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2013-05-25 13:04:28 (37 comments, 41 reshares, 209 +1s)

Join us in celebrating Africa Day on Saturday which this year coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, the continent’s first regional organization and forerunner of the African Union.

As Africans pay tribute to the giants and visionaries of the twentieth century who worked for Africa’s sovereignty and unity, the United Nations also looks forward with hopes for an era of prosperity and peace.

Read the full message from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon here: http://bit.ly/11jk82S

2013-05-24 14:25:32 (7 comments, 7 reshares, 57 +1s)

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, on an unprecedented joint tour of the Great Lakes region of Africa, outlined development goals after visiting survivors of rape and torture at a hospital.
 
Hear what they said in this World Bank video.

2013-05-23 17:44:30 (32 comments, 37 reshares, 135 +1s)

Next week on 29 May we will celebrate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

See how we are using Peacekeepers Day this year to focus on how UN Peacekeeping is ‘Adapting to new challenges’. 

More details here: http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/

2013-05-23 13:48:54 (12 comments, 17 reshares, 115 +1s)

End the Shame. End the Isolation. End Fistula.

Thursday is the first-ever International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.

More information here: http://bit.ly/14fwC9J

Performer Natalie Imbruglia is joining our UNFPA colleagues to raise awareness about this devastating, but preventable, childbirth injury caused by prolonged obstructed labor. Watch the video here: http://j.mp/192b18A

Follow Campaign to End Fistula for updates all year long on Facebook. http://j.mp/197mNhM.

2013-05-22 20:05:06 (15 comments, 27 reshares, 172 +1s)

What do kids near you dream of for the future? See what students in Mozambique told Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during a visit in Maputo this week.

Find out more about his trip here: http://j.mp/12TJvFx

2013-05-22 13:56:39 (11 comments, 37 reshares, 146 +1s)

Although seemingly abundant, only a tiny amount of the water on our planet is easily available as freshwater. We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and where water quality often fails to meet minimum
standards. Under current trends, future demands for water will not be met.

Wednesday is International Day for Biological Diversity which this year celebrates water and biodiversity.

More: http://j.mp/kbGWWZ

2013-05-21 20:22:35 (11 comments, 15 reshares, 99 +1s)

"Africa's Great Lakes region today has the chance to achieve something that has eluded its war-weary people for several decades. It can silence the guns, boost trust and trade between neighbors, educate millions of out-of-school children, empower women, and create economic opportunities that will help the countries forge a path to prosperity, good governance, and lasting stability."

See what else Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Kim say as they embark on a historic joint trip to the region this week: http://j.mp/12PQC1I

2013-05-21 13:24:54 (36 comments, 58 reshares, 194 +1s)

Tuesday is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development which encourages everyone to Do One Thing For Diversity and Inclusion today and every day all year long.

Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development. Details here: http://j.mp/12gOLCE

Tell us what one thing you're doing on Tuesday.  Leave a comment here.

2013-05-20 21:16:19 (67 comments, 27 reshares, 200 +1s)

Every week we feature photos of peace and security work taking place around this world. Here, a team of soldiers from Burundi and Uganda working with Amisom dispose of unexploded ordinances captured from militants in order to ensure the safety and security of civilians.

More recent highlights of the UN in action, including visits to UN offices by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Goodwill Ambassador and actress Mira Sorvino, are online here: http://j.mp/18VGOI8

2013-05-20 14:23:39 (40 comments, 24 reshares, 100 +1s)

This week in New York City: delegates from all over the world will take part in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Find out about the issues to be discussed and events taking place here: http://j.mp/12gMqYc.

At the same time, an online campaign asks indigenous peoples to post their photos, videos and stories online. More details are available on the Proud To Be Indigenous Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/13dPGms

2013-05-19 15:21:42 (6 comments, 20 reshares, 114 +1s)

How do you #ThinkEatSave? Share it on Instagram and your picture could be featured on the UNEP World Environment Day website!

