Active Citizens

Disasters Poised to Sweep Away Development Gains

By Stephen Leahy
Ending extreme poverty and hunger will be impossible on a rapidly overheating planet plagued by punishing droughts, catastrophic floods and ever wilder weather, said climate activists involved in talks to set the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

U.S. Ranks Near Bottom Globally in Energy Efficiency

By Julia Hotz
A new ranking has lauded Germany for its energy efficiency, while condemning the United States for lagging near the bottom.

Do Not GM My Food!

By Julio Godoy
Attempts to genetically modify food staples, such as crops and cattle, to increase their nutritional value and overall performance have prompted world-wide criticism by environmental, nutritionists and agriculture experts, who say that protecting and fomenting biodiversity is a far better solution to hunger and malnutrition.

U.S. Accused of Forcing EU to Accept Tar Sands Oil

By Carey L. Biron
Newly publicised internal documents suggest that U.S. negotiators are working to permanently block a landmark regulatory proposal in the European Union aimed at addressing climate change, and instead to force European countries to import particularly dirty forms of oil.

What Selfies Have in Common with the SDGs

By Julia Hotz
"My cousin was a very successful and distinguished student. She said that she finished high school with excellent grades and enrolled in college, but a month later, her parents forced her to leave school and burned all her books and studying material. So, the girl set fire to herself."

Pakistani Rights Advocates Fight Losing Battle to End Child Marriages

By Irfan Ahmed
At first glance, there is nothing very unusual about Muhammad Asif Umrani. A resident of Rojhan city located in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, he is expectantly awaiting the birth of his first child, barely a year after his wedding day.

U.N.’s New Development Goals Must Also Be Measurable for Rich

By Thalif Deen
The United Nations is on the verge of releasing a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - perhaps 17 or more - to replace the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which will run out by the end of 2015.

If You Cut One, Plant Two

By Amy Fallon
Olga Mugisa, 11-years-old, takes to the microphone in front of her peers, the Ugandan flag proudly draped behind her and green plants framing the stage. She has an important message to share with her fellow students: “If you cut one, plant two.”

Syria’s Chemicals Haunt the Mediterranean

By Apostolis Fotiadis
Scientists and local communities are expressing serious concern about the ongoing destruction of Syria’s chemical arsenal on board a vessel in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea.

Reproductive Rights to Take Centre Stage at U.N. Special Session

By Thalif Deen
As the United Nations continues negotiations on a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for its post-2015 development agenda, population experts are hoping reproductive health will be given significant recognition in the final line-up of the goals later this year.

Young Latin Americans Face Spiral of Unemployment, Poverty

By Marianela Jarroud
In Latin America, young people are the main link in the chain of poverty leading from one generation to the next. Civil society groups, academics and young people themselves say it is imperative to strengthen the connection between education today and decent employment tomorrow.

U.S. Groups Reject Anti-Gay Discrimination Bill over Religious Exemption

By Julia Hotz
Civil rights groups across the United States have withdrawn their support from a major legislative proposal that would outlaw workplace discrimination against sexual minorities, warning that recent legal developments could exempt companies on religious grounds.

OPINION: Obama’s Quick Fix Won’t Solve the Regional Refugee Crisis

By Michelle Brané
In recent months, an unprecedented surge of refugee women and children has been traveling alone to the United States to seek protection at our southern border.

The Silent Power of Boycotts and Blockades

By Kanya D'Almeida
Peruse a few reports on global military expenditure and you will not be able to shake the image of the planet as one massive army camp, patrolled by heavily weaponised guards in a plethora of uniforms.

Conservatives and Nationalists At Centre Stage in Poland

By Claudia Ciobanu
A mix of conservative Catholicism and nationalism has become the predominant view in Polish public debate, with some worrying effects.
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