Changing Citizenship in the Digital Age

           This post is a summary of the book with the title above and was published in 2008 at  https://mitpress.mit.edu/sites/default/files/titles/content/9780262524827_sch_0001.pdf

           Democracy is not a sure thing. Governments and party systems often strain against changes in societies, and some fall prey to corruption and bad policies. Under the right conditions, people may reassert their right to govern, and produce remarkable periods of creative reform, realignment, and change. In these times, politics becomes a focus of personal life itself, restoring the sense that participation makes a difference. The challenges of influencing the course of nations and addressing global issues may inspire creative solutions from citizens who have access to digital communications. It is clear that many citizens of this digital age have demonstrated interests in making contributions to society. Yet the challenge of engaging effectively with politics that are linked to spheres of government remains, for most, a daunting prospect. The reasons are numerous. A casual look at world democracies suggest that many are showing signs of wear. Parties are trying to reinvent themselves while awkwardly staying the course that keeps them in power. The trend in dissatisfaction with conventional politics engagement are not just occurring in the U.S. The pathways to disconnection from government are many: citizens are frequently negative about politics, the tone of the press is often cynical, candidates seldom appeal directly to voters on their own terms about their concerns, politicians have poisoned the public well with vitriol and negative campaigning, and people see the media filled with inauthentic performances from officials who are staged by professional communication managers. Paralleling these developments has been a notable turning away from public life into online networks. Where political activity occurs, it is often related to lifestyle concerns that seem outside the realm of government. Many observers properly note that there are signs of civic engagement in these nongovernmental areas, including increases in volunteer work, high levels of activism, and impressive involvement in social causes. Many of the spontaneous forms of collective expression online seem more appealing than the options typically offered in engagements sites sponsored by parties and governments. This exchange, along with many others, show that the same evidence can be interpreted differently when placed in different paradigm frames. The engaged youth viewpoint, in a sense, empowers people by recognizing personal expression and their capacity to project identities in collective spaces. The future of democracy is in the hands of these citizens of the so-called digital age. These new media reposition their users in society, making them both producers and consumers of information. Perhaps more important, they enable rapid formation of large-scale networks that may focus their energies in critical moments. In other cases, applications of digital media do seem to bridge, and at times, transcend the conventional boundaries between different kinds of political organizations such as parties, interest groups, and social movements. Despite these and other signs of potential to revive and perharps reinvent politics among next generations citizens, two trends seem to hold: 1) The majority of those communicating with young people about politics continue to do so in tired top-down, highly managed ways that most young people find inauthentic. 2) What young people do online tends to be largely social and entertainment oriented, with only tangential pathways leading to conventional civic and political world. These two patterns are most likely related to each other. For example, in order to learn how to expand youth involvement, politicians, policymakers and educators need to communicate differently with young citizens. And in order for citizens to feel confortable engaging in politics, they need to feel invited to participate on their own terms, and to learn who to use their digital tools to better express their voices. Resolving dissonant perceptions of proper citizenship and participation, while suggesting ways in which media may help better connect people to public life, may enable future generations to reinvent their democracies. The challenge for civic education and engagement is to begin by recognizing the profound generational shift in citizenship style that seems to be occurring in most of the postindustrial democracies. There is need for caution and creativity in thinking about implementing more creative approaches to engage young people in communication with each other about real political concerns. Many scholars have discovered a shift in value in postindustrial democracies in which people are more inclined to become interested in personally meaningful, lifestyle-related political issues, rather than party or ideological programs. These citizens seek public commitments and issues that fit with the values at the center of personal lifestyles, giving rise to trends in politics, for example. What is needed is research that combines principles underlying both citizenship styles. That is, research aimed at identifying and assessing strategies of engagement that appeal to citizens while creating connections to government that help promote democratic ideals. Depending on how the above learning scenarios play out, there are several different scenarios for future engagement. It is important to understand that these developments need not be left to their own evolution or devolution. In the process of synthesizing what we know about engagement we, academics, educators, policymakers, NGOs, journalists, foundations, public officials, and young people, can make choices about what outcomers are desirable. If nothing is done to bridge the paradigms, the default scenarios will likely be persistent with youth disconnection from politics, with little reconciliation of the gap between different citizenship styles, and continuing unproductive paradigm battles in the academic world. A second scenario utilizes the possibilities for convergence of tech and political practices to bring vibrant experiences of politics into calssroom and even elections, showing young people how their concerns can gain public voice within the conventional arenas of power and decision making. The most important question before us is: What kind of democratic experiences would we choose for future generations? This is a properly political question, yet it is one that often chills creativity among government officials, educators, and NGOs, the very players with the capacity to make a defference in the potilical futures of young people. The outcomes for youth engagement, insofar as they involve the restoration of positive engagement with government alongside creative and expressive personal communication, depend importantly on the adults who shape the early political impressions of young people. Are politicians, parents, educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers willing to allow young citizens to more fully explore, experience, and expand democracy, or will they continue to force them to just read all about it?

240th Birthday of Jane Austen

                Last Wednesday, 6th of December, the British writer Jane Austen would complete 240 years old. When I was in the university studying literature I analysed her book, "Pride and Prejudice." Her novels can be considered as an early works of realism. A pioneer in social commentary. This post is a tribute to her. this post is a summary of five articles. The first published http://www.biography.com/people/jane-austen-9192819.The second summary was published at hesecretunderstandingofthehearts.blogspot.com.br/2015/12/happy-240th-birthday-jane. The third was at  http://www.mssresearch.org/q=Social_Evolution_in_Pride_Prejudice. The fourth summary was published at ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styles_and_themes_of_Jane_Austen. The fifth was published at http://24x7englishliteratureconcepts.blogspot.com.br/2009/10/pride-and-prejudice.html

                Jane Austen (1775-1817) was born in Steventon, England. While not widely known in her own time. Austen's novels of love among the landed gentry gained popularity after 1870, and her reputation skyrocketed in the 20th century. The 7th child and 2nd daughter of Cassandra and George Austen, Her father served as the Oxford-educated rector for a Anglican parish. The family was close and the children grew up in an environment that stressed learning and creative thinking. When Jane was young, she and her siblings were encouraged to read from their father's extensive library. Ever fascinated by the world of stories. In the 1790s, during her adolescence, she started to craft her own novels. She continued to write, developing her style in more ambitious works such as Lady Susan, another epistolary story about a manipulative woman. In 1801, Jane moved to Bath with her father, mother and Cassandra. Then, in 1805, her father died after a short illness. As a result, the family was thrust into financial straits. The three women moved from place to place, skipping between the homes of various family members to rented flats. It was not until 1809 that they were able to settle into a stable living situation at Jane's brother Edward's cottage in Chawton. Now in her 30s, Jane started to anonymously publish her works. In 1816, at the age of 41, Jane started to become ill with what some say might have been Addison's disease. She died in 1817, in Winchester, England. Today, Jane Austen is considered one of the greatest writers in English history, both by academics and the general public. Jane's transformation from little-known to internationally renowned author began in the 1920s, when scholars began to recognize her works as marterpieces, thus increasing her general popularity.

                  The works of Jane Austen can transport a reader to a world that exudes beauty, peace, wisdom, wit and love. Captivating audiences for 200 years, the works of Jane continue to capture today's readers in droves. Jane Austen is now what she never was in life, and what she would have been horrified to become, a literary celebrity. Austen's novels achieved a timelessness that makes them perennially appealing.  Kipling and Churchill found solace in her writings during times of war and illness. The TV hit Pride and Prejudice, The award-winning 1995 film Sense and Sensibility, and all the remakes and sequels. Modern-day Jane fans just can not seem to leave her characters.

                   Social analysis is a common feature of literary criticism. The social context and antecedent of authors and their fiction works are invariably examined in order to shed  light on the characters and events depicted in the stories. If literary works are influenced by the times in which they were written, it is equally true that the characters and events in fiction reflect on human character and the character of the times which they depict. The storyline of a novel may be fictitious, but the insights it can provide are very real and true to life. Pride and Prejudice was written during an epoch when France was in the midst of a violent revolutionary upheaval and vividly depicts the social response to those events in England. Pride and Prejudice depicts this silent process of social transformation in the lives of the English gentility. Thus, a charming story of romance and marriage becomes both a vehicle for and a product of social evolution. Any story reflects the mood of its period. The marriages of Darcy and Bingley are symptomatic of the mood of the period, the England in the beginning of the XIX century.

