Each year since 1990 the Human Development Report has published the human development index (HDI) that looks beyond GDP to a broader definition of well-being. The HDI provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy), being educated (measured by adult literacy and enrolment at the primary, secondary and tertiary level) and having a decent standard of living (measured by purchasing power parity, PPP, income). The index is not in any sense a comprehensive measure of human development. It does not, for example, include important indicators such as inequality and difficult to measure indicators like respect for human rights and political freedoms. What it does provide is a broadened prism for viewing human progress and the complex relationship between income and well-being.

The HDI for Suriname is 0.759, which gives Suriname a rank of 89th out of 177 countries

Known as Dutch Guiana, the colony was integrated into the kingdom of the Netherlands in 1948. Two years later Dutch Guiana was granted home rule, except for foreign affairs and defense. After race rioting over unemployment and inflation, the Netherlands granted Suriname complete independence on Nov. 25, 1975. A coup d'état in 1980 brought military rule. During much of the 1980s, Suriname was under the repressive control of Lieut. Col. Dési Bouterse. The Netherlands stopped all aid in 1982 when Suriname soldiers killed 15 journalists, politicians, lawyers, and union officials. Defense spending increased significantly, and the economy suffered. A guerrilla insurgency by the Jungle Commando (a Bush Negro guerrilla group) threatened to destabilize the country and was harshly suppressed by Bouterse. Free elections were held on May 25, 1991, depriving the military of much of its political power. In 1992 a peace treaty was signed between the government and several guerrilla groups. In March 1997, the president announced new economic measures, including eliminating import tariffs on most basic goods, coupled with strict price controls. Later that year, the Netherlands said it would prosecute Bouterse for cocaine trafficking.

Tomorrow, November 25th, my country celebrates 31 years of independence from the Netherlands!!!

The Dutch forced independence upon Suriname in 1975, but the bonds between Suriname and the Netherlands remain strong. The Netherlands, rather than any neighbouring country, is still Suriname's largest trading partner. Suriname is dependent upon mining and foreign aid for foreign exchange. About 200,000 people of Surinamese descent live in the Netherlands. These people informally contribute a large proportion of Suriname's foreign exchange every year, and their wealth, knowledge and connections are a valuable resource for Suriname.

Suriname's Environment, People and Development

Suriname has about 100 million acres, or 150,000 sq. kilometers, of forest in the amazon basin. About 90% of the country's surface area is under tree cover; 80% is covered by primary mangrove, swamp, and rain forests. There are some known 4,500 species of plants, 674 species of birds, 200 species of mammals, 130 species of reptiles, and 99 amphibians. The trade in wildlife and endangered species is widespread, with preferred species being parrots, macaws, parakeets, songbirds, and a variety of reptiles, amphibians and orchids.

Despite clear evidence that logging will prove uncontrollable and bring little revenue to the state exchequer, it is clear that the present government continues to see resource exploitation in the rainforest interior of the country as the primary means of "development." The New Front government negotiated a number of contracts for immense logging concessions in favor of multinationals with dubious reputations. Only about 6% of the forests within the Forestry Service's area of operation were considered to be `managed' or `partly managed.' Marcus Colchester of the World Rainforest Movement wrote in 1995 that the government "embarking on a rapid expansion of logging when the country cannot even police its existing forest concessions is economic as well as environmental madness."

General statistics and prevalenceAt the end of 2005, an estimated 330,000 people were living with HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean. Some 37,000 people were newly infected during 2005, and there were 27,000 deaths due to AIDS.

In three of the seven countries in this region - the Bahamas, Haiti and Trinadad and Tobago - more than 2% of the adult population is living with HIV. Higher prevalence rates are found only in sub-Saharan Africa, making the Caribbean the second-most affected region in the world. More than half of adults living with the virus are women.

AIDS is now one of the leading causes of death in some of these countries, with Haiti being the worst affected. An estimated 16,000 lives are lost each year to AIDS in Haiti, and tens of thousands of children have been orphaned by the epidemic.

Trends and transmission routes
The predominant route of HIV transmission in the Caribbean is heterosexual contact. Much of this transmission is associated with commercial sex, but the virus is also spreading in the general population, especially in Haiti. Cultural and behavioural patterns (such as early initiation of sexual acts, and taboos related to sex and sexuality), gender inequalities, lack of confidentiality, stigmatization and economic need are some of the factors influencing vulnerability to HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean.

Haiti's prevalence levels have been very high since the late 1980s (the estimated rate in 2005 was 3.8%). With very low condom use among young people, and about 60% of the population under 24, much scope exists for renewed growth in Haiti's mainly heterosexually-transmitted epidemic. On the other side of Hispaniola Island, in the Dominican Republic, previously high prevalence has declined due to effective prevention efforts that encouraged people to reduce their number of sexual partners and increase condom use.

Provision of antiretrovirals
Countries in this region are making efforts to slow the epidemic and to limit its impact, most obviously through their efforts to provide antiretroviral drugs. In 2002, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS signed an agreement with six pharmaceutical companies to provide access to cheaper antiretroviral drugs. However, actual access to these drugs remains unequal across the region as a whole, partly due to wide differences in drug prices.

