Dear HumanDHS Friends

Inside this edition 16 – 22 October 2012

www.commongroundnews.org

As close to Iran as I will ever be
by Samuel Thorpe
In Armenia, Israeli writer Samuel Thrope discovers the Iran beyond the headlines – and what he has in common with ordinary Iranians.
(Source: Common Ground News Service (CGNews) 16 October 2012)

Watershed moment for religious teaching in Egypt
by Joseph Mayton
The Muslim-Christian solidarity demonstrated during Egypt’s revolution has been challenged in light of recent tensions, but a new human rights and citizenship class in Egyptian schools has the potential to renew ties, writes Cairo-based journalist Joseph Mayton.
(Source: Common Ground News Service (CGNews) 16 October 2012)

Beyond free speech vs. religion
by Rebecca Cataldi
Should we limit free speech to protect religion? As the debate continues, conflict resolution specialist Rebecca Cataldi flips the discussion on its head, explaining how freedom of speech helps protect religious freedoms.
(Source: Common Ground News Service (CGNews), 16 October 2012)

Democracy in America’s backyard
by Jo-Anne Hart
America is often seen as an exporter of democracy, yet only 6 out of 10 eligible American voters cast a ballot in the 2008 presidential election. Jo-Anne Hart, creator of the Growing Voices project, is helping Americans tend to their own backyards – improving political engagement starting in the classroom.
(Source: Common Ground News Service (CGNews), 16 October 2012)

Theatre opens up new worlds in Tunisia
by Amina Benkhlifa
In the second article in a series featuring the voices of Tunisian youth, Tunisian student Amina Benkhlifa looks at how theatre brought the world to her hometown.
(Source: Common Ground News Service (CGNews), 16 October 2012)