Category Archives: Uncategorized

What an investigation of Racism in Lebanon revealed

Racism seems to exist all over the world, as does feeling inferior and afraid which often leads one to try and find something that makes you feel equal or superior – even if only superficially…

Hummus For Thought

France24 lead an investigation in Lebanon to try and find out whether domestic workers suffer abuse in Lebanon. I’m sure you already know the answer.

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Twelve thoughts I had while watching pro women’s beach volleyball this weekend

Fit and Feminist

This past weekend was about as perfect as weekends get when you are a feminist-minded fitness junkie like myself.  On Saturday, I ran my favorite 10K loop around a nearby lake, then went to a pole tricks class, which I enjoy not only for the way the class challenges me but also because of the fun, positive environment at the studio (which I will have to write about one day).  On Sunday, I finally hit my first 50-mile bike ride, the last 10 miles of which I did on my tri bike on the indoor trainer while watching episodes of “Roseanne” on TV Land.  It was a good weekend.

These were all wonderful, wonderful things, but the pinnacle of my weekend came Saturday afternoon, when Brian and I went to the AVP St. Pete Open, which was being held in Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg.  The pro beach…

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Demonstrate For Peace, Live from Beirut, Online

I hope that the leaders sign on as well but do not expect much in terms of results – too general – how will leaders know – “How many from this and that city support me or are against my policies”

A Separate State of Mind | A Blog by Elie Fares

Demonstrate for Peace Beirut

The next age of protests is upon us. A new initiative has made its way online today, called Demonstrate for Peace, which calls on an online gathering on September 21st in order to protest for peace. It will be the first of its kind. It is orchestrated by the United Nations.

You can join the movement by following this link. This demonstration, despite the website listing Martyr’s Square, will not take place in any physical locations in Lebanon but is simply Lebanon playing its part in International Peace Day.

I have to ask: what effect could such a rally truly have? Is an online protest as efficient as a real life one that requires people to go down to Martyr’s Square and ask for peace using their voices, not their keyboards? Or does the UN know that such protests may not be as effective or as enticing to people?

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#JFDI: Today we’ll reach 16 million online for #NoKidHungry

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JFDI

I first heard the phrase, “Just Focus, Do It,” at Rapport Leadership. You’ve probably seen it in my Facebook status updates or tweets as, “JFDI” (although, my version of the acronym varies slightly).

Either way, JFDI is a verb to me—it means taking action without making excuses. And, of course, it’s perfect for a hashtag.

The power of focused intention combined with bold action will make huge changes in your life. And, a community that collectively focuses its intentions and takes bold action can change the world.

Over 16 million children in America face an unnecessary struggle with hunger. This is inexcusable. Our nation has plenty of food, and we have the solutions to this problem. What we need collectively is more people with the will to JFDI.

Right now, all across this nation, over 9,000 restaurants are participating in the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry. Our collective goal is to raise…

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IRIN Africa | Learning to read in Madagascar | Madagascar | Aid Policy | Education | Gender Issues

Marie Louise, 46, from the village of Namakia-Ankilibe, about one hour’s drive south of Toliara, in arid southwestern Madagascar, never saw the inside of a classroom as a child. “My mother died when I was two years old and my uncle took care of us, but he never sent my two sisters and I to school. There wasn’t one in the village anyway,” she recalls.

Although being illiterate was considered normal in her village, Marie Louise found it a hindrance. “When the mailman brought letters we had to walk to the town and pay someone to read the letters to us. Also, the president of the fokotany (municipality) sometimes asked us to sign forms, and we didn’t know what it was we were signing.”

Now she is among about 100 villagers in her area enrolled in an adult literacy programme. Every afternoon they come together in a community garden where they have lessons by teachers provided by a local NGO. Marie Louise plans to take the primary school exam and then go on to a secondary school. “I want to learn a trade, become a vendor or a tailor later on,” she says.

She also plans to vote in the presidential elections on 25 October. “When I was younger, we were told to vote for President Didier Ratsiraka (Madagascar’s president from 1975 to 1993 and again from 1997 to 2002),” she told IRIN. “I felt manipulated and preferred not to vote at all. Now that I can read and write, I will listen to the speeches of the candidates on the radio and make up my own mind.”

via IRIN Africa | Learning to read in Madagascar | Madagascar | Aid Policy | Education | Gender Issues.