This summer two female Jaspers traveled over 8,000 miles to uncover what a Lasallian identity meant to them as women.

The 2017 Lasallian Global Womens Symposium (LGWS) took place from July 16 to 19 in Auckland, New Zealand at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and was attended by approximately 120 people. Two of them, senior Alannah Boyle and graduate assistant Jacqueline Martin, were representatives of Manhattan College.

Martin became involved with the Lasallian mission during her time as an undergraduate at Saint Marys College of California. Once Martin later learned of the LGWS, she knew she wanted to attend. Her trip to Auckland was made possible through funding by other Lasallians from various institutions.

I was really surprised at how many different Lasallians whom I had never met before were willing to help sponsor me so I could be a part of this experience, she said.

Boyle, on the other hand, felt that the symposium was relevant to research she was conducting within the Lasallian network regarding womens issues and the Catholic Churchs response to sexual assault and violence. Like Martin, she received funding from numerous sources, including student life and academic offices.

These women from DEMA represent 56 percent of Lasallian membership.Alannah Boyle / Courtesy

Boyle and Martin were two of ten women from the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) who elected to attend the symposium, along with female students, faculty, and staff from other Lasallian institutions across America. Within the symposium, over one dozen countries were represented.

The symposium sought to address the evolving role of Lasallian women, largely due to their presence in the order. While Lasallian brothers account for just two percent of the orders entire membership, laywomen make up 56 percent, Martin stated.

Lasallian women are critical to the future of the mission, and it would not exist in the capacity that it does without us, Martin said.

Lois Harr, director of campus ministry and social action, believes that women may be able to offer a unique perspective within the mission itself.

I think, as in any realm, we are all better off if everyones gifts and talents are put in service of the world, she said. Everyones experience can help make organizations run well, bring good balance to decision making.

Despite their continued presence in the mission, laywomen are distinctly underrepresented in leadership roles within the Lasallian order. The LGWS seeked to address that issue, as well as provide its attendees with the necessary tools to become effective church leaders.

Boyle (second from right) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Auckland, New Zealad.Alannah Boyle / Courtesy

The LGWS had several goals, among them to recognize the distinct role and identity of women in the mission, especially as catalysts of change and empower Lasallian women to have a confident collective voice, according to the organizations website.

However, the central outcome of the symposium was to create an international Lasallian womens council to address the issues discussed during the meetings.

The priority was to ensure that women are equally represented and heard at every level of Lasallian leadership, said Martin. It was amazing to be a part of this symposium because we all had a hand in crafting what the future of our shared Lasallian mission can become.

The theme of the symposium was Lasallian women as changemakers. Due to their distinct presence in the ministry, laywomen are beginning to be viewed as powerful and unique voices within the realm of Lasallian leadership.

However, some critics of Catholicism might argue that women have traditionally had more subservient roles within the Church. Citing doctrines such as having only men serve in the priesthood and interpreting a pro-life stance as anti-woman, they may believe that women have no opportunities for self-betterment. To Martin, however, religious devotion and personal empowerment are not necessarily on opposite sides of the moral spectrum.

I dont think those two things are mutually exclusive, but it is very difficult territory to navigate because of the patriarchal structures of the Church, she said. I personally identify as both a Catholic and a feminist.

As a Catholic, I dont agree with all parts of the Catholic doctrine. My beliefs and actions are deeply rooted in Catholic Social Thought, which, in my interpretation does not align with some of the official Church positions on specific issues, said Boyle. If you love something, you hold it accountable.

A group picture of the cohort of DENA (District of North America) that was represented.Alannah Boyle / Courtesy

Personal empowerment remains a topic of discussion among Lasallian women. Similar to the beliefs of Boyle and Martin, the LGSW demonstrated that religious devotion and empowerment can go hand in hand, as opposed to representing the opposite sides of a coin.

I think that women have long been overlooked critical players of the faith. We are doing much of the work on the ground, and we should be represented in positions of leadership, Martin said.

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And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if they have saved all of humanity.Quran 5:32

While the societal and individual problems of addiction can be universal there is a gigantic range of ways to treat these problems. They can be divided along political, societal, geographical, the personal ethics of individuals, and a host of other factors. World Religion News has focused on religion combined with treatment and the diversity of approaches based on divergent religious doctrines and the success rates of programs. Because the privacy protection of drug programs it can be difficult to exactly measure the effectiveness of support programs.

Use hashtag #FaithInRecovery to follow our multi-part series.

These are four distinct religious communities each having their unique struggles and successes with drug rehabilitation.

Muslim Population in the Middle East

In the Middle East, the conservative, traditional interpretation of Islam has made the penalties draconian. Several laws have the death penalty for drug use and there is a sizable minority of individuals who believe only harsh discipline is the solution. Drug use is considered haram and must not be used in any way. This has created a silencing effect for those afflicted and slowed government intervention for treatment programs.

