Partners In Health  [to 23 February 2014]

Feb 21, 2014
Radio: Ophelia Dahl on Health Care Prescriptions from the Developing World

Feb 19, 2014
World Social Justice Day: ‘Together We are Going Somewhere’

Feb 19, 2014
Malawi: Improving Health through Social Support
In Malawi, the Program on Social and Economic Rights aims to address the social determinants of illness.

Feb 19, 2014
A New Era of Nursing in Haiti
The State University of Haiti awarded the first Master’s of Science in Nursing degrees to 12 nursing faculty on Tuesday, February 18, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. President Bill Clinton was on hand to congratulate the nurses and other partners. The program, funded in part by a grant from the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, is a partnership among the Haitian Ministry of Health, State University of Haiti, Regis College, and Partners In Health.

Partners In Health ‏@PIH Feb 20
World Social Justice Day: ‘Together We are Going Somewhere’ http://www.pih.org/blog/world-social-justice-day-together-we-are-going-somewhere …

Partners In Health ‏@PIH Feb 17
Dr. Hugo Flores Navarro of @PIH Mexico hopes for a revolution in global health: http://ow.ly/tE5Nx

PATH  [to 23 February 2014]

Press release | February 18, 2014
Mass campaign with first vaccine allowed “outside cold chain” in Africa protects remotest African regions from deadly meningitis epidemics
A second study by World Health Organization suggests keeping vaccines at ambient temperatures during campaigns could cut storage and transportation costs in half…

PATH ‏@PATHtweets 20h
From #DC to South Africa, the @PATHdrugdev team has been busy! Get the latest updates on PATH’s #drugdev work: http://bit.ly/1bMXfvp .

PATH ‏@PATHtweets Feb 19
We’ve set our sights on eliminating #malaria from #Senegal, one community at a time. Our blog: http://bit.ly/1f1U5CH  pic.twitter.com/ubwOKaKveL

SOS-Kinderdorf International  [to 23 February 2014]

Reaching Thousands in Syria ‘Winterisation’ Campaign
20 Feb 2014 – In the last two months, SOS Children’s Villages has distributed vital winter clothing to families shivering with cold in the Damascus winter

Norwegian video drawing attention to plight of children in Syria goes viral
20 Feb 2014 – A video produced by SOS Children’s Villages Norway to draw attention to the horrible situation that children are currently experiencing in Syria has gone viral, attracting more than 1.5 million hits on its YouTube channel in the first 24 hours.

Fighting in Malakal Shatters South Sudan Ceasefire
19 Feb 2014 – SOS Children’s Villages Doing Everything Possible to Ensure Safety of Children and Co-workers More…

Children’s Villages ‏@sos4children Feb 22
Have you seen it yet? Watch SOS Children’s viral video http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/news/what-would-you-do-if-you-saw-a-freezing-child … #Syria

Tostan  [to 23 February 2014]

February 20, 2014
Community Leaders Meet to Discuss Social Norms and Practices
On February 15, 2014 in the village of Saré Yoba Diéga, a group of 26 community leaders gathered to talk about social norms and practices.

Tostan ‏@Tostan Feb 21
The “Aawde” is the 2nd phase of our program, meaning ‘to plant the seed’ in the Fulani language #imld14 http://bit.ly/1bmWqJb

Tostan ‏@Tostan Feb 21
The ‘Kobi’ phase of Tostan’s prog means’to prepare the field for planting’ in the W African language Mandinka #imld14 http://bit.ly/1bmWqJb

Aid for Africa ‏@AidforAfrica Feb 21
Proud of our members @Tostan and @Fistula_Fdtn #Senegal partnership to help women get care http://bit.ly/1fFSleP  pic.twitter.com/1RAv9wvLvi

Tostan ‏@Tostan Feb 21
We made 20 children’s books in 3 national languages based on Senegalese traditions #imld14 http://bit.ly/13QUzmT  pic.twitter.com/jqmb9j8KAr

