26/04/2015

Cathy's guest in the first hour is Cara Perrett who was 15 years old when her school friend was murdered in a sectarian attack in Glasgow. Devastated by what happened she set up the anti-sectarian charity Nil By Mouth. Still Honorary Patron, Cara talks about the charity and the freak accident in 2012 that's led her to re-evaluate her life.

A century ago this month a mass slaughter of Armenians occurred at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. The atrocity forced Armenians to hide their identity, often even from family and friends. But now, 100 years on, descendants of those who were killed are reclaiming their Armenian identity and roots. Cathy is joined by freelance photographer and researcher Helen Sheehan to find out how she's documenting the Armenian story.

The Prime Minister of Malta's chilling comment a couple of years ago, that the Mediterranean Sea is being turned into a cemetery, could not feel more relevant in this last week after hundreds more migrants fleeing North Africa and the Middle East died when their ramshackle boat sank off the coast of Africa. To discuss this crisis, Cathy hears from Alison Phipps, Professor of Languages and Intercultural Studies at the University of Glasgow and Co-convener of the Glasgow Refugee Asylum & Migration Network, and performing artist Gameli Tordzro, who is the Creative Director of Pan Africa Art Scotland.

In a quick glance across the week's news, the word evil seems to appear several times, describing everything from the Islamic State to Google. Verene Nicolas, Quaker, Mediator and Trainer in Non Violent Communication, Writer and broadcaster, Denis Rice, and Professor Alison Phipps are with Cathy to explore why we so quickly reach for the term evil, and the effects it can have.

Next Sunday, the 3rd of May, is International Dawn Chorus Day, which aims to get people together to enjoy the beautiful sound of the birds at sunrise. We sent Mo McCullough out to the woods to bring us a taster.

About this time last year the Moderator-Designate of the Kirk's General Assembly, the Rev Dr Angus Morrison, had to stand-down due to ill-health. He's now spoken out about his experience of prostate cancer and he tells Cathy how he hopes to encourage more men to come forward if they have symptoms.