Hi all – sorry for the late posting last week – a technical glitch kept the links from you until Monday.  This week, we have a bevy of tips and recommendations of books and articles to dig into this weekend.  Enjoy!

Optimism about the peace movement and women’s role in it, delivered via a list of books.
Are Afghans building peace (and coping with war) by writing poetry?
Another reading recommendation from Texas in Africa – on the dangers and pitfalls of oversimplification of the Congo crisis.
Are you a woman web entrepreneur?  Check …

Basma Badran
Lebanon

“The need for coverage in crisis situations, for example during bombings, turns regular citizens into reporters.”
Connection Point Manager Yasmina Mrabet interviewed Lebanese journalist Basma Badran about her experiences working in the media. Her responses are below.
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What inspired you to begin working in the media, and what has been your experience as a woman working in this field?
I actually never thought I’d end up working in the media. Originally, I began as an editor at a news agency – an opportunity I received based on my language background and interest …

Erick Brocoy
Phillipines
“Community cooperation and cohesiveness increase while livelihoods and incomes become steady. The people develop an entrepreneurial drive accompanied with working hand in hand with community members. The sense of unity and camaraderie flourish.”
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Despite the number of interventions done to promote empowerment through basic human rights, women are still suffering from inequities around the world.  The role of women in our society is crucial and we must continue to empower them. Without them development will never occur. I met two women who defied cultural limitations, finding ways to empower fellow …

Laura Shaz
United States
“In general, people here consider meeting Israelis as kind of betrayal.  I believed that any kind of contact or talking with Israelis was like betraying my country and ignoring the long history of suffering of my people,” said Faras, a Palestinian.  
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Every moment is an opportunity for change.  What can you do to be the change in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?  In intimate interviews with Faras, Goni, Fadwa and Yuval,* four dialogue-group participants, I chronicle the real and honest transformations of these women and men from victims of a war between East …