Fistula Foundation ‏@Fistula_Fdtn Feb 21
Proud to partner with @Tostan in #Senegal to help women like Khady get treatmet they need: http://bit.ly/1fFSleP

Women for Women International  [to 23 February 2014]

Women for Women Intl ‏@WomenforWomen Feb 19
Did You Know? A total of 3,425 #women were involved in our business training program last month. – #Rwanda http://ow.ly/tMSWa

Women for Women Intl ‏@WomenforWomen Feb 18
WfWI teams up w/ @SustHarv @BloombergDotOrg to train women on coffee, mushroom & honey production @sprudge #LTCRwanda http://ow.ly/tL615

United Nations – Meetings Coverage and Press Releases [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.un.org/en/unpress/

UN Meetings
Security Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2139 (2013) to Ease Aid Delivery to Syrians, Provide Relief from ‘Chilling Darkness’ (22 February 2014)
SC/11292

Security Council, in Statement, Outlines Rule-of-Law Activities for Its Missions in Support of Host Country Efforts (21 February 2014)
SC/11290

Central African Republic Cannot Wait for United Nations Peacekeeping Mission, Secretary-General Tells Security Council, Presenting Interim Proposals (20 February 2014)
SC/11288

Press Releases
Secretary-General Welcomes Security Council Adoption of Resolution on Syria, but Says It Should Not Have Been Needed as Humanitarian Aid Not Negotiable (22 February 2014)
SG/SM/15661-SC/11293

Secretary-General, in Message, Tells People of Central African Republic ‘You Are Not Alone, Many Are Working for Peace in Your Country’ (21 February 2014)
SG/SM/15660-AFR/2824

Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Somalia (21 February 2014)
SC/11291-AFR/2823

Economic Growth Alone Not Enough to Remove ‘Formidable Barrier’ to Human Dignity, Secretary-General Stresses in Message for World Day of Social Justice (19 February 2014)
SG/SM/15652-OBV/1301-SOC/4815

Security Council Press Statement on Attack in Lebanon (19 February 2014)
SC/11287

Secretary-General ‘Deeply Disturbed’ by Inquiry Commission’s Findings on Human Rights in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (18 February 2014)
SG/SM/15649-HR/5169

‘Eradicating Extreme Poverty Is Our Most Urgent Priority, Sustainable Development Our Guide,’ Secretary-General Tells General Assembly (18 February 2014)
SG/SM/15648-GA/11484-DEV/1412

UNICEF [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_71508.html

Media Releases [selected]
UNICEF calls for US$2.2 billion to help 59 million children in emergencies
GENEVA, 21 February 2014 – UNICEF appealed today for almost US$2.2 billion to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance in 2014 to 85 million people, including 59 million children, who face conflict, natural disasters and other complex emergencies in 50 countries.

UNICEF statement on the impact of the violence in Ukraine on children
KYIV, Ukraine/ GENEVA/ NEW YORK, 20 February 2014 – The impact of the heightened violence in Ukraine on children and their families is a matter of growing concern.

Telenor Group and UNICEF partnering for children
OSLO, 17 February 2014 – Telenor Group and UNICEF have signed a global partnership agreement and are joining forces to promote children’s development. The five-year agreement includes both financial support and access to a range of mobile technology solutions that will help advance children’s rights.

UNHCR [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home

News
Almost 20,000 CAR refugees flood into eastern Cameroon this month
The latest influx brings to 35,142 the total number of Central African Republic refugees who have fled to Cameroon since March last year.

UNHCR urges countries to offer admission to 100,000 Syrians from next year
States urged to offer resettlement or other solutions such as programmes for family reunification, scholarships for Syrian students and medical evacuation for refugees with serious health issues.

Syrian refugees flee to Lebanon
As the war nears its third anniversary, survivors of the latest offensive arrive in a country already brimming with refugees.

