By Winona Raylance, November 29, 2017, Published in Diplomatic Courier If you dare to turn on the news these days, you may find it hard to refute we live in an age of increasing xenophobia, intolerance and nationalism. That’s because these stories usually dominate the airwaves and our social media feeds. This is why, it was a privilege to attend the Global Centre For Pluralism’s award ceremony earlier this month, where award winners from all corners of the world showed that pluralism—which is the concept of recognizing, valuing, respecting and celebrating our differences—is alive well.

By Magdalena Zurita and Phill Gittins, Published in Rotary International

My interest in promoting peace brought me to Bolivia, where I am doing my applied field study while earning a master’s degree at the Rotary Peace Center at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan. I am passionate about the reduction of poverty and inequality, and efforts to address these challenges in ways that promote working together and embracing difference.

By Jose Lucas Rodriguez, November 29, 2017, Published in Rotary International

Puerto Rico is an island in the Caribbean, the smallest of the Greater Antilles, which is distinguished by its natural beauties, the talent of Puerto Ricans in music, arts, and sports, and above all for the warmth of its people.

By Diana Schoberg and Gianluca Cecere, Published in Rotary International

Arquata del Tronto was never an easy place to live. Picturesque, yes: The snowcapped peak of Monte Vettore forms the backdrop to this collection of medieval villages sandwiched between two national parks in central Italy’s Appenine Mountains. Tiny chapels line the local trails, and one village is known as the land of the fairies, a mythological place where shepherds were lured in by beautiful fairies with goat feet.

November 27, 2017, Published in CPNN-World

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was marked around the world on November 25.

By Luiz Renato D. Coutinho, Roberto Torquato, and Maureen Vaught, Published in Rotary International

Thirty-four young people, ages 16 to 21, sit in a large circle on the mat where they train each week. Timid at first, they begin to open up, little by little, about life before Força Jovem Judo.