by Elaine Monaghan | 3 Mar 2022 | Conflict, Future of Democracy, Immigration, Politics, Refugees, Ukraine, World
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine begs questions that most young people have never asked. Here’s how to make sense of the conflict at the heart of Europe. A woman cries in a house crowded with people seeking shelter from Russian airstrikes, outside the capital...
by Helen Womack | 1 Mar 2022 | Europe, Future of Democracy, Government, Human Rights, Immigration, Nationalism, Politics
As leader of Hungary, Viktor Orbán has thumbed his nose at EU values. Elections in April will test whether Hungarians want his “illiberal democracy.” An old tenement block in the Budapest district of Angyalföld, which reflects the split in Hungarian...
by Nelson Graves | 25 Feb 2022 | Conflict, Europe, Future of Democracy, Politics, Ukraine, World
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens the global order that has spared us world war. In an era of nuclear weapons, our very survival could be at risk. A body of a dead soldier lies on the ground next to Ukrainian Army soldiers in Kyiv, Ukraine, 25 February 2022. (AP...
by News Decoder | 24 Feb 2022 | Conflict, Educators' Catalog, Europe, Future of Democracy, Joe Biden, Ukraine, World
We asked News Decoder correspondents why young people should care about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Here’s what they said. An Ukrainian child stamps her painted hand on the Ukrainian flag during a protest outside the Russian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon,...
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominates the news. With so much changing so rapidly, it can be difficult to get a big picture view of the context, implications and side effects of the attacks. When you live far away from the conflict, it can be difficult to know why you should care, with all the other problems in the world, and what — and who — to believe.
In this compilation, News Decoder correspondents offer different perspectives to consider about the war in Ukraine and potential consequences around the globe — and even in space. They bring decades of experience covering politics, foreign affairs and conflict — many having been based in Russia and Eastern Europe — to help place the invasion in a larger context. Their commentary provides a launching point for discussion.
Exercise: Ask students what questions they have about Ukraine and how the conflict might have an impact on your country.
by Nelson Graves | 17 Nov 2021 | European School Brussels, Future of Democracy, Government, La Jolla Country Day School, News Decoder Updates, Transylvania College, Youth Voices
In a public webinar, a leading UK youth advocate and students from News Decoder’s network discussed challenges to democracy around the world. Democracy might be in trouble around the world, but it will survive the challenges it is facing in the early 21st...
by Helen Womack | 12 Oct 2021 | Europe, Future of Democracy, Government, Human Rights, Immigration, Nationalism, Politics
Hungary opened the first cracks in Soviet Communism. Now, the world awaits its elections pitting a right-wing populist leader against a liberal opposition. A street performer in front of a statue commemorating the “Lads of Pest” — youngsters who took up...
by Aralynn Abare McMane | 5 May 2021 | Future of Democracy, Human Rights, Indiana University, News Decoder Updates, World
Journalists are under threat around the world. What to do? Take out a subscription to defend press freedom and democracy, one expert suggests. Robert Mahoney of the Committee to Protect Journalists has an easy idea for how anybody can support freedom of the press and...
by Julian Nundy | 19 Apr 2021 | Eyewitness, Future of Democracy, Human Rights, Politics, World
Since 2007, I’ve been an official election observer. It’s grueling work but strengthens trust in democracy and keeps a lid on electoral fraud. A rally of the Ata Meken party in Jalal-Abad province, southern Kyrgyzstan, in 2015 (photo by Julian Nundy) It...
by Evan Wright | 14 Apr 2021 | Asia, Contest winners, Contests, Future of Democracy, Human Rights, Immigration, Indiana University, Politics, Student Posts, Youth Voices
They are 8,000 miles from Myanmar, but Burmese in the U.S. are raising money in a fight for the restoration of democracy in the Asian nation. A recent protest against the military coup in Myanmar, in Indianapolis, Indiana (courtesy of Elaisa Vahnie) This story was a...
by Bernd Debusmann | 22 Mar 2021 | Donald Trump, Future of Democracy, Human Rights, Politics, World
Emboldened by the COVID-19 pandemic, autocrats are strengthening their grip around the world as democracy steadily loses ground. Police arrest a pro-democracy protester in Hong Kong, China, 29 September 2019. (EPA-EFE/FAZRY ISMAIL) If you live in a country fully...