A software tool to enable journalists, human rights and others defenders to scan their computers for known surveillance spyware has been released by Amnesty International and a coalition of human rights and technology organizations. The app was developed by German security researcher Claudio Guarnieri, and it's launched by Amnesty in Nov 2014 in partnership with civil rights and consumer protection organisations Digitale Gesellschaft from Germany, Electronic Frontier Foundation from the US and … Read more
The Natural Step Framework For Sustainable Development A science based, holistic approach to defining and understanding sustainability
The Natural Step framework is * Based on a scientific consensus of the 4 basic principle ways in which humanity is destroying the biosphere. *Uses these principles as a lens to gain a clear understanding of how a project (business, product,community) is contributing to unsustainability. * Generates a future vision of how the project would look if it was complying with these 4 principles and was 'sustainable' * Allows for cross disciplinary communication using a common language that brings the … Read more
Daydreaming for problem-solving Scientific research shows benefits of day-dreaming
One study by Cornell University (Ithaca, US) found that employing brain areas linked to 'off-task' mental states - including daydreaming or reminiscing - enhances performance on certain complicated mental tasks (See first link). Other studies have shown more benefits of daydreaming, such as the enhancement of creative problem-solving and increased memory function (See second and third link). … Read more
Dance with your enemy Dancing workshops for peace
In 2013 Pierre Dulaine, world champion ballroom dancer now turned dance instructor, traveled to Jaffa, Tel-Aviv to teach a 10-week course in Latin dance with students from several segregated schools. Dulaine spent getting the Palestinian and Jewish children to dance with one another in a ballroom competition. … Read more
Meditation for improving police behaviour Meditation and yoga introduced in Indian police force
A Indian police chief was so convinced of the benefits of meditation that he has introduced the option for his staff to take the time to train in the art with full pay and allowances. Daily yoga is also strongly encouraged. Patel is responsible for 3,500 officers across six districts in the south of Gujarat – 175 of whom had taken up the offer by Nov 2014. Vipassana is the chosen school: an ancient technique originating from India which means “to see things as they really are”. … Read more
How to encourage people to vote Simple techniques and scientific research
The first link direct to a short and simple eHow description on how to encourage people to vote. For more in-depth understanding, the second link directs to a Yale University collection of research into voting behaviour and into methods to encourage different societal groups to vote. … Read more
I Paid a Bribe website Countering corruption by online registration
In 2011 the I Paid a Bribe website launched in India as a platform to report corruption. In less than a year more than 10,000 bribes across 347 cities had been reported. The site also includes an option to nominate those who are setting a good example, provide tips of navigating paying a bribe and the key facts about the police that everyone should know. … Read more
Africa’s Heritage of Participarory Democracy A short article describing traditional governance structures
The link directs to a short article on the ways that traditional decision-making was organized in parts of Africa. It states that it may be a better idea to root contemporary African governance in such participatory, traitional methods, then to copy foreign methods, as is the case in any African countries, and which in many aspects does not seem to work out very well. … Read more
Minority Voices Web Training Manual For minority and indigenous activists, journalists and campaigners (in Africa)
This training manual is part of the Minority Voices programme run by Minority Rights Group (MRG). This is an EU-funded project designed to increase the inclusion of minority voices in media coverage. This manual will be used as the basis for training minority and indigenous activists, and their advocates, to undertake their own online campaigning and media work. It explains what online tools are available, how to plan an online activity and how to use those relevant tools to build a campaign or … Read more
Protecting the rights of minorities in Africa A guide for human rights activists and civil society organizations
The guide functions similarly to a handbook for activists and organizations working in the field of protection of minority rights and interests. There exists a large legal framework on international and pan-African level which support minority rights. The guide informs about these frameworks and the relevant instiutions, which can be used to the benefit of minorities. The link below directs to a website where the guide can be downloaded in PDF. … Read more
