Während einer Demonstration in Bogotá im Jahr 2015 hält ein Demonstrant ein Schild mit der Aufschrift "Die Bildung stirbt" in der Hand. Foto: Guillermo Legaria/AFP via Getty Images
A large proportion of Colombians are convinced that educational opportunities are extremely unequally distributed. What can be done?
Among the many sad figures in the latest report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), one stands out: 92 percent of the Colombian population consider the educational opportunities in their country to be unfairly distributed. And this discontent is also evident on the streets: Only last year, trade unions and workers' associations called for a general strike.
Although the anger was actually directed against a planned tax reform, hundreds of thousands of young people joined the protests and turned them into a kind of “social explosion“. Their demand: free and quality public education. The reason for the people's discontent is easily explained. Many of them realise that the quality of public education leaves a lot to be desired in international comparison.
The poor results of the last SABER-11 exams, which are equivalent to the German Abitur, prove this. And even for the domestic labour market, the quality of education currently offered in Colombia is often not sufficient to enable real participation.
The media are a favourite toy of the Moldovan parties. Many television channels and news portals are openly or covertly linked to parties and the independent press is looked down on. Therefore, it is not surprising that two-thirds of Moldovans are convinced that the press is politically controlled.
more
Worldwide there is hardly a head of state who enjoys the lofty approval ratings of acting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But this is hardly a reason to celebrate.
more
Short news from South Korea.
more
How do governments deal with the disaffection of citizens? How can you criticise entire states? A conversation with former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini about resisting in politics.
more
While politicians in the USA and Europe discuss herd immunity and booster shots, many African countries are still lacking vital vaccines. Once again, the West looks the other way.
more
Around the world more people are protesting than they have for a long time. What unites them?
more