Thousands flee violence in Central African Republic and seek shelter in in southern Chad
Thousands of refugees from the Central African Republic have fled into southern Chad in recent months as fighting intensifies in CAR.

Briefing Notes
Refugee information presented in twice-weekly press briefings in Geneva.
:: Cameroon: some 20,000 more CAR refugees in three weeks
:: UNHCR new call for resettlement or other forms of admission for 100,000 Syrians
:: UNHCR concerned about the Manus Island disturbance

UNOCHA [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.unocha.org/

Press Releases
22 Feb 2014
Syrian Arab Republic: Unanimously approved, Security Council resolution demands aid access in Syria
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Syrian Arab Republic 22 February 2014 – The United Nations Security Council today unanimously approved a resolution to boost humanitarian aid access in Syria, a move Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said can ease some civilian suffering, if it is implemented quickly and in good faith. Through Resolution 2139 (2014), the Council demanded “that all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, promptly allow rapid, safe and…

22 Feb 2014
Syrian Arab Republic: Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, Statement on Syria, Sunday 22nd February 2014
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Syrian Arab Republic (New York, 22 February 2014) I hope that the passing, by the United Nations Security Council, of a humanitarian resolution will facilitate the delivery of aid to people in desperate need in Syria. It is also vital that ordinary people, who have been bearing the brunt of the violence, are protected. More than anything the conflict needs to end so that people can begin to rebuild their lives. Syria is in…

21 Feb 2014
Central African Republic: Hostilities and violence against civilians in the Central African Republic must stop says UN humanitarian chief
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Central African Republic (Bangui/Geneva, 20 February 2014): UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Michel Sidibe, and Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Department of Safety and Security, Ms. Mbaranga Gasarabwe completed their three-day mission in the Central African Republic today with a call for an end of hostilities…

19 Feb 2014
Central African Republic: UN Humanitarian Chief calls for greater security and protection of all communities in the Central African Republic
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Central African Republic (Bangui/Geneva, 19 February 2014): UN Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos called for increased security and protection of all communities across the Central African Republic (CAR) as she started the second day of her mission in the country today. She is accompanied by the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibe, and Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Department of Safety and Security, Mbaranga…

UN Division for Sustainable Development [to 23 February 2014]
Department of Economic and Social Affairs, http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.html

Meetings
30 Jun – 9 Jul 2014 – Second meeting of the high-level political forum on sustainable development

24 Sep 2013 – First meeting of the high-level political forum on sustainable development

Documents
A/68/588 – Summary of the first meeting of the high-level political forum on sustainable development
[Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish]

A/RES/67/290 – Format and organizational aspects of the high-level political forum on sustainable development
[Arabic] [Chinese] [English] [French] [Russian] [Spanish]

UNDP  United Nations Development Program [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.us.undp.org/content/undp/en/home.html

19 Feb 2014
UNDP Administrator Visits “Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People”
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark wrapped up a two day visit to the occupied Palestinian territories today which focused on development priorities there and how UNDP could support them.

19 Feb 2014
Rebeca Grynspan: Speech on the occasion of the launch of the report “Towards a life of dignity for all – 10 years of strategic UNDP-EU partnership”  European Parliament

18 Feb 2014
Turkish company pledges to support small scale farmers in low-income communities
Leading dried food producer Taze&Kuru Inc. will integrate in its business plan 100 small scale Turkish farmers to support local production in line with their commitment to the Business Call to Action (BCtA). The company has also pledged to establish more production facilities in Turkey by 2018, employing primarily women in locations used to dry fruits and vegetables.

18 Feb 2014
The search for solutions to Arab development challenges heads south
The “First Arab States Regional South-South Development Expo” opened today in the Qatari capital, Doha. The Expo is the first ever forum in the Arab region seeking to study successful development solutions from the global South and possibilities for their replication and scaling up, and to strengthen the exchange of tangible solutions and experiences between countries of the South and the Arab region in response to common development challenges.

