BRIEFINGS
Media,
religion must overcome rampant mistrust between cultures Ban
Ki-moon 10 May 2007
With
an epidemic of mistrust of the “other,” along with rising terrorism
and other inter-group violence, United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon and the
President of the General Assembly today called on the media, religions
and individuals to work for mutual respect as a major conference
on co-existence opened in New York. (More
details)
Professor
Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Laureate
The
Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace
Prize for 2006, divided into two equal parts, to Muhammad Yunus
and Grameen Bank for their efforts to create economic and social
development from below. Lasting peace can not be achieved unless
large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty.
Micro-credit is one such means. Development from below also serves
to advance democracy and human rights. (More
details)
CATHOLIC
PRIEST IN BRIXTON PRISON FOR WAR PROTEST
"So
we went to the Ministry of Defence to grieve,
because to grieve is the only way out of denial:
to grieve
for our
innocence, to grieve for our loss, to
grieve for all those who have suffered and died
and lost
loved ones in Iraq, where a fate worse than death
is to be the one who is left behind. We went
to express our grief in the hope that hearts would
be opened
and lead to the repentance, conversion and change
that could end the occupation. This is still
our hope and cry: end the occupation: bring the
troops home
now." (More
details)
Leaders
Change; Message Continues
December
31st 2006 saw Secretary General Kofi Annan take leave
of the UN, reminding us of the three great challenges
facing us an unjust world economy, world disorder and
widespread contempt for human rights and the rule of law global
challenges that demand a global response. His farewell
words: “I yield my place to others with an obstinate feeling,
a real obstinate feeling of hope for our common future”.
January 1st. 2007. (More
details)
15th
Session of Commission on Sustainable Development
This
year's themes:Energy for Sustainable Development, Industrial
Development, Air Pollution, Atmosphere, and
Climate Change
(More details)
February-March
2007 GENEVA
70th Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Country
Reports: Liechtenstein, Czech Republic,
and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India (P), Canada (P),
Antigua and Barbuda, Italy (P),
Republic of Moldova, Republic of Indonesia (I-P)
Chair: Mr. Régis de Gouttes (France)
http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/
Exxon
Mobil Posts Record Annual Profit
Feb
01, 2007 9:47 AM US/Eastern, By JOHN PORRETTO, AP Business Writer
HOUSTON
(AP) -- Oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. on Thursday posted the largest
annual profit by a U.S. company, $39.5 billion, even as earnings
for the last quarter of 2006 declined 4 percent.
The 2006 profit
topped Exxon Mobil's own previous record of $36.13 billion set
in 2005.
Revenue at the world's largest publicly traded oil
company rose to $377.64 billion for the year, surpassing the record
$370.68 billion Exxon posted in 2005. (More details)
Scientists
offered cash to dispute climate study Ian Sample, science correspondent
Friday
February 2, 2007 The Guardian
The arctic habitat of polar bears is under threat as climate change causes
ice to melt. Photograph: Joseph Napaaqtuq Sage/AP Scientists and economists
have been offered $10,000 each by a lobby group funded by one of the world's
largest oil companies to undermine a major climate change report due to be
published today. (More details)
Inequality
rising despite promises of globalization, UN expert says
9
February 2007 – Much of the world has seen “a significant and
disturbing increase of inequality” in the last two decades, contradicting
predictions that globalization and liberalization would foster more equal
opportunities, a senior United Nations economist said today.(More
details)
UN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
OPENS SESSION WITH CALL FOR ACTION ON JOBS
New York, Feb 7 2007 7:00PM
The
United Nations Commission for Social Development opened its annual session
today in New York with a call for the adoption of policies that will
ensure that economic growth generates employment to help fight poverty.
(More details)
"Globalization
has increased interdependence among countries, leaving governments limited
policy space to increase employment levels on their own through more
expansionary macroeconomic policies,” said Under-Secretary-General
for Economic and Social Affairs José Antonio Ocampo. (More details)
World
Bank and Governments Asked to Ensure Human Rights in Mining Sector
Isabella Gyau Orhin, Accra, February 5, 2007
Civil Society groups, CIDSE and Partner organizations across the globe that participated in the just ended World Social Forum in Nairobi Kenya have asked the World Bank to implement the original recommendations of the Extractive Industries Review report which includes the need to secure the free, prior and informed consent of local people.
They have also asked Trans-national Corporations to respect their contracts with host governments, which must be in line with national laws and international human rights and environmental standards, while asking governments to allow for renegotiation of contracts which are not in the best interests of affected communities.
(More details)
