The cyber environmentalists from Mongolia, participants of the Nomad Green project has been on the job, sharing more and more revealing posts about the impact of the country's environmental deterioration. And they invited more people to the party as the Rising Voices grantee concluded five more workshops - three in Ulaanbaatar, one in Dalanzadgad (South Gobi province), and one in Zamiin Uud (near China border). You can see the detailed schedule here.

Portnoy Zheng, informs via an email:

One thing that I will underline in these workshops is the COP15 UN Climate Change Conference. Mongolia, like many other less developed (less destroyed in another way) countries, is suffering much more disasters (less rainfall, graver desertification) due to climate change, and the voices of Mongolian people are seldom heard by their Government, not to mention the world leaders.

Recently Mongolia Gov signed a contract with Canadiana and Australian mining companies to exploit the copper mine in Oyu Toigoi which is said to bring more money per year than the current GDP of Mongolia, while green activists are against the contract because they understand that Mongolian Government has no power or willingness to monitor these mining companies. Mining, along with over-grazing and climate change, are destroying the steppe and the life of many forever.

Nomad green workshop in Dalazadgad. Image by Portnoy Zheng

We have interviewed Ms. Otgonsuren Jargaliin (Otgoo), the project coordinator of Nomad Green. From 1997 to 2006 she worked as a journalist in daily newspapers in Mongolia and she also worked in TV-9. From 2007 until August 2009 she was the project director of FSP at SOS in Mongolia. She started intensive participation in environmental activism since 2006.

1) Please tell us about the latest workshops conducted by Nomad Green. What were the challenges you faced?

The latest workshops were held in South Gobi, one of the biggest province, situated at the very south part of Mongolia. When we got to Dalanzadgad, a province of south Gobi we found that a few men were infected by H1N1 flu in that region, and one of them died. So all kinds of public activities including workshop was closed. That was main problem for organizing the workshop there. Irrespective of many obstacles we accomplished our tasks successfully. We organized two workshops in Dalanzadgad and around 30 persons participated.

The third workshop was held in Zamiin –Uud, another province of Gobi. Here the same trouble traveled with us. Zamiin-Uud is smaller than the first one, so it was difficult to recruit many participants. Here we had only 15 participants.

On the other hand the internet connection is a issue of concern in the provinces. You know, internet is the new thing, especially for people who lives in countryside. Also to facilitate the internet infrastructures in a big territory such as Mongolia is not easy.

In Dalanzadgad and Zamiin –Uud we found suitable venues where there were 5-7 computer connected to internet.

Participants of Nomad green Workshop in Ulaanbaatar

2) Tell us about the participants. Were they enthusiastic?

I would say, yes, however computer and internet was not available for everyone. They have many ideas to protect their own country and they wanted to involve in the environmental activism. They want to say and write a lot of issues concerning environment. Some of them who were very enthusiastic in every activities, does not have internet or computer at home. They have not learned to work with it which sometime creates problem.

3) Can the participants practice elsewhere what they have learned?

If you mean about participants of province, I am afraid that they have little chance to practice themselves. While we are working there we found one solution to connect with them. However, I am not so sure that is reasonable option for them. They will send their articles thought post office or post mail to our office. After receiving we will post them on Nomadgreen website. After completing the workshop in Gobi some people kept calling me and shared ideas. They were willing to be touch with us. Also some people who works at administration office of the province promised to help them to send their articles to us by e-mail. I hope that we will develop our cooperation step by step in future.

Nomad green workshop in Zamiin Uud. Image by Portnoy Zheng

4) We have seen a lot of posts (in Mongolian) being translated into English. Are you getting responses from international audiences?

Sometimes, but not so much. I saw some comment from Germany, Africa, and Russia and China and I thought that this is the response from international audiences. Otherwise, I have not yet received any direct communication.

I think that our website is relatively new. It will take time to be known to more people.

5) How is the reporting of issues on the Map initiative going on?

Reporting on the Map is not so active, you know. In order to progress with the Map initiative we need a dedicated person who can take responsibility to show the position on the map, if needed. Otherwise, citizen journalists can not use the map, I think.

Nomad Green workshop participants

6) Are your participants aware of the Global climate change platforms (e.g. the upcoming COP15 UN conference in Copenhagen)?

Our participants know about the Global climate change issues, of course. If there was someone who never know about Global climate change, we let them knew about it through our workshops. So they have now concrete understanding about climate change and also I hope that they know why they are involving in this project and what they should to do in this changed situation.

