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.
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 also provides an experience for a tourist that is not only exciting but also very satisfying.”
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.
Russia: Putin Refuses Controversial Kiss From Priest
"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.
World: “Hackitat” – A Film About Political Hacking
Artists based in Sweden have launched a crowd-funding campaign to support and sustain their film project “Hackitat”. The documentary aims to highlight hackers, “the people building a nation on the Internet”, and searches for answers to: “What compels some people to spend a lot of time and energy on setting...
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.
Video: No Pool? No Problem! Creative Solutions to Beat the Heat
The hot summer in the Northern hemisphere is forcing many people to seek ways in which to escape the high temperatures or get some relief. These next images and videos show how with creativity and ingenuity, people young and old find ways in which to beat the heat.
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.
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 explain how central banks work and give alternatives to the monetary system, such as basic income and neo-chartalism.
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 the largest reclamation of outdoor advertising space in UK history as artists challenge the authority and legitimacy of the advertising...
Bangladesh, USA: 5000 Miles Bicycle Ride For Climate Awareness
Two activists from Bangladesh are riding on a tandem bike to collect and measure the amount of plastic and other waste they come across during their 5000 miles journey from Seattle to New York.
Russia: Political Ambitions for Most Influential Blogger?
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."
Cuba: In a Decade
Iván García suggests four possible scenarios for Cuba ten years from now.
Latin America: LibreBus Preps for Southern Cone Tour
The LibreBus project, born in Central America, is getting ready for their upcoming trip to the Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay): “Travellers from various countries, with different skills, will set out once again, united by a common objective: the spreading of Free Culture and the promotion of an...
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.
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 email exchange.
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.
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 Haitian Americans, one Haitian and a Grendadian share their thoughts.
