Briefing No.13
WHAT WE'RE READING
On the Greenwood Place bedside table
Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former United Nations' high commissioner for human rights, is a powerful voice for gender equality, human rights, and social justice.
In "Climate Justice", she gives a platform to women whose lives have been drastically affected by climate change and listens to the way that their communities have been adapted and changed. It's an insightful and optimistic book, and a fascinating read.
MORAL REVOLUTION
Spiritual traditions across the world remind us that the happiness that comes from accumulation is fleeting. There is another kind of happiness, let's call it joy, that comes with a life of deep commitment. "Happiness comes from accomplishments; joy comes from offering gifts. Happiness fades; we get used to the things that used to make us happy. Joy doesn't fade." New York Times columnist and author David Brooks calls this the second mountain.
NEUROSCIENCE NEWS
Neuroscientists are telling us that people don't become fully adult until they are 30. What implications might this have for criminal justice systems and society as a whole?
GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH
Sonal and Rebecca spent a few days in Uganda with mental health focused charity Strong Minds.
After a 12-week course of group therapy, 90% of previously depressed group participants show strong gains in their physical and mental health as well as their employment status and ability to save some of their income (both pre and post treatment measures are administered to internationally recognised standards).
For decades, many people - in both the Global North and the Global South - believed that depression was a uniquely western phenomenon. They were wrong. In fact, the single largest cause of disability worldwide is mental illness.
Tina Rosenberg of The Guardian takes a closer look at how depression is affecting those in the poorest countries.
WORLD POVERTY CLOCK
The World Poverty Clock provides real time poverty estimates for almost every country in the world in a compelling visual format. Take a look.
AI FOR GOOD
One of our community members, Educate Girls, is using artificial intelligence to understand better how to locate and support out-of-school girls in rural India.
We don't see much AI for good coming through the door yet at Greenwood Place. How can AI for good scale?
THE END OF PLASTIC WASTE
MacRebur, the company that uses plastic rubbish that would otherwise go to landfills to surface roads, has opened its first factory.