Indigenous Youth: Identity, Challenges and Hope The world has never faced such a large youth population as the one inhabiting the globe today, with about 40 per cent of the world population under the age of 25. With the recent economic crisis and high unemployment rates, there are many challenges facing today’s young generation. The world’s 67 million indigenous youth face even greater challenges, but have big hopes. To address these issues, indigenous youth experts from around the world … [Read more...]
SYRIA – Fleeing for their lives, “My daughter is 2 months old,” one woman said.
Syrians flee violence in dangerous nighttime trek to Jordan (CNN) -- With darkness as their only cover, Syrian families make a break for northern Jordan. They are fleeing for their lives. Small children walk alongside their mothers, whose arms are reserved for babies and whatever possessions they can carry. In a treacherous nighttime escape such as this one, you walk if you're old enough. As the group makes its way over the border, just a few meters away from its … [Read more...]
Suzanne Maloney, Saban Center for Middle East Policy
Senior Fellow Suzanne Maloney discusses how one “big bet” — bridling Iran’s nuclear ambitions — will be a defining factor in the Obama administration’s second term. Suzanne, a senior fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, where her research focuses on energy, economic reform and U.S. policy toward the Middle East. She studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, … [Read more...]
“Nourishing Bodies, Nourishing Minds”
In a bid to improve access to health care, nutrition and education for the world’s most underserved children, UNESCO is joining forces with the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the private sector to launch a three-year partnership, “Nourishing Bodies, Nourishing Minds,” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on 24 January 2013. This partnership comes in direct support to the UN Secretary-General’s, Global Education First Initiative aimed at galvanizing renewed international action … [Read more...]
UNRWA, Syria midwife delivers baby in harsh conditions
Damascus The vibrant cry of a baby burst out from a small room in the Khan Eshieh refugee camp in southern Damascus. Forced to find refuge in a shelter housing another 15 people, Mayada Yahya gave birth in a small room with no privacy. The room has provided shelter to Mayada and her husband ever since they fled the fighting in Daraya, near Damascus, a few months ago. Little did she know that she would be delivering their child in this same room months later. Makeshift … [Read more...]
The Internet Gender Gap | Magdy Martinez Soliman
How can the use of mobile technologies best benefit Women? The role of ICTs as development enablers is more widely understood today as access to new technologies, particularly mobile phones, has grown exponentially. SPECIAL COMPUTER TRAINING COURSE DESIGNED FOR DEAF PEOPLE IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA. PHOTO: UNDP IN SYRIA Mobile phone subscriptions exceeded six billion by the end of 2012, three-quarters of which were in the developing world. However, Women are at a disadvantage: they are 21% less … [Read more...]
Joint Statement by President Obama and President Karzai
Joint Statement by President Obama and President Karzai January 11, 2013 At the invitation of President Obama, President Karzai and his delegation visited Washington January 8-11, 2013. President Karzai’s visit comes at an important juncture for both our nations, as we take steps to further strengthen an enduring partnership as sovereign nations, and based upon recognition of our shared interests and shared security. In their meetings today, President Obama and President … [Read more...]