TERRAVIVA - THE INDEPENDENT FAMILY OF PUBLICATIONS FROM INTER PRESS SERVICE. http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/default.asp Copyright © 2006 IPS-Inter Press Service. All rights reserved. en-US http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=755 Alejandro Kirk A global fund to purchase massive amounts of medicines for developing countries with money coming from "solidarity" flight taxes and other innovative financing systems was launched here Tuesday, sponsored by five countries. http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=756 Thalif Deen The economic success stories of the world's 50 poorest nations are also predicated on "good governance", including multi-party democracy, rule of law, gender empowerment, respect for human rights and transparency and accountability, according to the United Nations. http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=751 Thalif Deen An African diplomat from one of the world's 50 poorest nations, described as least developed countries (LDCs), once complained that it took about five to 10 years to get a landline telephone connection in his home country -- and an additional five years to get a dial tone on the new phone. http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=752 Alejandro Kirk Developed and developing countries should work together as equal partners in strengthening local resources and values, rather than trying to reproduce the "distorted" model of northern countries, Italy's Deputy Foreign Minister Patrizia Sentinelli told IPS. http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=753 Mithre J. Sandrasagra As a two-day High Level Meeting of the General Assembly to assess the progress of fighting poverty in the 50 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) came to a close here Tuesday, heads of State and delegates adopted a declaration recommitting themselves to a comprehensive poverty reduction programme. http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=744 Moyiga Nduru There were 18 in Africa 35 years ago. There are 34 now -- which begs the question: are policies to thin the ranks of the almost three dozen least developed countries (LDCs) on the continent even somewhat effective? http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=747 Mithre J. Sandrasagra In most of the 50 countries listed by the United Nations as the world´s poorest, poverty has increased since 2001, when a global summit in Brussels adopted a 10-year program to slash it, delegates stressed here today. http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=748 Mithre J. Sandrasagra For LDCs, "the scorecard is mixed: there is good progress in the economic growth rate in the LDCs, but that has not contributed to a reduction of poverty levels in these countries," UN Under Secretary-General, Anwarul K. Chowdhury said today. http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=750 Thalif Deen The government of Zimbabwe, a country in the throes of a major economic crisis, has rejected a recommendation by a U.N. committee that the cash-starved African nation be "downgraded" to the status of a least developed country (LDCs), the poorest of the world's poor. http://www.ipsterraviva.net/tv/ldcs/en/viewstory.asp?idnews=730 Amy Bracken September is a particularly stressful time of year in Haiti. As schools open, parents across the country hope for help in the form of bonuses from employers or money orders from loved ones overseas. Many have already been skimping on food, medicine and other essentials just to pay for their children to attend classes.