On air: Is gender equality an impossible dream?

Elina in Finland emailed me this morning suggesting that we discuss the latest World Economic Forum report on gender equality. She writes: ‘I live in one of the most successful countries in the survey, but I think this might capture people’s minds also in other parts of the world’. You’re not wrong Elina, the story’s being carried on news sites and blogs in most countries.

(If you’re wondering about this picture, it’s of a gender equality campaigner in Afghanistan – more here.)

The right thing to do?

This story got a huge reaction from listeners to the BBC’s Newshour. President Obama flew to Delaware to pay his respects to 18 Americans killed in Afghanistan. This month has been the dealiest in Afghanistan since US forces began operations in 2001. It’s the first time he’s done this, and President Bush visited the families of dead troops but never received the bodies at the base. Was he right to do this? Or does he risk being accused of making political gain, and of undermining national support for the operation?

Seen this?

1.5 million people have. It’s Lord Christopher Monckton arguing that the Copenhagen treaty on climate change will see countries, including the US, cede national soveignty. I’ll let him explain himself, but one question springs to mind whether he’s right about his claim or not. He’s strongly opposed, but if a shift in power is needed to stop climate change, is it necessarily a bad thing?

Is social networking the best or worst chance at bringing the world together?

You know the drill, check your e-mails, send a tweet, update your facebook status, write your blog and log onto all the other social networking sites that you use.  It’s all about staying in touch and feeling connected.

But, as Facebook launchest its new hub called Peace on Facebook, that hopes to provide a space for dialogue and conflict resolution, and, ultimately, end all human conflict, it is time to ask is all this social netwoking really helping to bring the world together?