Studying the Right to Information

Google.org is supporting a study focused on the Right to Information Act as part of their Inform and Empower Initiative. From their blog:
To help us better understand how to make the Right to Information (RTI) more effective in India, we are delighted that Shekhar Singh who is an active member of the people’s movement for [...]

Deaths from Climate Change

The World Health Organization has produced a world map that estimates the number of deaths that can be attributed to climate change. The map estimates anywhere from 40 to 80 million deaths in India can be attributed to climate change.

[Source: Google.org]

Can Market Based Philanthropy Stem Climate Change?

The Progressive Automotive X Prize certainly seems to believe that market-based philanthropy can stimulate innovation on a global scale through handsome monetary packages - in this case, $10 million.  The goal, announced recently at the New York International Auto Show, is an impressive one -
The newly renamed Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is an international competition designed [...]

Op-Ed: Microfinance revisited and its role in reaching the missing middle

Two weeks ago I wrote about James Surowiecki’s article in the New Yorker that brought forward the inherent limitations of microfinance to actually generate a substantial number of jobs in a developing country. Since then it seems as if I was not the only one (surprise surprise) to take notice of Surowieki’s conclusions and it [...]

Google SMEs: Internet search company to provide capital to small and medium size businesses in India

One of the ongoing issues that appears to be hindering development in countries like India is the lack of equity based funding for small and medium sized businesses. These entities, which usually are too large to be benefited from a microloan but too small to have the necessary financials to secure corporate debt or private [...]