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The recent deaths of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and US Senator John McCain have generated an outpouring of mostly positive eulogies celebrating their lives. Henning Melber laments the selective way we honour dead celebrities, often playing up their virtues and glossing over their shortcomings. In fact, he argues, we need to engage with diplomats' and politicians' legacies in a way that avoids superficial praise-singing.
Traditional medicine in Kenya has proved resilient. Over decades it’s overcome a host of challenges ranging from state neglect to the hostility of medical professionals. But in the last 20 years, neglect has been replaced by official acceptance and regulation. The result, writes John Harrington, has been mixed with some great successes and some huge gaps.
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A United Nations staff member pays tribute to Kofi Annan during a ceremony at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland.
EPA-EFE/ Salvatore Di Nolfi
Henning Melber, University of Pretoria
Kofi Annan and John McCain's positive eulogies could be because both men seized moments of human dignity and decency.
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Traditional medicines on sale in Kibera slum in Nairobi.
Flickr
John Harrington, Cardiff University
In the last two decades, neglect of traditional medicine has been replaced by renewed focus and a raft of policies and new laws.
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Politics + Society
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Michael Jennings, SOAS, University of London
Many leaders before her have sought to make aid spending all about their own agendas – but there's a new element in this case.
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Environment + Energy
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Rachel Wynberg, University of Cape Town; Laura Pereira, Stellenbosch University
Developing countries could leapfrog industrial agriculture systems by moving to agroecology.
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From our international editions
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James Kuzner, Brown University
We talk excitedly about meeting someone with whom we 'click' or 'really hit it off.' So why do so many of us hesitate to call it love?
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Julia Gaffield, Georgia State University
A renamed Brooklyn street celebrates Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a Haitian slave turned president. For centuries his legacy was tarnished by allegations that Haiti's revolution led to 'white genocide.'
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Rahul Goel, University of Cambridge
Staying at home puts women at greater risk of health problems – cities need to change to encourage them to go outside.
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