This is evolving as the number of drug users in some Middle East countries has skyrocketed. In Iran, there are between 1.2 to 2 million addicts (this is a conservative estimate) and Afghanistan has similar numbers. This is due to the increased production of heroin in Afghanistan, the availability of cheap methamphetamine derivatives, and the inability to receive treatment.

Examples of treatment are steadily increasing. Iran has nearly 1,300 addiction treatment centers and the Iranian government has stated it has treated nearly 700,000 people by last March. Treatment is mostly run by non-governmental organizations that emphasize personal empowerment. This is especially true for programs for women, who make up 10% of the addict population in Iran.

Read the previous articles in this series: Faith in Recovery

Based on the principles of Sharia law, there is less emphasis on using prescription drugs to help individuals detox. Afghanistan has treatment centers which mostly subscribe to the cold turkey philosophy, which increases the likelihood of relapse. The fact that the Taliban supports local treatment centers shows the changing mindset around addiction with traditionalist Muslims.

Thai Buddhism

One of the most extreme treatment centers in the world is located in Thailand. The Wat Tham Krabok Monastery includes hard labor and the consumption of a herbal concoction that causes projectile vomiting, meant to rapidly promote detoxing, and is consumed on a daily basis.

Thai Buddhism is part of the Theravada school of Buddhism that focuses on personal liberation. Buddhists believe addiction is a form of attachment, which is the cause of suffering. Therefore addiction is an extreme version of what every Buddhist learns in the Four Noble Truths, the foundation of their religious belief.

Most of the monks at the monastery are former addicts and people come from around the world to be treated for their addictive tendencies. The program begins with incoming patients taking a sacred vow called Sajia that has supposed mystic properties. The Sajia is taken very seriously. There are no repeat visits to the monastery and breaking the Sajia is considered a grave offense. The Sajia represents a lifelong commitment to sobriety.

Patients stay from a week to a month. Treatment includes daily use of the herbal drink, a single meal, and chores beginning at 4:30 AM. Patients pay nothing beyond food costs during their stay.

Does the program work? Although there is little scientific evidence to support the success of the program, patients declare it changed my life. Many people who stay at Wat Tham Krabok are serious drug and alcohol addicts who believe this is their last chance to get clean.

Wat Tham Krabok has treated 110,000 people since 1959. A review of 65 individuals who attended the program found 90 percent complete the program and 60 percent remained sober after 1 year. WRN reported previously in our series that the one-year mark is a significant indicator of long-term sobriety.

Mormons in Utah

Latter-day Saints represent just over half the population in the state of Utah. Historically Utah was settled by Mormons to escape religious persecution and even engaged in an armed conflict with the United States Federal Government for the ability to have substantial self-governance.

Utah is going through another historic period with the rate of opioid addiction and suffering caused by it. From 2000 to 2014 there was a 400 percent increase in opioid overdoses. One person dies each day from opioid overdose. For most users in Utah, the gateway drug toward addiction is prescription painkillers, not recreational drugs. Because Utah leads the nation in per capita use of prescription drugs, the proliferation has created a huge potential for addiction.

Mormon women might have unique difficulty in overcoming addiction. Some interpret Mormonism to mean women should be in charge of the household based on traditional gender roles. This creates two issues. First, the cultural notion of being constantly cheerful as the foundation of the family unit might mask an addiction problem and lead to self-denial. Second, some Mormon women have used stimulants in order to juggle the hectic schedule of a wife and mother. While this is not a universal target, there are been the criticism that treatment centers do not tailor their programs to the issues dealt with by female Mormon addicts.

Some have argued the Mormon church has been slow to act based on denial of the problem. It is unclear if this is linked to the teaching of the Mormon church, referred to as the Words of Wisdom. The Words of Wisdom teach that many adulterants should abstained from including alcohol, drugs, and caffeine. Being addicted to drugs is seen as both an individual struggle and a tactic by Satan for control of the soul.

Mormons have developed a version of the Alcoholics Anonymous program as a specific treatment program. As WRN has reported AA allows individuals autonomy in surrendering to a Higher Power. For Mormons, this Higher Power has to be God as described in their teachings.

As WRN wrote in our article on popular Christian programs, there is a diversity of treatment programs beyond the Mormon version of AA. Most of the popular facilities in Utah that use religious principles combine spiritual guidance with therapeutic and medicinal techniques. A unique advantage Mormons have is that the strong ties of Mormons in Utah create a support group that can be greatly effective in people remaining clean after attending a facility. The fact that the group has an easy self-identification based on religion makes it easier for individuals to both initially and continuously attend support events.

Hasidic Jews

The Hasidic Orthodox Jewish community is considered to be insular. With a very conservative interpretation of Judaism, there are strict rules governing practitioners behavior. Yet this community has not been able to escape the ravages of addiction. There have been noted cases of Hasidic Jews dying of opioid addiction and religious leaders commenting were definitely losing more people to drugs.

