RoustAbout

Old palace of King Haile Selassie, now University of Addis Ababa In the space of twelve hours I shared a drink with one ex President, had dinner with one ex Prime Minister, sat next to the only lady in the world to be both a minister and First Lady of two countries and greeted one Nobel Laureate. In the meeting I was attending, I had very august company. But I guess you need such fire-power if you have to start a global campaign to end one of the most persistent, shameful but extremely common forms of traditional practice that plagues large parts of the world. This traditional practice, which many choose to believe is a thing of the past, but is openly endorsed by political and religious leaders in India, is child- marriage. Sixty concerned persons from all over the world had gathered together at Addis Ababa for a meeting called by The Elders, to discuss ways of ending this regrettable practice. The four stalwarts Desmond Tutu, Gro Bruntland, Graca Machel and Mary Robinson represe...

Mr Pavon (middle) supervising the barbeque This year I had occasion to participate in May Day celebrations in far away Romania with a group of  young Roma who have come together to form a social association and now want to work on health rights issues of the local Roma community. The setting was idyllic. We were in a wooded hollow of an artificial lake. We had a splendid barbeque picnic with pork chops, veal steaks and sausages, topped with home-made white and red wine. But we weren’t the only group having fun. Even though communism is history for over twenty years, May Day continues to be an occasion for the whole family to enjoy themselves in Romania. While we were enjoying our barbeque, a stream of visitors came down to enjoy a meal at the floating restaurant or to take a pleasure boat ride. The lake and floating restaurant Mr Pavon, the leader of the local Roma community was the master at the barbeque, and he has also been the inspiration behind the younger gen...