7) Is there any communication/publicity (except the website) effort to let the world know about the climate related perils in Mongolia (and your activism)?

We have not enough communication/ publicity efforts to let the world know about Mongolian issues. Although in Mongolia there are many NGOs devoted to protect the environment and work against climate change. But they didn't have much chance to let them be heard. The main reason is they have no financial support for their publicity. Another reason is NGO’s in Mongolia are not yet strengthened at this time, so they do not enough experiences to make communication with international organizations.

On the other hand citizen not so active in environmental activism.

7) What are your future plans?

We have many ideas to extend our activity and we would like to be known to the world. But it may be sound like the list of dream to you, so I want to mention a few of them only.

a. We are planning to translate all articles into German.

b. We are searching the client who can sponsor our website further.

c. We want to produce video program about Global climate change and environmental problem in Mongolia which would be very useful for citizen. This will be done at the studio at Nomadgreen. But right now MR. Boum (adviser of Nomadgreen) and me are talking about it only.

You can see more pictures of the workshops in Ulaanbaatar, Dalazadgad and in Zamiin Uud. Please read the participants posts from the project blog and kindly comment to encourage them.

2nd Abidjan Blog Camp. Image by Nadine Kouamouo

The event took place on the 14th of November 2009 at the Fondation Les Amis de l'Excellence in Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast. Information about the program and participants can be found here [fr].

The project leader of Abidjan Blog Camps Théophile Kouamouo wrote [fr] about the expected participants in an invitation published in his blog:

The target? People who already blogging and want to share their more experienced “tip”. Stakeholders? Those who have a theme to develop in twenty minutes, and who are willing to distinguish themselves through a comment below this post.

He listed [fr] the program:

There will be four speakers:
- Nadine Kouamouo, who will speak of liveblogging, notably about Twitter and CoveritLive.
- Israël Yoroba of Le Blog De Yoro, who will speak about referencing and maintaining a blog over time.
- Manassé Dehe (cartunelo) will show how to produce audio podcasts and video and publish them.
- Theophile Kouamouo (myself). I will speak of blogging in the workplace.

Register by clicking this link: http://abidjanblogcamp.eventbrite.com

2nd abidjan blogcamp. Image by Nadine Kouamouo

10 participants with blogging experience attended the blog camp. However, Nadine Kouamouo mentions [fr] that they had hoped of more participants. This event was live blogged by Nadine [fr]. The transcript tells that there was a bonus for the participants - a discussion on blogging under pseudonyms.

Here is a video [fr] of an interview with Israël Yoroba, who talks about the blog camp:

Theophile looks back [fr] at the success of the workshop and announces future plans of the project:

It seemed important at the outset to educate journalists, opinion leaders and influential, who have the habit of writing, the practice of the blog. We subsequently created the framework for cross-training of those who are already blogging - and will continue to meet and learn from each other within the BlogCamps.

Now it is for us to go to groups less naturally well disposed but which would benefit from blogging. We want to start by artists, writers and musicians. Perhaps in a single session, perhaps two, depending on enrollment.

We expect bloggers, blog readers and members of these groups they help us to have contacts with writers, musicians, agents and managers. This will help them share our project and to organize the next BlogCamp in early December.

2nd Abidjan blog camps participants. Image by Nadine Kouamouo

In a recent post Theophile wrote about the linguistic barrier which divides the African web (bloggers, developers, entrepreneur) like the “Berlin Wall”.

It may seem almost impossible to read afro-bloggers who write in a language we do not know - although a friend pointed out to me that Google Translate is not for dogs

Beyond what can be considered like interpersonal communication problems, it seems that the linguistic challenge is also a technological and economic challenge for us. For example, large platforms like Facebook and Google are safe to translate their interfaces in as many languages as possible, simply because they want to expand their user base and their financial value, simply.

Should we not do the same? How many Kenyan or South African start-ups are interested by developments in Côte d'Ivoire and Gabon? How many Cameroonian startups would benefit to cross the border and conquer Nigeria? I think that investor’s interest would increase if we could develop online brands which go beyond language barriers. In this regard, the blogging platform Maneno shows the path.

Ivorian Wedding. Image by Elia Varela Sera

It's really a shame that the Abidjan lagoon (named Ebrie), is now extremely polluted and in some parts of the city it stinks like a dumpster. But at night, when you can't see the fowl color of the water and the trash littering its banks, it's really quite a lovely view to enjoy sit on a terrace next to it sipping a beer.

