A Conversation with Michael Møller, Director General of the UN Offices in Geneva Mark Leon Goldberg May 24, 2018 I was a bit skeptical when my guest today told me that every person on the planet, in any 24 hour period, is somehow impacted by the work of the UN and other international entities in Geneva.Still, Michael Møller would be in a position to...
Can Everyone, Everywhere in the World Get Health Insurance? A New UN Report Shows How Alanna Shaikh, MPH December 14, 2017Universal Health Coverage means health insurance for everyone, everywhere on the planet. It is one of the top Sustainable Development Goals that the international community pledged itself to achieve by 2030 -- just 13 years from now.This week, the World He...
New Analysis: 1 in 12 Children Face “Bleaker Prospects” Than Their Parents. Here’s Why Joanne Lu December 6, 2017The future doesn’t look so bright for 180 million children. Despite major improvements in child well-being around the world over the last 20 years, a recent UNICEF analysis found that children in 37 countries face “bleaker prospects” than their parents in esc...
In the midst of a Cash Crisis, More and More Zimbaweans are Turning to Bitcoin Mako Muzenda November 7, 2017Paper money is everywhere. It’s a fundamental part of daily life, from loose change and coins, to large transactions and purchases. Although bank cards and online shopping are becoming more commonplace, it’s hard to imagine a society functioning without any ki...
Lynch mobs in southern Malawi are on the hunt for vampires. No, really. Joanne Lu October 13, 2017 Lynch mobs in southern Malawi are on the hunt for vampires. No, really. At least seven people have been killed amid rumors of “blood suckers” in four district. Mobs are raising security concerns as they blockade roads and vandalize property in search of sus...
More and More Children are in School Around the World, But They Are Not Learning Much Joanne Lu September 29, 2017Getting kids into school is only half the battle. Making sure they’re learning is also critical. But according to a new report by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), more than 617 million children and youth globally are “not lea...
Don’t “Empower” Women To Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Do This Instead Penelope Chester September 19, 2017While the political activities at the United Nations take center-stage during this General Assembly week in New York, a little farther uptown from the UN headquarters, Columbia University is hosting the International Conference on Sustainable Development for i...
Can A Better Way to Measure Conflict-Related Deaths Help Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals? Joanne Lu September 13, 2017The UN General Assembly kicked off its 72nd session this week, and its new president, Miroslav Lajčák of Slovakia, has already indicated that preventing deadly conflicts will be one of his top priorities. The theme for this year, he announced on Tuesday, will ...
How Can the International Community Do Hurricane Response Better? Mark Leon Goldberg September 8, 2017With Houston still reeling from Hurricane Harvey, Irma causing massive havoc in the Caribbean, and more storms on the way, I thought it would be timely and interesting to speak with my guest today, Maria IvanovaMaria Ivanova is an academic who straddle...
