The 2021 Global Week to Act for SDGs has inspired 100 MILLION+ collective actions from organizations and individuals around the globe to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Held during the high-level week of United Nations General Assembly, from 17–28 September. This year’s mobilization also highlighted the Food Systems Summit, pre-COP in Milan, and COP26 in Glasgow. Most importantly, people around the world from over 190 COUNTRIES joined together … [Read more...]
Crown Sacrifices: What Royal Family Members Have to Give Up
What kind of monarchy is she in the 21st century? On the one hand, watching Prince Harry and Megan Markle's story, which is happening in front of millions literally online, one would think that the pressure on members of the royal family has decreased. Elizabeth II approved the choice of his grandson and allowed him to marry a divorced Catholic Markle (although before the wedding she will accept Anglicanism). Less than a century ago, however, the queen's uncle had to give up the throne for … [Read more...]
World population projected to reach 11.2 billion by 2100
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...]
Tracking gender statistics in pursuit of SDG 5
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...]
Disarmament Week, OCT 24-30
The annual observance of Disarmament Week, which begins on the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, was called for in the Final Document of the General Assembly 1978 special session on disarmament (resolution S-10/2). States were invited to highlight the danger of the arms race, propagate the need for its cessation and increase public understanding of the urgent tasks of disarmament. The annual UN observance of Disarmament Week, which begins on the anniversary of the founding of … [Read more...]
A world on the move: Refugees and Migrants
For a world on the move: The UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants The world is on the move, and the number of international migrants today is higher than ever before. In 2015, 244 million people lived in a country other than where they were born, including more than 20 million refugees and asylum-seekers escaping violence or persecution in their home countries. People have always moved in search of sustenance, safety and opportunity. By crossing borders and residing in other lands, … [Read more...]
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development last year marked a watershed year for sustainable development. Its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets are expected to stimulate action over the upcoming years in areas of critical importance for people and the planet. The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), meeting under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly, is the UN’s central platform for the follow-up … [Read more...]
World Refugee Day 2016, June 20
"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...]