SOS-Kinderdorf International  [to 1 March 2014]

Crisis escalates in South Sudan
28.02.2014 – Amid UN reports of shocking attacks in the South Sudan city of Malakal, and news that children, mothers, and other co-workers from the SOS Children’s Village located there had fled to a UN compound, SOS Children’s Villages on Friday reminded all parties to the conflict of their obligation under international human rights law to protect the rights of children.

Children’s Villages ‏@sos4children Feb 26
Congratulations @SOS_barnebyer on your compelling video! Now over 12 million views! http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/news/what-would-you-do-if-you-saw-a-freezing-child …

Children’s Villages ‏@sos4children Feb 26
Hope on the horizon in the #Philippines. Our latest update on recovering from #TyphoonHaiyan http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/news/typhoon-haiyan-emergency-appeal-2014/hope-on-the-horizon-in-tacloban … #Tacloban

Children’s Villages ‏@sos4children Feb 25
Our Children’s Village in Ukraine is safe despite recent unrest http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/news/sos-families-safe-as-ukraine-crisis-continues … #Ukraine

St. Christopher’s Hospice  [to 1 March 2014]

St Christopher’s Group Newsletter Spring 2014
Published on Monday, 24 February 2014
The first combined newsletter bringing you information from St Christopher’s and St Christopher’s Bromley is now available to download.

Tostan  [to 1 March 2014]

February 26, 2014
Communities use their conflict resolution skills and community development grants to implement own projects
On February 13-14, 2014, Community Management Committee (CMC) members and village chiefs from five communities gathered in Dioudé Diabé, a village in the northern Senegal department of Podor, to participate in financial management training and receive a Community Development Grant. Members of each of these communities – Thioubalel Lao, Dioudé Diabé, Barangol, Fondé Elimane, and Dounguel – had first gained project management and problem-solving skills while participating in Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) and additional trainings on conflict resolution and problem-solving through our Peace and Security Project…

Women for Women International  [to 1 March 2014]

Women for Women Intl ‏@WomenforWomen Feb 26
Did You Know? #WfWI had a total of 949 graduates from #DRCongo last month in our core program. http://ow.ly/u1Qt8

Women for Women Intl ‏@WomenforWomen Feb 24
Follow us on Instagram as we share with you captivating photos of the #women we serve. #WfWI #WomenforWomen http://ow.ly/tWnTb

Laureates Collaborative [to 1 March 2014]
Laureates Collab ‏@hiltonlaureates 34s

Thanks for excellent @hiltonlaureates meeting 26 Feb in PAP: @Heifer @helpage @theIRC @operationsmile @PIH @sos4children & @tobyhporter

Laureates Collab ‏@hiltonlaureates 9m
Special thanks to @IRC Haiti staff for hosting visit to “Safe Spaces” for girls and young women at Croix de Bouquet and Tabarre…powerful.

United Nations – Selected Meetings Coverage and Press Releases [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.un.org/en/unpress/

UN Meetings
Ukraine, in Emergency Meeting, Calls on Security Council to Stop Military Intervention by Russian Federation (1 March 2014)
SC/11302

Success of Upcoming Elections Critical to Guinea-Bissau’s Future Economic, Social Stability, Security Council Told (26 February 2014)
SC/11298

Only Mali’s People Can Ensure Sustainable Peace, France’s Representative Tells Security Council after Leading Visiting Mission (26 February 2014)
SC/11297

Press Releases
Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Attack on Civilians in China (1 March 2014)
SG/SM/15678

Deputy Secretary-General, Briefing Security Council on Situation in Ukraine, Says Now Is Time for Cool Heads to Prevail (1 March 2014)
DSG/SM/751-SC/11303

Secretary-General Reiterates Call for Preservation of Ukraine’s Independence, Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity, Direct Dialogue to Solve Crisis (1 March 2014)
SG/SM/15677

Secretary-General Says in Message for Women’s Day ‘Equality Is Not a Dream, But a Duty of Governments, the United Nations, and Every Human Being’ (28 February 2014)
SG/SM/15676-OBV/1303-WOM/1977

