NI 499 - January, 2017

African village

A note from the editor

Sisters and brothers - Three decades of change in an African village

Compelled by a news agenda with the attention span of a flea, it is rare enough for journalists to return to stories they have previously covered. But to return to the same African village community every 10 years, as I have since 1985, is more unusual still – especially when there is no ‘news value’ to the story and when the individuals featured are ‘unknown’. I regard this long-term project in Burkina Faso as probably my most significant journalistic achievement in what is now quite a long career – and the New Internationalist’s readiness to publish it perhaps indicates what sets it apart as a magazine.

In 17 pages there is only so much you can show, of course. And for that reason we have made much more use than usual of the extra resources and infinite space that our website affords us. We have created an internet hub that offers many more ‘Then and Now’ photographs than we have been able to include here on the printed page, more detail on particular stories as they developed, as well as a few short video clips. Please do take up our invitation to delve deeper by going to nin.tl/villagehub

We’re also pleased to announce that our web documentary on life after Ebola was highly commended at the AIB broadcasting awards last year. You can still catch it here: nin.tl/backintouch

Finally, with the March edition under way – our 500th – we are working hard behind the scenes on perhaps our most ambitious plan in 44 years of publishing at New Internationalist – a community share issue that will give you the opportunity to co-own us.

We’re on the brink of something huge!

In March we’re launching the biggest ever media community share offer and inviting you – our amazing readers – to become our co-owners.

So, what’s a community share offer? It’s when a group of people who believe in something come together to make it happen. You buy community shares, but these are not the same as corporate shares – they’re not driven by profit. You invest in the world you want to live in and in return you become a co-owner of New Internationalist.

This investment, underpinned by a robust business plan, will transform what we do and create an ethical and sustainable media business model for the 21st century.

Want to find out more? Please register your interest online at: nin.tl/own-us

Chris Brazier for the New Internationalist co-operative.
www.newint.org

NI 499 - January, 2017

African village

A note from the editor

Sisters and brothers - Three decades of change in an African village

We’re on the brink of something huge!

The big story

Chris Brazier returns to the village in Burkina Faso that he has visited every 10 years since helping to make a film there in 1985.

Features

How the village has grown - and some facts about how things have changed.

A photographic account of changes over the years in: housing; water; education; health; sanitation; food and farming; technology; and women.

Former military pilot François Moné has taken on the traditional role of Chief. He explains how he is using this to pursue the development of the village.

The latest instalment in the lives of Adama, his four co-wives and their 26 children.

When rich and poor worlds collide, money is inevitably a problem.

Mariama’s sons are all trying to make their way in the wider world. But how do you explain to Africans that the rich world is now shutting its doors to migrants?

Stories and photos you may have missed in the last 12 months. Compiled by Jo Lateu.

Web exclusives

Chris Brazier's full interview with François Moné, the village's latest Chief.

A small NGO is trying to link local communities and international networks to help Rio’s worse-off neighbourhoods, Ann Deslandes reports.

Blogs

We desperately need effective bodies to promote law and due process, writes William Bell.

The ‘yes’ vote wins in the first, historic referendum of its kind, writes Alessio Perrone.

Opinion

We must respond with a genuine vision for ending the corrupt politics of privilege, writes Mark Engler.

Chris Coltrane on how to be hated by the Daily Mail.

Agenda

Hazel Healy on how independent outlets are gaining traction.

Lydia Noon reports on an escalating crisis.

Giedre Steikunaite reports on problems for pacfists in Europe.

Richard Swift on the Moroccan leader.

Peter Kenworthy on a striking success for wine workers.

Iris Gonzales reflects on the Philippine president's controversial war on drugs.

They may be good for the environment, but not for those mining the cobalt needed to manufacture their batteries, writes Neil Thompson.

Richard Swift considers the Trump effect on Canada's prime minister.

Why it isn't necessarily an unmitigated boon for the poor.

Good news stories this month.

Regulars

Thoughts and opinions from our readers.

Shouldn't we have learnt from the past? A cartoon by Dom Nelson from Australia.

Working children have more pressing concerns than the law, discovers Amy Booth.

The latest cartoon from Simon Kneebone.

Mira Galanova uncovers a country at a crossroads.

Polyp's latest cartoon.

Ego? Tick. Money? Tick. Power-hungry? Tick. A disaster for the world? Tick.

This month's cartoon from Marc Roberts.

Lydia Noon talks to the Saudi women's rights activist about guardianship, Twitter hashtags, and suing the government.

Film, Book & Music Reviews

The outstanding films, music and books of the year.

Cameraperson, directed by Kirsten Johnson; Twentieth Century Women, directed by Mike Mills.

Cruel Optimism by Lawrence English; Ensen by Emel.

Age of Anger by Pankaj Mishra; Ours to Hack and to Own edited by Trebor Scholz and Nathan Schneider; The Exiled by Kati Hiekkapelto; Revolution in Rojava by Michael Knapp, Anja Flach and Ercan Ayboga.

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