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- China targeting UN illicit arms trade panels
China is being singled out by diplomats for its aggressive UN campaign against sanctions enforcers in apparent retaliation for the unmasking of the country's role in the illegal arms trade. This month, China, which has balked at UN calls to help stop illicit weapons from reaching conflict zones in Africa, blocked the reappointment of a U.N. arms investigator who found Chinese bullet shells in Darfur, Sudan, despite a long-standing UN arms embargo. ForeignPolicy.com/Turtle Bay blog (1/18)       - UN to increase Cote d'Ivoire force after Russia delay
The UN Security Council was expected today to vote to send an additional 2,000 peacekeeping troops to Cote d'Ivoire after Russia, in an apparent bid to delay a vote, raised last-minute objections on Tuesday. The additional peacekeepers would bring the UN mission to some 12,000 troops and police as the standoff between the country's presidential incumbent and claimant spans its second month. Reuters (1/19) , CNN (1/18) - Making Haitian women safer, healthier
Even seemingly minor measures can lead to dramatic improvements in the safety and well-being of women living in tent cities throughout Haiti, according to Kathy Calvin, chief executive officer of the UN Foundation. That is why the foundation is helping to distribute solar-powered lights, in addition to promoting reproductive health, education and job opportunities for women, who head some 43% of all Haitian households. The Philadelphia Inquirer (1/16) - Slow economic growth miring African jobs, health
High levels of unemployment, in addition to widespread malnourishment, will remain on the horizon throughout Africa because the continent's economy isn't expanding quickly enough, according to the United Nations. Per-capita income is expected to grow an average of 2.8% through 2012, below the 3% minimum the world body says is needed to reduce poverty substantially. Bloomberg Businessweek (1/18) - Gaza blockade creates child scavengers, imperils lives
A report by a UNICEF-led group highlights the plight of thousands of children in the Gaza Strip who are regularly shot at by Israeli soldiers, and sometimes killed, while scavenging for scrap metal and construction materials in the buffer zone near the border fence with Israel. AlertNet (1/18) - Deadly landslides prompt Brazil overhaul
Landslides that led to the deaths of more than 700 people in the state of Rio de Janeiro have spurred the Brazilian government to speed up efforts to improve its nationwide emergency alert and response system. Although all the changes -- which include mapping high-risk areas and better collection of weather data -- will take some four years to implement, the government anticipates significant improvements within a year. The New York Times (free registration) (1/18) - Rights group chronicles Myanmar army abuses
Myanmar's army is guilty of widespread abuses against the country's Chin minority including religious persecution, torture, extrajudicial killings and rape, Physicians for Human Rights charges in a new report. The group calls on the United Nations to establish an inquiry commission to investigate claims of abuse. Google/The Associated Press (1/19) - UNHCR criticizes Swedish plan on Iraqi asylum seekers
Sweden's plans to deport dozens of Iraqi asylum seekers will put their lives in danger, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees warns. The group, which includes Christians and a Turkman, could face violence or abuse amid a deteriorating situation for minorities in Iraq, UNHCR says. AlertNet/Reuters (1/18) - Vatican official advised against reporting priests for child abuse
A Vatican official strongly advised against Irish church officials reporting clergymen accused of abuse to police, according to a Vatican letter obtained by an Irish broadcaster. Observers question whether the revelation carries any legal implications as it was an opinion expressed by one official rather than a policy communication from Vatican authorities. BBC (1/19) - Congolese army commander named in mass rapes
 Witnesses and other sources have fingered an army commander in orchestrating the mass rapes of at least 50 women on New Year's Day in the town of Fizi, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. A UN report says the sexual assaults are believed to comprise the largest single incident involving the army in a country rife with the mass rape of women. BBC (1/19) - Tunisia political unrest continues
Protesters took to the Tunis streets again today to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, a day after four Cabinet members resigned from the country's new unity government. Tunisia has seen weeks of violent protests and political uncertainty as protesters demand the removal of all vestiges of the old government of dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. The New York Times (free registration) (1/19) - Haiti readies trial process for Duvalier
A Haitian judge is expected to decide whether former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier should stand trial on charges of embezzlement and corruption. Duvalier has been accused of pilfering hundreds of millions of dollars and overseeing the abuse and killing of political opponents. A new law coming into effect Feb. 1 that eases the process for restitution of assets stolen by politicians is expected to make recovery of about $5.7 million from the Duvalier family. The Gazette (Montreal)/Agence France-Presse (1/19) , Google/The Associated Press (1/19)
- How large of a role should the United Nations play in world affairs in 2011?
 | A leading role where all countries are required to follow UN policies | | A major role where the UN establishes policies, but individual countries still act separately when they disagree | | A minor role, with the UN serving mostly as a forum for communication between nations, with no policy role |
- Making the MDGs happen
As world leaders focused their attention on strategies to accelerate progress on the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nations Foundation and Devex teamed up to give aid workers and development professionals the platform to share how they are advancing the MDGs each day. To recap this unique, real-time online dialogue, the UN Foundation and Devex released a special report today highlighting the six-month global conversation in which aid workers and development professionals from around the world shared their successes and challenges in achieving the MDGs. Click here for the full release from the UN Foundation. UN Foundation (1/18) - Remembering Sargent Shriver
UN Foundation President Timothy E. Wirth on the passing of Sargent Shriver: "I am saddened by the loss of Peace Corps Founder and Former Vice Presidential Candidate Sargent Shriver. Throughout his life, Shriver inspired men and women everywhere to share their time and talents with people around the world. His vision led to the birth of America's first global citizens, creating a new and powerful export of American compassion and international service. His example of service helped to foster peace at the most important level -- between people in their home and communities. Shriver's leadership will continue to motivate future generations to work together to create a better world." UN Foundation (1/19) |
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