The scars are hard to miss in the streets of Beirut, still teeming with memories of a traumatic period for the country. In 1975, a fifteen-year long civil war began, which spoilt the enthusiasm aroused by the independence of the country. According to many observers, these scars still disfigure the country. For others, each and every one of them is a source of inspiration. Each war generates its memories, its survivors and the hope that it will “never happen again”. Dania, born in Lebanon during...

For more than two years, Brazil has been prey to a large social claims movement. To this already difficult situation, must also be added a tense political climate ever since the Petrobras case, which is weakening the government. Analysis of the country of order and progress. Saturday 27th of June, defeated by Paraguay during the penalties, Brazil iswas eliminated from the Copa America, the south-American equivalent of the UEFA Euro tournament. It is another disappointment in a country already...

When a slap alone highlights reflections on education, fidelity or relationships, we get a short but intense series in suburban Melbourne. “The Slap” was first released in 2011, broadcasted on Arte in July 2015 and was given an American adaptation on NBC in February 2015. This is an overview of a series of nuances. At a barbecue with friends, an unruly child receives a slap. The problem is that he was not slapped by either of his parents. They protest against what they perceive as corporal...

On behalf of the collective COMER, constitutional lawyer Rocco Galati initiated a lawsuit against the Bank of Canada in 2011. This historic legal action builds on constitutional issues: Rocco Galati and COMER accuse the Canadian central bank of borrowing from private banks and not to resorting to loans at low interest rates. The lawsuit filed against the Bank of Canada accuses the bank of diverting from its primary objective and harming Canadian citizens. There has been feedback on a historic...

On the occasion of the “Summit of Conscience on the Climate”, Valdelice Veron, a Guarani-Kaiowá leader, came to Paris on the 21st of July to testify before the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC) on the distress of her people. The campaign was called “Why do I care?” After years of fighting amid general indifference, this could mark the beginning of a real awareness of the international community on the subject. Nevertheless, the road may be long and the public are far from being...

On the occasion of the “Summit of Conscience on the Climate”, Valdelice Veron, a Guarani-Kaiowá leader, came to Paris on the 21st of July to testify before the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC) on the distress of her people. The campaign was called “Why do I care?”. After years of fighting amid general indifference, this could mark the beginning of a real awareness of the international community on the subject. Nevertheless, the road may be long and public opinion is far from...

This is what’s usually called a “whim”. On a cold December evening over decent beer at a Canadian bar, a decision was made: “How about a month long road trip?” Between incredulous looks and bewildered handshakes, two friends and I decided to go to Mexico. Enormous excitement and preparation give way to gnawing apprehension. We were asked to be careful of the violence and drug trafficking, and we anxiously left Toronto. Holding our credit cards, we get to the bus station in Mexico City, and head...

Since 2011 about 1.5 million Syrians have been seeking asylum in Lebanon. 1.5 million people, this is more than a quarter of the Lebanese population. To face government lack of involvement, NGOs, local and international initiatives raise and try to give answers to the refugees needs. Information and training are major in a country with threats of war coming from mortal politic dissensions far away from daily issues for families. To understand what is going on in Lebanon, one has to understand...

Ukraine has made the choice to carry out a legislative offensive to counter Russian influence, regardless of its form. This has given rise to memorial "decommunsation" laws which sanction political opinion and historical analysis in a country seeking order and stability. Ukrainian authorities have recently threatened to forbid entry into Ukraine and to sentence anyone entering Crimea without local permission, questioning the province’s attachment to Russia and considering it an occupied zone....

Since 2012, an NGO named Padma has been acting in Villa El Salvador in the South of Lima in order to improve the living conditions of its vulnerable inhabitants. Looking into this small NGO can also help understanding how this type of organisations works in a more general way. The most striking things when entering the office of the NGO situated in Miraflores, the business centre of Lima linked to Villa El Salvador by the only subway line in the country, are the small team and workings space. A...