We’ve had some really nice comments ont he BBC World News Global Minds discussion forum:

FROM sfielding

I met him last year when I visited the region for the World Challenge’s Down to Business feature. Back home he lives surrounded by biodiversity, with up to half of the plants and animals in the Choco not found anywhere else on earth. He’s a grandfather and a miner dedicated to producing gold from his land in a way that doesn’t destroy the forest for future generations.

It’s Americo’s first trip to London. In fact it’s his first trip outside the Choco jungle except for one visit to a Peruvian mine.

And there he is on his first night, at the Victoria and Albert Museum, sipping champagne with Colin and Livia Firth – neither of whom has made it big in the Choco, but whom he treats with the courtesy and openness that is his way.

At the end of the evening, Greg Valerio, the jeweller who brought Americo and Oro Verde Gold to the European market, picks up the Observer Ethical Award for Campaigner of the Year.

But the real test is ahead. We’re at Victoria House for the launch of the World’s first ever collections of sustainable gold. It’s eco-bling central.

Three months ago the Fairtrade Foundation launched Fairmined – the first global standard for sustainable gold. There is not much certified gold on the market yet, but a good half of the displays in the hall are Fairtrade designs – the other half is given over to big-name designers and others using uncertified gold.

The question is: what’s hot? Are we at a tipping point, where the brand damage to gold as a whole from conflict gold in the Congo, has opened the door to a distinction between different types of gold? And has the recognised ethicality of green gold come to imply the unethicality of the rest?

Harriet Lamb, Founder of Fairtrade, used the moment to speak movingly of the social and environmental need for Fairtrade, introducing Oro Verde as the embodiment of the entire Fairtrade spirit.

At this point Colombian salsa comes on. Americo and the Oro Verde team disappear in a sea of green fashionistas. Then, the music stops. One of the London Jewellery Week organisers steps onto the podium. “Would people please move around and visit some of the stalls down the other end of the room too?”

Maxx
I feel that the programme moved fairly briskly and succinctly through a topic which might not have been of immediate interest, bringing an awareness to an issue not at the forefront of the news. It was a well-made and -presented programme, shocking and fascinating, and leaving the viewer in no doubt about the severity of the problem. Public awareness needs to be raised: what is being done about this?

Netii
What a shocking experience to know that some of the precious items that I may have admired at various museums might have been stolen treasures. Some of the most respected countries in the world have had to return artefacts to countries such as Italy, Greece, Africa and the Middle Eastern countries. The most shocking statistic was that Africa has suffered the loss of 95% of its precious artefacts.

Pooja
Very much in agreement of the fact that stealing of a country’s art and antiquities is indeed stripping it of it’s heritage and the past, which actually should belong to its future generations. Nations and governments should work in the field of curbing and acquiring back the artefacts. UNESCO and local government should put in place tougher rules not only for those dealers who are acquiring them and selling them illegally but also those buyers who are helping this business to thrive. This whole syndicate and nexus has to be broken. Just a suggestion, a global committee should be formed with the help of the UN, wherein it becomes virtually impossible for sellers to sell one country’s art to a buyer of other country. This trade should be taken up in the same manner as we are fighting curb illegal drugs trade otherwise soon our history will be reduced to pre-historic times.

Evensteven
I watched your programme with interest. The stealing of valuable items from the past, is of course not new… The landed, wealthy classes were granted more or less carte blanche in the early part of the last century. What has changed since then, is the advent of the technical advances we have made. Even those without the benefit of a decent education, are now aware of the inherent value of the things they find, or are encouraged to ´discover`… As mentioned in the programme, the internet, and the mobile phone have played a major role in the sale of valuable artefacts from the past. In the programme, when Columbia was focused, the question: Does education change attitudes? I fear not! The theft of the Munch ´Scream` painting from the gallery in Norway was a well planned crime. Despite the efforts and the relative success of the Italian authorities, the ´Night Hawkers` and the metal detector fans will not be persuaded by the police, that pinching valuable artefacts is wrong!!

