Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex. The International Labour Organization estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally. This estimate also includes victims of human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation. While it is not known how many of these victims were trafficked, the estimate implies that currently, there are millions of trafficking in persons victims in the … [Read more...]
World population projected to reach 11.2 billion by 2100
July 3, 2017 by
World population projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050, and 11.2 billion in 2100 The current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100, according to a new United Nations report launched on 21 June. With roughly 83 million people being added to the world’s population every year, the upward trend in population size is expected to continue, even assuming that fertility levels will continue to decline. The World … [Read more...]
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS, MARCH 20
March 19, 2017 by
This campaign is a global celebration to mark the United Nations International Day of Happiness. It is coordinated by Action for Happiness, a non-profit movement of people from 160 countries, supported by a partnership of like-minded organizations. A profound shift in attitudes is underway all over the world. People are now recognising that 'progress' should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy. March 20 has been established as the annual … [Read more...]
The Ocean Conference, June 5-9, 2017
February 1, 2017 by
The Ocean Conference will be held at UN Headquarters in New York on 5-9 June 2017, seeking to spur action to ensure the continued health of the world’s oceans. The conference will comprise of plenary meetings, partnership dialogues and a special event commemorating World Oceans Day. To prepare for this major event, the President of the General Assembly will be organizing a two-day preparatory meeting on 15-16 February in New York. The preparatory meeting will consider the elements of the … [Read more...]
UN Women, First Regular Session 2017 – FEB 14
January 31, 2017 by
Documents for the first regular session of the UN-Women Executive Board, on 14 February 2017. Advance copies of session documents are posted here and on the PaperSmart portal in the original language, and are replaced by official documents once available. AGENDA In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. In doing so, UN Member States took an historic step in accelerating the Organization’s … [Read more...]
Giving Girls in Uganda an Equal Chance
January 10, 2017 by
“I want to be a nurse.” This comment was made in response to my age old question of, “What would you like to be when you grow up?” I’ve asked this question to children in the United States, but this time I was in Uganda, speaking with a 14-year-old girl, Malacondia, who attends St. Luke’s Primary School in the northern part of Uganda, near the border with South Sudan. The school educates children from Uganda as well as refugees from South Sudan, displaced by the horrific unrest there. Not … [Read more...]
World Kindness Day, NOV 13
November 12, 2016 by
World Kindness Day is an international observance on 13 November. It was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement a coalition of nations kindness NGOs. It is observed in many countries, including Canada, Japan, Australia, Nigeria and United Arab Emirates. In 2009, Singapore observed the day for the first time. Singapore in 2009, 45,000 yellow flowers were given away. Italy and India also observed the day. In the UK it is fronted by David Jamilly co-founded Kindness Day … [Read more...]
Gender Trainers Webinar, NOV 3
November 1, 2016 by
Don't miss the UN Women Training Center Webinar on Professionalization of Gender Trainers! The growing popularity of training for gender equality is driving a rising demand for expert trainers. Since the 1995 Beijing Conference, ever greater numbers of “gender trainers” have delivered training for a range of actors – international organisations, governments, NGOs and businesses – to ensure that their programs and policies mainstream gender equality. Yet, there is little agreement about what … [Read more...]
Tracking gender statistics in pursuit of SDG 5
November 1, 2016 by
To deepen the understanding of the different challenges women and men face in today’s world, statisticians use disaggregated data and gender statistics to allow for a unique insight into gender issues. The 6th Global Forum on Gender Statistics, organized by UN DESA’s Statistics Division and Statistics Finland, focused on data and statistical methods for the follow-up and review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was an opportunity to take stock of progress towards the … [Read more...]