Now let us look at some posts from Ivorian blogs [fr]:

Houedanou explains “how to create a personal website in 3 steps”. The blogger also writes about the African email scams and the Google Money kit scam.

Euclid Okolou writes about the spread of scams via sms to mobile phones instead of emails.

Israël Yoroba informs that Avenue 225, a local radio station has launched the first ever radio webcast in Ivory coast. Yoroba also writes about a debate which took place in the Deutsche Welle akademie titled “New Media for a New World: Democracy and Development“:

Roger Kasse writes a multi part report on the ill practices of private medical clinics and shops in Vavoua region. He also writes about the challenges the African bloggers face to blog - the internet is slow and costly, it takes time to blog, tools like pc and camera are not easily available etc.

Richman posts this interesting picture with the apt title “Sustainable development”:

Sustainable Development. Image by Richman Mvouama

While it can run, let's go. The decor is done with the resources available. It is also sustainable development.

Nadine Kouamouo writes about a local geek who engaged in the community service voluntarily and helped many:

I have learned through Facebook this morning. My friend Manasseh Dehe was made available to all for providing help on how to use the WAP service for mobile phones. [..] He was happy to help twenty people today [..] and I too can now “twitter” on my phone.

Telecommunications companies should support such initiatives. Those of who opens the eyes of users on specific applications. It is not enough to just note that the “customers” do not use many applications available to them by the operators. We must help those who are willing to “educate” … only “glamorous” advertising campaigns are not enough.

Tobias Eigen at Kabissa hails the project:

The founder, Ruthie Ackerman, was recently interviewed on Media Bistro, which you can listen to online here. (via Rising Voices mailing list)

I recommend the interview if you have the bandwidth to listen to it. In it, Ruthie explains Liberia and the project to an American audience - her perspective is very interesting and she's clearly committed to Liberia and to providing a platform for Liberians to have a voice and to connect with each other, both in Liberia and in the Diaspora.

The blogging project is described as “hyper local” which I found illuminating and worth emulating in other communities, the idea being to create blogging clubs in local communities that meet regularly and encourage more people to get involved in blogging - in this case in Staten Island, New York and Monrovia. The benefits then are larger since it is a social media powered online project, so people around the world can participate.

350.org, an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis, thanks Ceasefire Liberia and writes:

On October 24, Ceasefire Liberia, a citizen media project of Rising Voices, joined members of their own community, and the rest of the world, in lending their voices to demand swift action on climate change. The day included a parade, educational programs, and the signing of a global petition, as well as enabled Liberia to connect their efforts to the global 350 movement.

Saki G writes in the CeaseFire Liberia Blog:

In Liberia, the youth of Wood Camp in collaboration with the Youth Crime Watch of Liberia in Paynesville, added their voices to the global chorus, challenging key stakeholders who will be meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009, to commit themselves to the climate deal that will define a new direction in the fight against climate change.  The campaign, which started with a parade through the principal streets of Wood Camp, saw students from three schools in Paynesville forming part of the campaign.

Saki G took this video in the Wood Camp area of Paynesville, Monrovia as part of the day of climate action on October 24, 2009:

In a recent roundup of the project, Ruthie Ackerman notes:

October has proven to be our best month yet (so far). We have hit a new record with the sheer number of blog posts we have published on the site and we are being inundated with requests from bloggers to blog for us. This proves that Liberians want to interact more in the blogosphere and just needed a space to do so collectively. Many of our bloggers are now on Facebook as well so the social media contagion is really catching on.

Read the roundup in details.

Now we will highlight some of the interesting blog posts written and published by the Ceasefire Liberia Bloggers:

Liberia is launching new biometric passports:

The new biometric Liberian passports are being introduced in order to put Liberia on par with all other countries the world over to meet the global requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Compliant Machine Readable Passports.

Photography workshop Monrovia -by Ruthie Ackerman:

Photographer Glenna Gordon recently concluded a UNICEF-sponsored photography training workshop in Monrovia, which trained Liberian journalists on editing, picture taking skills, and street photography.

Glenna Gordon comments on the workshop:

The hardest thing is communicating the idea that you have to spend a lot of time working at taking pictures before you actually take good pictures. And a lot of time in one place, working on one story. Everyone in the workshop wants to do that, but wanting to do that and having the resources to do that are two very different things.

Combating Corruption:

Saliho Donzo urges Liberians to use common sense to combat corruption:

many Liberians are asking themselves this simple question: What is the way out? I strongly believe that there are ways out. Below are some possible solutions:

• 1. Nationalism: We must at all times demonstrate love and devotion to our country. This is the only way forward as a people.
• 2.Government Priorities: One way to minimize corruption is for the government to prioritize the following: construction of infrastructure, building of roads or the reconstruction of already damaged roads, the availability of safe drinking water and electricity, good health system, and education, and paying civil servants on time.

Hiperbarrio member Camela is appalled by the theft and she calls it a “desecration”. Argos points out what the library means to the community:

This is our workplace, our meeting place and the only place of public open permanently to the community in a territory that has no parks, public spaces or platforms.

The robbers came through the roof and used the shelves as ladder

Catalina Restrepo writes:

“For eight days our souls have departed“, said Gabriel Jaime Vanegas every time they ask him about what happened in the library of La Loma. Today there are many voices calling for the dissemination of this press release through their sites and social networks:

“If you consider the public library as a place of encounter, knowledge and service to the community for over 50 years, it is unacceptable that some take for themselves what belong to another property, intangible assets and property that belong to the community. [..]

“Thus our community today requires and demands the presence of the authorities responsible so that these criminal acts are not repeated.”

Alvaro Ramirez wonders who are behind the robbery:

The theft is consummated and many questions remain in the air. The key may be what motivates these thieves to enter in a library? [..]

As the statuette was abandoned, I think think this may be (the work of) drug addicts. It is very sad to accept, but in Colombia today, they proliferate and their desperation to get money makes them steal, even from their own family and friends.

And he urges that the pain of this tragic event should be converted into action:

It strikes me that if I were now in Medellin, I would go to all the schools in La Loma. To speak with teachers and offer them a class of an hour with each group to tell them about the theft and ask the kids what they think of the event. It is not going to preach the importance of being honest and to respect the community in which they live. We do this often. It is something more radical. To ask questions and engage into deep thinking with them, and let them express themselves with their own mind and think about the future that awaits us.

Suppressing crime is important and must be stopped. But at the same time it is important to discuss these acts of vandalism, with children, young people and older people to find ways to stop this wave of thefts, threats and intimidation within the villages where we live. I think it important to mobilize quickly, and from below, while putting pressure on government authorities to act.

Argos explains how the society has been ignoring the crimes and the pain of the youth:

Every time we see our loved ones suffer. The young people who have seen it grow are those who feel cornered. Without getting more sense in their lives, no future or opportunity in a society that denies them both. A society that is more interested in the further alienation of people by immersing in football, entertainment and media.

Now let us look at other issues the Hiperbarrio bloggers are blogging about.

The flower museum in San Cristobal. Image courtesy Angela Alvarez

Camela writes about the Halloween celebrations and the need to be careful about the safety of the children:

I believe that young people are invincible and do not understand reasons, at least we should take care to children, because this Halloween, they just want to collect their candy and show off their best costumes. Please, make sure to take them out early to collect their candy and be accompanied by their fathers or elders.

Homohabitus

Henry Elsucio writes about a recent workshop on animation, networking and socio-cultural issues held in Medellin. Hiperbarrio participated in it:

HiperBarrio was invited to socialize their expertise in the room 4: The digital information technologies and communication processes applied to socio-cultural. Besides socializing are two experiences that are of much more interest in what has been generating using Websocial tools. [..]

The interesting thing about this socialization was that attendees ranging from community service organizations, social work professionals, leaders and persons from community action boards and rechargeable HiperBarrio interest in how this project uses the tools of new technologies for building construction citizenship, on the other side's bench was very productive where it could make an important contact with hypertrophic project that showed interest in the work being done in HiperBarrio, exchanged emails and phone for a possible exchange of knowledge.

Colonel Murión criticize the local media for the veneration of narcotic and mob culture which are affecting the social psyche of the youth.

Landscape of Ituango

Meanwhile we have got news from Ituango. The town in situated on the North of Antioquia mountains with beautiful landscapes and kind people as this post describes. Several members of Hiperbarrio visited Ituango for a workshop and cultural week activities but a power cut had postponed the events. “Ituango is an amazing town, a municipality that falls with the human warmth of people who have all the resilient capacity of the world,” writes Catalina Restrepo.

(The translations in this post has been done using Google Translate)

Joan Razafimaharo summarizes some of the achievements so far by the FOKO Bloggers:

• FOKO promoted Citizen Journalism during the 2009 Political unrest in Madagascar.
• FOKO's effort in promoting ICT in Education was mentioned in local media.
• FOKO's efforts in promoting social activism in fighting against poverty and climate change got international recognition.