Details: http://bit.ly/ytgbPC

2013-05-18 16:54:57 (46 comments, 65 reshares, 390 +1s)

Great news this week from UNICEF!

Tetanus - one of the deadliest diseases a mother and newborn can face - has been eliminated in more than half of the 59 affected countries that UNICEF and partners targeted just 13 years ago.

Learn more here: http://uni.cf/10yZqpD

2013-05-17 19:41:28 (10 comments, 13 reshares, 74 +1s)

Friday is World Telecommunication and Information Society Day which this year focuses on making the best of technology to dramatically reduce traffic fatalities in order to save millions of lives.

Find out more about Intelligent Transport Systems, navigation devices and hands free devices from ITU at http://www.itu.int/wtisd

2013-05-16 11:22:18 (305 comments, 136 reshares, 410 +1s)

76 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex relationships and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people everywhere continue to suffer violent attacks and discriminatory treatment.
The UN's message: LGBT rights are human rights. Together we will build a world that is free and equal.
 
Watch and share this new video.

2013-05-24 15:58:35 (20 comments, 15 reshares, 45 +1s)

Watch the Hangout on UN Web TV channel: http://webtv.un.org.
Click on the "Live Now" tab to watch the Livestream at 10am EDT!

This is the first in a series of Google+ Hangouts by the United Nations Office of the Secretary General's Envoy on Youth. Find out about the new role of the Envoy on Youth, as well as various initiatives undertaken by the UN in working with and for Youth!

Ask your questions on Twitter now!
@AhmadAlhendawi and #UNYouthEnvoy

Participants: 

Mr. Richard Dictus, Executive Coordinator of United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Mr. Prateek Awasthi, Co-chair of the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD)

Ms. Danaé Espinoza, Project Manager at Integral Platform of Sustainable Development (PIDES)

Mr. Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Vice-President at European Youth Forum

Ms. NkirukaNna... more »

2013-05-15 18:59:32 (6 comments, 44 reshares, 121 +1s)

The 2013 edition of World Health Statistics, the definitive source of information on the health of the world's people published the World Health Organization (WHO), is now available.

The report compares progress made by countries with the best health status and those with least-favorable health status towards reaching the UN Millennium Development Goals. Evidence shows that efforts have narrowed gaps between the most- and least-advantaged countries in the world.

More information here: http://goo.gl/jIvAM

2013-05-15 13:59:23 (17 comments, 22 reshares, 164 +1s)

Wednesday is the International Day of Families.

The International Day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

Get more information here: http://j.mp/mqYKab

2013-05-14 19:36:50 (33 comments, 34 reshares, 98 +1s)

One major and readily available source of nutritious and protein-rich food that comes from forests are insects, according to a new study the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched at the forests for food security and nutrition conference happening now in Rome.

It is estimated that insects form part of the traditional diets of at least 2 billion people. Insect gathering and farming can offer employment and cash income, for now mostly at the household level but also potentially in industrial operations.

Find out more: http://bit.ly/17WVcyl

2013-05-14 14:09:10 (16 comments, 24 reshares, 96 +1s)

One third of the world's population will remain without access to improved sanitation in 2015, warns a joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

Sanitation coverage in 2011 was 64%; the world’s 2015 target is 75%. If trends continue, we will miss the target.

In 2011, 1 billion people still defecated in the open; 90% of that took place in rural areas.

Get the full report here: http://goo.gl/It53Y

2013-05-13 16:07:06 (23 comments, 32 reshares, 98 +1s)

What are some of the key initiatives undertaken by the UN and its partners to work with and for young people? Find out when the UN's new Youth Envoy holds the first of a series of Google+ Hangouts on 17 May 2013 at 10 a.m. EST.

