Classic patterns of economic development lead to impact beyond their a country’s own borders. Swapnil Mishra, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from India currently studying in the U.S., looks at how growth and change in one economy can influence neighbouring economies and labour markets. According to Walt Whitman Rostow, an American economist and political theorist who served …

“Classical theories of economic development” Read More »

The world counts on humanitarian intervention when human rights are violated. Here, Abhay Shah, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Siliguri in India, looks at how the imperative for humanitarian intervention flows from the principle of “responsibility to protect”, and what that means for policy and assessing need for action. Humanitarian intervention is the state of use …

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A ten day programme of meditation taught Mridul Upadhyay, 25,  a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi in India, about one of India’s ancient disciplines and how it still applies to modern life. ‘How strange it is that we want control over others, while we are a slave of our own feelings completely.’ When one is …

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The desire to give aid comes from good intentions, writes Swapnil Mishra, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from India currently studying in the U.S. At the same time, policies around international aid can lead to dependence, or undermine efforts to build a healthy local economy. A very popular documentary titled “Poverty, Inc.” explicitly puts forward the …

“The charitable-industrial complex” Read More »

India took a major step in tax reform with introduction of the long-planned GST. Shiboni D’Souza, 23, a Correspondent from Bangalore in India, writes that the reform was based on cooperation and predicts it will bring overall benefit. India implemented the Goods and Services Tax on July 1, seventeen years after the reform was first proposed. Historically, …

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Shiboni D’Souza, 23, a Correspondent from Bangalore in India, writes that refugees, throughout history, have brought a great deal to her homeland. How citizens respond to the latest influx of refugees, however, will be the true test of her country’s national character. The global refugee crisis has been a hot topic for debate on all sides …

“In a refugee crisis, a little compassion can go a long way” Read More »

Young people living with disabilities must demand systemic change to ensure that balloting stations are accessible for all, both now and in the future, writes Vibhu Sharma, 24, a Correspondent from Delhi in India.  Elections, in any democracy, continues to be a source of heated debates. While political candidates make tall (sometime egregious) promises to …

“It’s time young people living with disabilities are heard” Read More »

The world is in danger as the number of states with nuclear weapons has increased and the long lasting arms race between nuclear weapon states continues, writes Abhay Shah, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Siliguri in India, who draws attention to the UN Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapon (NPT) as the legal …

“As tensions rise, it is time to say no to nukes” Read More »

Loans from international financial institutions can come at a heavy cost for developing countries, writes Swapnil Mishra, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from India currently studying in the U.S. He examines the impact of some of the conditions that can come with joining the world economy. To date, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have …

“International finance has flawed model” Read More »

India has launched a Smart Cities Mission to reform delivery of services. Abhilash Borah, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Assam, India, argues the plan must consider climate change and public health needs. Development has come at a cost, with a threat that the climate is challenging society at large. With increasing population, climate change presents …

“Hot cities affect climate change and health” Read More »