2015 Human Development Report to Focus on Employment

Against the backdrop of an estimated 75 million young people unemployed worldwide, this year’s Human Development Report (HDR) will focus on the theme: ‘Rethinking Work for Human Development’.

Asylum Seekers at Australian Offshore Detention Facility on Hunger Strike

A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday outside the Australian Mission to the United Nations in support of more than 900 asylum seekers who have been on hunger strike at Australia’s offshore detention centre in Manus Island, Papua New Guinea for at least nine days.

SMS for Healthy, AIDS-Free Babies

In rural Zambia and Malawi, new mums face long delays finding out if they have passed HIV on to their babies.

Years in the Making, Arms Trade Treaty Enters into Force

A new Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) beginning on Dec. 24 represents a historic moment in global efforts to keep weapons proliferation in check.

As Wars Multiply, U.N. Takes a Hard Look at Peace Operations

Finding ways to better integrate the two arms of U.N. Peace Operations - Special Political Missions and Peacekeeping Operations - will be one of the priorities for a new review panel headed by Nobel Peace Laureate and former president of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta.

Survivors of Sexual Violence Face Increased Risks

“A recurring nightmare for me is I’m trying to tell someone something and they are not listening. I’m yelling at the top of my lungs and it feels like there is a glass wall between us.”

U.N. Marks International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women

The United Nations marked the International Day for Eliminating Violence against Women with the colour orange.

Big Soda Challenged on World Diabetes Day

Corporations marketing unhealthy foods to poorer consumers are being challenged for their role in the growing global burden of diseases like diabetes.

Journalists Silenced as Killers Walk Free

A new report published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) shows that nine out of 10 cases of journalist killings go unpunished.

Women Peace Builders Needed as Conflict Evolves

Addressing the Security Council Tuesday, several speakers emphasized that women’s involvement in peace building and conflict prevention is as important as ever as the nature of conflict evolves.

Lebanon at Breaking Point Over Refugees

“Lebanon is a beacon of tolerance and co-existence in the region” for sheltering Syrian refugees, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement on Tuesday.

North Korea Warned of Possible Referral to ICC

A recommendation to take North Korea to the International Criminal Court (ICC), based on the findings of a recent inquiry, is a rare opportunity for the international community to act, says the head of a Human Rights Commission.

Addressing Inequality Key to Tackling Poverty in Least Developed Countries

Economic growth combined with equity is key to helping Least Developed Countries (LDCs) address poverty, Gyan Chandra Acharya, United Nations High Representative for the Least Developed Countries (LDC), Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) told reporters last week.

U.N. Chief Condemns Expulsion of Human Rights Director from DRC

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the decision of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to expel the Director of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), Scott Campbell from the country.

Pacific Climate Change Warriors Block World’s Largest Coal Port

Climate Change Warriors from 12 Pacific Island nations paddled canoes into the world’s largest coal port in Newcastle, Australia, Friday to bring attention to their grave fears about the consequences of climate change on their home countries.

Ebola Epidemic Deeply Distressing for Children, Warns UNICEF

Ebola will undoubtedly leave a deeply distressed generation of children, said Sarah Crowe, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) Crisis Communications Chief.

Women’s Leadership Central to Poverty Eradication

The twenty-first century will be the century for ending inequality, patriarchy and discrimination against women once and for all, Lakshmi Puri, UN Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women said Thursday.

Kenyan President Fronts ICC While Witnesses Remain Intimidated

Although Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta is the first Head of State to appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Kenyan civil society groups believe the case will collapse without cooperation from the government in Nairobi.

Inequality in High-Income Countries Increasing, Says World Bank

Inequality in high-income countries is at highest levels since World War Two, says a new World Bank report.