United Nations

UN Recalls Peacekeepers After New Sex-Abuse Allegations

March 09, 2018

AP reports that the UN mission in South Sudan has recalled a 46-member Ghanaian peacekeeping force from the country after learning of allegations that some members of the unit paid women living in a protection camp for sex.
EU, UN Spotlight Cooperation on SDG Agenda

March 08, 2018

The European Commission and the UN Development Programme recently hosted a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Development that served to highlight the robust collaboration between these bodies on achieving the comprehensive social and environmental agenda contained in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
World Bank Pursues "Green," Inclusive Development in China

March 08, 2018

In its most recent Systematic Country Diagnostic for China, the World Bank Group called on Chinese authorities to promote "more inclusive and sustainable development," supplementing advice on economic growth and productivity with calls for a reduction in income disparities as well as the enhancement of "green innovation" in the transitioning country.
World Bank Hosts Event Promoting Welfare Programs

March 08, 2018

Showing the development institution's increasing interest in promoting welfare programs and climate action rather than focusing on fueling employment and economic growth, the World Bank recently co-hosted a High-Level Forum in Frankfurt to explore how "social safety nets" can help countries respond to shocks caused by "natural and man-made crises."
UN Agent Criticizes Deterrence of Illegal Migration

March 07, 2018

UN Special Rapporteur on torture Nils Melzer has issued a report blaming government policies of "deterrence" and "criminalisation" as "the primary cause" of human rights abuses of illegal migrants and expressing concern that countries are attempting to "physically prevent irregular migrant arrivals" through walls and fences.
ILO Chief Seeks Global Governance of Labor Migration

March 07, 2018

On the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice, UN International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder called for a robust governance system at all levels - including at the global level as part of the upcoming "global compact on migration - for migrating workers, in line with international labor standards developed at the UN.
WHO Panel Targets Unhealthy Lifestyles

March 07, 2018

As UN health officials increasingly wade into the domestic health-policy choices of member countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an Independent Global High-level Commission on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) to develop and champion government policies targeting the major drivers of NCDs, including unhealthy lifestyle choices.
UNESCO Updates Guidance on Sexuality Education

March 07, 2018

In a recent press release, the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) explains how its recently updated International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education guides education officials across the globe on including in their school curricula lessons seeking to "empower" young people in their sexual choices.
UN Identifies Broad Strategies to Counter Gender Inequality

March 06, 2018

A recent report from UN Women paints a dire picture of inequality between men and women around the world and calls for a range of policies to contribute to "women's empowerment," including "free and universal child care" and raising government revenue to spend on welfare programs "using all strategies available."
UN Agent Labels Israel Court Ruling as "License to Torture"

March 06, 2018

UN Special Rapporteur on torture Nils Melzer has characterized a ruling from the Supreme Court of Israel exempting from prosecution security agents using "pressure techniques" during an interrogation as a "license to torture," warning that any technique that "intentionally inflicts pain or suffering of sufficient intensity to make the victim confess or cooperate amounts to torture."