On 1 May, the European Union will have 75 million new inhabitants—and ten new member nations, bringing its total to 25. The ‘rich man’s club’ is opening its doors to its less wealthy neighbours—amid muttering from many of those already ensconced in its comfortable armchairs. It may seem strange—even presumptuous—for a publication based in the UK to welcome the new arrivals. To the rest of Europe, Britain has sometimes seemed an awkward member of the club, carping about the rules, resisting change and casting aspersions on everyone else. Although our government championed the enlargement, the prospect has sparked a xenophobia in some quarters which is matched only by attitudes to asylum seekers and refugees.

In this rushing busy world do we take the time and care to listen to the other?

What can be done to avert mass extinction on a scale not seen since the age of the dinosaurs, asks Kenneth Noble

Kenneth Noble looks at the importance of the Earth’s Biodiversity and, first, meets two daring artists who aim to let nature speak for herself.

Twenty-three years in Parliament, nine months in the Cabinet, seven months in prison—Jonathan Aitken talks to Mary Lean.

Such euphemisms as ‘presents’, ‘brown envelopes’, ‘collateral things’, even ‘bribes’ do not describe the reality. This system of bribes is best described as medical terrorism. Bribes are what doctors receive. Terror is what the population experiences.

What does it take to make a responsible journalist, asks Henry F Heald.

Images of Forgiveness, a powerful and moving exhibition, gave voice to 26 people from around the world who had experienced tragedy or atrocities.

Retired Vicar Donald Reeves' thoughts turned to Europe and he worked with others to create the Banja Luka Civic Forum.

When Canadian volunteer Leslie Davies set out to make a difference to the lives of the poor in Calcutta, she was surprised at the difference they made in her own.

The once dilettante scion of a Scottish business family tells Paul Williams of the revolution that God brought to his life.

When Lee Jaeku was five he started training in Tae Kwon Do.

James Wood teaches a subject which challenges both schools and society at large.

How can enterprises better serve the wider community? David Erdal has a radical solution, reports Michael Smith.

English musician Kathleen Johnson Dodds talks to Ann Rignall about song-writing, India and Renewal Arts

Representatives from communities from around the UK got together to discuss initiatives being undertaken to bring opportunities to deprived areas.

A SERIES OF signed commentaries has become a weekly feature on the international website of Initiatives of Change.

CORNELIO SOMMARUGA, President of the Caux Foundation, spoke at two public meetings in Geneva in January on ‘Switzerland after the federal elections; the world after the war in Iraq’.

The IC Centre for Governance was inaugurated in December in New Delhi, although it will function at Asia Plateau, Panchgani, in western India.

Colombia is a nation that has known bloody civil wars and where, since 1965, guerrillas have ruled part of the country, intimidating the other part by extortion, kidnapping, murder and sabotage.

Since I was 11 my foster mother had indicated many times that she’d be glad to see me go.