The region of Kosovo seems to have fallen out of the international media conversation. It has lost the sexiness it had in the 90’s. Yet thousands of troops and international workers are there, not to mention the Kosovars themselves. But what can the future hold for them?
To discuss this and related themes, I went to visit Vlidi at his home in Belgrade. He has been to Kosovo several times for different reasons, and has much to say about what is going on there.
We discuss:
– His visits to Kosovo in 04 and 05
– The interviews he conducted there.
– Background, why has all this happenned in Kosovo
– The territory during Yugoslavia
– Population, politics, and quality of life
– The economic significance of Kosovo
– Dependency
– Lessons not learned
– Drawing Borders to Remove Borders
– Meaning for Serbia
When we talk about European history, the conversation is usually focused on things that took place in the early 20th century… world war I, world war II… and the decades immediately after. But one decade that had a great effect on the Balkan region happenned much more recently… in the 90’s. In this program I speak with Tom, who is part of MAMA- Cyberculture Institute, here in Zagreb. Together we discuss:
– The end of Yugoslavia, the independence of Slovenia and Croatia
– Milosevic
– Living in Croatia during the war, things you see in daily life
– The rise and cause of nationalism.
– The problems of the post war 90’s
– The big change from 99 to 2000
– A strange music phenomenon that cuts across many countries of the former Yugoslavia
– Thoughts, Concerns, and Hopes for the future.
In the western world, blogs are famous for being both about nothing and something. We see different examples of how blogs are used everywhere as we travel the internets. But what about in Uganda; who is blogging, what are they talking about, and why?
my guest, sitting with me at a bakery in the heart of Amsterdam, is Josh from In An African Minute.
We talk about:
-What internet access is like in Uganda, how the average person accesses the net.
-Dominant media in Uganda, which are they, and how do they report the news.
– Bloggers in Uganda, what are they concerned about?
– who are the bloggers, the profiles of Ugandan bloggers.
– the importance of blogs in talking about events in Somalia, and the military deployment there.
– Computers in Uganda, and who has them.
– The future of the blogosphere, as compared to neighboring countries.
– And more.. so give it a listen!
You may have heard the name Warsaw or even Krakow, but have you heard about the Polish city of Wroclaw? Well chances are, you will, because whether you talking culture or commerce, the city and its mayor are making waves in the European swimming pool.
We discuss:
– What is unique and what is important to know, when it comes to this city.
– History of Wroclaw, the changes over the past century
– Mayor Rafa? Dutkiewicz, coming to power, and his plans for the city
– Working with the mayor
– His famous and unorthodox campaign to reach polish emigrants, in places like the UK
– Who is investing in the city and what jobs will there be
– The longterm possibilities
– The independent thinking republic of wroclaw
– and more, listen to the program.
Some audio from Bill Moyers as well, to start it off right.
Many of us grew up with stories of how soldiers who disagreed with Vietnam found asylum in Canada. Over 30 years later, soldiers are once again acting on their principles and beliefs and moving to Canada… with some help.
We discuss
-what is was like during the Vietnam era, to seek aslyum in Canada.
-how the support campaign began and when
-the steps a soldier must take, or what the process is today
-Canadian laws, courts, and the government in relation to how easy or difficult it is
-The rights of US soldiers living in Canada, the benefits and options
-The response to critics who despise the work and ideals of war resisters
-Alternative destinations for war resisters in the world
As the year turned 07, Romania and Bulgaria became part of the EU. What does this mean to people living in the country? What are their hopes and fears after joining the Union?
To help better understand the reality in Romania and address the many questions about joining the EU, Andy H of Csíkszereda Musings joins me.
We talk about:
-the first week of being in the EU
-the symbolism, and national importance of this development
-the campaign, propaganda, and all the buzz leading to the 1st of January
-how the media frames the EU and joining the union.
-the circumstances for Romanian workers in the rest of the EU
-the restrictions that countries have threatened to put on romanians.
and more……
