Active Citizens

The New Face of Activism: Youth

By Tharanga Yakupitiyage
Rather than waiting for adults to act, more young girls and boys are standing up and speaking out on the world’s pressing issues.

Citizenship & Growth: Inclusive Citizenship Laws Tend to Foster Economic Development

By Patrick Amir Imam and Kangni Kpodar
The notion of citizenship has evolved over time. Historically, allegiance was typically to an ethnic group or a feudal lord. With the birth of the nation-state in the 19th century came the need to distinguish between those who belonged to the state and those who didn’t, and therefore to create a legal distinction between nationals and foreigners.

Aid Organisations Welcome New Development Chief

By Roger Hamilton-Martin
International aid organisations have reacted positively to the appointment of new UK International Secretary of State for Development, Rory Stewart.

Is UAE Leading the Way for Concentrated Solar Power in GCC?

By Sania Aziz Rahman
In April 2019, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) published a report on a “roadmap to 2050” in terms of renewable energy.

Fifth World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue: Societies must work together to build more tolerant, peaceful and coexisting societies through equal citizenship rights

By Geneva Centre
(Geneva Centre) - In times when religions have been considered as a source of hatred and division, harnessing its collective energy in the pursuit of equal citizenship rights is needed more than ever, concluded a group of eminent experts on inter-faith dialogue during a panel debate.

LGBTQI Rights in the Balkans: A Perpetual Struggle

By Mawethu Nkosana
Romanian Adrian Coman and his American-born partner Clai Hamilton had two major reasons to celebrate when they tied the knot last June.

On World Press Freedom Day, Let us Ask: #WhereIsAzory?

By Muthoki Mumo

Speaking in parliament recently, Tanzania’s information minister, Harrison Mwakyembe, wondered why people were still concerned about the whereabouts of Azory Gwanda, a freelance journalist who went missing in November 2017 in the country’s Coast Region.

Trump’s Arms Control Gambit: Serious or a Poison Pill?

By Daryl G. Kimball
Smart U.S. leadership is an essential part of the nuclear risk reduction equation. Unfortunately, after more than two years into President Donald Trump’s term in office, his administration has failed to present a credible strategy to reduce the risks posed by the still enormous U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, which comprise more than 90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons.

Land Conservation: A Risky Business

By Tharanga Yakupitiyage
In light of land degradation and climate change, the protection of the environment is crucial—but the protection of the very people working tirelessly and with much risk to preserve nature should be just as important.

US Takes Back Signature on Arms Trade Treaty

By Thalif Deen
The United States dropped a political bombshell when President Donald Trump announced his administration would withdraw from the historic Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) which the former Obama administration signed in September 2013.

Against All Odds, Indigenous Villages Generate Their Own Energy in Guatemala

By Edgardo Ayala
In the stifling heat, Diego Matom takes the bread trays out of the oven and carefully places them on wooden shelves, happy that his business has prospered since his village in northwest Guatemala began to generate its own electricity.

**UPDATED: Activists Spotlight Education for Development and Rights

By A. D. McKenzie
“Communicate something to your partner in silence.” The pairs of strangers or acquaintances who received this instruction gesticulated, smiled, shook their heads, touched their hearts and otherwise tried to transmit a message.

UN’s Empty Promises to World’s Indigenous Peoples

By Tupac Enrique Acosta
The United Nations, as in so many other areas, gives lip service in support of Indigenous issues while lacking the political will and enforcement power over individual member states to comply with the protection of fundamental human rights for the Original Nations of Indigenous Peoples of the world.

Pakistan’s Battle Against Climate Change

By Mushahid Hussain*
Pakistan, which has been listed as the 7th most vulnerable country affected by climate change, is now seriously tackling the vagaries of weather, both at the official as well as non-official level. Pursuant to an initiative launched by the Pakistan Parliament’s Upper House, the Senate, which specially entrusted a sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Climate Change to focus on “Green and Clean” Islamabad, media, civil society and students have taken up the cudgels on combating climate change.

Q&A: Achieving “Togetherness”

By Tharanga Yakupitiyage
Increasingly facing restrictions and assault, civil society from around the world have come together to celebrate and promote people power.

Civil Society Under Attack in Name of Counterterrorism

By Tharanga Yakupitiyage
Counterterrorism measures are not only affecting extremist groups, but are also impacting a crucial sector for peace and security in the world: civil society.

When Youth Take on The Fight to Defend Rights

By A. D. McKenzie
Abraham M. Keita says he was nine years old when a girl of thirteen was sexually assaulted and strangled in his home community in Liberia.

No Story Worth Dying For?

By A. D. McKenzie
“Stay safe. There’s no story worth dying for.” That’s the message to journalists from Nada Josimovic, programme coordinator of Amsterdam-based media rights organisation Free Press Unlimited.

People Do Not “Deserve to Die”: Injustice of Death Penalty Persists

By Tharanga Yakupitiyage
While figures have dropped, the “inhuman” use of the death penalty still remains too common worldwide, a human rights group said.

Fridays for Future – Following Greta Thunberg!

By Heike Kuhn
What happens worldwide on Fridays, a regular working day and consequently, a school day? We are all witnessing that students do not attend their classes: during the week of March 15, 2019, according to fridaysforfuture, there were at least 1.6 million striking students in more than 125 countries on all continents.

Smears, Laws, Lack of Cooperation: Tools Against Activists

By A. D. McKenzie
The murder of Brazilian politician and human rights activist Marielle Franco just over a year ago and attacks on other rights activists around the world have galvanised civil society organisations, with the United Nations heightening its own strategy to protect rights defenders.
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