Following a gathering of Council of Europe states on International Human Rights Day, 27 countries called for “migration reform,” criticizing the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights for upholding the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. This rhetoric coincides with the European Union’s recent wave of restrictive and harsh… [Read More]
WHO
Best Practices in Gender-Responsive Human Rights Due Diligence
The ETI Gender Responsive Action Community (GRACE) programme highlighted that preventing gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) requires long-term, systemic change rather than quick fixes. Success depends on shifting power, building trust, and creating systems that genuinely work for women, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities for brands, suppliers, and communities to drive meaningful impact. A… [Read More]
Planning and Implementing Joint Needs Assessments: Insights from UNHCR-WFP Country Exchange in Egypt, Zimbabwe, and South Sudan
In Egypt, the refugee landscape has shifted dramatically following the Sudan crisis, with registered refugees tripling since March 2023 to over 1.4 million, 75 percent of whom are Sudanese nationals. Economic instability, including inflation and currency depreciation, has heightened vulnerabilities for both refugees and host communities. A joint assessment by WFP and UNHCR revealed that… [Read More]
Youth-Centered Mental Health Care: Key Lessons for Effective Service Design
Over half of children and youth with mental illness in Canada and the United States do not receive appropriate or adequate treatment, with mental illness and substance use representing the leading cause of disability among youth. Despite ongoing efforts to improve mental health and substance use services, many youth disengage prematurely, which is associated with… [Read More]
Reflecting on 75 Years: What the Joyce Foundation Teaches About Effective Giving
More than 1,000 people gathered on the White House South Lawn in July 2022 to witness President Joe Biden commemorate the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first significant U.S. gun safety legislation in three decades. The event brought together lawmakers, gun violence survivors, advocates, and researchers, highlighting nearly 30 years of groundwork… [Read More]
Africa’s AI Opportunity: $1 Trillion GDP Gain Projected by 2035, Says AfDB
The African Development Bank has released a report outlining a strategic roadmap to unlock the economic and social potential of artificial intelligence (AI) across Africa. Titled Africa’s AI Productivity Gain: Pathways to Labour Efficiency, Economic Growth and Inclusive Transformation, the study was developed under the G20 Digital Transformation Working Group and highlights AI’s capacity to… [Read More]
FAO Unveils New Villages Recognition Initiative to Honor Rural Culture and Innovation
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched the Villages Recognition Initiative, a global effort celebrating the essential contribution of rural villages in advancing sustainable agrifood systems, conserving biodiversity, and preserving food traditions and local knowledge. Developed under FAO MuNe as part of the Organization’s 80th Anniversary, the initiative highlights how… [Read More]
How Community Midwives Are Reducing Maternal Mortality in the Central African Republic
The Central African Republic continues to face one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 829 deaths per 100 000 live births recorded in 2023. These figures reflect deep challenges, including women giving birth far from health facilities, long distances to reach care, limited medical resources and cultural beliefs that often hinder… [Read More]
How Community Health Workers Powered Lesotho’s Measles-Rubella Vaccination Drive
High in the mountains of Lesotho, where steep slopes and isolated villages make access difficult, a remarkable measles-rubella vaccination campaign succeeded in reaching even the most remote communities. In Qacha’s Nek and Mokhotlong Districts, Village Health Workers, local chiefs, and parents worked together to ensure that distance and rugged terrain did not stand between children… [Read More]
Stronger Protections Ahead: Indonesian Companies Unite Against Workplace Gender-Based Violence
JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) — Indonesian workers remain vulnerable to violence and harassment in the workplace. A survey by the International Labour Organization (ILO) revealed that more than 70 percent of workers in Indonesia have experienced or become victims of some form of violence or harassment at work. This underscores the urgent need for companies… [Read More]
Strengthening Afghan Communities: EU Funding Supports Livelihoods and Resilience
The European Union has contributed €25 million through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to enhance community resilience and improve nutrition across Afghanistan. The funding targets vulnerable populations, including women, children, and rural communities, with a focus on strengthening agriculture and food value chains to promote health, economic stability, and protection against climate-related risks…. [Read More]
Lessons from Social Participation Case Studies in Pandemic Response: Insights from the WHO South-East Asia Region, 2025
