Globalization

Oregon diary: The art of sanctuary

I will admit the sign in the shop window first surprised me. I was entering a store for used books, looking at the posters and local advertisements and there it was. You could not miss it! "WE WELCOME... ALL RACES... ALL RELIGIONS... ALL COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN... ALL SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS... ALL GENDERS... WE STAND WITH YOU...…Read more Oregon diary: The art of sanctuary

Davos aims at our shared future but what about shared good

If you noticed I have been silent for a short while, I stopped posting on 'peaceroads' in January because of various other commitments, mainly my university studies. And after all the deadlines and sleepless nights, I enjoyed one week in a quiet, pretty and posh English town - Harpenden. Everything there is so green compared…Read more Davos aims at our shared future but what about shared good

Zooming in and out this world and life of ours

Bangkok - Moscow - Riga... my flight itinerary the other day. I have been on this route many times before, bridging Southeast Asia and Northern Europe in less than 12 hours. Once I mentioned to a friend that I feel my one foot in Latvia and the other in Thailand. My friend laughed: "That is…Read more Zooming in and out this world and life of ours

How the whole world “elects” the US president

From my little corner of our planet in Latvia, it seems like the whole world just "voted" for who should become the next president of the United States. My friends in many countries have countless postings on Facebook. Every news channel, talk show and every conversation at one point or another brings up this topic.…Read more How the whole world “elects” the US president

Should They Stay or Should They Go now?

I was watching two guys, very good friends to each other, having an intense argument about the British referendum on whether to Remain in the EU or Leave. Neither one of them was born British and only one of them lives and works in the UK. Still, they both care deeply about the current affairs…Read more Should They Stay or Should They Go now?

Looking at our compass to guide through the EU crisis

For sure I am no expert on the EU but I do know a thing or two. Firstly, most people, including myself, recognize that we are in a serious crisis. You hear it described as 'existential'. The question of 'to be or not to be'. Also, I know that any crisis and pressure - personal…Read more Looking at our compass to guide through the EU crisis

Cambodia and its complicated beauty

Have you ever unintentionally eavesdropped on someone's conversation? I could not help it since this guys was talking on Skype very loudly. He was calling random people in China and always introduced himself as someone traveling in Asia. "I am in Cambodia right now", he said. "It is a country between Thailand and Vietnam." I…Read more Cambodia and its complicated beauty

Tale as old as time: My tribe against yours

So, I was thinking about our tribalism in Europe and elsewhere and suddenly remembered one of my favorite children's stories, "Ronia the Robber's Daughter" by Astrid Lindgren. It is truly one of my favorite books and I have read it many times. I can still experience the same emotions I had when I read it…Read more Tale as old as time: My tribe against yours

Enough of Supersize Fear

If there is universal word and emotion in 2015, it is Fear. Phobia. Anxiety. Paranoia. This is nothing new for humankind even if we somehow think that the challenges are unique to our times and situation. Just study history, autobiographies,  ancient literature like the Bible and see that people and nations have always struggled with…Read more Enough of Supersize Fear