Human Rights

On August 12 I'm giving a talk at Stanford about how each person has particular gifts that can be used to bring about positive social change. I love the TED Talks podcast because it proves this point so powerfully. In this TED Talk, James Nachtwey - perhaps the greatest war photographer of our time - discusses how "his intention is to record the truth, to document the struggles of humanity, and with this, to wake people up and stir them to action."

Salon.com says, "He's clearly one of those rare characters who focus singularly on their work with a missionary-like sense of purpose."

Watch this video for an inspiring story of commitment and unforgettable photos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGKZhNK_pHw

The War in Darfur began five years ago in western Sudan, and today, there is still no end in sight. Hundreds of thousands of people have died from violence and disease, with millions more being displaced from their homes. McCain and Obama have both pledged to pursue peace in Darfur once elected as President.

While on the subject, the two U.S. presidential candidates praised “young people” for their dedication toward curbing the Darfur Genocide. Here is what they have to say:

The Olympics has never just been merely an athletic competition. Ancient Greeks viewed it as a religious ceremony with mythological origins. However, after the games were revived in 1896 in Athens, the Olympics has come to stand for varying concepts such as fame, corporate advertising, nationalism, and independence.

Through wars and turmoil, the games have gone on. However, this year's games have brought about more conflict than ever.

Come participate in the ?Gender and Fair Trade: Women in Developing Nations? summit to be held at the Hobart and William Smith Colleges on November 3. The topic for the conference is the impact of fair trade on women workers in developing nations, and will focus on the following questions:

* How are fair trade and gender interconnected?
* What is the best way to empower women in developing nations, what are some of the ways students can have an impact?
* How can students become involved in fair trade, both in their personal lives and at their colleges or universities?