               Janes's distinctive literary style relies on a combination of parody, burlesque, irony, indirect speech and a degree of realism. She uses parody and burlesque for comic effect and to critique the portrayal of women in the 18th century in sentimental and gothic novels. Austen extends her critique by highlighting social hypocrisy through irony. She often creates an ironic tone through free speech in which the thoughts and words of the characters mix with the voice of the narrator.

              Pride and Prejudice continues to be popular today not only because of its memorable characters and the general appeal of the story, but also because of the skill with which it is told. In Pride and Prejudice (P.P) Austen display a masterful use of irony, dialogue, and realism that support the character development and heighten the experience of reading the novel. Jane Austen's irony is devastating in its exposure of foolishness and hypocrisy. Self-delusion or the attempt to fool other people is almost always the object of her wit. Dialogues play an important role in P.P. The pieces of dialogues are consistently the most vivid and important parts of the novel. This is natural because novels were mostly read aloud in Austen's time, so good dialogues was extremely important. We learn of the major turning points through the dialogues, and even intense inner change like Elizabeth's famous self-recognition scene is related as a person talking to herself. When considering Austen's realism, however, readers should recognize that her major weakness as a writer is related to her greatest strength. She writes about what she knows, and this means that great areas of human experince are never touched on. We never see that much of the male characters, and they are rough sketches compared with her heroines. People who dislike Jane's works often cite lack of extreme passion as their main reason. Even so, no one can deny her ability to create unforgettable characters, build well-structured plots, or deliver assessments of society with a razor-sharp wit. Austen's works possess a timeless quality, which makes her stories and themes as relevant today as they were two hundred years ago.

Human Rights Day 2015

              Last Thursday, 10th of December, all the world celebrated the human rights, we should all, make sure that these rights are respected, and when there is some violation, reparation must be done, because on the contrary, a dangerous precedent could happen, even taking to a dystopia. This post is a summary of four articles. The first was published at http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/. The second was published at  http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/human-rights-day-2015-what-it-what-theme-this-year-1532346. The third was published http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-days/human-rights-day-2015. The fourth was published at http://eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/2015/101215_human-rights-day_en.htm

              Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(UDHR). This year's Human Rights Day is devoted to the launch of a year-long campaign for the 50th anniversary of the two international covenants on Human Rights: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The two Covenants, together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, form the International Bill of Human Rights, setting out rights that are the birth right of all human beings "Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always." Aims to promote and raise awareness of the two Covenants on their 50th anniversary. The year-long campaign revolves around the themes of rights and freedoms, which underpin the International Bill of Human Rights are as relevant today as they were when were adopted 50 years ago.

               Human Rights Day is marked annually on 10 December to commemorate the day when was adopted the UDHR. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. The theme for 2015 is "Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always", to mark the launch of a one year campaign. The focus is on "freedoms", recalling the four freedoms that underpis the UDHR. The four freedoms are: freedom from fear, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want. Many countries recognise human rights and the rule of law as the basis for fair and stable societies, but many states still have a lot to do to build political institutions, judicial systems that allow ordinary people to live with dignity. Among other problems, there is an ongoing justification of rights violations in the name of combatting terrorism and there is also the reversal of economic and social rights in the name of economic crises or security.

             There is a temptation, in order to counter violence and given the need to combat the threat of terrorism, to deny the fundamental rights and essential freedoms that are the foundation of life in society. Respect for rights is not an abstract commitment enshrined in a charter, it is a daily fight and every day we must renew the practical means of waging that fight. The adoption by the United Nations of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is one of the steps, practical and political, to advancing human rights. UNESCO is mobilized in all its fields of competence to build this future of dignity for all. The full realization of human rights requires access for all to quality education. It requires freedom of expression and press freedom, the protection of journalists and the media. It includes the right of everyone to take part in cultural life. It involves the equitable sharing of progress in scientific research. To mark the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Economic, social and Cultural Rights, UNESCO is joining the campaign to be launched with the warchword "Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always. Let us together give fresh impetus to respect for rights, and let us draw inspiration from the example of all those who are committed to defending them, thereby consolidating our shared humanity.

               In a declaration on behalf of the European Union the High Representative Federica Mogherini stated that "Against the background of the current increasing challenges to human rights and the rule of law, and in the context of a global economic crisis, poverty and inequalities, these treaties remain the bedrock of the EU's work on promoting and defending all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and are the vital international legal basis for their universality, indivisibility and interrelatedness." Mogherini referred to the new Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, which the EU adopted last July, and stated that "this place equal importance on all those rights and engages, through concrete actions, to promote them and ensure their fulfilment for all. Moreover, the EU has as ever dedicated to assist civil society organisations and all other actors, in advocating for the protection and respect of human rights, whether civil  and political or social, economic and cultural. The EU has itself is a compelling example of the benefits which flow from a vibrant civil society."

180th Birthday of Mark Twain

             Last Monday, on November 30th, the American writer Mark Twain would complete 180 years old. So this post is a tribute to him. This post is a summary of five articles. The first was published at http://www.cmgww.com/historic/twain/about/bio.htm. The second was published at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/northamerica/usa/12025693/On-the-trail-of-Mark-Twain.html. The third was published at http://theculturetrip.com/north america/usa/missouri/articles /mark-twain-and-the-shaping-of-american-literature-/. The fourth was published at -http://www.encyclopedia.com/article-1G2-2661800017/adventures-huckleberry-finn.html. The fifth was published at http://www.penguin.com/static/pdf/teachersguides/AdvHuckFinnTG.pdf

             Samuel Langhorne Clemens,(1835-1910) more known as Mark Twain, was the sixth child of John and Jane Clemens. Approximately four years after his birth, the family moved 35 miles east to the town of Hannibal. A growing port city that lay along the bank's of the Mississippi River, Hannibal was a stop for steam boats arriving from St.Louis and New Orleans. Samuel's father was a judge. As a youngster, Samuel was kept indoors because of poor health. However, by age nine, he was recovered. When Samuel was 12, his father died of pneumonia, and at 13, Samuel left school to become a printer's apprentice. After two years, he joined his brother's newspaper as a printer and editorial assistant. It was here that young Samuel found he enjoyed writing. At 17, he left Hannibal for a printer's job in St. Louis. He became a river pilot in 1858, his pseudonym, Mark Twain, comes from his days as a river boat pilot. Because the river trade was brought to a stand still by the Civil War in 1861, Mark Twain began working as a newspaper reporter. in 1870, Mark married Olivia Langdon, and they had four children.

             Few figures in the annals of literature can have generated more words than Mark Twain. If it was not the many works that this fabled giant of letters created during his 74-year lifetime, it was the reams of praise that have come afterwards. Whether or not, Mark Twain ranks as the greatest of all American novelist is perhaps an issue that can only be settled by a debate in some celestial bar with the spirits of Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck also in attendance. But there can be no doubt that, over a century on from his death, Twain's reputation in the literary firmament is still lofty indeed, his most important books- "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876) and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1884) still in position as cornerstones of art in the English language.

               Although he was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, he will be forever known as the quintessential American writer Mark Twain. Raised in Hannibal, Missouri, Twain began his literary aspirations as a modest young journalist. But it was his quick wit and brilliantly use of a pen that catapult him into literary American royalty. Twain's childhood and adolescence served as the aspirations for his legendary novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer  (ATS) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (AHF). Published first in 1876 in the wake of the violently turbulent American Civil War, ATS chronicles the mischievous adventures of a clever boy living on the bank of the Mississipi River. Tom Sawyer's streak of harmless trickery leads him to humorous scenarios and shapes this coming of age tale. Alongside his best friend, Huck Finn, Tom's adventurous and playful summer shenanigans of carefree youth takes a dark turn when the boys witness the murder of Dr.Robinson by the town outsider 'Joe' who then accusses a harmless town drunk, 'Muff Potter', of the murder. A summer of treasure hunting quickly unravels during a tense and unlawful trial with a mysterious conclusion. Both Tom Sawyer and its sequel in Huckleberry Finn are landmark texts not only in the canon of Twain's work, but also in that of American literature. His texts have an undeniable sense of place rooted in the speech of his characters. Descriptions of natural sights, smells and sounds of Missouri, display Twain's true craftsmanship as a novelist. His works are not just written texts, but tangible artifacts of both American literary and cultural history. Twain's critical eye, and ear, of social observation and political injustice of an often bigoted America, along with a clever tongue, much like that of his young heroes, has solidified his role as what no less than William Faulkner called 'The father of American Literature'.

