The photograph is of a lady of certain age (106 actually) in southern Europe. She has lived through a century of conflict and conquest, despair and discovery. But today, she is compelled to defend her home, indeed her life, with the weapon in her hands. In December 1998, the world commemorated a half century since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—and 1999 is the International Year of Older Persons.

In his message, the Secretary-General seeks renewal of the "promise to conquer the worst of human cruelty". In Guest Column (2), President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique speaks of "a moral contract" to sustain a culture of peace. In Essays (12), Nobel Laureates Nadine Gordimer, M. F. Perutz, John Polanyi and Desmond Tutu reflect on the Universal Declaration. In First Person (17), Dimitru Mazilu recalls his detention in Romania while serving the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Thomas Hammarberg looks at the "human rights package" (18). C. F. Amerasinghe analyzes the United Nations Administrative Tribunal (21). Marilyn Waring examines the link between development assistance and human rights (23). Sandra Teissedre reports on child exploitation (25); Francesco Paolo Fulci looks at child soldiers—the massacre of the innocents (26). Anthony D'Amato examines the applicability of laws in situations of war (52).

"Life Expectations" (28) looks at United Nations programmes for the ageing (30), the latest world population statistics (33), and the link between fertility and child survival (34). In Systemwatch (36), Nafis Sadik writes about the UN Population Fund. Aparna Mehrotra and Rini Banerjee look at violence against women(38). Our centrespread maps progress in national plans for women (40-41) and Patricia Flor examines United Nations efforts to promote the status of women (42). The remarkable contribution of one woman to the drafting of the Universal Declaration is recalled by Linda Longmire (71) and Margaret Bruce (72). United Nations human rights mechanisms are detailed (44); Hans Corell looks at the European Court (45). Emily Maher writes on freedom of faith (43). Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on decolonization (48);

Otto Graf Lambsdorff on the rights of refugees (50) and Charles Lane on African pastoralism in the new millennium (68).

DEPARTMENTS:

Quote-UNquote (6)

Peacewatch (54)

UNreported (79)

Counterpoint (80)