Worldfocus was nominated for an Emmy in the “Best story in a regularly scheduled newscast” category for our coverage of the “Crisis in Congo” (Executive Producer: Marc Rosenwasser, Correspondent: Michael J. Kavanagh of the Pulitzer Center, Producers: Lisa Biagiotti, Taylor Krauss). The “Crisis in Congo” videos also won the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in the international television category.

Pascal and Vestine are alive, but still not home

Rape as a weapon of war

Worldfocus was also nominated for an Emmy in the “Outstanding feature story in a regularly scheduled broadcast” for our coverage of “21st Century Africa” (Executive Producer: Marc Rosenwasser, Correspondent: Martin Seemungal, Producer: Yuval Lion).

China strengthens trading ties in Africa

Middle class sprawls in Nairobi, Kenya

Tech advances rev up across Africa

Rwanda aims for one laptop per child

The One Laptop Per Child program (OLPC) launched in Rwanda in October with the aim of providing computer access to the country’s 2.3 million schoolchildren. President Paul Kagame has supported the program and efforts to expand schooling and educational resources in the country.

Worldfocus correspondent Martin Seemungal travels to Rwamagana, Rwanda — once a site of the country’s 1994 genocide, now the site of technological transformation.

Below, read what bloggers are saying about the laptop initiative from Rwanda to Peru.

Blogger “Brian,” an OLPC intern, posts his account of bringing laptops to children in Kigali, Rwanda.

Blogger “DSD” — another OLPC intern — writes from Ethiopia, describing how the laptops excite children in the country’s bare schools.

From Peru, blogger “Ivan Krstić” returns to the town of Arahuay one year after OLPC brought laptops to children there, writing that despite his skepticism, the program has brought about real change.

However, some bloggers express continued doubts about the OLPC program’s effectiveness.

The “Hyper Edge” blog argues that money could be better spent on food and infrastructure projects.

The “Thoughts on Freedom” blog writes from Australia that the program is flawed, as it does not take into account long-term maintenance costs and more pressing needs in rural communities.

The price of the so-called “$100 laptop” has in fact grown to over $188 in past years, though OLPC plans to introduce a newly-designed laptop at a cheaper price by 2010.

The gorillas are a main attraction for tourists to Uganda, as many are habituated and accustomed to human visitors. Tourism revenue has funded some gorilla protection efforts.

Worldfocus special correspondent Martin Seemungal treks through the wilderness to learn how these animals are being threatened and helped — witnessing some precious new arrivals.

For more on endangered mountain gorillas, read an account from park rangers in the nearby Democratic Republic of Congo, where gorillas fall victim to the country’s ongoing war: Park rangers return to Congo’s imperiled gorillas.

The rise of women in power is in part due to the country’s electoral quota (30 percent female), and partly a consequence of male deaths during the country’s 1994 genocide. Women comprise 55 percent of the Rwandan population as a whole.

Worldfocus special correspondent Martin Seemungal travels to Rwanda, a country recovering from its terrible genocide with the help of some very powerful women.

Blogger Andrea Friedman at “The Huffington Post” writes in support of gender quotas, arguing that they foster change.

The “African Studies Blog” links to an article claiming that though women are participating more and more in politics, they are not able to influence policymaking.

Writer “Dana Liebelson” discusses Rwandan gender politics in the context of American politics and the state of women in other African nations, arguing that women are viewed in black-and-white terms as either “equal citizen or victim.”

Watch a female member of the Rwandan parliament talk about her experience.

Stephen F. DeAngelis outlines the contributions of women to the Rwandan economy and traces a short history of gender roles in the country. The Washington Post published a video about Rwandan women and the economy.

In the U.S., about 17 percent of national government officials are women.

Internet censorship and surveillance are contentious issues around the world.

In Malaysia, blogging remains one of the few ways to exercise free speech, although the government has begun to crack down on sites and bloggers, blocking malaysia-today.net (since redirected) and jailing its publisher.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad joins his country’s bloggers in criticizing the government under Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his chosen successor.

The EU recently criticized Turkey for its free speech violations, when the government blocked 850 sites, including Blogger and YouTube. The blockage of wordpress.com last August met a firestorm of criticism, as documented by “Global Voices” blogger Sami Ben Gharbia.

Australia is making headlines for its new Internet censorship legislation, which is being criticized by both bloggers and traditional journalists. Blogger “Stilgherrian” leads a discussion about the new laws that includes a direct reply from a member of Parliament defending the laws.

Egypt faces its own free speech struggles, as explored by a Worldfocus signature story and an interview with blogger Hossam el-Hamalawy, who claims that online free speech rights are severely limited by the government. He also started a debate at Flickr, where he feels his photos of Egyptian political demonstrations have been censored.

