Tag: Government

‘Daughters of the Sex Workers’ Seek Dignity and Respect

Yesterday I facilitated a webinar on Culture, Conflict and Violence against Women: A Focus Sex Trafficking.  I raised several issues regarding the vast differences experienced by victims of the sex trafficking industry, particularly as it pertains to culture, gender dynamics and power differentials.  I recommended that governmental bodies and non-profit agencies reevaluate motives, revise legislation …

Continue reading

Share

Assessing the Trafficking in Persons 2011 Report

Yesterday was an anxiously awaited day for all of those who are in the fight to end modern day slavery.  Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, formally announced the release of the highly anticipated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 2011 report.  The annual report consists of victim narratives, governmental responsibilities, progress made, and recommendations for improvement.  Additionally, …

Continue reading

Share

School Ecotourism Police Force: Cute or Creepy?

Every now and then I read an article that I simply have to share with someone; so, today I share it with you!  The article in this case is about Lapu-Lapu, a city in the Philippines which has taken an interesting route to promote ecotourism: recruiting students to act as ‘ecotourism police’ who report people they …

Continue reading

Share

Debate Over Libya Rages on Capitol Hill

News on our involvement in Libya has taken a backseat recently after all the drama with Congressman Weiner and President Obama’s announcement about the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, but the conflict has been raging on despite the lack of US news media interest.  It’s been raging on here in the states, too; specifically, the …

Continue reading

Share

Brilliant Partnership or Potential Disaster?

The University of Oregon and the Global Oregon Initiative recently announced an interesting—and controversial—partnership: a partnership with the government of Gabon. This one-of-a-kind cooperative agreement has a noble purpose: to establish joint research centers in Eugene and Libreville in order to study sustainability, economic development, and natural resource management. However, the union is problematic because of …

Continue reading

Share

LGBT Refugees and Asylum Seekers

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community has experienced discrimination, threat, and violence around the globe.  Violations of human rights are heavily affecting LGBT individuals in many regions of the world, forcing them to flee persecution and seek refuge in other nations—one being the United States.  The resettlement network in the U.S. has limited …

Continue reading

Share

LGBT Rights in America

“Every generation of Americans has brought our Nation closer to fulfilling its promise of equality. While progress has taken time, our achievements in advancing the rights of LGBT Americans remind us that history is on our side, and that the American people will never stop striving toward liberty and justice for all.” -President Barack Obama …

Continue reading

Share

Empowerment through Microsavings

Putting Innovative Thinking into Action Last night I had an experience that is sure to be a memorable one—I got to see President Barack Obama speak to an intimately filled room of supporters.  I must say that his speech left quite an impression on me.  Sure he focused on the usual topics of increasing jobs, …

Continue reading

Share

Hungry for a Resolution in Libya

Since civil war broke out almost five months ago, Libya has been all over the news. There have been both intranational and international efforts to take down Muammar Gaddafi, who has been the leader of Libya since 1969, but none have been successful. As Gaddafi attempts to maintain his rule, the international community has taken drastic …

Continue reading

Share

The Difficult Road Ahead

When the “Arab Spring” began in mid-December, 2010, most of the news coverage was quite hopeful.  North Africa would soon become democratic, which would be beneficial for the US, and life would rapidly improve for citizens who had been oppressed by dictators like Gaddafi and Mubarak.  But it didn’t quite happen like that.  Gaddafi still …

Continue reading

Share