Post-COVID-19 Sustainable Cities: What Can Universities Do?
The high levels of global and local interconnectivity of cities leave them particularly exposed to deadly epidemics, as they have been throughout history. The recent Policy Brief: COVID-19 in an Urban World, issued by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizes that vulnerable sectors of urban societies are especially harmed both by the incidence of the virus and the economic impact of related shutdown measures.
Education During COVID-19 and Beyond: Commentary on the Secretary-General’s Policy Brief
As highlighted in the Secretary-General’s Policy Brief: Education during COVID-19 and beyond, there is an urgent need for action by all to ensure that the immediate disruption to education does not turn into a generational catastrophe.
ٱƵapp Is Synonymous With Women’s Rights
This year’s International Day of ٱƵapp, observed on 21 September, should start by honouring all the lives that have been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ٱƵapp is not only the synonym of harmony, security and well-being, but also a product of equality and non-discrimination. ٱƵapp, as we understand it, simply cannot exist if we exclude the welfare of women and girls, who comprise half of the world’s population.
World ٱƵapp in One Hour
Protecting the existence of all species, sustaining life on Earth, exploring outer space, tackling disease and mortality, solving the pollution problem, coexisting with the environment, electing more women to leadership positions and creating real freedom that includes true private property: world peace is a prerequisite for all of these objectives.
Everybody Wins When We Help Fragile Countries Fight COVID-19
The economic cost of inaction is huge: countless millions more people being pushed into extreme poverty, decades of development progress lost, and the shadow of a generation’s worth of tragic and exportable problems looming.
Game-Changers in Viet Nam’s Successful COVID-19 Response
Viet Nam’s successful management of the COVID-19 outbreak so far can be at least partly attributed to the country’s investment during “peacetime”—the period prior to the pandemic. The country has now demonstrated that preparedness to deal with infectious disease is a key ingredient for protecting people and securing public health in times of pandemics such as COVID-19.
Standing in Solidarity with Victims and Survivors of Terrorism in the Era of COVID-19
Despite the good progress we have made in recent years in advocating for victims of terrorism, much work remains to be done by Member States to ensure victims’ needs and rights are adequately prioritized.
The Virus of Racism: An Enduring Dilemma for Humanity
As is often the case, dedicated humanitarians, their legacies, intentions and influences are destined to converge at some point.
In an Era When Doing Nothing Is Risky, Humanity Must Be Prepared
Diversification and globalization are excellent engines for realizing the sustainable development of our global society; for colleges and universities, they must function as an excellent strategy to develop human resources that will open up the future of the uncertain world.
Karuna in the Age of Corona
Renowned photographer Nicholas Vreeland explores life in the village of Mundgod, India, during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, documenting acts of karuna (Sanskrit for compassion).
Nelson Mandela and Black Lives
The fact that the Black Lives Matter movement has found powerful resonances in many parts of the world in the wake of George Floyd’s killing indicates that we are not alone.
The World Health System and COVID-19
Let us hope that the emerging partnerships between science, medicine and the private sector are closer to making a medical breakthrough for preventing the occurrence or recurrence of COVID-19.
The Charter of the United Nations After 75 Years: Personal Reflections
Few would contest the enduring value and strength of the Charter as a normative instrument, even after 75 years of existence. Its purposes and principles have acquired a universal character unprecedented in human history.
The UN General Assembly: A 75-Year Journey Towards the Future We Want
The 75th anniversary of the United Nations takes place at a moment of reckoning for our shared planet and shared future. This is a time for action, ambition and partnership.
The Charter of the United Nations: Ideals for Shaping Our Reality
The Charter brings us together. It defines the United Nations as "a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations", where each member is treated as an equal across social, economic or political differences.