The scenes, televised globally, were ugly—rioting, looting, young African American men hauled to jail.

Bernard Margueritte, a French journalist living in Poland and President of the International Communications Forum, reflects on what he heard at a recent meeting of business leaders.

For most Americans life has changed since 11 September. The events of that day and its aftermath have riveted indelibly on the American psyche how fragile were the peace and comforts we enjoyed.

As always, the conferences in Caux were graced by the performances of several richly talented artists. Among them was American song-writer and guitarist Scott Christopher Murray. He told his story to John Williams.

How often do we see in person someone whose daring and perseverance have inspired a hit movie? Rarely, for most of us. So it was a special treat to see and hear Erin Brockovich at the National Press Club (NPC) in Washington, DC. I'd already seen Erin Brockovich, the movie, and admired her relentless search for proof that water pollution by a large utility was the cause of widespread illness in a small community in California. With the help of friends and a major law firm she fought for what became the largest ever direct-action lawsuit settlement in US history.

How far can Americans trust their media? The American media has many failings but it still acts as a gatekeeper against the abuse of power, argues US journalist Walter Lee Dozier.

What makes a society strong? The vitality of its community life, maintains Mike Lowe.

Karen Elliott Greisdorf examines the role of mentoring in youth and job-training in the USA

We journalists are often characterized as rude, invaders of privacy, biased and even dishonest. But for most journalists, most of the time, this is inaccurate. Most simply try to do a good job. We often make mistakes, though we're not always willing to admit or correct them even as we focus on the errors of others, especially politicians.

Lee H Hamilton, head of the Woodrow Wilson centre in Washington DC, has won international acclaim for his work in foreign affairs--but he equally values what he can do for ordinary people, discovers Robert Webb.