Policy Making
Strong public policy leads to more cohesive, resilient, and sustainable societies. In this section, find out about the latest legislations from around the world aimed at making our world a better place.
Canada's landmark move toward free contraception
On Saturday, March 30th, in a historic step toward improving women's health, Canada unveiled a breakthrough effort to provide free contraception to all women of reproductive age. During a press conference in Toronto, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland emphasized the government's commitment to Read More...
Tennessee's ELVIS Act: A pioneering legislation protects artists from AI misuse
Tennessee made history late last month by signing the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act (ELVIS Act), which was the first piece of legislation specially designed to protect artists from unlawful AI mimicry. Governor Bill Lee lauded the historic event, underscoring Tennessee's dedication Read More...
Restoring Indigenous stewardship: Yurok Tribe to co-manage National Park lands
As the Yurok Tribe makes great progress towards regaining its ancient lands, the reverberations of history may be heard in the towering redwoods of northern California. After centuries of dispossession, the Yurok people have reached an extraordinary agreement with the Redwood National and State Read More...
Europe raises the bar: MEPs approve the world's first comprehensive AI legislation
In a historic move, the European Parliament approved the world's first comprehensive framework for regulating artificial intelligence (AI). Driven by concerns about prejudice, privacy violations, and societal hazards, the AI Act represents a crucial step toward managing the rapidly increasing AI Read More...
National Park Service bans commercial air tours over Bandelier National Monument
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a ban on commercial air tours over Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, intending to preserve the park's serene natural landscape and cultural heritage. This decision is part of a larger effort to reduce Read More...
France sets a global precedent, guaranteeing abortion as constitutional right
French parliamentarians passed a historic bill to include abortion rights in the country's constitution, demonstrating strong support for women's reproductive rights. France is now the only country that specifically guarantees a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy. President Emmanuel Macron Read More...
The European Parliament passes incredible bill that criminalizes ecosystem destruction
In a historic act, the European Union has criminalized serious incidents of environmental degradation, setting a global precedent. This innovative law, dubbed "comparable to ecocide," seeks to address ecosystem degradation, illicit logging, and habitat loss through enhanced penalties and prison Read More...
Germany takes a green step: legalizing cannabis use sparks debate and solutions
Germany's parliament, backed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, enacted legislation legalizing cannabis for personal use. This judgment places Germany within a narrow group of countries that have adopted partial legalization, granting individuals and voluntary associations specific rights to Read More...
Baltimore takes on homelessness with an $18 million initiative
Baltimore's leaders overcame opposition to reach a revolutionary $18.4 million agreement. The 4-1 vote demonstrates the city's commitment to combating homelessness. Despite pushback from Council President Nick Mosby, the vote illustrates that municipal leadership is determined to keep promises made Read More...
Bangladesh court takes a stand against elephant cruelty, banning wild adoptions
On February 25, a Bangladeshi court made a landmark decision prohibiting the adoption of wild elephants. Animal rights organizations have welcomed this judgment as a "landmark" step toward ending cruelty to Asian elephants. Suspending licenses: a necessary step Rights organizations celebrate the Read More...