| |  | |  New mobile app tracks UN efforts The United Nations Foundation has launched a mobile application designed to keep users up to date UN activities as well as on UN Foundation initiatives. Aaron Sherinian, Vice President, Communications Public Relations, discussed the new app in the context of a broader look at how social media can be used to advance the goals of the UN and of development in general. Sherinian said, "The power of social media for social good will be at the village level and the municipality level and connecting issues -- everything from land tenure and mapping to access to health posts to governance and transparency." Mashable (9/15), Broadcasting & Cable (9/15)     
|  |  | Think Global, Act Mobile. Download our brand new, free app that connects YOU to the work of the @UN. bit.ly/oiHtCW" @unfoundation |
|  | "Kabul is still dangerous, but what we're doing with the Sound Central music festival is in support of those rock musicians, youth, fans, and guests who must continue to live on despite all the risks." UN Dispatch | |
- Ban: "Enough is enough" on Syria
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took an urgent and strident tone Thursday in urging the international community to speak in one voice in condemning the violence and repression being perpetrated by Syria against its civilians. At least 32 anti-government protesters were reported killed by security forces overnight as opposition groups represented by dissidents in exile for the first time agreed on a single body to represent them. Forbes/The Associated Press (9/15), Bloomberg (9/16), BBC (9/15) - Yunus urges progress on MDGs
Grameen Bank founder and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus writes in advance of the opening of the United Nations General Assembly that ordinary individuals can step up and help the UN achieve the critical Millennium Development Goals. Yunus writes, "Anyone can dedicate their time, energy, or money to help the UN achieve the MDGs." Care2.com (9/15)  - How front-line health workers can innovate
Innovative approaches to train and empower local health workers in the developing world have major development benefits and can help countries meet Millennium Development Goals, writes Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Efforts to increase local capabilities could slash maternal and child mortality while decreasing health care costs. The Huffington Post (9/15) - Food, drink industries mobilize over UN disease summit
Representatives of industries that make their money by selling fatty foods, alcohol and cigarettes could hijack next week's high-level United Nations meeting on reversing non-communicable diseases that kill 36 million people a year, according to a letter from more than 140 international health organizations and campaigns. Companies including Nestle SA, GlaxoSmithKline and SAB Miller SA will join health lobbyists in devising policies to fight obesity, cut use of alcohol and tobacco, and expand access to medicines. Reuters (9/15), Bloomberg Businessweek (9/16) - Enlisting the Afghan Taliban to help eliminate polio
A three-day polio vaccination drive in Afghanistan will begin Saturday -- carried out by a 55,000-person team including Taliban and other insurgents -- in 13 high-risk districts that account for nearly all the country's reported cases of the disease. "The only way this works is if all elements of Afghan society are involved, and that includes those groups who are opposed to the government," said Peter Crowley, head of UNICEF in Afghanistan. The Scotsman (Edinburgh) (9/15), IRINNews.org (9/15) - More collaboration would yield bigger development gains
A collaborative approach to humanitarian assistance planning between governments, aid donors and communities will reduce costs, poverty and disease over the long term, according to a report from six aid organizations. Efforts to increase communication and joint planning will also help countries meet Millennium Development Goals in a manner that is more cost-efficient for donors, the report said. AlertNet (9/15)  - Bachelet builds UN Women despite funding gap
Former president of Chile and current head of UN Women Michelle Bachelet is working to establish the organization despite a funding shortfall and the lack of full agency status at the UN. Efforts include working with women in Egypt who participated in the overthrow of the Mubarak regime to ensure them a role in the new government. Bachelet said about the fundraising issue, "I am not disappointed. I am not frustrated. I would just love to be able to progress much faster than we can." The Daily Beast (9/12)  | - New app emphasizes accessibility
Singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, a UN Messenger of Peace, said he participated in the launch of the new mobile application because the real-time stream -- which aggregates news feeds from multiple agencies and programs of the world body -- lowers barriers, something essential to promoting access for people with disabilities. He said he especially appreciates that the app is compatible with accessibility features, such as voice readers, on most smartphones. UN Dispatch (9/15)
|
 | Key Sites
| | |
This SmartBrief was created for eleccion@yahoogroups.com
| Advertise With Us | Amy DiElsi
Director for UN Foundation Communications
United Nations Foundation
1800 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
(D) 202-419-3230
(C) 202-492-3078
(F) 202-887-9021
www.unfoundation.org | | | | 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: - Thursday, September 15, 2011
- Wednesday, September 14, 2011
- Tuesday, September 13, 2011
- Monday, September 12, 2011
- Friday, September 09, 2011
| | | Lead Editor: Adam Mazmanian
Contributing Editor: Juliette Terzieff
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 | | | | | | © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment