Judge Baltasar Garzon, a pioneer of universal jurisdiction against heads of state, was offered a job by the International Criminal Court today. This comes as Baltasar is being persecuted by far right groups in his home country of Spain. From the Office of the Prosecutor: “The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal […]
Africa unites to fight malaria Authorities in 26 African countries announced a joint push to eliminate malaria deaths by 2015. To meet that goal, the program would need to provide bed nets, insecticides and medicine to every person on the continent by the end of 2010. mHealth technologist makes Time’s list of big thinkers Time […]
By Robin Gerber On the afternoon of December 11, 1978, a woman in her sixties with well-coiffed, snow white hair climbed the steps of the Federal Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, her husband at her side. Looming over the couple, the eighteen story building’s rectangular tower sat encased by smaller buildings all clad in pale […]
Yesterday was Mother’s Day and hopefully everyone took a moment to honor the mother’s, and mother figures, in their lives. While being a mother in any country brings with it endless struggles and joys, some bring greater struggle than others. Therefore in which country is it best to raise your children? According to the State […]
Europe has certainly made headlines recently, and unfortunately not for good things. From an ongoing volcanic ash plume out of Iceland to the Greek debt crisis, it appears that it is Europe’s turn to hold the news spotlight. One of the many headlines coming out of Europe is of course the general election held last […]
Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother. -Lin Yutang, Chinese writer Today is more than a day to celebrate your Mother, it is a day to celebrate all women. It is women around the globe who give new life and hope to the world. Women who raise future leaders, […]
On May 30 Colombia will hold elections to decide who will govern the country the next four years. Last February, after the Constitutional Court of Colombia banned President Álvaro Uribe from seeking a second reelection, it appeared that the race would be defined by voters choosing among two candidates who sought to present themselves as […]
Today May 8, 2010 is World Fair Trade Day Fair Trade is a global issue and it affects each and everyone of us on a daily basis. More than looking at the world through a lens of more organic and healthy food…it is the way to a sustainable future for all of the worlds children. […]
In a follow-up to my previous post, Can the Congo Provide All their Children with Primary Education?, I wanted to share the following op-ed in The Huffington Post. The piece was written by Desmond Tutu and Dennis Van Roekel, who is the President of the National Education Association. Desmond Tutu spoke downheartedly on our lack […]
Over the last two days, May 3-4, 2010, members of parliament (MPs) from across Africa met in Dakar 3-4 to discuss a continental ban on female genital mutilation (FGM). The African MPs are calling on the United Nations to pass a General Assembly resolution appealing for a global FGM ban, in accordance with the practices […]
I hope that you have been enjoying our On Our Bookshelves musings. In the spirit of springtime cleaning and sharing, I am giving away two of the books I’ve reviewed. It’s a Julia extravaganza. For the foodies, there’s Julia Child’s My Life in France. And for those seeking a passage to India, there’s Julia Gregson’s […]
By Cordelia Rizzo The recent deaths of two graduate students from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (the “Tec”), caught in a fight between the Mexican armed forces and a drug cartel gang, challenged the traditional view of the human toll of the country’s war against drugs. They showcased a singular feeling […]
Last week Arizona’s governor, Jan Brewer, signed into law what are now the country’s harshest measures for responding to irregular (often referred to as illegal) immigration. The state has 90 days to put the law into effect. In summary, it has four main provisions: – it is a crime to be in the state without […]
Food crisis displaces masses in Niger Food shortages in Niger have forced hungry country-dwellers to beg for sustenance in the capital, Niamey. Some 7.8 million West Africans will face food shortages in the coming year, and some say aid organizations are not yet doing enough. Aid is not reaching all displaced Haitians The struggle that […]
As the Congo is so often thrust into the spotlight, we find ourselves immersed in talks of rape and conflict, but one key that is ofter missing in dialog is that of education. “We cannot talk of peace, economic development and a future for the Democratic Republic of Congo if the government and donors do […]