Annotated Bibliography
The following is a list of ten websites we found particularly useful as we have done research for a class project on global poverty. Our focus country was Bangladesh, and while some links will lead you to information on our country, by clicking around you can find information on many other countries and regions.
World Economic Forum gives performance indicators for global issues, 2007 - 2008
The World Economic Forum is a good source for finding metrics, visuals and graphs. It has many country specific economic reports. We found the Global Poverty report especially useful for its metrics on poverty issues. In our class presentation, we used the Global Gender Gap Report to show the progress that has been achieved in gender inequality across the world.
UNICEF site is a comprehensive resource covering multiple areas, 2008
The UNICEF website helps us understand poverty at both a global and national level. By navigating from the home page, the reader can gain an overview of a variety of issues and initiatives. Furthermore, at the top under “Info by Country” you will find news, firsthand accounts of poverty, and statistics based on your country of interest.
Gender Equality Factsheet provides graphics on global gender issues, 2005
This website has an impressive mix of strong graphics and summaries of the world’s gender issues. It provides citations and website links for particular geographic areas. There are also numerous tables and graphs, which facilitate an at-a-glance understanding of worldwide gender equality issues. The information is divided into separate sections for education, labor, and government, allowing for a more in-depth understanding of gender equality as it relates to these distinct parts of our society.
Rural Poverty Portal gives insight into poverty alleviation methods, 2008
This site, powered by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, expands on many poverty alleviation methods discussed in class. It gives statistics and descriptions on pressing topics such as Rural Finance, Trade Liberalization, Market Access, and Poverty Reduction Strategy. Furthermore, it touches on several tangential issues including the need for clean water. Most importantly, the site reports statistics and provides descriptions by region or country.
An explanation of the Grameen Bank and Microcredit, 20 March 2008
This website provides an in-depth look at the Grameen Bank’s functions, news and related organizations. We learned about Dr. Yunus’s style of microcredit level of success through the “Annual Reports” and “What is Microcredit” sections. The “Grameen Bank”, news links and “Articles by Muhammad Yunus” also provide an insight into how the Bank and its founder intend to alleviate poverty. Information is reliable but one should look to other sources in determining how effective the Bank’s programs and microcredit system are.
International Development Enterprises is an overview of poverty in Bangladesh, 2004
This NGO provides information about rural poverty in Bangladesh. Basic statistics and implications of rural poverty are provided, with the help of graphs and tables for quick reference. More valuable however, are the “stories from the field,” which provide an inside look at living in poverty in Bangladesh. For example, one can read about the Lufta Family and their trouble with arsenic poisoning caused by drinking groundwater.
Valuable data projects and research can be found at the World Bank, 2008
The World Bank’s website for Bangladesh is an invaluable resource for information regarding socio-economic issues that the country faces. The page is frequently updated with the latest projects and research that highlight progress made on understanding and dealing with these issues. For example, the “Whispers to Voices” report helped us understand the progress being made towards gender equality in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee seeks to eradicate the effects of poverty, 2005
For our semester project, our group decided to focus on the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) for its far reaching advancement programs. While the website highlights BRAC’s mission and programs, it also gives light to the problems facing Bangladesh’s poor. Also, the site gives a good sense about how current initiatives are working towards solving effects of poverty.
Personal experience with poverty in Bangladesh, 15 December 2008
This is a documentary of actress Lucy Lawless on her visit to Bangladesh with World Vision. Since Lucy comes from a first world country not unlike the United States, we are able to appreciate the dichotomy between rich and poor through her reactions and thoughts throughout the trip. In particular, Lucy’s visit to a family with a disabled child not sponsored by World Vision provokes the viewer to think about the multi-faceted nature of poverty and whether current aid programs are an adequate solution.
The Economist helps us to understand Bangladeshi politics and economics, 12 February 2008
The Economist’s Backgrounder and Country Briefing sites provide a balanced analysis of the state of Bangladesh’s politics and economy. The site explains how a feud between the BNP and AL parties has led to intervention by the army, causing the failure of democracy and recent installation of a caretaker government. Bangladeshi politics is then linked to the current state of non-governmental organizations, foreign investment and corruption. With this background, readers can look to the “Recent Articles” section to learn about the issues slowing down poverty alleviation efforts.
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