Watching Avatar the other day, I was struck at how clearly the movie illustrates and explores the act of having an insight, as well as the systems that welcome and foster the conditions that generate insights. In addition, it was also illuminating to witness people operating within a cultural system in which insights and curiosity are neither welcomed nor nurtured. What was it that made the military, and the corporation they work for, operate in ways that are antithetical to the scientists in th… Continue

Hey community! I returned to the US from France two days ago after attending a 7-day training with the UN Alliance of Civilizations in partnership with the Council of Europe ( I went with Sara Reef, who posted earlier). We were trained on many topics, including human rights, intercultural dialogue, conflict resolution, and self sustainability in regards to a business. Sara and I, and 11 other representatives from organizations all over the world, will be able to apply what we have learned to our… Continue

Did you all see Tom Friedman's Op-Ed in the NY Times about "Virtual Afghanistan"?http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/opinion/16friedman.html
Friedman points out that violent jihadists are not only being "inspired, trained, educated, and recruited" in Madrases and Mosques, but also over the internet. He maintains that the efforts of troops on the ground will never succeed without a parallel effort to counter the legitimacy of v… Continue

I just finished my second to last day of Youth Solidarity Fund grant training in Strasbourg, France. As the day winds down, I find myself pondering responsibility. This may seem simplistic, but when you start to consider it you realize it is not.

TE'A and Intersections International were awarded a grant by the U.N. Alliance of Civilisations to use towards TE'A New York, and… Continue