Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2003 Africa Marginalised? Keith Richards, Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, discusses raising employment standards in Africa view interview » ASDA pioneers bio-fuel conversion from waste fat 90 million litres of cooking fat are used in the UK every year, and disposing of the waste oil has become a massive environmental problem. ASDA is pioneering a solution for this by-product of their supermarkets and has been turning the fat into bio-fuel to power their fleet of trucks. This fuel is so clean that a 5% mixture of bio-fuel into conventional fossil fuel will cut emissions by 20%. Not only are they solving the disposal problem of waste fat, but also provides their trucks with a cleaner fuel to burn. view interview » Battle to combat the counterfeit drugs menace Leading pharmaceutical companies debate the most effective ways to maintain quality in the marketplace view interview » Business in Kenya Isiaya Kabira (Head of Presidential Press Service, Kenya) reveals Kenya opening its doors to foreign investors. view interview » Business Leaders and Heads of Government Hugh Morgan (Co-Chair, Commonwealth Business Council) talks about how CBC leaders meet Heads of Government to spell out way ahead on partnership. view interview » CBC and developing sustainably There is a difference between the way the world develops and the way it should develop sustainably. view interview » CBC and SMEs Dr Mohan Kaul (CEO of CBC) describes CBC’s initiatives helping small and medium sized businesses to grow. view interview » CBC outlines roles of business and government Dr Mohan Kaul outlines what the Commonwealth Business Forum’s role in encouraging further business participation in the Commonwealth - in this case, achieving sustainable development. He also calls for more efficiency (reducing bureaucracy and barriers to growth) and responsibility from government, so that each party (business and government) can deliver their part of the bargain. Business in turn will, in their business processes, involve local communities and society, which is to do with corporate citizenship. Public leaders, whether business or government, should lead and set the same good examples of responsibility, transparency, and accountability. view interview » CBF: Not just a talking shop Pascal Dozie argues the CBF is much more than a discussion forum view interview » Commitment to change needs investment 1/2 Interviewee:President Joaquim Chissano (Mozambique) view interview » Commitment to change needs investment 2/2 Interviewee:President Joaquim Chissano (Mozambique) view interview » contribution to sustainable development Virgins various contribution to sustainable development in Nigeria. view interview » Creating new jobs in gas Funso Kupolokun (Managing Director, NNPC) discusses how to create new jobs in gas view interview » Cutting Red Tape Dr William Kalema, Chairman of the Ugandan Investment Authority discusses how to create an enabling environment for business in Africa view interview » Cutting red Tape for poverty reduction Dr Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Chair of the NEPAD Business Group discusses the role of cutting regulation in easing poverty in Africa view interview » Department for International Development policies Hillary Benn (Secretary of State, DFID) discusses trade, AIDS and African development key targets for CHOGM. view interview » DfID City Community Challenge Fund in Lusaka Lusaka, in Zambia has experienced severe sanitation and health problems. In response, local people have provided the labour for the Lusaka City Council Community project of 'flood-resistant drainage'. The project has been a success. view interview » diversification to tourism Due to the decreasing demand in copper, Zambia is diversifying to tourism. Tourism is now as important as Agriculture view interview » Dolphin Conservation The River Indus is home to one of only four species of freshwater dolphin left on Earth. Due to barrage construction and over-fishing, the dolphin is severely endangered. The UN Global Environment Facility and the Adventure Foundation of Pakistan have gone into partnership to promote fishing safaris and tourism in the area. This has resulted in increased cash-flow to the area, consequent food security, reduced fishing and conservation. The success of the project has been attributed to community involvement. view interview » Earth report: The Basotho in Lesotho The Basotho have lived in the highlands of Lesotho for hundreds of years and have developed an deep understanding of their natural environment and the complexities of grazing cattle.The Katze dam, at 180m high is a significant development that poses a threat to their traditional way of life. view interview » Encouraging companies to take on local workers. Interviewees:Adrian Wood (Chief Executive, MTN Nigeria)Dr Titi Banjoko (Chair, Africa Recruit) view interview » Exe Farm Primary School, Zimbabwe Aspirations for girls in Zimbabwe do not match the reality in education. Poverty prevents most children attending either secondary or primary school, and any money a family can spare will usually be used to educate the boys first. Girls growing up in tobacco country in Zimbabwe have dreams of futures they cannot realise under the current circumstances. view interview » Expanding Nigeria's economy Dr Godwin Oboh, Group Managing Director, Union Bank, Nigeria, discusses his