The Drum Beat 100 - Global Forces

To celebrate the centennial issue of The Drum Beat, we wish to reflect on why we - everyone involved across the spectrum of development, from the community gatherings of people concerned about their lives and those of their family, friends and neighbours to the meeting rooms of governments, Foundations and the UN - are engaged in this work. There are many global forces that both shape our actions and condition our concerns. The information communication revolution - both the opportunities it has opened and the inequities it has compounded. The social movements - such as Jubilee 2000 on debt reduction and People Living With AIDS on access to treatment and care with their successful communication strategies. The resurgence of culture and language - with a desire to communicate and act in local situations according to local contexts. These and others are powerful global forces.

The data and trends related to people and their lives is also a powerful global force. This Drum Beat will focus on that data. You can find more at the Base Line section of The CI site - search for issues of interest to you. We hope that this data will support you in the following ways. To reflect on the core issues you are addressing. To use as advocacy information when arguing your case. To engage in debate and dialogue on the strategies you are pursuing. These are our Base Line.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Average per capita Gross Domestic Product in sub-Saharan Africa fell by 1% in 1998/1999. 

2. World growth will slow this year [2001] to 3.2%, down from 4.8% in 2000. 

3. 1/3 of the world's workforce of 3 billion people are unemployed or underemployed. 500 million employed workers are unable to keep their family incomes above US$1 per day. 

4. Proportion of people living on less than US$ 1 per day is 1.2 billion of a total population of 5.9 billion (about 20%). 

5. Global trafficking in humans generates 8 billion US$ per yr. 

6. Nicaragua: Poor women have more than 6 children, rich women have less than 2. 

GENDER

7. 70% of the 1.2 billion people living in poverty are female: On average, women are paid 30-40% less than men for comparable work. 

8. In 20 developing countries, under-5 mortality was found to be greatest among women with no education, and in rural agricultural communities. 

9. Women in the media 2000: 41% of news presenters; 56% of TV presenters; 28% of radio presenters; 26% of newspaper reporters. 

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Usted, que es una persona inquieta y atenta a las cosas nuevas, seguramente ya abrió - La Iniciativa de Comunicación.
Nos encantaría conocer su opinión.

E-mail: Adelaida Trujillo atrujillo@comminit.com

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HEALTH

10. 2.4 billion live without basic sanitation. 2 million, mostly children, die each yr of diarrhoeal disease. 1 million die of malaria each yr. 

11. Pesticide exposures in Central Sudan are linked to 22% of hospital stillbirths. 

12. 50% of disease-related deaths among infants could be avoided if infant malnutrition was eradicated. 

13. Tobacco: In 2020, deaths from tobacco use will surpass mortality from any single disease, including HIV: By the mid 2020s, it is predicted that only about 15% of the world's smokers will live in developed countries. 

14. Tuberculosis: 8.4 million new TB cases occur every yr (20% of these are in Africa); Only 20-25% of all TB patients worldwide have access to effective diagnosis and treatment. 

15. Routine Immunization levels have fallen in Nigeria from 80% in 1990 to 27% in 1998, in Togo from 100% to 54%, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh from 90% to 30%. 

HIV/AIDS

16. 5.3 million people worldwide were newly infected with HIV in 2000. 36.1 million people now live with HIV or AIDS. 21.8 million people have died from AIDS since the epidemic began. 

17. 55% of infected adults in sub-Saharan Africa are women. 

18. Over 13 million children have been orphaned due to AIDS. 

19. Of the 36 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PWHA), more than 11 million are aged 15 to 24. 

20. 1/3 of all PWHA worldwide are co-infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the germ that causes TB). 

AGRICULTURE/RURAL DEVELOPMENT

21. South Asia is nearly self-sufficient in food but 294 million people still go hungry. 

22. Women produce 60 to 80% of the food in most developing countries and this percentage is growing: Women farmers receive only 5% of agricultural extension services offered worldwide. 

23. AIDS has killed 7 million agricultural workers since 1985 and will kill an estimated further 16 million by 2020. 

ENVIRONMENT

24. 4% of the Amazon rainforest was destroyed between 1500 and the 1970's; 75 to 95% will be destroyed over the next 20 years. 

25. Cities occupy 2% of the world landmass, contain 50% of its population, consume 75% of its resources, and produce 75% of its waste. 

26. In 1996, one US citizen was responsible for producing as much greenhouse gas as 19 Indians, 30 Pakistanis, or 269 Nepalese. 

27. Air pollution in the Ukraine has been linked to 21% of all illnesses affecting women and children. 

EDUCATION

28. 20% of primary school aged children in developing countries are not in school. 

29. 113 million children were out of school in 1998: South Asia & Sub-Saharan Africa account for 46 million each or about 81% of this number. 

30. Gender equality in secondary school enrollment by country as of 1999: 11% have achieved gender equality; 51% have a lower enrollment ratio for girls than boys; 38% have a lower enrollment for boys than girls; level of girls' enrollment declined in 30 countries. 

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

31. % of married women using contraception: South Asia - 1993 - 41, 2000 - 51; Sub-Saharan Africa - 1993 - 15, 2000 - 26; East Asia & the Pacific - 1993 - 73, 2000 - 76; continues for all regions. 

32. 2000: 80 million unwanted pregnancies; 20 million unsafe abortions; 500,000 maternal deaths (99% in developing countries). 

33. Births per 1000 women aged 15 to 19 (1998): South Asia - 116; Sub-Saharan Africa - 132; East Asia & Pacific - 26; Middle East & North Africa - 51; Europe & Central Asia - 39; Latin America & the Caribbean - 74. 

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

34. Women's share in seats in parliament: 8 countries have a level of 30% or more; 17 countries have seen increases in share but all regions have seen some countries fall back. 

COMMUNICATIONS

35. 90% of all Internet users are in industrialized countries: Internet users in Africa & the Middle East together account for only 1% of global Internet users. 

36. 70.7% of South African households are within 15 mins walk of a phone. 

37. 40% of people in developing countries have never made a phone call. 

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The Drum Beat seeks to cover the full range of communication for development activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement or support by The Partners.

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