In a latest report Joan reports on the people behind FOKO's success:

There are now bloggers who didn’t have mailbox before a FBC workshop who are very active on our Facebook/Google group mailing lists! There are bloggers who were very shy, who are now updating their blogs regularly! If there is a topic or an event important to be reported (and most of the time forgotten by mainstream media), you can be sure a Foko blogger will write a post, publish a picture, update his Twitter, tell it on Facebook or simply let the word out.

Since January 2009 FOKO Blog Club posted a series of interviews with its bloggers celebrating their first anniversary of blogging. Now let us meet through these interviews some of the enthusiastic and brilliant Malagasy Bloggers who are driving the success of FOKO blog Club.

Tahina:
Tahina, the Malagasy geek, has started blogging in English one year ago with his ICE Club mates. He was also active behind the Ushahidi-Foko and covered the political unrest in Madagascar in his blog.

The name of his blog is Madagascar Not The Movie. His latest blog posts include articles on swine flu outbreak in Madagascar, Afrobasket women championship and recycling and waste management.

You can read his interview here.

Jaona:

Jaona Rakotoarisioa (25) from Fianarantsoa was invited to the Global Forum on ICT and Innovation For Education in Monterrey, Mexico organized by the United Nations and the Global Alliance for ICT and Development.

He blogs in English and French. His interview can be found here.

Ariniaina:

Ariniaina from Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar started blogging on September 21, 2008 and emerged as a prolific blogger. The name of her blog is “Dago Tiako”. She explains:

Dago is a nickname given to Madagascar (especially used by Malagasy people living abroad) and Tiako means “I love”.

She celebrates the first anniversary of her blog and remembers:

September 21,2008, DagoMC, Moonlightgirl, Fara, Moma, Tahina, Andry and I were then invited to join the workshop led by David Sasaki and Joan who showed us the way to create a blog. And today, I am thankful to  Joan, David Sasaki, Lova, Tahina, Andry, and all FOKO.

September 21, 2009. What have I realized???

• 103 posts
• 439 comments
• 16,574 hits
• 98 fans on Facebook
• 433 tweets and 141 followers on Twitter

Here is her interview with FOKO blog club. Her Flickr account is here.

Andry (Rakotoniana Andriatahiana):

Andry is a Malagasy lawyer and a blogger from Antananarivo. He is an alumni of the ICE English club and blogs in English at “The Cyber Observer“. He shares his views on democracy and is never afraid to use the right words.

Read his interview. Here are his Twitter and Flickr accounts.

Solofo:

Solofo is a journalist from Antsirabe, Madagascar. He is a student of communication of communication at ESSVA (Ecole Supérieure Spécialisée du Vakinankaratra) where FOKO held its 13th workshop. He imparted photography lessons to mid-schools students at the workshop.

He likes to write about issues relating to the youth. Read his interview here.

Moonlight girl:

“Everyone just calls me the “Moon” because my real name is Volana which means the moon in malagasy,” explains blogger Moonlight girl. She had started blogging in September 2008 with her friends at ICE club. She is writing her first novel and she publishes some snippets on her blog. She dedicates her blog to all short story lovers. Here is a teaser for you.

Read her interview here.

Imahaka:

Imahaka is a student of the ESSVA school in in Antsirabe, the capital of Vakinankaratra and also the pillar of Foko Blog Club in the area. he is from Ikongo (former Fort Carnot), a region that lies between Fianarantsoa and Manakara.

He loves to write about Antsirabe which draws little media attention. He blogs in French. Read his interview here.

Patricia Rakotomalala:

Patricia is one of the oldest of the FOKO bloggers who has been blogging since March 2008 from Antananarivo. Patricia Rakotomalala represented FOKO Madagascar at Interdependence Day 2008 in Brussels, Belgium. Watch her presentation in that event. She later gave a presentation about her experience in Brussels at Madagascar's first-ever Barcamp.

Patricia blogs in French at Pati et Toi. Read her interview here.

Patrick:

Patrick is a blogger from Tamatave, Madagascar and writes about the town and and BUEC (Barikadimy’s United English Clubs) activities. He is a student of management at the University of Tamatave. He also works as a local tour guide.

Blogging is his favorite pass time. He blogs in English. Read his interview here.

Lomelle:

Lomelle is a citizen journalist from Mahajanga. Her writings of exceptional quality have been appreciated by the blogosphere and linked by the media for their relevance and activism.