16 Feb 2014
ITC and UNDP join forces to bring Palestinian women back to business
Ramallah – The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Business Women Forum-Palestine (BWF), today launched a new project to empower Palestinian women business owners and help build capacity to ensure that they are better enabled to sell their goods and services.

UN Women  [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.unwomen.org/

New research paints poignant picture of intimate partner violence in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe now has its first comprehensive baseline study on the prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence but the road to justice remains rocky for women survivors. More

Opening remarks by Lakshmi Puri on CSW lessons learned, at Africa Ministerial Preparatory Meeting for CSW58
Posted on February 21, 2014
Speech by UN Women Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri, delivered at the Africa Ministerial Preparatory Meeting for CSW58, in Addis Ababa, 8 February 2014. More

“Positive developments for women’s empowerment and gender equality in Jordan” – Executive Director
Posted on February 20, 2014
Speech by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, during the a ceremony to announce Jordan’s COMMITment, in Amman, 20 February 2014. More

Jordan joins COMMIT initiative, also signs MoU with UN Women
Posted on February 20, 2014
Under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and in the presence of UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Jordanian Government today joined UN Women’s COMMIT initiative by announcing its commitment to address and prevent violence against women and girls. More

All We Ask for Is Peace: Voices of Women from South Sudan
Posted on February 19, 2014
A blog post on LinkedIn by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, on the situation women and girls are facing in South Sudan. More

Women of Latin America build bridges, changing status quo in politics
Posted on February 19, 2014
In Honduras and El Salvador, a spotlight on efforts towards addressing electoral challenges through trainings for candidates. More

UN Women Executive Director speaks on South Sudan
Posted on February 19, 2014
In a press statement, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka detailed the hardships witnessed beyond her “wildest fears” and said stronger efforts are required to address the precarious situation faced by women and girls in the IDP and refugee camps and to bring their needs and interests to the centre of the political negotiations. More

Presentation by John Hendra at the Asia-Pacific Civil Society Consultation on Beijing+20 and CSW58
Posted on February 19, 2014
Presentation by John Hendra, Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Programme, at the Asia-Pacific Civil Society Consultation for the 20-Year Review of Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and for the 58th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, 11 February 2014, Bangkok. More

Opening remarks by John Hendra at the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for CSW58
Posted on February 18, 2014
Opening Remarks by John Hendra, Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Programme, at the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 58th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, 12 February 2014, Bangkok. More

Coca-Cola South Africa and UN Women partner to economically empower women
Posted on February 18, 2014
Coca-Cola South Africa and UN Women today announced a partnership of a newly launched programme to promote the advancement and economic empowerment of women. More

Member States and civil society organizations in Asia-Pacific endorse a stand-alone gender equality goal for post-2015
Posted on February 18, 2014
The need to focus post-2015 discussions on gender was one of the main recommendations at the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 58th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW58), held 12-13 February in Bangkok, Thailand.

UNFPA  United Nations Population Fund [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.unfpa.org/public/

19 February 2014
More Support Still Needed for Health, Protection of Women and Girls 100 Days After Typhoon Haiyan
UNITED NATIONS, New York — One hundred days after typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines and left behind massive destruction and loss of lives, much remains to be done to fully bring affected communities back on their feet.

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.fao.org/home/en/

New tools and farmer training could revolutionize pesticide management in West Africa
Studies reveal extent of risks from pesticides in the region, show that field schools can dramatically cut their use
17 February 2014, Rome – Field schools that train farmers in alternative methods of pest control have succeeded in nearly eliminating the use of toxic pesticides by a community of cotton growers in Mali, according to a new FAO study published today by the London-based Royal Society.
The study was conducted in two areas – the Bla region of southern Mali, where FAO established a field school program in 2003, and a second area, Bougouni, where the program was not yet active.
While only 34 percent of all cotton-farmers in the area participated in the program, pesticide use on all of Bla’s cotton farms – more than 4,300 households – dropped a staggering 92 percent. FAO’s study further found that the move away from pesticide use had no negative impact on yields.
The Bougouni area, where training has not yet taken place, saw no change in pesticide use over the same eight-year period. This suggests that knowledge of alternative methods in pest control was further disseminated in the Bla area by program participants to other farmers in the area, underscoring the potential of farmer field schools to act as catalysts for widespread practice change…