A connecting theme to the previous commitments is the lack of openness about addiction. Because of religious teachings that describe addiction as a moral failing, members of communities are less likely to talk about their personal issues. This can influence the lack of quick and appropriate action by community leaders. The increased personal destruction, no longer able to obfuscate itself, has caused Rabbis to begin to learn more about drug treatment and encourage members to speak out about their problems.

Treatment facilities operate the same way as most other religious programs. A mix of religious and secular practices are used as a way to give the most effective treatment. A major difference of a Jewish treatment program is the inclusion of a kosher diet. It is unclear if the diet helps assist in the healing process.

None of these communities rely solely on religion for rehabilitation. Even though each strongly ties addiction, in general, to a religious problem, the intersection of emotional, mental, and physical recovery needed to overcome the dependence on narcotics or alcohol changes the nature of the programs. Interestingly, the program that is most deeply tied to religious teachings, the Tham Krabok Monastery, is also the sole program that includes outsiders and individuals that may not be Buddhist. The fluid dynamism of both Eastern thought and Buddhism in general as a philosophical position, as much as a practiced religion, may be directly responsible for it.

Those who are interested in a program that tied to a specific religion can look at our previous articles in the series that give a list of programs and tips on how to choose the program right for you.

Read the previous articles in this series: Faith in Recovery

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The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and are not necessarily those of World Religion News.

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If the NBAs summer of 2017 doesnt underscore that loyalty in sports is pure fiction, then what will? Chris Paul left Los Angeles. Paul George forced his way out of Indiana. The Bulls stunned Jimmy Butler. Gordon Hayward dumped Utah. Kyrie Irving abandoned King LeBron James. The Celtics blindsided Isaiah Thomas. But with players increasingly influential when it comes to their brands, short-term deals, constant speculation, and long-term planning by savvy executives, our ideas about player-to-team loyalty and team-to-player loyalty have been thrown out the window. Everything we think we know about sports tells us that Irving should want to stay in Cleveland, and Boston should want to keep Thomasbut the opposite is true.

Freedom is not the absence of commitments, but the ability to choose and commit myself towhat is best for me, Brazilian author Paulo Coelho wrote in his 2005 novel, The Zahir. That concept of freedom is the operating principle for organizations. But in the rare instances where players are free agents (like Hayward or Durant) or have enough status to control their destiny (like George or Irving), fans often admonish their decisions when they exercise their right to leave. After Thomas was traded, Caron Butler and Ray Allen took to Instagram to call out perceived hypocrisy: When players arent loyal to their teams theres outrage, but theres no similar reaction when, say, a team trades a player who played in a game two days after his sister passed away while recovering from dental surgeries and battling a painful hip injury. Allen would know: He left the Celtics for the Heat in 2012, one month after Miami beat Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals, which earned him a Judas Shuttlesworth nickname. He wrote on Instagram, It is just a business so when the teams do it there should be no difference when the players do it!

The executives and agents Ive chatted with agree; they dont think anything of the choices made by the players and teams this summer. Every team operates pretty much the same way, which is virtually the same way nearly every business on earth operates, said an NBA agent, who requested to be anonymous. Kevin Durants choice to leave the Thunder for the 73-win Warriors birthed the the My Next Chapter meme and a perception that he took the easy way out. Durant went on The Bill Simmons Podcast at the end of August, and had this to say: Guys have been getting traded in their sleep for years. Guys have been getting the shitty end of the stick for years. I mean, some guys have been fucking over organizations, too. Its no loyalty. Its business. Theres money involved.

You can feel however you want to feel if your favorite player gets traded or signs somewhere else. The range of emotions we all feel while watching, rooting, talking, and thinking about our favorite teams is what fuels our love for the game. But as the NBA evolves and grows, there are ways to alter what we expect from teams and players and how we respond to their choices.

One of the common responses to Irvings decision to request a trade from the Cavaliers was, Why would he want to leave LeBron, one of the greatest players ever? Does he not care about winning? Ive read it on Redditand NBA executives Ive texted with have expressed the same sentiment. Irving said during his introductory press conference that his decision was simply about doing what was best for him: going for something bigger than myself and honestly being in an environment thats conducive for my potential. The only way to grow was to escape from LeBron Jamess towering shadow. But LeBron is the one who lay the path for Irving, as well as for the other players who chose their own destinies this summer.

Irving and James were guests on Episode 12 of Richard Jefferson and Channing Fryes Road Trippin With RJ & Channing. On that episode, Irving said, Have you read The Alchemist?Coelhos most famous novelthen asked LeBron to share his takeaways from the book. (Paulo Coelho didnt respond to a request for comment for this story.) LeBron spoke about empowerment, having a vision, and chasing it. Kyrie has effectively done just that, saying in a video message to Cavaliers fans that the moment came and he wanted to take full advantage of it so he could accomplish things that I have dreamt of as a kid.

