Human Nature
The nature of nature is freedom. Human nature thrives on freedom. Leaves moving rocks, water shaping stones, paths eternally unknown. On solid pavements we’ve built our freedom. The more we expand our nature, the less nature survives our human. The more we seek our freedom, the less freedom finds our nature. Human paradox in its natural state of freedom.
Casa do Migrante (Migrant’s House)
Due to a recent involvement with a new project regarding worldwide refugees, several non-profit organizations have been visited as part of the research process to locate and meet individuals. Although Brazil is not a major destination for refugees seeking asylum, there has been a considerable increase of refugees arriving in the past few years. Either due to recent global political and economical crises, or considerable economical improvements in Brazil – most likely, a combination of both – refugees and immigrants alike cross borders through various ways.
According to the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951, a refugee is a person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country. In this day and age however, such definition does not directly reflect the various unfortunate realities found in different parts of the globe. Collapsed economies, political stalking due to sexual orientation, and climate crises are other factors forcing populations to move in the basic search for survival. Borders increasingly delimitated make the process more difficult; yet, easy access to information feed the hopes of a better living. As a result, people risk their lives through improbable paths and walks in this global quest.
Several refugees (mostly from the African continent) end up in Brazilian ports hoping and believing they’ve arrived in European shores. In fact, they illegally embark cargo ships in their home countries not knowing the final destinations; and with the risk of being discovered by the crew and dumped out in the Ocean. Any ships arriving in foreign countries with undeclared crewmembers have to pay a considerable fee, forcing crews to avoid such cost at the expense of lives. Those that are able to remain hidden during the entire journey or even arrange a deal with some crewmembers, go for days and weeks surviving with basic supplies.
e-STATS: Symposium on Technologies for Social Action
Remember Fundacion Cibervoluntarios? They invited us to participate as a guest speaker in the upcoming event e-STAS “Symposium on Technologies for Social Action” in Malaga, Spain. The event is a meeting point of all those who work to make new technologies a tool for social inclusion and innovation, a real working space for the promotion and exchange of best practices, innovations and experiences as well as networking. e-STAS’ aim is to generate a process of knowledge and creation of projects, and most importantly to generate innovation through new technologies with the common goal of empowering people. It will be held on the 28th and 29th of June 2011. Everyone is welcomed to register and participate at the event’s website. For now, check out the video below to know more about Fundacion Cibervoluntarios’ work (and for those who’ve read the last entry, we can all assume the voice has echoed).
People of Change – Fundacion Cibervoluntarios from Fernando Sapelli on Vimeo.
Earth Day Celebration
To celebrate the upcoming Earth Day, a compilation of interviews with environmentalists sharing their opinions on future challenges, current solutions, positive changes and personal motivations. Have you?
People of Change Presents: Earth Day from Fernando Sapelli on Vimeo.
Silent News
The re-adaptation process to nomadic routine has had distinct effects; most notoriously, the lack of inspiration. Over one month without any news, updates, fun stories or adventures. For some, it might seem as though the project has been completely forgotten. Truth be told, I’ve been trying to compose something new during this entire period. Most nights, I open my notebook in hopes of achieving it. Words turn into doodling, doodling eventually smudge into drooling; from then on, just dreams. Here’s a lucid attempt.
Far from the lack of news – these have been two eventful months full of twists and turns; yet, the inspiration has been distanced. Rather, I’ve distanced myself. We live in an environment surrounded by distractions – black holes of attention. I can now clearly understand why some need their heaven, their moment of silence; through silence we obtain a meaningful voice. And that voice still echoes, only to be deafened by the surroundings.
Guest Post
George from CheapOair (offering plane tickets) offered us an opportunity to write a guest post on their travel blog. I used one of the articles I had already written, which you might be already familiar with. You can review it here: http://cheapoair.typepad.com/
Traveling around the world, documenting the work of NGOs (and individuals) committed to the betterment of humanity - as well as personal anecdotes. 
