Harinjaka A. Ratozamanana

Blogger, Change Agent, Concerned citizen, Connector, Entrepreneur, Event planner, Idea generator, Promoter, Writer/Editor

Harinjaka A. Ratozamanana is a dedicated professional with expertise in private sector development, technology, and innovation in Africa. His work focuses on youth empowerment through technology and entrepreneurship, particularly within the cooperative movement in Madagascar. Harinjaka has played a significant role in shaping national strategies for cooperative and rural development in Madagascar during his government tenure. As a member of The New School's Institute for the Cooperative Digital Economy's Fellowship cohort, he is committed to driving positive impacts in regenerative agriculture for his country and the continent. Through his experiences in NGOs, for-profit ventures, and administration, Harinjaka has inspired and empowered young individuals in his community, emphasizing the importance of individual and micro-level actions for broader transformative change. His current focus is on advancing regenerative agriculture to address contemporary challenges and contribute to sustainable development.

The power of digital information in the developing world - Environmental and Social Issues - Africa & Asia - Rural Development for indigenous peoples.- African Tradition and Asian culture - Technology & Innovation

Community Development, Digital Economy, E-Governance, Economic Growth, Entrepreneurship, New Media, Regenerative Agriculture, Sustainable Development, Technology, Youth Empowerment

What happens when one of the world’s poorest countries shelters the most precious but most vulnerable natural environment? That country is Madagascar and that most unique and vulnerable environment is the ecosystem there where 80% of the flora is endemic. This is a true story, back in june 2007. I have been blogging for more than two years at that time. I come from Madagascar but I have been living abroad for about ten years. In my blog I try to portray Malagasy people and Madagascar beyond the cliches and the stereotypes that you routinely see on the internet, like here and here. Six months before this story, many of fellow Malagasy bloggers wrote about fires devastating my country. These fires are the product of slash and burn, the ancestral way of getting rid of forests to gain more land. The results are devastation, rainforests disappear and with them all the animals and plants which use them as habitats. You can read it about in French here or here or here, and also in Malagasy here I wanted to help the Tanindrazana (the land of the ancestors is how we call our country), because the authorities do not ceem to care about slash and burn and newspapers are blase and only us bloggers see something wrong. And I thought then that blogging was not enough. Those posts called for action. But what could one do from the comfort of a chair and behind a screen? Well little did I know that an opportunity for action would arise with TED Africa in Arusha! Yes, being chosen as a TED fellow (2007) would grant me the opportunity to rise the profile of Madagascar’s high endemic rate and the danger that all those unique animals and plants would disappear very soon if those fires do not. Madagascar is a beautiful Country and us Malagasy people are very welcoming, but some people who cannot place Madagascar on a world Map … This is one of the reasons why I blog. In Arusha, I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people were curious about my country. For many of them, even the African ones, it was the first time they met someone from Madagascar … and I had so many things to say because it is what I do everyday on my blog. And then, one day, one lady TEDster caught me and told me : - Hey, You know what, we were just talking about you, and you appear…isn’ it amazing ? I told your story to Chris Anderson and he will give you 3 minutes on Stage tomorrow, to speak about your country so you have to prepare your presentation…