Active Citizens

Unique Alliance Between Gauchos and Environmentalists Protects Argentina’s Pampas

By Fabiana Frayssinet
The traditions of Argentina’s gauchos or cowboys have joined together with modern agricultural technology in a unique alliance between stockbreeders and environmentalists aimed at preserving biodiversity in the pampas, boosting productivity, and enhancing the flavour of this South America’s country’s famous beef.

Amnesty Wants International Criminal Court to Intervene in Libya

By Cornelius Boudewijn
Calling for an end to “an epidemic of kidnapping blighting” Libya, Amnesty International has faulted the International Criminal Court (ICC) for failing to undertake any investigations into crimes under international law committed by armed groups in the last four years.

Making the World’s Indigenous Visible in the SDGs

By Aruna Dutt
As the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples approaches on Sunday, Aug. 9, concerns are growing that they will not fully benefit from the newly drafted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

No More Hiroshimas, No More Nagasakis, Vows U.N. Chief

By Thalif Deen
Speaking at a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a vociferous advocate of nuclear disarmament, echoed the rallying cry worldwide: “No more Hiroshimas, No more Nagasakis.”

Half a Million U.S. Women and Girls at Risk of Genital Cutting

By Kitty Stapp
Jaha Dukureh knows firsthand the barbaric effects of undergoing female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Now a resident of the United States, she was mutilated as a baby in the Gambia in West Africa. Her sister bled to death after enduring the same procedure.

U.N. Taps Private Sector to Fund Development, Advocate Social Causes

By Thalif Deen
When the United Nations seeks outside financial assistance either for development needs or to advocate social causes, it invariably turns to the private sector these days.

Mexico’s Anti-Poverty Programmes Are Losing the Battle

By Emilio Godoy
While most of Latin America has been reducing poverty, Mexico is moving in the other direction: new official figures reflect an increase in the number of poor in the last two years, despite the billions of dollars channeled into a broad range of programmes aimed at combating the problem.

Mandela Prizewinner from Namibia Still Bringing Sight to the Blind

By a Global Information Network correspondent
There was pure emotion in the face of Dr. Helena Ndume, more used to bringing sight to the blind than wiping away tears of her own.

U.N. Targets Trillions of Dollars to Implement Sustainable Development Agenda

By Thalif Deen
After more than two years of intense negotiations, the U.N.’s 193 member states have unanimously agreed on a new Sustainable Development Agenda (SDA) with 17 goals -- including the elimination of extreme poverty and hunger -- to be reached by 2030.

Churches Seek to Amplify Echo of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

By Gustavo Capdevila
The accounts of survivors of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki will serve as inspiration for leaders of Christian churches grouped in the World Council of Churches (WCC), which advocates the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Partnerships Critical to the SDGs, Reducing Inequality

By Aruna Dutt
Last week, South Korea's Permanent Representative Oh Joon was inaugurated as the new president of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). As such, he will have a key role in setting the course for implementing the ambitious Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will be adopted at the summit of world leaders in September.

Opinion: RIP Cecil the Lion. What Will Be His Legacy? And Who Decides?

By Dr. Rosie Cooney
Cecil the lion, a magnificent senior male, much loved and part of a long-term research project, was lured out of a safe haven in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park last week and apparently illegally shot, to endure a protracted death.

Women, Peace and Security Agenda Still Hitting Glass Ceiling

By Nora Happel
This October will mark the 15th anniversary of the adoption of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325. The landmark resolution on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) recognises not only the disproportionate impact armed conflict has on women, but also the lack of women’s involvement in conflict resolution and peace-making.

U.N.’s Post-2015 Development Agenda Under Fire

By Thalif Deen
The U.N.’s highly ambitious post-2015 development agenda, which is expected to be finalised shortly, has come fire even before it could get off the ground.

Opinion: Uneven MDG Progress Must Inspire Resolve to Do Much Better

By Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Michael T. Clark
The world received an important report card last month, in the form of the latest annual Millennium Development Goals Report. The report highlights a number of important achievements, but omits mention that some targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were lower than those agreed to at the relevant U.N. international conferences of the 1990s.

Central America Fails to Take Advantage of Energy from Sun, Wind and Earth

By Diego Arguedas Ortiz
Central America, a place of abundant wind and sunshine, is still chained to thermal power and large-scale hydroelectricity and has failed to include local communities in clean, environmentally-friendly and less invasive projects.

One Tune, Different Hymns – Tackling Climate Change in South Africa

By Munyaradzi Makoni
Anti-nuclear energy activists are up in arms, and have taken to vigils outside South Africa’s parliament in Cape Town to protest against President Jacob Zuma’s push for nuclear development.

Key Constituencies Call for Inclusion in Nepal’s Draft Constitution

By Post Bahadur Basnet
Ending a years-long political deadlock, Nepal’s major political parties inked a 16-point agreement last June to pave the way for the Constituent Assembly (CA) to write a new constitution.

Opinion: Developing Nations Set to Challenge Rich Ahead of SDG Summit

By Soren Ambrose
The final round of negotiations on the Sustainable Development Goals – the successor to the Millennium Development Goals, due to be inaugurated in September at the U.N. General Assembly – is now underway in New York.

U.N. Leads Youth Battling Intolerance, Racism and Extremism

By Thalif Deen
When the 21-year-old Crown Prince of Jordan, Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, presided over a Security Council meeting last April, he was described as the youngest ever to chair one of the U.N.’s most powerful political bodies armed with powers to wage wars and declare peace.

Obama Walks Fine Line in Kenya on LGBTI Rights

By Aruna Dutt
U.S. President Barack Obama spoke in Nairobi at the end of a two-day visit Saturday, focusing on Kenya's economy and the fight against terrorism, but also briefly touching on gay rights and discrimination.
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