An archive of news, additions and changes to the Practical Action website.

News archive - 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

2008

Fighting disease and poverty in Zimbabwe December 2008
As cholera devastates lives across the country, Practical Action is committed to bringing fresh, clean water to poor communities across Zimbabwe.

New education website November 2008
Our new Education website provides teachers with resources for sustainability and values issues in D&T, bringing together the best of our STEP and SDA sites, and The Sustainability Handbook.

Dying for water November 2008
Please help us bring safe, clean water to north-west Kenya and stop more innocent victims getting caught in the crossfire, when conflict over water spills into bloodshed.

Climate change course November 2008
An interactive training course from Practical Action Consulting offers the opportunity to examine and debate why climate change is a key issue for international development.

Get involved - with Practical Action October 2008
There are many ways in which you can get involved with Practical Action and support our work around the world - from challenge events to recycling, Practical Presents to emailing the Prime Minister!

Social Impact Awards - ebic October 2008
Practical Action's Practical Answers project was awarded an Fellowship at the 2008 ebic conference, for innovative ideas around the social impact of knowledge and information management in the not for profit sector.

Disaster risk reduction October 2008
October 8th was International Day for Disaster Reduction. Practical Action has projects around the world aimed at reducing the vulnerability of communities.

World Habitat Awards October 2008
Monday 6 October was World Habitat Day. Our post-tsunami reconstruction work in Sri Lanka was been selected as a finalist for the 2008 World Habitat Awards.

Food crisis in Bangladesh September 2008
There are thousands of farmers in Bangladesh who desperately need a way out of the global food crisis – and rice-fish culture could be the answer they are looking for.

World Urban Forum September 2008
Practical Action will be hosting two events on the participation of poor urban people in planning infrastructure services at the World Urban Forum in China this November.

Will Gordon Brown make the link? September 2008
Practical Action campaigners paid a visit to 10 Downing Street to urge British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to 'make the link' between climate change and poverty.

People and Technology: transforming lives August 2008
Read about Practical Action Southern Africa's strategy - vision, mission and programme aims - and details examples of its work and ambitions for the next five years.

Walking for Practical Action August 2008
Benedict Protheroe has completed a 1,200 mile pilgrimage to Rome, in aid of Practical Action's work around the world. Read his detailed account of this epic walk on his blog.

Practical Action tv - online videos July 2008
Our new video pages demonstrate our work in action around the world. Simple solutions, from micro-hydro power and smoke hoods in Kenya to flood-protection in Nepal. Browse our online videos

Turning compost into lifelines July 2008
The silted sand plains left behind after floods in Bangladesh are too infertile to grow crops. But a simple solution can transform a sandbar into a field rich with pumpkins.

Climate change and poverty - make the link July 2008
We need your support to persuade decision-makers in the developed world to reduce emissions and help the poorest and most vulnerable cope with global warming.

Knowledge Presentation contest July 2008
We invite individuals and organisations to enter the Knowledge Presentation contest, to improve knowledge sharing with communities seeking a pathway out of poverty.

Appropriate Initiatives in Zimbabwe July 2008
The latest edition of Practical Action Southern Africa's newsletter includes reports on smallholder farmers, community-based waste management, community ownership of water resources, food security for people living with HIV/AIDS, and beekeeping.

UNEP prize for energy work June 2008
Practical Action's work in renewable energy in Peru has been awarded the 2008 UNEP Sasakawa prize for making a substantial contribution to the protection and management of the environment.

Preparing for floods in Nepal June 2008
Early warning systems, protective shelters and strengthened river embankments can help to reduce the impact of disastrous floods in Chitwan, Nepal, with your support.

The Great British Duck Race June 2008
A quarter of a million ducks are set to break the existing World Record this August. Adopt a duck and help raise funds for Practical Action!

Storm hits Bangladesh river erosion project May 2008
A major storm hit northwestern regions of Bangladesh on the night of 1 May 2008. Our project work in Sreepur and Samakal suffered limited damage.

International agriculture assessment calls for immediate radical changes April 2008
The International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) shows that locally-controlled, biologically-based intensification of farming is the only way forward.

Action on climate change and debt - sign the petition April 2008
Debt and climate change are two of the major problems facing the developing world. We need your support to tackle this problem. Please sign the petition to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Practical Action Nepal strategic plan April 2008
Over the next five years Practical Action Nepal is aiming to make more positive changes in people’s lives through the use of new knowledge and technologies, and by improving and building on traditional ones.

Dig deep and save lives April 2008
We are using Sudan’s sand to alleviate drought and help stop people dying from dehydration. Simple sand and gravel filters can protect traditional reservoirs from contamination and silting.

E-net energy forum March 2008
Join the e-net South Asia Electronic Forum on Energy to share knowledge and experiences on decentralized, community based, renewable energy options in South Asia.

Sharing news from Sudan March 2008
The latest issue of Practical Action Sudan's newsletter, Sharing, features reports on our work including community forests, self-build housing and a device for cheap and fast terrace construction.

Walk for Water March 2008
Every day women and children in Africa and Asia walk an average of four miles to collect water. During March 2008 we are urging you to take practical action and Walk for Water - so that they don’t have to.

The pump that brings life to the land February 2008
Using simple technology, such as foot-driven treadle pumps, Practical Action is helping "low caste" families in Nepal move from malnutrition to self-sufficiency.

The situation in Kenya February 2008
Despite widespread disruption in Kenya following the December presidential election results, Practical Action's Kenya office in Nairobi is now open and we are continuing our work.

Floods in the east of Sri Lanka January 2008
Thousands of people have been displaced by floods caused by heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka's east. Some Practical Action projects have been affected.

