Thousands of Tech Developers Gather at United Nations for World's Largest Mission Driven Open Source Conference
On 8 July Open Camps began its annual 10-day conference using open source technologies for social good at United Nations Headquarters in New York. As many as 8000 developers from open source communities, private sector technology companies, academic institutions and UN Member States will attend hundreds of workshops to learn how they can develop partnerships and explore open source technology solutions that support the substantive work of the UN, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In addition to the mission-driven open source technology discussions and side events, the conference includes sessions devoted to facilitating open source projects, which are collaboratively maintained by communities of volunteers and are available to anyone at no cost.
As global per-capita fish consumption hits all-time high, UN warns on overharvesting
7 July 2016 – A new report out today from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization () shows that while growth in aquaculture has helped drive global per capita fish consumption above 20 kilograms a year for the first time, almost a third of commercial fish stocks are now overharvested at biologically unsustainable levels.
The latest edition of the agency'sÌýÌýreport attributes stronger aquaculture supply and firm demand, record hauls for some key species and reduced wastage as some of the reasons for the increased consumption. It also notes that despite notable progress in some areas, the state of the world's marine resources has not improved.
Some 3.6 million Iraqi children in firing line and 'relentlessly targeted,' UN reports
One out of every five Iraqi children are at serious riskÌýof death, injury, sexual violence, abduction and recruitment into armed groups, according to a new United Nations report.
In , the UN Children'sÌýFund () said that some 3.6 million children are in danger - an increase of 1.3 million in 18 months.
The report also states that 4.7 million children in need of humanitarian aid, which amounts to one-third of all Iraqi children, as military operations in Fallujah and around Mosul face deteriorating living conditions.
UN officials call for boost in solidarity and funding to meet growing humanitarian needs
27 June 2016 – The international community must act with urgency and solidarity to deliver on the commitments generated at theÌýÌýin Istanbul, Turkey, this past month, in order to adequately respond to and prevent crises and build resilience on a global scale, senior United Nations officials emphasized today.
There is no room for delays; every day and week counts, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said at the opening of a UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)ÌýÌýon the World Humanitarian Summit at UN Headquarters in New York today.
On International Yoga Day, Ban spotlights importance of healthy living in realizing Global Goals
United Nations ÌýBan Ki-moon today urged everyone to embrace healthier choices and lifestyles and to commit to unity with other human beings, regardless of ethnicity, faith, age, gender identity or sexual orientation.
'Practicing yoga can also help raise awareness of our role as consumers of the planet's resources and as individuals with a duty to respect and live in peace with our neighbours,'ÌýMr. Ban said, marking the second , since the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution last year dedicating 21 June to the practice. 'All these elements are essential to building a sustainable future of dignity and opportunity for all',Ìýhe added.
Countries Commit to Action to End AIDS by 2030
United Nations Member States committed to implementing a bold agenda to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 8 to 10 June.Ìý The progressive, new and actionableÌýÌýincludes a set of specific, time-bound targets and actions that must be achieved by 2020 if the world is to get on the fast-track and end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.Ìý The High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS was convened by the President of the General Assembly and co-facilitated by Switzerland and Zambia. ÌýÌýAt the opening, the President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, urged Member States to commit to action.
UNAI Members Using Sport for Development
Sports provide more than just a way to stay fit, they can be a powerful tool to promote cross cultural understanding, social integration and economic development across geographical, cultural and political contexts.
Several United Nations Academic Impact member institutions have recognized the pivotal role athletics can play in bridging divides and have undertaken a number of initiatives to capitalize on the unifying power of sport.Ìý
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne offers nearly 50 physical programs that attract more than 4,200 student participants every year. UEFAPS (the physical activity organization at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne) is open to all students on campus and offers activities such as soccer, basketball, boxing, jujitsu, kungfu and Tai Chi.Ìý
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The Silent Tsunami: Summer Course Examines Food Insecurity and Poverty
Each day 66 million primary school-aged children across the developing world attend classes hungry.Ìý Poor nutrition causes 45 per cent of deaths in children under age five - that's 3.1 million children each year.Ìý Hunger kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Ìý1
ASPIRE Chapter Spotlight: East Stroudsburg South High School
Generating movement towards positive dialogue, fostering good will, and strengthening the foundation of our American democracy. These are the goals of the United Nations ASPIRE chapter of East Stroudsburg South High School.Ìý Uniting around the diversity of its members, ASPIRE aims to make an impact globally and locally by actively pursuing social justice while developing a broader understanding of global citizenship.Ìý
DPI/NGO: 'Let us work together to foster education for global citizenship,' Ban tells UN conference
30 May 2016 – The sixty-sixth United NationsÌýÌýkicked off today in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, withÌýÌýBan Ki-moonÌýhighlighting the vital role that NGOs, academia and youth play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals ().
We need governments, the private sector and civil society, Mr. BanÌýÌýthe more than 2,000 people gathered for the opening session. Without the participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups, no initiative, however visionary, can be fully achieved, he added.
Wild for Life: World Environment Day 2016 Focuses on Illegal Wildlife Trade & Protecting Endangered Species
This is a Giant Sable, a large, rare sub-species of sable antelope that is found in Angola's forested highlands and nowhere else in the world.ÌýThe animal is threatened by poaching and habitat loss and appears on a list of endangered species who face extinction due to illegal wildlife trafficking.ÌýNow the whole world is trying to cooperate in order to save this species and many others.
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WHS: UN humanitarian summit to 'shape a different future,' Ban tells thousands at opening ceremony
23 May 2016 – At the opening of theÌýÌý(WHS) in Istanbul today, United NationsÌýÌýBan Ki-moon joined the President of Turkey, relief activists and international celebrities to urge the global community to shape a different future for the world.
The UN in Your World: Awareness and Action on the SDGs
Three members of United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) began working together this spring to help support the success of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by collaborating across cultures to broaden perspectives on how to achieve the Global Goals.Ìý Under the direction of ÌýGlobal Education Motivators (GEM), students from Effat University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA, United States, worked in support of the UNAI directive to provide a mechanism for such institutions to commit themselves to the fundamental precepts driving the United Nations mandate, in particular the realization of the universally accepted Sustainable Development Goals.
Call for Applications for the 2016 UNAOC Fellowship Program
The 2016 United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Fellowship Program is now open for applications from emerging leaders and young professionals from Europe, North America (EUNA), the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Since 2010, the annual UNAOC Fellowship Program has been offering participants the opportunity to foster intercultural dialogue and interfaith understanding by providing first hand exposure to diversity and the chance to experience cultural immersion while interacting with a wide range of actors and partners from EUNA and MENA.
World Press Freedom Day 2016: Ensuring Freedom of Information and Safety for Journalists!
Each year on 3 May World Press Freedom Day offers an opportunity to remember journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty while reaffirming the international community's commitment to the principle of press freedom.Ìý Last week United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in cooperation with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convened a conference in observance of World Press Freedom Day 2016 entitled Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms: This Is Your Right! at UN Headquarters in New York. ÌýThe focus of the conference was on advancing the 2030 Agenda through freedom of information and safety for journalists.