens nearby. The community leaders too raised concerns over why so many people were evicted from their lands without compensation when the land grab arrangement were made, and why the plantations are used to produce crops that are needed in the Middle Eastern rather than by the local population.
All these demands were dismissed by the authorities as misleading and as evidence for the existence of conspiracy to destabilize the nation. According to them, without external investment the country will collapse. The development cooperation agreements provide the badly needed foreign currency to bolster the defense (which is 50% of the GDP). After all, although neighboring Niger has now recognized the new state, there are border disputes that can easily erupt to full scale military confrontation. Worried by the spread of this local protest the authorities arrested over ten thousand activists in 2006 and banned all forms of freedom of expression, assembly, association including internet based social networking. This led to refugee exodus, forcing one tenth of the youth population to see asylum abroad. To this day the authorities have not been willing to reverse this depressing situation. Some observers even claim that the authorities even appreciate this situation because of the significance of remittances sent by the refugees.
When the President of this State of Southern Sahara was recently asked by CNN about when the human rights restrictions would be lifted and the first democratic elections will held, he stated the following:
?Since we appreciate human rights we have ratified all the key human rights instruments. We are promoting these rights selectively bearing in mind our needs and spiritual requirements. What our people need is development which brings them food on their tables. Economic growth requires sacrificing individual rights and freedoms. The high level of development that is achieved by the industrial Western states came about by sacrificing individual rights or by exploiting the colonial people. Now that these states are developed they can afford to ensure civil, economic, social and cultural rights to their citizens. Western values and system of democratic elections do not work in conditions of extreme poverty where the loyalty of ethnic groups is to their kins than to their nation. It only breeds polarization and instability.?
Your task in this assignment will be to provide a critical assessment of how the development policies, strategies and approaches of this new Islamic state relates to the UN blueprint for development. Consider also whether the external actors that are involved here are behaving in line with the international cooperation development framework of the UN, and why? Conclude by identifying the challenges and opportunities facing this state and by suggesting solutions by way of recommendations.
Every student is required to respond to this assignment. The paper should be structured and address all the points raised. It should be strengthened by at least five references. The conclusions should be based on sound reasons. In length, the paper should be between three and five pages. For the form and style, use Word program, Times New Roman font size 12 in one and half spacing. The language should be polished and avoid obvious linguistic errors. The list of the materials consulted should be attached separately at the end as bibliography. Email the papers to eyassu.gayim@globalstudies.gu.se a night before the second seminar.

Take-home exam
Case study relating to the development policy & strategies used by one African country

This exam requires you to assess critically how one African country south of the Sahara is pursuing its development agenda. Use the UN blue print for development and how it is responding to the MDGs as the framework for your assessment. Proceed by first identifying clearly the policies and strategies used (be reliance on external investment, foreign aid, bank loans, remittances, or other forms of inter-state development cooperation) by this state. What are the kinds of development challenges and opportunities facing this country? Is globalization helping it or obstructing it from achieving the desired development goals? Who are the key dominant actors, winners and losers in this development process? Are the UN sponsored human rights and democratic values promoted or sacrificed in the pretext of or for the sake of development?
For materials, rely on the reports of the country you chose to the United Nations relating to the MDGs. You will find additional reports sent to the African Commission on Peoples and Human Rights. For the human rights records of that state consult the Universal periodic review of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/Pages/HumanRightsintheWorld.aspx). You can also rely on the summary comments and concerns of the human rights committees in relation to the reports of that state under the covenant on civil and political rights (by the Human Rights Committee), the covenant on economic, social and cultural rights (by the Committee on economic, social and cultural rights) or the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (by the committee on the elimination of discrimination against women). You are also rely on the reports of non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch.

Your paper should be structured and address all the key points asked above. It should be strengthened by at least five references. In length, it should be between 800 and 1100 words. For the form and style, use Word program, Times New Roman font size 12 in one and half spacing. The language should be polished and avoid obvious linguistic errors. The list of the materials consulted should be attached separately at the end as bibliography. Email the papers to eyassu.gayim@globalstudies.gu.se by June 5 noon.

Foto: Bilden på Lalla - Mickey Billberg
I övrigt undertecknad.....

Ronald Giles was born, next door to a pub at the Angel Islington, London, England on September 29th 1916
He was christened Ronald but soon had a nickname of Karlo, from some uncharitable friends,
because of his likeness to horror film actor Boris Karloff.
Karlo was then shortened to Carl and the rest is history.
Giles described himself in the first Giles annual answering the question 'What is Giles like?'
with 'Well in a crowd he could hide as a man of no importance'
Giles left school at the age of fourteen and found employment as an office boy,
and then as an animator on cartoon films. He was paid ten shillings a week.
At eighteen Giles moved to work at Elstree for Alexander Korda.
He was an animator on the full length film - The Fox Hunt.
The project was never properly completed and has only been shown briefly
at London's Curzon cinema.
Giles had an accident on a Panther 600 motorcycle.
He is incapacitated for nearly a year, with a fractured skull and damage to his drawing hand.
In 1937 Giles moved to London to be with his mother after the death of his older brother.
He was offered employment at Reynolds News - A left wing Sunday paper.
Giles married his cousin, Joan, in 1942. Pictures were taken by someone at Reynolds News,
but they didn't come out.
In the Summer of 1943 Giles was approached by the Daily Express and subsequently
joined them for the princely sum of 20 guineas a week.
The first Giles cartoon appeared in the Express on October 3rd 1943.
Resten är historia.....

...... firade jag med en promenad i Slottsskogen......

........ sänker sig över jorden......