Floods in Mozambique January 2008
Practical Action project activities in Mozambique have been halted by the recent floods in southern Africa, particularly in Massangena, Gaza Province, where the irrigation scheme was completely flooded.

Preparing for floods in Nepal January 2008
Early warning systems, protective shelters and strengthened river embankments can help to reduce the impact of disastrous floods in Chitwan, Nepal.

Janthakshana Puwath January 2008
The latest issue of Practical Action South Asia's newsletter looks at mainstreaming disability into development, based on papers presented at the Diriya 2007 conference.

2007

 

Stop Climate Injustice - UNFCCC in Bali December 2007
Government ministers from around the world met at the UN climate change talks in Indonesia. Practical Action was there, and our staff provided daily updates throughout the conference. Read blog | verdict

Climate Change Bill November 2007
Forthcoming legislation gives the UK an opportunity to set an international example on climate change. Let your MP know that the UK needs a strong Climate Change Bill.

Rebuilding Zimbabwe November 2007
We can do nothing about the policy that has made so many families in Zimbabwe homeless, but we can do something practical - we can make bricks and tiles, and build new homes.

Cyclone hits Bangladesh November 2007
Practical Action's projects have not been directly affected by Cyclone Sidr, but we are working with other NGOs to provide relief and rehabilitation for communities.

World Toilet Day November 2007
Practical Action is working to improve access to sanitation, both with communities on a local level, and influencing national and international policy.

Nano Development Workshop November 2007
Developing a research agenda that blends NGO's experiences of development challenges with cutting edge science - speakers include Prof Mark Welland, Prof Richard Jones and Dr David Grimshaw.

World Food Day October 2007
Join Practical Action for a debate on farmers' rights to seeds, at the UK Food Group's event Defending Farmers and the Right to Food in London on 16 October.

Christmas Cards and Gifts September 2007
Practical Action's new range of Christmas cards and gifts are now available. All profits will help Practical Action's work around the world.

Earthquake in Peru August 2007
On 15 August 2007 an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit Chincha, Pisco and Ica y Cañete. Our Peru office is working with national and local governments to assess damage and support reconstruction.

Floods in Bangladesh August 2007
Heavy floods have hit the Gaibandha district of Bangladesh. Practical Action has two projects in this area, working on Food Security and River Erosion. Project beneficiaries have been seriously affected, but our infrastructure is significantly helping affected communities.

Sudan Development Marketplace August 2007
Two of Practical Action's community partners won prizes at this year's Sudan Development Marketplace, organised by the World Bank, and our Sudan director had a fruitful presentation on social accountability.

Operationalising disaster risk reduction in South Asia August 2007 A three day regional consultation, organised by Practical Action South Asia from 23-25 August 2007, looks to build a regional consensus and plan a disaster management action plan for South Asia.

Practical Action at Live Earth July 2007
Sharon Looremeta from our Kenya office spoke on stage at Live Earth, alongside some of the biggest names in show business, to raise awareness of climate change.

Improved potter's wheels July 2007
Practical Action has provided women with access to over 200 raised potter's wheels in rural communities across Bangladesh - and now women can make a real contribution to their family’s pottery business.

Recognition for micro-hydro work June 2007
Bringing electricity to remote communities in the Andes, Practical Action's work in micro-hydro power in Peru has won second prize in the 2007 Ashden Awards for sustainable energy.

Commission on Sustainable Development 15 May 2007
The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) in New York offered an important opportunity to mobilise international action to tackle indoor air pollution and access to energy.

Toilets without water April 2007
Bio-latrines are "dry" toilets that require no water to work. In areas where water is scarce, such as Kitale in Kenya, they could help to keep schools open - with your help.

Boiling Point April 2007
The most recent edition of Boiling Point, the journal of household energy, looks at health and safety, including the health and safety impacts of solid fuels, direct contact hazards, and new types of improved cookstove.

Children Challenging Climate Change March 2007
A new educational website for teachers of Key Stage 2. The project is aimed at children between 9 and 11 (years 5 and 6) and shows how taking simple steps can help reduce climate change. More ...

Global Leadership Award for Practical Action Nepal March 2007
The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air (PCIA) has awarded Practical Action the Global Leadership Award for its vision, initiative and action to achieve the mission of partnership in improving people’s health, livelihood and quality of life by reducing Indoor Air Pollution.

Red Nose Day 2007 - Comic Relief March 2007
Friday 16 March was Red Nose Day. Practical Action have worked with Comic Relief for a number of years. Funding has meant we can support projects in Kenya on improving sanitation and introducing waste management schemes.

Diriya 2007 - mainstreaming disability March 2007
A two-day conference trying to challenge the myth that disabled people need a separate process of development. The Diriya 2007 forum shared disability mainstreaming experiences, especially those from the South Asia region.

Practical Answers - technical information online February 2007
Our online resource centre, Practical Answers, allows you to access our technical information material free of charge. Download factsheets, case studies and practical guides to appropriate technology, based on Practical Action's many years of research and projects around the world.

Take a step to challenge poverty February 2007
Sponsored events are a fantastic way of raising money for Practical Action, as well as giving you an exciting and challenging experience. Your sponsorship will help support our work in the developing world to alleviate poverty through the use of technology and development.

Bringing life to gardens in Zambia February 2007
Practical Action is working with communities in Zambia to introduce drip irrigation systems. This simple technology collects and stores water, and even in areas with low or erratic rainfall, enables farmers to nourish and grow the crops they need.

Bulawayo light engineering project January 2007
Small-scale artisans in Zimbabwe often lack the tools and equipment with which to build better facilities and local businesses - which is where Practical Action Southern Africa's light engineering centre in Bulawayo can help.

Development Bookshop January 2007
Our online bookshop, now with a new improved website, offers a wide range of titles on international development and related issues from Practical Action Publishing and other publishers.