Stories about Western Europe from November, 2013
France Replaces Central African Republic Ambassador on the Eve of Military Drive
France is set to send an additional 1,000 troops to the Central African Republic to prevent an escalation of the conflict in the region. So it came as a bit of a surprise when France decided to replace its ambassador Serge Mucetti in the country on the eve of such an important military...
Spanish Police Attempt Dead-of-Night Shutdown of Valencia Public Broadcaster
The Valencian government, belonging to the conservative People's Party, has sent the police at 3 a.m. to shut down the regional public broadcaster Ràdio Televisió Valenciana (RTVV) [ca]. Since the government announced the decision to shut the broadcaster down on November 5, the journalists have been running both the radio...
Keeping up with the 2013 World Forum for Democracy
The second World Forum for Democracy is currently taking place in Strasbourg, France. The motto of this year conference is “Connecting Institutions and Citizens in the Digital Age”. Follow the four themes and the 21 workshops of the conference with the hashtag #CoE_WFD.
Story of a Democratic Blackout: Valencia's Public Television Shuts Down (Part 2)
In this second and final part of a series, we discuss the reactions and consequences on the shutdown of public television in Valencia, Spain.
Roma in Norway Evicted from Camp by Police
During the week of November 18, 2013, Oslo police and state property owner Statsbygg dismantled a Roma camp, acting on court orders. The Roma settlement was located on public recreational grounds at Sognsvann, Norway. An Oslo appeals court ordered this eviction, agreeing with Statsbygg that the settlers had surpassed the...
100 Digital Projects That Truly Inspire
The Nominet Trust in the United Kingdom announce their 100 favorite projects using digital technology for social good (#NT100).
One UK Suburb's Un-Neighborly Reaction to Slovakian Roma Immigrants
After a wave of discriminatory statements against Roma communities in France made by French Minister of the Interior Manuel Valls, Slovakian and Romanian Roma in England are now getting the same message from authorities and neighbors. According to an article in the Guardian, Sheffield locals in an area with a high...
Brazilian “Wikicity” Travels to the World Forum for Democracy
Known as “the capital of participatory democracy”, the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre will become subject for a lab in the World Forum for Democracy. Focus will be given to the case of PortoAlegre.cc, a project created at the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos) which is based on...
Racism, the United Nations, and the Dutch Saint Nicholas Tradition
While the children of Belgium, The Netherlands and other European countries prepare for the arrival of Saint Nicholas on December 6, the shadow of racism hangs over this tradition.
Story of a Democratic Blackout: Valencia's Public Television Shuts Down (Part 1)
The announcement by the Valencian government on the afternoon of November 5 fell like a bucket of cold water among television and public radio workers in Valencia, Spain.
More Transparency Needed in Uranium Negotiation in Niger
Anne-Sophie Simpere reports that the Uranium exploitation contract between Niger and Areva, a french energy company, are set to be re-negotiated as it comes to an end as of December 2013. She writes [fr]: Il est incompréhensible que le Niger, 4ème producteur d’uranium au monde, et fournisseur stratégique d’Areva et...
PHOTOS: The Thrill and Agony of World Cup Qualifying Matches
While Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and France celebrated, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Tunisia saw their hopes of heading to Brazil vanish with the final whistle.
Reengineer the News! Global Voices Partners with Oximity
Oximity, a new website for news reading and writing, presents Global Voices stories to their readers in multiple languages.
Taiwan: Virgin Mary With an Aboriginal Face Tattoo
It is not difficult to find a tattoo figure of Blessed Virgin Mary, but a statue of Blessed Virgin Mary with facial tattoo is rarely seen.
“Catalan Independence” Explained in 16 Languages
The debut video of The Catalan Project (@Catalan_Project) features Fernando de Castro, “a Catalan from Galicia and Spanish”, presenting the project and explaining why some Catalans want independence from Spain using the 16 languages he is able to speak. Subtitles are available in English, French, German, Spanish and Catalan. The Catalan Project, an...
No One Found Guilty of ‘Prestige’ Oil Disaster in Spain
After 10 years of investigation and a nine-month trial, Galicia's High Court of Justice has acquitted the three defendants of all crimes against the environment.
Unemployment, Poverty and Brain Drain: Italy's Crisis Deepens
More than 4.1 million poverty-stricken Italians have received food through non-profit food parcels or free meals.
Business, Politics and the Revolving Door in the European Union
The so-called "revolving door", or when public sector officials move into private sector jobs and vice-versa, is becoming more of an issue in the European Union with every year.
Have Racist Behaviors Been Unleashed in France ?
Epitomized by racial taunts [fr] towards the French Guiana-born Minister of Justice Christine Taubira on the cover of the weekly newspaper Minute, many observers bemoan the rise of racist behaviors [fr] in France. One of those observers is Harry Roselmack, a prominent reporter born in Martinique, who wrote an editorial in which...
Social Movements of Portugal Get Together to Debate Massive Protests
“What is the purpose of the massive protests?”, a question that many Portuguese citizens have repeated since the economic crisis started, has become a motto for a Laboratory of Democracy organized by the non-profit association Academia Cidadã (Citizen Academy). The “informal debate about the occupation of the public space in...
Spanish Archbishop Publishes Book that Orders Women to “Get Married and Be Submissive”
Constanza Miriano, a journalist and married and mother of four, first published her book in Italy in 2011 where it sold 70 000 copies.
