In this edition we meet a new generation of entrepreneurs busy making business work for them; some of those beginning the journey even worked for us.

The seemingly innocuous Paraguayan city of Pedro Juan Caballero, perched on the border with Brazil, is one of the region’s drugs capitals. Monocle meets the team charged with leading the fightback.

As Europe’s political parties worry about losing touch with apathetic voters, the Danes have a solution: invite them to go on a summer break with you. Folkemødet festival gathers the nation’s leaders together to bring politics closer to the people.

An inspiring business can grow from the simple thought of wanting to do something well. Whether that’s starting a pleasant neighbourhood store in Mexico, reinvigorating one of Australia’s heritage brands, taking on the family porcelain business in France or thinking up a new way to deliver Germany’s books, learn a few tricks from 10 entrepreneurs doing it differently.

Traditional gulet vessels built in Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula have long kept the region’s economy afloat. But changes in the market have led many to fear for the future of the boat-making skills that have been passed down the generations.

On Bali, Ronald Akili and Jason Gunawan’s Potato Head brand is everywhere. Now they are chipping away at the international scene, growing from their beach-club roots with a global crop of hotels and restaurants that are giving Indonesian business a crisp new image.

‘La Nación’ is one of Argentina’s largest daily newspapers and has been making headlines since 1870. Recently the print title has made a success of innovative redesigns of its pages while retaining its historic identity.

Lorcan O’Neill has spent a decade bringing the contemporary-art gospel to the eternal city. Now he has opened a new gallery in the baroque heart of Rome, spinning the narrative of his favourite artists into a another chapter.

With whole towns in Italy dedicated to producing a single item, be it eyewear, silk or shoes, it’s clear why the big names in fashion continue to rely on the expertise of the country’s specialised craftsmen.

Furniture firm Carl Hansen & Søn is justly proud of its heritage and the company’s refusal to operate outside of Denmark hasn’t hampered growth. A new factory, increased output and rapidly rising exports point to a world of opportunity.

In the heart of Berlin a design-focused family has created a home that is as personal as it is refreshing: the Monohaus is a building that shows the softer side of concrete.

Japan is famous for using paper creatively but one Japanese company, Takeo, is pushing the envelope for innovation with the help of Kenya Hara, one of the nation’s top designers. The result is the Takeo Paper Show.

The restoration of the Finnish capital’s fresh-produce hub has put it back at the heart the city.

The elegant style of the IMF's managing director, earthquake fears in Bulgaria and an interview with the leader of a new feminist political party in Sweden.

News highlights from the Far East.

The simple but effective motorcades used by Costa Rica's presidents, plus Montserrat's upcoming parliamentary elections and the rise of goats in US cities.

Lebanon struggles in a leaderless limbo, Congo ponders Brazzaville name change and Dubai sees a rise in residency visas.

An Antarctic programme under the spotlight, New Zealand's parliamentary election and how a Vietnamese refugee has become the governor of South Australia.

Australia's plan to purchase submarines from Japan and the Singaporean organisation charged with fighting piracy in Southeast Asia.

A former Portuguese sewing-machine factory that is now a business centre, a line of jeans made by ex-offenders and a new fleet of picnic boats in Copenhagen.

Chinese TV's original programming, children's books from Gestalten and a Brazilian phrasebook.

An unputdownable book fair in New York, plus an Auckland auction and Winnipeg wonder

A new home for a Tokyo favourite plus the London-based furniture maestro out to make a difference.

Chicken nuggets and burgers are included this month but there is no sign of junk food – not when the providers are a homespun restaurant in Tokyo and one of Stockholm’s enticing new food trucks. Gin, wine and chocolate feature, too; tuck in.

As a crusading judge, Baltasar Garzón made enemies powerful enough to engineer his downfall. But they have not been able to silence him and his blunt demands for accountability resonate with a disillusioned nation.

The soaring glass-and-steel towers that dominate Hong Kong’s ultra-modern skyline spring up at high speed. Those rapid rates are thanks to the use of traditional bamboo scaffolding that is light to transport and quick to put up. We join a master scaffolder helping to shape the city with an apprentice on the rise.

Perfectly capable of standing the heat, electronics manufacturer Grundig recently moved into the kitchen with a range of white goods. Director of brand management Christian Struck talked us through his management style.

Volkswagen’s mid-20th-century adverts were benchmarks. Inspired copywriting, intelligent art direction and, most importantly, a sense of fun came together to motor into the public consciousness. Meet two of the minds that helped to create them.

From primeval mezcal to a primate-themed panacea, we bring you a menagerie of little wonders from around the globe.

With understated design, baroque excess or tranquil calm, hospitable new spots and shops around the world are extending the concept of what it means to welcome their guests, whether for a long stay or just a few hours

In the Chicago neighbourhood of Pilsen resides a community that is embracing the virtues of creativity, co-operation and commercial nous.

Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan has built some of the nation’s most impressive modernist homes and buildings. For a perfect meal he picks food from a classic São Paulo venue to share with friends in the familiar surroundings of his office.

Good business comes from making easy and enjoyable connections so it’s time for airports to start playing their part, says our editor in chief Tyler Brûlé