Young People Blurring Borders

Incorporating young people into the task of fostering understanding between people of various cultural and religious backgrounds is one of the four priority areas of the Alliance of Civilisations.

MEDIA-PAKISTAN: Netizens Argue for the Right to Decide

While there was no question that the visual depictions of the Prophet Mohammad on Facebook hit a raw nerve among devout Muslims all over the world, the debate here in Pakistan has been all about whether the government should be the one making choices for its Internet users.

BRAZIL: Everyday Superheroes Against the Mad, Bad World

They fight against a crazy world, armed only with dramatic improvisation. A programme of urban interventions from a university in Río de Janeiro is battling "the mad world" based on the archetype of the anti-hero.

Banning Junk Foods in Mexico’s Schools to Fight Obesity

Consumer organisations and experts say the Mexican government's plan to remove junk food from schools is a step in the right direction in the fight against obesity in this country, which has the highest rate of childhood obesity in the world, and the second highest rate for adults, after the United States.

Alliance of Civilisations “Bridging Cultures” for Peace

"Bridging Cultures, Building Peace" is the slogan of the third United Nations Alliance of Civilisations Forum which opens Friday in Brazil, gathering together some 3,000 heads of state, members of parliament and delegates of international bodies and civil society organisations.

THAILAND: Red Shirt Stage Offers Platform to Marginalised Culture

She sang till the very end on a stage she could never call her own.

Q&A: “The World Is One, Whether You Like It or Not”

Since its inception in 2005, the Alliance of Civilisations (AoC) has worked to improve understanding and cooperation across nations, cultures and religions in order to counter the forces that fuel polarisation and extremism.

KYRGYZSTAN: Agenda Seen Behind ‘Ethnic’ Clashes

While local and international media reports of the May 19 clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan dwelt on rivalries between the Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities, the two ethnic groups were seen to be united against forces loyal to ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

FRANCE: Burqa Ban May Prove Counter-Productive

France is likely to have a law banning the burqa by autumn of this year, but human rights groups say that such legislation would be discriminatory, counter-productive and also difficult to enforce.

BIODIVERSITY: Saving the Planet Can Be Fun

Saving the planet from environmental catastrophe is undoubtedly very important, but one of the reasons many people are not doing their bit could be that being green does not seem much fun.

JAPAN: Women Changing the Face of Politics, Slowly but Almost Surely

Junko Hamada, 59, is now in her 12th year as an elected member of the city council of Isehara, a sprawling bed town west of Tokyo with an estimated population of 150,000.

BIODIVERSITY: ‘Culture Integral to Agriculture’

Biodiversity in agriculture is about culture. Traditional knowledge and culture are as important as research and investment, say farmers, researchers and academics gathered in Rome for the International Day for Biodiversity on Saturday.

EGYPT: Historically Apolitical, Sufis Now Side With the State

Although Egypt's many Sufi orders have traditionally been known for keeping a safe distance from politics, recent events suggest they are now closer than ever to the ruling regime.

More Faiths, Greater Religious Fluidity in Cuba

Interest in religion is on the upsurge in Cuba, indicated by the growth and variety of the faiths being practised as well as by the ease with which people participate in more than one spiritual community at a time.

MIDEAST: Dreaming With Their Feet

Ahmed Ismail, 23, is leading a dance out of troubled times in Gaza. Breakdancing is his way to help the youth of Gaza begin dreaming and having fun again.

Football Fortunes for Mexican TV

Horacio Ramos is not bothered about paying an extra 50 dollars on his television subscription so that he can watch the entire FIFA World Cup, which kicks off Jun. 11 in South Africa.

DEVELOPMENT-BAHRAIN: Escalating Dowries Take Toll on Men

Surging dowries and the skyrocketing costs of living amid constricting economic opportunities made worse by the global financial crisis have placed a heavy burden on Bahraini men contemplating marriage.

MEXICO: Acrobatics for At-Risk Children

Learning to do aerial acrobatics has not only helped 13-year-old Atenas Padilla overcome her fear of heights, but also to become more tolerant and creative.

ARGENTINA: “Women in Focus” at Film Festival

The First International Women and Film Festival for Gender Equity drew enthusiastic audiences this month in the Argentine capital, where movies from nearly 40 countries were screened.

Argentine Serials Watched in Living Rooms Around the World

In little over a decade, Argentina has become one of the world leaders in production and export of films, mini-series, telenovelas (soap operas), entertainment programmes and commercials.

EL SALVADOR: Tribute to Late Poet Marred by Sons’ Accusations

As the 35th anniversary of Salvadoran poet and revolutionary Roque Dalton’s death approaches, his sons allege that two of his killers are currently working for the governments of El Salvador and Mexico, respectively, and have demanded their dismissal.