Former US Ambassador William vanden Heuvel, Chair Emeritus and founder of the Roosevelt Institute, discusses the legacy of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the United Nations in the context of the Organization's upcoming 75th Anniversary. Drawing on decades of scholarship and diplomatic experience, Ambassador vanden Heuvel recalls the founding principles and enduring objectives of the United Nations, and Roosevelt's role in the creation of this indispensable international body.
Not only would failing to address the mental health impact of the pandemic potentially undo years of work and effort to improve access to and the quality of mental health services, it also creates the possibility of a mental health epidemic that could impact generations to come.
Fabrizio Hochschild and Juan Pablo Caicedo
No Persistence—No Peace: A Reflection on the United Nations Contribution to Peace in Colombia
Thanks to its large field presence and decades of work on the ground, the United Nations country team in Colombia knew that for local communities, peace meant much more than the absence of war. Addressing some of their expectations and concerns was critical for peace to be sustainable.
Jane Goodall
We All Must Take Action
As the United Nations celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, which has been marked by a global pandemic and global fear, we are all called to renew our sense of solidarity and hope.
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Vinton G. Cerf
The Digital Mask
Our global society has evolved to become increasingly dependent on digital technology. When the technology fails, this reliance can lead to a range of cascading negative effects.
Elizabeth Mkandawire
Data, Partnerships and a Strengthened Food System: Accelerating Progress Towards Zero Hunger
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on “The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Nutrition” points to several opportunities to lessen the impact of a food crisis during this pandemic. These opportunities are interlinked and speak to better data collection, building partnerships and strengthening the food system.
Aromar Revi
Harnessing Urbanization to Accelerate SDG Implementation in a Post-COVID-19 World
The United Nations Secretary General’s Policy Brief on “COVID-19 in an Urban World” is an important confirmation of the centrality of urban areas and urbanization to a holistic, local-to-global response to the pandemic. It appropriately emphasizes the need to address inequality and multidimensional development challenges; strengthening local capacities and responses, especially those of local governments; and accelerating inclusive, green economic recovery.
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Juan Romo
Post-COVID-19 Sustainable Cities: What Can Universities Do?
The high levels of global and local interconnectivity of cities leave them particularly exposed to deadly epidemics, as they have been throughout history. The recent Policy Brief: COVID-19 in an Urban World, issued by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizes that vulnerable sectors of urban societies are especially harmed both by the incidence of the virus and the economic impact of related shutdown measures.
Ki-Joon Back
Commentary: Policy Brief on COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism
The Policy Brief: COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism, issued recently by the United Nations Secretary-General, describes the severe, negative effects of the pandemic on global tourism, including job loss, the depletion of natural resources, worsening quality of life for women in the workforce and a lack of world heritage site protection.
Zurab Pololikashvili
Tourism Can Help Lead the World to Recovery
Only by making people feel safe and encouraging them to travel again will the benefits that tourism offers start to return. UNWTO, as the specialized United Nations agency for tourism, must lead by example.
Dawn Freshwater
Education During COVID-19 and Beyond: Commentary on the Secretary-General’s Policy Brief
As highlighted in the Secretary-General’s Policy Brief: Education during COVID-19 and beyond, there is an urgent need for action by all to ensure that the immediate disruption to education does not turn into a generational catastrophe.
Chronicle Conversations
Chronicle Conversation: Ambassador William vanden Heuvel, 28 February 2020
Youth Issues
The UN Chronicle interviews youth environmental activist Aditya Mukarji
Lyubov Ginzburg of the UN Chronicle interviews fifteen-year-old environmental activist Aditya Mukarji on the problem of plastic pollution and the first-ever United Nations Youth Climate Action Summit. 22 September 2019, New York
Legacy Showcase
Vol. LV Nos. 3 & 4 2018
New Technologies: Where To?
This issue focuses on new technologies and their potential benefits for humanity as well as their expanding use in advancing the 2030 Agenda. It explores the promise of our digital age, while posing important questions about where these technologies are leading us, and how their misuse could also lead to increased inequality and conflict.
Vol. LV No. 2 2018
2030 Agenda
This issue focuses on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity, which commits United Nations Member States to work towards a sustainable future for all. The articles, by Senior Officials of the United Nations system, examine the Organization’s lead role in advancing the 2030 Agenda, and in promoting peace, social equality and human rights.
Latest Reports
Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization 2020
The Annual Report highlights our collective work to drive the Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals, amplify climate action, promote gender equality, protect human rights, advance peace and security, coordinate humanitarian assistance, promote international justice and law, further disarmament, increase drug control, crime prevention and combat international terrorism, and accelerate and consolidate United Nations Reform.
About the UN Chronicle
The UN Chronicle, produced by the United Nations Department of Global Communications, has served as the Organization’s flagship magazine since 1946, providing authoritative information and debate on the activities of the larger United Nations system. Learn more...
