United Nations Public Service Awards 2013 The United Nations Public Service Awards is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide. Through an annual competition, the UN Public Service Awards promotes the role, professionalism and visibility of public service. The UN has … [Read more...]
UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, Progress & Unfinished Business
June 26, 2013 by
© UNESCO/ Cynthia Guttman -From left to right: Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General Ms Amina Mohammed, UNESCO Director-General Ms Irina Bokova, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Mr Luiz Loures and Executive Director Mr Michel Sidibé. Collective action has enabled strong progress in the AIDS response but hard work remains to get to zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero-AIDS related deaths, stated the Director-General to the 32nd session of the Programme Coordinating Board … [Read more...]
UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie Recounts 5-year-Old Girl’s Ordeal
June 25, 2013 by
SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS TEXT URGING TARGETED SANCTIONS AGAINST PERPETRATORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE DURING ARMED CONFLICT Rape Largely ‘Cost-free’, Says Special Representative As UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie Recounts 5-year-Old Girl’s Ordeal The Security Council today urged the United Nations sanctions committees to apply targeted sanctions against parties committing sexual violence during armed conflict. Ahead of a debate on the subject that attracted more than 60 speakers, the … [Read more...]
Japan Taking Action to combat illicit drugs and human trafficking
June 4, 2013 by
June 2013 – The United Nations and the Government of Japan today agreed to enhance regional cooperation to fight the trade of illicit narcotics and human trafficking, as well as terrorism and cyber crime in Africa and Southeast Asia. The Joint Action Plan of Action between the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Japan was signed at the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), which concluded earlier today in Yokohama, Japan. “The United Nations Office … [Read more...]
MALI, Mother Dreams of Returning Home to Re-Build
June 2, 2013 by
In Mbera camp, Zeinabou dreams of returning home to rebuild Zeinabou, a mother of eight, fled with her family from conflict in her native Mali in January. There were rumours that a plane would come and bomb her town. She did not wait to see whether they were true; the family rented a car and fled to south eastern Mauritania. But life in the Mbera refugee camp is hard, she is pregnant and would like to return home, so her child can be born there. In Léré, where she came from, Zeinabou ran a … [Read more...]
Bangladesh must address lack of protection for women from violence
May 31, 2013 by
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras May 2013 – A United Nations independent expert today called on Bangladesh to ensure the effective implementation of laws and measures that protect women from violence, stressing that in addition to the enforcement of policies, changes in attitudes need to occur regarding women’s role in society. “The absence of effective implementation of existing laws, the lack of responsive justice systems, and … [Read more...]
UN peacekeeping, Women on the front lines to End Violence Against Women
May 27, 2013 by
March 2013 – “I know what it means to lose your house, to be looted. To look a child in the eye and say, 'If they come for me, you need to run'," said the newly appointed United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. "I know what it means to give testimony and to investigate the documents.” These words came from Zainab Hawa Bangura, former health minister of Sierra Leone and a survivor of that country’s civil war, who has just completed six months in office and is … [Read more...]
UN Women Executive Board, Annual Session 25-27 June
May 27, 2013 by
Annual Session - Documents 25-27 June The operational activities of UN-Women are governed by an Executive Board based on General Assembly resolution 64/289 paragraph 57(b) which stipulates that “the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Executive Board of the Entity shall constitute the multi-tiered intergovernmental governance structure for the operational activities and shall provide operational policy guidance to the Entity”. The Board also engages with the Executive … [Read more...]
CANADA is leader in global food security initiatives, celebrate!
May 25, 2013 by
ROME — Canada's leadership on food security and nutrition is contributing to the reduction of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in developing countries. The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation, participated today in a round table in Rome to discuss global food security and nutrition, and the role of private sector partnerships. "Ensuring access to safe and nutritious food is a priority of Canada's international assistance to developing countries," said … [Read more...]
1st Annual International Day to End Obstretric Fistula, May 23
May 24, 2013 by
IMAGE The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula MAY 23 In December 2012, 167 countries from around the world co-sponsored a biannual resolution at the United Nations General Assembly that called on all Member States to support the activities of UNFPA and its partners in the Campaign to End Fistula. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Campaign to End Fistula, a collaborative initiative launched by UNFPA and its partners. Check out Friends of UNFPA’s new … [Read more...]