Bi Yantao of the “Fool’s Mountain” blog reports that China – perhaps the country most famous for Internet censorship and its “great firewall” — tightened its Internet censorship as the Beijing Olympics finished and foreigners left.

Fred Stopsky of “The Impudent Observor” shares a Finnish report stating that older Finns accept Internet censorship to prevent the spread of violence and “certain ideas.”

British blogger “Charlotte Gore” responds to member of Parliament Hazel Blears’ attack on political bloggers by insisting that “the blogosphere does not answer to the government.”

“DailyBits” provides a succinct top-ten rundown of Internet censorship, and the OpenNet Initiative provides in-depth tracking and analysis of Internet filtration and censorship around the globe.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user wolfcat_aus under a Creative Commons license.

See Obama’s policy statement on Africa on his Web site.

Sarjoh Bah, a research associate with New York University’s Center on International Cooperation, speaks with Martin Savidge about challenges in Africa, from Darfur to the crisis in eastern Congo. He says that Africans want a strategic relationship with the U.S., boosted by the opportunities of Africa’s growing middle class, its young population and its oil exports to the U.S.

Below, bloggers in Africa and around the world discuss the future of U.S.-Africa relations.

Prior to the election, bloggers Merle Bowen and William Minter argued that the U.S. needs to radically transform its Africa policy, moving from simply humanitarian and AIDS work — “a narrow view of Africa as a recipient of charity” – to multilateral cooperation and increasingly open trade.

Peter Pham outlines a comprehensive Africa strategy for Barack Obama at the “World Defense Review” blog, including high-level dialogue that could prove mutually beneficial.

Citizen journalist Gibbs Dube writes at “OhMyNews” that Obama will likely directly engage with African leaders much more than his predecessor, particularly in Zimbabwe where political upheaval continues.

Workers at a gorilla park in Congo — recently besieged by violence — share varying opinions of Obama at the “Virunga Park” blog. One hopes that Obama will encourage international intervention in the country, while another doubts that the new U.S. president will have any practical impact on the Congo.

Worldfocus travels to both nations and finds that today, their people hold varying opinions of America. In Kenya, several Kenyans take comfort in American popular culture. Some Kenyans say they feel a connection to Americans because of their shared pain of terrorism and the ascent of presidential candidate Barack Obama, whose father was Kenyan.

In the Muslim-populated country of Tanzania, the view of America sours. Some citizens report a more negative view of the U.S. and its foreign policy.

Worldfocus correspondent Martin Seemungal and producer Yuval Lion report from Kenya and Tanzania.

Africa’s 26-country trade zone.

A summit ended Wednesday in Kagala, Uganda, with the creation of a single regional free trade market encompassing 26 African nations.

As part of the three-party agreement, the nations plan to create a single airspace and customs union, implement regional broadband access and provide compensation to poor member countries. Leaders see this as the first step toward an Africa integrated and empowered both economically and politically.

Blogger Chirol of “Coming Anarchy” sees the agreement as grounds for optimism, but notes that transportation and corruption may pose threats to the new system.

Blogger “EB” agrees that the agreement could potentially make the African economy a more powerful player in world trade, particularly with India and China.

Emma Kansiime at the “Pearl of Africa” blog supports the move while questioning its potential, citing a lack of interest and the possibility of corruption and foreign domination.

Blogger al-Amin of of “Signed, AK” expresses hope for success, expecting cheaper inter-African trade and fewer imports, resulting in less African dependence on foreign governments and institutions.

African countries have struggled to find economic success in the global economy, and African leaders have long advocated for a more unified continental effort.

One of the estimated 160,000 Egyptian bloggers shares his perspective in our Web exclusive video: Egyptian bloggers cite censorship, arrest and torture.

Special correspondent Hoda Osman and producer Sally Garner report on the state of journalism in Egypt from Cairo.

The video below is an exclusive Web interview with blogger and activist Hossam el-Hamalawy.

For bloggers and mainstream journalists, Egypt is far from free. Both Hossam el-Hamalawy and Nora Younis blog using their real names. Both write about protest rallies, politics and the growing — but still small — labor movement in Egypt.

Watch the video interview of el-Hamalawy, who says he’s been arrested, questioned and tortured several times during his career. He describes the blogging community in Cairo as having one foot in cyberspace and the other in the street.

It’s that activism that makes them targets for state security police.

Blogger Nora Younis told us about knowing she was being watched but choosing to continue to live and work without trying to hide.

“I never lock my door; I just leave my apartment and pull the door shut,” she said. “I never lock my door. I don’t care if they’re tapping the phone; I have to continue living as if this is safe. I have the right to do it. I should continue to do it.”

Reporters without Borders ranked Egypt 148th out of 169 countries in its annual press freedom survey.

The organization specifically cited the jailing of two bloggers last year as evidence of Egypt’s continuing crackdown on journalists. The report also pointed to the use of the Internet as a powerful tool that resulted in the “unprecedented arrest and imprisonment” of two government officials when a blogger posted video of them torturing prisoners at a local police station.