CP3 also opted for personal empowerment. So did George. So did Hayward. Disloyalty should be the expectation, not the exception. Loyalty is a two-way street where both teams and players are licensed to drive. Ultimately, this is where my mind has changed over the last 10 years or so. Teams stab players in the back all the time. Players do the same. Its reality: The frequency at which it occurs doesn't make it any easier to deal with, but it does mean that there's a level of shock that should be removed from these situations. LeBron could have handled leaving Cleveland for Miami better, but maybe it had to be that way to empower players to make decisions that benefit their lives. Durant mentioned on The Bill Simmons Podcast that its the relationships with the people in the organization that hes still loyal to, not the organization itself. Its hard to be loyal to something that, by its very nature, is ever-changing.

Teams foster the same emotional rhythms in fans that we deal with in life: happiness, angst, disillusionment. But there's a reason why allegiance doesn't usually end when a player is traded or retires: It's all cyclical. Wins and losses, additions and subtractions, all create new opportunities. For sports fans, it might be best to enter into a new relationship with a player knowing the odds are it wont lasteither by the players personal choice or the teams decision.

Front office work requires a certain level of callousness. The Bulls, Celtics, and Rockets reshaped their rosters this offseason with surprising trades. While I dont like the return Chicago got for Butler, it was the right decision to move on. Houston and Boston got considerably better, on paper. You could make the argument that Daryl Morey and Danny Ainge would be lesser general managers had they considered loyalty a good business model.

It was only four short years ago, in the summer of 2013, when Ainge traded two Celtics legends, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, for a bunch of Nets draft picks and replacement-level players. My fiercely loyal Celtics-fan boss didnt like the trade, and neither did a lot of other fans. It wouldve been easy to keep Pierce and let him fade off into the sunset after a year-long farewell tour in a Celtics uniform. Boston took a gamble on the future. No one couldve expected the deal to work out at the level it did. The Nets died. The Celtics ascended. Here we are today.

Bostons long web of trades and signings that started in 2013 culminated last week when Ainge acquired Irving for the 2018 Nets pick, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and, of course, Thomas, who won the hearts of an entire fanbase this past season. Boston fell head over heels for Thomas after he dropped 53 points in the playoffs. I always dream of moments like this, Thomas said after the game. Those are where legends are born. And one day I want to be one of those guys. Thomas meant it, and his love for the fans was not unrequited. But to reach their ultimate goal of winning a championship, the organization had to ignore those fuzzy feelings. The way I imagine it is like this: We were all watching Thomas on one knee, wearing his Brinks truck sandals, ready to propose for a long-term commitment to the team and the city. But Ainge stopped him before he could reach for the ring. It was just a fling all along, nothing more. Ainge dealt Marcus Thornton for Isaiah Thomas, then Thomas for Kyrie Irving. To systematically upgrade assets, you cannot let attachment be an overriding decision-maker.

Ill leave it to your own imaginations to realize how difficult that conversation might have beenfor me and Isaiah, Ainge said after the trade. Isaiah had just an amazing season this year and entertained us allthe whole city of Boston, and everybody fell in love with him. You know, hes such an underdog because of his size and his heart and his spirit in which he plays. It was very challenging to make this decision.

An agent texted me that Danny would trade his son Austin if he had to. I believe it. The Celtics had just won 53 games, earning them the no. 1 seed, and went all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Now they have only four returning players: Al Horford, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Terry Rozier. How many organizations in sports would seriously return only one-quarter of their roster after the season they had? Its so easy to accept the status quo when things are going well. Some owners would love for a nice jog on the playoff treadmill as a six-seed every year. But it was the right choice for Ainge and the Celtics. The team was good and full of overachievers, but it wasnt great like it needed to be for them to achieve their ultimate goal.

Any backlash Boston receives for the choices they made or grief Houston gets for trading away a fan favorite in Patrick Beverley will quickly fade as their reloaded teams surpass the good-but-not-great edition fans fell in love with. Sure, its no guarantee. The failed Lakers superteam still looms. So do the Nets, the spark that put Boston in this position in the first place. But usually when great players join forces, great moments follow.

Still, it can be hard as a fan to fall in love with a team with the realization that no matter how deep that love is, the players who define the team can be cut loose at any moment. But remember what got you here doesnt work against a dominant, paradigm-shifting team like the Warriors. To paraphrase what Morey told ESPN in June, when the juggernaut Warriors present long odds for the rest of the league, you need to up your risk profile and get more aggressive. Drastic measures must be taken. The teams with owners and front offices who allow for that freedom will be the organizations that flourish in this new era of basketball.

Its not easy for players and general managers to make these difficult choices. Oftentimes, they need to cut out the noise. In todays NBA, it seems like no matter how much better a team gets, theres someone who says, They still wont beat the Warriors. Maybe thats true. But teams wont back down. Morey also has expressed that he doesnt believe the Warriors are unbeatable. Other executives Ive chatted with this summer still think the Spurs wouldve made life a living hell for Golden State had Kawhi Leonard stayed healthy for the series.

