International development news round-up (Issue 92)
March 30, 2007
Starbucks to support Ethiopian project
Starbucks has committed more than $500,000 to the international humanitarian and development organisation, CARE International, to help to fund a three-year programme to improve the economic and educational prospects of over 6,000 people in rural Ethiopia’s coffee growing regions.
The joint development project aims to help improve agricultural practices and adult literacy. The project will be particularly sensitive to the needs of balancing women’s learning with cultural sensitivities and their existing workloads. Senior vice president, corporate social responsibility, at Starbucks Sandra Taylor added: “Ethiopia is an important coffee sourcing region for Starbucks, and we are pleased to continue our years of extensive community and economic development work there in partnership with CARE.”
Engineering and service companies could alleviate poverty substantially thereby contributing to economic development in poor countries by increasing oil and gas projects globally. A study, launched by the Overseas Development Institute and Engineers Against Poverty, is the second report outlining the way in which a small number of large, mostly international, engineering firms manage the key elements of oil and gas production globally. The studies also point out that the right commercial incentives need to be in place in order for the full potential of poverty reduction to be realised.
Contact – Overseas Development Institute, www.odi.org.uk
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