From Partners

Farming to Fight Poverty in Egypt

As Egypt struggles to stimulate its economy and steer away from complete collapse, there are many who feel that returning to the humble roots of farming will help solve the issue of poverty.

Poverty in Egypt plagues some 20 million of the 80 million strong population and of those, three-quarters of them live in rural areas according to the United Nation’s (UN) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Omar Mansoor: Designing Fabrics and Fashion

Omar Mansoor, 29, has always loved fabrics and fashion. From a young age his love for cloth and its workmanship lead him to study Fashion Design at London College of Fashion. His fusion of Western and Eastern cultures resulted in launching his designer fabrics in 2002 and his couture collections in 2008. Mansoor’s line is available in London and we got a chance to speak with him.

Power of Poetry: Hope + Freedom

Karen Jernigan - It was in a West Bank classroom in 2002, at the height of the Second Intifada, that I realized that the students and I were in the middle of another kind of war. I learned quickly that this war, one that I came in contact with for the first time through the eyes of my students, seeks to say anything and everything about what desires can be held hostage in the heart and in the mind when simply trying to survive. Youth in the West Bank know what matters most to them. These students have treasures in their hearts- Peace, an end to war. Justice…Freedom.

Celebrity Worship Syndrome: Do you Have it?

Do you wake up to check a celebrity’s twitter feed right as you get out bed? Do you wonder what the Kardashians are having for breakfast? Do you know more about the latest Academy award winners than the presidential election results in France?

Children are People Too: Child Abuse in Pakistan

It’s my belief that they did so because they were well aware of what the punishment would be if such a call was made to his father. Ali would make light of it all, cracking jokes about his father’s temper and beatings, while the rest of us laughed uncomfortably, never quite knowing where the humor ended and the truth began.

George Alexander: Living his Dream

George Alexander, a banker turned writer/producer/director, is living his dream. A graduate of Columbia University’s Business School, Alexander pursued his more creative interests and loves every minute of it. Raised in Alabama, he’s appeared on VH1, Fox, BET, CNN, MTV amongst many other networks. We got a chance to speak to him recently about his work.