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Yearly Archives: 2024

Historic cities. Niger. Agadez, “’to pay a visit”.

 “Where the weight of centuries can be felt in every street and where you can smell the aroma of history”. Salt, gold, slaves and ivory were the most sought-after products from West Africa: once they reached the shores of the Mediterranean, they were sold and exchanged for manufactured goods and cereals that returned south of…

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Madagascar. The mission with the monk’s habit.

How can a monk be “missionary” if, by vocation, he is called to withdraw from the world and therefore is not in direct contact with the population? Father Christophe Vuillaume, a Benedictine of the Mahitsy monastery in Madagascar, answers. In a precise sense, the two terms “monk” and “missionary” seem to contradict each other. But…

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Bolivia. The Ayoreos. The Wedding, Celebration full of cultural symbols.

The Ayoreos are an ethnic group that live in the eastern part of Bolivia. They number about 4,000 and live distributed in 29 communities. The name “Ayoreo” means “true men”. It refers to their way of life as hunters and gatherers. A glance at their wedding celebration. The celebration of marriage is not as rigidly…

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Music. Iran. Overcoming barriers.

It is not easy to make music in Iran today. And yet, in a country where social, religious and political tensions intersect with women’s and new generations’ anxiety for renewal, music also carries a crucial weight to convey ideas, demands, desires for freedom and brotherhood. In recent years, the music scene of what was once…

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Horn of Africa. Egyptian arms supplies to Somalia raise dangerous tensions with Addis Ababa.

Egypt and Somalia are increasing their military cooperation to pressure Ethiopia over their respective concerns: the Renaissance Dam on the Nile and recognition of the breakaway state of Somaliland. In this volatile context, Turkey, which has good relations with all sides, could help defuse tensions. On 23 September, officials in Mogadishu confirmed to the press…

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Richness of differences.

A reflection on the Pope’s latest trip to the “peripheries of the world”. After more than ten years of pontificate, we understand what the main task that this pope has given himself is: to evangelize God, that is, to make God Good News for the people who believe in him but are tempted to venerate…

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The Panama Canal.

The Panamanian economy, like domestic and international politics, is strongly linked to the activities of the canal and the services connected to it. It is no coincidence that, compared to the rest of the region, the agricultural sector is not particularly widespread and that since the 2000s, the period in which the Canal came under…

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China’s Africa Strategy.

African allies are the potential linchpin in Beijing’s hands to globalize its interests. This is why this year’s FOCAC reaffirmed China’s commitment to the continent. “In the next three years, China will work with Africa to undertake 10 partnership actions for modernization, in order to deepen China-Africa cooperation and lead the modernization of the Global…

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What do Africa’s youth have to say about the future of their world?

The latest African Youth Survey from the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, a leading African foundation promoting active citizenship across the continent, provides a comprehensive look at the perspectives, hopes and concerns of young people in 16 African countries. Now in its third iteration, the 2024 Survey reveals both encouraging signs of optimism as well as ongoing…

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The New President.

Panama is a presidential Republic, divided into 9 provinces and 3 indigenous districts, in which the legislative functions are entrusted to a government, led by the president and a single-camera parliament (National Assembly) made up of 71 deputies, elected with a mixed electoral system whose mandate lasts five years. The president is also elected directly…

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World Mission Sunday. Pope Francis: “Come to the banquet”.

This year, World Mission Day is part of the final phase of the “Synod on Synodality” being held in Rome. The theme chosen by Pope Francis is “Go and invite everyone to the banquet” (Mt 22: 9). In his message, Pope Francis gives a special meaning to World Mission Day, which is celebrated on October…

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Advocacy

Myanmar. Paul Sein Twa. Preserving Ancestral Territory.

“What we would like to achieve when we talk about peace. Peace means self-determination. Peace means biological conservation. Peace means revitalization of our culture and…

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Baobab

Inca. The Island of the Sun.

At that time Viracocha, the creator God, looked down upon the earth. He saw it was bare, shrouded in impenetrable darkness, for daylight did not yet…

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Youth & Mission

Celebrating African youth.

“Young Africans are playing an active role in bringing social change in the continent. They are contributing daily to the benefit of their communities and nations…

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