By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — A federal class-action suit filed on behalf of eight Malian citizens against Nestle SA, Cargill, Hershey and Mars, Inc. among others for their alleged complicity in the trafficking and forced labour of African children, is now under review by the US Supreme Court. The plaintiffs […]
Gender Bias Against Women Career Scientists Upsets UNESCO
By Jaya Ramachandran PARIS (IDN) — “Even today, in the 21st century, women and girls are being sidelined in science-related fields due to their gender,” warns the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Women need to know that they have a place in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and that […]
New German Law Seeks Corporate Accountability for Rights Violations in Global Supply Chains
An Important Step Towards Implementing UN Guidelines By Rita Joshi BERLIN (IDN) – After protracted negotiations, Germany’s coalition government has announced an agreement on a German ‘mandatory human rights due diligence law’ focusing on corporate accountability for human rights violations in global supply chains. In doing, it has taken into account the UN Guiding Principles […]
Youth Movement Leads for Food Systems Transformation
By Ronald Joshua ROME (IDN) – A wave of self-organised youth-led groups across the world has joined the growing momentum behind the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, which will peak in September. The UN Food Systems Summit was announced by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, on World Food Day last October as a part of […]
Space Junk Poses Exponential Risks for Near-Earth Collisions
By Reinhard Jacobsen VIENNA (IDN) – Space debris is an issue of global concern that threatens our continued use of near-Earth space for the benefit of humankind. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have joined forces to create a series of infographics and podcasts that tell […]
The 1961 Feature Film Continues to Stimulate Chinese Women
On the eve of the Communist Party of China’s centenary in July 2021, the story of the country’s first women’s military brigade in the 1930s continues to find life in popular culture and the imagination of the Chinese people. Viewpoint by Tings Chak * HAVANA (IDN) – “Are you a proletarian?” asks the brigade commander. […]
World Bank Commits $12b for Covid-19 Vaccinations in Africa
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW (IDN) – The World Bank has expressed readiness to commit US$12 billion as concessional loans to assist African countries access foreign vaccines. During a virtual meeting on the Africa COVID-19 Vaccine Financing and Deployment Strategy, the World Bank informed that the emergency vaccine financing projects in Africa, include Ghana, Democratic […]
ALCAP Sets Out into Asia and Africa To Enhance Audio Visual Exchange
By Niba Mirza * BUENOS AIRES (IDN) – The Asociación Latinoamericana de Comunicación Audiovisual Parlamentaria, ALCAP or the Latin American Parliamentary Association of Audio-Visual Communication has ventured into Asia and Africa with the appointment of Mr. Manish Uprety F.R.A.S. as its Special Advisor for the region. ALCAP is a project of promotion, strengthening, integration, dissemination, […]
UN Chief Explains How to Make 2021 A Year of Transformation
By Radwan Jakeem NEW YORK (IDN) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has told the UN’s 193 Member States that in the wake of an “annus horribilis” of death, disaster and despair, 2021 must be a year of transformation. “We need to move from death to health; from disaster to reconstruction; from despair to hope; […]
Security Council to Focus on Climate Change and Security
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – “Addressing climate-related security risks to international peace and security through mitigation and resilience-building” will be the focus of a high-level open debate which the UK plans to host in February. According to the Security Council Report, the meeting is expected to consider conflict risks, peacebuilding approaches and ways […]