Leena Tan
A subject I’m personally very interested in, very well presented by the BBC. Have seen the damage to myriad sites here in India, in Cambodia and several other places. However, thought it was the illegal trade in endangered species that was considered second only to the drugs trade – more even than the arms trade.

Brijag
Thanks for a nice program. Stealing of Art has become a big business as pointed out. All Nations should join to ban Private Collection of Art. This would discourage stealing, and also provide much higher security at the Government sponsored agencies. Yet another advantage would be that the Art would be accessible to one and all, unlike a few individuals to a Private Collections.

The programme was really sad to watch.
I knew Samolia had people living rough but I didn’t know that people chew on a plant which makes them have mental health problems. Also it was really sad to see the little girl who had health problems get treated by a doctor from Brazil.
I think that it is very important for the people in Samolia get treatment for their health issues. Thank goodness for the doctors.
Michelle Maragos
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I found the programme particularly sad, given that so many people have lived in such terrible conditions for so long and probably will continue to do so. Tthat so many children spend their entire childhoods in refugee camps didn’t even bear thinking about; worst still was the predictability of their fate. However, I found the programme very informative as it reminded me just how privileged we are (as a European citizen) and that our gripes about any imperfect medical health system are ridiculous compared with the health care available to many African citizens. Even before the journalist reminded the little girl’s ‘aunt’ at the end of the programme of the existence of her own children, I was wondering about them and it came as no surprise when, having migrated to Sweden, she denied ever having any children of her own! Who wouldn’t do the same thing in her shoes?
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below you’ll find some of the comments about our recent programme on BBC World News – One Square Mile, Nairobi. If you get a chance to see the programme again on our site please send us your thoughts at info@oneplanetpictures.co.uk

Snoopy
I enjoyed this programme because it illustrated how people with very few economic resources survive. I too thought it was going to be about slum living conditions for very unhappy people. However, I saw people who made the most of their situation. I was sad for the woman who saved to start a small business to have her dreams destroyed by unscrupulous dishonest people.
However, I came away with admiration for a group of people who supported each other. I live in Brisbane Queensland which has suffered horrendous floods and we witnessed similar support from fellow citizens. I learned from this programme that people in any country or society can support each other as well as be unscrupulous and dishonest.

Dave Elora
This presentation of One Square Mile was one of the most interesting I have seen. The presenter showed two sides to what one expected to be a grim one-sided picture, of filth, slum squalor, and poverty. We have seen slums in India, Viet Nam, and many other places. This presenter gave slum life an interesting twist. Well done.

Mia
I very much liked the reporting style, so matter of fact and low-key. We have slums enough in parts of Mexico but nothing quite on the scale of Nairobi! Of course something should be done to improve life for these people but who´s going to do it if they don´t try to help themselves and each other! Its good to remind the world how others live. Thanks to Weekend World, once again, for doing that very thing.

Marija Liudvika Rutkauskaite
I liked the tone of the presentation – there was no emphasis on some desired or sought out responses – the conversation was natural as it was born there in Nairobi. I came away with a feeling of disbelief and with a question: what was their earlier story? Was it an imperial power, colonisation or something still worse, which gave them no more but which kept them somewhat cleaner and safer from pollution and anti-sanitation? I have kept guessing whether the status as shown was the price of a state free from colonisation and the situation where the people have to fend for themselves. I have learned that so poor people exist on earth and that man’s mood and satisfaction are relative matters. I have also learned and despised those who create difficulties for the people of the same country when they think they have to test their patriotism, morality or dedication. This is a crime of the fat and satisfied. Thank you.

Susan Fielding
In spite of the despair of their poverty and distrust of the authorities, the community of The One Square Mile of The Mathare Slum (Nairobi, Kenya) looked like soldiers, hopefully wriggling their way through the “Low-wire Entanglement” in their struggle for survival (as if in a war), and happily enduring all the odds for the love of life.
The documentary was very effective; wonderfully made and presented by the BBC.