                  Mark Twain's classic The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn is told from the point of view of Huck Finn, a barely literate teen who fakes his own death to escape his abusive, drunken father. He encounters a runaway slave named Jim, and the two embark on a raft journey down the Mississipi River. Through satire, Twain skewers the somewhat unusual definitions of "right" and "wrong" in the pre-Civil War South. The book is a sequel to another of the author's successdul adventure novel, The Adventure of Tom Sawyer. Although the books is much a "boys' novel", humorous, suspenseful and intended as entertainment, also addresses issues such as slavery, prejudice, hypocrisy and morality. Despite Twain's assurances, the book continue to spark controversy over its subject matter even today. Some modern critic argue that the book is inherently racist in its depiction of Jim and its frequent use of the term "nigger." Other critics, speaking in support of the book, point out that the terms used in the book are authentic to the story's setting, they also point out that Jim is the most heroic character in the novel, and is the only major character to demonstrate kindness and self-sacrifice. The book has generated so much critical material that a special edition was published in 1995 under the title of Adventures of Huck Finn: A Case Study in Critical Controversy. 

                 A study of Adventures of Huck Finn, is an adventure in understanding changes in America itself. The book at the center of American geography and consciousness, asks readers to reexamine definitions of "civilization" and freedom, right and wrong, social responsibility and inhumanity. Published at 1885, the novel recounts those pre-civil war days and the center of a shift from Romanticism to Realism in art and literature that would provide for a new way for Americans to express themselves. While the novel is not easy one to teach or to read, it is a important work in American literature, calling for a level of understanding of the Huck's narrative voice. Huck is too inocent and ignorant to understand what is wrong with his society and what is right about his own behavior. Twain, on the other hand, knows the score. Because it brings discussions of race, conformity, slavery, freedom, autonomy and authority, and so much more, students and teachers must be open about these subjects and consider strategies to encourage honest and respectful debate.

World Science Day

          Last Tuesday November 10th, all the world celebrated the benefits that science can bring to peace and development. This is a summary of four articles. The first with the incomplete title above was published at http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and celebrations/celebrations/international-daysworld-science-day-for-peace-and-development/. The second was published athttp://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-science-day. The third was published at http://www.deeptab.com/national-science-day-2015-celebration/. The fourth was published at http://www.hutchinsonbuilders.com.au/2015/11/happy-world-science-day-the-2015-theme-is-science-for-a-sustainable-future/

          Established by UNESCO in 2001, World Science Day for Peace and Development (WSDPD) is celebrated on 10 November each year. It offers an opportunity to demonstrate to the wider public why science is relevant to their daily lives and to engage them in debate on related issues. By throwing bridges between science and society, the aim is to ensure that citizens are kept informed of developments in science, while underscoring the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies more sustainable. Recent themes have included 'towards green societies' (2011) and science for the eapprochement of peoples and cultures (2010). Every year, intergovernment and non-government organizations, scientific research institutions, universities, municipalities, the media and others are encouraged to organize their own celebration of World Science Day. Since its inception, World Science Day has also generated concrete projects, programmes and funding for science around the world. Several ministries have announced an increase in spending on science or the creation of a research body. The day has also helped to foster cooperation between scientists. The biennial World Sience Forum is always held as close as possible to World Science Day. This year's theme is "Science for a Sustainable Future", UNESCO also produced an open access, quarterly magazine, "A World of Science", which popularizes science and discusses a wide range of contemporary issues, including freshwater management and biodiversity protection, greening chemistry, sustainable agriculture and climate change. All the stories published in the journal are freely available to interested parties who may use them as a resource.

            The WSDPD is annually held on November 10 to raise awareness of the benefits of science worldwide. The UNESCO works with people, government agencies and organizations to promote the WSDPD each year. The WSDPD celebrations include: 1) Open days to highlight science's important role in peace and development; 2) Classroom discussions to emphasize how science and technology affect daily life; 3) Distributing the WSDPD posters throughout tertiary institutions, schools campuses, and public venues; 4) Arranged science museum visits to commemorate the day. 4) Visits to local schools on careers in science or scientific presentations. Some government have, in the past, used WSDPD to publicy affirm their commitment to increased support for scientific initiatives that help society, as well as launch new science policy programs together with scientific institutions, civil society, universities and schools.

             The WSDPD celebrates the benefits of science worldwide on 10th November every year and offers an opportunity to demonstrate to the wider public why science is relevant to their daily lives and to participate them in debate on related issues. The UNESCO announces a theme every year and encourage people to participate in the activities organized thier own celebrations. The Science Day in India is celebrated as the science festival. On this day all the schools and universities will conduct the sciences fairs, the exibitions of the projects done by all the students and the latest researches will be demonstrated by the national and state science institutions. Variety of programmes is also held for the common public and student community to motivate them and to popularize the science and technology in the country. The minister of science and technology give a Science day Speech at this day to the students, scientists, researches and general public. 

              The UNESCO has been behind many positive international initiatives, one of which is WSDPD, or World Science Day for short. For 2015 the theme is 'Science for a sustainable future', a relevant topic given the worldwide interest in sustainable design over the last decade. The 2015 theme is especially important for the green building sector as much of the innovation, engineering and construction methods in sustainable design come from scientific work. For example, it is thanks to science that recent progress in solar cell design and photovoltaic panel shapes was made, researchers at Rice University used light-capturing nanomaterials to improve the efficiency of solar cells, while at the Michigan University created panels that fold to follow the sun's movement across the sky. Such use of science is driving the global sustainable development movemnt forward. According to UNESCO's official website, sustainability science relies on problem-solving, creativity, ample research and cross-disciplinary approaches at the regional and international level in order to be successful. This view sheds light on the importance of everyone pitching in, whether that be purchasing green products that are scientifically proven to be energy efficient or by building entire homes and offices using environmentally friendly methods such as modular housing.

Leadership in the 21st Century

                  This post is a sumary of three articles. The first with the title above and write by Kwon Roh Kap Former Adviser to the Democratic Party of Korea and was published at http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/archive/research/leadership/publications/conference1/21century.html. The second with the title of,"Transformative leadership in the 21st century", was published at http://www.capwip.org/resources/womparlconf2000/downloads/jahan1.pdf. The third was in May of 2014 for the Bahrain Management Society and published at http://www.ilcbh.org/ilc2014/images/presentations/Leadership%20in%2021st%20Century%20-%20Sushil%20Jain.pdf

               We are at the dawn of the 21st century, and it promises new hope to everyone yearning for peace and democracy. We should look towards a brighter future at the outset of a new millennium. However, the past has not always been so bright and peaceful, it is easy to remember the hardship the people endured. Two world wars, the world divided by the realities of the cold war,  severe economic crisis, high inflation and military dictatorship that deprived our people of basic principles of democracy and human rights. It is just to exemplify the sacrifice that many countries endured in the most turbulent century of world history. Of course, even under the countries's best administrations, many obstacles remain. Clash of interests among political and social groups, long history of regionalism, and the opposition to reform on the part of vested interest continue to hamper the restructuring process. Yet, citizens trust in their vision and hope that the direction that democracy is taking towards the 21st century take them to a better future. I am certain that the realization of their vision and goals of the most and efficent democrats will help establish a society that not only ranks among the most advanced economically but also politically, socially, and culturally. Political leadership in the 20th century meant absolute power exercised by the government. However, at the dawn of a new century, the people are starting to realize that today's leader should play a different role. Today's leader must be creative and flexible to accomodate the ever-changing environment brought on by the internet, globalization and interdependence. I believe that political leadership in the twenty-first century should affirm the following three principles: 1) Power must be distributed - decentralization of authority will streamline the central government agencies and local governments, making them more efficient. The division of labor will reduce duplication and enhance accountability, thus strengthening democracy both at the national and local level. 2) Leadership must exemplify integrity - laws, institutions and custom maintain society's order. There must be strong checks against the abuse of power and corruption. 3) Leadership must foster future leadership - The 21st century requires leaders who can clearly understand and react to the changing environment. Today's leader must encourage a political culture in which young men and women can gain the experience that will help them become leaders in the future. 

