A riddle: What is more powerful than power? As the oceans boil, and the hurricanes beat violently against our shores, and the air sweats with the heat of impending doom, and our fists protest the…
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Crossregional
Right now, my thoughts are with the long haulers and the way the personal is always political but often in surprising ways. Two weeks or so ago, I attended a meeting organised by my doctors…
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This is an important week for reflection. Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, sits alongside June 16th , the day that saw a series of uprisings…
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Dearest friends and family, On my last day as JASS ED, it feels both momentous and gentle as I step beyond the invisible line of JASS’ daily organizational intensity to support her from another angle.…
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It’s October 18th and in Santa Fe, that means it’s JASS Day! Five years ago many wonderful Santa Feans joined my mother, Marg, to organize the first JASS gathering, an important step towards building…
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When I first sat down to interview Margaret VeneKlasen, I was very nervous. I wondered whether it was even appropriate to ask this 90-year-old woman with an inspiring legacy this simple question, “Marg, how did…
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Written by Veronica Espaillat Gender inequality manifests around the world in vastly different forms because of distinct underlying roots and causes. Take for example the case of the United States versus the Southern African region.…
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Written by Lina Han Five years ago, I visited Korea as part of a cultural program where I spent several days immersed in a South Korean high school regimen. Classes were heavily lecture-based with minimal…
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Everywhere at the Human Rights Council (HRC) the catchphrase on everyone’s tongue is “shrinking spaces for civil society”. But what does it mean, really? How are activists grappling with this “shrinking space” in their work?…
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Everywhere at the Human Rights Council (HRC) the catchphrase on everyone’s tongue is “shrinking spaces for civil society”. But what does it mean, really? How are activists grappling with this “shrinking space” in their work?…
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Everywhere at the Human Rights Council (HRC) the catchphrase on everyone’s tongue is “shrinking spaces for civil society”. But what does it mean, really? How are activists grappling with this “shrinking space” in their work?…
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During 16 Days of Activism on December 9, JASS Crossregional Program Director, Carrie Wilson spoke at a White House Rally on behalf of the International Campaign to Stop Rape and Gender Violence in Conflict—which JASS…
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As a global capital, New York City is accustomed to high-level discussions on earth-shaking issues. But something different is happening. Two events in a single week – the UN Climate Summit and the UN World…
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This. This interview pulled at almost every one of my emotions—laughter, confusion, anger, frustration, and sadness BUT, it missed happiness. Watch the video, but if you can’t now here is a quick synopsis, although I…
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Where to start? … Over a week ago, I attended a dialogue—The Importance of Youth Leadership in Africa: A Discussion with Young African Leaders, hosted by Congresswoman Karen Bass. Catchy title, but I wish I…
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Beyoncé has the internet abuzz, but this time it’s not just about her music and the groundbreaking launch of her new album—it’s also about whether or not she is a feminist. From academics to culture…
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I will never forget the day I decided to cut my hair. I remember taking my walk of courage to the beauty salon seven years ago. I walked in and the lady who usually braided…
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A few weeks ago, I attended a discussion on Land Grabbing in Zimbabwe. As a Zimbabwean who grew up on a farm, I assumed I knew everything there was to know about this issue. Yet,…
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I am sitting in a private taxi. Earlier, when I stepped into it, I noticed the cab driver’s gaze run over my body—the kind of look that makes my skin crawl and my fingers dig…
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By Adelaide Mazwarira As an avid fan of the TV show, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, I couldn’t help but take interest in its latest episode which was receiving a lot of outrage over…
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Twenty-six women – Liberian and their visitors – several small children and a few men are pressed into the round, mud-walled hut. The Liberians wear matching bright yellow lapas (cloth wrap) and white T-shirts with…
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Last week, in the typical last-minute dash to finalize an excruciatingly detailed, mammoth end-of-grant report for the last 3.5 years, my task was to “churn” a response to this zinger of a donor question: “What…
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Within the past five years “theory of change” has been promoted and popularized by some of the world’s largest charitable foundations as a way for social change organizations to describe and evaluate their work. Look…
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When opposing political interests are using the same terms and tactics in diametrically opposed agendas, Lisa Veneklasen asks how we can transform the power of citizen action into sustained change for justice and equality. What…
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In 2010, many of us across the JASS community are thinking about how to define and promote economic democracy as a critical element of our gender justice efforts, and any equality effort for that matter.…
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Lisa Veneklasen, JASS Executive Director, celebrates the news and congratulates JASS board member, Lori Heise: I wanted to share some great news from our fellow JASS-ist, Lori Heise. As many of you may know,…
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JASS’ Maggie Mapondera in action – and some eye-catching images and slogans at the Social Forum. Thanks, Nani, for the photos!
