debate on active citizens and fragile states. In the meantime, here are a few things I’ve been reading: Development jargon we hate, (in the field, capacity building, local) and chance to vote for better alternatives The four big ‘ABCD’ cereal traders respond to Oxfam’s recent report about them (we found out by accident). Only Louis Dreyfus seems to be ready to engage (and disagree) properly. The World Bank painfully torn between evidence and ideology. Its research shows state banks played a positive role in responding to the financial crisis, but (oh dear) it hates state banks. The result? Enjoyable contortions. ‘Community paralegals’ in 36% of Sierra Leone’s chiefdoms offer new way to access basic health services. Interesting idea. South-South cooperation, Africa and Brazil to collaborate on cotton Does Africa stand to benefit as China responds to rising incomes by shedding low skill manufacturing jobs (i.e. the latest twist in the East Asian flying geese story)? [h/t Tim Kelsall] ‘The Human Development Resource Centre (HDRC) provides DFID advisers with high quality advice, expertise and knowledge in health, education and nutrition.’ But it appears to be open to the public (tho not sure if we can get them to do our work for us….).]]>