American investment in Africa has the potential to provide much-need jobs, access to healthcare, and generally improve standards of living. In fact, American corporations are becoming increasingly interested in investing in Africa, with some regarding it as the last big growth market, but they are often deterred by Africa’s negative image, a new study shows.

US companies in some sectors, particularly technology companies, now regard Africa as “the last frontier for growth”. It has a market of one billion people, mobile telephone networks have been successful, and other countries, particularly China, are increasing their African investment thrust. Accessing that huge market will benefit investors, but also has the potential to improve life for Africans as workers and consumers.   Read more...

25 April was het zover: mijn vleesvrije, biologische diner. Doel: mijn vrienden ervan overtuigen dat één keer per week geen vlees of vis te eten echt geen ramp is en zelfs heel erg lekker kan zijn. En dat biologische wijn overigens ook erg lekker is...   Read more...

Bizlightenment is an online business directory with listings of conscious businesses, informational articles provided by experts and other news of interest to consumers who want to work with ethical businesses and professionals.

Businesses and consumers who register on the Bizlightenment site by June 15, 2009 will be entered to win one of 10 Conscious Biz gift baskets, with a combined retail value of $16,000.   Read more...

Global Spirit is Link TV’s new series focused on the pan-cultural experience of what it means to be human. The series will examine the relationships between mind and spirit, science and metaphysics, and mental and physical well-being as approached by the world’s ancient wisdom traditions and modern science. Called the first “internal travel” series it intends to give viewers an experience that just might change them.

In this episode of Global Spirit, host Phil Cousineau speaks with BBC filmmaker Alan Ereira about his beautiful, sobering documentary: From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers' Warning. This poignant film carries a strong warning from a remote South American tribe that cautions us, the “younger brothers”, to give up our self-destructive ways and honor the planet, before it is too late.   Read more...

In the midst of this global economic crisis, there is a movement happening in some of the hardest hit places in America - local communities. This movement is showing that Main Street truly is the way to building a better, more sustainable future. And that’s just what Joe Grafton, founding director of the Somerville Local First has set out to prove. Dedicated to promoting and sustaining local business, Local First organizations across the country are campaigning for a shift in the way we act, in the way we think and most importantly, in the way we spend. That’s what prompted Joe and other local organizers in New England to start the 10% shift campaign and evangelize the true power of local spending.   Read more...

Dresses and skirts on the couch, jackets and sweaters on the dining table, pants in the play room, shirts on my son's bed, shoes on the living room floor, bags and purses on the red chair. This is what my house looked like yesterday when my friend Kendra and I hosted our Spring Clothes Swap!

We've been swapping for over ten years now, with one in the Fall and one in the Spring, and at this point my wardrobe is about 75% swap clothes. I had always been a big thrift store advocate, which is where I buy the rest of my clothes, but with swapping not only are the clothes free, it's also an event that fosters community. We sip champagne while trying on each others clothes, everyone in various stages of disrobing. It's like being back in a dorm before a party, but this time we're also doing something to help the environment.   Read more...

14-16 AUG. Lage Vuursche Jezelf en anderen ontmoeten in workshops en een prachtige omgeving. Dans, Healing, Massage, Satsangs, Klankschalen, Tantra, Sjamanenwerk, Deeksha, Dreamtime, Yoga, Adem, Creativiteit, Drummen, Clownen, Zang, Stem, Mantra workshops. Leuke band. Regen geen bezwaar! Comfortabele cursusruimten en piramide. Bij mooi weer buitenoptredens. Je bent al welkom v/a vrijdag 14.00 uur 200 euro incl. alle bio maaltijden v/a vrijdag kamperen of dormitory (kamerhuur extra) Tel. 06-17278519 Meer info: www.healingfestival.nl helende.evenementen@gmail.com   Read more...

Heb je ooit gehoord van solar healing, sungazing, zonnekijken of zonnestaren? Dit is een heel oude techniek die al door de Egyptenaren, Grieken, Jains en Indianen werd gebruikt, waarbij je op een veilige manier in de zon kijkt om je hersencapaciteit te vergroten, meer energie te krijgen en kwalen te genezen. Uiteindelijk kan deze techniek leiden tot minder of geen behoefte aan vast voedsel.

In de maand mei komt de bekende Indiase sungazer Hira Ratan Manek (HRM) naar Nederland en België om uitleg te geven over sungazing. HRM is in de 70 en van kinds af aan al geïnteresseerd in de kracht van de zon. Na een carrière als ingenieur heeft hij zich heel intensief met sungazing bezig gehouden. Het resultaat is dat hij nu al 13 jaar kan leven op alleen zonlicht en water. HRM is meerdere malen 24 uur per dag gevolgd door een team van wetenschappers, één keer zelfs 411 dagen. Het bleek dat hij echt nooit at en ondanks dat heel gezond en op een normaal gewicht bleef.   Read more...

How many t-shirts in your closet are feeding malnourished children? Probably zero. CommonThreadz.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has set out to change that with the launch of the Orphan Collection, a new series of t-shirts designed by African orphans.

The Orphan Collection t-shirts are all limited editions, printed with eco-friendly water-based inks and are available in women, men and kids sizes. Each t-shirt sold from The Orphan Collection provides the financial support needed to feed an orphan or vulnerable child for one month and provide the child with a new school uniform, school supplies and meals for the school year.   Read more...

In het tweede en derde weekend van juli vindt in Goes het grootste zomerbuitenevenement van Zeeland plaats: GoesAfrikaFestival, met een Afrikamarkt, korte optredens op het podium op het marktterrein en negen voorstellingen van het waterspektakel Ubuntu met zang, dans, toneel, muziek en acrobatiek. De toegang is gratis.   Read more...