The nature of democracy, which puts the power of governance in the hands of the people, requires citizens to trust each other. Yet, this current moment has been referred to as an “Era of Distrust,”
In order for answers to reveal themselves, difficult questions must be asked. When discussing complex topics relating to politics, law and democracy, these questions are especially important to bring to the forefront, and they require
When humans deeply meditate, they may find themselves connecting with the smallest of atoms to the enormous expansiveness of the universe within one singular breath. Amy Edelstein believes the power of interconnectedness has the potential
Melissa Spas has multigenerational roots firmly planted in Chautauqua’s soil. As a child, her curiosity about the purpose of human life began to sprout on Institution grounds. Spas, the new vice president of religion at
Word-of-mouth history is the glue that binds one generation to the next in Indigenous cultures. These oral stories hold important records and lessons that were once only held in the minds of elders. They’re shared
America may be entering a new phase of change in religious and spiritual values. Rabbi Shaul Magid spoke on this forthcoming transition by explaining the relationship between culture, religion and spirituality, in relation to the
Science, technology and all living beings evolve, yet religion has largely stayed the same for thousands of years. Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF, said that now is the time for a religious transformation. Delio, a sister
Throughout history, science and religion have been at odds with one another, as they both attempt to answer questions about existence in different ways. Marilynne Robinson, an award-winning author and essayist, visited Chautauqua Institution on
The creation and codification of internationally protected human rights is often criticized for excluding certain voices from the conversation. But Kathryn A. Sikkink has dedicated her life’s work to discovering how much collaboration actually ensued.
Human dignity has been repeatedly assaulted. Cornell William Brooks visited Chautauqua to discuss the issues of dignity assault with his lecture, titled “The Moral Inflation of Human Dignity: Race, Repair and Rights.” His lecture on
It has been 40 years since the original ABBA split, but its iconic tunes continue to transcend time. The group sold almost 400 million records worldwide from its 10-year career, and in 2022, its music
As a young Yazidi girl, Nadia Murad lived a peaceful life in the village of Kocho in Sinjar, Northern Iraq. She had dreams of finishing high school and opening a beauty parlor in her village.
Human rights are supposed to be universal and inalienable. Yet, these rights are not equally accessible or guaranteed to all people. Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im spoke on this predicament on Wednesday, July 13, with his lecture,
The golden rule: “Treat others the way you would like to be treated.” Many people are taught this core principle from an early age, and it is reiterated throughout the duration of their lives. Yet,
The past 16 consecutive years have seen a steady decline of global human rights. While the world is progressing, inalienable rights are regressing. The Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, president of Sojourners and author of A
At 13 years old, Nicole Austin-Hillery received an award from her eighth grade teacher, Miss John, for most likely to succeed in a field involving public speaking. With Miss John’s recognition of her talents, Austin-Hillery’s