"Our Herd of Hope" Presented by Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

During a weekend stroll in London,  we experience déjà vu when we came across lifelike bronze statues of elephants gracefully adorning Spitalfields Market. They reminded us of the herd in Berkeley Square. But these magnificent sculptures are the creation of Gillie and Marc, celebrated for promoting love, equality, and conservation worldwide.

This artistic exhibit, titled "Our Herd of Hope,"  is inspiring in that it serves a vital purpose - to generate support and awareness for the conservation of elephant species. Each smaller sculpture symbolizes a real elephant herd, emphasizing the importance of their protection. Partnering with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, this installation plans to migrate to various locations across London, making a powerful impact on its journey.  We will be following along! 

Washington Post: “Japan is a Trumpian paradise of low immigration rates. It’s also a dying country.”

Japan is facing a population crisis, writes political commenter Francisco Toro, and is a stark example of what happens when a country heavily reduces or limits immigration. The country has an aging population where native-born people’s death rates outnumber births, a shortage of new workers along with slow economic growth, and approximately eight million vacant houses.

Although the country’s politicians have historically opposed higher rates of immigration, the government has recently made more work permits available to foreign workers. Even so, the government forces most temporary foreign workers to frequently apply for extensions, prevents many from bringing their families, and in general has limited efforts to welcome and integrate them into society. “Japan proves that the choice between homogeneity and diversity is real,” Toro writes. “It’s just that homogeneity leads to decline, while diversity offers at least a chance of ongoing vitality and prosperity.”