New Feed for the Day- Freedom of Speech and Expression

(Click on colored text for original article/source)

Reporters without borders publishes a yearly Press Freedom Index and the 2010 shows a somewhat fall in the ranks for Europe.  RWB secretary-general Jean- François Julliard stated that "more than ever before, we see that economic development, institutional reform and respect for fundamental rights  do not necessarily go hand in hand" (Reporters without Borders )

Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who champions anti-immigration and anti-Muslim rhetoric, has been acquitted Thursday of hate speech charges  (New York Times)

Freedom of Speech and Privately owned companies - When freedom of speech does not extend to private companies (eg.  Facebook, Twitter, social media) what are the implications (eg. revolutions)? JillianC. York weighs in at Aljazeera and Human Rights Watch´sLetter to Mark Zuckerberg before entering the Chinese market. (Aljazeera and Human Rights Watch)

Freedom House released  its Freedom in the World Report  for 2011 in January, it has been published every year sense 1972 the report looks at 193 countries and 15 disputed territories and is great resource for information on freedom and a chance to historically compare change and movements (Freedom House)

Learn about China´sVoices of Dissent  on the BBC which profiles 10 activists in China and provides insights and interviews on what they have to say (BBC).

Also published on ICD News Blog

Articles from ICD for the Week

Hey all!

Here are my articles for the week at ICD! Check them out! (clink on the title for a link to the article)

Photo essay - One Week of Food for Families around the world

Turkish vs. French Secularism

Islam Vs. Christianity

Pictures from Maurpark

So I went to a lovely flea market in Maurpark this weekend. It was full of old nic-nacs, ethnic food, and some music in the background along with a heavy dose of rain!

Here are some cool pictures from the rainy afternoon!

ICD Work for the Week

Here are My articles for the ICD for this week!

http://theicdinternsvoice.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/a-taste-of-latin-america/

http://colorsofeurope.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/rastamouse-jammin%E2%80%99-their-way-into-britons-heart/

http://culturaldiplomacynews.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/beret-or-sombrero-who-will-head-the-imf/

http://culturaldiplomacynews.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/latin-america-crossword-puzzle-how-well-do-you-know-south-america/

http://culturaldiplomacynews.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/indigenous-rights-the-belo-monte-dam/

Check them out and leave some comments it you like, hate, think something!

Jessi

My Chopin Playlist

My favorite Chopin songs


I just love his face at the end! "I did it and I's awesome!"


It really makes me love this song even more that it was written about his little dog chasing his tail... it goes perfectly with his song!


Hott dress BTW! Hook me up with that puffy arm, slightly romatizized historical fantasy dress!


This is such a sweet nocturne... great to go to sleep with or snuggle up with your favorite buddy ;)


Nocturne from the Piansit... very haunting

Enjoy!! Leave more song suggestions in the comments!

First weeks in Berlin

So I have officially survived my first two weeks in Berlin.  It is such a unique city, where nothing matches, the weather is beautiful and the people are friendly.  I enjoyed the Karnival der Kulture this weekend, where I listened to African music, ate Brazilian food, browsed art and goods from India and watched dancing from Mexico.  It was a real testimony to the multicultural nature of Berlin and a great time for those who enjoy culture and food.  I also wandered around the city taking in the very eclectic mix of buildings, ranging from old bombed out brick, to concrete industrial to glass modern and wooden Victorian charm.  Nothing really matches and it give Berlin a wonderful sense of realness...there no sprawling neighborhoods that look exactly the same and rows of the same chains in every other city... it really is something of independent and unique creation... every block is different.  Here is a little taste of the city!

IDC Blog writing

Hi everyone! 

I am just settling in for my first week at the Berlin based Institute of Cultural Diplomacy. My first day I was introduced to the other interns working at ICD. These smart, young innovative people are from all over the world.  I was assigned to the news team who are responsible for the ICD Blogs, interviews of speakers, reporting at conferences and general new creation and accumulation. 


I wrote my first two articles today which you can read at

http://culturaldiplomacynews.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/changing-demographics-in-europe/#more-50

and

http://theicdinternsvoice.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/bridging-the-gap-cultural-diplomacy-and-international-exchange-by-jessica-bell/

I will be writing many articles on these blogs so make sure to check them out!