Meaningful public engagement in health policy is gaining global recognition, reinforced by commitments in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage. These frameworks emphasize that people’s participation, including that of women, families, communities and civil society organizations, is central to effective health system governance. WHO contributes to… [Read More]
Career Insights: Four Key Lessons from a Decade in the Development Sector
After starting my career at Deloitte, I transitioned into the development sector by joining the Government of India as a Young Professional at the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. This role allowed me to draft, analyse, and refine policy notes under tight deadlines, giving me a steep learning curve and exposing me to… [Read More]
Saskatchewan Wildfire Recovery: Red Cross Offers Financial Support to Local Businesses and Nonprofits
The Canadian Red Cross has launched the Support to Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program to aid recovery for those affected by the 2025 Saskatchewan wildfires. Backed by a $15 million funding commitment from the Government of Saskatchewan, the program provides $2,000 in financial assistance to eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organizations directly impacted by the… [Read More]
PAHO Highlights Financial Protection as Key to Achieving Universal Health in the Americas
On Universal Health Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) emphasized the urgent need for countries in the Americas to strengthen public investment and financial protection mechanisms to achieve universal health. Nearly one third of total health expenditure in the region comes directly from households, well above the recommended 20% threshold, placing millions at risk… [Read More]
New WHO Analysis Reaffirms Vaccines Are Not Linked to Autism
A new analysis by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has confirmed that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This conclusion reinforces WHO’s longstanding position that childhood vaccines, including those given during pregnancy, do not cause autism. Established in 1999, GACVS brings together… [Read More]
UN-Led Alliance Promotes Dialogue to Address Global Divisions
On 14–15 December, Riyadh will host the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), bringing together governments, civil society, youth leaders, women peacebuilders, and media representatives. The Forum’s theme, “UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity – Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World,” underscores… [Read More]
White Spot Biosecurity Control: $4.5 Million Support for Affected Prawn Fishers
The Minns Labor Government has announced an additional $4.5 million financial assistance package to support prawn fishers and farmers in the Clarence, Evans, and Richmond Rivers affected by the detection of white spot in wild prawn populations. This package is designed to help impacted fishers exit the industry, offering funding for voluntary share and business… [Read More]
Promoting Children’s Rights: Joint Statement from UN80 Civil Society Organizations
Civil society organizations working on children’s rights have collectively emphasized the urgent need to place children at the center of all UN reforms. They stress that the UN system must respond to rights-holders across its three pillars, ensuring that children, who represent about a third of the world’s population, are meaningfully included in assessments, decision-making,… [Read More]
Lifesaving Rotavirus Vaccine Now Available Across Cambodia for Children
Phnom Penh, 10 December 2025 – Cambodia has officially introduced the rotavirus vaccine nationwide, incorporating it into the National Immunization Schedule to protect infants and young children from severe diarrheal disease, a leading cause of child mortality. The move marks a major public health milestone, aiming to prevent life-threatening dehydration and complications that can result… [Read More]
Rising HIV Epidemic in Fiji: Urgent Need for Safe Injecting Supplies and HIV Prevention Services
A new rapid assessment in Fiji has revealed that unsafe injecting practices, caused by the lack of harm reduction services such as needle and syringe programmes (NSPs), are significantly increasing the risk of HIV transmission among people who inject drugs. This comes amid one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the Pacific island nation, highlighting… [Read More]
PAHO Assists Jamaica with Rapid Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Deployment Following Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to health service infrastructure in Jamaica, disrupting the lives of thousands of families, health workers, children, and people with chronic illnesses. The storm’s psychosocial impacts include acute stress, grief, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion, with displaced individuals and those in overcrowded shelters experiencing feelings of helplessness and uncertainty. Older adults and… [Read More]
WHO & Health Ministry Unveil ‘BcozSheMatters’ Campaign to Promote Women and Girls’ Well-being
The World Health Organization, in partnership with India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, launched a month-long campaign focused on women’s and girls’ health and well-being at a Delhi metro station. The campaign, titled Healthy Women = Healthy Nations and promoted under the hashtag #BcozSheMatters, was flagged off by Dr. Catharina Boehme, WHO Officer-in-Charge for… [Read More]
