| Article Index |
|---|
| UNRIC Library Newsletter - November 2007 |
| New information material |
| New titles |
| All Pages |
NEW WEBSITES WITHIN THE UN SYSTEM
UN in General
CyberSchoolBus & PANWAPA
http://www.panwapa.com/panwapasplash.php
Explore PANWAPA, a new online world designed by Sesame Workshop to help young children develop skills needed to become global citizens.
Graphic Design Unit – new website
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpi/gdu/
IPCC synthesis report
http://www.ipcc.ch
http://195.70.10.65/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf
The Summary for Policymakers of the Synthesis Report of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was issued this weekend. The Synthesis Report is based on the previously published reports of the three Working Groups of the IPCC. The summary provides an integrated view of climate change; elaboration of the topics covered in the summary can be found in the full Synthesis Report and in the reports of the Working Groups.
UN Works Campaign – redesigned website
http://www.un.org/works/
| UNRIC Publication List – new website http://www.unric.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13071 &Itemid=444 This new website lists all UNRIC publications available online and translated by our office into Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Greek, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese and Swedish. For easy reference links to the publications in three of the official UN languages - English, French and Spanish - are included as well. |
Peace & Security
La question de la Palestine
http://www.un.org/french/Depts/palestine/index.shtml
New educational website on disarmament
http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/dnp/
The UN Cyberschoolbus in partnership with the Office for Disarmament Affairs successfully launched a new Disarmament and Non-proliferation website on Friday, 26 October. In addition to lesson plans and classroom activities about nuclear weapons and small arms, an historical timeline of important agreements, and live video chats, students have an opportunity to send questions to Hibakushas (survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) to learn about the reality of nuclear warfare. In addition, a WebQuest on child soldiers was also launched to accompany the DNP website (http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/childsoldiers/webquest).
Economic & Social Development
Afghan Opium Survey 2007 (UNODC report)
http://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Afghanistan-Opium-Survey-2007.pdf
In its final “Afghan Opium Survey for 2007” issued on 16 November, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows that opium is now equivalent to more than half (53%) of the country's licit GDP. In its press release on the report, UNODC noted that the total export value of opiates produced in and trafficked from Afghanistan in 2007 is about $4 billion, a 29 per cent increase over 2006. Approximately one quarter of this amount ($1 billion) is earned by opium farmers. District officials take a percentage through a tax on crops (known as "ushr"). Insurgents and warlords control the business of producing and distributing the drugs and the rest is made by drug traffickers.
Developing Countries in International Trade 2007 - Trade and Development Index (UNCTAD report)
http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=9201&intItemID=1397
&lang=1&mode=downloads
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has launched the second installment of its Developing Countries in International Trade 2007 - Trade and Development Index (TDI). The TDI is a comprehensive tool that helps governments, especially those struggling with poverty and sluggish development, to determine what to do to participate more effectively in the global economy and to benefit from world trade to speed up national economic growth, create jobs and improve general well-being. A new feature of this year´s edition is a series of country profiles for each of the 123 countries represented in the analysis.
Education under attack: A global study on targeted political and military violence against education staff, students, teachers, union and government officials, and institutions (UNESCO report)
http://www.unesco.org/education/attack/educationunderattack.pdf
The objective of this report is to raise awareness and understanding of the extent to which those involved in education, whether students, teaching staff, trade unionists, administrators or officials, are facing violent attacks, and what can and should be done about the problem.
Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power for the period up to 2030 (IAEA report)
http://www.iaea.org/OurWork/ST/NE/Pess/RDS1.shtml
According to the report the share of nuclear power energy in the world was less than 1% in 1960. In 2006 the share of electricity generated worldwide by nuclear power increased to 15%. The report claims that this tendency will continue over the next several decades with new nuclear power plants being built mostly in Asia.
Giving Girls Today and Tomorrow: Breaking the cycle of the adolescent pregnancy (UNFPA report)
http://www.unfpa.org/upload/lib_pub_file/722_filename_adol_eng.pdf
A new report was published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on the issue of adolescent pregnancy among married and unmarried girls. According to the report, the early pregnancy is number one killer of adolescent girls. The report claims that the social, economic and health consequences of the adolescent pregnancy are far-reaching and affect the girls, their families and the society.
Global Environment Outlook: Environment for Development
http://www.unep.org/geo/
Summary in French & Spanish: http://www.unep.org/geo/geo4/media/
The fourth report in the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-4) assessment series launched on 25 October provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the state of the environment. GEO-4 addresses the key challenges facing our planet, highlights emerging environmental issues that require policy attention and makes recommendations for decision-makers to act.
Ideas for Development.(BLOG)
http://www.ideas4development.org/en/
"Ideas for Development" - an international Blog designed to stimulate debate on economic development issues. Created by seven prominent personalities, this blog provides web users with a new forum to share information, viewpoints and visions for the future, with the common goal of advancing the cause of development.
International Year of Sanitation 2008
Global launch: 21 November 2007
http://esa.un.org/iys/
UNODC website relaunch
http://www.unodc.org/
The new website delivers timely, well-organized information to a diverse global audience. It is easier to navigate and allows greater interaction with the public. On the site, users will be able to find current and informative content on the work UNODC does worldwide. The website includes a number of new features including stories, photographs, audio and video material, podcasts and subscription content. From now on, users can subscribe to Real Simple Syndication feeds for press releases, publications and more.
WFP's Operational Requirements, Shortfalls and Priorities for 2007 (October 2007)
Report: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EGUA-78AME4/$File/Full_Report.pdf
Overview: http://wwww.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/EGUA-78AME4
?OpenDocument&rc=3&cc=aze
As the end of 2007 nears, the number of people the World Food Programme is seeking to support has risen to 83 million. The amount of food assistance required to assist these people is valued at US$3.4 billion. Considering resources mobilized thus far in 2007, the current level of funding falls short by some US$653 million.
Human Rights
60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.ohchr.org/english/events/UDHR60/logo.htm
Against All Odds (UNHCR online game)
http://www.playagainstallodds.com/
Against All Odds is an online game created to increase students' awareness and knowledge about refugee situations by putting players in the position of a refugee. The game and its resources, originally launched in Swedish, are now available in English, adding to a list of languages that includes German, Greek, and Norwegian.
Asylum in the European Union: A study of the implementation of the Qualification Directive (UNHCR report)
http://www.unhcr.org/protect/PROTECTION/47302b6c2.pdf
This study finds significant differences of approach by different European Union (EU) member states in the implementation of measures aimed at protecting refugees.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child turns 18 on 20 November 2007
http://www.unicef.org/knowyourrights/
INFO60: Newsletter - 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Issue No. 3, November 2007
English: http://www.ohchr.org/english/about/docs/newsletter_60th_n3_en.pdf
French: http://www.ohchr.org/english/about/docs/newsletter_60th_n3_fr_new.pdf
Spanish: http://www.ohchr.org/english/about/docs/newsletter_60th_n3_sp.pdf
Info60 will bring you information to help inspire people everywhere to mark the 60th anniversary of the UDHR throughout the year leading up to 10 December 2008. The first issue was published in August 2007.
Humanitarian Affairs
Humanitarian Information in SpanishInternational Law
United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law: Report of the Secretary-General (A/62/503)
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485