She blogs in French. Read her interview here.

EWAMT 7th workshop participants

Napoleon Bonaparte once said: “let France have good mothers, and she will have good sons.” The same is true for every nation. One can hope that the Rising Voices grantee from Yemen ‘Empowerment of Women Activists in Media Techniques (EWAMT)' can make such impact. Ghaida'a al-Absi in collaboration with the Hand in Hand Initiative is organizing new media training course for female politicians, activists, and human right workers of Yemen to bring more women's voices to the internet and empower them. She shares an interesting experience gathered during the seventh workshop of the project:

On Thursday 15 October, 2009 we hold a workshop on blogging and social networking for ten activists. These activists were really talkative and full of energy. It is like a magic, every time you train new women activists, you got some energy from them.

Sadiq al-Samawi introducing Facebook

The day-long workshop anchored by Ghaida'a included tips like how to blog via email and in the afternoon session Sadiq al-Samawi taught the participants how to use facebook.

Now let us look at some of the blog posts published by the participants of the 7th workshop.

Safa writes about an important issue - the spread of drug abuse in Yemen.

Smile To Life discusses the shocking spread of AIDS and how to raise awareness to prevent this disease.

Dove creativity posts a poem called ‘silent heart‘.

Lafraaaaacp adventure defines love:

Love is when all your interest is about the happiness of your beloved without thinking of yourself.

Sarah loves the children stories and drawings and wishes to post about these.

Meanwhile here are snippets from the blogs of some of the participants of the previous workshops:

Pearl, who writes at Shells blog talks about how a women is forced to do something she does not want because she is deemed weaker in the society. She screams:

“Why don't you understand that we have the right to choose.”

Kholoud at Ambitious Project mentions about another kind of rape:

Image courtesy Kholoud

There are raped ideas .. raped success .. and even raped feelings .. usurpation of land and other types of rape. The most hideous of this is the rape of innocence .. the rape of children. Children raped and stripped from all their rights..
The right to play
To learn
To a dignified life and secure … and are locked up in a dark cave, which is located on the sidelines of life
Simply because they are created only to find themselves living a hard life.

Abeer Aeriqi shares a story how it feels betrayed by your sibling. She also posts an interesting story which has the morale that “we always suffer from severe emotional stupidity, which makes us judge things wrong.”

Eman shares the thoughts of an unsuccessful love and whether people should try over and over before giving up hope on love.

The list of participants' blogs of the EWAMT project can be found in this site.

Today is the Blog Action Day and this annual event aims to unite the world's bloggers where they write about a single topic in a single day to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion on the subject. Some of the members of Rising Voices projects are also participating in this event and we bring to you a brief round-up.

One of the main focus of the Rising Voices grantee FOKO is make the citizens of Madagascar a crucial factor in their unique and threatened environment. Tahina from FOKO Blog Club in Antananarivo, Madagascar writes:

Today is the Blog Action Day about Climate Change, thousands of blogs are uniting to raise more awareness and put pressure on each individual and world leaders to take quick and apropriate actions. The fight is worthwhile since the future of our kids is at stake. I’m pretty skeptical on the direct impact of this online activism here in Madagascar but since blogging has once helped Baby Kambana, why wouldn’t it do the same for all of us. We want to tell the World as well that we do care.

He points out to the action required:

How many of the Malagasy homes are using coal and woods to cook? 80-90%? We just can’t afford other source of energy in the long term. And this is where higher responsibles should take actions.

Patrick from Tamatave, Madagascar: Looking for the right place where to plant a tree

Lyva, another member of FOKO writes [fr] from Antsirabe :

We believe that everyone should be concerned by this problem because no one ever knows what season we see. For example, is this spring or summer? The temperature varies a lot because there is no winter. It drops to 3°C while in spring and in summer it rises to 35°C or more. (machine translation)

Ariniaina tells what prevents people from taking action against environmental damage:

I think that the main problem here in Madagascar is that people are so busy to search for what they are going to eat today. We then become selfish and just think of ourselves. We forget our neighbours and our future generation.

I hope that the Bloggers’Action of today will wake up millions… billions of people… governments… poor countries… rich countries… and then, we will altogether rescue the Earth. What I can and already do now is planting my own trees.

Théophile Kouamouo from Abidjan Blog Camps project in Ivory Coast writes about a a private conversation between him and a 70 years old Ivorian politician:

Originally from northern Ivory Coast, he told me about his childhood and told me that in front of his eyes, two rivers have dried up in his village. He saw that as the deep wells have increased the likelihood of finding water by digging decreased. What is responsible for what farmers see as a disaster or a curse? The desert encroachment, climate change, but also agro-industrial policies requiring irrigation works, all are quite dangerous in the long term.

