INSIGHTS. IDEAS. INSPIRATION.
Whenever we can see the world through other eyes, we see something new. The more different those eyes are from our own, the more different our viewing experience will be. Maybe surprising, maybe confrontational, maybe something new. Our world is hurting, from sharp political divisions, disease and poverty, religious strife, conflict, a strained environment, looming resource scarcity and much more. If we can start looking at the world through each other's eyes, we may be able to develop the mutual understanding and discover the common ground we need to overcome these global problems. It's one world we share. It's one world we will pass on to the next generation. What kind of a world do you want it to be?
Come, don't be afraid, take a look thru other eyes.
A few photos as an impression of the road I am traveling. So if you want to have a glimpse of some parts and times of my life you are welcome to see what I have seen.
Yesterday was the fortieth anniversary of RFK's assassination. I have taken some time this weekend to watch and read some of the historical material about his run for the presidency in 1968, the events of his turbulent times and many of his speeches.
It was also this week that Barack Obama became the prospective Democratic nominee for the presidency. I can't escape the feeling that in many ways Obama's candidacy could be the fulfillment of the promise that RFK fought, and died, for in 1968. Although the things tearing America apart were in many ways very different in 1968, the country remains divided, often bitterly, along the fault lines of ideology, economics, lifestyle, race, gender and opportunity. RFK's message of hope and unity resounds as loudly today as it did forty years ago.
We can celebrate many things on this 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern day State of Israel. There is much to be thankful for. There is much that we have achieved. Israel has been the source of many innovations in the areas of water management and agriculture, science, medicine and technology. The country enjoys its own form of democracy and for many of its citizens it has created economic prosperity with an open and dynamic economy.
(NOTE: This article is somewhat longer than what I usually present here. For
those who find it more convenient to read hard copy, you can download and print a
copy at the end of the article.)
The fact that the state of Israel even exists, after thousands of years of Jewish statelessness,
It was another fun Queen's Day today. Here are a few impressions of how 500,000 people celebrated in Amsterdam: canal fun, street artists, flea market sidewalk sales, folks in orange.
Wednesday the 30th of April we
celebrate the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. Although
Queen Beatrix's real birthday is January 31, when she ascended to the
throne in 1980 she decreed that her mother's birthday, April 30, would
become Koninginnedag - Queen's Day - as a tribute to the much loved
Queen Mother Juliana.
Pangea Day is a global event bringing the world together through film.
Why?
In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and
conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea
Day seeks to overcome that – to help people see themselves in others –
through the power of film.
The Pangea Day Event
Starting at 18:00 GMT
on May 10, 2008, locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles,
Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro will be linked for a live program of
powerful films, live music, and visionary speakers. The entire program
will be broadcast – in seven languages – to millions of people
worldwide through the internet, television, and mobile phones.
The
24 short films to be featured have been selected from an international
competition that generated more than 2,500 submissions from over one
hundred countries. The films were chosen based on their ability to
inspire, transform, and allow us see the world through another person's
eyes.
The
program will also include a number of exceptional speakers and musical
performers. Queen Noor of Jordan, CNN's Christiane Amanpour,
musician/activist Bob Geldof, and Iranian rock phenom Hypernova are
among those taking part."
It's almost time. 2007 is drawing to a close and it's that moment when we tend
to look back at what the year was all about. You may look back at what made the news headlines in 2007 or what the year in sport looked like. For the more voyeuristic among us you could check out Hollywood's most notable breakups and hook-ups or perhaps your interest is more melodious in nature and then you may be interested in the year in music.
New Year's is also a moment to look forward. And what better way to do that then to aim the spotlight on some normal, non-celebrity and non-famous extraordinary young people who made the news in 2007 for noteworthy achievements that go way beyond their chronological ages. If these youngsters
The weekend of August of 4th marked the occasion of Amsterdam’s annual Gay Pride celebrations which have become most known for its unique canal boat parade. In a country which has always prided itself on tolerance and a leading international position in the area of gay rights the parade this year was more political than usual given the rising tide of anti-gay violence and rhetoric on the streets and in the schools.
Those of us who live here are painfully aware of this slow but noticeable increase in intolerance. The many gay and lesbian tourists who visit what once was rightfully considered Europe’s gay capital still labor under the illusion that Amsterdam is the ideal place to be one’s self. This cost the gay American journalist
