UN launches new initiative to Empower Rural Women & Girls

The United Nations Thursday launched a programme aimed at empowering poor rural women through economic integration and food security initiatives.

Awards for Best Policies to End Ocean’s Degradation

The Republic of Palau was declared  winner of the Future Policy Award 2012 “for the world’s most inspiring, innovative and influential policy on the protection of oceans and coasts”, while the Philippines and Namibia received two Silver Awards. The awards were given at a ceremony here last week.

Three-Quarters of World’s Population Without Freedom of Religion

Freedom of religion is the right to believe – but also the right not to believe, the right not to be recruited by force into a religion, and the right to change faith if desired.

Global Fund-Supported Programmes Prevent & Treat Diseases

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria says there is a dramatic increase in the number of insecticide-treated nets distributed to protect families from malaria.

For Palestinian Workers, the Enemy Is the Hope

Hassan Hader’s application for a permit to work in Israel has been rejected four times. Now waiting to hear back from the Israeli authorities on his latest attempt, the 52-year-old father of five said he has no choice but to keep applying.

Exports Worth Their Salt in Crisis-Struck Portugal

A promising alternative in Portugal’s profoundly depressed domestic market are incentives for traditional exports which, due to their high quality or uniqueness, do not face fierce foreign competition. “Flor de sal”, the country’s premium hand-harvested sea salt, is one of these products.

CAPMATCH – New Tool in the Peace-building Process

While the theme of peace-building remains at the core of the United Nations mandate, the sharing of experiences and best practices between post-conflict States has now become more available on the web.

A Generation Born Free of HIV

“No child should be born with HIV; no child should be an orphan because of HIV; and no child should die due to lack of access to treatment,” said Ebube Sylvia Taylor, a 11-year-old Nigerian born-free of HIV from affected parents, to world leaders gathered in New York back in 2010 in the context of the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targeted for 2015.

Ecobreves – MEXICO: IDB Finances Green Business Competitiveness

Some 3,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Mexico will receive financing to make their production more sustainable.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Businesspeople Learn About Sustainable Production

Some 300 businesspeople from northern Honduras have received training on clean technologies in the energy, agriculture and water management sectors.

Ecobreves – BRAZIL: Coal Ash Cleans Thermoelectric Effluents

Researchers in Brazil have discovered that the ash produced by burning coal can effectively remove heavy metals from the effluents generated by the same industries that burn it.

E-Governance & Sustainable Tourism Crucial for MDGs

Under the umbrella of South-South cooperation, developing countries are celebrating their success in advancing sustainable development and innovative technologies in the global South.

Mexico, Also a Haven for Illegal Fishing

The authorities in Mexico seem to have thrown in the towel in the fight against illegal fishing, which is hurting fisheries, the environment, and incomes.

Human Rights Education Shows Its Potential

The impact of human rights education, a rising star, is highlighted in a short documentary sponsored by United Nations experts and civil society.

Developing Countries On Track to Guarantee Sustainable Energy for All

In times of growing humanitarian and environmental challenges, exacerbated by the changing weather patterns, the world can still learn something from South-South development experience.

Deeper CO2 Cuts Needed to Save Corals

Limiting climate change to two degrees C won’t save most coral reefs, according to new, state-of-the-art research.

Smart-Phone App a New Weapon Against Use of Child Soldiers

Child soldiers are being released in Sudan, while the situation remains pressing in Syria. Both positive and negative news were being brought up at the Security Council meeting on children and armed conflict on Wednesday – which was followed by the launch of a new smart-phone application, providing users with the most current information on global child protection issues.

Taking Justice to the Neighbourhoods in Argentina

The Argentine government has opened legal aid centres in slum neighbourhoods, to provide a range of services, from assistance for immigrants and victims of domestic violence to dental care services.

Unseen Dangers Lurk in Libya

The revolution might officially be over in Libya but the ground war continues. But one enemy is motionless and often hidden, and Libyans are continuing to pay the price with hundreds maimed and killed.

Small Islands Push for New Energy

Most islands are well endowed with one or more renewable energy source – rivers, waterfalls, wind, sunshine, biomass, wave power, geothermal deposits – yet virtually all remain heavily or entirely reliant on imported fossil fuels to produce electricity and power transport.

Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Informal Mining Affects Caura River Basin

The Caura River basin, an area of roughly five million hectares in southeastern Venezuela, is beginning to suffer the impacts of mining activity by "garimpeiros", illegal gold miners from Brazil, warn indigenous and environmental organizations.