Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical thinking and evidence (rationalism, empiricism) over established doctrine or faith (fideism). The meaning of the term humanism has fluctuated, according to the successive intellectual movements which have identified with it. Generally, however, humanism refers to a perspective that affirms some notion of a "human nature" (sometimes … [Read more...]
UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, welcomed civil society
August 28, 2013 by
New Executive Director meets with civil society members in New York and pledges close collaboration Date: 28 August 2013 New York — Just seven days after having been sworn into office, the new Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, welcomed civil society representatives based in New York at UN Women Headquarters and pledged strong collaboration. She acknowledged the key role of civil society in making progress for human rights, in ensuring a successful outcome at the … [Read more...]
Bachelet’s Closing Statement at the 57th Session CSW
March 19, 2013 by
Madame Chair, Excellencies and distinguished delegates, Colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen, Greetings to all of you as we conclude this historic 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. It has been an intensive past two weeks. We have witnessed one of the highest levels of participation from Member States, intergovernmental organizations, civil society, and colleagues from the United Nations. I must start by expressing my appreciation to all of you. I would … [Read more...]
DESA, Digital Bridge to a Civil Society – ‘…a collective global good’
October 12, 2012 by
A digital bridge to civil society “Our times demand (…) a new constellation of international cooperation – governments, civil society and the private sector, working together for a collective global good”. In line with this statement of the UN Secretary-General, DESA and its UN partners continue to enhance their services to civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across the globe. Civil society and non-governmental organizations play a vital role as partners to the … [Read more...]
One Year On: UN Women Widens Donor Base, Strengthens Partnerships
January 23, 2012 by
One Year On: UN Women Widens Donor Base, Strengthens Partnerships UN Women commemorates its first anniversary this month with some 114 governments contributing to core funds in 2011, resulting in a 73 percent increase in core funding compared to the combined budget of its former four predecessors the year prior. The entity’s total income target for 2012-13 is set for US$700 million. “[The budget] pushes us to strengthen partnerships across the board — with governments, … [Read more...]
UN Women Announces Senior Management Appointments
June 26, 2011 by
— United Nations, New York, 24 June 2011 — UN Women announced today the following appointments of senior managers who will support Executive Director Michelle Bachelet and Deputy Directors Lakshmi Puri and John Hendra in leading the organization. A Celebration of Women sends our Congratulations to those attending to these posts, and wishes you all the best of times during this tenure. Bureau for Intergovernmental Support and Strategic Partnerships Kristin Hetle (Norway), … [Read more...]
Eliminate Pediatric HIV Transmission and Keep Mothers Alive
June 14, 2011 by
A Bold New Plan To Eliminate Pediatric HIV Transmission and Keep Mothers Alive Today, I was proud to participate in an historic moment in the global HIV response. Standing with former President Bill Clinton, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and many others, we joined forces toward an ambitious, yet achievable, goal — ending pediatric AIDS and keeping mothers alive around the globe. In the United States and Europe, pediatric AIDS is now an artifact of history. Yet, in many countries, … [Read more...]
Awareness and education are key to beating human trafficking
February 9, 2011 by
February 2011 - In November 2010, the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking was launched to assist those most in need as a result of having been trafficked. Administered by UNODC, the Trust Fund is guided by a five-member, geographically representative board of trustees. One of the Trustees, Dr. Saisuree Chutikul of Thailand, has many years of experience in working to fight human trafficking and its related social evils, such as gender-based violence. As the … [Read more...]
PALISTINE – National Strategy to Combat Violence against Women
January 20, 2011 by
Palestinian Cabinet Endorses National Strategy to Combat Violence against Women The Palestinian Cabinet endorsed a nine-year national strategic plan to combat violence against women in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), the first of its kind in the Arab region developed through a bottom-up approach. Officially adopted on 11 January 2011 and announced at the Palestinian Ministry of Women’s Affairs during a press conference today, the strategy takes on a cross-sector approach, … [Read more...]