The politician spoke with conviction, even with fear for the future, because he had seen with his eyes the danger. (machine translation from French)

“Africa is one of the places of the world most threatened by climate change,” warns Théophile.

Cartunelo from Abidjan Blog Camps writes [fr]:

As a web developer there are simple actions we can take to save our planet and make us web developers eco-compatible in Abidjan:

1. Turn off the computer: Use the lowest possible standby and hibernation.
2. Turn off your external hard drives at night
3. Use Eco-friendly Bulbs
[..]

The issue climate change is addressed specifically by another Rising Voices project. Nomad Green trains Mongolian citizens how to spread awareness - both at home and abroad - about their country's environmental crisis. Read their blog to learn more about their activism to stop degradation of Mongolia's environment.

The Rising Voices Grantee Ceasefire Liberia had a remarkable time last month. Its founder Ruthie Ackerman writes:

Not only have we had dozens of new blog posts from our writers — and several fantastic videos — but we are getting noticed too.

Both Feministing and the Women’s Refugee Commission have mentioned our blog on their sites, widening our audience and ensuring that those who do not usually read about the Liberian community now know where to go for updates. We have also recruited some top new bloggers.

Ruthie Ackerman also introduces us to several Liberian bloggers who have not blogged with Ceasefire Liberia, but she met during her trip to Minnesota.

Ruthie wonders in a Twitter message:

Why are Liberians in Liberia blogging more, with less-access to the internet than Liberians in the Diaspora?

Now let us look at some of the various blog posts published in the Ceasefire Liberia blog.

Ceasefire Liberia has a new sports blogger who writes about Liberian soccer. Roland Mulbah chronicles Liberian International striker Frank Jean Seator's venture in the Middle East. Check more of his posts.

Denna Gibson opines that women must be given chance to “take their rightful places in coaching the female national (football) team, serving as staff on the team and attending workshops or seminars to prove themselves”. She wonders whether the buses from India will last in the Liberia streets as the infrastructures need repairing.

Nat Nyuan-Bayjay mentions that senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy is still remembered in Liberia. He also describes about a mass burial in Central Liberia, which reveals the untold story of Central Liberia’s massacre. He also discusses the increased cases of rape in broad daylight in Liberia.

Stephen Johnson lists the challenges the Liberian youths are facing in the labor market. Wynfred Russell writes about the lack of visionary leadership among Liberians in Minnesota.

Saki Golafale posts a photo essay on the Red Light Market in Paynesville, Liberia.

Saki also explains that the school children in low-income homes in Liberia are a particular target of child abuse.

J. V. Boima reports that a Nepalese UNMIL police officer committed suicide for allegedly being involved in a sexual abuse case.

Graphic Designer Garretson uses video to display his works:

One thing is noticeable here is that most of the Ceasefire Liberia bloggers are male. Ruthie screams in a Twitter message:

And where are all the female Liberian bloggers?

Images courtesy: Ceasefire Liberia.

Roger Kassé informs about the workshop held on the September 3, 2009:

At the initiative of the National Union of Journalists of Côte d'Ivoire (UNJCI) in collaboration with the Association I3C, a training seminar on ‘Journalism and e-blogging' was held at the Press House of Abidjan. This training session was attended by 10 journalists from various Ivorian media.

Théophile Kouamouo (journalist blogger) and Manasseh Dehé (computer engineer) introduced a number of citizen media tools to the participants to teach them blogging. Besides theoretical lectures the new bloggers also engaged in practical trainings.

Théophile Kouamouo writes [fr] about the workshop:

They know - especially the young - that their job is changing. There have already created two blogs, one of Roger and Cynthia, in addition to that of Prosper, which already existed. Many Twitter accounts have been created.

True change agents, journalists who attended the training have already turned into evangelists of blogging. Their articles were published in Le Nouveau Réveil, L'Expression, Fraternité-Matin, AIP, etc. … We had also the opportunity to discuss the topic of online media and blogs on Radio Côte d'Ivoire and Radio Jam. (machine translation)

Roger Kassé informs about the case of toxic waste dumped in 2006 by the ship Probo Koala.