Ainge expressed similar thoughts in July 2016, days after Durant signed with the Warriors. Listen, they are an outstanding team. And nobody can deny the great talent that they have, Ainge said. But were not going to just lay down and die, Ill tell you that. The Celtics and Rockets have stood their ground. Theyve moved forward as an attempt to transform their teams into worthy nemeses of the juggernaut Warriors. Irving, George, Hayward, and Paul all did the sameLeBron will next summer. Those parties arent worried about what others are saying or how their decisions are perceived; ultimately, its all babble.

After worrying about how the Irving trade with Boston might be judged considering Thomass hip injury, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert might have taken a page out of the Celtics book after moving forward with the decision to accept the trade for Irving. As the Cavs enter a likely post-LeBron era, they need to stick to their forward-thinking plan. Even if it means burning a big LeBron bridge, it could lead to something special down the line. Eventually, maybe the next generation of players will recognize and appreciate it.

Basketball is constantly shifting, and that reality can sometimes be cruel. Jazz fans would find it hard to lose Hayward, as Bulls fans would with Butler. But there are always new fan favorites waiting in the wings. And they, too, will eventually either abandon the team or get forced out. Thats business; thats life.

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Does Loyalty in the NBA Still Exist? - The Ringer (blog)

As a woman in India today, the question that often confronts me is: Is there a way to reconcile tradition and modernity? There perhaps is no conclusive answer to this there are stories that reiterate concepts that control women and their sexuality. We associate tradition with duty, a force that is in opposition to, and often seeks to control and regulate, desire and personal freedom.

Yet, I have to admit that I am surprised by the past. My grandmother, who I loved deeply, sought in her old age to connect me with the rituals and the pujas of her family and the past and I resisted this. It also seemed incongruous to me that my grandmother a woman who loved her lipstick, sported a bob cut, and delighted in wearing chiffon saris with sleeveless blouses a liberated woman, was, as she grew older, deeply immersed in certain traditions.

When she passed away, in honour of her memory a little against my own ideals we donated money for a puja at the temple of her Kuladevata, her family deity, Amba Bhavani. I had resisted hearing about this deity throughout my life, yet after her death, I found myself talking to the priest at the temple and was forced to confront my own prejudices. Amba Bhavani according to this priests description was exactly the sort of of Goddess my fierce and emancipated grandmother would have approved of. She was not merely the sister of Krishna, she was a single Goddess, unmarried, the incarnation of Shakti and incredibly strong.

It strikes me as ironic that a culture that boasts of a rich legend connected to deadly saviour Shakti-Goddesses is also a culture that allows gender inequities.

There is Lalitha Tripurasundari, the Goddess to whom Lalitha Sahasranama is dedicated. She is described in sensual terms, regarded as the embodiment of desire and is married to Kameswara, Siva incarnate as Desire. She fights and triumphs over a demon, Bhandasura a demon who is, literally, called Shame. It is fascinating to consider some of the metaphors that her story can offer us a form of Mahamaya, Lalitha is the one who plays, she is Beauty and Desire and defeats Shame.

But Lalitha Tripurasundari is a Goddess associated with the Tantric tradition, and we shy away from talking about and exploring the thoughts and ideas preserved in it. I was struggling to understand what exactly tantra was, when a scholar explained to me that tantricism involves practices and ideas that advance personal empowerment; that enables the practitioner or student of Tantricism to seek liberation moksha not merely in a spiritual sense, but also in the sense of being controlled and restricted by social convention.

Yet Tantricism is uncomfortable to discuss today with its focus on sex and eroticism; and in this sense suggests that the past, in many ways, was more open-minded than the present we live in. I cannot help wondering if delving deeper into the texts and ideas of Tantricism can give rise to a discussion on Desire that could free us as Lalitha does from Shame.

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There are many dark pages in the history of the 20thcentury, notably the tens of millions of deaths cased by Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin. Caught between the regimes of these cruel dictators was the Poland where Karol Wojtyla came of age.

The leaders of Nazism and Soviet communism tried to convince people that they were part of a great cause. The problem was that neither respected the dignity of individuals.

Wojtyla, however, believed that while we can all work together for a common cause, each of us is not only significant, were sacred beings and were loved.

After Stalinist Russia took control of Poland and much of Eastern Europe after the Second World War, Wojtyla studied and then taught the philosophy that ultimately led to the downfall of communism. The Catholic Church in Poland became the greatest voice in opposing the state and Wojtyla, seen as open to dialogue, rose through the ranks of this institution.

In 1978, Wojtila was named Pope John Paul II. Few outside of Poland knew who he was or what he had accomplished, but he immediately began using his global influence to bring down the Iron Curtain.

His message was quite simple: Be not afraid. He told people that theyre loved and sacred. He told them to embrace their dignity as humans, and to stand together for justice and freedom.

It didnt take long for workers to organize in his native Poland. The Solidarity movement became a powerful force. The government first tried to crush the movement through violence, arrests and intimidation. But with the world watching, their efforts only served to strengthen the resolve of the people. Wojtyla embraced his identity as a Pole and as an Eastern European, and the ideal of freedom spread.

By the end of the 1980s, the Iron Curtain had collapsed and the world was changed forever.

