By Kofi Annan Beneath the surface of states and nations, ideas and language, lies the fate of individual human beings in need. Answering their needs will be the mission of the United Nations in the century to come, said UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Following are extensive excerpts form his lecture – which is widely considered […]
The Indigenous Peoples, TRIPS & Biodiversity Convention
By Victoria Tauli-Corpuz The writer is the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and a Member of the South Centre Board. She has served as chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2005-2010). Following are extensive extracts from her presentation at the International Conference on the TRIPS-CBD Linkage: Issues […]
Guevara and Marx: Critical Remake of an Old Film – 2
By Roberto Massari* This is the second of a nine-part series. Click here for Part 1. BOLSENA, Italy (IDN) – Scene 2 [Dar es Salaam, 1965] Holed up in the house of the Cuban ambassador in Tanzania (Pablo Rivalta, 1925-2005), recovering from the defeat of the military expedition in Congo (“la historia de un fracaso”, […]
UK University Launches Distance Learning PhD For Diplomats
An affordable Professional Doctorate for G-77 diplomats and personnel of international organizations By Robert Johnson LONDON (IDN) – Personnel of United Nations agencies and international organizations as well as accredited diplomats now have an excellent opportunity to pursue a globally recognized postgraduate academic degree DProf (Professional Doctorate) that has the same status as a PhD, […]
Leading Singapore NGO Supports Free Childcare for ‘Low-Income Mothers’
By Kalinga Seneviratne SINGAPORE (IDN) – The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) – Singapore’s leading gender equality advocacy group – has called upon the government to provide free childcare to low-income families to enable, especially single mothers, to find sustainable employment. In a report titled ‘Why are you not working?‘ based on […]
Guevara and Marx: Critical Remake of an Old Film – 1
By Roberto Massari* This is the first of a nine-part series. BOLSENA, Italy (IDN) – In June 2018, I was invited to make a presentation on the relationship between Che Guevara and Karl Marx at the International Conference on Karl Marx: Life, Ideas, Influence. A Critical Examination on the Bicentenary, organised by the Asian Development […]
Kumi Naidoo Wishes a ‘Bigger, Bolder & More Inclusive’ Amnesty
By Devendra Kamarajan NAIROBI (IDN) – The human rights movement needs to be bigger, bolder and more inclusive if it is to tackle the challenges that people face today, says life-long social justice campaigner Kumi Naidoo as he officially starts his four-year tenure as Secretary General of Amnesty International. Amnesty is the largest human rights […]
Africa’s Emerging Markets Vulnerable To Cyber Attacks
By Emmanuel Tita Sama* LAGOS (IDN) – As emerging markets race to join the digital revolution they are fast being hijacked by cybercriminals, who are preying on the fledgling IT environment with potential security weaknesses and using them to launch attacks on territories with more advanced defence strategies. The United Nations recently reported that, shockingly, […]
A Nobel Laureate who was ‘the Most Homeless, Rootless Person’
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | LONDON (IDN) – “V.S. Naipaul’s legacy is complex – but his writing must be celebrated,” writes essayist Amit Chaudhuri. “His comments about Islam, women and Africa were often unjustified, unpleasant and untrue – but that can be acknowledged alongside his gifts.” Novelist Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, known […]
Libya and Ukraine were Big American Mistakes with Russia
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* Under Obama the spirit of cooperation had nearly all gone. But President Donald Trump wants to bring the era of goodwill back again. Unfortunately, because of his erratic leadership, no one is quite sure whether to trust him. Moreover, he says one thing about friendship with Russia while his Administration increases […]