· August, 2012

Stories about Ideas from August, 2012

China's New ‘Black Five’ Categories – Social Threat or Core Strength?

During the Cultural Revolution in China, the term 'Five Black Categories' was used as a political label for cracking down on five social and political groups. Recently Chinese state media revived the political labels to describe human rights lawyers, underground churches and religions, dissidents, online opinion leaders and social minorities.

13 August 2012

Bangladesh: Traveling In The Ganges River

Bangladesh Unlocked provides a fascinating account on a journey from North in Rajshahi towards South in the Nijhum Dwip via boat on the Ganges river. The blogger comments: “travelling here...

12 August 2012

Bolivia: New Video Campaign Seeks to Boost Tourism

'Bolivia Awaits You' is the name of a promotional tourism campaign recently launched by the government of Bolivia. It seeks to boost tourism by investing 20 million US dollars in the next five years, which will primarily benefit indigenous communities.

9 August 2012

Russia: Putin Refuses Controversial Kiss From Priest

RuNet Echo

"Father Mefodii has shown the way to all citizens, including Pussy [Riot]. In order to be forgiven, all must kiss Putin on the hand." While Putin was greeting local priests in Karelia, one of them suddenly lunged forward and tried to kiss his hand, the President instantly recoiled.

8 August 2012

Brazil: Prisoners Get Four Days Off Sentence Per Book Read

Recently, the government of Brazil launched a new initiative whereby reading books related to classic national literature, science or philosophy can reduce prisoners' jail sentences. However, according to a 2006 report 8% of the country's inmates were illiterate and 70% hadn't completed primary education.

8 August 2012

Egypt: Morsi's Wrong Colour Tie

Zeinonia, at Egyptian Chronicles, picks on the choice of Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi's tie and smile, as he mourned Egyptian officers and soldiers killed in Sinai.

7 August 2012

France: The Currency Taboo Deciphered

In the latest [fr] podcast episode “Monnaie Libre,” dedicated to deciphering monetary systems, French bloggers Galuel and Jean-Baptiste B. discuss the reasons why currency is taboo among economists. They also...

7 August 2012

UK: Taking on ‘Brandalism’

The collectively maintained website Brandalism presents an ever-growing collection of street art. The project is inspired “from the Dadaists, Situationists and Street Art movements” and its goal is to “see...

7 August 2012

Russia: Political Ambitions for Most Influential Blogger?

RuNet Echo

Earlier this week, members of Aleksei Navalny's inner circle announced that they are forming a new political party called "People's Alliance." Navalny is expected to abstain from the party, but he is likely to take part in upcoming protest elections meant to institute aspects of "cloud democracy."

4 August 2012

Create UNAOC 2012: Apps and Games for Intercultural Dialogue

The recently launched Create UNAOC 2012 competition is an opportunity for developers across the world to produce innovative apps and mobile games to promote intercultural dialogue, in a bid to avoid global conflicts and tension. Find out how to submit your idea.

2 August 2012

Trinidad & Tobago: Central Bank Governors

Afra Raymond responds to Dr. Terrence Farrell's  critique of Jwala Rambarran's appointment as Governor of Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago [Farrell is a former Deputy Governor] and they engage in an...

1 August 2012

Mexico: Embroidering for Peace

Men and women of all ages have come together in cities like Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City, to embroider the names of the victims of Mexico's Drug War onto white handkerchiefs.

1 August 2012

Haiti: “Dear Ayiti”

The Fanm Kanson Network posts the first video from its “Dear Ayiti” project, which asks a simple question: If Haiti were a person, what would you say to her? Two...

1 August 2012