Culture - Beacon of the Future (Praeger Studies on the 21st Century).

By D. Paul Schafer.  “Preface: There is mounting evidence to suggest that culture will play a powerful role in the world of the future. One evidence of this is the growing importance of culture in individual, institutional, community, national and international affairs, as confirmed by the creation of a World Commission on Culture and Development and a World Decade for Cultural Development by UNESCO and the United Nations. Another is the increased use of terms like global culture, corporate culture, media culture, political culture, social culture, and environmental culture in public discourse. A third evidence is the commitment of many educational institutions to departments, courses and chairs in cultural studies. A final evidence is the predication of a number of scholars and statesmen that the world is entering a period of cultural conflict and confrontation, characterized by 'the clash of cultures and civilizations.'

Clearly much more will have to be known about culture in general and cultures in particular if culture and cultures are to play a constructive rather than destructive role in the world. On the one hand, this means dealing with culture and cultures as concepts, particularly as this manifests itself in theories, ideas, ideals and definitions. On the other hand, it means dealing with culture and cultures as realities, especially as it manifests itself in the development of cultures, a cultural interpretation of history, the cultural life of the individual, the community, the state and the world, and the art of cultural development and policy.

Dealing with culture and cultures as concepts and realities makes it possible to examine real and ideal situations, as well as to profit from the age-old adage that theory informs practice and practice informs theory. It is the author's hope that this highly interactive and exploratory approach to the problem will help to broaden and deepen collective knowledge and understanding of two of the most evocative but elusive terms imaginable. For if one overriding conclusion emerges from this intensive probe into culture and cultures, it is that culture and cultures have a crucial role to play in human affairs, environmental sustainability and global well-being in the future, particularly when they are dealt with in positive and holistic terms and the proper precautions and safeguards are taken…”

Text and photograph courtesy The World Culture Project, a partner and Cooperating Organization with dgCommunity Culture and Development.

Healthy Cities Contest Seeks Entries

The Third International Active Cities, Healthy Cities Contest is seeking entries from towns and cities in Latin America and the Caribbean that have sponsored initiatives to encourage healthy living and improve the quality of life for their residents. Past winners have included: * Belo Horizonte, Brazil's "City Streets" initiative, which prom. . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 12, 2008
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The Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE)

The Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE) is a network of Gender Focal Points in United Nations offices, specialized agencies, funds and programmes. The Network has played a central role in promoting gender equality throughout the United Nations system and in follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 . . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 12, 2008
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Short History of CEDAW Convention

Equality of rights for women is a basic principle of the United Nations. The Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations sets as one of the Organization's central goals the reaffirmation of "faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women". Article 1 proclaims that one of the p. . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 12, 2008
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Twin Pandemics

Produced by Franziska Kunze and Natalie Rodic, "Twin Pandemics" is a 13-minute advocacy video focused on revealing some of the often unspoken realities surrounding the convergence of HIV/AIDS and violence against women in a global context. This exploration is focused not only on how one pandemic perpetuates the other, but also on the systemic is. . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 12, 2008
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Positive Young Women’s Dialogue in Namibia

A Young Women’s Dialogue brought together 30 young HIV-positive women from the 13 regions of Namibia between 21-25 January 2008. Organized by ICW, the workshop aimed to develop the women’s awareness of their rights and skills to realize those rights through advocacy. On the final day of the workshop, the young women were given a unique opportuni. . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 12, 2008
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Ipas Mexico and UNFPA team up to promote youth participation in the Mexico AIDS Conference

As part of the run-up to the International AIDS Conference to be held in August this year, great efforts are being made to encourage young people to participate in the meeting. One contribution to this work occurred from 7-9 February when Ipas Mexico teamed up with UNFPA to offer skills-building training to 40 young Mexican men and women in the Mex. . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 12, 2008
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Announcing the National Geographic GLIMPSE Correspondents Program

If you are a talented storyteller; specialize in writing, photography or video; and will be living or studying abroad in Fall 2008, this is your opportunity! As a Glimpse Correspondent, you will receive a $600 stipend, a professional editor, and the opportunity to be published in National Geographic Glimpse. The application will be ready in mid-May. . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 8, 2008
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Overview - amFAR MSM Initiative

“MSM have been largely ignored by both social and public health structures in many countries for too long,” stated a recently published study in the journal PLoS Medicine. While available data indicate a widespread threat that could devastate MSM populations around the world, HIV transmission among MSM is still not tracked in most countries. A P. . .

Added by  Anuradha Bhattacharjee  May 8, 2008
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Current Impacts to Indigenous Nomadic Peoples of South Asia

The indigenous nomadic peoples of South Asia - including Baluch, Banjara, Bhil, Charan, Gujar, Jat, and Nandiwalla - have traditionally occupied a unique place within the larger South Asian society. Often subsisting on the outskirts of major society, they have played an essential role in the larger economic and social functioning of South Asian soc. . .

Added by  Peter Jones  May 8, 2008
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Current List of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

As of April 15, 2008, there are 76 National Park Service recognized Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs). These Native American tribes have assumed the responsibilities of the State Historic Preservation Officers for their tribal lands. These 76 sovereign governments have a land base exceeding 34 million acres spannning 24 states. THPOs. . .

Added by  Peter Jones  May 8, 2008
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