Author Archives: Mark Leon Goldberg 
Better World Campaign: Texas Board of Education Cooks the Books, Inaccurately Portrays the Role of the United Nations
Our friends at the Better World Campaign* are slamming the Texas State Board of Education’s decision to adopt social studies curriculum that misrepresents the United Nations.
Here is the full statement from Peter Yeo, Executive Director of the Better World Campaign:
Ban Ki Moon Joins The North Korea-Security Council Debate
It is sort of rare for a Secretary General — and Ban Ki Moon in particular — to say that the Security Council should take action on a particular issue. (The M.O. tends to be extreme deference to the Security Council.) So it was fairly notable that this morning, in reference to North Korea’s alleged sinking of a South Korean naval ship, that Ban told press: “I’m confident that the council, in fulfilling its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, will take measures appropriate to the gravity of the situation.”
UN Summer Camp for Children Attacked in Gaza
Ugh. It seems that a group of some 20 masked gunmen stormed a UN-administered summer camp in Gaza and vandalized the place. They tied up the guard and left a note threatening the United Nations in Gaza.
Texas School Board Wants to Spread Mis-Information about the United Nations To Texan Children
Some members of the Texas School Board could use some education themselves. In a controversial decision today, the board adopted new social studies and history curriculum that stretches credulity. A core of board members sought to use their position as platform to advance their ideological agenda, which apparently includes some UN-bashing. From the AP:
Yemen’s Hunger Pains
After issuing warning after warning, the World Food Program has begun to cut aid rations to some 3 million Yemenis who depend on WFP food aid. The WFP has only received about 30% of the $100 million it requested in emergency assistance for Yemen so it is reducing by half the amount
Top UN Rights Official Condemns Imprisonment of Malawi Gay Couple
May 17 was international day against homophobia. As UNAIDS noted at the time, “Of the 192 member states of the United Nations, 85 have laws that still criminalize homosexual behavior.” Apparently one of those countries is Malawi, where a gay couple was sentenced to 14 years of hard labor and imprisonment for…being a gay couple.*
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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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