The Broadsheet, 25 May 2016
The shortcomings of GDP growth as our most prized economic indicator are becoming hard to ignore. With historic levels of inequality fuelling social and economic instability around the world, just as unsustainable levels of consumption push us ever close the edge of an ecological abyss, it is high time to challenge our blind addiction to growth. In this analysis article for The Broadheet - the popular Irish political commentary channel - I examine the dangerous shortcomings of GDP as a measure of economic wellbeing.
See: Dying for growth
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The Irish Times, 16 January 2016
Over the past decade, Mexico’s war on drugs has exacted a devastating toll on the civilian population. With few believing an outright military victory over the cartels is possible, the Peña-Nieto government has changed tack to adopt a less confrontational approach. This news feature in The Irish Times explores the controversial question of restoring a ‘pax-narcotica’ in the country.
See: Working with drugs trade in bid to keep Mexico's democracy alive
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The Irish Times, 23 September 2015
After the Open Working Group on the Sustainable Development Goals delivered its final proposals, the international community gathered at the United Nations in New York to sign off on the new framework. Writing again for the Irish Times, I argue that the lack of meaningful accountability systems in 'Agenda 2030' may jeopardize what might otherwise be a genuinely transformative agreement.
See: New UN development goals laudable but delivering on their promise will be hard
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The Village, 18 September 2015
Writing in Ireland's leading progressive political magazine, I set out the shortfalls that endanger meaningful implementation of ‘Agenda 2030’ the new set of global Sustainable Development Goals about to be approved by the UN General Assembly.
See: Agenda 2030 to replace Millennium Goals at UN
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The Irish Times, 26 January 2015
In late 2014, Ireland and Kenya were appointed co-chairs for the final phase of negotiations on the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. In this op-ed article, I argue that Ireland should use its position as co-chair of the talks to help deliver a transformative and rights-based framework.
See: Ireland can make its mark on UN development goals.
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The Irish Times, 16 April 2014
In a country where the gun violence is a daily reality for many communities, and there is little political will to confront a powerful arms industry lobby, ordinary people do what they can to promote peace and fight for meaningful change. This feature article, written for the popular 'Irishman's Diary' section, covers a silent protest organized by grassroots activists in Brooklyn, New York.
See: Zen and the art of silencing gunfire.
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Al Jazeera, 5 February 2014
Inequality has become one of the defining social issues of our time and, as such, a crucial challenge for future development efforts. In this opinion article for Al Jazeera, I argued that tackling rampant inequality is not just a moral duty: It's also a human rights obligation.
See: In pursuit of a better, fairer world.
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Al Jazeera, 27 June 2012
When the global economic crisis hit in 2007, many European countries responded with ill-conceived austerity measures targeting the most vulnerable sectors on their societies. Spain was one of the hardest hit, with successive waves of cutbacks severely undermining the economic and social rights of ordinary people. In this opinion article for Al Jazeera, I explain the human rights issues at stake in Spain’s ‘age of austerity’.
See: How austerity is eroding human rights
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The Huffington Post, 23 August 2011
The physical and psychological scars of their experience are only one of the challenges faced by former FARC combatants seeking to reintegrate into civilian life. In this article for the Huffington Post I talk to three former guerrillas who had previously fought on the frontlines of Latin America’s longest-running insurgency.
See: Advancing Under Fire: Life Inside FARC