The programme was interesting and well done. I think the “encouraging” aspects of what the reporter found in the slum are actually a reflection of the human spirit, which continues to struggle and seek a better future even in the most wretched of circumstances. It seems people are always capable of squeezing the best out of a bad situation, and some are able to escape. I don’t think this is much of a reason to take heart, however. Society apparently still needs to evolve a great deal before we learn how to deal with our populations and eradicate terrible phenomena like this slum. We learned from the programme that life in the slum is, nevertheless, better than starving in the countryside, and we saw some of the residents who have been successful, returning to help more young people improve their lot. It would be interesting to know how much of a positive impact these informal projects have. Perhaps there are more (somewhat better-off) Kenyans who want to get involved in broadening the scope of this activity?

Yoshio Tamura
I know there were the slums in the suburb of Nairobi. I read the essay which was written by my acquaintance. I’ve recognized from his essay that there have been many peoples who were suffering with disease, poorness and violence. So I saw the woman who ran the small business, I felt the real figure of Nairobi.

The website for the World Challenge 2010 has been very interesting, enjoyable and inspiring; It’s doing wonders for the poor, deprived and have-nots, besides it’s laying a solid foundation for innovations to lay stress/preference for clean energy and less dependence on polluting sources of energy. The competition fires really imagination of so many people /communities in the world. In one of my previous comments, on the programme, I had suggested to consider giving details and susequent follow-ups on all the entries during all those years (right from the start of the competition); It was also suggested that you could well do to have an additional/connected website for the purpose.
Anonymous Viewer

I think that the World Challenge is one of the best ideas ever. The opportunities are immense and allow people in developing countries to experience some of the comforts that we in the developed world take for granted. I was unable to watch all of the programs but am familiar with the challenges, since I have watched World Challenge in previous years. It is an impressive phenomenon that those taking part in the challenges are so creative and have the ability to make something from little or nothing.
Netii

I liked all the programmes and projects. The innovative ideas are always amazing. The team did a good job of finding a variety of projects different from previous ones. An earlier post suggested looking for more projects that emphasize education–I think that’s a good direction.I did visit the website briefly a few times but I didn’t see anywhere to leave comments on the programme. It was useful to be able to see all the projects at once and get a reminder about each one.The “Down to Business” programme gave us an interesting look at what’s being done to help the projects stay in business. Congratulations to the World Challenge team for continuing to take responsibility and provide support. Mentoring is a great concept and is sure to have positive effects.Like every year so far I found all the projects worthy and whichever one wins–it’s deserved!
Susan Fielding

The program is very inspiring, interesting & informative. It makes you feel that in spite of so much pprogress, still a lot is required to be done for our Planet Earth. The program motivates and challenges you to think & innovate to do something new. Thanks

I think that the businesses of Denmark and India are the remarkable ones. Denmark ‘s has used the technology of the internet and India’s has made good use of the rice husks which had been thrown away. Recently the internet technology has been developing so higher and rapidly that it has made the trading with a remote place easy. We have used the rice husks as manure after burning into ashes in Japan. This is the reason why I took notice of the two businesses above. But I think that the rests of ten are the respectable efforts.
Yoshio Tamura, Japan

World Challenge is one of the best programmes especially for 21st Century viewers. It would be difficult to find fault with a programme that aims at adventure that lead to social, economic and technological development.
You can hardly find anything to change except to add more and recent developments online. This year’s project is fine and interesting. I visit the web from time to time and it’s absolutely absorbing. It’s quite understandable for mature and experienced people and of course it’s researchers hub. Yes but I never leave comments for lack of time and so thank you for the opportunity to comment on them.
I’m impressed by MYC4′s effort at helping African entrepreneurs access capital. The effort of electrical students at Imperial College by inventing equinox little shop of solar light in Gakenke in Rwanda. Quite interesting that you can recharge by picking up batter-box in the nearest solar energy kiosk. AIDFI’s Ram pump is commendable. Craig Calfee must be commended for the bravery of developing bamboo bicycle in Zambia even when it appears to be less profitable when compared with competing metal bicycle. The last but not the least is Jock Brands for helping African rural women shell peanuts five times faster than manual.
Anonymous viewer