By studying the thoughts of Wojtyla, you see what inspired and motivated the person who led the revolution against a cruel dictatorship without ever speaking of violence.

As with all people who accomplish great things, Wojtyla knew he had a mission. This was expressed in a discussion with a friend while recovering from an assassination attempt in 1981. There is nothing more beautiful than to be a tool in the hands of God, he said.

In 1983, the Pope actually visited the jail cell of the man who tried to kill him and forgave him. There were other attempts on his life but he moved forward without fear. Millions of people took inspiration from him, especially in Eastern Europe, and did the same.

While no leader and no institution is perfect, John Paul II was the right leader for his time. No one but an Eastern European in a position of global leadership could have led a movement to overthrow the powerful communist regime.

Its significant to note the similarities between the peaceful movements that overcame oppressive governments in the 20thcentury and brought about lasting change. Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela all had clear visions, and offered messages of personal empowerment, forgiveness, courage, acceptance and love.

No force on earth is more powerful than a movement that embraces these truths. It may take time but triumph is inevitable.

Its important to see beyond todays issues and apply whats worked in the past.The words of John Paul II still ring clearly: Be not afraid.

Troy Media columnist Gerry Chidiac is an award-winning high school teacher specializing in languages, genocide studies and work with at-risk students.

The views, opinions and positions expressed by columnists and contributors are the authors alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of our publication.

Catholicism, Communism, Fascism, Religion

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'Be not afraid.' Why the words of John Paul II still resonate - Troy Media

Though news about instances of the Zika virus in the U.S. have quieted down since last fall, transmission of the virus hasnt stopped. As recently as late July, Texas officials reported a locally-contracted case of Zika inside the state and scientists announced the troubling finding that rising temperatures could make outbreaks of Zika and similar viruses a more common occurrence.

Circumstances are even more difficult in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. With over 20 inches of rain leaving massive amounts of debris, coinciding with the peak of arboviral transmission in northern Mexico, the potential for mosquito-borne disease outbreaks in southern Texas is heightened for the coming months. In other words, when it comes to figuring out ways to do a better job of tracking, preventing, and responding to mosquito-borne illnesses, were not out of the woods yet.

Unfortunately, we now face a new challenge that makes this task even harder than might have been predicted roughly a year ago: strained political relations between the U.S. and Mexico, whose shared border is crucial ground in the fight to stop Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses, like chikungunya and dengue.

A strong U.S.-Mexico relationship is valuable for commerce, education, and personal lives in the border region and beyond, but its also important for our greater public health and safety.

Health departments from both countries have long exchanged bi-national case information to improve response to infectious diseases. From investigations into cross-border outbreaks of dengue in Texas/ Nuevo Leon and Arizona/Sonora, to programs developing leaders in border-centered public health, partnerships have been established that improve health in the border region. These collaborations help both sidesafter all, insects know no borders, and pathogens spread in both directions.

While many local health departments continue to work well together by pushing politics aside, there are noticeable signs that political strain is nevertheless having an impact on public health efforts.

Despite the added challenges that increased political tensions between the U.S. and Mexico have brought to monitoring and reporting potential Zika outbreaks, community-based technology is surfacing as a promising solution to containing and preventing such occurrences.

For instance, I have started experimenting with the application of this type of strategy. By developing a community-based mobile app that allows users to report symptoms that may be associated with mosquito borne-diseases like Zika, chikungunya and dengue in regions along the U.S.-Mexico border, we may have a greater chance of catching and containing outbreaks before they become widely spread.

Enhancing detection of transmission in the high-risk regions along the U.S.-Mexico border remains as critical as ever.

Potentially infectious mosquitoes are not hampered by our country's political strain and we must not be either. But the reality is that new obstacles have arisen.

Public health officials and researchers in border communities, such as myself, are finding that many Mexican immigrants, especially those living in U.S. border states, are more hesitant to share personal information.

This hesitation limits both the willingness to seek medical care when ill and to share personal health information through a community-based mobile system. Without this information, transmission of viruses such as Zika can go undetected and uncontrolled until a substantial outbreak is underway. While this is certainly an obstacle that needs to be addressed, it is also imperative that we as professionals remain mindful and respectful of communities privacy and comfort levels.

It goes without saying that in order for community-based solutions to be successful in aiding public health efforts, that community participation is essential. That is why we must rebuild and repair trust within border communities and work through trusted networks and organizations if we are to succeed in our efforts to empower communities to help stop the spread of Zika.

Once we secure community trust and buy-in, the optimal scenario for community-based technology would look something like this: if a cluster of suspiciously Zika-like symptoms are reported, local health departments would be notified and from there conduct enhanced surveillance of a region to test for a possible outbreak.

In the event of positive results, they would be able to immediately notify the community through a press release and other public health announcements so that community members can take the necessary precautions.

These types of innovations would ideally be taking part as other important steps are being made in parallel. Such as: enhancing policies surrounding the transparency of public data, which would allow communities more notice in responding to an outbreak.

