The verdict in the Trayvon Martin case will confirm the widely held belief that the life of a black person is worth less than that of people of other skin tones, writes Rob Corcoran. He reflects on the recent three-day conference on Healing History in Caux, a global conversation on racial healing and equity reflecting the twin strands of honesty and hope.

This day 75 years ago saw Frank Buchman launch Moral Re-Armament, the forerunner of Initiatives of Change, in East Ham Town Hall, London on 29 May, 1938. Ken Noble reflects on how Buchman's words are surprisingly resonant with today’s world situation.

Laura Boobbyer shares some thoughts she has had about quiet times. 'It's not that I don't believe in quiet times - I do - it's just that I have always found it difficult to get out of bed! Maybe you have the same problem? My quiet time career, since Initiatives of Change changed my life 20 years ago, has had many ups and downs...'

Will and Angela Elliott have just returned from participating in the IofC action in South Sudan. They live in Northern Virginia where Will is an international development manager and serves on the board of IofC USA. Angela, a retired nurse, currently volunteers as a long-term care ombudsman in Fairfax County. Angela writes of their visit.

Rob Lancaster from Australia was one of the team responsible for training the peace and reconciliation mobilizers. This was his speech to the graduates of the four-week course which concluded on 1 May.


My life has changed dramatically since the days when I worked as an IofC volunteer in Toronto. I am now in Damascus, Syria, my native country surrounded by division, violence, hatred, retaliation and war. Witnessing fighting under different names and in different ways but the victims are always people and the country.

Not all stories of change have to be dramatic 'Damascus Road' type experiences, writes Alex Martins. Some change may be more gradual, but no less profound.

A controversial myth claims that the modern day Lebanese are descended from ancient Phoenicians. However, it is in the experience of being reborn from the ashes that Lebanon's real connection with the Phoenix can be found, writes Wadiaa Khoury.

K Haridas Nair reflects on new insights into the principle that 'Change starts with me' gained during a course run by the Arbinger Institute at the recent Tools for Change -KL 2012 conference.

Alline Serpa challenges the Initiatives of Change network to revisit the legacy of Frank Buchman, its founder, and to find a deeper care for each other, rooted in personal change.