Posts Tagged ‘united nations’

40 Years Later, We’re Still Singing “Give Peace a Chance”

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

The 1960s–were they really that long ago? A time of peaceful protests, mind blowing music and, let’s face it, mind altering drugs, starry-eyed bell-bottom wearers who cared more about flowers and music than money fought to change the world, end war forever and just give peace a chance, already.

And fans can say Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles all they want–because, well, she was involved–but the fact remains that she and John Lennon held some of the most peaceful protests ever witnessed in history. (more…)

Child Soldiers Freed in Nepal

Friday, July 17th, 2009

In what was perhaps the most wonderful news story of the week, the BBC reported that thousands of child soldiers are being freed from former Maoist training camps in Nepal and sent to rehabilitation centers. These programs are to offer vocational training as well as psychological support for the children. They will also be offered a stay for up to 45 days in transit camps before going back home.

An estimated 3,000 child soldeirs will be released. (more…)

Today is World Refugee Day

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

Using technological advances and popular Internet tools, the United Nations Refugee Agency is bringing a live video stream of real refugee camps from all over the world to participants of this year’s World Refugee Day.

In hopes of spreading awareness and education, the site hosting the live footage also has a live chat available, as well as social networking tools to share the event and its message. Other pre-recorded videos, some featuring U.N. Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, are also available. (more…)

Shirin Ebadi Calls for Peace in Iran

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi isn’t intimidated by police force. When her human rights group’s office was shut down by Iranian police last year, she told them, “You might have closed my apartment, but you can’t shut my mouth.”

Ebadi, 61, has kept her word. In light of the recent controversial Iranian election, she has called for peace, saying that she expects “the international community to prevent the pursuit of violence by the government.” (more…)

UN Seeks to Cut Natural Disaster Death Tolls in Half by 2015

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Following a week-long major disaster risk reduction conference this week, 1,800 people from more than 300 organizations and governments came together to ask world leaders to reduce the number of human deaths by natural disasters by 50%. They are requesting that this goal be met by 2015.

Given that last year alone saw 300 natural disasters taking the lives of 236,000 people, the goal is a vital one to be met. (more…)

France, European Union Pledge Aid for Displaced Civillians in Pakistan

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

During the continual onslaught against the Taliban in northwestern Pakistan, hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis have suffered through displacement and hardship. Since the army commenced the attacks in August 2008, over a million people have been reported homeless.

The country has called out for international aid, and it has not been met with deaf ears. The United Nations sent in 120 tons of supplies on Wednesday, including emergency shelters, portable warehouses and much-needed mosquito nets. (more…)

Pope Expresses Solidarity with Palestinians

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI visited both Bethlehem and a Palestinian refugee camp outside the city on May 13, offering support and solidarity for victims of the 61-year violence. After presiding over an open-air mass in Bethlehem, a city symbolic of Christianity for being the birthplace of Jesus Christ, he continued his day of promoting peace by traveling to the ‘Aida refugee camp outside the city. Given that the United Nations has called for stronger efforts in resolving the violence, his visit was a timely one.

(more…)