Monthly Archives: April 2010
“We need to urgently transform the global energy system:” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (Video)
On Wednesday, I mentioned a new report from a UN advisory group that called for access to modern energy services for the developing world, combined with an increased focus on energy efficiency. The group released an exhaustive report on the some of the public policy options and private entrepreneurship investments that may help acheive those dual goals. I just noticed that the UN YouTube people posted some clips from the press conference that introduced the report. Enjoy,
Rape as a Weapon of War
Michel Martin of National Public Radio spotlights UN efforts to combat rape as a tactic of warfare. She interviews Margot Wallstrom, the Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict–the first person to hold the position. “If we can ban cluster bombs, we can ban rape as a weapon of conflict.” For more information, check out the UN’s
Global Health Watch 3 Call for Contributors
The World Health Organizations publishes a report every year on global health. Called, as you might expect, the World Health Report, it provides an “expert assessment of global health, including statistics relating to all countries, with a focus on a specific subject.” The World Health Report is a great resource – it tracks global health trends and offers useful background on its theme of the year. But no report can include anything, and a document produced by a major bureaucracy is bound to focus on mainstream ideas.
Evacuating Haiti’s IDPs From Flood Plains (Video)
After the earthquake, parks, lawns and vacant lots became tent cities for people who lost their dwellings. Of course, it’s not as if people had time to conduct a geographic analysis of where they staked a tarp. And as it turns out, many of these open spaces are prone to flooding. That includes a golf course in Port au Prince, where some 5o,000 people staked tents or tarps. Once the rainy season hits in earnest, parts f the golf course turn into a mud bath.
The Five Things People Say to Aid Critics
Top Twitter Users from the World of Diplomacy and International Organizations
Allow me to re-introduce the stars of DiploTweets. You may have noticed that we’ve revamped our DiploTweets feature on the right side-bar of the home page and interior pages. As the name suggests, these are (English language) Twitter feeds from some of the world’s top diplomats and their new media mavens. Also included are feeds from the extended family of international and inter-governmental institutions.
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The SC; HRC; DPRK; South Sudan
The SC: The Security Council today held its last consultations under the Council Presidency of ROK. Tomorrow, Russia will take over the rotating Presidency of the Security Council for March under Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
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The SG; Mali; Middle East; Palestine
The SG: At the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Vienna, Austria today, the SG emphasized the role of youth in ensuring a “prosperous, equitable and peaceful future.”
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The SG; DRC; HRC; Palestinian Prisoner
The SG: In Ethiopia over the weekend, the SG is now in the United Arab Emirates. Today he met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, where the two discussed developments in the region, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and in the Middle East Peace Process.
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