                   At the dawn of the new millennium people hope for a new beginning. This yearning for a fresh start does not mean we want to negate everything that was done before. Indeed, the world has witnessed tremendous progress on many fronts in the 20th century and we want to build on these achievements. What is meant by "transformative leadership"? How can transformative leaders be identified?  To move toward a change, we need leaders with a different kind of vision and commitments. These leaders must demonstrate a strong commitment in the principles of equality and empowerment. They need to be committed to use power not as an instrument of domination and exclusion but as an instrument of liberation, inclusion and equality. The globalization process is creating new opportunities for making money, but only the more endowed are able to have access to these opportunities. What is needed from leaders is a strong commitment and concrete policies and actions to create conditions enabling the poor to have equal access to good education and the new knowledge. The government has a role to play in empowering citizens and communities. The leaders also need to demonstrate a commitment to human rights and peace. Both principles should be envisioned in a holistic manner: human rights to encompass political, economic, and social rights. Peace to include elimination of all forms of violence. The "transformative" leaders are not necessarily driven by simple efficiency considerations. They value sustainability. The relentless competition of the market economy is putting pressure on the "care economy" (e.g. child care, care of the aged, elderly). We can create a just social order in this century through greater sharing rather than greater competition. "Transformative" leadership also emphasizes the need for the leaders to follow a different set of institutional processes and behavior. These leaders make consultation a part of the organizational routine. Democratic participation by all is emphasized. Decision-making processes are open and transparent and not secretive set behind closed doors. They work towards building consensus through consultation and participation, instead of manipulating and controlling people, transformative leaders attempt empower them. 

                What has changed in 21st century? The world is more complex, globalized and technology-enabled with X generation confronting grave problems such as, youth unemployment, income disparity and climate change. We can not rely on what may have worked in the past. Today's world is different. The stakes are high. The challenges and issues we face are changing ar a rapid speed. World Economic Forum's Global Council on "New Models of Leadership" have attribute 4 challenges to 21st century: 1) Globalization. 2) Multiple stakeholders. 3) Technology demands speedy response. 4) Social media and people power. The High Performance Development Model (HPDM) is the framework for developing highly-skilled leaders for the 21st century. By focusing on eight core competencies, HPDM provides the foundation for leading-by-example and creating sa motivating workplace. 1) Strategic vision and ability to share that. 2) Technical skills 3) Leading by influence, not control. 4) Clear communication 5) Flexibility and adaptability. 6) Creative thinking. 7) Systems thinking. 8) Organizational stewardship.

The History of Human Rights

            This post is a summary of four articles. The first was published at http://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/human_rights_basics. The second with the incomplete title above was published at  http://worldhistoryconnected.press.illinois.edu/5.2/br_clinton.html. The third was published at  http://www.amazon.com/The-History-Human-Rights-Globalization/dp/0520256417. The  Fourth was published at  http://www.du.edu/korbel/hrhw/volumes/2006/leonard-2006.pdf

               Human rights are standards that allow all people to live with dignity, freedom, equality, justice and peace. Every person has these rights simply because they are human beings. They are guarantee to everyone without distinction of any kind. Human rights are essential to the full development of individuals and communities. Human rights are part of international law, contained in treaties and declarations that spell out specific rights that countries are required to uphold. When a government ratifies a human rights treaty, it assumes a legal obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the rights contained in the treaty. Governments are obligated to make sure that human rights are protected by both preventing human rights violations against people within their territories and providing effective remedies for those whose rights are violated.

             "We are all historians of human rights," claimed Linda Kerber, former president of the American Historical Association. Assessing the extent of and constraints upon human freedom and possibilities has certainly been an implicit theme of the modern historical profession as defined in the West, whether liberal, Marxist, post-structuralist, or other. Micheline has produced a survey that explicitly examines human rights as a dynamic of human history whose origins are discernible in the earliest periods of human history but whose resonance has been felt most powerfully in recent centuries. While Micheline admirably helps to set present-day challenges to and prospects for human rights in a historical perspective, world historians will be disappointed in making that perspective more global in context. Micheline's first major feat is in organizing such a sprawling topic coherently and accessibly. She finds a ready-made organizing principle in the one articulated by René Cassin, who helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 with an amphasis on four fundamental themes: dignity, liberty, equality and brotherhood. Moreover, Micheline argues, these themes not only frame specific sections of the Declaration itself, they can also be understood historically as "generations" of rights that respond to emerging conditions in various periods. The first chapter traces how diverse religious and ethical traditions from the pre-modern era contributed to identifying a set of categories that served as a platform for modern considerations of human rights. Micheline also support the first of six assertions meant to dispel specific misconceptions about human rights, whose origins, she contends, lay deeply rooted in the world's religious traditions. The second chapter addresses how such attributes of the modern world as science, mercantilism, expanding global encounters, and a powerful, restless middle class facilitated the transition to a secular human rights perspective. The Enlightenment in particular promoted this first modern generation of civil and political liberties that included freedom of religion and opinion, the right to life, and the right to private property. The 19th century age of ideology and industrialization frames the third chapter, where Micheline remind us of the critical role that socialism in its myriad forms played as a tradition that pushed claims for rights beyond previous borders. Socialists sought not only to expand civil and political rights to include freedom of association (e.g., in unions)  and universal suffrage. They also claimed social rights reflected in 20th century social welfare policies of many states and enshrined in documents that comprise the present-day human rights system. The human rights abuses associated with communist regimes during the 20th century have left the socialist tradition discredited, so this chapter makes a significant contribution to reclaiming socialism's important place in the historical development of human rights. It also demonstrates how human rights claims can come into conflict when ideological premises upon which they are based are also at odds. Nationalism, another ideology that grew powerful in the 19th century, posed a particular dilemma in the history of human rights that Micheline addresses in a fourth assertion: "that demands for cultural rights must always be informed by and checked against a universalist perspective of human rights." Nationalists incorporated the rhetoric of rights in their cultural and political claims, creating a third stream alongside the liberal and socialist traditions. Yet nationalism's very nature also intensified the conflict between relativists and universalists. This conflict played a central role in the vast destruction wrought by the 20th century's two world wars as well as its many colonial wars. The fourth chapter departs somewhat from the Western-centered perspective that informed the two previous chapters, and the fifth chapter examines the plight of human rights in the contect of globalization. The wider global scope that the book takes at this point, however, follows the traditional trajectory of Western civilization texts, where Asia, Africa, and Latin America make their appearance as the Western imperial grasp tightens in the 19th century. Finally, Micheline concludes the book with an excellent chapter that provides a sophisticated assessment of the prospects and problems that human rights confront in today's fluid world. An engaged intellectual, Micheline issues a call to action that emphasizes the need to engage in a sustainable global civil society that will preserve and build upon the human rights traditions achieved over the past centuries. 

                 Micheline Ishay recounts the dramatic struggle for human rights across the ages in a book that brilliantly synthesizes historical and intellectual developments from the Mesopotamian Codes of Hammurabi to today's era of globalization. As she chronicles the clash of movements and ideas that have played a part in this struggle, Micheline illustrates how the history of human rights has evolved from one era to the next through texts and cultural traditions. Writing with verve and extraordinary range, she develops a framework for understanding contemporary issues from the debate over globalization to the intervention in Kosovo to the climate for human rights after September 11, 2001. The only comprehensive history of human rights available, the book will be essential reading for anyone concerned with humankind's quest for justice and dignity. Micheline structures her chapter around six core questions that have shaped human rights debate and schorlarship: What are the origins of human rights? Why did the European vision of human rights triumph over those of other civilizations? Has socialism made a last contribution to the legacy of human rights? Are human rights universal or cultural bound? Is globalization eroding or advancing human rights? As she explores these questions, Micheline also incorporates notable documents, writings, speeches, and political statements, from activists, writers, and thinkers throughout history.

