The World Bank - Working for a world free of poverty

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A blog to promote dialog on development in South Asia

About us

About us

This blog is maintained by the South Asia Region of the World Bank Group. Its goal is to exchange ideas on how to end poverty in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

January 2009

Rebuilding Afghanistan - One Village at a Time

Submitted by Susanne Holste on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 18:32

National Public Consultation Conference
Kabul, Afghanistan November 10 - 15, 2007

Some hundreds of delegates, representing thousands of rural communities from all over Afghanistan, gathered in Kabul for a "National Public Consultation Conference." The conference is part of the National Solidarity Program (NSP). Village delegates discussed ways to maintain the progress they have already made, and how to expand it to other areas of the country. The conference also provided a forum for policy discussions between experts and decision-makers.

Portraits of Commitment - Changing the Course of AIDS

Submitted by Chulie De Silva on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 18:30

A convoy of seven red, green and blue three-wheeler tuk tuks rolls along Colombo's busy streets, carrying striking blowup portraits that put the HIV/AIDS message out there in a way never before seen in Sri Lanka.

The tuk tuk drivers, proud of their dramatic impact and the curiosity of the crowds, have become messengers for the cause, helping people understand the health issues surrounding the disease and motivating them to step up and respond to HIV/AIDS in South Asia.

The standing and mobile exhibitions organized by the World Bank office in Colombo feature large, sensitive portraits, by renowned Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam, of South Asians who made a commitment to change the course of HIV/AIDS there. In the accompanying text, they share how their experience of the disease made them better doctors, researchers, legislators, citizens or people.

India Country Strategy

Submitted by Joe Qian on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 18:29

The World Bank announced today it is boosting aid to India, for much-needed infrastructure and also to help the nations poorest states.