hopes of expanding the Nigerian economy and stimulating growth in SMEs. view interview » GAS Nigeria is not only an oil producing country, as the available gas is almost equal to oil. Shell and LNG are eliminating the flaring involved when extracting gas and liquefying the gas for transportation. view interview » Governments beginning to listen to business Dr Cosmas Maduka highlights the value of constructive dialogue between governments and business view interview » Green Revolution, organic farming in Malawi Africa is the only continent where food production has not kept pace with population increase, despite the intensive use of fertilisers and pesticides. In a backlash towards these farming practices, alternative techniques have been employed in Malawi whereby individual farmers select various techniques and packages to use in conjunction with their knowldege and understanding of their land, in order to increase production. In doing so, Freedom Gardens has increased their area of productive farming, provides water for local people, and employs 200 seasonal workers. view interview » Guinness Corporate Affairs Good governance and allocation of resources are some of the issues that Guinness are tackling through sustainable development. view interview » Human rights essential to business growth Ced Simpson (Convenor, Association of Commonwealth Amnesty International Sections) outlines the importance of human rights to business growth view interview » Importance of CHOGM to Nigeria Interview with Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on CHOGM and Nigerian Businesses. view interview » importance of sustainable development There is a consensus amongst business leaders globally about the importance of sustainable development view interview » increasing awareness on Aids The issue of Aids is being tackled by Coca-cola in a number of ways. They have created programmes for their employees and people working in bottling companies. They are also using their marketing and logistical expertise for spreading the awareness. view interview » Indigenous Forest Knowldege, India Indigenous semi-nomadic groups in the forests of India have been using a stress-busting, anti-fatigue herb harvested from the forest for generations. Recently discovered by the West, it is now incorporated into mainstream drugs industry. The indigenous people however, receive half the proceeds from the sale in recognition of their expertise and knowledge, and are now employed in cultivating it full time. view interview » Infrasturcture Developement There is money for development in infrastructure and projects however the conditions that the capital is delivered need to ensure that there is a significant return for the investor. view interview » Initiative to address human resources issues in Af Interviewee:Funto Akinkugbe (Business Development Manager, Africa Recruit) view interview » innovation for sustainable development They are developing a model of community development which minimised the conflict that host communities and oil companies encounter. view interview » Interaction resulting from CHOGM CHOGM is an opportunity to share experiences with people of like interest, those working in Africa view interview » Intermediate Technology and Development Group The fast-flowing streams on Mount Kenya have recently been harnessed through an initiative by the Intermediate Technology and Development Group to provide basic electricity to local people. To ensure its the continuation of such a valuable and environmentally-sound resource, local people have been trained in its maintenance. view interview » Investigation into Ghanaian international trade Ghana relies on foreign aid for most of its national income, yet, it is being encouraged to trade its way out of poverty. However, TAGE has noted that the system is severely flawed. Domestic costs of production are high compared to the subsidised production that exists in the US and elsewhere. On the world market, products such as maize and poultry cannot compete. view interview » Investment in Nigeria's Delta State Magnus Onyibe (Minister of Information for Delta State) appeals for partners in investment in Nigeria's Delta State view interview » Kenya's national land policy aims to support susta Interviewee:Amos Kimunya (Minister of Lands and Settlements, Kenya) view interview » Launch of the CBC Global Engagement Index Prof Avinash Persaud, Special Advisor, CBC, presents the Global Engagement Index view interview » Launch of the Nigerian chapter of WBCSD 1/3 Interviewee:(President, BCSD Nigeria)Prince Lekan view interview » Launch of the Nigerian chapter of WBCSD 2/3 Interviewee: Her Highness Otunba Bola Kuforiji view interview » Launch of the Nigerian chapter of WBCSD 3/3 Interviewee: Noble Pepple (SPDC) view interview » Marginalising Africa is not good for the world. Interviewee:Yibrah Tesfazghi (Executive Director, GE Africa) view interview » Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana The main challenges that Microsoft in Nigeria and Ghana faces is the high expectations that people have. view interview » Mobile Communications Mobile communications bring rural communities together view interview » Monitoring the Okavango It has been predicted that increasing demand for water over the next few decades will result in conflict, particularly where river basins are shared over many kilometres and by different people. Binding agreements need to be made between