                  As stated earlier, Micheline purports that human rights are inalienable and universal. Yet, she acknowledges and accepts humanity's cultural uniqueness and the need for social tolerance. However, if the global community is to overcome what Micheline views as the "impending neo-medievalism", then it is the agents within civil society that must take the lead. The coming neo-medievalism, which is marked by a loss of rights. In order to counter this descent, Micheline proposes "a more vibrant global civil society that could thwart undemocratic policies associated with the unfettered march of neo-liberal globalization, protect the realm of privacy against state intrusion, and stimulate critical thinking." In short,Micheline is proposing a coalescence of actors who adhere to the human rights principles found in international legal statutes, because these are the rights of all individuals within a cosmopolitan global community. These rights are divergent in their ideological foundations, but there exists solidarity within a strong civil society that might grant these rights a universal status. The authors of "Constructing Human Rights" reach a similar conclusion. Their notion of universals is also dependent on social acceptance and solidarity achieved through dialogue and interaction. These two texts do not sound the end to the quest for universal human rights. The quest for a definitive understanding of human rights will continue within the literature, the classroom, and in diplomatic conferences, and courtrooms around the world. In fact, one of the many accomplishements of these two books is that they are re-energized a somewhat static debate and placed it into a vital dialogue. However, whether or not you agree with their conclusions, one thing is clear: these two texts are both very much worth reading. 

              

Day of Teachers 2015

             Last Thursday, October 15th, all Brazil celebrated the Teacher's day. This post is a tribute to this very important professional. This post is a summary of three articles. The first published http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/2015teacherdayweek.prc.rel.pdf. The second was published at http://teach.com/what/teachers-change-lives/teachers-are-role-models. The third was published at http://pubs.sciepub.com/education/2/12A/6/

            Every child deserves a chance to achieve their dreams. A world-class education can unlock a young person's potential and empower them with the knowledge and skills to reach their highest aspirations. As a nation, we must provide every girl and boy with such an opportunity, and this can not happen without great teachers. On Teachers's Day, we honor outstanding teachers and the vital role they play in the lives of our sons and daughters and the success of our country. In classrooms, talented and hardworking teachers are nurturing a new generation of thinkers, doers, and dreamers. They teach the subjects ans skills that will fuel the next century of growth and innovation, as well as the virtues and values, like character, compassion, creativity and resilience, that will prepare their students to take on the challenges of the future. Our best teachers are role models who show our kids how to work hard and pursue a brighter tomorrow. They encourage and help the students realize the best versions of themselves. Teaching is an all-encompassing commitment, and teachers make enormous sacrifices to support their students. Great teachers make a lasting impact on their students' lives. When a young person learns from a exceptional teacher, they are more likely to graduate, attend college, and succeed later in life. They deserve our gratitude and thanks. This week, as we remember the teachers who touched our lives and shaped our futures, let us recommit to supporting those who serve in our country's classrooms. 

            A role model is a person who inspire ans encourages us to strive for greatness, live to our fullest potential and see the best in ourselves. A role model is someone we admire. We learn through them, through their ability to make us realize our own personal growth. A role model can be anybody: a parent, a sibling, a friend but some of our most influential and life-changing role models are teachers. Teachers are poised to become one of the most influential people in the student life. After their parents, children will first learn from their elementary school teacher. Then, as a middle school teacher, you will guide students through yet another important transition: adolescence. As children become young adults, , you will answer their questions, listen to their problems and teach them about this new phase of their lives. Much of what students learn from their greatest teachers is not detailed on a syllabus. Teachers who help us grow people are responsible for imparting some of life's most important lessons. During their initial school years, students encounter, perhaps for the first time, other children of the same age and begin to form some of their first relationships. As a teacher, you will show your students how to become independent, you will carefully guide them and intervene when necessary. School is as much a place of social learning as academic learning, and this is true, not only in our early years of education, but all the way through college. Teachers are founts of experience. They have already been where their students are going, undergone what they will go through and are in a position to pass along lessons, not only regarding subject matter, but lessons on life.

              This article introduces the importance of democratic values and place the role of teachers in the present democratic world. Schools are places where democratic ideals such as equality, freedom and justice are instilled in individuals. Teachers are instruments of change. For democracy to continue to thrive, students must be taught to value it as a way of live. The necessary skills for building democracy do not develop automatically in students. Teaching democracy means preparing students to become citizens who will preserve and shape democracy in the future. Therefore democracy should be a key aspect in every form of education. Students should learn about taking responsibility for their action. These educational outcomes are only possible through action. While key concepts of democracy should be understood by students, living and acting in a democratic environment is the only and the best exercise. Schools, institutions, and organizations and even families that respect democratic principles and have real democratic structures function as the best models to help students learn what democracy is about. Teachers should democratize their pedagogy so that students and newest teachers understand and learn skills of democratic practice. The appropriate balance between critical components skills, knowledge and dispositions, on one hand, and an open, dynamic and critically engaged curriculum, on the other hand has not yet been attained. Democratic values should be reflected in all walks of life and in all aspects of society. A growing body of research shows that teacher's sense of eficacy is connected to their commitment to teaching, students's academic achievement and motivation. Similarly, the literature shows that teacher effectiveness is supported by democratic values and beliefs of teachers. Democracy is regarded as a 'way of life' interrelated with the perceptions and assumptions, common experiences of individuals. So, it can be state that democracy is not a static concept but a dynamic, active and changing process. Mere knowledge of democratic processes is not deemed suficient for ensuring that the student will grow to become an active participant in the democratic processes. Teacher has to play an important role in ensuring that the students understand not merely the form but ther spirit of democracy. Teachers who want to practice democracy should demonstrate their beliefs by giving importance to democratic values in high esteem and adopt appropriate methods in accordance with those values. If democracy is to become a way of life, we certainly need teachers with a strong commitment to democratic education.

The Role of Fiscal Transparency in Latin America

               This post is a summary of a report published in September 2007, with the complete title of, "The role of fiscal transparency in sustaining growth and stability in Latin America." Published at  https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2007/wp07220.pdf

