CRIME IS DECREASING ACROSS THE DEVELOPED WORLD

The world is getting safer, according to the World Bank’s latest homicide figures and crime survey data from England and Wales, as offered by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ONS estimates that total crime in the UK was down 12% in 2022 compared with the year leading up to the pandemic.

Murders decreased by 11% across England and Wales, following a global trend illustrated by the World Bank’s figures, which show homicide rates falling everywhere except in the US and Latin America. Overall the news among the OECD’s 38 members is encouraging: 20 countries now have murder rates below one per 100,000, compared with just five countries three decades ago.

However, police recorded sexual offences across England and Wales rose by 19%.

3d Printing Creating Schools In Madagascar

Entrepreneur Maggie Grout is using 3D printers to create cheap school campuses in rural Madagascar. The ‘Thinking Huts’ take just 18 hours to build and cost around $40,000. Their modular construction allows for easy expansion of campuses.

“From that first project, I really learned how to streamline the logistics,” said Grout. “I learned how to put together the supply chain when there is not a lot of locally available materials. And then I learned how to work together with the local people.”

From the onset, Grout said she wanted to rely on the locals as much as possible. During the first project, she learned how to best manage a team of cross-cultural partners. She used local people to install traditional windows and doors, and worked with the Madagascar Ministry of Education to bring in teachers.

Her long-term goal is to establish the ‘Thinking Huts’ in many countries.

In our exclusive Spotlight feature, we highlight women who are doing good things in their community. They’re not always seen but we think they should be.