The Centrality of Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes
When young people engage and interconnect within all three layers of negotiations—inside, around and outside the room—they have more positive influence in the development of agreements than if they are simply provided a seat at the table.
Unsafe and Disrespectful Health Practices Continue to Harm the Most Vulnerable Women and Newborns
Providing respectful care means meeting the needs of communities and individuals, and taking women’s views and preferences into full account.
The United Nations Response to Enforced Disappearance—No Victim Left Behind
The universality of ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and continuous awareness-raising should be seen as the most powerful preconditions of an efficient fight against enforced disappearance.
In the Fight to End Human Trafficking, Let Survivors Lead the Way
We must listen to survivors who managed to escape their abusers and successfully found their way back into society, as they can provide us with unique insights into this crime.
Survivors Can Play a Key Role in Combating Human Trafficking
It is high time that we take to heart the wisdom expressed in the theme of this year's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and let “victims’ voices lead the way”.
In Times of Baby Boom or Bust, Reproductive Rights and Choices Are Still the Answer
The global population has been growing for hundreds of years at a rate that has dipped and recovered with booms and busts. To focus solely on inconstant waves pushed and pulled by forces that are often out of our control is to lose sight of the shore, of the human rights that are our solid ground.
Celebrating the International Day of the Tropics—Towards a Better Global Future
Armed with appropriate training and investment, tropical countries will be able to leapfrog traditional development pathways towards a more sustainable future.
Cooperation for Science, Health and Security Needed to Counter COVID-19 Impacts on World Drug Challenges
The theme for World Drug Day 2021—“Share facts on drugs. Save lives” focuses on the power of facts and science to inform approaches to drugs, from individual decisions to effective health and security interventions and policies.
When Pushkin Comes to the Rescue: Multilingualism as a Principle for Harmonious Cooperation
This multilingual dedication to the genius of Russian literature marks Russian Language Day 2021, revealing the hope that Pushkin’s legacy will continue to bring people and nations together, while increasing interest in Russian history and culture.
The "Global Degree" Proposal: A New Institutional Model for Higher Education
The development of a Global Degree as a new educational structure and mode could address current inadequacies as countries and students confront new challenges. This new norm would help make learning more targeted, flexible, current and applicable.
The Value of Cycling as an Accelerator of Sustainable Development
Bicycles could help nearly a billion people living in rural areas at risk of being left behind because education, healthcare, markets, and other critical services are simply out of reach.
Biodiversity is Key to Building a Sustainable Future for All
The benefits and cost effectiveness of working with nature extends to other domains—including food and water security, and climate change. Fortunately, this is becoming better understood, as people start to realize the importance of biodiversity for their own health, well-being and prosperity.
The Role of the United Nations System in Improving Road Safety to Save Lives and Advance Sustainable Development
This article examines how the United Nations system is working to improve road safety throughout the world, and how safer roads can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Road Deaths and Injuries Shatter Lives: The Impetus for Lower Speeds and Serious Post-Crash Response
Enforcement, investigation and legal response ought to become an integral part of road crash prevention work to finally achieve a shift from the current unacceptable carnage.
Humanism and Hope: The Legacy of Film Director Satyajit Ray
Individual struggle for the collective good was often a Ray leitmotif. As he once put it, “I too am an activist—as an artist. That’s my way.”