All Perspectives
Readers RespondReaders write: Perspectives on Charlie Kirk鈥檚 killingLetters to the editor from the Oct. 27 Weekly. Readers discussed the Monitor鈥檚 coverage of Charlie Kirk鈥檚 assassination.
From the EditorsSeeing both sides with honesty and clarityToday, strong currents of thought encourage us not to have empathy for people we disagree with. But empathy leads to clarity.
Difference Maker鈥楾he land matters鈥�: An Indian scientist awakens a forgotten marshBecause of the work of Jayshree Vencatesan, the Pallikaranai marsh is quietly reclaiming its place in Chennai鈥檚 ecological life.
From the EditorsWhere you start out isn鈥檛 always where you end upFor writer Stephen Humphries, reporting on how two men in prison found Shakespeare and changed their lives reminds him how perilous it is to judge others.
Difference MakerA Seoul soup kitchen serves up kimchi 鈥� and community 鈥� to combat lonelinessThomas House fulfills a pressing need for human connection as South Korean society ages and increasingly faces an isolation crisis.
A former businessman fosters dialogue with Haitian gang leaders to curb unrestLouis-Henri Mars鈥� peace-building group aims to unite Haitians from opposite ends of society through workshops and conflict mediation.
Readers RespondReaders write: Hopes for an exiled journalist, and a thank you for natural beautyLetters to the editor from the Oct. 6 issue of the Weekly. Readers discussed a recent cover story from a journalist exiled from El Salvador and features on nature鈥檚 beauty.
Points of ProgressHow to create affordable housing for more people, and make a whole city a spongeProgress roundup: Copenhagen鈥檚 sponge-city strategy protects from floods, and more places in the U.S. adopt social housing to lock in affordability.
Difference MakerThis program is planting a 鈥榝orest鈥� of conservation-minded filmmakers in IndiaRita Banerji helped found Green Hub, a pioneering fellowship聽that offers free filmmaking training to Indigenous and rural young people.
Difference MakerCellos and camaraderie: This youth organization is an instrument of connectionFor 28 years, an after-school program run by Community MusicWorks has been reimagining what access to classical music education looks like.
Difference MakerIndian women learn how to rebuild their lives after being traffickedThe nonprofit Basirhat Initiative for Rural Dedication is breaking the silence around the exploitation of women in and near the Sundarbans.
Points of ProgressWhere cellphones help users save money, and pricey calls are now freeProgress roundup: To better connect incarcerated New Yorkers with loved ones, the state is paying for phone calls. In Africa, mobile money helps people save.
From the EditorsThe ongoing legacy of Black Lives MatterThe systemic inequities that the Black Lives Matter movement has railed against persist. But in Sanford, Florida, where Trayvon Martin was killed in 2012, the community making is making genuine strides towards equality.
Points of ProgressThe AI crime against children in Argentina, and how Norway prevents homelessnessProgress roundup: Prevention of harm motivates judges in Argentina and officials in Norway. And in Los Angeles, students test better than they ever have.
From the EditorsTeamwork and finding ways to buoy spiritsIn dire situations, people come together. That鈥檚 the takeaway every time. There are always helpers pulling together communities.
Points of ProgressHow a city鈥檚 hardship opened eyes to wider problem-solvingProgress roundup:聽Flint, Michigan, completes pipe replacements for clean water; India鈥檚 Gujarat state pilots pollution trading and lowers emissions.
In Sudan, a traveling musical salon keeps residents connected amid warSince February 2024, the salon has held dozens of free performances. The weekly shows go on despite the risks.
Difference MakerStreet dogs gave him hope during dark days. Now he鈥檚 returning the favor.Niall Harbison is leveraging his large following on social media to help canines in South Asia.
From the Editors鈥楩rom the American people鈥�: Promises and drawbacks of US aidFor the U.S. to learn from the limits or failures of some USAID projects, it is instructive to recall that the successes have built on respectful listening and genuine partnership.
Points of ProgressWhere a women鈥檚 tax is canceled, and businesswomen鈥檚 decisions valuedProgress roundup: Malta brings free period products to schools, a study in Kenya and Senegal finds women鈥檚 decision-making superior to men鈥檚, and more.