Study: Farmer field schools in Mali
Pesticide use and increased tillage associated with cotton production, have largely contributed to increased environmental degradation. (…)

UNESCO  [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/for-the-press/all-news//

21 Feb 2104
The Director-General of UNESCO pays tribute to Antoinette Fouque, women’s rights activist

20 Feb 2104
UNESCO Director-General condemns military presence and destruction at World Heritage Sites in Syria

20 Feb 2104
“My Role as a Citizen of Earth” – International Essay Contest for Young People

20 Feb 2104
Director-General condemns killing of Ukrainian journalist Vyacheslav Veremyi and calls for safety of media workers

20 Feb 2104
UNESCO join hands with ISSN to create ROAD to enhance access to Open Access Scholarly Resources

20 Feb 2104
UNESCO launches new website on “Working with Development Partners to Promote Freedom of Expression”

20 Feb 2104
World Day of Social Justice 2014

19 Feb 2104
Towards a 2nd International Ocean Research Conference

18 Feb 2104
UNESCO publishes its report reviewing 10 years of WSIS action [World Summit on the Information Society

UNCTAD  [to 23 February 2014]
http://unctad.org/en/Pages/Home.aspx

UNCTAD hails International Year Of Small Island Developing States, urges more effective steps in their favour
Launch event takes place in New York on Monday, 24 February
UNCTAD/PRESS/IN/2014/001  Geneva, Switzerland, (21 February 2014)
Excerpt
Small island developing States (SIDS) need international support more than ever in their efforts to build resilient economies, UNCTAD said in the run-up to a high-level UN conference that will tackle vulnerability issues later this year.
The UN’s International Year of Small Island Developing States in New York kicks off on Monday, 24 February, alongside preparatory meetings for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, which will be held in Samoa in September.
The specific challenges facing small island developing States result from their limited size, remoteness from large markets, and vulnerability to economic and natural shocks…

USAID [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.usaid.gov/

Satellite Data for the People: USAID Supports Launch of New Forest Watch Tool
February 21, 2014
Global Forest Watch unites more than 40 government, business and civil society partners to curb forest destruction by putting free and transparent information in the hands of people who care most about forests.

OECD  [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.oecd.org/

21 Feb 2014
Ambitious structural reforms can pave the return to strong and sustainable growth, OECD says
Adopting ambitious and comprehensive structural reform agendas will offer governments the best chance for a return to strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth that creates jobs and reduces inequality, according to the OECD’s latest Going for Growth report

World Trade Organisation [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news13_e/news13_e.htm

Azevêdo’s health-check on global trade: Growth recovering but restrictions on the rise
Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, in presenting his first global trade-monitoring report to WTO members on 17 February 2014, said that trade growth projections for this year are “much improved, hovering somewhere between 4.0% and 4.5%.” However, he said “407 new restrictive measures were reported during the review period,” affecting 1.3 % of world merchandise imports—valued at $240 billion.
> Speech

World Bank [to 23 February 2014]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all

See “Gender at Work” report coverage above.
.
8 Million More Filipinos Including Yolanda Victims to Benefit from Expanded Community-Driven Development Project
Newly-approved project to empower more communities to participate in local planning, budgeting and implementation of projects that help reduce poverty
WASHINGTON, February 20, 2014 – More than eight million Filipinos in 477 poor rural municipalities and areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) are expected to have better access to social and economic infrastructure and services. Under the National Community-Driven Development Project (NCDDP), more poor communities across the country will be empowered to participate in local planning, budgeting and implementation of community-level projects that help reduce poverty.The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved today a US$479 million loan for these purposes, providing more funding to scale up to national coverage the project known as Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services….