"Our responses to refugees must be grounded in our shared values of responsibility sharing, non-discrimination, and human rights and in international refugee law, including the principle of non-refoulement." — UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon Each day war forces thousands of families to flee their homes. People like you, people like me. To escape the violence, they leave everything behind – everything except their hopes and dreams for a safer future. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency … [Read more...]
Understanding the ZIKA Virus
February 4, 2016 by
For many mothers, expecting or not, the rapid spread of the Zika virus in the Americas has been, frankly, pretty frightening. Yesterday the World Health Organization (WHO) held an emergency meeting with leading experts on the disease and declared the Zika virus a public health emergency of international concern. In the meantime, the WHO, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the United Nations (UN) along with various other agencies have been working closely to release the latest information … [Read more...]
Water, Women required to Manage
July 1, 2015 by
The 'Water Crisis' is the #1 global risk based on impact to society (as a measure of devastation), and the #8 global risk based on likelihood (likelihood of occurring within 10 years) as announced by the World Economic Forum, January 2015. 750 million people around the world lack access to safe water; approximately one in nine people. More than twice the population of the United States lives without access to safe water. Diarrhea caused by inadequate drinking water, sanitation, and hand … [Read more...]
DESA, Preparing for a year of Global Action in 2015
January 3, 2015 by
Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) 2015 is expected to be a historic year for global sustainable development. A number of milestone events are expected to set in motion crucial actions that will benefit both the people and the planet. With UN DESA playing a leading role in these efforts, DESA News met with Mr. Wu Hongbo, UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General, to learn more about upcoming events as well as gains made during the past year. “Critical, busy and … [Read more...]
Road to Dignity by 2030: Blueprint towards sustainable development
January 1, 2015 by
“[We] have an historic opportunity and duty to act, boldly, vigorously and expeditiously, to turn reality into a life of dignity for all, leaving no one behind” In an informal briefing to the 193-Member Assembly on 4 December 2014, the UN chief presented his synthesis report, The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Transforming All Lives and Protecting the Planet, alongside the President of the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa who also addressed delegates, describing the process of … [Read more...]