              Latin America has experienced a resurgence in growth in recent years. However, maintaining a strong and stable macroeconomic performance in Latin America will depend on further cuts in public debt, identification and reduction of fiscal vulnerabilities and improvements in the quality of public spending. Good fiscal management and improvements in fiscal transparency enhance the prospect for sound fiscal performance and a more favorable investment environment. This would be an important step toward stable and higher growth in the region. Lack of transparency, including inadequate data, hidden liabilities, and a lack of clarity about government policies, contributed to loss of confidence and fed global instability in the late 1990s. Particularly in Latin America, weaknesses were related to poor monitoring of off-budget fiscal activities that eventually had large fiscal consequences. Not only were these consequences not anticipated, but the lack of transparency may have contributed to the growth of these activites. Improvements in the quality and timeliness of fiscal data should improve the analysis of fiscal data and the quality of fiscal decisions. Fiscal transparency is more than improved monitoring of fiscal risks. Making information available to the public provide for greater accountability of government and indirectly should strengthen governance and reduce corruption. Better information can also enhance public understanding and lead to stronger support for important fiscal reforms needed to reduce public debt. Greater fiscal transparency, by simplifying tax and business regulations and curbing discretion, can positively impact the business environment and thus attract investment. Improvements in the fiscal stance and a significant decline in debt-to-GDP ratios have been recognized as important factors contributing to the resurgence of economic growth in Latin America. However, public debt remains high, if Latin America is to avoid a repetition of previous economic crises, more fundamental improvements in fiscal management are needed. The susceptibility to debt crises in Latin America points to the need for more explicit analysis of fiscal sustainability, as well as continued succesful fiscal consolidation. Fiscal crises in Latin America in the past were often rooted in the emergence of "fiscal skeletons" resulting from poor monitoring of contingent liabilities and, in particular, a lack of recognition of the fiscal impact of off-budget fiscal activities related to public financial institutions. Some of the most costly hidden liabilities in Latin America were related to implicit guarantees in the banking and corporate sector. Quasi-fiscal activities of development banks and public enterprises were often an important source of losses in these sectors. In Latin America, much of the information that citizens should have in the course of the budget year to hold governments accountable for their policies is not publicly available. Information should be available on policy intentions, revenue, debt, spending and results. Administrators appears to have more discretions, which may be an important factor contributing to corruption and unequal application of rules and regulations. Good practices in expenditure monitoring and audit are especially important to ensure effective government expenditure and prevent misuse of public funds. Certain institutional weaknesses may have contributed to lax fiscal policy and growing debt in Latin america. According to the literature on budget institutions, centalization of budget powers is an important ingredient for achieving sound fiscal policies. The ability to fully evaluate the impact of fiscal policy on the economy requires, first, identifying all government activities so that government is clearly defined, second, routinely consolidating data to produce regular reports on the consolidated operations of general government, and third, ensuring that the accounting system produces timely, accurate data. Minimizing corruption or the misuse use of public resources requires developing strong internal control and internal and external audit functions. Latin America lack of information on proposed and final budget obscured responsibility for fiscal policy making. A number of countries in Latin America have adopted Fiscal Responsibility Laws to try to overcome institutional weaknesses and achieve sounder fiscal outcomes. In addition, Paraguay, for example, adopted a "golden rule" (current expenditures can not be financed by credit). A number of countries have reacted to the possible threat of over-indebted subnational governments by passing fiscal responsibility laws that limit the ability of governments to borrow. In Brazil, for example, fiscal responsibility law prohibited credit ot rescheduling operations between different levels of governments to avoid the risk of intragovernmental bailouts. These countries could be setting the standards for fiscal data quality for emerging countries in others regions, however, theu fall short of this potential. Internal reports produced for fiscal management should be made available to the public in the government website. This would be a simple and cost effective way to inform and enhance the ability of civil society yo monitor and evaluate fiscal policies. Efforts also should be made to expand the content of published fiscal reports, particularly analyses of fiscal risks and sustainability. Greater transparency in the budget formulation process may help to harden the budget constraint and make both executive and legislature more accountable to the public. This would require the timely publication of the draft executive budget sent to the legislature, open legislative debate, and publication of the final approved budget. Countries in Latin America could strengthen governance by extending coverage of institutions subject to regular audits, and by publishing both internal and external audit reports to promote accountability to the public. Many countries could also develop more effective follow-up mechanisms to ensure the recommendations are implemented. Countries that have pursued decentralization need to give relatively high priority to promoting fiscal transparency in intergornmental relations. Without strong local oversight to hold officials accountable, such a set up can be an open invitation to inefficiency and/or corruption. Promoting fiscal transparency at the local level through higher quality fiscal reporting, off-budget transactions. Well designed decentralization policies include a clear assignment of responsibilities, and transfers based on staple and transparent criteria. Predictable sources of financing will enable governments to be more effective in carrying out their assigned responsibilities. For example, transfers can be made contingent on meeting reporting requirements or earmarked for debt reduction ot debt servicing when legal debt limits have been exceeded.

International Day of Democracy - Part II

                    This post is a summary of three articles.  The first was published in September 2015 by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance    ( International IDEA) at http://www.idea.int/about/anniversary/upload/Declaration-of-the-International-IDEA-Member-States-on-the-occasion-of-the-International-Day-of-Democracy-2015.pdf. The second was published in September 2015 at http://greekfestival.gr/en/content/page/international-new-york-times-athens-democracy-forum. The third was published at http://yuvamauritius.com/2015/09/15/international-day-of-democracy/

                  Our mutual ambitions and core values are espoused in the declaration issued by the 14 Founding Members States of International IDEA, we identify with the concept of democracy as enshrined in the Resolution which created the International Day of Democracy and was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in November 2007. We, the member States, reaffirm our strong and continued engagement and support for international IDEA and its non-prescriptive approach and our commitment to its mandate and the principles expressed in the Statute of International IDEA, which state that democratic participation forms an integral part of human rights and that democracy remains essential for guaranteeing human rights, sustainable democracy, democratic governance, aceess to information, accountability and transparency and remains central elements of national, regional and international development commitments and that strengthening democratic institutions and democratic norms remains a vital goal in itself and a key component in conflict-prevention and peace-building efforts. We take note that in March 2015 the U.N. Human Rights Council established a Forum on human rights, democracy and the rule of law to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to the relationship between these areas, that shall identify and analyse best practices, challenges and opportunities for States in their efforts to secure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In the past twenty years, many countries have transitioned from authoritarian to democratic rule. Democracy comes in multiple forms and there is no single or universally applicable model of democracy. We consider, however, that at its core, democracy is a system in which the government is controlled by the people. Intrinsic links between sustainable democracy, human rights, democratic institutions and inclusive social and economic development, have not prevented continued challenges posed to democracy, such as insecurity, extremism and shrinking space for civil society, a persisting number of countries emerging from violent conflict or marked by tensions among ethnic, religious or political groups, a diminishing public trust in formal political institutions and disengagement from traditional forms of democratic actors such as political parties. 

                  As the world lurches from crisis to crisis, democracy is under extreme pressure. From the rise of islamist extremism and regimes in states that reject liberal democracy, to the rapid expansion of new technologies, democratic foundations are being threatened in a world where profound changes happen almost overnight. In this era of global uncertainty, these issues and more will frame the debate at the third Athens Democracy Forum.      http://athensdemocracyforum.com/      Held on International Democracy Day, the forum will bring together diplomats, scholars, corporate executives, politicians and journalists from around the world to discuss at the foot of the Acropolis the state of liberal democracies and the major challenges they face in the world today. In addition to the main conference, a rich program of affiliated events, including a Google Hangout featuring political activists under house arrest. "The painstaking work of building democracy is never finished. Gatherings like the Athens democracy Forum provide the much-needed oxygen of dialogue." Said the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

                   Democracy is a universally recognized ideal and is one of the core values and principles of the United Nations. Democracy provides an environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights. These values are emboldied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( UDHR ) http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/universal-declaration-of-human-rights.html  and further developed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, which enshrines a host of political rights and civil liberties underpinning meaningful democracies. United Nations activities in support of democracy and governance are carried out through the United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ), the United Nations Democracy Fund ( UNDEF ), among others. Such activities are inseparable from the U.N.'s work in promoting human rights, development, and peace and security, and include:  1) Assisting parliaments to enhance the checks and balances that allow democracy to thrive.  2) Helping to strengthen the impartiality and effectiveness of national human rights institutions and justice.  3) Helping to develop legislation and media capacities to ensure freedom of expression and access to information.  4) Assisting to develop policies and legislation to guarantee the right to freedom of association and of peaceful assembly.  5) Providing electoral assistance and long-term support for electoral management bodies.  6) Promoting women's participation in political and public life. Over the past 20 years the U.N. has provided various forms of electoral assistance to more than 100 countries, including advisory services, logistics, training, civic education, computer applications and short-term observation. Democracy conferences and summits since the 1990s and in the internationally agreed development goals they produced. World leaders pledged in the Millennium Declaration to spare no effort to promote democracy as well as respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

International Day of Democracy

               Last Tuesday 15th of September, all the world celebrated the day of democracy. This post is a summary of four articles. The first was published at http://www.un.org/en/events/democracyday/. The second was published at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx? The third published http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/09/24.The fourth was published at http://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/international-day-democracy-statement

              Democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives. While democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy. Activities carried out by the United Nations in support of efforts of governments to promote and consolidate democracy are undertaken un accordance with the U.N. Charter. The U.N. General Assembly, in a resolution of 2007 encouraged governments to strengthen programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy, and also decided that 15 september of each year as the Day of Democracy. Globally, the role of civil society has never been more important than this year, as the world prepares to implement a new development agenda. However, for civil society activists and organizations in a range of countries, space is shrinking, or even closing, as some governments have adopted restrictions that limit the ability of NGOs to work or to receive funding. That is why the theme of this year's Day of Democracy is "Space for Civil Society." It is a reminder to governments everywhere that the hallmark of successful and stable democracies is the presence of a strong and freely operating civil society, in which governments and civil society work together for a better future, and at the same time, civil society helps keep governments accountable.

