A Slow Death
(Original in Portuguese) by Martha Medeiros
 

Dies slowly the one who does not exchange ideas, does not change their discourse, and avoids their own contradictions.
 

Dies slowly the one who becomes a slave to habit, repeating the same route every day and making the same purchases at the supermarket. The one who does not switch brands, does not risk wearing a new color, does not strike up a conversation with someone they do not know.
 

Dies slowly the one who makes television their guru and daily companion. Many cannot afford a book or a cinema ticket, but many can, and yet they alienate themselves in front of a tube of images that brings information and entertainment but should not, even at just 14 inches, occupy so much space in a life.
 

Dies slowly the one who avoids passion, who prefers black on white and dotting the i’s to a whirlwind of untamed emotions, precisely those that restore the sparkle in the eyes, smiles and sobs, hearts stumbling, feelings.
 

Dies slowly the one who does not turn the table when unhappy at work, who does not risk the certain for the uncertain in pursuit of a dream, who does not allow themselves, once in a lifetime, to run away from sensible advice.
 

Dies slowly the one who does not travel, who does not read, who does not listen to music, who does not laugh at themselves.
 

Dies slowly the one who destroys their self-love. It may be depression, which is a serious illness and requires professional help. So, day by day, the one who does not allow themselves to be helped withers away.
 

Dies slowly the one who does not work and does not study, and most of the time this is not a choice, but fate: thus, an indifferent government can slowly kill a significant portion of the population.
 

Dies slowly the one who spends their days complaining about bad luck or the incessant rain, giving up on a project before starting it, not asking about something they do not know, and not answering when asked about what they do know.

 

 

 

 

We are happy to announce that we have now launched the ‘Creating Change from the Inside Out’ grant scheme – supporting local initiatives that strengthen trust, participation and mutual understanding in Europe’s diverse urban communities.
 

With Europe’s cities facing growing challenges, social fragmentation, inequality and discrimination, the grant scheme is a call to action for local actors who are ready to take part and build solutions grounded in dialogue, trust and cooperation to support People, the Planet and Prosperity.
 

This year’s grants have been outlined to support turning the EPDF Call to Action into concrete local projects, empowering people and organisations to create more inclusive, cohesive and sustainable communities.
 

There are two different tracks you can apply to:

1. Cities for Inclusion: For organisations and practitioners working to strengthen inclusion and cooperation in urban contexts through interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

 

2. Catalysts for Cohesion: For people aged 18-30 leading community-based initiatives.
 

With each grant providing up to €10,000 for Cities for Inclusion and up to €7,500 for Catalysts for Cohesion in funding, successful applicants will also receive support, mentoring and training to successfully deliver their projects. This is your opportunity to turn ideas into action.
 

Please read the full call here and feel free to reach out to us, should you have any questions.

 

 

 

The KAICIID-supported platform “European Muslim Leaders' Majlis” just finished successfully their two-day general assembly in Strasbourg. The majlis (Arabic for “council”) of European Muslim leaders was set up in Amsterdam in 2018 by a group of 19 religious leaders from 18 European countries to provide a platform for better communication and coordination between Muslim communities and greater representation for Islam among other faiths and secular institutions. Eulema currently includes Islamic religious leaders from 24 European countries.
 

EuLeMa have kicked off their General Assembly in Strasbourg with a visit to Strasbourg Grand Mosque where they met with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of religious intolerance at the Council of Europe, Irene Kitsou-Milonas and Monsignor Marco Ganci, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe.
 

After sharing experiences of anti-Muslim hatred in their respective communities in different countries in Europe, EuLeMa members took action, agreeing on a three-year action plan which will grow their Interfaith Iftar in Europe Parliament and involve new events and initiatives to tackle anti-Muslim hatred, combat stereotyping about Muslims in Europe and use youth leadership to foster community integration.

 

This gathering was followed by the general assembly of the Muslim-Jewish Leadership Council (MJLC). Supported by KAICIID, Muslim and Jewish leaders met with high-level officials, including the Mayor of Strasbourg and the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, to develop strategic actions against hate speech and protect sacred sites. This assembly also marked the launch of a new City-Based Programme and the beginning of the road to the MJLC’s 10th Anniversary. 

Faith, Environment and Climate Change
 

Free of charge online course, developed by KAICIID and the UN Environment Programme

This online course explores the vital role of faith leaders and faith-based organizations (FBOs) in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030. While FBOs already contribute significantly to humanitarian, education, and health efforts, the course focuses on strengthening their engagement in environmental action, climate mitigation, and adaptation by linking scientific knowledge with religious teachings on caring for nature. It emphasizes building stronger partnerships between faith actors, policymakers, NGOs, and multilateral institutions, while bridging faith–science divides. Given that over 80% of the global population is affiliated with a religion and progress on the SDGs is off track, mobilizing faith communities is essential for a sustainable future. A Certificate of Completion will be issued to participants who achieve a minimum total score of 70% and who complete all the mandatory activities.

 

 

- Call for expression of interest for participation in the consultation processes for the implementation of the EU Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030

 

- OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities launches call for nominations for 2026 Max van der Stoel Award. The 50,000 euros award recognizes extraordinary and outstanding achievements in improving the position of national minorities in the OSCE participating States. The deadline for nominations is 15 March 2026.

 

- Call for Papers: DiReSoM Open Panel “Peace through Law or Peace through Strength? Religions, Politics, and Fundamental Human Rights in Contemporary Conflicts” at EuARe2026

 

- The European Union is looking for talented graduates across all fields of study to join its civil service. All you need is a university degree, fluency in two official EU languages and EU citizenship. 

 

- The European Observatory of Online Hate’s new Deep Dive: The past isn’t the past: why Holocaust denial persists 

 

- New report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights: Monitoring and recording antisemitism in the EU – State of play and ways forward 

 

- Report by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): Linkages between climate change, human mobility and security in South-Eastern Europe
 

 

 

 

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