Stories from November, 2024
How tech companies enable censorship in Vietnam
"Our findings show a concerning situation where these companies almost always comply with an increasing number of content moderation requests from the Vietnamese government."
From shadows to sunlight: Why access to information matters in Jamaica
As environmental defenders in the region face a range of challenges, there is an urgent need to highlight this information dilemma. This is where the Escazú Agreement comes in.
Embracing the feral in Kingston, Jamaica's concrete jungle
Buoyed by various partnerships, Camille Chedda’s vision for an equitable and beautiful multi-species community space blossomed, but true to Kingston’s “concrete jungle” reality, the road to fruition was hard.
Criminalized for seeking a better life: The story of Homayoun and Greece's troubling policies against migrants
The cases of migrants like Homayoun highlight how such policies violate human rights, which are integral to being protected under the European Union's values — freedom, justice, and dignity.
The COP29 is over, and so is the spotlight on Azerbaijan
What's next for the country's civil society now that COP29 is over and the spotlight has shifted?
Indonesia’s new government pushes transmigration plan, stirring protests in Papua
"Transmigration has produced structural discrimination in education, land rights, and employment. There is high level of income and wealth inequality between Papuans and Indonesians, while migrants dominate the labour market."
Drought in Somalia is forcing thousands of climate refugees to Kenya's Dadaab Refugee Camp
Between 2022 and 2023, Dadaab experienced an influx of refugees due to droughts and conflict, which caused the camp’s population to swell from 234,000 in July 2022 to 320,000 in March 2023.
Hong Kong’s top court affirms same-sex married couples’ housing and inheritance rights in landmark decision
After six years of legal battles with the Hong Kong government, the city's top court finally ruled that same-sex married couples should receive property and inheritance rights.
In a Nepali village, residents struggle to reconcile traditional artisanship with modernization
Nepal's Pyangaon village, named after “pyang” — traditional Nepali measuring containers made from bamboo — is at a crossroads of whether to continue its artisan traditions or modernizing their products and processes.
Latin America: Who wins and who loses after Trump's victory?
What you need to know about what we can expect about U.S.-Latin American relations during Trump's second term.
Somaliland and Somalia: Competing narratives in the Horn of Africa
An overview of the competing narratives that surround the relationship between Somalia and Somaliland in light of Somalia's forthcoming seat at the UN Security Council
In Cameroon, ‘Solomon Grundy’ turns to TikTok to challenge stereotypes about albinism
Persons with albinism in Cameroon have for centuries suffered prejudice rooted in age-old cultural stigma and beliefs. Some common barriers include social isolation, familial and community rejection, ritual hunts and mutilations.
‘A woman’s voice is a revolution’: Digging into Algerian feminist radio creations
An exploration of the sonic and creative production of the feminist movement in Algeria, between radio, podcasting, and social media.
Preserving the Ch'ol language through theatre and digital media
Marlene Sánchez works with children to strengthen the Ch’ol language through theater. In the future, she would like to have a cultural center to document and represent the stories and knowledge of her community.
Women's rights are backsliding left and right in Latin America
In Latin America, there are many elected and non-elected governments, democracies with left- or right-wing authoritarianism, and none respect the rule of law and the right of women to a life free of violence.
A secondary school in rural Trinidad hopes that community-based acts can help combat the climate crisis
Student Kacey Brown said the initiative encouraged them “to make the change [...] so that one day we can achieve a disaster-free future” – but that future also hinges on broader issues.
The great Pakistan firewall and use of religion as a tool for digital authoritarianism
Pakistan has implemented a national firewall to regulate online content and mandated the registration of lawful VPN usage, with a ban on unregistered VPNs set to take effect from December 1.
The art of destruction and creation: Exploring identity and spirituality in the work of Alexis Peskine
"Peskine’s art transcends the confines of portraiture, offering instead a visual language that speaks to the collective soul — capturing the nuances of strength, vulnerability, and transformation."
Forty-five Hong Kong pro-democracy activists jailed up to 10 years in landmark national security case
The U.S government said the 45 were punished for peaceful participation in political activities under the protection of Basic Law while the HK government insisted on the severity of the crime.
Can mobile medicine solve the health crisis in Morocco’s remote villages?
Advanced communication technology is allowing medical services to be provided remotely, ensuring equal access to treatment and contributing to the democratization of healthcare in Morocco.
Reflections on youth-led movements against state repression in Bangladesh and Indonesia
Grassroots approaches not only ensure the continuity of the movement but could also strengthen solidarity and trust among protesters, deepening the connection to local communities, which is vital for sustained resistance.