Access to antiretriviral therapy is provided to all those in need in Cuba, and the Bahamas and Barbados are advancing towards this goal. However in Trinidad and Tobago, barely more than a third of those in need of treatment for AIDS were receiving it at the end of 2005, and rates were even lower in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

AVERT.org features further discussion of treatment and other issues connected with HIV & AIDS in the Caribbean, and information about treatment targets and results.

Estimated HIV/AIDS prevalence and deaths due to AIDS, end 2005


country All people Adult (15-49) Deaths due to
rate % AIDS during 2005
Bahamas 6,800 3.3 <500
Barbados 2,700 1.5 <500
Cuba 4,800 0.1 <500
Dominican Republic 66,000 1.1 6,700
Haiti 190,000 3.8 16,000
Jamaica 25,000 1.5 1,300
Trinidad and Tobago 27,000 2.6 1,900
Total 330,000 1.6 27,000

It should be noted that the above figures are estimates and are made with a large degree of uncertainty. For example, the number of people living with HIV in Haiti is estimated as being between 120,000 and 270,000, and the figure for the Bahamas lies in the range 3,300 to 22,000.

AVERT.org has many other HIV & AIDS statistics pages and a guide to understanding the statistics.

If your usual jungle is urban, you will be stunned by the contrast of Suriname, which offers some of the most beautiful natural habitats in the world.

This compact nation nestled on the north-west coast of the South American Caribbean has a population of fewer than 500,000 persons. They are an amalgamation of peoples of European, African, Indian and Far Eastern descent who joined the Amerindians who came to Suriname more than 5,000 years ago.

Most Surinamers live in the strip of land next to the Atlantic coast, half of them in Paramaribo, the capital. The capital has buildings dating from the British and Dutch colonial periods, and cuisine that reflects the backgrounds of the many peoples who brought their cultures to Suriname. The official language is Dutch, but many people speak English.

Venture deeper south from the capital and you will find untouched nature in 16 reserves and parks that include the swamp land leading to the mountainous rainforest. Suriname has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 70F (21C) to 90F (32C) and plenty of rainfall, most of it occurring between December and April.

On a typical morning in the jungle you will be awakened by the sound of the howler monkey calling piercingly from his sleeping perch in the trees, and a dawn chorus drawn from some of the 700 species of birds that thrive here.

You can take a walk in the jungle or be taken by water in a traditional korjaal, with the opportunity to spot some of Suriname's 400 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

There are spider monkeys, tarantulas, toucans, boa constrictors, frogs, jaguars, macaws, bats and ocelots. In the water you can find alligators, piranhas, and electric eels. There is so much plant life that scientists are still struggling to classify it.

Experience Suriname, and you experience nature in its original splendor - an abundance of plant life and wildlife in a dense, unspoiled Amazonian basin rainforest.

Paramaribo

Relics of Suriname’s colonial past, especially from the Dutch era, as well as evidence of pre-Colombian and earlier Amerindian people, make Suriname special. The Old City of Paramaribo, part of our Capital and your gateway to Suriname, is now undergoing loving restoration, so history comes alive in Suriname.

Paramaribo

Suriname’s capital city. Now its historic old heart is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through narrow streets lined by historic buildings from past centuries of English,
French and especially Dutch origin. Discover the largest wooden Cathedral in the western hemisphere, as well as impressive temples, mosques, synagogues, churches and other places of worship. Explore the 17th century Fort Zeelandia set in a picturesque setting along the Suriname River amongst neatly renovated buildings frome days gone by. Walk around many of the restored houses which were built in past centuries. Discover the local markets, or sip a drink on Waterkant (the Waterfront) as you watch the busy life on the Suriname River go by. The Palm Garden, the back yard of the Presidential Palace at the lawns of Onafhankelijkheidsplein (which translates as Independence Square) is a place to spend a pleasant hour. Make sure you plan for several days in Paramaribo during your trip. For further details on historic Paramaribo and Suriname’s cultural heritage, visit the website of the Suriname Cultural Heritage Foundation:www.heritagesuriname.org

This is a poem I wrote. I dedicate it to all the people in the world that are struggeling with lifes' problems.


You feel judged by society because you are different
because you refuse to behave as written
I give myself

You are struggling with lifes' challenges
because you are not that fortunate to have riches and wealth this world offers
I give myself

You can't get a job
because of your skin color or because you are not from a certain status
I give myself

You are rejected by this world
because you made mistakes and became a drug addict
I give myself

You are discriminated
because you have an infection that can not be cured
I give myself

I give myself
to all those struggling with
the rejection of this world
to all those who feel like they need a shoulder to lean on
or waiting for a prayer to get answered

I give myself
to all the children without parents
to all people living with HIV/AIDS
to all people having to fight poverty
minute by minute

I give myself
to make a change
to help
to listen
to make a difference

I GIVE MYSELF !!!!!