Saturday 16th October 2010 is World Food Day. To coincide with this year's theme - United against Hunger - we have selected some resources which explore food, nutrition and poverty

What significant processes occur in infancy for development and learning? How does cultural environment influence individual development? And how do infants begin to develop their understanding of other people? On this album, international experts present their perspectives on the ways infants and young children enter the social and cultural worlds around them, and ways that children develop their skills of thinking and learning. The speakers are Professors Rudolph Schaffer, Michael Cole, Alison Garton, Vasu Reddy and Dr Suzanne Zeedyk. The interviews are introduced and contextualised by Dr Dorothy Faulkner and Professor David Messer of The Open University. The material forms part of The Open University course ED841 Understanding children's development and learning.

We look at the history of English, where it comes from, where it's heading, and how we understand the world through language

What do we mean when we say globalisation? Does the growth of globalisation hinder or benefit mankind? It’s a common assumption that countries globalise but in fact it’s not nations themselves but rather the Industries and companies that trade within and outside their borders. As new forms of technology emerge and organisations expand they erode traditional boundaries and in recent times there has been a rise in interconnectedness of markets across the world. In the following audio tracks Susan Segal Horn (Emerita Professor of International Strategy) explains how globalisation increases the Integration of economic activities across boarders as a result how nations become interdependent on and other.

This material forms part of the Open University course B835 The dynamics of strategy

Is it possible to eradicate poverty? What steps should be taken to ensure an environmentally sustainable future for our planet? Rio+20 is a United Nations conference that draws in participation from all over the world attracting members of governments, the private sector as well as NGO’s amongst the thousands of guests who attend. The primary reason being to develop strategies to reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection as we look to the future. In this collection Open University academics reflect on its progress and prospects, and demonstrate that international gatherings of political leaders are not (fortunately?) the only game in town.

What does it mean to be poor, or an immigrant? What form should Aid take? This album begins to explore the complex issues of international development in a globalised world, starting with a look at schemes which attempt to alleviate poverty. Small business owners are empowered by micro-financing in Glasgow, while in Argentina a disastrous economic collapse has led to people taking matters into their own hands by creating an alternative social exchange currency. Migrant communities, such as Greek Cypriots and Ethiopians in London, and Sierra Leonians in Liverpool, have a chance to reveal the issues they’ve faced; while we also hear from experts who are working to expand the contribution that African migrants abroad can make to Africa’s development. Finally, a Chinese “beer pioneer” and China trade experts discuss issues surrounding China’s membership of the World Trade Organisation.In the bonus material Dr Helen Yanacopulos, Senior Lecturer in International Politics and Development at The Open University, provides insight into the educational value of the audio-visual material and explains the course structure.

This material is taken from The Open University Course U213 International Development: Challenges for a World in Transition.

Do you take your access to water for granted? The Peruvian and Tanzanian communities featured in this album certainly don’t. This album examines how development agencies can empower communities to help themselves by introducing simple technologies, and facilitate the sharing of ideas through education. In the Andean mountains, scarce supplies of water and agricultural challenges give rise to conflict; but the changes engineered by development agencies can start to show a way out of poverty. Meanwhile, Tanzanian rural schoolchildren are instrumental in bringing about positive long-term change within their communities. However, development in practice is very complex and sometimes controversial. The audio tracks delve into the dilemma of how to deal with the different values systems of impoverished communities and the development agencies. They also show how development is linked to issues of identity, urbanisation, politics, economics, social relations and gender.In the bonus material Dr Helen Yanacopulos, Senior Lecturer in International Politics and Development at The Open University, provides insight into the educational value of the audio-visual material and explains the course structure.
This material is taken from The Open University Course U213 International development: challenges for a world in transition.

Martin Palmer is from the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC). He is joined by the Saving Species team to explore the role religion can play in conservation

How have individual female scientists contributed to the advancement of science through time? To celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day (March 8th) and to mark International Year of Chemistry 2011, The Open University asked some of the female scientists currently working in its Faculty of Science, to nominate their personal choice of outstanding woman of science. The female scientists nominated include several Nobel Prize Laureates, such as Marie Curie, Dorothy Hodgkin and American geneticist, Barbara McClintock. The academics also talk about their own experiences of being a woman in the sciences today.