Statement by Chair of Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (27 February 2014)
SC/11301

Secretary-General, Applauding Global Partners for Saving Lives, Urges Ramping Up Efforts to Reach Every Woman, Every Child (26 February 2014)
SG/SM/15672

Security Council Press Statement on Guinea-Bissau (26 February 2014)
SC/11299-AFR/2828

Secretary-General Laments Loss of Life in Venezuela, Urging Meaningful Dialogue With View to Seeking Peace, Common Ground (26 February 2014)
SG/SM/15671

Secretary-General Urges Uganda to Revise or Repeal New Anti-Homosexuality Law, Warning that It Could Fuel Prejudice (25 February 2014)
SG/SM/15666-AFR/2825-HR/5170

Secretary-General, in General Assembly, Urges Syrian Parties to Ease Humanitarian Access, Treat Civilians Humanely (25 February 2014)
SG/SM/15665-GA/11486-IHA/1336

UNICEF [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_71508.html

Media Releases [selected]
Joint GPEI-GAVI Statement on the Availability and Price of Inactivated Polio Vaccine
COPENHAGEN/NEW YORK, 28 February 2014 – The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and the GAVI Alliance welcome the conclusion of UNICEF’s tender process, which makes accessible sufficient quantities of affordable inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) to support country introductions, in line with the ambitious timeline of GPEI’s Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018.

UNICEF report: Silent threat emerging among Syrian refugee children in Lebanon
BEIRUT, 25 February 2014 – A UNICEF-led joint nutrition assessment on the situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon was launched today, revealing malnutrition as a silent, emerging threat.

UNICEF urges “child-free” protest sites after violence claims three young lives
BANGKOK, 24 February 2014– The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today urged the Government, pro- and anti-government protest leaders and parents to protect children by keeping them away from all protest sites after the latest round of deadly political violence claimed the lives of three children and severely injured two others.

Public urged to voice their outrage and demand action to prevent a lost generation in Syria
NEW YORK, 24 February 2014 – UNICEF, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Mercy Corps, Save the Children and World Vision today issued an impassioned appeal to the general public, urging it to voice its outrage at the devastating impact on children and alarming long-term consequences of a lost generation as the conflict in Syria approaches its fourth year.

UNHCR [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home

Press Releases and News
24 February 20
UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie visits Lebanon, urges aid for Syria’s children, expresses gratitude to Lebanon, and welcomes new UN resolution on Syria

Dream home comes closer for Serbian family years after fleeing Croatia
Former refugee Ranko has applied for one of 70 sturdy bungalows to be built in Serbia under a programme aimed at ending the region’s long displacement chapter.

Fresh water brings life back to traumatized South Sudan village
UNHCR makes it possible for hundreds of villagers to go home by drilling two boreholes to replace a stream contaminated in recent fighting.

UNHCR seeks stepped up security for 15,000 at risk in Central African Republic
The refugee agency is particularly worried about people in areas such as the PK12 neighbourhood in Bangui and the towns of Boda, Bouar and Bossangoa.

Second shift schools offer hope to young Syrians
The Syrian refugee population in Lebanon includes some 270,000 children. A new UNHCR-supported programme is finding a solution for nearly 30,000 of them.

Briefing Notes
Refugee information presented in twice-weekly press briefings in Geneva.
:: Pakistan begins issuing new cards to 1.6 million Afghan refugees
:: UNHCR says over 15000 CAR civilians facing acute risk, better security urgently needed

UNOCHA [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.unocha.org/

Press Releases
27 Feb 2014
Philippines: UN Humanitarian Chief Calls for Continued Support to Meet Millions of People’s Needs four Months After Typhoon Haiyan

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Philippines (Manila/New York, 27 February 2014): United Nations Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos concluded a two-day visit to the Philippines today, calling on the international community to continue supporting critical humanitarian efforts in the country where significant needs remain, four months after Typhoon Haiyan struck. “There is huge progress,” said Ms. Amos, who had previously visited the affected areas twice…