                 "Stop the erosion of democracy," U.N. rights experts urge governments across the world. Speaking ahead of the International Day of Democracy, the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic international order, Alfred de Zayas, and the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of association, Maina Kiai, deplore, the increasing erosion of democracy as a result of repressive policies, but also by virtue of the increasing influence of vested interests at the expense of the public will. This year's theme for the Day of Democracy is space for civil society. The U.N. endorse this necessary and achievable goal. But democracy today has become an over-used word, invoke even by tyrants. A country does not become democratic simply by holding elections. What matters most is what happens between those elections: Can people speak out, engage and influence the leaders they have elected? Is there a correlation between the needs and will of the people and the policies that affected them? Can people peacefully assemble when other ways of expressing their grievances fail? Is peaceful dissent tolerated and encouraged to flourish, so that the marketplace of ideas is not monopolized by one group? On International Day of Democracy 2015, we call on states to recognize that civil society space is the vehicle that allows this to happen. Indeed, it is essential for a true democracy. Unfortunately, space for civil society is shrinking. There is a growing disconnect between elected officials and the people. We see this disconnect manifested in the recent surge of large protest movements throughout the world. People perceive a failure of governance and democracy, and protest is often their last resort in making themselves heard. Increasing, governments are responding to this type of dissent with more repression, distorting the concept of democracy beyond recognition. Meanwhile, we are also witnessing a worrisome erosion of democracy as a result of the increasing influence being exercised by powerful actors that have not democratic legitimacy, including the military-industrial complex, transnational corporations and other lobbies. Democratic governance is being corrupted by players that are not subject to democratic controls and who use their largesse to ensure that their interests are prioritized over those of the general public. Civil society must reclaim its rightful place by demanding genuine participation in governance, including decisions on peace initiatives, and environmental protection. "Fast-tracking" legislation or treaties, enacted without consulting stakeholders and without responsible debate is unacceptable in a democracy. Democracy is much more than a label. 'Representative democracy' can only be called democratic when and if 'representatives' actually represent their constituencies by pro-actively consulting with them and facilitating their participation in decision-making, thus making the goal of greater space for civil society meaningful. Democracy should not be reduced to an empty word, is a necessary instrument for securing a more stable world. We therefore call upon Member States to ensure greater space for civil society, so that they may take their rightful place as key players in democracy.            

              We pause today to reflect on and celebrate democracy and the free and open debate it entails. We celebrate democracy not because it is perfect, for it is obviously neither of those things. We celebrate democracy because it is rooted in the will of the people, and, as such, does a better job than any other form of government in respecting the rights of individuals, solving problems peacefully, and building enduring prosperity. Only democracy allows a country to benefit from the full energy and talent of its citizens, and the unconstrained flow of ideas can create. That is why ordinary people everywhere are working to make this fundamental principle a reality. This past year, we saw an outpouring of popular support for constitutional term limit in Africa, and the courage of activists around the world who are demanding governments that are accountable, inclusive, transparent, and honest. There are few ideas more powerful, more infused with universal aspiration than democracy. But democracy has never been an automatic fact. It is an opportunity that must be renewed and revitalized by each generation.

             Day of Democracy is an occasion to celebrate the progress towards achieving a world in which all individuals are able freely and regularly to express their choice as to who should represent and lead them, and about decisions affecting the future of their lives and livelihoods. Democracy includes a commitment to the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes, and  to shape the societies in which they live. In practical ways and as advocates for the continual sedimentation of a robust culture of democracy. In which citizens' rights, quality governance, development and growth for all, can be best achieve. Democracy is also about practicing inclusion, empowerment and participation, respecting human rights, and promotion transparent and accountable representation. This culture of democracy has been greatly advanced by the role of civil society in democratic nations by promoting dialogue, respecting pluralism and diversity. We pay tribute to the leaders of democracy who ensure that the voices of all are heard and are taken into account and also to all those who contribute to advancing the culture of democracy. To all those helping to reinforcing the foundations on which democracy is built. Through their activities, civil society organisations have helped strengthen some of the most fundamental rights necessary to build stronger and better democratic societies. Undertaking these activities has not been without cost. In some instances, members of civil society have been harassed, persecuted, imprisoned and lost their lives because of their commitment to democracy and its principles. We will continue to celebrate and encourage the voice of civil society and freedom of expressing at the heart of healthy and flourishing democracies serving their people.

750th Birthday of Dante Alighieri - Part III

              The tribute to Dante continues. This post is a summary of four articles. The first was published at  http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/dante-turns-seven-hundred-and-fifty. The second was published at http://dantealighieridpba.weebly.com/the-legacy.html. The third was published at  http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-divinecomedy/#gsc.tab=0. The fourth is a very small piece of the chapter I from the book, "Theory of the Novel". Written by Gyorgy Lukacs and was published at  https://analepsis.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/georg-lukacs-the-theory-of-the-novel.pdf

              On April, Samantha Cristoforetti, Italy,s first female astronaut, took time off from her regular duties in the International Space Station to read from the Divine Comedy. She picked the opening of the Paradiso. As Cristoforetti spun around the globe at the rate of seventeen thousand miles an hour, her reading was beamed back to earth and shown in a movie theater in Florence. Ten days later, The actor Roberto Benigni recited the last canto of Paradiso in the Italian Senate. That same day, Pope Francis made some brief remarks about the poet, officially joining what he called the "chorus of those who believe Dante Alighieri is an artist of the highest universal value. He can, help us get through the many dark woods we come across in our world." The Holy Father said. Italians kids first encounter Dante at school, when they are in the equivalent of seventh grade. They return to him after to study more depth. In secondary school they stay with him. I recently asked the high-school-aged son of an Italian friend of mine about the experience. "It is boring, and it never ends, but then you get to like it." He told me. There are, of course, many possible explanations for Dante's hold on Italy, including, after seven hundred and fifty years, sheer momentum. Language, too, clearly plays a part. When Dante began work on the Divine Comedy, None of the different dialects spoken in Italy's many city-states had any claim preeminence. Such was the force and influence of the Divine Comedy that the Tuscan dialect became Italy's literary language.

               Today, Dante's influence still lives and is apparent in many different works. He is considered as having one of the greatest minds in literature of all-time. He has been compared to the most famous poet ever, Shakespeare, and has often been said to be the only writer to be in the same class as him. Dante's Divine Comedy is still one of the most glorified works of literature after 650 years. The work of art is a major part of 'The western Canion', a collection of the greatest books in history. Dante once said, "The secret of getting things done is to act".

               Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) wrote his epic poem, while in exile from his native Florence. There are three parts to this massive work: Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise. In each section Dante recount the travels of the pilgrim, his alter ego, through hell, purgatory and heaven. The greatness of the Divine Comedy lies in its construction as a summation of knowledge and experience. Dante was able to weave together pagan myth, literature, philosophy, theology, physics, astrology, mathematics, literary theory, history and politics into a complex poem that a wide audience, not only the highly educated, could read. As one of the greatest works, not just of the Middle Ages, but of world literature in its entirely, the influence of the Divine Comedy has been incalculable. The poem was immediately successful, Dante's own sons, Pietro and Jacopo, wrote the first commentaries on it, and it continues to be read and taught today. Many of western literature's major figure were indebted to Dante's masterwork. A selective list includes: Giovanni Boccaccio, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Milton, William Blake, Victor Hugo, James Joyce, Jorge Luis Borges. If this impressive list were not testament enough, one has only to consider the four to five manuscripts of the Divine Comedy in existence, the four-hundred-some Italian printed editions and the hundreds of English translations to get some idea of this work's impact on culture.   

