Crisis Guide: The Korean Peninsula
http://www.cfr.org/publication/11954/
The Council on Foreign Relations has created a number of interactive guides that address everything from Africa’s conflict zones to the region along Pakistan’s Afghan border. This particular interactive feature deals with the ongoing political situation on the Korean Peninsula. After a brief audio and visual introduction, visitors can take in eight chapters that cover the region’s historical background, military history, and nuclear facilities. Along with graphics such as charts and tables, some of the chapters include interactive timelines and maps. One chapter that should not be missed is the one dedicated to exploring the subject of “Military Balance”. In this chapter, users can learn about the military assets in the region held by the United States, Japan, China, Russia, and South and North Korea. It’s quite an overview, and this site could also be used in an introductory political science or international relations course.
Global Health Reporting
http://globalhealthreporting.org/
Information on global health conditions online is quite extensive, though it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Created and operated by the Kaiser Family Foundation (with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), the Global Health Reporting site is designed for journalists and the general public. The site is a frequently-updated and high-quality resource on information about the global health situation regarding HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The site provides country-level data on these conditions, along with a “New & Noteworthy” area, which provides recent articles on these matters. Journalists will appreciate the “Reporting Tools” section, as it features glossaries, reporting manuals, disease tutorials, and multimedia offerings. Additionally, visitors can sign up to receive email notifications and RSS feeds.
More or Less
http://www.open2.net/moreorless/
The “More or Less” program created by the BBC and the Open University was “born of the sense that numbers were the principal language of public argument.” As statistics and data are everywhere from the newspaper to the grocery aisle, their statement makes a great deal of sense. This program asks everything from “What is economics?” to the various aspects of probability in everyday life. First-time visitors will want to start by looking over the “Essential Guides” area, these guides cover averages, economics, probability, and statistics through the use of straight-forward examples and illustrative devices. Moving on, the “Behind the Numbers” area takes on the notion of chance, media statistics, and the use of tables. Overall, the site is a great place for those who might be generally curious about statistics and related matters.
Human Development Report 2007/2008
http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/hdr_20072008_en_complete.pdf
Released biennially by the United Nations Development Programme, the Human Development Report offers informed commentary and analysis of issues that affect humans across the world. In past years, the report has dealt with civil wars, starvation, economic growth, gender inequality, and a wide range of pressing matters. Released at the end of November 2007, this edition of the Human Development Report takes on the development impact of climate change “that could bring unprecedented reversals in poverty reduction, nutrition, health and education.” The 399-page report offers a portrait of the challenges presented by widespread climate changes by looking at growth in certain parts of the world, growing carbon footprints, and how developing and developed nations might mitigate some of these changes.
Sustainability: American Public Media
http://sustainability.publicradio.org/
Sustainability has become a popular buzzword in the past few years, yet it can be a puzzling term to some who encounter it. In the words of this American Public Media site, “it’s about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” They have decided to contribute to the ongoing public conversation about sustainability by using this site to showcase stories produced by their radio programs, which include Marketplace, Speaking of Faith, and Weekend America. Visitors can dive right in via the “Stories in the Radio” section, where they will find pieces on electric cars, climate treaty agreements, and fuel economy standards. Moving on, visitors can also read their weblog and take in special reports on “greening” Las Vegas and the nature of the consumer society. It’s a fascinating site, and one that can be used to spark new conversations among friends, colleagues, and students.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
http://www.atf.gov/
While people may have seen individuals with a jacket that reads “ATF Agent”, they may have only a vague understanding of what the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) does. As a law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice, the ATF is “dedicated to preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime, and protecting our Nation.” On the homepage, users can read about their latest work and activities through a variety of press releases divided into sections such as “Violent Crimes” and “Gangs”. The site also has a “Field Divisions” area, where users can learn about the activities of the field offices from Maine to Los Angeles. Criminologists and others may want to visit the “Publications” area for some of their latest findings. Here, visitors can look over reports such as annual accountability reports and newsletters.
Copyright 2007 Internet Scout Project - http://scout.wisc.edu