27 Feb 2014
South Sudan: Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos statement on South Sudan
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: South Sudan (New York, 27 February 2014) I am deeply concerned by the grave humanitarian situation in South Sudan, where, despite the recent ceasefire agreement, the lives of millions of civilians are threatened by lack of food, outbreaks of disease, and continued violence. Malakal, a city in Upper Nile State that I visited just a month ago, saw shocking violence and human rights abuses last week. More than 100 people…

27 Feb 2014
Philippines: Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos – Press Remarks on the Philippines, Manila, 27 February 2014
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Philippines Thank you very much and good morning everyone. I am back in the Philippines. This is my third visit. I had the opportunity yesterday to return to parts of Eastern Visayas region that were devastated by Typhoon Haiyan and see for myself the progress that has been made since my visits in November. Tacloban today is almost unrecognizable from the city I saw in November. Streets that were piled high with debris…

25 Feb 2014
Syrian Arab Republic: Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Kyung-Wha Kang – General Assembly informal meeting on Syria
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: occupied Palestinian territory, Syrian Arab Republic New York, 25 February 2014 On behalf of the USG for humanitarian affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, I thank you for this opportunity to brief the General Assembly on the humanitarian situation in Syria. During the three years of the conflict, the death toll has reached well over 100,000 many months ago and over 680,000 have been injured….

25 Feb 2014
Central African Republic: Humanitarian coordinator in CAR Abdou Dieng calls for urgent scale up of security of Muslims trapped in Bangui
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Central African Republic Bangui, 21 February 2014: The Humanitarian Coordinator in the Central African Republic, Mr. Abdou Dieng, visited the PK 12 neighborhood of the capital Bangui today and urged for an immediate scale up of security measures in order provide better protection to some 3,000 members of the Muslim community who have been trapped there for two months. Fleeing attacks by anti-Balaka militias, this…

24 Feb 2014
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Déclaration du Coordonnateur Humanitaire en République Démocratique du Congo, Moustapha Soumaré, sur les exactions commises à l’encontre des civils dans le Territoire de Masisi, Nord-Kivu – Kinshasa, 24 Février 2014
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo « Depuis plusieurs semaines, le Masisi est le théâtre de multiples exactions commises à l’encontre des civils. Des rapports alarmants font états d’assassinats -dont de nombreux sur une base ethnique – commis par des groupes armés dans la partie sud du territoire où près d’une quarantaine de personnes auraient été tuées et des villages incendiés. Au nord-ouest de Masisi centre, des…

Latest Map: Philippines: Philippines: Ongoing Protection activities as of 24 Feb 2014

UN Division for Sustainable Development [to 1 March 2014]
Department of Economic and Social Affairs, http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.html

Draft decision
A/67/L.70 – Draft decision establishing the intergovernmental committee of experts on sustainable development financing

Latest contributions from Major Groups
LAMG Position Paper on SDGs (ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability)

ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL SD METRIC UNIT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF UN (Tecnhical University of Crete)

NGO MG position paper on SDG (Northern Alliance for Sustainability (ANPED))

For The Better Conservation and Management of Islands and Their Surrounding Ocean Areas (OPRF ANCORS) (Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF))

Health cluster summary position paper: Health priorities for the post-2015 framework (NCD Alliance)

UNDP  United Nations Development Program [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.us.undp.org/content/undp/en/home.html

26 Feb 2014
New programme to help communities recover from violence in the Central African Republic
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a comprehensive new programme to promote peace-building and recovery across the Central African Republic.

26 Feb 2014
Over 20 percent of Yasuni ITT Trust Fund contributions have been reimbursed
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has reimbursed US$ 2.35 million of a total $9.94 million donated to the Yasuni National Park’s Ishpingo Tambococha Tiputini (ITT) initiative, which the Government of Ecuador brought to end in August 2013. UNDP, in its role of Trust Fund Administrator, through its Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Office, has contacted all contributors and is working towards their full reimbursement in the next six months.