World Challenge is a great series. Quite simply, it is that rare thing – positive news. It is wonderful to hear about these projects that are working to make life better in so many different and ingenious ways. I am a little uneasy about comparing projects that are based in developed countries with others that are purely dependent on third-world resources, and sometimes I feel we should be told more about the administrative infrastructure, but on the whole I think these are excellent programmes and I just hope the series can continue. Later follow-up progress reports would also be very welcome – one keeps wondering whether some of the projects featured in earlier years are managing to carry on….
Joan FD

Re: BBC World News – World Challenge: Down to Business

This was a welcome addition to the World Challenge series. Of course if green, grass roots projects are to survive, they have to be financially viable, but in some cases the environment is too hostile, and their experience/clout/scope too limited, for that condition to be met. By coming in with professional assistance when necessary, the World Challenge becomes a much more serious, meaningful proposition. Far more responsible than just applauding these important efforts and then leaving them to their fate.

BBC World News – World Challenge 1 year on

It was great to see how some of the projects are faring. I hope this will be a regular feature of the series each year.

It was gratifying to see how from such humble beginnings some of the projects have really managed to “mushroom” to reach a larger population, and even to branch out in unexpected ways.

BBC World News – World Challenge 2010

As always, I enjoyed this year’s projects on World Challenge but had a very hard time in choosing just one project. I would like to have nominated a first, second and third place, as there were 3 projects that had equal merit for me and I hope those 3 come in the first three places. Just how many projects enlisted this year?

Re: BBC World News – World Challenge 2010

It’s the first time I was able to see the videos due to a different INTERNET provider I’ve finally got. A wonderful project! The one which refreshed both your mind and feelings. And rather optimistic one, although i was shocked to learn ( and see!) that there are still plenty of places where people’s life style had not gone far from a medieval one: without electricity, enough water and so on. I liked most the episode about the Fillipins  (water pumping) and Rwanda( electricity kiosks). Many thanks for the program.

Tatiana , live and work in the Northern Cacasus, in the city-resort Kislovodsk. T’m a teacher for medical students, teaching English and Social sciences. Originally I was born in Vladivostok, on the Pacific Ocean. Used to kive & work in the US and some other cjountries.

Re: BBC World News – World Challenge 2010

There’s nothing not to like about this programme!

Aside from learning about all the marvellous new (to us) initiatives, the follow-up on projects from previous competitions is definitely a welcome idea.

Husk Power Systems from Bihar will get my vote this year, because it has the potential to continue expanding and improving the lives of a huge number of people.

Re: BBC World News – World Challenge 2010

I have not voted for the project , not because I do not think it is a great idea but because it is hard to choose one project over another  because they impact the lives so many people and frankly they all deserve an award. I hate the feeling of having chosen one over another.

Re: BBC World News – World Challenge 2010

Yes, I’ve voted. I wish I could vote for all the finalists; each one of them is unique and deserves to be appreciated and applied, and all those which did not find a place in the top 12 must be made known (if not on  TV, then at least on-line), soon after declaration of the result.

The World Challenge programme could be counted amongst the best ones on the BBC. I personally feel, it must never be stopped, and, if anything and if possible, its gambit should be broadened.

Re: BBC World News – World Challenge 2010

BBC- I salute you for this series “Shapo !”

Although I am not a media or social expert, I would like to make several proposals
for your consideration.

1: People worldwide should have the opportunity to watch this series.
It might encourage many people to initiate actions and fulfil dreams.

2: BBC, pls ask the UN to fund the translation of this series to as many languages as possible.
BBC- Pls offer the UN the option to promote and broadcast this series worldwide , on all TV stations, free of charge.

3: Pls avoid the production of a semi reality contest show.
Encourage people to donate either funds or know how to the initiatives.
I am afraid that having a contest and winner will divert the attention and interest from “Doing for the public benefit” to  “Doing  for personal benefits”

4: I wish more similar programs will cover TV screen time.
People that are doing positive thinks are not getting TV and media coverage time.

