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 […]
Biden Must Tread Carefully in the Human Rights Field
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) – President Joe Biden is committed to the pursuit of human rights abroad. We know this because this cause now runs through the arteries of the Democratic Party and has done since the time of President Jimmy Carter who was the first president in post World War 2 […]
New Head of African Union Faces Daunting Challenges
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – He’s been described as a “master strategist”, but can the incoming chair of the African Union beat the daunting challenges ahead? That is the difficult question facing Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, president of the Democratic Republic (DRC) as he assumes the post just relinquished by South […]
Biden’s New Message to Africa Clears Way for Okonjo-Iweala at WTO
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – At a virtual meeting on February 6 with members of the African Union Summit 2021, President Joe Biden shared his vision for more trade and investment opportunities while advancing peace and security. “The United States stands ready now to be your partner in solidarity, support […]
Time to Negotiate for Peace in Space!
Viewpoint by Alice Slater The writer serves on the Board of ‘World Beyond War’. NEW YORK (IDN) – The US mission to dominate and control the military use of space has been, historically and at present, a major obstacle to achieving nuclear disarmament and a peaceful path to preserve all life on earth. Reagan rejected […]
No Comment!… And Don’t Quote Me on That
Book Review by Roderic Grigson* NEW YORK | MELBOURNE (IDN) – It takes years to write a good book and in this insightful memoir, Thalif Deen, a former UN Bureau Chief and Regional Director at Inter Press Service news agency, recounts colourful and amusing stories from his 40-year career ‘reporting from the United Nations’. No […]
UN Development System Reform Far from Inclusive
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK (IDN) – An independent survey prepared by the Global Policy Forum and Social Watch, comprising the Global Policy Watch, shows that civil society organizations (CSOs) have “a very high level of commitment to United Nations (UN) values and principles, much dissatisfaction with the actual operations at the country level and […]