25 Feb 2014
Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan elected as Ibero-American Secretary-General
UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan has been elected unanimously to head the Ibero-American Secretariat (SEGIB) starting April 1. Ms. Grynspan will be the first woman to lead this organization, replacing Enrique V. Iglesias who has led the Organization since 2005.

UN Women  [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.unwomen.org/

Congolese refugees living with HIV forge ahead, gaining independence
Posted on February 28, 2014
Women are cultivating mushrooms and tomatoes, learning about business and agriculture and pooling their funds along with combating social stigma and confronting gender-based violence. More

UN Women supports Greening the Blue
Posted on February 27, 2014
UN Women is proud to join 52 other UN agencies in its support of Greening the Blue, a movement to reduce the UN system’s environmental footprint. More

Hope runs deep, rebuilding confidence among Syrian women refugees
Posted on February 27, 2014
UN Women’s Executive Director visited UN Women’s Oasis, a safe space for women to seek support and skills training in Jordan’s Zaatari Refugee Camp. More

Looking to the Future: Current and emerging strategic priorities – Remarks by John Hendra at the ECOSOC OAS
Posted on February 26, 2014
Remarks by UN Women Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Programme John Hendra, New York, 24 February 2014. More

Opening remarks by Lakshmi Puri on the MDGs, post-2015 development agenda, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the Arab region
Posted on February 24, 2014
Speech by UN Women Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri, delivered at the League of Arab States, in Cairo, 23 February 2014. More

UNFPA  United Nations Population Fund [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.unfpa.org/public/

Brief on Engaging Men, Changing Gender Norms
Directions for Gender-Transformative Action
Author: Michael Kaufman with input from Gary Barker, Dean Peacock, Joseph Vess, Omar Robles, UNFPA staff Leyla Sharafi, and colleagues on the MenEngage Steering Committee.
No. of pages: 12
Publication date: 2014
Publisher: UNFPA-MenEngage
English

This MenEngage-UNFPA advocacy brief explores the importance of changing social norms related to men’s ideas and behaviors and examines several questions: Can men support gender equality and learn to live gender-equitable lives? Can men transform the ideas and practices they associate with manhood? Can the spheres where men and boys are socialized and often learn inequitable norms – home, school, work, sports, religion, the media, and others – be changed? This brief will consider responses to these questions in three parts. The first part focuses on “Gender Relations, Gendered Social Norms, and Masculinities,” which discusses the context of societal gender norms and their impact on behaviors. The second part of the Brief examines how “Building on the Changes that are Already Happening,” which outlines the broad shifts in men’s attitudes, and the gender equitable policies and programs that are taking hold globally. Lastly, the final section puts forth “Principles and Key Recommendations for Promoting Gender Equitable Norms Among Men and Boys,” which highlights underlying principles for work with and successful engagement of men and boys to transform gender norms.

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.fao.org/home/en/

Strengthening Forest Tenure Systems and Governance
TRAINING MODULE FOR FACILITATORS
FAO 2014
73 pages

Forest management worldwide has undergone substantial changes over the past decades, including a gradual move away from state forest control towards participatory and local forest management. Ownership and access to forest resources, initially state-dominated, are becoming more diversified, allowing a wider range of actors to participate in forest management. This shift characterizes ongoing forest tenure reform processes.

Tenure reform involves changes to regulatory frameworks and governance, which require key

stakeholders, including government officials, to adopt new and different roles in forest management, roles for which they frequently have little training or experience. At the same time, communities, smallholders and individuals are often unaware of their rights and responsibilities, and how these can be exercised effectively for tangible benefits.

