The Fight for Reparations for People of African Descent
Reparations. The contentious term is constantly flung around, but what does it actually mean? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the term can mean the following: 1) a. A repair or keeping in repair b. Reparations plural: repairs 2) a. The act of
Post-Conflict: The Mass, Systematic Killings of Social Leaders in Colombia
There has been an increasing awareness of the murders of social leaders in Colombia. Indepaz [1] registered 872 murders from January 2016 to May 2019 related to post-conflict tensions and disputes. Out of the 872 victims, 702 were human rights
Maya of the Past, Indians of the Present: Racism and History in Guatemala
In Guatemala, the relation between the indigenous peoples of the present, and the "magnificent" Maya of the past is often debated. The general perspective, which has been in place since the eighteenth century, is that the present indigenous people in
Destigmatizing Migration: A Different Perspective
The challenges that migrants face today are well-known. Millions of people are fleeing from conflict or searching for a better life. Truly, the migration crisis is a common topic in negotiation and conversation between countries and in international organizations. Global
Discourse and Public Opinion in Constitutional States
Liberal democracies all around the world have entered a complicated era as citizens begin to lose confidence in their governments. This phenomenon has put the maintenance of the democratic model itself at risk. The individualist and egalitarian mindsets are no
My Truth, Your Truth, Their Truth, and “The” Truth
In the Americas, especially in South America, the conversation surrounding the establishment of western civilization is still referred to as “the discovery of the new world.” But, the fact is that, when the Europeans came to America, it was not
Colombia’s Peace Process: the Role of Activists, the Government, and the International Community
On Friday July 26th, people in more than 80 Colombian cities and in 58 other cities worldwide participated in the "March for Life," demanding justice for the nearly 500 Colombian human rights activists and peace campaigners who have died since
The Decline of Debate and its Impact on Democracy
We are no longer surprised to see President Trump’s tweets in which his hostility towards his political opponents and certain ethnic groups is evident. Even tweets that hold threatening messages of war to other nations are expected or those in
Colombia: A Divided Country in Search of Peace
The construction of peace in Colombia has not been easy. Although the Peace Accord was signed in 2016 by the guerrilla organization, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), different events have hindered the country’s progress towards pacification and stabilization. In April
Defending the Planet in the Era of Humans
The Earth is sick and humans are the cause of their own discomfort. We were one of the last species to appear on the planet, but our presence has been so shocking to it that we have irreversibly modified the
Is Gender Equality a Numbers Game?
When I was younger, my mother would not allow my siblings and me to sit at the dining table before my father arrived home for dinner. And, in his presence, only my brother could speak. I was always outspoken and
Science for Good: A New Breed of Entrepreneurs with Science-Based Solutions for a Positive Impact
Science, technology and innovation are often regarded as critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, while scientists have been alerting society for decades on the negative impacts and risks linked to human activity — climate change, growing pollution levels,