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We’re in Detroit where more than 8000 grassroots and union organizers and activists of all stripes are debating, performing, strategizing. It’s an awesome multigenerational, multiracial, multi-everything mix with great vibes, smart politics and incredible T-shirts.…
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When I think of JASS, the first thing that comes to mind is jazz music. Travis Jackson describes jazz music as “swinging, improvising, group interaction, developing an ‘individual voice’ and being ‘open’ to different musical…
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“It has probably become more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in armed conflict.” – Major-General Patrick Cammaert, former commander of UN peacekeeping forces in the eastern Congo Jacqueline Nolley Echegaray reflects on the recent International…
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How can we truly engage all generations in our movements? We all have something valuable to offer, no matter what our age, and yet the ageism that often blocks us has not been explicitly addressed.…
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by Mia Nikasimo (c) Feminism is an activismIn the service of equalRights for all women with-out exception; all of us.Congratulate yourselfWhen you hear echoes ofThe gunshots pow, pow followed by a ring, ring,Hits concrete or…
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JASS was thrilled to play a significant role in conceptualizing, planning, and facilitating the Nobel Women’s Initiative’s international conference entitled Women Redefining Democracy for Peace, Justice and Equality that was held in Antigua, Guatemala from…
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By Vyjayanthi Vadrevu Carrie, Carmen and I had the privilege of meeting with Ms. Roula Deeb, Director and Co-Founder of the Israeli-based feminist organization Kayan. Prior to Kayan, Ms. Deeb worked at Isha L’Isha- Haifa…
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Video of Participant Profile: Safaa Elagib Adam Safaa Elagib Adam is a bold voice for Darfurian women, working to ensure these vital stakeholders are involved in building peace. Though Darfurian women are at risk of…
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Video of Jody Williams Closes Day Two
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Video of End of Day One Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire closes day one of the international conference “Women Redefining Democracy.” Participants reflect on the full day of learning and knowledge, and proceed to a lively…
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Rigoberta Menchú Tum welcomed participants to the second international conference of the Nobel Women’s Initiative in Antigua, Guatemala on May 10th. She introduced the Vice President of the Republic of Guatemala, who welcomed the women…
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Video of Getting Ready for the Conference JASS, along with the Nobel Women’s Initiative and the Rigoberta Menchu Tum Foundation, are convening an international conference, “Women Redefining Democracy” from May 10-12th in Antigua, Guatemala. Follow…
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Hey good people I’m in the moon, screaming happy and sobbing because of joy that the has come for change. To you ladies I’m telling you change will come for us women to enjoy and…
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INDVOLU: A Phoenix Rising from the Ashes Experiences that connect us across continents can take unexpected turns. A community group from South Africa and a theatre troupe from Central America came together this November creating…
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JASS had a strong and visible presence at the AWID (Association for Women’s Rights in Development) Forum held in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2008. JASS core team leaders Nani Zulminarni (Indonesia) and Martha…
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These remarks were delivered at the Wilton Park Conference: Women targeted or affected by armed conflict: What role for military peacekeepers? on May 27, 2008, by Stephen Lewis*. http://pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/50445 Here is an unassailable truth:…
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Mexico City: August 7th, our last day together, was another action-packed 10 hours of motion as we tried to make the most of the conference and being together. A discussion about the complex world of…
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I’m sharing this space with my friend and sister activist, Sindi Blose, from Treatment Action Campaign in South Africa. She won’t mention the fact that she did an extraordinary job of rocking the Global Village this…
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By Ana Luisa We all made it to Mexico City last night, many exhausted from the grueling cross-Atlantic journey, but happy to see each other and excited for the upcoming week of events around AIDS…
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Welcome to the new JASS Blog! We will be reporting on our trip to the International Conference on AIDS (ICA) in Mexico City this August! Check back soon for videos, photos, and posts from the…
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