Responding enthusiastically to the world agrofuel frenzy, the Indian government has promised a flurry of initiatives to encourage the large-scale planting of agrofuel crops, particularly jatropha. Without waiting for the government support to be spelt out, corporations are already moving in, taking over resources that have traditionally been used by rural communities. As a result, local people will find it harder to satisfy their food and fuel needs. Once again, it is the rural poor who will bear the cost of the agrofuel boom, while reaping few of the benefits. April 2008

Even after concerted efforts made by central and state governments, housing shortage has assumed frightening proportions. It is estimated that there is a housing shortage of nearly 25 million dwelling units affecting 67 million households. Most of this housing shortage pertains to low income families.

The 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness will be reviewed at the Third High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra in September 2008. The Paris Declaration establishes operating principles for donors and recipient governments to improve the effectiveness of aid.

In India, thirty-five million people have diabetes—a number expected to more than double by 2025, disproportionately affecting working-age people. The economic impact of this increase could be devastating to India’s emerging economy. In this paper we discuss drivers of the epidemic, analyze current policies and practices in India, and conclude with recommendations, focusing on multisectoral and international collaboration. We see these recommendations as providing a blueprint for addressing diabetes in India by illuminating opportunities and barriers for policymakers and others.

The US system of immunisation during childhood is a complex mix of private sector and public sector roles and responsibilities. This system has introduced new vaccines into a schedule that protects children and adolescents from 16 infectious diseases. A universal recommendation establishes a medical standard that should be available to all children, but emerging evidence suggests that some children are not receiving new vaccines because of increased costs.