- Sally Garner

Worldfocus contributing correspondent Hoda Osman speaks with women from different walks of life in Egypt, each with surprising revelations about why she has taken the veil.

Below the video, read what bloggers — including an Egyptian woman living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana — are saying about the veil, and its varying perceptions.

Worldfocus correspondent Martin Seemungal and producer Yuval Lion report on Africa’s technological advances.

And despite Africa’s limited access to the Internet, bloggers are weighing in on the role of technology around Africa.

The “Geek2Live” blog writes about efforts to speed up Africa’s connection to the World Wide Web.

The “White African” blog discusses why African technology matters, including why Africa is a great place to test technology and gain a competitive edge in world markets.

“ReadWriteWeb” recently completed a three-part series on social media in Africa: an introduction to the African web community, mobile innovations in the continent and the effect of more democratic media on Africa’s social and political landscape (including its role in Zimbabwean elections).

The “AfriGadget” blog cites examples of African ingenuity and invention, including a phone-based security system designed by an 18-year-old Kenyan. “Startup Africa” also provides resources for African entrepreneurs.

YouTube user “bahiaboy” posts a video about the Internet trading platform TradeNet, which provides African farmers with price updates and purchase offers over cell phones, with testimonies from both rural Africans and the platform’s developers.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Esthr under a Creative Commons license.

Kenya’s middle class has grown to 10 percent of the urban population — or 1.5 million people — making Kenya home to one of the largest middle class populations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Government deregulation and stimulated economic growth turned “Nairobbery” — a former nickname for the city — into a booming economic center. Nairobi reflects this trend with multinational businesses, towering office buildings and a growing middle class.

Worldfocus correspondent Martin Seemungal and producer Yuval Lion report from Nairobi on middle class Kenyans, who are educated, optimistic and upwardly mobile.

Some of this trade, however, involves countries like Sudan and Zimbabwe, where human rights abuses have been cited. China is a permanent member of the United Nation’s Security Council, and the nation’s self-interest in Africa has been criticized for blocking U.N. action in Darfur and ultimately helping to fuel the crisis there.

In Kenya, the Chinese are building roads, shipping in goods and selling them in Chinese-owned shops. Kenyans are learning Chinese and Chinese are learning Swahili.

Listen to our online radio show on China’s role in Africa and view an interactive map of China’s recent diplomatic efforts on the continent.

Worldfocus special correspondent Martin Seemungal and producer Yuval Lion report from Kenya and Tanzania on China’s aggressive moves into the region’s marketplace.

China invested $4.5 billion in infrastructure projects last year in Africa.

Though the world financial crisis will impact trade between China and Africa, the crisis may also allow China to increase its influence in the country at a time when Western investment in Africa is declining.

Today, a South African navy ship is scheduled to make its first official visit to China, as part of a year-long celebration honoring 10 years of China-South African diplomacy.

China’s investment in Africa has grown exponentially in recent years, with the total value of trade between China and Africa increasing nearly 40 percent every year.

Despite Chinese officials characterizing the relationship as “win-win” proposition, there are questions about the effects of cheap Chinese goods on the African job market.

Recently, British conservative author Peter Hitchens penned a scathing article about China’s exploitation of Africans. He calls the relationship a “slave empire,” saying that Africans fear speaking ill of Chinese businessmen despite producing their raw materials in poor living conditions.

The “Tibet Rights” blog posts a response to Hitchens’ article, calling it hypocritical and reminding readers of the impact of Western intervention in Africa.

Grace Augustine argues on Stanford’s “Social Innovation Blog” that despite China’s claim of reducing poverty in Africa, poverty and inequality are not the same and Africa should be wary of China’s human rights record.

The blog “I have no tribe, I’m Sudanese” writes that China has helped Africa. The blogger defends China against colonization claims and says the relationship is mutually beneficial.

Blogger “Keeplefty” writes that while most reactions to China’s presence in Africa fall under categories of paranoia or praise, their real relationship falls somewhere in between.

American blogger David Mixner urges increased involvement in Africa to compete with China.

The “Windy Harbor” blog writes that the financial crisis may be an opportunity for Africa to more fully engage in the global economy.

As the debate continues, interest in Africa is on the rise elsewhere. The “China Comment” blog predicts that China will face competition from the U.S. and EU in South Africa, where it has deep economic and diplomatic ties. Alex Belida of “Regrets Only” discusses Iran’s interests in Africa, while Pambazuka News examines India’s role in the region.

Following a recent World Bank report [PDF] on China’s essential financing of sub-Saharan African infrastructure, the “African Politics Portal” blog assesses the thoroughness of the study and outlines the benefits and pitfalls of these Chinese investments.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user cogdogblog under a Creative Commons license.