Ask questions now! Here's how:

E-mail: unyouthenvoy@gmail.com
Facebook: UN Secretary General's Envoy on Youth-Ahmad Alhendawi
Twitter:@AhmadAlhendawi and using #UNYouth

2013-05-13 13:37:23 (32 comments, 9 reshares, 61 +1s)

In a statement issued on Sunday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the people and government of Pakistan on successful conduct of national and provincial elections. Read it here: http://bit.ly/15CJZWv

This photo and many more shared from Pakistan on Twitter was taken by a United Nations Development Programme - UNDP staffer Marc-André Franche.

See more photos from the UN at work this week in places like in Haiti, Iran, Liberia, Somalia & more here: http://j.mp/18EeGZS

2013-05-12 14:08:50 (37 comments, 40 reshares, 136 +1s)

We have good news to report on vaccines!

GAVI Alliance announced that a new record low price for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines will help ensure millions of girls in developing countries can be protected against cervical cancer.

Get the details here: http://j.mp/11VBI9r  
This infographic demonstrates how GAVI’s support for HPV vaccines will help redress the inequity, delivering vaccines to countries with the highest burden.

2013-05-11 13:06:04 (24 comments, 48 reshares, 200 +1s)

This year’s World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) highlights the importance of networks of sites for migratory birds along their migration routes.
Many sites that birds depend on are under threat from direct and indirect human activities, thereby posing a grave risk to migratory bird species. Large numbers of important sites have already been damaged, or lost entirely.

Find out more about how the conservation of these important sites is crucial for the protection of avian migratory species: http://j.mp/147hJpS

2013-05-10 13:56:54 (43 comments, 51 reshares, 238 +1s)

A United Nations expert group today urged international clothing brands not to disengage from Bangladesh, but to work together with the government, international organizations, and civil society to address working conditions in the garment sector

"We strongly urge international clothing brands sourcing from Bangladesh to address human rights risks in their supply chains with the involvement of workers, other relevant stakeholders, and human rights experts, and to share publicly what they are doing to mitigate their risks,” says the group.

They stressed that such commitment is crucial to prevent another disaster like the Rana Plaza collapse, where hundreds of people, most of whom were young, female garment workers, have now been confirmed dead. More: http://bit.ly/11SxCyZ

Photo credit: EPA/ABIR ABDULLAH

2013-05-09 14:12:53 (6 comments, 20 reshares, 67 +1s)

Global Employment Trends for Youth 2013: A generation at risk

A new International Labour Organization (ILO) report released on Wednesday says the long-term impact of the youth employment crisis could be felt for decades, creating a generation at risk of suffering decent work deficits throughout their lives.

Find out more: http://j.mp/144qxwP

2013-05-08 13:37:15 (40 comments, 37 reshares, 196 +1s)

Freedom from fear. Freedom from want. Freedom to live in dignity. Human security is about putting people first.

A high-level event will take place in New York City on Wednesday that aims to chart a future course for human security, an approach that integrates peace and security, development, and human rights.

More information from OCHA here: http://buzz.mw/-q6k_Z

2013-05-07 13:46:44 (25 comments, 19 reshares, 102 +1s)

United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay has welcomed the entry into force of a new treaty which will empower individuals to seek out justice when their rights to food, adequate housing, education or health are violated.

Find out more here: http://j.mp/18qe9e7

Has your country ratified this new protocol allowing individual complaints? Check here: http://bit.ly/16NegRJ

Credit: UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

2013-05-06 16:03:45 (50 comments, 48 reshares, 251 +1s)

Laws recently passed in India to prevent and prosecute rape and other sex crimes “do not go far enough,” a United Nations independent expert said last week, lamenting that the legislation failed to address systemic gender inequalities in Indian society.

Full statement and more: http://bit.ly/ZEtB36

In this photo, a woman holds a poster during a rally held for the 'One Billion Rising' global campaign in Calcutta, India. Credit: EPA/PIYAL ADHIKARY

2013-05-07 08:30:58 (12 comments, 17 reshares, 106 +1s)

"Make Walking Safe"

That is the theme of this year's UN Global Road Safety week - 6 to 12 May  which aims to mobilize action for pedestrian safety because more than 270,000 pedestrians lose their lives on roads each year.

