«Il modo in cui è strutturata una società ha conseguenze profonde per la vita delle persone e per l'architettura delle opportunità che offre loro. Determina non solo le condizioni materiali, ma anche il benessere, le relazioni e le prospettive di ogni individuo.» Ma quanto deve la società all'individuo e che cosa deve dare un individuo in cambio? In questa epoca di grandi trasformazioni, come adattare tali obblighi reciproci?

I profondi cambiamenti tecnologici, demografici e culturali intervenuti negli ultimi decenni, la crisi finanziaria del 2008, quella climatica e, infine, la pandemia mondiale, con il concomitante aggravarsi delle disuguaglianze e dell'insicurezza, hanno infatti rivelato quanto l'odierno contratto sociale - il complesso di politiche e norme che disciplinano il modo in cui viviamo insieme in una società - sia inadeguato.

Occorre, dunque, trovare un nuovo paradigma che riformuli radicalmente le modalità di cooperazione tra Stato e famiglie, tra uomini e donne, tra lavoratori e imprese, in tutti gli ambiti cruciali della vita dall'assistenza all'infanzia a quella agli anziani, dall'educazione nella primissima infanzia alla formazione dei giovani e all'apprendimento in età adulta, dalle esigenze di flessibilità e sicurezza nel mondo del lavoro alla promozione dell'occupazione femminile e della riqualificazione professionale, dall'assistenza sanitaria universale e gratuita alla previdenza sociale, dagli interventi sull'età pensionabile ai provvedimenti in materia di cambiamenti climatici e perdita di biodiversità. E, soprattutto, che riequilibri in modo più equo e responsabile la relazione con le giovani generazioni e con quelle a venire, per preservarne il futuro.

Alla luce della pluridecennale esperienza maturata in diverse istituzioni economiche internazionali, Minouche Shafik esamina le maggiori criticità degli attuali assetti sociali su scala globale e traccia il percorso verso un nuovo contratto sociale più generoso e inclusivo, aggiornato al XXI secolo, perché, come diceva Abraham Lincoln, «il miglior modo per predire il futuro è crearlo».

What motivates a startup in its journey? Wealth and fame? Or is it hunger for innovation

Once upon a time, a long time ago, these stories were told by my father to my brother and myself. His imagination seemed limitless, but as I grew older, I realized that he dipped into the deep well of his own life experiences when he was younger to develop his stories. Our father’s stories never frightened us. They were adventures of two brothers in remote lands. We were always the heroes. I feel privileged to append my thoughts and few literary gifts to my father’s stories. I pray that this story is the first of many. This is a story of adventure, compromise, and love. Love and respect between two brothers and parents who dearly loved and respected both of them. These new and fictional adventures will keep the readers and their children on pins and needles!

The mystery deepens, and so does their relationship.
The inn is closer to opening, so Meredith hosts an open house. It’s such a success the mayor books her for another town party. Just after, all hell breaks loose as Meredith and Hunter discover a new source of trouble in a mysterious entity that might or might not be linked to the lighthouse. It brings them closer together and changes their relationship, but with the danger mounting, how can Meredith safely open the inn just yet? Add in a surprise visit from her daughter and other complications, and things are getting more mercurial than a menopausal mood swing.

Bruno Miller is everything I’ve ever wanted.
He’s also older. My ex’s father.
And my boss.

Everyone says he’s grumpy, cold. Big and bad.
He hasn’t got the best reputation.
And after that faux pas? The man might hate me.
Yet, every time he looks at me, I go weak in the knees.
I shouldn’t harbor this crush. It’s so wrong.
Besides, I’m only staying during the break.
There’s no way a man like him would want a girl like me.

With a focus on gratitude, Ajahn Munindo reflects back over his life as a Buddhist monk. He particularly contemplates how very different communities have supported his spiritual journey. He concludes by expanding on his ‘source-oriented’ approach to Buddhist practice.

"This story is beautiful and heart-filling."

Sheyanne meets Lanny on the first day of high school, and they become instant friends.

As their relationship blossoms into first love, Shy is captivated by his enchanting Native American ways and his endearing spirit animals.

In time, their bond grows stronger in spite of challenges. But then they face a greater challenge, forcing Lanny to make a potentially life-changing decision that puts the strength of their love connection to the ultimate test.

What will he decide?

รวมเรื่องสั้นแฟนตาซีในโลกยุคกลางที่เต็มไปด้วยการใช้ดาบและเวทมนตร์ในการผจญภัยของเหล่าวีรบุรุษ จากปลายปากกาอันยอดเยี่ยมของนักเขียนแฟนตาซีไซไฟผู้มีชื่อเสียงทั้งชายและหญิง คัดสรรเอาเรื่องเอกที่อยู่ในโลกที่นักเขียนแต่ละท่านได้สร้างไว้ เพื่อให้ทุกท่านได้สัมผัสถึงจินตนาการอันกว้างไกล อาทิ
BAZAAR OF THE BIZARRE ตลาดนัดสารพัดเพี้ยน - ฟลิตซ์ ลีเบอร์ (Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser)
A MATTER OF GRAVITY ลอร์ดดาร์ซีกับคดีแรงโน้มถ่วง - แรนดัล การ์เร็ต (Lord Darcy)
QUEEN OF THE BLACK COAST ราชินีแห่งหาดทมิฬ - โรเบิร์ต อี โฮเวิร์ด (Conan)
WIZARD’S WORLD โลกแห่งจอมเวทย์ - อานเดร นอร์ตัน
THE SWORD OF WELLERAN ดาบของเวลเลอรัน - ลอร์ด ดันซานี
THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE นักเวทย์ฝึกหัด - โรเบิร์ต ซิลเวอร์เบิร์ก (Majipoor)
THE DREAMING CITY นครแห่งความฝัน - ไมเคิล มัวร์ค็อค
MARZIRIAN THE MAGICIAN จอมเวทย์มาร์ซิเรียน - แจ็ค แวนซ์ (Dying Earth)
SEMLEY’S NECKLACE สร้อยคอของเซมลีย์ - เออซูล่า เค. เลอ กุน (Hainish)
และ บทกล่าวนำโดย ไอแซค อาซิมอฟ SWORD AND SORCERY โลกแห่งดาบและเวทมนตร์