the various countries concerned, for instance Botswana, Namibia and Angola in the case of the Okavango River. Namibians who rely on the Okavango River, the Delta and its diverse ecosystem are extremely worried potential upstream activites that will have dramatic implications for their future survival. view interview » Monitoring Vets of Iringa, mastitas in Tanzania Mastitas in cattle is a massive threat to health and economic welfare in Tanzania. The Monitoring Vets of Iringa provide support to small farmers in the form of farm visits and educational programmes on preventing the disease. Each class or video presentation is followed by discussion and question and answer sessions. view interview » Nigerian President Democracy and human rights must be cherished, as these factors are needed when moving towards sustainable development view interview » Operation in developing countries The European Investment Banks role and their investment in private sector development and commercial state enterprises in developing countries view interview » Partnerships in Education Judith Hanratty (Chairman, Commonwealth Institute) outlines how the Centre for Commonwealth Studies aims to develop partnership in education. view interview » Peace, community development in Jamaica The ghettos of inner city Jamaica suffer an endless circle of violence and deprivation. As a result, children are unable to attend school on a regular basis, employment is hard to come by, and gang culture persists. The Community Development Council was formed to try and negotiate peace within the community and set up safe areas for children and young people to interact. view interview » President Mogae of Botswana on leadership President Festus Mogae (Botswana) discusses the leadership needed to fight corruption. view interview » Primary Health Care Clinic Train Kwazulu-Natal is one of South Africa's poorest areas and the government's promise to provide health care to all rural people is presently inadequate. The rural people, despite needing it most, have the least access. The Phelophepa Health Care Train thus provides mobile primary health care 9 months of year to bring services to the places the government policy has not reached. Whilst treating thousands of people and educating others on preventative measures, the staff often feel frustrated that levels of poverty mean various medical and social problems cannot be avoided. view interview » Private Sector and Government Cooperation The investment that shell has made contributed to the dependency that the local community has on shell. Shell has proposed a partnership with the government and other oil companies to eliminate the dependency. view interview » Private sector involvement African countries need private sector investments to support the transportation in Africa view interview » Progress of Telecommunications There has been progress in the telecommunication in Africa, notably through mobile phone use. view interview » Promoting the professionalism of parliamentarians Denis Marshall, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association discusses the importance of parliamentarians remaining professional view interview » Protecting water resources in Fiji Fiji is experiencing severe environmental problems relating to water managment, distribution and pollution. Suva, the largest urban centre in the south Pacific uses gallons of water a week, and creates a lot waste. Traditional knowledge and a sense of responsibility is lacking, urging 'River Care'mto introduce a student testing programme to alert them to the chemical content of their rivers. In Viti Levu, one of the most tourism-dependent islands in Fiji, the coral and fish off the coast are being destroyed by agricultural and domestic run-off and waste. The nutrient rich-water entering the sea cause algae to grow and smother the fragile marine ecosystem. Some of the resorts, in collaboration with FSP Fiji and the local communities are acting to upgrade their sewage treatment plants. view interview » Purpose and progress of ECOWAS Hallima Ahmed (Secretary General of the ECOWAS Parliament) on the history and progress of the ECOWAS Parliament. She outlines the importance of integration outreach and democratisation, and the synergies with NEPAD with whom they work: good governance, infrastructure, involving the people. ECOWAS is a pillar for the success of NEPAD. Establishing the rule of law and involving the people in free and fair elections, with human rights that are protected, are essential for peace. Meanwhile there is still much progress to be made for African women who are still restrained by early marriage, lack of school attendance, etc - much progress has been made but much more needs to be done (eg 12 women in the 115 members of ECOWAS is short of 30% target) view interview » Putting tourism on the Commonwealth map Geoff Lipman, Special Advisor World Tourism Organisation, argues the case for putting tourism on the Commonwealth map view interview » Queen opens CHOGM The Queen opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Abuja today (5 Dec.) She was welcomed by President Obasanjo of Nigeria, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon, and Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard. view interview » Queen's Speech The Queen spoke of the Commonwealth's "daunting agenda" as she opened CHOGM in Abuja today (5 Dec.) She said poverty, hunger, environmental challenges, HIV/AIDS, and