Global World Safety Week website: http://j.mp/117Hn1d

More here: http://j.mp/13W7WmF

2013-05-05 14:57:53 (37 comments, 63 reshares, 318 +1s)

Childbirth is perhaps the riskiest and most miraculous time in a woman's life. And midwives are truly the unsung heroines of the challenge to reduce the risks women face in bringing forth life.
 
On Sunday, International Day of the Midwife, find out how midwives deliver for the women of the world here: http://bit.ly/136cEzo  
Credit: UNFPA

2013-05-04 15:59:23 (9 comments, 23 reshares, 116 +1s)

Like music? Watch this video from a concert that took place at the UN this week featuring music from Portuguese-speaking world.

You'll hear songs representing the rich cultures of Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde, Guiné Bissao, São Tomé & Príncipe, Timor Leste and Brazil.

Video: http://j.mp/104yFyX

2013-05-03 19:12:29 (13 comments, 14 reshares, 126 +1s)

A year into her tenure at the helm of the world’s largest humanitarian organization with approximately 15,000 staff feeding some 100 million people in 78 countries across the world, see what World Food Programme Executive Director Ertharin Cousin has to say about her organization's work to make the hungry poor self-sufficient and more resilient to crises.

United Nations News Centre interview: http://j.mp/107qrQM

Photo: Ertharin Cousin visiting Syrian refugees who receive food assistance from WFP in a border area of Turkey. Credit: WFP/Abeer Etefa

2013-05-03 18:16:18 (25 comments, 87 reshares, 180 +1s)

Too many journalists are paying with their lives for keeping society informed. Each week, on average, a journalist dies while doing his or her job. Yet, over the past 10 years, only 1 in 10 cases of crimes against journalists, media workers, and social media producers has led to a conviction. Freedom of expression is a human right. In today's digital age, we must remember that this human right applies to all media.

See more statistics in this United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) infographic: http://ow.ly/krXQm

2013-05-03 13:47:55 (9 comments, 22 reshares, 86 +1s)

Friday is World Press Freedom Day! Details here: http://ow.ly/kDgZY

Tell the world that we should all be free and safe to use social media -- everyone must be able to think, like, share, tweet, speak, FREELY. Freedom of expression is a human right.

Help United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) raise awareness by sending a photo of you holding your message to socialen@unesco.org and you might become part of the UNESCO Facebook cover image.

2013-05-02 14:42:18 (55 comments, 78 reshares, 249 +1s)

Up to 60 percent of women experience some form of physical or sexual abuse during their life -- and as many as half of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 18.

Join Brazilian soccer star and United Nations Development Programme - UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Marta by watching and sharing this video. You can be a part of stopping the violence.
 
More information here: http://www.undp.org/stoptheviolence

2013-05-01 21:05:57 (9 comments, 13 reshares, 100 +1s)

What kinds of services is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) providing women and children affected by the conflict in Syria?

Watch this video to travel along with Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, to Turkey and Jordan to see what is happening firsthand.

2013-05-01 13:42:00 (5 comments, 3 reshares, 58 +1s)

What message does Youth Envoy Ahmad Alhendawi want to send to young people around the world? See what he told UN Africa Renewal magazine: http://j.mp/ZSFTpC

Photo credit: Africa Renewal/Bo Li

2013-04-30 18:28:57 (50 comments, 13 reshares, 96 +1s)

What lessons can be drawn from Africa’s experience in ending colonization and achieving sovereignty and independence? A meeting in Addis Ababa on the Question of Palestine has taken on this question and more.

Get more information here http://j.mp/XJ3Z3Q

2013-04-30 13:41:54 (25 comments, 76 reshares, 183 +1s)

Tuesday is International Jazz Day!

Jazz has been a force for positive social transformation throughout its history, and it remains so today. From its roots in slavery, this music has raised a passionate voice against all forms of oppression.

