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 […]
US and India: The Nexus Between Identity Politics and Economic Achievements
Viewpoint by Chandra Muzaffar This article is being reproduced from the Website of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST) presided over by Dr Chandra Muzaffar. KUALA LUMPUR (IDN) – According to official estimates, Donald J. Trump obtained a little more than 74 million votes in the November 2020 presidential election losing to Joseph […]
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 […]
DON’T QUOTE ME: When UN Elections were Tainted by Bribery, Cheque Book Diplomacy & Luxury Cruises
By Thalif Deen The following are excerpts from a just-published book “No Comment – and Don’t Quote me on That”, a collection of political anecdotes reflecting over 40 years of reporting from the United Nations*. NEW YORK (IDN) – When UN member states compete for the presidency of the General Assembly or membership in the […]
Nigerian Bandits Have Their Cake and Eat It
Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Interview magazine based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA (IDN) – The fight against terror in Nigeria has been a theatre of the absurd. What began as a tiny spark of itinerant fanatics taking a pledge against western education mutated into a full-fledged non-state army […]
Behind Amazon’s ‘Most Aggressive Anti-Union Effort’
Viewpoint by Sonali Kolhatkar Workers at one of Amazon’s warehouses are deciding whether or not to join a union. Amazon’s union-busting efforts indicate just how important the vote is, writes Sonali Kolhatkar. She is the founder, host and executive producer of “Rising Up With Sonali,” a television and radio show that airs on Free Speech […]
President Biden Vows to ‘Repair Our Alliances, Engage with The World Once Again’
Viewpoint by Somar Wijayadasa* NEW YORK (IDN) – The President of the United States of America, Joseph Biden, outlined his vision for America’s foreign policy agenda and reiterated the need for America to strengthen its global alliances after President Donald Trump disparaged those relationships during the last four years. Biden chose to unveil his foreign […]
Refugees and Pandemic: An Opportunity to be Seized?
Viewpoint by James Milner* OTTAWA (IDN) – December 2019 was a time for cautious optimism for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They were celebrating the results of the first Global Refugee Forum, during which a wide range of states and other actors made pledges to enhance refugee support and […]
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 […]