Online

http://www.focusweb.org

North versus South

With the privileged North calling the shots in global development policies, the view of South remains neglected. Keeping this in mind, 'Focus on the Global South' was formed in 1995 as a programme of development policy research, analysis and action. The website aims to articulate, link and develop greater coherence between local, community-based and national, regional and global paradigms of change with a southern perspective. The website offers a specific approach for India, Philippines and Thailand. The trade coverage, especially South-based approach on World Trade Organization is incisive and complete. It also uncovers imbalances on issues of distorted financing and dubious aid offerings to the South by the North. Disaster management, environment, traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights concerns are analysed adeptly. Special research information on health and agriculture gives useful insights on the grassroots problems faced by developing country citizens, which are further linked with the macro global perspective giving the approach to understand real predicaments. The website is available in four languages other than English, namely French, Spanish, Indonesian Bahasa and Portugese. The e-newsletter service is handy for civil society, government authorities and journalists.