See what's happening around the world and watch live concerts online here: http://ow.ly/knLVc

2013-04-29 19:03:37 (124 comments, 55 reshares, 805 +1s)

Over 1 million of you have +1'd us on Google Plus! 

Thanks to everyone for their continued interest in the work of the United Nations.  Your +1'ds, shares and comments are really appreciated.

2013-04-29 14:57:31 (142 comments, 19 reshares, 94 +1s)

Monday's annual Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is especially timely as the spectre of chemical weapons is once again casting its ominous shadow.

According to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, "Recent allegations of the use of these indiscriminate and morally repugnant weapons in Syria serve as a reminder of the continuing vital importance of the Chemical Weapons Convention."

More information: http://j.mp/fax8Rx

Related United Nations News Centre story: http://j.mp/184vkli

2013-04-28 15:55:11 (32 comments, 35 reshares, 158 +1s)

Sunday is the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Prevention is more effective and less costly than treatment and rehabilitation. All countries can take concrete steps now to improve their capacity for preventing occupational diseases.

Find out more here from International Labour Organization (ILO): http://ow.ly/kkICJ

2013-04-27 16:47:43 (18 comments, 13 reshares, 88 +1s)

Tareq Al Awaychi, once a player on the Syrian national team but now a refugee in Lebanon, is reviving his dream of playing and coaching football.
 
Read his story: http://j.mp/ZNalQc  
Watch a video and hear from him and other players: http://j.mp/17SXVXF

2013-04-26 20:39:28 (14 comments, 35 reshares, 165 +1s)

At this week's Commission for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the heads of two United Nations bodies called on countries to recognize wildlife and forest crimes as a serious form of organized crime and strengthen penalties against criminal syndicates and networks profiting from such illegal trade.

Find out more from UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and CITES here: http://j.mp/17XWojc

2013-04-26 13:35:54 (29 comments, 30 reshares, 125 +1s)

Friday is World Intellectual Property Day.

This year's theme is "Creativity – the next generation" to honor the talented and ingenious creators and innovators who are imagining how the world will look tomorrow.

More information here: http://j.mp/17XVdAi

2013-04-25 12:31:29 (23 comments, 82 reshares, 257 +1s)

Thursday is World Malaria Day. Invest in the future. Defeat malaria.

Get more information from the World Health Organization (WHO) here: http://goo.gl/o69Y3

2013-04-24 19:57:23 (29 comments, 34 reshares, 129 +1s)

Vaccines work. Plain and simple.

As part of World Immunization Week, the Global Vaccine Summit happening now in Abu Dhabi is highlighting recent immunization and global health successes, and honoring the individuals, communities and partners who have made them possible. It will also celebrate how far we have come, and focus on the challenges left to resolve: http://j.mp/17SW2KA

Image credit: UNICEF

2013-05-01 21:56:30 (115 comments, 344 reshares, 817 +1s)

Recent rape incidents have caused many to open their eyes and stand up for women’s rights. Equal treatment of women, women’s safety, women’s dignity and the right to their own bodies represents these rights. Educating boys and men about these rights that every person is a human being and deserves to be treated with respect is essential.

Join the UN in working to end violence against women and girls -- http://saynotoviolence.org/

Photo credit: Tash McCarroll, one of the winners of the Freedom from Violence Photo Competition of UN Women India.

2013-04-23 19:06:27 (12 comments, 15 reshares, 90 +1s)

"Disasters are a fact of life, but their impact should not be,” said OCHA Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos, at the end of a mission to Haiti with the co-chairs of the Political Champions for Disaster Resilience, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP Administrator Helen Clark and UK Secretary of State for International Development Justine Greening.

With the upcoming rainy season only weeks away, the group visited Haiti to highlight the need for action to make the country more resilient to disasters.

Details on the visit: http://buzz.mw/-pjv_y

Learn more about resilience in the Act Now, Save Later video: http://ow.ly/kbSFK