United Nations

UNESCO Publishes Global Guidelines on AI in Education

June 26, 2019

The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has published a “consensus” on artificial intelligence and education, crafted in Beijing, that offers global guidance on the introduction of AI technologies in education and seeks to use UNESCO as a “support system” for implementing the guidance.
UN Report Points to Government Role in “Transforming Families”

June 26, 2019

A report by the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women calls for policymakers and others “to transform families into places of equality and justice” for women and girls through legislation including the recognition of “diverse partnership forms” and ramping up paid parental leave policies.
UN Panel: SDG Fulfillment Depends on “Climate-Friendly Dietary Habits”

June 26, 2019

At a UN conference on climate change in Bonn, Germany, panelists explored how policymakers and businesses seeking to fulfill the UN’s comprehensive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must reach into people’s kitchens to encourage “climate-friendly dietary habits” that reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
Schaefer Opposes US Look at Rejoining UN Tourism Body

June 25, 2019

Brett Schaefer of the Heritage Foundation writes that the US State Department should halt its consideration of rejoining the UN’s World Tourism Organization because it would “squander” American tax dollars without any benefits in American prestige or economic activity.
UN Agent Calls for Rights-Focused Regime for Spyware

June 24, 2019

Reuters reports that UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression David Kaye has called for a global moratorium on the sale and use of surveillance software “until a human rights-compliant safeguards regime is in place” to prevent the use of such software to spy on journalists and government critics.
UN Chief Launches Action Plan Against “Hate Speech”

June 19, 2019

AP reports that UN Secretary-General António Guterres has launched an action plan seeking to coordinate efforts across the UN system to counter “hate speech” and to work with governments, companies, and NGOs to prevent “hate-filled content” from reaching audiences online.
UN Chief: Sea Treaty Is Essential to Limit Climate Impacts

June 19, 2019

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has identified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as “a foundation for the progressive development of the Law of the Sea” and necessary to halt the “unprecedented pressure” on the oceans imposed by climate change.
UNESCO Paper Addresses Resistance on Sexuality Education

June 19, 2019

A new paper from the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) acknowledges global pushback on its “comprehensive sexuality education” agenda but characterizes it as “an essential part of a good quality education,” including for children at the age of five.
UN, WEF Sign Partnership Agreement on Sustainable Development

June 19, 2019

The World Economic Forum (WEF) and the UN have signed a “Strategic Partnership Framework” with the aim of building a more coordinated approach toward the organizations’ work toward achieving the UN’s comprehensive Sustainable Development Goals.
UN Chief Seeks Substantial Increase in EU Emissions Action

June 17, 2019

Reuters reports that UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on European Council President Donald Tusk to encourage EU leaders to ramp up plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030 to help achieve the UN’s Paris climate deal targets.