At his treason trial 50 years ago Nelson Mandela told the court, ‘During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an idea which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.’

The recent terrorist attack in Nairobi poses the same riddle as 9/11: what did the terrorists want to achieve? No positive answer comes to mind. Antoine Jaulmes writes about the futility of violence and challenges policy makers to look at better ways of investing in security.

Now that I reflect back on my experience as a Caux Scholar I believe it was one of the most fulfilling and enriching experiences that I have ever had.

Inspired by the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, Mike Lowe reflects on the theme of leadership vs blame, and how politics can be a great force for good.

It was through stepping out of his comfort zone and encountering people with very different political and cultural perspectives that Zeke Reich discovered a richer sense of his own identity.

A month after the massacres of Rabaa and Al Nahda in Egypt, Nagia Abdelmoghney Said calls for a process of truth and reconciliation to heal the wounds, drawing inspiration from Britain's Coventry Cathedral.

Caux gives Alberta delegate renewed heart and spirit to keep fighting negative environmental, health impacts. Marlene Orr is a member of Fort McKay First Nation, the heart of Alberta’s tar sands. A passionate community activist, she has faced threats and very personal attacks for her tireless efforts to defend “Mother Earth and her children” as she puts it. She arrived in Caux, tired and discouraged, only to find fresh strength from quiet reflection and sharing stories with people from around the world.

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...'