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DEVELOPING VS DEVELOPED - THE DEBATE!

4/24/2014

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Developed is past tense which means it has already occurred, whereas developing is present (continuos) tense and refers to something happening currently.
So where am I going with this? No am not giving an English lecture, infact putting into perspective what my take is on this whole project. In my pursuit to represent my country Kenya (Developing) in the UK (Developed), I can't help but wonder what my actual role will be?
Right from my very introductory blog, I reiterated on the importance of a brand/name in the global market! I touched on the impact reputation can have on any given economy.
That said, Kenya has maintained strong trade links with the global economy and particularly with Britain since its independence in 1963 and English is the language of business . More so to date, the UK is still the LARGEST foreign investor in Kenya.

Like many other developing countries, Kenya has experienced increased foreign direct investment inflows over the past decade as developing countries get a larger share of cross-border investments that were once sent to developed countries. This can be attributed to liberalised policy constraints in both trade and foreign investment, modest corporate tax rates and improving governance or be it transparency.

In his article 'What developing countries can teach US' , Michael Barone, a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, wrote, "Today, we’ve been seeing enormous growth in what we have been accustomed to call “developing” countries. They have been growing nearly four times faster than “developed” countries, and they account for nearly half of total global investment and global economic growth today".
His observation is in stark contrast to half a century ago when developed countries accounted for 80 percent of the world’s gross domestic product, and the United States for nearly 50 percent. Much of the world was in ruins; starvation was rampant; disease afflicted millions of children. 

This swiftly brings me to my initial question, what will my role be should I win the opportunity to represent my developing country?      
  
What we all know is that interestingly, the once dubbed 'Third World countries' have developed in part by COPYING Western institutions and also by creating their own public policies! 

I am NO expert, but I think as a campaigner for more investment and trade to and from Kenya, I will be using this platform to pull as many leafs as possible from their (UK) book while magnifying the strides Kenya is making towards joining the developed world list. 

Having said that, and in conclusion lest we forget MKOSA MILA NI MTUMWA ... (He who that lacks a heritage is as good as a slave)?I also believe that as much as we strive for  development, it should NOT be at any expense! There MUST be certain elements of our society we should NOT and cannot give away in the name of development. Our environment, culture, history and heritage. If we do, we will not only destroy our country for the next generation but history will judge us harshly. 


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    Lissa Marang'a

    My name is Lissa Marang’a.Im a contestant in this years FACE OF KENYA UK . The reason joined Face of Kenya UK 2014 is because I am passionate about my country and especially how it is perceived by the world…........
    PLEASE VOTE FOR TEAM LISSA THIS JUNE !!

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