Fighting for free media

Many things are essential in the world. But one of the absolute essencials are free and independent media. They ensure that neither governments nor organisations and citizens can abuse their power and influence to harm anybody in violation of law and human rights. Or at least they can make such violations very visible and much more difficult.

I have joined the international non-profit organisation Internews, which fights for free and open media all over the world. We have offices and activities in more than 30 countries around the world such as Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia, Palestine, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosova, Rwanda and Mexico. And I will personally in particular be active in getting Internews more active also in Europe. Belarus is an obvious area for improvements for the media. But also the countries in South-East Europe, which hope some day to become a member of the EU should have more attention. Totally free, viable and pluralistic media are a very strong and unconditional requirement for any country, which wants to join the European Union.

See more information about Internews on:

www.internews.fr
www.internews.fr/contacts/board.php

Free talk on the Internet

Developments are happening every single day. Such as the possibilities on the web. Free talk to friends world-wide via the Internet becomes easier and easier. I have just installed the free programme Skype (www.skype.com) and also the cordless dual-phone. This means that I from anywhere in my house can talk to people around the world for free. On the condition that they also have installed Skype. There are 6 million of them already. Many more are added everyday. Why not you?
There is no reason to continue to pay huge sums to the telephone companies, when you can get an often better - and certainly free - service via the web.
Have a GO at it!

More than a fantastic summer

I am at the moment enjoying a wonderful life at the Danish coast. For more than three weeks it has without interruption been a fantastic weather. Only necessary to be indoor around midday, when it simply is too hot outside. Mornings and in particular evenings are the most beautiful time.

Is the weather in the world changing or not? Memories are always short when you talk about the weather. Everybody thinks that all winters in the childhood were white. If you check it it is absolutely not true. Very, very few winters in Denmark have been white. The same thing about summers.

But still things are different. Very hot summers in Northern Europe. Cold and wet summers in the south. Or SO hot that fires breat out.

What is behind all that? I don't believe in the one-factor explanation: the CO2 problem. There must be more. But what? And where does it take us?

But it is good that we cannot (yet) decide the weather ourselves, perhaps even through crazy referenda!! What a mess that would be. But still it would be good to know more. So researchers: Get your very best thinking hat on!

Two months more....

Another two months have passed. We are now in the middle of a fantastic summer. At least here at the Danish coast. Things bring three important points to my mind:

1) a REAL personal blog is updated much more often than every two months. This will happen from now on. So many exciting things are happening almost every day that - I believe - it will be interesting to share them with you. So watch out....

2) it's another Europe than two months ago. A very different Europe. Following the two NJETs to the European Constitution from the French and the Dutch. And following the terrible and cowardly bombs in London yesterday. But BOTH tell me very clearly that it is more important than ever before to "bring Europe home to what is was created for". This seems to have got lost almost everywhere. We cannot sit quietly and let that happen. All friends of REAL Europe: Unite! And do it by uniting people - and not states. I will certainly do what I can!

3) vacation - not least as a pensioner - is a fantastic experience. Many people say: But you are on holiday all the time! NO! I believe it is very important to organise life in daily life AND in holidays. Also in weekends, for that matter. None of it - at least for me - is a question of lying down and do nothing but watching the sun, the moon and the stars! But it is a matter of enjoying every bit of it. Do things you like. Important things, small things, encouraging things, things inspiring your imagination and couriosity. Reading, writing, enjoying the fantastic Skype free phone possibilities, listening to all the great programmes on the new DAB radio (digital radio), conquering the hilly neighbourhood on your new bike, enjoying lovely wines and other humane drinks from around the world, see great friends, plan your next trip to exciting places, and so on. It's never boring. And time is always far too short. But challenge yourself - and the great results will keep rolling in like a wonderful breeze!