               This is the paradox of the subjectivity of the great epic, creative subjectivity becomes lyrical, but, exceptionally, the subjectivity which simply accepts, which humbly transforms itself into a purely receptive organ of the world, can partake of the grace of having the whole revealed to it. This is the leap that Dante made between the Vita Nuova and the Divina Commedia that Goethe made between Werther and Wilhelm Meister, the leap Cervantes made when, becoming silent himself, he let the cosmic humour of Dom Quixote become heard, by contrast, Sterne's and Jean Paul's glorious ringing voices offer no more than reflexions of a world-fragment which is merely subjective and therefore limited, narrow and arbitrary. This is not a value judgement but a definition of genre: the totality of life resists any attempt to find a transcendental centre within it, and refuses any of its constituent cell the right to dominate it. Only when a subject, removed from all life and from the empirical which is necessary posited together with life, becomes enthroned in the pure heights of essence, when it has becomes the carrier of the trancendental synthesis, can it contain all the conditions for totality within its own structure and transform its own limitations into the frontiers of the world. The epic is life, immanence, the empirical. Dante's Paradise is closer to the essence of life than Shakespeare's exuberant richness. The totality of the transcendent world-strucuture is the pre-determined sense-giving, all-embracing a priori of each individual destiny, so the increasing comprehension of this structure and its beauty, the great experience of Dante the traveller, envelops everything in the unity of its meaning. Dante's insight transforms the individual into a component of the whole, and so the ballads become epic songs. The epic hero is, strictly speaking, never an individual. It is traditionally thought that one of the essential characteristcs of the epic is the fact that its theme is not a personal destiny but the destiny of a community, of a society. And rightly so, for the completeness of the value system which determines the epic cosmos creates a whole. The omnipotence of ethics, which posits every soul as autonomous is still unknown in such world. When life finds an immanent meaning in itself. An individual structure is simply the product of a balance between the part and the whole, mutually determine one another, it is never the product of polemical self-contemplation by the lonely. Dante represent a historical-philosophical transition from the pure epic to the novel. In Dante there is still the perfect immanent distancelesness and completeness of the true epic, but his figures are already individuals, consciously and energitically placing themselves in opposition to a reality that is becoming near to them, individuals who, through this opposition becomes real. The combination of the presuppositions of the epic and the novel and their synthesis to an epic is based on the dual structure of Dante's world: the break between life and meaning is surpassed and cancelled by the coincidence of life and meaning in a present, actually experienced transcendence.  

750th Birthday of Dante Alighieri - Part II

                 This post is a summary of three articles. The first witht the title of, "Happy 750th birthday, Dante," Published at http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/happy-750-birthday-dante/. The second at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/happycatholicbookshelf/2015/05/dantes-750th-birthday-pope-francis-and-some-good-reading/. The third with the title of, "Lessons in Manliness from Dante." It was published at http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/12/07/lessons-in-manliness-from-dante/

                John Kleiner says it is impossible to convey how vital Dante is to contemporary Italians. They start early with them in the schools. Excerpts: Either because of or despite pedagogical programs, Italians, to a surprising degree, stick with Dante. Since 2006, The actor Benigni has been staging traditional lectura dantis, a form that goes back to 14th century. A typical lectura opens with a detailed gloss of a particular canto, followed by dramatic reading of it. Benigni's performance in Rome, Florence, Verona, and other cities have been watched by more than a million.  Millions more have turned into them on TV. Similar, if stodgier, lectures are delivered all over Italy at societies set up expressly to foster appreciation of the Divine Comedy. In Rome, for example, the Casa di Dante sponsors a lecture dantis every Sunday. It is not unusual for two hundred Romans to attend. For the last nine months, I have been living in Rome, and the experience has helped me to appreciate more of Dante's appeal. Though he may be forced-fed to 7th graders, applauded in the senate, and praised by the Holy See. Dante is, as a writer, unmistakably anti-authoritarian. He looks around and what he see is hypocrisy, incompetence, and corruption. Yes indeed, Dante was a rebel, but you might call him a subversive orthodox. He denounced the institutional order of his time, not because he wanted to replaced them, necessarily, but because he wanted them to reform themselves, and be what they are supposed to be. I hope the book, "How Dante can save your life," is translated into Italian and published there. The book is, in effect, a love letter to Italy's greatest son. I would love to see how the Italians react to this book.

                 On the eve of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, the Holy Father expresses his hope that during this year the figure of Dante and his work will also accompany us on this personal and community path. "Indeed", he remarks, "the comedy may be read as a great itinerary, or rather as a true pilgrimage, both personal and interior, and communal,  ecclesial, social and historical. It represents the paradigm of every authentic journey in which humanity is called upon to leave what Dante defines as 'the threshing-floor that makes us so ferious' to attain a new condition, marked by harmony, peace and happiness. And this is the horizon of every true humanism. Dante is, therefore, a prophet of hope, herald of the possibility of redemption, of liberation, of the transformation of every man and woman, of all humanity. He continues to invite us to rediscover the lost or obscured meaning of our human path and to hope to see again the shining horizon on which there shines in all its fulness the dignity of the human person.

                Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture, 'The Thinker', is probably the single most well-known depiction of the poet Dante. Originally entitled 'The Poet' itself, the statue has since become as much of an icon of the strength of the human intellect as the man who first inspired it. Crouched in life as in Rodin's bronze over some of the greatest problems life has to offer, Dante remains one of history´s foremost thinkers, a visionary who places man at the center of his own epic journey between good and evil. A poetic journey through the flames of hell, purgatory and heaven, the Divine Comedy  Takes place on a truly massive scale. It has resonated with each passing generation for the last seven hundred years, never ceasing to inspire readers of every walk of life with its immortal themes of sin, suffering and redemption. Along with its author, the Divine Comedy has long been a touchstone of the Western intellectual tradition, ensuring an enduring legacy for those who would seek to learn from the life and work of "the central man of all the world." About two hundred years before Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo etched into tradition the archetype of the multi-talented Florentine, Dante had already taken the stage as a kind of "pre-Renaissance man". Dante maintained an enormous appetite for learning throughout his life. The arts of philosophy, linguistics, music, painting, politics and sciences were all pursuit he engaged with the same discipline and intensity, completely immersing himself in a chosen subject for its own sake. Diverse though they were, much of Dante's success lay in his ability to incorporate his many interests into the service of his larger work. The Divine Comedy is in many ways the first poem of its kind, an epic written not in classical Greek ot Latin, but the vernacular of the common people. To achieve this, Dante essentially standardized the language we know now as Italian, applying his abilities as a linguist to synthesize the varying dialects that stretched across medieval Italy into a single, cohesive whole. Breadth of study is no hindrance to a mind that can harness its resources towards a singular goal, bringing to bear the weight of one's discipline and experience on the subject at hand. To borrow a line from Mark Twain, Dante may have studied much, scholarly work was an essential element to his intellectual formation, but he was far from letting it be the only one. Not content with simply playing the part of the studious observer, Dante approached life with the same vigor he applied to his studies. During his time in exile, Dante traveled extensively, often attending meetings trying to restore peace between the political factions. But it was far from a bed of roses. Dante's intensity as an intellectual was likely the result of the fact that he experienced much of the darker side of life. By the time he began the Divine Comedy Dante was a man whom life had chewed up and spat back out. Hardened by war, conflict, betrayal, and the burden of exile, Dante had seen firsthand the coarseness of the world, and it let an indelible mark on him and his work. Moral courage can take different forms. At times, it may require a man to defend the principles he lives by, or even to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. At others, it could mean something a little more basic. Justice was much more than a nice idea in Dante's mind. It was real, the standard of a higher moral order that bound the actions of all men. Right and wrong were not just arbitrary designations, but degrees of talking about the inherent value of human behavior. His life in politics and exile had shown the face of corruption and treachery, and knew that the perpetrators of both and many more ills rarely received any punishment for their deeds. But that did not mean they should not be held accountable for what they did. The standard that evil is to be punished and good rewarded is written into the very fabric of the Divine Comedy, and it is a standard Dante uses to measure the deeds of all men, even his own. Moral judgments require courage, beacause in so judging, a man must hold himself and his own actions to the very same standard. The vision that allows one to see evil for what it really is also illuminates his own rights and wrongs.