by Stella Paul, Global Press Institute, India- The government has invited thousands of Dalit women to take up collective farming to empower themselves economically. The women say the program also elevates their social status within their communities.

by Leymah Gbowee, Gates Foundation, USA - How can we possibly be sincere about women’s empowerment if family planning is taken out of the discourse?

by Jenny Costelloe, CSR Asia, Hong Kong - It is not often that East Timor (or Timor Leste) is lauded as a front runner in global developments, but when it comes to transparency, this oft-troubled country is one of the leaders, according to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). This accolade was announced by the EITI on 1 July 2010, amidst a climate of regulatory reform and voluntary initiatives which aim to promote transparency and to prevent corruption.