Monthly Archives: October 2015

Supporting Global Uranium Mining Through Responsible Extraction and Delivery

The increased costs associated with having to dig deeper for ore and growing public concern with mining activities are among the global challenges facing the mining industry. These challenges also affect the extraction of uranium ore, the raw material for nuclear fuel. “As the use of nuclear energy increases, so too will the need for uranium production, conversion, enrichment and fuel fabrication. Uranium production will start in several countries with limited nuclear experience and know-how,” said Harikrishnan Tulsidas, scientific officer with the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy. Continue reading →

Text messages prepare Vanuatu for drought while recovering from Pam

A text messaging system which helped communities in Vanuatu recover from the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Pam, is also helping communities to prepare for the next potential drought disaster with the impending El Nino. To help Tropical Cyclone Pam-affected people keep their food supply safe, two separate pre and post-cyclone campaign Text messages were sent to 90,000 people around Vanuatu. Continue reading →

General Assembly Elects 18 Members to Human Rights Council, Confirms Six States Nominated to Programme and Coordination Committee

The General Assembly today elected 18 States to serve on the Human Rights Council, the United Nations body responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. Those elected were Belgium, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Germany, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Panama, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, Togo, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.  All would serve three-year terms beginning on 1 January 2016. Continue reading →

Disarmament Poster Contest Call for Entries

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the first UN General Assembly resolution, which established the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs is pleased to sponsor the UN Poster for Peace Contest. The contest aims to raise awareness of the need for nuclear disarmament and to inspire citizens across the globe to add their voices, and use their artistic talents, to promote a world free of nuclear weapons.

Global design contest for World Press Freedom Day 2016

Freedom of information is a human right. It is also an integral part of the fundamental human right of freedom of expression “to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. Freedom of information is also a precondition for informed public participation in governance and in the democratic process. Continue reading →

2015 Human Rights Day poster competition

The International Bill of Human Rights (PDF), which consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two Covenants, was drafted as “a common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations.” It was the first time in human history that a document spelled out the basic civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all humans should enjoy. Continue reading →