Articles by theme: Human Rights and Democracy
From Professor to Prisoner
Two years ago, Professor Felix Ulombe Kaputu’s only company was the rats in his cell, fat from feasting on rotting corpses.
Beyond Revenge
In 1999 photographer Nic Dunlop tracked down Pol Pot’s chief executioner Comrade Duch, the only Khmer Rouge leader who today remains in prison awaiting trial. In this article Dunlop explores the importance of the upcoming tribunal and explains why education and making people understand this process is central to the success of the trial of former Khmer Rouge.
Troubled Waters
As the world’s population grows, the gap between access to and needs for water is also widening.
Worlds Apart
Sami and San: a common history of eviction, discrimination and forced assimilation. Similar-sized populations, spread over the same number of countries – one a people of the far north and one a people of the far south.
An Interview with Shirin Ebadi
“Democracy is a culture. You cannot bring democracy to a country by dropping cluster bombs on the people’s heads.”
From imprisonment to the Nobel Peace Prize, Iranian lawyer and human rights advocate Shirin Ebadi has battled for the soul of a nation poised at the centre of Middle Eastern and global events. Global Knowledge met the woman who is putting the law on trial.
A View from the East: Sadik al-Azm
“If Muslims are to manage to live in the modern world they should perhaps get used to the idea that not even Islam is above criticism or above satire.”
His books are banned, he has received death threats and been arrested. Global Knowledge met free-thinking Syrian philosopher Sadik al-Azm at Princeton University.
“These are the tears we shed for you”
Thousands of girls from northern Uganda have been both victims and perpetrators during a 22-year-long civil war. A research project looks at how religion and rituals help girls reintegrate in society.
Whose Rights?
Editorial by Torgeir Norling
A Dangerous World
Editorial by Torgeir Norling.
Trouble in Kenya’s Universities
The violence following Kenya’s disputed elections not only split the country – it also seriously affected Kenya’s vibrant university environment. Global Knowledge spoke to Bethwell A. Ogot, Chancellor of Moi University, about the situation.
From Pollution to Protection
Ecuador wants the world to pay USD 350 million a year for it not to extract oil in the Amazon Basin. Is this a new way of protecting the world’s indigenous regions?
Power Play
Ecuador’s proposition is interesting because it addresses a question of international concern, according to María Guzman-Gallegos.
Charm Tong
As a teacher and activist, Charm Tong is on a mission to educate people about human rights abuses in Burma – starting with the world’s most powerful man.
Looking Back at Peace
As Sri Lanka moves closer to a new war, Sri Lankan academics look back at what the peace process and the cease-fire has meant for academia on the island.
The People's Democracy
In the third largest democracy in the world, Indonesia, democracy is rooted in the political elite rather than in the people.
The Islamic Shadow
As an academic in Iran, one has to choose: either teach and publish the way the clergy see fit – or leave the country.
Thailand’s Tank Liberals
Thailand’s military coup draws support from large segments of Thailand’s academia and Intelligentsia. But can a coup be justified?
Schools in the Line of Fire
Educational institutions, teachers and students have been frequent targets in the conflict in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces.
Challenging the Israeli Army
A burst of gunfire spurs Oren Yacobovich into action. “Those are Israeli guns,” says the former Israeli army combat soldier as he jumps into a white bullet-proof Cherokee jeep and sets off down a narrow mud track at breakneck speed
An Army Man Turns to Education
Thailand’s former army chief, Surayud Chulanont has turned to education as a key to solve the conflict in Thailand’s southernmost provinces.
From Professor to Prisoner
Two years ago, Professor Felix Ulombe Kaputu’s only company was the rats in his cell, fat from feasting on rotting corpses.
Beyond Revenge
In 1999 photographer Nic Dunlop tracked down Pol Pot’s chief executioner Comrade Duch, the only Khmer Rouge leader who today remains in prison awaiting trial. In this article Dunlop explores the importance of the upcoming tribunal and explains why education and making people understand this process is central to the success of the trial of former Khmer Rouge.
Troubled Waters
As the world’s population grows, the gap between access to and needs for water is also widening.
Worlds Apart
Sami and San: a common history of eviction, discrimination and forced assimilation. Similar-sized populations, spread over the same number of countries – one a people of the far north and one a people of the far south.
An Interview with Shirin Ebadi
“Democracy is a culture. You cannot bring democracy to a country by dropping cluster bombs on the people’s heads.”
From imprisonment to the Nobel Peace Prize, Iranian lawyer and human rights advocate Shirin Ebadi has battled for the soul of a nation poised at the centre of Middle Eastern and global events. Global Knowledge met the woman who is putting the law on trial.
A View from the East: Sadik al-Azm
“If Muslims are to manage to live in the modern world they should perhaps get used to the idea that not even Islam is above criticism or above satire.”
His books are banned, he has received death threats and been arrested. Global Knowledge met free-thinking Syrian philosopher Sadik al-Azm at Princeton University.
“These are the tears we shed for you”
Thousands of girls from northern Uganda have been both victims and perpetrators during a 22-year-long civil war. A research project looks at how religion and rituals help girls reintegrate in society.
Whose Rights?
Editorial by Torgeir Norling
A Dangerous World
Editorial by Torgeir Norling.
Trouble in Kenya’s Universities
The violence following Kenya’s disputed elections not only split the country – it also seriously affected Kenya’s vibrant university environment. Global Knowledge spoke to Bethwell A. Ogot, Chancellor of Moi University, about the situation.
From Pollution to Protection
Ecuador wants the world to pay USD 350 million a year for it not to extract oil in the Amazon Basin. Is this a new way of protecting the world’s indigenous regions?
Power Play
Ecuador’s proposition is interesting because it addresses a question of international concern, according to María Guzman-Gallegos.
Charm Tong
As a teacher and activist, Charm Tong is on a mission to educate people about human rights abuses in Burma – starting with the world’s most powerful man.
Looking Back at Peace
As Sri Lanka moves closer to a new war, Sri Lankan academics look back at what the peace process and the cease-fire has meant for academia on the island.
The People's Democracy
In the third largest democracy in the world, Indonesia, democracy is rooted in the political elite rather than in the people.
The Islamic Shadow
As an academic in Iran, one has to choose: either teach and publish the way the clergy see fit – or leave the country.
Thailand’s Tank Liberals
Thailand’s military coup draws support from large segments of Thailand’s academia and Intelligentsia. But can a coup be justified?
Schools in the Line of Fire
Educational institutions, teachers and students have been frequent targets in the conflict in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces.
Challenging the Israeli Army
A burst of gunfire spurs Oren Yacobovich into action. “Those are Israeli guns,” says the former Israeli army combat soldier as he jumps into a white bullet-proof Cherokee jeep and sets off down a narrow mud track at breakneck speed
An Army Man Turns to Education
Thailand’s former army chief, Surayud Chulanont has turned to education as a key to solve the conflict in Thailand’s southernmost provinces.