By Dr Palitha Kohona Former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, and more recently, Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Read Part 1 here: https://indepthnews.colo.ba.be/sri-lanka-daunting-foreign-policy-options-for-a-new-administration-part-1/ COLOMBO, Sri Lanka | 7 November 2024 (IDN) — The almost imperceptible emergence of China as a global economic and military giant with critical interests […]
Women Micro Entrepreneurs with Gender Sensitive Financial Services
By Darshni Nagaria, Sara Niner and Elena Mayer-Bestin* BANGKOK | 7 November 2024 (IDN) — The financing needs of entrepreneurs varies depending on business size, reason for starting a business and opportunities for enterprise growth. Typically, necessity-driven entrepreneurs start a business venture to support themselves and their families’ livelihoods when there is a lack of […]
COP16: A Disappointment, as Expected
By Anusa Karki and Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 6 November 2024 (IDN) — The recently concluded COP 16 on Biodiversity held in Cali, Colombia, (21 October to 1 November) was largely a disappointment. Unsurprisingly, it was largely expected to end up in this way. Yet, despite the gloom, in Cali, an important new conversation […]
Re-evaluating the Milestones on Road to the Second World Social Summit
By Sweta C. Saxena* Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” — Nelson Mandela ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia | 5 November 2024 (IDN) — The year 2030 is a pivotal milestone. By then, not only should we have achieved all 17 Sustainable Development Goals but also 100 years will have passed since […]
Strengthening Tsunami Preparedness in a Changing Climate
By Sanjay Srivastava, Temily Baker and Nawarat Perawattanasakul* BANGKOK, Thailand | 4 November 2024 (IDN) — This year’s World Tsunami Awareness Day (5 November) presents a moment of reflection 20 years on from the catastrophic Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. The tsunami resulted in 225,000 fatalities across 14 countries and emphasized the urgent need for […]
India-China Historic Agreement Brings Hope for Global Harmony
By Bhikkhu Sanghasena* LEH, Ladakh, India | 4 November 2024 (IDN) — It is with immense joy and relief that we welcome the long-anticipated news: the two great nations of Asia—India and China—have finally reached an agreement on military disengagement along their disputed border. This significant announcement brings hope to all those who have been […]
Improving Cities — from Space
By Ladislav Charouz and Kareff Rafisura* BANGKOK | 2 November 2024 (IDN) — Despite offering a range of opportunities, urbanisation poses a set of unique challenges to sustainable development. The rapid expansion of cities often results in the growth of informal settlements, with East and South-East Asia being home to 370 million people living in […]
In 2024, 61 Journalists have Lost Their Lives in the Line of Duty
By Volker Turk The writer is UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. GENEVA | 1 NOVEMBER 2024 (IDN) — Journalists are the eyes and ears of a world on fire, and the voice of victims in crisis. They shine a light into the darkest corners of our societies; bearing witness to wars, oppression, corruption and […]
The Mystery of Arab Disloyalty to Palestine
By Salman Rafi Sheikh LOS ANGELES, California USA | 1 November 2024 (IDN) — It has been more than a year since Israel began its war on Gaza following Hamas attacks on Israel in October, yet the Arab world – which claims the closet geographical, political, and religious proximity to Palestine – has neither a […]
Democracy Under Growing Stress—and the Need for Re-Thinking
By Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 30 October 2024 (IDN) — Slowly around the world, a new approach to democracy is spreading. Moving from academic circles, led by innovative political scientists to mainstream society, it is a dynamic that is centered on a myriad of different but equally important practices on the ground. This process […]