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Borders and barriers

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Borders and barriers

At the height of and in the immediate aftermath of the Arab Spring separatist ambitions were riding high in the Middle East. The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 would be torn up and borders, if there were to be any, would reflect Arab interests only. And yet, as Ariel Ahram explains, 'despite the separatists best efforts in nearly a decade of war, the territorial map of the Arab world remains largely unchanged'. He goes on to say that 'a more peaceful future in the Middle East might come from finding a middle path between breaking borders and rebuilding them'. How so?

Also, (skip to around 19 minutes in) McKinsey & Company in Africa have released a report on gender parity across the continent. Lohini Moodley reminds us that Africa is home to some of the world's fastest growing economies and yet 'women are not sharing equally in Africa's economy and society'. She goes on to explain what's happening in various countries, the successes and failures, and what could be done in the future if 'governments and businesses can open the way for more woman to experience rising incomes and job satisfaction...the benefits will accrue not just to millions of woman, but to all Africans'.

And then, (at 33 mins) did you know that sand is the world's second most consumed natural resource? It's used in almost everything and the planet is covered in it and yet it's running out. Vince Beiser explains that although it may be ubiquitous it's not all suitable for our needs. We need the sand that's in rivers, lakes and oceans. People are being killed for it so why is it running out and might there be an alternative?

Finally, (at around 42 mins) every year hundreds of thousands of people, mostly children, in poorer countries, die because of a vitamin A deficiency. What would help is a genetically modified crop called Golden Rice. Matt Ridley explains how golden rice came to be, it's benefits, and the problems it has faced in becoming a successful alternative to white rice.

Credits

Broadcast 
World Politics, Treaties and Alliances, Unrest, Conflict and War, Women, Women’s Rights, Human Interest, Agricultural Crops, Gm Technology
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