Active Citizens

Poland Uses Ukraine to Push Coal

By Claudia Ciobanu
A European ‘energy union’ plan proposed by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk as an EU response to the crisis in Ukraine could be a Trojan horse for fossil fuels.

When Not To Go To School

By Ranjita Biswas
In large parts of rural India, the absence of separate toilets for growing girls is taking a toll on their education. Many are unable to attend school during their menstrual cycle.

U.S. Foreign Aid Approach Is Outdated, Experts Say

By Farangis Abdurazokzoda
U.S. foreign aid is becoming increasingly outdated, analysts here are suggesting.

Ostracised and Isolated: Muslim Prisoners in the U.S.

By Kanya D'Almeida
Such stigma now surrounds the word ‘terrorist’ that most recoil from it, or anyone associated with it, as though from a thing contagious; as though, by simple association, one could land in that black hole where civil liberties are suspended in the name of national security.

South Sudan Dictates Media Coverage of Conflict

By Sadik Wani
As rebel forces loyal to South Sudan’s former vice president Riek Machar declared on Tuesday Apr. 15 that they had captured the key oil town of Bentiu, the government has been accused of clamping down on local media in an attempt to influence the reporting on the conflict.

Civil Society Wants More Influence in New Development Agenda

By Emilio Godoy
Making international cooperation more effective requires a civil society with greater influence in the negotiations of the development agenda that the world’s governments are to adopt in 2015, civil society representatives said at an international meeting in Mexico.

U.S. Terror Suspects Face “Terrifying” Justice System

By Kanya D'Almeida
The sun is just setting as the group huddles closer together, their faces barely visible in the gathering dusk. Simple, hand-made signs read: ‘Stand for Justice’.

Uruguay Not a ‘Pirate’

By Pavol Stracansky
The Uruguayan government has made a controversial move to regulate the production and sale of cannabis. The government believes that this will help in the fight against drug-related crime and in dealing with public health issues.

Afghanistan Turns a Political Corner

By Giuliano Battiston
The Afghanistan presidential election is turning out to be a tale of two narratives. The more positive and democratic one could be winning the day.

U.S. Tribe Looks to International Court for Justice

By Michelle Tullo
An indigenous community in the United States has filed a petition against the federal government, alleging that officials have repeatedly broken treaties and that the court system has failed to offer remedy.

Ending Modern Slavery Starts in the Boardroom

By Farangis Abdurazokzoda
Modern-day slavery can be eradicated from multinational supply chains, but only if global businesses contribute to greater transparency and collaboration, according to new recommendations by Sedex Global and Verite.

OP-ED: Beyond the Street Protests: Youth, Women and Democracy in Latin America

By Jessica Faieta
Women’s empowerment and political participation are not only crucial for women: they are essential for effective democratic governance, one which promotes human rights and equity.  The same can be said about the importance of boosting youth political participation.

Russian Law Corners Drug Users

By Pavol Stracansky
As local authorities prepare to put an end to opioid substitution treatment (OST) programmes in the newly annexed Crimean peninsula, drug users there say they are being forced to choose between a return to addiction and becoming refugees.

Is Puerto Rico Going the Way of Greece and Detroit?

By Carmelo Ruiz-Marrero
Puerto Rican society has been shaken to its foundations by the announcement in February by Standard & Poor's and Moody's credit rating agencies that they had downgraded the island's creditworthiness to junk status.

Conflict Fuels Child Labour in India

By Stella Paul
Early in the morning, 14-year-old Sumari Varda puts on her blue school uniform but heads for the village pond to fetch water. “I miss school. I wish I could go back,” she whispers, scared of being heard by her employer.
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