Re: BBC World News – World Challenge 2010

All projects are obviously important for the individuals or groups that are working on them, and I echo what others have indicated that each one is worth of the honor of receiving the award to continue on their quest for complete success.  I made a selection, though, it was difficult.  Pass-It-On, Peru, was particularly intriguing because of the potential to help others in such simple way.  The “newer” techniques to support and generate their crops and own income, and survive in a less-than-hospitable environment, opens the mind to how we could apply similar methodology and practices to areas all over the world for people to feed themselves and survive.  Hunger is a problem that is most evident in certain regions, but not unique: it is, in a smaller scale, prevalent, even in large developed countries. If the developing countries imitate or apply these processes, we should be able to help more people.  These are simple but critical solutions.  Everyone seeks an answer to world problems: this is a small contribution to the answer.

Good programme: keep it up.

Professor K
Prof K
USA

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-lamb/the-school-that-garbage-b_b_776456.html

http://lufkindailynews.com/life/community_news/article_d00c404a-e3c4-11df-874b-001cc4c002e0.html

http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/local-headlines/kelso_scientist_fights_to_save_world_s_fragile_marine_ecosystems_1_300672

http://www.destentor.nl/regio/veluwenoord/7522267/BBC-nomineert-oudElburger.ece

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/visayas/view/20101028-300225/Vote-for-entry-to-BBC-World-Challenge

http://www.peru.com/noticias/peruanosenelmundo20101027/124735/Vota-por-Sierra-Productiva-en-concurso-de-The-World-Challenge

“Overall, we loved the film….and we felt that the village and the villagers were portrayed really well….it’s a really professional job.” Joohi Haleem, Handicap International

Thank you for presenting this exposé.
“One Square Mile” does not usually have an “agenda”, but in this case it was certainly justified because the unexploded ordnance is the central and defining fact of life for the people in this square mile.
Without getting into recriminations over the Vietnam war, I just want to ask if those responsible for creating this situation shouldn’t be doing everything possible to remedy it?
Very well done, and I like this presenter very much. Anonymous Viewer

I also like the presenter. She is very knowledgeable about the Laos situation.
I didn’t know there were bombs lying in fields since the Vietnam War. It was sad to see a couple of kids that are amputees because of the bombs.
Thanks for sharing the programme with me. Michelle Maragos

GANGLAND GUATEMALA

Great job by Zeinab Badawi with that efficient and emotional handling of the subjects/issues: every time she takes me to those One Square Mile(s), I’m left with a feeling of revulsion, contempt and disgust for the societies in which those wretched/unfortunate souls are compelled or destined to live in; may be, I feel that because of the real strong effect/impact, because of those small little journeys into the miseries of the exploited and the deprived, and that’s why, many a times, I find it so difficult to suffer watching the whole programme; The series is a tremendous effort by the BBC; I think only they could think of working on such important and moving (heart-felt) ideas. Global Minds Viewer

What an awful place! Apparently run by a bunch of top-notch criminals and top-notch hypocrites. I am full of admiration for the courage of Zeinab and her crew for venturing into this hell. As always an excellent programme by Zeinab. Mosi

It was indeed credible for Zeinab Badawi to visit the site and report with great accuracy the facts of the situation as they stand, especially having dialogues with individuals involved. Guatemala cannot be identified in isolation as the only city having fallen prey to gangsterism. There are other cities in the world where Mafia rules and the government stands terrified to initiate major action. What has been the root cause for such situation needs to be assessed. I am of the opinion that curruption at the highest level in State and Governments has been one of the main reasons. Power hungry politicians at all levels have been known to colloborate with the undeserving thus giving status to the unwanted and undesired individuals. It directly invites the aggressor to be bold, daring, challanging The aggressor should be brought to a stage where he is made to feel as a victim of aggression.
Such are my views – Madam Zeinab – may your good work continue to bring awarness among the masses and to the situation the poor and the distress have to undergo. Thank you M. M. Amalsadvala Maherzean

One Square Mile: Guatemala is a superb bit of journalism both visually and in terms of content. The situation was clearly explained and fleshed out with personal accounts. Once again we see the effect of widespread poverty and squalor combined with lack of will by government to create a different reality or even assist those trying to make a difference at the grass roots level. Police presence alone will not solve anything. This was one of those programmes in which the bravery of the team, led by Zeinab Badawi, deserves special mention. SFielding