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  • How Baltimore City Started Listening to Its Residents about Food Policy

    September 14, 2018 |

    Next City |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

    Leaders in Baltimore realized that improvements in food policy would be enhanced by more accurate language and more local activism. The Baltimore Food Policy Initiative brings together city agencies and uses data and shared terminology to improve their work, referring to “food deserts” as “ healthy priority areas.” The group also engaged 14 new “resident food equity advisors” to begin the work of assessing the landscape, in terms of accessibility of healthy food. This data will be used to move thoughtful policies forward.

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  • Can Teachers Stop Teens From Considering Suicide? New York State Thinks So.

    September 14, 2018 |

    Bright Magazine |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York

    New York state now requires all public schools to incorporate mental health education into the standard K-12 curriculum. Proponents see this approach as a promising response to the national suicide epidemic, but some worry the ask is unrealistic when teachers don't receive specific training or the support to process their many students' mental health challenges.

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  • Rethinking What Gifted Education Means, and Whom It Should Serve

    September 13, 2018 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Silver Spring, Maryland

    Since Montgomery County instituted new admissions policies for its gifted elementary school magnet programs in 2016, the share of black and Hispanic students has increased from 23 percent to 31 percent. The County has changed the test, de-emphasized teacher recommendations, and automatically entered all students in the admissions pool, leveling the playing field for families with fewer resources and less inside knowledge of the process.

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  • The business of voluntourism: do western do-gooders actually do harm?

    September 13, 2018 |

    The Guardian |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: Guatemala, Zacapa

    Voluntourism, or the practice of western volunteers paying to do service in developing countries, seems like a moral, do-good activity. However, the practice has been proven to have consequences, including reducing the need for local labor and stunting development of children in orphanages. There has recently been progress in discouraging volunteers from working in orphanages - the volunteer efforts in institutions never benefit the children - but true progress might involve staying at home.

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  • How environmental justice is shaping a new civil rights movement in the South

    September 12, 2018 |

    Southerly |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

    Armed with data, local activists are taking on environmental justice campaigns. In the absence of action on the part of the Federal Government, local organizations in Mississippi and across the South are working to increase transparency, generate data on public health issues, and mobilize action on climate change.

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  • Kyrgyzstan wants transparency to curb corruption

    September 11, 2018 |

    GovInsider |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: Kyrgyzstan

    Kyrgyzstan is using technology to tackle corruption and reduce costs. The country is centralizing and digitizing government services with help from Estonia. It is also using biometrics in elections to reduce the chances of rigged ballots and build public trust.

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  • Meet the network tearing down walls between departments in Taiwan

    September 05, 2018 |

    Apolitical |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Taiwan

    Taiwan is getting creative with tackling tough policy issues. Representatives from all 32 government ministries meet every month, vote on topics to focus on, and conduct workshops with citizens. So far, the network has produced a user-friendly online tax system and is working on a new health card service policy.

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  • Inside Greece's first smart city: 'Now you don't need to know a politician to get something done'

    September 04, 2018 |

    The Guardian |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Greece, Trikala

    To improve government services and fight brain drain, the Greek city of Trikala transformed itself into a hub of innovation. Rather than spend money the city didn’t have, officials partnered with the EU and tech companies to host pilot projects, including driverless buses and an e-complaint system. Trikala is now recognized as one of the world’s top smart cities.

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  • Aging cocoa trees provide opportunity for agricultural reform in Ghana

    August 30, 2018 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Ghana

    In Ghana, cocoa trees are aging and producing lower yields, worrying the farmers who rely on the crop to make a living; the decreased yield is also presenting opportunity for agricultural reform to produce a more sustainable vision for agriculture in the region. Across western Ghana, organizations are working together to create customary land agreements and helping land tenants to encourage long term investment in replanting cocoa trees.

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  • These lessons from rural Africa could help eradicate poverty-related tropical diseases in the U.S. South

    August 30, 2018 |

    Southerly |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Nigeria

    In the 1980s, throughout African and Asian countries, a tropical disease known as guinea worm was being transmitted through contaminated stagnant water. Thanks to a combination of endeavors that included "education and intervention programs, funding for clean water access, and government-supported public health campaigns," the near eradication of this epidemic is now being used as a model for how to combat other diseases in various parts of the world.

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