International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers Worldwide, 29 May 2012 Hosts / Sponsors: United Nations 29 May is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The theme this year is a celebration of global partnerships, which include Member States, the UN Secretariat, host countries, regional organizations and UN partners — all working to bring peace and security to some of the world's most troubled areas. The day has two purposes: … [Read more...]
UN independent rights expert urges Gabon to combat trafficking of children
May 25, 2012 by
25 May 2012 – A United Nations independent human rights expert has urged Gabon to adopt measures to tackle trafficking in children from West and Central African States, and address traditional and cultural factors that exacerbate the problem.“I am confident that Gabon can become a model for other countries in the region and beyond in the fight against trafficking,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, in a news statement … [Read more...]
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting – Tide is finally turning ‘against’ FGM
May 24, 2012 by
For centuries, female genital mutilation or cutting has been practiced throughout much of Africa. But dealing as it does with a very intimate subject, FGM/C was often spoken of, if at all, only in whispers. Today the movement against it is open, public and highly visible. And FGM/C seems to be out in the open and on its way out. Farmers in remote villages in Mali are listening to radio talk shows debating the issue. Community groups in Senegal talk about it in terms of human rights. Islamic … [Read more...]
Victims Without a Voice – 18 month old dies from RAPE – Take Action!
May 23, 2012 by
- Fighting child sexual abuse - "18-month old baby boy died of internal damage after being raped" "I am not sure which of the following story is more painful; the pain of the children without a voice OR the spiritual condition of the souls inside these perpetrators, brutally pillaging INNOCENCE. WHAT compels a grown man to violently hurt a child let alone penetrate and violate through RAPE?" KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 2012 – A nine-year old boy was systematically raped by his … [Read more...]
BOGOTA – Margot Wallström hears stories of sexual violence
May 22, 2012 by
Margot Wallström hears stories from survivors of sexual violence in an IDP community, 100 km from Bogota, Colombia. UN Photo/R. Riveros Colombia must increase its efforts to fight impunity for crimes of sexual violence, a United Nations envoy said today, adding that such efforts should be paired with assistance to survivors and victims.“I understand that the country as a whole wants to look to the future, instead of dwelling on the past, but there can be no lasting peace without security … [Read more...]
NIGERIA: Climate Change and Sustainable Development
May 14, 2012 by
Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Nigeria Sofoluwe, Abayomi Olumade Ph.D, Dept. of Educational Management University of Ilorin, Nigeria E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Abstract The main purpose of this paper is to examine climate change and sustainable development in Nigeria. This was necessary because, Nigerians are increasingly being confronted with number of challenges which demand urgent attention. These challenges tend to be … [Read more...]
Wangari Maathai Award 2012
May 12, 2012 by
Wangari Maathai Award 2012 Wangari Muta Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya (Africa) in 1940. The first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree. Wangari Maathai obtained a degree in Biological Sciences from Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas (1964). She subsequently earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh (1966). She pursued doctoral studies in Germany and the University of Nairobi, obtaining a Ph.D. … [Read more...]
Biologist Bryan Ballif, Langereis & Junior blood type proteins
May 12, 2012 by
You probably know your blood type: A, B, AB or O. You may even know if you’re Rhesus positive or negative. But how about I tell you that in addition to those 2 systems (ABO and Rhesus), one could have as far as 28 other types in his blood? Intriguing, isn’t it? 28 in fact, until a week ago. The number has now grown to 30 with the discovery of 2 new blood types, raising the total, alongside the classics we know to 32 blood types discovered so far. MNS, Lewis, Duffy, Kidd, Kell are the … [Read more...]
HEROINE – History & Hope for Solutions
May 11, 2012 by
Heroin was first synthesized in 1874 by C. R. Alder Wright, an English chemist working at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, England. He had been experimenting with combining morphine with various acids. He boiled anhydrous morphine alkaloid with acetic anhydride over a stove for several hours and produced a more potent, acetylated form of morphine, now called diacetylmorphine. The compound was sent to F. M. Pierce of Owens College in Manchester for analysis, who reported the … [Read more...]
Hepatitis Awareness Month, Mothers Can Make a Difference
May 10, 2012 by
As we approach Mother’s Day this Sunday and then observe Women’s Health Week (May 13-19), it is an excellent opportunity to focus on actions that can be taken to improve the health and well-being of mothers and their infants. Since May is also Hepatitis Awareness Month, I would like to highlight perinatal hepatitis B transmission and the actions needed to eliminate this preventable disease. An estimated 1.4 million Americans are living with chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. … [Read more...]
DR Congo: UN envoy concerned about possible sexual violence
May 9, 2012 by
“immediately cease all forms of violence, including sexual violence, and human rights abuses against the civilian population…, lay down their arms and demobilize,” A top United Nations official has voiced her concern about the latest wave of fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially in areas that have previously witnessed sexual violence committed against civilians by members of armed groups. “I call on all parties to immediately refrain from any acts of … [Read more...]
Rising Stars in Women’s & Children’s Health
May 8, 2012 by
Rising Stars in Women's & Children's Health: Cast Your Vote! MAY 2012 – Grand Challenges Canada is calling on voters to help select winners in their third round of Rising Stars in Global Health contest. Fifteen grants valued in total at more than $1.5 million are up for grabs for Canada's most creative innovators working to improve global health conditions. This program aims to tap into the creativity, knowledge and skills of emerging Canadian innovators to solve some of the … [Read more...]
Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth
May 6, 2012 by
Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth Malian infants have low birth weights, linked to inadequate maternal care, malnutrition and endemic poverty. Photo: UNICEF Some 15 million babies worldwide – more than one in ten births – are born too early, according to a new United Nations-backed report, released today, which calls for steps such as ensuring the requisite medicines and equipment and training health staff to promote child survival.“All newborns are … [Read more...]
