The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the November 2013 version of our Monthly Action Points (MAP) on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council. For November, in which China has the Security Council presidency, the MAP provides recommendations on the situations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central African Republic, Central African Region, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan / South Sudan, and Syria. Our findings remain clear: while there has been development in policy and … [Read more...]
Securing financing for sustainable development, Shari Spiegel
“We have to create an inclusive financing system that would work for everybody around the globe.” ~ Shari Spiegel Securing financing for sustainable development New and innovative sources of financing are needed to supplement decreasing Official Development Assistance, but these should be additional to traditional assistance and not a substitute for it: this is one of the conclusions of the 6th High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development. In this video interview, Shari Spiegel, … [Read more...]
Learning Metrics Task Force, Rebecca Winthrop
I’m very pleased to share with you that we recently brought on former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard as a nonresident senior fellow. As prime minister, Julia Gillard made education reform a top priority in Australia, and her passion and commitment to improve education around the world will continue with her work at the center. As a fellow, she will participate in a variety of research projects, including initiatives promoting girls’ education in developing countries. We look forward to … [Read more...]
7 Million Girls in Poor Countries Give Birth Before 18
LONDON/UNITED NATIONS, New York — Motherhood in childhood is a huge global problem, especially in developing countries, where every year 7.3 million girls under 18 give birth, according to The State of World Population 2013 , released today by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. Of these 7.3 million births, 2 million are to girls 14 or younger, who suffer the gravest long-term health and social consequences from pregnancy, including high rates of maternal death and obstetric fistula, … [Read more...]
“The Post-2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage!”
“I will draw upon my background in sustainable development” Right before the opening of the 68th session of General Assembly, its President, John W. Ashe, gave a special interview to DESA News. He points out how his background may help him promote the building of Sustainable Development Goals among Member States. He also explains why he is the first PGA to extensively use social media and online communication. On 18 September 2013, John W. Ashe of Antigua and Barbuda took … [Read more...]
A new era of discussions on migration and development
For the second time in history, the General Assembly will convene a high-level event on 3-4 October, devoted to international migration and development at the United Nations. This meeting provides an opportunity for the international community to review progress since the first High-level Dialogue in 2006 and promote and advance the debate and cooperation in the field of migration and development. Governments are increasingly recognizing that partnership and cooperation are needed to leverage … [Read more...]
Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), a new standard
A new statistical standard to measure sustainable development The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), an international standard on statistics, was recently agreed among UN Member States, and is currently being implemented. The aim of this standard is to report on the interrelationships between the economy, the environment and the society through clear, concise and coherent statistics and indicators.Image: DESA Statistics Division The SEEA became a statistical standard in … [Read more...]
Lorre White celebrates the 5 most expensive sleeps on the planet!
5 of the most expensive places to stay in the world Have you ever wondered where the world’s most affluent people stay when they go on vacation? It’s no secret that an unlimited budget can take you anywhere in the world, but what are some of the world’s most exclusive accommodations? The following are 5 of the most luxurious places to stay in the world: Villa Bellissima VI, Tuscany Price: $19,570 per night This 800- year old farming village sits on a rural … [Read more...]