In order to catch outbreaks in the early stages, public health departments must also be empowered and equipped to take proactive measures when it comes to public safety. They should not be forced, by a lack of resources, to take a more reactive approach.

Obtaining the necessary funding requires buy-in at more than just the federal level it is also critical to get buy-in at the state and local level. By having the necessary resources and infrastructure already in place to handle these types of potential public health outbreaks, we can make a substantial difference in saving lives and money in the long run.

For now, however, the biggest focus should be on rebuilding trust within communities in the U.S. that are most likely to be affected by a Zika outbreak, and potentially most helpful in helping to contain it.

Policies, technological innovations, and public health efforts all have important roles to play and we need to be doing everything we can to curtail the public health threat that does, indeed, still exist.

Kacey C. Ernst, PhD, MPH,is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director at the University of Arizonas Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and a 2017 AAAS Leshner Fellow for Public Engagement. Her primary projects examine the environmental determinants of vector-borne disease transmission and control. She and a team recently developed the Kidenga app.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.

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Community empowerment, not walls, will prevent Zika - The Hill (blog)

Youth empowerment is imperative not only for national development but also for personal development of an individual. According to the recently released census data, our population comprises 60 percent of the youth. This is both a threat and an opportunity. If this raw talent's energy is not channelised, well then we have a real challenge at hand as it might act as a time bomb for our country. However, by channelising the energy and raw talent of the youth in the right direction, we can prepare them for a productive role aimed at shaping the future of the nation.

History has shown that under the dynamic leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam, the youth played an instrumental role in bringing Pakistan into being. The Quaid-e-Azam considered the youth as nation builders of tomorrow. He strongly believed in equipping the youth with discipline, education and training for the arduous tasks lying ahead of them.

Today, the youth of Pakistan is facing various social, political and economic changes. If we review our past policies, we would notice the palpable lack of concrete youth targeted policies. These policies have lacked consistency, coherence and a broader perspective. Given the present scenario of our country in terms of youth bulge, the slogan of youth empowerment has taken the centre-stage. However, the best way to empower our youth is through provision of greater educational and economic opportunities.

Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) is South Asia's largest scholarship programme. The basic purpose behind the programme is to provide scholarships to the deserving but talented students who aren't able to pursue higher education due to financial constraints. The scholarships of worth Rs. 12 billion have been awarded so far. Under the umbrella of PEEF, Shahbaz Sharif Merit Scholarship (SSMS) is a revolutionary step of the Punjab government, which enables the youth to study in the top ranked educational institutions of the world by funding their whole expenditure. PEEF is a story of dedication and vision in the service of the youth that is changing lives and help realise dreams.

In the middle of difficulty lies an opportunity and educational scholarship is a gateway to opening of new avenues of socio-economic mobility and growth. The launch of Chinese and Turkish Language Scholarship programs by the Punjab government is a step in the right direction.

I believe that these Language Scholarship Programs are very productive exercise with far-reaching results. Besides being time-tested and sincere friends of Pakistan, both China and Turkey are our trusted development partners. Given the increasing footprint of the Chinese and Turkish investment and trade in Punjab and Pakistan, the language courses being funded by Punjab will help our students acquire expertise and understanding that will help facilitate interaction between our two countries. In addition to further strengthening our bilateral relations with these countries, the scholarship programs will open up more avenues for our youth in terms of better career prospects.

Skill development has created a huge space for generation of employment in today's world. The idea of earning millions by bringing fresh prospective and out of box thinking on the table is very encouraging and unique. One cannot only create job for oneself but also create livelihood opportunities for others. Unfortunately we as a nation are lagging behind in developing skills of our youth. But the recent keen interest of government in this field is laudable.

On the directions of the Chief Minister, TEVTA is engaged in imparting skills to two million youths of Punjab by the end of 2018. The project of Punjab Tianjin Technical University has been envisaged and definitely, Chinese expertise would be useful for the Punjab government. The students of Punjab Tianjin Technical University will get same facilities and latest technical education which is being provided in Tianjin University. The students of this university would get dual degrees.

Chief Minister Punjabs E-Rozgar Scheme, and Interest-free loan scheme are some other initiatives taken by Punjab to empower youth. It is a high time we utilised our resources to train our students in terms of technical, human resource and skill development. We need to create backward and forward linkages between industry and academia. Instead of preparing generalists, we should focus on producing qualified human resource keeping in view the indigenous and foreign demands. The construction of CPEC projects across the country has thrown open a huge demand for skilled labour and it is now on us how we convert this challenge into an opportunity.

The Chinese model of converting youth bulge into a demographic dividend needs to be emulated in our efforts to empower our youth. There is no denying the fact that our youth is talented and hard working. They have the overwhelming desire to realize their potential into an asset for the nation-building, provided the state can enable and equip them necessary tools. It is heartening to note that there is a discernible realization of giving our youth the conducive environment for development.