lack of education were legacies that posed a threat to democracy and to global stability. view interview » Raising awareness of regulatory best practice. Interviewee:Chris Darroll (Small Business Project, Africa) view interview » Ram Pumps in Nepal Access to water in highland Nepal often involves a two hour journey for the women each day. However, the ram pump was introduced several years ago to one Nepali village and has been a huge success. Costing the villagers just 10 rupees a month, one of the community is responsibloe for maintaining the parts and ensuring it functions smoothly. Now, the villagers have water from the mountain streams on their doorstep. view interview » Reaching out to new markets Umar Yasaya discusses how to bring more people into the banking sector view interview » Reforming the Tobacco Industry Nick Hales, Managing Director BAT Nigeria, discusses CSR in action in a controversial sector view interview » Role of NEPAD Steve Godfrey (Director, africa practice) on how NEPAD is reaching out to African business view interview » Secretary General of the Common Wealth Meaning of sustainable development- something that people can feel, see and it means something to them and where development is on-going view interview » Solar-refridgeration of vaccines Immunisation is a vital means of preventing disease, but the vaccines need to be refridgeerated every step of the way, from the point of manufacture to the point of injection. Rural Bangladesh does not have access to electricity or reliable gas and kerosene, and so UNICEF has developed the distribution and use of solar-powered fridges. This innovation is expected to boost health levels in the remotest parts of Bangladesh. view interview » Species Preservation in the Seychelles Tropical islands that have evolved in isolation, free from mammalian predators for millions of years are highly susceptible to alien invasion. The Seychelles has been made particularly vulnerable in recent years due to rat invasion which has left many species extinct and others critically endangered. Island eradication experts from New Zealand have co-ordinated a rat extermination project comprising poisoned bait dropped from helicopters flying along GPS lines. The programme has been enormously successful with a spectacular recovery achieved by reptiles and birds includinmg the extremely rare Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher. view interview » Sports Development IGI Insurance are promoting sports development in Nigeria as part of their social responsibility. view interview » Stimulating African SMEs Dr Ndidi Okerere-Onyiuke, CEO Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Jim Ovia, CEO, Zenith Bank, discuss the role of stock exchanges and banks in stimulating African SMEs view interview » Talk less, do more President Mwananwasa of Zambia argues that the time for talk is over, the time is now for action view interview » Telecommunications in Africa How satellite technology is changing education and trade in Africa. view interview » Tevalu's participation in the internet revolution Tevalu is the fourth smallest independent state in the world, with a population of 10,500 people. .TV is a domain name, like .uk, or .com, and is being sold by Tevalu for a substantial deal over the next 10 years, since the population cannot use the full capacity of the domain, and at present there is little demand for internet service on the island. Whilst .tv as a company will undoubtedly benefit, so too will Tevalu in selling a resource that was hitherto untapped. view interview » TIDE Marine Reserve South of Belize, Toledo, has experienced massive reduction in fish-stocks from over-fishing, pollution and erosion. The Toledo Institute for Development and the Environment is a local group formed out of concern. They have created a marine reserve in the Port of Honduras for study and preservation, that is also proving to be a lucrative resource of its own. Local fishermen have now diversified their income base and are being used as guides and instructors for foreign permit-holding fly-fishermen. Eco-tourism and biodiversity are being promoted to great effect. view interview » UNAIDS in Uganda AIDS in Africa is the single biggest threat to its development. Uganda, in many cases is upheld as a showcase for success in that it cut HIV prevalence from 14% to 8% after a year of implementing preventative and educational programmes. UNAIDS however then initiated the Accelerating Access scheme to redouble the AIDS effort in Africa and strengthen the national response to the problem. Central to this initiative has been the struggle to make anti retro-viral drugs more readily available and affordable in Africa. view interview » Unity through Sport British Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke about the importance of the Commonwealth Games in bringing about a spirit of unity and joy that crossed all national, ethnic and gender lines. He said last year's games in Manchester were watched by a billion people worldwide and were a tribute to all the people of the Commonwealth. view interview » Working in partnership Chris Finlayson, Managing Director of Shell Nigeria, discusses the importance of working in partnership to meet Nigeria's energy needs view interview » World Bank report shows poorer countries have most Interviewee:Caralee McLiesh (Senior Economist, World Bank) view interview »
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