Roger also writes an interesting report on the internet scammers aka “grazers”:

Most of the time, they pose as women or are in collusion with women experts in the art of Internet scam. Their targets or victims reside in Europe. Within a decade, Abidjan became the hub of cyber crime because of these grazers. These crooks on the net belong to a vast network from Nigeria. Their scenario is simple. They storm the cyber space in the district of Abidjan. Their favorite sites are social networks like Facebook or chat sites. (machine translation)

Cinthia R Aka explains that the marketing strategists in Ivory Coast lure clients at any price:

The sellers of clothing, cosmetics and even food installed in our markets do not lack imagination when it comes to bringing people to buy their goods.

Manasseh Deheer, writes about a gathering of entrepreneurs to discuss “The new web based tools for optimizing digital identity (personal / professional).”

Yoro informs that Théophile's wife Nadine Kouamouo, a team member of the project has won the “Best woman ICT reporter” at the Highway Africa Conference.

Nadine writes about the abundance of skin whitening slogans used to sell cosmetics products in Abidjan.

We are looking forward to read more from the Abidjan Blog Camp participants' blogs.

Portnoy Zheng informed about the workshop earlier:

A speaker who is an expert of this field will give workshop participants a 40 minutes talk and then we will visit a green construction site maintained by Mongolian Green Coalition, an environmental NGO that is trying to change the poor living condition of more than 60% of city population who live in yurt district.

On the 8th of September another workshop took place in Choibalsan, a far Eastern city of Mongolia. The topic was agriculture since the eastern aimags (province) of Mongolia are agriculture-based (photos can be found here).

The above two workshops were conducted by Nomad Green editors Otgoo and Odnoo.

Portnoy Zheng held another workshop in Taipei with 15 Mongolian students who are studying in Taiwan. Photos of the workshop can be found here.

In our last report we commented that there are many posts by Nomad Green bloggers in Mongolian, but non Mongolian speakers cannot read them. Thanks to the passionate translators of Nomad Green like Azaa, Ariungerel, Tungaa, and Odnoo many articles have already been translated from Mongolian into English. We are highlighting some of them here.

Greenroza (Narantsetseg Nanzad) informs that according to the Mongolian law, a payment for exploration of precious metal and other mineral resources needs to be made by the mining companies. These funds should go into local budget for the local area development and to solve the social issues of the locals. But nobody actually pays and the law is never enforced. The blogger opines:

NGOs should run activities to teach more about the legal rights of citizens, to monitor state actions, and to increase participation of citizen in social life.

Oyunmandah Byambasuren informs of some revolutionary decisions by the Mongolian government. The following are the major decisions among others:

* Banning the use or import of plastic bags for packaging or wrapping from 2010.
* Cutting down trees to construct piers or other structures is prohibited.
* Hunting licenses limit killing of animals.

Tamir Batbayar (Tamiraa) shares his findings and excitement about the cutting-edge wind energy power plant, which he believes could solve the air pollution problem in Ulaanbatar. The blogger also comments:

Chinggis Khan used to care and protect the nature no one else could ever do. If we really admire our great khan, we should follow and respect the “Ikh Zasag” law of Chinggis Khan. In this law, it tells how Mongolians should treat the nature and the environment.

Gerel visited Taiwan in August and describes his reactions and experiences in the post “Highly developed countries also have their own problems“:

Taiwan is located on a very small island so there aren’t any fresh water except rain water and climate is very hot. People in Taiwan pay 30,000 tugrug for cold air or conditioner. It means they buy cold air. Can you imagine? How can we live without air and water?

As for today the water we drink and air we breathe is free. So protect them, Mongolians!!!

Otgonsuren Jargal also shares shares how Taiwan is seen through Mongolian eyes.

Liang Guo writes about the water and air pollution in Mongolia.

Dorjgotovariungerel shares the lives of herders in Arkhangai aimag where blooming plants and for dairy products such as airag are abundant in the summer. The blogger also notices:

I observed other strange one that local administrators like to meet with mining people who has a license of exploration and exploitation on mining. [..] And I believe that soum governor doesn’t worry about degradation of the environment including land degradation, overgrazing and soil erosion.

Nomad Green is also organizing Taiwanese people/NGOs to visit Mongolia to better the understanding between both the nations. The professors and students from Fu Jen Catholic University visited Mongolia in July to share their love and passion. Portnoy writes about them:

This is not their first time to Mongolia, in fact. However, due to the financial crisis, they also faced the difficulty of less donation. However, they successfully managed to go to Mongolia and cooperate with local Catholic organizations for several interesting workshops and camps for children, teenagers, and house makers.