While the Punjab government has launched much needed initiatives, it is important that sustainable youth empowerment policies at the national level are worked out after consultation with all stakeholders particularly the youth bodies. We have to make our youth agent of change through investment in their future.

Published inDaily Times, August 31st 2017.

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Youth Empowerment: Punjab leads the way - Daily Times

Around the Corner is aPhillyCAMshow that offerslocal social impactleaderstheopportunity to share what impact their work is having on the Philadelphia area.

But it produces guides of other kinds, too such as the recently released The XX Factor, a report that helps funders learn more about how to improve the lives of women and girls through five lenses: economic empowerment, personal safety, legal rights, health and education, explained analyst Rebecca Hobble.

The XX Factor also includes 10 evidenced-based best bets for those new to giving in this area, which includes donating to organizations dealing with labor force participation, protection from child marriage and access to technology.

And for those looking to help victims of Hurricane Harvey beyond drinking beer, check out CHIPs quick primer on how to think about giving in a disaster. Its advice? Give money, not stuff, and give even after the floodwaters have receded. Read it here.

Learn more about CHIP in Hobbles Around the Corner interview below.

PhillyCAM isComcastchannel 66/966 HD/967 andVerizon FIOSchannel 29/30 in Philadelphia.

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Center for High Impact Philanthropy's new report outlines how to best help women and girls around the world - Generocity

Youre truly interested in growing and changing, but youd like to have a better handle on the changes. You welcome and pursue self-knowledge and understanding, but life throws challenges at yousometimes big ones. When the worst is happening, you wonder what the purpose of it all is. And while you are struggling, life goes on, sometimes leaving you mired in confusion or overwhelm trying to figure it out before its too late. Generic advice has only gone so far.

Youre not alone. I struggled endlessly to figure out what my life purpose was and what I should do about it. When I finally found the key to understanding myself, I felt liberated to finally live myown, real life, and be my own person, not the person someone else thought I should be. Then my path becameclear and easyto walk. I found my own personal owners manual and my life has been filled with meaning ever since.

Could there really be an owners manual just for you?

What if you found areliablesource of information that you could go to over the years to get advice thats true for you and you alone? What if you had a personal owners manual, describing who you are and how to live yourmost successfullife? Could there really be such a thing?

There isand its your astrology chart.

Did you know that your accurate birth chart works for you and only you? It is more detailed than your enneagram number or your Myers-Briggs type. Your astrology chart is as complex and unique as you are. It is the very best orientation and navigation tool in existence for your personal life, without exception.

Properly read, your horoscope reveals:

As a professional astrologer (Ive been studying since 1980 and practicing since 1992), I can show you all this and more. But dont take my word for it:read what some of my clients say.

I can help you:

Getting on your own unique spiritual path starts with an astrology reading of your birth chart, current transitions or relationships. I can do this for you in person at my Berkeley, California location or via online meeting if you are at a distance from California. After yourreading, youll receive a screen-capture video of the session, along with copies of all the charts we used, delivered to you as downloadable files within 24 hours. Find out more about thetypes of readings available and my rates here.

Even if you see a therapist or life coach regularly, having an astrology reading can give you the keys to unlock yourself in an accelerated way. An astrology reading condenses years of inner exploration into one session, powerfully assisting therapy or coaching. In fact, its such a powerful experience that you wouldnt want to have your chart read more than twice a year.

If youre about to have your first astrology reading, Im especially excited for you. Contact me soon!

Blessings on your path,Jamie Kahl MillerPandora AstrologyBerkeley, California, USA

Contact Jamie

PS. Tired of woo-woo astrologers who use mysterious spiritual language and new-agey terms? Ready for an astrologer who will speak to you in practical terms and in English, who will give you solid information you can use right away? Youve just found one! Id love to hear from you.

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The Mrs Universe finalists from more than 80 countries are loving the vibe in Durban. IMAGES: Images: Abhi Indrarajan

Beauty with a purpose: Mrs Universe finalists, who are in Durban for the World Finals on September 2, 2017, visited three schools in the greater Durban area, on Monday.

Tapping into this years event theme of empowering women, creating change, the contestants from more than 80 countries, spoke to pupils about the importance of education and helped create awareness of the global gender-based violence crisis.

Pupils from Bhekisisa High School in Ntuzuma and two schools in Umlazi, namely Menzi High School and Vukuzakhe High School, met with the women to hear about how they overcame personal challenges to achieve success and make a meaningful contribution to their communities back home.

The beautiful contestants enjoyed spending time with the pupils.

To add to the festive atmosphere at the schools, Vodacom handed over 10 tablets to each of three schools. Teachers will award the ten high performing pupils in each school with the tablets at the end of the year.

The Mrs Universe event is a women-empowerment initiative that brings together married women between the ages of 25 and 45 who are doing phenomenal work to uplift and enhance their local communities through CSI initiatives.

The Mrs Universe World Finals will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on September 2, 2017. For more information, visit http://www.mrsuniverse 2017.co.za

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Mrs Universe contestants empower Durban pupils - Rising Sun Chatsworth