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- UN's Ban chastises Israel over settlements
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday that Israel had snubbed the international community by refusing to extend a moratorium on the construction of new settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Direct peace talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel have been on hold since September, when Israel resumed building. Ha'aretz (Tel Aviv, Israel) (12/9)       - WHO must change to remain relevant
 The time has come for widespread reform inside the World Health Organization, which has become increasingly ineffective in dealing quickly with public health concerns because of bureaucracy, funding and staffing issues, and politicization of the global body, writes Jack Chow, former WHO assistant director-general on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The ascendancy of NGOs, foundations and the private sector into the battle to promote global health concerns threatens to make the agency irrelevant, Chow argues. Foreign Policy (free registration) (12/8) - Vodafone extends partnership with UN Foundation
The United Nations Foundation is establishing a distinct identity among philanthropic groups by forging sustainable public-private partnerships designed to bring together the skill sets and financial resources of governments, the private sector and NGOs to meet public health and development challenges. One example of this, cited by UN Foundation chief executive Kathy Calvin in a newspaper profile, is the extension of the group's partnership with Vodafone to leverage mobile technologies to address health needs in the developing world via the mHealth Alliance. The Independent (London) (12/9) - Afghan female soccer team heads to international stage
As the Afghan national women's soccer team travels to Bangladesh to participate in its first international competition, the squad members carry with them the knowledge that just making it to the tournament is a victory. Women's sports -- completely banned during the Taliban years -- have struggled to regain ground since 2001 thanks to security concerns, the confines of a conservative society and a lack of practice facilities. The New York Times (free registration) (12/8) - Managing expectations in Cancun
Some 200 negotiators from countries big and small are embroiled in efforts to reach a binding deal in Mexico that would reduce greenhouse gases, as well as preserve the very concept of multilateral talks as an effective means to solve the world's problems. Many observers say that it is important to focus on areas of consensus, even if a binding pact on emissions isn't attainable. Bloomberg (12/8) , The Washington Post (12/8) , Reuters (12/9) - mHealth supporters join forces
Technology companies are joining forces with the medical community to develop new, more substantive applications for mHealth. Evidence of the efficacy of simple programs like text message health reminders has galvanized developers to work on more complex applications. Los Angeles Times/The Sun (Baltimore) (12/3) - Pillay calls for global release of political prisoners
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has called on governments around the world to release individuals imprisoned for promoting democratic ideals. Pillay has been criticized by human rights campaigners in recent days for her decision not to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony Friday where the Nobel committee will award imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo the accolade. Reuters (12/8) - China continues barrage against Liu backers
China is engaged in an unprecedented campaign, both domestically and internationally, to discredit the Nobel Peace Prize and to convince leaders of other countries not to support it. The country has blocked Internet access to Western news outlets ahead of the ceremony Friday awarding the prize to Liu Xiaobo, a jailed dissident, while a Chinese group even has awarded its own peace prize. The New York Times (free registration) (12/8) , BBC (12/9) - For Afghan women, discriminatory customs trump laws
A report from the UN mission in Afghanistan urges the government to better enforce laws that protect women and girls, who often fall victim to child marriage, honor killings and horse-trading in the settling of disputes. Such discriminatory customs are often supported by religious leaders, the report says, even though the practices are inconsistent with Islamic law. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (12/9) - U.S. scrambles to find Mideast talks approach
U.S. officials are looking for new approaches to make yet another attempt at jump-starting talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Just three months after indirect talks recommenced, the latest efforts faltered in the wake of Israeli announcement on settlement construction and Palestinian insistence that construction must halt for talks to continue. TIME (12/8) , The Toronto Star (12/8) - Haitians are unenthused by presidential choices
As Haitians prepare to return to the polls in January for a runoff presidential election, most voters see little difference between the two candidates on the ballot. Jude Celestin, a protege of current President Rene Preval, and Mirlande Manigat represent a well-established political class that many Haitians view as inefficient and disconnected with the needs of the people. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (12/9) - WikiLeaks data shed light on Sudan arms trade
Revelations that the government of Southern Sudan was the intended recipient of a shipment of weapons and tanks from Ukraine seized by pirates in 2008 has further raised tensions in Sudan ahead of a January referendum on independence. Diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks show the initial denials by the Ukrainian and Kenyan governments about the shipment's destination were intended to help dissuade questions about numerous arms transfers to southern Sudanese authorities. The New York Times (free registration) (12/8) - Group cites worldwide upturn in bribery, corruption
The world is more corrupt now than it was several years ago, according to a survey by Transparency International. The poll also shows that corruption troubles more people worldwide than issues such as climate change, food prices, energy costs, unemployment and poverty. BBC (12/9)
- What are your plans for donating to charitable organizations this holiday season?
 | I've already donated | | I'm planning on donating | | I might donate if I find a worthy cause | | I'm not going to donate this season |
- Ted Turner on MSNBC's "Morning Joe"
 On Tuesday, UN Foundation Founder and Chairman Ted Turner was interviewed live on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." He touched on several issues including the UN Foundation, Captain Planet's anniversary, climate change and nuclear disarmament. MSNBC/"Morning Joe" (12/9) - Wirth cites reasons for optimism in Cancun
UN Foundation President Timothy E. Wirth issued a statement citing "reason for optimism" as climate negotiations proceed in Cancun. Wirth said, "There will not be a comprehensive climate agreement reached this year, or perhaps for some years to come. However, much progress can be made in these UN negotiations on the practical steps that nations must take to reduce climate risk -- steps that can become the building blocks of a larger agreement." Click here to read the full statement on the UN Foundation website. |
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| | | About UN WIRE | | UN Wire is a free service sponsored by the United Nations Foundation which is dedicated to supporting the United Nations' efforts to address the most pressing humanitarian, socioeconomic and environmental challenges facing the world today. | | | | | | | | Recent UN Wire Issues: - Wednesday, December 08, 2010
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| | | Lead Editor: Adam Mazmanian
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