UN’s new treaty on mercury: A breakthrough opportunity for reduction of mercury globally

In January, representatives from more than 140 nations met in Geneva and approved a new treaty to reduce the use and release of mercury worldwide and minimize its effects on people all over the world.  Yet the need for tighter regulations on mercury have been on the civil society agenda of social and environmental organisations for a long time.

Stop Global Warming: An Interview with Dawn Woollen

The Stop Global Warming Virtual March, initiated in 2005, is a non-partisan effort to bring citizens together to declare that global warming is here now and that it is time to demand solutions. We are all contributors to global warming and must all be part of the solution.

Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn Announce Half the Sky Movement: The Game to Help Empower Women and Girls Around the World

Pulitzer-Prize winning authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn announced this morning the March 4^th launch of the latest installment of the Half the Sky Movement: a web-based game. Half the Sky Movement: The Game is a game-based adventure that aims to reach mainstream audiences to raise awareness and donations to empower women and girls around the world.

In Memoriam: Jill Benderly

On January 10^th Jill Benderly, one of our nation’s leading activists in the Baltic region, passed away after a struggle with colon cancer. Benderly was a beloved employee of Tides in the early 90’s and an instrumental part of the team that has developed Tides into the organization it is today. Her death leaves a huge hole in the activist community. She will be missed.

Don’t Get Mad, Get Even: Challenge Prosecutors, not Scapegoats

Two tragic events last Friday have prompted heated debate about torture, secrecy, freedom of information, and prosecutors run amok. But are critics assigning blame where due, or merely where convenient? And is the convenient option too charitable, letting powerful systems of oppression off the hook in favor of scapegoating only the most visible perpetrators? First (only because it’s an anniversary and was therefore predictable) was the 11th year of military detention at Guantánamo Bay, where prisoners under US control have endured torture–and in some cases, been murdered in custody while their deaths have been presented in public as suicides.

Congratulations to Lisa Hall!

Many congratulations to Lisa Hall, Tides board member and CEO of the Calvert Foundation, for her recognition by Good Business New York as one of the Leading Women in 2012. Lisa was recognized for her work with the Calvert Foundation to help improve the lives of women world-wide, and specifically for her stewardship of WIn WIN: The Women Investing in Women Initiative. Excerpts from the Good Business New York Leading Women press release about the award and Lisa's work are below.

Social Innovation Won’t Save the World

David Bornstein in the NY Times Fixes column recently referred to social innovation as part of a “breakthrough – maybe even a new Enlightenment.” He believes it is creating new and lasting change that is unprecedented in the social sector. But, social innovation faces an undeniable limitation: it is merely a tool. And, like any tool, its impact is determined by the vision of those who use it. Great architecture isn’t created by hammers. It’s created by architects and carpenters with highly developed vision.

One Day After Peace: A film by Robi Damelin

Could you forgive somebody who has done you wrong? Performed such an egregious act that it leaves your scarred for the remainder of your days?  The notion of reconciliation is explored in a fascinating and moving film by Robi Damelin.

Live from Rio+20, Day Two: "Favelas and Protests"

This morning I ventured the opposite direction from Rio Centro where the UN Rio+20 negotiations are taking place, and travelled with colleagues to the Cachoeirinha (I was told it means “waterfall”) Favela in Rio de Janeiro. These shantytowns are quite common in Rio, well over one million strong, located within and around the city limits.

Live from Rio+20, Day One: Women and Reproductive Health

This week begins the major UN Rio+20 “Earth Summit”, and I’ve just arrived at the sprawling “Rio Centro” complex where the official UN negotiations and many non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) side-events are taking place.  While here for the duration of the meeting, I’ll be covering women and reproductive health (RH) issues as relate to the official UN proceedings, the NGO perspectives, and global south women’s personal stories on how Rio+20 touches their lives.