Under the framework of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT) which were endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in 2012, and based on the forest tenure reform guidelines developed by FAO in 2011, this training module will provide practical guidance for people involved in forest tenure reforms and those reflecting on the effectiveness of existing tenure systems…

UNESCO  [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/for-the-press/all-news//

28 Feb 13
New Centre in Algiers for “Intangible Heritage in Africa”

28 Feb 13
Director-General of UNESCO welcomes UN Security Council on aid to Syria

28 Feb 13
“The protection of heritage is inseparable from the protection of civilians in armed conflict”

26 Feb 13
Cultural heritage must be saved from new “21st century wars”

25 Feb 13
Ocean State Youth Launch Network for the Future of Small Islands

25 Feb 13
UNESCO Kathmandu organizes training of trainers on the right to information for journalists

25 Feb 13
Rethinking Learning in a Changing World – Meeting of Senior Experts Paris, 27-28 February 2014

CBD (Convention of Biological Diversity) [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.cbd.int/

2014-02-28
Nominations open for The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2014
Bringing international recognition and a substantial monetary prize to three outstanding individuals, nominations are now invited for The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2014. The call for nominations remains open from 1 March to 31 May 2014.

2014-02-28
Governments complete preparations for the entry into force of Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing
Governments have established firm foundations for the operation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing of Genetic Resources, contributing to the momentum towards entry into force and setting the agenda for the first meeting of its governing body, expected to take place in October 2014.

USAID [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.usaid.gov/

Administrator Shah Delivers Remarks at the US-ASEAN Business Council
February 28, 2014
MEDIA ADVISORY
.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah will give opening remarks and sign an MOU with the US-ASEAN Business Council to launch of the US-ASEAN Business Alliance for Competitive Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

USAID Launches Second Round of All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development Grant and Prize Competition
February 27, 2014
$2,700,000 Literacy Grant Competition and $100,000 Prize Opportunity
Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with World Vision and the Australian government, launched the second round of All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD). This international grant competition will make available a total of $2.7 million for innovations and programs that leverage the transformative power of technology to leapfrog existing infrastructure challenges and empower children to read.

USAID Announces Five New Awards To Advance a More Prosperous, Resilient, Democratic Nepal
February 26, 2014
Today, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah completed a two-day visit to Kathmandu, during which he announced approximately $100 million in support of the people of Nepal subject to the availability of funding.  Dr. Shah met with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and other key political leaders and spoke at the closing session of the Nepal Economic Summit, where he stressed the private sector’s role in accelerating Nepal’s economic growth. Dr. Shah also visited sites that highlight USAID’s commitment to using innovation, science, technology, and partnerships—with the Nepali government, civil society, and the private sector—to deepen development impact.

ECHO  [to 1 March 2014]
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm

“EU Aid Volunteers” to create over 18 000 opportunities worldwide
25/2/2014 – – In today’s vote, the European Parliament gave its overwhelming support for the “EU Aid Volunteers” programme – an initiative that will allow European citizens to take part in humanitarian work worldwide.
[Read more]

UN adopts humanitarian resolution on Syria crisis
24/2/2014 – The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Syria’s humanitarian crisis which, for the first time, demands both the Syrian government and the opposition to provide immediate access for humanitarian forces to deliver aid, anywhere needed in the country…
[Read more]

OECD  [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.oecd.org/
28 Feb 2014
OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2014 launches in Berlin
Tourism has shown resilience through the global economic crisis and accounts today for 4.7% of GDP and 6% of jobs on average in OECD countries. Yet as tourist arrivals worldwide surpass 1 billion annually, many established destinations are losing market share to up-and-coming countries in an increasingly competitive environment.

World Trade Organisation [to 1 March 2014]
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news13_e/news13_e.htm

25 and 26 February 2014
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: FORMAL COUNCIL MEETING
Intellectual property body grapples with plain packaging, innovation, technology and more
WTO members discussed a number of new and long-running issues such as plain packaging for tobacco products, measures related to biodiversity, innovation in green technologies, and the role of universities, when they met as the intellectual property council on 25–26 February 2014. But they failed to narrow their differences on many issues and there were no breakthrough decisions.

24 February 2014
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Estonia donates EUR 20,000 to technical assistance for developing countries
The government of Estonia has donated EUR 20,000 (CHF 24,400) to the WTO Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund for 2014. This donation will finance a wide range of trade-related technical assistance activities to help developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) to participate effectively in the Doha round of negotiations and better integrate into the world economy.