Topic: International
“There still remains a profound level of inequality here and a lot of economic policies that exclude the poor,” says architect Alejandro Echeverri. “But I’m optimistic, because Medellin does have this spirit of social commitment and trust.” More
Industrial pollution is a major problem in China, where massive, low-cost manufacturing has taken priority over environmental protection. But that may finally be changing as awareness about the impact of China’s rapid industrialization grows. One of the people working to … More
“Freedom of conscience underlies all other rights. It’s why our Bill of Rights begins with the free exercise of religion, and without the freedom of conscience to live in accordance with your core values, all other rights are in peril,” says Rabbi David Saperstein. More
“People are going back to the basic texts, and they’re stripping away centuries of culture and tradition and looking for what they see at the heart of the religion,” says American journalist Carla Power, author of If the Oceans Were Ink: An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran. More
This year’s conference focused on women in leadership, peace, and climate change. Imam Malik Mujahid elaborates on the issues the Parliament considered and the importance of supporting religious leaders “who believe in the humanity of the other.” More
“Jerusalem is a place historically if there is something different about us, let’s fight about it. That’s basically the vibe. And so we and the chorus are trying to create an alternate reality,” says conductor Micah Hendler. He founded the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus, an ensemble of Israeli and Palestinian high school singers. More
The Virgin Mary has been a companion throughout important events in Mexico’s national history, says Monsignor Jorge Antonio Palencia. “Our Lady has accompanied the nation across the foundation, through the independence movement, then through the revolution movement.” More
“There’s threat to whatever we do here at Jamia Islamia. But for me, it is a mission,” says Mufti Abu Huraira, whose father established the Jamia Islamia Clifton madrasa where students are vetted for any ties to extremist activities and political discussion is forbidden. More
“This is very, very different than being the great white surgeon who comes in and does some magical surgeries and then leaves without imparting any of the magic to the surgeons in the community. It’s teaching the doctors the surgical skills to go forth and do good things for the community, and also teach other doctors,” says Dr. Mary O’Hara, one of the volunteer surgeons traveling with the Orbis flying hospital to treat eye conditions and train local doctors on a recent trip to Vietnam. More
Miguel D’Escoto Brockmann, a Maryknoll priest in Nicaragua suspended by the Vatican for his leftist political activities in the seventies and eighties as part of the theological movement that was known for its radical embrace of the poor over the powerful, believes the Catholic Church under Pope Francis is “more attuned to Jesus.” More