New Edition of Basic Facts about the United Nations Available!
Published since 1947, Basic Facts about the United Nations serves as the definitive introduction to the UN and its family of related institutions and agencies. The volume represents an invaluable tool for diplomats, students, researchers and the general public. Popular with candidates preparing for the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) exam as well as UN tour guides wanting to bolster their repertoire of knowledge, the book gives a comprehensive overview of the UN and its activities. While the flagship reference publication Yearbook of the United Nations provides such information on an annual basis from an historical perspective, Basic Facts describes recent significant developments within the Organization and its funds, programmes and specialized agencies.
Protect children in conflicts and disasters from forced labour, underscores UN on World Day
Children in areas affected by conflict and disasters are among the most vulnerable, the United Nations International Labour Organization () in warning on the World Day Against Child Labour, making a strong call for an end to the scourge, especially as children trapped in crisis risk falling prey to trafficking or being forced into hazardous work.
International community must ensure 'endemic' impunity in DR Congo brought to an end – UN rights chief
Voicing concern over lack of progress on the part of Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to undertake credible investigations into widespread allegations of rights violations and abuses in the Kasai Central and Kasai Oriental provinces, the top United Nations human rights official today called for setting up of an international investigation mechanism to look into the situation.
The crimes committed in the Kasais appear to be of such gravity thatÌý, and in particular the Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, urged the Council today.
Winners of Multilingual Essay Contest to Present at United Nations General Assembly in July 2017
is pleased to announce that 60 students have been selected as winners of the 2017 Many Languages, One World® international essay contest. 2017 is the fourth year ELS Educational Services and the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) have sponsored Many Languages, One World. This year ELS and the UNAI also welcome Northeastern University as the host of the Many Languages, One World Global Youth Forum and the sponsor and organizer of the Northeastern University Global Youth Symposium.
The event includes an all-expense-paid trip to Boston and New York City and the opportunity to speak in the General Assembly Hall at the United Nations. Students will present action plans related to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Get outside, connect with the planet that sustains us, urges UN on World Environment Day
With the theme of this year's World Environment Day – 'Connecting People to Nature' – aimed at highlighting the well-documented physical and mental health benefits of being in nature, the United Nations is today flagging theÌýÌýof such engagement, from food security and improved health to reliable water supply and climatic stability.
Over 40 migrants die of thirst in the Sahara, signalling 'broadening death trap,' warns UN agency
Warning that smugglers may now be broadening a death trap for migrants and refugees that could stretch from the Mediterranean to the vast Sahara Desert, the United Nations refugee agency has reiterated its call for safe pathways so that those in desperate need of international protection do not lose their lives.
Tobacco's killer toxins also wreak havoc on the environment, UN health agency warns
Stamping out tobacco use can save millions of lives and combat poverty, the World Health Organization () said today and spotlighted for the first time the ways in which tobacco affects human well-being from an environmental perspective – caused by production, distribution and waste.
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Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) Annual Meeting
Every year, the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) hosts a three-day Annual Meeting, drawing together 250–350 academics and practitioners from around the world. This year, the Annual Meeting is being held 15–17 June, at Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea in co-operation with the Korean Academic Council on the United Nations System (KACUNS).
The theme for this year's Annual Meeting is Revitalizing the United Nations for Human Rights, ²Ù±ÆÊÓƵapp and Development. The organizers anticipate informative presentations and lively discussions on this general topic and on a number of subthemes such as the promotion and protection of human rights; the challenges of peace and development; supporting global civil education; and the dynamics of relations amongst Asian states on issues of human rights, peace and development, and how these take shape within the UN framework.
UN engages youth on national reconciliation in Iraq
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) – the UN's special political mission for Iraq – has been working closely with the government to create a favourable environment for inclusive national dialogue. The country's youth and universities have a critical role to play in this regard not just as stakeholders, but as partners in the process of national reconciliation.
GoGreen Week
GoGreen Week, an annual tradition in its third year, returned to NYU Shanghai this spring with a flurry of events related to the environment, wildlife, energy, food and sustainable development organized by the student club Green Shanghai.
Trash fashion
Kickstarting the week-long celebration was the trash fashion show on April 16. Some 20 students transformed upcycled garbage materials into 13 self-designed fashion statements presented on the catwalk at the Envision Pavilion outside of the Himalayas Museum. The show's many environmental allusions especially highlighted issues of sustainability in the fashion industry.
ÌýI noticed that there were many expired posters on campus, so I decided to turn them into floral decorations on my dress, said Lu Ziyu.
On Day for Biological Diversity, UN says tourists must protect nature that draws them
Tourism must not undermine the nature that attracts tourists in the first place, said the head of the United Nations-backed treaty on biological diversity, marking International Day for Biological Diversity.
Venezuela: UN human rights chief regrets opposition leader being blocked to travel
Amid rising violence in Venezuela, the United Nations human rights chief has expressed regret that the Latin American country's opposition leader was allegedly blocked from leaving the country for New York, where they were planning to meet.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has said on Twitter that he regrets that Henrique Capriles was unable to travel and hoped that the incident is not a reprisal linked to the planned meeting with him in New York today, Mr. Zeid's spokesperson, Rupert Colville, told reporters in Geneva.
The spokesperson said that the High Commissioner would go ahead with a meeting this afternoon in New York with Mr. Capriles' lawyer who would share a report prepared by Mr. Capriles.
We find the rising tensions in Venezuela very alarming, and incidents like that involving Mr. Capriles yesterday are unlikely to help reduce tensions, the spokesperson said.
At China's Belt and Road Forum, UN chief Guterres stresses shared development goals
Speaking at a major international conference in Beijing, United NationsÌýSecretary-GeneralÌýAntónio Guterres today drew comparisons between China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and the Sustainable Development Goals, saying both are rooted in a shared vision for global development.
Both strive to create opportunities, global public goods and win-win cooperation. And both aim toÌý
DR Congo: UN agency appeals for support as 'steady stream' of refugees crosses into Angola
With violence and insecurity continuing to force people to flee Democratic Republic of Congo's Kasai region and seek refuge in neighbouring Angola, the United Nations refugee agency has called for a suitable place to shelter them as well as additional resources to support those in urgent need.
Ìýto the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (), more than 20,000 new arrivals have been recorded since early April, with nearly 3,000 over the past few days.
Task of eradicating poverty must be met 'with a sense of urgency,' says deputy UN chief
Eradicating poverty remains the greatest global challenge, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said today, calling for a collective and comprehensive approach that recognizes the multidimensional nature the issue and its interaction with other aspects.
Addressing poverty, inequality, climate change, food insecurity and a sluggish and unpredictable global economy requires integrated responses and engagement by all actors, Ms. MohammedÌýsaidÌýat the opening of theÌý2017 Integration SegmentÌýof the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).