news

New Associate Member

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:28:47 +0100

The Society cordially welcomes Mr. Richard Kaplan of Alexandria, Virginia, as an Associate Member.

Mr. Kaplan has long-served the US Federal government in various capacities, as well as in a number of UN-related field missions. His expertise range from Disarmament matter to Peacekeeping/Peace-buildings activities. He currently is with the US Department of Energy since 2007.

Mr. Kaplan has a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from the San Francisco State University and a Bachelors degree in International Relations and Russian & Southeast European Studies, also from the San Francisco State University. He is also a published scholar.

Rio+20 to shift focus to development

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:40:17 +0100

The UN's upcoming Rio+20 conference will focus on sustainable development, not climate change, although goals such as conserving resources and reducing emissions are still on the agenda. United Nations Foundation President Timothy E. Wirth said, "The debate's changed because of China, India, Brazil and South Africa, the very rapid and surprisingly powerful growth of the newly industrialized countries." A draft document recently released for the June summit outlines seven main issues, including jobs, energy, food, water and disasters.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/environment/un-environment-conference-returns-to-rio-with-emphasis-on-sustainable-development/2012/01/24/gIQAmrsoOQ_story.html

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL’S FIVE-YEAR ACTION AGENDA

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:21:26 +0100

http://www.un.org/sg/priorities/sg_agenda_2012.pdf

UN Secretary-General outlines five-year action plan to build ‘the future we want’

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:40:44 +0100

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today outlined an action agenda to help achieve progress in five key areas that will contribute to building "the future we want."

Last September Mr. Ban presented five imperatives for his second term: sustainable development; preventing and mitigating conflicts, human rights abuses and the impacts of natural disasters; building a safer and more secure world; supporting countries in transition; and working to engage the talents of women and young people.

"Today I want to share with you an action agenda for the coming five years," he said in an address to the General Assembly. "A plan to make the most of the opportunities before us. A plan to help create a safer, more secure, more sustainable, more equitable future.

"A plan to build the future we want," he added.

http://www.unicwash.org/Media.aspx?date=2012-01-25#item1420

Happy New Year!

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:15:56 +0100

Apologies for our brief absence...but now, we're back. We hope that you will continue to benefit from the news posts on this site.

With you in peace and goodness!

UNEP: World to miss emissions limits targets

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:06:40 +0100

The gap between greenhouse gas emissions cuts and what is needed to limit global temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius is set to widen, the United Nations Environment Programme warns in a report. Global carbon emissions hit record levels last year, and countries have not committed to emissions reductions sufficient to reverse the current trajectory.

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/emissions-cuts-off-course-to-halt-global-warming-unep/

House committee approves bill to cut UN funding

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:49:47 +0100

By a party line vote of 23-15, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a measure sponsored by committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., to cut U.S. funding for the United Nations by 50% if the world body does not shift over to permitting voluntary contributions. Proposed legislation would also see the U.S. withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council and disengage from any UN body that endorses a change in status for Palestinians. Polling released by the Better World Campaign indicates that large majorities of Americans want the U.S. to be active at the UN and want the U.S. to pay its dues. United Nations Foundation President Timothy E. Wirth said, "This polling once again shows that Americans do not want to see the United States go back into debt at the United Nations."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/divided-house-panel-approves-bill-to-slash-us-contributions-to-united-nations/2011/10/13/gIQALdg6hL_story.html

International day for the eradication of poverty 2011 - October 17, 2011

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:48:36 +0100

The 2011 Commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) will be held on Monday, 17 October at United Nations Headquarters in New York, focusing on the theme "From Poverty to Sustainability:People at the Centre of Inclusive Development".

Myanmar amnesty comes amid signs of reform

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:56:10 +0100

More than 150 political prisoners have walked free in Myanmar under a government amnesty that reportedly could affect up to 6,000 prisoners, altogether. The country's press monitor and censor, Tint Swe, said last week in an interview with Radio Free Asia that his office should be shuttered.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2011/10/change-myanmar

Americans voice support for the UN

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:52:11 +0100

An overwhelming majority of U.S. voters support engagement with the United Nations and financial support for the world body, according to a survey from the United Nations Foundation and Better World Campaign. More than eight out of 10 respondents from across the U.S. political spectrum said it important for the U.S. to maintain an active role.

http://www.undispatch.com/new-polling-data-shows-americans-overwhelmingly-support-engagement-at-the-un