World in Progress

Bluegrass, a traditional form of American folk music, has long been associated with the Appalachian Mountains in the US South. Reporter Andreas Horchler took a closer look at the region, often written off as one of "hillbillies" and "hicks," to find out more about its influential music culture.

Indonesian households spend almost as much on cigarettes as they do on rice. The country is now the second-largest tobacco market in the world, behind China — and even children are taking up the habit, as reporter Thomas Kruchem discovered.

Villagers in the Kendeng mountains of Java fight for their livelihoods as an increasing number of cement factories threatens water resources and protected areas. Resistance against those in power has a long tradition, since this region is home to the oldest social movement in the country. Thomas Kruchem met up with some of the modern leaders of this movement for this in-depth documentary.

How can prisons help prepare inmates for the outside world once they are released? In Germany one big concern is that inmates don't lose touch with their kids. We also hear about how inmates are being taught basic skills at prisons in Cambodia.

Cobalt is one of the most important raw materials used to make batteries for smartphones, tablets and e-cars. About two thirds of cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition to the big industrial mines, there are many small makeshift mines where even children source the raw material, risking their lives. Linda Staude went to explore.

This week we're bringing you a special about coffee and the injustice that comes with it. In Guatemala, coffee farmers are losing out because of price dumping and climate change. And Colombia's coffee farmers battle with competition from Brazil and Vietnam — and the middlemen who are taking their cuts.

So far, the COVID-19 virus has infected about 200,000 people worldwide. To help contain the outbreak, hygiene and information is key. Some countries are doing this better than others. Leading by example is South Korea for instance where everyone gets notifications about new infections by mobile phone. We also talk about how to protect us and the elderly from the disease.

In this edition: Millions of people are forced to toil in forms of modern slavery across the world. Find out what is being done to help them from an NGO that's been fighting slavery for almost two centuries — and: meet an inspiring woman who escaped slavery in the 19th century and became one of the icons of the abolitionist movement: the amazing story of Harriet Tubman.

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we're looking at women’s rights across the globe with human rights lawyer and podcaster Kate Kelly. We’ll also hear from Mexican activists who are putting a name and a face to victims of femicide online. NGOs are also finding creative ways to keep women out of harm’s way in climate-hit regions. Plus, an unlikely DJ sets the Moscow club scene on fire.

Topics: Human Development Report director Pedro Conceição (UNDP) explains why development goes beyond economic growth and why tackling inequalties is so vital ++ A snake-bite prevention program that saves lives in E-Swatini could help people across the world.