The end of this article has a good way of looking at situations where, at least statistically, some of the Millenium Goals are not living up to expectations.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/in-kenya-proof–that-the-millennium-goals-can-work-2083866.html

Posted by: | 22nd Sep, 2010

Rwandan surveys

Hi everyone,

I really enjoyed hearing what everybody had to say on Rwanda yesterday – it’s fun to hear so many different perspectives from people with lots of different backgrounds and experience!

Something I found interesting in the readings in the Rwanda Demographics Healt Survey was the often lack of correspondence between what people say and what they do. I found this particularly prominent in the chapter on HIV/AIDS, where surveys would be taken on AIDS prevention, etc., and in theory, a (generally) high percentage of people knew the risks involved in not using protection, the importance of using condoms, etc., but still failed to put this knowledge into practice. I was surprised, for example, to see that more men than women (marinally, but still) saw it as necessary to wear condoms, however, in practice, I imagine that this is not really the case… Also, there was a pole taken on whom people thought it was appropriate to sleep with, and, not surprisingly, the high 90 percentile of people said that people should be monogamous, just sleeping with their significant other. However, in surveying people on the habits of people they knew, this obviously turned out to be untrue that people lived by their ideals/standards of sleeping with one parner. This is a truth that is worldwide, of course – that people don’t act as they know they ought.

This just got me thinking that even with education (and of course I think it’s absolutely essential), it takes a long time for habits to actually change. It’s frustrating, though, because we see that it’s harmful, people know it’s harmful and dangerous themselves, and yet these trends persist.

What do you think?

Elise

Posted by: | 17th Sep, 2010

Presentations

Hello everyone!

This is a friendly reminder that we will be choosing presentation dates next class, so please look through the syllabus and think of which country you would like to present on. Also, since the number of presentation dates are limited, please come with a second choice as well just in case.

See you on Tuesday!

Amber and Julia

Posted by: | 6th Sep, 2010

WELCOME!

Hello!

Welcome to our class blog!  This is a discussion forum for all participants (including our faculty sponsor) to share comments, ideas, opinions, and links relevant to our SDS.  Please remember to keep all content conducive to a safe and respectful learning environment.

We look forward to our first class on Tuesday, September 14 in Buchanan D205 from 4-7 PM since classes are cancelled for all levels for Imagine Day on Tuesday, September 7.  We have booked the Global Lounge and Resource Center for the remaining classes of the term, so we will use Buchanan D205 only for the FIRST class.

Please feel free to introduce yourself on the blog before the class!

See you soon,

– Amber and Julia

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