I recently took part in a Guardian debate on the role of local authorities in education and thought of writing this blog to elaborate on the gap in education policy. The government policy on academies and free schools is premised on the idea that increased diversity of institutions with freedom to innovate and distinguish themselves will … Continue reading
The widespread diffusion of social media and its increasing use in both personal and professional spheres combined with an abundance of information sustained by increasing out-pouring of private information into public domain, have blurred the boundaries of personal and work identities and generated significant socio-legal, cultural, economic, and psychosocial challenges. This article is an attempt … Continue reading
The other day, referring to Foucault views and the various feminist perspectives including Susan Brownmiller’s, I raised Foucault’s question “Is rape the same as a punch in the face?” My reference to that question was motivated by two factors: firstly, as I’ll describe later in this blog post, I think it is outrageous that some people seem to … Continue reading
Domestic violence is widespread and its effects are pervasive. Practice and research in domestic violence have resulted in a greater appreciation of the complexities in understanding the impacts of domestic violence on children and the ways in which it can be approached as child abuse. Research has indicated that the distinction between ‘witnessing’ and ‘experiencing’ … Continue reading
Original article published on The Guardian Local Government Network How will councils clear the hurdles they face, from scarce resources to making the most of social media? There are a host of challenges that face local government in the 21st century: delivering services; lack of finance; managing staff; engaging citizens; forming new partnerships; and, rapidly evolving technologies and … Continue reading
Today I have the pleasure of joining the Guardian Panel to conduct a Q&A on Organisational Change and the cost of transformation. Therefore, below are some of my thoughts in anticipation of the panel discussions. I apologise if due to time limitations they are not well articulated. Reconceptualised notion of creativity within organisations. The meaning … Continue reading
Considering David Lammy’s interview over the weekend and Harriet Baldwin’s interview on Channel 4 I would like to highlight some of the flawed reasoning that leads to this sort of thinking. Frankly speaking, David Lammy is wrong on so many levels that I am not sure where to begin. Therefore, I will only raise some … Continue reading
As is quite evident from this blog, due to various commitments and lack of time, I rarely blog. However, David Cameron has just ordered health and social care services to be brought together in order to benefit patients in a move which government advisers are calling the NHS‘s most urgent overhaul. This integration of services seems to be motivated by cost cutting … Continue reading
I am writing several chapters for the Encyclopedia of Green Culture in America, and in each chapter I have the possibility of featuring 2 or 3 individuals, organizations or entities that have championed and/or significantly contributed to the Green and Eco-friendly culture in America. Hence, aside form my own research I would like to gather … Continue reading
Below is my short speech for my appointment as the Ambassador of Progressive Muslims Forum, UK. at the House of Lords. I am pleased for receiving the achievement award for my work in relation with human rights, equality & diversity, and social cohesion at the Parliamentary Reception of PMF-UK. THE HOUSE OF LORDS Speech by Claudia Megele … Continue reading
The pupils of the first grade were discussing a photo of a family. In the picture, the hair of the youngest boy was of a different color than that of the rest of family. One of the boys in the class thought that the boy was adopted, to which a girl from the class said: … Continue reading
In follow up of my research on adoption (please see details) I would like to initiate a debate in order to raise greater awareness and bring about a policy change with regards to the use of children’s photographs on various adoption websites and with the hope of an eventual ethical shift and policy statement in relation … Continue reading
Words can change our lives, our world and the world and lives of those around us…
Today is the first day of the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach) which is one of the most widely celebrated festivities in Jewish year. Passover marks the biblical event of exodus from Egypt. It is a celebration of the Jews journey from Egypt of tyranny to the promised land of freedom and equality. Passover enwraps … Continue reading
Below are what I consider to be some of the more important highlights of the Independent Commission on Banking released last Monday (April 11, 2011). Reform on Capital Standards: “The Commission’s view is that the 10 percent equity baseline should become the international standard for systemically important banks, and that it should apply to large … Continue reading
Examining the relationship between science and society, in the latter quarter of the last century, we note a significant shift from science setting the stage for society to the society setting the agenda for science. Indeed, the focus of knowledge and knowledge generation changed from the application of knowledge to the knowledge produced in the … Continue reading
The Big Society has signified and evoked various meanings in history ranging from Max Weber’s “gemeinschaft” (community), social consciousness and solidarity to totalitarianism and repression of public opinion under the name of a “greater good”. However, in today’s socio-economic and political context, the Big Society seems to be more of a vacuous concept which only … Continue reading